Moves

The time has come. Last night we got a call from the Mission Home. Sister Jones will be staying in Falkirk to train a new missionary.

Which means... I am leaving. First of all, I'm sad to leave, I adore Falkirk, in all its quirks. The people are wonderful and so dear to my heart. I am going to miss them immensely. I love Bonny Scotland.

But a time comes when you hit a wall in the work, and you feel something's gotta give, something's gotta change... And The Lord knows best.

I've been assigned to Cork, in the South of Ireland! 

Its the warmest area of the mission, right next to the coast, about two hours from Dublin. I'm excited to go to Ireland, and have new experiences! I have learned so much here, and I'm ready to learn and serve something/somewhere/somebody new! 

I'm sad to leave our investigators, especially Nick. He was definitely the one Sister Passey and I were meant to find here, but I guess Sister Jones and her new trainee are the ones meant to baptize him. We got to see and teach him twice last week! Which was great. He's progressing, we just need some consistency from him. He probably would've come to church, but we had Stake Conference in Edinburgh, and he had to be in Glasgow for 2. :/ We taught keeping the Sabbath Day Holy and Follow the Prophet and he is still so funny. He's been reading D&C and he texted us one day to ask about Shakers (Sec. 49) and then in our next lesson he said approximately: "I could tell they weren't legitimate just from the name... They should open up a fast-food restaurant called 'Shake and Quake'!" so so funny. 

We taught Paul and Caroline, and they're doing well, but they're a little stuck, and its really up to them if they progress or not. 

A lot happened this week, we were really busy, but the highlight was Stake Conference in Edinburgh. We were there for Saturday evening, which was really inspiring about the Work of Salvation, and it was definitely for both the missionaries and the members. We stayed in Edinburgh with the Corstorphine Sisters (Sister Hobbs and Sister Crawley!)  We had some great speakers in both Sessions, President and Sister Brown, Stake President Freed and President Sneddon, and a member of the 70, Elder Herbertson (who's Irish and looks like Martin Freeman) and his wife. I learned so much, and the Spirit was really strong! Sunday felt like a day and a half! 

Ah, so Scotland voted NO to independence. Thursday was ALIVE with energy, and then Friday, you could just feel the depression in the gray sky. Haha, but we're missionaries, and I'm going to the Republic of Ireland! So doesn't matter to us ;)

Well, I'm not sure what else to say... I've been really focused on studying the Book of Mormon and Preach My Gospel and I KNOW these are inspired. I learn so much from them; about the Spirit (Chapter 4!), about the Lord and his tender mercies and how we can be transformed! (Mosiah 27-28!) I love being a missionary, and I love my Heavenly Father! 

Stay strong! Have Faith! I love you all so much!

Love,

Sister Kirkpatrick!

To my family

HIYA!!!!!!! 

Oh, how I wish I could be there to speak with you in person and give each of you a GINORMOUS hug!! (This is the moment when you turn to the person closest to you and give them a hug for me.) 

SO. Scotland! I'm sure you all know how beautiful it is, so I wont even try to explain the green (or the rain.) What I what to share though is how beautiful these people are. Each and every day, I get up before 6:30 am, exercise, prepare, and study the scriptures. I go out from 10 am to 9 pm trying to speak to people about a very personal subject and try and teach what my faith has to share. I meet people every day who are loud and fast-talking, and could go on without a breath for an extended period of time. There are people who couldn't be bothered to even acknowledge us, and there are people you wonder if they were raised by ogres. But then you meet one person--and it only takes one person--every day that makes it all worthwhile. 

Scottish people are so special and unique, and I know I was meant to come here for a reason. I have learned SO MUCH in the 3+ months I have been a missionary. It has been a trial for me to learn how to stop and talk to people about something that means so much to me, all the while doubting if I am really capable. What I have learned the most here though, is how every single person has a struggle. In my position, my companion and I build relationships of trust, and as you speak with people, and get to know them, you see a glimpse of how their souls are burdened. But you also get a glimpse of how God sees them. I know God looks at us and sees how our trials will refine us, and how our burdens can be made light through Jesus Christ. Seeing others in this way helps me to leave my personal doubts behind and desire to reach out and lift others in love and faith. 

I wish I could take you with me, just for a day, and show you the experiences I am having. Falkirk, Stirlingshire, Scotland is a great place. I didn't exactly think so when I first got here, but some very special people helped me see the light. 

I want you to know that I know GOD LIVES. I know Jesus Christ is the Son of God and Savior of the World. I know that God is our literal Heavenly Father and that He has created a Plan of Happiness that provides a way for our family to be together forever.

I know not all of you believe exactly the things I do, or practice daily these things I teach, but the most important thing to always remember is that God is there for you, and that He loves ALL of us. If I can only do one thing in this fleeting time as a full-time missionary, I hope that I can at least extend that love that God has given me for these people. 

I know all things are possible with God. My faith is firm, and I know that we will all live again with Him one day.

This is my testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I love you all dearly, and I hope you all have adventures together this day and this week! Tell me about them! My Mom can give you my email address ;)

Love,

Sister Mary Ann Kirkpatrick

Sept 26, 2014

Zone Development AKA A Deer in the Headlights

Hiya friends and family! 

