December 11, 2008

I was transferred from Liverpool yesterday to the Burnley ward. That is why I am writing today. Burnley is in Lancashire, which is just North of Greater Manchester. It is in the Chorley stake, which is the same stake as the Temple. That is very nice. This area is very different from other areas. More rural, and very beautiful and hilly. I am serving with Elder Rawlings. He is from Idaho. He is a great guy and they have some good things going on up here in Burnley. He is from Idaho, and has been out on his mission for about 5 months.

My head is a bit of a whirlwind right now with the transfer. I basically traveled all of yesterday. There never seems to be enough time for everything. The mission doctor has been telling us to take time to actually relax, and also to eat well. This takes careful planning, and usually more time . . . more time than we have.

We said goodbye to everyone on Tuesday and Monday. No one really cried, which is good because I don't like to watch people cry. We were also able to see C*****, who gave me like 5 Christmas presents. She is great. I look forward to being able to go back to Liverpool. I feel like a new missionary again in Burnley, with a couple of missionary skills. The mission is great, and we just have to keep on running. Preparation really is key, and I am so proud of Taylor and his preparation. What an inspiring example.

I don't really know what to tell you about the last week. Liverpool seems to have gone like . . . that! We have a Zone Conference next week at the Temple, which I am more than excited for.

My favorite scripture of the week is from I Corinthians, I think it is Chapter 12. It is when Paul glories in his weaknesses, because it allows him to apply the atonement of Christ. That is how I am feeling right now, very weak and humbled. These times are good for us, and I am sure that I will see some great growth from it.

I am sorry that this is so short. I love you all, and look forward to giving you a better e-mail next week.

Elder Davies

November 26, 2008

What a fast week it has been. I have been on exchanges with elders in the district for two of the days this week. There are so many things in missionary work that you do not think would be there before you come out. A lot of responsibilities that come with leadership. They are necessary, but not usually traditional of missionary work. Also with a lot of the rules that protect us, we put a lot of effort into finding males to come teaching with us. How great would it be if the work wasn't so hindered by the problems of the world?!

The time has gone very fast these last couple of transfers. I have heard that it just gets faster from this point on. I hope I am fulfilling everything Heavenly Father needs of me. I imagine that I will probably be leaving this upcoming transfer, but there are never things you are certain of at transfer time. Either way, I will be happy. I have loved Liverpool and the people here, but I also enjoy the opportunities that come with going to new areas. It is definitely an area we will have to visit.

With the new focus of finding we have been able to get more new investigators. That is very important for the mission. Some of them are not progressing as much, so when they get there, I can give you more information. A family from Eritea, or something like that in East Africa, have started to investigate, and also a young British family that have had some difficulties in their life. They are searching for answers and we hope to provide those answers.

We were talking about the Pride Cycle with F******* last night. She is doing well by the way. We were talking about the things that can help us to avoid this cycle. Consistent reading of the Book of Mormon is key. That is why it is for our day. This Pride Cycle is so prevalent in our day, and the Book of Mormon teaches it so well. That is one reason why I know it was inspired, because Mormon saw our day and was able to provide the information to help us cope with today.

I hope that all of us can be mindful of those people who are making difficult decisions and transitions in their lives. It is so easy for us to return to what is comfortable, though it may be wrong. Jesus warns us of the state of someone who returns to past problems after overcoming them in Luke 11:24-26. If we can help these people find rest and nourishment in their 'new' lives, it will help them endure to a far better place. Preach My Gospel has a chapter that shares the importance of the ward in helping retention and reactivation. It is chapter 13. A most poignant part of this chapter is a story of a recent convert on page 214. This is more mission related, but it can relate to many transitioning times in life, as evident in Luke 11. I challenge each of us to be mindful of those around us. To seek to be a help to every cause which surrounds us.

I love you all and thank you all for the wonderful influence you have on my life. Sorry that my e-mail aren't filled more with stories. I find it so difficult to remember specific things. It worries me, because people are always talking about memories I had with them, but usually I forget. It doesn't mean I don't love them. Oh, here is one. We ate at Sister H*******'s with the B*****'s, and she made amazing Arabic food. She should be coming back to church. Pray for her.

Elder Davies

November 19, 2008

It has been another great week in Liverpool. The highlight of the week was the Baptism of J******* on Saturday. I was so stressed. J******* was a hard investigator with a lot of needs most of the time, so the relief that I felt when she went completely under the first time, and it actually went through, was a great moment. I was elated. I spent a couple of extra minutes in the font rejoicing! She had some cool experiences. She was completely calm and saw a light above her head while she was going under, though her eyes were closed. She said she felt different, and I was letting her know yesterday how special those experiences were. Those are miracles.

Another great miracle we had was that F****** expressed a desire to move her baptism closer. She is now dated for December 13. This is the Saturday after transfers, so I hope that I will be able to come back to watch, if I leave.

K******** might be going away to work in Coventry for a couple of weeks, so we may not see him for a while, and I may not see him again at all. He is so funny, and has an incredible personality. I will miss that man, but we definitely try to keep in touch with him.

Great things are happening in the mission. President Bullock has instituted some great things to help us broaden our vision and touch the lives of more people. It is too easy to become content with our current influence. Zone Conference last week was a real booster for the mission, and everyone is excited to get themselves more involved in the work. This man will continue to do great things, and I will be sad to leave him. He told us on Thursday, and I believe it and see it, that 'This is the day when the England Manchester Mission changed.'

Everything is going great between Elder Weidmann and myself. He is an incredible missionary and a great friend. Though we have our moments(he is very patient with me), we will be lifelong friends. I love the work and the people we get to meet. Yesterday a member named M***** B***** came out fellowshipping with us. He is from Wyoming and played for them at the University. He was one of their stars and had prospects of going into the NBA, but he had a knee injury his senior season. Throughout college he had moved away from church, but his injury helped pull him out of the fast lane and help him focus on what is right. He started going back to church and served a mission at the age of 23. he served in Hamburg, Germany. He is now in England playing for a team in Liverpool. He didn't get into the NBA, but he still gets to play and now he is back in the church, a returned missionary, a great guy, and married to a beautiful wife. Cool guy!

My Scriptural thought this week comes from Preach My Gospel - Latter-Day Scripture for a Latter-Day Work. That last part was my personal edition. I hope that your PMG study is going well. This week's thought is from the first chapter, "My Purpose". On Page 2 it reads, "As your understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ grows, your desire to share the gospel will increase. You will feel, as Lehi did, the 'great . . . importance to make these things known unto the inhabitants of the earth' (2 Nephi 2:8)." On Page 12 of the same chapter President Hunter expounds on the great connection between the Atonement and Missionary Work.

"Surely taking the gospel to every kindred, tongue, and people is the single greatest responsibility we have in mortality . . . We have been privileged to be born in these last days, as opposed to some earlier dispensation, to help take the gospel to all the earth"

"What does the Atonement have to do with missionary work? Any time we experience the blessings of the Atonement in our lives, we cannot help but have a concern for the welfare of others . . . A great indicator of one's personal conversion is the desire to share the gospel with others."

Because the Atonement is universal and can be felt by all, so is missionary work. It is universal and the fire and desire should be felt by all. The Atonement, in essence, is Missionary work. It is helping our Heavenly Father's children (our brothers and sisters) to make their way back to him. In the scriptures, this kind of work describes participants as 'saviors on mount Zion'. Though nothing we could ever do could ever match up to the Savior, because without Him there would be no need for this work, being involved in His work helps us become more like Him, which is what the Atonement is all about, becoming more like the Savior. So another way to access the blessings of the Atonement is to engage in missionary work.

I know the blessings and change that come from such a marvelous work, and I bear testimony that it is true. I love you all very much. May we all pray for the opportunities to become more like the Savior by lifting where we stand in this great work is my prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Elder Davies

November 12, 2008

This last week in Liverpool has been great. WE had a baptism on Saturday for V***** and L*****. They are doing amazing. Still just trying to get them to wear Sunday best to church, but the gospel has changed them. One step at a time. We are visiting the Temple with them today. WE visited the Temple with J******* yesterday, and we will be going up there for Zone Conference tomorrow. I have no complaints. They have been doing a great job with their friend F******. F****** has gained so much strength and is making the necessary movements to be able to be baptized. What wonderful people. They go and read with F****** during the day to help her understand the Book of Mormon. I am so excited for them!!

F****** loves the lives of those who live the gospel. She wishes she was born with it and wants to go live in Arizona so she can have nice weather and be around members. She struggles with some of the problems in England, and I feel so lucky to be able to have grown up in the gospel. From that, I want to list the 10 things I am most grateful for:

1. Grateful to have been born into the covenant.
2. Grateful to be serving in a difficult mission, where I can learn things that Heavenly Father wants me to learn.
3. Grateful that there is a Temple in the mission boundaries that we can take investigators to feel the spirit of the Temple
4. Grateful that we have been able to watch the change that comes over people's lives.
5. Grateful when we watch the spirit touch someone and enlighten their understanding.
6. Grateful to have an obedient companion
7. Grateful to have a mission President who is committed to making the work progress.
8. Grateful to have a family that sends me e-mails and so many cards. Elder Weidmann has really grown to understand how close our family is.
9. Grateful to have the physical and mental capacity to serve a mission.
10. Grateful for the knowledge and understanding that the Plan of Salvation gives us.

