Long story short: I went to a lot of meetings, and felt a massive the amount of the spirit.
Miracles: we found a girl named Xizi, she is maxed prepared. She texted us this morning, and she said that she had an amazing experience reading her Book of Mormon
Funny stories: elder draper got hit on by a girl at a Latvian girl at chopsticks and got free food from her. We also carried a manikin across London for an investigator
Short story long: I'm going to treat this like my journal now, because my journaling has gone out the window with my new leadership position. So I'll start off from last Monday, we had a lesson with what we thought was a member and a referral of her brother. But it just turned out to be her RM brother, at was embarrassing😂 right after we had a spiritual thought before FHE, and I was super pumped to give it. I wanted the ward to remember who we were and that the missionaries aren't messing about anymore, so I shared the new "first vision" video and we bore solid testimony of the restoration and the need to spread the gospel due to it. The spirit was very strong, I wanted it to motivate some people to be better with missionary work. But nothing has really panned out because of it. Tuesday we found like Dragons 🐉 talking with everyone we could see, and then we had another member lesson with a member. She served in temple square and she was a zone leader there, en when she did her three transfers out of temple square she was an STL. She gave me advice about being a district leader, she was hardcore. Wednesday again we found like dragons 🐉 and we watched the face to face with President Eyring and elder Holland. I learned so much about personal revelation and the true order of prayer. We had a bunch of zone leaders over because of the mission tour, and before they came I hid all our food in my room in the sock drawer and under my bed. Then in the morning they all complained about not getting cereal, then they yelled at me for not giving them food ( there was 8 people in our flat, all wanting a full breakfast) I then told them they could have breakfast if they went and bought it. ( side note, due to the assistants to the president living next door to us we feed them constantly and the zone leaders who go on exchange with them, and we don't get any extra money than any our missionary. On top of that food is twice the price in London.) so I wasn't to keen on feeding more people than I had too. I felt like grandpa Webb for a short moment. Thursday was weekly planning, elder draper isn't too keen on doing that so it wasn't a good weekly planning because he spent most of the time looking out the window. You can tell it's not a good planning when throughout the week you have to spend more than 30 minutes planning in the morning, planning for things you should of on Friday, but in this case, it was Thursday. This was due to the mission tour being on Friday. It was very spiritual, we were to read John 13-17. He general authority presiding was elder Phillips, Elder O'Hares (My MTC companion) uncle! I also got to see Elder O'Hare that was super fun. I also saw elder mora for the first time after the transfer. He basically confessed all his sins in one of his comments during the mission tour. I love that guy so much, he has really grown since the last time I saw him. Saturday morning was District leader council, and it was my first time. It is a time to really talk about how we can improve and help each other and set goals for the zone. It was my first time but I participated a lot. And even set a DLC goal. Saturday was the zone training meeting as well, and I had to give the opening remarks ( basically a lesson) on John 15. I was given about 3 hours head notice so I had no time to prepare. It was still very powerful I think. I was really puttered out afterward, and I had to get ready for ward council to make sure our friend baji was getting baptized this upcoming week. On Sunday during ward council, they went straight for my throat, but due to me meeting almost every member of the council personally teaching them a lesson the elder's quorum president helped me out and we can get him baptized now. The church was relaxing. I'm kind of tired typing now, so I'll just leave with this. I'm tired but I got a lot of work done, someone is getting baptized.
Long story short: working with members actually works!
Miracles: we taught our ward mission leader when we were doing all our member visits, and he texted us afterwards and thanked us for taking it back to the basics for him. It was very sweet and sincere.
Frustrating stories: I stopped a Chinese girl and asked her a question. She stood there for about 10 seconds looked at us and then walked away, it was after a long day of finding so I got super frustrated with her. But elder draper knew exactly when I was going to get frustrated and told me off for getting frustrated, it really put things in perspective for me.
