Busy, busy

Zone Conference: Since our trains aren't working until April, they hired a mini bus to get us to zone conference to Poole. Zone conference is a time that is so nice to see other missionaries, but really to help me see what I need to work on and what I need to do to help the people I am teaching. The AP's spoke about talking to everyone and it has been something I have been alright at, but not always consistent in. Sister Andersen and I knew we had to get better about consistently talking to everyone and so we prayed for the courage and faith to do it. That morning we talked and taught amidst our travels to literally everyone and on our way back for lunch we met Paul. We taught him the restoration, committed him to read the Book of Mormon and to meet with us on Saturday. On Saturday he voiced that church has been on his mind and he was eager to learn. He accepted April 5th for baptism, a date we had prayed about and planned earlier in the week to extend. Tonight we are having FHE (family home evening) in a members home and he is planning to come to church this Sunday! It seriously is amazing that as we listen to our leaders and ultimately the Lord's counsel he will blesses us.

Members that help us = Angels: I love Teignmouth so much! And the members are doing amazing in their efforts to help us. For example we taught Kim on Friday and committed her to come to church. She has a newborn, 4 and 5 year old and no car or car seats and the member there, Susan, was so willing to help. We mass texted the ward for car seats, found 3 and Susan went and retrieved them and was able to take Kim and her family to church. The kids loved primary and Susan took the initiative to make sure they sat next to her in church, and other members even helped with the kids too. So amazing, and so blessed to be teaching so many people that the Lord is preparing. We have 6 baptismal dates and love them all so much. They are all so different and unique, but the gospel is blessing their lives. Kieron passed the sacrament on Sunday like a champ and we are going to do a family home evening with his family this week! Oh man so good. We are so busy!

Dartmoors: The prettiest place ever. Felt Like Lord of the Rings. We went with Maxie, our investigator who I love to death on p-day. We got drenched, but so beautiful and so worth it!

Maxie had a hat from Copenhagen - so obviously Sister Andersen rocked it!

Maxie and I

I look so scary, I don't know what I was doing

Awesome

Kieron: Seriously Kieron has brought so much joy into my life. When I came to Teignmouth almost 3 months ago, he had a lot of philosophies of life, smoked, would not pray, read the Book of Mormon, and come to church. A lot has changed from that initial meeting and I have loved seeing him increase in knowledge and happiness. Yesterday he was at church before us (the first time for him coming for all 3 hours). He is now the one who begins our lessons with prayers that are so beautiful and meaningful. He loves and gets excited to read the Book of Mormon. He has quit smoking. He has set his own baptismal date for February 8th. And he understands how special and important that day will be for him. He has a solid testimony of prophets and the restoration. In response to asking him what he thought of President Monson, he paused and enthusiastically said, "I like that man!" Now Kieron was not broken in anyway when the sisters first knocked on his door in August. He was delightful to be around with a lovely family, but one question would pop into his head from time to time. He would look around at the beauty of the earth and thought there had be more, there had to be a Creator. Initially he said he was a happy man and could not imagine himself being happier. He has proved himself wrong as he has found even more peace, happiness, and answers to his questions. On our last teach he said if it wasn't for gravity, he would be floating. There is this indescribable joy from helping him apply the gospel into his life and see their progression so personally. I cannot wait for February 8th and 9th for Kieron to be baptised and receive the Holy Ghost. I know people are happy and content, but I know this gospel allows us to reach the greatest form of happiness possible.   

Jesus Christ: I reflected on Him as a perfected, resurrected Being and I thought how interesting it is that He kept the nail marks in his hands and feet. I thought, if he was perfected in body why would he keep them? I think He left them as reminders and evidence of His perfect love and sacrifice toward us. Also, to let us know that the trials and burdens we carry are molding and refining us toward our ultimate goal of perfection. I don't know if that makes sense, but I had an "aha" moment the other day about this. 

This Week: We had zone training in Plymouth = awesome. I went on exchanges with Sister Felts in Exeter = awesome, she is an awesome missionary. Just an awesome week overall. But remember to get to the awesome takes some opposition. 

Power of Being a Member: I was just reflecting about all of the people who either have progressed to baptism or are progressing thus far on my mission, and the common thread is that they knew a mormon before talking to us. Bath: Chris had a friend who invited him to basketball and a priesthood general conference session. Billie's nan was a member. Teignmouth: Judy is the friend of Denise in our ward. Maxie is the wife of George, a member. And Kieron's sister-in-law is a member. The power and influence of who you are as a unique individual is more far reaching than you think. Keep being who are and make the gospel transparent in your life. I loved sitting at at church and seeing our 4 investigators who were each sitting with a member. It is not only happiness that it is bringing in the investigators lives, but the members too. This gospel of Jesus Christ just breathes happiness and love! It is the best and I am so grateful more and more for it. I think the most missionary success I'll have in my life is when I go home. The mission is just training me to be the person the Lord needs me to be forever. And that is someone who loves others and brings them to the love of our Savior and Heavenly Father.

