Moves Week

Hiya. I'm dead, but I'm alive. 

So.

This.

Week.

Well, its been emotional, for sure. Monday we did email and cleaning before heading out to Bo'ness to see Iris, and we went chapping for Sister Passey's last time, and found a good potential named Jo who we have a return appointment with this week. We went home to have our dinner late and the Elders came at 8:30 to say goodbye, which was sad and depressing and awkward and funny. But we went back into the flat and realized we'd have to say goodbye the next day and we cried. 

Tuesday morning the Zone Leaders picked us up and took us to the Mission Home, where we kind of sat and waited for other people to come and figure out what the plan was and Sister Passey had her exit interview. We said good bye, and I was embarrassed to cry in front of the other missionaries, but whatever, and I went to Bathgate with Sister Ashdown. 

We both were pretty emotionally compromised (her companion and friends were going home too) but we were okay together. She didn't know we were going to be in Bathgate so she had to throw together a plan real quick, but it was good, we got to make up study and have lunch before heading out to have a couple of lessons. I enjoyed Bathgate. It was an adventure. I love Sister Ashdown. 

Wednesday we headed back to Edinburgh where I met Sister Jones, my new companion at the train station! She's great, she's from Minnesota, and we have pretty similar backgrounds and interests. She's soft-spoken, but has a great singing voice! She was in both the Christmas and Easter Missionary Choir Concerts. We have fun, and we're figuring out what our dynamic together in missionary work is. 

Wednesday was our long p-day for moves, and we got back to Falkirk early, so we went to Linlithgow with the Elders and toured St. Michaels church, walked around the castle and sat by the loch. It was pretty cool! (photos soon, hopefully... sd card reader currently MIA)

Guess who's also MIA... basically all of our investigators--not cool! We saw Paul, and he's doing okay, we didn't teach him, but we will this week. Nick had an interview come up and had to cancel our appointment and wasn't able to come to church, so Sister Jones still hasn't met him yet and I'm anxious about it, but I have faith in Nick. I trust him and I trust Heavenly Father is taking care of him. We have not been able to get in contact with Scott this week. We taught our least number of lessons in a week since being here. It was rough. But things are going to pick back up, I know it!

We were able to introduce Sister Jones to a lot of members this week, which was good. Highlights from Falkirk Branch Sacrament Meeting:

1) President Patterson: "Sister Passey has gone home... to find an eternal companion!"

Reaction: *smiles, laughter*

President: "It's true!" 

2) Brother Watts reading the entire "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss in his talk before finally tying it into Family History work and how we'll like it when we finally try it. 

Brother Churchill teasing me about eating an oreo (that a member had given me!) in Gospel Principles in which the lesson was on God's Law of Health... lol

Ah, Falkirk. 

You know, I struggled to really love it here upon first arrival, but in the last couple of weeks I've really recognized how much I've grown to really love these people, how they're all very special, with unique quirks and needs. You don't find people like this just anywhere. I love Falkirk Branch, faults and all! And I love the Falkirk area, there are so many memories here that it feels like home. Yeah, its been a hard week, but I really learned to appreciate what I have here. I don't want to be anywhere else. 

I know God loves us. He is aware of us and will succor us, especially when we pray in earnest. I have had to pray so much this week, just to get through, but I know He's there, and that He's listening. He knows my sorrows and anxieties and He knows that it will be for my good. D&C 121. 

I love you all so much! I love being a missionary! 

Love,

Sister Kirkpatrick

End Transfer 2

Hiya! 

So we got our moves call yesterday and I'll be staying in Falkirk and my new companion will be Sister Jones, coming from being a Sister Trainer Leader in Irvine! I am sad to see Sister Passey go home, I love her so much, but I know God's will and timing is perfect! I have something new to learn from Sister Jones! 

So this was kind of a hard week. We thought we were going to be super busy, but after Nick decided to wait for baptism, all our plans just kind of were up in the air and/or then fell through.

Nick was pretty hard to pin down for an appointment this week, but we finally got to see him for lunch on Friday, and he came to sacrament meeting on Sunday! He finished the Book of Mormon! He thought it had a sad ending, and he didn't have any qualms with the book. He got no red flags and he believes it. He's now at the stage of "Okay, I've read it, now what?" We told him to keep coming to church, keep having the lessons, read the Doctrine and Covenants, watch "Joseph Smith: Prophet of the Restoration"... there is really so much to study and learn in this Gospel! That is the perk of having continuing revelation from God. 

Nick is really funny, and he has really interesting thoughts. He's really slowed down, because he has so much to think about already, so I'm hoping that he wont put off baptism. He's quite stubborn, and he feels like a horse that's been broken: he's been so stubborn about picking and joining one specific religion for so long, and he's so independent, but he recognizes how Heavenly Father has led him to these things at this time, and there's the column of "What Nick Wants" and "What Nick Needs", so now he's recognizing that needs to accept God's will for him. He's just really stubborn about it. 

