Bangor, Part 13

We've decided to turn our attention and our efforts a little bit. We are going by map and looking for inactive part-member families. We are currently helping two different individuals return to activity---one of them after 10 years of being inactive. We have gotten one referral from this approach so far. We are working closely with one of the ward mission leaders to this end. So I hope that will go very well. There's just been such little success from street contacting and tracting, so we're trying to be creative. 

No especially interesting stuff to tell about. I'm now avoiding some members who I know for a fact are talking about Infinity War, and what the post-credit scene is, and what the ending is, and such and such. I've actually just been considering having y'all just spoil all the movie endings for me so that I won't have to worry about it. 

The other day, it was raining quite fierce. Occasionally we would flee to the indoors, but whenever we did that the sun would come out and the rain would stop. And then we would go back outside and it would start pouring again. 

Aren't we a funny pair, you and me Dad? You love to teach, and I love to give talks in church! I gave a talk on how the Holy Ghost has been a companion to me in my life. It provided me a unique opportunity to remember all of the times in my life when the gift of the Holy Ghost has been such a boon to me. I thought a lot about my early school years, and about being ordained to different offices, and on my mission thus far and such. I'm an old missionary now, you know. With only a little over a year to go. I think I say it quite often, but I might say it again: I thought my biggest challenge would be getting along with my companions, but that isn't a very big challenge at all! I also get along with the members, though not as easily; I allow myself to be quieter around them. And the rest of the people...are a challenge. But we're getting there. I've still got about 13 months to get this right. 

P-day looks like it's gonna be standard. I might try and get some black trousers to go with my suit jacket. Although, I might be getting a little bit big for that one. Yesterday we got froaken stuffed! Stuffed HOOORD! And sent to our flat with a whole tuna casserole and loaf of bread. I love Bangor!!

And I love you!! Thank you so much for the pictures. And the love. And the prayers. Bye for now!

Elder Lybbert

Bangor, Part 12

No, nobody has ever said that. ["Fiddle dee dee potatoes!"] But I have heard ''Top of the morning to ya''! Twice! both times were kinda just jokes. 

What a fast week. I feel like there was not a lot that happened. There was a few things. We helped out a member with his garden. There was a lot of wild garlic growing, so we smelled strongly of it. We had a dinner appointment directly following. They were afraid that they had put too much garlic in their sauce, but it turns out it was just us. 

I am still in the first book of Nephi myself. It's very good, isn't it? The book of Mormon. I had always said to myself that if there was any christian religion that was right, it is ours. Those times when I said that were actually miserable times. The best of times are more like when I say: I am glad that ours is the true church, and that Jesus saved me from sin and death. I had that kind of attitude this week. Looking forward to the week to come. 

I've just finished putting together the March gift package for my siblings and have sent it on it's way. I hope and pray that it arrives intact and untampered. I won't spoil what it is. It's not much though; just some amusing such-and-such. 

Everyone here is so very happy about the combining of the high priests and elders quorums. Most of the elders and high priests are acting like they thought of it first. 

This has also been one of those weeks where I've been missing spending time with my family. I love y'all so dearly. What can we do though? I am so grateful for your prayers. We will find someone new to teach this week. At least one person. 

By the way, Massimo De Feo's talk is worth reviewing. 

Isn't it wonderful to know how God loves us? He saw it fit to sacrifice his best behaved child and give him the worst pain that there is so that I, and you, and everyone could be spared that, and then be the best that we can be. So wonderful. 

Well, I have a lot of emotions this week also. The last letter that Aunt Suzanne sent arrived as an envelope. An empty envelope. The letter was not with it. So, I don't know the last thing that she sent. How is Amanda's driving going? How is Laura's driving going? Update me on everyone's age again. I forget some. 

Having a good week? A great week? Isn't Avengers coming out soon? You can tell me what you think about it, but no spoilers!! I mean it! I've been doing so good so far keeping away from spoilers for Spiderman and Thor and Black Panther and Star Wars, so don't ruin that streek! Especially when we have our skype chat on the 13th. I'm still looking for a place to do that from. Should be at a members home again. So I also have yet to determine a time. 

I suppose that's it. For now. Say hi to everyone for me!

