Gaerwen Week 20

This has been such a good week! We have seen quite a lot of miracles with our friend Morgan especially. We had a lesson with him on Thursday and there happened to be a YSA member of our ward that was able to help with the lesson. He prayed this week and he wasn't discouraged when he didn't receive an answer right away. He also came to church for the first time yesterday and he really enjoyed it. His Faith has been growing so much. We are hoping this week to set a day for baptism to work towards.

We also had a really good lesson with our friend Leon. He moved here from Spain and he understands the gospel so well. We taught him last night and we spoke about how the Book of Mormon adds to the Bible because we believe the Bible is the word of God as long as it is translated correctly. He totally agreed that the Bible wasn't perfect and wanted to know what additional knowledge the Book of Mormon gave us. We taught him a shortened version of the Plan of Salvation and he especially loved the 3 kingdoms. The Book of Mormon truly does add to the Bible.

Well that's all for this week! We have zone conference and exchanges this week so I'll let you know how that goes next week

Gaerwen Week 19

This has been a great week! I got a new companion, Sister Larsen, who is from Smithfield, UT. This is her first area but it has been fun to get to work with her. I've also been so excited about the new changes they're making for communicating with our families. How exciting! Don't worry, I'll still send a group email each week so you all can hear of the many miracles the Lord is working in Wales. 

We've met with some amazing people the last week. Last night we had a lesson with a friend of a member named Salmah. She has never heard of The Book of Mormon before but she was so intrigued to know where it came from and how we can know it is true. We bore our testimonies of the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon and she has agreed to read about it and pray to know for herself if it is true. The best part of the gospel is that we each can know for ourselves that these things are true as we sincerely pray.

We also got to speak more with our friend Morgan, who I mentioned in my last email. We didn't have the chance to meet with him this week but we called him a few days ago and he says he's been reading The Book of Mormon every night! I think it ties back to what he said about having a greater desire to read The Book of Mormon. I agree, as we take those first steps to read The Book of Mormon, we will have a greater desire to read it. And when we do feel that greater desire, we can know that that is an answer from the spirit confirming the truthfulness of The Book of Mormon.

Gaerwen Week 18

This has been a week full of miracles, especially with some of our friends that are now progressing more. I am grateful for the gift of the Holy Ghost that softens hearts and changes lives. The biggest miracle we saw this week was with our friend Morgan. We met Morgan while street contacting but all we were able to do was give him a card. About a week later, he texted us and agreed to meet. We first met with him last Monday and it seemed like he just had a general curiosity to learn more. We met with him again yesterday and in just a short time his faith had grown. He had read about 5 chapters of The Book of Mormon and said that he had a greater desire to read The Book of Mormon than any other religious text. He is going to continue studying The Book of Mormon and praying for an answer.

Bijan is also doing so well! We met with him last night and he says he has a testimony of Joseph Smith and The Book of Mormon. The spirit was so strong during the lesson. The only concern he share is that he desires to have a greater understanding of the gospel before he is baptized. I am hoping that as we share more about the gospel that he will feel the spirit more and make the decision soon to be baptized.

We also got our transfer calls this week! Sister Colinares is ending her missionary service and is returning to the Philippines and I'll be staying in Gaerwen and training a new missionary. I'm excited to see what these next few transfers will hold!

(in Chester we visited this cute lady, Netta)

Gaerwen Week 17

It has been a week full of miracles! We have seen a lot of miracles, espcially with our friend Mary. We first met Mary last Monday but she has laready progressed so much. We taught her the Plan of Salvation and her only comment was "it all makes sense". The Plan of Salvation does make sense! God is our loving Heavenly Father and it only makes sense that he would plan a way for us to progress and return to him. As Mary prayed about the Plan of Salvation, she said that she felt all of her fears and anxieties diminish. It strengthened my testimony of the power of the Spirit in helping us to become converted. We invited Mary to be baptized yesterday and she accepted! We are working towards March 9th as a goal. 

We also were able to attend the new member fireside in Chorley yesterday. Every first sunday of the month, the mission holds a fireside were those who have recently been baptized share their experiences. Moruf, our friend who was baptized at the end of December, was able to go and share his experience. I was most amazed at the dramatic change it made in each person's life as they accepted Jesus Christ into their life. One man shared that the biggest difference for him was the weight that lifted as he was forgiven for his sins. Another woman shared that she was finally able to feel the love that Heavenly Father had for her. Each was from a different background and circumstance but it helped each person in their own unique way. The Gospel of Jesus Christ truly does bless individuals and families.

This week we will also receive our transfer calls. My companions, Sister Colinares, is returning to the Philippines so I will most likely stay in gaerwen and receive a new companion. I love the Gaerwen area so i am excited to work here for another 6 weeks.