Dear mom, papa, and family!
Firstly, I haven't taken the test. It’s tomorrow! And I’m freaking out a bit, but it'll be fine. I’ve been obedient, so I expect to pass. But if I don't, then I will keep trying, and Sister Baker gets to keep driving. Basically, the rules are that you can drive with your American license for a year, and then you have to get a UK license. And there lies the problem! But it'll all work out. I’m going to practice a few key things they will ask me to do tomorrow, and other than that, I’m going to pray!
This Saturday coming up is the day that Garry is supposed to be getting baptized. We all prayed and fasted for him yesterday, and really hope he'll go through with it. If he doesn't, Sister Pope is going to die. She just doesn't know what to do for him anymore. We really hope that for him and his family’s sake, he'll do it. But he'll do it when he's ready I guess.
Training is going well. This week has run a lot smoother, since she knows a bit more of whom people are, and planning isn't a one man act anymore. But it's still exhausting, because I still have to come up with everything we have to do, because I know the area and stuff. So that will all come in time. But for the meantime, I’m learning, and I’m growing, and she is getting used to my insanity! It’s great!
NICOLE! Congratulations on the baby! Oh my goodness, I can't wait to see him, and babysit all three. You are awesome! I loved the story of the birth, and I’m sending you off a letter today! Love you!
I can't believe that Brother Petersen is 90 years old! Wow. That’s great! We met a 99year old lady this week. She is still doing well. That’s really old!
I’m sorry to hear that Sister Fox is in the hospital! Tell her I love her, and that I’m praying for her! I’m sorry! I hope she will be alright.
All these parks sound like so much fun! Can Rebecca and the kids come to stay when I get home, so that I can visit these parks too? Ha-ha. That sounds like so much fun! And papa, I got your journal, and you said that you have a tape of the royal wedding. Can you keep it for me so when I get home I can watch it? I’d love to see it. Thanks!
So this week has been kinda crazy. It’s been good. And I am completely exhausted. All the time. But it's good! That’s how a mission is meant to be.
First off. We were at a lesson. And a member’s daughter whispered something to her mom. And her mom laughed, and repeated it to me. The daughters question was whether Elder Clark (one of the elders in this ward with us and the district leader) and I are married. How funny. It’s weird being in the same ward as an elder Clark. To say the least.
This week, Mahdi had a meeting with us and President Ogden, and president approved him to be baptized. So we are so excited! We set a date with him, and all was well. But then a few days later, he called and asked if he can keep learning and not set a date just yet. We said of course! We don't really know what changed. Maybe that he just learned about the word of wisdom? But I don’t' know. But it'll all worked out. He was at church yesterday and hasn't missed a week since his first week. And he even was sick yesterday, but he still came. So he'll be fine. He’s awesome. But the meeting with president was really special. Mahdi was very emotional when talking about his history and president could see in his eyes that he knows this church is true, when they were talking about the Book of Mormon. Mahdi is awesome. And we are so excited for him!
It’s cool how different people are good for different people. Some people that weren't really progressing last transfer, have just started to progress. And it is amazing! It’s really exciting. This week, we needed a miracle for us to get standard of excellence. A lot of our investigators couldn't come to church, and we were a bit worried. We begged father for a miracle. And a miracle came in the form of Edwin! We have been teaching Edwin for the whole time I’ve been here. But he hasn't been able to make it to church. And we didn’t' expect him to come, because he's working on his dissertation, and has only a month left before he has to be done. He’s really REALLY stressed out. But we were sitting, waiting for sacrament meeting to start, and we turned around, and there was Edwin! Oh my word, I couldn't have been more excited! We didn’t' get standard, but we DEFINITELY got a miracle, and we are SO grateful!
Another miracle of yesterday. We had an appointment that fell through, so we had planned to go to a former investigator. And even though she lives far away from where we were, we went because we had planned to go. And then that former wasn't even there, so we just flog 10'd (tracted around her house basically), and two houses later, a group of people were inside studying the bible, and they invited us right in! One from Germany, one from Ghana, and one from Togo. And they have all at one point been an investigator of this church. We had a great discussion, and they loved us, and they invited us back! We got three new investigators in the last hour of our week! Wow. It was an amazing miracle! Father is really watching over this work, and it's so exciting!