Bangor, Part 11

This week we got our moves call, and found out that we will not be moving. So me and Elder Baklan will be together in Bangor for the next foreseeable 7 weeks. I am okay with that, because me and Elder Baklan get along well and Bangor is a nice and agreeable place. We have dinner appointments pretty much every day for the next 19 days. I love all of the members that we visit; they're just great people. We have to rebuild our teaching pool; we've had to drop a few investigators who were going nowhere fast. I bought a new shirt, and it looks pretty good on me. 

Okay, here are 3 things I've noticed that are decidedly different, especially about Northern Irish people (because that is different than Republic people):

1. Irish people are very touchy. They will often have there hand on your arm, shoulder, or hands when they are talking personally to you. And that's among strangers. 

2. There is a lot of mental illness in Northern Ireland. More than normal, I would say. I have been told before that one of the causes of that is a lot of inbreeding. So a lot of the people you meet will have autism or aspergers or some other disability. 

3. A larger part of the people are very very open about their personal life. Stopping people on the street to talk to them, you are quite likely to get their entire life story. 

So, you probably know that Wendy W. Nelson (Russell M. Nelson's wife) was born and grew up in Raymond Alberta, right? Well, I heard that she was a Lybbert, or was related to the Lybberts somehow, do you know anything of that? Do you think it would be easy to find out? 

You also may know that Russell Nelson and Jeffery Holland started their world tour this last week in London. Their message was broadcasted to all of the British missions, so we got to watch it too. I wish y'all could have watched it. There wasn't any new announcements, it was mainly talking about the themes of conference: revelation and ministering. There were two sessions: one at 7:00PM for everyone, and one earlier in the day at 2:00PM for missionaries. At each sessions, the speakers were Sister Holland, Elder Holland, Sister Nelson, and President Nelson. It was a very special and unique thing to be a part of. And the Sisters are very good speakers, who are rarely heard from. I wrote a lot down, but here are few notables:

Elder Holland noted that the book of Ether is over 1000 years of history contained in about 30 pages. Hence, we can infer that the Book of Mormon is not to be taken as a history book; it's the things of God which are contained therein. 

President Nelson talked about the Solemn Assembly. There were, of course, a lot of people who had threatened to be there to voice their opposition and to protest. And many showed up and were there in the conference, but because of the spirit present they were silenced. 

Sister Nelson emphasized how there are missionary efforts going on on both sides of the veil. Many have accepted the gospel in the spirit world, and are anxiously waiting and cheering us on to do missionary work on this side of the veil so they can have their ordinances done in the temple. 

President Nelson concluded the session by promising a blessing for the missionaries. Included in that was a blessing on our families at home, that they will be taken care of and that the sick and afflicted will be healed. I was just thinking, that can give us a lot of hope.... 

I'm sorry, I was not part of the family fast this week. I don't really know why, but we've been advised in the white handbook to not fast for things going on at home. But I have been praying; plus, you've been blessed by the prophet. So there. 

I have been ever so slightly trunky for the past couple of days. But that should get better right soon. I hope. 

Love y'all!

Bangor, Part 10 - April 9, 2018

So, this week was, as suggested by the subject-line, long. Quite long. I guess ol' Satan figured out that I'd changed and he's trying to through it in my face. Sent a lot of mean-spirited people our way. No matter though, I'm still standing. Better than I ever did, actually. And I'm just lookin' like a true survivor. Feelin' like a little kid. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. 

We helped someone move apartments. She's a former investigator who is---I hope I don't sound mean for saying it---a mooch. She's always asking for money. And food. We've been to her place; she has lots of food. Anyways, her old place was just the epitome of nasty, and we and the new ward mission leader spent the better part of the afternoon cleaning it up. I was in charge of the kitchen, so....lucky me. I said a prayer of thanks afterwards for my strong constitution. Anyways, she is moved into a new place now in a better and safer neighborhood. We are hoping that this can be a good new start for her. We each took vigorous showers following the ordeal. 

We've also been taking buses to a neighboring town in our area called Newtownards. There's a lot of inactive members there we're trying to find. I also bought a new piece of luggage in a charity shop to replace my broken luggage. £6.50. Not bad; hopefully it'll last me for a little bit. 

Elder Baklan has been teaching someone over skype. The investigator is in Limerick zone, in the south of Ireland, but he only speaks Russian, so it's up to Elder Baklan to teach and translate and such. And I just stand by. It's basically just some extra study-time. 

