It was wonderful to talk to you and feel of your love and your perspective. It strengthened me and gave me greater love and perspective. We do have a wonderful family, and I really enjoyed having family prayer with all of you. I could imagine all 15 of you, or whatever it was, kneeling in our spacious living quarters(houses over here a so much smaller).
We had a great week, and are really looking forward to M***'s baptism this week. I love the work and the things it teaches us. I love how we can become more like Christ. I hope to achieve greater love like He has. Greater selflessness, and a greater ability to submit myself. These things come slowly as we seek to change our behavior.
I had a good birthday this week. We didn't really take time to celebrate of course, but I really loved my package. The Beef Jerky was amazing!! I also received a camera and some wonderful cards. Thank you all so much for your birthday wishes.
I will send some pictures that have been taken with the camera over the last couple of days.
On Friday, we were on our way home from an appointment with a member, and we were able to stop by on one potential Investigator on our way home. She let us in, and her daughter sat and listened too. They aren't really looking for anything in particular, but they were happy to let us in and talk to us a bit. They were a great family, and we focused on that. Family is very important to her. She tries very, very hard to keep her family intact, but I recognized some very big differences that the gospel makes in the effort to keep a family intact. It becomes an Eternal Pursuit. There is just such a big difference.
One of my favorite scriptures of the week is found in Ether 12. It is verse 37. Moroni is told that if he has charity, it doesn't matter that others don't. I liked that scripture because we just need to work out our own salvation. We can invite others, but we can't force them. At the end of the day, if you have done all you can, the ball is in their court.
I hope all is well with you. I look forward to hearing from you next week.
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
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
May 6, 2009
It has been wonderful in Wales. The weather hasn't been too bad, and we have seen some wonderful sights. It is a beautiful area. Sometimes I feel like we are in some remote jungle because of some of the scenery. Hills covered with trees sticking out along the skyline, nice coast land, winding roads, etc. The only thing that would be better would be a car!
We went fishing with some of the members kids last p-day, but we weren't there for long, and I think they had the line in the water for about 10 minutes. They kept switching everything and moving spots. It reminds me of the way we read the scriptures sometimes. We will spend 30-40 minutes dosing off, and trying to find out what to study, and only spend 10 minutes actually doing something.
Things are going well with investigators. M*** continues to improve well, and is set for her baptism on 16 May. She accepts everything that is given her and is so ready for her baptism. At first she was afraid to rush it, but now she can't wait. We have also been teaching the friend of a member who is 12 years old. She is a really cool girl, and she is spiritually in tune, so we are hoping that we can help her receive an answer. Her name is C********. We haven't really been able to progress many other people. That is the difficult part. There is one girl who is living with some members, and we have been asked to teach her. She is 14 years old. She doesn't listen when we teach her, and we are struggling to find ways to help her become interested. Mom, you have taught many, many 14 year olds who don't listen . . . any advice?
The ward has continued to be great. We get a lot of help from them, and I love to be in this ward. There are many very cool members, and they just continue to amaze me. Each one I get to know makes me love the ward even more.
There is a family here who is part-member. They are both young and expecting their first child. It is the S***** family. Both of their roots are from the Philippines, though they were both born in Europe. We are working on helping the husband come into the gospel. He is so nice, and he understands many of the doctrines. I don't know what is holding him back. He just isn't in much hurry.
My mind is hurting for much more information. Sorry about that. I love you all, have a great week!
Elder Davies
We went fishing with some of the members kids last p-day, but we weren't there for long, and I think they had the line in the water for about 10 minutes. They kept switching everything and moving spots. It reminds me of the way we read the scriptures sometimes. We will spend 30-40 minutes dosing off, and trying to find out what to study, and only spend 10 minutes actually doing something.
Things are going well with investigators. M*** continues to improve well, and is set for her baptism on 16 May. She accepts everything that is given her and is so ready for her baptism. At first she was afraid to rush it, but now she can't wait. We have also been teaching the friend of a member who is 12 years old. She is a really cool girl, and she is spiritually in tune, so we are hoping that we can help her receive an answer. Her name is C********. We haven't really been able to progress many other people. That is the difficult part. There is one girl who is living with some members, and we have been asked to teach her. She is 14 years old. She doesn't listen when we teach her, and we are struggling to find ways to help her become interested. Mom, you have taught many, many 14 year olds who don't listen . . . any advice?
The ward has continued to be great. We get a lot of help from them, and I love to be in this ward. There are many very cool members, and they just continue to amaze me. Each one I get to know makes me love the ward even more.
