Aberdreamin'

It’s been a very cold and rather frustrating week here in Aberdeen. All in all it was still jam packed with blessings. I might have not been able to stuff my face with Turkey, but my heart was still filled with Thanksgiving!

Monday was a pretty exciting P-day, we went mini golfing with all the other missionaries in Aberdeen. It was pretty intense, I started out strong but still ended up getting in last place (Just wanted to make the other missionaries feel better) #TookOneForTheTeam I still felt like the winner when I found an American quarter on the ground! It was a good laugh watching all the American missionaries pass it around with wide eyes like we had just struck gold! Something exciting in Aberdeen has been the Christmas market. They've got it all in the Christmas market! A Christmas tree maze, rides, food stands and more food stands, and of course, a ridiculous amount of drinking.

Something that's not very exciting about Aberdeen is that I found out it that it is the most atheist city in the UK. Money makes pride, pride teaches us to forget God. But don't worry; we'll put the real spirit of Christmas in them this year! On American Thanksgiving I had a classic Scottish meal (Neeps and Taties) with a member who apparently can’t stand Americans... that was awkward. But we made up for it on Saturday when some members and the missionaries all got together and had a good plate of Turkey, Mash, and some apple pie! What a blessing! However I'd have to say that the biggest and best blessing I recognized this week was one of my investigators in Starnraer, Emma was baptized on Saturday. I originally taught Emma, and was supposed to baptize her while I was in Stranraer, but a lot of family issues suddenly popped up. However with much prayer and continued dedication from the other missionaries serving in Stranraer, she has now entered the waters of baptism nearly a year and a half later.

I am so thankful for the plan that God has for each of us. I am so thankful that he can help us to see the bigger picture, even when things don't seem to be going right. I'm so very thankful for my family; they are incredible and have always been the greatest blessing in my life. I am thankful for my friends, for genuine people whom I can learn, laugh, and grow with. And most of all I am thankful for the my Savoir, Redeemer, and Friend Jesus Christ who made an atoning sacrifice for me that I may live with my family Forever. I know He loves us and is always with us.                                                                  

I have only just a minute,

Only sixty seconds in it.

Forced upon me, can't refuse it.

Didn't seek it, didn't choose it.

But it's up to me to use it,

I must suffer if I lose it,

Give account if I abuse it.

Just a tiny little minute,

But eternity is in it.

(Anonymous)

Love, Elder Brycen Cluster

Way Up North

Hello everyone! Long time no see! I'll start by apologizing for not being able to email the past couple of weeks. In all honesty it's probably been the craziest two weeks of my life, but I feel like I've said that a lot since I've been on my mission. I know these emails aren't what they used to be, but let me try to at least get you back on to speed on the basics!

Here is a little piece of an email I was working on two weeks ago before I ran out of time on the computers:

 It was another blessed week in the Scotland Ireland mission. Today is the day before the big moves, which means that as a zone leader today is the day that we get to sit in front of a computer for hours figuring out how to get missionaries across Scotland and Ireland from point  A to point B. Planes, Trains, Trams, Busses, and Ferries galore! Like normal we are a bit pressed for time, so let's focus on some of the miracles and main highlight again! 

On P-day we had Halloween. Halloween is a little less exciting here in Scotland, but Elder Thomson and I made the most of it, and had some good fun with the Easton girls telling Spooky Ghost stories! I also got talked into following the Scottish tradition of chowing down and candy apple. When I had just about finished it, I came across an extra crunchy bite. Soon after I found out that it was the glue that had held together the permanent retainer behind my bottom teeth... Two days later I found myself in a sketchy dentist’s office in Irvine. Let me tell ya, dentists are not held to the same quality as they are back home. They led me into a dark room all by myself where there were two young girls that looked like they should still be in High School. Needles to say, I was flippin out the whole time! My prayers were answered, and I made it out safe to be reunited with my companion.... Oh and my face is fixed so that’s cool too! November 5th was Guy Fawkes Bonfire Night, for safety President had all the missionaries in their flats early, but I was still lucky enough to be able to watch fireworks and lots of crazy drunks through my flat window! What a blessing! 

