Last One of the Season... (Sid the Sloth voice)

FAMILY!!!! WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME!!!!

 

Well this is kind of insane. I never thought it would happen. But it is and I still don't know how I feel about it. Everyday I have a different emotion but this weekend with Steve's baptism it was one of sadness I guess you could say. I realized that this time of my life to preach the gospel full time and be apart of people's conversion stories is over in this way. Then I took a good look at Lisa, Steve's fellowshipper who brought the gospel into his life and realized it's not completely over. There is still more to do without a badge and authority to knock on doors and street contact. I then just today recieved an email from a sister I served in the MTC with who flew over with me and we had chatted with this man on the plane and she told me that he was baptized last November and we definitely helped him get there. I thought about sooo many instances in life when I have witnessed missionary work happening significantly without even seeing missionaries on the scene apart from teaching the doctrine and then I realized the greatest thing ever: my mission is not over, it's only begun. My emotions soon turned from sadness to joy for the covenants I have made, the purpose God has given me and the opportunities that lie ahead. This is the Lord's work. I will forever be indebted to Him for allowing me to be apart of it in this way. I don't look at the last 18 months as service to God, but yet again His service to me. Every opportunity I have had to bear testimony, mine has grown; to teach, my knowledge has expanded; to serve, my charity been made full; to proclaim repentance for anything, my desire increased. I know that this truly was the best 18 months for my life and I can't wait for what lies ahead. He doesn't give us moments in life to be better than other moments because we are closer to God then then we are there.. we are meant to have joy all through out life. No I won't be endowed with power from on high to be able to fullfill the mission He has called me to, but I will still have the gift of the Holy Ghost, the scriptures, prayer, repentance, church, temple and time to serve. I can still feel a fullness of joy because I can still live a more excellent way and walk in the footsteps of my Saviour. This gospel in all it's fullnes is for life, not for 18 months. We teach people about missionary work as a commandment... because it is. I am grateful I have learnt that because before I came out I think I lacked that understanding. I always was happy with myself and so impressed by others when it would happen, but I was like most.. unaware of the duty I had to do it, not just grab hold of the experiences as they come, if I want to that is and it's convenient. Nope, it's not convenient. Nope it's not ALWAYS going to be what you want to do, that's why you need to do it. Put off the natural man and go and do the things which the Lord has commanded and yield to the enticings of the Holy spirit.  (1Nephi 3:7, Mosiah 3:19) I think it is interesting that it says the 'enticings'. I was just teaching Sis. Javed what the word enticing means. It is to attract, to really persuade someone of something that they want... Allow the Holy Spirit to entice you to do what is right. It is what we want, we just don't remember because we are clouded by the natural man and all that that encompasses. I love my Saviour. I love all that He does for me. This week I have truly felt His spirit near and my prayers from over the past 18 months are being answered now. What a blessing! God loves His children and I know without a doubt in my mind that I am one of them. Answers to prayers do come in the Lord's timing. All the space in between is Him preparing us for the TIME we will recieve it and making us worthy and ready for recieving it. It's not just about us waiting, but the experiences we will have so that when it is recieved it is also appreciated. I think we often forget that God knows us better than we know ourselves. He knows when we will appreciate and when we will take it for granted. We take so much for granted that He gives us so willingly, like He would give customized blessings to us without our working for it. Let's think about it, It always costs a more when it is customized at a shop .. same thing with blessings. All things denote there is a God and all things can teach us of God and His ways. I love it and this knowledge, nothing could be better.

So, this week we saw Steve daily. We taught him with Lisa daily and it was amazing. I wish this was our life weekly, but I am grateful I was blessed to experience it once before I leave. He stopped smoking easily in one week. wow. He became more and more excited each day and with every commandment his determination grew. It was so neat to see that as he kept the commitments more and more his countenance began to change. On Friday night we had our final lesson on baptism and confirmation and the gift of the Holy Ghost. It was brilliant and the spirit was there, but we finished within a half hour and I felt like we needed to do one more thing for him that he needed, I couldn't figure it out but then it was slapped in my face basically- FINDING FAITH IN CHRIST DVD!! hello! haha Steve does not really have a religious background. He believes in Chrsit and I would like to say now he is beginning to believe Christ, but that is without an understanding or a knowledge of all he did during His earthly ministry. So when the thought came to my mind it made complete sense. We watched it and once it concluded I asked Steve what he thought and how he felt. He said so much of it was so sad. Then we talked about how if we follow in Christ's footsetep it doesn't mean our life will be full of roses and joy and never any sorrow, His life waws not like that. We follow in Chrsit's footsteps through thick and thin for the roses and the thorns to become perfect even like he is, for that is truly what He did. As we concluded this chat I asked him how he felt and he looked at me and said I feel like I can honsestly say I have Faith in Christ now. It was a marvelous moment to have. He said his first spoken prayer with us that evening and yes I did cry, the spirit was massive. I decided then that coming home was unecessary.. and then ya know it wore off because of what I said earlier. :)

I love you all. I love this work. I love that people recognize as servants of God. We had a man stop us on the street and ask us to pray for him. Theen he turned out to be kinda psycho and possibly a creeper and alittle doped up on drugs, but there we are. The first instance still stands true!! I will never forget it for as long as I live. Woot woot. Well tis the week of much happening. I don't want to get distracted by it all. Sometimes it is difficult, but that's when you just keep yourself busy busy busy. This last week we were blessed with it and this next week we shall be as well. I pray!!! haha

 

 2 John 1:12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not ^awrite with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

Tada for now! I will see you soon!!

 

 Sista Fili

Dear fambam.

Miracles do happen. oh you don't believe me, well then I have a short tale for you!!

So this week was SUPER slow.. no one liked us. tuesday and Thursday went a little like this, " ya about that.. we're not interested anymore.. infact could you just tell them to have missionaries STOP COMING fullstop? oh and tell Stucki we miss her".. lame sauce. Devastation.. all in the pouring rain.. buckets over my head like type of rain. Which was well fun, but after a while the weather fit the mood and it was just one of those days you don't tell people about before they come cause then they won't be as excited to come.. but hey, that's wales for you! No bother because Saturday happened and made up for every bit of rejection! So Friday night we were in teaching Steve Cross about the word of wisdom and faith. during it we all remembered that there is a wedding being held at the church the same day of his scheduled baptismal date. Well we left it with him and Lisa, his fellowshipper who introduced him to the gospel and us, to decide when would be best for him. Well we wake up the next morning to a text- "can u ring me please u wonderful ladies asap. can u make it over sometime after 5 pm today? and can u make a baptism for next weekend? yes next weekend!! hehehe exsiting times x" who wouldn't want to wake up to that message every morning.. someone wants us to come over, some called us wonderful, and to top it off pelase we need a baptism and your life next weekend.. oh ok.. done. maybe in some missions this is a normal thing, but for here this is a miracle. Infact anywhere this is a miracle. Whether iti s a common thing or not. Steve felt the spirit the night prior as we taught about faith and the word of wisdom. When we left and they were reading the assignments we left they continued to feel the spirit and he knows. he doesn't need to be convinced because the man is humble and is ready. he said it all makes sense in my hea, but more than that it feels rgiht in my heart and I can't deny it.. I don't want to wait. I want to be baptized next weekend. That is a miracle. The power of the Holy Ghost in our lives is a miracle. Interesting too earlier on Friday morning we were making goals for weekly planning and the first two goals are people being baptized and confirmed in the coming week.. well we obviously had no one scheduled and don't want to be accountable for what we do not have logically, but I knew as I crossed it out that i was wrong there would be one. Well I stand corrected, there was one. I had been praying it would hapen, but it just didn't seem likely. Yesterday it aws announced in church and he is so excited. It will be an insane week but we are sooooo o excited. I actually get to see the man baptized! and give my first talk on the mission at a baptism.. that's kinda cool. We are soooo excited and things just seems to keep getting better.. I hope tht iti s like that.. but there's always opposition. it happens, it's a sign of a good thing. 2Nephi 2:11. My joy is over flowing and I am feeling so good about how things are right now.

