Mis amados hermanos tu hermanas
The lord has truly showered us with blessings. We are now teaching a new Member referral, named Tina. She has expressed a strong desire to be baptised. Right after the lesson we had some time for street contacting, as we were speaking to people we met a lady named Sophie, then taught her the day after with a member. It was definitely no coincidence that we found her at this time in her life. The week before we spoke to her she had a friend die, and previously she had a few others die, including her partner. I know that this message is what she needs, especially at this time.
We taught Tom a couple times this week. On Monday we taught him and he has expressed not only that he wants to be baptised but that he wants to go on a mission! He is 28 so he will need some permission from the stake president, but the desire is still there! On Thursday we taught him again and He told us that he was going to speak to his father to pick a date for his baptism! Exciting things are happening here in Rossendale Valley.
My companion Elder Jensen is doing really great. He is quite knowledgeable about the gospel. I enjoy discussing different things with him. I have learned a lot from him as a missionary and doctrinally. We are really enjoying the time we have together!
Recently I have been reading in the New Testament. The biggest thing that I have recognized is the nature of Jesus Christ, especially the love that he has for us. He says it quite frequently. This morning I was reading in Chapter 10 of St. John which talks about how he is the good shepherd and will lay down his life for us.
With love,
Elder Ballantyne
Monday, April 23, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
Please come
Elder Kevin Ballantyne's Homecoming is...
May 13th, 2012 (Mothers Day)
May 13th, 2012 (Mothers Day)
At the Bountiful 24th Ward
He will be speaking @ 12:50 pm
Refreshments after at the Ballantyne's Home
weekly update 4/16/2012
Dear Family,
This was a great week. It started of great we had a lesson with a few new people. We taught a man named Jim who is a less active members Uncle. We had a good lesson. Then we invited him to come to an elder’s quorum curry night. He seemed to enjoy it but the best part was that the rest of the elder’s quorum fellowshipped him like they had known him for awhile.
Before the curry night we had a very powerful lesson with tom. The member we took with us was great! It was Chris McClure who used to teach at the MTC. Tom described the lesson that he understood the most. We have two lessons planned with him for this coming week as opposed to 1 a week.
Rossendale is doing great; the members are still a great strength. And we currently have a few potential referrals. We should be teaching one tomorrow. The ward truly is doing their part in this great work.
The weather has been wonderful! There have been a few showers but nothing to major. Besides without a few showers it just wouldn't be England, right? It still gets pretty cold but it is warming up. Today we will be making the most of the weather by going on a hike with a member from the ward. It should be good.
--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
This was a great week. It started of great we had a lesson with a few new people. We taught a man named Jim who is a less active members Uncle. We had a good lesson. Then we invited him to come to an elder’s quorum curry night. He seemed to enjoy it but the best part was that the rest of the elder’s quorum fellowshipped him like they had known him for awhile.
Before the curry night we had a very powerful lesson with tom. The member we took with us was great! It was Chris McClure who used to teach at the MTC. Tom described the lesson that he understood the most. We have two lessons planned with him for this coming week as opposed to 1 a week.
Rossendale is doing great; the members are still a great strength. And we currently have a few potential referrals. We should be teaching one tomorrow. The ward truly is doing their part in this great work.
The weather has been wonderful! There have been a few showers but nothing to major. Besides without a few showers it just wouldn't be England, right? It still gets pretty cold but it is warming up. Today we will be making the most of the weather by going on a hike with a member from the ward. It should be good.
--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
weekly update 4/10/2012
Dearest Family and Friends
Things are going great here Sian was confirmed a member on Sunday. She still seems to be excited. The members really have been a great help in her conversion! It was a different experience, we did the teaching the members did the rest.
We were given a lift of all the people who were baptized in the last 3 years and asked to contact them, and give them support. As we were contacting each of these converts, we met a lady named Audry Thomas, who is on the list. I have not seen her at church since I have been here in Rossendale Valley, so I didn’t really know anything about her. Anyway we knocked by and she we had a great conversation. We focused on answering her questions and concerns, and then invited her to church. Then on Sunday Audrey and her son, Mathew, walked through the door! She seemed to have enjoyed it!
Tom is doing really well. We saw him on taught him on Thursday. We had a weekly focus on building faith. And part of it was to study faith. Both Elder Jensen and I felt like would should share with tom a few things about what we learnt from these studies, particularly on taking a leap of faith. During the lesson Tom had told us a bit about his life before we spoke to him on the bus. He was saying that he was on the border line of depression. He said that he was grateful that we spoke to him on the bus because his life has gotten a lot better since then and he has been a lot happier.
--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
Things are going great here Sian was confirmed a member on Sunday. She still seems to be excited. The members really have been a great help in her conversion! It was a different experience, we did the teaching the members did the rest.
We were given a lift of all the people who were baptized in the last 3 years and asked to contact them, and give them support. As we were contacting each of these converts, we met a lady named Audry Thomas, who is on the list. I have not seen her at church since I have been here in Rossendale Valley, so I didn’t really know anything about her. Anyway we knocked by and she we had a great conversation. We focused on answering her questions and concerns, and then invited her to church. Then on Sunday Audrey and her son, Mathew, walked through the door! She seemed to have enjoyed it!
