Hello once more to all those still tuning in these 57 weeks later. Thank you for your loyal following and know that you reading this is extremely appreciated by me. So yeah.
This week was a pretty good one. It was interesting because we had some really cool opportunities and did some really interesting things, but it also feels like it went by so fast so I am struggling to remember the things of substance
anyways, let us get into it:
Tuesday did not amount to much in terms of success or major events but we did have a really fantastic meeting with the leadership of the ward (ward council) and we have a really great mission plan in place that we are excited to introduce to everyone to help them in their missionary efforts. We also get the pleasure of introducing to all 80 of the ward members this Sunday by ourselves. You better believe that diagrams will be made and videos will be shared and the spirit will be felt and we are going to have an amazing time.
Wednesday was spent running around most of the day to different appointments but they were all good. We are still working with a certain couple trying to help them overcome the obstacles that are keeping them from church but we are holding on to hope and having patience. It is kind of a long story but as part of our helping them, we may be going over to their house to do calligraphy next week so that is exciting. We also had dinner with a really lovely couple. The wife joined the church about two years ago but the husband has never really expressed much of an interest. Her brother was there too and he works for the company that builds all the roads on the island so we got some "secret" (they were made public but no one can really understand them) looks into the plans they have for a new junction and let me just say that I am grateful I will not be driving a car around Newport anytime soon because traffic will be...interesting. We were also able to talk with them and we were really loving and bold and we told the couple that we really wanted them to be united as a family forever and that could only come through being sealed in the temple and we invited the husband to read The Book of Mormon and he said he would think about it. I felt the Spirit powerfully and really feel that the Lord will soften his heart. We shall see. We also found out that he loves tennis and we set up a time to play with him saturday. I will come back to that in a second.
Thursday we helped a woman in the ward with some autumn cleaning along with some other ward members and it was just a fun little cleaning party. I love service, especially when it gives me an opportunity for banter-filled small talk. We had a short lesson at the library in the afternoon with our actor friend but he literally had 18 minutes so we did not talk too much. We read the Book of Mormon together and then he was off. So hopefully we can see him sooner and talk a bit more :-)
Friday's events were a bit unexpected. The body of water between us and the mainland is called the Solent. Fun fact about the solent, it is one of the most expensive waterways to cross in the world per mile. Normally we take the hovercraft, which quite literally hovers across the water. Think really suped swamp fan boat and cover it in a union jack. Anyways, we had a district council on the mainland in the morning so we took the hovercraft across. It was a bit windy so the vessel was drifting a bit #fastandfurious9? but we made it to the other side. We had our meeting, it was a blast, and then we came back and found that hovercraft travel was suspended because of the winds and choppy waters. So we had to take the normal catamaran, the Wight link (brilliant names right?). So we go by tickets and come to find out that the boats are massively delayed because of wind but also because of a cruise ship that was passing through. So after about an extra 2 hours of waiting, we finally got on a boat, made our way across the solent and then saw that the other catamaran had not yet left the dock. We were stranded about 200 yards from the pier head. So we just floated there for a good 20 minutes and then finally were able to dock. By this time it was around 5:30 and we left the island at 9 that morning so yeah, it was a good day.
Sunday (I know I skipped saturday but I have my reasons) was pretty good. The kids at church did a presentation and they did a great job. It reminded me of the many times did such a presentation and fond memories returned. The memories probably are not that great from the leaders and parents that had to put up with organising the children, but for us, they are good memories. Then I spontaneously was invited/joined the stake choir. Catch us at the Portsmouth chapel on October 18th? (i don't think that far ahead). The rest of the day was spent trying to find people to teach. It turns out there is about 15 people out in Newport on a Sunday afternoon. Literally. I counted all of them. But still it was good stuff.
Companion Comic: While waiting for a boat to come, Elder Brewster and I were practising teaching principles simply. As Elder Brewster was practising, a woman sitting next to us would occasionally chuckle whenever he would sigh or become exasperated. After a bit of time, I was going over some tips with Elder Brewster when it comes to speaking and she joined in! She said that she hoped she was not interrupting or being rude but she gave some really good advice. She works in the mental health industry and gave us some tips on how we can help centre our minds and focus and be passionate. While a little peculiar at first, we formed a fun little friendship and had some great laughs together.
Scripture of the Week: okay so this is not a scripture but General conference is coming up in two weeks and my challenge is to you is to listen to all of April's conference before this next conference! I am doing it too and it has been amazing so far!
British Food of the Week: Treacle Tart - think syrup mixed with breadcrumbs and baked in a pie crust.
British Word of Week: good show - good job, or good effort
Okay so to end my email I want to tell you about Saturday. Saturday was one of the best days I have had in a long time. We played tennis with the guy we had dinner with on Wednesday. IT WAS FANTASTIC. He is a proper brit and we had a proper good time. I felt so entrenched in british culture and with each good shot I had he would say "cracking shot!" honestly, it was the best fun I have had in a long time. Then we went and we helped clean up one of the beaches on the island in coordination with a massive island cleanup on Saturday. We spent a few hours digging up glass bottles and bits and bobs from the beaches that others have left behind and that the ocean has washed up on the shore. It was so rewarding and we got to work with some really great people and I just felt good. Saturday I just felt good. I have not felt that good in a long time and I know that it was an answer to prayers that I have said in the past weeks. I am so grateful for a God who knows and loves and supports me in all of my efforts. I know that He is real and is there for each of us. I love you all and have an amazing week!
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