20 December 2010
Dear mom papa and family,
So first, happy Christmas! It has been the weirdest week EVER. But first of all. Mom I can call you on Skype on Saturday. At 6:30 should be good. Thanks so much! I am excited!
No camera yet. I hope it gets there. What a pain! Sorry about that!
So this week. We had pday. We wrote Christmas cards the whole time. The WHOLE time. My word. But it was good!
Tuesday. We worked hard the whole day. We went visiting teaching with the relief society president. That was great. It was a good day. Nothing to really write home about.
Wednesday. We had a zone meeting in Gloucester. It was good! And afterward, the lovely Henry’s made us a big lunch again! They are amazing! And then, Sister Henry brought out this big bag, and they passed out stockings that they made full of goodies to each one of us! What wonderful missionaries they are! My word! We love them! That night we went to the ward relief society progressive dinner. Very fun. We got to know a lot of the less active girls who went, and it was a really good thing! We loved it.
Thursday. We were both sick. Sister P had a fever and a cold. I just had a cold. And so we stayed in all day. Man. it was rough staying in. but we made Christmas cards for the whole branch. And we read a lot of the ensigns and Book of Mormon. It was a lot of lying around. But the next day we were feeling much better. Now I am totally better. Sister P still has a cold, but she’s healing.
Friday. We had a great lesson with E. We hadn't been able to contact her for a while. So we were really excited that we were able to today. And we read from the Book of Mormon with her, and it was really good. She even gave insights. Very good. We are excited! And then that night we had a lesson with T and Ta. They are an adorable couple. In their early thirties. They have a little boy. We found them in the area book, in the formers section. We are pretty thrilled about them!
Saturday. SO MUCH SNOW! So much. G was supposed to get baptized that day. But he decided he needs more pondering time. We were sad. And I told him that he just needed to do it. And he promised that he would soon. So that's good. But we went to their house to teach him. But on the way, our car got stuck in the snow. So they had to come pick us up. Then it snowed hard the rest of the day. We were stuck at the B’s almost the whole day. And then we almost slept over, but G gave his land rover a test drive to see if he would be able to get us home safe. We ended up teaching him a good lesson, and having a whole family day with their family. It was a fun day, but it was frustrating not being able to work.
Sunday. Church was CANCELED. Crazy! The snow here is not even that bad, but because they don't get it here that much, the whole country does a stand still. It’s so weird! The cars just can't cope with it. So we were told we had to stay in all morning, until church would normally be out, and then go to work. It was a long cold day. We were banned (obviously) from using our cars. Not that we had ours to even use. That night, President Retallick and Jonathon Wharrad (branch mission leader) helped us go get the car. I have never pushed a car so much in my life! I am getting good. So yeah. It was a crazy day! We were able to go to the Wharrad's to be able to have the sacrament which was really good!
Things here are going great. Still snowing like crazy. Pray that we will be able to have the Christmas party! Mom, I got the package! It already got to the mission home and then to me. It is all around our Christmas tree. And thank you for the pears! We are so excited! Thank you thank you!!!!
I am excited to talk to you on Skype on Saturday. Hopefully we get it all figured out. Thanks for everything. Love you so so much! Happy Christmas!
Love,
Sister Annie Clark
Ps the library was closed. So we are using member’s computers, so we have less time. So sorry short email and no pictures. But I will send them all next week. Thanks so much! Love you!
England Birmingham Mission
This is where I am serving!!!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Loving everyone and Loving Every Minute
13 December 2010
Dearest Mum, Papa, family, and friends,
Thanks so much for the addresses! Sorry, I have a few more that I would appreciate also.
And as to the note from M, oh how I love her! I hope you emailed my address and blog back to her? But tell her I love her, and must have every detail of her marriage plans, and I must receive an announcement! Thanks!
Fun that you are able to see AE. I Love her so much! She is such a cute girl. How does she do it? Ha-ha. I am glad that you get to see her at the temple. I bet she loves that and also fun to see her . Say hi to her next time you see her for me?
No Camera yet, but I am sure it will come, and I will tell you immediately when I get it. Sorry that it takes so long! It must be because it’s electronic, or more valuable? Because Sis. P receives her parcels just fine. Oh well. Meanwhile, it will be ok.
I can’t believe you sent a parcel! I hope it wasn’t too expensive, but it will be SO appreciated. I can’t wait! Thank you SO much! And its fun, we just got a package from Sis. P’s mum (whom you would adore) and she sent us both stuff, all wrapped up. And it’s around the bitty Christmas tree in our flat that the B (G and his family) decorated and gave to us. Wonderful wonderful family.
Thank you for putting that money in my account! That’s really good of you! And wow, grandma and grandpa are wonderful! I will send them a letter. Can I just write their address on an envelope, and it will get to them? Their address looks a bit different.
We fasted yesterday for G for his interview, and he fasted as well. Good show of faith. I’ll go into that a bit later though when I go through things that happened in the week. And yes. It’s WONDERFUL that we get to stay together for the holidays. Because we just are best friends. No working at it. She’s like H, just instantly best friend status. Love her! So we are happy to be together. And it’s going to be great!
So we do cover a lot of areas. I think the furthest someone would have to drive is probably 30 minutes? But that’s way out there. And only one family of members lives in that town. But they are awesome! Ha-ha. But Evesham is pretty much in the middle of everyone.
I’m glad you liked the Christmas pictures! They were so much fun! And S is doing GREAT! When we first met him, he chained smoked the entire time we had a lesson with him. During the magical photo adventure, he only smoked twice. And then on subsequent visits since then, he hasn’t’ smoked once in front of us. And when we were working with the pictures, we spent two hours with him, on his doorstep! And so he is doing great. And he is so much happier. And he says that he wants to change his life at the new year. He has stopped doing drugs, and wants to quit smoking. And he is just happy! Or “Chuffed”! It’s really good. We see that just a little bit of love and service goes a LONG way!
We have been a bit less discouraged this week. We don’t stay discouraged for long, but it’s just when we get a lot of no’s and there just isn’t as much hope, we get sad, because we are working SO hard, and sometimes you don’t see the benefits right away. But it’s ok!
Yes! We are having an entire mission party on New Year’s Eve! We can’t wait!!! It’ll be so much fun! And there will be a talent show, and they have found me a harp to use. Ahh! So exciting! But a lot of pressure, because I won’t have practiced much beforehand. Oh well. It will be great. And sister P does interpretive dances for every talent show (they are so funny, just a joke!), and she has forced me to do it with her. We will see how that goes. Ha-ha. But it will be such a fun day! And I will take a picture with the C's. I haven’t served with them, because they serve in Wales, but they are so sweet! Amazing people.
And I can’t believe that Samuel met Sister K! CRAZY! We only spent one transfer in the mission together. She is so funny. And everyone, elders and sisters, loved her so much! She was apparently an awesome missionary!
I can’t believe that B has lice! Poor girl! It makes my head itch thinking about it. I am sad for her! Hopefully it will go away soon. Where did they pick it up from? What a bummer! I remember when I had lice. Foul. Ugh. But I do remember that papa took me to McDonalds to get a milkshake because I was a good girl while I had lice. And I was a good sport. So thanks papa!
You sound like you are so busy! When are you having the carols at our house? Invite H and A, they would still love to come, I am sure. Fun about the decorations. And the bookclub! And the progressive dinner. We have one of those with the RS this week. Should be fun!
So about our week. We saw S twice this week. And he said we could come by anytime now. When we first met him, we had to call before. He just really likes us coming. And we always read a chapter with him, and he really reads into it. And he is starting to think about coming back to church. What a good guy. He has such a hard time. But he’s so good.
We had a cool experience this week. We went out with a lady in the ward that we don’t know very well to try to find some of the less active people on our lists. So we searched for this lady, D, for the longest time. The postcode we had was wrong. And all they had was a house name, not a number. And it was foggy, and at night. And it was so cold! So we decided to knock on just one more house to see if they knew where “yew tree cottage” was, and they knew. And Diana ended up being an American lady. And she just returned from a holiday in America, where she saw all her LDS family, and she started thinking about how she should come back to church. And we invited her, and we gave her all the information, and she was so excited! She’s so nice! It just was the right place at the right time. What a cool experience for a member to experience. It was really rewarding.
G is doing great. He is still scheduled for this Saturday for his baptism. Not sure if he’s doing it or not, but he got his interview yesterday with President Ogden, and then President Ogden told him that he was ready to get baptized, he signed the forms then handed them to G and told him it’s his choice. So G is the one with the form. And last night we had dinner with the B , and he is still going back and forth. But he tried on his baptismal clothes. First time ever. So that’s good! We just are really praying and fasting for him. We feel good about it though, and we know it’s important for him. This is such an important time!
We had ward council this last week, and with the new handbook of instructions, it seems that everyone is more focused on people which was really nice! And a wonderful family in the ward, the Greaves, invited us to be with them on Christmas. So if you would please send me your Christmas schedule, so we can figure out next week when we would call, that would be great.
We had the ward Christmas party last Saturday, and the branch president and his family asked us to be in their little skit, and it was really funny. I will try to explain it to you when I have pictures of the event. Unfortunately I have no pictures from this week. Sorry!
This week has been great! We have really been trying to follow the spirit and do what we should do to find new investigators. We love our branch and our area so much, and we are so happy! Thank you for all that you do. I am so grateful for my chance to be on a mission. Best/hardest experience EVER!
All my love, heaped up, pressed down, and running over,
Sister Annie Clark
Dearest Mum, Papa, family, and friends,
Thanks so much for the addresses! Sorry, I have a few more that I would appreciate also.
And as to the note from M, oh how I love her! I hope you emailed my address and blog back to her? But tell her I love her, and must have every detail of her marriage plans, and I must receive an announcement! Thanks!
Fun that you are able to see AE. I Love her so much! She is such a cute girl. How does she do it? Ha-ha. I am glad that you get to see her at the temple. I bet she loves that and also fun to see her . Say hi to her next time you see her for me?
No Camera yet, but I am sure it will come, and I will tell you immediately when I get it. Sorry that it takes so long! It must be because it’s electronic, or more valuable? Because Sis. P receives her parcels just fine. Oh well. Meanwhile, it will be ok.
I can’t believe you sent a parcel! I hope it wasn’t too expensive, but it will be SO appreciated. I can’t wait! Thank you SO much! And its fun, we just got a package from Sis. P’s mum (whom you would adore) and she sent us both stuff, all wrapped up. And it’s around the bitty Christmas tree in our flat that the B (G and his family) decorated and gave to us. Wonderful wonderful family.
Thank you for putting that money in my account! That’s really good of you! And wow, grandma and grandpa are wonderful! I will send them a letter. Can I just write their address on an envelope, and it will get to them? Their address looks a bit different.
We fasted yesterday for G for his interview, and he fasted as well. Good show of faith. I’ll go into that a bit later though when I go through things that happened in the week. And yes. It’s WONDERFUL that we get to stay together for the holidays. Because we just are best friends. No working at it. She’s like H, just instantly best friend status. Love her! So we are happy to be together. And it’s going to be great!
So we do cover a lot of areas. I think the furthest someone would have to drive is probably 30 minutes? But that’s way out there. And only one family of members lives in that town. But they are awesome! Ha-ha. But Evesham is pretty much in the middle of everyone.
I’m glad you liked the Christmas pictures! They were so much fun! And S is doing GREAT! When we first met him, he chained smoked the entire time we had a lesson with him. During the magical photo adventure, he only smoked twice. And then on subsequent visits since then, he hasn’t’ smoked once in front of us. And when we were working with the pictures, we spent two hours with him, on his doorstep! And so he is doing great. And he is so much happier. And he says that he wants to change his life at the new year. He has stopped doing drugs, and wants to quit smoking. And he is just happy! Or “Chuffed”! It’s really good. We see that just a little bit of love and service goes a LONG way!
We have been a bit less discouraged this week. We don’t stay discouraged for long, but it’s just when we get a lot of no’s and there just isn’t as much hope, we get sad, because we are working SO hard, and sometimes you don’t see the benefits right away. But it’s ok!
Yes! We are having an entire mission party on New Year’s Eve! We can’t wait!!! It’ll be so much fun! And there will be a talent show, and they have found me a harp to use. Ahh! So exciting! But a lot of pressure, because I won’t have practiced much beforehand. Oh well. It will be great. And sister P does interpretive dances for every talent show (they are so funny, just a joke!), and she has forced me to do it with her. We will see how that goes. Ha-ha. But it will be such a fun day! And I will take a picture with the C's. I haven’t served with them, because they serve in Wales, but they are so sweet! Amazing people.
And I can’t believe that Samuel met Sister K! CRAZY! We only spent one transfer in the mission together. She is so funny. And everyone, elders and sisters, loved her so much! She was apparently an awesome missionary!
I can’t believe that B has lice! Poor girl! It makes my head itch thinking about it. I am sad for her! Hopefully it will go away soon. Where did they pick it up from? What a bummer! I remember when I had lice. Foul. Ugh. But I do remember that papa took me to McDonalds to get a milkshake because I was a good girl while I had lice. And I was a good sport. So thanks papa!
You sound like you are so busy! When are you having the carols at our house? Invite H and A, they would still love to come, I am sure. Fun about the decorations. And the bookclub! And the progressive dinner. We have one of those with the RS this week. Should be fun!
So about our week. We saw S twice this week. And he said we could come by anytime now. When we first met him, we had to call before. He just really likes us coming. And we always read a chapter with him, and he really reads into it. And he is starting to think about coming back to church. What a good guy. He has such a hard time. But he’s so good.
We had a cool experience this week. We went out with a lady in the ward that we don’t know very well to try to find some of the less active people on our lists. So we searched for this lady, D, for the longest time. The postcode we had was wrong. And all they had was a house name, not a number. And it was foggy, and at night. And it was so cold! So we decided to knock on just one more house to see if they knew where “yew tree cottage” was, and they knew. And Diana ended up being an American lady. And she just returned from a holiday in America, where she saw all her LDS family, and she started thinking about how she should come back to church. And we invited her, and we gave her all the information, and she was so excited! She’s so nice! It just was the right place at the right time. What a cool experience for a member to experience. It was really rewarding.
G is doing great. He is still scheduled for this Saturday for his baptism. Not sure if he’s doing it or not, but he got his interview yesterday with President Ogden, and then President Ogden told him that he was ready to get baptized, he signed the forms then handed them to G and told him it’s his choice. So G is the one with the form. And last night we had dinner with the B , and he is still going back and forth. But he tried on his baptismal clothes. First time ever. So that’s good! We just are really praying and fasting for him. We feel good about it though, and we know it’s important for him. This is such an important time!
We had ward council this last week, and with the new handbook of instructions, it seems that everyone is more focused on people which was really nice! And a wonderful family in the ward, the Greaves, invited us to be with them on Christmas. So if you would please send me your Christmas schedule, so we can figure out next week when we would call, that would be great.
We had the ward Christmas party last Saturday, and the branch president and his family asked us to be in their little skit, and it was really funny. I will try to explain it to you when I have pictures of the event. Unfortunately I have no pictures from this week. Sorry!
This week has been great! We have really been trying to follow the spirit and do what we should do to find new investigators. We love our branch and our area so much, and we are so happy! Thank you for all that you do. I am so grateful for my chance to be on a mission. Best/hardest experience EVER!
All my love, heaped up, pressed down, and running over,
Sister Annie Clark
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Eke - it is cold in Evesham!
1 December 2010
Dear mom, papa, family and friends:
Thanks for the email! How fun that Mr. Lohss wants to get together the winners. That sounds like so much fun. I wish I could do it. But alas, I cannot. But I hope AE will be able to. Tell her hi for me. And tell her she needs to write me.
And also, would you be able to get me a couple people’s addresses? The ones that I desire are N, M, and BH. Danke!
Sister P and I are SO happy that we are staying together. She is my best friend here. So great. And we came out at the same time. We were in the MTC in Provo at the same time, but I didn’t know her. But she remembers me from when I played the harp at the MTC. Funny! I don’t know who could be my next companion. We may train. Or be a follow up trainer. But it makes me nervous to train. We will have to wait and see I guess.
We go to Worcester for district meetings. We are one of the only people with cars, so we can’t have anyone else pick us up. But sometimes, when meetings are elsewhere we pick people up. Yes, we are the only missionaries in Evesham. We also cover little towns: Broadway, Bidford on Avon, Tewkesbury, Pershore, and a few others. We have a pretty big area. And our district leader and his companion are the only ones in Worcester.
Funny what papa said about us giving V a blessing. Guys have it so easy, being able to just give the blessings. Ha-ha. We had to find someone. But it was a great experience!
The Christmas photos were so much fun! I sent a couple of them to you. They were so fun to take. And it was just to get Stefan out and doing something. He is amazing. He is addicted to drugs and smoking, and the first few times we met with him he chained smoked the whole time. I don’t know how I lived through being in the room with him that first time. And when we took the pictures he was a bit stressed so he smoked a few times. But since then, every time we have gone over he hasn’t smoked once. And we were there for a few hours a couple days ago, going through the pictures with him, and he didn’t’ smoke once. He has a hard time, because he has anxiety, and so we are just helping him know that he’s loved. And we have invited him to the branch Christmas party and to church, and now he’s thinking about it. It all starts with feeling loved though.
That sounds like Sister Wanless taught a great lesson. I love that idea! Thanks so much. I love it. And if we have more notice next time, we may adopt that I love it. I think we are teaching the last Sunday of every month from now on. Wow. We are practically in the RS presidency!
This week, N couldn’t come to church. She usually works every Sunday. But we are going to try to help her with that. But a lady we met in our first few weeks here in Evesham came, her name is W, and her daughter is C came. And her daughter loved it, and I think she did too! It was great. Oh man. So it was fast and testimony meeting yesterday, and there were some really great testimonies.
This week has been absolutely FREEZING. Literally. Ice. Snow. EVERYWHERE. Gosh. We had the funniest day the other day; I have to tell you about. So we started it out with a really hard workout, which was happy. Then we went to a less active’s home to do some service. She didn’t’ answer her door, so we walked away, and we saw a guy with dreadlocks coming up the street. We went and stopped him. He said he wasn’t interested, but that we should go to number 92. We were like, really? And he was like yeah. He said he had just got kicked out of their house, and that they still have his guitar, and that we should demand cake. So we decided, why not? So we went, knocked, and asked for R, saying that M had sent us. We ended up talking, and laughing. And finding out that they know the R family really well (the branch presidents’ family). Then M got back, and him and his friend L- the son of R- played us some stuff on their guitar. It was hilarious. We asked them if we could come back, and they said yes. So then yesterday at church, we asked Sister R how she knew them, and she said that she had given their name to the missionaries many times before, and nothing has ever happened. But she has prayed for them for 2 years. Wow. The spirit guided that! So cool!
