Hello Family!!!
This was a really great week! Our teaching was way up! It was one of the best weeks i have had while in Colwyn bay. Things are definitely turning around here. Colwyn Bay has a great future ahead. On the other side our finding dropped quite a bit.
One of our investigator's named Adam is so Solid! He doesn't have to work on Sunday which is Boxing day. He was able to get it off just so he could go to church! I am so excited Adam he even asked us what music we listen to just to see if the stuff he listens to is appropriate. When we leave a chapter for him to read he reads it a couple time until he can understand what it is saying. Then when we follow up with his reading he is able to give a detailed description of what the chapter was talking about.
There has been a lot of snow the past week, I would say there have been a good 3 in. locals say they haven't seen it like this in years. And it has definitely affected us here. The buses are being cancelled on us. Everything is closing really early, including the libraries which is the reason we are emailing today. The library closed earlier than it was supposed to so we ended up working so that we could email today. It's kind of funny how such a little bit of snow puts a halt to everything here. Snow is not that great for missionary work, but a side from that i love the snow still!
The Christmas Zone conference was great. We got to got through the temple as a mission, I love to see the temple! We also watch Joseph Smith: Prophet of the restoration, it is the one that wasn't realised to the public until recently. When we went to Chorley I stopped in the distribution center to buy the DVD. It should be a good tool to use in teaching.
This Has been a great Christmas season so far! As i study Becoming like him, It has really helped me to look past the commercial way of celebrating Christmas, And helped to focus on the real reason we celebrate Christmas. I can say i am going to have a more Christ center Christmas for the rest of my life.
Thank you every one! and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
With Love
Elder Ballantyne
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Weekly update 12/13/2010
HELLO EVERYBODY AND MERRY CHRISTMAS!
This week was a very successful week! We actually have a teaching pool now! We got two new investigators this week. One of their names is Adam. When we found him last Sunday we Left him a book of Mormon and a chapter to read. When we taught him on Friday, We followed up with him and he said he had read it a few times to understand it. He was able to give us a really good overview of the chapter! His parents seem pretty happy that we are teaching him too! We have high hopes for Adam.
This week i was able to go on exchanges with Elder Sorensen. Elder Sorensen is from Logan, Ut. He is serving in Chester at the moment. He is a great missionary. I learned a lot from him. One thing i learned from him is to always have a pass along card in my hand while finding. For me it's always hard to find a pass along card. especially now that it's winter and we are bundled up in coats. I have also found it effective to use the cards to get their attention while finding.
Elder Hanks is a great companion. One of the many strengths i saw is when he recieves responsibility he really steps up.
This coming week we have a fireside planned with one of the member families. Thier assignment is to get one friend to come to it. I think we have really got the trust of the members. They had missinaries before not teach according to their needs and they ended up not being interested. The member was hesitent to invite her friend again, but we have gained the trust of the members and they said they will invite them again.
Thanks for the love and the support!
With love,
Elder Ballantyne
This week was a very successful week! We actually have a teaching pool now! We got two new investigators this week. One of their names is Adam. When we found him last Sunday we Left him a book of Mormon and a chapter to read. When we taught him on Friday, We followed up with him and he said he had read it a few times to understand it. He was able to give us a really good overview of the chapter! His parents seem pretty happy that we are teaching him too! We have high hopes for Adam.
This week i was able to go on exchanges with Elder Sorensen. Elder Sorensen is from Logan, Ut. He is serving in Chester at the moment. He is a great missionary. I learned a lot from him. One thing i learned from him is to always have a pass along card in my hand while finding. For me it's always hard to find a pass along card. especially now that it's winter and we are bundled up in coats. I have also found it effective to use the cards to get their attention while finding.
Elder Hanks is a great companion. One of the many strengths i saw is when he recieves responsibility he really steps up.
This coming week we have a fireside planned with one of the member families. Thier assignment is to get one friend to come to it. I think we have really got the trust of the members. They had missinaries before not teach according to their needs and they ended up not being interested. The member was hesitent to invite her friend again, but we have gained the trust of the members and they said they will invite them again.