J******'s baptism is this Saturday, and we might have to fill up the font with warm water manually, because the font pump is broken. That means we baptized V***** and L***** in freezing cold water. I baptized V***** and confirmed L***** the next day, and Elder Weidmann did the others. It was such a great experience. To add to the cold water experience, we had to baptize them twice, because they didn't go all of the way under.

It has been so cold lately, and my gloves, scarves, and coat's have been used. It is going to be a cold winter, but I love it. It reminds me of when I first came out. It also reminds me of Christmas.

I don't have any scriptural thoughts or specific experiences from the last week to share with you. It just all rolls into one. I just want you to know that I love the gospel. There is no greater source of happiness. The mission is going great, and I look forward to more great experiences.

Love you all,

Elder Davies

October 29, 2008

It has been an odd week with the transfers and the Zone Conference. A lot of traveling. This next week will not be much different, with Halloween and Guy Fawkes Day. We have special rules to stay in if we are not riding in a car on some of the days this week. So hopefully I can get much studying/sleeping/cleaning done if that has to be the case, but we are taking measures to try and work it out so we can teach during those times.

The Zone Conference was great. President Oaks is an inspiring man who knows missionary work very well. We were all edified by listening to him. He is also filled with a great love. There is no secret in why these men are so great and stick out in this world of shifting values. Hopefully, that will set us missionaries apart too, and attract the pure in heart who will help us build up Zion.

I cannot think of many other specific events this week outside of teaching appointments, so I will answer some of Mom's questions that I know you all wanted to ask anyway:

On Halloween night I am planning on being one of the most feared creatures this side of the pond. Outside of my new Rooney jersey that I could wear, I will probably just result to being a missionary, both of which strike fear into the hearts of Liverpudlians. It would be hard to imagine that I could strike fear into anyone's heart, but it is funny what some people will do to avoid us.

J******* is still going on to baptism. She lives alone and her mom is in a care center. She loves having us around, but we are trying to focus her on the right things. She wants to be baptized, and I know that the church could greatly help her, if she will let that all happen. She is about 50 years old, but seems younger.

We haven't seen K******* this week because P****, her uncle, had to go into the hospital. He is doing okay, but will not be able to be out of his bed for the next week. She lives with her mum, who will not watch after her much, so much of the responsibility falls onto P****. The dad died less than a year ago, and everyone is still struggling with that a bit, especially K*******. She loves the missionaries.

F******, V***** and L*****'s friend, is doing very well. We talked about the Plan of Salvation last time, and ended at the Atonement. She started to cry, because she asked what should be done if we are doing things wrong. We taught her about the wonderful gift of repentance and how that is made possible through the Atonement. We will be spending all of our lesson tonight on the Atonement

Little side note. I have become a decent cook with easy to make items. I don't know how to do things from scratch much, but I have been able to organize myself into making decent meals. My companion is grateful.

One thing that was great this week, is that we taught K******** at S**'s house. After Tea, we watched the Testaments and K******** was very touched. He loved the end and just kept saying 'wow'. That was good.

My three happies are the Atonement, which makes much possible. My new pictures sent to me today. And this great package I got from the family, which was letters written during Sun Valley. That was nice, and big!

I love all of you and hope that this e-mail finds you well. Keep praying for this work and looking for opportunities to contribute.

Elder Davies

October 22, 2008

The work here is going well. We are being blessed to be able to teach a lot lately, and are trying to maximize the opportunities we have to speak with people outside of our lessons. There are a couple of people dated for baptism, so that is exciting. I myself am doing well, and enjoying the learning experience that the mission is. I love all of you and look forward to hearing from you.

On Monday we taught K*******. She has been kind of sad lately, so we decided to talk about things that make us hapry and things that make us sad. My first thoughts were about the family. In seeing the world, and also while talking to other missionaries, I have seen how blessed we are, not just compared to the world, but also compared to other member families, to have the family that we do. We have so much love and so much fun. And I sure love those kids. Tell them I love them.

K******** lost his phone, so we weren't able to get a hold of him for a long time. He finally got another one, and we have been able to get in contact again. he is doing very well, but still has not obtained his Visa. We continue to pray for him, and I ask that you do also. Thank you.

V***** and L***** should be getting baptized on November 8th. We just grow so close to all of these people right away. I love these two. They are great. They have given us one of their friends to teach, and she is doing very good too. Her name is F******. She is a young, single mother who is so nice. She loves to speak with us, and even said the prayer in the first lesson!

J******* is still continuing on to her date of the 15th of November. We hear from her everyday basically. She is excited, but we are still making sure that her foundation is in the right thing. This has been more of a social conversion for her. We pray that she is continuing to have a desire to keep all of the commandments. That is so important.

We have been teaching two new investigators from India. I just need to learn Hindi for all of these people! They are friends and already Christian. Two girls about the age of 24 or so. They have a love for the Bible and we have been focusing on how the Book of Mormon adds to our love of Christ. They have great potential.

We met a lady yesterday named D****. She has a real hard time with alcohol and really wants our help to overcome it. Some of the member who live by her know her, but are a little uneasy about getting involved, because of much of her past. I hope that we will be able to help the gospel transform her life through the obstacles that we are facing.

N*** is doing well also. We saw him with the Stake President who is also acting as our Bishop right now. He says that N*** has good potential and that we should try to see him more often to help him to remember more.

M*** is a less-active member we have been working with and he came to church on Sunday. he is from Ireland and he loves to feed us. He is also trying to overcome alcohol, and really has a strong desire to do it. He wants the kind of life that he knows is available to him. I so badly want him to be able to have that kind of life. The gospel can do it, and we can help him.

J***, the member, has been having a really hard time lately. He has to stay on some medication and when he goes off of it, he really struggles. If you could keep him in your prayers. He hasn't been able to come out fellowshipping with us lately or hasn't been able to focus on the Temple either.

The last people I will tell you about is the H* Family. They are Chinese. They investigated the church for about 9 years. They finally got married and were able to get baptized. They have two great kids that go to youth each week. They haven't been coming to church because the father got offended a couple of months ago and has been overcoming his pride. We are trying to help him understand that things like this happen in the church, and he should try not to let other people affect his and his families salvation. The whole family except him is so ready to come back and appreciate the joys of the gospel. They can have so many righteous generations for years to come if we can get them back now. It will play such an important role.

We have Zone Conferences tomorrow, and Elder Oaks, the new President of the Europe Area, will be addressing us along with President Bullock. I am excited, as always, for conferences.

This letter was fairly long, and I hope that it didn't bore you. Elder Weidmann is doing really well. He has a strong will and desire and it is great to serve with him. I love you all and continue to keep you in my mind.

Elder Davies

October 15, 2008

We have had a good week. Liverpool is an amazing place and means a lot to me. Loving the people on the mission is an important aspect, and there are a wide variety of people in Liverpool. All of England is diverse. Heavenly Father does have a hand in this work, and many people feel like England is ready to progress rapidly. The other English missions are increasing their baptisms at a wonderful rate, while our mission has started to decline a bit. We really need to follow the guidelines of our President and have our whole heart, might, mind, and strength in the work. Nothing will serve us as well in life as these two years.

Elder Weidmann is really good. His first name is Janick. We have been on exchanges so many times these last two weeks, that I feel like I never see him. I have heard great things about him while the other missionaries were with him. I think he has amazing potential. One thing I love about him, is that he doesn't have the fear to do what is right. 'Whatever it takes' is kind of his motto.

V***** and L***** are doing well, though they don't like wearing Sunday best on Sunday. They say that God doesn't care what we wear on Sundays, as long as what is in our heart. Everything they said is true, but they can't see the bigger picture. Needless to say, we are trying to work on that with them. We have had to postpone their baptism, because Victor is having trouble getting work off on Sundays.

K******** was not able to get any news on his visa this week. He was rather sad. This man has had an incredible life. He has basically been oppressed his whole entire life. I love his amazing attitude. We take the principles of the gospel for granted! Sometimes he doesn't receive the money he is supposed to, so he just tries to get by. He wants to work for his money, and always pays people back when they give him some money. He isn't allowed to find employment, but we have been working with members to help him find some odd jobs here and there for a little cash. I told him that we need him over in the houses back home. He can do almost anything, and he works hard.

It is amazing how quickly the holidays are coming up. Halloween will be here in a couple of weeks, and then it just begins to FLY!!! By the time we know it, it will be 2009. Scary!!!! I don't like that thought. Elder Weidmann reminded me yesterday that I will never have an October 14th on my mission again. I am going through my last cycle. Thanks, Elder!

My favorite memory of the week . . . that is hard. Sacrament meeting was amazing, but I would have to say that seeing C***** again was the best. She called us a couple of weeks ago and told us she would like to see us again. She can't really take the lessons again right now, because she is so busy, but in a couple of weeks we will be seeing her. She had a really sincere desire, and still holds fast to her testimony. She hasn't been reading and praying though. When we do those things, the spirit enters our lives and leads us to repentance. We want to do what is right when we do those things. They are the small helm that guides a large ship to an eternal destination. I am sure that dozens of prophets have used that analogy before.

