HELLO EVERYONE!
This week has been a very successful week! We saw the hand of the lord this week. It started on Monday, when we went to the temple on p-day. While I was sitting in the temple, I pleaded with the lord that he would lead us to find his prepared children. And through out the week we had seen my prayer answered by finding many people that the lord has been preparing. I think a very important part of my pray being answered was the principle of working to have that pray answered. I pleaded with the lord like it all depended on him, and then Elder Schmid and I got up and worked like it all depended on us. I that is when the lord was able to place these people in our path. Prayer + work = BLESSINGS!!!!!
This week we had a church history tour with the rest of the mission for zone conference. We visited a few different sites including, Liverpool (Albert Dock), Preston, and Downham. All three of these places have a significant roll in the history of the church here in England. I enjoyed going to Liverpool and going to the museum to look at some of the ships that the saints would have been on, during their journey. I can't help but to think of the dedication these people had towards the lord, to just pick up and leave to go to America. I also enjoyed coming back to Preston to be reminded of the history that this place has. I am so blessed to work in the same place that some of the first missionaries served. We are "standing on the shoulders of giants."
With University starting in the next few weeks we have been focusing our finding on campus. We have found a few Chinese students to stop and listen to us, their names are Alan, Carol, Ireese, Jo, and Duxing. The Chinese are great!
Elder Schmid is doing great. He is probably an expert at teaching the restoration now. He is still consistently speaking to everyone on the streets. There were a few times during the church history tour when Elder schmid would be asked a question, and he would immediately strike up a conversation with them about the gospel. He is a forever finder!
Thanks for everything I am excited for this coming week. Everything seems to be on a rise!
--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
weekly update 8/30/2011
HALLO! WIE GEHT ES DIR? (Hello! how are you doing)
^Elder Schmid has been teaching me German! He also Taught me how to say "Bist du bereit?" and "Glaubst du on Gott?" I'm slowly learning but it's coming along.
So far it has been really great being a district leader. I was pretty stressed at first but so far it seems like I can handle it. It will still help me to stretch and progress. But it seems like it's nothing to stress so much about. So I'm looking forward for this transfer.
This Saturday, I had my first district leader council meeting. It was a great experience to see the input that the district leaders have in coming up with Transfer and weekly Focuses. At first I thought it was all up to the zone leaders but this meeting helped me see that it truly is a revelatory process.
Elder Schmid is doing great! He has a good balance of finding and member work. He is always speaking to people. Also he has been coming up with great ideas to build up the member work. He is a great missionary and will be a great strength to the mission.
As for the Preston area, It's going fine. We have been trying to find some new investigators to increase our teaching pool. Since it is August there have been a lot of university students coming back. So we have been trying to find near campus as much as we can. College students are always good because they are getting out an experiancing the world, trying new things, etc. We also had a great lesson with Fiona and Her daughter, Derika. We asked a few questions to find out their understanding of the plan of salvation, and Derika was answering them left and right. She is definitely taking in what's being taught. Fiona is understanding pretty well too.
--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
^Elder Schmid has been teaching me German! He also Taught me how to say "Bist du bereit?" and "Glaubst du on Gott?" I'm slowly learning but it's coming along.
So far it has been really great being a district leader. I was pretty stressed at first but so far it seems like I can handle it. It will still help me to stretch and progress. But it seems like it's nothing to stress so much about. So I'm looking forward for this transfer.
This Saturday, I had my first district leader council meeting. It was a great experience to see the input that the district leaders have in coming up with Transfer and weekly Focuses. At first I thought it was all up to the zone leaders but this meeting helped me see that it truly is a revelatory process.
Elder Schmid is doing great! He has a good balance of finding and member work. He is always speaking to people. Also he has been coming up with great ideas to build up the member work. He is a great missionary and will be a great strength to the mission.
As for the Preston area, It's going fine. We have been trying to find some new investigators to increase our teaching pool. Since it is August there have been a lot of university students coming back. So we have been trying to find near campus as much as we can. College students are always good because they are getting out an experiancing the world, trying new things, etc. We also had a great lesson with Fiona and Her daughter, Derika. We asked a few questions to find out their understanding of the plan of salvation, and Derika was answering them left and right. She is definitely taking in what's being taught. Fiona is understanding pretty well too.
--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
Thursday, August 25, 2011
weekly update 8/25/2011
HOLA FAMILIA!