Holy cow. Everything is just gonna be so different when I get home, huh? It's not even been a year yet, and there's already some pretty big changes happening. I have been remembering my family in my prayers. 

Okay, so below are pictures of us and a few other teams having lunch in Belfast at the student union building, and good times at the train station in Sydenham, and Elder Baklan teaching a Russian over skype, and being by the sea in Bangor. 

Love yous!​

Back in Baklan

Belfast Lunch

Beyond The Sea

Good Times

Bangor, Part 9 - April 2, 2018

Me and Elder Baklan watched the first session of conference in the clerk's office at church. Elder Baklan is very good with computers, so we were able to hook up the computer to the TV. We watched it live at 5:00PM. We had with us a couple of greasy, salt-and-vinegar doused fish-and-chip suppers. Despite the seeming meagerness of the setting, we both felt the power of God that was present during the solemn assembly. Whenever the Aaronic priesthood was asked to rise, I was excited to know that my boy Justin was standing up. The other sessions I watched on Sunday at the Stake centre in Belfast. The Sunday morning session was live. I haven't been able to watch the concluding session yet. Some of my favourite things was when President Nelson exhorted the men of the priesthood to give blessings! I also really liked the talk given by Lynn Robbins. Any talk that was given by the First presidency was especially powerful to me this time around. It has encouraged me to align my will with the Lord's, though I am still seeking how best to do that. 

One of my previous companions, Elder Milburn, went home early. I wasn't told why, but I know that missionary work was sometimes very hard for him. I still have one of his name tags for some reason. I'm gonna have to send that to him. I still haven't figured out how to package Justin's birthday present. Oh, and Happy Birthday to Amanda and Tamara! Amanda is...17, and Tamara is...22? 23? I'm sorry. So, so sorry. Did you have some cake? 

That is very good news about Laura. I hope that she will feel much better than she did before. Just so you know, girls can do so many things that guys can't. I don't fully understand why, but it's true. Do you remember that Romanian part member family in Dundalk that I used to talk about all the time? The 13 year old boy, who suffers lots of mental stress, is now a deacon in the Dundalk branch. His father Sorin, who used to be quite hostile toward the church, is now asking to be baptised. This is a report that I heard from the sister missionaries, about 4.5 months after I was there. Sisters are truly amazing. The Holy Ghost is even more so. 

I can't see or predict how the new changes to some organisations and traditional means will turn out, but of course I know that it will be very good if it's done right. I am looking forward to being a part of that. I really did not expect to see such changes and adjustments. Wow. I reiterate the sentiment of Neil L. Anderson: I hope we have President Nelson for another decade or two! 

We travelled to Belfast a lot this week, to have interviews with President Donaldson, and for a zone leadership council. We also had another long trip down to Dublin. I enjoy those, because it's just hanging out with the district for 3 hours at a time on the bus. The All Ireland conference was also very inspiring. All in all, I can't say for sure what's happened to me, but I've changed; I can feel it. I'm just not the same. In a good way for sure. And I'm ready for more too! 

Thank you for all of the news from home. How are my grandparents doing? Please give them my love, and my aunts and uncles too. 

Bye for now! Love y'all! 

Bangor, Part 8 - March 26, 2018

Northern Ireland being a very protestant area---church of england, church of ireland, methodist, presbyterian, born-again-non-denominational, yadda-yadda---St. Patrick is not as revered as he is in the republic. So in that respect, it's not too big a deal. But then again, it's still a bunch of Irish people who look for any excuse to get their drink on in a most debaucherous manner. So we were instructed to not proselyte that evening. 

According to Elder Baklan, the church in Ukraine is as good as anywhere else. There is of course a temple in Kiev, but actually I'm pretty sure he does not live in the boundaries of a stake, he's just in a very large branch that's part of a district. His parents were some of the first Ukrainian converts. Elder Baklan himself is a good guy; he really knows his stuff, which is really good, especially when it comes to tracting which not a lot of people are good at. We get along very well. We've already got to teach people from the 1st and 2nd ward teaching pool, which is great---it isn't just finding all day every day now---and we have a dinner appointment pretty much every night now. 

Me and Elder Baklan have been working on doing a proper exercise in the morning. He likes to do exercises that involve just his own body weight. As for me, I discovered that the now unoccupied flat that the 1st ward Elders stayed in has a very impressive set of dumbell and barbell weights. So we had someone from the ward help us move those over to our flat, and now I am set up. Hopefully I can convert my weight and become awesome! 

How's Grandma and Grandpa doing? How is Grandpa Van? Are you pretty much back to normal and fully recovered from being sick? Has Laura's surgery already gone through? 

Happy Birthday to Justin and Amanda and Tamara and James and anyone I missed!!! 

There is a very good spirit about everybody in the wards, being that it's so close to Easter. A lot of very good talks were given on Sunday. As it was in October, Saturday morning session will be at 5:00PM, I will watch Priesthood session at 10:00AM the next day, and then the Saturday afternoon session at 1:00, and the Sunday morning session at 5:00. Then the Sunday afternoon session will have to be watched on my own time, probably on pday. Whoa, it's already been 6 moes? Heck, I'm a 9 month old missionary. 15 moe to go. That's pretty funny. 

I really love all of the members in the 2nd ward. I've only just met the members of the 1st ward, but they also seem very agreeable. The Elders quorum are great guys, really fun to be around. 

About Bangor specifically, I think it may be one of the most picturesque places I've served in. Probably because it's right by the sea; I do love that. The people are agreeable and usually polite, but pretty much every single person has already been spoken to---recently---by missionaries. So in that respect, a unique challenge is present. My MTC companion Elder Christiansen was here before me, and in his words he ''really went ham on the area.'' So whenever we ask people if they have met missionaries before, they usually say something like: ''Yeah, I remember one of them was a ginger-guy.'' But yeah, basically the challenge here is that everyone thinks they've heard it before. The best investigators always come from referrals, so we are trying to meet with the ward mission leader's girlfriend again. Probably on wednesday. 

So, all I've been able to figure out for sure is that Elder Crawley is in Lethbridge, though I didn't get where exactly. The new Zone leader in Belfast, Elder Nelson, is from Mountain View!! Also, I understand Elder Heggie is doing great in Paisley---just baptised someone. 

Enclosed is a picture of one of our district meetings, where we all decided to wear crazy socks, and a picture of Elder Wotherspoon after he found some menstrual care pads that the sisters had left behind, and a picture of me, Wotherspoon, Hicks, and Baklan on the train from Belfast (Baklan is the front left). 

thank you for writing me! I love yous all very too much!

Bangor, Part 7 - March 18, 2018

This was the last week of the transfer. The Bangor 2nd area has been shut down, and now there is only one team in Bangor. I am staying in my current flat, but Elder Wotherspoon has been moved back to Scotland. My new companion is Elder Ivan Baklan, from Ukraine. He is the district leader. I've already been on exchanges with him, but now we are companions. He speaks perfect English, with a Ukrainian accent. He has a girlfriend of many years. He was a dancer back at home (ballroom dancing with a partner in competitions and such).

From now on, we will be attending 1st and 2nd wards on Sundays. I think we will get more teaching opportunities between the two of us now. So it is actually exciting. And now between the two fantastic wards, we have a dinner appointment for almost every night. Why, we have one tonight. Oh, and I must admit I don't remember what my talk was on, but I remember that I wasn't very impressed with it. Ah well, if the people like it so much then that is up to them. 

That man we found, Pat, we invited him to church during the week, but he didn't turn up. But later that day we found out that he did turn up, but only to the last hour of the 1st ward meetings. So I thought that was cool. Plus, we are teaching a younger couple named Chris and Elliot tonight. I've already met with them before on exchanges (they are in what was the 1st ward area). This is gonna be fun!

That is sad that Buddy passed away. I always just knew him as: the fat horse. He will be missed. How are your horses doing? Magic and...that other one. I don't recall ever hearing the name of the other one. 

Well, this is going to be quite the month, with so many birthdays. I want to send a package with a few knickknacks in it, but that will take some figuring out. 

The last time I checked, I was about an even 6', and about 245lbs. 

I should have some pictures next week to send you. As of now, the USB port isn't working and we only have the one computer. 

Love y'all! Bye!

Bangor, Part 6 - March 11, 2018

(We sent Elder Lybbert a video for his e-mail this week. Every one in our family - at home - did a little talking on it.)