I feel like I have learned so much this week, through studies, e-mails, conferences, and just other things. I wish I could remember it all. I am even trying to remember spiritual thoughts from this morning, but I would like to leave you with one scripture. Our fears hold us back so much, and D&C 67:1-3 help us understand why we should not fear. His eyes are about us, the heavens AND EARTH are in his hands, and the riches of eternity are HIS to give. And then goes on to say that fear stopped us from receiving a blessing. What blessings are we missing out on. What point of further santification are we lacking? Why are we scared? Fear is the opposite to faith. Let us strengthen our faith in the Lord's promises and press forward. Read the Ensign and follow any promptings you recieve. I pray for this kind of strength, and for all of you.

I love you dearly,

Elder Davies

October 8, 2008

Hello from across the 'many waters'. I guess I am right around my year mark. I just realized it this morning when looking at a calender for the first time in a couple of weeks. Well, they tell me that the second goes by faster than the first, and that is hard to imagine. It has been so fast. It makes me sad to think that it is even getting close.

Mom asked me about the top 6 lessons I have learned in my first year. I am not quite sure what is so special about the number 6, but this could be hard for me to hone in on six. Change can be so imperceptible sometimes. I started creating a list of things I would want to tell Matt and Taylor before they came out, so I guess I can just pull six off of that, though it will certainly not be comprehensive.

1. Be obedient . . . to everything.
2. Follow the Spirit that will come as a result of your obedience. It is ALWAYS right.
3. Take great advantage of the hours between 6:30 and 10. Wake up and exercise, and then have a meaningful study with great emphasis on Preach My Gospel.
4. Your loyalty is first to the Lord, then to the Mission President, and then to your companion.
5. Learn how to pray and account daily.
6. Have a willing heart and exercise you Faith.

I guess those are six of the things I would choose to share.

My three favorite memories of my first year?
That is hard . . . Christmas was a wonderful time to feel the spirit of that time even better. Also, General Conferences would have to be up there. And three would be walking home in the rain, this happens often, and feeling I have done my best.

A little about Conference. I left my notes back home, but it was a great conference. There were so many good ones. I love Elder Marcos Aidukaitis and his talk about the POWER of the Book of Mormon and how it has blessed generations. Also wonderful was Sister . . . can't remember. But it was about missionary work. Really, really good! Elder Oaks talk about the Sacrament, and all of President Eyring's talks. He is amazing!! I have grown to love him so much. Probably my absolute favorite that answered many questions was the 'Lift Where You Stand' talk by President Uchtdorf. That is all the Lord requires of us.

My companion is still doing very well. He is as forgetful as I am sometimes, and is very unaware. But I remember how that feels. He is opening up more in lessons. That is something I am working on, not talking so much. It must get very boring to our investigators.

Any Funnies? I usually don't remember these, but there are a couple. The one I remember most was absolutely great. We were walking outside on our way to Conference, i think, and Elder Weidmann just turns around suddenly and heads back to the flat. I finally saw him and realized that the color of his suit coat was different from the color of his trousers. That was funny!

V***** and L***** continue to be Stalwart. We need to have some more spiritual lessons with them, becuase they seem to thirst for it. They are still going on to the 25 of October.

K******** could find out this week about his Visa, so we are still praying hard. Other than that he is growing remarkably well.

My favorite scripture of the week. It would have to be D&C 84:88. President Eyring used it in one of his talks.

We have been able to see the Lord's hand in our day many times. The other day during a rainy time, a member had seen us on our way home and hadn't meant to travel that way, but he stopped and helped us out. A mortal angel. Also, with all of the answers I received to my prayers at conference. There is no doubt that He lives!

I love you all. The work here is going well, but Heavenly Father wants it to go better, I feel. Please continue to pray that they world be opened up and with our faith, we can be worthy of miracles.

Thank you again,

Elder Davies

October 1, 2008

Some new rules, we are only allowed to e-mail family.

Mom asked me a series of questions about me and the mission. I will share my answers with all of you, because I know that although you didn't ask them, you care to hear just as much. Mom's just have that special touch.

My three happies for the week:
1. Our investigators V***** and L**** C******* are amazing. They love the lessons, especially V*****. He was so prepared. He lives all of the commandments and just soaks up what we say to him. They have accepted a baptismal date for the end of October. The members that referred them to us have been absolutely great with fellowshipping them. That is how the work is going to change in England through the members!

2. We have eaten some good food. I am trying some new recipies, and some have not been so good. Anyone have some additional easy recipies to send? I tried homemade macoroni and cheese. Let's just say I could have done better next time. But I did make some mean nachos, fajitas, burritos, pasta, and stirfry!

3. General Conference is coming up! A major bonus. I haven't been able to wait. Everything else seems to be an inconvenience while waiting for the weekend.

Any Sads for the week?
Just regular trials that come with missionary work. Wishing that we could instill our testimonies into people.

New companion?
He is great! He is nice when my cooking is bad and will basically do anything I tell him. Sometimes I joke around, but of course I tell him when I am joking, after a little bit. It is just so funny. He is very humble and kind. He learns very fast and has great spiritual insights. He will continue to grow very well.

Investigators?
We have had the great opportunity to teach many investigators lately, but we still need to keep filling our teaching pool, because we don't want that time where everyone is either dropped or baptized. As you know about V***** and L*****, they have accepted a baptismal date. Yesterday we taught the two heavy commandments, Word or Wisdom and Law of Chastity. The next one is Tithing! They accepted everything and are excited to continue on. I am excited for them to have conference. K******** is just waiting to get his visa, but his english and gospel knowledge is getting very good. J******* is still reading a lot, but we are trying to get her to stop calling and texting us so much. She was just searching for something to fill her life, and we need to let the church do that. Not much info on others.

How am I feeling?

Great. Things that are not going well will get fixed and we will just keep getting better. Nothing much more to say, except that I am gaining a bit of weight and losing my fitness. You thought I ate a lot back home, you don't know anythign yet.

I love all of you. I hope to remember everything next time,

Elder Davies

September 24, 2008

We are having some great success in Liverpool. The Lord has given us everything that we need to suceed, now we just need to be diligent in hearkening to his counsel. I guess that is how life is. How much do we hearken to the words of the Lord or to his servants? To whom are we hearkening to in the daily events in our life? I love the happiness that comes when we are completely submerged in what is right.

J****** F** has expressed some fears about not being ready for Baptism, but as the spirit works upon her, she will be brought closer to Christ. We are hpiong for October.

Also with K********. his English is getting better, but it is still struggling. He has a great desire to follow Christ, and that we can work with.

We were able to get many investigators at church on Sunday. It was great. We had V***** and L**** come. They also refered us to one of their friends yesterday. I hpoe that we can help others accept the gospel and allow it to coompletely cahnge their life.

Sorry that I am writing so quickly. I only have about a minute, and their is a long line behind me. I am sorry. I love all of you and pray for you daily. Please keep praying for the people of England to open their hearts to the message of the restoration.

Elder Davies

September 18, 208

News from across the Pond,

Sorry for not writing yesterday, we had transfers. I am now training a new Elder, named Elder Weidmann. He is from Switzerland! His family is the core of the church is Switerland. His dad has just been called to be an area authority and his brothers and uncles are stake presidents. His sisters have served missions also. I am very impressed with how the gospel is just who he is. He has no desires outside of doing what is right. I love training. He is a great missionary. He is quite tall and large, so we shouldn't have anyone messing with us. Also transfer news, Elder Reidhead became the Zone Leader of the Liverpool Zone, so I get to talk to him frequently throughout the week. He is still doing great.

This has been a great week. Last night we had a great lesson with Elder Weidmann's first one. We were teaching Victor and Loren about the Plan of Salvation. We started to talk about the authority that was restored to Joseph Smith. so they asked if we could baptize their daughter. We read Moroni 8 with them and they loved it so much! It also helped them understand the fall and the atonement a lot more too. WE didn't have to bring up baptism after that. Victor said that he would want to. Next time we are going to be talking to them about the baptism and the Holy Ghost and committing them for Baptism. Sweet! What a great family.

K********'s english has been getting very good. he is learning fast and wants to be baptized. There is basically nothing holding him back, excpet just a greater understanding.

J****** has been very needy. We just need to baptize her and let the ward start taking more care of her. She told Elder Morrow before he left that he would have to come back for her baptism, so it looks like she is pretty serious abou it. We will be seeing her tonight, and maybe picking some time out.

N*** has been deemed unaccountable by the District Leader last transfer. However, he is starting to live the commandments and comes to church each week. We might baptize him just to get his name and record into the church so we don't lose track of him and he can have home teachers for years to come.

Brother G******** came to church last week. WE have been working with him. His family is awesome, but we are trying to get him back. He loves the lessons and understands the eternal view of it all. I think that there is great potential there.

We also visited with less-active Chinese family named the H*'s. We told them how it was and that they needed to start coming back so their family could obtain the blessings of the church and of the temple. They seemed positive afterwards, so we hope we didn't lay it on too much.

I can't think of much else to say, and Elder Weidmann is waiting for me. Except that I got to read D&C sections 121-123. Those are amazing. It teaches us a lot about our relationship with God and how to be 'chosen'. Please review that if you have time. I love you all and hope that all is well there. Know that I pray for you all individually and love to hear from you.