Yesterday my silly bishop got me. We had this joke that he would somehow get me to do a farewell talk before I leave.. but this last week was fast sunday, next week is the primary presentation and the next, me last sunday, is stake conference. I thought i was safe.. and then he said before everyone comes to give their testimonies i am gonig to ask sister filichia who is returning home soon.. and ya know the shpeal. So I did and it was sooooo awkward. I didn't have words. i didn't know what to say.. goodbye? see you next week actually! ha! But whatever came out I think it was alright because people commented on it in their testimonies, but I have never felt so seperated from my body in all my life of bearing testimony. It was an odd feeling. One i kinda hope doesn't repeat itself again. oh well bishop won.. he always wins. bah

Ha anyways! I finished the book of mormon yesterday for the last time on my mission and it was so interesting. I was thinknig alot about the mission of Mormon and Moroni and how NO ONE cared. EVERYONE there were haneously evil and disgusting about it infact and they did not convert the masses as you see all the other prophets in the book do. Infact the only baptisms those two men will ever have had are all in the future to what they are writing, yet they did labour diligently that they might perform the great work they had to perform whilst in this tabernacle of clay. (Moroni 9:6) I am so grateful they did. From the efforts of these two men in abridging and writing and protecting, sealnig and delivering the Book of Mormon in all the ways in which God commanded them we are able to bring the world the Lord's truth. They have helped to convert millions, not masses. I love the book of mormon. i love what it stands for. i love that we have it in our lives and that we get to share it. I know just as these men did and do that no effort is wasted. it does not matter the amount of people you see converted, it only matters that you did all you could so that one day they will.  I can't wait to meet moroni and mormon and all of the prophets and disciples and missionaries from the book of mormon and shake their hands and thank them for following the spirit and doing what they did then recording it and passing it down so that we could all benefit from it. Then I thought of the record and legacy I will leave.. what effect will i possibly have on others? i hope it is good. Yesterday Bryan bore his testimony and said the most heart felt amazing things to all of us.. especially me. He weeped with joy that he has found this gospel and told me over the pulpit that I will not leave without having changed a soul's life.. I wanted so badly to cry, but I couldn't.. I could only smile and thank God for allowing me to be His vessel at that point. Really I think the thing I have learnt the most the past few weeks is that it is not me or any of us it is God through us. We just have to be worthy and even is we aren', He'll make up the diffrerence for no elect soul will be lost. I hope that each of us realizes just as prophets testified of last weekend that whether we are a member or missionary it makes no diffrerence we are all God's children and we are all called to serve our king in anyway we can. if we struggle becuse iti s not the way others think is right at this time.. it doesn't matter. What matters is what God beleives and knows to be true. iti s God's opinion and that is true confidence. I lvoe this service of the lord. i love my God and king and I am excited for all that the future holds :) Crazy how time flies when you are having a good time. Testimony comes sometimes through rejection and through rejection we come to know our Saviour every moment of the mission is worth it because every moment you grow closer to Him. Whether by miracle or by failure. it's all" done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things."(2 Nephi 2:24)

I love you all sooooo much. I pray for you daily, infact in almost ever prayer you are in it. I owe you all the world and hope you forgive me for making postcard promises and failing to follow through.. life is psycho and I am grateful! Nothing better!

Till next week... last time... what the heck!

Moroni 8:30 "Farewell, my family, until I shall write unto you, or shall meet you again. amen."

Sista Fili

What a weekend. It's kind of a crazy one for all of us. Filled with happiness and joy, true reflection and reminicing on the life of our dearest brother Timmyman. I don't know why this year was so much harder than last year for me, but that is ok because I was able to experience really comfort from the Holy Ghost. I felt sooo alone. and when I would try to open up it was .. well I dunno what happened but it didn't so I stopped that and just kept it to myself which is usually a dumb idea for me, but it's cool I just grew closer to the Saviour because there was literally NO ONE to talk to about it. I am so graetful to be a missionary though because there is always someone else to focus on and something else to do to occupy your mind. I was praying for my family though alot becuse I knew ya'll probably had it worse than me. I loved conference and my oh my Saturday first session.. what a prep to our weekend!! Oh my word!! The spirit was so strong and I felt that I was able to gain alot of revelation for my own life alot this weekend. it's all coming ang going so fast. Earlier in the week I was able to recieve a priesthood blessing and in it the Lord told me I have still much to accomplish here in Wales.. which you alwayus say as a missionary, but at that moment I knew it. General Conference confirmed it yet again and gave me the courage to once again try to put off the natural man and become more. I can't wait to get the conference edition so I can really study out all the talks. Theer was so much to take in. I could go off for forever about someof the talks but  I don't have the time and ya know what i learnt this weekend is that my words don't really matter. We heard prophets an apostles speak to us. Their words matter. In mosiah 2:27 .. I think... King Benjamin tells his people that he is sharing with them all of these things that he my stand spotless at the last day knowing he told them of all the revelation given to him for them from God. i thought about this and thought if his duty is to share it that he may be spotless then our duty is to listen and if we are actually listening we  will do and like many said it's not just about listening infact it's ALL about doing. We are so privileged to be apart of God's army and I hope we all realize it's not big enough. The age lowering of missionaries is AMAZING. in fact brilliant..and I pray that it is because not only are they worthy and ready, but more will come then then they will later. we are so blessed.

Today we had mission football. It was cold. It was super wet. And President said if anyone gets injured it's over for forever.. so I sat out. haha I know my tracking record and it's usually not because I fight for it.. it's just natural. It's so devastating to be such a numpty when it comes to these things, but I got to know some other people better and talked to my zone leader about being at BYU in january at the same time and then he reminded me I should sign up for classes.. who am I!! where am i going to live!? what am I gonig to do? ! ya that's how much coming home has actually set in people. it's kinda ridiculous. Welp next week we will hopefully get that more sorted... maybe this week depending upon how long we stay on here afetr I am done with this ever depressingly short none uplifting email. I just can't say anything past what alredy has been said and i am literally SOOOOOOOOOOO exhausted. haha who knew watching football could do that to you! haha I energetically chatted with people, don't worry it wasn't fake and ridiculously cheesy.. just ridiculously ..... me instead.. I don't even know how to describe myself. bah.

The work is going so well. This was a rather slow week actaully. kinda weird. We had an exchange with the sisters in Cardiff and it aws fun.. they made me feel so good about myself andI hope I was able to do the same for them. During our "sleep over" we were all sitting there chatting away and I look at the time and go oh my heck it's late.. oh my word where's the phone!! ya it was in the car. ya we had 31 missed calls... ya president and others kinda freaked out. no biggy. i would too. Super embarrassing. but that night when we were helping the sisters out at a grocery store (they don't have a car so they needed our help before p day was over) Sis. Boots and I went over to the cheese section and this lady starts helping us and talking about her family. Just as it says in pMG they will bring out the ways in which they neeed the gospel without even knowing it. it was an incredible experience to chat with her about the gospel and to see how excited she got to hear about it and then we bought some flippin' expensive cheese she suggested.. but there we are. She best get baptized  ;) haha. Sis. Javed and I were looking up a potential and found this woman named Mary and because her dog was out I talked to her and sister Javed stayed behind the gate and jsut chatted with those that passed by. Mary and I had a very good conversation, and for the first time in a while it seems like, someone really listened to what we had to say. well I had to say... sis. javed was MIA within sight and sound of course!! (white handbook.. followed!) The spirit touched my heart as i shared the plan of salvation with her. I love this gospel. It answers our questions and there is nothing better than that. God loves us, we are His children and as President Eyring said, "His time should be enough for us knowing He only wants what's best for us." I am a Mormon. I know it. I live it and I lvoe it... all the leders took the mick out of the cliche phrase and many of you may have as well,but you know I beleive it... we should declare it and be proud of it. it's probably the greatset thing since eve took the fruit. I hope we can all follow the council of Elder Holland and be more layal to our Saviour and root out all that keeps us from Him. I know I felt a new desire to do so and I can't wait to see wht happens when I accomplish it completely. I love you all. I hope that Mum and dad had an enjoyable time in Salt lake and I hope that all had a great weekend. Love you!

 

Sista Fili Mosiah 2:20-27

Bryan's Baptism!!