OH MY HEAVENS! WEST VIRGINIA! I thoroughly enjoyed that. My family is all so beautiful. I can see where I get my good looks from. Honestly, any one of my sisters could just pick from a lineup of boys, and Justin just has to stand in a crowd of girls and watch as they are magnetized to him! I think Laura and I resemble each other. That's cool. I love mom's shirt. I hope that sickness won't stay with you for very long. In fact, I hope it will just stop. Right. Now!!!

Hey, I think I said it already in our last skype call, but people swear very casually over here and don't consider it swearing. So I have shamefully developed a slight potty mouth. 

Nothing planned for p-day. Pretty standard. Although there is a slight chance we'd be going to play tennis with the first ward elders. If the weather holds up, and if we still feel like it. We've done that before; it's pretty fun. 

I just love all of your...mannerisms. How tall is everybody now? Height and weight? 

I want every detail about Amanda's date. His height, weight, nationality, and social security number...oh yes, and his name and MEMBERSHIP NUMBER!!!

Olivia is just a little Jenna, isn't she? No really, you know it and I know it. Does that mean she's gonna be good at public speaking? I don't think I remember seeing Jenna give a talk or anything. I dunno. 

I love you all! So much! I love you more than...cheese! ''Cheese doesn't have any protein in it...'' ''yes, but...cottage cheese does!!'' Maybe some of my siblings will get that. 

Pictures!

Bangor, Part 5 - March 4, 2018

Yeah, well I'm feeling it both ways: I'm feeling the ''Wow!! I'm already an eight month old missionary!'' along with ''have I really got 15 whole months left to go?'' and then my next thought is: ''15 months. That's not that long, is it?''

Sorry to hear that you're sick Dad. That can really make time slow down, eh? I haven't gotten really sick on my mission, and I suppose it will stay that way. I'm grateful for that. 

Did President Coulter get a new calling? I haven't met Elder Heggie yet, but I've heard about him. Apparently he's made out with the AP's little sister before. I thought that was funny. 

I've been studying the bible a lot, just so that I can adequately show these people that we don't oppose the teachings of the bible at all. Of course, we can't get a conversation going wherein we can explain ourselves. But that doesn't even matter anymore. We are struggling to get in contact with Helen and Nathaniel. But on the other hand, we have a scheduled lesson with the Ward Mission Leader's girlfriend for Wednesday! WOO! I'm happy about that, because that will be our first lesson in Bangor! 

I love going to basketball games. I miss it too! I'll look forward to that when I get back. Of course, it's easy to look forward to things when I come home, but it's not always easy to look forward to the next day. We have now got a list of less active members and part member families who we could visit. President Donaldson discourages too much less active work because we should be leaving the bulk of that to home teachers. But we definitely want to get in with part member families. 

I don't actually know where Elder Crawley is, but we are having dinner with his family tonight, so I will no doubt find out soon. 

Are snow pushers those electric snow-shovel-looking-things that melt the snow as you use it? I'm telling you, you wouldn't believe how people freak out about snow in Ireland. It could be the lightest snow ever, and the whole town is in a tizzy. It's actually crazy. We were actually told to stay inside on Thursday because of weather conditions. We obeyed, but it didn't seem necessary. 

We get fed quite a bit by Bangor 2nd ward. They might just become my new favourites...right now, my favourite family is still the Gunapalas in Dundalk, but we'll see. We'll just see. I wish I had a picture of them. 

Anywho, that should be it for now. I hope I haven't left anything out. I love y'all! Seeyoubye! 

Bangor, Part 4 - February 25, 2018

Helen and Nathaniel did not make it to church. For the second time in a row. I've hardly even met these so-called investigators. Oh well, I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. So far we haven't found one interested person in Bangor. We've found lots of interesting people, but nobody is interested. Fooey. There is indeed a missionary in the Calgary mission from Bangor 2nd Ward. His name is Elder Samuel Crawley. I know his mother.

That's a very COOL story about the driveway. It's nice to know tha people are generally very decent, and even good. 

That's too bad to hear about Grandma. It must not be very much fun to spend so much time in the hospital. But at least she will be fine.

Hmm. It sounds like the sisters are having as good a time as I am.

I'm sorry the email was so short today. But absolutely nothing has changed from last week. Not one thing. You name it, and it's exactly the same.

That's super to hear about Justin, though! What a handsome devil. I mean, angel. I mean, devil. 'Cause he's a male. I don't think I have any palatable advice, but I'll bet that priesthood preview was wick'd!

Have it good family! Bye for now