Hmm. what else? Oh! We made a snakes and ladder game this week. And when you go up a ladder, you pick up a card and it's one of the points of the gospel, and you read the scripture on the card. And when you go down a snake, you pick up a snake card, and read something that you've done that moved your progression away from God. And it's really great. And the people we've played it with so far it has worked great. Because everyone has to participate, and it's fun, and it's a big discussion on all the gospel points. It’s great! And we are excited. We keep trying to figure out creative and fun ways to teach and to find, so that people will love it. Obviously not every lesson needs to be creative, but pictures and visuals really help people understand the gospel. And Sister Baker is creative, so it's helpful!
So basically, life is great. And time is FLYING by. I can't believe it's almost June. That means it's almost July, then August, and then I leave SO soon. Oh man. The time is precious, and I love being on a mission. I have to make the most of it. I love it here SOOOO much. It’s so great to be around these people. And I get pushed every day, and I am growing constantly. It’s difficult, and tiring, and sometimes discouraging. But we just smile, and laugh our way through it, and we come out better on the other side. I’m so excited about all that I’m learning while I’m here. I can tell I’m going to be a much much better student and better at practicing well, and a better member, and visiting teacher, and whatever I’ll be in the future. I didn’t' realize that a mission would improve all aspects of my life, but I can see that it has. And I’m so happy! It’s great.
Thank you SOOOO much for all your encouragement. Thank you thank you for the postcards and the journals papa! I love your exclamations on the side! And I get so excited! And I LOVE the cartoons you sometimes send. The last one with the lady in the shop was great! Thanks! You are the best parents, and I am grateful for your support, and for providing me with the ability to serve this mission. It has REALLY blessed my life. THANK YOU! I love you!!!
Love,
SISTER Annie Clark!
England Birmingham Mission
This is where I am serving!!!
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Monday, May 16, 2011
First Week with Sister Baker! It was Great!
Dear mom, papa, and family!
So this week, wow, it's been great. And hard, and wonderful. I think hard and wonderful always accompany each other. So I am grateful for the hard, because I want the wonderful. So yeah, since Thursday (when I last emailed - and I emailed because the library was closed on the Wednesday...to answer your question, mom) lots and lots has happened. I’ve been trying to be an extra good missionary, because I’m training, and it's a very serious thing. But we are having tons of fun, and loving it. So Thursday, it was good. And Friday was great.
Every Friday morning, we do our "weekly planning" for 3 hours. THREE HOURS of planning. I thought it was a joke when I first got on the mission, but nope. It’s not. And poor Sister Baker found out that it's not a joke. The poor girl didn't know what was going on. I tried to explain as well as I could, but there's only so much she can help with when she doesn't know any of the people that we are planning for. But it was good. I’ve realized I’ve forgotten a bit of what it's like to be a greenie. This way of life really grows on you. But it ended up ok. She was alright, and helped where she could. Good sport. Next’s planning will be easier for her, I think.
Saturday, oh, it was a glorious day! We started out finding for two hours. President Ogden has promised the mission that if we find for two hours a day, we WILL be able to reach standard of excellence. So I’m taking his word for it. I like promises. Oh, another promise he made. Well, you see, I haven't yet taken my practical driving test to get my license. And I just hit my year mark of being in England. So I had to stop driving, so Sister Baker is driving every day. And that's hard at the beginning of the mission before you get used to the wrong side of the road and the wrong side of the car. but president called and told me that if I’m obedient, and I don't drive past my year mark, I’ll pass my test. I’m taking him up on that, and I’m not driving. And Sister Baker is doing great at it. She’s only turned into the wrong lane a few times. I feel like you must have, mom, when we started driving. Clutching the handle of the door, and such. But tis alright. She’s my "daughter", and so I am good with her. But anyways, my driving test is on the 24th of this month. PLEASE pray for me. PLLLLLLEEEASSEE. I need it. Not that I’m not a good driver here. But they are so picky on tests, and Birmingham is such a crazy place to drive in. I just really want to pass. So yeah. The 24th. Don’t forget! But anyways, on to the rest of Saturday. We had a good finding session. During it, I tried to help her memorize Doctrine and Covenants 4, because we recite it every morning along with "our purpose". She’s doing great. After that we had some lessons, and they were great, but I want to get onto the baptism. Oh my word, the baptism was INCREDIBLE. Maybe the best baptism I’ve had on my mission, just because it all worked out so well. I was a little nervous that nobody would come, but SO many of the ward came. And Daniel (Yan Haoxuan) baptized Biyu, and it was awesome. One of my favorite parts was when Peter and I played the musical number. It’s a Handel Aria, mom, you'd know it. But that's all I know. But it was sooo good. And peter loved the baptism. So much. Afterward, we talked about it, and about how our performance went. And he said that he was really nervous when we got up to play. But then he pictured Christ, being baptized in the Jordan River, and he grew calm, and felt the spirit as he played. That’s pretty cool! And another of our investigators - Marcela - was there with her friend and family, and she cried during the musical number because she felt the spirit. Everyone who was there, stayed after for treats, and everyone really welcomed our investigators, and both Peter and Marcela commented on how the ward is just like a big family, and how they are so happy and loving together. It was awesome!
After the baptism, we went to Marcela's home, to teach her. Marcela is from Slovakia, so there is a bit of a language barrier. But it's cool, because my dear companion just happens to know some Russian, and Marcela also speaks Russian. So Sister Baker prayed in Russian, and explained some things in Russian. And Marcela really felt the spirit. So we invited her to be baptized, and we set a date of July 9th! Miracles! It was amazing, and the spirit was so strong.
It was a good Saturday.
Sunday, it was great! Church was great, and Biyu was confirmed, and it was wonderful. And we got to know the ward even better. It’s fun because Sister Baker and I are similar in the fact that we love people, and are good at showing that. So people are warming up to us as a companionship really fast. And it's really fun. And by Sunday night, we got standard of excellence! That means in the last six weeks (transfer) we got 5 out of the six weeks as standard of excellence! And one of our returning members (he's 12) passed the sacrament yesterday. So cool! Things are progressing here, and the work is going so well. We continue to work hard, and this week is already looking good. I am learning so much here. It takes such a different part of me to train. I want to be the trainer I wish I had, and I am praying for guidance. But I am so grateful for this opportunity. I love LOVE love being a missionary. It’s cool. Something I have found this week, is those that are truly progressing, is reading the Book of Mormon every day. There is something really wonderful in that book. It’s the promise. Moroni promised that if we read the Book with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he WILL manifest the truth of it unto us by the power of the Holy Ghost. Put Moroni’s promise to the test! Try it out.
I know that this gospel is true. I am very grateful for my chance to strengthen my testimony. I am grateful for the change I see in others lives, because of the gospel. This gospel is real. It’s true. And it does bring real, true happiness. I love it! And I love you!
Love,
Annie
So this week, wow, it's been great. And hard, and wonderful. I think hard and wonderful always accompany each other. So I am grateful for the hard, because I want the wonderful. So yeah, since Thursday (when I last emailed - and I emailed because the library was closed on the Wednesday...to answer your question, mom) lots and lots has happened. I’ve been trying to be an extra good missionary, because I’m training, and it's a very serious thing. But we are having tons of fun, and loving it. So Thursday, it was good. And Friday was great.
Every Friday morning, we do our "weekly planning" for 3 hours. THREE HOURS of planning. I thought it was a joke when I first got on the mission, but nope. It’s not. And poor Sister Baker found out that it's not a joke. The poor girl didn't know what was going on. I tried to explain as well as I could, but there's only so much she can help with when she doesn't know any of the people that we are planning for. But it was good. I’ve realized I’ve forgotten a bit of what it's like to be a greenie. This way of life really grows on you. But it ended up ok. She was alright, and helped where she could. Good sport. Next’s planning will be easier for her, I think.