What a week!! I lost my mind. I got chewed out by some lessactive members, almost got Bryan evicted from his flat and then I helped save his soul. Opposition in all things. Bryan was doing ace so it's gotta come from a different angle. Silly devil, tricks are for kids! Anyways, It began and ended well and that's what matters. So Thursday we taught bryan in the front corridor of his building because we weren't able to get a sister to come with us. issues. so someone told on us ... this was stuff we didn't know mind... and they had a big chat with him about not preaching in public. Anyways, he got a warning but they said they would evict him next time. Whoa. drama. But it's cool. So then we had some miss understandings with some less actievs thwat were gonig to feed us LAST sunday. As we were heading oer to their hous we end up with a blow out and one on the way, so we got the elders to help us put our spare on and then had to wait for the zoneleaders to come for their spare as well. Hence we didn't make it to the da. well i had called her as it happened and said we were on our awy but this happened and we aer so sorry it won't work out tonight, eat without us and we'll come by sometime this week to make up for it. so the husband calls later that ngiht and says, well are you coming? ...nooo.... sometime this week we will, at this point they are just putting on the other spare and it is already our curphue mind. So obviously we can't go over. so apparently i told them friday, well I ddin't write it down and I don't remember saying it. well friday was a total flop day and I lost my mind nd had completely forgot what I had said.. compltetly, not gonna lie I still don't remember saying it, but there we are. it makes sense if I did. That's when we are usually in that area. So Friday night we had the most amazing final lesson with Bryan and our member came and gained some answers of her own and we all just had a spiritual feast to say the least and we get a call at about 9pm from these certain LA members and sis. javed answers the phone and puts it on speaker phone and holds it up to my ear and he had a proper go at me like none other, and said a few things hat have actually never been said to me before and it hurt like furry! I was so embarrassed and felt like the worst missionary. I cried so hard that night because well... these people are a little sensative to this stuff, but none the less we offended them and that is not the objective. The next day was golden.. we went by a potential who we havenot seen since she became a potential and got a Return Appointment and then met this polish guy who is totally into whatwe share about families, so amazing. and then we made another big mistake, but this time the member was understandingi enough... like i said I lost my mind like... good riddens! So then we go to the baptism. and I had forgot to st up someone for prelude. we only have 2 people who can play in the ward and the one is unlikely and the other is well the RSpresident... so I guess I figured they would figure it out themselves through common sense.. well I sinned because you should never assume anything. You also shouldn't assume your ward is gonig to come to their new RC baptism.. because they don't always. It's super sad. But there we are. bring on the opposition! Anyways, it was spirit feeling for the prelude and that's about it, but the best part is that regardless, it was still the best baptism I have ever taken a part of. The speakers were spot on and the spriit was strong. The investigators there fel it and 2 became even more so solid for their baptism dates. Steve, our investigator, actually became excited for his. before he was wondering what he had actually committed himself to, but once he saw that he bcame excited and then church the next day made him even more excited about the baptism and the gospel in general. He is excited about everything. What a miracle. In pakistn after baptisms they invite those who have been baptized to come and bear their testimonies and conversion stories.. so we thouht we would do that with Bryan, oh my goodness it was the best idea ever. it was so powerful and i can not tell you how humbling it wa to hear our Recent convert bear testimony about the gospel, and the book of mormon and tell his story in such a profound way. I realized then thatI did nothing. His testimony didn't come through our teaching or what we said, it came through the book that he read on his own time. It came through the power of the holy ghos testifying of truth. We were merely vessels for the lord giving him the proper materials to gain the answers that he was seeking. How incredible is that. The next day at church he was confirmed a member and it was so cool to hear temple work in the blessing especially from someone who hadn't attended the baptism or any of the lessons, how would he know that Bryan was so excited for the temple and had people who nedded him to do this work for them- he didn't, but God did. We had a lesson with steve and lisa after curch and was brilliant talking to him about the plan of salvation. he asid that after last night he would even consider movinmg his date up- now that is called the spirit! So amazing. I am so happy this week, regardless of the silly things that happen there is always more joy to be had!

How is everyone? dad your email inspired me sooooooo much. I cried. I feel like I am doing that alot lately. such is life :) oh well. I love you all!! I can't wait for next week... to hear about GC!!  I I love general conference. I love that because we have prophets we have the priesthood and with priesthood authority comes saving ordinances such as baptism and after that endowment and sealing and because of all of these new revelations we get to have an eternal family. What a weekend to reflect upon those thigns that matter most. I am so happy to be a missionary. I wake up so excited everyday. I can't believe how lucky I am. I hate running dad, but I have learned how better to pace myself. Right now though... the sprint is on, my brian may be lost at times, but my energy is more than it's ever been for this great and glorious work, all I can pray for is that yours is as well. How can we not be excited about it. we can actually save the souls of others as we submitt our will to the Lord and allow Him to use us un worthy servants for His works. With or without a badge. Dad thank you for reminding me of your dedication. it gives me a renewed strength. I love you all so much. I cannot even stand it. I pray fro you and hope that all is well. let me know what more I can do.

Sorry the postcard didn't come last week.. it got a little ridiculous with time. this week it will be a bit late, but you'll get it.

I love you soooooo much rwyn dy garu di!! I'll be seein you... in no time. eeek. yaya!! it's a love hate relationship for me people. be kind. understand. keep cal and carry on. tada butt!

 

 Sista Fili Ether 12:27

Ether 6:17

Well it's only been a few days since I have last written you all and not much has changed, but yet I have learnt so much. The updates were fantastic mum... I can not believe it.. Jenny and Scott, Leslie!!! I am happy I will get to be apart of them. Thanks also for all the info about getting home.. that was weird to hear. I don't think it had hit me till then, but there we are I'll let it bounce off for now. A day earlier.. well night earlier then I had anticipated. Which means I will be flying and waiting all day by me self.. great. :( haha oh well as they say in Britain... ALL THE TIME... these things are sent to try us. :)

I am not going to lie I am at a loss of words right now. Surprising.. I am aware. My mind has been reflecting alot on what is coming and how you are all doing with it. I have never actually been home for 7 Oct. since Tim left us for home, but this year I guess it's kinda dear to me because it's the exact day and everything is the exact timing and all.. so nuts it's been that long. Luckily nothing is the same here as it is there, but my heart is the same. I know the plan of salvation better than I ever have. I have learnt how to cope with this loss and last year I had my dearest friend Sis Lauritzen with me to help me thru even though the Lord blessed us with such a busy time I couldn't even think about it. It is the same now.. but maybe a we bit different and i don't know what it is. Maybe the events this year that have happened while I have been away that make me feel quite ...I don't know is tender the word? I hope so because I am using it. I just want you all to know that I love you. I love my family so much. The other day Sis. Javed was asking me about how it felt to be sealed to my family and because in Pakistan they don't have a temple and not many even know or understand all that happens I had to explain to her about being born into the covenant because my parents were sealed for their original marriage ceremony. I thought about how lucky we are that we have parents that not only have been sealed, but remain worthy of that covenant. We have a temple near.. well multiple temples near, that we can have that ordinance performed for us and then I thought about Tim... as we live worthy of the covenant our parents made and as we were born and baptized that we could make it as well we can be with him, not just see him again, but literally be with him in God's kingdom prepared specifically for us. thank you mum and dad for living worthy of these promised blessings. I know it probably seems premature to speak about, but it's been on my mind and mum as you brought it up and I sat for about 5 minutes not knowing what to say in return I knew I had to speak about my gratitude for these things. I pray we all go to the temple within the next 2 weeks and remember what we promised God and our families and help Tim in the missionary work he is doing and involved in. These people depend on us. We depend on them. It's soooo close to us, make it a priority to go. Surely it is a massive part of our purpose in this life. D&C 128:18. I have a sincere love for the temple and would love nothing more than to be there with you all soon.. and the best part is, I will be.

I was reading in Ether 6 just the other day and it was speaking about Jared and his brother and their people and their journey to the promised land. In v. 3 it states "and thus the Lord caused stones to shine in darkness, to give light unto men, women and children, that they might not cross the great waters in darkness." The Lord gave us the Light of Christ that we might not cross the waters or trials of life in darkness. So as they cross they have this light that never fades or goes away; however, "the Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land; and thus they were tossed upon the waves of the sea before the wind." This was not a lite little nudge in the right direction, He pushed them along. The water would come into the boat and wouldn't sink it because it was tight and they had prepared it well, but when "they were encompassed about by many waters they did cry unto the Lord, and He did bring them forth again upon the top of the waters." "and it came to pass the the wind did never cease towards the promised land while they were upon the waters; and thus they were driven forth before the wind." "and they did sing praises unto the Lord; yes, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord." (v.5,7,8,9) This was not a short journey it was the more part of a year .. and then some. 344 days to be exact. I thought about how this reflects in our lives. Every trial we are given may so possibly, infact it is, a push in the right direction towards the promised land. A lady said to me yesterday after I shared this in a talk I had to give, she said, "when I read it I thought why couldn't it be a nice little wind giving them some push but sailing easy" don't we all think that about our own lives? How many times in the Book of Mormon does He occassionally let people sail easy enough that after a little trial what happens, they get greedy and don't understand where the blessings come because they no longer feel they need to depend on their Saviour. The harsh winds led them a bit faster and I don't think that these people could forget who they depend on because they depended so much. It doesn't tell us of all the things they had to encounter, only the winds and waves, but how much else could come from a result of those two things.. alot probably. Yet they prayed and God didn't calm the storm but he brought them back on top of the waters that they could handle it. These winds never ceased.. and yet they praised the Lord each day, all day and even into the night. They arrived safely and with great gratitude to the promised land. If we but look at the trials we have been given are given and will be given as the wind and waves pushing us towards eternal life and remember always to pray without ceasing and above all praise without cesing we can live and know that no matter how hard it will get the Lord will help us to overcome and arrive safely home. I love the scriptures and all they do for us. They really do teach us everything we need to know. Yes there may be more we want to know, but that's what eternity is for.

