A Week In China

I don't know if many of you heard but I have been called to the Hong Kong China Mission! Or at least that's what it felt like this past week. 

In Norwich there is a massive University and a lot of students come from all over the world to study here. We are meeting people from China, Thailand, Japan, and Taiwan. Their culture is so friendly and they are really open to learning about Christianity. Last week I told you of Cecillia and how she felt she needed to believe in God. Well we taught Cecillia and her friend Karen. They are amazing. Cecillia accepted to be baptized on the 14th of June and she asked us "Can it be sooner?" Her friend wants to as well. We met another Chinese student named River and is loving learning about Jesus Christ. We will be asking him this week if he would like to be baptised as well. While we were in town we met a young woman from Thailand. She has only been here for 3 days and is studying English for 10 weeks here. She explained, "I used to believe in God in High School and I always felt happy. I used to pray and it helped me a lot with school and my family. I went to University and stopped but I want what I felt back. She accepted to be baptised on the 14th of June. All of our friends came to Stake Conference this week and is was so great! 

At Stake Conference one man spoke about leaving a rich inheritance for your future family. Not talking about worldly possessions but what you will  leave them to believe in.

When I was little I was staying home from school because I was sick. After the morning had passed I found myself really bored and turned on Disney Channel and learned the entire dance and sing along version of High School Musical. So embarrassing but it is true.  I was not interested in musicals at that time and if you would have caught me in the act or asked me about it I would have denied it. But I did have some good fun on that sick day home. Years later I found myself doing it publicly and on a stage with no shame. I think that this may be related to my spiritual state as well. I was not always excited about reading scriptures with the family. I was not the best at remembering to pray. And I really was not the best at attending church where I thought I had more important things to do on Sunday. But as I grew from a child, I now find myself doing it all on a stage as well. I have grown and am no longer ashamed and know who I am. I hope my family and friends know who I am now and I hope my future family will know who I am today. I love teaching people about what I truly know to be true. Especially when they have never heard of it before. Performing on a spiritual stage is pretty great. 

Moves calls are next week so I will be writing on Tuesday instead with the news on whether I stay or go. Have a great week! 

Love, 

Elder David

Hard Weeks That End Well

By my subject I can trust that all of you have had similar weeks through out your life. 

Think back to the week where things have not gone as plan. Some of you might laugh and say," Well that sounds just like every single week of my life." This week has been one of those for me in the mission field. We found some amazing people this week. I thought that they were so prepared and they seemed so eager to meet. We set times and places to meet and one after another cancelled or didn't pick up the phone when we call to confirm. Every day it seemed to be the case. These men and woman seemed so great and eager to learn about what we were going to teach them but, in the end, were not. The icing on the crumbling cake of our week came on Saturday. We had 2 appointments we were quite excited about and both the people confirmed to be there. We were feeling quite confident and excited. But as the week had suggested they were not true to their word and didn't show. We had faced this all week and so we didn't mourn too much over this disappointment. We quickly decided to go work. We drove to the University and decide to walk around the campus talking to people. We only had about 25 minutes to do this until our other appointment started. We said a prayer in the car and went to work. Within 5 minutes we met our new Chinese investigator named River. We will be seeing him this coming Wednesday. We were thankful for that blessing and continued on talking to people. We reach the end of the road and decide we have to head back to the car. While walking back we see this girl crossing the street and she ends up walking right next to us. I try speaking the only Chinese I know and she laughs and replies back to my sentence about the weather. We then start talking about God and looks at us with the most excited face and exclaims,"Do you believe in God?! I have been thinking lately that I need to believe in God and follow him so I can be happier. Can you teach me about God?" The smile I was holding was about to  expand wider than my cheeks could handle. We graciously accepted to teach her. She then said,"I also have a friend who feels the same as me. Can you teach both of us?" We will be seeing Cecillia and her friend this coming week. 

It was a miracle. We shouldn't have been where we were at that time if our previous appointment had shown. The Lord is preparing his children and we didn't have the full picture. We were only able to see one face of the diamond while God saw all six. That changed our not so good week into a fantastic week. We had experienced the lows so that we could more fully appreciate meeting Cecillia. I am thankful that the Lords tears us down so we can be built stronger and experience more happiness. I think that's whats going to make Heaven, Heaven. We have experienced the difficulties of mortality and if we endure it well, we will be able to rest in the mansions prepared with our Father.

