Weekly update 12/30/2010

I still don't know Kevins new address.

Sorry!




> HIIIIYYYYAAAAA FAMILY AND FRIENDS!
>
> I hope everyones christmas was full of excitement and miracles! I had
> a great christmas!
>
> This was a good week. We went and visited Adam, investigator in colwyn
> bay, on Sunday and we met his mom, They are a really nice family. Adam
> is a great Investigator. He has started reading the Book of Mormon
> from the beginning. He is also understanding it very well. I am
> grateful for the chance i had to meet him and his family.
>
> So i'm not in colwyn bay anymore. I got transfered to Littleborough,
> England. I was really sad to leave Colwyn Bay. The members were great
> and the helped us a lot. I will miss being apart of the branch.
> However i'm really excited to be here in Littleborough with Elder
> Riera. Elder Riera Is From Barcilona, Spain. He too just came from
> Colwyn Bay before Littleborough. Some more great news is that Elder
> Jolliffe, my second companion, is my district leader! I'm so excited
> to have Elder Jolliffe as our district Leader again! I can't wait to
> go on exchanges with him.
>
> I have really enjoyed studying the Christlike Attributes and applying
> them. It has helped me have a Christ centered christmas and look
> forward to having all of my christmas's more focused on the real
> reason we celibrate christmas.
>
> Thank you all! Again I hope you all had a great christmas, and wish
> you all a Happy New Year!
>
> With Love,
> Elder Ballantyne
>
> p.s. This computer is ancient it's running Windows 98 and stuff!

Weekly update 12/23/2010

Hello Family!!!

This was a really great week! Our teaching was way up! It was one of the best weeks i have had while in Colwyn bay. Things are definitely turning around here. Colwyn Bay has a great future ahead. On the other side our finding dropped quite a bit.

One of our investigator's named Adam is so Solid! He doesn't have to work on Sunday which is Boxing day. He was able to get it off just so he could go to church! I am so excited Adam he even asked us what music we listen to just to see if the stuff he listens to is appropriate. When we leave a chapter for him to read he reads it a couple time until he can understand what it is saying. Then when we follow up with his reading he is able to give a detailed description of what the chapter was talking about.

There has been a lot of snow the past week, I would say there have been a good 3 in. locals say they haven't seen it like this in years. And it has definitely affected us here. The buses are being cancelled on us. Everything is closing really early, including the libraries which is the reason we are emailing today. The library closed earlier than it was supposed to so we ended up working so that we could email today. It's kind of funny how such a little bit of snow puts a halt to everything here. Snow is not that great for missionary work, but a side from that i love the snow still!

The Christmas Zone conference was great. We got to got through the temple as a mission, I love to see the temple! We also watch Joseph Smith: Prophet of the restoration, it is the one that wasn't realised to the public until recently. When we went to Chorley I stopped in the distribution center to buy the DVD. It should be a good tool to use in teaching.

This Has been a great Christmas season so far! As i study Becoming like him, It has really helped me to look past the commercial way of celebrating Christmas, And helped to focus on the real reason we celebrate Christmas. I can say i am going to have a more Christ center Christmas for the rest of my life.

Thank you every one! and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
With Love
Elder Ballantyne

Weekly update 12/13/2010

HELLO EVERYBODY AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!

This week was a very successful week! We actually have a teaching pool now! We got two new investigators this week. One of their names is Adam. When we found him last Sunday we Left him a book of Mormon and a chapter to read. When we taught him on Friday, We followed up with him and he said he had read it a few times to understand it. He was able to give us a really good overview of the chapter! His parents seem pretty happy that we are teaching him too! We have high hopes for Adam.

This week i was able to go on exchanges with Elder Sorensen. Elder Sorensen is from Logan, Ut. He is serving in Chester at the moment. He is a great missionary. I learned a lot from him. One thing i learned from him is to always have a pass along card in my hand while finding. For me it's always hard to find a pass along card. especially now that it's winter and we are bundled up in coats. I have also found it effective to use the cards to get their attention while finding.

Elder Hanks is a great companion. One of the many strengths i saw is when he recieves responsibility he really steps up.

This coming week we have a fireside planned with one of the member families. Thier assignment is to get one friend to come to it. I think we have really got the trust of the members. They had missinaries before not teach according to their needs and they ended up not being interested. The member was hesitent to invite her friend again, but we have gained the trust of the members and they said they will invite them again.

Thanks for the love and the support!
With love,
Elder Ballantyne

Another email 12/6/2010

I want to share part of Kevin's email to our Parents.



Hello!

*They do have a few costcos and they sell a lot of American foods and things. So I'm going to ask them to by me some American peanut butter. The kind they have here is rubbish (Garbage).
*I have been seeing Elder Mecham allot lately. He is not in Wales, he is in Birkenhead because another missionary hurt his ankle so him and this missionary switched areas for the rest of the transfer. But Birkenhead is in the Chester zone. I'm in the Chester zone, WHOO HOO!
*There quite a few Christmas lights all around here. Every now and again you see a Christmas tree in random places around town. We don't have a tree for our flat. mainly because we are moving flats in mid Dec. Because the flat we are in is too expensive.

*In fact we move the week before Christmas. So don't send anything to the flat if it will get here anywhere from Dec 17 - 23. *
* It has been freezing, I just bought a lot of warm things like a scarf and a beanie. We got permission to wear beanies for the next couple of days because it's so cold. Today has been really nice though.
*Elder Hanks and i Bought some really nice Under Armour Gloves Last week. Anyway Love

Elder Kevin Ballantyne

What a time for him to be moving. It takes 5 days to send a normal letter to his flat. So send Christmas cards now. (I bet he will understand if they are late.)