Funny stories: elder draper fell down the up escalator at least once a day. The elders were wrestling in the flat so I joined in, and within seconds of me wrestling I sprained someone's wrist. Never again....😅😂
Short story long: starting off on Tuesday, we went street contacting at this new place called Knightsbridge. Elder draper and I went there to challenge ourselves and find some new places to find, we get there and everyone is Muslim and can't speak English. We went pretty hard and only took a 10-minute break to eat dinner. We found a Chinese student who met missionaries over 8 years ago and they helped him move. He still isn't convinced that there is a god, but trust me I'll get that man in this life or in the next. Wednesday I kicked off my vision of creating a better missionary and members relationship, I started meeting with members one on one and sharing a brief but powerful message on prayer; then after the message, I ask how they feel missionary work has been going on in the ward and how it can be better. Then for the ringer, I ask them how they can help accomplish and fulfill their idea. #theygotbeat@theirowngame#youcanconaconman. We met with Amiee first which was really good, she's cool and didn't mind us trying out our little experiment. It was very good feedback on missionary work and how to fulfill our duty on incorporating the members in the work (something that has been lacking before). Then we met with one of my good friends Samuel Baxter, and he gave us very good feedback as well. But turns out without him telling anyone he just left to Germany the next day for 4 years without transferring his records....so bye Samuel😂. Thursday I continued on my visions no met up with the FHE coordinator, the Bishop, and the elder's quorum counselor. The FHE coordinator is allowing us to give a 10-minute spiritual thought on missionary work during FHE, this will really help people become missionary minded. Bishop isn't that missionary minded, but I got to talk to him about our meeting every member in the ward. He told me he wanted a list so he could count it as home teaching. So looks like the word is getting 100% home teaching this month😂 Friday again we met with a lot of fantastic members and learned about their lives, it was fantastic. Frequency and Dave are two guys that we met, they are way cool! Saturday we had a lunch and dinner appointment ( never heard of in Britannia), and we said goodbye to our friend Gabrielle, who is, fortunately, getting married! We wished him the best in his adventures. We then had a dinner appointment with a New Zealander named Aaron, chilliest guy you will ever meet. We had a laugh and a good conversation on missionary work. Sunday we had a Northern Europe Area conference where we heard from the area presidency and elder Ballard. It was packed even though it was only a broadcast. I got to see elder O'Hare who is also a district leader, and like always we had a laugh. Probably laughed until we cried 😂 I had a sit down with our ward mission leader and talked about how to make the word more missionary minded. By the end of the week, we got 8 referrals, and 3 appointments from members. It was a good work week and we grinded, we obviously could have done better on finding on our own efforts; but even still we found 5 new investigators. The Lord is gracious to those who strive to apply all that has been given, with online technology and the members especially. I challenged my district to meet with members to get more familiar with them and challenged the zone as well. I hope we can make Britannia what it always could be. I love you all, be safe and love the simple things😊
Long story short: It was a good week as district leader, my district is building unity (and is a lot younger than me by means of time on the mission. Except the AP's are in my district). We are working hard to build unity with members
Funny stories: Elder draper and I stopped a girl, she stood about 6 feet away. She knew exactly who we were. She stopped, and tiptoed around an invisible bubble like a ninja and dashed away into the crowd. I could not stop laughing, who would do such a ridiculous thing to not talk to some one😂 Elder mora brought four suitcases and he thought he could bring them while he transferred ( you are only supposed to have two, and he white washed so no one could help him when they transferred). I cared the bigger two for him to get to the meetup point, and he carried the smaller two and he couldn't do it. He actually dropped them down the tube station stairs. It was sad but it was hilarious because every single elder told him it was going to happen.