I love you all!

"For we walk by faith rather than by sight" 2 Cor 5:6, my new favorite sciprture for the week.

Love,

Sister McLeod

Teignmouth really is a gem. Sisters in the Plymouth zone and zone training. Sister Jacob and I. We really bonded when we learned that she has family who live in Driggs, Idaho! It is always so nice to find someone who loves the same place as much as you do. We dreamed of lime freezes on the corner drug store.

Teignmouth

I SAW THE OCEAN FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 6 MONTHS!!!!!!!!!!! Ya it was magical and Heavenly Father is very kind to me.

Dan Taylor: My dad's best friend Dan Taylor passed away last week. When I think of kindness and humility, I think of Dan. I had the opportunity of getting to know their family growing up through the years going to ski Tahoe and Whistler together. When I think of the Taylors, I think of their loving friendship and how blessed I was to know him. I am so grateful for the plan of salvation knowing death is only the doorway to the eternities and we are only separated from our loved ones temporarily. My dad met Dan on his mission in Taiwan and they were roommates at BYU where they met my mom and Cindy (Dan's wife). I am so grateful for friendships that last forever. I reflected on the friendships I have been able to be blessed with in High School, University, and on the mission and am so grateful for every person in my life that has made such a lasting influence in my life. It makes me want to be a better friend. Dan will be dealry missed and his family has been in my prayers.

Leaving Bath: Wow! I could not have left on a better note than Chris coming on a teach with us and bearing such a powerful testimony and teahcing like a natural. Sister Chamberlain e-mailed me today and let me know he blessed the sacrament wonderfully yesterday:) And Billie asked us to move the baptismal date up! I told her I was leaving and she was like you'll be back for the baptism right?? Sadly no, but it doesn't even matter because she is getting baptised!!!!! I'm learning on the mission that a baptism is just a bonus. True joy is really in seeing them progress and build their faith in Jesus Christ amidst the hardships of life. Yes tears were shed, and I am still getting used to not being in Bath. It feels like home, but I know that I need to move on. Victoria, a YSA who has been recently coming back to church wrote me the nicest letter and when I said bye she said, "I love you, and I'm British so that means a lot" :) Man I love these people to bits.

 My awesome tree of life our life for my last teach with Billie

 

Teignmouth: We met in Staines for the sorting of new missionaries and there were only 5 new ones this time. Sister Chamberlain is training a Sister from Norway. She is beautiful, so the pair of them are going to be getting some head nods for sure. Anyway I love Sister Chamberlain so much. She is going to be a lifelong friend. We had so much fun and really loved one another and Bath. I was driven down to Teignmouth (4 and half hour journey from Staines) by the McMurtery's. They are the nicest senior couple who are in the Newton Abbot ward. Teignmouth is gorgeous and I can see the ocean far off from my window. Pictures will definitely be coming soon. Sister Anderson is from Denmark and I love her so much already. She is so wonderful, but doesn't realize it so I just am loving her and letting her know until she believes it. She is quiet, humble, and beautiful. I am definitely pushing her out of her comfort zone talking to everyone, so she may like or not like me at times, but I am pushing her with love :) It is definitely a transition for both of us, but we get along and I know amazing things are going to happen here.

Sister Goddard, who I know from BYUH. We saw each other at Staines and were just started screaming in delight. She is 6 weeks ahead of me on the mish.

My beautiful posterity! Sister Chamberlain is training I forget her name from Norway. She knows Ingunn Sorenson!

My new companion Sister Anderson from Denmark. She is absolutely lovely.

Members: So the goal they have in the future is to create a Teignmouth branch (oh ya it is pronounced Timoth). There is so much potential here with the members in this area and Newton Abbot. I am so exicted because it feels like a gold mine and we just need to get to work and get this area organized and utilize the members. The members have been so supportive already and want to help us in anyway we can. Oh ya it is also a musical ward and they do a musical fireside every 6 weeks. Everyone has been asking me if I am musical and I sadly am like nope, I wish. My patriarchal blessings says I will develop my talents in music so who knows, maybe this is the place to do it! We have got a guitar and uke in our flat (which is so huge! we live in a house) so i'm going to try! The elders are in Newton Abbot, but we work a lot in their area as well and with them. Anyways, I know I'm supposed to be here and baptisms are coming!!!!!!!!

