Happy Christmas, Boxing Day, New Year!!!

Hello everyone, and a merry Christmas to you all. And Happy Boxing day!

 

This week was actually, REALL REALLY LONG... I don't know why... haha. When it hit Saturday, someone was talking about "church tomorrow" and I was like, "What? Church,tomorrow? What the???"

 

Well Christmas day was pretty good. we went to the Bishop's house and ate Christmas lunch there. Then we went to Lennon's to visit his family for just a bit, his family is awesome! We're seeing him tonight as well. We finished by skyping our families! The best!!!! The internet was kind of rubbish though. I found out the day after that Google+ is like 100 times better than Skype. Oh well. better luck next time... Well there won't really be a next time, except mother's day haha

 

Well yeah not much work got done, at all.. even for being Christmas week... Sheesh... I still gotta keep my head up though. Newbury isn't dead, we just have to find those seeking for the gospel, they're out here somewhere... Behold, the field is white, ready for the harvest!

 

Love you all and thank you for the e-mails from most of you. I miss you all so dearly. And I miss those whom I've made friends with in England so far as well!!! I was just thinking about it the other day, and I still cherish and love those people in Haywards Heath, Maidstone, and Catford as well. Maybe when I leave Newbury I'll miss those people as well, who knows!!!

 

Have a great week and happy new year. Don't go too crazy! And for a spiritual thought, how about something from my dad, I loved it:

 

finding change will always be worth more then finding an excuse

 

and

 

Mark 9:21-29 (the "theme" for Newbury in 2014: All things are possible to him that believeth)

 

-Elder Blumenthal

Happy Christmas!

Hey everyone!!! Merry Christmas. Its the most wonderful time of the year. Definitely. For sho.

 

The week was awesome. Except for me having the worst cold in the WORLD! OH MY GOSH!! Its annoying. And it doesn't make things any better that while cycling home form thatcham (basically like a 20 minute cycle, about 4 miles or something like that I forget) the rain was POURING.. like Torrential... and I don't have a proper rain coat... so I got SOAKED... and this happened not once, but TWICE!! UGH!!! So yeah I hope I don't get pneumonia or something dumb like that. Just kidding I probably won't, who knows.

 

But other than the rubbish weather, the week was awesome! Lennon was confirmed on Sunday. Church was so powerful. It was just a carol concert (a thing they do here, we just sit in church, a kid comes up and reads a few verses from the scriptures about the birth of Christ, and then sing a Christmas carol. Wash rinse repeat for 40 minutes.) But it was still awesome, I really really did feel the spirit, probably stronger than almost any time in my mission. I don't know why but I did! I just love Christmas. Oh Martha, oh Christmas!!! (The Grinch haha)

 

But yeah, most of our people we've been seeing are like, "Oh yeha come back after new years." And of course missionaries don't ever stop working.. so, like, yeah, its going to be quite "fun" this next week after Christmas. Door knocking!!! Or street contacting, who knows. Its too cold and rainy for people to be happy after Christmas. haha.

 

have a great week everyone. Love you all, LOTS. I'll share with you what President Millar shared with us, that in Luke chapter 2, it represents the birth of our saviour, but what's interesting is that the first people who find out are the shepherds watching over a flock of sheep. And its not just any sheep, but the sheep used at the Temple. I thought that was interesting. And also interesting that these men follow the light, see the Lord and fall down and worship him. Its a real sign of humility. Anyways, gotta e-mail president. Love you all, Meeeerrrryyy Christmas!!!!

 

-Elder Blumenthal

Baptised! Christmas!!

Hey everyone, I have absolutely no time this week I'm angry. Sorry about that.

Okay, Lennon was baptized. Such a powerful guy. His brother came along, as well as his wife and kids. They enjoyed it quite a bit. First time I tried I dunke dihm! WOOT WOOT! Much better than joe's. Speaking of which, tis been almost 8 months or so since I baptized him!!! Wow, time flies... Elder Hegerhorst and I always talk about him. I miss that man.

