July 18, 2016 Perth, Scotland

Hello!

This week has been pretty alright. We have a few awesome lesons this week, one of which was with this wonderful Catholic Couple. They are both very active in their faith, but are still so open and friendly to us missionaries. Sister Stein and I were invited into their house and gave the 1st lesson with then about the Restoration. It was so scary talking about Joseph Smith and both me and Sister Stein were so flushed from the excitement and fear. I really felt the spirit with us when I recited the First Vision, we even invited them to be Baptised! They said that if they read the Book of Mormon and Pray about it and recieve an answer from God that this is true then they will be Baptised into the LDS Church!! Sister Stein and I just need to have Faith in the converting power of the BOM and the Holy Ghost.

There are so many different Christian Churches around here it gets annoying when people just answer to us saying, As missionaries we teach people about Jesus Christ and his Gospel and then people reply, I already have my church BYE. Or I already believe in Christ, so NOT INTERESTED, then slam the door shut. 
I guess people are not wanting more in their lives. I think it's funny though when people invite us to come inside for some coffee or tea, and also say they are comfortable in their own church and don't want to change, it wastes our time... Yesturday though we did come inside because she seemed like she really needed to talk about some things that have been bothering her. I shared some spiritual thoughts and we also talked alittle bit of the 1st lesson to her and her friend and even said a closing prayer. What was also awkward about that converstation is how defensive she got about her Bible and didn't like the King James Bible. And when we talked about Joseph it got really upset and her firend changed the converstation and said SO AUSTRALIA... HAHAHAHAHA! Don't get me wrong I liked them both and I really think I helped them, but as Missionaries we need to be bold and share the Gospel to everyone.  It was a really powerful moment when I shared what I believed about our purpose in life and why we go through trials. In the end Sister Stein said the prayer and we left our number with ther. Even though we won't baptise them or never see them again for that matter, we got them to know about what the LDS Church believes and left a good impression on them of what LDS Missionaires are like. I love those kinda conversations some times, when I really want to put myself in Christ's point of view, of loving and caring for people I don't even know. I want to fullfill my purpose as a Missionary and Help people come closer to Jesus Christ. 

Perthshire is so Beautiful and there is about 3 castles that are near us that I really want to see, and SO MANY CATHEDALS. Really old ones, even in the really tiny villages that have at least one. It's both a good and bad thing, good they look awesome, bad everyone thinks they already have their religion. Aparently I heard from Sister Anderson, some of Outlander is filmed here. I really wished I saw Brave Heart before I got hear because the Scottish seem to be obsessed with that movie. The weather has been okay, for Scotland but still rains a little everyday. Fortunately we have a car, but it makes it harder to go GQing (finding in the streets) when it's pouring. 

BYE!!

SISTER JOHNSON,

The missionaries in Perth, Scotland

First Week in Perth, Scotland

It's been a pretty strange week, as you all know my companion and I were transferred together to Perth, Scotland area. It's a huge area we cover and full of little Villages and Farms. Kinda like getting called to the middle of no-where. Luckily we have a car so we aren't stuck with taking busses or stuck in Perth. Perth is a pretty small town/city place... But it has enough people to find potential investigators, it's just we only really meet Scottish people. Unlike in Dublin, we got a huge mix of people from different countries, races and cultures. It makes it a lot harder because we meet people from a similar crop, who aren't open to new religious beliefs and also some who don't like religions at all. This is definitely more like the mission I expected to go on when I was called to Scotland/Ireland, So it hasn't been that hard for me. You can definitely tell though the differences between Scottish and Irish, some of the Irish are more polite to your face but then rude behind your back. A few times we would receive fake phone numbers and addresses or they would set up an appointment with us and then never get back to us or block our phone number. It makes me really frustrated when people are not honest to your face. Here they just tell you NOPE, right in your face and a really mean, but it's better that way in my opinion, I don't want people wasting my time. 

