BIG OL' THANK YOU

This is my last blog post as a missionary! I'll be coming home this Wednesday! I am sad to leave but excited to see all the fam!!! Thanks for all your love and support and I couldn't have done it without all the prayers and letters and emails. I also know that my Saviour Jesus Christ has made my whole mission possible.  I have been given so much strength and seen His tender mercies.  My mission has been the greatest blessing and privilege for me to serve God and His children.  I have loved it and will miss it.  I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true.  I know God lives and loves all of His children individually. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to perform the Atonement so we could return to our Father in Heaven.  I know if we continue in faith and put the Lord first in all we do, He will bless us for our efforts. I'm so grateful for Joseph Smith and all the sacrifices he made to restore the fulness of the gospel.  I know the Book of Mormon is true and I love reading from its pages.  I am always learning from them and I'm grateful the Holy Ghost is my companion to help inspire, guide, and comfort me.  I love the Lord and I love His gospel.  Being in His service has been the best experience of my life.  I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Scripture of the week: D&C 123:12-17 and D&C 4. They're way too long to copy and paste, but these scriptures have been my inspiration throughout my entire mission.  Thank you, thank you!! See you all soon! 

Comp. Item. - Best One Ever - Homemade Blankets

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YSA FHE in Portsmouth

These people are so great! I love them!! We always have a good time in Portsmouth!
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What a Week

I can't believe I have 1 week left. This past week has been up and down and all around.  We've seen some really great little miracles, got to go on exchange, and faced a bit of opposition with some investigators dropping us, but we don't let it get us down.  Of course, we are sad when people decide not to carry on meeting with us but we must respect their agency and choice.  The seed is planted.  We feel like we've done the best we could.  I love the quote, "Do your best, and the Lord will do the rest." That is so true.

One of the highlights of my week was visiting the Isle of Wight. I went on exchange with Sister Stigant who is an English sister, only been out in the field for 4 weeks now! She's doing great.  I loved working with her!  She helped me recognize all that a mission has taught me and I admired her faith in the Lord and in the work.  We focused on the importance of learning the lessons from Chapter 3 in PMG.  These are my testimony.  Being on my mission has helped me understand the WHY of the gospel and not just go through the motions.  Before my mission, I knew I loved the Lord and His gospel and I knew it made me happy and my family happy, but now I feel much closer with Heavenly Father and know His plan is truly perfect.  I more fully understand the Atonement and the commandments and I know as we trust in Him, He will made of us more than we could ever make of ourselves.  

Scripture of the week: "32 Verily, verily, I say unto you, as I said unto my disciples, where two or three are gathered together in my name, as touching one thing, behold, there will I be in the midst of them—even so am I in the midst of you. Fear not to do good, my sons, for whatsoever ye sow, that shall ye also reap; therefore, if ye sow good ye shall also reap good for your reward. Therefore, fear not, little flock; do good; let earth and hell combine against you, for if ye are built upon my rock, they cannot prevail... Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not." -D&C 6:32-34, 36, let's be honest, all of D&C 6 is great. :)

​Sister Stigant and I on our morning exercise.  All bundled up!! :)

Still So Green!

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TRAVEL PLANS! SAY WHAT?!!

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Pumpkin Carving!

Halloween P-day at the McCoys!! From left to right: Elder Day, Elder Gugyelka (ZL), Elder Rife, Elder Hare (DL), myself, Sister Maddocks, Elder VanDongen (ZL), and Elder Yu. PARTY!

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Consecration Week

What a wild week it was! We received many blessings and saw lots of miracles, but it sure wasn't easy.  For consecration week, as a mission, each companionship committed to 4 hours of finding a day from Tuesday to Saturday.  This pushed us all in the right direction.  Sometimes I need a little push to "stand a little taller, and be a little better" so I'm grateful President Millar had the inspiration to invite us to do that. It was great.

The best part of the week was when we went out street contacting on Wednesday.  It was a drizzly day, with puddles dotting the high street. As we walked, we just felt like we weren't in the right place.  We took a random left turn and followed the road around, past Priory park, and then right back onto the main strip.  It was then we met Serge! Serge is from Croatia but moved to England when he was a teenager.  He has had a very successful business life, but still feels empty inside.  He has great faith in God, and loves being around "god-fearing people," but still feels lost.  We talked with him and he talked with us for 45 minutes out on that busy street.  He agreed to a chapel tour later in the week and it went really well!! He agreed that baptism is something he wants to do if he comes to know the Book of Mormon is true!  He even already had a Book of Mormon from missionaries he met a few years ago! I love meeting people that are prepared and I'm so grateful Heavenly Father literally guides us where we need to be.  I'm excited to help him progress. The Spirit helps us so much so we know what to say and how to say it and I'm so grateful to be a part of this great work!

