Meditation & Lots of Food!

I’m back! This time with stories about Meditating with Buddhists, Reminders on America the Beautiful, and lots of food! So get comfy and buckle up!

May 16th

Monday was another great P-day! We spent most of our day in a small town called Wigtown doing service for our Buddhist friend Eric and his cool grandson Norman from the Netherlands. It was lots and lots of yard work! I was in charge of disposal. In other wards I got to make a massive bonfire and kept it going! It was the first time in ages I had a good fire, it felt amazing! I happened to singe off some eyebrows and a couple of eye lashes... oh well, it’s all part of the experience right? Before we left they fed us some fantastic authentic Indonesian food! It was a bit spicy but it still had me going back for seconds.

May 17th

We started the day off with a solid district meeting in Ayr. We focused on finding and what it means to be a finisher. I was really happy with the way it all went! After district meeting we went to a garage and got a new tire (it’s a miracle we even got to Ayr on the Spare!) Then we were off to another little town called new Luce where we taught our new friend Tina the Restoration. The lesson went really well but she is having trouble excepting the book of Mormon, saying that it is adding scripture to the bible. We explained what it’s all about really well to her, and she said she would pray about it, so we came out happy. We will be meeting with her again this Wednesday! We also got the opportunity to chase around her sheep, so that was fun! After the lesson we had a Hymn singing activity with the branch where Elder Wilson and I convinced everyone to sing the Star Spangled Banner! It was a very proud moment for me!

May 18th

In the morning we had an appointment fall through so it left plenty of time for finding, we also tried by Martin! Apparently he's been of f the drink for almost a week now! He was talking 100 miles an hour and kept accidently switching to Czech and not even noticing! Ha!  After that little experience we met up with Emma and had a fantastic lesson with her on the Scriptures. She is still struggling to understand the Book of Mormon but we promised her that as she continued to try and pray about it, that God would help her understand. We also saw J and A today. They had us in and then I realized that they're both drunk again... Amy kept falling asleep and J was just going on and on about weird conspiracy theories so we just kinda slipped out! We probably won’t be seeing them again for a while. The big talk of the town in the American Circus that is in Stranraer! Apparently they come once every other year and it’s a pretty big deal. We went with a recent convert and investigator to check it out and it was so American it was unreal! I don't know if I've ever seen so much red white and blue in my life! It was like a dream come true!   

May 19th

We started Thursday off with coordination meeting then met up with Tia and taught the Plan of Salvation. The Plan of Salvation is probably my favorite lesson to teach, the spirit is always so strong! The only struggle was that we met down by the ocean and it was super cold and windy! The Branch President and his family also had us over for kebabs today! Those things will be the death of my someday... We finished up the night by going on splits and visiting some less actives. Less Actives are frustrating creatures but we love them anyway.

May 20th

Friday was one heck of an adventure! In the morning our Buddhist friend Eric had us over and took us to a meditation class he does inside a castle! It was fun stuff! After we were done meditating we asked him about what we were saying and he told us what it all means! Apparently I am about adventure and I am motivated by love. That's cool right? He also told me that I need to learn how to live in the now, whatever that means. He also showed us around to some cool ancient burial mounds and surprised us with lunch. It was quite the surprise because we were going to the McLean’s for Dinner! It was tasty though, spaghetti marinas made with stinging metal! Dinner with the McLean’s was nice too, we had really good curry. I'm pretty sure I gained like 10 pounds today....

May 21st

Started out morning out with more food, pancakes at the McLean’s! What a blessing... Afterwards we taught Emma and Rachel the 10 Commandments and then it was off to the hospital to visit Martin! I'm still not really sure what he's doing there, but he had us go to his flat and get him some socks so he's probably doing better now! Said he should be in there till Friday! Another exciting part of the day was a visit we had with Dave. He seems to be doing a bit better. I'm gonna miss that man!

