Why knock 1,000 door when you can get into 1,000,000 homes? -- September 25, 2017

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has had some exciting turn of events!

So Monday we had our PDay and went up to Newcastle to spend the day with the Zone. We went to a park and played a game called kick the can, which is basically capture the flag. Then we came back and tried by a potential who wasn't in and then had FHE with the three ysa in Durham! We talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and how that can help us in our lives! It was a really good and powerful lesson!

Tuesday we basically just had a day of finding. Although we did meet this really sweet lady and taught her the Plan of Salvation using her garbage bin as a table and she told us to come back later! So that was exciting! Only as a missionary :) then we had lunch and companionship study before going to see Chris and Kelly and then onto see Ellen and read the Book of Mormon with her! Then we came back for tea with Emma but the bus was super late...so we were about an hour late and unfortunately had to just take it home with us and run :/

Wednesday we had a training meeting all day where we were trained how to use FACEBOOK in our proselyting efforts! So yes, I am now on Facebook. Anyways, we had interviews with President Turvey at that point as well and so it was a good day but we didn't get much done because by the time the meeting ended, we just went home for tea...

Thursday morning we went to the chapel and got a blessing from the Elders and then had our companionship study there! Then we came home for lunch and went to meet up with Francis. She's getting ready to go to university to study theology and is so excited to have met us so she can learn from us a little more one on one before going to college! So that was great and she even ended the lesson by saying "wow! That story isn't as weird as everyone says Mormons are...it makes sense there'd be a prophet still!" So that was good :) then we went to have tea with some members and tried by the lady we met on Tuesday but she wasn't in, so we Street contacted home.

Friday we had weekly planning all morning as always, but the church has released a new "chapter 8" of PMG for us to use. It focuses on the individuals, not so much the events. So it was a little longer because we were trying to figure out how to use it properly, but we are so excited for it now! Then we went to the library, but he investigator didn't show up, so we did some more finding! We tried by a less active and got to know her! Then we caught the bus back into town and met a guy named Jordan! He's so cool! We wound up teaching him the Restoration at the bus station and scheduled him for baptism! Then we went to tea with some more members and came home for companionship study!

Saturday we went to the cattery animal shelter again in the morning to pet some more kittens for our service :) then we had lunch and tried by a Mormon.org referral before doing some knocking and trying by formers! Then we went to the chapel for companionship study and had a Facebook chat lesson with Jordan and then had Spanish Class for John again now that they're back from holidays!

Sunday we had a great day at church and then had our companionship study over Skype with the STL's. Then we finally got home around 4:30 for lunch and went to have another FB chat with Jordan and explained what happened at church and everything. So that was good! Then we went to try by another potential, but both felt it was getting too late and felt uneasy, so we went got off the bus and turned around to get the bus going the other way and had tea!

My Spiritual Thought for the week is from our training on Wednesday! We were talking about Facebook and the power it can have in spreading the Gospel. Paraphrasing Elder Bednar, he said, "There is no surprise that these advancements in technology are taking place in the dispensation of the fulness of times. The Lord is hastening His work and gathering His sheep." This is so true! If every single person shared one spiritual thought a day, then all their friends will see it. And the great thing is, we're already sharing a thought a day, so all you have to do is click share! Our AP's said the quote I used as my subject this week because if as more people share our thoughts, the more homes we are already getting into as missionaries. The more people who see these messages and thoughts, the more people will be curious, the more curious they are, the more they'll meet with missionaries, and the more they meet with missionaries, the more people will be baptised and be able to partake of the blessings of eternity we already have :) So let's help the Lord hasten His work and use all the wonderful tools He has given us to do so :)

Love you all! Have a great week 

Sister Hope

I knew God would help us! -- September 18, 2017

Hello Family and Friends!

We had a very good week this week and I'm excited to tell you about it!

So Monday, we had PDay. It was a little stressful but so fun! We had a lot of errands to run and so by the time we got to go do anything, we only had a couple hours. But we went to this place called Beamish and it's a museum like town. So the village is from the 1900's and there's a pit village and an old school etc. It honestly reminded me a lot of Nauvoo just minus the spiritual aspect...we only had two hours there, but we got to see a lot and are excited to go back hopefully soon! After PDay, we did some street contacting up to Rei's house for a Family Home Evening that nobody else showed up to, so we just read from the scriptures with her.