There is a family here who is part-member. They are both young and expecting their first child. It is the S***** family. Both of their roots are from the Philippines, though they were both born in Europe. We are working on helping the husband come into the gospel. He is so nice, and he understands many of the doctrines. I don't know what is holding him back. He just isn't in much hurry.
My mind is hurting for much more information. Sorry about that. I love you all, have a great week!
Elder Davies
April 27, 2009
I hear that you had a most wonderful weekend, almost a perfect weekend. We have perfect moments like that, and I have tried to capture those in my journal lately. There is so much joy that comes out of noticing the little things. There are so many wonderful things in this world that we can envelops ourselves with. So many righteous habits that can keep us away from sin. Mom shared her joy for the family and how it creates a fortress around us. I really loved that. You are all my fortress of love. I love you all more than I can express. You mean the world to me, and to think that there are a couple that I have never met. I am in for a treat.
We had the All-mission conference last week with President Packer. It was wonderful. I had many spiritual witnesses that he truly is an authorized Apostle of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I was amazed at that, and grateful for the opportunity to be spoken to by him. When he left, I felt a fleeting feeling. Like, "I never want this moment to end" feeling. I had the exact same one with President Uchtdorf. I imagine that is what is was like when we left our Father's presence, even more so. I love to have them in my presence. I feel so lucky. I also imagine it will be even greater when we are about to see the Lord after passing on. We will be so excited and feel so privileged. And He will know us. Let us prepare ourselves for such a moment, like we prepare to hear the word of the prophet at General Conference. Our personality and mannerisms should be such that we could stand comfortable in the presence of the Lord. I have a lot to work on!
We have a great investigator named M***. She used to be in a woman's refuge, but was able to find a place outside. We have been helping her to move in, and from the beginning she said she knows the church is true, because of the way we act. We, of course, want her testimony to be more centered upon the Savior, but it is a good start. She reads and prays and comes to church. She has accepted a baptismal date of the 16th of May. As she said the closing prayer during the end of that lesson, she said she felt a confirming feeling that it was right. She is doing very well. In our second lesson, she told us of an amazing experience she had. She has had a rough past, and she told us that she was praying the other day and she had some scriptures pop into her head. She said 2 Nephi 4: 18-end came into her mind, so she went to investigate. And all of you know that the Lord gave her a gem. She said that it fit her feelings and situation perfectly. That is a miracle. The Lord inspires people in miraculous ways.
My favorite scripture for the week is in Helaman chapter 5. This whole chapter is one of my favorites. They are first told to remember their names and those of their ancestors and to pattern their lives after their fathers. They are also told to remember, remember, and . . . remember. The popular one is v. 12, but I also love right after that when they are told to remember to keep the commandments, and they did, AS THEY WENT FORTH TO PREACH. To be successful in the Lord's work, we must be OBEDIENT. Verse 17 and 18 describe their power and success. They brought thousands of less-actives and non-members into the gospel, because they taught with such great power and authority. Both come from God. The Authority is with them at all times, but I believe that Power like that is given as we submit our will to God, become more Chirst-like, and thus receive from Him the ability to perform like Christ. I love this chapter. I love the Book of Mormon. I just keep finding things that I swear weren't in there before.
To answer my question from last week: This may not be the only man who is mighty in writing, you assume that Mormon would be to fulfill his divine commission, but Moroni tells us in Ether chapter 12 that the Nephites were not made mighty in writing because of the awkwardness of their hands, but they are mighty in speaking. They were not made mighty in writing like . . . here is your answer . . . unto the BROTHER OF JARED. This is all found in Ether 12:23-26. We can learn much from these scriptures, but one fun thing we learn is that the Brother of Jared was mighty in writing unto the overpowering of man to read them. This of course had to be, so that the strength of his vision could be carried on the plates until Mosiah was able to translate them. There is your fun fact for the week.
Our flat now looks gorgeous, as we have put in some work over our free time to fix everything. The garage looks good, and the backyard is getting there. I guess I am just being prepared for many great projects in the future ;)
We got some amazing lasagna from a member in the ward yesterday who was in the catering business for over 20 years. This ward is amazing, really amazing. They never cease to amaze me. I have grown to really, really love a couple of members already. One of them is this sister who made us lasagna. She just went through a divorce, has a special needs child, and has only been a member for about 2 years. She also teaches Seminary. She is so elect. We did some service in her garden last Friday. It was quite nice.