Oh, and that same day that we met them, we went to a dinner appointment closer to Worcester than Evesham, and got our car completely stuck in the ice. I got out to push, and it was like I got out on an ice skating rink. We ended up calling the men in the house of the place we were going to for dinner, and they came and moved our car, and it all worked out. But it was funny!
Anyway, it’s been a great week. We are working hard, and are exhausted but happy. Sometimes it’s hard not to get discouraged, but we are trying so hard to stay positive. We just want to bring people to the gospel so bad! Ahh!
Well, I love you so much! And thanks for the very fun informative letter. I got a fun letter from the dyer family this week, and I appreciated it so much! Thanks M, R, and B!
I love you all! Thanks for everything! I love you dearly, and hope everything is going well! I pray for you all the time. Love you so much! ,
Love, Sister Annie Clark
Dear mom, papa, family and friends:
Thanks for the email! How fun that Mr. Lohss wants to get together the winners. That sounds like so much fun. I wish I could do it. But alas, I cannot. But I hope AE will be able to. Tell her hi for me. And tell her she needs to write me.
And also, would you be able to get me a couple people’s addresses? The ones that I desire are N, M, and BH. Danke!
Sister P and I are SO happy that we are staying together. She is my best friend here. So great. And we came out at the same time. We were in the MTC in Provo at the same time, but I didn’t know her. But she remembers me from when I played the harp at the MTC. Funny! I don’t know who could be my next companion. We may train. Or be a follow up trainer. But it makes me nervous to train. We will have to wait and see I guess.
We go to Worcester for district meetings. We are one of the only people with cars, so we can’t have anyone else pick us up. But sometimes, when meetings are elsewhere we pick people up. Yes, we are the only missionaries in Evesham. We also cover little towns: Broadway, Bidford on Avon, Tewkesbury, Pershore, and a few others. We have a pretty big area. And our district leader and his companion are the only ones in Worcester.
Funny what papa said about us giving V a blessing. Guys have it so easy, being able to just give the blessings. Ha-ha. We had to find someone. But it was a great experience!
The Christmas photos were so much fun! I sent a couple of them to you. They were so fun to take. And it was just to get Stefan out and doing something. He is amazing. He is addicted to drugs and smoking, and the first few times we met with him he chained smoked the whole time. I don’t know how I lived through being in the room with him that first time. And when we took the pictures he was a bit stressed so he smoked a few times. But since then, every time we have gone over he hasn’t smoked once. And we were there for a few hours a couple days ago, going through the pictures with him, and he didn’t’ smoke once. He has a hard time, because he has anxiety, and so we are just helping him know that he’s loved. And we have invited him to the branch Christmas party and to church, and now he’s thinking about it. It all starts with feeling loved though.
That sounds like Sister Wanless taught a great lesson. I love that idea! Thanks so much. I love it. And if we have more notice next time, we may adopt that I love it. I think we are teaching the last Sunday of every month from now on. Wow. We are practically in the RS presidency!
This week, N couldn’t come to church. She usually works every Sunday. But we are going to try to help her with that. But a lady we met in our first few weeks here in Evesham came, her name is W, and her daughter is C came. And her daughter loved it, and I think she did too! It was great. Oh man. So it was fast and testimony meeting yesterday, and there were some really great testimonies.
This week has been absolutely FREEZING. Literally. Ice. Snow. EVERYWHERE. Gosh. We had the funniest day the other day; I have to tell you about. So we started it out with a really hard workout, which was happy. Then we went to a less active’s home to do some service. She didn’t’ answer her door, so we walked away, and we saw a guy with dreadlocks coming up the street. We went and stopped him. He said he wasn’t interested, but that we should go to number 92. We were like, really? And he was like yeah. He said he had just got kicked out of their house, and that they still have his guitar, and that we should demand cake. So we decided, why not? So we went, knocked, and asked for R, saying that M had sent us. We ended up talking, and laughing. And finding out that they know the R family really well (the branch presidents’ family). Then M got back, and him and his friend L- the son of R- played us some stuff on their guitar. It was hilarious. We asked them if we could come back, and they said yes. So then yesterday at church, we asked Sister R how she knew them, and she said that she had given their name to the missionaries many times before, and nothing has ever happened. But she has prayed for them for 2 years. Wow. The spirit guided that! So cool!
Oh, and that same day that we met them, we went to a dinner appointment closer to Worcester than Evesham, and got our car completely stuck in the ice. I got out to push, and it was like I got out on an ice skating rink. We ended up calling the men in the house of the place we were going to for dinner, and they came and moved our car, and it all worked out. But it was funny!
Anyway, it’s been a great week. We are working hard, and are exhausted but happy. Sometimes it’s hard not to get discouraged, but we are trying so hard to stay positive. We just want to bring people to the gospel so bad! Ahh!
Well, I love you so much! And thanks for the very fun informative letter. I got a fun letter from the dyer family this week, and I appreciated it so much! Thanks M, R, and B!
I love you all! Thanks for everything! I love you dearly, and hope everything is going well! I pray for you all the time. Love you so much! ,
Love, Sister Annie Clark
Friday, December 10, 2010
Thanksgiving
21 November 2010
Dear mum, papa, family and friends,
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I am jealous that L and B are home right now, and I don't get to be for thanksgiving! I am sad to miss thanksgiving festivities, but it sounds like you are all going to have a wonderful time!
It sounds like you had a great time in VA. Very fun! And the pictures that you took there of the kids are beautiful! What cute nephews I have! I can't believe M and R are putting their house on the market! That’s awesome. And stressful. They are incredible! I’m glad you stayed mom, to be with them a day more to help out. That’s great!
I’m sorry about the Messiah rehearsal being freezing. That’s how I feel here all the time. I am actually getting a cold right now because of it I think. My rain coat just isn't heavy enough for this weather. It is COLD here. Sooo sooo cold. We have to layer up everything. I wear a hat every day, and at least two pairs of tights and long socks and boots and like three tops and gloves and a scarf and a jacket, and I am still frozen. Blah! I am so grateful I am only here one winter. I couldn't handle another I am pretty sure! But I know how cold you get mum, so I am hoping that they get the heater worked out there. I feel like it was always cold in there though, no?
So you found my flat on Google earth! Way to go. Amazing. I couldn't even tell for a second if it was right, but it is. It’s a hard thing to find. When we first got here, we passed the little road about 5 times, and then had to be directed on the phone by the elders who had lived there before. Crazy!
I am glad papa spoke at the funeral. I wonder if he would send me the talk. I would love to read it. Oh, and getting the L-C report via post is amazing. I love reading it! So thanks so much for getting that off to me papa. I am going to win the next quiz. Watch out! Ha-ha.
So I curled my hair this Sunday for church, and I actually liked it down and everything. So maybe it's getting better. Pretty exciting. Sister P and I have decided to get rid of anything that isn't healthy in the flat, and we eat a ton of fruit. You asked what I eat for all three meals. For breakfast, I either have bran cereal, oatmeal, or granola and yogurt. Lunch, we don't really have a set thing. It’s just whatever. Usually sandwiches or something. We don't have much food in the house. And then dinner we have almost every night at someone's house. It’s great, because we are getting to know the branch so well. But they feed us these crazy dinners every night. But don't feel bad about me not having a thanksgiving dinner, because that's like all we eat here. Last night, Sister P notified me that in the last seven dinner appointments, three of them were roast dinners. But their stuffing is nothing compared to yours mum. And I will miss your jello. I love that jello.
I know. I hope I marry someone I get along with as well as I get along with Sister P! Ha-ha. We really have not had one argument. It’s beautiful. And President Ogden called us today, and basically told us we are staying together for longer. So we have at least two more months together! Yay!
Oh, and you asked who drove to Wales for our zone conference. Sister P drove there, and I drove back. It was about a two hour drive. Not too bad. It’s beautiful there! And we crossed on a bridge which reminded me of home. Very fun!
So what's been going on here. We have had a crazy week. We had a zone meeting in Gloucester with the whole zone. We are still learning our new training. It went really well, and we have such fun elders in our zone, it was nice. They actually talk to us, and we play games with them and stuff. It’s fun!
We then had just a long week of really trying to make all the members feel loved, and really getting to know them. And we have had so much success. We have had two new investigators come from member referrals, which is great! Here is one story, which was amazing! So we have been going over to a less active woman’s house to help her around the house. We clean her kitchen for her sometimes. And she has an active daughter who's 17, but she is struggling. So we went over to have dinner in their home. We were their first EVER dinner guests. And the ward was shocked that we even got into their home, let alone invited to dinner. And then on Sunday, we went over again to have scripture study with the daughter charlotte. When we went over, there was their friend/referral that they had given us the week previous. And she (sally) stayed for a lesson, and she kept asking questions about the church, and she loves everything she knows about the church! It’s awesome. We have another appointment with her this next week. And sally has been trying to convince Vicky (the mum) to get a blessing, because she has been really ill. And they have been trying to convince her for about 2 years, and finally, she succumbed. And we called a priesthood holder, and he is coming on Wednesday night to give her a blessing. And sally is so excited. It’s so cool!
Anyway! Sorry that this letter is so all over the place. I will write a better one next week. I love you! And thanks for the letter! Have fun with L and B! And take lots of pictures!
Love you so so much!
All my love, heaped up pressed down and running over,
Sister Annie Clark
Dear mum, papa, family and friends,
HAPPY THANKSGIVING! I am jealous that L and B are home right now, and I don't get to be for thanksgiving! I am sad to miss thanksgiving festivities, but it sounds like you are all going to have a wonderful time!
It sounds like you had a great time in VA. Very fun! And the pictures that you took there of the kids are beautiful! What cute nephews I have! I can't believe M and R are putting their house on the market! That’s awesome. And stressful. They are incredible! I’m glad you stayed mom, to be with them a day more to help out. That’s great!
I’m sorry about the Messiah rehearsal being freezing. That’s how I feel here all the time. I am actually getting a cold right now because of it I think. My rain coat just isn't heavy enough for this weather. It is COLD here. Sooo sooo cold. We have to layer up everything. I wear a hat every day, and at least two pairs of tights and long socks and boots and like three tops and gloves and a scarf and a jacket, and I am still frozen. Blah! I am so grateful I am only here one winter. I couldn't handle another I am pretty sure! But I know how cold you get mum, so I am hoping that they get the heater worked out there. I feel like it was always cold in there though, no?
So you found my flat on Google earth! Way to go. Amazing. I couldn't even tell for a second if it was right, but it is. It’s a hard thing to find. When we first got here, we passed the little road about 5 times, and then had to be directed on the phone by the elders who had lived there before. Crazy!
I am glad papa spoke at the funeral. I wonder if he would send me the talk. I would love to read it. Oh, and getting the L-C report via post is amazing. I love reading it! So thanks so much for getting that off to me papa. I am going to win the next quiz. Watch out! Ha-ha.
So I curled my hair this Sunday for church, and I actually liked it down and everything. So maybe it's getting better. Pretty exciting. Sister P and I have decided to get rid of anything that isn't healthy in the flat, and we eat a ton of fruit. You asked what I eat for all three meals. For breakfast, I either have bran cereal, oatmeal, or granola and yogurt. Lunch, we don't really have a set thing. It’s just whatever. Usually sandwiches or something. We don't have much food in the house. And then dinner we have almost every night at someone's house. It’s great, because we are getting to know the branch so well. But they feed us these crazy dinners every night. But don't feel bad about me not having a thanksgiving dinner, because that's like all we eat here. Last night, Sister P notified me that in the last seven dinner appointments, three of them were roast dinners. But their stuffing is nothing compared to yours mum. And I will miss your jello. I love that jello.
I know. I hope I marry someone I get along with as well as I get along with Sister P! Ha-ha. We really have not had one argument. It’s beautiful. And President Ogden called us today, and basically told us we are staying together for longer. So we have at least two more months together! Yay!
Oh, and you asked who drove to Wales for our zone conference. Sister P drove there, and I drove back. It was about a two hour drive. Not too bad. It’s beautiful there! And we crossed on a bridge which reminded me of home. Very fun!
So what's been going on here. We have had a crazy week. We had a zone meeting in Gloucester with the whole zone. We are still learning our new training. It went really well, and we have such fun elders in our zone, it was nice. They actually talk to us, and we play games with them and stuff. It’s fun!
We then had just a long week of really trying to make all the members feel loved, and really getting to know them. And we have had so much success. We have had two new investigators come from member referrals, which is great! Here is one story, which was amazing! So we have been going over to a less active woman’s house to help her around the house. We clean her kitchen for her sometimes. And she has an active daughter who's 17, but she is struggling. So we went over to have dinner in their home. We were their first EVER dinner guests. And the ward was shocked that we even got into their home, let alone invited to dinner. And then on Sunday, we went over again to have scripture study with the daughter charlotte. When we went over, there was their friend/referral that they had given us the week previous. And she (sally) stayed for a lesson, and she kept asking questions about the church, and she loves everything she knows about the church! It’s awesome. We have another appointment with her this next week. And sally has been trying to convince Vicky (the mum) to get a blessing, because she has been really ill. And they have been trying to convince her for about 2 years, and finally, she succumbed. And we called a priesthood holder, and he is coming on Wednesday night to give her a blessing. And sally is so excited. It’s so cool!
Anyway! Sorry that this letter is so all over the place. I will write a better one next week. I love you! And thanks for the letter! Have fun with L and B! And take lots of pictures!
Love you so so much!
All my love, heaped up pressed down and running over,
Sister Annie Clark
Zone Conference in Wales
15 November 2010
Dear Mom,
Thanks for letting me know about Sister Kincaid. I am so sad, but at the same time so excited for her. I will miss her though. I love her so much! How sad. I hope Papa is doing ok, I think he was like a mom to her a little bit. Sorry papa!
So it sounds like you are having a good time in Virginia! Those boys are all so cute! I love the pictures that M and R attached to their email! It was wonderful. And their Halloween outfits are SO cute! What cute cute nephews I have!
I hope B is doing okay. I am glad M is home now, and that he had a forced 5 days at home. That sounds really nice actually. And I am glad he got back safe. It made me nervous that he was there, even though I don't even know what he was doing.
So here is the description for where I live. If you are looking at the church, I live to the left of it. I don't know south or north, sorry. But it is heading toward Pershore, and away from Evesham. So just left of the church is a scout building. And then left of that is a little drive that is like a place people can walk their dogs along the river. Then just left of that...barely 10 feet of that bigger drive is where the drive is into my flat. And it looks like it's just a drive up to a house, but it leads to three separate places. You pass a house on your right; it's a bungalow, or a one story house. And then you pass a little set of condos on your right that is white thatched houses. And then at the end of the drive, straight in front of you is where I live. And I live on the top story. On the left. Yep. It’s great. And it has the biggest window and it is the top left window, and that looks straight into our living room and onto our study desk. It’s great!
We had cleaning checks today, and we won. I am pretty happy about that. We have been cleaning a bit each day and then today we barely had to do anything to get it ready for today. Just tidying up and things like that.
This week T H was baptized. That was amazing! We are really excited about him, and we are so happy. He is a 12 year old boy, and he is so clever. He and his dad have us for dinner once a week and we have loved getting to know them. Even though we haven't been around for much of his learning (only a couple weeks) we just are so excited for him!
Also this week we had zone conference in WALES! Yep, we went to Wales, and it was awesome. On all the signs there is English and then there is welsh. Weird language. Zone conference was absolutely amazing. We felt the spirit so strong, and it was so much fun. Because we have always gone to the zone conferences in Birmingham we have always seen those missionaries, but this time we got to know a whole bunch of difference elders. Which was really fun? Zone conference was amazing. President Ogden is so inspired, and I learned SO much. He taught all about how important members are in the work, and how we have to serve the members every day, and we have new goals on how to make our members feel as loved as possible. We started this already. it's actually really cool, because President Ogden brought up a lot of new things that he wants us to focus on, and Sister P and I in the last few weeks have really been feeling inspired to do these things already and already focus on them, so we literally didn't have to change anything from before. We have been so striving to follow the spirit constantly, the spirit must have guided us to do what President was about to tell us to do. It just reconfirmed how led the president is in his calling. Amazing! We had such a good time. And I once again realized how grateful I am to be able to be companions with sister P. We work harder than we have ever worked before, we laugh more than we ever have, and we are led by the spirit more than ever before. We are learning to follow the spirit every day, and it's completely amazing. I am SO happy here. I feel like we are supposed to be here, and that we are really doing our best. And when we do all we can do, God will bless us, I know it.
One cool experience that we had this week was when we were finding on the main street of Evesham. It was on Saturday, and so everyone was busy with their shopping and nobody was really talking to us at all. And so we stopped on a side street and prayed and asked for guidance to which way we should walk back to the car. After not really feeling much of an answer, we decided to go by the river so we could talk to some people that were walking their dogs, and in less of a rush. But then when we started walking, neither of us felt good about it. So we turned around and went back up through the high street. We weren't sure why, and then all the sudden we run into this lady. We didn't know her, and had never seen her before, and we stopped her and talked to her and found out that she is a less active. She was baptized years ago, served a mission in Ireland, and is now living in Evesham. She doesn't want to be an active member anymore, but has no negative feelings for the church. Before we left, she gave us her address and number and invited us for dinner. We went home and looked her up on the ward records, and she wasn't even on them. What a blessing! So we thought that's why we were led that way, but to our amazement, we ran into two more people that we needed to see that day, and it only happened because we tried to follow the spirit. We are striving to be able to feel that more and more, and President Ogden promised us as we follow the promptings of the spirit, we will be able to hear the spirit's voice louder. And we are thrilled that we are trying so hard to do that.
Things are going really well here. We are so happy! We are busy all the time, but striving every day to do what's right. We laugh all the time. It’s sometimes embarrassing. We had to call someone in the ward to make sure we were still having a dinner appointment with them this week. And I left a message, and left it without thinking with the number from Banbury instead of an Evesham number. And when I realized, sister P was laughing so hard, and so it started me laughing, and then I had the giggles and could barely finish the message. Sister P had to call back and apologize for making me laugh and give them our right number. How embarrassing! We had dinner with them last night, and they just said it made them laugh. Oh, the embarrassing moments.
