My new address is this.
Elder Blackburn
8 Acton Park Way
Wrexham
CLWYD
LL12 7LD
I am in Wrexham or Wrecsam if you are Welsh. Welcome to Wales! =P
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Letter from a Member
Dear Vickie & Bob,
We just through we'd drop you a quick note to let you know how wonderful it has been for us to have your son in our Ward for this past 3 months.
Our family has truly been blessed with the fantastic example that Elder Blackburn has been to all our 5 children. We have had the opportunity to have the Elders in our home for meals and Elder Blackburn has been a really positive influence of how a Missionary should be in his fun-loving and spiritual nature. He, along with his companion, have shared Gospel messages with our family and both of us have had the opportunity to be a part of teaching a couple of investigators with him too which was a real blessing to be a part of.
Elder Blackburn has probably told you about our garden which we bought a little over a year ago now (an eighth of an acre within sight of our house). Unfortunately I was admitted to hospital after an accident within a day of completing the purchase and was unable to walk for months, I have since had several operations on my knees with more lined up in a couple of months. On top of this Steven was admitted to hospital just over a month ago and to cut a long story short Elder Blackburn and his companions have on several occasions spent a couple of hours of their 'service' time helping us which has been very much appreciated as they have been able to do things that we are currently unable to do (though I am now able to walk around to the garden and 'potter' around!). They have been helping us get the ground prepared for the swing-set that the children saved their birthday money for, the photo was taken this Tuesday as they were digging out some of the ground!
We have found him to be very hard working and he has been seen on a number of occasions running up to people in the street in order to start up a Gospel conversation. He and his companion have managed to get a number of investigators out to Church and despite the disappointment with the Baptism falling through on his birthday he has continued to work hard and a number of investigators appear to be progressing well towards baptism.
We shall certainly miss him!
Kind regards,
The Reynolds
(Ashton 1 Ward)
We just through we'd drop you a quick note to let you know how wonderful it has been for us to have your son in our Ward for this past 3 months.
Our family has truly been blessed with the fantastic example that Elder Blackburn has been to all our 5 children. We have had the opportunity to have the Elders in our home for meals and Elder Blackburn has been a really positive influence of how a Missionary should be in his fun-loving and spiritual nature. He, along with his companion, have shared Gospel messages with our family and both of us have had the opportunity to be a part of teaching a couple of investigators with him too which was a real blessing to be a part of.
Elder Blackburn has probably told you about our garden which we bought a little over a year ago now (an eighth of an acre within sight of our house). Unfortunately I was admitted to hospital after an accident within a day of completing the purchase and was unable to walk for months, I have since had several operations on my knees with more lined up in a couple of months. On top of this Steven was admitted to hospital just over a month ago and to cut a long story short Elder Blackburn and his companions have on several occasions spent a couple of hours of their 'service' time helping us which has been very much appreciated as they have been able to do things that we are currently unable to do (though I am now able to walk around to the garden and 'potter' around!). They have been helping us get the ground prepared for the swing-set that the children saved their birthday money for, the photo was taken this Tuesday as they were digging out some of the ground!
We have found him to be very hard working and he has been seen on a number of occasions running up to people in the street in order to start up a Gospel conversation. He and his companion have managed to get a number of investigators out to Church and despite the disappointment with the Baptism falling through on his birthday he has continued to work hard and a number of investigators appear to be progressing well towards baptism.
We shall certainly miss him!
Kind regards,
The Reynolds
(Ashton 1 Ward)
July 14, 2011
Hey everyone,
I am now in Wrexham or Wrecsam, Wales. The first spelling is English and the Second spelling is Welsh but then that is probably the closest you will get in any of the words. They do not even look like words just puzzle pieces on the signs here. Luckily, most people still speak 95% English here. Most know Welsh and if they don't like you will start speaking Welsh to you haha.