Tom is doing really well. We saw him on taught him on Thursday. We had a weekly focus on building faith. And part of it was to study faith. Both Elder Jensen and I felt like would should share with tom a few things about what we learnt from these studies, particularly on taking a leap of faith. During the lesson Tom had told us a bit about his life before we spoke to him on the bus. He was saying that he was on the border line of depression. He said that he was grateful that we spoke to him on the bus because his life has gotten a lot better since then and he has been a lot happier.
--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
Monday, April 2, 2012
weekly update 4/2/2012
>
> Dear Family,
>
> I first want to talk about my conversion story; I was brought up in
> the church by goodly parents who love the lord. I never went
> less-active, however, in my Teenage years I start to think and
> unfortunately doubt the things in which I was being taught. The
> decision to serve a mission came; I was either to stay and go to
> university or to go on a mission. I had made my decision that I was
> going to stay and go to university and carry on with my live, mostly
> because I didn’t believe so much. I told my parents what my decision
> was. And they counselled with me. My Dad had told me that I needed to
> pray and ask if I should serve a mission. I not only asked if I should
> go on a mission but I asked if what I was being taught was true. I got
> an answer that I should serve a mission. I don’t recall a straight
> forward answer on if these things were true. But I followed the answer
> that I needed to serve a mission. Since being on my mission I have
> grown a testimony. I can’t say at any specific moment I knew it was
> true, but my answer came line upon line, until now and it is still
> continuing to grow.
>
> This week has been a great week. The highlight was, of course, the
> baptism of Sian Crosbie. The baptism went very well. Sian had planned
> the whole thing. It was a great service including a slideshow that
> Sian and her friends had made, which concluded with her testimony. It
> was powerful! The service was well attended also. The ward really
> showed there support and most of the ward plus more were there to see
> her get baptised. The relief society president spoke to us at general
> conference on Saturday and said that she will do everything to ensure
> that the sisters contact her daily this week.
>
> This was a very eventful week with zone conference and General
> conference. I loved it I feel so spiritually fed! I always love
> watching general conference. The talks were good, but the discussion
> afterwards is when I get dessert.
>
>
> --
> With Love,
> Elder Ballantyne
>
> Dear Family,
>
> I first want to talk about my conversion story; I was brought up in
> the church by goodly parents who love the lord. I never went
> less-active, however, in my Teenage years I start to think and
> unfortunately doubt the things in which I was being taught. The
> decision to serve a mission came; I was either to stay and go to
> university or to go on a mission. I had made my decision that I was
> going to stay and go to university and carry on with my live, mostly
> because I didn’t believe so much. I told my parents what my decision
> was. And they counselled with me. My Dad had told me that I needed to
> pray and ask if I should serve a mission. I not only asked if I should
> go on a mission but I asked if what I was being taught was true. I got
> an answer that I should serve a mission. I don’t recall a straight
> forward answer on if these things were true. But I followed the answer
> that I needed to serve a mission. Since being on my mission I have
> grown a testimony. I can’t say at any specific moment I knew it was
> true, but my answer came line upon line, until now and it is still
> continuing to grow.
>
> This week has been a great week. The highlight was, of course, the
> baptism of Sian Crosbie. The baptism went very well. Sian had planned
> the whole thing. It was a great service including a slideshow that
> Sian and her friends had made, which concluded with her testimony. It
> was powerful! The service was well attended also. The ward really
> showed there support and most of the ward plus more were there to see
> her get baptised. The relief society president spoke to us at general
> conference on Saturday and said that she will do everything to ensure
> that the sisters contact her daily this week.
>
> This was a very eventful week with zone conference and General
> conference. I loved it I feel so spiritually fed! I always love
> watching general conference. The talks were good, but the discussion
> afterwards is when I get dessert.
>
>
> --
> With Love,
> Elder Ballantyne
>
Monday, March 26, 2012
weekly update 3/26/2012
It looks like May 3rd is the day Kevin comes home.
Hello all!
Things are going great here in Rossendale valley. There is definitely sun shine in my soul today, in fact all week it has been quite nice and sunny. People seem to be happy, it’s great.
On Saturday, We were tracting in the evening and we came across a house and the lady answered the door and started screaming at us. Rather than letting it get us down, we carried on tracting, and on the last door we had time to tract we met a really nice man named peter. Peter is a Baptist and as we were talking he didn’t have time to let us in but he promised us that he would come to church. It was a great miracle to see that after we receive opposition, if we continue on we will be blessed.
Yesterday tom came to church! He is quite the trooper he had an 11pm-7am shift at work on sat night. After work he went home, took a shower got ready to go to church and was at church on time. He stayed for all three hours then after church he was going to a YSA dinner at a members home. And then on Sunday evening he had another 11pm-7am shift. He is a trooper!
--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
Hello all!