Elder Davies

September 10, 2008

Another good week in Liverpool. Transfers happen next week. I imagine that I will be staying here, but getting a new companion. Time sure does fly on the mission! We are very lucky to have the gospel and the knowledge of the plan. What a great knowledge and a beautiful world that God has created! Mom expressed a couple of questions, so I will fill everyone in:

The arabic food we were fed was a rice base. Then we had either spiced chicked with some seperate sauces to put over it, all of which were very very spicy and tasty, or lamb in a basic sauce. All of it was spicy, but so good. African, Arabic, and Asian food all have some very similar characteristics. We live next to the most densely populated Arabic and African places in Liverpool, so needless to say there are plenty of opporunities to sample, though we usually just cook or eat with a member.

I spoke about J*** last week. He has a lot of illnesses that he has to monitor and is told that he shouldn't work. he get a monthly allowance. We thought it was bad in the U.S. with people who basically get paid not to work, but over here it is 10 times worse. However, people like J*** need it. He basically has all free time and spends it with missionaries, family history, in the scriptures, or taking care of basic life stuff. A really cool guy. He has an incredible conversion story. He read the book of Mormon and received his answer in many wonderful ways. He went through some rough patches, but is now active after being a member for over 20 years.

Our investigator from Bhutan is doing well. Right now we are mostly teaching him English. Bhutan is right by India.

3 "Happies" for the week: Exchanges with Elder Aughney, The Leishman Line coming and my family!

Favorite Scripture: 3 Nephi 11:29. Talking about contention. Even with the smallest things, you can feel the spirit leave like . . . that.

I am very grateful to have such a wonderful and supportive family. I love you guys so much. Our investigators are doing well. J******* is very needy and has so many questions. She is going to have to take some steps of faith if we are going to continue teaching her.

Also yesterday we watched Ensign to the Nations with C****. It was incredible. Every time I see it, it just gets better. The work they did all around the world and especially right where I am. What did they do? We have got to do it again. The leaders of the church say it will only happen through the members.

N*** is back and coming to church. We are helping him to live the wow so he might be able to be baptized. he just loves coming to church! Any ideas on how to teach him simply or better. They will not let us take him into primary :)

I am so sorry, but have to be running now. We are being taken to lunch by some members. I promise to write a more comprehensive letter next week.

I love you all,

Elder Davies

September 3, 2008

WHEW!!!!!! Let me think about everything I wanted to tell you.

Our investigators are doing well. We continue to try our best to help them progress, and try to listen to the spirit concerning what to teach them and when to stop teaching them. We were able to teach a husband and wife yesterday. The best part is that they came from a member. Member Referrals rock! They know a upstanding member of our church, and that helps leaps and bounds. It is an American member who brought his family over here for University. These are amazing people. It is the M****. I think I told you about them last week. Everything is 100% with them.

We have not been able to get in contact with C*****, but some other missionaries who knew her have been. I hope something happens from that. Whatever it is, I just want it to work out. We have not been able to speak with her all week.

Our new investigator from Butan is doing well. Lessons are very difficult with his limited English, but he wants to come to church and be baptized. We will prepare him. I think the prophecy that the gospel will go to every nation is happening in England. The melting pot of this country is incredible.

J******, is one of our new investigators. We are trying to find out how interested she is. She has been into a lot of anti-mormon stuff, which has stopped so many people from investigating the church lately. I can't believe the things that some of these people say. However, if that can stop them, then they aren't prepared or ready to accept the gospel.

T**** is doing very well. She knows some of the things she will have to stop doing or start doing to be baptized. She does her homework and we are starting to see a change in her. We took her to a less-actives house yesterday. This less-actives name is Sister H*******. She is English, but has a lot of middle- eastern family. She speaks fluent Arabic and hasn't been to church for a while, except last Sunday. This is a prime example of what one visit can make. I had a really good feeling about her as I saw her on the ward list and as we tried by on her. Eventually we were able to see her and she is great. She is always willing to make some food for us and let us use her home. Yesterday she made some Arabic food, and it was delicious. That is something I have come to love. Also there was a member named J***. He gets along really well with T****. J*** has been helping us out a lot lately, because he basically has all of the time in the world. He is 38, has a home, no job, and loves to do missionary work. He writes down everything we say and do. It is like having the book of life being written right before your very eyes.

We had a zone conference this week. I love being up by the temple. I also loved Zone Conference. There are just no words to describe them. President Bullock is very smart. He finished with a talk that wasn't very much for missionaries, but was really cool. It was about the 2nd coming, and signs of the times. We are close, very close!

We have also been working with an investigator named H*******, from the Ivory Coast. He came to church, but is struggling to understand Christ and the Plan of Salvation. WE don't really know what else to do, but he likes church and shows a desire to learn.

Well, I better start wrapping this letter up. Today I passed my Driving Test!!!! Whew, what a relief. It is quite expensive over here. I will not tell you how expensive, but very. The dollar is getting better and not costing us so much.

Today, I had a study off of Elder Maxwell's talk from October 1995 Conference titled, 'Swallowed up in the will of the Father'. It is amazing. Please read it. One scripture stuck out to me. It was Mosiah 5:13. It talkes about the thoughts and desires of our heart, and how that determines who is our master. We can get sucked up in the daily things of life, many of which are important, but does that prevent us from thinking about Christ? I looked today at my daily thoughts, and would encourage all of us to do the same. If you were to record the number of minutes you think about certain subjects, which would come off on top? Who is our master? As a missionary we are called to be his servants, but that doesn't mean that comes without a lot of focus. It comes back to something that I have been studying about recently. Remembering! If only we could always remember in every situation who we are. There are certain things that will help us remember more often and also direct our thoughts more on the Savior throughout the day. It comes down to two simple things. Daily prayer and daily study. There are more effective ways to do both these things as we know. Doing them with real intent and our whole heart will leave an impression upon our souls that is not as easily erased. I want all of you to know that I love you, and I love what the gospel has brought into our life. We owe so much to it. I love the examples that you are to me, and I hope to carry your light with me as I try to reach out to the people of England.

Much love,

Elder Davies

August 27, 2008

I hope that this e-mail finds you well and especially our band of Liljenquists. I am so grateful that we have witnessed this miracle. Let us always remember how merciful the Lord has been. What an awe-inspiring story. Please tell Dan that I love him and am so grateful that he has been helped. Please let us also remember those who are feeling very down at this moment. More down than we would feel if the roles had been reversed, because we are so blessed with the knowledge of the gospel. I wrote down many things that I wanted to tell you during this weekly letter, but I left the paper at home. It was mostly about the people we are teaching, as I have not been very descriptive about what has been happening with people or events in this area.

We have been teaching some members where the Dad is not active. They actually met Elder Morrow's parents in Idaho when they went for a wedding a couple of weeks ago. It has been a good experience to watch how the dad changes when we teach. he listens intently and seems to be willing and thirsty for the gospel. He just has to put off his worldly ways and see that it is cool to be a member of the church. Getting out to their house takes a couple of hours round trip on a bus. Needless to say I hope I pass my test next week and have the privelage of using a car sometime soon. We have been visiting with a lot of Recent Converts. One being a man named P****. P**** has more history than this e-mail has memory to send, but he is very ill and could pass away at anytime they say. He has been able to bring a lot of people into the gospel and still helps us out a lot. C**** is his friend, the one we recently baptized. We gave him a blessing yesterday. I love doing that! C***** is also doing well as she has been growing in the chruch. She does very well with the homework that we give her. We found R****, but she hasn't been keeping appointments. That drives me bonkers. P**** is also introducing another friend into the gospel. he is a great member missionary. We have been working with a member family from our ward named the M*****. They are a great family and he just actually delivered his own baby, because it was coming too quick for the ambulance. What an experience. We taught them about receiving answers to prayers and we talked about three main points. Our approach to the prayer, the action following the prayer, and recognizing the answer. Approach, Action, Answer. I thought that was pretty clever. I hope they liked the lesson. Another less-active we have been working with is M***. He knows that he needs to stick to the gospel and loves the prospects of the type of life that comes from being a 'full mormon'. People are funny. It was his birthday and we made him some brownies and watched Mountain of the Lord with him. He has a thick Irish accent, and it sure is fun. I will have to get some pictures.

We have had the opportunity to pick up some new investigators. One named T****, who is a middle-aged women who has already made some friends with the ward. She really loved the Plan of Salvation and we are seeing her again on Friday. We pray that she can exercise the faith to follow the gospel. Another is named K********. He is from Butan. I love people from the East. They are so humble. He loves meeting with us and loves church. He doesn't have too much background and we have been teaching him about Christ and his role. Also, his friend just got baptized in Manchester and that has been a huge help. The work is going very well over here and we try to bring some people back, and some new people in. I am grateful for the bleessings that come from missionary service. I love you all, and pray that we can stick close to the gospel.

Elder Davies

August 20, 2008

We had the privelage of attending the temple today. We got a ride with two other elders from a family in the ward. The travel took longer than expected, so we are very rushed to get back to work on time. I wanted to send a really good e-mail this week, along with some pictures, but I will have to make sure to get that in next week. A couple things happened that come right to mind.