Saturday evening I was sent a text from our bishop saying, hey tomorrow will you give a talk in the beaufort group.. alright I thought and just carried on with the work. So in the morning I just thought of the theme, looked a bit through PMG and the Christ like attributes section of it and thought well ya, I'll just briefly do this and that and it will be proficient enough for a few minutes before the main speaker. Obviously wanting to give a good talk, but having so little time I thought let the holy spirit guide :) haha Well we go there and bishop announces the speaker... the one and only speaker.. me. I had about a half hour to kill.... nice prep eh? haha but for the first time I was completely calm to give a talk. I used the section I had planned and been inspired to use to go along with "but seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." (3 Nephi 13:33) and then as I spoke this chapter I just shared with you came to my mind and I was able to use it as well. I thought as I went home from that experience and being so chuffed that I was able to do that when we all know my ability prior to the mission was lacking in public speaking. (thank goodness for LIGHT devo's otheriwse I would never have been even almost mediocore to say the least). I am sure it wasn't that great, but I thought again and thought about how blessed I am to be a missionary, I am blessed to be a member. To know what I know, to be worthy of the spirit, and to be able to reach the opportunites that the Lord gives me to grow. Steven this week asked some tough questions, Natalie (a Recent convert in the ward) asked me some tough questions and without hestitation I was able to answer them with knowledge that I had gained.. at some point... but  to me it felt like it was all just right in the moment and not even me speaking. It was a testimony builder to me of being endowed with power from on high to help uplift, inspire and teach people the ever lasting gospel of Jesus Christ. I don't ever want it to leave, I don't know what gifts I have now that are just missionary gifts and what gifts the Lord will allow me to have to accomplish this plan he has for me on this earth. I wish I knew, but for now I will just give gratitude to Him for helping me in each situation I am put in.

Steve a new investigator of 2 weeks has a baptismal date. The first time we taught him it went completely over his head, bless. So we repented and made restitution and forsook and made it right.. he understood it in result and felt the spirit as we invited him to baptism and was so chuffed to say yes! He is amazing and we are excited. 10 November is the day.. So I will be excited to hear how it all goes! and a little alot sad to not be here for it, but there we are.

Bryan passed his baptismal interview and is extatic about this Saturday the 29 September 2012 to become a member of the true church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. What a choice and blessed man. I am so excited to be able to know him.. even if he can't remember the difference between me and Sis. Javed sometimes. His memory is rubish with unimportant things, but when it comes to his conversion it is spot on. It was really funny though when he said that Sis. Javed was the pretty one in the companionship and then called her my name and then said you need to where name tags across your foreheads... because we don't already have them on our chest.. maybe that's a positive though.. alright he lost like 10-12 points in friendship, but then gained them all back with his testimony. It's all about the important things people!

Alright I love you all. Heather I hope you get better, Liz thank you for your words of wisdom to Mum. Matt I am so glad you are doing so well! and apparently looking good too ;) Dad I hope your travels are safe and enjoyable. I hope you and Mum enjoy conference- you deserve it!! The birthday party thing when I get back sounds good mum and I hope I didn't leave anything out. Happy birthday Aunt Mel, Brielle, and Grandpa.. sorry I am so rubish at birthday's right now.. forgive me. Oh by the way, how is Cherise? I hope well.

Till next week, Rwyn dy garu di!! I LOVE YOU!!

 Sista Fili

Top of the Morning to Ya!

family.. this is it. my last transfer. well  we shall speak of it briefly and then get focused on other things in a rather fluid manner ;) (spoken in quite a posh english accent that you never actually here because only Mary Poppins has acquired it from heaven. it's not actually one of the regional accents here unless someone is putting on.. how daft!) Sister Javed is still my companion, lucky me.. lucky her :) haha We are now only covering the one area, Heads of the Valleys... halelujiah!!! It was pretty insane with the two very demanding wards but uneven investigator pool. I will miss Beacon Heights, but just the one is great. It's pretty insane to have as many weeks as I have fingers on ONE hand... creepy.. but it is good. I am so excited to work harder than ver nd just wear myself out so bad that you may find yourself a sister filichia high off of lack of sleep and super emotional from fatigue at the airport.. don't worry I will work on the emotional bit, but get the camera out for the drunken bit.. it could be humorous. We are still teaching the one and only Bryan Nicholls... what a legend. Really he is. We went through what he wanted for his baptismal service and he had written down diffrerent hymns he enjoyed when ever he heard them in church that worked perfectly with his service .. maybe not for everyone but definately for him!! He just knew exactly what he wanted and I am excited I get to sing at it!! no clue what, but we'll see!! This week we were able to gain 2 new investigators.. we picked Kevin back up from forever ago.. you remember? no.. ok neither did our WML but he soon remembered after we said the guy that had the dream about Joseph Smth!! yes he is ace and our member who came with us said that she is pretty for sure he will be baptized someday even if today he doesn't think so. He knows truth, just doesn't understand it all and how to act on it yet. Exciting. The other, Steve (not to be confused with Steven Sullivan) is a member referral who we get to teach at the members house.. he seems super nice and we're excited to find out more about him and teach him more for understanding.

This week I have learned that God knows us, loves us, and cares what happens to us. He places the right people in our path, He inspires us, He chastens us, and He gives us assignments that help us to know where we need to work and that he has confidence in our ability to do so. If His work and glory is to bring to pass the immortality and Eternal life of man than He will never give us anything we can not handle, otherwise His work and glory would never come to pass. This was all manifested to me when I was able to go an give that talk at sisters conference.. ya the Lord showed me I needed that attribute and that it was and  is something I can actually accomplish. Then at the end of it after a great night of a sleep over and talking about how president is gonig to assign 'experienced sisters to the mission and we were so excited that we didn't have to orry about it because we were soon leaving.. we got the call. well I am actually very honoured. At first I felt like it was one more thing to make the next 6 weeks fly by.. which is just ya kno.. rude.. but then I realized how much I needed it. It has inspired me with the understanding of the things I need to work on. I have so much to work on and I wish I had been better at perfecting it earlier, but the Lord's timing is perfect and His atonement is everlasting. That's the best thing I am learning now is that i am at my peak of the mission and doing the work now (even though I still know next to nothing) but it's not to be wasted after.. it's all by design. The Lord knows that is how it will go and He expects us to not leave it behind but to go fortyh with faith and serve His children with all the experience you have. Is it harder to be a missionary or a member? How do you look at it.. full time dedication super strict schedule and someone always with you to remind you what your purpose is... or your own life, having to make things priorities and use your agency wisely every moment. Both have their perks, both have their lows, both are difficult, but I believe that we are called to missions to help us for the greater more difficult fight against satan later on our own... and that is our personal reason, let alone what we do to help others come unto Christ. This work is so much more than we understand and or realize.. It's the greatest thing in our lives. I remember Tim and I once chatting about the stuff we talk about and he said to me that what we care about most and think about most is what we talk about most. it is soooo true. I hope that the gospel peeps in our conversations more than anything else... not that we go around only talking about gospel like things.. but that we are open to a principle of it being apart of any conversation that we have. It's interesting how vast yet simple it is.. I love it. think about it. it's super true.

Guess what I also found out ... President and Sister Rasmussen are BEST FRIENDS with Summer Price's.. now something else.. family. They live next door to them.. and moved when they moved to be near them and Sis. Rasmussen said that when Tim died she remembered Summer having a hard time and talking with her about it. It was quite interesting to hear the connection. Amazing the small world we live in.

