Dear Mom and Dad,
So I have had a chance to read your letters. So I thought I would go through and answer some of the questions you have asked in those letters.
The flight was long and terrible! I couldn't sleep and it was very uncomortable, however, it was really cool to beable to see the sun set and rise in the same flight within a few hours.
My schedule is wake up at 6:30 (11:30 your time) exercise until 7:00am (12:00 am) eat breakfast shower and get ready for the day until 8:00 AM (1:00 AM) then personal study till 9 AM (2 AM) Companion study till 10 AM (3 AM) then after that it's various things like teach lessons to families and find people to teach.
I don't know what the food is like in the provo mtc but the food in the England mtc was GREAT! I was in the MTC with about 50 Missionaries. Some of those were the ones that were from Utah, there were even more of them waiting at the terminal. So i did get to see them throughout the whole time in the mtc.
It was really hot in Atlanta, we didn't go out side but just getting of the plane was really warm! Delta fed us Lunch and Dinner on the flight over the ocean from Atlanta. Dinner was some kind of Alfredo pasta, it was actually pretty good. Yes i did get the money i had converted to english money. I have to say their money system is much better than America's. I can use my card from home. but they gave me a mission card for groceries and cleaning supplies toiletries and things like that.
We already have an investigator getting babtised this saturday! Her name is Kay. And she is very good. she is definately prepared and ready to be baptised. She seems excited to be baptised. we are having family home evening tonight with her.
We have already seen the hand of the lord help us in finding new investigators. Just yesterday Elder Sherrard told me about this guy who called us, saying he didn't seem very interested in learning about the gospel. but yesterday he had a change of heart and said he wanted to give up his addictions and start from a clean state. So we talked about the restoration and commited him to be baptised and he said yes! This is just one of many times we have seen the hand of the lord help us in our efforts.
This is so great so far! The Days are already going by so fast and my companion Elder Sherrard says it will go by even faster as i get further into the mission. He said a mission is like a roll of toilet paper. It seems like it goes slow at first but then as you get closer to the middle of the role it goes away faster.
Anyway i am going to use the rest of the time trying to send out personal emails. by the way dad, sorry i haven't been able to send you a birthday card or anything it has been hectic this first week but i will be sure and send you something soon. but i just wanted to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
Anyway Have a good week, And i will do the same. I love and miss you all!
Love,
Elder Ballantyne
Monday, May 31, 2010
Friday, May 28, 2010
Email from Elder Ballantyne
Hello, so yesterday was my first day in the field. my new companion's name is Elder Sherrard. I am in the Southport area. I am told it is the sunniest part of britain. so far it has been really sunny. Even though i'm in the field i haven't seen any castles, i have seen a lot of massive catholic churches though that look really cool. I live right across the street from one, also i live right next door to the ymca. it's pretty cool. This area is a bus area meaning it's all walking and riding busses.
By the way my mail and package we all waiting for me at the mission home. i haven't gotten a chance to read them all yet. but thanks for all the sweets. i showed my companion the part where you said to make sure and share with my companions. and he said that's good news for me. haha
<--I'm not sure where that line came from by the way <--
That's better.
The last week has been really sunny and hot. It got up to 29 degrees Celsius. that's like 80 degrees farenheit! So last week hasn't been very normal for england. It has hardly rained since i've been here. It did rain on our way to Southport but luckly we were one a bus for that.
We have already been finding and talking to people and we had a lesson with an investigator named Tony. This will probably be the last time I will have to email until monday. Monday is my new p day so that is probably when i will be writing letters and emails now, just so you know. My flat was once a sisters flat, so it's a little nicer than a lot of the elders flats. but there are a lot of flowery things like the bed sheets. and duvets. A duvet is like a comforter for a bed by the way.
So president & sister bullock are really nice! we spent a few hours at the mission home going over what to expect and such. they have a allow up to 2 hours of email time. but that is depending on if we have enough time in our schedules. That and it costs 2 pounds to use the internet at the internet cafe' normally we would go to the library where it would be free but it's closed for some reason. today we have an hour but part of that is to write the president.
So next week we have a zone conference! I'm really excited! we are going camping! There is a pretty good chance that i will see Elder Chad Mecham there. I'll take many pictures, because i am allowed to take my camera. by the way i haven't gotten the sd card yet so i don't want to send the other sd card yet, it could be in one of the letters that i haven't had a chance to read yet. but i have atleast a hundred more photos on this one mostly from our chuch history tour that we had on one of our p days some of the pictures my need some explaining though but i'm not sure how i will do that.
Also Dylan carson and shawn thank you for your letters. and my room was perfect in the mtc. but now i moved and my Flat is still cool but not as nice as the one at the mtc. the food in the mtc was also really good. but now the food is not so great my companion cook eggs and toast for me while i unpacked, it was really nice of him, but even he said it lacked taste. It honestly didn't have any taste, but at least i wasn't hungry any more that's all that matters right? hopefully the members will let us over for dinner appointments, because that would really help.