Short story long: This has been my first week as a district leader, and it has been an experience! Starting off Wednesday, I got my companion Elder draper. He is an enthusiastic Lindon, Utah boy. I feel he is the Amulek to my Alma ( Elder Uchtdofs Conference talk about Alma & Amuelek), he is a good example to me about diligence in hard work. We had a lesson with our friend Izabelle, and our companionship unity really helped her progress; the lesson was so good we were able to help her realize she her lack of real intent, and we helped her overcome it! The next day was district meeting, let me tell you I was nervous. I wanted to try something new and set a district vision or something we want to accomplish this transfer, I hope it works out 😂 but it went alright. Elder draper and I had the longest weekly planning I have ever had, but we set solid goals to accomplish. Saturday we went out and found like Dragons 🐉 Elder Draper and I destroyed London and the Lord has given us all of it. On Sunday we went to church and our friend Ling was confirmed and received the Holy Ghost. I have tried something new this Sunday, I pulled aside some of the ward council and see if I could schedule some time with them and see what missionaries could do better with the hidden intention of teaching them to be missionaries and asking for referrals. Which it worked out pretty well, we got four referrals from the elder's quorum president and someone from the elder's quorum. It was pretty awesome to see how missionary work isn't complete without the members. I don't have a lot to report on, but this preparation day has been pretty cool so far. We went grocery shopping at Aldi (think of the cheapest food possible, that's the place it is), them we get the rest of our stuff from Pound land. The equivalent of the dollar store, and got our cereal, canned goods, and toilet paper😂 (I'm known as a pretty cheap missionary, I refuse to go broke!)
Long story short: my companion starts throwing up and urinating blood so we go to the doctors most of the week, we work hard from the chapel skyping people, I get called as district leader of central London.
Frustrating stories: well we showed up to each doctors appointment approx. 2 hours early, and they still didn't get us in on time or actually tell us what was wrong with elder mora( we still don't know what is wrong with him)
Funny stories: One of our recent Chinese converts had a talk and he got up and said " I don't know if I believe if god exists......" we all went deathly silent he then said, " but I'm willing to try and believe". It was funny because when I heard him say that I felt the eyes of all the members on us. Thinking, what are those missionaries teaching these asians😂 but it was a good talk, and he believes in god
Short story Long: On Tuesday we found for 5 hours straight, it was hardcore. I've been trying to experiment and try new things with this area because it is so white and ready to harvest, I thought I would go off the beaten path of missionary work. On Wednesday we had a couple of lessons, one with Izabella a model from imperial college (she's a model for charity, so don't think it's too big). We taught the plan of salvation and the sabbath Day, and like with all "smart" people they ask dumb questions. Such as"¿if I were to grow a brain, how would judgment be for that brain?"; Those are the questions I get in this are. In the end, she said it would be in her best interest to not keep the sabbath Day Holy and to go to the telestial kingdom because most of the people she knows would be there. So maybe I didn't share that message as best I could. After that we taught a former investigator named Hudanir, she will be getting baptized next month (hopefully, we all know how my baptisms go). But she actually came back herself, after taking a two-month break from the church, because she said she missed the spirit of peace she felt. On Thursday my companion said he was experiencing some pain, and that there was urine in his blood. So for the next 3 days, we were in and out of the doctor's office trying to figure it out, his condition seemed to worsen throughout the week. After president gave him a blessing on Saturday his condition seemed to improve (I'm still skeptical if he was really even sick or just needed a rest). On Sunday we had another ward council. I came super prepared, probably the most prepared I've shown up to a meeting. I emailed all these copies and printed out copies myself, and we didn't even talk about them. But the Bishop emailed my ward mission leader and complemented my deep commentary I had on the ward and its strengths, weaknesses, and how we can improve. It was a ward conference, and it was really spiritual with bishops remarks on having a more fulfilling life. Anyways the area had 2 baptisms this Sunday, one with Boya and one with Ling. It was spiritual and brilliant to see. I was excited to be there. On Monday elder mora still needed a day off ( I'm depleted from studying now, I've studied most of the teachings of Brigham young. Pretty good). We got our call for transfers, and I've been made district leader of Britannia. The central YSA ward of England. I'm excited about this new responsibility and hope to magnify my assignment. I will be getting Elder Draper as a new companion.
Short story long: the lord blessed us with 5 new investigators in a drought of investigators in the zone. I rebuked my leaders for rebuking me unjustly and based on false doctrine and earned their respect for standing true to the principles of the gospel doctrine. My investigators had a good time at church being spiritually and temporally fed.
