So this is whats happening.
This transfer was a short one because of Christmas. It would have ended on Christmas eve. So next transfer will be a 7 week transfer. I will get my new companion on Wednesday. Keep an eye on the mission blog for a picture. Our next p-day will be on Boxing Day (26th of December).
But Monday- we went to the Cathedral - pictures will come.
Tuesday- I had the meeting for new trainers. There are so many new ones coming in. It was fun to see some friends. Interesting to see some missionaries that are training, but there is a reason, and so it will be fun to see what happens. There are no language study sisters coming so she could be American. not sure. I got to be companions with Sister Galves for the day. She is originally from Peru, but lives in Madrid!! She really wants Elder MacKay to serve in her ward. Craig, she said you are going to get fed so well you are going to get fat haha. I will send you her family's info in a letter so you can keep an eye out for them. She is a sweetie. After waking up at 4, when we got back to Nottingham, I could barely walk. I was so beat. We cancelled everything for the night and went home and slept.
Wednesday-we taught a few people, but no one solid - got dropped, but it was okay. We had a dinner appointment at the church. It was a birthday party for a member's two daughters so all of us missionaries were there. We played musical chairs and some elders waited in line to hit the pinata. We just laughed our heads off. It was a fun hour. Got a flat tire and learned my bike needs a certain pump for it. Thankfully the elders had it!!
Thursday - We had a few lessons - it was good. Judy is a Polish lady that we are teaching. She can only meet in the mornings so that's fun. We leave by 8 and then come home and study. Not ideal but she loves the gospel and has already read the whole Book of Mormon - just waiting to get an answer!! and a job haha. Had to rest alot after Tuesday - had to really catch up on energy and prepare for Friday, as we travelled into Nottingham for another meeting!!
Friday- We taught Judy again in the morning before we caught the train into Nottingham. We went to the meeting and got a bit of spiritual rebuking and humbling - nothing too bad, but what was needed. Saw some friends and had some good laughs - had a few good tears, with everything that was going on. I enjoy our zone!! Got pooped on by a bird - thankfully it only hit my coat haha. We had a dinner appointment and the member let me play her piano. She is so sweet! That was when I got to look at the sheet music you sent me. I love the Savior, Redeemer song. I have been singing it since I got the mail. I have to play the piano for our multi zone conference musical number, so I will be spending quite a bit of time on the piano before Christmas. I am okay with that :).
Saturday it was pouring down and we had to bike in it. It was a fun adventure!! We had a dinner appointment with the American family and they made the Italian chicken over rice :) and Betty Crocker brownies with chocolate syrup and ice cream :) We also had root beer and they got us some hot Cheetos from the base. So, we were really happy :)
Sunday- we sang in choir after church and planned. I made a roast dinner, with all the veggies we had and roasted it with orange slices. I love cooking. So excited to experiment when I get home.
But my spiritual thought - today I started studying "Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ" by Elder Oaks. It really hit me. The mission has shown me why Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ knew the atonement needed to happen and why Christ went through with it. I have felt love for so many people - members and non, active and less active. We all experience pain and sorrow, on top of the mistakes that we make. He was willing to not just suffer for our sins, but reach into the pit of hell so that he really can strengthen us while we deal with our trials. He will not take them away because there would be no way for us to learn and progress from them.
Just a few of my thoughts from this morning. I love this gospel. It means everything to me!! and so do all of you!! I am excited to see you on Christmas!!
Sister Ashley MacKay
This transfer was a short one because of Christmas. It would have ended on Christmas eve. So next transfer will be a 7 week transfer. I will get my new companion on Wednesday. Keep an eye on the mission blog for a picture. Our next p-day will be on Boxing Day (26th of December).
But Monday- we went to the Cathedral - pictures will come.
Tuesday- I had the meeting for new trainers. There are so many new ones coming in. It was fun to see some friends. Interesting to see some missionaries that are training, but there is a reason, and so it will be fun to see what happens. There are no language study sisters coming so she could be American. not sure. I got to be companions with Sister Galves for the day. She is originally from Peru, but lives in Madrid!! She really wants Elder MacKay to serve in her ward. Craig, she said you are going to get fed so well you are going to get fat haha. I will send you her family's info in a letter so you can keep an eye out for them. She is a sweetie. After waking up at 4, when we got back to Nottingham, I could barely walk. I was so beat. We cancelled everything for the night and went home and slept.
Wednesday-we taught a few people, but no one solid - got dropped, but it was okay. We had a dinner appointment at the church. It was a birthday party for a member's two daughters so all of us missionaries were there. We played musical chairs and some elders waited in line to hit the pinata. We just laughed our heads off. It was a fun hour. Got a flat tire and learned my bike needs a certain pump for it. Thankfully the elders had it!!
Thursday - We had a few lessons - it was good. Judy is a Polish lady that we are teaching. She can only meet in the mornings so that's fun. We leave by 8 and then come home and study. Not ideal but she loves the gospel and has already read the whole Book of Mormon - just waiting to get an answer!! and a job haha. Had to rest alot after Tuesday - had to really catch up on energy and prepare for Friday, as we travelled into Nottingham for another meeting!!
Friday- We taught Judy again in the morning before we caught the train into Nottingham. We went to the meeting and got a bit of spiritual rebuking and humbling - nothing too bad, but what was needed. Saw some friends and had some good laughs - had a few good tears, with everything that was going on. I enjoy our zone!! Got pooped on by a bird - thankfully it only hit my coat haha. We had a dinner appointment and the member let me play her piano. She is so sweet! That was when I got to look at the sheet music you sent me. I love the Savior, Redeemer song. I have been singing it since I got the mail. I have to play the piano for our multi zone conference musical number, so I will be spending quite a bit of time on the piano before Christmas. I am okay with that :).
Saturday it was pouring down and we had to bike in it. It was a fun adventure!! We had a dinner appointment with the American family and they made the Italian chicken over rice :) and Betty Crocker brownies with chocolate syrup and ice cream :) We also had root beer and they got us some hot Cheetos from the base. So, we were really happy :)
Sunday- we sang in choir after church and planned. I made a roast dinner, with all the veggies we had and roasted it with orange slices. I love cooking. So excited to experiment when I get home.
But my spiritual thought - today I started studying "Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ" by Elder Oaks. It really hit me. The mission has shown me why Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ knew the atonement needed to happen and why Christ went through with it. I have felt love for so many people - members and non, active and less active. We all experience pain and sorrow, on top of the mistakes that we make. He was willing to not just suffer for our sins, but reach into the pit of hell so that he really can strengthen us while we deal with our trials. He will not take them away because there would be no way for us to learn and progress from them.
Just a few of my thoughts from this morning. I love this gospel. It means everything to me!! and so do all of you!! I am excited to see you on Christmas!!
Sister Ashley MacKay