First of all transfers was this week, and here are the results. I am staying in Preston. Elder Diaz is staying in South Ribble, and Elder Cofone went to Blackburn. I am now serving with Elder Schmid, Who is from Austria. He speaks german. Today is Elder Schmid's 2nd day in the mission field. So he is brand new, fresh from the MTC. On a side note; I recieved a call to be a district leader. The district consists of Us and Southribble.
This has been a very eventful week! On Sunday I got the call to be a district leader and trainer. I was so nervous! So many things were going through my mind. Something that helped me to calm down was the knowledge that i'm not alone in this calling. I have the support of a great district, and more importantly I have the support of my Heavenly father. I know that these calls have come from revelation from god through you. I am grateful for the trust that you and the lord have in me.
Tuesday was the last day that I had with Elder Cofone and Diaz. It was so good to learn from them and to serve with them. They have been such a great support to me in the last transfer. They made covering two areas a lot less stressful as it could have been.
Last week we had a lot of investigators drop us. But rather than letting it bring us down, we made it into a learning experiance that we all could grow from. We have already seen the blessings from doing so. The investigators that dropped us ended up getting in contact with us and said they still want to be taught. I think the reason we were blessed with this great miracle came from being positive about the situation.
I'm am really enjoying serving with Elder Schmid! He already has a strong desire. The biggest strength I see in him is his diligence in finding! He is already a forever finder! He is already stopping people on bikes, speaking to people in their cars, etc. He speaks to absolutly everyone!
--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
First of all transfers was this week, and here are the results. I am staying in Preston. Elder Diaz is staying in South Ribble, and Elder Cofone went to Blackburn. I am now serving with Elder Schmid, Who is from Austria. He speaks german. Today is Elder Schmid's 2nd day in the mission field. So he is brand new, fresh from the MTC. On a side note; I recieved a call to be a district leader. The district consists of Us and Southribble.
This has been a very eventful week! On Sunday I got the call to be a district leader and trainer. I was so nervous! So many things were going through my mind. Something that helped me to calm down was the knowledge that i'm not alone in this calling. I have the support of a great district, and more importantly I have the support of my Heavenly father. I know that these calls have come from revelation from god through you. I am grateful for the trust that you and the lord have in me.
Tuesday was the last day that I had with Elder Cofone and Diaz. It was so good to learn from them and to serve with them. They have been such a great support to me in the last transfer. They made covering two areas a lot less stressful as it could have been.
Last week we had a lot of investigators drop us. But rather than letting it bring us down, we made it into a learning experiance that we all could grow from. We have already seen the blessings from doing so. The investigators that dropped us ended up getting in contact with us and said they still want to be taught. I think the reason we were blessed with this great miracle came from being positive about the situation.
I'm am really enjoying serving with Elder Schmid! He already has a strong desire. The biggest strength I see in him is his diligence in finding! He is already a forever finder! He is already stopping people on bikes, speaking to people in their cars, etc. He speaks to absolutly everyone!
--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Reminder to everyone
We have about 8 months left until Kevin is home with us :)
So please remember to keep writing to him.
Now we're going into the holidays, it's a perfect time to send packages or/and letters!
Monday, August 22, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
weekly update 8/15/2011
HELLLOOOO!
This week was such a great week! The first reason is because after 3 weeks we are finally starting to figure out how to work with the two areas. We finally found a bus that will be good to go to and from south ribble from Preston.
Fiona is doing great! This week she bore a powerful testimony about how she can feel the spirit as she reads the book of Mormon. She said that she always feels the spirit as she reads the Book of Mormon and the king James version of the bible. She even came to church yesterday even though she wasn't feeling the greatest! It was good to see her dedication and commitment.
Week had a multi-zone training this week and it was amazing! They gave us a really good fireside idea about lehi's vision of the iron rod, I really enjoyed it, we plan on using that in southribble. We already brought it up in coordination meeting. It sounds like it won't happen for awhile but we will keep trying.
This week we were able to get Fiona to go to the baptism of Anna Marie. It was a good experience. Anna Marie is so solid she even gave Fiona a lift to church on Sunday. She is already doing her services as member. Her and Istvan are two powerful Hungarian members!
This week we will probably be spending most of our time in preston, because we have a lot to teach Fiona in the next 2 weeks to prepare her for baptism.
Well, I Hope ya'll are getting ready for back to school season! I'm not looking forward to another british winter. It doesn't get as cold as winters in utah, but the humidity makes it feel really cold no matter how many layers of cloths you put on. But atleast I know what to expect.