I will post the address as soon as I get it.

weekly update 12/6/2010

Hello Everybody!

This week we have been putting a focus on building trust with the members. We have been trying are best to build that trust. We have also been emphasizing member missionary work. Elder Hanks and I still both feel that working with the members and less actives is what will get the branch to flourish.

This transfer has been pretty tough because the appointments we have set up have been falling through. I feel it is because we haven't really been to diligent on Potential investigator follow up. I feel that if we commit to following up the day after we make the appointment, we will see more appointments go through.

This week i was able to go on exchange with Elder O'brien. Elder O'brien is from a town near leeds, England. I think it was a successful exchange. I learned many new things from Elder O'brien. We were also able to speak to some great people during the exchange.

Elder Hanks is a fantastic missionary. Not only that but he brings a lot of joy to the work as well. He really knows how to make hours of finding a lot more joyful. I can see him being a senior companion.

Last week we had a training I really enjoyed the training President Bullock gave on setting up appointments and confirming them, we have applied the training right away. I just want to say it really works! We have been able to see a lot more success in setting up more appointments.

Thanks for your love and Support everyone!
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne

weekly update 11/29/2010

Hello Family and friends!

First of all why I'm thinking about it I will say what i have learned from "becoming like him." I am doing it i just keep forgetting to write it in my letters. But because I'm so behind with sharing it all i will just give a brief statement from each.

First of all Faith In Jesus Christ The thing that stuck out to me is when we have faith we trust that he knows whats best for us, so we keep his commandments.

Next if we don't have hope as missionaries to find investigators. Why should be be blessed with them in the first place. The lord will bless us as we have a desire to help.

Charity was probably my favorite one to study so far. When we strive to have charity we... Develop love for every child of god, will be concerned about others will avoid negative feelings, will avoid judging others, will understand people better, will want to help people who are struggling or discouraged.

As was studying about virtue, I was reading in Preach my Gospel about where it talks about out minds being stages and only one act can be on at a time. It's always good to have a hymn or scripture memorized for when the bad thoughts creep in to your mind because the light always prevails over the darkness. then i thought of a dark room, when the lights are turned on the darkness immediately leaves the room.

This was a tough week. I was really grateful for being able to talk to the people we did speak to. But a lot of the people we spoke to just did seem very happy. Only if they knew what the gospel can do for them. I'm really excited for next week because the tough weeks are always followed closely by good weeks.

Elder Hanks is an amazing missionary. I learn a lot from him everyday. We also get along really well. I'm so happy that i get to serve with him here in Colwyn Bay.

On thanksgiving we had a Sports day, it was so fun! I really enjoyed every second of it. I thought i was going to miss the yearly turkey bowl down at the church. But sports day definitely made up for it! It was just as fun as the turkey bowl, if not better. We also had costco pizza. I love Costco's pizza! It is really delicious!

Thanks for the Support! I love you all!
Love,
Elder Ballantyne

Time Is Flying

Elder Ballantyne has been out for

200 days!!!!

We love you Kevin!

Weekly Update 11/22/2010

Hello Family And Friends

We had Zone conference this week and it was amazing! I love zone conferences! Something that stuck out to me is the love that President and sister Bullock have for each missionary in the mission. I could really feel the love as President was talking to us.

At the zone conference we had a scripture chase. It was a blast! The scripture chase has encouraged me to learn the scriptures on the scripture list. Not only did it make the scripture chase a lot more fun but learning the scriptures has really helped me though out each day. It's nice to have a scripture ready for almost any concern investigators may have.

This week we have been focusing on contacting former investigators. This has really proven effective. On Friday the first two formers we called we were able to set up appointments with them. We have taught them yet but we look forward to teaching them this week!

Yesterday we prayed specifically to teach someone on the spot before we went out. And as we were waiting for the bus we spoke to a man named Dan. We asked him if we could teach him right there at the bus stop. It turns out the bus he was waiting for didn't come for another hour so we were able to teach him the about the restoration. Despite being on the street it was a good lesson. When we invited him to be baptised. He agreed with a very definite yes!

Thank you all for the support!

HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!!!!!
Love
Elder Kevin Ballantyne

weekly update 11/15/2010

Sorry it took me so long to get this email from Kevin on the blog!







HHEEELLLLOOOOO!!!!!

The rest of this week has been pretty stressful being senior companion. But I'm sure it will better when i get the hang of things. With the added responsibility really makes me want to step up. It really requires me to trust in the lord for help. At first I was asking myself why I was called to be Senior companion. I realized that it's not important and that I just need to trust in the lord and the inspiration that President Bullock received, and just work my hardest to be a good senior companion.

Sat. was full of confusion, In my planner I had written down that we were to have a tea appointment with a member family, so we went there and they invited us in and said we had missed tea! We were confused. So they asked if we had anything to eat and we told them no, and they were willing to cook us some chicken. 15 min. later we get a call from another member, asking if we were coming over for tea or not. Everything made since then, that i had written down the wrong family for some reason. I felt terrible! The family we were with rushed us to the other members house. We were able to explain things and clear everything up. And ended up having a really good tea appointment with them.

At that tea appointment we taught Kath from rhyl who said she hadn't been to church for 2 years because she doesn't feel comfortable around people. So we talked to her about strengths and weaknesses and how she can get the help and strength she needs from prayer. By the end of the evening she said she felt a lot more calm about going to church, and told us she would be there! Well Sunday came around and Kath showed up! I was so happy! It was amazing!

Thank you all for the love, support, and prayers!
Love
Elder Ballantyne

Weekly Update 11/11/10

HEEEELLLLLLLLLO FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

This week was really good. On Sunday, we had the Brother Globel, The High Councilman over missionary work, come and speak to the branch. He got the ward fired up about missionary work. That same Sunday we Got 3 referrals on Sunday all from the same member! What a blessing!

