Tuesday, April 26, 2016

Numbers, Numbers, Numbers!

Howdy all! This week has been really good. On average, in the Scotland/Ireland Mission, we teach around 5 or 6 lessons a week, if we are lucky. Well, for Elder Cluster and I, this week was really good. We taught a total of 11 lessons!!! We were able to see pretty much all of our investigators, and slowly, but surely, they are all progressing.

With Campbell, we were able to start the Stop Smoking Program with him. Even though he is only 16, he has a really strong will power, so he should be able to quit no problem.

We were also able to see James and Amy. They are both doing alright. Still trying to help them see the need for Jesus Christ in our life and work out a way to get them to church. James has a problem with his leg, and can't sit for too long. We will figure it out though.

Had a good visit with Martin this week also. He really opened up to us, and we found out the root of a lot of his problems. He wasn't able to make it to church yesterday which was a bummer, but hopefully next week.

This week is looking pretty good as well. Tomorrow we are going to be going on exchanges with the Zone Leaders up in Irvine, so we will be up there all day. We have lots of appointments scheduled for this week, including a couple of new investigator appointments, so things should be going well!

Prayer List
-Campbell
-James and Amy
-Martin
-Vicky
-Dayna
-Kevin
-James M.

Sorry for the shorter email, but the computer I am on is being stupid and slow. I will make up for it next week! Thank you all for the love and support. Love and miss you all! Stay awesome and keep moving forward.

Elder Wilson

 
Technically not swimming :)

The Irish Sea is cold!

Scotland/Ireland Mission!!!!

Is that.... sunshine?

Out in short sleeves!

Pancake party with Nancy, David, Katie, and Vicky!
 

Monday, April 18, 2016

Moves Day or Moves Week?

Well, here I am in Stranraer in the good ol' land of Scotland. Let me tell you, it was a long week last week. Usually, people are able to move to their new areas in one day, hence the term-moves day. However, this time was a little different for me as it took me an entire week to get to my new area. Here was how it went down. 

Monday night- left Dundalk
Tuesday- bussed to Belfast in the morning, ferried to Scotland, bussed to Glasgow, drove to Paisley
Wednesday- spent the day in Pollok while my comp was in Edinburgh at new leadership training. 
Thursday- took the car to get an oil change in the morning, and drove to Stranraer in the afternoon, arriving around 3. 

Yep. Crazy stuff! But, I made it eventually. Stranraer seems pretty good. There are a lot of good things happening. Here's a little bit about the area. Population of about 10,000 people. About 8 members in the branch, but every single one is amazing and take really good care of the missionaries! My new comp is Elder Cluster. He is from Ogden, Utah, is 18 years old, and has been on his mission for about 9 months. Seems like it's going to be a fun transfer with him. 

We are working with so many great people right now! Here is some info about them...

Campbell: 16 years old. Super solid! Preparing to be baptised on May 7. Working on stopping smoking and drinking (that is a big problem among the youth here). Came to church yesterday and loved it!!!

Karen and Natalie: Best friends. 14 years old. Also have a smoking/drinking problem. Really fun and energetic.

James and Amy: Couple. Amy is from Pakistan. Super chill, but have a lot of their own beliefs on things. Have had some struggles in the past, but believe we were sent to them for a reason.

Kevin: About 40. Loves to learn about the gospel, but struggles with coming to church. Is preparing for baptism on May 7, but we will probably be moving his date, so that he can come to church more regularly. 

Vicky: 17. Friend of a recent convert. Is super willing to change. Had a baptismal date, but unfortunately missed it. Working on preparing her for a new one. 

Martin: 30's. From Czech Republic. Loves to hang out with the missionaries. Came to church yesterday and really enjoyed it!! 

Those are the main people that we are working with right now! Please pray for them that they will all continue to progress!

Thank you all for your love and support! Love you all! Stay awesome and keep moving forward!

Elder Wilson

 
Meet Elder Cluster
 
Back in Scotland



Yeah, this is the chapel
 

Monday, April 11, 2016

Keeping the Pattern

Well, moves call has come and gone, and once again it is time for me to pack everything up and move out again. On Tuesday I will be leaving, not only Dundalk, but the wonderful land of Ireland and heading back to Scotland to my new area of Stranraer. I will be serving with Elder Cluster. It is sad to leave this area because so many amazing things are happening. We have 5 people preparing for baptism within the next month and many more new people that we are finding. Elder Corcran and his new companion are going to do great things!
This seems to be the pattern though. Since the beginning of my mission, I have only ever spent two transfers in areas, and then I get booted out. In a way, it is kind of fun being able to see so much of the mission and meet so many new people. At the same time though, I would like to be able to settle down somewhere for a while. But hey, I am just that much closer toward achieving my two goals. First, serve in every zone in the mission (currently at 6/8) and second, to have the most areas (currently at 6). Guess we will wait and see if the trend keeps on going.
Sorry this email is so much shorter, but I need to get back to the flat and finish packing, seeing as I have to be down in Dublin tonight.
Prayer List
-Attila
-Oussain
-Rebecca
-Peter and Moreen
Thank you all for your love and support! Love and miss you all! Stay awesome and keep moving forward!
Elder Wilson
 
Finglas District

Dundalk swag

The Murphy's! Make me feel like a giant!
 

Monday, April 4, 2016

Hitting the Pavement

Well, this week has been..interesting to say the least. We knew we were going to be without a car (you know because of the accident and everything), but we got a car this week saying that our car will be given to another set of Elders in Mullingar. That's right, after 5 months with a car, I finally lose it! In a way, I am sort of happy about it, because now I can stop getting fat. However, that means you are back to hitting the pavement by foot and also by bike! I better be the sexiest missionary after leaving this area!
A lot of this week has been adjusting to new modes of transportation, so we unfortunately weren't able to visit a few of our investigators. We have yet to get back in contact with Romain, so that is a bit disheartening, but we had a great lesson with Oussain. He asked us when he could get baptised, but we have to wait for his visa to get here before we can go ahead with that. He is so solid though. We also got a legit referral from mormon.org this week. Her name is Rebecca, and we called her and she said that she referred herself and that she would love to meet up. We are seeing her on Saturday, so that should be good!!!
We got the amazing opportunity Saturday and Sunday to watch General Conference! It was so good! I had so many of my questions answered and received so much personal revelation. My favorite had to be either Donald Hallstrom or Bonnie L. Oscarson! Both just really made me think and remember why I love this church and this gospel so much! Such an amazing thing to be a part of!
Prayer List
-Romain
-Oussain
-Rebecca
-Attila
Thank you all for your love and support! Means a lot! Stay awesome and keep moving forward! Love and miss you all!
Elder Wilson
Watching Gen Conf!!