I liked this week. I learned a lot - more what it means to follow Christ and to be his disciple and I am so grateful for it.
Monday we went finding and found a few people, nothing super solid, but a good start. We also talked with Amy, a recent convert who went less active. We read scriptures with her. She is funny and sweet, but crazy.
Tuesday we did service with the elders for their investigator and it was fun. A good bonding time with them and it has really made a difference in our district. We also had a nice omelet made by Mary. After that, I was shot. We tried to get out and work, but it didn't happen. We did make it to coordination. It was a good meeting we talked about how to build our relationships with the ward members.
Wednesday we had district meeting and our flat was inspected, so that was fun. My energy dropped rapidly in the meeting, so a nice little nap was in order. I know mom always said that once I was two years old I decided I was not taking naps anymore but lately it's become a daily thing in order to be able to function. Then a recent convert called and wanted to meet, so we did and she is a sweet heart!! I love her already. She was so prepared for the gospel and it was fun teaching her. The spirit definitely put in my mind what would answer her question and she was so pleased to have it answered. Cool experience! Sadly, after dinner, I was in desperate need of sleep and it just happened that our night appointment cancelled. We were disappointed but it for me it was a tender mercy.
Thursday, I didn't feel good, so we area book found and then started weekly planning. We got talking about what the area needs and then had a really good conversation about what we want to see happen and what we need to work for this week. It was good to be able to express what I was feeling and to hear from my companion - it was very constructive and good for us and it made a difference in our work efforts, little by little. We were able to work as a team. We got to have lunch and a lesson with Stella - It went all right. She is an eternal investigator. We invited her to come to conference and she said yes, so that was cool. We were excited. There are a few things that are stopping her from committing and it will take awhile to help her. But, she loves sisters so that's good. One day it will happen!!
Friday we went out finding for an hour and had a cool experience. The night before, when setting goals, we wanted to have a member present during a lesson. When we were finding, we started teaching a lesson and then a member walked by. It totally happened! Finding... I love it! Not all missionaries do, though, and Sister Anderson expressed that it's not her favourite. Fair enough - but we still have to do it and the happier we are, the better results we get. I was praying it would be a good hour led by the Spirit, and it was. The first guy we talked to, we got to testify how Christ can help us with everything. We talked about happiness and he mentioned how he was actually on his way to something for his depression. I felt for him, but he looked a bit uplifted, seeing it as not a coincidence. Then we ran into Bo. He is from China and it was his first day in Loughborough. We showed him to the campus and had the lesson with him. As we were, I looked up and saw Dan, a ysa member, and it was like, yeah, this was no accident, haha. After that lesson, we started to head back, and talked with a guy from San Jose, California. His mom is British so he has a soft accent. No luck, but a good lesson there and Sister Anderson felt her abilities grow which was the best part of the day and she was excited to find again!!! That was a tender mercy. :)
Then we were off to Coventry and had exchanges. I went with Sister Beazer. We had an exchange before when I was in Gloucester while she was a greenie. Our comps had a meeting so I got to serve with her, I love her! It was a good day. Crazy, cool things happened and it was great to be part of it. That night we stayed out until 9:30 working. Our last stop was with their investigator Claudia. She is an angel but got curious and found anti Mormon videos about the temple and she does not feel peace. She knows the church is true but not the temple, and while I was sitting down at the beginning I felt an overwhelming love for her. Then everything came out and we talked a bit - not too much. As we were leaving, before I walked out the door, I asked if she had heard of priesthood blessings. She had just gotten one the week before and I told her she should get another one. Tears came and she knew she should. You know, sometimes you are meant to meet people, but you only have a small role to play. So exchanges are there for a reason.
Saturday morning we got a call, from their investigator Bill. He had had a dream and wanted to meet. It was a dream about the second coming. This young man (18 years old) is something. The Spirit was so strong and I was so grateful to be able to talk with him - especially to see his faith. We talked a bit about becoming an example to his friends and how that is the best way to share the gospel and to make sure he lives it and acts on it. The spirit was so there. I love being able to help, even if you just barely know theml!
