Carson's teacher has been reading them the Flat Stanley books.
Carson's teacher had them make a Flat Stanley and mail it to someone.
Carson chose to send it to Kevin.
Kevin put Stanley in a suit with an umbrella.
So cute!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
ELDER BALLANTYNS BUMP DAY!
ELDER BALLANTYNE HAS BEEN OUT FOR 6 MONTHS!!!!!!!
18 more to go!!!!!!
Just a reminder if you want to send Kevin a Christmas package it must be mail to the mission office on or before November 20th. Christmas cards can be mail to his flat a week before Christmas.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
WEEKLY UNDATE 11/1/2010
HELLO FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!!!
Wales is still as amazing as ever!
This week was great, On Tuesday, we had a great district meeting on revelation giving through prayer. We focused on inviting the head of the house hold to say a kneeling prayer. More often then not they will refuse to say the prayer, but we learned a few different ways to resolve their concerns and get them to pray. I can't wait to put it to practice.
On Wednesday, we taught an excommunicated member. We shared a spiritual thought and afterwards she expressed that she wanted to be refreshed with all the lessons! She has such a great family! Her son is a recent convert to the church and she has a daughter who isn't a member who seems interested in the church. I can see great things to come.
On Friday, I went on exchange with Elder Raybould. We had a successful exchange! He is very personable, he really showed me that we need to be personable, and not just be robots. It really shows excitement in the wonderful message we share. The gospel brings happiness, we need to show the people the happiness that it has brought us.
On Sunday, I had the great privilege to give a talk in sacrament meeting. Bro Gobbel from the Stake High council had me talk about the First vision. What a topic to be assigned! I absolutely love teaching the First vision. As I was giving my talk there were babies fussing and a lot of commotion going on. I decided to use the spirit formula. As I quoted the first vision, the babies went quiet an everything seemed to calm down. It was such an amazing experience!
Be sure to keep in touch! I Love and Miss you all!!!!
With Great Love,
Elder Ballantyne
Wales is still as amazing as ever!
This week was great, On Tuesday, we had a great district meeting on revelation giving through prayer. We focused on inviting the head of the house hold to say a kneeling prayer. More often then not they will refuse to say the prayer, but we learned a few different ways to resolve their concerns and get them to pray. I can't wait to put it to practice.
On Wednesday, we taught an excommunicated member. We shared a spiritual thought and afterwards she expressed that she wanted to be refreshed with all the lessons! She has such a great family! Her son is a recent convert to the church and she has a daughter who isn't a member who seems interested in the church. I can see great things to come.
On Friday, I went on exchange with Elder Raybould. We had a successful exchange! He is very personable, he really showed me that we need to be personable, and not just be robots. It really shows excitement in the wonderful message we share. The gospel brings happiness, we need to show the people the happiness that it has brought us.
On Sunday, I had the great privilege to give a talk in sacrament meeting. Bro Gobbel from the Stake High council had me talk about the First vision. What a topic to be assigned! I absolutely love teaching the First vision. As I was giving my talk there were babies fussing and a lot of commotion going on. I decided to use the spirit formula. As I quoted the first vision, the babies went quiet an everything seemed to calm down. It was such an amazing experience!
Be sure to keep in touch! I Love and Miss you all!!!!
With Great Love,
Elder Ballantyne
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
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
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
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
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
Thursday, September 30, 2010
New Tranfer, New Address, and New Email.
HEEELLLLOOOO FROM WALES!!!
Bad News is I left Southport Good News Is I'm in Colwyn Bay, Wales now! It is so BEAUTIFUL! Well our flat is actually in Llandudno. Which actually sounds like clandudno. Apparently when there Are 2 "L's" in a row, in welsh it sounds like "CL". More good news there are Two castles in the area! i have seen them but i haven't been able to take any pictures yet but i will be sure to.
My new address is:
7 trinity square Flat 4, Llandudno, Wales LL30 2RA
This week was a great week! I was able to go on exchanges with Elder Sturt in Liverpool. It was great, we focused on picking up habits. For me one thing that i wanted to make a habit is to ask for the investigators name early on in the conversation. After focusing on it I have been much better at getting their names so that conversations can be more personable.
On sat. we taught someone from Poland, named Damian, the lesson went great! He agreed to be baptised if his parents let him. I can't wait to see his name in the harvester when he gets baptised.
We were able to teach someone from Estonia, named Anna, we had a fellow shipper there but we still had to teach her on her door step, because her cousin was getting ready for bed. Anna ended up coming to church on Sunday. She was waiting out side of her house when we picked her up. she was well fellow shipped into relief society.