Funny times: Elder Robertson and I on our exchange had a funny moment. I was tired of the same old conversations on the street so I set out to teach the law of chastity. I stopped a group of 3 guys and had a small 12-minute lesson with them on the street and taught them the doctrine, gave them a pamphlet, but unfortunately no return appointment. It was hilarious but also spirit filled. He didn't think it could be done, but through the Lord, all things can be done
Frustrating times: we went to ward council and like always they blamed everything on the missionaries and someone openly said they don't want to talk to our investigators. Elder mora and I are planning a culture change and we are going to be uber prepared this next week ward council and we are going to hold them accountable for their transgressions.
Long story long: starting off at the beginning of the week, we had zone conference on Tuesday. It was a lot of fun seeing elder chu again and my old district, catching up and following up on investigators I left behind. Zone conference is always an amazing spiritual experience along with really informative and instructional on what we could be doing to improve our missionary work. We always play a game called "MIND THE GAP" which is just a program to help you learn the PMG points of teaching the lessons. I accidently rebuked my AP for messing up on the gap point in front of the three zones attending (but he did rebuke me first trying to correct my already correct GAP point), I felt bad and apologized later on. But I earned some respect for memorizing the GAP points and standing true to the truth. The day was used up by them with other missionary meetings in Britannia. Wednesday we ground hard in street contacting, with little avail. We were doing 12 weeks at the end of the day(a training aid for new missionaries that last their first two transfers, or 12 weeks), we were waiting for an appointment with an investigator that didn't confirm their appointment and had a history of not showing up. When we were doing that a woman, name Hudanar walked up to us with the visiting center sisters and asked us to teach her. To my surprise in the first time in my life, I was speechless. In asking only a few questions a few months she had already been taught everything and actually was about to be baptized but due to some family pressures dropped out. She investigated a few other churches but circled back around because this was the only church she found peace in. We read and taught her from the Book of Mormon and she became a new investigator, she actually came to church as well but that is further down in the email. Thursday we went on exchanges and I was with elder Robertson, an English man who has lived in Germany for most of his accountable life. We had a very ambitious day planned ahead of us when we stopped this man on the street named Tom. He like every Common English citizen in their twenties is more atheist than agnostic. We talked about god and his purpose and plan for us. The conversation went nowhere, but like PMG say "rarely of ever should you have a conversation without leaving a commitment" so we invited him to meet with us with little expectation to get an appointment. But to our surprise, he wanted to meet just 2 hours later. We set the appointment and reset our plans, planned for him and were ready to go. He came and we attempted to teach him, again he disagreed with every point of doctrine and he denied the existence of god. The spirit was there as elder Robertson and I boldly testified about god and his love for us. We didn't ask for a return appointment or anything really, but he asked if we could meet again and bring his friend as well. So we are meeting him again today actually. That will be an interesting one. Moving on to Friday, we were able to meet with this girl elder mora and I stopped at the beginning of the transfer, an English student who doubles as a model. We never expected to meet her or teach her, she was very interested in the formation of the church. We originally planned for the plan of salvation, but I was prompted due to her interest to change and talk about the restoration of the restored gospel through Joseph smith and elaborate more on the importance of the Book of Mormon. She was delightful and we are meeting her again this Wednesday. On Saturday we were given a list of 12 people who are now less active or inactive in the church, so we set out to track them down. We were given this assignment because of the nature of the ward, people just come in for short periods of time and aren't able to willing to tell the ward where to send the records. We traveled and knocked on each of their doors, and none of them were home. But it was informative to know if someone lives there or they don't which we were able to acquire from their neighbors ( If I'm traveling to you flat which is an hour away I'm knocking your neighbors flat). Elder Mora, was born and raised in Britannia, which means he has never knocked a door in his life. We were in a neighborhood on the outskirts of London, and I thought why not give him that experience ( we don't knock doors because to be honest, YSA doesn't own flats, houses, or anything really; so it isn't an effective use of time. But we had some time and I wanted to see him do it. We knock a door according to how the spirit guided elder mora, and a YSA guy opened and we had a good conversation about doctrine. Then he invites us in ( I've only been invited in once before this), and we talk about the need of a modern day prophet to guide us through times of tribulation. He became a new investigator. He also wanted to play need for speed with us but we politely declined. Sunday our friend Hudanar ( hope you haven't forgotten her at this point) came to church! She had a very good time seeing old friends, and she is very confident and introduced herself to everyone! She almost left early bc she was very hungry, but another investigator of the church brought a bunch of sushi for the missionaries. So we are sushi in the kitchen with her and another investigator named Angus. It was kind of fun just us hanging out eating sushi during the intermission between classes, our district leader tried to rebuke me over it. But she was actually going to go home and eat, so when I said that There was sushi she had no excuse to leave. I feel bad for rebuking him over that actually😂. That was my week and I hope you survived to get this far
Spiritual uplifting: elder mora revealed to me during a conversation that during interviews president expressed to him that our companionship was the most inspired out of all of the others. This was
Frustrating stories: I was sick this week. I also saw some pictures of me before my mission and realized I'm fat. So now I'm on a salad diet, and eating fruits for breakfast and veggies for dinner. So you can basically say that my life is coming to an end as I was forced to buy all that food for myself. I looked into the mirror and realized I have never peeled an orange before...but today was the day Grocery shopping was fun today because since I wrote my name on all our food the other companionship didn't eat our stuff. So we actually have stuff left over. What a miracle!
