Week 13: Oct 15, 2013

Hello everyone!

So, it is transfer week! I apologize for the late email. I am staying in North Shields for another transfer, with a new companion! My Swedish pal is off to serve in Leeds, but I am getting an Danish Elder in return! I just cannot get enough of the Scandinavian vikings! I am excited but also a little bummed to see Elder Krylborn go. I have learned so much from him. My new companion is named Elder Kelson. He is from the same ward as Elder Krylborn's girlfriend. So small world. I don't meet him till tomorrow though. Another big surprise, North Shields is getting two more missionaries!! Don't ask me where they are going to sleep because we don't have beds or anything. I guess that will get sorted soon. I am pumped to have flat mates.

Other than that this week has been pretty slow! We have had some good moments though. One was that we were out knocking doors before we were going to go in for the night and this lady answered the door and Elder Krylborn started talking to her about religion and things and I just looked at her shirt and see that is says "Star Trek Voyager" and I just cut in and say "are you a treky by chance?" We then had a fantastic conversation about star trek. I am embarrassed by how much I know. She was super nice but not interested in religion at all. Elder Krylborn then said as we were saying bye, "Yeah I have always been more into like Lord of the Rings rather than Star Wars." and me and her just go quiet and look at him....funniest thing of the day definitely. I have learned that it is so much better to go out and have good conversations with people and let them know who we are. We don't need to try and cram religion down their throat. We can let them know our purpose and invite them to listen, but I would rather have them walk away with a mormon.org card thinking "what nice guys" then to be walking away thinking "I wish those crazy mormons would leave me alone" while throwing a leaflet in the nearest bin.

I love meeting and talking to people. I think the adversary makes me doubt this so much. I will walk onto a bus and think the last thing I want to do is talk to anyone on it, but as soon as I sit down and start a conversation with someone, I love it.

So I have talked about the Chhinas before I am sure. But they are doing great. Indion who is 12, and the only member of the family currently attending church regularly, has such a great testimony. She is thinking about baptism, but we are not pushing her at all because ideally we want more family support for her. Her mom did come to church for the second time on Sunday though. That was a miracle.

Our mission president was coming to speak in sacrament meeting on Sunday and like all of our investigators were being flaky as weather they were coming or not and like half of the ward was sick. Me and Elder Krylborn decided we were going to work our hardest to get investigators there and invite everyone we could because we wanted a good turn out for President Pilkington, then we decided to fast for the ward members. The night before church we got a call from our President Pilkington saying he can't make it, we were pretty disappointed because we were working so hard to get a good turn out at church. We decided to continue fasting for the ward though and Sunday was just amazing. We show up at church and are meeting with the bishop when a member knocks on the door and says hey elders Paul is here. We don't know a Paul so we go out and this man Paul said missionaries spoke to him several weeks ago inviting him to church and he just showed up! then Indion came, then during sacrament we had one of the biggest turn outs from the ward i have ever seen! then indions mom, Shiela, comes walking in! We honestly couldn't believe it. Heavenly Fathers hear and answers prayers. I know it because I see it everyday.

Alright, I am sorry I wrote an essay! I love being here and I love missionary work. It is hard, it is scary, it is fantastic. I wouldn't trade it, or all that I have learned for anything in the world.

You're in my prayers,
Love
Elder Gurney

Week 13

So, I've been remise about posting Nick's letters recently. Here is the letter he wrote on October 7, and since he didn't write on the 14th, I've also attached some news and pictures that has come to us through other means.  

Hello from the north of England!

Hey everyone! So I honestly feel like p-day was yesterday. Time flies so fast, and seems to go faster everyday. North Shields is doing great. I am happy here. I am going to hit my 3 month mark this week. Too soon!

Conference was brilliant! I think that is the first conference I have actually stayed awake and paid attention to the whole thing. Conference is a whole new thing when you don't have an iphone or ipad in front of you. I tried the pen and notebook approach and it kept me plenty entertained. We watched the saturday morning session live on saturday night then priesthood we saw recorded sunday morning, the saturday afternoon we watched recorded sunday in the middle of the day, then sunday morning live sunday night. We just watched them at Sister Thompsons home because she has BYUTV.

