Bye. Bye. Bye

Sure said a lot of goodbyes this week for not even leaving the area!!

Just to update everyone a little... this week Elder Pilling said

goodbye to so many legends! Said hello to some new peeps. And of

course said some prayers 🙏🏼.

I'll be brief...ish!!

Said bye to my comp Elder Alexander Pitcher on Tuesday morning. I can hardly 

put into words how legendary the last 3 months have been. So many

memories!! York is so great.

Walking the streets of York with Jack

The last week has been a bit of a roller coaster. Listen up... change

is so hard!! We got moved into a new district, new companion, new zone

leaders, Jack is on holiday for 5 weeks. Things are very different and it has

taken some time to adjust to the new surroundings. But the silver

lining!! Antoinette hasn't moved! We've had a fantastic week with so

many good lessons. Wednesday night was our last lesson with Jack and

Antoinette together. We talked about 3 main principles. Faith in Jesus

Christ, repentance, and baptism. I've had quite a breakthrough week

studying Faith in Jesus Christ. I'll save it for the future because

I'm still processing my thoughts.

We had another lesson on Friday which was another beauty about the plan

of salvation. Happy days happy days !

Honestly things are pretty all jumbled in my brain today. It is super

warm out and I just can't think..

Maybe a little bit about my companion. Elder Campbell! We were in the

same district 6 months ago! He's from Northern California Sacramento

ish area. He's been out 18 months!

Ok so the last little while I've been involved in lots of different

missionary opportunities. Some new study compared to the usual door

knocking stuff. I have come to notice how different members of the church

of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints are. Not in a bad way at all.

When I was having a chat with Antoinette about families I realised

what living the gospel does. I've seen the way that the gospel blesses

families. I've been at member's houses and I have seen the way God

designed families. A loving mother and loving father with kids and a

goal in mind, support and care, and a deep bond. There's absolutely

more to the gospel than happy families but having a happy family is

proof that the gospel works. Jesus Christ will always be our support!

I'm sliding into the final 12 weeks following wy@s example with a little

12 week addiction recovery program. Step one is honesty. Recognizing that

it's real and that others need to help! I'm really looking forward to

this study!

Anyways fam it's been real nice 👍🏻 super hot here all the grass is

brown because no one has sprinklers lol.

Love

Elder Pilling

Prayers are always answered

More sunshine, more food, more rad times,  more miracles, more swag,

and also some sad times.

The end of an era... so transfers is always rough. This time extra

rough. A legend has gone home. Sister Pinther started her mission when

I was in Hull zone 18 months ago. Shortly thereafter she moved into

the Leeds zone where we were together for 6 months. 3 of which in the

same district. Fast forward until I moved to York. Sister Pinther was

once again in my district. This time it was different. She trained a

fantastic sister named sister Gil-Molinas. We created amazing memories

here. You've all seen the pics soooo Gucci. We had a blast. But the

best part is how well we connected. She taught me so much!! I'm looking

forward to road trip 2k19... but the thing I've learned from her is

all about being converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I didn't

really see the difference until sister P came around. She helped me

become more converted and I am forever grateful. It is all about what

you do and think when no one is watching. Are you going to go back

home and be not changed? I sure hope I won't.

Moving on.

This week we learned about Alma and Amulek. And I have really enjoyed

learning from them both. I have identified someone in my life who may

be like Amulek who is lost and hard hearted. It's great to see the

change that can come when you follow the example of Christ.

There are often people you meet whom you know you were supposed to meet.

Jack Gore you know who you are. I don't think it's possible for me to

look at my mission without thinking of you. I've learned and grown and

changed and laughed and well, been super happy since I met you. The

rest of the Gore family has treated me so good. They head off to

America for 6 weeks so you won't hear much of them but it's been a great

week with them. Ian pay attention. Grace Gore is a legend, Jack y'all

know, Lauren quiet around me but still way nice. Mike and Sarah treat

me like one of their own (almost) haha they all crack me up. Basically

God knows exactly where he's sending you and who you're going to meet.

It's all for a reason.

My life has been great. Lots of memories but let me tell you it seems

I am learning more and more lately. Challenges will come and there will be dark times

ahead but I know that through prayer and study and church we can

handle the storms. I was particularly low on Sunday and it was a

toughie but we had a fantastic chat with our friend Antoinette. It

really put into perspective how much I do have and what God has done

for me. PRAYERS ARE ALWAYS ANSWERED.  Now most of the time it's tough

to recognise the answers but so fantastic when you do see them! God

gives us everything we need to be successful.  Let me tell ya fam.

I'll quote myself, "The view from the mountain is the top". Pretty much

we get all the good stuff from working hard and it's at the end we can

finally see the fruits of our labours.

I love love the people I have met and I'm sure I'll love the ones in

the future as well. Idk if Antoinette will read this or not but she

has changed me. The simple truths found in the restored church have

been more powerful to me. God is real. He loves you and he knows you.