I will talk with you all this coming week! 

Here are some pictures of Cromer. It is such a beautiful city in our area! Enjoy! 

Love,

Elder David 

Happy Mothers Day!

Yesterday was great being able to Skype home to the family. Everyone is looking nice and healthy. Looks like AJ has gotten just a bit stronger, Miranda a bit sassier, and Dalton more mature!  It is so weird being away and how life still continues. I found myself not really able to talk about things that were not on spiritual level. So I apologize in advance for how weird I will be when I return to the mother ship of Colorado. My companion said, "Man your family has a thick American accent and you sound nothing like them." British accent here I come!! I got to talk with his family as well in the 4 sentences of Portuguese that I know. I guess they invited me to stay with them when (not if) I go to visit. They seem really cool and nice. 

This week has been a pretty good week! Nothing too out of the ordinary to be honest. It seems like my days of getting yelled at and beer poured over me are temporarily postponed. I am now in a civilized English town so not too much of that up here. We taught a few families who want to come to church and to learn more which is great, some University students want to meet with us, and my companion cooked some posh Brazilian food! Exciting huh?!  We went to a member home for dinner and he showed us his home cinema room! He build a giant garage in the back garden and inside you have a 1950's style cinema with around 25-30 theatre seats installed. The projector used is the same that they use when you go out to the cinema. The surround sound is amazing and he makes his own movies and plays them for his family. It was a really interesting hobby! 

I am almost done with the New Testament and I have loved reading through it so far this year. I have started to understand more and more about the gospel and can not believe how much is inside. It just depends on what you are looking for I guess. I have tried my hardest to dig deep and look at "Why that word?" or "Why is this said right at this point in time?" I brings the scriptures to life and makes it not a burden or task but rather a light that can be adjusted brighter and brighter the more I read. The light of the Holy Ghost does not come in its full brilliance at the time of confirmation. As we read in Section 50 of the Doctrine and Covenants, “he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.” (D&C 50:24)  If you have been baptised then you have recieved the Gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands. I love that this gift is not just given to you and then you can sit down and play with it. But like any gift that God has given you, it must be exercised and stretched until it reaches its full potential. More light and understanding can be in your own life but only on a personal invitation. 

I love you all and will speak with you in a short week! 

 http://www.mormon.org/elaine?cid=HPFR050914120  

Hey look who is a Mormon! The drummer for Neon Trees. Pretty cool!

Don't Run Out of Petrol!

Good Morning Mates!

This week was full of travel! I really like driving at first until you have to go to London a few times and to visit other members in the Zone. It just gets tiring! 

On Thursday we had a Mission Leadership Council held in the Hyde Park Chapel. Elder Teixera was there. He is the President of the Church here in Europe and it was so inspiring to listen to what he had to say. To be at this meeting we had to wake up at around 5 to get ready and start our road trip down. It should have only taken 2.5 hours but instead it took 4! Traffic was so bad and there were a few accidents because of the rainy morning. The meeting lasted from 10 AM-5 PM. Mentally, physically and spiritually drained I then had to start the trek back. After getting supplies and filling out paperwork in the office we left. By this time it was around 6:30. We had an exchange the next day too so one of the Assistants came up to Norwich with me and my companion stayed down in London. On our way our of London there were a few accidents and so it took a long long time to get going. It is coming up on 10 PM and we still have 45 miles to go. We get to the roundabout on the motorway and it says that the road to Norwich is Closed! UGHGHGH! I was not happy haha but it took us on a detour to the middle of no where. By this point the car was running low on petrol. I was feeling a bit nervous and we decided to pray with other 3 missionaries in the car that we would make it home or find a petrol station soon. We continue on our journey and take a right where the detour sign is pointing. We turn right and go for a few minutes and find there was pretty serious accident 3 cars in front of us. We then were instructed by the police officers to turn around and try a different route. Now even less petrol in the tank and feeling like we are not going to make it for very much longer if we don't fill up. We then say another prayer and continue on. We take another right and put in the directions to the next fuel station. It takes us to an old and abandoned rinky dink station that has not been open for a really long time! We try another one and the next station doesn't even exist! We are still in the middle of no where and running on fumes! We say another prayer and continue on ward. And let me mention the car we drive is diesel so we can not let it run out! We try for out last shot and we are driving through this tiny village when all of a sudden a giant, heavenly, yellow shell petrol station peeps over the bushes! We made it at last! We go inside and buy some food and fill up the tank! We then drive the rest of the way home safely and get home at midnight. 