I know this sounds really depressing what I'm talking about but that is just what finding is like on any mission I think. It can be a bit hurtful what people say, but you can choose what hurts you, you can take it personally or just brush it off your shoulders because their opinion means nothing to you. That's how it's been for me, I don't get hurt by what people say to me because I'm here for my Savior, I'm here because the message I share is about the salvation of all mankind. I'm giving people an opportunity to receive the message, it's for them, not for me so if they don't accept it and I can't do anything more than what the Lord has instructed me to do then I've done my part. (1 Nephi 3:7) He never gives me a command for something I cannot do without preparing a way to accomplish the thing which he has commandeth me to do. I trust that the Lord has sent me here for a reason, that there is people prepared somewhere to receive the gospel. 

It's been a really weird week though, as you know on P-day I had a really stressful day. After I emailed my District and we went to Boogums, then Me and Sister Stein ran around like crazy chickens with our heads chopped off trying to find everything we need in Dubin. Afterwards we tried to get to the Chapel as fast as we could to say good bye to those that could come by. Adam, our investigator that just got Baptised on the 8th of July came by and said goodbye, it was so sweet, apparently his baptism went well, and then Eric who got baptised 2 months ago said goodbye as well. He's this really cool dude from Congo, and it super social, but an awesome member of the church he never misses a Sunday and just received the Aaronic Priesthood 3 weeks ago. There was some other random missionaires at the Chapel as well so we spent some time there trying to print off tickets and said goodbyes and headed back to our flat, but that time it was getting late and we still needed to go to another recent converts house and shower at the Pettit's and also PACK. We had no electricity so at 11:00pm we started to pack by candle light, Sister Stein said that that is the most romantic and weirdest thing she has ever done on her mission. I just begun mine and I think it definitely can get weirder

Moves day (5th July) we spent the whole day traveling, woke up at 4:30 went to the bus stop at 6 said goodbye to our fellow missionaries and Babs came by as well. A few other missionaries travelled with us until we got to Edinburgh and had to take a train to Dundee, meet with some Elders there they dropped us off at our car and we drove, well I DROVE to Perth. I must say I am having a little bit of trouble driving I feel really bad for Sister Stein. The roads are tiny and the round-a-bouts are ridiculous. Very different rules about some things, and I feel uncomfortable driving on the opposite side of the road. Sister Stein and I are trading every week with who's driving. I like it that way so I get used to the traffic here before she leaves me and I have no-idea what would happen to me after she leaves. 

We met some of the people the Elders are working with and they are mostly men again... Isabella was suppose to be baptised on Saturday but it went wrong, she had a family emergency and we had to cancel it at the last minute. What a great first impression on the Members, I feel like the Elders will be upset when they find out that it didn't happen... It's nothing anyone can control. The Members in this Branch are really friendly and excited to have Sister Missionaries in their area, apparently it's been awhile. On our first day we had lunch with the Bishop and Relief Society President, went to the Branch Mission Leader's house, meet with David (Recent Convert), then went shopping for food and cleaning supplies. Almost every day since we got here we've meet with a member and received so many dinner appointments. I'm so grateful for how welcoming the Branch has been it really makes White-washing* easier. 

*when both companions weren't previously in the area before the transfer

So much driving this week it's been crazy, everything is like 30 minutes away. It's so different from Dublin. The scenery is beautiful. Really green every day was like an adventure to new towns and people. ​

Barbara, Sister Stein and Sister Johnson
Transfer day from Dublin, Ireland to Perth, Scotland

Transfer Day: Perth, Scotland

To EVERYONE

I have some sad news. This week is moves week, and so every transfer is like 4-6 weeks long usually. Sister Stein and I didn't think we would move because I'm still in training and it's her last transfer. She goes home in 6 weeks!! She was so sad when we got the call. We have so many great friends in the Ward and loved our investigators. I feel like we are needed here, but I guess the Lord has other plans for us in... Perth!! oh my goodness it's happening I'm going back to Perth, not Perth Australia but Perth Scotland!! I'm going to have lived in 3 different countries this year and It's only July. It's crazy that we are moving so far away, We haven't packed yet and there's another story of what happened this week I'll talk about later. We are going to have to pass everyone on to the Elders and I really hope they are not forgotten. I'm especially worried about a few of them, one of them; the guy from Iraq has had an especially hard time lately. His Father and Uncle were killed this week, he's so worried about his family and it breaks my heart hearing about. He's such a sweet guy, he doesn't know what to do and is really depressed. We send him messages and I know that he needs friends right now, I really hope the Elders will be helping him but I'm not so sure...