C***** is not doing well. Last Saturday she dropped the ball on one of the commandments and consequently is not being baptized this Saturday. Actually, we have lost all communication with her, as she is not answering our phone calls. She felt a lot of pressure from the way we live and doesn't think she can live to the lifestyle, but I know that she can. She is just really down right now. I wish she could see five years from now and see the difference that this decision could make in her life.

On a happier note, we found R****, the Recent Convert we have been looking for. She moved back to her old house, and we stopped by. She was surprised to see us. African people are so laid back, she didn't think we were worried about her. Let's just say that it was a relief.

On Sunday, a member from the high council gave a great talk about Family Prayer, Family Scripture Study, and Family Home evening. Back home I hadn't really caught the vision of how important these things were, but now I can see it, and I love it. I feel that I have been so blessed to have those habits in our family since I was little. I know that will have an impact on hundreds of people through future missionaries and posterity. Thank you so much for making those habits. They are eternal.

I love you all. Please pray for the people in Liverpool. We desperately need to share the gospel with them. Sorry this is short!

Elder Jordan L. Davies

August 13, 2008

This week has been really great. I am sorry that I run out of things to say. I wish I could even remember the things about the place I am, let alone the activities that happen. Everything turns into a gloop when I sit down at the computer, and I wonder what I should share.

Anyway, it has been a great week. C***** is progressing towards baptism on the 23rd. She is so ready and so excited. She paid Tithing at church on Sunday, and then yesterday she had a huge happening in her business that will cause her to be able to work even better. I know that Heavenly Father blesses us when we do what is right. It really helps us be able to contribute more in His kingdom. C**** is doing very well and coming into the church gracefully. I have really enjoyed the studies this week, as I have learned how to better be able to answer people's questions and help myself more.

We are going to go through some tunnels that are in the city now, so I have to get going so they don't leave us. Please help us by praying for us and one of the people we have been working with. Her name is R****. She was baptized a couple of months ago, but has gone missing. We really can't find her and have been searching and calling everywhere.

I want you all to know how much God blesses us when we do what He asks and how much He loves us. Being a missionary is a unique opportunity to see what God can see at times and to pull ourselves into deeper discipleship. Next week, I will make sure to keep a better detailed account of my days so I can share in a more organized manner. I love you all!

Elder Davies

August 6, 2008

Hello from rainy Liverpool. Is everyone sure it is August? Maybe we could let England know somehow. I hope that whoever is praying for rain is really enjoying their answered prayers. Teasing aside, it has been quite humid and rainy, and then at other times quite humid and hot. It can change even faster than the weather in Utah. The clouds move so fast.

Today was transfers, another six weeks come and gone!!! By the end of this next transfer, I will roughly have 12 months left on my mission. Scary!! Elder Morrow and I have stayed in Liverpool together. Not many changes around the mission, and especially within our district. Only Elder Fullerton left, with Elder Wheat coming in. Transfers are a time when we are certain to see God's hand. I know that whatever happens, will always be for my good, if I let it. Heavenly Father wants me to learn things, and I will, if I follow Him. I guess these are things that are common to every situation in life, and I am probably just being prepared for the future. Whatever He wants!

I have been taking some more driving lessons this week, which continue to drain my bank account. I am doing well, but the test centre is so packed, I have to wait for six more weeks. Those are lessons that aren't needed. I think I will just stop taking them, and hopefully get some practice in some way.

We also did some service at the P******'s. They continue to be a great help and support to us, so we were happy to do some service at their home. They were getting updated food storage, which has really been pushed in England lately, along with 72-hour packs. I wonder what is going to happen in the next 6 months? Exciting!!!

Sacrament on Sunday was really great, besides the fact that none of our investigators came. I always love Church and especially Fast Sundays. Living outside of Utah helps us hear some great stories, especially conversion stories, from the pulpit. The gospel has to be a huge part of people's lives here for them to survive in the church. That can be why getting people baptized and committed for life can be difficult. I feel for the people of England.

On monday we were able to have a FHE with some members. Elder Morrow prepared a great Gospel Jeopardy game, and I felt like I was back in the days of Seminary. Good times!

On the Investigator front, things have seemed to slow down. Many people have been unavaliable or out of town. C***** is doing well, just trying to make that transition. She has been off cigarettes, or cigi's as they call them here, for a week. She has a fake one that she has to put to her mouth for the habit, but she is doing it. She will be a great support to the church. She has so much fire and determination. We hope to see her baptized in the next two or three weeks. We taught a former investigator named J**** yesterday. She has been taught for a long time, and was wondering what happened to the Elders. She is very old, and has had a hard time keeping the Word of Wisdom and grasping the gospel subjects. We were hoping to give her a couple of lessons to see if it was her time to start living the commandments. We started to explain why God would ask her to give those things up. Nothing was working. We then tried to give her a bigger perspective of it all. Elder Morrow handed her a Plan of Salvation pamphlet. She started reading, and just completely forgot about us. We watched her for quite a while, and she suddenly got very excited. She could only say 'Wow'. She was so excited. She said that it just made everything fit together for her. We hope that she was grasping it. She loved it and was so grateful and couldn't wait to see us again. We are going to go by on Friday, and we will see what kind of reaction we get.

In our ward is a wonderful family with three kids named the R******'s. The husband is from Ecuador and the wife from Spain. Their kids are adorable, and they have a brand new one, which I want to hold sooooo badly. It reminded me of the new little ones I will see one day.
Spiritual thought is from Ether 12:32-33. Why did Christ suffer and die for us? Why did he humble himself to an Earthly state from a Heavenly Throne? Why did he subject himself and suffer himself to the voice, opinions, and 'powers' of mortal kings and rulers? And allow Himself to be slain for all people, an infinite atonement to satisfy the demands of justice? We learn from Ether the answer. Such that he could prepare a place for us, even a house among the Mansions of the Father. For this he did all of that.

I love you all and rejoice in the reality of the gospel. Thank you for your constant love and support.

Elder Davies

July 30, 2008

What a wonderful week it has been. Especially full of great studies. Now don't ask me to remember all of them. You should be glad to know that Cheryl is donig very well. She cancelled many things on us this weekend and we were getting a bit worried. But we were at her house yesterday and she was very excited about the Law of Tithing. This is an elect woman. I know it! I just hope she does too.

One of my studies this week was on the History of the church in England. It is very powerful and the miracles that happened in this country to keep the church alive in America are a true testament to God's great work. It played a great role. Now, England seems to be struggling a little bit. We need to progress them faster.

N*** is leaving this Saturday to live with his brother in Australia for a month. His brother is a member, so N*** should be able to live all of the commandments while he is there. We will see if he can keep the things going when he gets back.

We got to go bowling today, and I was working really hard not to try to hard. Everyone knows how competitive I am, so I decided to mess around a bit. It was still a lot of fun!

We have found some new investigators which has been great. We will have to sift through some, but there are some promising ones.

I am very sorry this is so short, but I will leave you with something that I almost forgot about, and something you wish you wouldn't have missed. We had a ward talent show on Saturday. Of course, the Elders had to do something stupid. So the six of us in the ward got together and performed "Thousand Miles" by Vanessa Carlton. You can only imagine!

Elder Davies

July 23, 2008

Great to hear from many of you this week! Thank you for that. I hope this e-mail finds you to be enjoying life and the gospel. I love the words of the brethren and how much effort and time they put into our well being and keeping us on the gospel path. We may not have all of the answers, but we always know exactly where to find them.

We have had another great week in Liverpool. We had a Baptism on Saturday! C**** was baptized by her friend, P****, whom referred her to the missionaries. She has progressed rather quickly and overcome her fears of water. She has a testimony of the gospel, especially Joseph Smith and prayer. Member referrals are the greatest. While on the Recent Convert front, we have been trying to track down the new member that was baptized last transfer. She has been moving and switching phone numbers a lot, so it is hard to keep up with her. We dont think she is doing it to get away from the church, just trying to get into an area she isn't scared of. We have had a lot of help from a ward member here named S******* P*****. She has been fellowshipping with us a lot, and just provides a great anchor for new members and investigators. She really understands her role as a member of the church. I love it.

One of our investigators, named C*****, who she has been working a lot with is progressing very nicely. I think I have told you about her. She is still just trying to give up smoking. She has only smoked once this week, and is all our of cigarettes. She has to quit smoking by today if she wants to keep her baptismal date, which she does. She is so excited to be baptized, and I am amazed at her faith. She has already started to share the gospel with people around her. We really need her to stop smoking today, so please pray for her. That is C***** A*******.

We had a great experince this week with a new investigator. We had a media referral that was from months ago. We called and set up a time, he said to come by between 12 and 2. We got there about 12:30, but no one answered in his flat. Before we had left for the day, we looked at what PMG said to do with Media Referrals. One of the suggestions was to try by on the neighbors and stuff, because maybe that was why we had been led to that area. So, we did it. We rang all of the flats within the building that he lived. None of them answered . . . until the last one. A man came to the door looking very tired and not exactly excited to see us. We asked him if he knew the person we were looking for and he said he had never heard of him. We looked at the post in the flat, and it said a different name. So we started to talk to this man. Come to find out, he works a lot and we had just woken him up. He only has time to sleep during the afternoons. He is home between the hours of 11-3, which makes our scheduled appointment between the hours of 12-2 quite convenient. Heavenly Father even gave us a little bit of room for tardiness. Well, we asked this man if we could share a message with him for 10 minutes. He said that he had no belief in God or Jesus Christ, but that we could come in. We shared the Plan of Salvation with him, and he started to really consider the likelihood of a God. He gave us a return appointment for Sunday, but before we left he saw the Book of Mormon on the back of the Plan of Salvation pamphlet and asked about the Book. We told him a little bit about it, and he expressed an interest in it. We gave him one, and he was very grateful. We hope to have our appointment on Sunday and follow-up with him how everything went. Yay for Preach My Gospel. Sometimes we have fears of relying upon anything besides ourselves. The realm of the unknown. But with something from God, like PMG, it isn't the unknown. We can rely on it. It is there for that, which is great in a world of the unknown!