Tuesday we felt like we were just running around like crazy people! We did a couple hours of street contacting and met a cool guy named Kevin and then we went knocking after lunch and met a guy who raises falcons! It was so cool! Then we went to drop off a note to a less active and then our bus to our next appointment was half an hour late...so we had to cancel but cool story! While we were waiting, this kid came up to us and said "hi sisters!" And then took us to his brother and said "I found the sisters! I knew God would help us!" Now neither of us recognised these two boys (problem of being in a big Ward), but they had lost their bus pass and needed to call their mom to let her know. So we let them use our phone and then as soon as they were done, the bus showed up. So I guess it was late on purpose :) then we went to our tea appointment and had FHE at the chapel!

Wednesday we had district meeting and it was pretty good! Then we had lunch and companionship study before going to see Emma. We read a talk with her and then she came with us to a lesson with one of the people we met yesterday, but he didn't answer the door. So we went to our tea appointment and then had Ward coordination. So a pretty short day, it felt like.

Thursday we saw Denise in the morning and went over the Plan of Salvation with her and then talked to her about her goals for going to the temple! Then we came back for lunch and did a surprise service activity for Margaret, the lady we were teaching last week whose family told her not to meet with us. We knew she would be out, so we went and did her garden! It was a lot of fun! Then we got lunch and headed out to do some more finding. Then we had a lesson with a guy named Simeon. It didn't go too well, but that's another story. So then we had a lesson with Kevin right after and this one went amazingly well! The Spirit was so strong and he started tearing up when he said he closing prayer because he felt it so strongly!

Friday we woke up early to get to exchanges with the STLs. I was with Sister Robertson and we had a lot of fun! We did weekly planning at their flat and then we went Finding all day and met some amazing people before we had to come back to Durham!

Saturday was a busy teaching day! We started by doing service at the cattery again and then we went to see Kevin! We answered his questions about church and gave him a virtual chapel tour! Then we had a quick lunch in town and went to see Chris. And while we were there, we met his partner and were able to schedule both of them for baptism! Then we got the bus to see Ellen before going to tea with Emma and then had companionship Study in the evening!

Sunday was ok. None of the people who said they were going to come to church showed up, but we still had a good time! Then after church we went to track down our investigators but none of them were in...so we came home for tea and companionship study...yeah, bus times aren't the most effective on a Sunday...

Anyways! So my Spiritual Thought for the week is from the devotional "Becoming True Millenials"

"I promise you that when you begin to catch even a glimpse of how your Heavenly Father sees you and what He is counting on you to do for Him, your life will never be the same"

Heavenly Father has so much in store for us! It's just up to us to do our part. And when we do our best, He makes up the rest! Let Him change you! It's the best feeling ever!

Love you! Hope you have a great week!

Sister Hope

Service for Cats!! -- September 11, 2017

Hello everyone! Hope you had a great week!

So for me, on Monday we didn't really do much. We did have a fun experience at the store though! So we were cleaning out a closet and found a jar of pennies...so we went to the store and bought about £5 of stuff with just pennies! Don't worry, we went to the machine because we're not that mean! But it was funny and we left feeling bad for whoever used that machine later in the day because the only change it would give would basically be pennies...but other than that, we just hung out around Durham and didn't do much. After PDay ended, we did some street contacting to meet a new member who just moved in and her roommate was there. So like all good missionaries, we taught them the first lesson :)

Tuesday we went to read a talk with Emma in the morning and then had a first lesson with a lady named Margaret! She is so sweet and really took in everything we had to say! Then we went to see a less active before companionship study at the chapel because the STLs wanted to Skype in for it. Then we came home for tea!

Wednesday we had to wake up super early because district meeting was in Gateshead. So we had district meeting early and then went as a Zone to do service at Saltwell Park. We were in charge of painting benches again! Then we came back and had another lesson with Margaret and scheduled her for baptism! After the lesson, we went on a long walk and got lost, but found our way eventually and made it for tea with Emma before coming in for companionship Study.

Thursday we taught the Restoration to a recent convert named Denise and invited her to do the lesson for FHE with her family this week! Then we did some knocking and met a few nice people and even one who was interested in us coming back! Then we had tea and companionship study before going to see Margaret again and then headed off to Ward Council!

Friday we had weekly planning all morning and then our district leader called in to our companionship study to do a training model with us. Then we headed out! We did some knocking in a funny town called Pity Me...then we went to have tea with a member and they invited Margaret to come as well! So we had tea and then explained to her what happens at church and why we have three hours!

Saturday was hard. But it started out great! So we went to do some service at an animal shelter. And literally all they wanted us to do was to go play with kittens for an hour so they're used to humans...it was so fun! Then we had lunch before going to see Chris, the guy we met knocking on Thursday. So we showed up and he wasn't there. But as we were walking away, he called us and apologized and said he would be home in five minutes, so we still taught him! Then we were on our way to see Margaret when she called us and said that her family wasn't ok with her meeting with the Mormons and even though she's in her fifties, she feels like she has to listen to her family and so she asked us to not come over anymore...so that was really sad. But the work had to go on! So we did some more finding! Then we had tea with a member and it was awkward. They wanted to watch the news of the storms in America, so they left us in the dining room since they knew we weren't allowed to watch it and then just came in for a quick thought. So I didn't even really get to know them...

