WEEK 91: Stickers & Smiles

I love this ward so far. I have met a fair number of the members here and they all seem really nice and fun to be around. I have had a blast working here this week. I am super tired at the end of the day because me and Elder Dromey are giving it our all every day. Things are laying off and the work here in Sheffield 2 is moving forward. I think at least my mom will be happy to hear that Elder Dromey likes taking photos. He wants to make it a goal of ours that we take photos throughout the week. It’s been working so far.

One of our friends is named Kay and she has a 3 year old daughter called Charlotte. Charlotte was really quiet around us always and wouldn’t talk to us even though the missionaries have been coming over for a while. I made it my goal to become her friend. By the end of the week and after sharing a few stickers, I got her to talk to me and now she will come sit by us and smile when we see her. It made me feel really happy when she finally started smiling. It made me realise just how impactful the little acts of service can be in people’s lives.  Sometimes people just need a friend. We just had to share a sticker or two with her and it helped her out. For others, they might need a smile or a sincere thank you, we don’t know what they have happening in their lives, but we do know how to reach out. I know that God often chooses to love us through others. I hope we can all find a way to reach out this week to someone we normally wouldn’t. Whether it be someone who is alone, or someone who we don’t like, or whoever, I know the world will be a little happier as we all take a chance to share
God’s light in small but significant ways

Love you all, have a great week,
Elder Pace

WEEK 90: Full Circle

I got transferred again! After only four weeks in Sheffield 3, I will be going to Sheffield 2 to serve with Elder Dromey who is my grandson! I trained the guy who trained him and I did it in the same flat we will be living in. It will be really cool to serve with both my son and grandson in the same flat about a year apart.

This week I was on exchanges with Elder Tuita (pictured above)! We had a lot of fun together and we got to try this thing called a fatayer. It's like a middle eastern calzone. We got it from this place called Santos in Dewsbury which is known all around the mission for its fatayer! It was so good. 

It was a great week and I will be sad to say goodbye to this ward and this area. We made a ton of really good friends in our short time here.

Have a Great Week,

Elder Pace 

The broadcast from President Nelson was great. We had struggles getting it to pull up all around the mission so we missed the beginning. It was great to hear from the prophet and to feel a witness that he is called of God. 

WEEK 89: Fun Exchanges

We were able to go on exchange with Elder Peck and Elder Kostrab! I love those guys. I got to spend Monday night with Elder Peck and it was so much fun being with him again (Note:  Elder Peck was Tyson's companion in the missionary training center and they went to England together and will leave England together!) I learn so much from his example and total dedication every time. Tuesday I was with Elder Kostrab and that was also way fun. We got to speak a lot of Slovak together and he was very patient with me as he helped correct my mistakes and teach me new things. He is already so confident and capable as a new missionary! They are great.

We met a bloke named Dwayne this week. He really hopes his life can be changed by believing in Christ. His faith is inspiring. It was cool to hear him open up about things that he has noticed in his own life and then express his willingness to follow Christ in the hopes that it will help him. He has done everything he said he would do and I hope he is feeling a difference already. I think the most rewarding part of this work is seeing the transformation in people as they take steps toward Christ and allow his power to strengthen them. It's amazing as they start feeling his love. 

I also got to go on exchange (this is a day swap of your colleague) with my "grandson", Elder Dromey. The guy who taught him how to be a missionary was Elder Campbell who is the guy that I got to teach. Although, Elder Campbell knew what he was doing from day 1 so I didn't do much teaching. It was a cool experience to be with Elder Dromey for a day. He is funny and I am glad to get to know him now. 

Love you all,

Elder Pace 

WEEK 88: Conference

This week was really great. We spent a lot of time with other missionaries since we had zone conference and general conference. General conference is when the leaders of our church speak to the whole church via broadcast. It happens once every six months and it is a great time to get answers to questions we have. As we come prepared to learn from the Lord's servants on the Earth, God is able to teach and answer us through them. That is what happened for me. I came with very specific questions and left the meetings with answers. I know that God has a prophet on the Earth today. He still leads his people in the same way as He has always done. At the same time God restored a prophet, he restored the priesthood power that brings greater peace and comfort into our lives.

I love serving a mission. It is the best thing ever.

Love you all,

Elder Pace

WEEK 87: Transfers

I am going back to Sheffield! I will be serving with Elder Eliassen in Sheffield 3rd ward. Don't have much time to write, but the Bradford ward was great. I loved it. I will be sad to leave them. Tracey is doing great and is pumped for her baptism.

Love you,
Elder Pace

NOTE:  Tyson is in the back with Elder Hardy (the son of the family that came to Arizona and came to visit)

I love how he has his chocolate milk on the top of his pile of stuff to take to his new apartment!