I am not quite sure what else to tell you. If there is anything specific, let me know, and I can answer questions in later e-mails.

Liverpool is great. There are 2 Marriot hotels here! I thought that was crazy. Also, the city is going through a lot of exciting times this year, because it is the European Capital of Culture for 2008.

I don't know a whole lot, and continue to feel that way the more I learn, but I do know this. God has Prophets on the world today, and His Authority rest with those men. Their purpose is to guide and direct our lives, often times on behalf of God. If anyone has questions, search the scriptures, both ancient and modern, and apply the principles in your life. You will understand and grow in Testimony and Faith. I know this. I love you all and fully appreciate all of the support and love I receive from you.

Thank you,
Elder Davies

July 16, 2008

I am doing very good this week. Liverpool has some beautiful sights and I saw one last night. We were heading home on a bus from a place pretty far away, so we were able to have some time to look around. The moon was out and it was huge! The sky had some great color to it and it was wonderful to see it all. It wasn't as noticeable in the city, though. Liverpool has some attractions that our family would love. One of them being the Empire Theatre. I can't remember if I told you last week, but the Wiz is going to play there soon. Right now it is . . . Cabaret. Needless to say, President turned down my petition to attend on P-day! They also have a new Barry Manilow musical coming out called "Can't Smile Without You". Sounds good.

While sitting in lessons this week I noticed something very apparent. Mom should teach in the MTC about an atmosphere in a lesson. Our mother is very, very good at just making everyone feel great. And then her testimony of the gospel would be the clincher. A great Mission President and Mission Mom our Dad and Mum would make. They could even switch roles some days while Mom prepared the lesson and Dad cooked! A great vision!

Zone Conference was wonderful. I know I am going to like the Bullocks. Sister Bullock is just wonderful and reminds me a lot of you, Mom. I can just feel her love for the people around her. They brought a lot of love from the Twelve and the First Presidency, who they spent a lot of time with. The Brethren put a lot of effort into missionary work. And they are very positive about the future of Britain. He was a CEO of three financial companies. Born in Boise and raised in Colorado. Sister Bullock was born in American Fork and grew up in Salt Lake City of course! They both love Gardening and helping out in the community. They have 5 kids(4 boys and 1 girl). Three of their boys have been to the Brazil mission. One of the boys is going on his mission soon at will be at BYU this Fall. Look out for him Tay! Their daughter is 16 and came with them. She seems to have a great attitude about it, but we haven't met her yet. The future of this mission looks very positive!

How blessed we are to have a prophet on the Earth today to lead and guide us through basically any question. And to have such a power in the Book of Mormon. I love it. I am so grateful for the example that all of you are to me of a dedicated and loving Latter-Day Saint.

Sorry that this is a bit shorter. I love you all.

Elder Davies

July 9, 2008

According to our investigator K*******, congratulations to us beating the Aliens on July 4th. She honestlly didn't know that it was against Britain, but that could be some persuasion from adults around her not wanting to admit that they lost. Who knows? We celebrated it by being invited over the the P*****'s. They are a mother and a daughter who love missionaries and help us out so much. They are so great and rooted in the gospel. There are a lot of people who help us out a lot and I know that God loves and blesses them. Another one of those families is P**** and K*******. P**** was recently re-baptized (long story) and K******* is his neice whom he lives with along with his sister (K********'s mom). K******** is to be baptized soon, but we are still working on softening the mom's heart. They feed us whenever we are over to teach a lesson and they are a great help to us. P**** has a friend named C***** who has been investigating for the last couple of months. I can't remember if I had told you about her yet. We committed her for baptism for July 19th and overviewed the commandments and everything yesterday and everything is a go. We are excited for this and she really is a great lady who has found her faith in Christ again. She is in her 50's and P****'s friend. She loves the gospel and is dedicated to it!

On Sunday we got to have tea at the Ward Mission Leader's home. His name is Brother B***. His family is great. His wife is blind, and he takes such good care of her. He loves the missionary work and is very excited about getting things going. AND he makes some amazing food. Roast Dinner!! Man, that has got to be the first thing we have when I get back! Speaking of, if you come get me, we need to go to Liverpool. It is the coolest city, especially for a family like ours. you can't spend days in it like NYC, but I like the tourist part of it. The people seem to be really nice too.

This weekend we worked with something the Public affairs department of the church has been doing. It is called family history on the road. Elder and Sister Hull go all around the UK and bring a huge database of names with them. We volunteered to help and saw some missionary opportunites out of it. They had a really good turnout in Liverpool and I heard that there were so much opposition, but they really turned to the Lord and he made it all work out. They really did all they could, but Heavenly Father worked things that we couldn't even touch. It was amazing! I love miracles and the faith that people in the church have.

We have a Zone Conference tomorrow and I get to meet the new President for the first time. I really don't know him at all, but the Assistants tell me that he likes to work closely with his missionaries, which President Jacobsen didn't do as much. I am excited to meet him and see how things go. Our Conference is in Chorley, so we get to go up to the temple again, which is always a joy. We are so blessed to have one in our mission!

We just had an amazing lesson with an investigator named C*****. She was being taught by the Elders in Crosby (the area just above ours), but she was moved to us because thier ward is struggling and our ward is great. I have always served in strong wards, except Birkenhead, which wasn't long. Speaking of Birkenhead, when we are on hills, I can see over the mersey to my old grounds. Back to the story . . . She is so amazing! Our ward has latched onto her and she will need it. She came to church and knew this was something she needed to do. She gained a witness in front of my eyes about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith. We dated her for the 19th, but Satan has thrown some opposition, so we might have to move her to the 2nd of August. With it being so quick, we needed to teach her the commandments as the second lesson. I was a little hesitant to do so, because we usually teach the foundation first, but she was great. She likes to move quick. She wanted baptism as soon as possible and she is going to commit to live the commandments. She sets her mind to something and does it. She owns her own business at 24 years old and is a very impressive person. She wants to put everything she has into this. She has to give up almost everything on the list of WoW, though not anything too bad. Also, she lives with her boyfriend, which she says in no problem, she doesn't see it going anywhere anyway. We just rattled off commandments and she was WRITING THEM DOWN and the scriptures we used. She knows it will be hard, but man does this woman have faith! A gift of the spirit. When she found that the Restoration is true, I asked her what she thought she should do next now that she knows. I was expecting Baptism or something like that, but she went further. She said "Share it". She also noticed how people in the church can take this for granted. She is so genuine! I hope this all works out for her. Pray for C*****!

I am learning some more things about the Atonement. Many people just think it is to wipe away sins. But church members understand it to mean that we have help though trials, sicknesses, temptations, etc. It is the power behind miracles. I am sure that it goes even deeper, but I have seen another side that I am beginning to understand a little more. It has lifting power. I have always believed in God and Christ and the power of the Atonement to cleanse me and help me through trials, but it is for the times when we are trying to improve also. People can lose faith in themselves sometimes, but still profess to have faith in God and Christ. This cannot be, for if you have faith in Them and what They do, you understand that they have not destined you to fail, and They can lift you up to a new level. It is the power to change. For example as a missionary we feel the power of the atonement, as we try to improve ourselves. It is not of our own power. We put our faith in God and we can suddenly do things we were not able to do, I guess this ties into Ether 12:27. And it is the backbone of the plan. God did not just provide his Son for us to be clean, but for the ultimate goal, for us to be perfect! One can be clean without being perfect. The Atonement helps us eliminate the weight holding us down from protection one little piece at a time, and then we still rely upon the Grace of Christ. Something I learned about the Atonement. I know it is in the scriptures somewhere, but I will have to research that better.

We have been doing service at a place called Habitat for Humanity. We work on building houses for poor people. The work is slow and some volunteers aren't very serious, but it is fun to get into the building business again. Elder Morrow is a hard and fast worker, so we get some good stuff done!

I realize that I haven't told you much about the area, just that it is cool and good. I have trouble wrapping my mind around those things which I notice, but don't really tell you. Our area is huge and six of us serve throughout it, which is unusual. We don't have set areas between the six elders of the ward. So we go into the city a lot, and also take 90 minute bus rides to the outskirts. It sounds like a long time, but would probably only take 15 minutes in a car.

That is probably about it for this week. I have felt the divinity of the work, and grow to love the gospel more and more. I love you all and appreciate your help. Please pray for us.

Elder Davies

July 2, 2008

It was great to hear from some of you today. It has been a very interesting week getting used to a new companion, a new area, and just getting familiar with everything.