There is also another awesome lady that we visit that has MS, she can't have Elders visit her because she lives alone. And there isn't any sisters moving in to the ward this transfer. Gosh, I don't like this but I need to trust the Lord that he knows what he's doing.

So this week in general was a struggle, we couldn't get back to a lot of our people but some of them eventually responded on Sunday... great. But it's okay the Elders will catch them for us. But the Worst was at 12:30am on Friday. A fire alarm woke me up and it sounded distant and not really urgent. So we just laid in bed for a bit, until I decigded to check outside. I looked out and saw a red flashing light on the wall next to the window outside. hummm... I went to the back door and opened it and the alarm sounded really close. I decided it must be a fire alarm also when I realized the electricity was not working too, I told Sister Stein to get out of bed and we got our coats and shoes on. Walking into the hallway we saw a group of people standing around, there was a guy that had a tool box and told us that the Firemen called him. He explained what was going on. So there was smoke in the basement and in an electrical room some of the plugs were melted and every pipe in the building was electrified. We know now that it was a power surge, there is still no electricity and only a little bit of water. We ended up moving into a flat that was empty, and it was previously an Elders flat, it's smelly and gross. We cleaned it on Sunday because we thought we would be living there for awhile, and thought we won't move at all. It's disgusting, Elders don't know how to be clean. Even after we cleaned it still smelt like old farts and weed. So when we found out we are leaving it's was really stressful because our stuff is in two different flats, tonight we are going to be basically camping in the other flat with no water or electricity. We leave to Perth at 6 am and will be travelling all day. Elder Peterson is coming with us because he's going to be a Zone Leader in the Zone next door to us.The others are staying, and the Zone Leaders are moving into our Flat. 

Dublin is one of the easiest areas in the mission so I have no idea what to expect what Perth will be like. I'm going to miss the different cultures, the Elders, the ward and the familiar places. Just when I was getting comfortable with everything we have to leave... Sorry everyone that was going to Dublin and hoping to run into me. :( 

One of our investigators is going to be Baptised on Friday so I'm excited to hear about what happens then. 

I just want to share my testimony that I know the message I share is important that what I'm doing is of great significance, that there are people out there searching for the truth. Everyone must have the opportunity to choose to follow the complete Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to find out for themselves if this is the truth. I know that if some one sincerely searches for the truth, by reading the Book of Mormon, learn from the missionaries and pray, asking God if this is the truth. Then the Holy Ghost/Spirit will testify to them that this is true. 

Sister Johnson,

Bab's place with 500 Cadbury Chocolate putting them in baggies for gifts.

Waiting in line at the Garda station at 4 am

Hey Everyone!

This week has been awesome! Sister Stein and I invited 5 people to be baptized and they all accepted! I'm so excited for the many awesome new friends we are getting to know and taught this week. We have a two Brazilian women, a guy from Bangladesh, another from Malawi, another from somewhere else in Africa and meet many other awesome people as well. It's so funny that  in Dublin we teach more foreigners than Irish, maybe perhaps I think I've only taught foreigners since I got here. It seems as though Ireland is easier to do international study and work visas than any other European country from what I get speaking to the people in the street. Yes, I know the UK has left the EU, it was a surprise to everyone it seems. I think this will get Wales and Scotland to finally break way because I don't think they wanted to leave the EU, we'll see what happens I guess. Anyway back to the mission, We have so many recent converts who are Brazilian in the ward and a lot of them don't speak English well, in the ward in general there is quite a variety of people but the Brazilians are the friendliest and nicest group of people I've ever meet so far. We had some pretty great meals with the members this week, and I'm so happy to have such kind and helpful members to teach with. Back home I would definitely encourage you to offer to help teach with the missionaries, having a member present in a lesson is so important. We sisters especially need another woman present in a lesson in  order to teach a man, and it's great for the investigator to have a friend in the ward. I know for some this is news you already know, but investigators that came from a referral from a member is more likely to be baptized, I think an important reason for this is because they know what the members are like and feel more comfortable going to church if they know some one there. 