Sunday we had church, and it was really good! None of the people who said they would come came, but it was still good! Then we went to try by those people, but they were on opposite sides of our area and neither were in, so that took our whole day!

My Spiritual Thought for the week is from the devotional called "I Will Give Myself To Him" by elder Russell T. Osguthorpe "If God’s will is to be done by us and through us, then our will needs to be the same as God’s." I think that's pretty self explanatory but it is so true! We can't expect to do His will if we disagree or fight with His will!

Love you and hope you have another great week!

Sister Hope

At Least I sound like an Idiot who is trying!! -- September 4, 2017

Hello everybody!

This has been a great week here in Durham! We've pretty much done everything except sleep it feels like!

So Monday was crazy. We went to Newcastle for Zone PDay and played signs and chair football. Then at the end of the day, the entire zone did a Blitz in Newcastle, so we all got new companions and were assigned an area to go Finding. I was with Sister Swartz, who is my grandbaby because she was trained by Sister Gjikaj! So that was fun! We went and did some knocking and even found some ten year old girls who followed us for about half an hour shouting at us. They start young here, I guess! Then we came back to the flat and all 14 of us somehow found a place to sleep...or at least lay down quietly for a couple hours!

Tuesday we woke up around 3:45...we all got ready for the day and then we went to catch the coach to Zone Conference in Billingham. It was pretty funny because it was Sister Luna's birthday! But being a tired companion who wasn't thinking, I forgot until we were at the chapel and we're all in the bathroom (because girls have to check their makeup a million times...) so we all started singing to her there...she was pretty embarrassed! But we sang to her about five more times throughout the day, so it was all good! We had a very great day seeing everyone and soaking up the inspiration from the Turvey's and other missionaries! Then we came home. Took us the entire night almost because we took the cheapest, but longest way home. So we got home around 9:30 and just got ready for bed.

Then the rest of the week, we honestly just did a ton of walking around and knocking trying to find people to teach. We got in touch with a few less actives, so that was good! We also found a few more referrals for other areas and two for our area that we hope and pray go through this coming week! We did have a fun FHE with a recent convert though! We did an object lesson about how we gain strength from keeping our covenants and doing our daily prayer and scripture study and also weekly church attendance! She speaks Spanish as well and I was trying to keep the conversation going in Spanish...hence the title of this email

Sorry there's not much more to report! We've had a busy and tiring week and are honestly loving every minute together!

My Spiritual Thought for the week is from Brother Gérald J. Caussé's devotional called 'We are the Architects of our own happiness"

"Your happiness is not really the result of the circumstances of your life. It is much more the result of your spiritual vision and the principles upon which you base your life. These principles will bring you happiness regardless of the unexpected challenges and surprises you will inevitably face during your journeys here on earth."

We meet so many people every day who have lost their faith because of circumstances in their lives or what they see on the news. But really, having true happiness is sticking with Heavenly Father not leaving Him and trying to do it by ourselves. So STAY HAPPY!!!!

Love you all! Have a great week:)

Sister Hope

Back to the Buses -- August 28, 2017

Hello everyone! What a crazy, tiring week!

Monday we pretty much just spent the whole day saying goodbye...so there wasn't much interesting that happened there.

Tuesday we woke up and drove down to Sunderland to pick up Sister Filikitonga's new companion, Sister Anderson, and then we drove me to Durham. I met up with Sister Luna and then we went to do our shopping and stuff before going to do some finding. It was a little weird doing bus contacting again, but also good! We did a little knocking and then came in for studies and tea.

Wednesday we had district meeting in the morning and then went home for lunch. Then we had a terrible day! Well in a sense. So we went to see the two investigators in the area since they live so close and both of them dropped us...so we did what all good missionaries do and went to find more people! We found a few people, but they all lived outside our area. So those missionaries are happy! Then we had tea and went to our missionary coordination meeting before coming in for the night.

Thursday we went to the river and did a bunch of street contacting before lunch. Then we went out and did some knocking for a couple hours. Then we came back and went to a tea appointment. So not much happened other than a lot of doors knocked. Although there was this one really nice cafe owner who saw us standing at the bus stop and came out with two bags of scones! It was so delicious and such a great treat!

Friday we had our weekly planning and lunch in the morning before going out to...knock! We knocked the rest of the afternoon until our tea appointment. We got lost and accidentally went to their old house...so that was an adventure! They had to come pick us up and take us to their new house and then we had to rush home to go to a lesson with this couple who wants to learn Spanish. So we're teaching them Spanish at the chapel for service! So fun!