Saturday, oh, it was a glorious day! We started out finding for two hours. President Ogden has promised the mission that if we find for two hours a day, we WILL be able to reach standard of excellence. So I’m taking his word for it. I like promises. Oh, another promise he made. Well, you see, I haven't yet taken my practical driving test to get my license. And I just hit my year mark of being in England. So I had to stop driving, so Sister Baker is driving every day. And that's hard at the beginning of the mission before you get used to the wrong side of the road and the wrong side of the car. but president called and told me that if I’m obedient, and I don't drive past my year mark, I’ll pass my test. I’m taking him up on that, and I’m not driving. And Sister Baker is doing great at it. She’s only turned into the wrong lane a few times. I feel like you must have, mom, when we started driving. Clutching the handle of the door, and such. But tis alright. She’s my "daughter", and so I am good with her. But anyways, my driving test is on the 24th of this month. PLEASE pray for me. PLLLLLLEEEASSEE. I need it. Not that I’m not a good driver here. But they are so picky on tests, and Birmingham is such a crazy place to drive in. I just really want to pass. So yeah. The 24th. Don’t forget! But anyways, on to the rest of Saturday. We had a good finding session. During it, I tried to help her memorize Doctrine and Covenants 4, because we recite it every morning along with "our purpose". She’s doing great. After that we had some lessons, and they were great, but I want to get onto the baptism. Oh my word, the baptism was INCREDIBLE. Maybe the best baptism I’ve had on my mission, just because it all worked out so well. I was a little nervous that nobody would come, but SO many of the ward came. And Daniel (Yan Haoxuan) baptized Biyu, and it was awesome. One of my favorite parts was when Peter and I played the musical number. It’s a Handel Aria, mom, you'd know it. But that's all I know. But it was sooo good. And peter loved the baptism. So much. Afterward, we talked about it, and about how our performance went. And he said that he was really nervous when we got up to play. But then he pictured Christ, being baptized in the Jordan River, and he grew calm, and felt the spirit as he played. That’s pretty cool! And another of our investigators - Marcela - was there with her friend and family, and she cried during the musical number because she felt the spirit. Everyone who was there, stayed after for treats, and everyone really welcomed our investigators, and both Peter and Marcela commented on how the ward is just like a big family, and how they are so happy and loving together. It was awesome!
After the baptism, we went to Marcela's home, to teach her. Marcela is from Slovakia, so there is a bit of a language barrier. But it's cool, because my dear companion just happens to know some Russian, and Marcela also speaks Russian. So Sister Baker prayed in Russian, and explained some things in Russian. And Marcela really felt the spirit. So we invited her to be baptized, and we set a date of July 9th! Miracles! It was amazing, and the spirit was so strong.
It was a good Saturday.
Sunday, it was great! Church was great, and Biyu was confirmed, and it was wonderful. And we got to know the ward even better. It’s fun because Sister Baker and I are similar in the fact that we love people, and are good at showing that. So people are warming up to us as a companionship really fast. And it's really fun. And by Sunday night, we got standard of excellence! That means in the last six weeks (transfer) we got 5 out of the six weeks as standard of excellence! And one of our returning members (he's 12) passed the sacrament yesterday. So cool! Things are progressing here, and the work is going so well. We continue to work hard, and this week is already looking good. I am learning so much here. It takes such a different part of me to train. I want to be the trainer I wish I had, and I am praying for guidance. But I am so grateful for this opportunity. I love LOVE love being a missionary. It’s cool. Something I have found this week, is those that are truly progressing, is reading the Book of Mormon every day. There is something really wonderful in that book. It’s the promise. Moroni promised that if we read the Book with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he WILL manifest the truth of it unto us by the power of the Holy Ghost. Put Moroni’s promise to the test! Try it out.
I know that this gospel is true. I am very grateful for my chance to strengthen my testimony. I am grateful for the change I see in others lives, because of the gospel. This gospel is real. It’s true. And it does bring real, true happiness. I love it! And I love you!
Love,
Annie
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Happy Mother's Day and Training a New Missionary
OKAY!
First of all. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! I got off Skype, and sister ward said how funny it was that I didn't even say happy mother’s day the whole time! SORRY! I was so distracted about being able to see you! And it was so much fun! I loved LOVED loved seeing all of you, and what a wonderful thing that Becca and the boys were there. It was so fun to have a real conversation a little bit with Benjamin! He is so grown up!
So so much has happened since then. I think I told you that President Ogden basically promised Sister Hedemark and me that we would be able to stay together one more transfer. So we were really happy about that, because we work really well and hard together, and have had TONS of success. Like standard of excellence 4 out of the 5 weeks thus far. But the president called us on Monday morning to tell us that we should "enjoy the time we have with each other". Oh man, we were so sad. Basically he told us one of us was being transferred. So Monday was crazy, all the way up until the time the president called and asked if I’d be willing to train a new sister missionary in Harborne. Of course I said yes, but boy, I was SCARED! That night I barely slept at all. I was very worried.
So Tuesday, we made the most of our last day together, and had so many lessons, and took tons of pictures, and barely even ate, we were so busy. In fact, we left the house in the morning without any food on us, and we experienced a very cool promise answered. In 3 Nephi 13:31-33 "therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink? Or, wherewithal shall we be clothed? For your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." And while we were at a lesson, the father of the lady who we were teaching - who knows zero English - went and bought us a loaf of bread each just because. Promised blessings! That day, oh man, we were exhausted. We did so much. We visited so many people, and it was a good good day. But exhausting. We got home, planned like mad, and packed and cleaned like there was no tomorrow. But there was a tomorrow. I don't actually understand that phrase at all; it doesn't really apply here, but oh well.