Another cool thing that president has asked us to do is to have a blessings journal. To write down all the spiritual experiences, and times that we know we have been led by the spirit. It’s really cool! So we are starting to do that, and I am excited to see the differences it will make. I am so excited to be on a mission. It’s going by so fast right now! It seems that we just got here to Evesham, but we have already been here three weeks, and transfers are coming up way too soon! I hope we stay here for a lot longer together. I am growing as a missionary so much, and I can really see how the gospel really changes people! It’s amazing.
I love this gospel, and I love love love being a missionary.
Thank you so much for letting me have this opportunity mum and papa. I really am so grateful to you! Without you, I could not have been here. I am so grateful. I love it so much here, and I know this is where I am supposed to be. Thank you!
I love you!
Love,
Sister Ann(ie) Clark
Ps. so my hair cut. I kinda hate it. But I was SO fed up with my long outgrown hair, it's better than that. I decided I just will keep it up every day, and I like my bangs, so it will work out. I hope it grows out well. Regardless, when I get home, I am going to need an emergency repair hair cut as soon as possible! Maybe book Eliza right now? Ha-ha. Just kidding....kinda.
Dear Mom,
Thanks for letting me know about Sister Kincaid. I am so sad, but at the same time so excited for her. I will miss her though. I love her so much! How sad. I hope Papa is doing ok, I think he was like a mom to her a little bit. Sorry papa!
So it sounds like you are having a good time in Virginia! Those boys are all so cute! I love the pictures that M and R attached to their email! It was wonderful. And their Halloween outfits are SO cute! What cute cute nephews I have!
I hope B is doing okay. I am glad M is home now, and that he had a forced 5 days at home. That sounds really nice actually. And I am glad he got back safe. It made me nervous that he was there, even though I don't even know what he was doing.
So here is the description for where I live. If you are looking at the church, I live to the left of it. I don't know south or north, sorry. But it is heading toward Pershore, and away from Evesham. So just left of the church is a scout building. And then left of that is a little drive that is like a place people can walk their dogs along the river. Then just left of that...barely 10 feet of that bigger drive is where the drive is into my flat. And it looks like it's just a drive up to a house, but it leads to three separate places. You pass a house on your right; it's a bungalow, or a one story house. And then you pass a little set of condos on your right that is white thatched houses. And then at the end of the drive, straight in front of you is where I live. And I live on the top story. On the left. Yep. It’s great. And it has the biggest window and it is the top left window, and that looks straight into our living room and onto our study desk. It’s great!
We had cleaning checks today, and we won. I am pretty happy about that. We have been cleaning a bit each day and then today we barely had to do anything to get it ready for today. Just tidying up and things like that.
This week T H was baptized. That was amazing! We are really excited about him, and we are so happy. He is a 12 year old boy, and he is so clever. He and his dad have us for dinner once a week and we have loved getting to know them. Even though we haven't been around for much of his learning (only a couple weeks) we just are so excited for him!
Also this week we had zone conference in WALES! Yep, we went to Wales, and it was awesome. On all the signs there is English and then there is welsh. Weird language. Zone conference was absolutely amazing. We felt the spirit so strong, and it was so much fun. Because we have always gone to the zone conferences in Birmingham we have always seen those missionaries, but this time we got to know a whole bunch of difference elders. Which was really fun? Zone conference was amazing. President Ogden is so inspired, and I learned SO much. He taught all about how important members are in the work, and how we have to serve the members every day, and we have new goals on how to make our members feel as loved as possible. We started this already. it's actually really cool, because President Ogden brought up a lot of new things that he wants us to focus on, and Sister P and I in the last few weeks have really been feeling inspired to do these things already and already focus on them, so we literally didn't have to change anything from before. We have been so striving to follow the spirit constantly, the spirit must have guided us to do what President was about to tell us to do. It just reconfirmed how led the president is in his calling. Amazing! We had such a good time. And I once again realized how grateful I am to be able to be companions with sister P. We work harder than we have ever worked before, we laugh more than we ever have, and we are led by the spirit more than ever before. We are learning to follow the spirit every day, and it's completely amazing. I am SO happy here. I feel like we are supposed to be here, and that we are really doing our best. And when we do all we can do, God will bless us, I know it.
One cool experience that we had this week was when we were finding on the main street of Evesham. It was on Saturday, and so everyone was busy with their shopping and nobody was really talking to us at all. And so we stopped on a side street and prayed and asked for guidance to which way we should walk back to the car. After not really feeling much of an answer, we decided to go by the river so we could talk to some people that were walking their dogs, and in less of a rush. But then when we started walking, neither of us felt good about it. So we turned around and went back up through the high street. We weren't sure why, and then all the sudden we run into this lady. We didn't know her, and had never seen her before, and we stopped her and talked to her and found out that she is a less active. She was baptized years ago, served a mission in Ireland, and is now living in Evesham. She doesn't want to be an active member anymore, but has no negative feelings for the church. Before we left, she gave us her address and number and invited us for dinner. We went home and looked her up on the ward records, and she wasn't even on them. What a blessing! So we thought that's why we were led that way, but to our amazement, we ran into two more people that we needed to see that day, and it only happened because we tried to follow the spirit. We are striving to be able to feel that more and more, and President Ogden promised us as we follow the promptings of the spirit, we will be able to hear the spirit's voice louder. And we are thrilled that we are trying so hard to do that.
Things are going really well here. We are so happy! We are busy all the time, but striving every day to do what's right. We laugh all the time. It’s sometimes embarrassing. We had to call someone in the ward to make sure we were still having a dinner appointment with them this week. And I left a message, and left it without thinking with the number from Banbury instead of an Evesham number. And when I realized, sister P was laughing so hard, and so it started me laughing, and then I had the giggles and could barely finish the message. Sister P had to call back and apologize for making me laugh and give them our right number. How embarrassing! We had dinner with them last night, and they just said it made them laugh. Oh, the embarrassing moments.
Another cool thing that president has asked us to do is to have a blessings journal. To write down all the spiritual experiences, and times that we know we have been led by the spirit. It’s really cool! So we are starting to do that, and I am excited to see the differences it will make. I am so excited to be on a mission. It’s going by so fast right now! It seems that we just got here to Evesham, but we have already been here three weeks, and transfers are coming up way too soon! I hope we stay here for a lot longer together. I am growing as a missionary so much, and I can really see how the gospel really changes people! It’s amazing.
I love this gospel, and I love love love being a missionary.
Thank you so much for letting me have this opportunity mum and papa. I really am so grateful to you! Without you, I could not have been here. I am so grateful. I love it so much here, and I know this is where I am supposed to be. Thank you!
I love you!
Love,
Sister Ann(ie) Clark
Ps. so my hair cut. I kinda hate it. But I was SO fed up with my long outgrown hair, it's better than that. I decided I just will keep it up every day, and I like my bangs, so it will work out. I hope it grows out well. Regardless, when I get home, I am going to need an emergency repair hair cut as soon as possible! Maybe book Eliza right now? Ha-ha. Just kidding....kinda.
There's a Spider on My Head, on My Head
8 November 2010
Dear mom and papa and family and friends,
This week has been great. Very hard work. But good. Monday, I saw David and that was awesome. But I am pretty sure I wrote about that in my last week’s letter. Then after emailing last week, I got my hair cut. I was so fed up with it being long, but now it's pretty short and super British, and I am not very much in love with it at all... but I guess now I have it for a while. That’s what I get for being in England. Then that night we had dinner with R and T Hopkins. T is getting baptized Tomorrow on the 9th of November, which is my 14th anniversary of my baptism! We are pretty excited for him!
Last Tuesday we spent all day in Tewkesbury. When we first got here, we thought everyone was saying Chukesbury, because that's how it sounds with their accents, so when we found out it was actually a "T" we were shocked! But Tewkesbury is lovely. And we had a lesson with a little lady named E. And she is adorable. We taught her part of the plan of salvation for her first lesson, and it went really well. And then we had a lesson with a less active man who has decided to start his own type of religion and sings these weird yet awesome folk gospel songs. He sang for us the whole time we were there, and then gave us two CD's to listen to. They are hilarious.
Wednesday I turned 22! Very fun. Sister P is the best companion in the whole world. She made me cake and breakfast, and gave me the most hilarious card ever. We went to District meeting, which was a great meeting, then we all had cake, and we got mail and that was fun. I got some surprise mail from people I hadn't heard from in a while, so that was exciting. Then we brought the district leader and his companion back to Evesham with us so that they could interview T for his baptism. But first we did some finding, and got some new investigators, which was great. And then we walked up to R and T's home. But when we got there, the elders realized that they forgot the sheet they needed for the interview in the car. So we went finding, while R took them to get it. After the interview, we had to run (literally) about a mile and a half back to the car to get them to the train station. Quite the workout when you are wearing heavy boots and have a backpack on. That night, K, a less active 19 year old made us dinner and we had a lesson. It was a good day! Thanks to all the friends who sent birthday cards. I so appreciated them! And Hailey! Thanks so SO much for the gift. I love it so much, and you have a letter on the way. Gosh, you are the best friend ever!
Thursday we gardened with a member in the morning, and then visited some other members and less active members, and then had dinner at the Wharrad's home. It was so fun! Sister Wharrad made a big birthday meal, and there were balloons and a cute cute birthday cake! It was so much fun! I loved it. What a sweet sweet lady! And her two kids, E (4) and Th (2), were adorable. They made me a very pink cake, and E helped me blow out the candles! Such sweet people. Then we had a lesson with the B family. G B married a member and since then has been looking into the church. And since about 14 years ago, he has been basically a member. He comes to church every Sunday, and reads the book of Mormon every day, and prays and does everything. But he hasn't been baptized. He has been investigating seriously for about 3 years, and we had an amazing lesson with him. He had major concerns about the atonement, so we had been studying for him all week to be able to answer his questions. Well, we taught, and the spirit was so strong, and we actually dissolved his concerns. It was amazing! I think he was really surprised. But it was so powerful! We thanked the lord when we got in the car for the spirit that was present.
Friday (the 5th of November. you know, "remember remember the fifth of November") it was bonfire night, and it was really fun. We had weekly planning, and then we tried to visit lots of other people, and nobody was home. But the fireworks were really cool, and we could smell the bonfires for a few days after even. Very fun!
Saturday we met again with J. She was baptized in February, and since then has started smoking again. So that day she decided to stop smoking. So we started that on Sunday. On Saturday afternoon, we started our fast, and we fasted for the missionary work in the Evesham area. We asked the ward, 2 weeks previous to also join us in fasting for the area. That night we visited an 88 year old woman in the ward and I saw a huge spider behind her couch. And so I was brave, no screaming or even showing any fright, and I got up and stepped on it, and got rid of it. I am so proud of myself!
Sunday we had church which went great. And then a dinner afterward at a members home. Then we went to J’s and did the stop smoking workshop with her. Now we are pros! We did so well, and she is committed! It’s awesome! We are so happy for her! Then that night, we went to the B family again, and again had a very spiritually powerful lesson. We ended by setting a date for G's baptism, and he is working on his faith to be ready by then. So prayers for G would be lovely!
This week has been great. We loved it. We tracted a lot, and did lots. We both got seriously fed up with our clothes. But oh well. And we laugh all the time. I love it here. And I love serving the lord.
Love,
Sister Clark
I hope you had a great birthday mum! Love you!
Dear mom and papa and family and friends,
This week has been great. Very hard work. But good. Monday, I saw David and that was awesome. But I am pretty sure I wrote about that in my last week’s letter. Then after emailing last week, I got my hair cut. I was so fed up with it being long, but now it's pretty short and super British, and I am not very much in love with it at all... but I guess now I have it for a while. That’s what I get for being in England. Then that night we had dinner with R and T Hopkins. T is getting baptized Tomorrow on the 9th of November, which is my 14th anniversary of my baptism! We are pretty excited for him!
Last Tuesday we spent all day in Tewkesbury. When we first got here, we thought everyone was saying Chukesbury, because that's how it sounds with their accents, so when we found out it was actually a "T" we were shocked! But Tewkesbury is lovely. And we had a lesson with a little lady named E. And she is adorable. We taught her part of the plan of salvation for her first lesson, and it went really well. And then we had a lesson with a less active man who has decided to start his own type of religion and sings these weird yet awesome folk gospel songs. He sang for us the whole time we were there, and then gave us two CD's to listen to. They are hilarious.
Wednesday I turned 22! Very fun. Sister P is the best companion in the whole world. She made me cake and breakfast, and gave me the most hilarious card ever. We went to District meeting, which was a great meeting, then we all had cake, and we got mail and that was fun. I got some surprise mail from people I hadn't heard from in a while, so that was exciting. Then we brought the district leader and his companion back to Evesham with us so that they could interview T for his baptism. But first we did some finding, and got some new investigators, which was great. And then we walked up to R and T's home. But when we got there, the elders realized that they forgot the sheet they needed for the interview in the car. So we went finding, while R took them to get it. After the interview, we had to run (literally) about a mile and a half back to the car to get them to the train station. Quite the workout when you are wearing heavy boots and have a backpack on. That night, K, a less active 19 year old made us dinner and we had a lesson. It was a good day! Thanks to all the friends who sent birthday cards. I so appreciated them! And Hailey! Thanks so SO much for the gift. I love it so much, and you have a letter on the way. Gosh, you are the best friend ever!
Thursday we gardened with a member in the morning, and then visited some other members and less active members, and then had dinner at the Wharrad's home. It was so fun! Sister Wharrad made a big birthday meal, and there were balloons and a cute cute birthday cake! It was so much fun! I loved it. What a sweet sweet lady! And her two kids, E (4) and Th (2), were adorable. They made me a very pink cake, and E helped me blow out the candles! Such sweet people. Then we had a lesson with the B family. G B married a member and since then has been looking into the church. And since about 14 years ago, he has been basically a member. He comes to church every Sunday, and reads the book of Mormon every day, and prays and does everything. But he hasn't been baptized. He has been investigating seriously for about 3 years, and we had an amazing lesson with him. He had major concerns about the atonement, so we had been studying for him all week to be able to answer his questions. Well, we taught, and the spirit was so strong, and we actually dissolved his concerns. It was amazing! I think he was really surprised. But it was so powerful! We thanked the lord when we got in the car for the spirit that was present.
Friday (the 5th of November. you know, "remember remember the fifth of November") it was bonfire night, and it was really fun. We had weekly planning, and then we tried to visit lots of other people, and nobody was home. But the fireworks were really cool, and we could smell the bonfires for a few days after even. Very fun!
Saturday we met again with J. She was baptized in February, and since then has started smoking again. So that day she decided to stop smoking. So we started that on Sunday. On Saturday afternoon, we started our fast, and we fasted for the missionary work in the Evesham area. We asked the ward, 2 weeks previous to also join us in fasting for the area. That night we visited an 88 year old woman in the ward and I saw a huge spider behind her couch. And so I was brave, no screaming or even showing any fright, and I got up and stepped on it, and got rid of it. I am so proud of myself!
Sunday we had church which went great. And then a dinner afterward at a members home. Then we went to J’s and did the stop smoking workshop with her. Now we are pros! We did so well, and she is committed! It’s awesome! We are so happy for her! Then that night, we went to the B family again, and again had a very spiritually powerful lesson. We ended by setting a date for G's baptism, and he is working on his faith to be ready by then. So prayers for G would be lovely!
This week has been great. We loved it. We tracted a lot, and did lots. We both got seriously fed up with our clothes. But oh well. And we laugh all the time. I love it here. And I love serving the lord.
Love,
Sister Clark
I hope you had a great birthday mum! Love you!
Monday, October 25, 2010
We hit the road running and getting lost in Evesham
Dear mum, papa, and family.
This week has been CRAZY. So we live in Evesham now. It’s pronounced Eve - Shum. Pretty easy. It’s completely beautiful here. Seriously. We live right next to a beautiful catholic church, right on the river. And there are the most beautiful bridges and things. It’s awesome! I love it here SO much! We are whitewashing this area, because . . . When we got here, we were a little concerned on how the branch would be to missionary work, but they are FANTASTIC! They are the most wonderful branch. They are so happy, and good, and service orientated. They all are best friends. There are about 50 active members that come every Sunday, and lots of little kids, and families.
So I am just going to go through the week, because it was all so exciting.
Monday:
We had transfers obviously. Sister P and I then drove back to Evesham. It feels SO good to be in just a companionship. Not a threesome. I learned so much from being with all three of us, but it was so hard also. Always required work. And it was very stressful. We had to work really really hard for all of us to be happy. And on the flip side, because Sister P and I are so similar, we are pretty easy to please each other, and we have been happy this whole week. Even though it's been hard. So we drove home. It took forever to find where we lived, and finally called the elders that lived here previous to us, and they walked us through to finding our flat. It looks like we drive into a driveway, but then it goes around a bend, and keeps going up. It’s really really pretty back where we live. The flat is on the top floor. And it is nice. It’s not as "posh" as the one in Banbury, but I actually like it better. It’s more suitable for a missionary. There is a fantastic desk, and the bedroom has better closet space. And the kitchen is nice and open. It’s not as clean or new as the flat in Banbury was, but I actually like this one better for the most part. I do wish the bathroom was a bit bigger though. But I can't complain. So we finally found our flat, and then drove straight to our branch mission leader’s house for dinner. Brother Wharrad and his wife C are fantastic. C is the RS president (newly called) and she is excited to get to using us. Brother Wharrad is a great mission leader, and he is very involved. The Wharrads fed us, we had coordination, and then they gave us bedding to borrow until we buy some of our own. Our flat had no bedding. Luckily, I had my own pillow and sheets, but we both needed duvets. They are so nice to lend us that stuff.
