Week 6: England Bacon is Odd
Good morning everyone!
Another week has come and gone here in Holsworthy and it's been interesting. We
spend much of our time knocking on doors, talking to people on the street, and
approaching people around town, all with the goal of trying to find people
interested in hearing the message we share about the gospel of Jesus Christ. We
have not had much success as of late, but we continue to talk and search. The
members of the church here in my area are so wonderful and kind. We get fed
dinner almost every other day and others give us food if they can't have us
over. They are also doing much to help us in our efforts. I'm grateful that we
have their support, as few in number as they are.
We did a lot of driving this week. General conference, the church broadcast I mentioned in my last email, was broadcasted in a chapel about 1.5 hours away from where we live. All day Sunday was spent driving to the chapel, watching about 6 hours of the broadcast, and having some meals in between. We then went from the chapel in Exeter to Plymouth. Every so often, missionaries go on what is called an exchange. This is where we switch companions with the local missionaries who are in charge of the few surrounding areas. They are called zone leaders. We spend 24 hours with one of the zone leaders and we go about doing what we normally do in a day, just not in our area. Then at the end, they give us feedback about our strengths and things we can improve on. It's also a time where we can experience a change of pace and see how other missionaries go about doing the work we do. I really enjoyed it. We talked to people all around Plymouth and met some very interesting people. We had lunch at a middle eastern restaurant and then did some service (moving) in the evening. It was all a great experience and I learned so much. We got back Tuesday afternoon and spent the evening knocking and going to youth group at the place where we have church. Since the branch is smaller, we help out with the youth activities by providing a spiritual thought since there are so few leaders.
I mentioned General conference earlier. I loved it. It was too short. I wanted there to be more. So many inspired words were spoken that touched me personally. Especially a talk given by Elder Donald Hallstrom. I highly recommend watching or reading it. Miracles have not ceased among the children of God, but we sometimes limit the scope of what a miracle is.
I love you all. You are so wonderful and the support you give me and my family is astounding and humbling. As many of you know, my brother Sawyer passed away last October. The anniversary of his death approaches at the end of this month. I will probably speak of him a few times this month. I love him so much and miss him terribly. I know my family does as well. As I'm over here in England, I have a favor to ask. Please send your thoughts to them this month. I know it will make a difference. And if you're not an organ donor, please reconsider. Sawyer was able to help others lives because of his sacrifice and there are others out there who need our help. We can make a difference.
I also wanted to bear my testimony about the knowledge I have regarding seeing Sawyer again. I know that God sent us to this earth to learn and He knew that families were the best way for us to learn and grow. Whatever your family background, know this: that I know that I will see my brother again and you can see your loved ones who have passed on too soon again as well. If you have a moment, check out Mormon.org or lds.org and search "families" and see what we believe about families and the life after death.
Companion Comics: at youth yesterday, elder Lopiano misfired a frisbee and hit one of the youth in the head. She then returned fire and hit him in the head. It was actually really impressive and funny. No one was hurt though.
British Food of the Week: sausage roll - a roll of bread with sausage in it. Almost like a savory sausage donut. Very good.
British Word of the Week: trousers - the British equivalent of pants in America. Do not say pants in Britain. They are trousers.
We saw many miracles this week. We had goals to find 6 people interested in meeting with us and we met our goal! It was a blessing because we weren't sure if it was going to happen. It did and it partly happened because we followed spiritual promptings about where to go and who to talk to. Our whole mission had a goal to find 301 new people to teach this week. Keep in mind this is a pretty lofty goal for our mission. We found out at the end of the week that we found 509 people! I know that God is involved in our work as missionaries.
I'm so grateful for the opportunities I have to serve. As hard as it can be at times, I know that I am doing what I need to be doing where I need to be doing it. I love you all. I love my Heavenly Father, I love my Savior Jesus Christ, and I love His gospel. It has guided me so much in life and brought me peace. I think of you all often and would love to hear from you. Your emails make my day.
Until next week,
Elder McKinley
We did a lot of driving this week. General conference, the church broadcast I mentioned in my last email, was broadcasted in a chapel about 1.5 hours away from where we live. All day Sunday was spent driving to the chapel, watching about 6 hours of the broadcast, and having some meals in between. We then went from the chapel in Exeter to Plymouth. Every so often, missionaries go on what is called an exchange. This is where we switch companions with the local missionaries who are in charge of the few surrounding areas. They are called zone leaders. We spend 24 hours with one of the zone leaders and we go about doing what we normally do in a day, just not in our area. Then at the end, they give us feedback about our strengths and things we can improve on. It's also a time where we can experience a change of pace and see how other missionaries go about doing the work we do. I really enjoyed it. We talked to people all around Plymouth and met some very interesting people. We had lunch at a middle eastern restaurant and then did some service (moving) in the evening. It was all a great experience and I learned so much. We got back Tuesday afternoon and spent the evening knocking and going to youth group at the place where we have church. Since the branch is smaller, we help out with the youth activities by providing a spiritual thought since there are so few leaders.
I mentioned General conference earlier. I loved it. It was too short. I wanted there to be more. So many inspired words were spoken that touched me personally. Especially a talk given by Elder Donald Hallstrom. I highly recommend watching or reading it. Miracles have not ceased among the children of God, but we sometimes limit the scope of what a miracle is.
I love you all. You are so wonderful and the support you give me and my family is astounding and humbling. As many of you know, my brother Sawyer passed away last October. The anniversary of his death approaches at the end of this month. I will probably speak of him a few times this month. I love him so much and miss him terribly. I know my family does as well. As I'm over here in England, I have a favor to ask. Please send your thoughts to them this month. I know it will make a difference. And if you're not an organ donor, please reconsider. Sawyer was able to help others lives because of his sacrifice and there are others out there who need our help. We can make a difference.
I also wanted to bear my testimony about the knowledge I have regarding seeing Sawyer again. I know that God sent us to this earth to learn and He knew that families were the best way for us to learn and grow. Whatever your family background, know this: that I know that I will see my brother again and you can see your loved ones who have passed on too soon again as well. If you have a moment, check out Mormon.org or lds.org and search "families" and see what we believe about families and the life after death.
Companion Comics: at youth yesterday, elder Lopiano misfired a frisbee and hit one of the youth in the head. She then returned fire and hit him in the head. It was actually really impressive and funny. No one was hurt though.
British Food of the Week: sausage roll - a roll of bread with sausage in it. Almost like a savory sausage donut. Very good.
British Word of the Week: trousers - the British equivalent of pants in America. Do not say pants in Britain. They are trousers.
We saw many miracles this week. We had goals to find 6 people interested in meeting with us and we met our goal! It was a blessing because we weren't sure if it was going to happen. It did and it partly happened because we followed spiritual promptings about where to go and who to talk to. Our whole mission had a goal to find 301 new people to teach this week. Keep in mind this is a pretty lofty goal for our mission. We found out at the end of the week that we found 509 people! I know that God is involved in our work as missionaries.
I'm so grateful for the opportunities I have to serve. As hard as it can be at times, I know that I am doing what I need to be doing where I need to be doing it. I love you all. I love my Heavenly Father, I love my Savior Jesus Christ, and I love His gospel. It has guided me so much in life and brought me peace. I think of you all often and would love to hear from you. Your emails make my day.
Until next week,
Elder McKinley
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