The talk that really stuck out to me was the end of President Uchdorf's talk in priesthood session. He said "You should hear President Monson pray for you." Which reminds me of what I read in the Book of Mormon the other day in 2 Nephi 33:

3 But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great aworth, and especially unto my people. For I bpray continually for them by day, and mine ceyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry.

4 And I know that the Lord God will consecrate my prayers for the gain of my people. And the words which I have written in weakness will be made strong unto them; for it apersuadeth them to do good; it maketh known unto them of their fathers; and it speaketh of Jesus, and persuadeth them to believe in him, and to endure to the end, which is life beternal.

I love this chapter. It was kind of Nephi's last hurrah before he passed away. It just made me think of how much our prophet really cares for not only us, but the entire world. A bishop cares for a ward and all those who live within it, which in provo is a neighbourhood, or england it is a couple cities. But the prophet cares for an entire world. I have faith in the future because I know President Monson has a faith as strong as Nephi's. God will consecrate his and all of our prayers for the gain of all people.

I also really enjoyed President Uchdorf's talk in the saturday morning session. "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith."

When M. Russell Ballard spoke, it was so different hearing it as a congregation of members rather than when he spoke to us as missionaries. He essentially gave the same sort of talk, but it made me realize how much we rely on members. It is hard to see that in Utah, but here, missionary work does not happen without members. It just doesn't move forward. "What an exciting time to be a member of the church."

I love you and pray for you all the time!

Elder Gurney

PS I am terrible at taking new pictures so here is an old one from a castle we went to during p day several weeks ago.

Elder Gurney saying goodbye to Elder Krylborn and hello to Elder Kjeldsen, (at least thats how I think you spell his Danish name!) As you can see there are four Elders serving in the Ward.

Week 12

Aye family!

This mission thing is a lot of fun! This week has been hectic though! Busy busy busy. Finally we have real time to focus on our area, I feel like last transfer we were at a meeting every other day.

It is slowly getting colder here. Doesn't sound too warm at home. The rain isn't there? Everyone says that it rains all the time here but I am not seeing it...let's hope it stays that way! The English people love talking about the weather.....and their gardens. Two of possibly the most boring subjects in the world. But hey occasionally you meet a Cannucks fan on the bus and it is alright.

Okay story of the week. Me, Elder Krylborn, Elder Graham and Elder McAlister (as if names mean anything?) were driving from North Shields to Newcastle and stopped at Mcdonalds (or should I say Macdonalds) they really can't speak here. Well it is a common known fact that Elder McAlister is more than a little bit addicted to diet coke. We pull up and order and he says "...and a large diet coke." and the man replies "I'm sorry sir but we are out of diet coke." *gasps from all in the car* Elder McAlister is silent...."So....no diet coke at all....?" and the man replied saying no. Well Elder McAlister made it obvious he was upset and ordered a large cup of ice, confusing all of us, then pulled forward. When he got in the line he put the car in park and got out. Walked to the back opened the hatch grabbed something then came back saying "you never leave home without an emergency diet coke". This could have been one of the funniest experiences in my life and re reading this story made it so apparent that you had to be there. Mom it made me think of you, go enjoy your diet coke.

So there are a lot of rumors flying around about the next transfer. We suspect our flat will be getting two more elders as will has the zone will be getting several new companionships. We currently have the biggest zone so there is a chance it could split! The work is progressing!

Yesterday we were a little bummed because we had two of our very investigators confirmed for church the morning of, then they just didn't come. They have been before so we are little concerned. Hopefully we can meet with them soon and resolve some concerns.

This week I am going to focus a lot on developing Christlike Attributes. I encourage everyone to find a Preach My Gospel and read chapter 6. Complete the Attribute Assessment at the end of it and then study it! I know that as you do you will find a joy in the gospel you never knew before!

Love you! I pray for all of you everyday!

Elder Gurney

Week 11

Hello everyone! Or should I say hiya y'aright?

England has been so brilliant! It warmed up a little the last few days so that has been a blessing! I still need to buy a coat and stuff though.

