Thursday, July 11, 2013
He's Moving Again
oh man! it's been wicked hot here :o for England, i guess. yeah! 30 degrees!
(that's 86 degrees fahrenheit)
man, i'm not super pasty white anymore! back to my more usual shade of pink! xD so yeah, it's been really nice having warm weather. i totally didn't appreciate it last year, i had no idea what winter held in store. This year, i cherish this moment. Vitamin D!!! I'm pretty sure the whole country has a vitamin D deficiency. so when the sun comes out, everyone comes out with it! and with little clothing on. i imagine it's similar in Cali, but i never really noticed i guess, so immodest!! xD but yeah! I'm very much enjoying life as of late.
and i'm so jealous of your fourth of July celebration! especially the exploded firework (no recording, I immagine, so sad!). my companion wouldn't let us celebrate because it's a holiday about killing English people apparently xD never thought of it that way! I just like fireworks to be honest ;3
(Last year I wanted to put up British flags for the 4th, but then I realized...)
but hey! big news in my life! i'm MOVING. only 6 weeks here! one transfer and i've been booted out. apparently i've been entrusted to not only train a new zone leader, but also to whitewash a zone leader area in LONDON. so this will be my first experience in London! it's the North of London, a little place called Lea Valley, i don't really know where it is, but i hear it's cool! and we have a posh flat that we share with another pair of missionaries. btw, whitewashing means that both companions are new to the area, so we start from scratch! and it's basically unheard of to do that to a zone leader area... so this will be fun ;D
my new companion is named Elder Moura-Netto (i'm pretty sure that's how you spell his name?). He's from Brazil, but he's lived his whole life in England. So my first Brazilian and my first English companion! should be good times ;)
hey! I love you mom :)
the music group is still going! just no performances scheduled at the moment, we need to regroup and practice ;) Elder Moura-Netto is the new guitarist, should be cool! sorry no pictures today, my little device to put pics in the computer is packed away ;pp maybe next week :) I love you mom!!!! have a great week :D
Go Down Moses
It was soo much better than I expected and Harry is AWESOME!
i've just been so crazy busy on mondays lately. it's nuts! this whole mission choir thing is just super time consuming on mondays! today we recorded all of songs, they're going to be on youtube shortly, so look out. search for england london mission choir or music group or something. should be good! but man oh man, do i need a nap! mom, i haven't had a proper nap in 14 months. that's a long time! the closest thing i get is when we're travelling on the underground or a train and i sneak in 5 minutes. but that doesn't count! it was 30 celsius the other day here! I about died, i boiled in my own skin, it's so much different when it's wet heat. honestly i totally don't know what to write about right now, i'm just really tired xD ooh, i went to camden town today on the way home from london! camden town is always a good time, crazy people. we saw a super nuts drummer guy just going crazy by a river. it was cool. i'm currently day-dreaming, i don't know about what tho! but yeah, today was a little sad too! it was like. the music group's last get together with all the missionaries. two of our star players are going home next week, finished! the group will continue, but it's not going to be the same without them :( i'm really just trying to monologue for you at this point so you can hear the sound of my voice in your head, hopefully it still sounds ok! not too english. ;) i've also wondered lately how different my accent is. because i hear americans talk now and they sound awful! xD it's so harsh and. well. american! xD english is so pretty and smooth, that's one thing i wish i could take back with gme- the english accent. but alas, i don't think i'm very good at it : but yeah, don't freak out :) I'm alive and well, just sleepy and busy ;) which is good i guess, means i'm doing something right! I love you mom :) you're the best ever, and i think about you often. looking forward to watching movies with you when i get back! even if it's 120 degrees outside when i do. also. i hear dan was gossip girl. i'm proper upset about that one, how lame! but yeah, all is well, and i hope you have a lovely warm week ;) water some flowers for me, get some orange ones or something and label them as mine. :) you're beautiful mom, i love you!! <3
And...