Tuesday:
For the first few hours of the morning when we left the flat, we just went finding. We learned a little bit of how to get around Evesham, and talked to the people. The people here are really nice. They obviously know who the missionaries are, and don't want to talk to us, but they are still nice. We then went by some members homes. That was a lot of the focus of the week. We had a goal to visit all the active members as soon as possible, so we would know them all by Sunday. And we also visited a lot of the recent converts, and less actives. Everyone in this branch is wonderful! They are all so happy, and beautiful. It’s crazy! We went to the Branch President's home that night. President Retallick and his wife and three children are wonderful. The whole branch is so so excited to have Sisters, and they are so willing to help in whatever way they can! It’s so wonderful! And we are taking them up on what they offer, because we need all the help we can get. We are excited because Sister Retallick and their daughter C both want to come out teaching with us. And as a "house warming" present, they gave us some toilet rolls (toilet paper in American). We also went and visited a recent returning member and his son. His son, T, is getting baptized on November 9th. We are so excited for him. And Rob, his dad, is a professional chef, and has the missionaries over once a week. So we are pretty excited about that!
Wednesday:
We went to a different part of our area called Tewkesbury. Pronounced Tukes - burry. It’s a beautiful place. And there are a lot more people that are receptive there because they don't see the missionaries as often, because it's a bit further away. So we are planning on doing some finding out there later this next week. We visited some of the families that live here, and they are all wonderful. Nobody isn't wonderful here, and we just seem to click so quickly with them. I really feel like I love the people here so much already! One of the part active families that we visited, we got the 18 year old girl to want to come out teaching and finding with us. We are pretty thrilled! One thing we started focusing on this week is referrals. I looked back at the last six months of my mission, and all of my baptisms were referrals from members. That is a rather high percentage. So we really feel like referrals are the way to go in this branch to get moving as quickly as possible. We have been praying really hard, and asking our leaders their ideas, and doing everything we can to get referrals. As we know, we only get them when we are trusted by the people giving them, so we are working really hard to be "exactly obedient" (Alma 57:21) and so they trust us with their friends. I’ve never prayed so hard. Sister P and I pray all the time. When in doubt, pray. We always pray before we leave the car to go into a lesson. And we have goals for while we are driving in the car. We do role plays. And we discuss referrals and ideas. We are a good team!
Thursday:
We had district meeting, which was great. We had a testimony meeting during district meeting. And then talked about bearing testimony about all that we talk about. It was really good. We then visited more members of the ward. We have been so lost so much this week. We have a sat nav (gps in American) and that helps, but sometimes houses or places are hidden. One house we were looking for forever. We pulled into somewhere to turn around, did about a 33 point turn, and with the family in the house watching us from the window...they didn't know we could see them watching us. And then when we were finally pulling out, we realized that's the house we were looking for. We died laughing, and then had to go back. They recognized us right away. Oh good. Hahaha! Another funny thing that happened. We were looking on the ward list for the Fs. Sister F was the RS president till Sunday, and so we wanted to meet her. So we went up to the Fs, and a guy covered with tattoos answered the door. We asked if it was the Fs. He said yes, and then we asked for his wife, thinking we should maybe see the RS president. He said she wouldn't want to see us. We asked if we could try another time, and he said he didn't think so. We left pretty confused. We looked back at the ward list, and there were two F families! How embarrassing. We knocked on the less active F’s door. He must think we are crazy! His parents, the active, RS president Fs, met us the next day and told us their son called and said we dropped by. Funny!
Friday:
Longest weekly planning session of my life. We had to plan with nothing. It was rough. But good. We made some very good goals, and are excited to work together on them. That night, we had dinner with Rob H the pro chef, and it was divine. Very English. But very nice. We had chocolate fondue for pudding (dessert in American) and that was great. He is awesome.
Saturday:
We visited more members. We visited some fewer actives. We had a girl, the one who said she'd like to come out with us, come out with us for about two hours. It was awesome! We prayed for some streets to tract, and we tracted them, and miracles happened. And we went to another street we felt prompted to go to. When I parked, I really didn't feel right about it. I told Sister P, and she suggested we just park somewhere else. So we did. And I felt fine. We started walking to the first door, and stopped a girl with her dogs, and she is awesome. She wanted a book. She wants to read it, and wants to come to church with us. If we had parked where we did first, we wouldn't have met her. It’s awesome following the spirit. I feel so strongly that when we do what we are asked, and are obedient, God will always bless us.
Sunday:
Church is at Evesham High School. And it was a wonderful meeting. President Retallick asked us both to give impromptu testimonies. Which don't even make me nervous anymore? Weird! We met with some amazing people after church. Then Sister Ogden (mission presidents wife) called us and told us that one of the Sisters in Stroud was in the hospital, so could we have her companion for a few days. So Sister KotTbagahagadara (yes. it's really that. she's from Sri Lanka) came to stay with us. The branch promptly brought a mattress for her to use, and a pillow, and bedding. This is the best branch ever! I love it!
I am so happy to be here. I really feel like I am on a mission now. And Sister P and I are doing so well. We asked the branch to fast with us in two weeks for the missionary work in this area, and we are really excited for how it's all going. I love it here. And I love the gospel! I am SO happy! Thank you for everything!
Love,
Sister Clark
PS mom for my birthday, I don’t' know. If I think of something I will let you know. I am still waiting on getting that camera. I will get it next time I see my zone leader I think. I think that Ben's APO address on Croughton AFB would still be best. Because he can get it to the Sisters who can get it to their leaders, who can get it to my leaders, who can get it to me! Thanks so much!
I love you!
pps. So they don't have Picasa on these computers, so I will try to figure something out for pics. Sorry!
Love you SOOOOO much!
This week has been CRAZY. So we live in Evesham now. It’s pronounced Eve - Shum. Pretty easy. It’s completely beautiful here. Seriously. We live right next to a beautiful catholic church, right on the river. And there are the most beautiful bridges and things. It’s awesome! I love it here SO much! We are whitewashing this area, because . . . When we got here, we were a little concerned on how the branch would be to missionary work, but they are FANTASTIC! They are the most wonderful branch. They are so happy, and good, and service orientated. They all are best friends. There are about 50 active members that come every Sunday, and lots of little kids, and families.
So I am just going to go through the week, because it was all so exciting.
Monday:
We had transfers obviously. Sister P and I then drove back to Evesham. It feels SO good to be in just a companionship. Not a threesome. I learned so much from being with all three of us, but it was so hard also. Always required work. And it was very stressful. We had to work really really hard for all of us to be happy. And on the flip side, because Sister P and I are so similar, we are pretty easy to please each other, and we have been happy this whole week. Even though it's been hard. So we drove home. It took forever to find where we lived, and finally called the elders that lived here previous to us, and they walked us through to finding our flat. It looks like we drive into a driveway, but then it goes around a bend, and keeps going up. It’s really really pretty back where we live. The flat is on the top floor. And it is nice. It’s not as "posh" as the one in Banbury, but I actually like it better. It’s more suitable for a missionary. There is a fantastic desk, and the bedroom has better closet space. And the kitchen is nice and open. It’s not as clean or new as the flat in Banbury was, but I actually like this one better for the most part. I do wish the bathroom was a bit bigger though. But I can't complain. So we finally found our flat, and then drove straight to our branch mission leader’s house for dinner. Brother Wharrad and his wife C are fantastic. C is the RS president (newly called) and she is excited to get to using us. Brother Wharrad is a great mission leader, and he is very involved. The Wharrads fed us, we had coordination, and then they gave us bedding to borrow until we buy some of our own. Our flat had no bedding. Luckily, I had my own pillow and sheets, but we both needed duvets. They are so nice to lend us that stuff.
Tuesday:
For the first few hours of the morning when we left the flat, we just went finding. We learned a little bit of how to get around Evesham, and talked to the people. The people here are really nice. They obviously know who the missionaries are, and don't want to talk to us, but they are still nice. We then went by some members homes. That was a lot of the focus of the week. We had a goal to visit all the active members as soon as possible, so we would know them all by Sunday. And we also visited a lot of the recent converts, and less actives. Everyone in this branch is wonderful! They are all so happy, and beautiful. It’s crazy! We went to the Branch President's home that night. President Retallick and his wife and three children are wonderful. The whole branch is so so excited to have Sisters, and they are so willing to help in whatever way they can! It’s so wonderful! And we are taking them up on what they offer, because we need all the help we can get. We are excited because Sister Retallick and their daughter C both want to come out teaching with us. And as a "house warming" present, they gave us some toilet rolls (toilet paper in American). We also went and visited a recent returning member and his son. His son, T, is getting baptized on November 9th. We are so excited for him. And Rob, his dad, is a professional chef, and has the missionaries over once a week. So we are pretty excited about that!
Wednesday:
We went to a different part of our area called Tewkesbury. Pronounced Tukes - burry. It’s a beautiful place. And there are a lot more people that are receptive there because they don't see the missionaries as often, because it's a bit further away. So we are planning on doing some finding out there later this next week. We visited some of the families that live here, and they are all wonderful. Nobody isn't wonderful here, and we just seem to click so quickly with them. I really feel like I love the people here so much already! One of the part active families that we visited, we got the 18 year old girl to want to come out teaching and finding with us. We are pretty thrilled! One thing we started focusing on this week is referrals. I looked back at the last six months of my mission, and all of my baptisms were referrals from members. That is a rather high percentage. So we really feel like referrals are the way to go in this branch to get moving as quickly as possible. We have been praying really hard, and asking our leaders their ideas, and doing everything we can to get referrals. As we know, we only get them when we are trusted by the people giving them, so we are working really hard to be "exactly obedient" (Alma 57:21) and so they trust us with their friends. I’ve never prayed so hard. Sister P and I pray all the time. When in doubt, pray. We always pray before we leave the car to go into a lesson. And we have goals for while we are driving in the car. We do role plays. And we discuss referrals and ideas. We are a good team!
Thursday:
We had district meeting, which was great. We had a testimony meeting during district meeting. And then talked about bearing testimony about all that we talk about. It was really good. We then visited more members of the ward. We have been so lost so much this week. We have a sat nav (gps in American) and that helps, but sometimes houses or places are hidden. One house we were looking for forever. We pulled into somewhere to turn around, did about a 33 point turn, and with the family in the house watching us from the window...they didn't know we could see them watching us. And then when we were finally pulling out, we realized that's the house we were looking for. We died laughing, and then had to go back. They recognized us right away. Oh good. Hahaha! Another funny thing that happened. We were looking on the ward list for the Fs. Sister F was the RS president till Sunday, and so we wanted to meet her. So we went up to the Fs, and a guy covered with tattoos answered the door. We asked if it was the Fs. He said yes, and then we asked for his wife, thinking we should maybe see the RS president. He said she wouldn't want to see us. We asked if we could try another time, and he said he didn't think so. We left pretty confused. We looked back at the ward list, and there were two F families! How embarrassing. We knocked on the less active F’s door. He must think we are crazy! His parents, the active, RS president Fs, met us the next day and told us their son called and said we dropped by. Funny!
Friday:
Longest weekly planning session of my life. We had to plan with nothing. It was rough. But good. We made some very good goals, and are excited to work together on them. That night, we had dinner with Rob H the pro chef, and it was divine. Very English. But very nice. We had chocolate fondue for pudding (dessert in American) and that was great. He is awesome.
Saturday:
We visited more members. We visited some fewer actives. We had a girl, the one who said she'd like to come out with us, come out with us for about two hours. It was awesome! We prayed for some streets to tract, and we tracted them, and miracles happened. And we went to another street we felt prompted to go to. When I parked, I really didn't feel right about it. I told Sister P, and she suggested we just park somewhere else. So we did. And I felt fine. We started walking to the first door, and stopped a girl with her dogs, and she is awesome. She wanted a book. She wants to read it, and wants to come to church with us. If we had parked where we did first, we wouldn't have met her. It’s awesome following the spirit. I feel so strongly that when we do what we are asked, and are obedient, God will always bless us.
Sunday:
Church is at Evesham High School. And it was a wonderful meeting. President Retallick asked us both to give impromptu testimonies. Which don't even make me nervous anymore? Weird! We met with some amazing people after church. Then Sister Ogden (mission presidents wife) called us and told us that one of the Sisters in Stroud was in the hospital, so could we have her companion for a few days. So Sister KotTbagahagadara (yes. it's really that. she's from Sri Lanka) came to stay with us. The branch promptly brought a mattress for her to use, and a pillow, and bedding. This is the best branch ever! I love it!
I am so happy to be here. I really feel like I am on a mission now. And Sister P and I are doing so well. We asked the branch to fast with us in two weeks for the missionary work in this area, and we are really excited for how it's all going. I love it here. And I love the gospel! I am SO happy! Thank you for everything!
Love,
Sister Clark
PS mom for my birthday, I don’t' know. If I think of something I will let you know. I am still waiting on getting that camera. I will get it next time I see my zone leader I think. I think that Ben's APO address on Croughton AFB would still be best. Because he can get it to the Sisters who can get it to their leaders, who can get it to my leaders, who can get it to me! Thanks so much!
I love you!
pps. So they don't have Picasa on these computers, so I will try to figure something out for pics. Sorry!
Love you SOOOOO much!
Monday, October 18, 2010
Harp Recital and Leaving Banbury
7:43 AM (36 minutes ago)
Wow thanks for that letter! It was great. So detailed! So I am glad that you were able to see Joseph and Ofelia and the kids! I would love to see pictures of them!
So wow, this week has been mad. I will start from the beginning. So K and Ch are amazing. They had us over for the whole preparation day. Our goal was to get sick of each other before they left, so we would be ok with it. We have become best friends. I really really love K. Gosh. I will miss her! So we went to their home and had food, and carved pumpkins. It was very fun!
On Wednesday we went to dinner at C’s house and watched a couple conference talks for the lesson. So much fun! We watched one from the priesthood session, and it was amazing! I can't wait to get the ensign. Speaking of the ensign...apparently they get here so much later than they do at home. Do you think you could send me the conference ensign when it comes? I am anxious to read it, especially because we didn't get to see the last session.
Thursday night, we got the craziest call. Elder Davies, an AP, called us and asked us if Ch had been baptized before. In our church. Obviously we said no. he had never mentioned anything. And he would have. So the next day (Friday) we went to the As. We didn't bring anything up until the Mission President talked to our bishop about it, and made sure it really was Ch. Then we had dinner at the Sellers home. The Sellers are an amazing family, and Brother Sellers is the ward mission leader, and he's so good. So active in the missionary work. Well the bishop had planned to come interview Ch to receive the priesthood while we were there. Well, we found out that Ch was baptized when he was 11, in Guatemala, and he didn't remember it at all! We were so surprised! And he was surprised, and K was so surprised. K kept saying "I’ve been married to a Mormon?!" ha-ha. So funny! Well, we know it all happened for a reason, and it worked out. But it was quite the ordeal. Pretty shocking! So Ch will receive the priesthood tomorrow. So exciting!
Oh, so all week, I went to this wonderful family's home with Sister Byrch, and practiced their harp. They were so nice! I went almost every day for one week, and practiced about an hour and half every day. So much fun! Then I went with Sister Byrch to drive about an hour away to go rent a harp from this woman that we got in contact with. Wow. So much effort! But it worked out. We picked it up on Saturday morning and left it locked up in the bishop’s office. Then we went and taught a lot of people, then went to C’s baptism in OXFORD! Yes. Outside the mission! It’s only about a 45 minute drive from banbury, and it was pretty exciting. We did it that way because the font in the Banbury chapel is still not functioning, and C started meeting with the missionaries in oxford. So yeah, it was pretty darn exciting! C’s baptism went so well! It was uneventful compared to K and Chs, but most are. It went great though, and we are so happy for C. He will be the best member ever! We are so excited for him.
Saturday night, we got the news about the transfers. Sister Nemec is staying in Banbury and training a Sister from Iowa named Sister Rose. And Sister Pope and I are both going to a place called Evesham. It has had elders in it for a long time, and we are "whitewashing" it. Which means we are switching the elders out? It’s scary because neither one of us knows anything about it, and we are completely going in basically blind. But it will be awesome. It has been a pretty dead area, and Sister Pope and I are really going to try hard to bring it out of that. We are excited, but also I am pretty sad. I know that it's time to leave, and I realize I have been lucky to stay in Banbury for so long. But it's still sad to go. I have realized that my purpose for being in Banbury was the A family. They are leaving at the end of this week to move to Mississippi. It’s so sad. K and I both have shared some tears over the phone.
Sunday. Church was great. A little bit of crying, but not much. I kind of shut myself off a little bit to ease the blow. Plus I have been feeling really not well for the last few days, so that hasn't helped. C was confirmed, and he is so happy! Sadly the As had a family function this weekend so they couldn't make it to church, or C’s baptism, but they are so happy. And it is so awesome to see! I am so happy for them! After church, we went and packed some, and had a few lessons, and then I went to the church to practice. I had a few people from the ward singing with me for the concert, and so I had to practice with them. Plus I had to work on my repertoire. Only a week of practicing really isn't enough to get ready for an hour long concert. God was on my side though, because it went well. I have huge huge blisters, which isn't very fun, but it worked out. And the Stake President was able to show up, as well as my zone leaders, and many less actives, and investigators, and non members. It was really good, and a really good turnout. I played ten pieces, and I don't have the list with me, but I will try to remember what pieces I played. I played
1. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (with a member singing)
2. Jesu Joy of Man's desiring
3. O Give Me Back My Prophet Dear (with a member singing)
4. Canon in D
5. First Arabesque
6. Ten Past Two (the little jazz piece I played a long time ago)
7. My Kindness Shall Not Depart From Thee (without any singer)
8. Ave Maria (the Bach prelude that goes to Ave Maria really.)
9. Abide With Me
10. La Source
Mom, to answer your question. I wore my long black skirt. My cream lace cami and my green cardigan. I was playing a semi grande harp, which was rough, because I am not at all used to that size, but it went really well. And I was surprised by the As. They said they wouldn't be able to come because of their family party, but they surprised me and came, with flowers. When I saw them, I started crying. I have turned into a crybaby. Ok, maybe I was before...but I still am. So yeah, it went really well, and I am really happy that that was like my little farewell from Banbury. I loved it there, and I really feel that I did my best in that area, and I feel that I made a difference.
This morning, we packed the rest of the way, went and visited Sister Mac. So sad to leave her! I will miss her dreadfully. Then we went to breakfast with the A family before we left to go to Birmingham for transfers. I am writing this letter here in the mission office, and we leave soon to go to Evesham.
My new address is
Sister Annie Clark
Flat 1 68 Pershore Rd
Evesham, Worcestershire
England WR11 2 PQ
UK
Please pray for Sister Pope and me to be led by the Spirit as we enter this new area. We are both pretty nervous, but also pretty excited. We both desire to be strictly obedient, and we have so much in common, it will be really good. I am really excited to work more with her. And I am grateful for the time that I was blessed with to spend in Banbury.
