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!!!!!

 

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

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

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

 

 

Revelation is Great!

And just like that, another moves call has come and gone. And the verdict is.....Elder Scharman and I will both be staying in Falkirk. Not too surprised about it since we both just got here. I am super excited to be staying as well for reasons you will find out as you read on!

Our investigators our doing great....at least the one's that we were able to meet with. 

Michael, Angela, and their son Mark were all able to make it to church yesterday and we had a great lesson with them on Saturday about the Plan of Salvation. Then the greatest thing happened....both have committed to be baptised on the 7th of November!!! It's great that I get to stay, because I will be here for that! YAY!!!!

We also found two new investigators this week. First is Demi. She is 17 and her mom is actually a less active member. Met with them and she has shown a desire to be baptised and come to to church. SWEET!! Second is Grant. He is the husband of a member. He has met with missionaries before, but just lost his fire along the way. He has agreed to be taught again, so please pray for him.

This week, I got to go back to Glagow! Elder Scharman had a doctor's appointment there, so naturally I had to go with him. It was so great to be back in the big city. It was Elder Scharman's first time, so I got to show him around a little bit. Not gonna lie, got a little bit area homesick. I kind of miss Motherwell. 

That's really all the exciting news of the week. This next week is general conference and I couldn't be more excited!! 2 (maybe 3) new apostles and a chance to hear the prophet. What more could you ask for??

Looking forward to another great transfer here in Falkirk! Lots of good things are in store waiting to happen! Thank you for all your prayers! Love and miss you all! Stay awesome and keep moving forward!

--

--Elder Wilson

Cleaning the baptismal font

Fall is in the air!

Stirling District

Wait...this isn't my zone...

 

What's Next?

Well, the library I am in is freezing and my hands feel like ice. Needless to say typing is not pleasant right now, but I am doing for all of you! You are welcome!

This week was pretty dang good if you ask me! First off, we got two new investigators! 

First is Andrina. She has been meeting with missionaries on and off since 2006. Her husband (who passed away 8 years ago) was a member, and that is how she got introduced to the missionaries. She is very accepting of the gospel, but there are two things holding her back. First, is she has an extreme fear of water. Second, is she refuses to give up smoking. Both things that can be fixed with a little help from the Lord.

Second is our new deaf friend, Martin. We taught him this week with a member from the branch, Kerry Watts, who knows British Sign Language. She let us do most of the teaching, with our very limited knowledge, but she was willing to help when needed....which was often. He is very open and is willing to be baptised. We just need to teach him, and figure out how things will work when he attends church. I am so excited to learn BSL!! I thought I was going English speaking, but not to be!! 

We saw Michael, Angela, and Ali this week as well. They are doing great and are progressing well. Michael and his son Mark were able to attend stake conference with us yesterday in Edinburgh. They seemed to really enjoy it. I know I did.

With all these good things happening, the only question I can ask myself is what's next? The Lord has been blessing so much, and I know He will continue to as we diligently work and see for His guidance. 

Almost forgot, this week is the end of the transfer which mean...MOVES CALL!!!! Normally, since we are whitewashing the area, it would be safe to say that Elder Scharman and I are staying. However, President Donaldson is crazy when it comes to moves. Nobody is ever safe. Wish me luck!!

Thank you all for your love and support! Keep being awesome, and keep moving forward! Love and miss you all!

--

--Elder Wilson

1) The view in Bo'ness

I'm Going Foreign Speaking

Howdy everyone!

This week was pretty good. Not as much happened as last week, but stuff did happen.

We got to see Michael and Angela again this week. Had a wonderful lesson with them. Both are reading from the Book of Mormon and Michael said his first prayer as well! I love hearing people pray for the first time and seeing them start to build that connection with their Heavenly Father! Sadly, Michael was working yesterday and Angela worked night shift on Saturday so she was sleeping, and neither were able to make it to church. We have stake conference this Sunday, and both said they will be able to make, so that will be grand!

We also got to visit with Ali. He is....getting there. He didn't read from the Book of Mormon at all, and he refused to pray at the end of the lesson, but he has a very sincere desire to feel the Spirit and to learn. As long as that is there, we will be able to help him to progress. 

No new investigators, but we should hopefully be getting at least 3 this week! 

We are meeting with a man named Alexander tonight who we found while we were chapping this last week. We are also meeting with a couple of former investigators. 

First is Andrina. Her husband was a member, but he passed away recently. She has been meeting with missionaries off and on since 2006. The main thing holding her back from baptism is an extreme fear of water. We are bringing our recent convert, Elaine, to the lesson, because she too had a fear of water. Hoping that will help.

The second former is named Martin. He met with missionaries last year. There is one reason why the Elders had to to drop him....he is Deaf. We have a member in the branch named Kerry Watts who knows British Sign Language, and she has agreed to teach us and to help interpret in the lessons. I get to learn BSL!!! For those of you who don't know, I love American sign language, and that was my second choice of my mission behind Scotland/Ireland. I am so excited!! BSL is very different to ASL, so I will need that gift of tongues. 

Those are kind of the main events for the week. Last Monday (after emailing), Elder Scharman and I went to Callendar House. It's basically a giant mansion that was built in like the 11th century or something. Reminded of something right out of Pride and Prejudice. 

Please pray for all the people we are meeting with this week! They are much appreciated. 

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

--Elder Wilson

Callendar House

Elder Scharman and Elder Wilson

Found some cool hats!

We found some creepy wax figures!

More creepy wax figures....