oh! and something i haven't told anyone i've been emailing lately... the church has authorized "facebook proselyting" soooo i might be on facebook soon... whoa! init mate? not that i ever used facebook back home, so it'll be a relatively new experience for me, but should be fun i guess? lots of the other missionaries are stoked about it! let's see, fun harry story..... i got to spend a day on a companion exchange with an old companion of mine! Elder Strong from california! We served in romford together, back in the day. he was a proper waster back then, we didn't get along too well xD but this time around he's gotten lots better (i have too to be honest) and we had a proper good time. we went finding all day in a place called Harlow, it's in essex. oh my days, i forgot what it was like to be in essex, so fun, so chavvy, so dodgy. and that evening we taught a less active in the ward (like less active since she was 8, type of deal). her dad is ex'ed but she's just fine. and goodness gracious, she has the most intense essex accent of all time, it's like a valley girl accent but english-ified. too funny! loved it. but yeah! i've enjoyed the past couple days, hope all is well!!!
i've just been so crazy busy on mondays lately. it's nuts! this whole mission choir thing is just super time consuming on mondays! today we recorded all of songs, they're going to be on youtube shortly, so look out. search for england london mission choir or music group or something. should be good! but man oh man, do i need a nap! mom, i haven't had a proper nap in 14 months. that's a long time! the closest thing i get is when we're travelling on the underground or a train and i sneak in 5 minutes. but that doesn't count! it was 30 celsius the other day here! I about died, i boiled in my own skin, it's so much different when it's wet heat. honestly i totally don't know what to write about right now, i'm just really tired xD ooh, i went to camden town today on the way home from london! camden town is always a good time, crazy people. we saw a super nuts drummer guy just going crazy by a river. it was cool. i'm currently day-dreaming, i don't know about what tho! but yeah, today was a little sad too! it was like. the music group's last get together with all the missionaries. two of our star players are going home next week, finished! the group will continue, but it's not going to be the same without them :( i'm really just trying to monologue for you at this point so you can hear the sound of my voice in your head, hopefully it still sounds ok! not too english. ;) i've also wondered lately how different my accent is. because i hear americans talk now and they sound awful! xD it's so harsh and. well. american! xD english is so pretty and smooth, that's one thing i wish i could take back with gme- the english accent. but alas, i don't think i'm very good at it : but yeah, don't freak out :) I'm alive and well, just sleepy and busy ;) which is good i guess, means i'm doing something right! I love you mom :) you're the best ever, and i think about you often. looking forward to watching movies with you when i get back! even if it's 120 degrees outside when i do. also. i hear dan was gossip girl. i'm proper upset about that one, how lame! but yeah, all is well, and i hope you have a lovely warm week ;) water some flowers for me, get some orange ones or something and label them as mine. :) you're beautiful mom, i love you!! <3
And...
oh! and something i haven't told anyone i've been emailing lately... the church has authorized "facebook proselyting" soooo i might be on facebook soon... whoa! init mate? not that i ever used facebook back home, so it'll be a relatively new experience for me, but should be fun i guess? lots of the other missionaries are stoked about it! let's see, fun harry story..... i got to spend a day on a companion exchange with an old companion of mine! Elder Strong from california! We served in romford together, back in the day. he was a proper waster back then, we didn't get along too well xD but this time around he's gotten lots better (i have too to be honest) and we had a proper good time. we went finding all day in a place called Harlow, it's in essex. oh my days, i forgot what it was like to be in essex, so fun, so chavvy, so dodgy. and that evening we taught a less active in the ward (like less active since she was 8, type of deal). her dad is ex'ed but she's just fine. and goodness gracious, she has the most intense essex accent of all time, it's like a valley girl accent but english-ified. too funny! loved it. but yeah! i've enjoyed the past couple days, hope all is well!!!
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
More Baptisms More Singing More Fun and Cricket Too!
Someone decided it would be a good idea to make me zone leader as well! :O so yeah! I'm gonna be zone leader in St. Albans along with Elder DouDou (yes, it's pronounced doodoo) from my MTC group! He's from Germany, and likes his chocolate a lot! :O so i'm excited to serve with him!
He gave me a haircut..... MESSED UP.
Zone leader means I'm in charge of a bunch of missionaries in a big geographical area. and i'm totally ok!!!