Elder Morrow and I have been finding some unity in our companionship, and are trying our best. It has taken some time to find some sort of progress, but I am seeing it happen. Missionaries all have different outlooks on the work. This area is really great. There is so much potential. The ward is pretty spread out, and we are the ones who get to travel all over the place. We are really working on getting the ward missionary oriented. I have to write another e-mail later. I love you all!

Elder Davies

June 25, 2008

It is always great to hear how things are doing back home. One big CONGRATS to Dan and the family for the really great job that I am sure was done to get everything set up for the election. What a great opportunity to be a force for good in this world! It sounds like he had a lot of support, which doesn't surprise me, because that is how we do things, right?

We had a really good week. We did give C***** a baptismal date last week for the 12th of July and he was really happy to agree. Throughout the week we noticed that he was definitely ready to have it moved up, so it has been changed to the 5th of July. We are really excited for it! He came with us to eat at President's house last night. It was great to eat there, and the Jacobsens are always very nice. It will be sad to see them go, because they are so great, but we are excited for a new President, who arrives on Tuesday. The ward is having a farewell party for him on Friday and he is speaking in church on Sunday. I would have loved to be there, but unfortunately I have had a change of scenery today. It is going to be really great here, I can tell. And if I want it to be, then it will be, because attitude is seperate from what happens to us. I have a couple of hints for you to where my new home is. I can't seem to say out of the city areas. I keep on moving from one area to another then back and then back again. European City of culture for 2008. Michael Owen plays on the prestigious team in this place. The Beatles started their stint here. Albert Docks. The river Mersey. If no one has guessed yet, then it is hopeless. I am serving in the heart of Liverpool. I have felt pretty good about the ward, the new area, the new investigators. My new companion is Elder Morrow from Idaho. He seems to be a more athletic type guy, and I look forward to a lot of good work with him. This will be a great opportunity for me to grow. This city is crazy. I would say even crazier than Manchester. I am not going to recap my week as much, because I am looking forward to Liverpool, but I had some great friends in Manchester South. C*****, Brother T****, the whole ward. They were great!

The gospel is great, and it can be difficult for people to understand that, when the light of Christ has diminished within so many people, but I have gained a greater appreciation for it. It is the best thing to live by to make us happy. Better than anything. I will certainly come back with a different attitude towards things of the gospel, but I still have a lot to learn and a lot to do while I am here. Please pray for us and keep on pushing on in the gospel. I hope all is going well back home. Sounds like all of the kids are growing up and the adults are staying busy. I love you all. Let me know of anything I can do.

Elder Davies

June 18, 2008

It has been another great week at Manchester South. C***** got work off on Sundays now, so he should be baptized in the next two or three weeks!!! Finally! This guy is going to be a great addition to this ward and to the church. He told us last time that he has decided on his own that it would be a good idea to stop drinking caffeine altogether, although his favorite drink was lucozade, a caffeinated sports drink. he also told us that he wants to be in every Saturday night by midnight to keep the Sabbath Day Holy. He really keeps the Spirit of the law. We have had to leave B***** and S**** alone for a while, because they just keep avoiding us. We don't want to force them to listen, so we just have to leave them. That is the way it has been with many people. We just get to the point where we have to find those who are going to keep commitments and have a real desire . . . a patience-requiring process.

I have been trying to send a package out that contains a cd with my first three transfers full of photos, though the last three haven't been captured as well. Also in it are many letters which will end up just being very, very late. But I love you all!

I am taking my driving test today, and it has been raining all day. That will make me drive slower, and then maybe the test will not be full of so many different obstacles. It has drained any money that I have/had, but it will be nice to get that weight off my chest.

We had a really great District Meeting yesterday focused on choosing to be happy, which is something that I am glad was decided on, because I needed it the most. The district is full of great and happy guys, and I was trying to teach them about it. I prepared too much as I usually do, but we had a great time. We did a role play of six different situations we usually find ourselves in every day and showed how we could do it with a positive and happy attitude or with a negative attitude. We laughed really hard, but I forgot to bring my camera to capture it all.

We also made a cake(in honor of Dad's birthday) and wrote each other some cards. My purpose was just to help them have a fun time, and feel the love from the District. We really do have the choice to be happy or not, which is something that mom has been telling us for years, and some of us never seem to understand. I really like two scriptures about the point: 2 Nephi 2:26-27 and D&C 123:17. There were more, like Helaman 5:12. Many times we let our happiness be affected and decided by outside circumstances that change. We cannot do that, because then our level of happiness will change, like basing my happiness off of how many people will listen to me each day. But if we base our happiness on a sure foundation, something that never moves, then we can be consistently happy. That is Christ (Helaman 5:12) and he will lead us across the gulf of misery(or sadness).

We had another week full of really great stuff, but one of the highlights was a new investigator named M****** who said that he felt so good after our meeting last time. That right there makes the effort so worth it. Recognizing the spirit is the most important thing, because WE CANNOT CONVINCE PEOPLE. I am trying to learn that more and more. Only the Spirit will have that influence. I just simply don't have that capability.

I love all of you, and thank you for your prayers and concerns. I hope to have a positive influence on you, like the one you have had on me.

Thank you,
Elder Davies

June 11, 2008

I hope this goes through. I will not be able to give you a comprehensive feeling for the last few weeks, but I will try my best. First off, I want to say Thank You to all of you and the wonderful example that you provide for me. The mission plays a very important role in my life, and really helps me to set my sights and what I want to become in the future. Second off, I am doing great. Do not worry about me. Physically, I am tired of course, but it is great! Emotionally, I am tired of course, but it is great! Spiritually, I am fed! and want more!! By the way, I guess there are some really great discourses about Joseph Smith given by Truman G. Madsen. I hope to be in a car area soon, considering I should be getting my license a week from now, and they sure would be great!!!

Elder McIntosh and I are getting along great, with the normal bumps and bruises that come with living with someone for 24 hours a day. I hope that I am not too difficult. We all do little things that we don't even mean to do. That work is going along. We are still working with many of the same people, and picking up new doesn't happen often. One of the reasons for that is because we don't have much time to find new people. We really have to get better at time management to increase our ability to find people. We have been meeting with members often, and that is one reason why we don't have much time. We are helping them to do the basics, but I didn't really do the basics before my mission, so I wonder how fruitful it is. We will need to go on to really focus on making them better member missionaries. Missionary work is much more effective through members, but it is hard to enthuse them. We have had some really wonderful experiences with the members in the last couple of weeks. I love watching the spirit enter their life even more, and He will be the only way they will be enthused. C***** is looking to get work off on Sundays, and has something in the works. He says he will put in his notice in a couple of weeks if nothing works out. He has so much potential and I really pray that everything will go the way he wants, because he needs it.

S**** and B***** are friends of Brother T****. They have both been falling off the radar, becuase we were too forward with them. Talking about authority and the only true church. We have been focusing more on Christ whenever we get to see them, but they have kind of pulled away. S**** knows that he needs to do what is right and that would be to follow us, but he realizes that it is up to him. We can't do much more than we have done. He says that if he doesn't have everything figured out by Sunday, that he will do whatever we tell him to do, but we will see about that. B***** is in London now, so we are waiting with her. We picked up this great guy named M******. Him coming into the gospel and staying would be a miracle, but he really understands the Great Apostasy and has somewhat of a desire.

The weather has been very nice lately. But it switches every couple of weeks. A couple of times I have felt sunburnt!!! Yes!!

Happy Fathers Day to Dad and the Grandpas!! We do have the best!
Our new mission president will be here for about 2 weeks and he is great. He has never really held a high calling, but I am sure that he is ready for the fire.
I am trying to get a package off today, but if I do not, please don't hate me.
I love all of you. Obedience is happiness.

Elder Davies

May 28th

I hope all is well considering I only got a message from one of you, and that is the one with 5 kids under 9. I know that you are all busy, I just hope that you are okay. I thank you all for your prayers and support you have been giving me. I have really focused on feeling those, as I know they have been put forth for me. I don't know how your prayer usually goes, but if you could focus the prayer on the ward, the investigators, and my companion/district I would appreciate it. If all of those go well, then my welfare will be taken care of. It is amazing to be involved in Gods great work. There is no limit to the amount of blessings that God is ready to pour. Every time I have done what is right, I have seen the work and the area flourish. He is exercising his mercy now more than ever before. I wish everyone understood the true nature of God as it is taught in the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.

For just that fact, I am eternally grateful for the sacrifice of our Prophet Joseph Smith, and the early saints of the church in this
dispensation. The Book of Mormon is a powerful book that can heal our souls. There truly are men called of God and given His authority present on the Earth today. I love them and support them. This church is a miracle.

S**** is starting to explore the Hindu religion that he has been a part of and never really cared about for 26 years, but he thanks us for setting him of his path. He will continue to listen to us, and just wants to make sure that his religion is not right either. There is so much that is silly in that man's life, but he has his free agency. C***** is on vacation in Tennesee and I hope to see him this weekend.

Getting used to a new companion is having its difficulties, but I was told to focus on the positives. The weather has gone back to the norm for England, and I love you, and dislike limited time on computers.