Scripture of the week: And he that will hear my voice shall be my sheep; and him shall ye receive into the church, and him will I also receive.

 22 For behold, this is my church; whosoever is baptized shall be baptized unto repentance. And whomsoever ye receive shall believe in my name; and him will I freely forgive.

 23 For it is I that taketh upon me the sins of the world; for it is I that hath created them; and it is I that granteth unto him that believeth unto the end a place at my right hand." -Mosiah 26:21-23From left to right: Serge, me, and Sister Maddocks after the chapel tour! :)
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Morning Exercise Adventures

Hope everyone has a great week! Thanks!
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Professional Chapel Tour Givers

I'm sorry this blog post will be a little short and maybe scatterbrained because we are doing our emails with a lot of other things going on with a lot of other people around.  But I'll do my best!

Wednesday was our miracle day this week!  We got to give Morgan a chapel tour with the McCoys and it went really well.  We are trying this new teaching technique called "teaching like angels" where we use the gospel art to help the investigators see, feel, and understand the lessons better.  It's amazing how the artwork in the pamphlets and in the chapels truly does invite the Spirit and we've definitely felt it this week as we've given a few tours. I am also really grateful to have a chapel in Chichester, since we didn't have one in Salisbury and there is definitely a special Spirit that the chapel houses. We were also able to give Ian a chapel tour and he came to church this week as well! We are really grateful for the people that we're working with and the people that Heavenly Father has prepared for us to teach.

Scripture of the week:

"They are they who received the testimony of Jesus, and believed on his name and were baptized after the manner of his burial, being buried in the water in his name, and this according to the commandment which he has given. Wherefore, all things are theirs, whether life or death, or things present, or things to come, all are theirs and they are Christ's, and Christ is God's. And they shall overcome all things." -D&C 76:51,59-60

Fall Time at the Chichester Cathedral
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Last One! Crazy Hair on the Coast

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​HAVE A GREAT WEEK EVERYBODY!

This One's For You Cass!

We met 7 different Polish people in one day while contacting in Bognor! I love you so much! I tell everybody I meet that's Polish that my cousin is there too! :) I think they like to hear that and I love telling them. What really good Polish food should I buy from this shop?! :)

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This One's For You Dad! Finally Got to Ride In a Rolls Royce...scooter.

Thanks to a nice old man at the bus stop! Hahaha!!

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Salisbury Reunion at Zone Conference! And PRESIDENT MILLAR IS THE BEST!

I love these people! From left to right: Elder Robinson, Sister Smart, and President Millar)

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God's Pocket

The other day this lady told me that a nickname for Chichester is "God's pocket." How perfect is that?! She said the reason it gets its nickname is because this is one of the sunniest places in England. Don't quote me for fact on that one, because I'm pretty sure it's just hear-say, but I wholeheartedly agreed with her.  Not only is the weather nice here, but the people are too.  I loved hearing that comparison and it made me think just how many blessings we receive as we strive to draw closer to our Heavenly Father.  I'd love to think that when I have the Spirit I'm in "God's pocket," and that's where I want to spend my life. :)

We had an amazing week of miracles.  One of them being our new best friend Morgan!  We met her at the bus stop last week and had a first teach with her this week at Josie's (member) house. It went really well and we felt the Spirit.  She is really eager and excited to read the Book fo Mormon.  I'm grateful for these lovely people Heavenly Father places in our path that are truly open and want to understand how religion and the gospel can help them in their own life.  We just help them make the right decision.

