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"