Thanks for the love and the support!
With love,
Elder Ballantyne
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Another email 12/6/2010
I want to share part of Kevin's email to our Parents.
Hello!
*They do have a few costcos and they sell a lot of American foods and things. So I'm going to ask them to by me some American peanut butter. The kind they have here is rubbish (Garbage).
*I have been seeing Elder Mecham allot lately. He is not in Wales, he is in Birkenhead because another missionary hurt his ankle so him and this missionary switched areas for the rest of the transfer. But Birkenhead is in the Chester zone. I'm in the Chester zone, WHOO HOO!
*There quite a few Christmas lights all around here. Every now and again you see a Christmas tree in random places around town. We don't have a tree for our flat. mainly because we are moving flats in mid Dec. Because the flat we are in is too expensive.
*In fact we move the week before Christmas. So don't send anything to the flat if it will get here anywhere from Dec 17 - 23. *Hello!
*They do have a few costcos and they sell a lot of American foods and things. So I'm going to ask them to by me some American peanut butter. The kind they have here is rubbish (Garbage).
*I have been seeing Elder Mecham allot lately. He is not in Wales, he is in Birkenhead because another missionary hurt his ankle so him and this missionary switched areas for the rest of the transfer. But Birkenhead is in the Chester zone. I'm in the Chester zone, WHOO HOO!
*There quite a few Christmas lights all around here. Every now and again you see a Christmas tree in random places around town. We don't have a tree for our flat. mainly because we are moving flats in mid Dec. Because the flat we are in is too expensive.
* It has been freezing, I just bought a lot of warm things like a scarf and a beanie. We got permission to wear beanies for the next couple of days because it's so cold. Today has been really nice though.
*Elder Hanks and i Bought some really nice Under Armour Gloves Last week. Anyway Love
Elder Kevin Ballantyne
What a time for him to be moving. It takes 5 days to send a normal letter to his flat. So send Christmas cards now. (I bet he will understand if they are late.)
I will post the address as soon as I get it.
Monday, December 6, 2010
weekly update 12/6/2010
Hello Everybody!
This week we have been putting a focus on building trust with the members. We have been trying are best to build that trust. We have also been emphasizing member missionary work. Elder Hanks and I still both feel that working with the members and less actives is what will get the branch to flourish.
This transfer has been pretty tough because the appointments we have set up have been falling through. I feel it is because we haven't really been to diligent on Potential investigator follow up. I feel that if we commit to following up the day after we make the appointment, we will see more appointments go through.
This week i was able to go on exchange with Elder O'brien. Elder O'brien is from a town near leeds, England. I think it was a successful exchange. I learned many new things from Elder O'brien. We were also able to speak to some great people during the exchange.
Elder Hanks is a fantastic missionary. Not only that but he brings a lot of joy to the work as well. He really knows how to make hours of finding a lot more joyful. I can see him being a senior companion.
Last week we had a training I really enjoyed the training President Bullock gave on setting up appointments and confirming them, we have applied the training right away. I just want to say it really works! We have been able to see a lot more success in setting up more appointments.
Thanks for your love and Support everyone!
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
This week we have been putting a focus on building trust with the members. We have been trying are best to build that trust. We have also been emphasizing member missionary work. Elder Hanks and I still both feel that working with the members and less actives is what will get the branch to flourish.
This transfer has been pretty tough because the appointments we have set up have been falling through. I feel it is because we haven't really been to diligent on Potential investigator follow up. I feel that if we commit to following up the day after we make the appointment, we will see more appointments go through.
This week i was able to go on exchange with Elder O'brien. Elder O'brien is from a town near leeds, England. I think it was a successful exchange. I learned many new things from Elder O'brien. We were also able to speak to some great people during the exchange.