Another miracle this week was Ian! We met him down in Selsey (down on the coast, just south of Chichester) We went to visit a person on the ward directory, but he said she didn't live there anymore, so we gave him a card and invitation to church and didn't think much more about it! He ended up calling us later that day and told us he actually wanted to come to church in Chichester because he'd been married there 4 years before. .....? Interesting. We told him about Stake Conference in Portsmouth instead and he decided he'd rather just wait til next week when church was back in Chichester.  Then, you won't believe what happened! Sunday morning we got a phone call during our personal study and it went like this: "Hi, this is Ian... I hope it's not too early to call but I was just thinking that I'd actually like to come to Portsmouth today for church..." We were thinking, "OH MY GOOOODNESS!!! THIS GUY'S AMAZING!! He didn't want to come on Thursday when we last talked to him!!!!" So then we said, "Oh great! That sounds really good! Do you need us to arrange a lift for you?!"  Ian: "No, that's fine, I'll just drive. What time does it start?! 10?" Us: "10:30" Ian: "Okay great, well I'll find a close parking space then." Whoa. Just blew my mind. I couldn't believe what just happened!  I had felt so sad that no one was able to come to stake conference with us and I was wondering what I could've done better to find someone that week, and then at the last moment, Ian called and Heavenly Father provided a way and a change of heart. I know it was a blessing for us as missionaries and it was a blessing for Ian because he really seemed to enjoy coming to Stake Conference. My heart was so full of gratitude that morning and my testimony was strengthened to know that Heavenly Father really does love us and is truly mindful of each of our situations and scenarios. What a tender mercy moment it was! I am so grateful for that!  We are planning to meet up with him again later this week!

Scripture of the week:  "7 Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

 8 For every one that asketh, receiveth; and he that seeketh, findeth; and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

 9 Or what man is there of you, who, if his son ask bread, will give him a stone?

 10 Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?

 11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father who is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" -3 Nephi 14:7-11

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​1st Temple Trip for John (baptized in June) :)

Last One - THE WEATHER!

The fine line between a beautiful sunny day and a monster of a rain storm. :) Hope you all have a great week!

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Waiting for the Bus After Callum's Teach!

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Ruth is the best for coming with us to teach Callum!! Never a dull moment.

I've Learned On My Mission....

​"The Lord is no respecter of [schools.]" :) Haha!

"The Last Melon"

This has officially been one of THE CRAZIEST weeks of my mission. Seriously. Sister Watt left last Monday, she actually went back to the Visitors Centre after all that! Another sister got assigned to Eastbourne.  I was with Sister Brown for 2 nights until Wednesday when we both got our new companions.  Sister Maddocks is my new companion but we hardly had any time to settle in and get to know each other because on Friday I was so blessed to go to MLC (mission leadership council) for the last time!  Two sisters from Bournemouth came and stayed at our flat Thursday evening and then Friday morning Sister McLeod and I went up to Staines for the meeting most of that day.  On top of that I've been battling a head cold!!!!!! So, yes, it's been a little wild around here, but we've finally settled in and I'm starting to feel better thanks to my Vitamin C drinks. :) Sister Maddocks and I are getting to know eachother much better now because I'm feeling more like myself and we've actually been able to spend some time together and she's gotten to know the ward a bit better since she came to church in Chi for the first time yesterday.

Despite all the movement among missionaries, we had a really great week! We were trying to get "No Zeroes" in our key indicators and the only zero we really had was investigators with a baptismal date! We had done well with everything else! So that was a really great miracle and now we're just doing our best to find someone who's prepared to be baptized! I'm really excited for the coming week! One of the best parts of the week was that our 18 year old investigator Callum came to church for the first time yesterday! He's been to a YSA activity once and we've invited a member to come teach us with him and so he finally agreed to come to church and he came!! Yay!!! And now he's been invited by the members to be a part of the "Roadshow" which is like a little skit competition they do in the stake and Callum is in drama so he's the perfect man for the job! :) We're really grateful and happy to be teaching him.

So today starts the beginning of my last transfer!! There is a lot of work to be done in 5 weeks and I'm really excited to keep working as hard as I can for as long as I have left. I got a letter from President Millar this week in the mail that's basically a "job well done" letter to all the missionaries going home.  I read it and thought, but I still have 5 weeks President, don't kill me off yet! :) I'm grateful to be spending it with Sister Maddocks in Chichester and I'm planning to enjoy every second of it.

Scripture of the week: "Hearken, O ye who have given your names to go forth to proclaim my gospel, and to prune my vineyard. 

3 Behold, I say unto you that it is my will that you should go forth and not tarry, neither be idle but labor with your might—

 4 Lifting up your voices as with the sound of a trump, proclaiming the truth according to the revelations and commandments which I have given you.

 5 And thus, if ye are faithful ye shall be laden with many sheaves, and crowned with honor, and glory, and immortality, and eternal life." -D&C 75:2-5

This is Sister Maddocks!!! and this was the windiest day in Chi yet!! Time to bundle up!

