Bangor, Part 3 - February 19, 2018

So this week, I watched those videos y'all sent me a while back. Those are really great! (Justin: ''slither~slither~slither''). So I requested that again, if you wanted to send another video. Just because it's nice to hear from everyone individually. I obviously don't need a video every week, and there's also the video chat coming in May, but...you get it. You get the point. 

So, our investigators are named Helen and Nathaniel, a mother and son. They were out of town this week, in London. She seems like a very busy bee. She wasn't there on Sunday, so neither was Nathaniel. And we are having no luck finding new people. Honest to Pete, there are so many stubborn people. 

Last night, we knocked on this guy's door, and we see him looking at us through the window. He opens his door long enough to say: ''No, go away.'' And then SLAM! That wasn't too bad, it happens. So then we went to the next door, and just before we knock, this guy shouts at us from his house and says: ''That's an elderly couple's home--leave them alone!" Then he motioned to the rest of the houses in the neighborhood and says: "All these are elderly. You should just go away--it's too late to be doin' this!!" It was 8:30 and time for us to start back to the flat anyways, so we decided to appease him and leave. I noticed that his shirt had the words Jack and Joneson it, so I waved at him and said "You got it Jack-and-Jones! Have a good night!" Which I thought was completely harmless, but he said back to me: "Any more lip like that and I'll call the police on yous!" We walked away laughing. I don't think he called the police, but he watched us until we were gone. So now it's an inside joke between me and Elder Wotherspoon that whenever we meet a salty person at the door, he/she is a Jack and Jones. 

So yeah, no tangible success thus far. Nevertheless, we remain. Happy are we. It's sisters in Park Lake ward, isn't it? How are they? 

I love Holly. And of course all my nephews too. 

Even though it is very hard at times, I have confidence in the work. I have faith. Fun fact: the district leader, Elder Baklan (Ukrainian), gave us a statistic--I'm not sure where he got it from--that this mission is one of the most difficult missions, with one of the highest depression rates. That's pretty cool. I just mean, I think it's cool that I was trusted to be part of such a difficult mission. 

Love y'all! Bye for now! ​

Bangor, Part 2

So yes, we always say the hard g [in Bangor]. The locals seem to do the same. 

So me and Elder Wotherspoon (w-AW-ther-spoon) were having this conversation the other day: what is the difference between a ward conference and any other sacrament meeting? Is there just more business conducted or something of the like? That's cool that those guys are still bearded. I hear Sam is still rockin' the beard as well. 

The ward is very good. The building is in walking distance (which was still a pain, since Elder Wotherspoon has been suffering shin splints). Church starts at 9:00, so we left at 8:15 and arrived just in time. The members are quite keen on helping us out with missionary work, which is a refreshing change. Only, I've never worked closely with a ward before, so...we'll see how this turns out. We already have two investigators that are primed for the water, we'll just need to go over the main discussions with them. I haven't been able to meet them very much (they are a mother and son) but the ward mission leader is close to them, so he will help us out setting up times and what not. 

Do you go and visit Grandma and Grandpa often? How is Grandpa Van? 

There is nothing planned as of yet for p-day. I'm pretty sure we'll just do the essentials today. We have a TV screen in the flat, so it's tempting to just stay in and watch cartoons. But we won't likely do that. 

It seems we will have to be going to Belfast for our district meetings. That's a bit of a pain. Oh well, I can suffer a trainride every Tuesday. I must admit, I have lost 2 pairs of trousers lately. One of those was my black suit trousers. They ripped shortly after I had them dry-cleaned. So I will likely be looking into getting some new trousers. 

Oh my heavens. West. Virginia. It seems I have found where in Northern Ireland there is a saturation of christian churches. Walking down main street there is at least 3 different protestant churches, and many more around the corners. Many are out proselyting on Saturdays and Wednesdays, as we are. It makes it very difficult for anyone to care about our message. It also means that there is a concentration of anti-mormons and anti-christs. It can be very, very taxing. 

Well, anywhoseph, it looks like that's it for now. Enjoy these videos. One is Elder Wotherspoon being a goof, another is me laughing later that night, and another is us just enjoying the view. 

Love y'all, bye. 