WE JUST SAW ELDER BALLARD. I SAT 20 FT AWAY FROM HIM. It was amazing! The whole mission was there! It was awesome.
Oh my days, for real being a ZL is nuts!!! and man, being in the music group as well just depletes my time like nobodies business. I've only been in my area for three days this week. yeah. WHOA. but hey, it's exciting! Never gets boring, that's for sure.
we had a baptism last week! Her name is Nichola, she's the best ever. She's just. oh man. She's amazing! She got an answer that the Book of Mormon was true and that was it, she was committed. best ever! She bakes cake like a boss by the way, she's gonna teach me some things.
:D oh! side note, remember Dan from Bury who was supposed to be baptised the week after i left but never did? HE GOT BAPTISED!!!!! yippee!!!!
Yeah, i've been having tons of fun since i've been here. Being zone leader is crazy. I've been on a ton of workovers this week. I went to spend the whole day and sleep over in a place called Dunstable and in a place called Hitchin. So that was fun! And we had a performance for our musical group on Friday in a place called Watford. You should look up "go down moses" on youtube, then imagine me singing it like a crazy african person.
Ooh! I got to play football (soccer) for the first time in a long time last saturday! i actually rather enjoy football, it's just kinda like basketball but on the ground and without your hands. definitely better than baseball ;) which reminds me! I PLAYED CRICKET. BORINGEST GAME EVER OF ALL TIME. I didn't think anything could top baseball, but cricket takes the cake and eats it too! Oh man, it's so lame!!!! why do people play cricket?!?!?! so ridiculous xD
Sometimes I worry that he is having the PERFECT mission. What happened to the spiritual struggling? The homesickness? Is he really having this much fun?
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Onesies
The Smith's bought me and Elder Allred matching Onesies!!!!!!!!! they're all the rage here. Special Uk pride!
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Friday, May 31, 2013
Trafalgar Square and Singing
Trafalgar Square! We snuck by when we went into London for a meeting...
and yep, btw, today I'm going to London because apparently there's a rumor that's been thru the grapevine ending up in President's ears that I sing... who said that? So now I'm going to London to be in some Men's group to sing. Goodness gracious today is crazy! My p-day is going to be spent traveling to and from London, long day.
Singing was pretty ok! I'm officially part of the group, and I'm THE tenor. Like. the only one. The current tenor is leaving for home today, and he was really good. so now i'm the replacement D: Hopefully some new missionary will come in and sing with me :o but it's pretty cool! I sing a solo in some crazy "negro spiritual" called Go Down Moses. so it's cool!
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Baptisms
May 6
In response to the questions, I'm doing very well!! And yes, i think i will baptize someone this week!! ;D We're having a triple baptism on Saturday, with two investigators and one eight year old, awesome!!!! Chloe is ten (a friend of the smiths' daughter), Trish is Chloe's mum, and Grace is the Smith's daughter.
Baptism!!! Trish is the older lady, chloe is the dark haired young one, grace is the other one. bald guy is Brother Smith (Dean), and then there's me!
May 19
In other news, we're going to have another baptism on Saturday, an 86 year old lady from Trinidad! It's fairly exciting!
May 26
Baptism was amazing, it went perfect! She's 81, and absolutely no problems during the baptism whatsoever! :D wonderful and spiritual. and yeah!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad,
In response to the questions, I'm doing very well!! And yes, i think i will baptize someone this week!! ;D We're having a triple baptism on Saturday, with two investigators and one eight year old, awesome!!!! Chloe is ten (a friend of the smiths' daughter), Trish is Chloe's mum, and Grace is the Smith's daughter.
Baptism!!! Trish is the older lady, chloe is the dark haired young one, grace is the other one. bald guy is Brother Smith (Dean), and then there's me!
May 19
In other news, we're going to have another baptism on Saturday, an 86 year old lady from Trinidad! It's fairly exciting!
May 26
Baptism was amazing, it went perfect! She's 81, and absolutely no problems during the baptism whatsoever! :D wonderful and spiritual. and yeah!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad,
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
Mother's Day
I know this is really late. I've been busy.
