E-mail from Neal - Received 3-16-09

Hello everyone!!!!

This week for me has been a toughish one. Nothing that killed me, but this area is a lot tougher than last. Exchanges with Elder Garcia was amazing. We talked to a ton of people last week….. 82/9 which is really good for Shrewsbury. We got to teach together and it was just like old times. The member that came with us asked us if we practice all the time because we taught so well and in such unity. We just laughed and said that this was not the first time that had taught together! I learned everything that I know from him, so its no wonder that we teach the same! And now I am on exchanges with Elder Rose. I am in Telford right now, and this is a bike area!!! I will be on a bike for the next day, how funny is that!!!!! I am excited to do it, because I know that I will feel like a real missionary (not that I already don't).

I am really starting to like this place. It is so old, and has so much history. It is absolutely stunning and these past 2 days have been beautiful. It feels like summer, and its march! I am also starting to really like Newtown as well. We went and taught a girl in Llandrindod on Friday and it was out in the middle of nowhere. Just hills and sheep for an hour, and then this little tiny village. You all would love Wales. I will try to get some pictures, but we never really have that much time. The people are great, but a little hard to get into. They are very closed about religion and they really don’t like to talk about it. You have to talk to a bunch of them before you get anywhere. It is hard work, but I am ok with it. I am learning the area a lot better, and we are starting to see some really good things happen. The members have lost the trust of the missionaries before me, so we have been really trying to rectify that. We are succeeding, and getting to know a lot of them. They are willing to come out with us, and feed us as well, so we are really making good progress. I can really see good things happening here soon, maybe after I leave, but that’s sometimes the price that you pay for being a builder. You work and work and work, and then someone else comes in and Reaps. I am ok with that though, cause in the mission life your name still gets mentioned. If Shrewsbury booms after I leave then my name will be attached. I am not really bothered about it, but hey its nice. We have Zone Conference this next Saturday in Stretford, and so that will be great. We have an area authority coming…. Elder Malm I think? I might be wrong, but I know that it will be good. We have to catch a train at 6:47 in the morning, so that is going to be really tough, but it will all be ok. I get to go home to a place that I love….. Manchester!!!!

Our hot water heater has been broken for the last like 3 days, and that has been really killer. I am really glad that I am in Telford now, cause I get to take a shower. We came over today to play football, and it was really really good. I haven't gotten to exercise like that for a long time. I wish that our mission wasn't so spread out, cause I want to do more sports, but hey you get what you get. P-day are more rest days for us not sport days, cause we work so dang hard!! Anyways I have to get going. I love you all so much, and I am so glad that every thing is working out at home. Know that I am working hard and doing my best. Satan has been trying to get to me, but I have found that the greatest weapon is prayer, and he can't fight against that! Have a good week, and do well in all that you do.

Love,
Elder Neal