This One's for You Daddio! :)

​Name that tractor. :)

I Just Love This Place

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The DRAMA!

Oh my goodness, I can totally hear my mom saying, this, "Oh the drama!" Haha! It has been one heck of a weekend because of moves this  coming Wednesday.  It's the end of the transfer and when your companion is leaving, it's always a bit of a circus. :) Keeps us on our toes I guess. 

So the update is that Sister Watt is leaving me to go finish her mission in Eastbourne.  It's been a bit of a mixup all weekend because we initially thought she was going to the VC, but some unforeseen events took place. I will miss her so much because it has been really fun working with her.  We have had some good times and seen some great miracles together. I will stay in Chichester to finish off and Sister Maddocks will be coming to join me on Wednesday.  I'm excited for her to get here so we can get back to work. :) I feel really good about the next few weeks. 

This past week I really loved listening to General Conference! That was definitely the highlight of the week.  I have a strong testimony that the leaders of our church are truly inspired men of God.  They lead our church in righteousness and give us the guidance we need at the right time, to help us progress further toward our Heavenly Father. I loved the testimony and insight Elder Nelson gave when he talked about how the leadership of the church protects us from the evils of the adversary.  I am so grateful to know that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in its fullness and because of that, we can be made clean and find true peace and happiness through our Saviour Jesus Christ. I hope you all had as great of a time listening to conference as I did.  As I read in the Ensign, "this is our new walk and talk for the next 6 months." :) 

Scripture of the week: "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." -D&C 50:24

​All gathered 'round for conference!  From left to right: Ruth, Fran, Elder Rife, Elder Hare, Stephen, and Sister Watt! :) 

One More!

Cupcakes after dinner at the Ferris' home.(members)  #spoiled
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Welcome Autumn!

​Morning exercise. 

Anne & The Elders

​Anne is our best friend!! She is a great member and always makes delicious food for us! :) We love her! From left to right: Anne, Elder Rife, and Elder Hare

Testimony Meeting and Chapel Tours

What would missionary work be without the members?!! Ah, we couldn't do it without them! I just love the members here! They are so great!  Of course, they've all been through some challenging times, but they push through and carry on.  They are a great example to me. 

Yesterday was an especially great sacrament meeting.  We had a testimony meeting because next week is General Conference (beyond excited!!!!!!) and there was such a sweet spirit there.  First thing that made it so great was that Christian was confirmed a member of the Church, and he said he felt so great! You really can see a difference in people after they've joined the church and I admire every convert for their faith and devotion.  It takes a lot of love for the Saviour and His gospel to change your whole life around and stick with it for the rest of your life.  I'm grateful that my own conversion is always growing and deepening, especially as I'm able to help others and learn from their examples.  Along the same line, many of the testimonies given yesterday were focused on missionary work.  One of the testimonies was given by a recent convert (baptized in June) named John, that we have built a great friendship with.  He shared a great experience when he recently shared the plan of salvation with a taxi driver and he was able to recognize the Spirit and the truthfulness of the gospel as he taught her about it.

Not only did we have a great testimony meeting this week, but a new returned missionary in our ward invited his friend from university to meet with us on Saturday!  We gave her a chapel tour and the Spirit definitely accompanied us as we took her through the chapel, showed her the baptismal font, and discussed the pictures of Jesus Christ all around the corridors. I absolutely love giving chapel tours because the chapel is a safe, reverent, peaceful place and investigators are able to easily recognize the good feeling there.  

I know that sharing the gospel truly helps us appreciate our own testimonies more fully. The gospel makes me happy and it seems that happiness just doubles when I share it. :) 

 

Scripture of the week: "Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name." -Alma 26:35This is basically what every sunny morning looks like here!  We've been spoiled this summer! 

Born Again

I'm sorry I don't have much time this week to write!  We are going to Portsmouth for our 2nd to last P-day of the transfer so we're limited on time. 

The highlight of the week was Christian's baptism!! It was so great! The Spirit was so strong and we were so happy because he was so happy. He asked me to play the violin in his program and so I played "Come Follow Me" and I really enjoyed it and was grateful for the opportunity to do so.  It was really special for him because he kept saying how he'd be "born again" on his birthday.  It'll be a great reminder for the rest of his life of the great commitment and covenant he made on his special day.

It's not a baptism if there isn't a few hiccups along the way. The one we came across was that Christian got sick over the weekend, so wasn't able to come to church for his confirmation! We were shocked and a little alarmed at first when he told us he was sick in bed and wouldn't be at church for his confirmation, but the Bishop said it was no problem for him to receive the Holy Ghost next week.  We look forward to it.  Thanks for all the prayers.  

