To the Field

Nick left the Preston MTC to go to his area in the Leeds mission last Wednesday.  These are some pictures we received from his mission president soon after he arrived.  We have not yet heard from him in his area (so we don't know when his P-day is), but the mission president said he is in the North Shields area of the Sunderland zone (which appears to be a suburb of New Castle, right on the coast).  His companion is Elder Krylborn, shown with him in the first picture. 

 

Week one, still don't sound like Daniel Craig.

I've tried and tried but to no avail this horrible American accent has stuck with me. England is so different I didn't expect it to be so much different!

So dad yes the weather is WARM. Like it's barely okay to wear suit coats outside and we have to were them EVERYWHERE except the residence hall and during class time. The MTC is fantastic and absolutely horrible at the same time. I've found it directly correlates on how obedient I am so I've been doing the best I can!

My companion is fantastic! His name is Elder Walter from South Salt Lake City and he just graduated 6 weeks ago. He comes from a yours mine and ours type family with 10 kids! He is the 6th missionary and currently has two other brothers serving right now. My district is great we have a sister from Scotland who is teaching us a ton about the culture because her fiance is from Leeds and serving in Orem right now! If you see an Elder Parr tell him his fiance is doing great.

My roomates are great, we're rooming with a Somoan Elder named Elder Soalatonga(it is harder to say than you think) from Australia that converted 4 years ago but only started taking the church seriously about 2 years ago. He's so great and inspiring! He is the only member of his family but his parents are extremely supportive of what he is doing. Then there is Elder Wright. Who is great. He reminds me a lot of Taylor, except Taylor is way more mature and .....cooler. Ha this kid is fresh out of high school and is a trial at times! But he has such a great heart. Also our room smells horribly of feet because of him and he is the only missionary any of the teachers have ever heard of yelling "this is too difficult!!" and running out of a practice teaching. But great kid.

The food is okay. I bet the Provo MTC food is better (go Jae) but I've never been hungry.

Okay so spiritually....I can't even believe how amazing this place is. The spirit is so easy to be in tune with, I never want to lose that! All the teacher and staff are so great! every meeting and every lesson is fantastic. I can't believe all the amazing stuff I'm learning it's so hard not to forget it. I'm filling up my study journal FAST. Everyone go read your scriptures right now and try and understand how amazing and what a blessing they are. If you can't find anything to read go read 3 Nephi chapter 11.

Around 6 months ago I really struggled because I could never tell if what i'm being told to do was actually the Holy Ghost or if it was just me telling  myself to do something. I was never certain on my promptings. I prayed and prayed and studied and wanted the answer so bad but I never remember recieving one. I kinda just got over it and forgot. Well Elder Bednar spoke at Provo MTC on Sunday night and it was brodcast here. Guess what the title of the talk was? 'Is it the Holy Ghost or just me?' When they announced that I straight up almost went straight to tears. No one would have even understood. He gave the most uplifting and encouaging talk and said "Quit worrying about it....you be a good boy, you be a good girl, honor your covenants, keep the commandments. Press forward with a steadfastness in Christ." It was exactly what I was praying for. The power of prayer is real! I've come to be closer to God than I ever have in my entire life. The only regret I have is not gaining this relationship earlier.

I love you guys! Every last one of you, and pray for you guys all the time!

Elder Nicholas Gurney

P.S. The peace sign is flipping someone off over here. Someone could have mentioned that.

From Across The Pond!

Hey guys!

So I made it safe! Jetlag is terrible but I'm pulling through! The other missionarys are great, gotta try and get along with everyone! England is so....different. There is SO much green and it is so gorgeous! But I already miss those rocky mountains. We drove past a indoor skiing gym on the way to the MTC...torture. (Chan quit laughing).

So I miss everyone a ton. But I have to get lost in the work! I honestly am so excited, I can't believe this day is actually here! They say P-day is wednesday so you'll here from me more then. I honestly had to think about what day it was for awhile...Thursday right? I have no idea it's been a long time since I've slept.

There are so many missionaries! I was so suprised. Elder Hotchkiss who you saw at check in is really cool. His dad got to come to the gate because he is a pilot for fedex. I slept a little on the plane...but not enough. Hopefully I'll sleep good tonight.

I'm sitting here trying to think what to type but honestly all I've done is fly to England for two years...no big right?  

The roads are terrifying I hope I don't have to drive here. The lanes are way too narrow and everyone drives way too fast.

The staff here is amazing. Everyone is honestly so nice and understanding. I volunteered to move luggage from downstairs to up for everyone...it was so hot! Like they have these huge sunlights up stairs and it just bakes up there and I probably moved 30-40 suitcases. It was good though it helped me wake up from traveling.

I wish I had more to write about but I don't even know who my comp is! I added a couple pictures the first is from SLC and has all the missionaries from Utah and the second is in Chicago! We met with even more once we landed in Machester. The work is hastening!

Love you guys! Ask me questions! I think I have an hour to write whileI'm at the MTC so I want lots of emails!

Love,

Elder Gurney

Welcome!

Hey I'm headed out to Leeds England to serve the Lord! This is where my sister will be posting on my behalf while I'm gone.

Email me

nicholas.gurney@myldsmail.net

Send letters to:

Nick's flat:

Flat 6
2 St. Michaels Lane
Headingly, Leeds
LS6 3HS England

 

The mission home:
Elder Nicholas Gurney
England Leeds Mission
Lister House, Lister Hill
Horsforth, Leeds
LS18 5AZ England



Nick