March 23, 2009

Greeting from across the pond. We have been experiencing great weather this week . . . until this morning. The rain and wind has ruined our Zone Activity, so we will be trying for next week. But it did give me more time to read and reply to your e-mails. Thank you for them all.

I am grateful for the perspective that the gospel gives us in our lives. Many difficult things happen, and also many wonderful things happen. We are better able to cope with those things when we have the gospel in our life. We all have to learn how to trust in the Lord, and to not worry about much else.

We had a zone conference this week, and it was great!! They always are. We had a visiting authority from the 3rd Quorum of the Seventy. His name is Elder Malm from Sweeden. He was such an accomplished man. I never cease to be amazed at what the gospel does in our life when we live it. There is so much cause for hope for the future. The work here is slow and difficult at times, and then other times the floodgates can open. Down in the Burnley south area, things were just flying everywhere. We are now back up in the North area back into a two-some. I really do miss serving in a three-some with Elder Nelson. The transfer is already half over, because this is only a 5 week transfer. We will finish it off well with conference weekend. Up in the North Area, things are going a bit slower, but we did get 2 new investigators last week, which brings our total number of investigators to about . . . 2 :)

J** is one of those investigators. He came to church and asked to be taught. He had some contact with members earlier in the week, and expressed a desire to come back to church. He had investigated about 10 years ago. He has many different ideas and beliefs, but he recognized the good that came from attending church, so he wants to come back and try to learn the truth. Our lessons with him have been interesting. We haven't been able to teach much yet. The second time, some of his kids were there. The were great. I love teaching kids.

I was sad to leave R***** and C****** in the South area, but they are doing well, and came to church yesterday. J**'s kids are named M****** and J*****. They are 10 and 11. They also came to church yesterday and they loved it. Hopefully, we can start to teach them more regularly.

To cap off the week, we had a baptism on Friday. S**** was baptized and it was a sweet experience. Her brother J**** should follow closely behind. In the craziness of missionary work, sometimes the purpose of our work can be misty. I had a strong reminder on Friday that this is the salvation of souls. S**** started to cry during the hymn before her baptism, and her brother J**** started to cry as we walked to the baptismal font. Their father has been less-active for a long time, and they have been coming with their grandparents. Their father came to the baptism and the confirmation on Sunday. At one time he vowed to never step a foot in the chapel again. I can truly see that whole family coming back. What a blessing!!

I love all of you and I love this work. I don't have the opportunity to serve for much longer. I hope that I have been doing what the Lord wants me to do. I love Him and His grace and love and forgiveness. I love the words of the prophets and am very excited for Conference. May God watch over you all until I hear from you again.

Love you all,

Elder Davies