Well I hope you are all well. It all sounds amazing at home. Everyone is so busy... I love it. My favorite way to be. I am glad that the kids are growing up and so glad that I get to go home to Cade being taller than me... someday I will look tiny again next to him as well. I now realize that I was a small person not just in height but ya know.. size.. .. ok not tiny like sister Javed.. but I was small. Ya let's all be grateful for what we are today because it could always get worse tomorrow!! But then again it can also be better tomorrow it's all about how we see it and act upon it. Yay for the word of wisdom!! Well I will end this sermon from wales and wish you all the best week ever!

 

I love you!! Rwyn dy garu di! Proverbs 28:25

     Sista Fili

Hiraeth!

What a week of joy and love. I LOVE MISSIONARY WORK. I am OBSESSED with it. And this week I felt it alot. We had alot to make up for since that last week was ... umm... ya about that. Hospitals are great! Anyways, I have really found a love for my companion this week. She is quite funny. She just desires so much to make people laugh and smile... and sometimes I don't know she is teasing.. ok most of the time if I am honest. Girlfriend can hold a straight face and some of it doesn't seem like a joke, because it's sometihng you do naturally or get frustrated with naturally or what not and her joking is doing it falsley .. but naturally.. I dunno if that makes sense. Not gonna lie that kinda defines the humour as well, but none the less it is great to serve with her and get to know all of her little idiosyncrasies. (I taught her that word this week.. it's funny to listen to her say it). I am having such a great time serving my Saviour though. I love people. I love that if you are going to a Dinner Appointment and you are not sure if you are at the right house or even if you are trying over at a less actives house or referrals (cause that happens all the time.. .not) and you egt the wrong house there is always  purpose to share with them and we never feel awkward.. well you know what i mean. I lvoe how unifying this gospel is. We all have something in common, it's the gospel of Jesus Christ. We don't always recognize that or think of that, but at the end of the day that's it. We had the opportunity last night to visit with a family who is goin through a massive divorce and both losing everything. It is heart breaking and as we listened and tried to refer all things to the gospel I recognized that we are so spoiled in the love of God. No matter what He is there for us and gives us the little we have. They aren't starving, but close to, yet there is still always something to eat. I decided that we could make a little service project out of it though and I hope it works and helps the ward get involved as they should do. When we got home our power was out. You pay here for your electricity in a didfferent way than you pay a bill... you top it up and put in money for a certain amount of time. So it's not about paying a company it's more of the landlord or do it yourself. Anyways... interesting... so we get in and it's off. Sister Javed hates the dark. I personally thought it was quite peaceful. So as we were calling in she was pleading with me to call the landlord and so after we were finished I did and everything was sorted in 5 min. As the lights came on I wanted to cry. I thought about how blessed we are... spoiled in fact. We were at these people's homes who have nothing in fact they rarely have the lights on to preserve the electricity. They have nothing, and we have endless supplies it seems. We make one call and it is taken care of and they pray that with one call they can find someone with enough mercy to help them get it taken care of. They give praise for what they do have and get on with it. we winge when we don't have what we are used to for 5 seconds. We all do it. How much our saviour must love us to put up with us.

This week I was also given a call by Sister Rasmusen who issued an assignment to me for the Sisters Conference coming up on Wednesday. It is a talk/lesson (however I want to do it) for 10 min. on humility. Then she adds this, President Rasmussen believes you to be a very humble missionary. oh I was so chuffed that he would say that, a little overwhelmed and have a pure knowledge of my undeservingness... is that a word, hmm... but I said I would do it. Well this week the Lord has given me the opportunity to know that I have the potential to be humble, we all do, but no I am still working on this massive attribute and far from actually being able to be called 'humble'. I am so grateful though that they issued the assignment because although I feel silly talking or teaching about this with people of whome I served with or around who praobably know better, I know that the Lord is preparing me and helping me to become more humble so that I can have the strength and wisdom enough to do what He has planned for them. When we study something out, and it is on our minds often and we pray to obtain, not only is the experience given, but it can also be achieved in some form of the way, not perfectly, but a step in the right direction. God answers prayers and even prays not spoken. The thing is that we must never forget is that He knows everything. He can see the bigger picture. He knows the attributes we ned to accomplish any task put in our way at that time and I know that for this last bit of the mission I need humility, otherwise well... I won't be very effective. The Lord needs humble servants and when we think we know what's going on and what we are doing.. well He will soon teach us we are quite wrong. I don't think I have ever stopped learning though since I got here. Man my companions are outstanding and I wish I could be like all of them. I have been sooooo blessed.

Bryan. so I have been spelling his name wrong all along. woops. B- ryan. thanks Bro. Stowell for that :) haha. Anyways, he is doing amazing. Amongst all the trials he has had to face since coming to the knowledge of God, he never fails to have charity or faith. He said that the other day some silly chav (uh.. I'll explain when I get home.. think punk) kicked his kane from underneath him and although inside he was furious he just looked at him and said, 'well thank you lad, I think I will walk home without it now.' The woman next to him said.. 'how did you do that?' and his reply was.. 'well why get mad when he's done me a favour really.' I am outstanded by his faith, hope and charity he is devleoping. He said 'before Jesus came into my life I would have fallen out with the lad, but now I don't see the necessity. Christ wouldn't do it.' He is teaching me by his example and I just feel privileged everyday for how the Lord blesses us. 29 of September will be the best day ever for him, and I can't wait to see the joy that the cleansing power of baptism by water and by fire bring to this man and to many others on the day.

Steven.. sooo funny. well it wasn't, but it is. So last week on Saturday we get a call off him saying I dont want to be a part of your religion anymore I am fed up of sis. lewis not responding to my requests so therefore I am fed up with her religion as well. ok a little harsh. So we go and give him what he had asked sis. lewis for ages ago and a note saying to not let this little thing come between you and eternal happiness, as you do. .. well that wasn't good enough so he left me a note explaining why this whole situation hurt him so bad and how he thought that I was a major part in it so he wanted to hold off on lessons till I leave.. ouch. daggers to my soul. We had a member with us, of whom heard the letter as well and she felt so bad for us. I kept my cool and really I did recognize that Steven has a few mental difficulties given from his past that add to the why of this letter and entire situation actually. I know that Go provdies though for His children and we prayed that his heart would be softened and that he would recognize that it was not me and she was not trying to be rude, she's just busy in a another area. well yesterday we recieved a call and he apologized and told us of his deep gratitude for all we have done and hopes that he hasn't ruined it with us. man the Lord provides and quick!! I love it. I love these people... even with the drama they acquire, I get it, their bored and hurt from the past. It's rough.

So then we have Lynette- oh my goodness, super cool. So before we went in we were.. not so sure if this would be the last time or not, simply becaue we would go by and she would just chat about her enless problems and we would become more like counselors.. with the scriptures than anything. So we asked God to help us know what to do. Allow her to say how she actually feels about all of this and show us without us asking (if we ask she gives the answer we want to hear). Well we go in and within 5 minutes she brings up that she has been desiring baptism alot lately and been reading (lynette DOESN'T read.. ever.. miracle) So we open up the scriptures and she goes oh let me go get mibe, they were in her room and she was anxious to participate in what we had to say. This was massive steps for her. So as the lesson went on we were able to committ her to nov. 3 for a baptism. It's far away, but to her that is sooo close. God loves His children. You can't say it enough because it's still unfathomable.

I love the lessons I am learning, the people I am meeting, the souls I am helping to save and the person I am able to become while here. Nothing could be better.

The family seems great. I am glad ya'll were able to attend Caleb's homecoming and see so many families there. He sure does have alot of people that love him :) Sam and Laura.. that was like a thing on the '09 AOL tour.. and now yet again. look at that. super cool. Hope it all works out for them. She needs a good Sam :) I bet they are all super adorable. I can't wait to see them.

I am so glad Matt found a job!! And one he can get buff at. lucky kid. Hopefully he'll be able to hook me up in a little while. it's gonna need to happen. Hey dad, keep thinking and praying about what to do with youth and performing, but please let me know. I want to help. I like that sound of what you are saying and want to be apart of it. Like that is some surprise or something.. haha.

i hope all is well and continues well. Everything will work out alright!!

 

I lvoe you all, you are in my prayers and I thank you for your prayers!

Hiraeth! ( welsh word that means like a longing for a love.. or home in this case.. not a trunky longing for though people!)

