Weeks 16-17

13 September 2010


Hello everyone!

So a little bit about Bolton is that it has historically been one of the highest baptising places in Europe and especially in the UK. They have had 14 baptisms this year and should have a couple more if we have any say in it. The problem is that they do not keep these people active which is the saddest thing to see ever...it really is disgusting how bad the less active rate is in England BUT that is the members job, that does not mean we stop doing ours.

Marianna and Jozsef were baptised and confirmed a week and a half after I got here. I think I sent some pictures home of them.Marianna and Jozsef are great and have 3 little hungarian children. Marianna's father baptised them and it was very difficult to finish teaching them, because they do not speak a lick of English, but they got it! haha

We also had a baptism this week as well and her name is Lauren Dawson. She is just 17 and her family and friends were completely against it. She had some people there to support her, but basically she has just done it all on her own. She wanted to finish the Book of Mormon before she was baptised so the week before she read it for 7 hours straight because she couldnt sleep one night. Her favorite part it the 2,000 stripling warriors. It was great to see someone, although she knew it was her against her family, actually take that leap of faith and she will be such a strong member because of that. She fears God more than Man and it does take a lot to do that! She was afraid of what her family would do, but they are family and they will love her no matter what. It always turns out that way.

NOW! The coolest part. We were headed to a potential 2 weeks ago and this man in a white tank top, shaved head, tatoos and a piercing, standing outside his flat smoking yells out to us, "You Mormons?!?"...US: "uhhh yupp!" HIM: "Come here!" ok...

Turns out his name is Keith and he had a friend whose mom went to the Chorley Chapel which sits under the shadow of the temple and the MTC. He went there for a little bit with them. (never learned anything or payed attention, but he went) -Key #1: KNOWING MEMBERS! His partner comes to the door with a cigarrette in her hand and says "OOOO HE^&**^%^&** NO!" ...US: Hello to you too mam! She starts saying things about God and how he has never helped her out and never done this and blah. A couple of minutes later we set up an appointment to come answer her questions and talk with him. Didnt think anything of it.

We go to the appointment a couple days later and we teach the Restoration like always for our mission. Nikki is 22 and has 2 children. Keith is 25 and is the father of one of Nikki's and has one of his own who lives in Durbin near Blackburn named Courtney. We have taught them now about 10 times. They have come to church twice and they WANT baptism, but they like everyone else in England are not married. They just call each other partners here...Keith grew up in foster homes all his life and he is afraid of committment and attachment. Nikki and her brother were abused by their alcoholic parents when they were little and so they have never had any sort of religion or faith in their lives.

This has COMPLETELY changed everything about their lives and they are new to the area and I KNOW that Keith will change his mind about marriage, and am praying A LOT for it.

These are the two best people I have found out here in England and are so prepared. I could write a novel just about them.

I love you all, Go to church.

Elder Blackburn