Anyways, what else.. Well yeah, nothing really to report but I loved everyone's e-mails, sorry I didn't get to everyone. 1 minute left! NO!!!

Love you all. have a great week.

-Elder Blumenthal

Oh yes! Got an extension of time! Woot woot!!!

Okay so this is what went down this week...

Elder Paulino and MacCammon came to Newbury for Lennon's baptismal interview (Already was hectic enough getting them here) and when they got here they got a phone call.. Elder Paulino was getting emergency transferred!!!! :( because an elder is going home and another one is coming in, so Elder Paulino moved to Tunbridge Wells with Elder Mecham. Luckily hes with a cool elder though!!! But yeah sot hey had to spend the night at our flat (hilarious times)

And guess who moved here... Elder Tikoicina!!! HAHA! Good times. so the next night when they got to reading, we spent the night at their flat because the nest day we went to the temple! so it was a really crazy week. and Elder Tiko was making me laugh so hard, remember all the times in Catford.. haha! He broke his arm too! Hilarious. By a taxi driver on his bike. lol. hit and run.

the temple was great. Loved every minute. Wish I could've stayed. Only thing that stunk was I knew, maybe, 5 or 6 people? everyone in the mission is so young!!!!!!!! >.< so its annoying. I have to start getting to know everyone again, haha.

Okay on Saturday we had a Christmas party, fun stuff, sadly my camera won't work!!!!! So I dont' have anything for the holidays. :( But yeah the party went well, Lennon's family came to it as well. The next day was his baptism, went smoothly, his family came to church, I know they felt the spirit there.

have to get going. love you all. I also wanted to share with you a proverb I liked,

“Enter not into the path of the wicked. . . . Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.”

Proverbs 4:14-15

-Elder Blumenthal

Cows!!! And Broken Bikes

Hey everyone, this week went by blazing quick! They seem to just go by faster and faster, and with Christmas coming up that's going to be awesome! HAHA! I can't wait until Christmas. Talk to my family!!! lots of Christmas food! Did I mention, LOTS OF CHRISTMAS FOOD!!! If there's one food I do like from England, its English roast dinners. Oh my days. I hope I get a few of those in the coming weeks.

ANYWAYS... Well lets see, I gave a talk on sunday, for 15 minutes. Went by pretty quick actually. I realized I can chat with someone at their house for an hour, its pretty easy to chat to a whole congregation of people for 15 minutes, haha. But I still get way nervous standing up there, but whatever. I realized the best part about speaking is that you strengthen your own testimony as you prepare to give the talk, and as you give it.

funny story, my bike broke. I'll just copy/paste what I e-mailed BDN:

Okay, well yeah, guess what? I was with my comp, saw him fall on his bike! oh dang! He was alright. Anyways, he gets up, and I'm cycling behind him, and then (while laughing at him in my head) my bike EXPLODES! Like, the back tire and its bearings just explode and fly everywhere! I was like, "VAT DA?!!!" and so my bike is getting fixed atm. Hilarious. But yeha whe it happened I thought, "Oh nothing much, etc." and then when I realized that I destroyed my bike, I looked up and Elder Stradling was like, GONE. HAHAH! He took a roundabout and didn't look back, and he went all the way to the flat! LOL! Then he came back looking for me lol. It was so weird to be companionless for 5 minuets though, haha, mission life...

That was a hilarious night.

Anyways, Lennon is officially ready for his baptism on the 15th. I don't know why I haven't gotten pictures of the guy yet. He's so awesome. He's ready. He's also, hilarious how serious he's taking this (which is good!) He promised himself (he loves video games) that he wouldn't buy his favourite video game, but he bought a PS4 and bought a video game that was similar to it? so he took us outside at church and was like, "guys, is that wrong, what do I do?" it was so funny but awesome! I was like, "Man, if I was as saintly as you..." Anyways, Lennon is awesome, I love his half-portugese accent. We can't wait to see his son be baptized in the coming months! I can see it happening. And Lennon can baptize him! Booyah! So great.