Well family, thank you for all of the e-mails, and update, and pictures. I love them. Keep it coming! I love you all, and am grateful for the path that the gospel puts us on. I know that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God, that Jesus Christ is our personal Savior, and that God lives and cares about each of us. I love you and am grateful that our family is rooted in the gospel. It is the ONLY way. Until next week,
T'rah
Elder Davies
We had the All-mission conference last week with President Packer. It was wonderful. I had many spiritual witnesses that he truly is an authorized Apostle of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I was amazed at that, and grateful for the opportunity to be spoken to by him. When he left, I felt a fleeting feeling. Like, "I never want this moment to end" feeling. I had the exact same one with President Uchtdorf. I imagine that is what is was like when we left our Father's presence, even more so. I love to have them in my presence. I feel so lucky. I also imagine it will be even greater when we are about to see the Lord after passing on. We will be so excited and feel so privileged. And He will know us. Let us prepare ourselves for such a moment, like we prepare to hear the word of the prophet at General Conference. Our personality and mannerisms should be such that we could stand comfortable in the presence of the Lord. I have a lot to work on!
We have a great investigator named M***. She used to be in a woman's refuge, but was able to find a place outside. We have been helping her to move in, and from the beginning she said she knows the church is true, because of the way we act. We, of course, want her testimony to be more centered upon the Savior, but it is a good start. She reads and prays and comes to church. She has accepted a baptismal date of the 16th of May. As she said the closing prayer during the end of that lesson, she said she felt a confirming feeling that it was right. She is doing very well. In our second lesson, she told us of an amazing experience she had. She has had a rough past, and she told us that she was praying the other day and she had some scriptures pop into her head. She said 2 Nephi 4: 18-end came into her mind, so she went to investigate. And all of you know that the Lord gave her a gem. She said that it fit her feelings and situation perfectly. That is a miracle. The Lord inspires people in miraculous ways.
My favorite scripture for the week is in Helaman chapter 5. This whole chapter is one of my favorites. They are first told to remember their names and those of their ancestors and to pattern their lives after their fathers. They are also told to remember, remember, and . . . remember. The popular one is v. 12, but I also love right after that when they are told to remember to keep the commandments, and they did, AS THEY WENT FORTH TO PREACH. To be successful in the Lord's work, we must be OBEDIENT. Verse 17 and 18 describe their power and success. They brought thousands of less-actives and non-members into the gospel, because they taught with such great power and authority. Both come from God. The Authority is with them at all times, but I believe that Power like that is given as we submit our will to God, become more Chirst-like, and thus receive from Him the ability to perform like Christ. I love this chapter. I love the Book of Mormon. I just keep finding things that I swear weren't in there before.
To answer my question from last week: This may not be the only man who is mighty in writing, you assume that Mormon would be to fulfill his divine commission, but Moroni tells us in Ether chapter 12 that the Nephites were not made mighty in writing because of the awkwardness of their hands, but they are mighty in speaking. They were not made mighty in writing like . . . here is your answer . . . unto the BROTHER OF JARED. This is all found in Ether 12:23-26. We can learn much from these scriptures, but one fun thing we learn is that the Brother of Jared was mighty in writing unto the overpowering of man to read them. This of course had to be, so that the strength of his vision could be carried on the plates until Mosiah was able to translate them. There is your fun fact for the week.
Our flat now looks gorgeous, as we have put in some work over our free time to fix everything. The garage looks good, and the backyard is getting there. I guess I am just being prepared for many great projects in the future ;)
We got some amazing lasagna from a member in the ward yesterday who was in the catering business for over 20 years. This ward is amazing, really amazing. They never cease to amaze me. I have grown to really, really love a couple of members already. One of them is this sister who made us lasagna. She just went through a divorce, has a special needs child, and has only been a member for about 2 years. She also teaches Seminary. She is so elect. We did some service in her garden last Friday. It was quite nice.
Well family, thank you for all of the e-mails, and update, and pictures. I love them. Keep it coming! I love you all, and am grateful for the path that the gospel puts us on. I know that Joseph Smith is a Prophet of God, that Jesus Christ is our personal Savior, and that God lives and cares about each of us. I love you and am grateful that our family is rooted in the gospel. It is the ONLY way. Until next week,
T'rah
Elder Davies
April 20, 2009
Wales has been smiling upon us the last couple of days. The weather has been perfect. We even get really hot, especially while riding our bikes, or fixing up our back garden. I enjoy riding a bicycle, especially down a hill. There are a lot of hills in this area, which makes it hard going up, but my legs are learning to get used to it. I really wouldn't mind staying here for a very long time. The ward is amazing too. I love how the gospel changes people, and continues to refine people throughout their lives.