Elder Davies

May 21st

This week has been pretty crazy. Our investigator pool has completely vanished. This is a difficult area. We have had many investigators be dropped, and some just disappear. We have been working with a man named S****, who is Brother T****'s friend. He has received a lot of opposition from his Dad, who has forbidden him to see us. He loves his father and is very sad. He has continued to avoid us, although he knows that this is true. I also think that the Word of Wisdom was being very
hard for him. Satan is just so evil with what he does to God's children. C***** is going to his sisters wedding in Tennessee this week, so we have no one to teach. We need to do some hard work, and stop whining about it.

Good news . . . the Elders that just moved into Sale are doing great. They received some investigators from us and have been privelaged to get some new ones. They are going to do very well. That will be very nice for the new missionary. We had an amazing zone conference on Saturday with President Kearon and his wife. He is on the Europe West Area Presidency. They talked a lot about exact obedience and just being more converted missionaries. Both he and his wife were great. I need to review my notes more to see what I am going to do.

Missionaries often feel the need to change everything immediately, because sometimes it feels like nothing is changing. It is important for us to look at what has been asked of us and to make specific goals. I am trying to remember more of my feelings from Zone Conference, but I can't remember much. I just remember that it was great!

The weather hasn't been great lately, but it is supposed to get better this weekend. It will happen!

My new companion is great, but he has been feeling ill this week. I had to stay inside the flat for the first time in my mission for a couple of hours last night. It was very weird, but I did get some extra study in! The transfer so far has been a bit difficult, but mom told me last week that what doesn't kill me, makes me stronger. Elder McIntosh has a lot of great ideas to make the work move faster, and hopefully we are going to be able to put it into play.

We have a ward activity this week that we are looking forward to and trying to get many people to. We also have the All-Mission Conference this monday coming up with President Uchtdorf. I know that it is going to be great, and I get to go back to see the Temple. We dont' get to go inside, but I get to see it!

I haven't been able to say much about the glorious birthday package that I received. I love it! The talks and music are especially appreciated. Hopefully I am able to get a package out in the next week or two. There will be a picture cd in there with the pictures of the first couple of transfers. I haven't taken many lately. Also, don't worry about the shoes that I wrote about a couple of weeks ago.

I love all of you, keep doing what you know is right and trying to do a little bit more. We will be surprised what Heavenly Father will make of us!

Elder Davies

May 14th

We had heard about Sister Spjute, but the person I heard it from didn't
know how to pronounce her name, so I didn't even try to make the
connection. That is so incredibly hard. Someone we know. I need to
write
Greg a letter. I thank God for the Plan of Salvation. So many times
we worry about some pretty silly and selfish things.

This week has been pretty crazy. Our investigator pool has completely
vanished. This is a difficult area. We have had many investigators
be
dropped, and some just disappear. We have been working with a man
named Sabin, who is Brother Thapa's friend. He has received a lot of
opposition from his Dad, who has forbidden him to see us. He loves
his
father and is very sad. He has continued to avoid us, although he
knows
that this is true. I also think that the Word of Wisdom was being
very
hard for him. Satan is just so evil with what he does to God's
children. Callem is going to his sisters wedding in Tennessee this
week, so
we have no one to teach. We need to do some hard work, and stop
whining
about it. Good news . . . the Elders that just moved into Sale are
doing great. They received some investigators from us and have been
privelaged to get some new ones. They are going to do very well.
That
will be very nice for the new missionary. We had an amazing zone
conference on Saturday with President Kearon and his wife. He is on
the Europe
West Area Presidency. They talked a lot about exact obedience and
just being more converted missionaries. Both he and his wife were
great.
I need to review my notes more to see what I am going to do.
Missionaries often feel the need to change everything immediately,
because
sometimes it feels like nothing is changing. It is important for us
to
look at what has been asked of us and to make specific goals. I am
trying to remember more of my feelings from Zone Conference, but I
can't
remember much. I just remember that it was great!

The weather hasn't been great lately, but it is supposed to get better
this weekend. It will happen!

My new companion is great, but he has been feeling ill this week. I
had to stay inside the flat for the first time in my mission for a
couple
of hours last night. It was very weird, but I did get some extra
study in! The transfer so far has been a bit difficult, but mom told
me
last week that what doesn't kill me, makes me stronger. Elder
McIntosh
has a lot of great ideas to make the work move faster, and hopefully
we
are going to be able to put it into play.

We have a ward activity this week that we are looking forward to and
trying to get many people to. We also have the All-Mission Conference
this monday coming up with President Uchtdorf. I know that it is
going
to be great, and I get to go back to see the Temple. We dont' get to
go
inside, but I get to see it!

I haven't been able to say much about the glorious birthday package
that I received. I love it! The talks and music are especially
appreciated. Hopefully I am able to get a package out in the next
week or two.
There will be a picture cd in there with the pictures of the first
couple of transfers. I haven't taken many lately. Also, don't worry
about the shoes that I wrote about a couple of weeks ago.

I love all of you, keep doing what you know is right and trying to do a
little bit more. We will be surprised what Heavenly Father will make
of us!

Elder Davies

May 14th

Sorry this is so sudden and short. We had some problems with Transfers and now time is running down on us for us to get back to work by six. Elder Mckenna got transferred to Barrow-on-Furness, which is up north. He is now serving with an Italian Elder named Elder Di Ilio. I am in Altrincham still, and Elder McIntosh has come to serve with me. He is from Lindon, Utah and seems to like many of the same things that I enjoy. Transfers are always weird, and I am not even sure why with this one.

We got two more Elders in our district. Elder Pimmentel and a new missionary. So we still have Elder Phillips and Elder Pettersson in Wythenshawe, Elder McIntosh and I in Altrincham, and Elder Pimmentel and Elder (I forgot his name) in Sale. I really want to help this new Elder to feel at home, because I remember how stinking hard it was the first little while, and my District Leader took great care of me. I guess remembering his name would be a start, but I only talked to him for a
couple of seconds. Anyway, I am excited to get to know all of them a lot better. Elder Mckenna is an amazing missionary and will continue to pull off miracles wherever he is at. I am excited to try my hardest and pull up a positive attitude. It really is the most important thing to have.

There are a lot of great scriptures in the Book of Mormon about remembering, but I would like all of you to look at Mosiah 4:11-12. Thank you.

I got an amazing Birthday package, I am still going through it. I am amazed at how much our Mother does for us. She thinks of every little detail and just makes everything the absolutle best. I love her!

We have an all-mission conference in about two weeks. To say the least, i am very excited. Presidend Uchtdorf is an amazing man, obviously.

The phone call was a lot of fun, and it was really good to talk to everyone. I love all of you and hope to write more next week.

Elder Davies

May 7th

Everything over here is amazing. We go through so many different things and truly the Lord is the only constant. My mind
just feels flooded with information and trying to remember everything. I just want you to know that I am trying my hardest and am so grateful that Heavenly Father has blessed us so much. I would like to say sorry to Megan and Taylor that they have not yet received birthday letters from me. There really is no good excuse for that. Also, I was told today that I don't talk about my experiences enough. I don't really know why it is that I don't. I do have a hard time talking about anything but the missionary experiences. Some of my missionary friends are helping me to experience some of those things.

The area that I am serving in is very wealthy. There are so absolutely huge houses, and they sure do have nice garden areas. It rains so much here, but lately it has been so nice. I have been sweating for the last couple of days. I am not use to this weather. Today, I am wearing a short leave shirt and no jacket. I feel like one of those Brazil missionaries. We have been doing a lot of service outside lately for members and less-actives. I love doing it. I like being outside and getting my body moving. Speaking of getting my body moving, the Assistants are living with us for the next week. I got to go running for the first time in a while this morning. It was joyous!

The District meetings have not been as hard as I thought they would be. I plan for a lot more than I end up needing. Yesterday I went on an exchange with a new missionary as his District Leader. Really weird to be in that sort of position. It was great though. We are all learning how to better share the gospel, but I am really focusing on how to do it in the most effective way, mainly through members. We got a member referral from a man in California. He plays on line games with a lady who lives in our area, and got talking about what happens after death. Anyway, he asked if he could send some people over, and we have started to make some contact. They have 6 kids!! She is very excited to meet us and he is eager to hear about what happens with the referral he gave. We are planning on meeting with them tonight. We have had so many great things happen.

I think I told you about Brother T****, the recent convert from Nepal. He has such a desire to do missionary work, he bore his testimony about it on Sunday. He also brought one of his friends to church, who we have taught twice since. Sabin is the one he brought to church and is from India. He is so loving and humble, and really wants help to do the right thing. We committed him to be baptized once he feels ready, but we also told him that it mostly just takes a desire, which he has. His friend, Brother Thapa is great with him and we just love member referrals! It makes everything so much better. Everything!

Some of this area is just beautiful. The other night we were walking down a path in a wooded area. Elder Empey, I was on exchanges with him, stopped and started twidling his fingers in the air. I guess he was calling bats, because bats started to swoop close to him, and then fly away once they realize he was not a bug flapping his wings. We did that for about 5 minutes while bats would dive back and forth. It was pretty awesome. I just love experiences like that on the mission. We have
been working with less active woman named M*********. She joined that went to the JW's and is hopefully starting to come back. She is accepting the lessons again, and she feels like an investigator. She is a really lovely lady. I really enjoy making these great relationships with people.

My driving lessons have been going very good. I am starting to pick up on the clutch, and it is very nice. I have six weeks till my test, because it takes that long once you book the test.

I love all of you. Everything here is great.

Elder Davies