Thank you for everything! I love you very much!
Love,
Sister Clark
Wow thanks for that letter! It was great. So detailed! So I am glad that you were able to see Joseph and Ofelia and the kids! I would love to see pictures of them!
So wow, this week has been mad. I will start from the beginning. So K and Ch are amazing. They had us over for the whole preparation day. Our goal was to get sick of each other before they left, so we would be ok with it. We have become best friends. I really really love K. Gosh. I will miss her! So we went to their home and had food, and carved pumpkins. It was very fun!
On Wednesday we went to dinner at C’s house and watched a couple conference talks for the lesson. So much fun! We watched one from the priesthood session, and it was amazing! I can't wait to get the ensign. Speaking of the ensign...apparently they get here so much later than they do at home. Do you think you could send me the conference ensign when it comes? I am anxious to read it, especially because we didn't get to see the last session.
Thursday night, we got the craziest call. Elder Davies, an AP, called us and asked us if Ch had been baptized before. In our church. Obviously we said no. he had never mentioned anything. And he would have. So the next day (Friday) we went to the As. We didn't bring anything up until the Mission President talked to our bishop about it, and made sure it really was Ch. Then we had dinner at the Sellers home. The Sellers are an amazing family, and Brother Sellers is the ward mission leader, and he's so good. So active in the missionary work. Well the bishop had planned to come interview Ch to receive the priesthood while we were there. Well, we found out that Ch was baptized when he was 11, in Guatemala, and he didn't remember it at all! We were so surprised! And he was surprised, and K was so surprised. K kept saying "I’ve been married to a Mormon?!" ha-ha. So funny! Well, we know it all happened for a reason, and it worked out. But it was quite the ordeal. Pretty shocking! So Ch will receive the priesthood tomorrow. So exciting!
Oh, so all week, I went to this wonderful family's home with Sister Byrch, and practiced their harp. They were so nice! I went almost every day for one week, and practiced about an hour and half every day. So much fun! Then I went with Sister Byrch to drive about an hour away to go rent a harp from this woman that we got in contact with. Wow. So much effort! But it worked out. We picked it up on Saturday morning and left it locked up in the bishop’s office. Then we went and taught a lot of people, then went to C’s baptism in OXFORD! Yes. Outside the mission! It’s only about a 45 minute drive from banbury, and it was pretty exciting. We did it that way because the font in the Banbury chapel is still not functioning, and C started meeting with the missionaries in oxford. So yeah, it was pretty darn exciting! C’s baptism went so well! It was uneventful compared to K and Chs, but most are. It went great though, and we are so happy for C. He will be the best member ever! We are so excited for him.
Saturday night, we got the news about the transfers. Sister Nemec is staying in Banbury and training a Sister from Iowa named Sister Rose. And Sister Pope and I are both going to a place called Evesham. It has had elders in it for a long time, and we are "whitewashing" it. Which means we are switching the elders out? It’s scary because neither one of us knows anything about it, and we are completely going in basically blind. But it will be awesome. It has been a pretty dead area, and Sister Pope and I are really going to try hard to bring it out of that. We are excited, but also I am pretty sad. I know that it's time to leave, and I realize I have been lucky to stay in Banbury for so long. But it's still sad to go. I have realized that my purpose for being in Banbury was the A family. They are leaving at the end of this week to move to Mississippi. It’s so sad. K and I both have shared some tears over the phone.
Sunday. Church was great. A little bit of crying, but not much. I kind of shut myself off a little bit to ease the blow. Plus I have been feeling really not well for the last few days, so that hasn't helped. C was confirmed, and he is so happy! Sadly the As had a family function this weekend so they couldn't make it to church, or C’s baptism, but they are so happy. And it is so awesome to see! I am so happy for them! After church, we went and packed some, and had a few lessons, and then I went to the church to practice. I had a few people from the ward singing with me for the concert, and so I had to practice with them. Plus I had to work on my repertoire. Only a week of practicing really isn't enough to get ready for an hour long concert. God was on my side though, because it went well. I have huge huge blisters, which isn't very fun, but it worked out. And the Stake President was able to show up, as well as my zone leaders, and many less actives, and investigators, and non members. It was really good, and a really good turnout. I played ten pieces, and I don't have the list with me, but I will try to remember what pieces I played. I played
1. Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing (with a member singing)
2. Jesu Joy of Man's desiring
3. O Give Me Back My Prophet Dear (with a member singing)
4. Canon in D
5. First Arabesque
6. Ten Past Two (the little jazz piece I played a long time ago)
7. My Kindness Shall Not Depart From Thee (without any singer)
8. Ave Maria (the Bach prelude that goes to Ave Maria really.)
9. Abide With Me
10. La Source
Mom, to answer your question. I wore my long black skirt. My cream lace cami and my green cardigan. I was playing a semi grande harp, which was rough, because I am not at all used to that size, but it went really well. And I was surprised by the As. They said they wouldn't be able to come because of their family party, but they surprised me and came, with flowers. When I saw them, I started crying. I have turned into a crybaby. Ok, maybe I was before...but I still am. So yeah, it went really well, and I am really happy that that was like my little farewell from Banbury. I loved it there, and I really feel that I did my best in that area, and I feel that I made a difference.
This morning, we packed the rest of the way, went and visited Sister Mac. So sad to leave her! I will miss her dreadfully. Then we went to breakfast with the A family before we left to go to Birmingham for transfers. I am writing this letter here in the mission office, and we leave soon to go to Evesham.
My new address is
Sister Annie Clark
Flat 1 68 Pershore Rd
Evesham, Worcestershire
England WR11 2 PQ
UK
Please pray for Sister Pope and me to be led by the Spirit as we enter this new area. We are both pretty nervous, but also pretty excited. We both desire to be strictly obedient, and we have so much in common, it will be really good. I am really excited to work more with her. And I am grateful for the time that I was blessed with to spend in Banbury.
Thank you for everything! I love you very much!
Love,
Sister Clark
Sunday, October 17, 2010
The Baptism of the A Family - High Drama
Dearest mum and papa, and the rest of the family and friends.
Your week sounded exciting and eventful! I didn't even know Samuel was moving to Utah. When was that decided? Wow, I feel out of the loop. How long will he be there?
So this week has been completely unbelievable. Seriously. I don't know if I have ever had a more spiritually wonderful and draining week in my whole life. So basically. K had a scheduled date of baptism on Thursday, the 7th of October. So last Monday, we spent all preparation day at their house. We went bowling. And we ate. And we talked. K was stressed out of her mind the whole time, poor girl. The district leader and zone leader came to her house that night, and came to interview K. We felt prompted to ask Ch if he would also like to have an interview while K was having one. He was like, sure why not. Ha-ha. So both of them went in for interviews, and came out with baptismal dates for Thursday! How exciting. Ch wasn't even worried.
The next day, we went back to their home, and while we were there, Ch called his mom and told her that he was getting baptized. He was so excited. It was completely awesome! But on the other hand, K was so anxious. She didn't know what to do. She was so scared to tell people that she wanted to get baptized. So we decided to start fasting for her. We fasted for two days, eating dinner between. We just really wanted K to be able to figure it out. We weren't pushing her to do anything.
The next day she called us, freaking out. crying. Basically telling us she couldn't do it. Then she'd go back and forth. The poor girl had a pretty bad week. She went back and forth the whole time.
Thursday finally came up. We were planning on having the baptism in Banbury, of course. But then we got a call, and the pump in the font wasn't working. So we had to move the service to Warwick. Crazy! Just one thing after another.
Well, K and Ch showed up at the church. K went into the chapel to pray some more, and Ch was just happy as a clam. It was so interesting. I talked to K for a while, and she decided that she wouldn't do it. So we had the whole service. Ch was baptized! So so exciting. He was so happy! I just love how happy this gospel makes people. And M, their four year old was so excited that his dad was just baptized. While Ch was changing his clothes, K was walking with her kids in the hall to keep them quiet. And it was an amazing thing. M wanted to know why his dad was baptized. K told him that he did it for Jesus, and to show Jesus that he loves him. Then M looked at K, and asked "momma, then why aren't you doing what daddy did?” After the service, K went up to brother sellers and asked him if she could still do it. So after refreshments, and some people leaving, K got baptized. Most exciting moment of my mission. seriously. she was finally so happy! So she wrote us three a letter, and I am going to copy some of it, so you can hear this from her perspective.
So this is her letter to us about her baptismal day.
"So, gals. I just wanted to tell you a little bit about yesterday...I had basically resigned myself to making the wrong decision. All day long I prayed for help, looked for signs, waited for an epiphany. And what did I get? Nothing. On the car ride? Nothing. At the church? Nothing. I wanted to vomit and I thought I would spontaneously combust because I couldn't figure out how to make it okay. I was drowning within myself.
And then He helped me. I was calm...crazy calm. I knew right then that nothing else mattered. Everything else fell away and I was fine. For the first time, in what seemed like ages, I was fine. My struggle was over and, at least in that moment, seemed very insignificant.
God helped me and then the innocent words of my sweet baby boy helped me. M asked about the baptism he had just seen and was curious about it. I explained to him that daddy was baptized because he loves Jesus and wants to try harder to live a good life like Jesus did. So, M said, "So, daddy loves Jesus?" and I said yes. Then M looked confused and said, "well, momma, then why didn't you do it too?” and it occurred to me that it really was that simple. I do love Jesus and I do want to live my life according to that. I needed a four year old to point it out.
Then I was able to be baptized whole-heartedly and joyfully...as it should be. "
Talk about miracles! I have never seen anything like it! And since their baptism, she has been so happy! She knows that she made the right decision. Well, they received the gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday, and it was amazing. And C is getting baptized this Saturday. He is actually getting baptized in Oxford...which is out of our area, but we are allowed to go! Yeah!!! Can’t wait. It will be awesome.
And another fun piece of news. I have a harp concert next Sunday. The 17th. I have practiced two days so far, and I need a lot more, but it will be great. Hopefully. I need prayers. My blisters are coming up, and wow. It will be a miracle if I can do this well. But it will be good, because people can invite friends, and it will be wonderful! And I love playing the harp. I have missed it. It’s been good. And not distracting at all. It’s been very nice. And lovely Sister B has been driving me to go to practice the harp, so that my lovely companions can still work while I am gone. It’s perfect! I love it.
Things are going great! We are going to K's right after this email session, to spend time with her. I cried so much in church yesterday, because I realized that she is leaving, and she has become one of my best friends! I have taught her my WHOLE mission. I love her to death. But then I also realized that when I get home, she will be able to go into the temple, and she will be in America. I am pretty lucky, because I know I will see their family more. I love them!
Things are going great. I am dreading transfers, because I realize that I am most likely to move. And I don't want to. Banbury feels like home now. I love the ward. I love the people. And I feel like things are really going well. But I guess wherever I am needed; I will go, because I know God has a greater plan for me. I know I have been here in Banbury for K. And now that she is leaving to Mississippi, I will be needed somewhere else.
I love the gospel. This week is my 6th month birthday. Crazy. One year left. I have to make the most of it, because the time has gone by so fast. Kinda scary actually. I love the time that I have to study, to learn, and to become closer to Christ. I have really felt my faith grow this week especially, and I feel really blessed to see the miracles that I have. I know this church is true, and I know that it blesses lives. It’s the only way to be happy!
I love it!
I love you!
Thank you for everything! You are amazing.
Love,
Sister Clark
ps. mom, I haven't received the package yet, but I’m looking forward to it. And I think you can keep using his address, because he can just give it to the Sisters who can get it to the zone leaders, who can get it to me. Everyone is so connected!
Well, I love you! Lllllooooovvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee youuuuuuuu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Muah!
Your week sounded exciting and eventful! I didn't even know Samuel was moving to Utah. When was that decided? Wow, I feel out of the loop. How long will he be there?
So this week has been completely unbelievable. Seriously. I don't know if I have ever had a more spiritually wonderful and draining week in my whole life. So basically. K had a scheduled date of baptism on Thursday, the 7th of October. So last Monday, we spent all preparation day at their house. We went bowling. And we ate. And we talked. K was stressed out of her mind the whole time, poor girl. The district leader and zone leader came to her house that night, and came to interview K. We felt prompted to ask Ch if he would also like to have an interview while K was having one. He was like, sure why not. Ha-ha. So both of them went in for interviews, and came out with baptismal dates for Thursday! How exciting. Ch wasn't even worried.
The next day, we went back to their home, and while we were there, Ch called his mom and told her that he was getting baptized. He was so excited. It was completely awesome! But on the other hand, K was so anxious. She didn't know what to do. She was so scared to tell people that she wanted to get baptized. So we decided to start fasting for her. We fasted for two days, eating dinner between. We just really wanted K to be able to figure it out. We weren't pushing her to do anything.
The next day she called us, freaking out. crying. Basically telling us she couldn't do it. Then she'd go back and forth. The poor girl had a pretty bad week. She went back and forth the whole time.
Thursday finally came up. We were planning on having the baptism in Banbury, of course. But then we got a call, and the pump in the font wasn't working. So we had to move the service to Warwick. Crazy! Just one thing after another.
Well, K and Ch showed up at the church. K went into the chapel to pray some more, and Ch was just happy as a clam. It was so interesting. I talked to K for a while, and she decided that she wouldn't do it. So we had the whole service. Ch was baptized! So so exciting. He was so happy! I just love how happy this gospel makes people. And M, their four year old was so excited that his dad was just baptized. While Ch was changing his clothes, K was walking with her kids in the hall to keep them quiet. And it was an amazing thing. M wanted to know why his dad was baptized. K told him that he did it for Jesus, and to show Jesus that he loves him. Then M looked at K, and asked "momma, then why aren't you doing what daddy did?” After the service, K went up to brother sellers and asked him if she could still do it. So after refreshments, and some people leaving, K got baptized. Most exciting moment of my mission. seriously. she was finally so happy! So she wrote us three a letter, and I am going to copy some of it, so you can hear this from her perspective.
So this is her letter to us about her baptismal day.
"So, gals. I just wanted to tell you a little bit about yesterday...I had basically resigned myself to making the wrong decision. All day long I prayed for help, looked for signs, waited for an epiphany. And what did I get? Nothing. On the car ride? Nothing. At the church? Nothing. I wanted to vomit and I thought I would spontaneously combust because I couldn't figure out how to make it okay. I was drowning within myself.
And then He helped me. I was calm...crazy calm. I knew right then that nothing else mattered. Everything else fell away and I was fine. For the first time, in what seemed like ages, I was fine. My struggle was over and, at least in that moment, seemed very insignificant.
God helped me and then the innocent words of my sweet baby boy helped me. M asked about the baptism he had just seen and was curious about it. I explained to him that daddy was baptized because he loves Jesus and wants to try harder to live a good life like Jesus did. So, M said, "So, daddy loves Jesus?" and I said yes. Then M looked confused and said, "well, momma, then why didn't you do it too?” and it occurred to me that it really was that simple. I do love Jesus and I do want to live my life according to that. I needed a four year old to point it out.
Then I was able to be baptized whole-heartedly and joyfully...as it should be. "
Talk about miracles! I have never seen anything like it! And since their baptism, she has been so happy! She knows that she made the right decision. Well, they received the gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday, and it was amazing. And C is getting baptized this Saturday. He is actually getting baptized in Oxford...which is out of our area, but we are allowed to go! Yeah!!! Can’t wait. It will be awesome.
And another fun piece of news. I have a harp concert next Sunday. The 17th. I have practiced two days so far, and I need a lot more, but it will be great. Hopefully. I need prayers. My blisters are coming up, and wow. It will be a miracle if I can do this well. But it will be good, because people can invite friends, and it will be wonderful! And I love playing the harp. I have missed it. It’s been good. And not distracting at all. It’s been very nice. And lovely Sister B has been driving me to go to practice the harp, so that my lovely companions can still work while I am gone. It’s perfect! I love it.
Things are going great! We are going to K's right after this email session, to spend time with her. I cried so much in church yesterday, because I realized that she is leaving, and she has become one of my best friends! I have taught her my WHOLE mission. I love her to death. But then I also realized that when I get home, she will be able to go into the temple, and she will be in America. I am pretty lucky, because I know I will see their family more. I love them!
Things are going great. I am dreading transfers, because I realize that I am most likely to move. And I don't want to. Banbury feels like home now. I love the ward. I love the people. And I feel like things are really going well. But I guess wherever I am needed; I will go, because I know God has a greater plan for me. I know I have been here in Banbury for K. And now that she is leaving to Mississippi, I will be needed somewhere else.
I love the gospel. This week is my 6th month birthday. Crazy. One year left. I have to make the most of it, because the time has gone by so fast. Kinda scary actually. I love the time that I have to study, to learn, and to become closer to Christ. I have really felt my faith grow this week especially, and I feel really blessed to see the miracles that I have. I know this church is true, and I know that it blesses lives. It’s the only way to be happy!
I love it!
I love you!
Thank you for everything! You are amazing.
Love,
Sister Clark
ps. mom, I haven't received the package yet, but I’m looking forward to it. And I think you can keep using his address, because he can just give it to the Sisters who can get it to the zone leaders, who can get it to me. Everyone is so connected!
Well, I love you! Lllllooooovvvvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee youuuuuuuu!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Muah!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
October Conference in Banbury
Dear mom and papa and family.
The next transfers are the 18th of October. Just so everyone knows, and so you can send my mail accordingly. If it's too close to the 18th, send the mail to the mission home. Thanks!
This week has been great. I will try to fit everything in this email in the time limit that we have. First things first, we had sisters exchanges again this week. This time it was with sisters Bioleome and McKelvie, who serve in Peterborough. Sister Pope and I and Sister McKelvie stayed in Banbury and sisters Bioleome and Nemec went to Peterborough. It was a very fun exchange. Sister McKelvie is hilarious, and so much fun. It’s crazy. All of us came out at the same time, and are reaching our six months this month, so it was interesting to be with our "generation". Exchanges were great. I learned so much. And my goals for these next couple weeks are to apply the new training that we have had, and to be able to really use it in my every day teaching. I love the new training, because it's really getting us to know the people that we teach. It’s pretty great!
