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
Current Mission Address
Mission Office Address
England Manchester Mission
Springwood, Ste G5
Booths Park, Knutsford, WA168QZ
ENGLAND
Connah's Quay
WALES
England Manchester Mission
Springwood, Ste G5
Booths Park, Knutsford, WA168QZ
ENGLAND
Current Physical Address
2 Golftyn DriveConnah's Quay
WALES
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Monday, October 6, 2008
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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