PS, that isn't his real accent. ​

12 Holborn Court

Bangor BT20 5EA

Bangor, Part 1

I'm sorry I wasn't able to email yous yesterday. Moving all about insured that things were quite chaotic. Derry has been whitewashed, and once again we are being replaced by a team of sisters. Elder Price has been sent up to Airdrie in Scotland (not that uncommon for missionaries to hop back and forth, a lot of missionaries swapped like that this time). I stayed in Northern Ireland, and am serving in Bangor (2nd ward). My new companion is Elder Wotherspoon. He was at the MTC with me, so I already know him. He's from Hamilton, New Zealand. He's fairly tall and slender, and he's a goof-and-a-half. But I've always appreciated him bearing his testimony--he's a powerful testifier. 

I wish I was allowed to go to a gym. When me and Elder Scholz had a gym membership, that was the most diligent and effective I've ever been with morning exercise. Now I just do a whole bunch of random stuff in the morning. 

So did Bishop Smith have to shave? Is he allowed to grow out his beard at all now?

Our flat here in Bangor is really very nice. The sisters left it in great condition. I'll send a video soon, as per usual. 

Last week we helped a part-member family move. That took up a good chunk of the day, but I liked it. I like it whenever we can do manual labour like that. Elder Price complains about it sometimes, but any chance I get to mule is something I'll take. If there's anything I can do right, it's mule. Well, sometimes.

I also ate an enormous burrito. 

My last sacrament meeting in Derry was very good. The spirit was very strongly present. Of course, it was fast and testimony meeting. When I bore my own testimony, it was one of those rare times when I was trembling with how much I felt God's presence, and I could tell everyone else was in much the same state. A la Ammon, not to boast of myself, but to boast of my God. 

You know something? I've gained 15 pounds since I've been on my mission. What is a boy to do. Oh yeah, I still feel like a boy. There's no way I deserve to be an adult yet. 

I love y'all! B-bye!

Please apologize to Aunt Suzanne. I lost the last letter she sent me before I got the chance to read it. I will send my new mailing address as soon as possible.

Derry, Part 10 - January 29, 2018

I've so far on my mission come to love things that I didn't love before. Like animals. And persons. Not people, I still don't like people, but I like individuals. And I like seniors too. But they are so frustrating!! There's a nonagenarian in my ward who all he ever does is fall over and hurt himself because he's trying to do something he's been told not to do. Way too stubborn. That's also why most people won't turn away from Catholicism. 

That's good news for Laura! Finally something is being done so that she can breathe. Poor frekin girl. 

Oh, I love my Derry area. OH! Yeah, no word on transfers yet. Elder Price is definitely moving, but I can't say anything for certain as to myself. Not yet anyways. I'm not sure what I'd most like to do. But I would very much like to stay in Derry, being that there is so much yet to do, and University students are gonna start coming back from exams! 

I totally had forgotten about the scripture that says the Earth is round! Helaman 12:14-15. Anyone remember that one? 

Thursday was onion day. I found out that red onions taste best. I also went online to figure out just how healthy onions are for you. It turns out they're pretty darn healthy. Did you know that to the ancient Egyptians, the onion was an object of sacred meaning? It was symbolic of eternity, because of the circle-within-circle shape. Also, I was on exchanges that day, and we found a playground with some really creepy statues. 

You know what I've really wanted to watch for the past couple of days? True Grit and Quigley Down Under. Great movies. Instead I watched a movie called The Testaments, about Jesus Christ's appearance to the Nephites. Remember that one? We watched it a long time ago, but I never got to finish it because I had to go to my priesthood preview. Good movie. 

Anyways, love y'all. Talk to you later. 

Derry, Part 9 - January 21, 2018

I know what you mean. January has just gone by in the blink of an eye. It's not even funny. I know moves call will be next week, and I have a suspician that both me and Elder Price will be moved. I don't know for certain though. I almost hope I get moved, for as much as I've enjoyed my time in Derry. I'd love to go to Limerick this time of year; the warmest place in the mission. 

We went up to belfast on wednesday on exchanges with the zls. It was so easy to get work done up there. Derry has just been...not as easy, but it will get better soon. Anyways, I suppose I don't have a whole lot to say this week. Here are some cool pictures from two weeks ago though. 

But hey! That's great to hear about brother Low; he definitely seems like the type that would be a mission president, which is a very good thing. It seems that George Donaldson will only be the mission president for half of my mission. In july, he will be replaced by Mark MacDonald. 