Saturday I couldn't feel my legs by the time we got home...I think we only walked the entire day. We had a lunch appointment with a member though, so that was fun! Then we did more walking. And guess what! All the people who were interested live in another area. Do we made someone else's day! :)

Sunday we had church and I was asked to speak in sacrament Meeting, so that was fun! Then we had companionship Study with the elders and did some training models with them! It felt a little weird, but whatever. Then we went to see a member and she teaches missionaries to knit in exchange for a spiritual thought! So that was fun! Then we caught the bus home for tea.

My Spiritual Thought for the week is from my talk :) But actually from

Elder Henry B. Eyring

“Why should I speak to anyone about the gospel who seems content? What danger is there to them or to me if I do or say nothing?​ Well, the danger may be hard to see, but it is real, both for them and for us. For instance, at some moment in the world to come, everyone you will ever meet will know what you know now. They will know that the only way to live forever in association with our families and in the presence of our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, was to choose to enter into the gate by baptism at the hands of those with authority from God. They will know that the only way families can be together forever is to accept and keep sacred covenants offered in the temples of God on this earth. And they will know that you knew. And they will remember whether you offered them what someone had offered you”

Love you all! Have a great week!

Sister Hope

Push Starting Cars -- August 21, 2017

Hello Everyone! This has been a great week here in Ashington! Let me tell you a little about it :)

Monday we had a normal PDay, we got a little bored though, so we decided to do a service project for the Branch and we re-organized the library. We haven't told them we did it and we haven't heard anything, so I hope they appreciate it! Anyways, then after that, we went to have a lesson with Kayleigh and we taught her how to conduct music since we're working with her on her Faith in God award! She is doing so well! Then we went to see the Norris Family and we read Moroni 7 with them. They're still reading the Book of Mormon between visits, so hopefully they'll decide to come back to church soon! Then we did a bit of street contacting until the end of the evening!

Tuesday was a strange day! We did some street contacting in the morning and had planned to do knocking, but we decided we should go do Language Study in the morning, for some reason. So we went to the library and Sister Filikitonga realized she needed to finish up some stuff for her application to BYU. So she wrote the essays and I helped correct her grammar. So that was a tender mercy that we were able to get it all in for her in time! Then we walked home and had lunch before going out to see John and Shannon. We read 2 Nephi 31 with them about the Doctrine of Christ and talked about enduring to the end specifically. Then we met up with Kurt and talked to him about his goals for a mission and helped him (hopefully) overcome some concerns that have come up in his life. Then we felt we should go see someone else named Eileen. So we went. We hadn't seen her almost all transfer because she had to help her daughter in law and hasn't been home. Well, we literally showed up about half an hour after she got home, and was going to be going back in about an hour. So that was cool to be able to see her and talk to her about what's going on. Then we felt we should go see Jenny Stoddart. She was also only home for that day. Her grandson is going to be moving in with her this week, so we caught her on the best day of the week too! So it felt good to be guided by the Spirit so much in who we saw! Then we did some more street contacting by the River before going in for tea and companionship study!

Wednesday we had District Meeting in the morning and then we decided to have lunch with the North Shields Sisters, so that was good! Then we went home and found their keys in the back of our car...so that wasn't good! We wound up having to drive right back. So that took another hour out of our day. It was funny though because they were with an elderly lady in their ward doing service for her, so when we dropped off the keys, she wanted to talk to us...so that was funny! Then we finally got back to Ashington and went to our appointment, but he asked if we could come back in an hour and a half because they were running late and needed to eat still, so we went to the River for an hour and a half and came back. Unfortunately, they had to go because their kids had gotten sick and they needed to pop out to get some medicine, so they said they'd call us when a better time is (Still haven't heard from them...) so we went to the river again before going to our tea appointment with the Broadfoot's and then went in for our studies.

Thursday we walked to the library to sync our iPads and then back for lunch. Then we went to do some more street contacting before taking our car in to check the tire again. Still good! So that was good! Then we did some knocking. We knocked two full streets and guess what? Not a single door opened. It was a little hard for us, but oh well! We made it through! Then we had tea with Peter and then went out to do some more contacting before our studies.

Friday was short, but so good! We had our weekly planning in the morning and then had companionship study. Then we saw Elsie and talked to her about having Heavenly Father help us overcome the trials we face. Then we saw Gemma finally! We watched Finding Faith in Christ with her and talked to her about the need to develop faith. It was such a powerful lesson! She really wants to find out for herself if Christ truly is there! Then we went to have tea with Pam and then came back for language study before going to see Jennifer Thompson. We talked with her about the Area Plan and the need to set goals. So that was a great lesson as well!

