Week 21: Here We Go Again (x6)

Good morning everyone! I hope you are all doing well. I'm emailing you from good ole Holsworthy once more, which means I'll be here for another 6 weeks at least. I'm excited. I think it's going to be a fun and miracle filled 6 weeks. I'll be here with Elder Moorcroft and were going to be working hard to help move the work of the Lord along here in north Devon. 

Getting into the week, it was a little crazy but it was good! We had zone conference on Thursday where we talked about the year ahead and what we needed to be doing as missionaries to make the most of it and be giving all our time, might, mind, heart and strength to the Lord. I'm excited for this year. I think it's going to be life changing. Being there with so many other missionaries got me really excited for the time ahead. I'm looking forward to working hard, having fun, and seeing the hand of the Lord in each and every day. 

After the conference, I went on exchange with Elder Still. We had a blast and we worked hard as well. We were able to teach some really kind people and talk to some interesting people as well. He's a good man and a funny guy. He's also Canadian. I don't think that last bit changes anything but I thought you all deserved to know. 

While with Elder Still in Plymouth, we got the news about moves. Although I stayed, Elder Allen, Elder Stills companion and my zone leader, got word he was leaving Plymouth. He's been here nine months. He's a really great missionary and example and I was sad to see him go, but I know he'll continue to do great things in Staines. 

We had a proper miracle this week. We were on our way to stop by a friend when we saw someone outside their flat smoking. We naturally felt inclined to go share the gospel with this man. We had a good long talk with him. He's seen a lot of heartache in life, but he keeps going because of his son. He works a kind of crap job (his words not mine) and he hardly gets to see his son, but he does it because he wants the best for his son. We shared how God is just like him, in that He wants what's best for us. We shared the Book of Mormon with him and we are going to meet with him soon. 

The conversation we had with thus man made me think a lot about God. He is our Father, and He wants what's best for us. We had to step away from Him for a little while in order to learn and grow and become like Him. He misses us a lot, but He wouldn't have let us go were it not so important for us to be here now. But He wants us to come back to Him. He wants it so badly that He provided a way for us to do so. I testify that way is found in the Book of Mormon and through Jesus Christ. I'm so grateful for Him and for the love He has for me. I'm grateful to my earthly parents who have made so many sacrifices to keep me going, direct me on the right path, and provide a way for me to move forward. So, my invitation to you this week is to take some time and reach out to either your parent or your child and just let them know how much you love them, and how much you care for them. It doesn't matter the relationship you have with them; reach out and you will feel God's love and so will they. 

British Word of the Week: p - instead of cents, they say pence. Naturally it's abbreviated to p. For example, Elder Moorcroft bought some bread from the market today for 50p. 

Companion Comic: so this isn't my companionship but the flat in Plymouth has had a broken boiler since Elder Allen has been there. The water runs cold and then someone has to push a button on the boiler to turn the hot water back on. The boiler got fixed the weekend before Elder Allen left and broke the week before he came.

British Food of the Week: Banoffee Pie - heavenly; give it a Google 

Scripture of the Week: Alma 26:27 - the Lord has done this for me many times and I'm extremely grateful for it

Sister Beardsworth (who has been in my district my whole mission, even in the MTC) got moved to Catford. It was sad to see a good friend go. But we have a new missionary in the district who was at BYU the same year as me! So that's exciting. It's going to be a fun transfer with Elder Moorcroft, Sister Jerusalem, and Sister Neilson. 

We went to appledore today and those are most of the pics!

I love you all. Thank you for your emails, letters, prayers, and support. God bless and have an amazing week. 

Love,

Elder Finnegan McKinley
England London South Mission
 





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