WEEK 55: Exchanges

We saw no results whatsoever this week, but we put in a lot more effort to speaking with everyone.

The zone leaders came to our flat. It was awesome. I really needed some motivation that day and they came to spend he night. Elder Buckhoff and Elder Hoather are inspired. We really enjoyed hat

We also had a double exchange followed by an emergency exchange. We went on exchange with Elder Tobler and Elder Agbonovo, but exchanged with Elder Buckhoff and Elder Hoather partway through the day. Then
Elder Rhea got assaulted so we did an emergency exchange with Elder Mikkola and Elder Rhea. It was a proper confusing day, but it was fun to teach more Slovaks with Elder Buckhoff again.

I will send home a picture of our diet. We couldn't fit the last 15 eggs in the drawer.

*I reached out to Sister Rhea to find out more about the assault situation and she hadn't heard anything so she called me in tears!  I felt so bad!  She texted me later that he is fine but hopefully I didn't get Tyson in trouble for saying something!  I just wish he had given a little more information in his email!

WEEK 54: Not Much To Report

This week was good, but without results. This week as I look at it, I see how much more I could have put into my efforts to find people that want to hear this message. None of our friends came to church. The Lord for sure helps us as we show we are willing to give our best efforts, but if we don't put in the work, we will not have the blessings.

I just played my first ever game of 11 on 11 football (soccer) in England. Loved it.

Love you all,
Elder Pace

Companion Update

WEEK 53: Driving Again

This week was interesting. We had transfers so Tuesday was quite the busy day. We met the new  trainees in our district, Elder Agbonovo (Nigeria), Sister Wilde (Utah), and Sister Mitchell (Australia). They are so cool. I am especially impressed by Elder Agbonovo. He has such
faith and his testimony of the power of God in our lives shines to everyone he speaks with. He is able to touch so many people as he speaks with them that otherwise would have not listened. I am still getting to know the new Sisters, but they seem just as wonderful and I

am glad to serve with them.

On Wednesday after district meeting, I was asked to go take driving lessons. It was so strange to drive over here after a year of not driving. It felt normal since I was driving again, but at the same time, I had to focus since it was on the opposite side of the road. I am now working on my license. It will be a long process but hopefully worth it.

On Thursday, we went to a district leader meeting to get some training. It was so good. I felt so uplifted and so strengthened in my role to help others. President Turvey and the Assistants (Elder Peck/Elder Mikkola) gave some great instruction. I hope that I can do my part to lift the missionaries around me and help them see their potential as servants of God.

On Friday, we had to go to the hospital for an appointment for Elder Leavitt. He is in a rough way at the moment, but hopefully the doctors can take care of things.

We had a lot of time spent in travel and random meetings this week so not too much eventful happened, but this week hurt me a lot. The family we found last week and the family we found on Monday of this week have both been cancelling our appointments and lying to us. They
have been missing out on so many blessings as they decide not to try these things. I have wondered almost constantly what more we can do to help them understand the importance of seeking God. This week has therefore helped my faith in God's answers immensely. As I studied the Book of Mormon and the Bible with my questions, wanting to do it out of a sincere desire to help someone else, my mind was enlightened, my spirits were lifted, and I got my answers. The Lord knows us and loves us and will always help us out. I am so grateful for the people He sends as answers to me and for all the other ways I see His help. His gospel is great.

Love you all,
Elder Pace

PS. The picture this week just seemed so right. I tried to get the prim and proper English drinking an afternoon tea (mine was hot cocoa). The hospital had some great refreshments

Leadership Meeting!

Sister Turvey had posted this picture from a leadership meeting and Tyson was there!

WEEK 52: Fourth of July Celebration

These last two weeks have been awesome. The first news is that Elder Rex is going to Barnsley. He will be a district leader there. I will be serving in Leeds 2 where I am now with Elder Leavitt. It has been so much fun serving with him and I am excited for him to keep moving on.

The next big news is that Elder Peck is the new Assistant to the President. He is such a great guy and I can't wait to have the chance to experience more of his leadership. The rest of my district is pretty different as well. Every companionship is training someone except for me. We are probably the youngest district in the mission since two of our trainers just finished getting trained and Elder Leavitt is the oldest. He has been out for 13 months.

Last week we had a BBQ. That's why I couldn't email last week. I sent my mom the pictures. That was honestly the most fun P-day I have had on my mission. We all just had a great time celebrating America and eating together and playing some baseball. Good memories.

We toured the biggest mosque in Leeds. The imam (one of the mosque leaders) saw us outside and offered us a tour with some explanation.  It was awesome. It helped me to understand their culture and their beliefs and worship much more. It is great to see the similarities between our beliefs. The guy is named Adam. He is in one or two of the pictures and he took us back to his house for some proper curry. Let me tell you that stuff is good! We had one chicken curry and one vegetable curry and they were delicious. He said that normally they will have five or six varieties, but they were unprepared for guests.  I still thought it was the best curry I ever had.

The coolest people we met this week were Carl and Calisha. They are a young family that is looking for more peace and for a fresh start in the case of Carl. He has had a rough past with what he experienced and what he did, but he is so sincere in wanting to change. I can't wait for him to experience the power of Christ's forgiveness through baptism and be completely clean once again! They are so nice and they met us through a miracle. He wanted to talk to us because he recognized me from Rotherham. He lived there when I was serving there
and had seen me around. He recognized our name badges and when we walked by he said "hello Elders" to grab our attention. We talked and he said it was only because of the Rotherham connection that he reached out. We almost didn't walk that way to get to our next appointment since it was faster the other way and we usually run
pretty close to being late. I'm so grateful that we listened to the thoughts to take the other route and met him. We had one lesson where we found out he met missionaries ten years ago and started learning.  He remembers everything and feels that now is the time for him. He has made a promise to God that he will do anything in his power to get an answer of what is true and to try to live worthily. We have let him know what God promises him as he brings his life into harmony with God.  He and Calisha are so prepared to take these steps to God. This church is true. Carl will feel it, I have felt it, and anyone else who wants to give it a try can too. It works because of Christ, our Savior and I am grateful everyday for that opportunity.

Love you all,
Elder Pace

WEEK 51: No Time for Letter