Diversity

Jean: Jean is the sweetest, kindest lady you can meet. Her house is truly the epitome of "grandma's house". Literally every time I am over there I think nothing can go wrong in this house. She has been trying to share the gospel with her neighbor Samantha for some time now and is really starting to break the ice. This week Jean invited us over for lunch and she then went and knocked on Sam's door to see if she would come over, but there was no answer so she left a card saying we were there and that she also had a sweater that she had knitted for Sam's son. Jean had so much faith and was hoping so much that her doorbell would ring and that Sam would finally come into her home. And not long after that is just what happened. And Jean was so very excited. It was the cutest thing, she just jumped and said prayers are answered! We were able to get to know Samantha and set up an appointment with her and are excited to begin teaching her! I am so grateful for people like Jean on my mission and just in life. I learn and grow from their faith and courage.

21: Sister Barnes was 21 and it was so fun to celebrate it. It was the first companion I've been with that I have gotten to celebrate a birthday with. I realized we have only been together 21 days, but it seems like it has been years with Sister Barnes. It was fun to decorate the flat and let me tell you being sneaky is really hard when you're with a companion 24/7. I made her close her eyes a lot when I was buying things for her. I got her 21 things and wrote 21 reasons why I loved her and then put post-its throughout the house. Oh man I just love birthdays.

Teaching Pool: I finally feel like we have a solid teaching pool with really cool people from all different backgrounds. Chinese student with no religious background, 2 guys in their early 20's really trying to change their life and find the truth, a man from Zimbabwe who is very christian, a spiritualist lady, a born again old man who feels like now is his time to learn about the Book of Mormon, an Iranian who converted to Christianity a couple years ago, 2 teenagers from a part member family, and so on. This is what I love about the England London South mission, the diversity of every area.  It is amazing to be able to study and pray specifically for a person and find a scripture or something that really connects with them. It  shows that the gospel is for everyone no matter your background. I came across this scripture this morning and it is probably my new favourite. I think a new scripture becomes my new favourite every day. 

24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

 25 And again, verily I say unto you, and I say it that you may know the truth, that you may chase darkness from among you;

Zone training and exchange: Ahh so much this week, Sister Ghalkhani came to Bournemouth with me. She has been out 3 weeks and is from Germany so I was pumped to be with a German again. She is already so amazing! Zone training was awesome. I presented this obstacle course thing illustrating the idea of forgetting yourself and going to work. Ahh my time is dwindling so I can't explain, but it was cool.

I love you all so much and have a wonderful week!

Sisters in Poole zone

Sister Ghalkhani

Highlights

Highlights of the week:

1. The sun is shining!

2. Our former investigator Alan called us out of the blue and said he needs to come back to church and meet with us! Man, that was the happiest day ever. I love when people go away (false I don't love that part), but the return is so sweet.

3. I recieved my first Mother's day card (since it is earlier here) from Sister Chamberlain! Haha as a trainer I was her mom or mum and it just brought me so much joy. I love her so much, and mother's day is going to be so fun when I am an actual mom.

4. I went on exchanges with Sister Godard! I knew her from BYU Hawaii, and it was so fun to be with her for a day in Redruth. That is truly the boonies of the mission. It is in the county Cornwall and the people there literally think that Cornwall is a separte country from England. It was a two hour drive from Teignmouth. She is such an amazing missionary, and I learned so much from her. All of our plans fell through, but we were able to teach so many people and see miracles. She has been out 1 transfer ahead of me. It was fun at night laughing and reminiscing about Hawaii. Don't worry we aren't trunky or homesick! just having a good jolly laugh. I love going on exchanges with so many sisters because you get to know why and how they came on a mission and it is so inspiring.

 Me and Sister Godard

5. Realizing how much I love being a missionary. This is who I am, it is apart of me, and I love it.

The Plymouth zone with President and Sister Millar

6. Zone training. We met with all the missionaries in our Plymouth zone and it was one of the most spiritual trainings I have been to. I love those moments where you feel the Spirit so strongly reminding you how much this gospel is true and how much our Savior love us.

7. Stake conference weekend: All the missionaries sang together throughout the stake. We had one time to practice 4 songs and we are not the most musical group of missionaries, but the Lord helped us because it sounded alright when we sang.

 

8. It is a bit of an emotional roller coaster with some of the people we are teaching, and it is so beautiful and reassuring to see that the down is always followed by an up. I am learning to cast my emotional and spirital burdens on the Lord, but it is difficult when you love these people so much. You hurt when they hurt, but I am so glad you experience that joy when it comes to them. And it comes eventually. Happiness always wins. I love how the moment we choose to be unhappy or angry, we are giving up a moment of happiness. And it is just not worth it.

The gospel makes me so happy and I love you all so much! 

Me and Sister Schmidt on P-day in Torquay