I'm so grateful for the Brazilian members who teach with us because one of the new investigators we are teaching, Veri (shortened), she can't speak English and so we had a return missionary from Brazil, Giselle teach with us. We couldn't teach without out her, I know Veri is so prepared and ready to hear the gospel. When Giselle bore her testimony in Portuguese the Spirit was so strong in the room. Even though I don't know exactly what she was saying, Sister Stein and I were getting teared up. Teaching this week I've felt the Spirits presence so strong during the lessons with a lot of these people. Teaching the other Brazilian, Magli was an awesome experience too. When I asked about what she thought about the Book of Mormon she said that it made so much sense that Christ visited and taught other people. She says that she knows that Christ loves everyone so why wouldn't he visit everyone else that wasn't in the Middle East. I feel like these two women has such a personal connection with the Book of Mormon because it's about their people, I'm so excited for them to read the moment in the Book of Mormon when Christ comes down and speaks to the ancient Americans. I know that they'll both find out for themselves that the Book of Mormon is true if they read, ponder and pray about it.

I've meet other awesome people to besides Brazilians, but they are the first women that I've taught and feel pretty good about.

The weather in Dublin has been rainy, every day it rains... I don't like the rain. There has also been a lot of excitement about the LGBT parade on Saturday, Literally the whole city was along the main road cheering at the parade. We went into the center to meet up with the Elders for lunch at Boogums (a fast food burrito place, it's okay but I don't want to eat there everyday like the Elders 🌯) And they were way to excited about it. I don't think it's smart for us missionaries to be anywhere near the parade, some of the Elders had people take photos with them. And I'm thinking it's really dumb... but whatever it's their decision. The Parade was kinda respectful, but really weird and crazy with men dressed as women and rainbow every where and just strangeness all around. It make our day entirely unproductive because the buses didn't run properly and no one wanted to talk to us, I personally didn't want to talk to someone about religion, then have them ask questions or immediately come to conclusions and start arguing with me.  Sister Stein and I had a dinner appointment with Giselle and Paulo the next day and they told us the LGBT parade is super sketchy, with some inappropriate things, so I respected that this parade wasn't that bad. 

Another disturbance to the peace of finding is the Football game, every time Ireland plays the Pubs are full and the streets are empty. It's hilarious how important sports is to a culture, I personally don't know what the excitement is ever for. 

My mum asked about the Elders in the district so now that I know all their names I can finally talk about them without being embarrassed. Elder Matthews came the same day I did from New Zealand, he's super tall and quiet but has a interesting personality. His companion is the beloved Elder Forward from Whales, he's kinda short so it's funny seeing the tall dark skinned Quiet Elder next to the loud short white Elder. Elder Forward has quiet the confident personality but kinda immature, all of the Elders are like that though...

Elder Peterson is the District Leader and he's from Idaho. He's really short and looks young, his companion Elder Trease is from Ogden Utah. All of the Elders text and call Sister Stein way too much and about the dumbest things. Even though they are "Flappers" it's nice to have other Missionaries near by, I love running into them in the street because it gives me confidence and makes me feel like I'm not alone.

We went to Babs and did some service for her, putting a bunch of chocolate bars in baggies for her friends in Utah that she's visiting soon. She used to work for Cadbury so she has a thing for chocolate. She literally has 500 chocolate bars I feel like in her house. Or more. I'll send a picture.

Anyway LOVE YOU ALL!! And have a wonderful week 

Sister Johnson