The countryside here is absolutely amazing!! When we are riding along those winding, narrow, Welsh roads, I feel in heaven. It would only be better if we were in a car! Riding along those roads is something I thought I would only dream about. I will have to get some pictures before I leave.
I know that I haven't been able to write much the last couple of weeks, and so I have forgotten many of the stories. I usually am not very good at telling those. We will just have much to talk about in a couple of months. I have always been much better at describing things, people, and events through speaking rather than writing. In fact, that is how many of the Book of Mormon prophets are too. Nephi especially expresses that many times. One of them, however, is a really good writer. That is the quiz question for the week. Who is it? This will show who really reads my e-mails in the week.
We had an excellent Zone Conference last week. We are really focusing on Member missionary work now. I knew this would be coming. President is such a smart man. He was laying down the foundation of forever finding, and then giving us the real tools of what would help the work go faster.
I had a really great experience in church yesterday. This is my miracle for the week. A man had told us that we were great young man, but it made him sad that we were going down the wrong path. He said that he knows some about our church, and we really should look into it and fix our ways. I told him I know way more about the church than he does, but that I would pray and ask God AGAIN to strengthen my testimony. So that night, I prayed and asked God if Joseph Smith was his prophet. Specifically that. I didn't receive an answer right then and there. Yesterday at sacrament meeting, there was a speaker talking about how the Book of Mormon testifies of Christ. She finished her talk by sharing Joseph's testimony of the Savior as recorded in D&C 76. The spirit hit me in such a way that it only has a couple of other times in my life. I wasn't even looking for my answer anymore, but Heavenly Father had heard my prayer and really gave me an answer. When she quoted the scripture by saying, "and this is the testimony last of all, which we give of him, that He lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God . . .", I knew at that moment that Joseph Smith did in FACT see God the Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. I cannot deny the feeling and the impression which spoke to me in near audible words. I love to know that and to bear witness.
We have an All-Mission Conference tomorrow with Presdient Packer!! Cool, huh? We are so lucky. Then again, he is the father to our Mission President and his wife. I am very excited! I will have to tell you more about it next week.
Last of all, General Conference. It has been a couple of weeks, and so I don't remember it as well as when I had just heard it. I am excited for the Engisn to come out, but I remember a couple of talks in particular. I loved President Uchtdorf's talk in Priesthood about having the mind to work. We don't have to be brilliant, we just have to work. It reminds me of a quote, which is especially good for missionaries.
Neal A. Maxwell said,
God does not begin by asking us about our ability,
but only our availability,
and if we improve our dependability,
HE will increase our capability.
(Emphasis Added)
Another favorite was in the same session by President Eyring, about feeling a personal responsibility for each person we visit and have charge concerning.
Elder Holland's was of course a favorite, as I am sure most people would agree.
I think the one that hit me the most was by Elder Pearson. There were a lot of good talks, but this one was especially suited towards me, I feel. He talked about faith, in an almost logical way. He described it as an experiment, and photosynthesis. This is the way I often try to describe Faith to people we are teaching. Alma 32 is a perfect example. I will have to review my notes more for futher insights, but I do remember one more thing about Conference. I went with two questions to be answered, and they were both answered, on TWO SEPERATE OCCASIONS. Boy, I am sure happy for the communion of the Holy Spirit.
I love all of you, and pray for you daily. Please let me know how you all are, and any special spiritual experiences you have. I also have a small request. I was wondering if anyone had any testimony building experiences on the subject of Tithing? If so, please send me a detailed description of it. Loves from Wales,
Elder Jordan Davies
The countryside here is absolutely amazing!! When we are riding along those winding, narrow, Welsh roads, I feel in heaven. It would only be better if we were in a car! Riding along those roads is something I thought I would only dream about. I will have to get some pictures before I leave.
I know that I haven't been able to write much the last couple of weeks, and so I have forgotten many of the stories. I usually am not very good at telling those. We will just have much to talk about in a couple of months. I have always been much better at describing things, people, and events through speaking rather than writing. In fact, that is how many of the Book of Mormon prophets are too. Nephi especially expresses that many times. One of them, however, is a really good writer. That is the quiz question for the week. Who is it? This will show who really reads my e-mails in the week.