Ask and he shall receive. I am grateful for the light he brings into

my life through the Saviour. When you feel the most down look up

because he is there with an arm outstretched!
Love you guys and thank you for all your prayers! 

Elder Pilling
Sent from the land of the lads

  

Almost forgot!!  Hailey got us Indian food.  mmm delish!

I'm happy! Everyone is happy!

It's seems like it has been months since I have had some quality time to write out an email.  So here comes a beauty. 

This week Elder Pilling drives on the wrong side of the road, eats chicken, takes a hike, chops some wood and smiles more than usual. 

Last pday we visited the beach and it was a blast. But it got better after that. Tuesday we went and did some service at a place called CAN (community action in nature). Missionaries have been going there and doing simple service such as planting bushes or trimming tree branches or pulling weeds. All enjoyable. As of late, the sisters who also go have really connected with 3 people there. So keep in mind that they have had a year to ask missionaries questions but they have just now felt comfortable. It has been amazing seeing the light grow as they begin to recognize the spirit. 

Tuesday evening was special. Jack and his sisters have been wanting to go to get some chicken for a long time now and we finally made it happen. Except Antoinette also came and her brother Kieran! So good, wow. Those of you who have been or currently are on a mission you know what it feels like to meet someone who you know you were supposed to meet. Well this is Antoinette and Kieran. I have never felt so much love and care before. Whilst eating, Jack's sisters (Lauren and Grace) invited Antoinette to YW right after. Brilliant idea.  Jack and I babysat Kieran and Antoinette went to make brownies or whatever YW do... check out these beauty pics. (Keeping a 5 year old entertained for 1+ hours at the end of a long day was very difficult but I loved it) 

Wednesday we had a little district council... then institute with Antoinette and Kieran! Wow so good. We are studying Jesus Christ and how we can become more effective leaders by following his example. I LOVE Jesus Christ. All we can learn is sooo rich and deep and just fulfilling. 

We did some more sunny service on Thursday. Planted some flowers in the shape of a poppy :).  Service is a super good way to give others the opportunity to ask and find truth. It's fantastic. 

Saturday is a special day :) haha jk Sunday is a special day too :) it's the day we chopped wood for almost 2 hours at CAN. Quite the workout. I only got yelled at for being "High I" and not safe enough... eek my bad. Saturday we saw Antoinette and Jack again.  We got her all set for church. Sunday was special because at 9:30 Saturday night we were asked to teach the 12-16 youth Sunday school. Wow was that fun! I love seeing new testimonies grow :) After church Jack received the Melchizedek priesthood.  Antoinette loved it!! Ugh so special. Life is so great right now. I'm happy, everyone is happy. 

HOLD THE PHONE.... the Gore fam (all of them) are SO GOOD. We had a little family BBQ after church and I loved it. It's something special when you see a family who loves and supports each other. It really does make a difference for the kids. Thanks mom and dad for being legit. Seriously could not have made it this far without you. Miss you tons. I have loved loved loved being in England. All the peeps I have met. All the prayers that have been answered. And of course all the people I have been able to help :) 

Today we went to Leeds. Here's a pic of some extra good friends I have made.

Love Elder Pilling 

Sent from the land of lads

Baptism, Sushi and Chinese Food

This week I dressed in white. Wore short sleeves everyday. Ate sushi (again). Ate Chinese again. Here are pics 

No judging the pics because our Chinese friends use funny apps that have funny filters. Makes us look like girls haha 

Chinese with Brianna and Vanessa and Jack. Elder Pitcher too 

K so it's been absolutely crazy, like I don't even know where to start.  At the end of last week we had a lesson with Brianna, our Chinese friend.  We extended the invite to be baptised hoping to get her on date for maybe the 14 of July before she moved to London on the 28th. Well she said she wants to be baptised but wanted Elder Pitcher and me and Elder Lyman there. It's a rule we can't travel to an old area for a baptism. Sooo the next day we went out for sushi and we asked her again. She said, I want to be baptised before London!!!!!! So we planned a baptism real quick and boom she was baptised!!!! So that made things crazy wow. We had Chinese with Briannna and her friend and Jack on Wednesday night as a going away party.  

Pretty legit week I'm not gunna lie. I can't even remember the last time it rained here.... crazy good weather. Kinda makes me love England haha 

We also had interviews with President and Sister Turvey which were fantastic. Best ones yet I'd say!  I love love love how much love God has for us. His plan is so specific and designed differently for each of us. On God's computer, he definitely doesn't have a copy and paste. 

This time in my life is the best time. With all my friends going home or just leaving I have come to see how good a mission is. Doesn't get much better. 

Love ya beauties 

Elder Pilling

Sent from the land of the lads

Ugh my watch broke so my tan lines are showing haha