Sunday is also when I found out I was leaving Southport and was able to say goodbye to a lot of the members. I didn't think it would be that hard to say goodbye. I will miss Southport a lot, but I am looking forward to seeing more of the vineyard.
On Monday we watched the testimates with Luke, our investigator. The spirit was so strong! I tried to hold back tears when the saviour appeared in the Americas. It is such a great film! I hope that Luke felt the spirit as strong as we did.
I am so excited to be working in wales this transfer! Colwyn Bay is so Beautiful! I think this excitement will fuel me to have a great transfer! I am expecting miracles this transfer.
Thanks for the encouragement! I Love and Miss you all!
Love Elder Ballantyne
Bad News is I left Southport Good News Is I'm in Colwyn Bay, Wales now! It is so BEAUTIFUL! Well our flat is actually in Llandudno. Which actually sounds like clandudno. Apparently when there Are 2 "L's" in a row, in welsh it sounds like "CL". More good news there are Two castles in the area! i have seen them but i haven't been able to take any pictures yet but i will be sure to.
My new address is:
7 trinity square Flat 4, Llandudno, Wales LL30 2RA
This week was a great week! I was able to go on exchanges with Elder Sturt in Liverpool. It was great, we focused on picking up habits. For me one thing that i wanted to make a habit is to ask for the investigators name early on in the conversation. After focusing on it I have been much better at getting their names so that conversations can be more personable.
On sat. we taught someone from Poland, named Damian, the lesson went great! He agreed to be baptised if his parents let him. I can't wait to see his name in the harvester when he gets baptised.
We were able to teach someone from Estonia, named Anna, we had a fellow shipper there but we still had to teach her on her door step, because her cousin was getting ready for bed. Anna ended up coming to church on Sunday. She was waiting out side of her house when we picked her up. she was well fellow shipped into relief society.
Sunday is also when I found out I was leaving Southport and was able to say goodbye to a lot of the members. I didn't think it would be that hard to say goodbye. I will miss Southport a lot, but I am looking forward to seeing more of the vineyard.
On Monday we watched the testimates with Luke, our investigator. The spirit was so strong! I tried to hold back tears when the saviour appeared in the Americas. It is such a great film! I hope that Luke felt the spirit as strong as we did.
I am so excited to be working in wales this transfer! Colwyn Bay is so Beautiful! I think this excitement will fuel me to have a great transfer! I am expecting miracles this transfer.
Thanks for the encouragement! I Love and Miss you all!
Love Elder Ballantyne
Monday, September 27, 2010
Email from President Bullock
Dear Parents,
During the past couple of weeks, we visited all 61 flats (apartments) in the mission and are happy to report that they were clean and in good order. For their efforts, we gave every companionship a large box of four Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate brownie mixes. Our missionaries all have comfortable living conditions located in good neighborhoods. If we ever feel that they are located in areas of concern, they are moved to a better place.
Inspecting each flat was only a minor reason for the visit, the real purpose was to see the missionaries in their natural environments and feel of their spirits in the areas where they work. During our visit, we talked about many things including their progressing investigators, nightly planning sessions and companionship study. We then had them role play teaching us a lesson and while we see our missionaries teach often, we were once again impressed with the quality of their teaching skills and more importantly, the spirit by which they taught. Before leaving, we held a kneeling prayer and left a blessing on each missionary, their areas and their flats.
Attached you will find a picture of your son with his companion and with us during the flat visit. We thank you for raising such a fine son and for sending them to the mission prepared to serve. The England Manchester Mission is doing well and we have been abundantly blessed because of the faithfulness, obedience and diligence of our missionaries. We love them and are grateful to be serving with them.
Warm regards,
President and Sister Bullock
During the past couple of weeks, we visited all 61 flats (apartments) in the mission and are happy to report that they were clean and in good order. For their efforts, we gave every companionship a large box of four Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate brownie mixes. Our missionaries all have comfortable living conditions located in good neighborhoods. If we ever feel that they are located in areas of concern, they are moved to a better place.
Inspecting each flat was only a minor reason for the visit, the real purpose was to see the missionaries in their natural environments and feel of their spirits in the areas where they work. During our visit, we talked about many things including their progressing investigators, nightly planning sessions and companionship study. We then had them role play teaching us a lesson and while we see our missionaries teach often, we were once again impressed with the quality of their teaching skills and more importantly, the spirit by which they taught. Before leaving, we held a kneeling prayer and left a blessing on each missionary, their areas and their flats.
Attached you will find a picture of your son with his companion and with us during the flat visit. We thank you for raising such a fine son and for sending them to the mission prepared to serve. The England Manchester Mission is doing well and we have been abundantly blessed because of the faithfulness, obedience and diligence of our missionaries. We love them and are grateful to be serving with them.
Warm regards,
President and Sister Bullock
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