During that training, K A called, and we talked for a long time. As you all know, she's been investigating the church for a LONG time now. Well before I got here. And so I am really really close to her. She’s like another sister. I love her so much. Well, she called, and we talked for about an hour, and she decided that she wants to get baptized. The only problem is, is that she is moving to Mississippi on the 22nd of October. And the only time she will be able to make it to church is the tenth (this Sunday) so that doesn't really leave much wiggle room to decide when to get baptized. Basically, it has to be this week. Well, that's pretty soon after deciding, and so it's a little bit stressful for her. To say the least. So since that day that she's decided, I have talked to her probably for an average of 2 hours a day on the phone, trying to figure things out. wow. It’s been good, but a lot of talking. She keeps psyching herself out, and trying to figure out what to do and stuff. Pretty crazy. Today actually, we are going to her house to spend all pday with her. We are going to go bowling. We are going to carve pumpkins. And then we are going to have her baptismal interview tonight. Prayers would be appreciated. Because she is full on freaking out today. She called us crying. We’ll see what we can do tonight. We made sure she knows that we aren't pushing her into this, and that it's fully her decision. But she is freaking herself out. So we are just really trying to help her. That’s actually been what my whole week has revolved around. K deciding to get baptized. It’s been fantastic.
On Friday, the Sellers family invited us, the As, and C over for dinner. Brother Sellers is our ward missionary leader, and he is amazing. He is one of the Americans here. Well, we had a great dinner, with a brilliant gospel discussion the whole time, and then the As asked for blessings. Wow. The spirit was so powerful during those blessings. It was amazing. Even T (K and C's four year old boy) was completely silent throughout both blessings. (We played the "quiet game" the whole time, which we all know never actually works. but it did this time) That night, K called us to tell us goodnight, ha-ha, and she said that Ch couldn't stop smiling. He was just so happy from the blessing. What a powerful experience for them! It was also a great experience for C to strengthen his testimony by bearing it to the As, and trying to help them through their struggles. C is the best!
The other AWESOME thing that happened this week was conference!!!!! It was completely weird not to be watching it in Utah with the family. I missed all the traditions a lot actually. I missed elder Scott’s mission reunion. I missed finding tickets (which I didn't really miss....but, kinda...). I missed shopping with mom and whoever else was there that wasn't going to priesthood session. I missed PF Changs. mmm. And I missed falling asleep on mom's shoulder in conference. What great times. I can't believe it's already been six months since I left basically. Crazy! But besides all that, conference was awesome. Wow. We first watched relief society on Saturday afternoon, which was completely wonderful. President Monson's talk on judging others was completely brilliant! Then we watched Saturday morning session on Saturday night. Then Saturday afternoon session Sunday afternoon, and Sunday morning session after that. We are really sad, because we won't be able to watch Sunday afternoon session. So I just have to wait till it comes out. Unless...mom, would you be able to send it to me, if it's online? We aren't allowed to go to any other websites but this one. Thanks! But the conference that I did watch was completely amazing. I have never before been so excited to watch conference in my life. I was practically giddy. Ha-ha. I am such a missionary now! But I watched with questions in mind. Some questions were mine, and some were for my investigators. I have K’s name all over my conference notes because I was thinking of her the whole time. Ha-ha.
It was a really great weekend. I know that general conference really is inspired. I really felt, and still feel, completely uplifted from the talks that were given. I loved it!
Mom, did you go shopping still? Find a cute skirt? Did you still try to figure out what key each song was? I didn't. Sadly. It’s less fun when nobody around you really wants to talk music. Ha-ha.
Well, things here are going great! We are working so hard, and learning so much. I am trying my best to be the best, most exactly obedient missionary I can be. I am so grateful for the time that I have here. I really got an epiphany this week, that why I am here at this time, in banbury is specifically for K. I really feel that way, and I am so grateful that I followed that impression that told me that I should go on a mission. There is nowhere else I would rather be. I love it so much here. I am so happy.
Thank you for the package mom. I got it, and love the book stay opener! I was thinking I should have brought my cute apron with me, to wear to member’s houses, not that I ever really spill on myself, but it would be nice when food was being flung at me. (This really did happen. Brother B put a spoonful of chocolate mousse in his spoon and flung it at me. I didn't think he'd do it, and then he did. I was completely shocked. So yes. I should have brought my apron with me! it would make me think of when papa used to give elders aprons when they came to our house to eat. Ha-ha.)
Well, I love you all!
Love you soooo much!
Love,
Sister Annie Clark
The next transfers are the 18th of October. Just so everyone knows, and so you can send my mail accordingly. If it's too close to the 18th, send the mail to the mission home. Thanks!
This week has been great. I will try to fit everything in this email in the time limit that we have. First things first, we had sisters exchanges again this week. This time it was with sisters Bioleome and McKelvie, who serve in Peterborough. Sister Pope and I and Sister McKelvie stayed in Banbury and sisters Bioleome and Nemec went to Peterborough. It was a very fun exchange. Sister McKelvie is hilarious, and so much fun. It’s crazy. All of us came out at the same time, and are reaching our six months this month, so it was interesting to be with our "generation". Exchanges were great. I learned so much. And my goals for these next couple weeks are to apply the new training that we have had, and to be able to really use it in my every day teaching. I love the new training, because it's really getting us to know the people that we teach. It’s pretty great!
During that training, K A called, and we talked for a long time. As you all know, she's been investigating the church for a LONG time now. Well before I got here. And so I am really really close to her. She’s like another sister. I love her so much. Well, she called, and we talked for about an hour, and she decided that she wants to get baptized. The only problem is, is that she is moving to Mississippi on the 22nd of October. And the only time she will be able to make it to church is the tenth (this Sunday) so that doesn't really leave much wiggle room to decide when to get baptized. Basically, it has to be this week. Well, that's pretty soon after deciding, and so it's a little bit stressful for her. To say the least. So since that day that she's decided, I have talked to her probably for an average of 2 hours a day on the phone, trying to figure things out. wow. It’s been good, but a lot of talking. She keeps psyching herself out, and trying to figure out what to do and stuff. Pretty crazy. Today actually, we are going to her house to spend all pday with her. We are going to go bowling. We are going to carve pumpkins. And then we are going to have her baptismal interview tonight. Prayers would be appreciated. Because she is full on freaking out today. She called us crying. We’ll see what we can do tonight. We made sure she knows that we aren't pushing her into this, and that it's fully her decision. But she is freaking herself out. So we are just really trying to help her. That’s actually been what my whole week has revolved around. K deciding to get baptized. It’s been fantastic.
On Friday, the Sellers family invited us, the As, and C over for dinner. Brother Sellers is our ward missionary leader, and he is amazing. He is one of the Americans here. Well, we had a great dinner, with a brilliant gospel discussion the whole time, and then the As asked for blessings. Wow. The spirit was so powerful during those blessings. It was amazing. Even T (K and C's four year old boy) was completely silent throughout both blessings. (We played the "quiet game" the whole time, which we all know never actually works. but it did this time) That night, K called us to tell us goodnight, ha-ha, and she said that Ch couldn't stop smiling. He was just so happy from the blessing. What a powerful experience for them! It was also a great experience for C to strengthen his testimony by bearing it to the As, and trying to help them through their struggles. C is the best!
The other AWESOME thing that happened this week was conference!!!!! It was completely weird not to be watching it in Utah with the family. I missed all the traditions a lot actually. I missed elder Scott’s mission reunion. I missed finding tickets (which I didn't really miss....but, kinda...). I missed shopping with mom and whoever else was there that wasn't going to priesthood session. I missed PF Changs. mmm. And I missed falling asleep on mom's shoulder in conference. What great times. I can't believe it's already been six months since I left basically. Crazy! But besides all that, conference was awesome. Wow. We first watched relief society on Saturday afternoon, which was completely wonderful. President Monson's talk on judging others was completely brilliant! Then we watched Saturday morning session on Saturday night. Then Saturday afternoon session Sunday afternoon, and Sunday morning session after that. We are really sad, because we won't be able to watch Sunday afternoon session. So I just have to wait till it comes out. Unless...mom, would you be able to send it to me, if it's online? We aren't allowed to go to any other websites but this one. Thanks! But the conference that I did watch was completely amazing. I have never before been so excited to watch conference in my life. I was practically giddy. Ha-ha. I am such a missionary now! But I watched with questions in mind. Some questions were mine, and some were for my investigators. I have K’s name all over my conference notes because I was thinking of her the whole time. Ha-ha.
It was a really great weekend. I know that general conference really is inspired. I really felt, and still feel, completely uplifted from the talks that were given. I loved it!
Mom, did you go shopping still? Find a cute skirt? Did you still try to figure out what key each song was? I didn't. Sadly. It’s less fun when nobody around you really wants to talk music. Ha-ha.
Well, things here are going great! We are working so hard, and learning so much. I am trying my best to be the best, most exactly obedient missionary I can be. I am so grateful for the time that I have here. I really got an epiphany this week, that why I am here at this time, in banbury is specifically for K. I really feel that way, and I am so grateful that I followed that impression that told me that I should go on a mission. There is nowhere else I would rather be. I love it so much here. I am so happy.
Thank you for the package mom. I got it, and love the book stay opener! I was thinking I should have brought my cute apron with me, to wear to member’s houses, not that I ever really spill on myself, but it would be nice when food was being flung at me. (This really did happen. Brother B put a spoonful of chocolate mousse in his spoon and flung it at me. I didn't think he'd do it, and then he did. I was completely shocked. So yes. I should have brought my apron with me! it would make me think of when papa used to give elders aprons when they came to our house to eat. Ha-ha.)
Well, I love you all!
Love you soooo much!
Love,
Sister Annie Clark
Exercising inside or outside
Dearest momma and papa,
And the rest of you people!
Thank you for the note about the harp. I know that I will be OK with harp. It may even be good for me. It will let my wrist fully recover, and maybe let me forget all my bad habits on the harp. But I sure do miss it. I miss being good at something ha ha. But about harp, I have been letting some people in the ward listen to my DVD, and Brother S (the ward mission leader) listened to it and decided he was determined to track down a harp for me to give a concert for the ward to be able to bring friends and investigators. Well, last night, Brother B called me and told me that one of his driving students plays the harp, and she may let me borrow it! I can't wait! I called President Ogden and asked if that would be OK, and he said yes. So I am now anxiously awaiting the final verdict if I can borrow the harp or not. Way to go Brother S!
Oh man, our tripanionship is going OK. Sister P and I are one in the same. We are so much alike, it's really great. We both really want the same things. We want to be healthier, we want to go running, we want to have a clean flat, and we really want to be exactly obedient. So together, man, we are a team! It’s so great though, having sister P be my companion. We laugh and laugh so much. And we are also finding great ways to make use of being in a tripanionship. We sometimes bring out a girl in the ward, then split up for lessons. It’s great. It means we double our time! and it's seriously wonderful because after a long talk, we decided that it's only fair that we switch off every day going outside for exercise or staying in. So on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays, we are able to go running, and then on the other days we stay in and do a good workout K gave us that we can do exercizing in the flat. It’s working out great. Still obviously not ideal, but it's so much better than it was. It’s very nice. I love it.
The training was so amazing. And we have really seen a difference in our lessons since then. We find ourselves being much more quiet and listening, and it's really changed things. It’s great! We used it especially on a lesson with the A's. They have been doing everything we ask, and they still don't want to get baptized. We don't know why, and neither do we. So we decided to use "heaven sent questions" to help us out. It was an incredible lesson. K was almost crying when we left, and they really knew that they had to do something. They have to make a decision about what to do. Whether to continue on in the church and get baptized or what. They called us the next day and said that they don't feel like they should set a date, but they think that at some point it will happen. I have high hopes that when they get to Mississippi they will be greeted by the ward and missionaries, and am able to have a smooth good hand off. They are such an ideal family; they would be perfect in the church!
Oh, C is doing so well. He has moved his baptism to the 16th of October because he has friends flying in from Finland, and he wants them to be able to come. He is so excited to get baptized. We talk to him every night as daily contact, and he is awesome. It’s always a pretty funny discussion. Last night, it was all about how his baptism. He also said that he wants to start coming to some of D's lessons, because we were telling him about them. C is such a good guy; it will be so exciting to have him in the ward. What an incredible asset to the ward and church! He also wants to meet with the A's, because a couple months ago, he was at the same point as they are now, and he thinks he may be able to help them. Talk about a golden investigator! Oh, and yes, he is excited for general conference. To answer your question mom, he will be there. It’s going to be the best
M is also doing well. I haven't talked to him much this last week, but hopefully we will see more of him this week. He is awesome. Hopefully he will come to church this week. That would be really great.
B is doing great. He is making all of us a painting, which we are pretty excited about! I love that. He is receiving the priesthood next week, and he seems so excited and honored. He is still learning, and it's awesome to see how much he still grows from the lessons and from church. He grabbed a stack of pass along cards from the church on Sunday and had us write our number on the back of all of them, so he could give them to people that he felt prompted. I think if he could, he would go on a proselyting mission right now. He’s so excited about missionary work. And he just got his home teaching assignment, and it's so clear that he will magnify every calling that he has. What an example to us.
D is doing well. He had a weird dream that he wrote down and we told him he should pray about it. But he continues to read and pray. He says he's not getting answers at the moment. We asked him why he thinks he's not getting answers, and he said that he thinks if he stopped smoking, he would receive the answers. We agreed. We continued on to teach him the word of wisdom. The poor kid is only 23 and has problems with every area of the word of wisdom! So it will take some time for him to stop doing all of them, but he has the desire. He knows that he would be happier if he stopped smoking, drinking, doing drugs etc. he is awesome though. We told him that we are here to help him, and he was really excited. He said what if it takes me a year? We told him that missionaries would help him the whole time. I know that he is doing all this for baptism. He wants to be baptized, and the only way to be baptized, is to be clean. He wants that happiness that comes from being able to feel the spirit. He’s so great. He is really on the right track, and really wants to do everything right. I love that desire. Desire is really all that matters. Oh, and funny thing about D. We asked him his address, and he lives in the same shared house as B. Crazy!!!! So yeah, B gave him some advice also. What a good opportunity for missionary work for B. The Lord works in mysterious ways.
Things are going great. I am really receiving answers to prayers daily, and the mission is really just flying by. I can't believe it's almost October. Next month, I have just a year left of my mission. That really seems so short now. It’s crazy that I have served for a third of my mission in my greenie area. I am so lucky, because I really LOVE Banbury. I will be heartbroken to leave, but I know it will happen. Thank you for all your prayers, letters, love, and support. I really feel them. I know that what I am doing is what God wants me to do. I am so happy doing this work and seeing people's lives change. It’s unbelievable! Every girl really should go on a mission. Otherwise they are seriously deprived of some amazing chances to change people's lives. I love this mission. I love the Lord. And I love being in England. I hope you have a great week! Thank you for all the updates, and the news. I love you so much!
All my love heaped up pressed down and running over,
Sister Clark
PS. I LOVE YOU!!!
And the rest of you people!
Thank you for the note about the harp. I know that I will be OK with harp. It may even be good for me. It will let my wrist fully recover, and maybe let me forget all my bad habits on the harp. But I sure do miss it. I miss being good at something ha ha. But about harp, I have been letting some people in the ward listen to my DVD, and Brother S (the ward mission leader) listened to it and decided he was determined to track down a harp for me to give a concert for the ward to be able to bring friends and investigators. Well, last night, Brother B called me and told me that one of his driving students plays the harp, and she may let me borrow it! I can't wait! I called President Ogden and asked if that would be OK, and he said yes. So I am now anxiously awaiting the final verdict if I can borrow the harp or not. Way to go Brother S!
Oh man, our tripanionship is going OK. Sister P and I are one in the same. We are so much alike, it's really great. We both really want the same things. We want to be healthier, we want to go running, we want to have a clean flat, and we really want to be exactly obedient. So together, man, we are a team! It’s so great though, having sister P be my companion. We laugh and laugh so much. And we are also finding great ways to make use of being in a tripanionship. We sometimes bring out a girl in the ward, then split up for lessons. It’s great. It means we double our time! and it's seriously wonderful because after a long talk, we decided that it's only fair that we switch off every day going outside for exercise or staying in. So on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays, we are able to go running, and then on the other days we stay in and do a good workout K gave us that we can do exercizing in the flat. It’s working out great. Still obviously not ideal, but it's so much better than it was. It’s very nice. I love it.
The training was so amazing. And we have really seen a difference in our lessons since then. We find ourselves being much more quiet and listening, and it's really changed things. It’s great! We used it especially on a lesson with the A's. They have been doing everything we ask, and they still don't want to get baptized. We don't know why, and neither do we. So we decided to use "heaven sent questions" to help us out. It was an incredible lesson. K was almost crying when we left, and they really knew that they had to do something. They have to make a decision about what to do. Whether to continue on in the church and get baptized or what. They called us the next day and said that they don't feel like they should set a date, but they think that at some point it will happen. I have high hopes that when they get to Mississippi they will be greeted by the ward and missionaries, and am able to have a smooth good hand off. They are such an ideal family; they would be perfect in the church!
Oh, C is doing so well. He has moved his baptism to the 16th of October because he has friends flying in from Finland, and he wants them to be able to come. He is so excited to get baptized. We talk to him every night as daily contact, and he is awesome. It’s always a pretty funny discussion. Last night, it was all about how his baptism. He also said that he wants to start coming to some of D's lessons, because we were telling him about them. C is such a good guy; it will be so exciting to have him in the ward. What an incredible asset to the ward and church! He also wants to meet with the A's, because a couple months ago, he was at the same point as they are now, and he thinks he may be able to help them. Talk about a golden investigator! Oh, and yes, he is excited for general conference. To answer your question mom, he will be there. It’s going to be the best
M is also doing well. I haven't talked to him much this last week, but hopefully we will see more of him this week. He is awesome. Hopefully he will come to church this week. That would be really great.
B is doing great. He is making all of us a painting, which we are pretty excited about! I love that. He is receiving the priesthood next week, and he seems so excited and honored. He is still learning, and it's awesome to see how much he still grows from the lessons and from church. He grabbed a stack of pass along cards from the church on Sunday and had us write our number on the back of all of them, so he could give them to people that he felt prompted. I think if he could, he would go on a proselyting mission right now. He’s so excited about missionary work. And he just got his home teaching assignment, and it's so clear that he will magnify every calling that he has. What an example to us.
