Monday, October 25, 2010

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

Monday, October 18, 2010

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!

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

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

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

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