So yeah. On Wednesday, it was transfers! We left early, and got to the mission home. And had a grand time talking to all the elders and sisters. It is really fun to go to transfers. I would like to go when I am not getting transferred so I am not so stressed out. But it was great. And almost all the sisters were there. So I got to hug Sister Pope for a long time. And that was good! She is staying in Evesham and she is also becoming a "mother" as am I! So we both got to go into the training meeting with President Ogden. About 15 new missionaries came in, and 3 new sisters, and so Sister Pope Sister Nadsady and I are training. President Ogden talked about how sacred of a responsibility we have upon us to train the new missionaries. And how these new missionaries will be the leaders when the new mission president comes at the end of their missions. And we got to hear all about our "greenies". Oh, I was so nervous. I did not feel at all adequate. Especially in Harborne! It’s just so big, and there is so much to do and to remember. But then I met Sister Baker, and she's great! So it is all good. Sister Baker is originally from Seattle Washington, but then has subsequently moved around to England, Spain, Russia, and China. Her dad works for Boeing. She is great, and seems like a really great missionary, and we get along already! She is ready to work hard, and take very few lunch and dinner breaks, so she is ready for this area! After transfers and a lot of pictures, we came home, and got her all unpacked, and then we had three lessons last night. It was great.
And now today, we have had an awesome day! Every lesson has gone through. And it's just gone really great. We taught peter this morning. And I have been having really good feelings about Peter. He is just great. And then we brought up baptism, and he said that it's something that he has been thinking about lately, and thinks he wants to!!! We asked him to pray about when he would like to! We are so excited for him! I’m so grateful for the Book of Mormon, and that it has really changed him. He’s awesome!
Biyu is getting baptized on Saturday, and it is going to be so great! His friend Daniel (who was baptized just a few weeks ago), is baptizing him, and we are so excited. And I’m really happy that sister Hedemark will be able to come back for it! It’s great!
So things are going great. I am really learning to rely on the spirit. And things are going really well. Sister Baker is a joy to work with, and we get along great. I am excited to train, and to be trusted by the lord and by President Ogden in this great responsibility. It is definitely stretching me. And it is hard. But it is great. And I am grateful for the challenges in life that help me grow and stretch and learn.
I love this gospel! I love everything about it. And I love that all that we promise people WORKS! Like, read the Book of Mormon, and pray about it, and you WILL find out for yourself that it's true IF you have a sincere heart, real intent, and faith in Christ. So DO IT! If you don't have a Book of Mormon, anyone that is reading this. Go onto Mormon.org and request one. It’s free. And it's vital to our salvation. So do it! Just try the promise out. Test it. I know it's true by the power of the Holy Spirit. And I love it with all my heart. I am so happy! And I love this gospel! I love you all!
Love,
SISTER Annie Clark
ps. Marissa, I love you and I am so proud of you! I am sorry for what you have to go through right now, but you are an inspiration, and I love you!
Pss. hailey! Your graduation announcement is AMAZING. You look incredible! I have your picture up. You are awesome! Congrats on being a university graduate. Scary! We are not old enough for this! Good luck on your finals! I love you!
Pss. mom, can I get Nicole’s email please?
Pass. Kelly, if you are reading this. WRITE me. You are pregnant, and I didn’t find out from you! But I forgive you, if you WRITE me!!! I love you dearly!
I love you all! All my love heaped up pressed down and running over!
First of all. HAPPY MOTHERS DAY! I got off Skype, and sister ward said how funny it was that I didn't even say happy mother’s day the whole time! SORRY! I was so distracted about being able to see you! And it was so much fun! I loved LOVED loved seeing all of you, and what a wonderful thing that Becca and the boys were there. It was so fun to have a real conversation a little bit with Benjamin! He is so grown up!
