Hello to everyone that loves me!!!!!!!!
This week has been not normal in any sense of the word. Elder Wheat has been sick lately, and he was in bed all day Tuesday (I read the whole Ensign, and a ton of the book of Mormon). We had the district leader and his companion in our area on Wednesday. We caught a bus to Newcastle-under-Lyme (hour and a half one way) on Thursday for interviews and training. We had a really cool ward activity for missionary work on Friday. Saturday was normal except for all of our appointments falling through, and yesterday was way way way cool. We went to Newtown for church and then stayed and worked all day. That was a new experience for me to say the least. There were 14 of us at church. Talk about different. I grew up in big wards, and the first 2 wards that I have served in have also been big! Chorley is like an American sized ward, and Stretford is huge for England. The Newtown Branch was amazing though. There unity and love that was felt there, was amazing. The spirit was still there and very strong, the sacrament was the same, and the lord was with us. “Where 2 or 3 (or 14) are gathered in my name, there I am also.” SO VERY TRUE!!! It was fast Sunday, and so we all got a chance to bear our testimonies. I love bearing my testimony, and I am so glad that I get to do it so often. The members of Newtown were so happy that we were there to worship with them, and the service was just great. Missions are just one amazing experience after another!!!
Later on that day, we went and did our normal thing in Newtown. We taught and talked to a few people, and had a good time with President Briggs. We had a chance to give 2 blessings, and that is another amazing opportunity. I never thought that I would have given so many blessings on my mission, but I have. I am so grateful that I am worthy and not scared to perform that amazing action. For a while I would always hesitate when someone asked for a blessing, but not anymore. I love giving blessings of any kind because I can feel the power going out of me and into them. I feel that the most, when I am involved in conferring the Holy Ghost, but the power is there for blessings as well. I love my mission, and I cannot believe that I have only about a year left. This is going to be a very different year for me, that is for sure!!
We had interviews on Thursday, and I think that this is the first time that I have really felt comfortable talking to President openly about things. He is a wonderful man, but maybe someday when you meet him you will discover how intimidating he can be. He is a BIG business man, and he is very intense. I have heard that he was the CEO of ING….. That’s big!! He is what the mission needs right now, and that is very clear to all of us. He is an amazing man, and an amazing leader. I am beginning to open up to him more. It might be because I have more things to talk to him about, or it might be that I know that he can help, and that he has the answers, or at least he is entitled to the revelation that bring the answers. I love him so much, and I know that he loves me. Mission Presidents are seriously the elect!!! They have so much importance in building the kingdom. They are great men, and there wives are even greater. Sister Bullock is a saint, and there is no other way to describe her. I love them both!!!
I miss snow. Boy oh boy so I miss snow. It was really nice when I got down here to Shrewsbury, but then the past week has been kinda miserable. Cold and really windy. The weather is starting to get better now, and just in time because on Wednesday, the suits go away!!!! Can you tell that I am way excited!!!! I don’t know what I am going to do with myself. I am going to be really happy when I don’t have to shove a suit coat under my jacket!!
I am really excited for General Conference this week!! I have a new appreciation for conference now that I am on my mission! It is a great time to hear from Gods chosen servants, and to feel of the truth of their words. The suits have to go back on for that, but that is really not that big of a deal. We are having lunch with the Newtown branch, because they are going to the same place as us to watch it (Telford).
Next week is transfer week because we are in a 5 week transfer period. I will not be writing on Monday, but on Wednesday instead. And if Wednesday is wild, then I will be writing on Thursday. I think that I am probably staying, and E. Wheat is going, but who really ever knows. It is up to the lord, and it always is. Just keep that in mind, that I will not be writing on Monday. This week is going to be tough because we have to survive food-wise for a week and a half, and we have like NO money! Train tickets to Newtown are killing us!!!
I am still doing really good, and I am moving on and focusing on my work. I thank you all for your support and your love. I know that I have the best family in the world! It is crazy to think that it has been almost a year that we said goodbye, it feels just like yesterday, and I am sure that it is going to feel like tomorrow that I am back home. I am not in any hurry because I have a ton of things yet to do here in England and Wales! I love you all so so so much, and I know that you pray for me all the time. Stay strong, and continue to do what you do best….. LIVE THE GOSPEL!!!!!
Love,
Elder Neal
P.S.
I read this awesome quote in the Ensign. You have probably already read it, cause it was in the First Presidency message but.....
"Pray like everything depended on God. Work like everything depended on you."
That is becoming one of my new themes for my mission!!
Love you,
EJ
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