May 22nd

Sunday was a day of food. In fact it was the first time I've been fed breakfast, lunch, and dinner! In the morning before church we had a full Scottish fry up breakfast with the MacGillvary's! It was so much food... First they gave us cereal, next porridge, and then some toast and yogurt. Thinking that was it I filled myself up. That was a big mistake because next came out a big plate of wonders! There was Haggis, Sausage Slice, sausage Link, Two different types of Hash Browns, Scrambled Eggs, Baked beans and more! I survived it all then took on Church. Church was a good time as always, Rachel joined us today! My favorite part was our gospel principles class, we talk about our Loving Heavenly Father and bore some solid testimony! After church we visited Martin in the hospital again, this time with the Branch President. He's doing a lot better; all he wanted to talk about was the attractive nurses though! Later on President surprised us with Scotch Pies for lunch and about a half an hour later we went to the McLean’s for dinner. I am fat and happy. J

 And there ya have it folks! It’s been an exciting week and I can't wait to see what this one has in store for us! Exciting things are happening and we have lots of lessons lined up with new investigators, so please pray for them. Thank you for all of your prayers, your Father in Heaven loves you, and will always hear your prayers. He is always there to help you on your journey! Stay tunes for moves call next week! Love you all!

 -Elder Cluster

Warm Weather in Scotland? I Must Be Dreaming!

Hello everyone! It’s been a grand week of teaching and sunshine! Buckle up and enjoy the ride!

May 9th

P-day was pretty much perfect! It was fairly warm and sunny so we decided to make the most of the good weather and go on a little beach tour! We made it to a place called Sandhead and back over to Port Logan. It felt amazing to get my toes in the sand! We also stumbled across this majestic secret garden, I felt like I was in the Amazon all of a sudden and surrounded by all these tropical plants! It was a great place for pondering! We finished P-day off with our good Czech friend Martin who made us a cabbage soup and Wiener schnitzel made of lion steak! Wiener schnitzel is a beautiful thing...

May 10th

District meeting went great today; we focused on getting people to church and set lots of goals for the month. After DM we got some Burger King and I remembered how pathetic fast food is here.... The rest of the night was spent chapping doors.

May 11th

Wednesday morning we had a lesson with Kevin. We read the book of Enos with him and talked about the power of prayer and repentance, and then he told us he couldn't come to church for the next four weeks... We probably won’t be seeing much of him for a while. One of my main highlights of the week was went we went to a small town called Wigtown and visited our less active Buddhist friend! It was awesome; he had all the fun statues and cool crystals and everything! I want to meditate with him before I leave this area!! It was fun to drink his water; it had all these fancy rocks in it! We are actually going back to do some service with him today. He is from the Netherlands and always speaks Dutch to his French Bull dog! He said he's even made us some authentic foods! I just hope it’s nothing that will melt my face off! Last but not least, I met a dog today with my same Birthday! What a good pup.

 

May 12th

Today we had coordination meeting, had a couple lessons fall through, and then ate Haggis lasagna at the branch presidents! After that we helped someone move, I'm not gonna lie, it was pretty nasty! We didn't have time to change into our service clothes so we went in shirts and ties and I ended up getting a bunch of weird smelly slime all over me. I went straight home and showered after that! We did get a pretty nice bench press and a bunch of weights out of it though! After I got all cleaned up Campbell officially dropped us over the phone. It was a real shame, but he'll get there someday, it just isn't his time yet I guess. We ended the night at this fun little youth activity playing badminton. I've decided that I need to be on a professional badminton team someday!

 

Elder Cluster's 1st Vision

Sacred Scottish Grove

May 13th

Friday the 13th... I was a little nervous become we had a couple important lessons today. But the spirit was strong and we didn't have any Freaky Fridays! First was our lesson with Emma, we taught the Restoration and everything was grand. She still won't commit to a baptismal date but we've definitely got her thinking! A couple hours later we met up with Tia, and taught the Restoration again! This lesson went perfectly. She felt the spirit and set a goal to be baptized on June 11th! Another exciting moment today was Dinner at the Hanlens, a nice juicy steak! I was just lovin' life!

May 14th

We got weekly planning out of the way then went down to Port William to see our friend Dave. He was just leaving the house to walk the dogs when we pulled up. We talked him in to letting us come along and had a nice little hike with him along the country side, which is really just his back yard. We hopped in the car to go to our next appointment and realized we had a tire as flat as a pancake! We got our hands (and everything else) dirty and changed it ourselves with the spare. My Pops should be proud! On the way back this taxi in front of us hit a pigeon, I don't think I've ever seen so many feathers in my life! It was just one massive Puff! Right before bed I also got a phone call that I'd be getting a new team in my district Monday (Today) Elder Gates (my old Zone Leader) and Elder Harman (My old Comp/district leader) it’ll be weird having them both in my district, but I can’t wait!