So so much has happened since then. I think I told you that President Ogden basically promised Sister Hedemark and me that we would be able to stay together one more transfer. So we were really happy about that, because we work really well and hard together, and have had TONS of success. Like standard of excellence 4 out of the 5 weeks thus far. But the president called us on Monday morning to tell us that we should "enjoy the time we have with each other". Oh man, we were so sad. Basically he told us one of us was being transferred. So Monday was crazy, all the way up until the time the president called and asked if I’d be willing to train a new sister missionary in Harborne. Of course I said yes, but boy, I was SCARED! That night I barely slept at all. I was very worried.
So Tuesday, we made the most of our last day together, and had so many lessons, and took tons of pictures, and barely even ate, we were so busy. In fact, we left the house in the morning without any food on us, and we experienced a very cool promise answered. In 3 Nephi 13:31-33 "therefore take no thought, saying, what shall we eat? Or, what shall we drink? Or, wherewithal shall we be clothed? For your heavenly father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you." And while we were at a lesson, the father of the lady who we were teaching - who knows zero English - went and bought us a loaf of bread each just because. Promised blessings! That day, oh man, we were exhausted. We did so much. We visited so many people, and it was a good good day. But exhausting. We got home, planned like mad, and packed and cleaned like there was no tomorrow. But there was a tomorrow. I don't actually understand that phrase at all; it doesn't really apply here, but oh well.
So yeah. On Wednesday, it was transfers! We left early, and got to the mission home. And had a grand time talking to all the elders and sisters. It is really fun to go to transfers. I would like to go when I am not getting transferred so I am not so stressed out. But it was great. And almost all the sisters were there. So I got to hug Sister Pope for a long time. And that was good! She is staying in Evesham and she is also becoming a "mother" as am I! So we both got to go into the training meeting with President Ogden. About 15 new missionaries came in, and 3 new sisters, and so Sister Pope Sister Nadsady and I are training. President Ogden talked about how sacred of a responsibility we have upon us to train the new missionaries. And how these new missionaries will be the leaders when the new mission president comes at the end of their missions. And we got to hear all about our "greenies". Oh, I was so nervous. I did not feel at all adequate. Especially in Harborne! It’s just so big, and there is so much to do and to remember. But then I met Sister Baker, and she's great! So it is all good. Sister Baker is originally from Seattle Washington, but then has subsequently moved around to England, Spain, Russia, and China. Her dad works for Boeing. She is great, and seems like a really great missionary, and we get along already! She is ready to work hard, and take very few lunch and dinner breaks, so she is ready for this area! After transfers and a lot of pictures, we came home, and got her all unpacked, and then we had three lessons last night. It was great.
And now today, we have had an awesome day! Every lesson has gone through. And it's just gone really great. We taught peter this morning. And I have been having really good feelings about Peter. He is just great. And then we brought up baptism, and he said that it's something that he has been thinking about lately, and thinks he wants to!!! We asked him to pray about when he would like to! We are so excited for him! I’m so grateful for the Book of Mormon, and that it has really changed him. He’s awesome!
Biyu is getting baptized on Saturday, and it is going to be so great! His friend Daniel (who was baptized just a few weeks ago), is baptizing him, and we are so excited. And I’m really happy that sister Hedemark will be able to come back for it! It’s great!
So things are going great. I am really learning to rely on the spirit. And things are going really well. Sister Baker is a joy to work with, and we get along great. I am excited to train, and to be trusted by the lord and by President Ogden in this great responsibility. It is definitely stretching me. And it is hard. But it is great. And I am grateful for the challenges in life that help me grow and stretch and learn.
I love this gospel! I love everything about it. And I love that all that we promise people WORKS! Like, read the Book of Mormon, and pray about it, and you WILL find out for yourself that it's true IF you have a sincere heart, real intent, and faith in Christ. So DO IT! If you don't have a Book of Mormon, anyone that is reading this. Go onto Mormon.org and request one. It’s free. And it's vital to our salvation. So do it! Just try the promise out. Test it. I know it's true by the power of the Holy Spirit. And I love it with all my heart. I am so happy! And I love this gospel! I love you all!
Love,
SISTER Annie Clark
ps. Marissa, I love you and I am so proud of you! I am sorry for what you have to go through right now, but you are an inspiration, and I love you!
Pss. hailey! Your graduation announcement is AMAZING. You look incredible! I have your picture up. You are awesome! Congrats on being a university graduate. Scary! We are not old enough for this! Good luck on your finals! I love you!
Pss. mom, can I get Nicole’s email please?
Pass. Kelly, if you are reading this. WRITE me. You are pregnant, and I didn’t find out from you! But I forgive you, if you WRITE me!!! I love you dearly!
