Thursday, October 29, 2015

Quickie

October26th, 2015
 

Hey all! Sorry, but I don't have too much time to write a long email. Here are some important events from the week...

- A less active we are working with, Mark Aitken, has officially been reactivated as of yesterday.
- Elder Scharman hit his year mark last week. We celebrated with ice cream and beef stew!
- I tried black pudding.
- Michael and Angela are still doing great. Talking with them about new baptismal dates this week. 
- Taught Martin again. He says he wants to be baptised!
- Had a mini mental breakdown. Don't worry, all is well!

Sorry I had to make this short and sweet! I will do better with time management next week! Love and miss you all! Thank you for your prayers! Stay awesome and keep moving forward!

Prayer List
1. Michael and Angela
2. Martin
3. Susan
4. Andrew
5. Peter

--
--Elder Wilson
Black Pudding for breakfast

Black Pudding

Elder Scharman embracing Ffall

Elder Scharman's Year Mark

Fall!!!!!
 

Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Testimony

Well....not gonna lie, but this week kind of sucked. Lots of stress induced by investigators, recent converts, and branch members. Can't really go into a lot of it, but it is slowly working itself out. One thing I can share is that Martin (our deaf investigator) came to church! Kerry, the branch member who knows BSL, interpreted for Sacrament and gospel principles, but she left us to fend for ourselves in priesthood. We didn't do horribly, but we eventually gave up and just started talking to him about random things. Whoops. He admitted that he didn't understand a lot, but he said he felt good and that's what matters most.

So this week we had Zone Interview Training, and one of the commitments was to share our testimony with our family. I figured since I can't write about a lot, I would just share it with all of you!

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is Christ's church restored once again on the Earth. I know that Joseph Smith was called of God as a prophet to restore that church and translate the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon is the most correct book and any man can get closer to God by reading it and living by its principles. I love the Book of Mormon and the lessons it has taught me and the Spirit it brings into my life. I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He performed the great, last sacrifice so that we can be forgiven of our sins and return to live with our Heavenly Father. This is not just a belief that I have, but a knowledge. I have received a spiritual witness from the Holy Ghost that all these things are true, and that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true. Anyone who wishes to know these things can! They need only pray and ask God with a sincere heart and with real intent. God is our Heavenly Father, and He loves us more than we can ever comprehend. He wants us to return to live with Him, and He has shown us the pathway to do so! I love this church and the everlasting happiness it has brought me, and I want to share it with the world! That is why I am serving a mission! I say all these things in the name of our Saviour and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, amen!

Something new I wanted to try was to make a prayer list of people who could use some extra prayers. If you could please pray for them, that would be wonderful!

Prayer List-
1) Michael and Angela
2) Martin
3) Elaine
4) Andrew 
5) Mark

Thank you all so much for the love and support! Sorry for no pictures this week! I will do better! Have a great week! Love and miss you all! Stay awesome and keep moving forward!


--
--Elder Wilson

Saturday, October 17, 2015

Stress to the Max

                                                                                                                                   October 12, 2015
This has been one of the most stressful weeks of my mission!

First off, we finally had THE LESSON with Michael and Angela. Yes, we taught them the Law of Chastity and told them they either need to get married or move out. Angela took the marriage part really well. Michael....not so much. They are both praying a lot to know what to do, and for now, we have removed their baptismal date until they figure it out. Elder Scharman and I were both a little worried that they might drop us after this lesson, but we are seeing them tonight, so no worries! On the bright side, Michael has successfully completed the stop smoking program and has gone one week smoke free! He is so good!

We did have a really lesson with Ali this week! We finally got him to pray at the end of the lesson, and the Spirit was so strong. He had to stop in the middle of his prayer because he felt it and didn't really understand what it was. 

Other than that, we have just been trying to reconnect with our investigators. We should be seeing our deaf investigator this week, so wish us luck there. We did have  ton of potentials this last week, but all appointments fell through.

We also got two referrals from mormon.org. Both turned out to be fake, because they were referred by their friend as a joke. One was a hardcore Protestant, and the other a devil-worshipper. Please do not refer missionaries to your friends over mormon.org as a joke!!! It wastes our time and we do not appreciate the thought!

The most annoying thing that happened this week was that Elder Scharman and I organized a Family Home Evening activity for the branch. Only 4 of the 50 active members showed up, and two of them were the Ladles. The other two were the branch mission leader and his son. Talk about a waste of time. Our branch mission leader publicly shamed the branch on Sunday, which I did kind of appreciate.

Today, the Ladles drove us to go see Blackness Castle. It used to be a prison, and was used in World War II as a bunker of sorts. It was pretty cool! I have attached some pics.

Well, here's to hoping this week is better than last. Prayers for Michael and Angela would be much appreciated! 

Love and miss you all! Stay awesome and keep moving forward!
--
--Elder Wilson
I think it's fall



I own this castle!

Selfie by the river

Selfie with the Scottish flag

Blackness Castle
Elder Scharman being Elder Scharman

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

General Conference - Part 2

                                                                                                                               October 5, 2015
This week was full of wonderful things, but still had a few downs.

The most notable down is sickness. There is a nasty cold going around the mission and it finally hit Falkirk! I have felt pretty miserable all weekend. Scottish colds are nothing like American colds. They are much like the people: harsh, stubborn, and very difficult to get rid of. But, got some medication and am still doing the Lord's work. 

In other news, our investigators are doing wonderfully! Michael has started the stop smoking programme in order to be prepare for baptism. He went all last week and only smoked 2 cigarettes. Usually he smokes a couple packs! Great start! Angela is doing great as well. Both are reading from the Book of Mormon and are praying. They should hit their November 7 date with no problem. We were also able to get back in contact with Andrina and Demi. We will be seeing Demi this week, but Andrina is getting ready to go on holiday so she wasn't able to meet. Sad day. Also haven't been able to meet with Martin. Our friend who knows BSL, Kerry, hurt her arm and was unable to go out with us. We are still in contact with him though so that's good. Prayers for all these people would be very much appreciated!

Got to watch my second General Conference while on my mission! My favorite talk was probably Elder Stanfill's! No matter how dark our doubt may seem, we choose how long and hard it affects! Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith! I can promise you all the Church is true as much as the Book is blue! 

Last P-day we got to go to the Falkirk wheel. Don't ask me it's purpose, but it was pretty cool to see! Not super exciting, but it was something to do. 

Today officially marks the beginning of the new transfer! It's looking like it should be pretty good! Thank you all for your prayers and support! Love and miss you all. Stay awesome and keep moving forward!
--
--Elder Wilson
 
Cool view

Just looked pretty
Falkirk Wheel

I'm as big as the Kelpies

Planning in the park