Ask of God

Friends and Family!!! Sorry it has been so long since I’ve sent one of these big emails out! I've been so busy teaching repentance, and going on epic wilderness adventures that it has been hard to fit in! My Mum gave me a speech about how people still need to know I'm alive and want to hear about my life and stuff though, so here we are! I'll try my best to fill you in on some of the good times Elder Schmidt and I have had the last couple weeks. 

First off, Ireland is an amazing place and I love it. There really are a hundred shades of Green over here! The accent is a lot of fun, and I can finally understand most people so that is exciting too. It’s honestly like a whole different mission over here. One thing that is the same as Scotland is that fact that there are still sheep EVERYWHERE. I'm super happy about that!! Looking at all of those fuzzy little guys brightens any day! We also get a bit more sunshine in these parts. That’s an exciting change! Within the last two P-day we have gotten to go to some pretty cool places. There is a place just outside of Mullingar called Forth Abbey. It was one epic Castle! Places like that have their own special spirit. There were ruins of a church building just up from the Abbey where Elder Schmidt and I spend a good 30 minutes singing church Hymns.

This week we got to spend a good couple days in an area called Sligo (On exchange with 

some Elders in the District), we were lucky to get to go there for p-day, and super blessed because they have a car. We drove to some amazing places! Our first stop was to Conney Island, where when the tide is low you can dive across a nice sandy land bridge to a majestic land of old broken down houses and beautiful hidden beaches. Just like in the movie Women in Black!

Later we went on a drive/hike to a place we call the Highlands of Ireland. I had a fun time discovering waterfalls and running with the sheep.

Another HIT of this week was when we were at a member’s home. I was having a good time running around and playing with their dog. It was dark and I completely underestimated how fast this dog was. I was sprinting full speed when all of a sudden I hit the ground on the gravel, and realize I just tackled the dog down! My knee was pretty scraped up, but I was mostly just sad that I ruined my trousers and felt bad for the poor pup. I'm happy to say she shook it off a lot faster than I did though.

 All in all, the best adventure I’ve had so far in Ireland has been getting to know and teach our investigators Mark and Charlotte. Mark was supposed to get baptized last Saturday, but we found out that he has a few weeks to wait. I'm not really too bothered as long as he gets there in the end. Teaching Charlotte has been absolutely amazing! Her husband is a member and she has been to church many times, just never really had a desire to be baptized. Just this week I had such a powerful and spiritual lesson that all of us including Charlotte all left in tears. I committed her to pray about baptism and she happily accepted.

 

Just in closing I would like to remind you all of the love our Heavenly Father has for you. On Sunday I gave a talk in Sacrament on finding faith. As I gave my talk, I came to realize more and more that as we build our Faith we can feel God's love for us ever greater, and recognize all of His miracles in our lives. It all starts down on our knees. If you lack wisdom, ask of God. 

Love, Elder Brycen Cluster

Ireland's Call

Sorry it’s been awhile since I've made one of these big emails! So much has happened in the last couple of weeks! I'll cover as much as I can.

Things got interesting on New Year’s Day when I got a Call from President saying that he had to move some people around in the middle of the transfer, and that he needed me in the Republic of Ireland. It’s a small town right in the middle of the country called Mullingar.

Traveling there was a nightmare to say the least. I was supposed to leave Monday at 4:00AM, but we couldn't figure out how to get into the bus station to save our lives and ended up missing our bus. So for all of Monday and Tuesday I was in a trio with Elder Parsons and my replacement Elder Oxspring (He was my MTC Comp.) We finally got a another bus Wednesday morning that took me down to Glasgow, then to my sweet town of Stranraer, where I caught the long ferry ride over to Belfast Ireland. The Ferry was definitely the best part of it all! It was all fancy! I just sat outside and enjoyed the scenery and sunset.

The ferry docked at Belfast, and we caught another bus to Dublin. We finally arrived there at 9:30PM and spent the night with some other missionaries. I also got to meet my new companion Elder Schmidt (Son of Jon Schmidt.)  Elder Schmidt  is a champion!  I've only spent a few days with him and we are already way close. We have loads in common! I think we are going to have a really good transfer together.  

Thursday morning we caught the train to our area (Mullingar.) We’ve been working really hard!! The Branch seems cool; I'm in a biking area so that’s nice too! I need to get back into shape.... It’s possible I could finish my mission here. We'll see!

Elder Schmidt and I are determined to get this area on fire and to baptize this transfer; I know we can do it with God’s help! Ireland is so different from Scotland. I am back to not understanding a word anyone is saying, and trying my best to get to know the area and Irish lingo! I also found out that the Irish are just as crazy as the Scottish. I’ve had a lot of wild experience here already! But that will be a story for another time. 

             

There have been so many big changes for me, but with change come new starts and new opportunities. I'm excited to see what this new chapter has in store for me. I know that God will lead the way and guide our every step as we learn to humble ourselves, and rely on Him.

I love you all, and am so grateful for your thoughts and prayers!

Love, Elder Cluster