An hour is a lot better than the half hour that i got in the mtc. i don't think i have ever written an email this long. Well i have ten minuets left so it's time to say goodbye. i love you all thanks for all the support.
Love,
Elder Ballantyne
Southport area
By the way my mail and package we all waiting for me at the mission home. i haven't gotten a chance to read them all yet. but thanks for all the sweets. i showed my companion the part where you said to make sure and share with my companions. and he said that's good news for me. haha
<--I'm not sure where that line came from by the way <--
That's better.
The last week has been really sunny and hot. It got up to 29 degrees Celsius. that's like 80 degrees farenheit! So last week hasn't been very normal for england. It has hardly rained since i've been here. It did rain on our way to Southport but luckly we were one a bus for that.
We have already been finding and talking to people and we had a lesson with an investigator named Tony. This will probably be the last time I will have to email until monday. Monday is my new p day so that is probably when i will be writing letters and emails now, just so you know. My flat was once a sisters flat, so it's a little nicer than a lot of the elders flats. but there are a lot of flowery things like the bed sheets. and duvets. A duvet is like a comforter for a bed by the way.
So president & sister bullock are really nice! we spent a few hours at the mission home going over what to expect and such. they have a allow up to 2 hours of email time. but that is depending on if we have enough time in our schedules. That and it costs 2 pounds to use the internet at the internet cafe' normally we would go to the library where it would be free but it's closed for some reason. today we have an hour but part of that is to write the president.
So next week we have a zone conference! I'm really excited! we are going camping! There is a pretty good chance that i will see Elder Chad Mecham there. I'll take many pictures, because i am allowed to take my camera. by the way i haven't gotten the sd card yet so i don't want to send the other sd card yet, it could be in one of the letters that i haven't had a chance to read yet. but i have atleast a hundred more photos on this one mostly from our chuch history tour that we had on one of our p days some of the pictures my need some explaining though but i'm not sure how i will do that.
Also Dylan carson and shawn thank you for your letters. and my room was perfect in the mtc. but now i moved and my Flat is still cool but not as nice as the one at the mtc. the food in the mtc was also really good. but now the food is not so great my companion cook eggs and toast for me while i unpacked, it was really nice of him, but even he said it lacked taste. It honestly didn't have any taste, but at least i wasn't hungry any more that's all that matters right? hopefully the members will let us over for dinner appointments, because that would really help.
An hour is a lot better than the half hour that i got in the mtc. i don't think i have ever written an email this long. Well i have ten minuets left so it's time to say goodbye. i love you all thanks for all the support.
Love,
Elder Ballantyne
Southport area
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Kevin made it
Dear Parents,
Your son has arrived to the England Manchester Mission (EMM) safe and ready to go to work as a missionary. We held a training session Wednesday morning where we covered many things including their mission finances, their first three month training schedule, becoming a “Sacred Missionary” and the EMM vision and guiding principles. We concluded with a testimony meeting and afterwards Sister Bullock fed the group a warm hearty meal. I held a personal interview with each missionary and we then transported them to the Manchester Stake Center where they were introduced to their first companion and trainer.
As parents, the most important thing you can do for your son is to be supportive and encouraging. The first month or two can be challenging for a missionary with many adjustments in their life. But it normally does not take long until they capture the full vision of their calling, gain a love for the people of the U.K. and get lost in the work.
Please be supportive of the church’s policy on communications which allows missionaries to send and receive emails only with family members which in addition to the immediate family includes grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Anyone not part of the family must communicate through letters. Occasional efforts by some to circumvent this policy, such as family members forwarding personally directed emails from non-family members, are outside the spirit of this principle.
We often talk and train on the principle of “Becoming a Sacred Missionary.” While it is good to be an Honorable Missionary, there is higher principle and that is becoming a Sacred Missionary. This involves many things but it primarily is a commitment by the missionary to purify and sanctify their life and fully commit their heart and soul to their mission. The happiest and most effective missionaries are those who limit thoughts of their pre-mission life, put the world behind them and get completely lost in the work of serving the Lord. Your encouragement and support of this will help your son grow personally, gain a greater depth of spiritually and impact the lives of others.
Attached you will find a picture of your son with Sister Bullock and me in front of the mission home and a picture of his first companion and trainer. Sister Bullock and I have three sons who have served missions with another one currently in the Japan Tokyo Mission, so we fully understand the emotions and joys that you are going through right now. Know that we love the missionaries in the England Manchester Mission and watch over them with care. May the Lord bless you during this wonderful time of your life.
With warm regards,
President Bullock
England Manchester Mission
Your son has arrived to the England Manchester Mission (EMM) safe and ready to go to work as a missionary. We held a training session Wednesday morning where we covered many things including their mission finances, their first three month training schedule, becoming a “Sacred Missionary” and the EMM vision and guiding principles. We concluded with a testimony meeting and afterwards Sister Bullock fed the group a warm hearty meal. I held a personal interview with each missionary and we then transported them to the Manchester Stake Center where they were introduced to their first companion and trainer.