Things are going great here in Rossendale valley. There is definitely sun shine in my soul today, in fact all week it has been quite nice and sunny. People seem to be happy, it’s great.
On Saturday, We were tracting in the evening and we came across a house and the lady answered the door and started screaming at us. Rather than letting it get us down, we carried on tracting, and on the last door we had time to tract we met a really nice man named peter. Peter is a Baptist and as we were talking he didn’t have time to let us in but he promised us that he would come to church. It was a great miracle to see that after we receive opposition, if we continue on we will be blessed.
Yesterday tom came to church! He is quite the trooper he had an 11pm-7am shift at work on sat night. After work he went home, took a shower got ready to go to church and was at church on time. He stayed for all three hours then after church he was going to a YSA dinner at a members home. And then on Sunday evening he had another 11pm-7am shift. He is a trooper!
--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
weekly update 3/21/2012
The winners is YES Kevin will stay in Rossendale for the rest of his mission. Kevin will be home in 5 to 6 more weeks. As soon as I get word on the exacted day I will let you know.
It is another transfer and guess what... I'm Staying in Rossendale w/ Elder Jensen. So i looks like i will die here in the land of Rossendale.
Things have been going well. Tom has been able to establish good solid friendships in the ward other than the Simcock’s, which has been a great blessing. The lesson we had on Monday evening last week, he mentioned that everybody in the church has been brilliant. We are happy to report that the ward is in such a great state. Tom has also been very receptive to the commandments. Without inviting him he is recognizing that there are things that he wants to change, which I think is a good sign.
Sian is doing very well too. She seems to be excited about her baptism. Nothing has come up that would keep her from making that date. So we are excited. As well as the ward is excited.
The other day we felt impressed to go down to Ramsbottom. We were street contacting, and we weren’t seeing to much success. Then 3:00 hit and the streets were covered with school kids. Deciding that it was not the ideal “street contacting” atmosphere, we went and tracting a road in which we felt impressed. As we were tracting we came across a man named James who is from Uganda. He is a really nice man who let us in and we taught him the restoration. There seems to be a language barrier but we are excited about him
--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
It is another transfer and guess what... I'm Staying in Rossendale w/ Elder Jensen. So i looks like i will die here in the land of Rossendale.
Things have been going well. Tom has been able to establish good solid friendships in the ward other than the Simcock’s, which has been a great blessing. The lesson we had on Monday evening last week, he mentioned that everybody in the church has been brilliant. We are happy to report that the ward is in such a great state. Tom has also been very receptive to the commandments. Without inviting him he is recognizing that there are things that he wants to change, which I think is a good sign.
Sian is doing very well too. She seems to be excited about her baptism. Nothing has come up that would keep her from making that date. So we are excited. As well as the ward is excited.
The other day we felt impressed to go down to Ramsbottom. We were street contacting, and we weren’t seeing to much success. Then 3:00 hit and the streets were covered with school kids. Deciding that it was not the ideal “street contacting” atmosphere, we went and tracting a road in which we felt impressed. As we were tracting we came across a man named James who is from Uganda. He is a really nice man who let us in and we taught him the restoration. There seems to be a language barrier but we are excited about him
--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
Monday, March 12, 2012
weekly update 3/12/2012
Hello family!
>
> On Tuesday, we had a round of inspired trainings. To me the focus
> seemed to be using the Book of Mormon to resolve concerns, and answer
> questions. I have recommitted to answering concerns with the Book of
> Mormon.
>
> This week we had a great miracle. We taught a couple named Gas (Gaz)
> and Sam. It started out just being Gas; Sam was in the other room on
> the phone. When the phone call was ended Sam came and sat in the
> lesson. She started cussing and saying there is no God. But by
> applying the trainings we had received on Tuesday about using the book
> of Mormon. We were able to resolve her concern about why bad things
> happen. We simply used the scripture about choice in 2 Nephi 2, which
> helped her to understand! After that we had a great lesson with them.
>
> Thomas Spencer came to church again this week. At first we were
> thinking he was too dependant on Lee Simcock, his member friend, but
> the past two weeks he has come to church on the bus on his own. We
> weren’t even really expecting him to come because usually he has work.
> So tom is doing great. We should be teaching him tonight at the
> bishop’s home.
>
> Elder Jensen is doing great. He is a great confident missionary. He is
> a great teacher with great lesson ideas. Before serving with him I
> always thought he was a quiet missionary but serving with him has
> shown that he is quite the opposite
>
>
> --
> With Love,
> Elder Ballantyne
>
> On Tuesday, we had a round of inspired trainings. To me the focus
> seemed to be using the Book of Mormon to resolve concerns, and answer
> questions. I have recommitted to answering concerns with the Book of
> Mormon.
>
> This week we had a great miracle. We taught a couple named Gas (Gaz)
> and Sam. It started out just being Gas; Sam was in the other room on
> the phone. When the phone call was ended Sam came and sat in the
> lesson. She started cussing and saying there is no God. But by
> applying the trainings we had received on Tuesday about using the book
> of Mormon. We were able to resolve her concern about why bad things
> happen. We simply used the scripture about choice in 2 Nephi 2, which
> helped her to understand! After that we had a great lesson with them.