On Wednesday, we had a tea appointment with some some members from new Zealand. She told us how her family came into the church. It was such an amazing story. I feel impressed to share it. One of her relatives had the same dream for several nights. In the dream she saw young men sharing the gospel. So she knew that the things that they were sharing were true so she told the village not to join any church until these messengers appeared. She was even able to quote scriptures from the book of Mormon before she even heard about the book of Mormon. A while later one of the villagers told her that there were two LDS missionaries in the village. She told them to bring them to her. And she recognized the two young men instantly from in her dream. Later on the whole village was baptized. And they are all still really active.

I'm so grateful to be serving with Elder Hanks here in Colwyn Bay! I can tell already that he is a great missionary and I'm way excited to be able to work with him. This is going to be a fantastic Transfer Full of miracles!

Just today in weekly planning we were really discussing what we could do to help the branch grow. We both felt really strongly about working with Less actives. We both felt that if we can get the less actives, active again, the branch will grow. So we decided we are going to get an updated Member list go through and see who hasn't been coming to see if we can rekindle their testimonies. I honestly feel that this is what will get the branch to flourish.

Thanks for all the love and support! I love and Miss you ALL!




Just a little side note:

Elder Ballantyne was made Senior companion!!!!

Flat Stanley

Carson's teacher has been reading them the Flat Stanley books.

Carson's teacher had them make a Flat Stanley and mail it to someone.

Carson chose to send it to Kevin.

Kevin put Stanley in a suit with an umbrella.

So cute!

ELDER BALLANTYNS BUMP DAY!

ELDER BALLANTYNE HAS BEEN OUT FOR 6 MONTHS!!!!!!!

18 more to go!!!!!!

Just a reminder if you want to send Kevin a Christmas package it must be mail to the mission office on or before November 20th. Christmas cards can be mail to his flat a week before Christmas.

WEEKLY UNDATE 11/1/2010

HELLO FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!!

Wales is still as amazing as ever!

This week was great, On Tuesday, we had a great district meeting on revelation giving through prayer. We focused on inviting the head of the house hold to say a kneeling prayer. More often then not they will refuse to say the prayer, but we learned a few different ways to resolve their concerns and get them to pray. I can't wait to put it to practice.

On Wednesday, we taught an excommunicated member. We shared a spiritual thought and afterwards she expressed that she wanted to be refreshed with all the lessons! She has such a great family! Her son is a recent convert to the church and she has a daughter who isn't a member who seems interested in the church. I can see great things to come.

On Friday, I went on exchange with Elder Raybould. We had a successful exchange! He is very personable, he really showed me that we need to be personable, and not just be robots. It really shows excitement in the wonderful message we share. The gospel brings happiness, we need to show the people the happiness that it has brought us.

On Sunday, I had the great privilege to give a talk in sacrament meeting. Bro Gobbel from the Stake High council had me talk about the First vision. What a topic to be assigned! I absolutely love teaching the First vision. As I was giving my talk there were babies fussing and a lot of commotion going on. I decided to use the spirit formula. As I quoted the first vision, the babies went quiet an everything seemed to calm down. It was such an amazing experience!

Be sure to keep in touch! I Love and Miss you all!!!!
With Great Love,
Elder Ballantyne

Weekly Update 10/25/2010

Hello Everyone

Colwyn Bay is an amazing Area! The branch members are so nice. The work can and will move forward here. I know it can if we put the work into it. When finding seems hard something that has helped me is, I just think about how the 70/16 (70 Quality Gospel Conversations over Number of Appointments set up.) Standard is obtainable in any area in the mission. It really helps me to strive to hit the standard.

Just for a recap of the week:

On Tuesday, I was Able to go on Exchanges with Elder Green. It was an amazing experience! We went Street contacting and i really noticed the blessings of working diligently. It might be a given but the harder we work really does bless us with success in our finding. Also I have noticed that working urgently and running after people not only shows that the message we share is important but it brings a great joy in finding.

On Friday, I went on Exchanges with Elder D'oppido. It was fantastic! Elder D'oppido is an amazing missionary. Something I learned from Elder D'oppido is to be more personable and not to teach by rote presentation as preach my gospel tells us.

On Sunday, we had Stake conference. We heard the temple president talk about temples. It was amazing an amazing talk! We also were privileged to hear the Stake president give a talk on the first vision. He didn't use the spirit formula but the spirit was still very strong. I love hearing about the restoration. It is always so great! No matter how many times a day I hear it, it always has the same effect.

Thanks again for all the love and support!
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne

weekly update 10/18/2010

Hello everyone,

This week was good, the work is still going slow. We have been praying our hearts out so hopefully it picks up soon. One thing is for sure we won't let it bring us down. We know the lord wants these people to hear about the church, therefore he will help us.

Specialized training was way good! Every time the Leaders give trainings the spirit tells me that they are inspired and if we follow their council we will see success. I have noticed previously that as we follow them the work moves forward.

The members here are great! they are so supportive and willing to help move the work forward. We just need to find some people to teach and the ward will fellowship them with no problem.

The branch had Elder Knibbs and I give a talk. At first I was really nervous but as I reallied on the lord to help me give the talk, I felt comforted. Not only that I think I did an alright job.

Thanks again!
Love,
Elder Ballantyne

Kevin finally saw a castle!

Weekly Update 10/11/2010

HIIIYAA EVERYONE!

Wales is great! There is plenty to do on p-days! There are great sights including the amazing castles. Today we walked around the Walls of the Conwy castle. It's so amazing. Pictures are underway.