May 15th

Sunday was a grand time, we didn't have as many friends at church as we thought we would, but we had Tia and my favorite less active! That's her officially reactivated now too. It made my day; she's made such a change! We had another little miracle today. We were chapping on some doors when we got a phone call from a potential investigators friend named Suzy. She told us she was looking for a church, had lots of questions, and wanted to meet up sometime! How do ya like them apples!? Prayers answered, every time.

I've definitely seen Gods love for me through this week. He knows my goals and has his hand in his work that we are doing here. I know with faith we will continue to see miracles and new success!

Love you all,

 -Elder Cluster

My Amazing Mum / Mothers Day Skype

It’s been another hectic week of traveling, teaching, and adventures but the very best part was when I got to Skype my family on mother’s day. 

May 2nd

P-day was a blast this week! It was a back holiday and the library was closed so we went to the Mcleans and did a bit of emailing on their I-pads. Nancy Mclean even made me some French toast! That was my first time in a year! I think it just made me trunky for my dad’s French toast on thick duck bread though. After all of those shenanigans Elder Wilson and I went on an adventure down to a place call Port Logan. It was ridiculously windy so we were the only ones around which made it even more exciting. We also went to some botanic Gardens and chased around pheasants. There are so many pheasants in Stranraer it’s not even funny. 

May 3rd

Tuesday morning we traveled down to the ferry for Ireland and made sure a group of missionaries made it on alright. One of them was my old companion Elder Harman! It was nice to see him again, what a kid! Afterwards was a lot of finding, then a long drive to Killmarnock to spend the night for an All Scotland Conference the next morning in Edinburgh. 

May 4th

Wednesday was madness! But it was a lot of spiritual madness so it was okay. We were up at 4am and I was driving down to Pollock with the Killmarnock Elders to pick up another missionary. It was a long drive and the traffic was nuts but we made it! And then it was off to the mission home in Edinburgh. We arrived at about 9am and had and amazing conference with every missionary in Scotland till 4pm. It was perfect, I learned so much and the spirit was so strong the whole time. My favorite part was getting to hear the testimony of every missionary going home at the end of this transfer. They all talked about how the mission fly's by so fast and that we need to make the most of it! After the conference we drove back through Glasgow and dropped off the Pollock Elders, then to Killmarnock to drop some more kids off, and then it was a long drive home to Stranraer. We didn’t get home till past 10pm! Talk about road trippin it! We did it all without dinner too...

May 5th

May the 5th be with you... I slept like a log last night! However I was still a zombie and can’t really remember much of what happened today. I know we tried to teach Kevin and had dinner at the Branch Presidents home, but that about it! Maybe it will come back to me later.

May 6th

This morning we were talking to folk in the Town Centre and ran into a recent convert and a new investigator! We had a good chat with them and decided to get some lunch in a café and then had a really good lesson on the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We invited her to be baptized but couldn't get a straight answer. We'll keep praying for her and see what happens. We also got to teach James and Amy about Jesus Christ today. Once they fully understand his role and importance in our lives it'll be smooth sailing!

May 7th

Today I woke up and felt like my throat was on fire.... besides that Saturday was wonderful. It started out with a less active visit that made us Scottish breakfast roles with haggis! It was delish! The lesson was fantastic too! After that was Kevin, we taught him about Tithing and fast offerings. The lesson went well but afterwards he talk us that he wouldn't be able to come to church for the next four weeks!! That’s a problem. I'm afraid Kevin's gonna need some time... We had a few other lessons fall through today but ended up at Martin's eating some weird soup made out of black pudding. It looked like some kind of black sludge with a smell to match the picture, but was probably the best soup I've ever had!   

May 8th

It’s Mothers Day! Everything about to day was perfect. Besides loosing completely my voice.... you should have heard me trying to teach gospel principals! It was a good thing I had my companion there to translate! Church was great, we had one investigator named Tia and our less active friend join us. It was sad to not have Martin, Campbell, or Kevin join us but we were grateful for everyone who did make it!