Saturday we walked to the library to have a lesson with Tony. He'd come across a lot of negative content from a friend, so we mainly just answered his questions. Then we came back for lunch and then had a lesson with Shannon again. We read Alma 5 with her and talked to her about why its such a great chapel to evaluate where she's at spiritually in her life. Then we went home and found a service project! There were these two girls who at first it looked like they were arguing, and then we realised their car wasn't starting and they were upset. So we offered to jump start their car, but that didn't work. So we helped them push start their car. So that was really good! They were so happy it started and we got to meet some more of our neighbors! Then we went to try by some formers. None were in really, but it was still great! Then we came in for language study before tea at the Griffith's and then came in for our companionship study and awaited transfer calls. Well, we fell asleep waiting for them and by 1 o'clock, when we woke up and there weren't any messages, we were confused...

Sunday we went to walk to church with Shannon again and on our way to church we finally got the call. I am leaving to go to the Stanley/Durham ward to serve with Sister Luna from Mexico! So that was kinda some hard news to hear and to take to the branch. Especially since we were supposed to find out Saturday night and so many had asked us to let them know when we found out and since they hadn't gotten a text from us yet, they assumed we were both staying! So anyways, after church, we went in for lunch and studies. But for studies, I just packed. It was good because I was able to get it done before it really hit me that I'm leaving. I've definitely come to love this area so much in the past few months I've been here! But I'm excited for the new opportunites to come my way! After studies, we went out and said goodbye to some members and had our missionary coordination and then said some more goodbyes before tea.

My Spiritual Thought for the week is from Conference:

"While there are many things we can do to be a light and an ensign to others, I would like to focus on the following three: observing the Sabbath day, hastening the work of salvation on both sides of the veil, and teaching in the Savior’s way."

-"That Our Light May Be a Standard for the Nation" Elder Benjamín De Hoyos

I am so thankful for the opportunities we all have to let our light shine for other! We need to take advantage of every opportunity that arises! 

Love you all! Hope you have a great week!

Sister Hope

Finding, Finding, and more Finding...Can we please find someone!! -- August 14

Hello everybody!

This has been a great week! We started it out by having a fun PDay at the Ashington Coal Museum! It was pretty interesting. They had a lot of old machinery and everything the miners used and all the old buildings! So that was fun! Then after PDay we went to have a lesson with John and Shannon about Jesus Christ. We watched the Mormon Message: "None Were With Him" and talked about the Savior's love. Then we did a bit of street contacting before going to see Sister Griffith. She'd had another hard week, so it was good we stopped by!

Tuesday we tried by a less active family in the morning and then spent pretty much the rest of the day finding. We went knocking with Kurt again, so that was fun! Then we saw Sister Z and had tea with the

Grimes' before going in for our studies. So it was honestly a pretty long day with a lot of walking and talking but still no takers.

Wednesday we had district meeting and he Zone Leaders came, so that was fun! It went way over though so by the time we finally got home, we had to rush off to our lessons. We had a lesson with Sharon Wylie and then she came with us to see Kayleigh. Then we had a lesson with the Jacksons about the live Heavenly Father has for each of us! It was such a spiritual lesson! Then we did a little street contacting before coming in for studies and tea :)

Thursday was another Finding day. We did some street contacting to the library and back and then after lunch, had a lesson with Shannon. She wanted to come out Finding with us, so we took her knocking. Let's just say it was an experience and leave it at that! She stayed with us for pretty much the rest of the evening until our tea appointment. After tea, we came in for our studies.

Friday we had weekly planning all morning and then did some street contacting to the library again so we could sync after we did companionship study. Then we had a lesson with Amanda before tea with the Powers. Then we did some street contacting and came in for language study afterwards...

Saturday we had missionary coordination first thing in the morning and then saw Elsie and Emma. They're having a really hard week, so again, it was good we went to cheer them up! Then we came in for lunch and hit the pavement! We did a couple hours contacting families in the park in Morpeth before going to tea with Monica and then having our studies in the evening.

Sunday was great! I just love church! After church, we had lunch and then did about three hours of finding: street contacting, knocking, formers, and less actives...np it nobody really listened. We did get in touch with John and Jackie again though! So hopefully we'll be able to start teaching them again soon!

Sorry it's so short...I feel like we do the same thing all day and unfortunately m it wasn't a really funny week! I wish I had more stories for y'all...but maybe next week!

My Spiritual Thought for the week is from General Conference!