We caught the train and got home just in time to walk with the elders to conference. It was a great session. We had Chinese food afterwards cooked by a member from China. I was so tired - I was about to die - I had no energy left. It hurt to keep my neck up while planning.
Sunday was good also. In between sessions, we played games and Sister Anderson was singing while the elders' investigator played the piano. It was fun. Steve, the investigator, had to leave in the middle of the Sunday morning session, but the elders told us after, that he said he knows he needs to be baptized and he wants to do it before the end of the transfer. He is busy on the 24th so he wants to do it the week before. I am so happy for them - Conference brings miracles. I was kinda jealous because we didn't have any investigators there and so no miracles could have happened. I need to humble myself, and just be happy for them.
But, speaking of humility, I learned a lot about it. So I was reading a talk called Walking Humbly with Thy God or something like that and it is so good. I really learned a lot and the Spirit taught me so much about it. I almost feel privileged that Heavenly Father would give me such a big trial on my mission to learn so much. He wants me to learn the most I can. Maybe I have a hard head, too, but he cares enough to teach me and it really changed my point of view on all that has been thrown at me. My love for my Saviour has grown even more this week. I know He loves us and is the most patient with us. I got a new study journal and was in Ether 3 and, man, I got a new insight into the idea of the stones. So, we as humans can only do so much, just like the brother of Jared and he knew that. He needed them to shine with eternal light, celestial light, you could say. He knew the Lord needed to purify them with his touch and then they would be pure enough to shine and to get them to the promised land. We are like those stones, or you could say our hearts are. We can only do so much, but the atonement is what makes the difference - the Saviour's touch is what purifies and sanctifies us enough to become celestial beings. I loved it!!
Know I love you all and I am loving the work, no matter how slow or how hard it is. It's for the Saviour, so it's worth it :)
Lots of love!!
Sister Ashley MacKay
Monday we went finding and found a few people, nothing super solid, but a good start. We also talked with Amy, a recent convert who went less active. We read scriptures with her. She is funny and sweet, but crazy.
Tuesday we did service with the elders for their investigator and it was fun. A good bonding time with them and it has really made a difference in our district. We also had a nice omelet made by Mary. After that, I was shot. We tried to get out and work, but it didn't happen. We did make it to coordination. It was a good meeting we talked about how to build our relationships with the ward members.
Wednesday we had district meeting and our flat was inspected, so that was fun. My energy dropped rapidly in the meeting, so a nice little nap was in order. I know mom always said that once I was two years old I decided I was not taking naps anymore but lately it's become a daily thing in order to be able to function. Then a recent convert called and wanted to meet, so we did and she is a sweet heart!! I love her already. She was so prepared for the gospel and it was fun teaching her. The spirit definitely put in my mind what would answer her question and she was so pleased to have it answered. Cool experience! Sadly, after dinner, I was in desperate need of sleep and it just happened that our night appointment cancelled. We were disappointed but it for me it was a tender mercy.
Thursday, I didn't feel good, so we area book found and then started weekly planning. We got talking about what the area needs and then had a really good conversation about what we want to see happen and what we need to work for this week. It was good to be able to express what I was feeling and to hear from my companion - it was very constructive and good for us and it made a difference in our work efforts, little by little. We were able to work as a team. We got to have lunch and a lesson with Stella - It went all right. She is an eternal investigator. We invited her to come to conference and she said yes, so that was cool. We were excited. There are a few things that are stopping her from committing and it will take awhile to help her. But, she loves sisters so that's good. One day it will happen!!