What I didn't get to mention while I was writing this email was the amazing experience our new investigator’s family had while they were in sacrament on Sunday. It was Fast and Testimony meeting, and our investigator Charlene's little boy Lee got up and said "I just want you all to know that God loves you, and if you enjoy this church I hope you come back, because I know I certainly will." What a complete champ! Now fast forward a couple weeks and they were just baptized on Saturday. I was so sad not to be there, but as long as you get there in the end it doesn't really matter right? Such a blessing!

Last week (My first week in Edinburgh) is all a bit of a blur. As most of you have probably already heard, I was in an accident. I went to Inverness to do a baptismal interview… To get there you have to go through the Highlands, and it was snowing pretty badly. We were on our way back and got into a terrible car accident. I won't get into the details, but let’s just say my companion and I shouldn't have walked away without any serious injuries. I know with out of doubt we were protected that night. What a miracle!! Thank you all for your prayers.

 Apart from that it’s just been extremely dark and cold! The Sun sets at about 3:50pm, and there is always about an inch of frost over everything! I am getting used to the Granite City of Aberdeen. It’s crazy to be in such a big place, not to mention the accents are way different. And I thought the Paisley accents were hard to understand! Give it some time and I know I will love it though. This will be a special place to spend Christmas.

I love and miss you all so much!! Eat lots of turkey for me!

Love, Elder Brycen Cluster

Three Beautiful Baptisms

Looking over this past week it was one of the busiest of my mission, teaching a total of 22 lessons and traveling all over the West Coast of Scotland. However, as I pondered over the events of this week I came to the realization that none of these things really matter compared to the miracle of conversion that has taken place in the hearts of our friends Andrea Easton, Elizabeth Easton, And Sian Bigham, and the great blessing we had to be able to witness them coming unto Christ through Baptism and Confirmation this weekend. I would like to start by saying that I know that God will always provide a way for us to fulfill our purpose. No matter where we are in our lives, God is there, and he is waiting and wanting to reach out and help each one of us.

The Lord also prepared Sian Bigham. It was a cold cloudy day, and everything seemed perfectly normal. I was on exchanges with my good friend Elder Flynn talking to good people on the streets of Irvine. We had a full day of finding and were starting to get hungry. We had a Subway staring us down enticing us with the amazing smell of a meatball subs. We resisted the heavy temptations and decided to find one last potential before giving in. A couple minutes later, there she was. We tried to stop her but all we got was "I'm in a rush, but I’ll be coming back through this way in 20 minutes and will talk to you then" Elder Flynn and I look at each other, "That  was close enough right?" So we ran into subway and enjoyed one of the best sandwiches of my life. However, I was only half way done my foot long and I see Sian walk past. With my subway in hand we ran out the door and grabbed her attention. We took a seat on the nearest bench and after saying a spirit packed prayer, we drove straight into the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I wish you could have seen this girl's face light up when we talked about baptism! We gave her a calendar marked with a goal of baptism for October 29th. She then went away on holiday for a week and a half. We kept her in our prayers, and really prayed that she would keep in contact and meet back up with us when she returned. I was so relieved to teach her for the Second time in the chapel of our ward. When I asked to see her baptismal calendar I was shocked to see each day they had passed neatly crossed off, and "THE BIG DAY" under baptism on the 29th. From there she diligently came to church every week, and it wasn't long after that, that I met her in the baptismal fount. Sian moved only months ago from Leads England to Irvine looking for a new life, and then found herself Born Again.

  

I would like to thank each one of you for keeping these amazing people in your prayers. I know your prayers make such a difference. Miracles continue and the Lord always provides.

Love,

Elder Brycen Cluster