As parents, the most important thing you can do for your son is to be supportive and encouraging. The first month or two can be challenging for a missionary with many adjustments in their life. But it normally does not take long until they capture the full vision of their calling, gain a love for the people of the U.K. and get lost in the work.
Please be supportive of the church’s policy on communications which allows missionaries to send and receive emails only with family members which in addition to the immediate family includes grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Anyone not part of the family must communicate through letters. Occasional efforts by some to circumvent this policy, such as family members forwarding personally directed emails from non-family members, are outside the spirit of this principle.
We often talk and train on the principle of “Becoming a Sacred Missionary.” While it is good to be an Honorable Missionary, there is higher principle and that is becoming a Sacred Missionary. This involves many things but it primarily is a commitment by the missionary to purify and sanctify their life and fully commit their heart and soul to their mission. The happiest and most effective missionaries are those who limit thoughts of their pre-mission life, put the world behind them and get completely lost in the work of serving the Lord. Your encouragement and support of this will help your son grow personally, gain a greater depth of spiritually and impact the lives of others.
Attached you will find a picture of your son with Sister Bullock and me in front of the mission home and a picture of his first companion and trainer. Sister Bullock and I have three sons who have served missions with another one currently in the Japan Tokyo Mission, so we fully understand the emotions and joys that you are going through right now. Know that we love the missionaries in the England Manchester Mission and watch over them with care. May the Lord bless you during this wonderful time of your life.
With warm regards,
President Bullock
England Manchester Mission
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Pictures from England!
Kevin sent home some pictures for us to enjoy!
The Airport 
The MTC
The Temple
The MTCThe Temple PS. Kevin leaves the MTC on May 25th
Good Luck Kevin!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
First Email
Greetings From England!!
Yes I have made it to England! When we got here the first thing i noticed was we were riding the bus on the wrong side of the road! Next everything is very green and beautiful! other than that everything seems to be similar to things in bountiful. We had a couple opportunities to walk to the temple. it's very beautiful and today we get to actually go through the temple today. I took many pictures of it and will send them home in a letter hopefully tonight the card isn't full but i will keep sending them as much as i can. i would attach some in this email but i left my cable in my room and i only have 30 minuets to write emails. I only can write letters and emails on wednesday of every week, so next week i will be sure to bring the cable down with me. Oh And sorry Brenda no castles yet. be sure and forward this to everyone including my friends if you have there emails, cuz i barely have enough time to send one. Also i found 2 checks in my suit pocket that i will send home. I got my first companion the day i got here. His name Is Elder Turner he is from a place called Gillingham, in the county call kent. it is in the bottom right part of England. I'm am learning a ton from him and all the other missionaries here. i have improved my teaching skills greatly. Elder Donaldson from the area seventy spoke to us on sunday and we all learn a lot from him. we have already had the chance to talk to investigaters on mormon.org so i have already had the experience of teaching a real person, rather than practicing with another Missionary. We will actually have the opportunity to go tracting this friday in manchester. well it's about time to start wrapping this up. to everyone who gets this i love you all!
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
Yes I have made it to England! When we got here the first thing i noticed was we were riding the bus on the wrong side of the road! Next everything is very green and beautiful! other than that everything seems to be similar to things in bountiful. We had a couple opportunities to walk to the temple. it's very beautiful and today we get to actually go through the temple today. I took many pictures of it and will send them home in a letter hopefully tonight the card isn't full but i will keep sending them as much as i can. i would attach some in this email but i left my cable in my room and i only have 30 minuets to write emails. I only can write letters and emails on wednesday of every week, so next week i will be sure to bring the cable down with me. Oh And sorry Brenda no castles yet. be sure and forward this to everyone including my friends if you have there emails, cuz i barely have enough time to send one. Also i found 2 checks in my suit pocket that i will send home. I got my first companion the day i got here. His name Is Elder Turner he is from a place called Gillingham, in the county call kent. it is in the bottom right part of England. I'm am learning a ton from him and all the other missionaries here. i have improved my teaching skills greatly. Elder Donaldson from the area seventy spoke to us on sunday and we all learn a lot from him. we have already had the chance to talk to investigaters on mormon.org so i have already had the experience of teaching a real person, rather than practicing with another Missionary. We will actually have the opportunity to go tracting this friday in manchester. well it's about time to start wrapping this up. to everyone who gets this i love you all!
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
Friday, May 7, 2010
I'm leaving on a jet plane........
Elder Kevin Ballantyne has left for England!
This was his very first time flying in a commercial jet. It took him over 15 hours to finally get to England, 12 hours of it flying with a 3 hour layover in Atlanta. He arrived in England at 9:17am their time, 2:17am our time.
He is going to have serious jet lag!
This is one of the many missionaries going over to England.
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