Life in the City

Life is continuing to go well. Manchester is rainy as usual, and we are enjoying it. Sister Nkosi brings an entirely new culture to the table, and I am learning a lot about South Africa. Different parts of the world are completely different. I love how she so sincerely and boldly testifies of the gospel and Jesus Christ to the people we meet. It is clear that the gospel has helped her in her life.

Joanne is progressing well. She is continuing to strengthen her testimony and is excited for her baptism on Thursday! She even made invitations and handed them out at church yesterday. She will make a wonderful addition to the ward. Just on Monday, we had one final lesson with Sister Loh there. Joanne was telling us how great it must be to bring others unto Christ. She was explaining that our entire mission is worth it, if we just bring one person unto Him. It is clear that she understands Doctrine and Covenants 18:10, 15-16, “Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.” It brings joy into my heart to know the gratitude she has for the gospel. When our hearts are filled with gratitude, we are a happier people.

Gratitude was the focus of sacrament this past week. We focused on how we can have more gratitude in our hearts as well as the good that comes. Let me first start by expressing my gratitude for all you do! I am grateful for your love, concern and support. Then the what good comes from gratitude? We discussed how we will be more joyful along the way. We will more likely be happy and spiritually strong. Life is just better when we have an attitude of gratitude. I hope each of you enjoyed your Thanksgiving feasts and are filled with that spirit of gratitude. 

There is a funny mormon message titled the spirit of thanksgiving that you should look up. This link may work to get to it, but if not you can search for it yourself (http://www.mormonchannel.org/mormonmessages?v=911161818001).

Have a fantastic week!

Love, Becca

Surprise...I AM STAYING!

It is a shock, but I am actually staying in my area. I had no idea what would happen this next transfer, but President Preston called me on Sunday evening and asked me to train. I am currently in the Manchester YSA ward with Sister Nkosi. She is from South Africa. I am still learning how to pronounce her name and the exact location where she is from. I will do better to report back next week; hopefully, I will be blessed with the gift of tongues in the meantime. She seems like a great missionary. We have only been together for a few hours, so I haven't learned too much yet. We will become the best of friends, I am absolutely sure of that.

As a result of my call, I have been studying a bit about leadership. I figured it was about time...because there is always something new to be learned. [People have told me that either 1) there is something I still need to learn or 2) I am a really good missionary. It is funny, I feel like everyone is joking about how many times I've trained.] As I read and studied the White Handbook as well as the related scriptures, I was impressed by the references to the Savior. As we become like the Savior and follow his gospel, then we will be a good leader. [The principles of gospel leadership are the gospel: faith, repentance, covenant keeping, the Holy Ghost and enduring to the end.] It is important to follow the Spirit in all things, and I am grateful for how my mission has taught me to recognize and heed the promptings of the Spirit. There is joy in missionary work, and I hope others are able to feel and recognize that joy! I will do my best to teach Sister Nkosi about that joy. I am sure we will enjoy our time together :)

This letter seems a bit pitiful, but it is a reflection of the good things that are happening. There is a lot of excitement, and I will be sure to report more back to you on Monday. Know that I am doing well :) Have a lovely week!

Love always, Becca

p.s. I figured the photos may make up for the lack of writing this week

1. Our district this transfer

2. Our Thanksgiving feast (held a week early because of transfers)

3. My trainees and me (Sister Howell, Sister Loh, Sister Nkosi, and me)

Rainy Manchester

Manchester is about the same as ever. We woke up this morning and the sky was black, meaning there were clouds out. Then as we walked outside it was sprinkling. Some things just never seem to change about the area :) Next week is transfers, so I won't be emailing till a bit later in the week. We will see if I stay here in Manchester or get moved someplace else.

Saturday was a fantastic day. As a mission we had another day where we dedicated five hours to just finding new investigators. We found the three investigators that we fasted for, and we are excited to follow-up and teach them again this upcoming week. It was amazing because some of the members came out with us. We had three different members and a former investigator come out finding. (That never happens for the record on a regular basis.) We truly were blessed and saw miracles because of their faith and testimonies as well.

We also had the pleasure of attending district leader council, and it was interesting to hear about QGCs being done away with. [QGCs are the way the mission measures our personal finding efforts, as in how many people we are able to speak to each day.] My first response was, “This is aligning our mission more with Preach My Gospel.” My next thought was, “Will missionaries continue being bold in their invitations?” I know that having no QGCs will simplify things and help us to focus on those things of greatest importance. I have been trying different approaches in my own missionary efforts. I know that not having QGCs will help me more in the future to be more able to share the gospel with people, but it does take some change and getting used to. For example, I noticed that I often point out my badge referring to the fact that I am a missionary. At home, that will not be the case, so I am thinking of new ways to incorporate the gospel in my conversations. I am excited to see the changes that occur in missionaries as a result of this change. [It is interesting to see how the mission evolves over time as new leaders are called and a different group of missionaries is the field. Missions truly are a unique experience for everyone involved.]

On another note, I am continuing to learn in my studies. Just this morning, I was studying for a training Sister Loh and I will be giving at District Meeting about the area book [the place we record about the people we are teaching and have talked to]. As I studied, I realized the problem is probably diligence in record keeping, mainly potential investigator forms and teaching records. We could sit there and talk about them for ten minutes, but that would not change behavior. We know the study of doctrine changes behavior. I searched in the scriptures for examples of those who valued records. Here are a few: 1) Nephi and his brothers who went back to Jerusalem to get the gold plates. 2) John Whitmer was called early on to be the Church historian. 3) Moroni thought about not writing any more (Moroni 1:4), but he continued on for another nine chapters. Could you imagine not having Moroni’s promise (Moroni 10:3-5)? And there are many other examples. These examples help us to understand that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. He has always recognized the importance of record keeping, and we too need to value our records. It is discussing the doctrine, not the application, which will cause a lasting change in anyone.

I think that is all I have for now. Hope everyone is doing well and is enjoying themselves.

Love, Becca

Happy Guy Fawkes Day!

It is Guy Fawkes day here in England :) If you don't know what it is, you should go look it up online because it will probably be a better description than I could type in the next few minutes. Anyway we get to stay the night in the flat and enjoy the warmth and peace of our home! It should be good fun. Unfortunately we will miss out on the bonfires and fireworks though.

This is a funny little story: on Friday, we had the wonderful opportunity to serve. We stopped a young lady named Ying as she was walking. She had some heavy groceries, so we offered to help her carry then. Ying asked, “Are you here to help people?” Our answer was an enthusiastic “Yes!” We were able to carry her bags and talk to her. She was going to look at some new housing and asked if we could also help with that. We were able to go with her to talk with the rental agency to figure out the logistics. It was clear that she appreciated the help, and she even agreed to meet us next Friday. I am grateful for the opportunity to be like the Savior and go about doing good.

As for the photos, here are the descriptions:

1. Halloween! We got some candy. It was sour gummies, but they were also false teeth so we put them in to celebrate :)

2. We went out to eat, and I tried some chicken feet (per invitation of the birthday boy). They weren't bad tasting, yet they were not very flavorful either. They were basically just chewy and not much taste to them.

3. The group we went out to eat with today. From left to right: Cathy (one of the elders' investigators), Tatianna (member), Elder Hare, Elder Cai (the birthday boy--he turned the BIG 2-1), and Sister Loh. It was a good celebration and we had a fun time together.

I think the rest of everything is same old, same old. Life is good :) Glad to hear everyone is safe and wasn't too affected by hurricane Sandy. Have a good week and enjoy the elections.

Love, Becca