Elder Hanks is a fantastic missionary. Not only that but he brings a lot of joy to the work as well. He really knows how to make hours of finding a lot more joyful. I can see him being a senior companion.
Last week we had a training I really enjoyed the training President Bullock gave on setting up appointments and confirming them, we have applied the training right away. I just want to say it really works! We have been able to see a lot more success in setting up more appointments.
Thanks for your love and Support everyone!
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
weekly update 11/29/2010
Hello Family and friends!
First of all why I'm thinking about it I will say what i have learned from "becoming like him." I am doing it i just keep forgetting to write it in my letters. But because I'm so behind with sharing it all i will just give a brief statement from each.
First of all Faith In Jesus Christ The thing that stuck out to me is when we have faith we trust that he knows whats best for us, so we keep his commandments.
Next if we don't have hope as missionaries to find investigators. Why should be be blessed with them in the first place. The lord will bless us as we have a desire to help.
Charity was probably my favorite one to study so far. When we strive to have charity we... Develop love for every child of god, will be concerned about others will avoid negative feelings, will avoid judging others, will understand people better, will want to help people who are struggling or discouraged.
As was studying about virtue, I was reading in Preach my Gospel about where it talks about out minds being stages and only one act can be on at a time. It's always good to have a hymn or scripture memorized for when the bad thoughts creep in to your mind because the light always prevails over the darkness. then i thought of a dark room, when the lights are turned on the darkness immediately leaves the room.
This was a tough week. I was really grateful for being able to talk to the people we did speak to. But a lot of the people we spoke to just did seem very happy. Only if they knew what the gospel can do for them. I'm really excited for next week because the tough weeks are always followed closely by good weeks.
Elder Hanks is an amazing missionary. I learn a lot from him everyday. We also get along really well. I'm so happy that i get to serve with him here in Colwyn Bay.
On thanksgiving we had a Sports day, it was so fun! I really enjoyed every second of it. I thought i was going to miss the yearly turkey bowl down at the church. But sports day definitely made up for it! It was just as fun as the turkey bowl, if not better. We also had costco pizza. I love Costco's pizza! It is really delicious!
Thanks for the Support! I love you all!
Love,
Elder Ballantyne
First of all why I'm thinking about it I will say what i have learned from "becoming like him." I am doing it i just keep forgetting to write it in my letters. But because I'm so behind with sharing it all i will just give a brief statement from each.
First of all Faith In Jesus Christ The thing that stuck out to me is when we have faith we trust that he knows whats best for us, so we keep his commandments.
Next if we don't have hope as missionaries to find investigators. Why should be be blessed with them in the first place. The lord will bless us as we have a desire to help.
Charity was probably my favorite one to study so far. When we strive to have charity we... Develop love for every child of god, will be concerned about others will avoid negative feelings, will avoid judging others, will understand people better, will want to help people who are struggling or discouraged.
As was studying about virtue, I was reading in Preach my Gospel about where it talks about out minds being stages and only one act can be on at a time. It's always good to have a hymn or scripture memorized for when the bad thoughts creep in to your mind because the light always prevails over the darkness. then i thought of a dark room, when the lights are turned on the darkness immediately leaves the room.
This was a tough week. I was really grateful for being able to talk to the people we did speak to. But a lot of the people we spoke to just did seem very happy. Only if they knew what the gospel can do for them. I'm really excited for next week because the tough weeks are always followed closely by good weeks.
Elder Hanks is an amazing missionary. I learn a lot from him everyday. We also get along really well. I'm so happy that i get to serve with him here in Colwyn Bay.
On thanksgiving we had a Sports day, it was so fun! I really enjoyed every second of it. I thought i was going to miss the yearly turkey bowl down at the church. But sports day definitely made up for it! It was just as fun as the turkey bowl, if not better. We also had costco pizza. I love Costco's pizza! It is really delicious!
Thanks for the Support! I love you all!