      Sista Fili

Charity Never Faileth

I feel like being a mock Relief Society President this week because my whole week I have felt more like a mother than anything else. It's been great. Infact, Sis. Rasmussen even told me I am going to be a great mum ... ya well, we'll see. Ha So last week the hospital saga started, ya? Oh don't you be worrying about it ending there, cause it didn't! (in the best twang cheesy accent I can do) Well After we got the antibiotics last week we took them home and bless Sis. Javed's heart she HATES tablets with a passion. She whines, kinda like a child every time she has to take them, so when she would take them and then 'throw up'.. sounded more like a try to cough like.. I thought she was just over reacting- well... I repented from that thought when it was actually her body rejecting them. Ya motherhood step one- take everything into consideration even if you think they are being silly about life. So we go back and get different ones and this time she has the aches and pains ALL over and turns out with a fever- odd. Lesson one was learnt so I made the necessary phone calls and we were told to go back. Now this last time before we went back we were gettting alot of advice from members expecting it to be the worst because something similar had happened to a sister prior to about 18 months ago. Well then we have Elder Hales (the mission doctor) and Pres. Rasmussen asking some pretty pointed questions about how much this is physical and how much this is actually emotional. Now you see here's the deal, Sis. Javed is saint.. a saint who loves the work  and hates hospitals so sometimes when it would come to her health she would tell the truth to me, but then when it would come to the people who she really needs to say this and that HONESTLY to it would be a lack of honesty and more 'dignity and strength' because she wants to work and more than that doesn't want to go to the hospital again. I'm with ya sister.. but not fully.. Well They were both catching on to this and could sense that I was doing this for the good of my companion and doing my best with what I was percieving and the little information she was giving me- lesson # 2 of motherhood.. just do it no matter how they winge, it's for their good. So finally after being firm... lesson 3... we were able to get some honesty out of her and take the necessary steps to getting her well and sorting out what was actually going on. Well the night prior to we went to go recieve a blessing from the Elders. After the blessing Sis. Javed looked at me and said I know I will be alright- I don't think it will be that bad anymore. Man she has faith.. but ya know me, oh ye of little faith... I think it was the stress of the week and her lack of honesty that i said- well we'll see but sometimes we have to do more than that... people can we please say daft chicken spices. Anyways, on our way to the hospital on Saturday afternoon I was getting frustrated and so was she. We have 2 areas we have had a total of 4 lessons this week and that's about all we've been able to do and just alot of other stuff that matterd, but the view of the bigger picture was lacking. So I was honest and so was she and by the end we had an understanding of how one another felt, and why we felt it and how we were going to now handle it... step 13, works everytime ;) (see preach my gospel page 150) So we get to the hospital and after waiting, and doing the urine sample thing for her they told us we had an appointment for that evening so we could leave till then- THANK YOU. The joys of a proper hospital. So we went and worked a little. It was great. Well we come back that evening and they see us after a bit of a wait and the GP tells us that her urine is clear... amazing.. then has Sis. Javed move this way and that way and that pain comes that she has had all week. She told us that it was a strained muscle in her back. it might have started off as something else, but it's ended up as this. So as we leave Sis. Javed looks at me and says ' I have feelings this is result of blessing'. My amazing little pakistany companion once again proved her faith to me. Miracles do happen. Everything is alright. I am a drama mama who just cares too much and needs a little more faith and little less logic. I am grateful that the Lord was able to teach us this and that the saga is finally over. One thing I did learn this week is that no matter what it is that we are doing, we can always remember that we are donig a great work and can not come down. We had Zone Conference at the beginning of the week and that was the talk it was all based off of, "I'm doing a Great work and Can not come Down" by President Uchtdorf from Oct. 2011 GC, priesthood session. it's an amazing talk and one I would definately encourage you to look up. We talked about desires and what matters most and about well... missionary work at it's best. Of course. During it I decided that I would really work on my focus this week. Going above and beyond that of which I had been doing previously. I am not a bad missionary, but we can always focus more- we are still human! So then all of the saga happened and it was one of the hardest weeks to focus because it was alot of waiting and not ya know... going and doing. Well I decided to not let this get me down. I can tell you that I proved to myself this week that it's not always about how much you are showing your diligence that equals actual diligence but how you are following the promptings to be diligent when it doesn't seem possible. We had some incredible chats with people and an amazing few lessons. We were able to learn alot about others and gain charity for our spiritual brothers and sisters here on earth in a different way than usual. Sis. javed and I were able to grow closer as a companionship and to be more unified in purpose. I know that God blesses us with the things we need, not always with what we want and or think is right for this time, but  He has the grander vision and knows what is best. If we put it in his hands and walk by faith and not by sight I know that we can accomplish all the Lord has for us. I love this work. I love being a missionary. I love my Mission President and his wife. We got to know them super well this last week.. haha but how greaterful I am for their patience and love. They truly are called of God.

Oh by the way the departing tstimony went well- I said things I didn't even know, but I do know one thign that God knew what I need to say for myself and hopefully for others... but who knows. It felt good and I am grateful I had the opportunity to bare the testimony that has grown within me over the past 16 months... even if it seems a little premature.

I am so glad that everyone is doing so well and that life is picking up again.

Dad- the next 2 months may possibly go as fast for you as they will for me! Good luck! I hope LIGHT works out this week- if not maybe it is for the best, even if it kills me to say that.

Mum- I am happy you are grasping on to the program well and enjoying school. it should be really good for you to get back in the swing of things.

Cassy- you are potty trained.. I bet your parents are  more happy than you are!!!

Heather- I hope you are only going to have to suffer with morning sickness for a little while longer.. sounds unenjoyable. your in my prayers.

Liz- heard you are donig fantastic and such- can't wait to hear more!!

Matt- I heard you got a letter from Elder Allred, lucky duck! I hope you enjoyed it.

I love to hear about all the family. it brings me more joy than you will ever know. I can't wait to hear from you again. You are in my prayers and I love you all so much!! May the Lord bless you for your faith!!

Love,

   Sista Fili Moroni 8:3

A & E...I dislike the Doctors...