In my patriarchal blessing, it tells me that my children will be the brightest jewels in my crown. Really that's about it. It never really meant much to me until a couple years ago when it totally dawned on me while looking at my children and grandchildren gathered around the dinner table, laughing and teasing each other and trying to get all the little kids to eat, that they were indeed bright jewels. And I was so lucky to have them and so glad they had grown up to be such great people.
President Gordon B. Hinckley taught:
"Sisters, guard your children. ... Nothing is more precious to you as mothers, absolutely nothing. Your children are the most valuable thing you will have in time or all eternity. You will be fortunate indeed if, as you grow old and look at those you brought into the world, you find in them uprightness of life, virtue in living, and integrity in their behavior" ("Walking in the Light of the Lord," Ensign, Nov. 1998, 99).
On Mother's Day, Harry would always sing me a song. Before he left on his mission last spring he videoed a song for me to play on Mother's Day since he would be in the MTC. This year we got to Skype. Which is so wonderful- like having him here to visit. He sang a couple songs and played the piano. We talked while he drank hot chocolate.
Elder Ballard gave this counsel: "Mothers, teach your children to be sensitive and aware of the needs of others. Teach them to know and to practice basic principles of good human relations. ... Put your arms around your children, look them squarely in the eye, and tell them to learn these skills because you want them to be happy and successful on their mission" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1976, 130; or Ensign, Nov. 1976, 88).
Harry is one of the sweetest and most sensitive boys I've ever known. I really worked on being a good mom with Harry. I had made so many mistakes the first time around. But I really do believe that Harry was born kind and generous, caring and sweet.
I often think about how the Savior took time to bless children.
3Nephi17:21-24
21 And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.
22 And when he had done this he wept again;
23 And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.
24 And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.
I know that the Savior loves Harry. I know that he is known and loved by his Heavenly Father. He IS a bright jewel. I'm so glad he is my jewel.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
In my patriarchal blessing, it tells me that my children will be the brightest jewels in my crown. Really that's about it. It never really meant much to me until a couple years ago when it totally dawned on me while looking at my children and grandchildren gathered around the dinner table, laughing and teasing each other and trying to get all the little kids to eat, that they were indeed bright jewels. And I was so lucky to have them and so glad they had grown up to be such great people.
President Gordon B. Hinckley taught:
"Sisters, guard your children. ... Nothing is more precious to you as mothers, absolutely nothing. Your children are the most valuable thing you will have in time or all eternity. You will be fortunate indeed if, as you grow old and look at those you brought into the world, you find in them uprightness of life, virtue in living, and integrity in their behavior" ("Walking in the Light of the Lord," Ensign, Nov. 1998, 99).
On Mother's Day, Harry would always sing me a song. Before he left on his mission last spring he videoed a song for me to play on Mother's Day since he would be in the MTC. This year we got to Skype. Which is so wonderful- like having him here to visit. He sang a couple songs and played the piano. We talked while he drank hot chocolate.
Elder Ballard gave this counsel: "Mothers, teach your children to be sensitive and aware of the needs of others. Teach them to know and to practice basic principles of good human relations. ... Put your arms around your children, look them squarely in the eye, and tell them to learn these skills because you want them to be happy and successful on their mission" (in Conference Report, Oct. 1976, 130; or Ensign, Nov. 1976, 88).
Harry is one of the sweetest and most sensitive boys I've ever known. I really worked on being a good mom with Harry. I had made so many mistakes the first time around. But I really do believe that Harry was born kind and generous, caring and sweet.
I often think about how the Savior took time to bless children.
3Nephi17:21-24
21 And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them.
22 And when he had done this he wept again;
23 And he spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones.
24 And as they looked to behold they cast their eyes towards heaven, and they saw the heavens open, and they saw angels descending out of heaven as it were in the midst of fire; and they came down and encircled those little ones about, and they were encircled about with fire; and the angels did minister unto them.
I know that the Savior loves Harry. I know that he is known and loved by his Heavenly Father. He IS a bright jewel. I'm so glad he is my jewel.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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