Week 43: I don't have money in my pockets!

Hello dear family and friends!

Well once again, it's sort of the beginning of the month. You know what that means? Meetings! Yay. So many meetings. I almost died from meetings. No worries, I made it through it all. 

This week I got to go on exchange with Sister Schwendiman in Peterborough. It was pretty awesome, I don't think we talked to one person who spoke very well at all. Except for the members who fed us a 4 course meal for dinner. That's right 4 course. Too bad I couldn't eat two of them, due to gluten and late notice. 

When we were in Peterborough we were talking to some people on the street and we tried to stop these two guys. They were speaking in a different language, and once we spoke to them, it scared them and so they jumped back, they both put their hands up and one of them shouted "No! I have no money in my pockets, only drugs!" and then they ran away. You never know who you're gonna meet, I guess. Earlier that day a little kid also stabbed one of our bike seats, but that's another story. I guess you could say Peterborough is a little more sketch than Coventry.

I hope everyone has caught up on General Conference, because it was awesome! So awesome, in fact, that we wanted to show a specific talk with our investigator Grace. Grace has been going up and down with her journey through the gospel, from drunk texts sent our way to saying she would never believe in God, and then coming to church every week. Pretty much it's always unexpected. We decided to show her President Utchdorf's talk about grace with her (hah, get it?) because we thought it was super good and answered all her questions. Also because it was her name. 

We took her to the Thompson's home and taught her with a member named Dili. We were actually fasting that day for things to go well in the mission, because bad things have been happening all over the place. We started off by talking about it, and Dili bore a powerful testimony of how it has made such a difference in her life. It was a really great way to invite the spirit. We all got out a piece of paper and wrote down a question we all wanted answered, and we promised her that she would get an answer to it while she listened. She told us "But that's impossible to know!" We turned on the section of General Conference, and it was amazing.  I looked over at her while she was watching it, and she had tears in her eyes. After we turned it off, we sat in silence for a bit, and then I asked her what she thought. She told us "I definitely got an answer to my question, but I will need some time to accept it." We all got some answers to questions and prayers that day.

Fast forward to church yesterday. Grace talked to both me and Sister Urbani about baptism, and she told us "I want to be baptised soon. I know I need to be baptised." So everyone, miracles are real. She should be baptised this weekend if everything goes well. It's amazing. 

Anyway, time to go. OH. Also, next week PDay is moved to tuesday, because transfers are on Monday. So no emails til then :) 

Stay classy,

Sister Slack

 Outside the church

Crazy hair

We went to the park last pday

Pomegranate heads! 

 #becausehelives

 Peterborough cathedral

Sister Schwendiman!

More park

Park park park

Parkour

Week 13: "She's got a cold... and you're ginger..."

Hey people in the world!!

Yes, I know it is Tuesday. But since dear Sister Heikki was sick, we had to move p-day to today (as we were not allowed to leave the flat). So, SURPRISE! Yeah. This last week has been full of good stuff.

It all started last Monday,we travelled on a bus to the wonderful world of Nottingham city centre! We did some shopping and all sorts, and then, we took another bus going north, when we finally came upon the Sherwood Forest!! Yes it is true. We only went there because that's where Sis. Heikki's doctor appointment was, but it was pretty legit. Who would have thought there is a hospital right in the middle of the forest?

This week we also had loads of meetings. On Tuesday we had Zone conference, where Nottingham, Coventry, and Leicester zones all got together to be inspired by our wonderful mission president. It was incredible! I got to see some of my friends from the MTC, and also learn a lot. Then that same night, there was a European women's broadcast from Germany! So we also got to see that. Which I highly recommend to anyone, you can find it online, it's called the European Sisters meeting or something like that.. Who knows. But we got to eat Mexican food while watching Elder Bednar and Ballard speak! So I don't really know how it could have been any better.

Then on Saturday and Sunday, we had Stake conference! Elder Massimo De Feo (of the seventy) came and spoke to everyone. Those guys just know how to speak by the spirit! One thing that he talked about was the story of Zaccheus (spelling is a struggle). He talked about how Zaccheus wasn't invited, but how he still wanted to see and be with the Savior. The Saviour then took the time to stop, and pay attention to this one man of great faith. There is so much we can learn here, but a main point is best said in the words of Elder De Feo : "The one is more important than any meeting."

 We also got to visit a less active this week, who goes by the name of Ian. He's a very... eccentric dude, and an actor/singer. And is obsessed with ginger cats. So as we were about to leave, we asked who he would want to say the prayer. We were with a member (who always seems to sound sick..) and he responded "Well.. she has a cold, and you're ginger, so you're going to say it." And yes, he did stand up pointing at each of us, and then Sister Heikki said the prayer. Swag.

Lately I've gotten the chance to re-read some general conference talks. They are pretty dang good!! So I want to share a quote with you guys that I think is pretty awesome. It's from Elder Richard G Scott, given this last April. He is talking about helping those who haven't received the gospel yet, or those who have fallen away:

"The children of Father in Heaven can do amazing things when they feel trusted. Every child of God in mortality chose the Saviour's plan. Trust that given the opportunity, they will do so again."

Trust each other, and also, love everyone. All people are children of God and know how to choose the right, so trust them that they will (but still be smart).

Yeah. That's what's happenin in the village of Eastwood. Stay classy.

Love,

Sister Slack

 in the Sherwood forest

Sherwooooood

Zone conference, seeing Elder Rutter (who I went to BYU with)

A little girl in the ward gave us some stuffed animals

Whenever I shave my legs or something.. I'll now think about dedicating a bench to it.

Companionship bonding at the doctor