Love,
Elder Ballantyne
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Weekly Update 11/22/2010
Hello Family And Friends
We had Zone conference this week and it was amazing! I love zone conferences! Something that stuck out to me is the love that President and sister Bullock have for each missionary in the mission. I could really feel the love as President was talking to us.
At the zone conference we had a scripture chase. It was a blast! The scripture chase has encouraged me to learn the scriptures on the scripture list. Not only did it make the scripture chase a lot more fun but learning the scriptures has really helped me though out each day. It's nice to have a scripture ready for almost any concern investigators may have.
This week we have been focusing on contacting former investigators. This has really proven effective. On Friday the first two formers we called we were able to set up appointments with them. We have taught them yet but we look forward to teaching them this week!
Yesterday we prayed specifically to teach someone on the spot before we went out. And as we were waiting for the bus we spoke to a man named Dan. We asked him if we could teach him right there at the bus stop. It turns out the bus he was waiting for didn't come for another hour so we were able to teach him the about the restoration. Despite being on the street it was a good lesson. When we invited him to be baptised. He agreed with a very definite yes!
Thank you all for the support!
HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!!!!!
Love
Elder Kevin Ballantyne
We had Zone conference this week and it was amazing! I love zone conferences! Something that stuck out to me is the love that President and sister Bullock have for each missionary in the mission. I could really feel the love as President was talking to us.
At the zone conference we had a scripture chase. It was a blast! The scripture chase has encouraged me to learn the scriptures on the scripture list. Not only did it make the scripture chase a lot more fun but learning the scriptures has really helped me though out each day. It's nice to have a scripture ready for almost any concern investigators may have.
This week we have been focusing on contacting former investigators. This has really proven effective. On Friday the first two formers we called we were able to set up appointments with them. We have taught them yet but we look forward to teaching them this week!
Yesterday we prayed specifically to teach someone on the spot before we went out. And as we were waiting for the bus we spoke to a man named Dan. We asked him if we could teach him right there at the bus stop. It turns out the bus he was waiting for didn't come for another hour so we were able to teach him the about the restoration. Despite being on the street it was a good lesson. When we invited him to be baptised. He agreed with a very definite yes!
Thank you all for the support!
HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!!!!!
Love
Elder Kevin Ballantyne
Friday, November 19, 2010
weekly update 11/15/2010
Sorry it took me so long to get this email from Kevin on the blog!
HHEEELLLLOOOOO!!!!!
The rest of this week has been pretty stressful being senior companion. But I'm sure it will better when i get the hang of things. With the added responsibility really makes me want to step up. It really requires me to trust in the lord for help. At first I was asking myself why I was called to be Senior companion. I realized that it's not important and that I just need to trust in the lord and the inspiration that President Bullock received, and just work my hardest to be a good senior companion.
Sat. was full of confusion, In my planner I had written down that we were to have a tea appointment with a member family, so we went there and they invited us in and said we had missed tea! We were confused. So they asked if we had anything to eat and we told them no, and they were willing to cook us some chicken. 15 min. later we get a call from another member, asking if we were coming over for tea or not. Everything made since then, that i had written down the wrong family for some reason. I felt terrible! The family we were with rushed us to the other members house. We were able to explain things and clear everything up. And ended up having a really good tea appointment with them.
At that tea appointment we taught Kath from rhyl who said she hadn't been to church for 2 years because she doesn't feel comfortable around people. So we talked to her about strengths and weaknesses and how she can get the help and strength she needs from prayer. By the end of the evening she said she felt a lot more calm about going to church, and told us she would be there! Well Sunday came around and Kath showed up! I was so happy! It was amazing!
Thank you all for the love, support, and prayers!
Love
Elder Ballantyne
HHEEELLLLOOOOO!!!!!
The rest of this week has been pretty stressful being senior companion. But I'm sure it will better when i get the hang of things. With the added responsibility really makes me want to step up. It really requires me to trust in the lord for help. At first I was asking myself why I was called to be Senior companion. I realized that it's not important and that I just need to trust in the lord and the inspiration that President Bullock received, and just work my hardest to be a good senior companion.
