7 months? 7 months!! (Sept 25th 2017)

Okay, I think it's been like two days since I emailed home but whatever! Time is just flying by!

This week was really good despite the rubbish weather! I was seriously about to freeze this week and talking to the members and stuff about it they just laughed because this isn't even winter yet. Help me!!!! 

Kind of a funny story from this week. So Thursday evening we were doing a YSA activity and we all went to McDonald's and we had them get out their phones and each message one of their friends that they could invite to church on Sunday. It's was really good... no one came thou. BUT while we were sitting there and talking, this woman came up to our table and asked us what state we were from. Her 14-year-old daughter about flipped out when Sister Wamsley said Utah because this little girl is DYING to go to BYU and stuff. Not a member of the church or anything but is obsessed with Studio C. So that was really good. We asked them if they wanted to meet with us to learn more about our church and they said no sadly but she'll get taught the gospel at BYU so it's fine haha.

On Sunday it was really good because sacrament meeting started and none of the investigators that we had planned on coming, had shown up so I was kind of bummed. But like 5 minutes in, Sophie came in and sat down next to us and afterward we were talking with her and she apologized that she was late because she was at play practice. But she was saying that she left really early because she wanted to come to church!!! She's so good! We met with her and her parents that night and they said they don't want her to get baptized until she's 18 (she turns 13 in December). Sophie wasn't too happy about that, but we have to respect her parent's wishes! They did say though that she is more than welcome to keep coming out to things though if she wants. Keep her in your prayers though! 

Today for p-day we went to this place called Cregneash and the Sound. Cregneash is just this really old village that has some AMAZING scones (they pronounce is sc-ON-s). And I don't really know why it is called the Sound but its just the very southern tip in the Isle and it was really pretty! It was super foggy so we couldn't see too much but it was nice! 

Oh yeah and this weekend we find out about transfers so I will let you all know what is happening next week! Wish us luck!

Hope you all have a lovely week! Thank you so much for everything!! 

xx

Sister Washburn 

Gospel Jeopardy (Sept 18th 2017)

Well, this past week was interesting. Last Monday I literally felt like dying! I was so sick and my body just hurt so we ended up just going home for the rest of the evening and I took some medicine and passed out for the night. Thanks, NyQuil!!! Then Tuesday I woke up and could hardly talk or move so we obviously stayed home again. It was rough! Staying home all day is NO FUN! On the bright side, I listened to loads of General Conference talks and read a decent amount of the Book of Mormon so that kind of made it better.

On Wednesday evening Sister Wamsely and I were in charge of the youth activity so we decided to do Gospel Jeopardy. It was really good! Our investigator Sophie came and did a pretty good job answering most of the questions! It was loads of fun.... I love seeing what competition does to people. 

On Friday evening we had our Book of Mormon class again and that was really good! More and more people are coming each week and they all seem to enjoy it and have a great time? Who doesn't love learning more about the Book of Mormon am I right?!

Yesterday at church it was really good! We were talking to Sophie after sacrament meeting and she was saying that she REALLY wants to be baptized (yay!!) but her parents aren't too sure anymore (boo) so we are really praying hard that we can know how to better help her parents understand and support her! 

Missions are hard! They challenge you in a lot of different ways, but they are so good and so rewarding! I love teaching about the gospel each day and just trying to help them better understand the love their Father in Heaven has for them!! This week I came across a scripture that I really love! 

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of day, harden not your hearts." (Jacob 6:5)

I hope you all have a great week and always remember to CLEAVE unto God because He loves you and will never leave you alone!

xx 

Sister Washburn

When you get the guac for free (Sept 11th 2017)

Okay so as usual, this week FLEW by!! On Tuesday we hopped on the boat over to England to go over for a meeting! It was so nice to go over and see friends and missionaries! We learned all about Facebook for our mission and how to use it properly so it was really good! President McReynolds talked a lot about just being good and obedient. We've been given a lot of trust recently with the use of social media, so he really just drilled into us the importance of being obedient and holding ourselves accountable! 

I guess to explain my subject, after the meeting in Manchester before we caught a train back to Liverpool, we went with some other sisters to this burrito place. It's was heaven! AND you could get guacamole for free with your burrito....no extra charge. #blessed. It's the little things ya know? 

On Thursday night we got back on the boat to come home and it was MISERABLE!!! The seas were seriously so awful and rocky and I got super sea sick! But when we finally got home and off the boat I was okay, just those three hours sitting down and rocking back and forth were no bueno! 

Friday we taught a Book of Mormon class for some of the recent converts, less actives, and any investigators that wanted to come. It was really good!! Sophie came and she loved it! We also had a less active come that hadn't stepped foot into a church building in like 20-30 years. Everyone was so amazed that we got her to come, but it's really just all about showing love and inviting! Hardly ever will someone act until they are asked, so invitations are key!! 

I have super sick the past couple of days with a nasty cold so it's been hard but for some reason, we've still gone out and worked. No days off! The work is far too important haha. But I love you all so much! Thanks for all your endless support and love that you send my way! I hope you all have a fab week! Shoot me an email or mail me a letter if you ever feel like it! They're always welcomed ;)

Xx

Sister Washburn

Not a channy (Sep 4th 2017)

Well, this week was really good! I guess some pretty big news to share is that the England Manchester Mission is now a Facebook mission!!! This week we were all able to download Facebook and Messenger onto our tablets and begin using them to help further the work around the world! Super exciting!! I created a new account and I'm not allowed to message anyone from home so if you wanna chat, keep the emails coming on Mondays! 

Sister Wamsley and I get to go over to England on the boat tomorrow to participate in our zone conference which will just be a bunch of different training on how to use our new technology and everything! Yay!! Love "road trips" haha

This week we also did a YSA activity and had a huge bonfire up on our Bishop's farm. It was really good!! We roasted marshmallows and had really good chats with the ones that came because all of the YSA in our ward are struggling with coming to church at the minute.

Also, yesterday we had a lesson with our investigator Sophie! She's 12 and has been coming with her friend for the past couple of weeks, but we saw her yesterday and invited her to be baptised and SHE SAID YES!!! She just said that she would have to talk to her dad about it. Her mum was right there with us and said that it would be fine, but they needed to make sure with her dad first. Please keep her and her family in your prayers if you could! She is honestly one of the cutest and sweetest girls I have ever met. 

This week has just been so good! I seriously love being a missionary and having this privilege of representing my Saviour Jesus Christ every day! I hope that we can all take those littler opportunities each day to share our testimonies and invite those who may not know, to learn about the Restored gospel of Jesus Christ! 

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophesies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." 2 Nephi 25:26

Have a great week!!! Love Ya! 

Xx

Sister Washburn