P-day adventures: went to the free mansion temple and learned more about temple symbolism
Funny stories: on Saturday there was a nationwide party, they were all on the tubes. All college and university students got on in their costumes and cracked open a cold beer and partied. Little did they know we were on board, people mistook us for missionaries from the "book of Mormon" play and complemented us on our commitment. Not much missionary work was done that hour. That guy last week who thought we were filthy rich called us back and wanted all our "financial contacts" and wanted to take us to a night club. He is exactly like tom from parks and rec.
Long story short: this week was rough but the lord blessed me with investigators despite my brattiness, and humbled me during Zone training meeting
Short story long: this week has been a one of sickness. Our entire flat got colds; headaches, fevers, sore throats, the works. I was the second one to go down, I got sick but kept working until I couldn't anymore. I took a nap and then kept trucking on. We all really planned around our sickness this week because the enthusiasm for the work wasn't quite as strong as your head is pounding. But as we put our shoulder to the wheel the Lord blessed us continually throughout the week. The president's standards are to find 3 new friends to investigate the church and have 2 friends come to church. We were definitely blessed as a former investigator Natasha we contacted on the phone rediscovered an interest in the church and decided to meet with us again. She is an English YSA who has a years worth of lessons under her belt, she was a tough one. She came in like a dragon with false doctrine from the internet asking questions she didn't even really understand. But through the inspiration of the spirit elder mora and I was able to thoroughly teach her gods plan of happiness for us and it truly caught her interest. We have been forewarned by our assistants to the president and our ward mission leader that she is a tough one and to be careful with her. With another friend Renee, she is a Malaysian girl who wanted to know more of the constructs of Christianity and our beliefs. We met in Lester square next to china town. ( side note I was very ill that day and I had to lay down before the lesson). We taught her who god was and the importance of Jesus Christ, and elaborated on the separation of god, christ, and the Holy Ghost. We also discussed the importance of faith, repentance, and baptism. While we were teaching her all this a homeless man walked up to us and started talking with me and scared elder mora and Renee, I didn't want the spirit to leave so I gave him some peace. He wanted more but honestly, I didn't have more, I'm a missionary I'm constantly broke😂 after the lesson we just did some phone contacting while I laid down. We found a lot of success in finding people through the phone, Facebook, and what (it's the way Chinese communicate due to the strict internet usage in china). I have been praying so much for my area to improve and to find opportunities to teach, and I felt like my prayers were not being answered. Later on that week we went to zone training meeting where we discuss the zone goals or investigators, and baptisms going on. They put all the districts investigators on the board, they started with our district. Only two companionships have people on a date in our district ours and our district leaders, when we went through our investigators and their troubles they said alright that's everyone. I was astonished, out of our entire zone we were the only companionships to have any investigators. It humbled me, it also made me feel sorrow for asking and pleading for finding success in inviting others to come to Christ and having very stern conversations with him which I have repented of. It really put into perspective to me how much the lord has blessed me personally in my life, and how much I need to pray to recognize those blessings. Benjamin sent a lot of photos!! Old and new
