FREED FROM THE BONDAGE OF SIN

33 But if ye will turn to the Lord with full purpose of heart, and put your trust in him, and serve him with all diligence of mind, if ye do this, he will, according to his own will and pleasure, deliver you out of bondage. (Book of Mormon, Mosiah, Chapter 7)

Symbolically we  are being freed from the bondage of sin when we turn to the Lord for purpose of heart,  put our trust in him and serve him with all diligence. This gives me more courage to work harder as a missionary.

SISTER STAHELI IS LEAVING US:(

Today we got a phone call from Sister Staheli and she is leaving us. It was an emergency transfer. Another Sister is sick and has to go home. Sister Staheli was in a threesome so naturally someone had to go and it was her. We are so sad but then again we know this is the life of a missionary. In someways it is harder to say goodbye to missionaries then your own children.We know we will see our kids again but missionaries come into your hearts and leave to serve the Lords somewhere else. There is always a reason and a purpose for everything. We took the Sisters out Saturday night for Sister Staheli last supper. 

Sunday night we met the AP's in Doncaster to exchange missionaries. It was a chance to get another photo of these great missionaries. Elder Goodwin was our zone leader when we first got here. I cried when he was transferred but now we see him all the time along with our Mesa friend Elder Mosley. 

 One last hug before she leaves us. 

My new favorite scripture about Patience

Book of Mormon: Alma 26:27

27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.

http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/26?lang=eng

I've been studying the attributes of Christ in preach my gospel Page 120. "When you are patient, you hold up under pressure and able to face adversity calmly and hopefully.."  Pres. Thomas S Monson said, "Life is full of difficulty, some minor and others of a more serious nature. There seems to be an unending supply of challenges for one and all. Our problem is that we often expect instantaneous solutions to our challenges, forgetting that frequently heavenly virtues of patient is require."  I need to learn patience with all people, myself included, as I work to overcome faults and weaknesses

NO BETTER TIME

GAMES, DINNER AND A MOVIE.

During Christmas and Boxing day the missionaries are allowed to play a few video games. We were able to let them use our IPad's during the time. They LOVED it!

Brenda Nettleship really out did herself by serving us a Thanksgiving meal. I think I will dream about the meal for a long time. It was all the good things we have at home like Turkey, potatoes, gravy and lots of veggies. It was YUMMY!

Elder Misselwitz and Elder Vogli showed up to use Skype. Elder Vogli had not been able to talk to his parents before now. He was so happy!

Elder Brown and Elder Juran helped me and Brenda clean up the dishes. We needed someone tall to put away things on the top shelf. This is where Elder Brown comes in. 

They watched the "Emperors New Groove." Elder Allen and I slept through most of it. I heard lots of laughter and you can see they were happy. 

They holidays and phone calls home are over. Tonight it is back to work. 

BOXING DAY - PEAK DISTRICT

We went with Greg Nettleship and his son John to the Peak District today on Boxing Day. Boxing Day is traditionally the day following Christmas Day, when servants and tradesman would receive gifts, known as a "Christmas box", from their bosses or employers. Today, Boxing Day is the bank holiday that generally takes place on 26 December. It is observed in the United Kingdom, Canada, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya, South Africa, Trinidad and Tobago and other Commonwealth nations. For us it was a day off where we could enjoy the day with the missionaries. 

 Elder Krylborn love to talk hunting with Elder Allen

 We parked at the top of the hill. The Nettleships like to call this "Pride Rock."

 John and Elder Juran

 John, Elder Williams, Elder Brown and Elder DeShazer

 Here are the Elders that work with us in the Slovak Branch. They REALLY enjoyed a day off. 

 John and Greg Nettlship with Elder Williams and Elder Brown. 

 Our two favorite Czech Elders.

 The two newbees

We were above the clouds and it was wonderful to look at.

This is "Pride Rock" like in Lion King.

Everything was wet so the Elders did not want to sit on it but I made them.

This is a dam with a walk way across it. The fog made it feel mystical.

Do you know what this is? It is a spill way. When the water gets to full it goes into this spill way and out the bottom of the dam. I would have never guessed.  

Do you know what this is? The Rod of Iron. Look it up! Do you see the mist of darkness?

They are on the right path.

This is not the tree of life stone. It is a stone showing the river, the dam and towns never by, a flood and town underwater. 

Drive in the van back to Sheffield.

CHRISTMAS CRACKER

A Christmas cracker is not a food here in England. Crackers are typically pulled at the Christmas dinner table or at parties. In one version of the cracker tradition, the person with the larger portion of cracker empties the contents from the tube and keeps them. In another each person will have their own cracker and will keep its contents regardless of whose end they were in.

MISSIONARIES CALLING HOME

Many of the missionaries called from our home on Skype to their families. It was fun to be introduced to them via Skype. This is Elder Krylborn family in Sweden.

Elder Juran talking to his family in the Czech Republic 

Elder Sindylek talking to his family in the Czech Republic

Elder Brown talking to his family in Utah. 

Elder Misselwitz talking to his family in Germany

Sister Hedstrom talking to her family in Sweden

Sister Staheli trying to connect with Sister Boldbaatar's family in Mongolia 

                    Elder Brown talking to his family in Idaho.                         

Best phone call ever was to our daughter in St. George, Utah. I am looking forward to our call on Mother's Day. 

Elder DeShazer connect later in the day at the Nettleship's home. I was so excited to meet his mom via Skype.