>
> Thomas Spencer came to church again this week. At first we were
> thinking he was too dependant on Lee Simcock, his member friend, but
> the past two weeks he has come to church on the bus on his own. We
> weren’t even really expecting him to come because usually he has work.
> So tom is doing great. We should be teaching him tonight at the
> bishop’s home.
>
> Elder Jensen is doing great. He is a great confident missionary. He is
> a great teacher with great lesson ideas. Before serving with him I
> always thought he was a quiet missionary but serving with him has
> shown that he is quite the opposite
>
>
> --
> With Love,
> Elder Ballantyne
Monday, March 5, 2012
Weekly update 3/5/2012
Hello!
>
> This week has been a good week in Rossendale valley. Sian has accepted
> another date to be baptised on the 30th of March. As well we taught
> Sarah and Tom on Wednesday, they are doing great, so great that they
> both have accepted baptism, they haven’t accepted dates yet but we
> told them we would bring a calendar to them so they can prayerfully
> choose a date.
>
> This week I was able to go on exchange with Elder Saunders, from
> Colorado. He is a really good missionary. He is very personable and
> kind to the people he speaks to. I was able to learn quite a bit from
> his example. On Wednesday, we had the lesson with Sarah and Tom. We
> reviewed the gospel of Jesus Christ, the last lesson we taught, with
> them. After reviewing about baptism I felt so strongly to invite them
> both to baptism, and then they accepted. Then Lee Simcock extended a
> commitment for them to pick a day. We told them that we would bring a
> baptismal calendar to help them pick a day.
>
> On Sunday, Tom showed a lot of initiative by taking the bus by himself
> to church. Lee, his good friend, was not going to be able to make it
> but tom came anyway! Tom and Sarah have also been going to institute
> with Lee. They are just make great progress.
>
>
> --
> With Love,
> Elder Ballantyne
>
> This week has been a good week in Rossendale valley. Sian has accepted
> another date to be baptised on the 30th of March. As well we taught
> Sarah and Tom on Wednesday, they are doing great, so great that they
> both have accepted baptism, they haven’t accepted dates yet but we
> told them we would bring a calendar to them so they can prayerfully
> choose a date.
>
> This week I was able to go on exchange with Elder Saunders, from
> Colorado. He is a really good missionary. He is very personable and
> kind to the people he speaks to. I was able to learn quite a bit from
> his example. On Wednesday, we had the lesson with Sarah and Tom. We
> reviewed the gospel of Jesus Christ, the last lesson we taught, with
> them. After reviewing about baptism I felt so strongly to invite them
> both to baptism, and then they accepted. Then Lee Simcock extended a
> commitment for them to pick a day. We told them that we would bring a
> baptismal calendar to help them pick a day.
>
> On Sunday, Tom showed a lot of initiative by taking the bus by himself
> to church. Lee, his good friend, was not going to be able to make it
> but tom came anyway! Tom and Sarah have also been going to institute
> with Lee. They are just make great progress.
>
>
> --
> With Love,
> Elder Ballantyne
Monday, February 27, 2012
weekly update 2/27/2012
Next Tranfer is March 21st. Put in your vote on the side of page!
HELLO!!!
Things are going great here! We have been greatly blessed this week! The first reason is because Sian has accepted a date to be baptized! Her date was the 24 of March. Unfortunately that date has been dropped because he Mum won’t be able to make it. So Sian is going to talk with her mom and set a date. It could even be an earlier date! Anyway she definitely wants to get baptised.
The second great miracle is that Tom Spencer was able to come to church this week. Usually he works on Sunday, but he was able to find the time to make it to church. Both he and Sarah are making some great progress. Sarah has gotten an answer that the book of Mormon is true. The only thing keeping Sarah from accepting a date is finding the strength to tell her Mum that she is investigating. We will be striving to resolve it the next lesson we have with them.
I have been struggling with the idea of tracting in the evening. A lot of people have been commenting that we are out late and that we should not be knocking doors this late. But I do it anyway because I have been blessed in the past for looking for that one last person. Last night I got a reassurance that the pure in heart are waiting to hear the message at all hours of the day. Last night we were tracting past 8pm and we came across a really nice man named Paul. He is so solid! We are really excited to teach him this evening. It was good to have another one of the “one last person” experiences again.
Elder Jensen is doing really well. He gave a great talk yesterday. When I first met Elder Jensen he did seem a bit quite but as I have been able to get to know him. I have found him to be quite outspoken.
With love,
Elder Ballantyne
HELLO!!!
Things are going great here! We have been greatly blessed this week! The first reason is because Sian has accepted a date to be baptized! Her date was the 24 of March. Unfortunately that date has been dropped because he Mum won’t be able to make it. So Sian is going to talk with her mom and set a date. It could even be an earlier date! Anyway she definitely wants to get baptised.
