Week 96: Two's a Company...

Well, believe it or not, we are here once again. After the events of the last few months here in London, I didn't really think that things could get much weirder. I was already working in the office and speaking portuguese. Then Friday happened. 

Long story short, we're now in a trio. 

Haha our new companion is Elder Grimaldi from Brasil. He arrived Saturday at Heathrow. Elder Coelho and I went there to pick him up. 

*disclaimer* being at Heathrow with only 7 weeks left on your mission is a sublime experience. It may or may not make you think about the impending events WAY more than normal. But hey, we were there with a purpose, so it was all good. But wow, what a blast. 

Other than our new companion (he's only companion's with us for the week and then he will get assigned his official missionary trainer next week during the transfer), this week has been pretty typical. We have had a lot of lessons, dinners, and crazy portuguese conversations. I love being a missionary.

Word of the Week: Festa Junina - this massive brazilian party with dancing and food and games and loud music and wow, it's amazing. "It's better than carnival" - Elder Coelho

Food of the Week: churrasco - grilled meat, barbecue; we had our first proper churrasco yesterday. Brasil is a blessed land and I'm grateful they sent some of it to London. 

Scripture of the Week: 1 Nephi 7:5 - I too have obtained a land of promise :-)

Companion Comic: our entire room is beds now (I have an air mattress). For some reason, we have a double bed and the air mattress is a double size air mattress as well. at night, the floor is bed. on the plus side, I have had the best sleep of my mission these last two nights #futurepossibilities?

I love being a missionary. I love serving here in London, but more importantly, I love serving the Lord. As I continue in His service, I recognise and abiding peace and joy that comes from being on His errand. He is master of my fate. I want to share with you a poem shared with me by one of the greatest senior missionaries on the planet. This poem was written by Orson F. Whitney in response to the poem "Invictus". 

Art thou in truth?
Then what of him who bought thee with his blood?
Who plunged into devouring seas
And snatched thee from the flood 
Who bore for all our fallen race
What none but him could bear--
The God who died that man might live
And endless glory share. 
Of what avail thy vaunted strength
Apart from his vast might?
Pray that his light may pierce the gloom
That thou mayest see aright. 
Men are as bubbles on the wave,
As leaves upon the tree,
Thou, captain of thy soul! Forsooth,
Who gave that place to thee? 
Free will is thine--free agency,
To wield for right or wrong;
But thou must answer unto him
To whom all souls belong. 
Bend to the dust that “head unbowed”,
Small part of life’s great whole,
And see in him and him alone,
The captain of thy soul.
He is the Captain of my soul, and I love him. I love you all, and pray that you will find joy each day this week.
Love, Elder McKinley





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