Scripture of the week: "Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the vats overflow;" -Joel 3:13

​From left to right: Elder Rife, Elder Hafe, Sister Watt, and Christian on the end! :) 

The Colour :)

​Our morning exercise stroll. :) 

Bottle It Up

Another great week has come and gone! The weather has been beautiful and the people have been so sweet.  We have been really blessed to find people who are really willing to meet up with us again.  Usually twice a week, Sister Watt and I go to Bognor, (a city down by the sea) and it is always a good visit. The people are nice, the sea breeze smells so good, I feel so happy to be a missionary and I was telling Sister Watt I wish I could just bottle everything thing up so that it could last forever and I could take it all with me wherever I go... :)

The most amazing story of the week is definitely Pat & his family.  Earlier in the week, on our way to see a less active, we handed a card to a cute couple from Sri Lanka standing at the bus stop.  In a quick moment as the bus stopped to pick them up, Pat told us to stop his home Saturday morning and gave us his address.  He was so happy and excited to learn more about Jesus, so we were excited to go back.  We went on Saturday morning and he invited us right in.  We told him all about church and what our purpose was as missionaries.  He was really interested to come to church and told us he would come. We were so excited and planned to meet him in town to walk the rest of the way to church.  Sunday morning, before meeting him, Pat called us and our heart sank because we assumed he wouldn't be able to make it anymore. To our surprise, he was just calling to tell us he wasn't going to walk, he was going to come in a taxi.  At a quarter to 10, his whole family: mother in law, 2 children, wife and himself all walked through the chapel doors and I couldn't have been happier!! We were so excited to see them all there dressed in their sunday best!  They ended up having an enjoyable time and had to go home a bit early, but we felt so blessed and happy they were able to come.  Since we haven't taught them much at all about the church yet, we are hoping to go back this week and begin teaching them.  We are so grateful for them and the commitment they made and kept.  We will continue to pray for them and their progress!! I'm really grateful for the blessing and privilege it is to be a missionary and see the Lord open doors for His work of salvation.

Scripture of the week:    "If thou wilt do good, yea, and hold out faithful to the end, thou shalt be saved in the kingdom of God, which is the greatest of all the gifts of God; for there is no gift greater than the gift of salvation." -D&C 6:13

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Exchange this week with these lovely ladies!! :) From left to right: myself, Sister Watt, Sister O'Brien, and Sister Moangare

Nature Walk Back to Town

Hope everyone has a great week! x

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ReNEWed Focus

The mission has had a makeover! We have started a "new era" of focus on our accountability to the Lord and finding through revelation.  We have already been so blessed as we've tried to implement in our work this week.  I know President Millar and our mission leaders have been so inspired to bring about this change in the mission.

Previously, we were very focused on teaching as many people as we could.  It taught us to know the principles in PMG, to work hard, use time wisely, and talk to as many people as we can in order to teach those we came in contact with whether that was on the street or on the doorstep.  We were very focused on teaching 20+ lessons a week.  That was something that helped us improve and grow our faith as we tried to "teach to find, and find to teach."  But we were often worried about teaching "enough" lessons and it was a stress to account with our leaders if we hadn't reached the benchmark we felt we were expected to.  We may still have got great work done that week, but there was definitely a damper if we didn't reach our numeral goals. Now as a mission, we are focused on finding those that will receive us and "street teaches" are no longer counted.  As Sister Watt and I were told this announcement, we were so happy!!!  President Millar said, "We're not changing what we do, just how we do it."  I love that and I'm so grateful for this new challenge and focus to help us be more in tune with the Lord's will for our individual areas.

This week, we saw many miracles, and I don't think it was a conincidence. :) My favorite bit from this week was the last hour of proselyting last night.  We were tired after accounting and we accounted early so we had an awkward spare hour at 8.  We headed out hoping to find someone in the dark and guess what!!! We didn't get 10 steps away from our flat when we stopped this guy and ended up having a 30 minute conversation with him about how he just recently had been divorced and had been praying to God to help him find the path.  How amazing!! We were so happy!! I was so strengthened and encouraged by that experience to know that we were an answer to his prayer.  I don't think there is much greater feeling than that - knowing you've just helped God help another one of His children.  The amazing thing is I don't feel like I do much as a missionary, I just get out of the way for God to fulfill His purposes.  I feel humble to be an imperfect servant but still be able to help build His kingdom in His way.