Sister Anderson getting musical on the guitar!

I love you all so much. Thanks for your love and support!

My new address:

70 Bitten Park Road

Teignmouth, Devon

TQ14 9DA

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?

The Pattersons

Ok, so one of my favorite families in the ward is the Pattersons. It is always a treat to go over to their home for dinner appointments, and since they are off on holiday and this would be Sister Barker's last time seeing them before she left, they invited us for lunch on p-day. Oh my goodness I am in love with their two girls Elliah and Valencia. They are so sweet and funny! Valencia kept on insisting on giving me her whole sticker book, so now I have some awesome stickers on my name tag. And they live in the coolest place ever, the Circus. You can google it to see how cool and historic the whole place is, but anyways you can see them waving buy from their place in one of the pictures. 

Blessed

                                  Me enjoying and basking in the sun at Victoria Park on P-day

The Lord has blessed us with an amazing week! And happy late fourth of July, it was funny to be in the place your country broke away from. The ward even had a July 5th BBQ! Anyway, here are some things I am grateful for.

1. It has been SUNNY for more than one day! Summer has arrived and I actually sweated, or (more of a posh way I like to say glisten) for the first time on my mission! Don't think I'd ever be grateful for such a thing, but it feels like California and Hawaii weather! Haha everytime I start talking to a person about how great the weather is the true English person's response is to tell me it is too hot and they feel like they are getting heatstroke.

Baptism of the Daniels Family

2. Seeing the Daniels family be baptized! The elders have been teaching them ever since I arrived and the Spirit was so strong and special at the baptism. Lily, the 12 year old, came up to me a couple weeks in and said Sister McLeod, I've made 2 good decisions. One, I'm going to go on a mission like you, and two, I've decided to get baptized. That made me so happy and I loved the order of it too:) Those two decisions have been the best decisions I have ever made in my life and it brings me joy to see their family embracing the gospel. For a present we made them future Elder Daniels and future Sister Daniels name tags.

3. My first investigator came to church on my mission! Man, that was the best feeling and you see once you are out how difficult it is for people to follow through on coming to church. And church was so perfect and she really enjoyed it. I cannot wait to continue teaching Lauren because she is soaking it all in and is so wonderful! She is my age, like literally born in the same, best month of October :)

4. The members. Seriously missionary work is meant to be done with members side by side. You don't realize how important a strong family/member is and valuable you can be to bringing people to the gospel. We are all in this together, the work is hastening, I can feel it and see it. The progress we have made in my first 6 weeks is truly incredible. Miracles are happening, and members take a huge role in it. I love the Bath ward so much.

5. I'm staying in BATH! So every 6 weeks is a moves and you can either move to another place or get another companion or both, and so we got the call yesterday that Sister Barker and I are staying for another moves! I had guessed it, but you never know and it felt sooooo good. And on the week of moves you don't have p-day on Monday (it is called Black Monday haha) and either have Wednesday for a p-day or to go to your new area. This is the last moves before she goes home and I want to make it the best one yet for her and I have such good feelings about it and I cannot wait to see the miracles of this moves.

Sister Barker and I in our flat - Pretty sweet!

6. YIBO! Okay so Yibo is this awesome universtity student from China and a month ago we had a great teach and he said how he wanted to be baptized. And then of course he fell completely out of our radar. We texted him and called him many times and had no response, and randomly throughout the weeks I would just say to Sister Barker, where is Yibo!? So to our amazement, Yibo texted us last week and apologized because he had to make an emergency trip back to China for a job interview and so that was the happiest moment ever. We met with him the next day and set a date for his baptism! GAHHHHHHHHHH so amazing and so much joy. I love all our investigators so much, it's almost like they become your children because you care for them so much. Sorry I used much way too much.

7. My family is all together at a family reunion and it is the first one I have ever missed and I think Jeff isn't there too because of job internship. So weird the youngest 2 aren't there, we are growing up gahhh! But send all my love to the Moores, Petersons, Harnishes, Suzukis, and especially my cute grandpa Mac :)

Anyway I'm sending my love from a beautiful and sunny Bath. Hope you have a brilliant week!

Cheers, peace, and love,

Sister McLeod

These are pictures getting artsy and classy in the Holburne museum on a p-day. I loved it so so so much.

 Greetings from Poultney Bridge

P-day we went to the Roman bath. It was pretty interesting, they gave us a headset to do a guided tour and I felt like I was back in Jerusalem.

Scripture cigarettes for our member who is struggling with quitting smoking. Aren't they cute?