I was so happy when the moment finally rolled around that I was able to Skype my family. I prayed that everything would work out and as soon as I saw my Mum on the computer screen, I got my voice back! It was a complete miracle. I am so blessed to have such an amazing family. I loved every second I got to spend talking to them! Especially my Mum, I know I wouldn't be here on my mission today without the example she has been to me. By watching the way my Mum has lead her life it’s made my testimony grow even more! She deserved a perfect Mothers Day.

I hope you all had a week as grand as mine, and I hope you got to spend some of it with your families. They're the best things we got! Love you all ~ Elder Cluster

A Cute Highland Coo

Because I Have Been Given Much I Too Must Give

Hello friends and family! We're back, and a day late due to another British Bank Holiday. I hope it allowed the suspense to build because I’ve got an exciting one for ya! 

Apr. 25th

P-day was fantastic this week! We started it off right with a pancake party at the Mcleans. It was a little piece of heaven! They don't know how to make, or even eat pancakes here for that matter, but Nancy made me proud! Later on we had some fun in a wee town called Port Patrick. It was nice to relax and mess around the beach, and one of Donald Trump’s mansions! We also had some crazy winds that practically blew us to our next appointment with a less active. 

Apr. 26th

Bright and early Tuesday morning we traveled to Ayr for District Meeting, we had the zone leaders join us this week! The spirit was mighty as we discussed the different aspects of conversion. After DM we traveled up to Irvine for a Blitz/ exchange with the ZL's I spent the day with Elder Martin. The best part of the day was when I got to conduct my first Baptismal Interview with a little girl named Hanna. Only a few weeks earlier her Mum had been baptized, and a few months before that it was her Sister. It was really exciting; I remember teaching her sister on exchange a couple months ago! 

Apr. 27th

On Wednesday we drove home from Irvine bright and early, then did some service gardening for a member. It felt nice to get into some real clothes and into the sunshine, or what little sunshine you can get in Scotland. I got to dig out a stump with a pick ax! They also had us over for Mince and Tatties. Later on we chapped a whole village!

Apr. 28th

Today we had two appointments cancel, but it was okay because we also had two great ones that held! The first was with Campbell, we had dinner with him at a members home and then taught about scripture study and keeping the Sabbath day holy. After that we taught our Czech friend about how Jesus is always there for us and is always our friend. He gets lonely being so far away from him home and family but I know this lesson helped him. 

Apr. 29th

Today started off great and ended pretty rough. First we had a lesson with Kevin and put a huge emphasis on church, next we had some delicious burgers at a less actives home. After the meal we had a very spiritual lesson with her about the sacrament. I felt the spirit bearing witness to her; she is doing great and is right on her way to reactivation! Now this is where thing went down hill... We go to one of our investigators for our appointment and right away they apologize because they had some friends show up, but invited us in for the lesson anyway. So I'm thinking "Sweet, referrals!" But nope, as soon as we walk in a heavy fog of weed hits us and we notice a massive box of beer. Our investigator is totally drunk and the other guys are high. They kept trying to insist on having us watch this movie but I pretended we had something come up on the phone and got out of there. To finish of the night we found out that our other two investigators are probably moving, and Vicky might be leaving to Falkirk! What are the odds eh? We're staying positive though, they're not out of here yet!

Apr. 30

Today I happened to run into this Scottish Paletiton on the street! I tried to stop her but she wasn't having it, her body guards didn't seem too happy about it either... I'm still trying to figure out what the junk she was doing in Stranraer though! Today we also had a lovely Picnic by a loch out by the village where Kevin lives, and later on I endured some weird Czech Republic food Martin made us!

May 1st

I'm not gonna lie, Sunday was pretty disappointing. None of our investigators came to church! Not only that but all of their phones happened to die! Those little fetchers. Testimony meeting was amazing though, it would have helped Kevin and Campbell so much. Besides church we were pretty much just knocking on doors the rest of the day. Chapped this really angry naked man who was yelling for the police! That was fun! 

I know that mission is full of ups and downs but that’s something you have to learn to love. It was never easy for the savor, and to be honest I hope it’s never completely easy for me either. I know that no matter where we go, he's been there and can help us through it. 

That’s another week in Stranraer, over and out!            

Love, Elder Cluster