We had an excellent Zone Conference last week. We are really focusing on Member missionary work now. I knew this would be coming. President is such a smart man. He was laying down the foundation of forever finding, and then giving us the real tools of what would help the work go faster.
I had a really great experience in church yesterday. This is my miracle for the week. A man had told us that we were great young man, but it made him sad that we were going down the wrong path. He said that he knows some about our church, and we really should look into it and fix our ways. I told him I know way more about the church than he does, but that I would pray and ask God AGAIN to strengthen my testimony. So that night, I prayed and asked God if Joseph Smith was his prophet. Specifically that. I didn't receive an answer right then and there. Yesterday at sacrament meeting, there was a speaker talking about how the Book of Mormon testifies of Christ. She finished her talk by sharing Joseph's testimony of the Savior as recorded in D&C 76. The spirit hit me in such a way that it only has a couple of other times in my life. I wasn't even looking for my answer anymore, but Heavenly Father had heard my prayer and really gave me an answer. When she quoted the scripture by saying, "and this is the testimony last of all, which we give of him, that He lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God . . .", I knew at that moment that Joseph Smith did in FACT see God the Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. I cannot deny the feeling and the impression which spoke to me in near audible words. I love to know that and to bear witness.
We have an All-Mission Conference tomorrow with Presdient Packer!! Cool, huh? We are so lucky. Then again, he is the father to our Mission President and his wife. I am very excited! I will have to tell you more about it next week.
Last of all, General Conference. It has been a couple of weeks, and so I don't remember it as well as when I had just heard it. I am excited for the Engisn to come out, but I remember a couple of talks in particular. I loved President Uchtdorf's talk in Priesthood about having the mind to work. We don't have to be brilliant, we just have to work. It reminds me of a quote, which is especially good for missionaries.
Neal A. Maxwell said,
God does not begin by asking us about our ability,
but only our availability,
and if we improve our dependability,
HE will increase our capability.
(Emphasis Added)
Another favorite was in the same session by President Eyring, about feeling a personal responsibility for each person we visit and have charge concerning.
Elder Holland's was of course a favorite, as I am sure most people would agree.
I think the one that hit me the most was by Elder Pearson. There were a lot of good talks, but this one was especially suited towards me, I feel. He talked about faith, in an almost logical way. He described it as an experiment, and photosynthesis. This is the way I often try to describe Faith to people we are teaching. Alma 32 is a perfect example. I will have to review my notes more for futher insights, but I do remember one more thing about Conference. I went with two questions to be answered, and they were both answered, on TWO SEPERATE OCCASIONS. Boy, I am sure happy for the communion of the Holy Spirit.
I love all of you, and pray for you daily. Please let me know how you all are, and any special spiritual experiences you have. I also have a small request. I was wondering if anyone had any testimony building experiences on the subject of Tithing? If so, please send me a detailed description of it. Loves from Wales,
Elder Jordan Davies
April 9, 2009
Sorry to keep you waiting for a couple of days, but I will also be writing on Monday, so this one will have to be short. For all of you wondering minds, I have been moved to . . . Wales. It is the Chester Ward, which is in England, but we cover the part of the ward called Deeside, which is in Wales. So I would say that my mission experience is completing itself in a wonderful way. Wales seems really cool, and we have a lot of Welch ancestry, so that is really cool.
The first day has been crazy. Elder Parker and I have whitewashed this area, which means that neither one of us was serving here last transfer. The flat is big, and nice, but was in a state when we got there. I will tell you more about our adventures on Monday.
Elder Parker is really cool. He is from Las Vegas, and has been out on his mission for about 4 months. We are going to have a good time. We spent most of our time yesterday traveling, so that caused the wait for e-mails.
I left Burnley with sad feelings. I love my areas, but it is nice to move on. Things there are picking up, and things here could start picking up too. We just have to put our trust in the Lord.
I will tell you all about conference on Monday. I loved it too. Love you all,
Elder Davies
The first day has been crazy. Elder Parker and I have whitewashed this area, which means that neither one of us was serving here last transfer. The flat is big, and nice, but was in a state when we got there. I will tell you more about our adventures on Monday.
Elder Parker is really cool. He is from Las Vegas, and has been out on his mission for about 4 months. We are going to have a good time. We spent most of our time yesterday traveling, so that caused the wait for e-mails.
I left Burnley with sad feelings. I love my areas, but it is nice to move on. Things there are picking up, and things here could start picking up too. We just have to put our trust in the Lord.
I will tell you all about conference on Monday. I loved it too. Love you all,
Elder Davies
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