That is also very good to hear that Grandma is doing better. 

That's all for now. I will do my best for you my family, and for my master. 

Babye!

Please, everyone, I'm sorry I didn't have a lot to say this week, but I promise that next week I will have some very good, powerful, aromatic stories to tell you. 

There's nothing better than this, my friends. There is nothing better. 

Derry, Part 8 - January 15, 2018

Darn. That almost made me a little sick to read. I hope that's the worst that happens to my grandparents for the next year and a half. I'll have to make sure to write them personally now. 

But the news about the bishopric is cool! Especially 'cause I think Travis Seaborn is awesome! 

Last P-day, we went to a fort called Grianan of Aileach, which was really cool. You can no doubt find some pictures of it on the internet. I have some pictures, I just didn't bring them today. Next time. And we also went to an unmarked fort on private property. We went up a really steep hill to get there. Saw one of the prettiest sunsets from up there that I've ever seen. 

Hey, have yous ever read through the Pearl of Great Price together? Or the Doctrine and Covenants? That could be kinda cool, don't you think? Or, get this, how cool would it be to go through Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage? That's part of what I'm going through right now. 

We are watching the President Nelson broadcast on Tuesday for district meeting. That's gonna be so great! 

Just to add to your final statement, something I've found is that if you ever have any doubts about anything, the first and best question to ask yourself is ''do you believe that Jesus is the Christ?'' That's my experience, anyhow. 

Loveyoubye!

Derry, Part 7 - January 8, 2018

I said it to mom in my email to her, but I'm really trying hard to do my best. Doing my best is a bit of a weird idea, because I've never really done it before, or at least not for two years straight. 

Yeah, I heard that President Monson passed. That was a bit sad for me. Are we sure it's gonna be Russel Nelson? I'm pretty sure it could be any of the general authorities, but it almost always ends up being the president of the 12. I'm curious, just because...Russel Nelson is already a nonagenarian. True, he looks really healthy, and that doesn't really have an effect on his ability to prophecy, but who knows how long he'd be able to serve for? I don't know, and it's kinda useless o think about in that respect. 

I bought some adhesive padding from the pharmacy. It's not moleskin, but it's the same idea. So now the clarks boots are well and broken in and aren't causing my feet any more grief. Same with the other boots. Now they are very comfortable. 

This Irish winter is making me look like a baby! It's ridiculous. 

I've been taking care of my health, no worries. I'm not very consistent with the 100 pushups in 100 days thing, so I'm trying something else that will take longer, but will have the same result. I'll let you know how that goes. 

I'm excited for this year! Can you feel it? It's gonna be great! 

Derry, Part 6 - January 2, 2018

It was either boxing day or the day after that the boots arrived. They are quite warm, and I am thankful to have them for certain; thank you. I've actually been able to wear those more than the Clark's walking shoes, which is too bad because I really want to wear those. 

For New Year's day, we watched some movies: Ant Man and Cars 3. Cars 3 was really good. And now it's back to work for me too. Which I'm not sure I'm ready for. I must admit, I find it very very hard to become motivated. This last week was actually pretty good, and we might have a new investigator named Olivia. 

The thing is I just don't feel like the same person lately; I don't laugh as much, or even talk as much, and I don't have the same hopes or ambitions, and it's just...unwholesome and weird. Not all the time, just...lately. I hope you know though that I'm trying to be better. At least, it feels like I'm trying. And I don't expect that this empty and lonely feeling I have will last. 

One thing that hasn't changed is my love and concern for my family. I'm glad to know Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Suzanne are feeling better, and I'm very glad they got my card. I haven't been able to make the pumpkin pie yet. Yesterday, I was also reading some stories about ol' Ike Lybbert. Man, what a guy. I'm hoping to get some stories collected about him, Lyle, Grandpa, and you; I've got a little binder to put it in and all. 

That's sounds like quite the night you had there. If there's one thing I don't miss about Canada, it's -38 to -40 and below. 

I spent a few days on exchanges this weekend with a Tongan elder named Elder Fehoko. That was lots of fun, I'd say. His companion was unfortunately in the hospital with pneumonia. No worries though, because he's out and on the road to recovery now. 

Well, that seems to be all. I love you Dad! I hope everyone else is well.