D is doing well. He had a weird dream that he wrote down and we told him he should pray about it. But he continues to read and pray. He says he's not getting answers at the moment. We asked him why he thinks he's not getting answers, and he said that he thinks if he stopped smoking, he would receive the answers. We agreed. We continued on to teach him the word of wisdom. The poor kid is only 23 and has problems with every area of the word of wisdom! So it will take some time for him to stop doing all of them, but he has the desire. He knows that he would be happier if he stopped smoking, drinking, doing drugs etc. he is awesome though. We told him that we are here to help him, and he was really excited. He said what if it takes me a year? We told him that missionaries would help him the whole time. I know that he is doing all this for baptism. He wants to be baptized, and the only way to be baptized, is to be clean. He wants that happiness that comes from being able to feel the spirit. He’s so great. He is really on the right track, and really wants to do everything right. I love that desire. Desire is really all that matters. Oh, and funny thing about D. We asked him his address, and he lives in the same shared house as B. Crazy!!!! So yeah, B gave him some advice also. What a good opportunity for missionary work for B. The Lord works in mysterious ways.
Things are going great. I am really receiving answers to prayers daily, and the mission is really just flying by. I can't believe it's almost October. Next month, I have just a year left of my mission. That really seems so short now. It’s crazy that I have served for a third of my mission in my greenie area. I am so lucky, because I really LOVE Banbury. I will be heartbroken to leave, but I know it will happen. Thank you for all your prayers, letters, love, and support. I really feel them. I know that what I am doing is what God wants me to do. I am so happy doing this work and seeing people's lives change. It’s unbelievable! Every girl really should go on a mission. Otherwise they are seriously deprived of some amazing chances to change people's lives. I love this mission. I love the Lord. And I love being in England. I hope you have a great week! Thank you for all the updates, and the news. I love you so much!
All my love heaped up pressed down and running over,
Sister Clark
PS. I LOVE YOU!!!
Tripanionship
DEAREST MOMMA AND PAPA, and the family and friends,
Thank you for the letter! What a fun musical fireside! I want to be in a musical fireside! Someday, I will find a harp here, and be in one. I have been letting people borrow my harp recital DVD (like the bishop and his family, and some others in the ward) and they love it. I don't think they believed me when I said I play the harp. Even though I feel like when I get home I won't be able to play it anymore. Sad.
Fun to see Norman Ortiz! I hope you said hi to him for me. He was such an inspirational teacher. I was so sad to have to stop piano when I did, but I guess it was best. But I still wish I could take from Mr. Ortiz. He’s fantastic! Was Simple Gifts a duet and did you play it at the fireside with him too? Fun fun! And WAY TO GO bringing non-members to the fireside! What a good missionary you are mom! Love it! Keep it up!
So about the organ. I am not playing anymore, because I was just substituting while H was out of town. But I did love it. And I will try those tips out next time I play. But I am relieved when I don't have to play because then I can talk to the ward before the meeting and after, and sit with people. It’s more about the missionary work. But it is fun to get a chance to play the organ. I even tried to play the pedals. Just tonic and dominant, of course. But it's still a challenge!
So SOOOOOO much happened this last week. It feels like it's been forever since last week, and at the same time it went by so fast. First big thing is that at transfers, we knew Sister N and I were staying in Banbury, and that's all we thought. But much to our surprise, we ended up with a TRI-panionship. Yes. We have three of us now! It’s me, sister N and Sister P. Sister P came out at the same time as me, and she is from Logan Utah. I love her so much, and since we first came to England, we became friends right away. So it's so fun having her here! It does make it difficult though. Having three in a companionship can be rough. Communication really does have to be KEY. But it's very fun to teach people. And we are going to be able to do a lot of splits with the ward and stuff. It’s pretty exciting! AND, sister P and I are going to be exercising together, and she is a runner, and I am so excited about that! We did a work out together in the morning, and we are going to eat really well together. I really can't wait! We have such goals for ourselves! I am pretty excited about it all.
So last week, we had the sisters training. It was three day training with Sister and President Ogden, and it was absolutely AMAZING. Seriously. I have never learned so much! I learned how to be a much more effective teacher, who relies on the spirit. Basically, the main points of the training were to teach us how to ask effective questions or "heaven sent questions" that have the investigators teach themselves. It’s all about feelings. Like "how did you feel when you prayed? Or how did you feel when you read the Book of Mormon." such good questions. And it's also all about silence. Because when we take a slower pace in teaching, and let there be some silence, then the spirit can talk to us, as well as our investigators. It’s amazing. We did SO many role plays in that time that we were in training, and just from those, I learned how to follow the spirit better. It’s so amazing how the spirit works. The training is seriously inspirational, and I can't wait to become more effective in that teaching.
So when we got home, we decided to really try right away to focus on the new training, so that we can change our old less effective ways. Well, yesterday, at about 6:00 in the evening, we felt like we should go finding in a place in Banbury called Grimsbury. I went here only once, and that was when I was on exchanges with sister Nadsady a couple weeks ago. And that's when we found a couple new investigators. One of which was D from Hungary. Now if you're asking yourself, wait, I thought we had a recent convert named D from Hungary, you are right! This is another one! And he is 23, and he met the elders in Hungary, and wanted to learn more now that he was here in England. Well, yesterday, when we were there, walking around talking to people, D came up to us. And we started talking. He said that he read what we asked him to, which was 3 Nephi 11, and he read it on Skype with the elder that was in Hungary before. We then went to a park, and promptly gave into the spirit. We asked questions and then just listened. To him and the spirit. We found so much about him, and we read with him, and the spirit was so strong. By the end of the lesson, he told us that in Hungary he had prayed to know that the Book of Mormon was true, and he got an answer, and that he knew without a doubt that it was true. It was an incredible lesson! I couldn't believe it! By the end he was asking us how many times a week he could see us! Wow, it really does work. I am so amazed! I love how the spirit works so well. Why did we ever try to rely on ourselves, when obviously God knows best!
So with B, he is still doing wonderful! He is coming to church every week, and soon should receive the priesthood! We are so excited about him! He’s awesome!
C. Wow, C is on fire. He came to church on Sunday (like he always does) but this time, he asked the Bishop where he could get a tithing slip, and he paid his tithing! He’s not even a member yet!!! Wow. And after we were talking, and he said he is SO excited for his baptism on the 9th of October! I can't wait for him. He’s an amazing man. We are so lucky to be entrusted with someone like him!
And M, he is also doing wonderfully! We love him! He is now reading a chapter a day. He reads and then comes to us, talking about Nephi and Laman and Lemuel and Ishmael. He remembers all the names. He is excited about reading it! And he said that the one day that he didn't read, his day went really badly. So we know that he has a beginning of a testimony of the book! We are so excited for him! I can't believe how much he has changed since I first met him, in my first weeks in Banbury, finding with Elder H. Wow!
There are amazing things happening in Banbury. Everyone in the ward feels it. Everyone we meet feels it. It’s amazing. It was lovely. When we called all the people in our ward when we found out we were staying in Banbury, the bishop was one of the most excited. He told us that he had called the mission president, and had told him how much sister N and I have changed the ward and the feeling of love and unity. I love it! I love this work. Sometimes it's so rough. And sometimes I cry, but it's because I so want to be a good missionary! I want to be obedient. And hard working. And diligent. And faithful. I want the lord to be able to entrust his children in my care. Wow, that's a lot of responsibility! I feel it on my shoulders. But it's also such an amazing feeling, because I know that I have been called to do this, and that the lord will bless me with what I need to succeed. I love this work! I love this gospel. I know without any doubt that this is the only true church on the earth. I love it! And I am grateful mom and papa, to have been so well raised to have the gospel be such a crucial part of my life!
I love you so much!
Love,
Sister Clark
All my love, heaped up, pressed down, and running over!
Thank you for the letter! What a fun musical fireside! I want to be in a musical fireside! Someday, I will find a harp here, and be in one. I have been letting people borrow my harp recital DVD (like the bishop and his family, and some others in the ward) and they love it. I don't think they believed me when I said I play the harp. Even though I feel like when I get home I won't be able to play it anymore. Sad.
Fun to see Norman Ortiz! I hope you said hi to him for me. He was such an inspirational teacher. I was so sad to have to stop piano when I did, but I guess it was best. But I still wish I could take from Mr. Ortiz. He’s fantastic! Was Simple Gifts a duet and did you play it at the fireside with him too? Fun fun! And WAY TO GO bringing non-members to the fireside! What a good missionary you are mom! Love it! Keep it up!
So about the organ. I am not playing anymore, because I was just substituting while H was out of town. But I did love it. And I will try those tips out next time I play. But I am relieved when I don't have to play because then I can talk to the ward before the meeting and after, and sit with people. It’s more about the missionary work. But it is fun to get a chance to play the organ. I even tried to play the pedals. Just tonic and dominant, of course. But it's still a challenge!
So SOOOOOO much happened this last week. It feels like it's been forever since last week, and at the same time it went by so fast. First big thing is that at transfers, we knew Sister N and I were staying in Banbury, and that's all we thought. But much to our surprise, we ended up with a TRI-panionship. Yes. We have three of us now! It’s me, sister N and Sister P. Sister P came out at the same time as me, and she is from Logan Utah. I love her so much, and since we first came to England, we became friends right away. So it's so fun having her here! It does make it difficult though. Having three in a companionship can be rough. Communication really does have to be KEY. But it's very fun to teach people. And we are going to be able to do a lot of splits with the ward and stuff. It’s pretty exciting! AND, sister P and I are going to be exercising together, and she is a runner, and I am so excited about that! We did a work out together in the morning, and we are going to eat really well together. I really can't wait! We have such goals for ourselves! I am pretty excited about it all.
So last week, we had the sisters training. It was three day training with Sister and President Ogden, and it was absolutely AMAZING. Seriously. I have never learned so much! I learned how to be a much more effective teacher, who relies on the spirit. Basically, the main points of the training were to teach us how to ask effective questions or "heaven sent questions" that have the investigators teach themselves. It’s all about feelings. Like "how did you feel when you prayed? Or how did you feel when you read the Book of Mormon." such good questions. And it's also all about silence. Because when we take a slower pace in teaching, and let there be some silence, then the spirit can talk to us, as well as our investigators. It’s amazing. We did SO many role plays in that time that we were in training, and just from those, I learned how to follow the spirit better. It’s so amazing how the spirit works. The training is seriously inspirational, and I can't wait to become more effective in that teaching.
So when we got home, we decided to really try right away to focus on the new training, so that we can change our old less effective ways. Well, yesterday, at about 6:00 in the evening, we felt like we should go finding in a place in Banbury called Grimsbury. I went here only once, and that was when I was on exchanges with sister Nadsady a couple weeks ago. And that's when we found a couple new investigators. One of which was D from Hungary. Now if you're asking yourself, wait, I thought we had a recent convert named D from Hungary, you are right! This is another one! And he is 23, and he met the elders in Hungary, and wanted to learn more now that he was here in England. Well, yesterday, when we were there, walking around talking to people, D came up to us. And we started talking. He said that he read what we asked him to, which was 3 Nephi 11, and he read it on Skype with the elder that was in Hungary before. We then went to a park, and promptly gave into the spirit. We asked questions and then just listened. To him and the spirit. We found so much about him, and we read with him, and the spirit was so strong. By the end of the lesson, he told us that in Hungary he had prayed to know that the Book of Mormon was true, and he got an answer, and that he knew without a doubt that it was true. It was an incredible lesson! I couldn't believe it! By the end he was asking us how many times a week he could see us! Wow, it really does work. I am so amazed! I love how the spirit works so well. Why did we ever try to rely on ourselves, when obviously God knows best!
So with B, he is still doing wonderful! He is coming to church every week, and soon should receive the priesthood! We are so excited about him! He’s awesome!
C. Wow, C is on fire. He came to church on Sunday (like he always does) but this time, he asked the Bishop where he could get a tithing slip, and he paid his tithing! He’s not even a member yet!!! Wow. And after we were talking, and he said he is SO excited for his baptism on the 9th of October! I can't wait for him. He’s an amazing man. We are so lucky to be entrusted with someone like him!
And M, he is also doing wonderfully! We love him! He is now reading a chapter a day. He reads and then comes to us, talking about Nephi and Laman and Lemuel and Ishmael. He remembers all the names. He is excited about reading it! And he said that the one day that he didn't read, his day went really badly. So we know that he has a beginning of a testimony of the book! We are so excited for him! I can't believe how much he has changed since I first met him, in my first weeks in Banbury, finding with Elder H. Wow!
There are amazing things happening in Banbury. Everyone in the ward feels it. Everyone we meet feels it. It’s amazing. It was lovely. When we called all the people in our ward when we found out we were staying in Banbury, the bishop was one of the most excited. He told us that he had called the mission president, and had told him how much sister N and I have changed the ward and the feeling of love and unity. I love it! I love this work. Sometimes it's so rough. And sometimes I cry, but it's because I so want to be a good missionary! I want to be obedient. And hard working. And diligent. And faithful. I want the lord to be able to entrust his children in my care. Wow, that's a lot of responsibility! I feel it on my shoulders. But it's also such an amazing feeling, because I know that I have been called to do this, and that the lord will bless me with what I need to succeed. I love this work! I love this gospel. I know without any doubt that this is the only true church on the earth. I love it! And I am grateful mom and papa, to have been so well raised to have the gospel be such a crucial part of my life!
I love you so much!
Love,
Sister Clark
All my love, heaped up, pressed down, and running over!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Sisters Training was great!
Dearest momma and papa,
and the rest of you people!
Thank you for the note about the harp. I know that I will be OK with harp. It may even be good for me. It will let my wrist fully recover, and maybe let me forget all my bad habits on the harp. But I sure do miss it. I miss being good at something ha. But about harp, I have been letting some people in the ward listen to my DVD, and Brother S(the ward mission leader) listened to it and decided he was determined to track down a harp for me to give a concert for the ward to be able to bring friends and investigators. Well, last night, Brother B called me and told me that one of his driving students plays the harp, and she may let me borrow it! I can't wait! I called president and asked if that would be OK, and he said yes. So I am now anxiously awaiting the final verdict if I can borrow the harp or not. Way to go Brother S!
Oh man, our tripanionship is going OK. Sister P and I are one in the same. We are so much alike, it's really great. We both really want the same things. We want to be healthier, we want to go running, we want to have a clean flat, and we really want to be exactly obedient. So together, man, we are a team! We are working very hard to all get along, and bring things up right away. We laugh and laugh so much. And we are also finding great ways to make use of being in a tripanionship. We sometimes bring out a girl in the ward, then split up for lessons. It’s great. It means we double our time! and it's seriously wonderful because after a long talk, we decided that it's only fair that we switch off every day going outside for exercise or staying in. so on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays, we are able to go running, and then on the other days we stay in and do a good workout Kristy A gave us that we can do in the flat. It’s working out great. Still obviously not ideal, but it's so much better than it was. It’s very nice. I love it.
The training was so amazing. And we have really seen a difference in our lessons since then. We find ourselves being much more quiet and listening, and it's really changed things. It’s great! We used it especially on a lesson with the A's. They have been doing everything we ask, and they still don't want to get baptized. We don't know why, and neither do we. So we decided to use "heaven sent questions" to help us out. It was an incredible lesson. Kristy was almost crying when we left, and they really knew that they had to do something. They have to make a decision about what to do. Whether to continue on in the church and get baptized or what. They called us the next day and said that they don't feel like they should set a date, but they think that at some point it will happen. I have high hopes that when they get to Mississippi they will be greeted by the ward and missionaries, and am able to have a smooth good hand off. They are such an ideal family; they would be perfect in the church!
Oh, C is doing so well. He has moved his baptism to the 16th of October because he has friends flying in from Finland, and he wants them to be able to come. He is so excited to get baptized. We talk to him every night as daily contact, and he is awesome. It’s always a pretty funny discussion. Last night, it was all about how his baptism. He also said that he wants to start coming to some of D's lessons, because we were telling him about them. C is such a good guy; it will be so exciting to have him in the ward. What an incredible asset to the ward and church! He also wants to meet with the A, because a couple months ago, he was at the same point as they are now, and he thinks he may be able to help them. Talk about a golden investigator! Oh, and yes, he is excited for general conference. To answer your question mom, he will be there. It’s going to be the best
M is also doing well. I haven't talked to him much this last week, but hopefully we will see more of him this week. He is awesome. Hopefully he will come to church this week. That would be really great.
B is doing great. He is making all of us painting, which we are pretty excited about! I love that. He is receiving the priesthood next week, and he seems so excited and honored. He is still learning, and it's awesome to see how much he still grows from the lessons and from church. He grabbed a stack of pass along cards from the church on Sunday and had us write our number on the back of all of them, so he could give them to people that he felt prompted. I think if he could, he would go on a proselyting mission right now. He’s so excited about missionary work. And he just got his home teaching assignment, and it's so clear that he will magnify every calling that he has. What an example to us.
D is doing well. He had a weird dream that he wrote down and we told him he should pray about it. But he continues to read and pray. He says he's not getting answers at the moment. We asked him why he thinks he's not getting answers, and he said that he thinks if he stopped smoking, he would receive the answers. We agreed. We continued on to teach him the word of wisdom. The poor kid is only 23 and has problems with every area of the word of wisdom! So it will take some time for him to stop doing all of them, but he has the desire. He knows that he would be happier if he stopped smoking, drinking, doing drugs etc. he is awesome though. We told him that we are here to help him, and he was really excited. He said what if it takes me a year? We told him that missionaries would help him the whole time. I know that he is doing all this for baptism. He wants to be baptized, and the only way to be baptized, is to be clean. He wants that happiness that comes from being able to feel the spirit. He’s so great. He is really on the right track, and really wants to do everything right. I love that desire. Desire is really all that matters. Oh, and funny thing about D. We asked him his address, and he lives in the same shared house as B. Crazy!!!! So yeah, B gave him some advice also. What a good opportunity for missionary work for B. The Lord works in mysterious ways.
Things are going great. I am really receiving answers to prayers daily, and the mission is really just flying by. I can't believe it's almost October. Next month, I have just a year left of my mission. That really seems so short now. It’s crazy that I have served for a third of my mission in my greenie area. I am so lucky, because I really LOVE banbury. I will be heartbroken to leave, but I know it will happen. Thank you for all your prayers, letters, love, and support. I really feel them. I know that what I am doing is what God wants me to do. I am so happy doing this work and seeing people's lives change. It’s unbelievable! Every girl really should go on a mission. Otherwise they are seriously deprived of some amazing chances to change people's lives. I love this mission. I love the Lord. And I love being in England. I hope you have a great week! Thank you for all the updates, and the news. I love you so much!
