Stand Strong and Share Truth

Less than average week. Only because nothing overly exciting happened.

We did get new mattresses though (it's a big deal).

Actually I remembered something... so on Tuesday the Elders quorum

president asked us if we could teach the class on Sunday... sure why

not nothing else going on. Then Wednesday morning 1st councillor in

the bishopric calls and asks "Elder Pilling could you stand in and give a

talk on Sunday? One of our speakers can't make it. 7-10 minutes on the

talk from Thomas S Monson called Courage to Stand Strong." Thursday

all day was interviews with president and training from the

assistants. Pretty busy planning lesson (new curriculum not a lot of

material) so we planned a lot. My talk went ok. Not the greatest some

of my thoughts didn't make sense haha. Shared some classic

construction stories tho.

So I had some good study 📖 learned a ton! Lots about choosing the

right. Choosing the harder right instead of the easier wrong! Standing

true to our beliefs and not diluting what we believe when asked, etc.

Quite a lot of stuff. My FAVORITE probably came down to what we can

learn from Jesus Christ our Saviour. As he was confronted with many

false accusations he always shared truth and testified. When we

testify, a few things happen. First the spirit will touch the hearts of

those who are prepared and second we find our true testimony. After all "a

testimony is found in the bearing of it." Boyd K. Packer

I challenge you all to take a second thought when one asks about your

beliefs and stand strong and share truth. You never know who's ready

to receive.

This week is the last full week of the transfer so on Saturday we will

find out who moves around and what not. Should be good.  Quite a few

people are heading home and stuff so ah it's just exciting.

Also I snagged my English drivers license! Due to fraud reasons I

won't send a pic lol but it's pretty neat!  I feel like a proper citizen

hehe

One last IMPORTANT THING, if you email me your address I'll send you a

cool English postcard 😎 free of charge ;)

Love you alls

E. Pilling

It snowed!

Just FYI last year it snowed 1 day maybe 1cm. This year so far it has

snowed 4 different days. Each bringing about 3 inches of fluffy

goodness. I LOVE IT. Well I did until I had to shovel the parking

lot at church. Let me give you a hint. England's snow shovels are about

as good as any other snow shovel. Spent almost 2 hours and had little

progress so we just gave up lol. Put some salt down and prayed it would

rain before church.

We had a little exchange action on Tuesday with the elders in the district. 

I was with Elder Mills from Idaho (near Boise).  His fastest 5k is 16:48.... Anyway, 15 minutes before we left, our lesson cancelled. Then a miracle... sorta. A member in Scotland called the mission office and asked if some elders could give her mom (not a member) a blessing as she was ill. Boom. So I managed to find our way to the nursing home via bus 🚌. We rang the bell and a nice lady let us in and asked who we were visiting. Turns out Ivy Dunkley is quite ill. Like non- responsive and just sleeps. So we weren't really sure what to do as we had never met the lady so we just said a prayer and waited awhile for her to wake. Then left. Fast forward to the next day. The daughter called and asked if we could go over again. So this time with my actual companion we head over. The nurse said she's doing better today. Well not exactly true haha. We still didn't feel comfortable, it was awkward and stuff. So fast forward to Sunday. Finally mission accomplished and we had a visit with her. She still never knew we had ever visited her at all. But I'm sure her spirit was touched. 

So rewind Tuesday we had some time off to watch president Nelson's address and press conference! Very cool! Ate some Krispy creme donuts 🍩 Elder Joe Pilling, we thought of you ;) Remember kiddos "stay on the covenant path" 

I love and support the new first presidency. President Nelson definitely is a PROPHET. I'm extra excited for general conference! Also excited to see the new apostles. P.S. exciting news coming Feb 3!! 

So last week whilst emailing I just sat there for like 20 minutes pondering how lucky I am. I just had all of those testimony moments flash back and I loved it. Seeing all the people I've met and the times the spirit testified to them.  It's so great to be out on a mission.  Ya, so many of you know my little brother Joe is serving a mission too! How neat is that :) 

Also went to Durham cathedral. Harry Potter was filmed here a little. 

Elder Ward (companion)

Love ya all.