The second great miracle is that Tom Spencer was able to come to church this week. Usually he works on Sunday, but he was able to find the time to make it to church. Both he and Sarah are making some great progress. Sarah has gotten an answer that the book of Mormon is true. The only thing keeping Sarah from accepting a date is finding the strength to tell her Mum that she is investigating. We will be striving to resolve it the next lesson we have with them.
I have been struggling with the idea of tracting in the evening. A lot of people have been commenting that we are out late and that we should not be knocking doors this late. But I do it anyway because I have been blessed in the past for looking for that one last person. Last night I got a reassurance that the pure in heart are waiting to hear the message at all hours of the day. Last night we were tracting past 8pm and we came across a really nice man named Paul. He is so solid! We are really excited to teach him this evening. It was good to have another one of the “one last person” experiences again.
Elder Jensen is doing really well. He gave a great talk yesterday. When I first met Elder Jensen he did seem a bit quite but as I have been able to get to know him. I have found him to be quite outspoken.
With love,
Elder Ballantyne
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
weekly update 2/20/2012
> Hello,
>
> We have still been teaching Sian, Sarah, Tom, Sam, and Leigh. They are
> each doing great! Especially Sian as you will see in a bit.
>
> Leigh was a new investigator this week he was taught for about two
> years. The last time he was taught was about a year ago. I think one
> of the Elders that taught him was Elder Driscoll who works at golden
> corral, I think. We were walking down to Helmshore to see some people.
> On our way Leigh stopped us and asked us to teach him. At first we
> thought it might be a Chave wanting to take the mick. We went and
> talked to him anyway, and ended up teaching him on Monday. We will see
> him again this Friday.
>
> Now on to the best news we've heard all week; yesterday we were
> talking with bishop and he told us that Sian has agreed to be
> baptized! She has not accepted a date as of yet, she says she wants to
> wait until we have taught everything, and then set a date. We were so
> excited to hear that!
>
> We also saw Sarah and tom on Thursday. The lesson went very well.
> Sarah is doing really well; she has been asking a lot of questions, so
> you can tell that she is genuinely interested. Her progress is mostly
> because of the contact that she has with the Simcocks, a member
> family. Lee has been a big help in her progress!
>
> With love,
> Elder Ballantyne
>
> We have still been teaching Sian, Sarah, Tom, Sam, and Leigh. They are
> each doing great! Especially Sian as you will see in a bit.
>
> Leigh was a new investigator this week he was taught for about two
> years. The last time he was taught was about a year ago. I think one
> of the Elders that taught him was Elder Driscoll who works at golden
> corral, I think. We were walking down to Helmshore to see some people.
> On our way Leigh stopped us and asked us to teach him. At first we
> thought it might be a Chave wanting to take the mick. We went and
> talked to him anyway, and ended up teaching him on Monday. We will see
> him again this Friday.
>
> Now on to the best news we've heard all week; yesterday we were
> talking with bishop and he told us that Sian has agreed to be
> baptized! She has not accepted a date as of yet, she says she wants to
> wait until we have taught everything, and then set a date. We were so
> excited to hear that!
>
> We also saw Sarah and tom on Thursday. The lesson went very well.
> Sarah is doing really well; she has been asking a lot of questions, so
> you can tell that she is genuinely interested. Her progress is mostly
> because of the contact that she has with the Simcocks, a member
> family. Lee has been a big help in her progress!
>
> With love,
> Elder Ballantyne
Monday, February 13, 2012
weekly update 2/13/2012
> Hello everyone!
>
> First of all I will give an update with the investigators we're
> teaching. This has been a good week we had another amazing lesson with
> Sian on Monday. She has been getting a lot more open to us! She also
> came to church. With Sarah we have not been able to see her this week
> because her grandma was in the hospital. But she came to church
> anyway. We will see her on Thursday. We have not been able to see
> Tara this week either but we have made arrangements to see her
> tomorrow with a member. We have found a new investigator named same
> she is the daughter of a member down in Shrewsbury. She is very nice
> we have taught her once and look forward to taking a few YSA members
> to see her tomorrow.
>
> The ward is doing amazing; they truly deserve investigators to
> fellowship. They are like a big family! And when investigators come in
> they treat them as if they were coming ages ago. It is truly wonderful
> to see such great unity in a ward.
>
> Elder Jensen is doing great. One of the first strengths I have noticed
> in him is his punctuality. He moves things along quite smoothly. He
> also has a strong desire to be exactly obedient. We are looking
> forward for the best six weeks this transfer
>
> First of all I will give an update with the investigators we're
> teaching. This has been a good week we had another amazing lesson with
> Sian on Monday. She has been getting a lot more open to us! She also
> came to church. With Sarah we have not been able to see her this week
> because her grandma was in the hospital. But she came to church
> anyway. We will see her on Thursday. We have not been able to see
> Tara this week either but we have made arrangements to see her
> tomorrow with a member. We have found a new investigator named same
> she is the daughter of a member down in Shrewsbury. She is very nice
> we have taught her once and look forward to taking a few YSA members
> to see her tomorrow.