All my love heaped up pressed down and running over,
Sister "Ann (not Annie)" Clark
Ps. I LOVE YOU!!!
and the rest of you people!
Thank you for the note about the harp. I know that I will be OK with harp. It may even be good for me. It will let my wrist fully recover, and maybe let me forget all my bad habits on the harp. But I sure do miss it. I miss being good at something ha. But about harp, I have been letting some people in the ward listen to my DVD, and Brother S(the ward mission leader) listened to it and decided he was determined to track down a harp for me to give a concert for the ward to be able to bring friends and investigators. Well, last night, Brother B called me and told me that one of his driving students plays the harp, and she may let me borrow it! I can't wait! I called president and asked if that would be OK, and he said yes. So I am now anxiously awaiting the final verdict if I can borrow the harp or not. Way to go Brother S!
Oh man, our tripanionship is going OK. Sister P and I are one in the same. We are so much alike, it's really great. We both really want the same things. We want to be healthier, we want to go running, we want to have a clean flat, and we really want to be exactly obedient. So together, man, we are a team! We are working very hard to all get along, and bring things up right away. We laugh and laugh so much. And we are also finding great ways to make use of being in a tripanionship. We sometimes bring out a girl in the ward, then split up for lessons. It’s great. It means we double our time! and it's seriously wonderful because after a long talk, we decided that it's only fair that we switch off every day going outside for exercise or staying in. so on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturdays, we are able to go running, and then on the other days we stay in and do a good workout Kristy A gave us that we can do in the flat. It’s working out great. Still obviously not ideal, but it's so much better than it was. It’s very nice. I love it.
The training was so amazing. And we have really seen a difference in our lessons since then. We find ourselves being much more quiet and listening, and it's really changed things. It’s great! We used it especially on a lesson with the A's. They have been doing everything we ask, and they still don't want to get baptized. We don't know why, and neither do we. So we decided to use "heaven sent questions" to help us out. It was an incredible lesson. Kristy was almost crying when we left, and they really knew that they had to do something. They have to make a decision about what to do. Whether to continue on in the church and get baptized or what. They called us the next day and said that they don't feel like they should set a date, but they think that at some point it will happen. I have high hopes that when they get to Mississippi they will be greeted by the ward and missionaries, and am able to have a smooth good hand off. They are such an ideal family; they would be perfect in the church!
Oh, C is doing so well. He has moved his baptism to the 16th of October because he has friends flying in from Finland, and he wants them to be able to come. He is so excited to get baptized. We talk to him every night as daily contact, and he is awesome. It’s always a pretty funny discussion. Last night, it was all about how his baptism. He also said that he wants to start coming to some of D's lessons, because we were telling him about them. C is such a good guy; it will be so exciting to have him in the ward. What an incredible asset to the ward and church! He also wants to meet with the A, because a couple months ago, he was at the same point as they are now, and he thinks he may be able to help them. Talk about a golden investigator! Oh, and yes, he is excited for general conference. To answer your question mom, he will be there. It’s going to be the best
M is also doing well. I haven't talked to him much this last week, but hopefully we will see more of him this week. He is awesome. Hopefully he will come to church this week. That would be really great.
B is doing great. He is making all of us painting, which we are pretty excited about! I love that. He is receiving the priesthood next week, and he seems so excited and honored. He is still learning, and it's awesome to see how much he still grows from the lessons and from church. He grabbed a stack of pass along cards from the church on Sunday and had us write our number on the back of all of them, so he could give them to people that he felt prompted. I think if he could, he would go on a proselyting mission right now. He’s so excited about missionary work. And he just got his home teaching assignment, and it's so clear that he will magnify every calling that he has. What an example to us.
D is doing well. He had a weird dream that he wrote down and we told him he should pray about it. But he continues to read and pray. He says he's not getting answers at the moment. We asked him why he thinks he's not getting answers, and he said that he thinks if he stopped smoking, he would receive the answers. We agreed. We continued on to teach him the word of wisdom. The poor kid is only 23 and has problems with every area of the word of wisdom! So it will take some time for him to stop doing all of them, but he has the desire. He knows that he would be happier if he stopped smoking, drinking, doing drugs etc. he is awesome though. We told him that we are here to help him, and he was really excited. He said what if it takes me a year? We told him that missionaries would help him the whole time. I know that he is doing all this for baptism. He wants to be baptized, and the only way to be baptized, is to be clean. He wants that happiness that comes from being able to feel the spirit. He’s so great. He is really on the right track, and really wants to do everything right. I love that desire. Desire is really all that matters. Oh, and funny thing about D. We asked him his address, and he lives in the same shared house as B. Crazy!!!! So yeah, B gave him some advice also. What a good opportunity for missionary work for B. The Lord works in mysterious ways.
Things are going great. I am really receiving answers to prayers daily, and the mission is really just flying by. I can't believe it's almost October. Next month, I have just a year left of my mission. That really seems so short now. It’s crazy that I have served for a third of my mission in my greenie area. I am so lucky, because I really LOVE banbury. I will be heartbroken to leave, but I know it will happen. Thank you for all your prayers, letters, love, and support. I really feel them. I know that what I am doing is what God wants me to do. I am so happy doing this work and seeing people's lives change. It’s unbelievable! Every girl really should go on a mission. Otherwise they are seriously deprived of some amazing chances to change people's lives. I love this mission. I love the Lord. And I love being in England. I hope you have a great week! Thank you for all the updates, and the news. I love you so much!
All my love heaped up pressed down and running over,
Sister "Ann (not Annie)" Clark
Ps. I LOVE YOU!!!
Finally email after 2 weeks
Dear Mom and Papa and Family and Friends,
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR THE PACKAGE PARENTS!!! I was SO excited about that sheet music; I could hardly wait to get to a piano. I do miss music. But it would make you proud that my hymns are probably getting better, especially on the organ. I have been playing the organ in church for the past couple weeks. Very fun. I mess up a lot more than on the piano, but it's the only way to learn.
I am SOOOO sorry for not sending an email last week! It was a bank holiday, and I had no way to get on a computer. And then we were going to email on Thursday, and we just had NO time! I am SO sorry! And then yesterday wasn't a preparation day because this week is transfers, and so we have a different p-day. So that's that. Next week will be regular again. Sorry!
So news about transfers. I am staying in Banbury! I am very happy about this, because I really don't want to miss C’s baptism, and I want to be here while the A's are. I am VERY happy about this. And Sister N and I are staying together. So I am happy. and exciting, last night, when we found out we were going to be together, I finally just sat her down and told her I have to be able to run at least every day, and that it's really not fair that she gets just what she wants. We need to be fair. So she finally after thinking about it for a long time, gave in. I am really excited. I We’ll see how it goes.
Another exciting thing that happened this week is we got to go to Stratford upon Avon with Sister B on Saturday, because I had to take my driving theory and hazard perception test for my license. Well, I PASSED! This is a huge deal, because I did just a few practice runs because I just didn't have the time to be on the members computers studying. But I am really happy, because hardly anyone passes on their first time taking the test. And then we got to tour a little bit around Stratford upon Avon which is where Shakespeare was born. Very fun! And there was a little wizarding shop, and I got to send a postcard home to mom and papa via owl post! Very cute little shop. I loved the wands! Very fun!
The most EXCITING thing that happened this last week is that B was baptized and confirmed!!!!!!!! We are SO excited about this. I kept expecting him to back out, or things to go wrong that wouldn't let it happen, but it was wonderful. And the ward was amazing. They had the best turnout ever, and everyone stuck around to talk to him after. I am very pleased with the ward. Sometimes it's hard to get out on a Saturday night. But they did it, and it meant a lot!
We have been meeting with the A, and are hopefully bringing them towards baptism closer every meeting. They are such an amazing family. They just are scared to commit. And they are moving to Mississippi to the air force base. I think I read somewhere that Joseph is going to be going to Mississippi for a little while? Where is he going? He would love this family. C is from Guatemala and everything.
C is doing fantastic! We have basically taught him everything, and he is seriously basically Mormon. He lives the standards, and is getting baptized on the 9th of October. I can't wait! He will be such an amazing addition to this ward. We taught him about temples and temple work at the Augers (the bishops) house this last week, and he really wants to go to the temple to do work for his ancestors. He’s really amazing! We love teaching him!
We have another person we are teaching named M. He is a 23 year old who works in Peoples parks grounds crew, and so we see him all the time. (People's Park is less than a block away from us, and that's where I’d run if I could, and that's where we talk to people a lot of the time). I met him a couple months ago when I was talking to people with my zone leader at the time, elder Hutchinson. He wouldn't accept a Book of Mormon, and didn't want to know anything about religion at all. But he was getting rid of the tulips in the park, so he gave me one. And I told him that we were always in the park, so to say hi when he saw us. Well, that was a couple months ago, when I was still with Sister B, and things have slowly changed. First he just started asking us questions about life in general. And we would always use the Book of Mormon to answer. Finally a couple weeks ago, he accepted a Book of Mormon, and accepted the challenge to read just one page every day. He has done that, and has noticed a distinct difference in his life. When he doesn't read his day does not go well. He has bumped up his reading to a chapter a day, and just this morning he read 1 Nephi 8, about Lehi's dream, and we discussed it. He really likes the book, and now wants to come to church with us. We are thrilled! We even call him sometimes to see how his reading is going. This is such an awesome thing, to see him start accepting the gospel. I will let you know his updates. Hopefully he'll come to church this Sunday!
So this next three days will be "Sister's training". I am thrilled! All the sisters (all 13 of us) will be staying at the mission home for three days, and we are going to receive the new training that is going around the world, and that will hit the MTC's soon. I think next year. I am so excited for all of us sister's to get together. I can't wait! I will take lots of pictures, and it will be great!
I love you, and am SO grateful for everything you do! Thank you for the post cards, and the music, and the letters, and the love. I love you very much, and miss you very much. It’s amazing how quickly the time has flown by. At least it has for me. 6 more weeks, and I have been out 6 months. Crazy! Time flies by when you are doing the lord's work.
Love,
Annie
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU FOR THE PACKAGE PARENTS!!! I was SO excited about that sheet music; I could hardly wait to get to a piano. I do miss music. But it would make you proud that my hymns are probably getting better, especially on the organ. I have been playing the organ in church for the past couple weeks. Very fun. I mess up a lot more than on the piano, but it's the only way to learn.
I am SOOOO sorry for not sending an email last week! It was a bank holiday, and I had no way to get on a computer. And then we were going to email on Thursday, and we just had NO time! I am SO sorry! And then yesterday wasn't a preparation day because this week is transfers, and so we have a different p-day. So that's that. Next week will be regular again. Sorry!
So news about transfers. I am staying in Banbury! I am very happy about this, because I really don't want to miss C’s baptism, and I want to be here while the A's are. I am VERY happy about this. And Sister N and I are staying together. So I am happy. and exciting, last night, when we found out we were going to be together, I finally just sat her down and told her I have to be able to run at least every day, and that it's really not fair that she gets just what she wants. We need to be fair. So she finally after thinking about it for a long time, gave in. I am really excited. I We’ll see how it goes.
Another exciting thing that happened this week is we got to go to Stratford upon Avon with Sister B on Saturday, because I had to take my driving theory and hazard perception test for my license. Well, I PASSED! This is a huge deal, because I did just a few practice runs because I just didn't have the time to be on the members computers studying. But I am really happy, because hardly anyone passes on their first time taking the test. And then we got to tour a little bit around Stratford upon Avon which is where Shakespeare was born. Very fun! And there was a little wizarding shop, and I got to send a postcard home to mom and papa via owl post! Very cute little shop. I loved the wands! Very fun!
The most EXCITING thing that happened this last week is that B was baptized and confirmed!!!!!!!! We are SO excited about this. I kept expecting him to back out, or things to go wrong that wouldn't let it happen, but it was wonderful. And the ward was amazing. They had the best turnout ever, and everyone stuck around to talk to him after. I am very pleased with the ward. Sometimes it's hard to get out on a Saturday night. But they did it, and it meant a lot!
We have been meeting with the A, and are hopefully bringing them towards baptism closer every meeting. They are such an amazing family. They just are scared to commit. And they are moving to Mississippi to the air force base. I think I read somewhere that Joseph is going to be going to Mississippi for a little while? Where is he going? He would love this family. C is from Guatemala and everything.
C is doing fantastic! We have basically taught him everything, and he is seriously basically Mormon. He lives the standards, and is getting baptized on the 9th of October. I can't wait! He will be such an amazing addition to this ward. We taught him about temples and temple work at the Augers (the bishops) house this last week, and he really wants to go to the temple to do work for his ancestors. He’s really amazing! We love teaching him!
We have another person we are teaching named M. He is a 23 year old who works in Peoples parks grounds crew, and so we see him all the time. (People's Park is less than a block away from us, and that's where I’d run if I could, and that's where we talk to people a lot of the time). I met him a couple months ago when I was talking to people with my zone leader at the time, elder Hutchinson. He wouldn't accept a Book of Mormon, and didn't want to know anything about religion at all. But he was getting rid of the tulips in the park, so he gave me one. And I told him that we were always in the park, so to say hi when he saw us. Well, that was a couple months ago, when I was still with Sister B, and things have slowly changed. First he just started asking us questions about life in general. And we would always use the Book of Mormon to answer. Finally a couple weeks ago, he accepted a Book of Mormon, and accepted the challenge to read just one page every day. He has done that, and has noticed a distinct difference in his life. When he doesn't read his day does not go well. He has bumped up his reading to a chapter a day, and just this morning he read 1 Nephi 8, about Lehi's dream, and we discussed it. He really likes the book, and now wants to come to church with us. We are thrilled! We even call him sometimes to see how his reading is going. This is such an awesome thing, to see him start accepting the gospel. I will let you know his updates. Hopefully he'll come to church this Sunday!
So this next three days will be "Sister's training". I am thrilled! All the sisters (all 13 of us) will be staying at the mission home for three days, and we are going to receive the new training that is going around the world, and that will hit the MTC's soon. I think next year. I am so excited for all of us sister's to get together. I can't wait! I will take lots of pictures, and it will be great!
I love you, and am SO grateful for everything you do! Thank you for the post cards, and the music, and the letters, and the love. I love you very much, and miss you very much. It’s amazing how quickly the time has flown by. At least it has for me. 6 more weeks, and I have been out 6 months. Crazy! Time flies by when you are doing the lord's work.
Love,
Annie
Monday, August 16, 2010
Zone Conference Week
Dear Mom and papa, and family,
Ok, first things first. L IS GETTING MARRIED!? What the heck? Tell her to write me immediately, if not sooner! Thanks!
The pictures of all the children with the quilts are wonderful! Completely adorable, and I love all the quilts! Way to go mom! Are you campaigning for the best (great) aunt award? I think you have got it from them now!
So yep, we do have an awesome teaching pool. We are happy about that!
B is doing great! To answer your questions mom, he is from Nigeria. He is an amazing artist, and seriously paints complete works of art. He’s fantastic! I will try to take some pictures of stuff he's done. He basically accepts everything and backs it up with scriptures mostly from the Bible. We taught him the Word of Wisdom this week, which brought some complications because we were a little worried about it not being in the Book of Mormon or the Bible, but he accepted other revealed scripture since we have prophets on the earth today. So that was good. We are going to have to work a little bit with him on the whole coffee thing.
We also taught C the Word of Wisdom. Which he had been taught previously, but he requested it, so we taught it. Apparently last time he didn't catch that coffee wasn't OK, so he had to get over that, and he just reverted to Caro, which is great! He is pretty awesome. We are just working on solidifying his testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Prophet Joseph Smith. He reads and prays everyday, which is awesome! And he is doing great. To answer mom's questions, he is a 40 year old helicopter engineer and he works for the England police force on their helicopters. Pretty cool. He is English, one of the few that is actually from England that we teach. And he is awesome! He is dating a girl who is a member, and that's why he originally started looking into the church. But he's making sure it's something he wants for himself, which is important. I think that's it.
Onto the A's. Oh the A,s. I love them dearly. They are an amazing family. They do struggle with things at the moment though, and we aren't really sure how to get past them. Basically, they know that the church is true. They know that we have the authority to baptize. And they know that the church teaches correct principles, and they want to live by those things. BUT they don't want to get baptized because they don't want to have to go to church every Sunday, and they just want to live life as good people . So we are at a standstill at the moment. They are still doing their challenge, and they came to sacrament meeting yesterday, which was great. But they just aren't committing. It’s pretty frustrating when you know that they know that it's true! A man in the ward on the base this week saw C walking into work with the Book of Mormon in his hand. He even reads it on his breaks! How do we get past these barriers!? That’s our problem at the moment. But hopefully we will be able to figure it out.
We started teaching this other man, N, who we have been teaching recently. He an interesting man, and loves the debate. Which I don't love. So I am having to work to keep calm and collected, and teaching him without him fighting back. It’s an interesting test of patience for me. Sister N on the other hand, loves the debate, so I let her do a lot of the teaching in those lessons.
This week has been a little tough. I got a pretty nasty cold, and as we all know, those are never fun. So I have been trying to get some rest, and it's been no fun. I am finally on the up-hill but poor sister Ncaught what I had. Caring is sharing, right? Ha-ha. So yeah, now I have to take care of her.
We had zone conference this week which was wonderful!
We are starting new training soon that will be taught also in the MTC, which we are excited about! Sister Ogden asked me to play a piano solo, which I finally scrounged one from one of the members in my ward. So I played "a poor wayfaring man of grief", which went well for the little time I had to practice it, which totaled maybe 4 or 5 times playing it through. Ha-ha, terrible preparation. But what can I do, that's not what I am here in England to do. Now if there was a harp...that would be a different story...
So things are going well! Thanks for the updates on Yosemite, and everything! I loved the pictures, and you all look like you had a fantastic time! That’s awesome that Caroline gave Lucy the bread mixer. If you see anyone getting rid of another one, grab that one for me!
I know this church is true! I know that Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ, and that this is the only true church on the earth. I know that through it, we can return to live with our heavenly father again. I am so grateful for the Priesthood, and am grateful for the men that keep themselves worthy to use that priest
I love you all!
All my love heaped up, pressed down, and running over,
Sister Clark
I LOVE YOU!!!!!
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