Scripture of the week: "4 And whatsoever they shall speak when moved upon by the Holy Ghost shall be scripture, shall be the will of the Lord, shall be the mind of the Lord, shall be the word of the Lord, shall be the voice of the Lord, and the power of God unto salvation. 5 Behold, this is the promise of the Lord unto you, O ye my servants. 6 Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come." -D&C 68:4-6

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​Dinner with Sing!! Sing is a recent convert from China and makes us the best meals and we always have a picnic. :) 

Bishop's Gardens with Sister Watt

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Chi for Life!

It was another great week in Chichester! They like to call it "Chi" (rhymes with pie) here. :) I love saying it like that so "Chi for life" is my new saying because so many miracles keep happening here.

Christian is doing amazingly! He has been reading, praying, coming to church and he asked us to be baptized - all witin a week!!! How great is that? He's so fantastic. We are really happy and excited to keep teaching him and see him progress.  Not only does he want to be baptized but he wants to be "reborn" on his birthday which is the 18th of September.  We hope all goes according to plan. :)

My testimony of prayer was really strengthened last night before we accounted with our district leader, Elder Hare. We were trying all day to reach our goal of 20 lessons for the week which is the mission standard of excellence.  We only had about 10 minutes before we would account and we were 2 lessons away from our goal.  Before we left the flat, we said a simple prayer to help us reach our goal if it was possible.  We walked out and across the street our neighbor was sweeping her walk.  She had seen the elders before, but she'd never spoken to them.  We introduced ourselves and were able to tell her our purpose and job as missionaries.  We said a prayer with her and she was so sweet. She took our card and wished us well on our way.  Oh my goodness, that counted for one lesson and we only needed one more.  We stopped every person on our way to the cathedral, but it was a quiet Sunday evening so not many people were out.  We came around the corner and stopped a cute family of a single mom named Laura and her kids.  We shared with her a picture of the resurrected Christ and she loved it!! She expressed how she was a Catholic but she was really in need of some help with her son who had special needs.  We were able to pray with her and it brought tears to her eyes.  We just happened to be in the right place at the right time and Heavenly Father was able to answer not only our prayers but we were able to help Laura too!! It was a tender moment and we were so full of gratitude and humbled by the experience. We are hoping to go back and see Laura on Tuesday!! I'm so grateful for the power of prayer and I know Heavenly Father is willing to bless us if we ask in faith and work to achieve His will.

Scripture of the week: "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose...What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?" -Romans 8:28,31

​Dinner with Christian and the Elders. From left to right: Elder Rife (just transferred here - he used to be in Kingston!!! crazy!!), Christian, Elder Hare, and Sister Watt! :)

Our Lovely District

We've only got 3 more days as a district like this.  Moves this week! Don't worry, Sister Watt and I are both staying together for one more transfer.  Left to right: Sister Powell, Sister Watt, myself, Elder Hare, and Elder Fuller. Photo cred: Elder Powell.

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How Sister Moangare and I Felt After Street Contacting on Exchange! :)

Happy chaps. :)

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When It Rains, It Pours Blessings!!

This week was just nuts. I can't believe how much Heavenly Father is blessing this area. We saw so many miracles!

First was Beth who we met on Tuesday and got a return appointment for Saturday.  After teaching her all of the Restoration, she accepted to be baptized, hopefully for the end of Septmeber! We are so excited for her and hope she can come to church next week. :) She is so sincere and really wants to know if God is there.

Next was going on exchange with Sister Moangare.  While we were on exchange, we were contacting up the high street and stopped a family with four kids. We explained that we were sharing a message about families and how they can be strengthened as we follow the example of Jesus Christ. We asked if we could teach them more and they quickly said, "Yes!" We were so happy! We will hopefully be going to see them tonight for the first time at their home.  We are hoping and praying all goes well. :) I told Sister Moangare I have never seen that my whole mission - stopping and having a family accept our invitation to learn more on the street!  We were thrilled.

Yesterday, after church, we decided to head down to Bognor Regis, which is the tourist town on the beach just southeast of Chichester.  As we walked to meet a new investigator for a return appointment we noticed a man staring at our badges as we walked by.  We spoke to him and found out his name is Christian!! He wants to find more inspiration but hasn't found a church that he is happy with.  He said it was a sign from God we found him on a sunday!  We gave him the Book of Mormon and he wanted to hear the whole Restoration right then but we were on our way to another appointment so we had to schedule for today instead.  We're really excited to meet with him today and I'm so grateful Heavenly Father just places us where we need to be.