So... this has been a great week. This weekend has been long and this next week will be absolutely insane. 
First things first it is so good to hear everyone is doing well and that school is starting. i can not believe it is that time again in our lives. Grandma officially has no grandchildren in High school ... only great grand children... yep mum ya'll are gettin' old. But hey so am I.. I'll be 23 soon, that's ridiculous. Well, to me at least. 
So this week we had a few INCREDIBLE lessons with Brian and Steven. They are both progressing so much. Brian is now getting baptized on the 29th of September. He chose it and feels good about it, but knows that nothing is going to stop him now. Poor guy though is hit with adversary at the moment, but still has such great faith that he knows the only thing that will get him through this tragic time is the gospel and his Saviour. I feel privileged to be one of his missionaries. He said that on Saturday night before we were going to come that he wanted to tell us to leave it for the night, but couldn't do it. Then when we got there we found out, after a while that he is mourning for the loss of 2 loved ones who a day a half prior had died suddenly and tragically. He just walks all day and night to deal with it, but he told us that he can't hide his emotions and what is truly inside from us. I gained a testimony of being a representative of Christ at that moment. When we are actually representing Him to others they can't withhold their inner most thoughts and desires. this week Brian had told us that when his cast is off he will borrow a  car from someone to get a lift to church and if that doesn't work he will run... ok people we are talking 24.5 miles here!!! This is dedication. He wasn't joking either. He kept saying when you find the truth you can't go back on it. How true is that. this gospel is true. It is the answer to every question and i have learnt that more than i can express here on the mission. people on the street LOVE to tell us all about their... lives... past present and future... good and bad, gory,sleazy, and so on... but with every comment we can come back with something gospel related. God is in all things and all things testify that there is a God.  Alma 30:44 But Alma said unto him: Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of ^aall these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the ^bearth, and ^call things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its ^dmotion, yea, and also all the ^eplanets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.
Steven... oh my goodness from last friday to this friday he has read from the end of Jacob to Alma 42.. woot woot. That is impressive for an investigator I must say. Cool thing is he taught us the plan of salvation just simply from reading. when the sisters had taught him the first time he said that he didn't actually pay attention.. two gorgeous woman in your house... who would be able to focus on God.. haha or so he said. But now he has real intent. He knows 100% that God lives and answers your prayers. He is 80% sure that this church is true and 90% sure the Book of Mormon is the word of God. He said i feel just like all of you sisters described when i read it. You can't disprove it and he said I am sorry for trying so hard to disprove it. I am so pleased with his commitment and dedication to find out for himself. He said he will be baptized, but not until he is ready. It will be soon enough though :) The man just needs to come to church!! 
So, tomorrow I have the privilege of giving my DEPARTING TESTIMONY.... stop it. Too soon. Not right. I was excited about it till it became reality. But anyway it'll be my last Zone conference, so this is it. Crazy sauce. Wish me luck on giving testimony about the mission and life and what i know in 60 seconds or less... haha with me and my rapidly long winded mouth.... it'll be a challenge and super duper fun. i will cry and if not who's gonna bake me cookies? ya that's what I thought... no takers. it's the distance, init? 
Alright to the purpose of the subject above... A&E.. Accident and Emergency.... doctors, hospital. don't you be frettin' it was sister Javed not me. During Glenys' massive dinner Sister javed started to feel pain, not I'm full past the brim pain, but actual pain. She thought nothing of it though because of her full past the brim pain. So we go over to Brian's for a lesson and during the lesson I look over and see my companion in agony.. odd. but no offense to her, but she doesn't have high pain tolerance so I thought it was just carry over of the dinner pain and that we were on the floor. Back pain.. it happens. So as we are leaving she gets a bit ahead of me and comes back and says it hurts sooo bad. I didn't know what to do, so I said alright well we'll be home soon, let's just drop off glenys. Anyways she made us aware it was really really severe pain so we get home call the rasmussen's and they tell us to be better safe than sorry and go to the local A&E to get it checked on. So the Zone leaders come and pick us up and we get there at 1030pm. While we were there funny things happened besides the actual check ups. like these drunk guys come in (we had policemen right by us mind) and they were the harmless drunk sort and sis javed starts freaking out.. what if they talk to us and I say then we talk back. They aren't liable to remember anything anyways, but they were with it enough to have a conversation.. almost..  though. So they chat with us then go away and the police lady behind me starts asking us questions about what we do, who we are, why we do it, where we come from then we chatted about her and she said about how obsessed she is with america so we talked about that for a while and it was all really good and friendly. She asked questions and we answered them. She even said I had a nice soft accent.. I was chuffed. Anyways, so these drunk guys come back and sit in front of us again and start chattin'. ha They start talking about how badly they hate the police and just want them to get off their backs. so I asked them if i could give them advice to help them out with this problem... they were like ah yes please, thinking it was going to be epic, and I look at them and say, "DON'T GET DRUNK". They looked at each other and looked at me and said.. that's the worst advice ever, I said actually it's the only good advice you'll ever get. The policemen are dying laughing behind me!! it was the truth, what else would I say that wouldn't be lying! but if everyone were sober here the police would be out of a job. It's mainly daft drunks they deal with. Poor things. oh well. it was a good night i guess. the chairs there were super cold and super hard... but it is free, so i guess it is better than nothing. it was clean- that's a plus. But the doctors were so silly to Sis. Javed, they kept on with 'she's just being a baby'... hello could you have a little less tact. oh well, she didn't understand them anyways!! haha But we finally were released at 645am and were back in the flat by 730am. We were given the permission and guidance and counsel from president to sleep until sacrament meeting (1150 was the start) and then after come home and sleep and get better. It ended up being a urinary infection so they said, but this morning our mission GP called and asked a few questions. Because they just let her off with pain killers instead of an actual prescription and her symptoms did not add up to a urinary track infection he advised us to go back today and be reevaluated. We were there for HOURS... but it's alright.They said that it is actually a water infection and gave her antibiotics. So hopefully the saga is over. Bless her she does not like to be in hospital... neither do I if I am honest. but I wrote all my letters I wanted to today.. positive :) 
Family I love you so much i can't get over it. thank you for all you do for me. thank you for your support and prayers. I pray for each of you and I am so happy that you are all doing soooo well. keep it up!! love love love you! 

 Sista Fili

Dear Family,

       Man it's been a beautiful week. I love Wales.. rain. shine. rain. shine. I never have to worry about a drought.... nope filling up the tank for the rest of my life here in Wales. That's how I am choosing to view it. The members just say I will catch a cold, but I don't care. Brollies are for sissies.. ... when I say sissies I mean younger sister missionaries. of course. You just get used to it. The problem is that where there is rain there is wind and brolly's and wind don't work very well, especially if you want to talk to anyone. oh well. The Lord will protect me and it's all good. I love the rain though. I love walking in it and just soakin... and then coming home. so not coming home afterwards is kinda uncomfortable.. but none the less, I feel like i am sacrificing something minor for sometihng greater I guess. Weird? yep. This mission isn't full of scary things, it's not full of bad, yucky, no hot water flats, in fact we are spoiled rotten here. So being soaked is just great!!! That is what we have to make up for the rest it all. Rain.

       Brian= best man I have ever met... today. He is amazing. We had that lesson about being forgiven and repentance.. what it truly is. Since then he has made restitution above and beyond what he thought he was capable of. He came to church yesterday and just gloried in it. He knpows this is where he needs to be. The week before he had gone somewhere else and felt without. He is so excited for his baptism!! today I will send you a poem he wrote with a few other things i was planning on sending last week... sorry it didn't go yet, just crazy stuff here. I am so grateful for him. He is helping me see that there are such elect people that God is working with and the miracles are outstanding. I can not tell you how this man and his repentance process are a miracle. I will one day though, but not today over email. Still a little personal for the internet.

     Steven is donig well and is gaining the promise given in Moroni 10:3-5.. He has been reading the scriptures daily and even understanding enough to ask questions like, "if we believe in the BoM, and Brigham Young was a prophet of our church and read the same things I am reading right now.. then how did he miss Jacob 2?" hahaha I was dying. So funny. He is a total joker. But none the less, the power of God is working within him. He said as he reads, even when he doesn't understand fully, he feels something stirring inside. yay for the sprit and I know that it is true. I love this gospel so much. There is nothing greater than seeing someone else love it as well.

     The Jones family are some members in the Beacon Heights ward. Arnold nd June Jones are who I want to focus on though for a moment. The grand parents of the family. They served a mission at the temple in Preston and worked in the London temple all right after their son died in a tragic accident, not a car accident mind. They told me of some of their experiences and we just enjoyed time talking about the joy of the temple. Oh my goodness me i reckon I will take a temple prep lesson for RM's from them right before I come back. They said they would do it for me for a dinner appt. around that time. it is amazing the spirit that was in their home because of the type of communication they have, the spiritual things they have on the walls, and the fact that you can tell they LIVE the gospel of Christ. No doubt about it. I thought about it and I feel like our home is like that alot of the time.. well at least when I was there ;) But isn't it interesting that whjat we put in our homes reflects a different kind of behaviour. I think that is true.

     This week I have been reding 3 Nephi 11-18. I love my Saviour. I love His teachings. I love that He tarries with us and perceives our thoughts and the intents of our hearts. I love that He gives commandments that help us find, live and experience joy. Real joy. He warns us not of what HE will do, but of what SATAN will do if we do not live His commandments. In Ch.18 I was reading about the importance of prayer and of partaking of the sacrament. v. 25: "And ye see that I have commanded that none of you should go away, but rather have commanded that ye should come unto me, that ye might feel and see; even so shall ye do unto the world; and whosoever breaketh this commandment suffereth himself to be led into temptation." Now this verse in particular is talking about church and not dismissing anyone from coming, but the same can be applied to prayer. Sometimes we don't feel comfortable or worthy to obey these two commandments. Sometimes we lack desire to do so. When these times come and we feel no spirit, and feel as if God has forsaken us we must recognize that in the scriptures there are invitations that if read correctly also have warnings attached to them. v.7 "and this shall ye do in remembrance of my body (talking about the sacrament), which I have shown unto you. And it shall be a testimony unto the Father that ye do always remember me. And if ye do always remember me ye shall have my spirit to be with you." If we remember Him we will have His spirit, but if we don't and infact reject what we know.. maybe we won't. but He never rejects us. v.32 "Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him out of your synagogues, or your places of worship, for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them." God loves us. He gives us commandments that we may be safe from the adversary. Steven asked us why God is so strict and if we do anything wrong He will punish us. We were able to explain with scripture, "Wherefore men are FREE according to the flesh; and ALL THINGS are given them which are expedient unto man. And they are free to choose liberty and eternal life, THROUGH THE GREAT MEDIATOR OF ALL MEN (Jesus Christ),or to choose captivity and death, according to the captivity and POWER OF THE DEVIL; for he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself." It is not punishment of God, it is punishment of the devil. We choose punishment or blessings. None the less it's our choice, until we give our choice to the devil so much that he starts to take it away and we are caught, but still if we turn to God with FULL PURPOSE of heart- He will save us. I know that to be true. I that God's comandments keep us safe, happy, and drama free.. if we CHOOSE to obey them. The greatest part is that we can live in full confidence knowing it is our choice.. so don't ever give it away.

