A Light unto England Manchester

Monday, August 8, 2011

Week 44-Manchester England-Manchester

Dear family,

Another good week here in Manchester. Especially with Julian. It was a bit mad with all of the travel we have to do in this area but all is well. Elder Lamb and I continue to have a good relationship and find ways that we can improve upon.

I read Mosiah 4 earlier this week. King Benjamen's words inspired me as I felt the Holy Ghost enlighten my mind and heart as I studied. I pondered much on the humility of King Benjamen's people, especially on how it described their meekness to find themselves to be "even less than the dust of the earth(v. 2)." How open their hearts must have been to have the words of their king to influence their desires to submit to their level of humility.

I also loved verse 11. Even those who come to a knowledge of our Heavenly Father's reality and divinity have only "tasted" of His love. Tasted. To believe that I have only felt a minuscule amount of my Father's love for me on earth leads me to ponder on the incomprehensible way He express His perfect love whilst in His presence. Our Father offers all that He has. All glory, dominions, power, principalities, kingdoms, etc., can be ours because of His perfect and infinite capacity to express love. What blessings are also promised in verse 12 as we heed King Benjamen's counsel in this verse.

Driving has gone very well but also very expensive. I'm putting in my reimbursements tomorrow so I will have a lot more money, but I probably need another $150. My instructor says I'm nearly ready for my practical test and if I pass that, I will have my licence. I probably won't take that until the beginning of October due to the long wait to take it. I feel badly for the economic burden this all is but if I could have it as soon as possible the better so I can book my test as early as possible. Yes, it is pretty much the same reason as before.

Julian as I mentioned is doing fantastic. He went to church again yesterday and is doing amazing. He has been highlighting all of the verses that impress him and those he has questions on. He had a Book of Mormon in English for a little while because we didn't have one in Spanish at the time. He was looking up words in the dictionary to improve his English and going on mormon.org in Spanish. He continues to give fantastic prayers in both languages. I have been able to develop a really good relationship with him this past week. One of his friends named Claudia is from Chile and she has expressed to Julian that she has some interest as well. We are planning on teaching her this week too, please pray that we do so.

I am grateful I was taught early on in my mission how to bus contact and speak to everyone on the bus. Even though there are many instances where passengers/bus drivers get very upset and threaten you I have seen miracles from that way of contacting people. Some of my best conversations have been on trains and buses. I have a testimony of speaking to everyone that is in your eyesight, even if they are 100 yards away and you have to run after them. You don't need to worry about speaking to the right person if you are speaking to everyone. I always strive to be a forever finder wherever I am and always ask for the Lord's help as I do my best to do so. I absolutely love speaking to people. If I wouldn't have spoken to Julian, we would have not had him as an investigator with a baptismal date and a referral from him as well. I can't express to you how much my self-motivation and work ethic has increased because of my mission.

I enjoyed each of your emails this week. I always look at the Sacred Missionary Document to evaluate where I am as a missionary and set goals and make plans to help me become. I also have a testimony of revelation at the temple, Dad. I learn something new from and feel the influence in the Spirit every time I pray to my Heavenly Father when I enter the Celestial Room.

Well I am happy to hear that I probably won't be missing any NBA this next season due to the lockout. That is a great sup rise. That Kevin Durant story was unbelievable. 66 points while being triple-teamed! I had no idea that was occurring. Manchester United had a game at their stadium against a New York team that they beat 6-0. Around six o'clock the streets were absolutely flooded around our flat's area with Man U fans. The official Premier League starts this upcoming week I believe.

I was laughing out loud as I read the stories about the dogs and Jaela. I can't believe they were laying in the middle of the street and weren't moving. Lauren was right in the letter she wrote to me, they really are so lazy! Do we not have a fence at our house. Sorry for ignorance, I just haven't seen my new home so I have no idea. Tell Jaela that Cameron says Happy Birthday!

I am excited to hear Colton, that you got a good topic to speak on for you farewell. Did you get to choose that? How did you manage to do two? Are you excited? That is great opportunity that you have to do two talks.

Continue to pray that we have new investigators and that we invite everyone effectively as you expressed, Dad. We as a companionship are now going through our former and potential investigators and calling them. I have done this in all my other areas but it is something in the missionary work side of things I can better apply and how to become.

I will read Alma 5 and will follow-up on it with you next week, Dad. I hope I can gain great knowledge and be able to best evaluate myself and what I need to improve on in my continual becoming process. I keep you all in my prayers and fast for you every fast Sunday. I know you all do the same for me and I express my gratitude for doing so. Have a great, becoming week!

Love,
Cameron