Friday we went out finding for an hour and had a cool experience. The night before, when setting goals, we wanted to have a member present during a lesson. When we were finding, we started teaching a lesson and then a member walked by. It totally happened! Finding... I love it! Not all missionaries do, though, and Sister Anderson expressed that it's not her favourite. Fair enough - but we still have to do it and the happier we are, the better results we get. I was praying it would be a good hour led by the Spirit, and it was. The first guy we talked to, we got to testify how Christ can help us with everything. We talked about happiness and he mentioned how he was actually on his way to something for his depression. I felt for him, but he looked a bit uplifted, seeing it as not a coincidence. Then we ran into Bo. He is from China and it was his first day in Loughborough. We showed him to the campus and had the lesson with him. As we were, I looked up and saw Dan, a ysa member, and it was like, yeah, this was no accident, haha. After that lesson, we started to head back, and talked with a guy from San Jose, California. His mom is British so he has a soft accent. No luck, but a good lesson there and Sister Anderson felt her abilities grow which was the best part of the day and she was excited to find again!!! That was a tender mercy. :)
Then we were off to Coventry and had exchanges. I went with Sister Beazer. We had an exchange before when I was in Gloucester while she was a greenie. Our comps had a meeting so I got to serve with her, I love her! It was a good day. Crazy, cool things happened and it was great to be part of it. That night we stayed out until 9:30 working. Our last stop was with their investigator Claudia. She is an angel but got curious and found anti Mormon videos about the temple and she does not feel peace. She knows the church is true but not the temple, and while I was sitting down at the beginning I felt an overwhelming love for her. Then everything came out and we talked a bit - not too much. As we were leaving, before I walked out the door, I asked if she had heard of priesthood blessings. She had just gotten one the week before and I told her she should get another one. Tears came and she knew she should. You know, sometimes you are meant to meet people, but you only have a small role to play. So exchanges are there for a reason.
Saturday morning we got a call, from their investigator Bill. He had had a dream and wanted to meet. It was a dream about the second coming. This young man (18 years old) is something. The Spirit was so strong and I was so grateful to be able to talk with him - especially to see his faith. We talked a bit about becoming an example to his friends and how that is the best way to share the gospel and to make sure he lives it and acts on it. The spirit was so there. I love being able to help, even if you just barely know theml!
We caught the train and got home just in time to walk with the elders to conference. It was a great session. We had Chinese food afterwards cooked by a member from China. I was so tired - I was about to die - I had no energy left. It hurt to keep my neck up while planning.
Sunday was good also. In between sessions, we played games and Sister Anderson was singing while the elders' investigator played the piano. It was fun. Steve, the investigator, had to leave in the middle of the Sunday morning session, but the elders told us after, that he said he knows he needs to be baptized and he wants to do it before the end of the transfer. He is busy on the 24th so he wants to do it the week before. I am so happy for them - Conference brings miracles. I was kinda jealous because we didn't have any investigators there and so no miracles could have happened. I need to humble myself, and just be happy for them.
But, speaking of humility, I learned a lot about it. So I was reading a talk called Walking Humbly with Thy God or something like that and it is so good. I really learned a lot and the Spirit taught me so much about it. I almost feel privileged that Heavenly Father would give me such a big trial on my mission to learn so much. He wants me to learn the most I can. Maybe I have a hard head, too, but he cares enough to teach me and it really changed my point of view on all that has been thrown at me. My love for my Saviour has grown even more this week. I know He loves us and is the most patient with us. I got a new study journal and was in Ether 3 and, man, I got a new insight into the idea of the stones. So, we as humans can only do so much, just like the brother of Jared and he knew that. He needed them to shine with eternal light, celestial light, you could say. He knew the Lord needed to purify them with his touch and then they would be pure enough to shine and to get them to the promised land. We are like those stones, or you could say our hearts are. We can only do so much, but the atonement is what makes the difference - the Saviour's touch is what purifies and sanctifies us enough to become celestial beings. I loved it!!
Know I love you all and I am loving the work, no matter how slow or how hard it is. It's for the Saviour, so it's worth it :)
Lots of love!!
Sister Ashley MacKay