--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
This week was such a great week! The first reason is because after 3 weeks we are finally starting to figure out how to work with the two areas. We finally found a bus that will be good to go to and from south ribble from Preston.
Fiona is doing great! This week she bore a powerful testimony about how she can feel the spirit as she reads the book of Mormon. She said that she always feels the spirit as she reads the Book of Mormon and the king James version of the bible. She even came to church yesterday even though she wasn't feeling the greatest! It was good to see her dedication and commitment.
Week had a multi-zone training this week and it was amazing! They gave us a really good fireside idea about lehi's vision of the iron rod, I really enjoyed it, we plan on using that in southribble. We already brought it up in coordination meeting. It sounds like it won't happen for awhile but we will keep trying.
This week we were able to get Fiona to go to the baptism of Anna Marie. It was a good experience. Anna Marie is so solid she even gave Fiona a lift to church on Sunday. She is already doing her services as member. Her and Istvan are two powerful Hungarian members!
This week we will probably be spending most of our time in preston, because we have a lot to teach Fiona in the next 2 weeks to prepare her for baptism.
Well, I Hope ya'll are getting ready for back to school season! I'm not looking forward to another british winter. It doesn't get as cold as winters in utah, but the humidity makes it feel really cold no matter how many layers of cloths you put on. But atleast I know what to expect.
--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
Monday, August 8, 2011
weekly update 8/8/2011
HOLA FAMILIA Y AMIGOS!!!!!!! (as Elder Diaz would say.)
This was a pretty good week. We were in South Ribble for the first part of the week. Then went to preston for the remainder of the week. It gets quite crazy living in two flats. The only reason it gets crazy if the travel back and forth. It wouldn't be that bad if we could get an "any bus" pass, Unfortunately they don't. But we have to search out which pass is would be the best between three bus companies. It's good to be kept busy though.
Our investigator, Mike, is doing really well with the word of wisdom. He has given up smoking and says he doesn't even have a desire to smoke anymore. The best part is he is noticing the blessing right away. He can already see the promise contained in Doctrine and Covenants 89:20 Where it says, "And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint." We just need to get him out playing football with us!
Fiona is also doing great. She is still coming to church. We had a lesson in Gospel essentials class about the word of wisdom. Let's just say we wont have any problems with the word of wisdom. Each substance she contributed in saying that they were all bad for the body.
Thanks for everything!
--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
This was a pretty good week. We were in South Ribble for the first part of the week. Then went to preston for the remainder of the week. It gets quite crazy living in two flats. The only reason it gets crazy if the travel back and forth. It wouldn't be that bad if we could get an "any bus" pass, Unfortunately they don't. But we have to search out which pass is would be the best between three bus companies. It's good to be kept busy though.
Our investigator, Mike, is doing really well with the word of wisdom. He has given up smoking and says he doesn't even have a desire to smoke anymore. The best part is he is noticing the blessing right away. He can already see the promise contained in Doctrine and Covenants 89:20 Where it says, "And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint." We just need to get him out playing football with us!
Fiona is also doing great. She is still coming to church. We had a lesson in Gospel essentials class about the word of wisdom. Let's just say we wont have any problems with the word of wisdom. Each substance she contributed in saying that they were all bad for the body.
Thanks for everything!
--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
Monday, August 1, 2011
weekly update 8/1/2011
HELLO FAMILY!!!!!!!!!
This has been a really good week! On Tuesday, in Preston, we were heading to what we thought was a solid, confirmed, appointment. The appointment fell through, but it put us in a position to find Fiona and her family. Fiona is from the Caribbean and she is so great. She accepted a baptismal date, she also came to church with us on Sunday. The appointment might have fallen through but we were led to that area for a reason.
I really enjoyed trainings this week. I know that the meeting was truly inspired. I learnt so much! I was reminded that we need to be personable and not robots. It was good to see that the things we have been given are guidelines and we use them as prompted. For example, Teaching the restoration in the first lesson. I realized that we have been focusing on teaching the restoration first was to help us see both extremes. I was looking at a teaching record from before we were supposed to teach the restoration first, on the record we saw that they did not even teach the restoration before the investigator was dropped. So i feel that the lord wanted to show us the importance of the restoration. And now the it's been changed we can teach something else but we will be more inclined to tie it in with the restoration.
This week I had my first interview with president Preston. It was really good to sit down with him in the interview, and get to know him a little better. I appreciate the comfort and council he gave me. I really look forward to serving with him shoulder to shoulder here in england.
