So apparently in Scotland, they say Happy Hogmanay for Happy New Year, so that's where the title of this post is from!
This week has been interesting! We had a lot of things fall through or not go according to plan, but there were a lot of tender blessings this week.
We made the hard decision this week to hand off John to the Elders, because of convenience (he lives in their branch-designated area) and because we both want him to consistently focus on the gospel, and how it can help him, and feel like he can open up to them on things that he can't with us. We'll be speaking to him about it this week. He and we could use all the prayers we can get.
We saw Hannah on the 31st, and we still are trying to figure out just how we need to help her overcome her main barrier, that she wants to believe in God, but doesn't yet. She feels like it would give her peace about what happens after this life, but she still hasn't had the feeling (or recognized it) or witness that He is there. All she has is our word, but I'm praying to know how to help her find out for herself. Probably one of the most important barriers is church attendance, so if you could pray that she is able to come, that would be so good. He'll accept all the faith you give!
Another prayer of faith is the hope that we will find and teach new investigators this week, if not, soon!
New Years Eve, missionaries here are supposed to stay inside, but we got permission to be at the Hale's house, as long as we got a lift home by 9. So we had a good evening making sugar cookies with the elders for members and neighbors :) lots of finger-food! :) We played a fun game that the Hale's got from members in Scotland and Catch Phrase :) We went to bed when we got home, but woke up at 5 to 12 and watched fireworks, flares, and floating lanterns to bring in 2015 :)
New Years Day was another non-proselyting day. Everybody was hung-over, so the city was DEAD. I've not seen anything like it. We went to deliver cookies to members, but it POURED rain, so it was an adventure! We were SOAKED to the skin by the time we got to the Hale's.
They took care of us though, and we had fun watching movies with the elders and a couple of single members who came over. Movies watched: You've Got Mail (before the elders got there, haha), The Saratov Approach, Indiana Jones and the Holy Grail, and we nearly finished Wreck-it-Ralph! I am just so stuffed from all the food I've eaten in the last 2 weeks!
...What am I saying, the last 8 months!!
There's a new sister from Brazil in the Branch that we got the opportunity to serve through this really hard transition, after a lot of miscommunications and misunderstandings about currency and accommodations. It really left a mark on me on how missionary work is truly doing what Christ would be doing if He were here. She was really low when we saw her on Friday, but by Sunday she was so much better! I just wish there was less of a language barrier so we could understand how to help her better!
I'm so happy to be a missionary. There are days I miss home, or am excited to get back to normal life, but it is such a great opportunity to be close to Christ here, and to work with Him and do His will. I learn so much everyday!
Sister Rydalch sent this awesome scripture to me: Nahum 1:7. Its a good reminder!
You're all in my prayers! I love you so much!
Take Care,
Love Always,
Sister Mary Ann Kirkpatrick
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