Sos. This is all wibbly-wobbly-missiony-stuff... I'm not sure how to explain it all!

So! We had Zone Development Day, which was awesome and exhausting! We were tired for a couple days after! We played softball and ultimate frisbee and duck-duck-goose and minute to win it and skittle game and had a barbecue. It was a party. I absolutely love Edinburgh Zone! There are AWESOME missionaries here! 

I've been writing down all the really funny moments, and I get to reflect on them and just laugh! I wish I could describe them, but I don't know that they'll make any sense! I'll tell one: So, I absolutely love Sister Kew, our Relief Society President, and she is so funny. She noticed that I always put tomato ketchup on my potatoes (small, boiled potatoes, all the time! where are you, creative Idaho potatoes?)  and so Saturday we were over for dinner and she gives me a wrapped gift and what's inside--Heinz 57 Tomato Ketchup! Haha, it was great, and we didn't have any at the flat, so that was awesome. 

We had a better week as far as the work goes. We had a short lesson with Paul. He still can't come to church, but he's still learning and growing, and I think Heavenly Father knows exactly where he's at and where he's meant to be. We have a new investigator named Caroline! She's older, a widow with 3 granddaughters. All of her family is close, and that's a priority for her. She's currently a Jehovah's Witness, but has a really good opinion of the Mormon faith. She feels the priorities of the two are similar, so they're both positive. We taught the Restoration and she wants to read the Book of Mormon, which is great! She's an open listener :)

We have an appointment to see Nick tomorrow! YAY! Prayers are heard and answered!

Speaking of prayer, I gave a talk in Sacrament Meeting yesterday on that subject, and it was well received. The Spirit was there, and I was really happy that several people really liked it, including the Elder's investigator Bill! It was based on the quote from C.S. Lewis "I pray because the need flows out of me all the time--waking and sleeping... Prayer doesn't change God---It changes me." I used the Bible Dictionary about Prayer, and Bread or Stones: Understanding the God we Pray To by S. Michael Wilcox, so those are your suggested readings for this week! I also have been loving listening to John Bytheway (thanks Mom!) and my favorites so far are "5 Scriptures that will Help you Get Through Almost Anything" and "Rough Start, Great Finish"

If you could pray for Kirsty at this time, that would be great. She has been really sick, with a heart disorder the doctors are still not sure how to treat because they aren't sure if its a condition or caused by a virus. We saw her yesterday and she is just absolutely exhausted--she can't do anything. She was in good spirits though, and still had her sense of humor, and I think she really appreciated seeing us. I really love her, and we're praying that she'll get better soon. 

So, as far as the title of this email goes, I have had so many people in the last few days say, "You're a rose that's just blossomed since you first came! You were demure... You were like a deer in the headlights!" Well, yes, I was, haha! I love these people, and I think they're finally seeing who I really am. I think I've really had to throw my insecurities and limitations out the window and just be myself. I think you have to do that, especially when your trainer leaves, because that's when you don't have them to look to to set the example, you just have to forget-it and do it. 

Well, I love you all so much! Thank you all for your prayers and support! Stay True to the Faith!

Love,

Sister Kirkpatrick

Aug 26 Trials

Hiya!

So, this week has been stressful. Trials around every corner, but we're doing our best, and that's all the Lord expects. We are trying to find new people like crazy everyday! No one in particular has worked out quite yet, but there is yet faith and hope! We've really struggled to teach lessons, especially investigator lessons, but we worship a 4th Watch God.

If you haven't read "Bread or Stones: Understanding the God we Pray to" by S. Michael Wilcox, YOU REALLY SHOULD. This talk describes my life right now. I'm speaking about the power of prayer in Sacrament Meeting on Sunday, so as I've studied for the topic, I've really seen what C.S. Lewis said, "I pray because the need flows out of me all the time... Praying doesn't change God--it changes me."  God knows us perfectly, he knows our needs and our burdens, and He'll never give us stones, He only gives bread. Its our responsibility to ask in faith, for "Prayer is the key to heaven, and the lock is on our side" (President Boyd K. Packer). I love my Heavenly Father for the precious gift of prayer. 

Nick is still distracted, so if you could pray for him, that would be great. Distraction is one of Satan's greatest tools! But Nick is so so so great, and I could never give up on him. 

We saw Paul, but because of a mistake on my part we didn't have time to teach him. Thankfully he had time to see us this week. He is having great spiritual experiences though, and he is progressing slowly but surely! We're praying he'll be able to attend church soon! 

We have a goal we made with the Elders and the Branch Council to have a baptism (either us or the Elders, just mainly in and for the branch) this transfer, so by September 28th! We're going to need all the prayers we can get! We're planning a fireside that the members can invite their friends and family to and I'll finally be able to pull out and shine up my flute ;) 

Whelp, here's praying that we find and teach new people this week and that we some miracles happen with these really great people here! 

I love you all so so much! Stay Strong! 

Love,

Sister Kirkpatrick

Lord's Tender Mercy this week: REALLY awesome missionaries that I am privileged to know and work with. Elders Austin and Livingston and all of Edinburgh Zone!! I love them all so much! They are choice and elect, and the best people they have ever been!