The Multi-Zone Training we had this week was amazing! It was by far the best one ever (the first one)! We talked about the dead sea scrolls. I have always wanted to know more about the Dead sea scrolls. I have never even heard of them until I have been out. It really helped to give my testimony a boost. I knew before by the power of the holy ghost without a doubt that Joseph Smith is a prophet. And the book of Mormon is the word of God. Learning about the Dead sea scrolls was basically the cherry on top.

On Friday we traveled to Garwen so that Elder Knibbs could Interview Maveas. She is in her 70's and she is getting baptised. It just showed me that it's never too late to get on the right pathway. There is a funny story about traveling to the interview. We were able to catch the train, but the problems happened when we found out that the train was running late and because the train was late we missed the bus that was supposed to take us right in front of the chapel. We looked at the time chart and it said the buses only come ever half hour. So we decided to walk the two and a half miles. It was boiling hot especially because we had our suit jackets on. So we are walking in some kind of country area with sheep everywhere, on a pretty busy road. I was just thinking what people would have thought seeing to people in suits in the middle of nowhere. It must have been an interesting sight.

I was able to get to know more people in the branch on Sunday. I am way excited to work with the members. They are way nice and are a strength to the Chester stake! I don't think we will have any problems in getting people to fellowship investigators. Everyone is so willing to contribute to the missionary effort.

Once again thanks for the support that you all give me. I look forward to hearing from you. I love and miss you all!
Love,
Elder Ballantyne

Weekly Update

Hi Everybody!

It's great here in wales! It's a beautiful area. The work is pretty slow, but with the work going slow it makes me want to work harder to get the work moving. I have faith that we can get the work moving forward to help the branch flourish.

I am constantly trying to get familiar with the area so I can be a more affective instrument in the hands of the lord. Elder Knibbs is a big help with me getting to know the area better. When I get to know the area better I will be able to contribute more in finding the elect.

I met a member family yesterday. They are really nice! They gave us a lift to the Garwen Chapel for General conference. It was great to be able to watch conference with them! With the support of the members there is no doubt in my mind that we can get this area moving.

General conference was amazing! I liked Pres. Uchtdorfs talk about Humility. I liked when he talked about the pen not complaining as he used it. It made me laugh. It's so true also. The pen works where ever, and whenever. We need to be like the pen and work and not complain as we do so, especially in our callings. I also liked how he said Humility isn't beating yourself up. It's willing to give the Credit to who it belongs, which is to God.

We used to have zone conferences every transfer but we have been told we can only have zone conference quarterly. So we are having a multi zone training instead, Which will be different but I am still looking forward to it! It will be fun to see what it's about. And to see how similar it is to zone conference if it is at all.

Well I love and miss you all! Bye bye Until next week!
Love,
Elder Ballantyne

New Tranfer, New Address, and New Email.

HEEELLLLOOOO FROM WALES!!!

Bad News is I left Southport Good News Is I'm in Colwyn Bay, Wales now! It is so BEAUTIFUL! Well our flat is actually in Llandudno. Which actually sounds like clandudno. Apparently when there Are 2 "L's" in a row, in welsh it sounds like "CL". More good news there are Two castles in the area! i have seen them but i haven't been able to take any pictures yet but i will be sure to.

My new address is:
7 trinity square Flat 4, Llandudno, Wales LL30 2RA


This week was a great week! I was able to go on exchanges with Elder Sturt in Liverpool. It was great, we focused on picking up habits. For me one thing that i wanted to make a habit is to ask for the investigators name early on in the conversation. After focusing on it I have been much better at getting their names so that conversations can be more personable.

On sat. we taught someone from Poland, named Damian, the lesson went great! He agreed to be baptised if his parents let him. I can't wait to see his name in the harvester when he gets baptised.

We were able to teach someone from Estonia, named Anna, we had a fellow shipper there but we still had to teach her on her door step, because her cousin was getting ready for bed. Anna ended up coming to church on Sunday. She was waiting out side of her house when we picked her up. she was well fellow shipped into relief society.

Sunday is also when I found out I was leaving Southport and was able to say goodbye to a lot of the members. I didn't think it would be that hard to say goodbye. I will miss Southport a lot, but I am looking forward to seeing more of the vineyard.

On Monday we watched the testimates with Luke, our investigator. The spirit was so strong! I tried to hold back tears when the saviour appeared in the Americas. It is such a great film! I hope that Luke felt the spirit as strong as we did.

I am so excited to be working in wales this transfer! Colwyn Bay is so Beautiful! I think this excitement will fuel me to have a great transfer! I am expecting miracles this transfer.

Thanks for the encouragement! I Love and Miss you all!
Love Elder Ballantyne

Email from President Bullock

Dear Parents,

During the past couple of weeks, we visited all 61 flats (apartments) in the mission and are happy to report that they were clean and in good order. For their efforts, we gave every companionship a large box of four Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate brownie mixes. Our missionaries all have comfortable living conditions located in good neighborhoods. If we ever feel that they are located in areas of concern, they are moved to a better place.

Inspecting each flat was only a minor reason for the visit, the real purpose was to see the missionaries in their natural environments and feel of their spirits in the areas where they work. During our visit, we talked about many things including their progressing investigators, nightly planning sessions and companionship study. We then had them role play teaching us a lesson and while we see our missionaries teach often, we were once again impressed with the quality of their teaching skills and more importantly, the spirit by which they taught. Before leaving, we held a kneeling prayer and left a blessing on each missionary, their areas and their flats.

Attached you will find a picture of your son with his companion and with us during the flat visit. We thank you for raising such a fine son and for sending them to the mission prepared to serve. The England Manchester Mission is doing well and we have been abundantly blessed because of the faithfulness, obedience and diligence of our missionaries. We love them and are grateful to be serving with them.

Warm regards,

President and Sister Bullock

Email from Fullwood family

I though this would be really neat to share with everyone
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Hi Folks, having had a son on a mission and having craved for any snippets of information about his progress, we decided that we would write to the families of all missionaries in our ward and give them a brief update from time to time. Elder Ballantyne is a wonderful missionary, hard working and conscientious. He conducts himself with a quiet dignity that makes him real credit to his parents. We hope you are very proud of him as he dilligently serves the Lord to the best of his ability. Attached is a picture we took at our home with our family last week when he and his companion came round for a dinner appointment.

Scott and Debbie Fullwood

Weekly update 9/20

Hi Everybody,

This was a tough week. we had a lot of finding and it wasn't very effective finding either. But instead of letting it bring us down, we Discussed why our finding wasn't effective and what we can change to use our finding time more effectively. We came to the conclusion that we need to be more prayerful in our nightly planning sessions.

This week Hayley Hurst was Baptised in the wigan ward. We had the chance to go to wigan and meet her, for her baptismal interview. Just by getting to know her i know without a doubt that she was prepared for her baptism. Which took place on the 18 Sept. She has such a great spirit with her!

On Sunday we had a coordination meeting with the new ward mission leader. I am excited to beable to be coordinating with the ward through him! He will help the work move forward in southport!

It has been a great experiance working with Elder Jolliffe I have learned a lot from him! And We are excited to Finish the transfer strong!

Thanks for the support! I love you all! Sorry it's so short.
Love,
Elder Ballantyne

Pictuers from Kevin

At least we know he is eating

(well maybe)

I have no idea what they are doing!

Elder Jolliffe, Julie, and Elder Ballantyne

A birthday package from home!

weelky update 9/13

HI FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!!

I was able to see Elder Chad Mecham at Zone conference this week, he is serving in South Ribble ward. I am praying that He will become a senior companion and that i will get sent there next transfer! It would be so amazing! But, do any of you have any guesses where I will go next transfer? It would be fun to here what you all say. :~)

Elder Mecham wasn't the only one i saw a zone conference, I saw everyone that came out on the same day as me, but one. I saw Elder Blackburn, Elder Jin, Sister Kullick, and Sister Babbel. It was a great ruinion! I still would like to have seen Elder Feith, who is with my last companion Elder Sherrard.

Zone Conference was amazing! I really enjoyed Sister Bullocks talk on loving the people. It couldn't have been at a better time, because recently i have been getting frustrated with people just instantly rejecting us. It really has helped to realize that they are children of god. So instead of feeling frustrated I feel love for them and i hope that some day they will have another chance to hear the gospel, and then accept it.

I also really enjoyed Pres. Bullocks talk on miracles. I just confirmed to me that we need to Expect miracles, or have faith that miracles can a do happen everyday. It has helped me have a better attitude towards finding. Even when we have hours of straight finding.

Something that has also helped me during long periods of finding is Jumbling up all the pass along cards. It helps me stay on the ball, and also keeps things interesting. Elder Jolliffe and I put it to the test right away. We have experienced a lot more joy during our finding as we use the new pass along cards

I really appreciate the prayers and the support! I love you all!!!
Love
Elder Ballantyne

A new Weekly Update

Hi Family and Friends!!!!!

This week was fantastic! I was able to work in Liverpool for 3 days with Elder Smart. Liverpool is a fantastic area! The people are way nice! apparently there was a Beatles festival the weekend before i went there. Everyone was asking if we went. The people Expressed that we should have, so it sounds like it was a fun experience.

Being able to work with Elder Smart In Liverpool for the three day was an amazing experience and full of miracles! Elder Smart is a fantastic Missionary! Our three day exchange started on Wednesday and we had Elder Wayment with us for that one day. I learned a lot from him! I learned that I need to ask for the peoples names earlier. So that I can be more personable to the people I speak with, this also shows that we care about the people and not numbers. so this week I have made the goal to get the persons name right at the first of the conversation.

The transfer continued, On Thursday morning Elder smart and I found a lady that had been going through a really hard time with her step brother. She told us that just that same morning she was saying her prayers that her life would get better. And we told her that this wasn't a coincidence that we met her, and that her prayer were answered. We shared the restoration with her. She expressed that she had never felt so happy in her life. I was reading in PMG About speaking to everyone. And it hit me, If we weren't speaking to everyone chances are we wouldn't have spoken to her. How can we find those that are ready to hear the message of the restored gospel if we're not speaking to everyone? The answer is we can't. So we need to be speaking to everyone so that we can be the answers to peoples prayers.

Friday Evening when we got back from Liverpool, we had a lesson with one of our investigators. So we went and it turns out his friend was there and we had a strong restoration lesson with them the spirit was so strong, we recommitted Luke to be baptized and he accepted immediately! We Also committed Tony, Lukes friend, but he was a little unsure. We will be seeing them both today so hopefully we can resolve any concerns he has.

The area is great! the members are so nice and supportive! I'm grateful to be able to serve with Elder Jolliffe here in Southport! I know that I was called here for a reason. Actually being here has helped me understand that more fully.

Thanks for the birthday cards and the love and support you have all showed me! I had a fantastic birthday, so thank you all!
I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!
Love
Elder Ballantyne
P.S. GO BYU!!!!

WEEKLY UPDATE

Hello Everyone!

