Balloon Popping

The moment where you feel more comfortable in ward council than at a YSA game night....that is when you know you've been on a mission a good long time. Haha, ya that was me and Sister Barnes this week.

Balloon popping: I had an exchange with Sister Jacobsen. I don't know if I told you how I totally thought I was going to train her instead of Sister Schmidt, but that is the one. She is AMAZING! She was born in Denmark, but then grew up in Zimbabwe, then went to uni in England to study law and is a convert of 3 years. She has such a powerful testimony that just hits you to the core with the Spirit. We stayed in Bournemouth and had a jam packed day of teaching, but then we did some finding. We wrote a question (ie: Do you believe in God? What do you think happens after we die, you know question of the soul type of stuff) and rolled it up and put it in a balloon. We blew it up and just went around asking people if they wanted to pop a balloon and answer a question inside. It was so effective! Most nearly everyone we stopped was game for it. It was cool that a girl said she wouldn't have stopped to talk to us unless she was intrigued by the balloon. I mean who doesn't love popping a balloon.

Stake Conference: We had stake conference this weekend and Sister Barnes and I were asked to teach the Restoration in 10 minutes to a fake investigator in front of everyone. We were nervous, but the Spirit kicked in and was really special. The Poole stake is getting bigger and can't hold everyone in Poole so this is the first time they hired a place in the Bournemouth International Centre. It was really cool, and Paulo our investigator really loved it. He is doing amazing and is planning to be baptised on November 15th, but he wants it to be earlier so that is awesome! 

We really had an amazing week, and I was able to really feel the Spirit more fully in every aspect. I'm so grateful to be here in this place in this moment surrounded by people I love so much. I'm really trying to focus on the moment because this time is precious to the Lord and it His time not my own, and I better not waste it. I love you all and hope you are enjoying the moment of today.

Love,

Sister McLeod

Haha, just a little fun Sister Barnes and I had on an empty bus one night coming home. We tried to look like we were on a roller coaster...ohh the things that amuse Sister Barnes and I. We laugh so much. She will literally kill me on the mission from laughter.

21st Birthday!

Birthday pictures - With the Kitsells

 At our district meeting with a vegan cake

We are stranded in paulton for days at a bus stop.

Amazing Members

Yes big news, little prince George was born this week! I'm sure all of you know more than me. I just here bits here and there from excited ward members. 

Funny: So everytime we head out into the countryside there are these beautiful trees that form a tunnel of green leaves. The roads being so narrow, I always wondered how they got trimmed so well and we got our answer. Twice this week the bus (with its windows open) clipped the trees for a good while and so it was raining leaves all over the passengers of the bus. People watching is the best form of entertainment and it was quite funny to see various peoples' reactions as they were being covered with leaves. Some couldn't be bothered and kept on reading their newspaper and others just looked so displeased, giving scowls to the bus driver, and the bus driver just chuckled. We, onlookers on the back got a good laugh as well.

Members: The reason why we are seeing the missionary work hasten has a large part to do with the members. Members can break through barriers with investigators that missionaries cannot. We cannot give lifts to church, we cannot give advice/counsel, we cannot be their support forever. For example, we have been teaching Natalie for months, and as soon as members started coming on teaches with us and really getting involved (whether that be by coming on a teach, prayer, a simple note, a lift to church, counsel, support, priesthood blessing, just loving her) that is when we have seen her progress and she has prayed and set her own date for baptism for September 14th!!!!!!!!!! I love Natalie so much and admire her strength. She has truly blossomed amidst the many trials that have come up, but the gospel of Jesus Christ is changing her heart and how she handles adversity. We can see it, and she can see it and it is the most beautiful thing. Conversion ultimately is between you and God, but the love of members is so important! After all, the first two commandments are to love God and love our neighbours. I encourage you to go on teaches with the missionaries. It will bless you, the investigator, and the missionaries as we are all helping build the Kingdom of God! Members are the key! Seven members came on teaches with us this week, and the Spirit you add is AMAZING. If you're nervous, don't be. Just you being there helps them see that the gospel really can apply and help their life. 

Miscellaneous: My first zone conference is tomorrow in Poole! The mission is divided in to different areas/zones and so usually every other moves (moves =6 weeks) a couple zones will meet together to be strengthened. Seeing other missionaries is like the best thing ever, and pumps you up. Just reading Sister Ockey's e-mail pumps me up! Missionary work is so incredible, and I just feel so much love that I have never felt before for every person I meet. So I am in the Bristol Zone, and then within the zone there are areas called districts (consisting of elders and sisters) and within districts you are in an area (Bath). I was so confused before the mission so I wanted to clarify it for all you non returned missionaries. 

Anyway, I love being a missionary. You have shy moments/days, but overall the joy you feel because of the gospel of Jesus Christ is changing you and others is unbelievable.

I love you all.

Cheers,

Sister McLeod 

First District in the MTC {Missionary Training Center}

Second District {Right Now in Bath} 

Don't you just love the flattering angles/picture taking skills of mission pictures?