Wisdom learned in Montrose

Dear, Lovely People,

So this week has been good, there were some speed bumps along the way, but hey, maybe I'll actually turn out to be a patient mum when I get home. Eamonn has been kind of out of touch this week--I'm pretty sure there's more speed bumps for him than there is for us, as far as his situation goes. Keep him in your prayers. 

Monday we went to Dundee for Zone Development, which was really fun. We played some sports, multi-room werewolf (version of mafia) (I got killed off pretty quick), a box game where you bend over and pick up a cereal box without your hands or knees touching the floor or box (so, your mouth) and it gets cut down a bit at a time, and other stuff too.... Got to chat with some great people :)

Tuesday we had Family History, where I tried to help a member find dates and records... Yeahhh, I'm not sure what I'd ever do if that was my actual calling.... :) And the STLs arrived to sleep over before exchanges on Wednesday, and it was Sister Martin's birthday! Sister Martin is Sister Wilkin's trainer, so we were excited and got cake and ice cream and put up a banner and balloons for her :) 

Wednesday I went to Dunfermline with Sister Martin! It was really fun, and we found out we read all the same books back home, haha :) Don't find someone like that all the time! We had a lesson with their investigator who is getting baptised really soon :) and we only had like, 15 minutes to do some chapping, but we got a potential in that 15 minutes! It was so great. The Lord really blesses the leaders of this mission, as they try to keep their area afloat as they travel for meetings and exchanges all the time! 

Thursday we saw Tracy and read the Book of Mormon with her again. She's doing well, I'm still praying to find out what her real barriers are, so we can help her accept baptism. She's busy, but if she wanted to, and knew it was right, I know that she would do what it takes to make it there! She's practically a member in a lot of ways already! 

Friday we got to know a member a little better by reading the Book of Mormon with her. We decided to travel to a village north of Montrose to do some tracting, and it was pretty scenery, even if we didn't find anyone interested. It was a really cold day, and as we waited for the bus back, we were shivering. Then, it didn't come. Then, the next one came, but it was only going half-way back to Montrose. When we got half-way back, we were waiting for the next bus, it didn't seem like it was going to show either, but then, Tender Mercy: a less-active member we've only met once pulled up, picked us up, and took us home! Thank heavens! We were so grateful! And it was a great opportunity to talk to her more! Then we saw the Glanvilles, which is always great :)

Then we saw Lesley, and she's been reading so much! She's progressing great, and we'll help her know that she can change, because of her faith and knowledge when she comes to know its true for herself! 

Saturday we saw the Relief Society Pres. for lunch, which was good, and we saw our less-active friend, Louise. She so cheeky, I love her! 

Sunday we taught in Relief Society about member missionary work, taking principles from EDM by Clayton M. Christensen. I can't praise this book enough! It was really a Spirit-led and filled lesson. A couple of sisters shared part of what they learned from it in their testimonies in sacrament meeting! It was so great :) 

I've learned so much about the Atonement and Faith. If we no more than have a desire to believe, we can act on that, and EXPECT MIRACLES! The Lord will do His part, and the evidence can build a testimony of faith, BUT only if we keep the cycle running, so we are continually building our faith!

I've also learned how the Savior had to learn everything from the beginning, just as we do, without a memory of the pre-existence, but He gave us an example of perfect revelation, too! He followed His Father's will, and heard His voice, just as you did. I'm sure it probably happened early on for Him, but we have the scriptural evidence in His baptism and his fasting and prayer following! Its incredible, just how great an example, relate-able brother, and loving God He is to us. I feel so much closer, so humbled, and filled with so much wonder and love for Him, with the experiences I've had on my mission and the things I've learned from a diligent study of His life.

Okay, this is long, but I love you all, and I hope you know y'all are so important to me!

Always Yours!

Sister Kirkpatrick