This week started out pretty slow. We were talking to a lot of great people. But not having much success with setting up appointments. On Wednesday night just after planning Elder Jolliffe and I discussed what we were doing wrong. We decided it was because we weren't talking to everyone in our path. So that evening we recommitted ourselves to speak with everyone. That Thursday morning we doubled our appointments and taught a lesson on the spot in the one hour of finding we had before weekly planning, and we kept setting appointments up through out the day. So I have gained a strong testimony of speaking to everyone. We may pray that we will be guided to those that are prepared to receive the gospel. How will you know if they are prepared unless you've spoken to them. The people that pass by us could be the ones that the lord has prepared for us.

I am grateful to be staying in Southport! The ward is fantastic, and very helpful! I can see how building the members trust can help us out a lot, In fact it's impossible to do missionary work without the help of the members. We just started "Ask in faith" with one of the families and I can't wait to see how effective this tool can be! I have really grown to know how important members are in missionary work.

Elder Jolliffe and I are still getting along great! We are constantly trying to help each other become better missionaries. We are constantly helping each other out, whether it be serving each other or just giving each other tips to be more effective instruments in the hands of the lord. I am grateful to be serving with Elder Jolliffe and I'm grateful to be learning so much from him.

Thanks for the support and the letters of encouragement! I really enjoy hearing from everyone! Feel free to send me letters whenever you want. :D
Love,
Elder Ballantyne

weekly update

Hi Family and Friends,

Things are going great! The ward members are really nice to us! This Sunday they gave us a Cantaloupe! It is making our flat kind of smelly we need to eat it soon. Another Lady gave us Penguins which are like a chocolate Cookie with Chocolate cream in the middle, and the whole thing is covered in milk chocolate. They are delicious! Another lady gave us grape Tomatoes from her garden! I'm excited about it!

This week was pretty slow. We talked to a lot of good people but not many were interested. We decided that the reason we were getting much success is because we didn't have faith in our own area. We kept saying how it's easier in other areas, and I feel that that is the main reason we weren't seeing success. I know that we need to have more faith in our area, and if we do have that faith I know that we will be able to see miracles. This is true for any area we go to. If we have faith and expect great things from our areas I know that we can expect great success.

Something i have been working on is being able to recognize and act upon the promptings of the spirit. Every time i think about it I am always reminded of Elder Bednar said, "Quit worrying about it." Sometimes we worry about whether we will be able to listen to the promptings of the spirit. I have learned, from Elder Bednars Talk, that we shouldn't worry so much about it. We will know it when it comes.

I am excited for this transfer, now that Elder Jolliffe is a District leader I need to do everything I can to make it easier for him because he has a lot of stuff to do, Like plan for district meetings and other things.
With love,
Elder Ballantyne

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELDER BALLANTYNE!

Love, Your Family

Missionsite.net

I made Kevin a thing on the missionsite.net it pretty much the same as this blog.

But if you go in the links (found on the side of the page) you can see other missionaries in the same Mission as Kevin.

You can go to the Mission Site's home page you can find missionaries all over the world.

It's really kind of neat.

www.missionsite.net/elderkevinballantyne

Weekly update

We finally got Kevin's Email for this week.

Please Remember to Keep Writing Him.

HIYA FAMILY!

This week started with a lot of opposition, especially yesterday. But whenever i experience opposition I think of what happened to Joseph Smith before God and Jesus Christ Appeared to him in the sacred grove. Satan Knows that something great is going to happen so he does what ever he can to stop it from happening. And that's exactly what happened. Yesterday Evening we were able to Teach someone named Davina, and she is really good! She accepted baptism without a single question. Even after that we were continuing to be blessed, As we were leaving Davina's home, we met two People who came to us, wanting to set up an appt. I know that we were blessed for the opposition we had experienced that morning.

A little while ago a solid investigator, named Terry, dropped us and told us he didn't want to be baptised. But, with the the help of Kay, who was just recently baptised, we got in contact with him again. We were able to discuss his concerns and is now investigating once again! Members are great! Without the help of Kay we probably never would have gotten in contact with him again.

Just so you all know I am staying in southport with Elder Jolliffe! I don't have to move! I am really grateful to be able to serve with Elder Jolliffe for another transfer in southport! I am looking forward to this transfer. I know that we will see miracles this transfer! Because today is Wednesday and because Elder Jolliffe and I are both staying in Southport, we were able to go to the temple! I am grateful for the opportunity that we had to go to the temple today. I always learn so much every time I go.

Any way I'm limited for time today because of our temple trip so i have to cut it short, but thank you all for the support! And thanks for all the letters! I love you all!
With love,
Elder Ballantyne

England Pic. Part 2

BOYS WILL BE BOYS!
Elder Ballanytne and Elder Sherrard

Elder Ballantyne and Elder Jolliffe

Weekly Update!

Hi Family!

Everything is going great this was a fantastic week. It was really nice and sunny yesterday for once! The weather here is crazy because it could be sunny in the morning and then be pouring in the evening. I think the weather changes more than it does in Utah.

On Monday, we taught Julie about baptism and confirmation to gear her up to enter the waters of baptism this week. She expressed that she was nervous. But she ended up being baptised on the 6th of Aug, even though she was going through a lot of stress from moving house. Right after she had "...Come up out of the water, the Holy Ghost did fall upon [Her]..." 3 Nephi 19:13. I definitely felt the holy ghost as soon as she came up out of the water, Which testified to me that Julie was doing the right thing.

Interviews and training was fantastic! In my interview with the president, He said I was going to be older than 1/3 of the missionaries in the mission by Sept. because there is a big group heading home after this transfer. This made me realize I need to step up my game quicker, so that the culture of the mission can continue, and so i can help all these new missionaries become great missionaries. Also during the Assistants training, it was nice to be able to go over the 2010 mission plan. For me it was the first training i had on it. so it was nice to understand it better. Also the assistants asked us to pray and get a confirmation about it. So I did and now I know that this plan will and does work.