So some sad news...Charlie does not want to join the church anymore! "I am a definite supporter or the Mormons but I just don't feel it is right for me". So hey that bummed us out a little. Thankfully the Lord watches out for us! This week a man named Leroy walked up to us on the street and told us he used to meet with missionaries in the past so we started teaching him. He is brilliant! He has been in and out of prison in the past but the last time he came out he went to church in Leeds with his sister who had joined while he was in prison and he loved it. So we are really excited to see where that goes.

Have I mentioned the Chinna family before? Well Sheela Chinna has 11 daughters. Yep, 11. She lives with her partner who is pretty anti and thinks he is a born again prophet of sorts? I don't know, we don't see much of him but the family is so great. Indion who is 12 loves coming to church and has only missed once since I have been here. So much potential in that family.

Something I learned this week. Oh! so at the start of the Isaiah chapters in 2 Nephi if you look at the footnotes it talks about how out of the 433 verses of Isaiah that are quoted only about 200 are the same as the KJV of the bible. Less that half! I thought that was super interesting.

This morning during breakfast I was reading an Ensign article about receiving revelation for ourselves. It uses the story of Nephi and him breaking his bow and how he doesn't just complain and pray asking for a new bow, he went to work! He built a new bow and starting hunting and while he was hunting he asked for guidance. He was already working when he asked for help. I cannot remember who said it but a quote I love is something like "Pray as if it all depends on God, then work as if it all depends on you."

I know that as we seek to learn we will find. "ask and ye shall recieve, knock and it shall be opened unto you" is repeated 120 times in some form in the standard works. I know that as we ask and pray often, then work and study and knock, God will answer our prayers. He loves us enough to help us reach our potential. He knows and loves every single one of us.

I pray for you all the time! Love you

Elder Gurney

Week 10

Wow what a fantastic week! I love being a missionary!

Okay so I found out it doesn't rain as much here as everyone says....or maybe I'm just getting used to it. It is nice and sunny today, a little cold and windy, but sunny. There are some days where it just pours though sometimes. Last week we we're going to tea at a members home and it was like a 10-15 minute walk to and from the metro and it just poured. On the way back my coat was just a joke. I was absolutely drenched. But hey I was loving it. Me and Elder Krylborn were just singing Taking Back Sunday songs the whole way (that's spiritual.....right?).

We finally are in our new flat and finally have beds and finally are settled! It felt like that whole process took entirely too long. But hey the mission takes care of us. We are living way above missionary standards right now. The flat is just massive. It is a house actually. That means in the next few transfers the area could be getting two more missionaries but we will see.

So in Newcastle yesterday there were people from like the Ensign doing a story about the chinese teams in the area, so yeah i know all of them when you see the next ensign! I went on splits with Elder Liu from mainland china. Such a good elder.

So miracle at church yesterday! We have been working with this indian lady named shiela and her 11 (yes 11) daughters. One of her daughters comes to church every week and is twelve. We have been trying to get her mom to come to church for weeks but she just won't. Sister Thompson invited them all after a really powerful lesson on friday and she said eh probably not. But then on Sunday part way through sacrament she walks in with 3 of her daughters! It was amazing! We then sung Our Lovely Deseret (307). Yeah worst hymn ever for investigators. Look it up. But she loved it! We are meeting with her family again tonight.

I wish I could write more because there are so many different things this week that are truly blessings from the Lord. I have been studying a lot about like where happiness comes from the last little bit. Not really consciously, but just looking back. It is so simple. Not easy, but simple. I promise everyone that reads there scriptures and prays everyday, will generally be happy. Or at least happier that they would be without. The Book of Mormon is the most powerful book ever written. I have come to have such a love for my personal Book of Mormon. I hope everyone strives to have that.

I love this Gospel and I am so happy to be sharing it with people. Jesus Christ is the light of the world. His gospel has but one purpose, to bring joy unto all of us.

I love you and pray for you everyday!

Elder Gurney

Week 9

Hello Everyone!!

