This week has been HOT. Its also been the driest July England has had in 250 years! It has been really nice to be in the sun all the time. This week is supposed to be hot, but rainy (at least that's what the members tell us).
I was on exchange all day Tuesday, and it was cool because this time instead of staying in my area I went out of our area. I was with Sister Turnbow, one of the sister training leaders. She is absolutely amazing! She only has 2 and a half weeks left before she goes home and has so much knowledge and wisdom! It was also fun because I got to be in a car all day! Having a car definitely makes things like daily contact and back-up plans easier, but it is easier for us to find people to teach on our way to places since we bus, walk, and bike. I love learning from other missionaries! There is SO much knowledge floating around among all the missionaries in the field.
This week was a trial of my faith for sure. We have been trying harder to focus solely on mission work, be in tune with the spirit and help our investigators progress more. I felt like all week we were running into brick walls, and investigators told us they didn't want to set a date for baptism, won't make their baptismal date or stood us up for appointments etc. It was really annoying! They know it is good to meet with us, the know the gospel is good and have basic testimonies of the things we teach them but won't commit! I think its partly because these people have been progressing since I got to the field, and they are getting so close to making the right decision that Satan is working overtime and their fears are holding them back. We still had a good week though. And I learned so much. I feel like I learn as much, if not more, during the hard times as I do they easier ones.
T, one of our investigators will be getting baptized on Aug 4, so we will be teaching him the last 2 lessons this week and he will have his baptismal interview as well. I am really excited for him to take this step! It has been a touching and cherished experience to find and teach him. It is crunch time though! If you talk to any missionary the 2 weeks before someone gets baptized is a very nerve-wracking time, and I feel it! That's for sure! He is so amazing. He knows how important baptism is and how God will bless him when he keeps his commandments. Every time we meet with him I feel my spirits buoyed and my testimony strengthened.
S, the man who committed to baptism a week ago, is progressing. The biggest thing is that he is a chain-smoker and has been for 20 years. This week Sister Miller and I are studying and learning the stop smoking program and we will be teaching it to him on Friday of this week. I hope and pray that he will be able to overcome this addiction, because this is really the only thing that is holding him back. He can do it, I know he can! Especially with the Lord on his side.
This week I have learned more about how to be a truly effective missionary I must give everything I am to the Work and the will of God. It has been a very humbling experience. It is a process, but one I hope I am embarking on well. The Book of Mormon is full of examples of incredible people who did incredible things with the help of God. The Lord looks after us. And he guides us, strengthens us and helps us to become better! That truly is why were are here. I cannot put into words the feelings which I have experienced this week. I feel my conversion to the gospel deepening and feel I am coming to understand my Savior so much more. In summary, I just feel more deeply about everything I think. Even things I didn't think I needed or could feel so deeply about. For instance, I read Alma 14 and wept for the women and children, for Alma and Amulek, who were so faithful yet experienced so much hardship. I never thought I could read through the Book of Mormon and feel so much! I feel that being able to feel in and of itself is a blessing! President Rasmussen always tells us "the opposite of love is not hate, it is apathy". Think about it- it will change how you feel about feelings :)
I am grateful for the gospel and for my Savior Jesus Christ. I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who knows and loves me, and all of his children, so perfectly. The more I learn about his plan, them more humbled and amazed I am.
Oh, and mom. My daily routine is up at 6:30, exercise and get ready til 8, personal and companionship study from 8-11 (because I'm in the twelve week program fro new missionaries we get an extra hour of comp. study), then whatever we have scheduled for the day. Usually we have a couple lessons scheduled, go finding or tracting for a little bit and travel to any DA's we have. Our days vary a ton from day to day and can change a lot when people cancel on us last minute. On P-days we usually email, do our grocery shopping, clean and then go into City Center, do something with the Sister training leaders (who are in our ward) and play sports with the missionaries in our district (since the weather has been nice). P-day also varies though based on what we need to get. It is always surprising how fast P-day goes by! Especially when you calculate travel time into everything.
Here are some pictures:
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| With Sister Turnbow after transfer |
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| Cadbury world! Cadbury (like the chocolate) originated in Bournville which is in my area! There is a chocolate factory to go to but we haven't gone because its 15 pounds, which is really expensive. Here's a pic of the sign though! |
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| A picture of the clock tower. She used used the word "beautiful" to describe England :) |
PS Sister Miller and I made Chicken Korma with Naan bread last night. It was delicious. I think I love Indian food!! Dad you now have an Indian food buddy forever!
PPS you should look up Eton mess and Rasberry Pavalova and make them. They are English summer desserts and are SO delicious!
Love,
Sister Roscher
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