Elder Pilling

Sent from the land of the lads

A baptism and the hand of God

It's been crazy slow. Well not really, we had so much fun and all

sorts. Just feels a little slow because today has been a little

relaxing finally.

So we will do it fast and furious. Tuesday normal. Wednesday we had

district council, it was on the Candle of the Lord. I hope everyone

learned something :) Then we were so busy trying to visit all our

investigators before our exchange Thursday! It was good(ish). We did

have a good lesson with Harry (the big cheese) and Vicky. They said

they'd come to church.... and they did.... here's a quick pic

It's a blast teaching them.  They're both 22 and are pretty funny! And they are from London so very different. 

The most exciting part of the week was Adam's baptism!!!  He got baptized on Saturday. So good. I got to Skype it and it was amazing. He has such a strong testimony. Definitely falls into the truly converted category. We talked on the phone after and I got to hear about all his spiritual experiences. AMAZING! 

This week I have really noticed the hand of God. Like a lot!! It's great. I've got a good journal of it all so many stories for when I'm home :) 

Going on exchange tomorrow. Keeping things busy! 

We also lit some things on fire... don't worry it's just a really cool candle called Woodwicks candles. It sounds like a fire!! Cracking and all!! So many good memories. 

Awkward district photo as usual

Did some skating

Love yous :) 

Elder C. Pilling 

Sent from the land of lads

Crazy 2 weeks

Sorry to all about last week.... hope ya didn't miss me too much :)

It's been a crazy 2 weeks. Christmas, New Years and zone conference. All the holidays meant we ate so much food.... it seems that when members feed us they think oh the elders need a Christmas dinner.. every time.... so we had 1 really good one on Christmas Eve, 2 Christmas Day, 2 Boxing Day then we had another on New Year's Day too! We were blessed with so much love from members. Having only been in the ward for like a week before Christmas I thought it was going to be tough.. in some ways it was. Others it was awesome. My companion and I spent extra time together which has created a good bond. I mean when you both drive land cruisers how can you not love each other ❤️. 

The missionary work here is very different. Not as many chav estates and the people we work with are different. Unfortunately the last 3 weeks we have been battling to help our friends. Now one of them was supposed to be baptised the eve of Christmas Eve but his great aunt passed away so he has spent lots of time in Scotland. I haven't even met him yet! But we did find some new friends who are pretty classic. One night we street contacted a lad who said, "walk with me and tell me about this book." Well he invited us over for tea... we had some water. Needless to say he's pretty classic. He's very funny and has strange theories about life and all sorts.... he even believes the earth is flat! Anyways it was still good and he is reading the Book of Mormon. His brother also showed up the next time and he was very curious because we were so "normal".  He always thought the Jesus people would be different I guess. Then his girlfriend got home from holiday and we also get to teach her! All very fun! 

Now this is where stuff gets exciting. 

So yesterday there was a mission home fireside and we got to go with a new member named George! He's quite awesome, he's 18 and just super excited about church. So we made it down to Leeds. Only took 1 and a 1/2 hours. So worth it! It's on Facebook if yous want it. I'll attach a link! https://www.facebook.com/EnglandLeedsMission/videos/2010762082499309/

So remember my FAVORITE family... yep Adam is getting baptised on Saturday!!! Unfortunately I'm not allowed to go :/ I get to Skype tho.  Technology is neat! 

Anyways look who I found at the fireside!

Adam and Mary Jane

Aw my heart melted! If any of you want to meet them I pretty sure they will be visiting Canada in the spring time! (Jealous) 

All you people of the Forest! Things have been crazy fun lately! I love my district so very much. We are going skating today!! Shred the gnar 🐧

I just want you all to know how much I love this gospel. I have such a profound testimony of the good it can do. I cannot emphasise how important daily family scriptures study is. It has changed me. The Book of Mormon is such a powerful book. I know that families can be sealed for time and all eternity in the temple. I am so grateful for the choices my family have made so we can be together forever.! 

Peace out guys ✌🏻

Took a nice walk back and saw a fish of some sort! Quite big easily over 20".  It was so pretty!

Byeee 

-Elder Cake Filling 

Sent from the land of lads

Random pics. So we went to a church where my ancestors are buried! Neat huh!