Well, I have to get skipping. Oh yeha, speaking of which, lennon asked if I could baptize him! Oh dang!!! alright... I'm nervous! He's a big guy!!! And I suck at baptizing, (haha remember when I baptized joe six times... sigh... I miss him) Anyways, this coming week is going to be awesome. Next week you should see some pics of the baptism, in the mean time, COWS!!! Haha we were walking through an abandoned American military base, that they use for all sorts now... its really weird. They've got cows walking around, and a factory that makes pickles (smelled SO GOOD walking by it.)

Love you guys!

-Elder Blumenthal

Alma 32:35

Is this not real? Of course it is!!! The spirit you feel/have felt is REAL. Sorry I don't have a spiritual thought really, but I did like that scripture. I have loads of spiritual stuff to share but, no time, no time! Gotta e-mail president.

The Weather Is Getting Colder

Okay so thank you everyone for the e-mails, I don't have time to write everyone back, I'm trying as hard as I can, its hard to write everyone though! But I will!!!

This week has been much better. But we definitely went through some trials!!! Elder Stradlings front tire got a puncture, and then a few days later ( we just kept pumping it up every time we goton the bikes) the BACK tire got a puncture! So we took it in to a bike shop today, haha. As much as I hate cycling (I don't actually hate it but I like walking for missionary work more) its impossible to walk here, the area is so spread out that we need bikes.

We had a great thanksgiving, a member family fed us and we helped them set up their Christmas tree. It was really funny. Elder Stradling was making Austin and I crack up so much. We played this board game called Quarkle? (think scrabble but with shapes/colors instead of words) and Stradders destroyed us! It was good stuff.

Oh my gosh, I was at dinner with this couple here whose basically the person I want to be when I grow up. They're super old (but still feisty) and they go to the temple for an entire week once a month. And they've already served 4 temple missions, haha, holy crap. Awesomeness. Their entire house is filled with pictures of Jesus Christ and the only thing they watch on TV is national geographic, HAHA! I'm just like, "Wow, these people are awesome. True saints. I'm too worldly." Anyways, when I get old I wanna be like that. But have tattoos. Just kidding of course.

Anyways, random story, but yeah, we had a much better week. We didn't teach many lessons of course but I worked as hard as I could (at least I felt I did) so what more can you do? We'll reap the blessings from working with members later if not sooner. We're still set to baptize Lennon for the 15th of December! Can't wait. That'd be my 9th baptism on my mission, I'm stoked! Love you all!

-Elder Blumenthal

http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/10/the-first-great-commandment

Long Week. Very Long Week.

Hey everyone, this week has been awesome! But really long. Oh my gosh. It didn't seem like it was very long by the time it hit sunday, but at the same time it did? Weird. Missionary time is weird sometimes! haha

Well anyways, we're teaching Lennon and he's for sure set to be baptized on the 15th of December! Woot! We're so excited. He's already been taught everything though, so we want to start teaching his son, so his whole family can know about the gospel.

Let's see, what else? Well, not too much else to report... A lot of our day, if not on bikes, seems to be trying by the same people and getting sort of the same response... We're struggling with having investigators or less-active members to progress. I'm not necessarily getting impatient, but I know that after Lennon is baptized especially, we're going to have to start teaching other people and we've got not really anywhere specific to go at the moment. Door knocking!!! haha. I'm quite inexperienced with knocking doors it seems, I didn't knock any doors in London for 6 months! Too many people on the street/bus to bother! Haha. So whats hard is basically, knocking doors in England is EXTREMELY ineffective. Especially in the winter where it gets pitch black outside at 4.30pm. But anyways, HOPE is where its at. If we have the hope and faith we will find the elect, we will.