I love you all! All my love heaped up pressed down and running over!
A quick trip back to Evesham
Dearest mother and father, and family and friends!
Life has been fabulous this week, and we are doing great!
First off, Kate and Will were married, and oh, it was SUCH a big deal. I didn't realize why, but people stayed in and watched for hours on end. It’s pretty cool! Lots of people went to London, but of course we were not even allowed to watch a part of the wedding. But we did buy newspapers the next day, all about the wedding. Not that we can read them, but so we could save them and show that we were here for the royal wedding! And her dress, and hair, and everything was AMAZING! She looked awesome! I am in awe. And glad that her dress was so simple. Way to go Kate!
This week has been great great great! Guess what I did on Tuesday? I went on an exchange to EVESHAM!!!! And who was I with?! Sister POPE!!!!!!!!!! Boy was I excited, and it was fabulous! It’s awesome to see how much we have learned in the few transfers we haven't been companions, but when we teach it just flows so well, and is so natural. It was so fun. And I loved being able to teach a few of my old people again! Main ones being Tom and Garry. Tom is doing GREAT. he is saving up for his mini mission, and is planning on going on a mission for real next year, and he's really excited. He’s reading and praying every day, and he is so much more mature now. Ha-ha.
And GARRY. Oh my word, it was wonderful to see Garry and Wendy and brayed, and Harley, and Harrison, and Maddison! They are so sweet, and are the closest thing I feel to family here in England (besides Sister Pope...), and we had such a good lesson. For the last few weeks, I have been focusing on repentance in my scripture study, and I haven't really been sure why, but I’ve been doing it. And on our way to Garry's house, we decided to teach repentance, because he doesn't feel that he has a relationship with Jesus Christ. But unless we partake of the blessings offered through the atonement, we won't really have a relationship with him. So we had that lesson, and hopefully helped him. I feel that it did, but who knows. But the spirit was really strong, and of course, Sister Pope, Wendy and I cried. As usual. But it was wonderful. And this weekend, we all fasted (including Garry) that he'd find a date for his baptism. Garry needs prayers! But he's doing great!
Wednesday, I came back to my area. And I loved being in Evesham, but I am grateful that my area is now Birmingham with Sister Hedemark. I feel that this is where I am meant to be. And I am learning so much. We work SO hard, every day, and it's so much fun. I feel like this week I really started to finally know my way around this area. And we are really working well. And it's been so good!
This weekend, Sven was baptized! It was so exciting! Even though I wasn't here for when he was found, and most of his teaching, I feel that I have been here to see him change and grow. It’s so cool to see the gospel really change people, and it's really a testimony to me that it's true! The baptism went great! President and Sister Ogden attended (which made Sister Hedemark nervous, because she gave a talk - but she did GREAT!) and it was a wonderful experience. Another girl- the elder’s investigator- was baptized as well, and there was a great turnout. It was wonderful. And at church on Sunday, the ward seemed so alive. There is really a spirit when people are baptized and confirmed, and everyone was on fire this week! Just getting things done and being friendly. I love this ward, and this week, for the first time, I felt like this is my ward now. And I know the people, and love their kids, and it's great!
And to make it even better, we got standard of excellence, and we are so soooosoososososoososo happy! We just were blissful after church, and are ready to work even harder this week. And this week is going to be even more special, because we have zone conference, and Elder Kieran is coming!
We are so excited! So that's on Wednesday, and we are trying to prepare ourselves for it. It’s hard to prepare ourselves for a meeting like that, because we never think of our own questions, we just think about our investigators. But we will figure something out. And mom, I will be able to pick my package up at zone conference. Better late than never! Thank you SO much!!! And thank you thank you for all the postcards and the journal entries! Papa, I love these super hero post cards, and your clever things on the back! How fun!
Congratulations DAVID!!! You graduated finally! I’m so excited for you! So what's next? Don’t move out of Utah please? I’d like you to be there when I get back! (Selfish, I know)
Well, I love you dearly! Sorry I can't answer all your questions, but that'll give us something to talk about or something! Thank you thank you for all you do! Thank you for your prayers!
Next week is transfers, so pday on Wednesday. I sure hope I get to stay here with Sister Hedemark, the work is going SO well! We are so blessed! I love you all! And I’ll talk to you on Sunday! Happy mother’s day almost!!!!!!!!!!
Love,
Annie
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