--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
This has been a really good week! On Tuesday, in Preston, we were heading to what we thought was a solid, confirmed, appointment. The appointment fell through, but it put us in a position to find Fiona and her family. Fiona is from the Caribbean and she is so great. She accepted a baptismal date, she also came to church with us on Sunday. The appointment might have fallen through but we were led to that area for a reason.
I really enjoyed trainings this week. I know that the meeting was truly inspired. I learnt so much! I was reminded that we need to be personable and not robots. It was good to see that the things we have been given are guidelines and we use them as prompted. For example, Teaching the restoration in the first lesson. I realized that we have been focusing on teaching the restoration first was to help us see both extremes. I was looking at a teaching record from before we were supposed to teach the restoration first, on the record we saw that they did not even teach the restoration before the investigator was dropped. So i feel that the lord wanted to show us the importance of the restoration. And now the it's been changed we can teach something else but we will be more inclined to tie it in with the restoration.
This week I had my first interview with president Preston. It was really good to sit down with him in the interview, and get to know him a little better. I appreciate the comfort and council he gave me. I really look forward to serving with him shoulder to shoulder here in england.
--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Weekly Update 7/26/2011
HELLO EVERYONE!!!!!!
This was a good week. Elder Le Cornu, our district leader, conducted a great district meeting, I really learnt a lot. We were in a small district of 2 companionships. It was really nice to be in a small district. But now we are now in a threesome with Elder diaz and we are back in the blackpool district, which I will explain later.
This week we have done a lot of finding. the best thing is the people we were setting appointments with seem pretty solid. As we confirm the appointments it has been going excellently. They usually pass the test perfectly.
This week we did really well with tea appointments. Usually we start the week with 1 maybe 2 appointments. This week, However, we had 4 with one potential appointment. Unfortunately some have canceled but we still had more than usual. It's been really good to see the member work build.
The most exciting thing that happened this week was of course the emergency transfer that took place yesterday. Elder Cofone and I are both really excited to be in a threesome with Elder Diaz. I feel that we have a great companionship going on. We all have strengths that compliment one another. I am looking forward for the next few weeks.
We also realized the added responsibility that all three of us have now that we serve in both south ribble and Preston. We have decided that we will be focusing on south ribble more, considering Preston already has the zone leaders anyway. We decided it will be a 70-30 split. 70% of time in South Ribble and 30% of time in Preston. So we aren't going to completely abandon Preston. We know the lord will help us with the added responsibility, and that it will make us each stronger and more effective servants.
We were able to teach a lesson yesterday for the first time in a threesome. I feel that it went well. The spirit was definitely present during the lesson. Elder Diaz shared an amazing story about his conversion, with really broke the ice, then partnered with Elder Cofone's and the members testimony with me directing the discussion, we were able to help him feel the spirit and helped him to ponder on the things we taught. It was a powerful lesson.
--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
This was a good week. Elder Le Cornu, our district leader, conducted a great district meeting, I really learnt a lot. We were in a small district of 2 companionships. It was really nice to be in a small district. But now we are now in a threesome with Elder diaz and we are back in the blackpool district, which I will explain later.
This week we have done a lot of finding. the best thing is the people we were setting appointments with seem pretty solid. As we confirm the appointments it has been going excellently. They usually pass the test perfectly.
This week we did really well with tea appointments. Usually we start the week with 1 maybe 2 appointments. This week, However, we had 4 with one potential appointment. Unfortunately some have canceled but we still had more than usual. It's been really good to see the member work build.
The most exciting thing that happened this week was of course the emergency transfer that took place yesterday. Elder Cofone and I are both really excited to be in a threesome with Elder Diaz. I feel that we have a great companionship going on. We all have strengths that compliment one another. I am looking forward for the next few weeks.
We also realized the added responsibility that all three of us have now that we serve in both south ribble and Preston. We have decided that we will be focusing on south ribble more, considering Preston already has the zone leaders anyway. We decided it will be a 70-30 split. 70% of time in South Ribble and 30% of time in Preston. So we aren't going to completely abandon Preston. We know the lord will help us with the added responsibility, and that it will make us each stronger and more effective servants.
We were able to teach a lesson yesterday for the first time in a threesome. I feel that it went well. The spirit was definitely present during the lesson. Elder Diaz shared an amazing story about his conversion, with really broke the ice, then partnered with Elder Cofone's and the members testimony with me directing the discussion, we were able to help him feel the spirit and helped him to ponder on the things we taught. It was a powerful lesson.
--
With Love,
Elder Ballantyne
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