I love you family. I pray for you always and hope that you know how much I care for you. I hope that everything made sense in this email and that it all came off how i wished for. I love being a missionary and just want to give him all my time and attetion for the little time I have left. I hope that I can do so and that you will pray for me to be able to do so. Life is crazy and I have ALWAYS been one to plan for the future, whether I am focused or not on the present. Right now i am focused on the present, but need help NOT to plan for the future in my down time.. solution equals no down time. i am working on this and hoping that you will pray for me. I just want the Lord to know how grateful I am to be His missionary and to be able to give my whole heart and know the moment it's over that I did so. No questions or opinions needed. Thank you for your examples!! I lvoe you all!!

oh aunt mell tell Tommy congrats on the engagement!! hope everything works out with getting to Peru in time!! super quick!

Romans 15:32

         Sista Fili

I Love Good News!

you alright?! (the british way of saying how are you... I used to think everyone thought I was doing bad)

so first off sorry if my sentences sound juvenile for the next 6 weeks... I am talking to a sister from pakistan, who speaks very little english, more than anyone and teaching her english but must explain things in simple terms .. hence the juvenile way of speaking in these last few sentences. It's starting to become how I think now too... what an issue. But there we are.

So announcements to respond to :

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MUM!! (heather did I miss your's from ages ago and Davin and everyone this year.. don't you worry.. it will be made up for in 11 weeks ... dad thanks for pointing that one out!)

(oh ps sooooooooo sorry I did not say it last week. I remembered and all and was all prepped to write it and then I guess got distracted and never actually said it.. bummer.)

 

Baby baby- how did I know that would happen!! I love pregnant people. hey heather do you remember when you and steve first got married and i nagged you for ages about when you were going to have a kid.. now you are on #5!!! congrats!!

 

Aaron and Aubrey- that blows my mind, I am sooooo happy for them. you are right mum they will be the best parents ever.

 

oh My companion's cousin is serving in Mesa right now. She spends part of the day in the visitors center and then part of the day in her area. She is sis. Javed as well. If you see her- do talk to her.. she's stunning. Tell her hello and cheerio from me and ssiter Javed!!

oh I saw a picture of paul tieman in one of our ward members old missionary albums.. he served in the EBM too!! so cool.

 

I am glad that everyone seems to be doing well and that grandma is settlnig well into her new place. I had sent her a letter to her old address, but it didn't make it so I need her new address.. or I'll just send it home and you can get it to her.. ya? ok. I have some stuff to send today anyways.. so get excited.. I am excited too. you may laugh alot and that is good, it is with purpose.

 

This back half of the week has been great. It's kinda crazy to have 2 areas and be the only one who "knows" them both.. especially with someone who doesn't know what anyone is saying 2/3 of the time.. it's improving :) I can't imagine how she feels. Yesterday morning I woke up frustrated, lonely, overwhelmed, and very irritable... yes the natural man did overcome me... dumb!! ... but As I fasted and prayed for strength and listened to the talks I had more peace, but that did not solve it because to be honest the pressure just got worse. At the beginning of transfers everyone just loves to bombard the missionary who they do know and ask her loads of questions and what not, which is good.. but my mindset was not good. Alot of the questions were for things sis. javed didn't understand or that I needed to explain to her, but it felt doable.. just irritating when everyone is doing it at the same time. Right before our dinner appointment something happened that I am grateful for because the ice was broken. Sis. Javed is deathly afraid of dogs. Like literally won't go near it she sees it and either my arm comes off or I am in need of a companion because she is gone. It's kinda ridiculous sometimes, but there we are. Anyways, the family whome we were visiting didn't have a dog, but there was a dog just out by the front of it and she wouldn't move and got mad with me because I didn't tell her.. I didn't know the neighbors had one... . now understand we were extremely late for this DA and by this point the whole dog thing was getting to me because it's out of my control. I don't mind asking people who we know and know we are coming to put their dogs away, but how do you say that to a stranger.. you know? especially when the dog isn't even paying attention to us... so I didn't loose it, but I snapped a little.. oh so embarrassing.. but it's ok my companion will be the angel in a second because really that is what she is. An angel. She came to the door and said 'i know, this is my weakness'. I understand why it is.. bless, her cousin was killed by a dog. but that night when we got home i felt bad. I don't have too long of a irritable behaviour before I snap out of it and think of the jerk face that I can be... we talked.. man it took a long time of prying... like all of language studdy, for her to finaly open up. And the thing that impressed me was that she wasn't mad at me for snapping. She isn't ever mad with me for anyithng... she is so Christlike. She just wants to do and be the best she can be and it taught me something about becoming like Jesus Christ. It taught me that if we always look in to see our weakness instead of anothers than we will never judge another. She loves to say who am I to judge another when I am not perfect... I thouht alot about that. It is something I love to tell people to put on in their character, but then I thought about it... who AM I  to judge another? who is to say that I am not the only judgemental one of the bunch? Those who do not judge.. for realsies... are the ones that never tell anyone else not to judge. They only talk about their weaknesses, not others weaknesses. I am learning so much from my companion and yes sometimes it is frustrating, but why should I care? I am serving a servant of God and that is a privilege. She truly is a wonderful person and I am grateful that I get to learn from her for the next 6 weeks or so.

We taught Brian on saturday and it was amazing. He had told me the night prior on the phone that there was sometihng he was keeping from us... from the world for a long time and that he would tell us but that he wasn't sure he was worthy of baptism anymore because of it. This broke my heart to hear but saturday morning during my personal study I was reading 3 Nephi 9:13-22 and I knew that the Lord had something to tell Brian in these verses.. So I had left him Alma 36 and he read it and said I am alma... here's what happened (it's personal so I won't say over email) and then said and this is why I can't be baptized and I looked at him and knew that these verses were for him. So I asked if we could read them and on verse 20 he stopped. He couldn't read through all of it because of the tears .. and he said.. eventually... God IS saying this to me... this is for me. I knew at that moment that my Saviour loves His children. He knows us. He wants us to come back to Him and He has taken our sins upon Him that He might heal us from the imperfect state we dwell in while in this tabernacle of clay. In v. 15 Jesus Christ tells us "Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name." Now how can I relate this to us.. well I am Sister Lauren Lee Filichia (I am not saying I am Jesus Christ or anything, aight... just read on ;)) a daughter of God. I have been given the power to help create life and other creative things here upon the earth. Before I came to earth I was with the father since MY beginnining. If I live worthy I can be in the father, and if I give my will to God the father will be in me and through me, as His daughter since baptism, I will be able to glorify his name. I saw this and thought about how blessed we are to have the knowledge that we have. No I am not His begotten son, no I am not the creator of the universe, no i did not give my life that God's other children might have power over death, but I am one of His beloved daughters. I am a creator of life as a mother... someday... and for 18 months and for the rest of my life I will give my life to the Lord's work that I might glorify His name and bring His daughters and sons back to Him to dwell in His glory. This isn't just for me, but for all of us. Our purpose in life is not different to Jesus christ's, it is the same.. just maybe a lot less painful and much more imperfectly done. We are to help God bring to pass the immortality and eteral life of man. not just for 18-24 months, but for eternity. What can we do today to have the Father in us and us in the father? 3 Nephi 11 talks about how they couldn't understand the sound of God's voice till they looked steadfastly toward heaven. it is no different now than it was then. We will not recognize it till we look to Him in our lives. How can we have our lives facing steadfastly heavenward more now than yesterday? I am trying to be more like my saviour and am not always very good at it, but it's not about being perfect today it's about progressing everyday and I know that we can. i  know that I am weak, but with God I can be strong and for that i will give my life to Him. Thank you for all of your prayers, your support, your love and more than anything your examples. I learn from all of you. My mind draws upon the different times when you all showed me who Christ is through the represntatives you are and because of that i will progress little by little (very little, I am a slow learner) each day. I thank you each for that.

Alright enough with the sermon.. so sorry.. everytime.. but I hope it is something that helps boost you somehow a little each week. Your emails do that for me and I am soooooo grateful for them!! i love you all I'll be seein' you!!

 

Sista Fili