On Saturday, We were able to go on exchange with the zone Leaders. Something i learned from this exchange was that Urgency not only shows the importance of our message, but also can make the work more fun. I noticed during the exchange that this is true. At first i couldn't find joy in street contacting. But running after people Helped me find that excitement and joy into finding.

Yeah! New Pictures Part 1

Elder Ballantyne, Elder Sherrard, and Elder Hanchett

Don't know the others Maybe KayElder Ballantyne and Elder Mecham

Kevin work with him at Dick's. It's a small world.

weekly Update

Dear Family and Friends,

Things are going great in Southport. I'm am learning so much! And my testimony has grown so much! Missionary work is amazing! The best part is going to bed... not because I'm lazy but because of the feeling of working hard and doing all that i could that day. Just feeling like i deserve to go to bed is great!

This week was pretty good. Although it wasn't very productive, we probably didn't use our time as wisely as we should have. But I think this week we be much better. As we applied the atonement this Sunday. I personally am expecting Miracles this week. As we are pure in heart, Exactly obedient, And preach my gospel, I know we can get the work flourishing in Southport.

We helped the Meadows move to their new home last week. I think it was a successful move. They had a lot of help from the ward. Julie is still doing great! I don't think there will be anything that will keep her from getting baptised this week.

We also got a new investigator to go church this week. His name is Terry. The miracle is that we couldn't get a hold of him on sat. so we didn't know if he would be coming or not. But he showed up just before gospel principles class. I feel like he is pretty solid. He already knows a lot of people in the ward. One of them being Kay, who was baptized about a month ago. She is always telling him how great the church is! That should make him feel pretty welcome in the church. With Kay's help Terry will get baptised!

Sorry this is short. I love All of you! Thanks for your letters, Emails and also the support!
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne

weekly update

Dear Fantastic Family!

Life in England is going Great! It has been rainy a lot lately. But it's a good thing because the grass was starting to get yellow but now it is beautiful and green again! But i lost one of my umbrellas in wigan because i left it at the chapel after a district meeting, And just recently the cheap one broke on me. so i will need to buy a new one today.

This week started out with teaching Julie, she is still doing great and progressing very quickly. We taught her about the word of wisdom. And hasn't had a cup of coffee since. Later in the week we taught her about the law of tithing. I really think she could have taught it to us. There is nothing that will keep her from being baptised on the 6Th of August!

Elder Jolliffe and I are doing fantastic and getting a long great! We are still trying to work on building the unity between us. We are working to have a "Zion" companionship. Elder Jolliffe has a great knowledge of the scriptures, and he has a real good sense of charity. He is always looking for opportunities to serve others. Just yesterday, he saw an older lady trying to cut a branch off of her tree, he offered to help her with it. Although she said she didn't need help, I thought it was a kind gesture to make.

On Thursday, we were able to go to the Chapel in Chorley on the Preston temple grounds for zone conference. It was nice to be able to see the MTC again. It made me want to go back. It was nice to see the temple again. It was so nice to be able to live so close to the Bountiful Temple. For us it's almost an hour drive just to get there from southport. My companion lives in devon so the closest temple is about a 2 and a half hour drive for his family to got to the temple. So one word of advice don't take the privilege of living so close to the temple for granted.

This zone conference was amazing! we didn't get to go camping this time but it was still really good! Something that really stuck out to me was something the assistants said. It was basically to expect miracles. To many times i had doubts that we would have success for the day in terms of finding, which puts me in a down mood. But now that I expect miracles every time i go out, and pray for these miracles to happen, i have had such a better outlook on finding. Also, Since then I have yet to see a day were a miracle doesn't happen.

This Sunday, President Hughes spoke to us in sacrament meeting. He gave an amazing talk about missionary work! One thing that stuck out to me was, how the devil says we aren't good enough missionaries to do missionary work, But that is a lie! Satan is the father of all lies. Missionary work doesn't have to be hard. Anyone can do missionary work. You don't need a badge to say your a missionary. To many times we think of missionary work as knocking on doors, and speaking to people we don't know.
Missionary work can be as easy as changing your face book status to something like, "This weekend was great! I went to church and heard the primary kids sing their hearts out. The spirit was so strong!" Let people know that you had a good experience at church, Don't keep it to yourself. Missionary work can be as easy as, Answer a friends question by using the Book of Mormon.

Again thank you all for your support! I greatly appreciate your letters and e-mails!
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne

weekly update

Hiya Family and Friends!!!!!!

This week was great! Elder Jolliffe and I are learning each others styles of teaching and building a very strong unity between us.

One miracle that we had this week, we were having problems getting a hold of Andrew, one of our investigators, because he found a new job and he works a lot. When we tried to stop by his house he wasn't ever in. We couldn't even call him. As we were heading towards home one night we saw him just before he got home from work and we were able to teach him the next day. Also the members helped us get an appointment with him as well. So with the members help Andrew is progressing again!

We were having a hard time setting appointments for the whole week. But on Wednesday, we specifically prayed that we would be able to set more appointments, and that same day people were being really receptive and we were able to set a lot of appointments. My testimony of prayer has grown so much on my mission! I know that everyone of our prayers are answered. Even if it's not the answer we're looking for, all of them are answered. And I have come to know that the power of prayer is great! If we are sincere with our prayers, and have the intent to act on our answers we will receive the blessings we ask for.

Miracles continued to happen through out the week, one of them being on Sunday, Julie's daughter decided to come to church. Julie had previously asked to to come but she said, "yeah OK." as if not really wanting to go. But this week without being asked she told her mom that she had wanted to go to church. unfortunately they left before we could see how she liked it. But i know that the spirit is working on her and preparing her to be taught.
Love,
Elder Ballantyne

weekly update

Bonjour FAMILY!!!!!!