We saw a lot of members this week, trying to help Sister Passey get photos, contact info, and say good bye. I saw her cry for the first time yesterday, saying good bye to Kirsty and Dee. 

We taught Paul, and he's progressing well, he described the Plan of Salvation as "dejavu" (sp?) and told us he feels tingly when he reads the Book of Mormon sometimes! He gets distracted sometimes, but he understands and likes what we share. He's just hard to get to church, as he has "visitors" on Sundays and he needs a lift from a harder area to get rides from. He is going to do well, we just need to help him. He trusts us more now, but he still isn't exactly ready to join anything as of yet. 

We did some service, so I'll send you a couple funny photos of the elders working in Marina's garden ;) We weren't able to teach Scott this week, so I don't have any updates on him. 

A lot of my study recently has been focused on faith and belief, and how we can't wait on the road to Damascus for a witness (President Uchtdorf), we have to take a step of faith. No, I don't know or understand everything, no, I wont do everything perfectly, but I believe God's there to fill in the stair when we step up! Believing is enough, and even if we just desire to believe, it is enough (Elder Holland). 

I know God loves us. That is enough. (Elder Anderson)

'Till we meet next week!

Love always,

Sister Kirkpatrick

Next Time on Falkirk District

Hiya!

So, I'm going to try and write shorter, more spiritual emails. It occurs to me that President Erickson suggested that my emails home be like the small plates of Nephi, how they were filled with the things of the Lord. 

I learned a lot from my studies recently on faith and today on journal writing! I've been struggling with writing recently, so it was good and interesting when I found it to study from the "Come, Follow Me" manual for the month of August. I recognize that I have an easier time when I just write and express myself. Its my stress relief, and I haven't been doing it recently. You'd think I'd learn that by now. But my study this morning helped me recognize that I need to focus on writing about how the Lord's Hand is evident in my life today. 

We had exchanges this week, and I was with Sister Henkel. It was better than the week before's, I felt a little bit better about leading and deciding where we should go and be. We met some great people and I'm definitely starting to come out of my shell. That was evident at church this week, I suppose ;) Lets just say I like the Youth. 

We had an awesome lesson with Nick with Gillian, about prayer and scripture study, and he told us about how he has a testimony (from personal experience) that prayer works, but since he's never been "religious" he finds it hard as a "religious act" but he recognizes it as a commandment now, so I think he's trying. He is just so funny, he sits up on the couch with his knees and feet tucked up and sometimes when we read a really obvious or relevant scripture he just looks at us like, "Really?" Haha! He's already read to Alma in the Book of Mormon! He's going to be ready for baptism when he decides when. We were excited when he texted us Thursday and asked us how soon he could do it, and he picked 10 August so both of the people who found him could be there, but he's not going to be quite ready, he's decided. He really appreciates the responsibility, commitment and enormous change that will cause in his life. He's picked a new career and is planning on emigrating, so he wants to have a firm foundation as he rebuilds his life.  I really love teaching him. And we feel better about it, because of the amount he still has to learn and gain a spiritual witness of.

Scott still talks for Scotland. We talked about prayer with him as well, since he told us he doesn't really know how to. At this point he's just procrastinating reading and coming to church, even though he kind of knows its going to be good for him. He just needs to take Nike's advice.

I asked the Elders give me a blessing this week, and it was a really great, spiritual experience that helped me remember my worth and purpose, and I really want to share the love and Atonement of the Savior with others. I know that Ether 12:27 is true, and I pray every night that the Lord will make my weaknesses strengths. 

This next week is shaping up to be really busy, but I'm trying to take Sister Henkel's advice and just enjoy it. Sister Passey has a goal to hit each of our key indicator (number) goals this (her last) week, so we're going to try and work and pray really hard! We'll be getting moves call Sunday and I'll find out who my new companion will be. I'll be honest, I'm nervous, but I know that I will learn from and learn to love her as I have Sister Passey. 

Sos, I'll get back to ya next week, probably full of food and water-stained (rain, tears, etc), but happy to be a missionary!

I love you all so much and appreciate all of your prayers!

Love,

Sister Kirkpatrick!

They Came

Date: July 28

Mom, Dad, Family, Friends,

I love you. I love Heavenly Father! This week has been great.

Monday We had dinner with Kirsty, Dee, and Gillian. It was really great, and really necessary. Gillian  has been going through a lot of stress and trials recently, and she needed to get out of the house and leave the kids with her mum. Kirsty was great, and made us an excellent roast with veg, and shared shared really great insights during our lesson on repentance. It was so good, and when we left, and Gillian gave us a lift home she told us how much she appreciated it, how much love she felt in their home and how she hadn't been out of the house without the kids in years. We really enjoyed it. 

Tuesday we had exchanges! Oh, what a day. We had District Meeting in the morning, and exchanged with the sister trainer leaders afterwards, and I stayed in Falkirk with Sister Hales, meaning I had to lead! We had lunch with Iris, which was insane, there were a ton of people there, and she fed us half a chicken with veg and potatoes and bread. But the lesson went well and she told us that she was coming to church and bringing Andy with her!