I have found so much joy in the work this week and I'm so grateful for Heavenly Father's grace and guidance to lead us to the people we're meant to teach! I love it.

Scripture of the week: "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." -1 John 5:2-4

​Exchange with these lovely sisters. :)

Musician on the Move

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Our Lovely Lithuanian Investigator

The work has been great this week!  Good things are happening in Chichester and we know the Lord is blessing us here. 

So Valdas is our Lithuanian investigator and our new best friend.  He was a referral from the Littlehampton elders and he is a gem.  Honestly.  He doesn't speak very much english but he sure tries his very best. It's actually gotten much better from the first time we met with him.  I think the Spirit helps us and him understand more as well.  We've only had a few short meetings with him but we met with him yesterday and felt prompted to teach him about baptism.  We left the teach with a good feeling in our hearts, but we weren't quite sure how much he had understood.  Despite the language barrier, we know Valdas is genuine and sincere.  We are really blessed to be teaching him.  Later that night, we got an unexpected phone call from the Littlehampton elders who had referred him to us.  They told us that Valdas had told his friend Dale that he wanted to be baptized and then Dale agreed that she wanted to be baptized too and then she told a Russian member of the Littlehampton ward who then told the Littlehampton elders who told us.  Do you follow?! :) We are so excited for both of them and hope we can continue teaching them to get ready for their baptism!

Another great miracles this week: Everisto (our other investigator) kind of fell off the radar, but then we street contacted into his sister Eunike!! Can you believe that?!! What are the odds of all the people in Chichester we meet siblings on two separate occasions and both of them want a Book of Mormon!! We are meeting with both of them on Wednesday!! Fingers crossed and prayers said that all goes well. :) The work is going great - I'm happy to be a part of it.

Scripture of the week: "May Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever. And may the grace of God the Father, whose throne is high in the heavens, and our Lord Jesus Christ, who sitteth on the right hand of his power, until all things shall become subject unto him, be, and abide with you forever. Amen." -Moroni 9:25-26

Valdas!

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The Cathedral!

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This Place!!

Oh how grateful I am to be in Chichester!  It is the best!! I guess you can't pick a favorite area, but I sure do love this one too! First off, the members are fantastic!! They are hilarious!!  We went to branch council yesterday and I was in stitches because of the fun they were all having together and the great relationship they all had with each other. It just made me that much grateful for the organization of the Church and the people in it.

This week we met with a new investigator named Everisto!! He is a great guy from Zambia,  We really love and admire his love for Jesus Christ and his desire to draw close and follow him. We will hopefully be seeing him later today.

Probably one of my favorite parts of the week was yesterday after church.  We got on a bus to Selsey (a little town just south of Chichester on the coast) to meet a few people there and explore the area.  We sat behind this brilliant lady named Sylvia.  She was so sweet and had a lot of faith.  We were able to just simply tell her about the Restoration.  She really took what we told her to heart.  We showed her the Book of Mormon and she was so happy to have.  She said, "It just feels like a good book," as she held it in her hands.  It was a great experience. I knew she felt the Spirit and she agreed to pray with us after the bus ride and even got a little emotional. :') I was so grateful to be able to meet her and help be an answer to her prayers.  She said "It wasn't a coincidence that I met you today." I had to agree and I'm starting to realize more and more that there are no such things as coincidences. Heavenly Father places us where we need to be and I'm grateful for the Spirit he allows to accompany us.  I love this work and I'm grateful to be doing it here amongst so many great people.

Scripture of the week: "Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts. And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." RECIPE FOR REVELATION! -Moroni 10:3-5

​Lunch hour at the beach!

New Home

What's more English than a Cricket match and a Cathedral?! :)

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My Lovely New Companion! :)

Chichester!!

I'm sorry I don't have much time today but I will have more next week!  I just wanted to say that I love it down here in Chichester.  The people are great!  Sister Watt and I are excited to get to work and get the ball rolling.  I will send some pictures and send more details next week!  :) Thanks!

Scripture of the week: "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall brint it to pass." -Psalms 37:4-5

Sam Came Knocking With Us :)

 ...and of course we had to stop at the chapel to view the progress. :) We've got a roof now! 

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Utah Mormons - in Salisbury!!!