This will probably be short considering it has only been a few days since I emailed last.

The thing that sticks out to me in the past few days would have to be the fireside that we set up for the ward. It was a musical fireside about the Restoration. It was a great experience for all who were there. We had a few non members there. however i was hoping there would have been more of our investigators there. The Elders quorum president, asked Elder Jolliffe and I to sing. So we sung with him and another member. The spirit was definitely there and I'm sure anyone who was there would agree with me.

After the fireside we went to teach Julie with Allen at there home. Allen and Julie Meadows are a part member family. Julie is not a member, but she will be soon! She is amazing, she grasps everything so well! She can easily recognize the spirit which really helps. She is pretty much the perfect investigator.

We are also teaching a Lithuanian investigator named Andrew. He is also really good! but we can't take the credit for it. When he gets Baptised it will be because of the members. they have been doing an amazing job fellow shipping him into the ward. The ward members are amazing with there missionary work!
Love,
Elder Ballantyne

weekly update

HHHHIIIIIIIIIIII FAMILLLLLLLLLLY

This week was great! I learned so much at the training camp! It was nice to be able to improve my finding and teaching skills, and learn a lot more ideas to use in my finding! Also it was great to Learn how to help investigators Fill the Spirit during the Spirit Formula. I have noticed an improvement in the way I find, teach, and recognize the spirit!

Happy 4Th of July!!! Elder Sherrard allowed us to sing hymn 340 The Star Spangled Banner. It really meant a lot! We had a dinner appointment to day and we celebrated Independence day at their house by eating a Star Spangled banner cake, that they made. They have a son that was born in America, so he is an American citizen, so they celebrate Independence day.

The Fireside was amazing! President Pilkinson's talk was amazing. we started using some of the analygies he used in lessons. The investigator we took, Julie Meadows, also had a good time, Even if she had to go up in the front of everyone for the demonstration.

Sorry It took so long to Email this week. This week is transfer week so p-day was this Wednesday. Just so you know transfers are every six weeks. so don't send letters before transfers, because I don't know if I will be Moving or staying. Luckily this transfer I am staying in Southport. I predict i will be in Southport for 2 more transfers. But we'll see, you never know. Any way Elder Sherrard Left Southport and went to Runcorn to be a District Leader. So my new companion for this transfer is Elder Jolliffe. He is from Devon. That's in Southern England. 3 out of 3 companions are English so far!

Transfers went smoothly for us. I am Happy to be serving with Elder Jolliffe in Southport. We can already tell it's going to be a good transfer! We are both really excited to see what this transfer has instore! I can't wait to learn a lot from Elder Jolliffe! He has Already shown that he is a great missionary!

I did get the pictures! they are great! it looks like you are all having a party and a half! Elder Sherrard Loved the Hot Chocolate, I think it's his new favorite Kind of Hot Chocolate! He loved it so much that He stole what was left of it, no not really but I gave it to him. He couldn't help but to admit that American Hot Chocolate is the best! However English chocolate bars are so much better that America's. I love wispa bars! That's another bar you all have to try!

Anyway I hope you all continue to have a great time in Utah! I will Keep you all updated about what's going on here in England! "Achu" (thank you in Lithuanian). Thanks for all the support you show me! I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!! "Davi!" (Goodbye in Russian, I think)
Love,
Elder Ballantyne
P.S. Andrew, Lithuanian investigator, taught us how to say "Achu" and "Davi"

weekly update

HIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII FAMILYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This week was great! The last zone conference was great I am still learning from it the more I ponder about it. It has helped strengthen Elder Sherrard's and my companionship. Infact Elder Sherrard wrote a song about the whole thing it is really good! He'll have to show it to you sometime. It's called "The Pathway to the Promise."

On Friday, Elder Hanchett came to Southport on exchange. We had a day Booked with Appointments we ended up skipping Lunch and only having a Half hour lunch. But it felt good to know that we had so many appointments to go to. And they were all really good Investigators! I'll skip Lunch anyday to have a day like this! Luke was one of the Great appointments. He was really good. I wasn't there when they contacted him on the street because i was on exchange in Wigan with Elder Winward, But Luke stopped Elders Sherrard, Caballero, and Bore on the street and was curious about the church. He was willing to keep all the commitments we left him. He wants to go to church but he has work. He wants to go so much that he was willing to go to a night time church if we had one.

After the Exchange we went to helping hands. At first our investigator, Jamil, wasn't planning on going but we taught him about the spirit of service. And by the end of the lesson he was eager to go to the helping hands project. The project was great! We Got to Play in the dirt (Dig Trenches for a natural irrigation System). Jamil also had a great time. when we took a break to have lunch. Jamil was really eager to get back to work. Not only was the project fun, but the spirit was there. I felt so good to be able to help out.

Southport is amazing! The weather has been great. Better yet the people are great! And for the most part people pretty open to our great message. The Ward members are so nice to us and we try to help them as much as we can.

Elder Sherrard and I are doing great. Everyday is a learning experiance for me. Missionary work is the best work ever!

Don't Worry I just sent a Fathersday card! I didn't forget. Sorry it's late again dad!

That's so cool to hear about zak. I will definately write him! Jeff's Smoked pork is amazing! To bad missed out. South port has a ward, it is called the southport ward. You can search for it on lds.org i think. We have had many dinner appointments. Yesterday we were at the Bishops house and we had Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Yorkshire Pudding, and veggies.

Sister Bullock had a training about eating healthy last thursday. Mom you would be proud of the way i have been eating recently!

Thanks for your support everyone. Keep me updated! you all!
,
Elder Ballantyne

England