So I am glad people are catching on to the letters are better than emails thing....I really wish I had more time to email but President just made email restricted to an hour. Before it was an hourish....which ment for the sister missionaries 3-4 hours (I'm not joking). This doesn't mean quit emailing me though!

This week has been absolutely hectic!! Meeting after meeting I can't believe it's already past. So I mentioned that Elder Krylborn is a district leader now. They didn't quite mention how much harder that makes my job. He is so busy doing DL stuff that I have to pretty much run the area myself. I absolutly love doing that it is just a lot to do! I used to have a goal to write in my journal for 15 minutes every night, that has gone out the window. I am lucky if I get two. But it is also so fun to plan everything and really have that huge hand in helping the area progress. I am learning so much.

One of the unique things I did was attend a funeral this week. Elder Krylborn had to go to transfer meeting because he was made DL so me and 6 other missionaries attended a funeral in South Shields. It was massive. Probably 600 kids. The funeral was for a man named Jonothan who took his own life he was 21 I think. It was so spiritual and amazing. Near everyone there was a nonmember. I am so greatful for the comfort of the Plan of Salvation.

So I just got a phone call. We are moving one wednesday! Finally we have a definite day and time!

I guess this week has been pretty slow for me as well! But I'll tell you of one miracle. Our zone focus this transfer is having the members at lessons invite the individual to church. Super simple but it is so powerful. We went and visited two Less active members one saturday with a member because they live so far away. We taught Sister Armstrong and it was so powerful and Sister Thompson invited her to church and she hestently agreed to next week. Then we just stopped by another less active a few minutes away who is really not too bothered. Sister Thompson asked her if she could give Sister Armstrong a lift to church next sunday, she agreed!! Two birds with one stone! Missionary work is inspired!

Love you guys!

Elder Gurney

PS read Mosiah 2:41

BONUS:  a couple of excerpts from Nick's letter to Mom:

I wish I had time to listen to or read Elder Uchtdorfs Talk (mom forwarded his talk from April's conference to Nick last week), maybe later this week. But the best part about it is your testimony. I would rather read that any day. Testimonies are so special and powerful, I feel like that is where members struggle the most in missionary work. They have no clue how powerful and influencial their testimony is. Share it, live it, don't ever hide it.

I love getting quotes! You should see my study desk. It is bombarded with quotes. A personal favorite from another missionary:

"If your heart is pure, you cannot fail."

-Elder T. McAllister

Week 8

Hello everyone!

Wow I can't even believe it is week 8. I actually had to look that up I couldn't even remember. A month feels like a week honestly. It is transfer week! But don't worry I am staying in North Shields! My companion, Elder Krylborn, is being made a district leader! So we are pretty excited and nervous for that.

We are moving this week! I am not sure if I mentioned last week but we have a new flat. It is so big and so clean (something we are not used to) compared to the current one. Judging on the size of it, we could be getting two more missionaries in the area in the coming months. We are getting all new furniture and beds and everything so we are really pumped for that. The new address is:

Elder Gurney

20 Cecil Street

North Shields

Tyne and Wear

NE29 0DH

I can recieve post there as well so no need to send it to the member in our ward. Packages might still be best to go to the member or to the mission office though. Lisa that would be fantastic if you could update the address on the blog/facebook.

So it is starting to get a little chillier. But not really. I've heard some terrible things about the winter here though so it is time to grit my teeth and love it all the way through. But we also have good heating at our new flat and are getting new beds and blankets so that will help.

The area is doing fantastic. We are really seeing the work progress. It is nice when you are planning and you actually have things to do other than just knocking doors all day. I'll give you an update on Charlie just because I mention him every week. So he has been doing fantastic. He has been reading, praying and he says he will join the church after he feels in his heart he is ready. But then when I called him this morning he said he has felt a little overwhelmed with religion the last little bit and to call him when he gets back from holiday in a week and a half. So hey now it's just time to pray and leave it up to the Lord.

I love seeing the effect the Gospel has on people. It is hard to see sometimes when your helping people make these commitments but as you look back on their progress you get to see how happy they are. It is honeslty one of the biggest blessings of the mission.

Love,

Elder Gurney