Family and Friends,
Well, first off, after I talked to you last week, I went and purchased a new rain jacket. Allow me to explain: Both of the rain jackets I brought with me were quite heavy and I would have to carry them half the time because here in Scotland, it will be sunshiney at 10 o'clock and then raining cats and dogs by 1 o'clock. They did not fit in my bag and were quite too warm to wear around, so I took Elder Fisher's advice and bought a jacket that comes in a little pack bag that fits in my purse so that if it starts raining, I have it on hand. It has already been a positive investment. And it is a shocking shade of pink (approved by District Leader). The elders have told me that they can always spot us in a crowd.
That same day we had a great dinner/FHE at the Irvine's home, which was quite the party with four missionaries, 7 children/youth, and 3 adults. It was crazy. We played several games (Don't Eat Pete, Chocolate Frustration, Chubby Bunny, etc) and talked about gaining weight on missions and it was a good end to P-day.
Tuesday we had last minute exchanges. We had one of our STLs go home with Tonsilitis, and they reassigned her companion, Sister Steed to be with the Alloa sisters, Sister Henkel and Sister Condie, and Sister Henkel was called to be the new Sister Trainer Leader. They had to move up our exchanges to be able to accomplish everything necessary for this transfer, so I went to Alloa with Sister Henkel and Sister Condie and Sister Steed went to Falkirk (where she has served before) with Sister Passey. There were some amazing experiences. I learned and applied so much. We had lessons with their progressing investigator, James, a less-active girl named Jasmine, a dinner appointment with a member, and a less-active man named Cameron. In every lesson I felt the Spirit's promptings so strong to say and ask just the right thing at the right time and it always brought the Spirit in so much stronger to the lesson, and I just can't believe how amazing the Spirit is in teaching and asking inspired questions! **Listening and Acting is the Key**
Wednesday we got back to Falkirk and we went up to the church to do a tour with Thomas, who did not show up. We instead got to practice a musical number we were asked to give on Sunday, Sister Passey doing a violin solo with me accompanying on piano. We played an arrangement of Abide With Me, 'Tis Eventide with Abide With Me that we came up with with Kirsty's help (she was there to be a joint teach).
Wednesday was also my Kebaptism! Haha, Kebabs are a food here, and a tradition to initiate new missionaries in Scotland/Ireland. Description: Doner meat is essentially mystery meat with a base of lamb. (ensue the Mary had a little lamb jokes.) This meat is roasted on a spit, shaved into strips, and then put in a sauce in a big pot and then left for an extended, unknown period of time. This meat is used in a wrap-like thing called a Kebab, which basically is pita-ish bread, meat, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes and lots and lots of sauce. This food, in certain establishments, is known to make people nauseous. In fact, this certain doner kebab is illegal in the United States, due to health regulations. I was lucky to get a nice, "posh"-ish one for my first time. Simply put, the kebab is not bad tasting. The wonky part is the doner meat--really having no clue what it is, why it's greasy and gritty at the same time. Next time, I'll be getting a chicken kebab.
Thursday was a hard day. We went to see Sheila, and it did not have a happy ending. Essentially, Sheila does not have the desire to know this is true, and so, even though we really care about her, we had to drop her as an investigator. It made me really want to cry. But I testified that she would never know unless she wants to, and it may not be until the next life, but that we'll be there to teach her when that time comes.
We made a baked chicken dinner for ourselves and the elders (my specialty, baked with a rub of brown sugar, salt, pepper, basil and garlic.) so, we were a bit cheered up by that time we had with them. They really liked it.
Friday, on the other hand was AWESOME! We got to see Jade, our new investigator!! She is 25, from London, and has a 9 month year old girl, Mya Rose. She is so so good. We taught her the Restoration, and we didn't really have to ask her any questions because she asked so many! There are things that she asked that we have to teach in a later lesson and she didn't completely understand some things like priesthood, but when we told her about Joseph Smith seeking for answers, and reading James 1:5, she just started weeping! She didn't understand why, but we explained how the Holy Ghost will sometimes affect the way we're feeling to let us know something is true. She is so so promising, and I'm so excited to teach her the Plan of Salvation! She had family plans for father's day, but she'll be at church this next week!
Saturday was good as well, we had a Family History Street Boarding activity, and I got to meet Michael, a really inspiring Christian in a wheel-chair who just has the most amazing story and testimony of Jesus Christ and how he is the reason for everything and all things are possible through Him! Michael may not come to church, as I invited him, but I believe I met him for a reason! I learned so much in such a short time speaking with him!
So everything was going good and then the Jehovah's Witnesses swooped in and started handing out Anti-Mormon propaganda, so we packed up and left early. It gave us the time to go do some service in the garden of Mr. Faulkiner, an older gentleman who had a stroke that we met chapping. It was successful, but we will go finish the job another day.
Yesterday was hard, because we talked to Thomas before church and he said he was coming and then he didn't show up. We went to see him after church, but he wasn't in. It was just a hard day, and a bunch of small things bothered me and I was a little homesick because it was Father's Day, but it was okay, it was a learning experience. I recognize that it's up to me to have a positive attitude, not my surroundings or circumstances. But, our musical number went great! It really brought the Spirit to the meeting :)
Well now I'm feeling all energized hearing from you and getting to talk to you about my week, so now I'm going to work! I know that Heavenly Father loves us! I know that we believe in Him not because He could make everything better right now, but that we believe in Him because our future and eternities will be joyous because of His justice and mercy. I know that His Son, Jesus Christ was and is the Savior of the World, and that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God! I know that this truth will be taught in every time and nation and unto every people until that day that He comes again! This is my testimony!
Love Always,
Sister Kirkpatrick
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