I learned a few nice lessons from this experience. When driving back I had the thought that I should maybe top up to be safe and not let it get too low but I tried justifying in my head why I didn't need to stop. I then later almost had to learn the hard way. NEVER WAIT TO TOP UP! I am sure you can relate that spiritually. We may never know the detours or the fake stations that are ahead but we can take control of the situation before it gets out of control. The power of prayer was very useful during this journey as well. There where things that we could not contol but things only God could. We are to do everything in our power and then ask god for his assistance. I know that we should have run out of fuel. I felt the engine kind of give away but it kept on pushing forward. We are all being looked after by our Father in Heaven. 

Mothers Day is coming up and I am excited to Skype home again! I will talk to you all in a week! 

Love,

Elder David

New Companion!

Getting a new companion is quite the experience. On Wednesday we had to wake up at 4 in the morning to drive all the way down to London and wait for all the other missionaries to meet us at the Euston Train Station. The traffic was terrible and after driving there and back I felt like I was stuck in a permanent position with my hands clenched to the steering wheel and knees not wanting to unfold. This Thursday we have to drive back down for our Mission Leadership Conference and I am not excited to drive for that either. My companion is from the north of Brazil. Elder Piedade is his name. The last d is pronounced like a G. It takes a few times to get it just right.

On Saturday we baptised Yohanna! It was so great and he was really excited. He didn't expect so many people to come and support him and his decision. He pulled me aside before the program began and said, "Are all these people here for me?"  He was confirmed a member on Sunday. More people came to congratulate him and he was loving it. 

Sunday afternoon we drove 45 minutes to the north of our area to go to the monthly sacrament meeting for the elderly. This sacrament meeting is held at one of the members homes and those who can not travel all the way down to Norwich meet here once a month for a special service. Bishop invited me to give a talk and it was a really good experience. Only 8 people were gathered in that home but the spirit was as strong as ever. One woman was so excited to see us because she had someone she wanted us to go visit and teach. We will be stopping by this persons home this week. 

Last week we also received a referral saying we should go visit this person. We show up to the home and the woman was pleased we had came. To our surprise we walk in and meet her husband and 8 boys! Big big family. They are wanting to come to church and we will be seeing them this Friday to watch The Restoration with them. 

This week our Bishop has felt that we need not forget about General Conference. We are asked prior to Conference to prepare spiritually for the messages that will be given and to apply them in our lives. We then spend 10 hours watching or listening to these talks given the Prophet and Apostles. Have you remembered everything that was said? I definitely can't.  Read, listen, or watch these talks again. Our hearts need to change everyday As we prayerfully study AND APPLY these talks you will change for the better. Frequently ask yourself "What did I do better than yesterday?" or "Since Conference what changes have I made in my life?" Do it as a family in fact. 

I am thankful for my mission. I really am. I have a lot to learn and many things I need to change and be better at. Everyday I feel like my "Things to Improve" list keeps on growing which is not the most fun thing to watch grow but I am thankful that perfection does not come in this life. If it did, I would be in some big trouble. 

Have a wonderful week and speak to all of you soon. 

Love,

Elder David

The Easter Bunny Found Me

Happy Easter! I have had a great last week. It was just really fun and got to see some amazing things up in the North. 

On Friday morning we were going to teach a friend of ours that is from Albania. Her english is not too good so we luckily had a member from Albania come with us. He was our official translator. We taught her the 1st discussion and at the end of the lesson she was speaking to the member and of course we had no idea what she was saying. The member then looks at us a with a serious face and recites what she just told him. She said, "I know that what you just taught me is true and I have been searching for this for a long time. My prayers have been answered." We then invited her to be baptised and she accepted. She will have a hard time stepping away from the church she is already going to because they have really treated her nice and have helped her so much with her daughter. She said it will be hard but the Lord will provide a way if this is his true church. The member afterwards thanked us for inviting him because his own testimony was strengthened from this womans experience. It was really cool to be apart of. 

Later that day we saw one of our friends from China. He is studying at the local University and got baptised about a month ago. We were seeing how he was doing and he told us, "I wish I could baptise all of my friends and family back home in China. I one day will though. I will." He has such a strong testimony and loves the church. And later on we saw another one of our recent convert Chinese friends. He expressed the same desire. What an amazing day it will be when China opens up to religious freedom. 