"Getting the little daily habits of faith right is the single best way to fortify ourselves against the troubles of life, whatever they may be. Small acts of faith, even when they seem insignificant or entirely disconnected from the specific problems that vex us, bless us in all we do."

-"Whatsoever He Saith unto You, Do It" By Elder L. Whitney Clayton

I know that is so true! If we aren't doing our dailies then our day will fall short of what Heavenly Father has planned for us. And if we are doing our dailies and doing our best, then we can know whatever happens that day, good or bad, is what Heavenly Father wants and He has promised that we will be prepared for all things!

I love you all! Hope you have a great week!

Sister Hope

Betcha can't guess who I met this week!! -- August 7, 2017

Hello everybody! This has been a great week that seems to have disappeared!

Monday was a pretty typical day. We hung out at the chapel for most of the day and watched Meet the Mormons! Then we had a busy evening! We picked up Sister Griffith and she stayed with us the whole evening! We had a lesson with Kayleigh and then went straight to a first lesson with a man named Bill. We talked about the Plan of Salvation with him and then went to see the Norris family. We watched Finding Faith in Christ with them and it was a really good evening!

Tuesday we did a little street contacting in the morning and then spent pretty much the rest of the day driving down to Darlington for another doctor's appointment. Then we saw Bill and introduced him to the Area Plan. Then we had language Study and drove down to North Shields to spend the night with the Sisters there.

Wednesday we woke up super early and went to the Newcastle Chapel so we could get on a coach to Billingham, and pick up the Billingham Zone Missionaries to drive down to Huddersfield! We had an all mission Conference with Elder M. Russel Ballard presiding! It was such a great conference! (I'll talk more about it in my Spiritual Thought, don't worry!) It lasted pretty much the whole day and we got back to North Shields around 9:30. So we spent the night there again.

Thursday we did our morning schedule with the Sisters and then drove back to Ashington. We did a little street contacting and I got into a mini argument with a man...I still don't think he believes Sister Hope is my real name. He's convinced I changed my name just to be a missionary! We talked about it for a good five minutes...then we went to have lunch with a member family and then had a lesson with John and Shannon about becoming Children of Christ! It was a really good lesson! Then we had a lesson with Angelique. And guess what!?!? She's asked us to start teaching her daughter! So fingers crossed!

Friday we had a great weekly planning in the morning and then headed out to work! We did some painting for a less active which took us ages, but it was good! Then we had tea with Pam and Bill before going to see Jennifer Thompson and talking to her about Patriarchal Blessings! So that was a good lesson!

Saturday we were busy! We had a lesson with Shannon in the morning and then we opened the font for the Alnwick Elders...and to say it was disgusting is an understatement...so we went to clean the font. It took the better part of an hour. So that was a fun Service project! Then we went to see Samantha and talked to her about the power of motherhood. Then we came back for the baptism. Our investigators didn't show up, but we got to stay because I was playing the piano. So it was a beautiful baptism! Then we had a quick lesson with Tony before going in for our studies and tea.

Sunday was a great day! We decided to just take the bus mostly because I was tired of driving but also because we wanted to talk to more people. Then we had church and did a little street contacting near the chapel. Then we came home for studies and tea and then caught the bus back to the chapel for missionary coordination and caught the bus home for the night.

So yeah! That was my week in a nutshell! As promised, my Spiritual though comes from the mission conference! We talked a lot about our Savior Jesus Christ and the power His Atonement has in our lives. Elder Ballard made us the promise that if we allow His Atonement to be our motivation, we would never have a reason to murmur again. Just think of it! When we allow the blessings of the Atonement be what motivates us in our callings, in our work, in our school, in our families, in our relationships, and in ourselves...we will never have a problem we can't find peace in and we will never have a cause to murmur or complain. Murmuring and complaining comes from when we take our eyes off of His blessings!

Love you all! Have a great week!

Sister Hope

Such a great reunion!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Movie Week! -- July 31, 2017

And it came to pass that another week in the mission field has flown by...

Monday we had a relaxing Pday as just the two of us. We did our shopping and cleaning and then did emailing at the chapel. We practiced the piano and did some family history with a member and honestly just chilled! It felt so good! Then we had a lesson with John and Shannon and taught them about when Nephi built a ship and Sister Filikitonga had a really great insight with that. She shared that Heavenly Father has invited each of us to build our own ship, and for us, the ship he has asked us to build is ourselves and our testimonies and he has shown us the manner by which to build the ship with commandments and the words of our prophets and leaders. Anyways, then we went to have a lesson with Kayleigh. We talked to her about the British Pageant coming up at the temple and her dad is going to let her go! Then we talked to her a bit more about her Faith in God award and then we finished the day syncing our iPads at the leisure center.