We went to get a drink from Nando's with Carly and someone tapped us on the shoulder, "Hey Sisters!!" Oh, it was so good to meet them: Brother and Sister Cox. They bought us some frozen yogurt and were so lovely and encouraging. 

The Perris Girls

We love visiting their home for FHE!  

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My Heart Turned

My last full week in Salisbury has been great. I have felt so much love and have received so much support from the members - I just love them so much.  They are my family away from family. It was tough to say goodbye, but I know I will see them again... I'm also excited for the new adventure in Chichester.

Unfortunately, Wayne isn't quite ready to be baptized.  He told us he wanted to take a step back for a while.  He miraculously ran into some other missionaries while he was in Bournemouth and told them he thought it was a sign for him that he's been travelling the right path.  I hope the sisters here will be able to continue teaching him.

To preface the miracle of the week, I need to share some background info.  The past couple transfers, our mission has focused on getting investigators to the temple as well as involving them in family history.  We were given "My Family" books to complete and share with others.  We don't have a big supply to hand out and it was something that took us a while to prepare.  There were many promises given an zone conferences and MLC's that as we used family history, we would see success in our work... I believed this promise and hoped that it would work.  At home, I was never into family history and thought it was for old people.  Consequently, as I've offered the family history site to others, I haven't been able to speak from personal experience.  It hasn't meant as much to me. Despite my lack of enthusiasm, I committed myself to consistently work on the "My Family" book in order to have it ready to share with people.  As I worked on it, I felt a new love and admiration for the people in my family.  I have all my ancestors to thank for the many blessings that I have and for my immediate family now.  I wouldn't have the gospel and be a missionary if it wasn't for their faith and sacrifice. I truly felt the Spirit each time I worked to complete my book. So the stage is set. 

My testimony of family history was solidified during our knocking session Saturday evening.  We went up and knocked a development really close by the new chapel.  Amazingly, for the first time ever, one of the members in the branch was able to come along with us.  What a great opportunity and perfect scenario to find new people to teach.  The first few doors we knocked we didn't have much success.  We decided to say a prayer and, with renewed hope, began knocking again.  A mother answered the first door we knocked on after the prayer and was interested as we told her about how our family history can bring us closer together as a family.  We explained more about why families were so important and how the gospel of Jesus Christ could help her family.  She gave us her phone number and accepted our invitation to learn more about our message.  We hope to be going back on Wednesday to teach her more about family history and the gospel.  I was amazed.  What a blessing it was to meet her!!  I know that the gospel message seemed relevant to her because we first started talking about her family.  I have a firm testimony of family history and missionary work together.  They are one in the same and I know that we will continue to see success as we use to find more people to teach.

Scripture of the week: "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers..." -3 Nephi 25:5-6 

​Cleanin' up and clearin' out. Next stop, Chichester. :)

My Other Half - Youth Night

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Look at That Progress!!

Our chapel's got a roof now! :)

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Good Times Rollin'

It has been a fun week. We've had YSA activities, trips to see the new chapel being built, youth activities, service opportunities, munch & mingles, and great time spent with the members.  I absolutely love Salisbury - what new. Gratefully, Sister Nelson is also feeling better and is back to her normal self! That's another plus.  

Wayne is progressing well and we're excited for him to be baptized soon!  Hopefully this weekend, if not the very near future.  He's always so great to keep commitments and we especially love when he comes to church. 

One of the greatest things about missionary work is the answered prayers we receive.  The different situations we encounter often don't seem to have an easy solution, but Heavenly Father always provides a way.  He is there for us no matter what the situation is and He is mindful of our needs.  I know that to be true and I feel like I see that on a daily basis in our work.  Things happen for a reason.  Our days and weeks go by with the Lord's hand helping us along the way.

Friday was one of my favorite days this week!  We went up to Tidworth (1 hour north of Salisbury on the bus) after visiting a recent convert, and helped a man weed his front garden.  Last week we just knocked into him and he wasn't too interested in the gospel - but he did invite us back to help him do the weeding.  Never have I loved service so much as I have on my mission.  He was so grateful for the service we rendered and I'm grateful to have the time set apart just to serve the people around me.  That's a blessing in itself. 

Scripture of the week: "O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you? Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me." -3 Nephi 9:13-14

​FHE with the YSA at the Legges!! :)

Comp. Hats for Planning! :)

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Sister Berati!!! My Sister!! Don't Leave Yet!! :)

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