My new companion is Elder Webb from Bristol, England. He is 1 of 6 children. Extremely good looking and about 5 lbs lighter since last Thursday because he was rushed to the A&E with a bursting appendix! haha. No kidding. We are going to be taking it nice and slow for the next week and a half by president's, doctor's and my orders. It will take some effort because he has a real desire to work. If you remember Elder Stubbs...Austrailian, He was trained by Elder Jager from Germany and I follow up trained him. Well Elder Webb was trained by Elder Jager too and I am follow up training him. But he is ready and prepared so my job is basically done. We have got along great so far.
Anyways, Wales is beautiful. I did not think I was going to miss Ashton 1st as much as I do, but I guess that comes with PMG chp 6. I felt a little bit of a twinge. I am now not looking forward to any bittersweet moment of Manchester Airport...NOT GOOD! The other side of the mountain is very steep and it seems to go faster!
We will try and be as diligent as we can for the next 2 weeks while being stuck inside almost...LOVE YOU ALL!
Elder Blackburn
I am now in Wrexham or Wrecsam, Wales. The first spelling is English and the Second spelling is Welsh but then that is probably the closest you will get in any of the words. They do not even look like words just puzzle pieces on the signs here. Luckily, most people still speak 95% English here. Most know Welsh and if they don't like you will start speaking Welsh to you haha.
My new companion is Elder Webb from Bristol, England. He is 1 of 6 children. Extremely good looking and about 5 lbs lighter since last Thursday because he was rushed to the A&E with a bursting appendix! haha. No kidding. We are going to be taking it nice and slow for the next week and a half by president's, doctor's and my orders. It will take some effort because he has a real desire to work. If you remember Elder Stubbs...Austrailian, He was trained by Elder Jager from Germany and I follow up trained him. Well Elder Webb was trained by Elder Jager too and I am follow up training him. But he is ready and prepared so my job is basically done. We have got along great so far.
Anyways, Wales is beautiful. I did not think I was going to miss Ashton 1st as much as I do, but I guess that comes with PMG chp 6. I felt a little bit of a twinge. I am now not looking forward to any bittersweet moment of Manchester Airport...NOT GOOD! The other side of the mountain is very steep and it seems to go faster!
We will try and be as diligent as we can for the next 2 weeks while being stuck inside almost...LOVE YOU ALL!
Elder Blackburn
Monday, July 4, 2011
July 4, 2011
So as you may know already, us missionaries get the Ensigns a month later. I just finished reading through the conference edition and I have a lot of thoughts about what I have read. A lot of advice I guess you would call it, but I would have each of you go back and read those. There were some I was not able to hear. It just happens that way with being a missionary in England and having a bedtime. Can't break the rules to even hear from the prophet. I really liked Elder Richard G. Scott's talk about marriage.
The Eternal Blessings of Marriage
Richard G. Scott Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Close Video
The temple sealing has greater meaning as life unfolds. It will help you draw ever closer together and find greater joy and fulfillment.
You can watch it, listen to it, read it, but whatever you do study it. Does the Lord know the situation of His children? I have never been to a General Conference or ever listened to one where Marriage was such a hot topic. Why? Why did almost half the speakers feel that they needed to speak on the importance of marriage and of deciding on the temple as the place and the way that marriage should take place? It is called revelation. The only true and living church receives revelation and if you do not know how it is done read Elder Hollands talk about General Conference. He will tell you in better words than I can. Satan has done and is doing a traumatic job on even the Elect and Correct marriages of the church. He is getting his little wedge shaped toe in the door and not letting up until we just let him in. Keep him out. You are stronger. And if you can't find your strength, pray for angels and the help of heaven. They will come in the help of friends and heavenly messengers when needed.
This isn't the whole quote but it is all I remember from Joseph Smith:
"What do we hear from the gospel we have received? Truth out of the ground. Mercy from Heaven."
God Loves us and wants to help us. We are the ones that hold him at arms length and keep those blessings from coming down. Let him come. The key to do that is by humbling ourselves to ask for help from the Lord's annointed and from our Father in Heaven. Asking anyone for help will show some degree of humility. Just look for the true messengers that are sustained.
I love you and pray for you,
Elder Blackburn
The Eternal Blessings of Marriage
Richard G. Scott Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles Close Video
The temple sealing has greater meaning as life unfolds. It will help you draw ever closer together and find greater joy and fulfillment.
