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
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, November 19, 2008
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
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
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
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
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
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