>
> The ward is doing amazing; they truly deserve investigators to
> fellowship. They are like a big family! And when investigators come in
> they treat them as if they were coming ages ago. It is truly wonderful
> to see such great unity in a ward.
>
> Elder Jensen is doing great. One of the first strengths I have noticed
> in him is his punctuality. He moves things along quite smoothly. He
> also has a strong desire to be exactly obedient. We are looking
> forward for the best six weeks this transfer
Thursday, February 9, 2012
weekly update 2/9/2011
> Hello Family,
>
> It was transfers this week. And I get to stay in the beautiful land of Rossendale valley, where there is “…much fruit and honey,” (See 1 Nephi 17:5) for at least 6 more weeks! My new companion is from Cougar town, Utah. (Provo, Utah) He has been out for about 7 months. He has served in Blackpool, then up north in Carlisle, and now, he two get to experience the great land of Rossendale valley.
> The poles are now up… Will Rossendale be Elder Ballantyne’s last area? Vote now. :-P Stay tuned and find out more.
>
> This was a great week. We found a great new investigator named Karen Evans. She is a really nice lady. It started out when Elder Marjanen were street contacting. We felt impressed to knock on this house that looked like it was squished in between two other houses. Karen
> answered the door and said that Jehovah’s witnesses had just previously been. They seemed to have scared her a bit by talking about the end of the world. We then set up the appointment for Tuesday, we tried by and knocked but no one answered. Following that we knocked two more times and both times no one answered. Then we tried to calling her and yet again no one answered. Just as we were about to cross the street, to wear the member had parked his car, the door opened and there stood Karen, she invited us in and we had a very spiritual lesson. After we recited the first vision, we asked her how she felt. She said, “This whole time that you’ve been sat her teaching me about these things, I have felt very warm and relaxed.” So the
> spirit was able to calm her troubled soul. She was able to recognize the spirit and accepted the invitation to be baptized!
>
> We had another lesson with Sian this week. We taught the plan of salvation. The great thing is that in gospel principles class she got a follow up lesson on life after death. I feel like she understood it well.
>
> Things are going really great here in Rossendale valley the work is truly moving forward. I think the lord has truly recognized that the ward is in a state where they can fellowship the investigators into the ward. I believe that that is why the lord has been blessing us with success.
>
> With love,
> Elder Ballantyne
Email to Parents
Hello!
>
> This week we experiance a lot of snow we got about 8 inches on sat.
> and in the evening we didn't have any conversations with anyone
> because we spent all evening helping people get unstuck. we help 5
> people that night.
>
> For transfers i am staying in wonderful Rossendale valley. My new
> companion is Elder Jensen from Provo, Utah. Last week we didn't have
> either zone conference or exchanges. We didn't take any pictures of
> the district but we now have a new district. It's Elder Saunders,
> Elder Watts, Elder Jensen, and myself. We are all from the US of A.
.
>
> It was transfers this week. And I get to stay in the beautiful land of Rossendale valley, where there is “…much fruit and honey,” (See 1 Nephi 17:5) for at least 6 more weeks! My new companion is from Cougar town, Utah. (Provo, Utah) He has been out for about 7 months. He has served in Blackpool, then up north in Carlisle, and now, he two get to experience the great land of Rossendale valley.
> The poles are now up… Will Rossendale be Elder Ballantyne’s last area? Vote now. :-P Stay tuned and find out more.
>
> This was a great week. We found a great new investigator named Karen Evans. She is a really nice lady. It started out when Elder Marjanen were street contacting. We felt impressed to knock on this house that looked like it was squished in between two other houses. Karen
> answered the door and said that Jehovah’s witnesses had just previously been. They seemed to have scared her a bit by talking about the end of the world. We then set up the appointment for Tuesday, we tried by and knocked but no one answered. Following that we knocked two more times and both times no one answered. Then we tried to calling her and yet again no one answered. Just as we were about to cross the street, to wear the member had parked his car, the door opened and there stood Karen, she invited us in and we had a very spiritual lesson. After we recited the first vision, we asked her how she felt. She said, “This whole time that you’ve been sat her teaching me about these things, I have felt very warm and relaxed.” So the
> spirit was able to calm her troubled soul. She was able to recognize the spirit and accepted the invitation to be baptized!
>
> We had another lesson with Sian this week. We taught the plan of salvation. The great thing is that in gospel principles class she got a follow up lesson on life after death. I feel like she understood it well.
>
> Things are going really great here in Rossendale valley the work is truly moving forward. I think the lord has truly recognized that the ward is in a state where they can fellowship the investigators into the ward. I believe that that is why the lord has been blessing us with success.
>
> With love,
> Elder Ballantyne
Email to Parents
Hello!
>
> This week we experiance a lot of snow we got about 8 inches on sat.
> and in the evening we didn't have any conversations with anyone
> because we spent all evening helping people get unstuck. we help 5
> people that night.
>
> For transfers i am staying in wonderful Rossendale valley. My new
> companion is Elder Jensen from Provo, Utah. Last week we didn't have
> either zone conference or exchanges. We didn't take any pictures of
> the district but we now have a new district. It's Elder Saunders,
> Elder Watts, Elder Jensen, and myself. We are all from the US of A.