Tuesday we did some finding in the morning and then had to drive to a doctor appointment for Filikitonga. I felt so disobedient though because it was in her old zone! (I wasn't disobedient, we had permission) but it was a long drive. We did language study and companionship study in the morning. We got back just in time for tea and the final Book of Mormon Class and then did some street contacting by the river until going home.

Wednesday we had district meeting and it was all about inviting the Spirit into our lives and our missionary work. So that was a really great meeting! Then we went to see Elsie and Emma. Elsie is really wanting to come back to church, so she wants to replace all her old LDS movies that she used to have, so we found one in our flat that we hadn't seen (and we're apparently supposed to be passing out...) it is called "Together Forever". So we watched that with them. It wasn't at all what we were expecting! It was a lot of marriage advice at the beginning and then it got into how Families can be together forever and the Gospel can help heal broken relationships and allow them to be eternally happy! So it was really good! We had a lot of good conversations with them! Then we tried by a less active family to invite them to the branch activities we were having, but they weren't home so we slipped a note through their letter box and went to do some more street contacting by the river. Then we had tea with the Broadfoots and came in for our studies.

Thursday we did language study in the morning and then walked to the chapel where we helped set up for the Relief Society Service Activity. We had a BBQ and mini fair for the women at the women's refuge. It was so fun! We had exchanges that day, so I was with Sister Robertson. We had so much fun and all the women said they felt something special about the chapel! Unfortunately, due to their circumstances, we weren't allowed to get any personal information, but good seeds were planted! And lots of yummy food eaten! Then we went and did some knocking and then had a lesson with Sharon Wylie. We also talked to her about building a ship and how we need to give our full effort with it. Then we came in for tea and companionship study!

Friday we had weekly planning all morning and lunch. Then we dropped the STL's off at their flat and came back. We had a lesson with a member about member missionary work and then came in for language study. Then we went to have another lesson with John and Shannon, but they forgot, so we had a quick lesson on their doorstep and then helped them clean the apartment. Shannon was laughing because we're the first sisters she's allowed to help! So that's progress for her! We helped clean their windows for a bit, she was also laughing because I told her the reason we wanted to help is because we'd rather wash windows than knock doors...anyways, she let us help and a few of her friends who were there said they wanted to come to church too! Then we went to the Branch Movie Night and watched a video called "How Rare A Possession" It is so good! Seriously, go watch it on YouTube if you can...it is so good! It talks about how sometimes as members, we don't realise how important the Book of Mormon is, but there is such a power in that book and we need to treasure it more than we do! It seriously made me want to have an all night reading fest, but lights out at 10:30...

Saturday we spent the day in Morpeth and I think Heavenly Father was playing a joke on us. It was a beautiful day, so we went to see Winifred and Fred and then went to the park. Just as we got there, it started pouring (although it was still sunny and blue skies...seriously, England is weird) So we went to see Jennifer Jones. We watched Joseph Smith, Prophet of The Restoration with her and bore our testimonies. Then she asked us to help her clean up her kitchen a little because she gets too dizzy reaching up and her cupboard doors needed wiping. So we helped her with that and then went to see another member who was going to play the piano for our musical number on Sunday, so we had a little practice with her and then came in for tea and language study before going to see Jennifer Thompson. We answered some questions she had about the chapters we'd left her in the Book of Mormon and talked to her about what she sees as her next step in her spiritual progression and how we can help her with that! So it was a good evening!

Sunday we walked to church with John and Shannon since her friends said they'd come, but none of the people who said they were going to come, came...but it was still great. We sang "Joseph Smith's First Prayer" in Sacrament Meeting and it went really well. We even matched outfits and nobody noticed! It was so weird! Anyways, then we had missionary coordination right afterwards and then walked home. We tried by a less active who wasn't in and then saw her daughter. Her daughter is having a really hard time right now, but the light is starting to show at the end of the tunnel and we could tell her faith is starting to come back! She even let us pray with her this time and said it really helped! We're so excited she is starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel! She deserves it so much! Then we tried by John and Jackie since we hadn't seen them in ages and they want us to start teaching them again, so we'll see how it goes this time! They said they'll come to the Alnwick baptism this weekend too! So that's exciting! Then we finally got home and had lunch at 5:30...but that was ok with us because we could do our studies and tea after that. So we just squished everything into the middle of the day! It was a good Sunday, but we were starving, so don't know if we'll do it that way again! 

So my Spiritual Thought this week is from Sister Filikitonga! She shared a quote with me this week that I just love!

"We must stay FOCUSED! Which means we are

Finding

Ourselves

Centered

Upon the

Savior

Every

Day"

I love that! Hope you can all stay focused this week and throughout the rest of your life! 

Love you all! Have a great week!

Sister Hope

Another Fast Week! -- July 24, 2017

Hello Everybody! What a fast week it has been! It feels like I was just typing out an email to y'all the other day!

So Monday, we had a zone pday in Newcastle and we just played games. Nothing too exciting, honestly. Then we went to see Kayleigh, but they were on their way out just as we drove up, so we went to see the Norris Family first and then came back. We talked with Sister Norris about prayer and how that builds our faith. Then we went back and Kayleigh had a lesson for us! She's working so hard on her Faith in God Award, it's amazing! Then we went to see the Griffith's. They hadn't had a very good day, so we just listened to them and promised to come back the next day to share our message.

Tuesday we went and saw Sister Zywczok in the morning and talked to her about the importance of faithfully doing her visiting teaching, even when it seems nobody is responding. then we had language study and lunch before seeing the Griffith's. we read President Monson's talk from Conference with them and talked about the importance of keeping on reading and how that will give us the strength to endure our trials. As he said, reading the Book of Mormon is a critical need we as church members have! Then we headed off to North Shields for Interviews and Instruction from President and Sister Turvey and the AP's. Then we came home for companionship study and went to the Book of Mormon Class where we read about The Brother of Jared. Then we had a late tea with the Grimes' before rushing home to make it in on time! so a fun, fast paced day!

Wednesday we walked to the library to sync and then came in for language study and lunch. then we tried by a few less actives and had a good conversation with one of the families. Then we went back to the Grimes' for Sister Filikitonga to get a blessings before we headed to Newcastle for her to have an MRI scan. It was really funny because the Zone Leaders forgot to give us some pamphlets we had ordered, so they were going to meet us in the hospital and drop them off. Well, they walked past where i was waiting for her to be done and decided they didn't want to walk all the way around the hospital, so they just dropped the pamphlets through the open window. I think it nearly gave the poor receptionist a heart attack! But we got the pamphlets, so all was well! Then we came back and had tea with the Broadfoot's before coming in for companionship study.

Thursday was a little more interesting. We did a ton of street contacting and knocking by formers before coming in for lunch. Then we saw Elsie and Emma. They're doing so well! It was a crazy miracle because Emma had been talking about her favorite church video when she was younger was called "On the Way Home" and she really wanted another copy. Well we were taking a Finding Faith in Christ video to another investigator and found a copy of the video she had been looking for. No idea how it got there...I don't remember it being there when I re-organized the video shelves...but she was so excited and said she was going to watch it about five times that night! So that was good! Then we did street contacting by the river and it started pouring! So Kurt saved us and we had a lesson with him and then a lesson with Tony after that. Then we came in for studies and tea! So that was an exciting day!

Friday we had weekly planning all morning and then went to the Relief Society Lunch. There wasn't as good of a turnout as normal, but it was still really good and we enjoyed ourselves and got to mingle with a few members and less actives. So that's always nice! Then we had companionship study and went to Blyth. We saw a member who had been out of town for a few weeks. I was getting worried about her because I didn't remember her saying she was going out of town. But not to worry anymore! She is still good and home! So that was good. Then we dropped a bible off to a man who had requested one from Mormon.org. He wasn't in, but his wife was and she was so nice! Don't know if anything will come of it, but it was a good conversation! Then we had language study and tea before going to see Jennifer Thompson. She is still doing well. We sang hymns together this afternoon and it was so good! The Spirit was so strong!

Saturday was crazy. We had checked our tire treads the night before, and it looked like one of our tires was running low, so we took it in, but they said the tread would last another month. So we came in for studies and lunch. Then we did street contacting at the beach...for four hours. Our backs were killing us! But that's ok. Kurt came and joined us for the last three hours and we had fun showing him how we do Street contacting here. Then we went in for the last bit of our studies and had tea. So it was a very short, but long day...

Sunday also went really fast. We had Missionary Coordination right after church and then had a few things of paperwork to do at the chapel. Then we went to see a member for a tea/lunch appointment and were basically there the rest of the day! We're doing a musical number next week with her, so we practiced after tea and then came in for our studies. 

So yeah, it was a short but busy week. We're looking forward to seeing how this next week goes! Should be exciting!

My Spiritual Thought for the Week comes from conference again!

"Because He loves us, the Lord expects much of us. If we are humble, we will welcome the Lord’s invitations to repent, to sacrifice, and to serve as evidence of His perfect love for us. After all, an invitation to repent is also an invitation to receive the wonderful gift of forgiveness and peace"

-'Then Jesus Beholding Him, Loved Him' By Elder S. Mark Palmer

Everything Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ invites us to do is to become better. He expects a lot because only He can see our full potential. 

Love you all loads! 

Sister Hope