So things that are different here. Well obviously the driving on the wrong side of the road in the wrong side of the car. Strange! But I am definitely getting used to it. Also roundabouts instead of four way stops. And I have never seen a stop sign here. There are lots of other weird signs though, like with pictures of old people crossing the road. It’s like in Vallejo on our way to piano lessons, there is a peacocks crossing sign. So funny.
Things they say. Yes, they do say cheerio. I haven't figured out what for though. Not everyone here at least says it. Instead of saying "how are you?" like we do, they say "are you alright?" it's weird. Like, do they think there is something wrong with me? Ha-ha, but I have started figuring out, that's just what they say. I don't say it yet. The accents don't even faze me anymore. Some people are hard to understand, but that's alright. Its fun guessing. Ha-ha! They don't say dessert, they say pudding. That definitely through me off. At dinner appointments they would say that we are going to have some pudding, and then they bring out cake and custard. Weird! Also, cookies are biscuits here. And tea is an early dinner. So if they are at tea, they may not be drinking tea, they just are eating. Funny.
So we have two women who are really exciting us this week! We have J, who lives with her husband and daughter Fi, who is ten years old. They both came to church this week! (J and Fi) and we were SO excited! After church, we went to their home to teach them and we committed J to baptism. She is from China, and has been taking the discussions for a while now, and this is the beginning of her learning about God and Jesus Christ. She wants to get baptized, and her baptismal date that we are working for is at the end of June. We are really excited! The other woman who we are teaching is J from Kenya. We haven't seen her for a whole week because she has been in London with her family. We can't get hold of her at the moment, but we have faith and hope that she will contact us back as soon as she can. She is wonderful, and knows the church is true, and wants to get baptized. We are really excited for her!
The weather here this week has been actually warm. It will surprise everyone who knows anything about England, that since I got here, I haven't even used my umbrella. It’s been warm. When it gets warm here, because it's apparently such a rarity, all men basically walk around without their shirts on. It’s strange, and I am ready for cooler weather. I find that I get more sleepy and tired when the weather is hot. Thank goodness for not getting called to Mesa now, I would be falling asleep everywhere!
So, every morning as a missionary, you get 30 minutes that you can exercise. It’s a wonderful time, right after you wake up. We live on Warwick Road, just less than a block away from the most beautiful park (Peoples Park) on the planet. There is a bird like house in the middle that is a huge cage that there are lots of pretty birds and bird feeders in. I can't think of the word right now, but if you can, replace it with this mess. Ha-ha. There are tons of different kinds of trees, and they are all beautiful. We run around the outside path, and it couldn't be lovelier. I love it! We also do a lot of finding in that park because there are always people walking with their dogs, or kids, or strollers. And there are always kids playing football (soccer) in the grass. It’s such a pretty place! And right now, there are tulips everywhere in there, and I love it. So we get to run in that park, and it's wonderful.
To more explain where I live, I like in an apartment complex, and our flat is on the top floor. It’s wonderful.
We live across the street from the Banbury Court House and the Banbury police station. That maybe will help. And kitty-corner from our apartment complex there is a bar (three pigeons bar I think) that apparently is older than America. How funny!
People don't usually love talking to us, and sometimes they are polite and listen, and we are never sure. But we always find out when the phone number is a fake, or when you call and they never answer the phone. The exciting one that happened this week is that I was calling a girl that I met in the park, reminding her for church. (Yes, we have cell phones). And she picked up and was talking to me. we were talking about her reading the Book of Mormon, then all the sudden, her dad gets on the phone yelling at me, telling me that she's only 17 and to never call again. I was nice, and said thank you and hung up. Wow. It was exciting! Needless to say, she didn't show up for church, ha-ha!
We still go out all the time with sister McK. She is wonderful! She fed us on Sunday, and told us how much she appreciates us and how we make her feel loved and like she has a purpose in this ward, which is so sweet. But that's how we feel about her! She is amazing, and an amazing person to bring out to investigators houses. She follows the spirit, and tells her conversion story so that people feel the spirit, and knows it's true. She is a blessing to have with us! I will try to get a picture with her by next week, so you can see her. We love her.
Thank you all for your letters and love. if you write the mission home, beware that I don't go there very often, once or twice a transfer (which is every 6 weeks) so if you wonder why I am not writing you back, it's hopefully just because I didn't get your letter yet. So feel free to send it to my address at 27 peoples place. The address should be on my blog.
I love you all! I love this church. Every day, I learn more about my savior, and what an amazing chance this is to teach people about him and bring them closer to him. He loves us and wants us to be happy. The gospel is the way to be the happiest, and I can promise that! Read the Book of Mormon! It’s true, and it blesses lives. If you ever doubt that the Book of Mormon isn't the word of God, I dare you to open it up, read it, pray about it, and find out anything but that it is truly the word of God and that it is revelation! Because of this book, we know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, and that we still have a prophet!! I know it's true, and that's why I am here! I love this Gospel! I love you all!
Love,
Sister Clark
Basically, I am loving it here. It’s so beautiful, and I can't imagine a lovelier place.
No comments:
Post a Comment