July 18th Letter

Well Hello Family and Friends!

 

Wow, I guess there is a lot that has happened! I can't believe its already been almost 4 weeks since we left the MTC!

Our area is great. Its absolutely huge and we don't have a car, which is quite unfortunate. I belive there are about 500,000 people in our area which includes Gillingham, Chatham, Rochester, and Strood... but we never get to Rochester and Strood except for dinner appointments because its so far away. And Chatham is ridiculously hilly. We are definitely going to try to get a car. :)

The work has been incredible! When I first got here, we were teaching (solidly) about 3 people. Geoff, this Englishmen who is a hoot. Frankie and Ruby, a Chinese couple with the cutest little boy in the world, Felix. But, we keep having to push Geoff's baptismal date back, and Frankie and Ruby have to get married first. But someday! We met a guy called Stanley, from India, on Friday, taught him on Saturday, invited him to be baptised, he came to church, and we're seeing him again this week. He is so Solid! I'm stoked for him. We call him Stanley the Manly. We have also been teaching this family, Martin (Dad) and Thomas (son), and they should be getting baptised soon as well. Along with a few more people we need to have return appointments with. Ah, its so awesome!

I only wish that I hadn't let myself get so worried in the MTC. It was such a waste of time and energy! I was so scared that I wouldn't be a successful missionary, and that I would be totally inadequate. And I was so scared to street contact! But, I'm fine. :) Our success as missionaries is determined by our Commitment and how much we become like Jesus Christ, who was the best missionary. And we are promised that as we are committed, success will come. And success has started to come. Oh, street contacting, or OYMing (Open Your Mouth), has become one of my favorite things to do! Ha, I get so happy talking to everyone, even when most of them don't even care. Its a blast! And the more energetic I am, the more fun it is and usually more people will listen! I'd probably say the biggest difference between now and the first week, is I now can get maybe a 10 second conversation in before they turn us down. :) just kidding. But really.

Actually, I have been surprised by how many people will actually listen and make a return appointment. (Actually being at their return appointment is a different story). But it becomes quite fun, and we meet people from EVERYWHERE! Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Egypt, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Nepal, Pakistan, India, Malaysia, China, Mongolia, Poland, Armenia, Lithuania, Czech, Slovakia (TONS), Latvia, the Carribean, and thats just off of the top of my head! Its crazy. And I hear that its even more diverse in London.

Our ward is pretty cool. Bishop Hawkins is a cool guy. He's a copier repair man, has 9 kids, his wife teaches the Gospel Principles class (so good!), and they have us over for dinner every other week. And she can cook! She makes about 5 HUGE plates of desserts every time. Ha, the first week I was totally unprepared. The ward mission leader, Bro. Charman, is really cool as well. He has a nice family too. Ha, and there are lots of other great people. The Amusa family is probably my favorite. Danielle, the Mom, and Codie (12 yr old girl) were baptised about a year ago, and Tiyah (8) will be baptised on Saturday. Warren (3) is so cute. The Dad's name is Gab, and he's from Nigeria. Super cool guy. We've kind of started teaching him, but he wants to wait till he's ready. But he will be soon. Ah, I love this family! And I'm really excited for Tiyah's baptism, because they're having a sushi bar! Woot woot!

Elder Glancy is super great. We get along really well, and work well together. He's a really good teacher, which has helped me out a lot. The other Elders in our district and zone are awesome! Elder Day (Scotland) and Elder Giusti (Italy) are in Gillingham 2. Elder Lundahl (Sweden) and Elder Boysyuk (Ukraine) in Gravesend. Elder Boer (Italy) and Elder Johnston (Idaho) in Ashford. Sister Campbell (New Zealand) and Sister Freeman (USA) in Canterbury. (the cathedral there is sweet by the way). And Elder Hinckley (USA) and Elder Montgomery (Utah) in Deal (Dover). They are awesome. We went bowling today, and Geoff and Frankie and Ruby came. It was well fun. Oh my days, the missionaries are so cool! I love being with them!

I've been thinking often of two scriptures. The first is Alma 31:5. "The preaching of the Word of God had a more powerful effect upon the people than did... [anything else]." It is so evident when we see lives changed because of the Gospel. Also in my own life, when I am immersed in the gospel, I feel different. And the other scripture is John 7:17: "If any man will do his will, he will know of the doctrine." We come to know the truth of the Gospel by living it. Not by thinking about it, not by even studying it, but by Living it. By applying it to every aspect of our lives and giving our all to Him. THEN, we will know its truth and how essential it is that we follow His will for us. Only when we truly loose ourselves, do we find ourselves.

Well, I must go now. I love you all, and wish you a very nice week.

Oh, and I missed celebrating the 4th of July. Happy Independence Day. :)

 

Love,

Elder Flores