Happy Thanksgiving this week!!

I attached a file to send the pictures. It won't let me copy and paste! Hopefully it works...?

 

The picture is a surprise visit from the Sister Training Leaders and a member last night. We were so happy to see them!

 

This week has been one of adjustments and learning because of the recent transfer, but I'm so happy and feel excited to be here.  I can truly say I love being a missionary. Moving to a new area has definitely pushed me to improve myself and continue to look to the Lord for guidance and direction.

Exchanges

I am shocked because of the miracles that have already happened while serving here in Basingstoke, particularly the blessings we received while on exchange. On Friday, Sister Brooks went to Woodley, and Sister Jensen (Sister Trainer Leader) came to Basingstoke.  She has served the past 5 months here, so she knows her way around and is a great example to me.  I loved working with her.

 

We decided to try and contact some less actives she had never been able to get a hold of.  We went ot the area Black Dam, and started knocking on the less actives doors. First door, no answer. Second door, the lady answered, said the less active had moved, but she had her new address, and the lady told us she had a friend that was Mormon and would be happy for us to stop back by sometime!! Amazing! What a blessing! After knocking a few more less active doors, we felt prompted to go back to the one we had started with.  To our surprise, her husband was just on his way in, so it was perfect! She came to the door and we were able to get a return appointment with her this Tuesday! What a great experience it was to find and meet these people! I'm grateful for the promptings of the Spirit and the leaders we have in the mission to help us improve ourselves and our service.

 

I'm now using library computers and have a limited time to write. Hopefully, I'll have some time to upload a photo or two.

 

Scripture of the week: Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee ^awhole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. Matthew 9:22

Blessings in Basingstoke

So, I moved to Basingstoke aka "Amazingstoke!" But I'll be honest, I cried like a baby. It was so painful to leave the Kingston ward after being there for 6 months. You don't realize how much you love the area and the people until you have to say goodbye.  I will definitely miss the ward family, my companion Sister Berati, and the investigators.

 

But, Basingstoke will be a great experience!  I already love it. It is a cute little city out in the middle of nowhere.  Right in the center of town is the train station, bus station, and shopping mall.  The great thing is we literally live right next door to everything we need! The flat is new in the mission and we're definitely blessed to have it. Sister Brooks is my new companion! She has been out for 3 months and is from a city just north of London.  How cool is that?!  I'm really excited to work with her. She told me she'd help me polish my British accent. :) The ward was so friendly yesterday, and I'm excited to begin working with them.

 

Although Sister Brooks has been sick the past week, we've already seen miracles in this area. "The field is white already to harvest!"  Last night, we taught a cute young Polish family about the Restoration and I can't wait to teach them again. I'm also excited for the upcoming holiday season and the great opportunity it will be to teach people about baby Jesus, His mission, and His Gospel. 

 

Scripture of the week: "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." Romans 8:16-17

 

Lost Sheep

I know every single missionary talks about how much they love the people where they serve, but it is so true.  This past week has been the last of the transfer and not knowing whether I will stay here in Kingston or leave has made me very conscious and aware of all the people that I have sure grown to love while being here. 

Yesterday I especially enjoyed every second of Church. I'm so grateful to the ward for making Church a place where investigators feel welcome and comfortable - a place they want to be!  After church, Sister Berati and I headed down to Claygate.  On our way, we stopped a man who spoke only a little English, but come to find out, he had travelled from Brazil to Italy and now here to England and was a member!  He didn't know we had a church so close by! We called our Bishop who knows Portuguese and he was able to tell him where our church was.  He's planning to come to church not next week but the next because of Stake Conference. This experience was a witness to me of how much Heavenly Father loves His children.  I'm grateful we were able to talk with him and I know he'll be such a blessing for the ward here.

Scripture of the Week: I love the example of Nephi in Helaman 10:4-5 "Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearyingness declared the word, which I have given unto thee, unto this people.  And thou has not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will and to keep my commandments." 

Fwd: Happy Halloween and Happy Fall Weather!

Happy Halloween & Happy Fall Weather!! Time to pull out the puffy. :)

Baptism Calendar

This week Sister Berati and I made a baptism calendar poster for one of our investigators who has committed to be baptized!! We are so happy for him because of the faith he has exercised and the blessings he will receive for taking this important step.  On P-day we went and bought the supplies to make the poster.  The following day, we spent time finding passages in the Book of Mormon that will help him prepare for his baptism on a daily basis.  When we gave him his poster, I wish I had a camera to capture the joy on his face!  It's not really the poster that matters, but the faithful decision he's made to be baptized. I'm learning on my mission, how truly necessary it is for each one of Heavenly Father's children to enter into the waters of baptism.  Only by doing so, can we return to live with Him again and enjoy eternal life.  Not only does our baptism bring blessings in the life to come, but we are blessed beyond measure in this life when we covenant to follow Our Savior Jesus Christ.  We enjoy the peace and acceptance of the Lord through repentance, guidance and comfort from the Holy Ghost, and revelation and knowledge from the scriptures and our presiding leaders. Although we make a sacrifice to give up worldly desires, we gain so much more from the Gospel than the world could ever offer us.  I'm so grateful for my own baptismal covenants and the opportunity I have to invite others to do the same. 

With only one week in the transfer left, I'm hoping I'll get to stay here in Kingston for one more transfer.  I know it's up to the will of the Lord, and I'll serve where He needs me, but I sure do love the area and the ward here so much.  It has been a blessing to be a member of such an amazing ward FAMILY. Coming to church every Sunday feels like my home away from home.  I couldn't ask for a better ward. 

Scripture of the Week: "Marvel not that ALL mankind...must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God." -Mosiah 27:25-26