.
Monday, January 30, 2012
weekly update 1/30/2012
> Hello Everyone!
>
> This has been a great week! Sians lesson went very well! We prayed so
> mightily that this lesson would go well. We specifically role played
> the lesson in the morning. I feel like we did everything we could to
> prepare for this lesson, and it turned out to be a great lesson!
>
> We had a great day on Friday! It started of with weekly planning.
> Straight after weekly planning we had coordination then the rest of
> the day went as follows. We had a less active lesson, a tea
> appointment with a family called the Mann’s, a lesson with Linden, and
> to finish of the day taught Tom Spencer in a member’s home. It was
> quite an amazing day!
>
> We found her heading to an appointment. We got in the area early so we
> decided to tract in the area. The last house we knocked just so
> happened to be Tara. We had a good conversation, she didn’t have time
> to see us then but she asked us to come back another day. She told us
> that her brother was baptised in Ashton not to long ago, and said she
> is interested to learn more. When we taught her we felt strongly to
> share the gospel of Jesus Christ rather than the restoration. As we
> committed her to baptism she accepted before we finished the end of
> the commitment, and wrote here baptismal date in her note book. We
> gave her a baptismal calendar with her Appointments on it and
> everything. We are really excited to be teaching her!
>
> This has been a great week! Sians lesson went very well! We prayed so
> mightily that this lesson would go well. We specifically role played
> the lesson in the morning. I feel like we did everything we could to
> prepare for this lesson, and it turned out to be a great lesson!
>
> We had a great day on Friday! It started of with weekly planning.
> Straight after weekly planning we had coordination then the rest of
> the day went as follows. We had a less active lesson, a tea
> appointment with a family called the Mann’s, a lesson with Linden, and
> to finish of the day taught Tom Spencer in a member’s home. It was
> quite an amazing day!
>
> We found her heading to an appointment. We got in the area early so we
> decided to tract in the area. The last house we knocked just so
> happened to be Tara. We had a good conversation, she didn’t have time
> to see us then but she asked us to come back another day. She told us
> that her brother was baptised in Ashton not to long ago, and said she
> is interested to learn more. When we taught her we felt strongly to
> share the gospel of Jesus Christ rather than the restoration. As we
> committed her to baptism she accepted before we finished the end of
> the commitment, and wrote here baptismal date in her note book. We
> gave her a baptismal calendar with her Appointments on it and
> everything. We are really excited to be teaching her!
Monday, January 23, 2012
weekly update 1/23/2012
> This was a great week! We have taught Lee Simcock’s friend, Thomas
> Spencer. He is doing great! We have taught him twice now; both times
> were in a member’s home. He and Sarah came to the baptism of Robin
> Alderson, and on the way home we had a great discussion about
> repentance and baptism. He had a few questions and we, with the help
> of Lee, were able to answer his questions.
>
> As for Sarah she has expressed that she feels good when she reads the
> book of Mormon. It seems as if wants to make sure that she is making
> the decision for the right reason.
>
> There has been an investigator named Sian that has been coming to
> church the past while. She was taught not to long ago but stopped
> investigating for a while, ever since she has been coming to church
> almost every week. Yesterday we got a phone call from bishop Masser,
> letting us know that she has agreed to be taught again! So we will be
> teaching her tonight. We are so excited!
>
> Things are going really good here in Rossendale Valley. The ward is
> doing missionary work 10 fold!
>
> With Love,
> Elder Ballantyne
> Spencer. He is doing great! We have taught him twice now; both times
> were in a member’s home. He and Sarah came to the baptism of Robin
> Alderson, and on the way home we had a great discussion about
> repentance and baptism. He had a few questions and we, with the help
> of Lee, were able to answer his questions.
>
> As for Sarah she has expressed that she feels good when she reads the
> book of Mormon. It seems as if wants to make sure that she is making
> the decision for the right reason.
>
> There has been an investigator named Sian that has been coming to
> church the past while. She was taught not to long ago but stopped
> investigating for a while, ever since she has been coming to church
> almost every week. Yesterday we got a phone call from bishop Masser,
> letting us know that she has agreed to be taught again! So we will be
> teaching her tonight. We are so excited!
>
> Things are going really good here in Rossendale Valley. The ward is
> doing missionary work 10 fold!
>
> With Love,
> Elder Ballantyne
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Pictures of Elder Ballantyne
(1/9/12)
(1/9/12)
(10/24/11)
Christmas morning
Practicing his swing on P-day (10/24/11)
Elder Marjanen (1/9/12)
Chinese investigators in Preston (10/24/11)Monday, January 16, 2012
weekly update 1/16/2012
> HELLO FAMILY,
>
> First of all for a weather update for the previous week, it has been
> unusually sunny! It's still pretty cold but the sun feels really nice.
> It's good to soak up the vitamin D for a change! Rather than having to
> take Vitamin D pills. People seem to be happier when it's nice and
> sunny.