You can watch it, listen to it, read it, but whatever you do study it. Does the Lord know the situation of His children? I have never been to a General Conference or ever listened to one where Marriage was such a hot topic. Why? Why did almost half the speakers feel that they needed to speak on the importance of marriage and of deciding on the temple as the place and the way that marriage should take place? It is called revelation. The only true and living church receives revelation and if you do not know how it is done read Elder Hollands talk about General Conference. He will tell you in better words than I can. Satan has done and is doing a traumatic job on even the Elect and Correct marriages of the church. He is getting his little wedge shaped toe in the door and not letting up until we just let him in. Keep him out. You are stronger. And if you can't find your strength, pray for angels and the help of heaven. They will come in the help of friends and heavenly messengers when needed.
This isn't the whole quote but it is all I remember from Joseph Smith:
"What do we hear from the gospel we have received? Truth out of the ground. Mercy from Heaven."
God Loves us and wants to help us. We are the ones that hold him at arms length and keep those blessings from coming down. Let him come. The key to do that is by humbling ourselves to ask for help from the Lord's annointed and from our Father in Heaven. Asking anyone for help will show some degree of humility. Just look for the true messengers that are sustained.
I love you and pray for you,
Elder Blackburn
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Pictures June 27, 2011
1st is a Side PART haha
2nd is Tola's Baptism
3rd is Mossley or parts of it...
4th is Canal Tunnel
5th is Hazy Sunset
Don't think I take a bunch of pictures because of this. I just want to help you see what I see =D.
I love you all!
Elder Blackburn
Monday, June 20, 2011
June 20
"Everyone is tested. One might think it is unfair to be singled out and subjected to a particular temptation, but this is the purpose of mortal life to be tested. And the answer is the same for everyone: we must, and we can, resist temptations of any kind." - Boyd K. Packer
This has been the focus of my thoughts and studies over the past week or weeks or maybe really even my mission. Mainly, in relation to the temptations that I struggle with and the blocks I have stumbled over. I have learned that as we study every day and pray alongside that study to overcome our temptations, addictions, problems, and afflictions that the exact amount of power needed from the spirit can enter into us. Not simply an overpowering force that makes us choose good and righteousness without any other option, but helps us see the Plan of Salvation and the pivot that comes with our own individual agency. If there was no temptation we would have no agency (2 Nephi 2:11). If there was no agency we would have no progression and the Plan of Salvation as we know it would be null and void. In fact, as we know, we would not be here, but Adam and Eve would still be loitering around "Central Park" of the Garden of Eden.
This life is to be tested. You have the power to pass that test with flying colours. You have the power to overcome all evil. Christ has already broken the bands of death. Physical and Spiritual(sin) death. What we sometimes do is hold onto our chains and put them back on when we can have freedom. Why are you holding onto your chains? Or What chains are you holding onto? Both questions I have had to repeatedly ask myself before I came to any solid conclusion if I have yet.
We all have little things that plague us, but don't be overwhelmed if you can see them. Focus on the big gorilla hanging on you first and then the next biggest. Soon we can have peace with ourselves when the Gorillas are in the cage and we are free of any chains or bars. We will also find ourselves at a much higher plane than when we started.
I love you all,
Elder Blackburn
Monday, June 13, 2011
June 13
Hello!
Well I only have 4 mins left on my time. I am supposed to be getting my english drivers license soon. I have already paid and received my provisional and it looks FUNNY! But will definitely be something I will keep to remember the mission forever. Insurance should go down now too mom haha.
Anyways, HAPPY FATHERS DAY GRANDPA! LOVE YOU!
Ok, well We were blessed with another baptism this Saturday of a boy named Tola Evens of 13 years old. His parents joined the church last year and he was simply slower in responding but we nailed him down and showed him he had a testimony. He has hair that looks like moses too mom.
It has been raining every day since transfers basically but I found my gloves so that is ok! It doesn't matter as long as my hands are warm. Yes I know it is June. But you aren't in England SO DONT JUDGE ME! haha
I love you!
Elder Blackburn
Sorry there was nothing too spiritual in that I did have insights but no time!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)