We were finding most of the day in Grangemouth and Camelon, not a lot of success, but I got to know Sister Hales better! She asked me a lot of questions about myself, the work, how I felt about the work and the branch and after this transfer. Oh, the job of a Sister Trainer Leader.

We saw Flora in the evening, and we helped her move a few things so she could put new carpet down in her bedroom, and she generously gave us sweets and treats and Sister Hales a teddy bear! She was concerned that Sister Passey had left, but we assured her that she hadn't and that we'd come to see her again soon! 

There was craziness and length to nightly planning Wednesday on my own.

Wednesday We exchanged back after a little bit of service and finding, and I was never so happy to see Sister Passey again! So stressful! She really does so so much. We ate lunch and headed out to Denny. One of our appointments fell through, but we got to teach Nick with Sister Jackson! We taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ and it went so well! He's already read up to Mosiah in the Book of Mormon and in our lessons, he is just so great. We asked him what he thought repentance meant and his answer sounded like it was straight out of Preach My Gospel! Ah! And he told us he wants a book about on just Jesus Christ and his life other than the Bible, so we referred him to "Jesus the Christ" by Talmage and he ordered it right away, and it should be coming today! He is just so so prepared. Missionary Manna from Heaven. And Sister Jackson was just great with him, and she had a really great experience, so we asked her to bear her testimony and include the experience at fast and testimony Sunday in August. 

We taught a new investigator named Paul as well. He has a mental disability, but is high-functioning and he seems to understand what we're teaching. We went with Sister Kew, but instead of inviting us in, he wanted to stay outside, so we stood and taught him the Restoration! It went rather well, and he's a little more open to thinking about going to church, and was quite receptive to reading the Book of Mormon. He said that he felt "the tingleys" when we were teaching. Oh, Paul :) The Holy Ghost is really so great.  

Thursday We had weekly planning and we got to teach Scott with Sarah! She said, "He talks too much" after we came out. Aye, he does, Sarah, Aye, he does. But we were able to teach him about prophets, Christ's earthly ministry and a little about the Apostasy using plastic cups. He seemed to like that. He really is very attentive and analytic about details most people miss and sees significance in them. We had dinner with Kirsty and Dee and a good Missionary Coordination Meeting and Branch Council afterwards. 

Friday we did service for Amber again, and we should have had "before" and "after" shots! The difference was huge, and its finally a good space for the little girls to play in! There's still a lot of work to be done, but she was wowed and so grateful. It really made it worth it. She was a little emotional, because she had been to her husband's grave that morning, but she confided in us and trusted us to work in her memorial garden. I really hope and pray that we can teach her about the Plan of Salvation. We did some LA finding in Camelon for most of the rest of the day. 

Saturday was crazy. After all week being hot with little-to-no rain, the heavens gathered, the thunder rolled and the rains poured upon the land! We traveled out to Linlithgow, which was a lot shorter bus ride than we were expecting. Its a really posh town, and a little more geared towards tourists and historians, since Linlithgow Palace is where Queen Mary stayed. There are a lot of mansions there. So we were out on the street when the rain started again and it was like someone had thrown us into the shower and turned it on full blast! Everyone had scattered and hid and we just kept going, laughing hysterically. It was definitely flash-flood status. It didn't last for too long, and afterwards it was just spitting for the rest of the day. We weren't able to find who were looking for in Linlithgow, and we didn't find anyone new to teach, but it was sure fun! We had dinner with Sister Kew, the Elders, and the Eagleshams that night, and it was good, and funny, as always. I absolutely love Sister Kew! We went by Paul to see if he could come to church if we found him a lift, but he was expecting a friend over about noonish, so that was a nay.

Sunday was miraculous. PEOPLE CAME TO CHURCH! AH! Iris was there with Andy when we got there, giving him a tour of the building and introducing him to people! Flora came! Total surprise! And Nick came!!! A progressing investigator at church! Miracles! So so happy, and totally an awesome day. Nick, Iris and Andy had to leave after sacrament, but Nick was definitely  chewing on a lot of thoughts when he left, and we heard that Andy had really enjoyed it and would be back! So exciting! And Relief Society was really great, Sis. Meade taught from "Following Up" by Elder Ballard, and it was really inspirational, and we felt a lot of love and support from the sisters, and hopefully it inspired some of the other sisters to get involved! 

We taught Scott at the church that evening, and showed him the Restoration DVD after a church tour, and he talked for Scotland. Sometimes its hard, and frustrating, but he really is interested and beginning to progress. There are definitely some things that he have to change (his mind about) as he continues to learn, but he likes what he sees, and I hope he comes to understand and accept! Sometimes the hardest part is figuring out what is actually his opinion, because he always shares so much about what he's learned, or read, or seen, or heard from other sources. Teaching the Plan of Salvation will definitely take a while.

Whelp, that's me! I love you all so very much! Thank you for your prayers and love! I know God lives and that he loves us! 

Love,

Sister Kirkpatrick