weekly update 11/28/2011

Terve perhe! (A finnish Greeting)

This week wasn’t the best of weeks as I have been for two of the days (Wednesday and Sunday). The days that we have been out seem to have been good days. So I was sick on Wednesday, it was funny because that same day was District Leader Council meeting. At the meeting we talked about the holiday season, including staying healthy during the cold months… oops.

We actually spent a bit of thanksgiving doing some service with a member. He lives on his own and he needed help carrying a table down the stairs and then he asked us to help him sand it and take it back up the stairs. It was something he couldn’t have done by himself. He seemed very grateful for the help we offered. He then fed us some soup. At first I felt a little disappointed that I wasn’t eating a big turkey dinner, but after thinking about it, I quickly realised that, that isn’t the reason we celebrate thanksgiving. I was really grateful to be with that member to get to know him better and to serve him was phenomenal. It was a very good thanksgiving.

Elder Marjanen has been a great help especially as I have been feeling ill. He has been doing his best to help me recover 100%. I’m grateful to have his help through this illness.

Here is a funny story that a member gave to us this week:
"A united states marine was taking some college courses between assignments. He had completed 20 missions in iraq and afghanistan. One of the courses had a professor who was an avowed atheist,.

One day the professor shocked the class when he came in. He looked to the ceiling and stated, 'God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform... I'll give you exactly 15 minutes.'

The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, 'Here I am GOD, I'm still waiting.'

It got down to the last couple of minutes when the marine got out of his chair, went up to the professor, and knocked him off the platform. The professor was out cold.

The marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently. The other students were shocked and stunned, and sat there looking on in silence.

The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the marine and asked, 'What in the world is the matter with you? Why did you do that?'

The marine calmly replied, 'GOD was too busy today protecting American, Canadian, British, Soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid stuff and act like an idiot. So He sent me."
It's a great testimony to me to see that the lord expects us to "Get on you knees and pray like it all depends on GOD, then get up and work like it all depends on you." Sometimes they anwer to someones prayer comes through his children. So rather than just praying for the less fortunate we need to do something about it.


--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne

weekly update 11/21/2011

Hello Family!

The remainder of the week has been really good. With the last few days we have spent a bit of time for me to get to know the members. We have visited a lot of them, mostly through tea appointments. I think ever since the day after I have arrived we have had a tea appoint everyday! From what I gathered this far the members are amazing! I’m so excited to serve in the midst of such a great ward.

Elder Marjanen is doing really good. I have found that he is a really diligent finder. He is also a very humble missionary. Once he breaks out of his shell he will be a really great missionary.

This winter is shaping up to be a bit warmer than last winter. I think by this time last year there was quite a bit of snow but as far as I’m aware we haven’t had any yet. I also don’t think this time last year I wouldn’t think of going out without a coat, now on some days I feel over heated when I wear a coat. So that’s always a good sign.

Thanks for everything!


--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne

p.s. MY NEW ADDRESS IS:
3 Prospect Road
Rawtenstall
Rossendale
BB4 8HJ

weekly update 11/17/2011

Kevin has been transferred I don't have the address yet.


Dear Everyone!

You might be surprised to know that I have already been transferred out of Stoke. I am now in Rossendale Valley Ward, Which is in the chorley stake. An interesting fact. The temple is located in chorley. Which is in the same zone but it iss less travel to get to the temple from preston. My new companion is Elder Marjanen from Finland. It is his second transfer in the mission. He is a very good missionary, and very humble.

This was a great week. We had a sports day on Tuesday, it was great fun and good exercise as well. It was good to see the other missionaries. It was quite exhausting playing sports from 10 am to 4 pm only to stop for lunch. I ached a bit after that's for sure. We had massive slices of delicious costco pizza. Sports all day and costco pizza... What could beat that?

This week I went on exchanges with Elder Jones it was a very good exchange I learnt a lot. One thing that I learnt from the exchange was from President Kopishke's training on making finding more natural. As I have applied it I have been able to have my conversations more natural and free flowing. It has also helped me with my goal of doing things because of the love I have for the people.

The love principle is definitely been something I have been focusing on lately. I really wish I would have had this focus a lot earlier in my mission. It has been something that I have really seen a lot of joy come from.

I was really surprised to see that I would be leaving Stoke after one transfer! That transfer definitely flew by! I don't know why I have moved already yet, but I do know that it was an inspired decision, and I look forward to learning why the lord wants me in Rossendale Valley.

--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne

Please send

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Just so everyone knows, When you send Kevin a Christmas package, mail it to the mission office, (The addresses is listed on the side of this page) and mark the outside of the package Christmas. That way he is sure to get it for Christmas. Also make sure you mail it at least by Thanksgiving.

weekly update 11/7/2011

Hello Family!!!!!!

This week I have really built a love for the Henrietta family, Joseph, Anieta, and Aeinea. They are so kind and have made a lot of progress, specifically in the Word of wisdom. This week was Joseph Junior’s birthday. So we took a birthday card to him, and they gave us some birthday cake!

I went on exchanges with Elder Baker this week. Throughout the exchange I have just sensed a great deal of humility in him. He has really been learning from Elder Francis, and applying the things he’s learnt.

I just love missionary work. I always have but, I have really been working on truly loving the people we teach. And as I have been doing so I have been able to look at the work in a much brighter light. It has helped me to enjoy the work a lot more.


--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne