Week 37: I Didn't Get Murdered in the City

So the title of my email is a play on the most amazing song ever by the avett brothers. There was a gunfight in Oxford on Monday. It happened right outside of the other elders' flat. We are over at their place often. We very well could have been caught in the middle of it. However, neither us, nor the other elders, nor the sisters who also live nearby were even in Oxford. Elder Burton and I were in Reading for an exchange and the others were in a town about 30 minutes South of Oxford. The amazing thing is none of us had planned to be gone. Our exchange was changed to Monday last minute and the others decided last minute to leave Oxford for a few hours to work somewhere else in our area for a change. God made sure that we weren't anywhere near the incident. Other than some minor inconveniences, like the other elders having to stay with the bishop because their flat was blocked off by the police, none of us were affected. I'm truly humbled how God watches over His servants and how He made sure we were going to be safe. 

Other than that incident, this week has been fairly uneventful. People keep pulling the classic "'yeah sure I'll meet with you' but then they don't show" stunt. So that has been super lame. We're carrying on. The members are starting to like us more so that's always good. We're being fed almost every day of the week. We're getting a lot of good feedback and getting some good ideas as well. We're excited about the future. 

We had interviews with President Gubler this week. I finally saw his house for the first time! It's also the last time I'll see his house but it was cool to see finally! You have to walk a path through the woods to his house and it reminded me a lot of North Carolina. For those of you capable of going to the beach, do it. It's too nice and too close for you not to. Think of me when you go, alright? 

We also had exchange in Reading. It was an interesting exchange but it was really fun. I was with Elder Albacite. He's a lovable filipino born Belgian man who's just a fun guy. We had a good time in reading and met some really cool people. We also did some sport contacting (basically we play sports with people and talk about Jesus) and it was so different than normal but was really fun. We also did some service and helped clear out this home that's been collexting junk for years. There were so many interesting and historical things there that I just wanted to take, but I restrained myself. They included: a best of David bowie 8 track, a George foreman mini grill, and so many cool old books. Also, I continually learn how much I don't want to become a hoarder. 

British Word of the week: tenner - ten pound note

British food of the week: sliced chicken - they don't really have deli turkey like we do in America. I've been having to make do with chicken but it's not the same 

Companion comic: on exchange. I was playing basketball and I was the only American there. In England that makes you automatically better at basketball than everyone else. So I won. I dominated. And I'm not a gr8 baller but hey it was a good time. 

Scripture of the week: Alma 31:5 

I've met some really sweet and kind families this week. They all have younger children and it's been humbling to think back to when I was a kid. I remember looking up to the missionaries and wanting to be around them and I thought they were the coolest. Now I have little kids looking up to me, watching me, wanting to be around me and it's really humbling and it fills my heart with love for these kids. So remember that you're always someone's role model, and if you ever feel like you can't be accountable to yourself, at least be accountable to them. 

I love you loads! Happy mothers day to all those mothers out there. Especially the best one. It's mine in case you have trouble inferring :-) thanks for all of the letters and emails. I'd love to see a picture of what's been going on in your life! God is really just amazing and ikmso grateful everyday for the chance I have to serve Him and my fellow humans. Keep well, enjoy the sunshine and wish me luck. We find out above moves this week so I might be somewhere new next week. It's unlikely though. But yeah. Love ya!

Elder Finnegan McKinley
England London South Mission (for now...)   




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