Thank you to those of whom I've received e-mails! Which are a few people... Haha! But if you send me an e-mail I'll get back to ya (eventually) I promise!

Have a great week, until next time

-Elder Blumenthal

1 Cor. 10:13

pictures!!!! of what we do in the flat when we're bored at night! Haha! And I can make my own food! I kinda stink at it though, but the other night I made a BOMB curry, it was so nice.

and, sorry for the extra e-mail, the picture of the city is Reading, not our area. Our area is tiny! haha. Reading is like a huge city where the Zone Leaders and District Leaders are. Pretty posh place it looks like!

In Newbury For Noel

Dear all,

 

So last week was moves. I didn't get the chance to tell everyone that I got called to move!!! To Newbury. Its in the Reading stake. The ward here has just recently become a ward from a branch, so its pretty tiny. But luckily we have our own building!!! Things are still a bit odd here though and I have to get used to it. The Sacrament meeting starts last instead of first! Weird!

 

Well anyways the week has been good though. I'm with Elder Stradling from Arizona, he's awesome. He's also younger than me yet again. I've realized I'm a pretty old missionary, I've not been put with an elder older than me since Elder Hegerhorst almost 8 months ago... Holy talito

 

Speaking of which, Elder Hegerhorst is my Zone Leader! Awesomeness! He's super skinny too. But yeah, kind of weird an old companion is now yoru zone leader, haha. He is really chill though.

 

anyways, nothing really new to share but I really do miss London, and all my friends there. They're like my second family. I'm totally moving to London after my mission. Sorry mom! (haha just kidding London is expensive as heck.) But seriously, London is where its at. Way cooler than Nevada at least. Oyster cards!!!

 

Well I'm really really really really really really hungry, because we're super poor and out of food at the flat. woops.

 

Love you all, until next week

 

-Elder Blumenthal

 

P.S. the mission just sent out a wide e-mail that says if you want to send me a package for Christmas/thanksgiving (a man can dream right?) you should send it to the mission office. I can forward it to my mum for all the details.

Oh yeha, forgot to attach the photos. I have loads but this computer stinks. Basically, I miss London loads. And all the members.

 

Also, spiritual thought: Alma 4:13-15

 

We go through hard times and see wickedness around us, but don't become discouraged!!! Alma didn't, and he experienced so much success thereafter. Remember the end goal and work on improving TODAY! :)

Transfers Week!!

Oh my gosh. Tranfers! I don't have ANY idea if I'm staying or going, but I'm pretty sure I'm going. NOO!!! I miss catford so much! I love you all!!! I want to stay forever! I think the best advice I've heard though is to just TRUST HIM!! He knows what he's doing. I like that quite a bit. Heavenly Father has sent me here for a purpose and maybe he needs me somewhere else, who knows.

 

Okay well the week has been awesome. We saw a woman Ambatshe, she's from the Congo, she speaks french!!! She was like... overwhelmed with joy when we taught her, she couldn't express herself in English though it was so funny. We've given her a baptismal date for the 24th of November, we know she can easily make it because she's absolutely golden. She's so awesome. She came to church on Sunday and enjoyed eveyr moment of it. I think the Relief Society in the ward (especially Druscillia! new member!!) really fellowshipped her quite nicely and welcomed her in as their own. If only the rest of the church can perform as well as the Relief Society! LOL! A man can dream..

 

Anyways, we also had a fun P-day last week, we went to Big Ben. I got photos! :D And we also had a rpetty successful week, we're building up our teaching pool still and hopefully I can leave Catford better than when I found it, that's all I want.

 

Well anyways, I have to get going, but thank you all fo ryour e-mails. You're all the best. Maybe I can quote one of my faovirte sciptures (hah)

 

Luke 17:32

 

Quite a bit of power in that statement. I'll quote one of my ACTUAL favorites: Luke 9:62

 

which relates with the first. Basically, don't look back! So I'm trying to practice what I preach and just move forward, keep going, and not looking back means NOT going back to the same old habits/mistakes that we used to make! Which is hard but with the help of the Savior we can do it. I love you all!