Sat. was full of confusion, In my planner I had written down that we were to have a tea appointment with a member family, so we went there and they invited us in and said we had missed tea! We were confused. So they asked if we had anything to eat and we told them no, and they were willing to cook us some chicken. 15 min. later we get a call from another member, asking if we were coming over for tea or not. Everything made since then, that i had written down the wrong family for some reason. I felt terrible! The family we were with rushed us to the other members house. We were able to explain things and clear everything up. And ended up having a really good tea appointment with them.
At that tea appointment we taught Kath from rhyl who said she hadn't been to church for 2 years because she doesn't feel comfortable around people. So we talked to her about strengths and weaknesses and how she can get the help and strength she needs from prayer. By the end of the evening she said she felt a lot more calm about going to church, and told us she would be there! Well Sunday came around and Kath showed up! I was so happy! It was amazing!
Thank you all for the love, support, and prayers!
Love
Elder Ballantyne
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Weekly Update 11/11/10
HEEEELLLLLLLLLO FRIENDS AND FAMILY!
This week was really good. On Sunday, we had the Brother Globel, The High Councilman over missionary work, come and speak to the branch. He got the ward fired up about missionary work. That same Sunday we Got 3 referrals on Sunday all from the same member! What a blessing!
On Wednesday, we had a tea appointment with some some members from new Zealand. She told us how her family came into the church. It was such an amazing story. I feel impressed to share it. One of her relatives had the same dream for several nights. In the dream she saw young men sharing the gospel. So she knew that the things that they were sharing were true so she told the village not to join any church until these messengers appeared. She was even able to quote scriptures from the book of Mormon before she even heard about the book of Mormon. A while later one of the villagers told her that there were two LDS missionaries in the village. She told them to bring them to her. And she recognized the two young men instantly from in her dream. Later on the whole village was baptized. And they are all still really active.
I'm so grateful to be serving with Elder Hanks here in Colwyn Bay! I can tell already that he is a great missionary and I'm way excited to be able to work with him. This is going to be a fantastic Transfer Full of miracles!
Just today in weekly planning we were really discussing what we could do to help the branch grow. We both felt really strongly about working with Less actives. We both felt that if we can get the less actives, active again, the branch will grow. So we decided we are going to get an updated Member list go through and see who hasn't been coming to see if we can rekindle their testimonies. I honestly feel that this is what will get the branch to flourish.
Thanks for all the love and support! I love and Miss you ALL!
Just a little side note:
This week was really good. On Sunday, we had the Brother Globel, The High Councilman over missionary work, come and speak to the branch. He got the ward fired up about missionary work. That same Sunday we Got 3 referrals on Sunday all from the same member! What a blessing!
On Wednesday, we had a tea appointment with some some members from new Zealand. She told us how her family came into the church. It was such an amazing story. I feel impressed to share it. One of her relatives had the same dream for several nights. In the dream she saw young men sharing the gospel. So she knew that the things that they were sharing were true so she told the village not to join any church until these messengers appeared. She was even able to quote scriptures from the book of Mormon before she even heard about the book of Mormon. A while later one of the villagers told her that there were two LDS missionaries in the village. She told them to bring them to her. And she recognized the two young men instantly from in her dream. Later on the whole village was baptized. And they are all still really active.
I'm so grateful to be serving with Elder Hanks here in Colwyn Bay! I can tell already that he is a great missionary and I'm way excited to be able to work with him. This is going to be a fantastic Transfer Full of miracles!
Just today in weekly planning we were really discussing what we could do to help the branch grow. We both felt really strongly about working with Less actives. We both felt that if we can get the less actives, active again, the branch will grow. So we decided we are going to get an updated Member list go through and see who hasn't been coming to see if we can rekindle their testimonies. I honestly feel that this is what will get the branch to flourish.
Thanks for all the love and support! I love and Miss you ALL!
Just a little side note:
Elder Ballantyne was made Senior companion!!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
