A busy week in Whitefield

Hello!

A full week has passed by in Whitefield. Whitefield area consists of 3 main towns/cities, mainly Whitefield, Bury and Prestwich. Thanks to dad's genealogy knowledge, I've learned that we have some ancestors from Bury. It is exciting to be serving in an area where our family actually comes from. This area is similar to my first area, Wigan. The ward is a bit smaller than Manchester South, yet the people are so friendly and welcoming. I think it must have to do with the fact that I grew up in Wenham, population 5,000 or something, but I just enjoy the smaller town feeling in the ward. I like to walk into church and at least recognize everyone who is there. One way it differs from Wigan though is that the area is tall and skinny. We go about a half hour or hour north/south, but only a half hour at most east/west. The area actually has a large Jewish community, so there is quite a bit of religious diversity. It is wonderful to be exposed to a variety of people and cultures. Furthermore, we have been lucky and the winter weather hasn't quite hit (we have only had one day when it snowed). The rain and wind got pretty bad this week though. On Wednesday, we spent I think like 7 hours outside and 6 of those hours it was raining. The rain is just part of England that you grow to love is what I am learning. Every day is a great day to be a missionary! It doesn't matter what the weather is like.

As for Sister Low, I think I told you last time that she is from Murray, Utah. I attached another picture of us from today (we went and got haircuts before doing our emails). She has an older sister and a younger brother. Not to generalize, but as far as I can tell, Sister Low had your typical Utah upbringing. She is a dancer and loves to run. I am enjoying the second part of that because it means every morning we go out and run for at least 15 minutes. Your day goes just that much better when you are able to exercise properly. This is her last transfer in the mission. Sister Low came out the same time I did, but a year earlier. It is funny because now I have served with the three sisters who came out that transfer (Sister Davis, Sister Gallozo and Sister Low). Sister Low has now also served with all the sisters who came out my transfer (Sister Hull, Sister Hadley and myself). We both completed the circles. She is a hard worker and fun to be around. Before her mission, she studied at UVU and then at BYU. She is majoring in exercise science, but she is not sure what she wants to do with it after. I definitely feel grateful that I still feel confident about my major. I am still in love with math and want to teach. There are some things that just don't change while you are on your mission. I know that I am numerically inclined because I love looking at the numbers we report and the various dates of events. There are just some talents that never leave us, which is a great blessing.

I am loving the new area and am already starting to work on some New Years resolutions. As part of that, I started reading the New Testament. I am coming to better know our Savior, Jesus Christ, and learn about the wonderful miracles he performed. It truly is a blessing to be serving a mission and have an opportunity to study the scriptures each morning. I hope and pray that each of you are able to find more joy this year. Know that I love and miss you!

Love, Becca