 

-Elder Blumenthal

Photos

Forwarding some pictures a family took of us 4 elders, hilariousness, we stole their sons ties (who left on his mission!) HAHA! They're sweet ties actually, man, I love skinny ties. 

Love you guys! I pray about you ever day. Until next week!

-Elder Blumenthal

3 Baptisms!

Okay I had like NO TIME to e-mail today I'm sorry!!! DANGIT!!! But yeah the bright side is, WE HAD 3 BAPTISMS!!! SO AWESOME!!! I baptized Jane, the youngest. She's legit.

Okay so what else happened this week? Well crazyness! We actually reached all of our goals, almost every single one. The lord has blessed us so much this week. I've also seen the adversary REALLY playing against missionaries, members, etc. We are inching closer and closer, every day, to the second coming. I'm so glad I know fo the gospel. But I'm not a perfect practicer!!! But anyways, thank you for all your e-mails, I'm so sorry I didn't get to everyone. I'll e-mail you next week Miriam, Sister pelham, and others! SORRY!!!

-Elder Blumenthal

P.S. Pictures are of the baptism, and elder sin our flat eating my home-made fufu and egusi! (african food). They liked it but I thought It could've been a lot better. Oh well. Better luck next time.

Really Short Letter, Really Short Week

Dear all, this week we had SO LITTLE SUCCESS!!! >:( but Druscillia is getting baptized next week! Booyah!

 

I guess I have like... 0 seconds left on the computer so this is going to be a bare short e-mail innit? (I love London slang) anyways I evne forgot to write a few of you like Sister Pelham and Dad... Whoops. I will next week! Promise! Hopefully. But I'm just gonna put up some pictures of Zone conference (I saw my dad! lol) I miss him. Bless. i remember I used to hate him! HAHAH! That sounds so bad. But yeah he's so chill. And I saw Elder Mecham as well, still chilling it up in Welling ward (I'm like 5 feet away form him in Catford, but different zones :( 

 

Oh yeah and a bruise that I got ! Haha! Thanks isabel! Long story. Hilarious. I must bruise easy. Like a banana!

 

Anyways I gotta get going. love you all.

 

-Elder Blumenthal

 

Mosiah 13

The ten Commandments. One of the first things that Abinadi preaches to the wicked people of King Noah. Because, like L. Tom Perry said, they're almost a barometer for society's stability. Let;s work on living the 10 commandments!

15 Months

Holy talito! 15 months out in the mission field! 9 left!!!! WOAH!! Not that I'm counting down or anything! LOL

 

Alright, this week has been awesome. We taught 21 lessons!!! But don't have too much to show for it. Other than the fact that Druscillia is set for baptism!!! With her daughters. Such a blessing to be there and see them progress.

 

What else? Well I forget. The week has treated us well and the Lord is blessing Elder Fairbourn and I. Its so weird, I sometimes get so worked up and hate going out there to work but at the same time when I actually get out there I don't want to get back home. haha! So basically, you won't ever know how great the Work of Salvation is until you acutally take part in it!

 

I've got to get going, sorry for the lame e-mail yet again. If I could share a scripture this week it'd be in 3 Nephi 19:19-24

 

Jesus demonstrates how we should pray. He prays for the members of the church, and also for them to bless and inspire those who are NOT members of the church; He prays that they too will hear the words of those who already have been baptized. That's my prayer for all of you, if you're a member, to share the gospel. If you're not a member, to listen to the words of the missionaries and other memebrs of the Church of Jesus Christ!!! Finally, in verse 24 it shows that we rely on the spirit as we pray. It makes sense, we should always seek for Heavenly Father's will, and not just pray for things that are convenient or that will only benefit us.

 

Thanks for everything, for yoru letters and everything else. Love you all!

 

-Elder Skyler Blumenthal