>
> The member referrals are flowing! We are teaching Sarah, Lee Simcock's
> fiancée. We are also going to teach Tom Spencer tomorrow, another
> friend of Lee Simcock. And there are a few that we have not yet set up
> appointments with but are in progress. There are Sian, William, and
> Sister Chambers' friend that are beginning to make progress towards
> being taught. It's great!
>
> We haven't taught Linden and Hailey this week; in fact we have tried
> to call them but couldn't get through. So being a little worried we
> thought we would try by and see if everything is alright. They were
> there and everything is ok, we have just been calling at bad times. So
> they are back on track!
>
> This week has been a bit slow in our teaching but Elder Marjanen and I
> feel like we have making preparations for the best week ever, which
> will be next week. Our week already seems to be booked with
> appointments so it should be a very successful week.
>
> Elder Marjanen is doing well he is an amazing bus contactor. Not just
> because he does it be he does it in a way that is not threatening and
> sets the climate so that the spirit can bear witness all the time.
>
> Thanks for everything!
>
> With Love,
> Elder Ballantyne
>
> First of all for a weather update for the previous week, it has been
> unusually sunny! It's still pretty cold but the sun feels really nice.
> It's good to soak up the vitamin D for a change! Rather than having to
> take Vitamin D pills. People seem to be happier when it's nice and
> sunny.
>
> The member referrals are flowing! We are teaching Sarah, Lee Simcock's
> fiancée. We are also going to teach Tom Spencer tomorrow, another
> friend of Lee Simcock. And there are a few that we have not yet set up
> appointments with but are in progress. There are Sian, William, and
> Sister Chambers' friend that are beginning to make progress towards
> being taught. It's great!
>
> We haven't taught Linden and Hailey this week; in fact we have tried
> to call them but couldn't get through. So being a little worried we
> thought we would try by and see if everything is alright. They were
> there and everything is ok, we have just been calling at bad times. So
> they are back on track!
>
> This week has been a bit slow in our teaching but Elder Marjanen and I
> feel like we have making preparations for the best week ever, which
> will be next week. Our week already seems to be booked with
> appointments so it should be a very successful week.
>
> Elder Marjanen is doing well he is an amazing bus contactor. Not just
> because he does it be he does it in a way that is not threatening and
> sets the climate so that the spirit can bear witness all the time.
>
> Thanks for everything!
>
> With Love,
> Elder Ballantyne
Monday, January 9, 2012
weekly update 1/9/2012
Hello family!
Things are going great! The work seems to be moving swiftly forward here in the Rossendale valley ward. Last week I mentioned about a member referral, that we had recieved last sunday, named Sarah. We taught her last week on Tuesday. She is doing great, she has a strong member family to support her thought these life changing decisions. She has not accepted baptism yet, but I feel like she soon will. She has been to church three times now and seems to enjoy it. One of the members noticed here the first two weeks and mentioned to us that on the third week, which was the Sunday after we taught here, she seemed different.
We are still teaching Linden and Hailey. They seem to be doing well. We had a great lesson with them on Friday. We took a fairly recent convert with us; he bore quite a powerful testimony, followed up with a strong invitation to attend church. At first they agreed but then remembered that they were invited to a wedding. We will make sure they come this week.
On Sunday a great miracle happened! Earlier in the week we were heading home in the evening. As we were waiting for the bus, we spoke to a man named john we weren’t able to get his details or any return appointment, but we managed to invite him to church, as we do. Personally I don’t thing I have seen anyone come of an invitation on the street. But surprisingly this Sunday John walked in the chapel a few minuets late, and sat down quietly. After the meeting we went and greeted him and ended up getting his details. And we plan to try by him this week. I have a testimony that every effort counts and is not wasted!
--
With Love,
Things are going great! The work seems to be moving swiftly forward here in the Rossendale valley ward. Last week I mentioned about a member referral, that we had recieved last sunday, named Sarah. We taught her last week on Tuesday. She is doing great, she has a strong member family to support her thought these life changing decisions. She has not accepted baptism yet, but I feel like she soon will. She has been to church three times now and seems to enjoy it. One of the members noticed here the first two weeks and mentioned to us that on the third week, which was the Sunday after we taught here, she seemed different.
We are still teaching Linden and Hailey. They seem to be doing well. We had a great lesson with them on Friday. We took a fairly recent convert with us; he bore quite a powerful testimony, followed up with a strong invitation to attend church. At first they agreed but then remembered that they were invited to a wedding. We will make sure they come this week.
On Sunday a great miracle happened! Earlier in the week we were heading home in the evening. As we were waiting for the bus, we spoke to a man named john we weren’t able to get his details or any return appointment, but we managed to invite him to church, as we do. Personally I don’t thing I have seen anyone come of an invitation on the street. But surprisingly this Sunday John walked in the chapel a few minuets late, and sat down quietly. After the meeting we went and greeted him and ended up getting his details. And we plan to try by him this week. I have a testimony that every effort counts and is not wasted!
--
With Love,
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