On Saturday we taught our friend Yohanna and he going to be baptised this Saturday. He is 18, from Nigeria, and studying at the University. He is a really cool guy and is excited to be baptised. 

Later on that day we had to drive up north and help the other missionaries teach someone. The coast was so pretty and the rolling green hills were amazing to see as they dipped into the ocean. The Sat Nav took us a really really wrong way and I ended up having to do some 4 wheel driving in the country side. Reminded me of off roading in my jeep. While on the ride we were able to stop off at some cool places for pictures. I will attach them at the end of the email. 

I hope you all had a great Easter. The Easter Bunny did find me an delivered some much needed American Oreos haha. The ward was really nice to us and got us a lot of stuff. One member owns a Kebab Shop and brought us a large pizza to take home and another member had us over for dinner. 

It was really a neat experience to be on a mission during Easter. What an amazing thought that because of Jesus Christ the sting of death is taken away. The Church released an amazing new video. Here is it! Give it a watch. http://easter.mormon.org/?cid=HPTU041514694   

Oh yeah and moves calls were last night! So I am.............. Staying! I am going to be training a new Zone Leader from Brazil. I am sad that I only got to spend one transfer with Elder Vogel but he is going to Northampton to be a Zone Leader there. I am excited to have another Portuguese speaking companion so I can learn a bit more! 

Here are some Pictures! 

 1. REALLY OLD HOME!

2. Off-roading!

3.Elder Vogel and I 

4. Beautiful View

5. Peek a Boo

6. England Fields

Good Morning! 

This past week Elder Vogel and I were able to witness a tender mercy and miracle from the Lord. Lately we have been teaching a man that goes to the local university. He is from Ghana and has been meeting with the missionaries for a while. We met with him 2 weeks ago and when we taught he did not seem interested and did not seem like he was listening. We were trying and trying and we could not do anything. We walked about really confused after that lesson. We did not schedule another time to meet and were not planning on seeing him again until last week. We were on the Universities campus going to visit someone else. On that campus, which is home to over 20,000 students, we ran into this man again. It was the perfect timing that we just crossed paths. At the time we thought nothing of it and had some small talk, invited him to church, and walked away. He then left our mind until this past week. Elder Vogel and I then had this feeling we needed to give him a call to see him again. He agreed to meet the next day at the church. So we meet at the church and as we sit down he takes out his Book of Mormon and the reading material we have given him at previous lessons. I had this impression that he has come to give it all back and to stop seeing us. As we talked and discussed how he was doing, it became evident that his faith was really shaken. He expressed to us that he has been struggling with a belief in God for about a month now. He has grown up his whole life knowing that there is a God and it has been tested while in University. We taught him through the Book of Mormon how we strengthen our faith and as we read in the Book of Ether chapter 12 verse 6. It reads, "...I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive not witness until after a trial of your faith." His face lighted up and realized that he was in the trial of his faith and that soon he will be strengthened and will soon receive a  witness. I now understand why we ran into him randomly. Heavenly Father knew that he was struggling and needed his faith to be strengthened. After the lesson he had a smile going from ear to ear and told us that he was, indeed, planning on giving us everything back but now he knows he needs to keep pressing forward. He came to church yesterday and even more of his questions were answered. 

Never give up and keep passing through the trial of your faith. The Lord is mindful of you always and will bear you up through his servants. 

On Friday night we had a really fun night in Zambia! We had a dish called Fufu! It is a food that you have to eat with your hands and it does get messy! I love the family that we go see and they are preparing to be baptised soon! I have pictures I will attach at the end of the night. 

Yesterday was General Conference and it really is like the Superbowl for a missionary! I found my self taking pages and pages of notes thinking that I was listening to pure gold. If you may not know what General Conference is I will explain. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints we believe that God has not stopped talking with his children and continues to call Prophets and Apostles as in Christs time. We have this opportunity to listen to their words during General Conference. While listening to these divinely inspired and called leaders, we can feel the spirit of God testify to our hearts that what they are saying is true.  I loved the talks given and they have helped me be better and change to come closer to my Father in Heaven. 

I hope you have a great week and I will speak with you all next week! Review the talks given by the Prophet and think how you can best his council. 

Here are the pictures of the night in Zambia, England's country side, the house, and a really old cathedral found in the city of Norwich.