Letter & Challenge from President Bullock

Dear Parents,

At the end of last year, we studied the attributes of Christ together as a mission and realized wonderful blessings individually and collectively. It changed the lives of many missionaries and their families who participated. I was inspired by the letters of our missionaries who felt the spirit and put forth the effort to truly make these attributes part of who they are. We were also overwhelmed by the number of families of our missionaries who made this a personal and family focus leading up to Christmas.

We are going to do the same this year. Over 60% of our missionaries have come to the mission since last November so this will be new to them and their families. For those who were part of this last year, it will not only be a wonderful opportunity to renew what they have already done but perhaps even take this process to a higher level. Attached is a flyer “Becoming Like Him” that we have given to each of our missionaries.

We would like to invite you to participate as a family. We have asked your son/daughter to included in their weekly email or letter home, the things they learned, progress they made and spiritual impressions they had about the attribute for that week. For those of you who choose to participate, we would recommend that you do that same back to your son/daughter. As with last year, we are confident that this will be a positive and life-changing experience for those who take part.

The mission is doing well and we are being abundantly blessed. We are grateful to you the families and for your strength and support to your missionary, it means everything to them. We love our missionaries and feel it a blessing and honor to be serving with them. Their obedience, faithfulness and diligence is an example and inspiration to all of us.

"SEE BELOW"

Warm regards,

President Bullock
England Manchester Mission





England Manchester Mission

Becoming Like Him
Striving to become more like Christ as we draw near to Christmas

Focus
“The Lord has also called you to His work, and He invites you to follow Him. The invitation to follow Christ is an invitation to follow His example and to become like Him. Some chapters in Preach My Gospel focus on what you need to do as a missionary – how to study, how to manage time wisely. Just as vital as what you do, however, is who you are.” (Preach My Gospel, pg. 115)

Objective
During the nine weeks leading up to Christmas and year-end, we will work together as a mission to become more like Christ. Each week we will work on one of the Christlike Attributes as outlined in Chapter 6 of Preach My Gospel. We also invite you to engage your family in this study and ask them to do the same. At Christmas we will celebrate the process of becoming more like Christ.

Method
The following list of activities may be of help as you focus on becoming more like Christ:
Read about the attribute in Preach My Gospel Study the scripture references in Preach My Gospel that go with the attribute Study other scriptures from the Topical Guide on the attribute Look for examples and stories of the attribute in the life of Christ Record your thoughts, feelings and impressions in your study journal Every morning, ask the Lord to help you better develop that attribute in your life that day Discuss and plan to live the attribute as a companionship Every morning, individually and collectively commit to live the attribute Talk about the attribute in your teaching and meetings Discuss the attribute throughout the day with your companion Every evening, report to the Lord on your progress Write about your experiences and what you have learned in your personal journal Ask your family to live the attribute and write about it to you each week.

Schedule
We will study each attribute for one week, from one P-Day to the next. Thus, you will be writing your family and the President about what you have learned. Please follow the schedule below:

2010 - Week of: Attribute
Nov 1 – Nov 7 Faith in Jesus Christ
Nov 8 – Nov 14 Hope
Nov 15 – Nov 21 Charity and Love
Nov 22 – Nov 28 Virtue
Nov 29 – Dec 5 Knowledge
Dec 6 – Dec 12 Patience
Dec 13 – Dec 19 Humility
Dec 20 – Dec 26 Diligence
Dec 27 – Jan 2 Obedience

“…what manner of men ought ye to be? Verily I say unto you, even as I am.” 3 Nephi 27:27

Week 5: Manchester Mission: Southport

Hiyah from England!

Hope you all had a good Halloween! Its not as big here as it is in the U.S.  Some English don't like it at all in fact.  But, it continues to grow each year my companion tells me. 

Hopefully your burdens and stresses have been lessened from the whole moving process as you continue to progress towards the finish line.  I hope that the ward is good and that you will be able to enjoy yourselves in Idaho Falls. 

The school situation sounds a bit surprising.  However, the more I think about it, the more Maple Mountain was almost a place of joy for me.  Standards I feel were high among most of the students and it was happy place to be.  You all know how much I loved high school.  Right you are that I was blessed so abundantly with friends and relationships with others.  I continue to ask myself the question why Heavenly Father did bless me with success in the social aspect of life.  I may never know all the answers, but my gratitude is beyond measure for it. 

To Colton, Lindsey, and Lauren:

This situation is new for you.  I don't know how you feel right now and what is going on in your mind about life, school, friends, etc.  I do know however, that there is someone who does.  He is your Savior and big brother.  Turn to him in all you do.  I know His arms are always wide open for you.  Seek him diligently in all you do.  I know that He lives and loves you.  Put your trust in Him with your burdens and griefs and you will find peace. 

I learned two wonderful teachings of the gospel in my personal study this week.  The first was in 2 Nephi 30:2.  It mentions that Heavenly Father makes no promises unless we repent and believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  It made me think about the covenants I have made especially previous to my mission.  He has shown my so much love in all I do.  How grateful I am for Him and His Son.

 The second was in Moroni 7:19.  It says to search diligently in the light of Christ and hold on to every good thing.  All good things come from our Heavenly Father.  What came to mind as I read this was that I should do three things. (1) Take in the good things, (2) make them last, and (3) don't forget them.  I feel I need to do a better at letting what I feel or have sink into my Spirit and learn everything I can from it.

May the Lord continue to bless you in all you do.  I continue to pray for each of you daily as I know you do for me.  We are trying to still build a solid teaching pool.  A lot of our investigators lately have been one-hit-wonders.  Continue to pray that we can find solid, prepared investigators to accept the gospel.  We have worked our tails off, and I know the Lord will provide as we continue to do so.  It has been a solid week of finding and oh how I am growing to love it more each day.  Thank you for the wonderful details and insight you share.  I feel the Spirit as I read them.  Thanks for the email Lonni! I hope the Lord blesses y'all as well!  I love you all!

Love,

Elder Cameron Starr