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

Isle of Arran, Baptismal Preparation and Stake Conference

Hello Family and Friends! It's been another amazing week filled with adventures and fun filled lessons with the Eastons and Sian Preparing them for their baptisms. This week has really taught me to count my many blessing.

Oct. 17th

We finally made it to the Isle of Arran!!!! Miracles are real. We have tried to go for the past three weeks, and have missed our ferries. We had the most amazing weather this side of Scotland has ever seen lately, but Monday when we hopped on the ferry it was bucketing rain, but I didn’t even care, we made it on the ferry! We did it all, from exploring the wilderness to checking out a cheese factory. To finish it all up we explored an epic castle! Just as we walked to the other side of the castle we saw an amazing view of the ocean. As a gazed over the horizon in deep pondering I saw a wee boat headed towards us. Then it clicked. THAT’S OUR FERRY!! Next we ran like mad men for 20 minutes all the way to the other side of the Island. With my many years of cross country training and several frantic prayers we made it back just in time! I wish I could say that was the first time I almost got stranded on an Island... 

Oct. 18th

This morning we had a beast of a district meeting in Ayr. It was from DL Elder Divinas. He is a 26 year old recent convert from Lithuania. He's not the easiest to understand, but when that man speaks the spirit teaches!!  Afterwards we had a great exchange with the Elders in Paisley. I spent the day with Elder Corcoran. What a lad! We had a great time finding new people to teach!

Oct 19th

The greatest part of Wednesday was a lesson we had with Sian. We went through all of the baptismal interview questions with her and she is just ready as can be! One of the greatest things to see was her Book of Mormon all marked with notes and bookmarks, and her baptismal calendar neatly marked down one day at a time, with "The Big Day" written in bold letters on the 29th. What a blessing it has been to be able to teach her! 

Oct. 20th

Today we had a wonderful lesson with the Easton girls! We taught them all about the Plan of Salvation, and agreed that we would all have a big party in the Celestial Kingdom one day! Later on we met up with Sian and went over Service, Learning, and Missionary work. I can see Sian bringing all her friends and family into the gospel! It's going to be Glorious! To finish up the night we ate some tasty Salmon.

Oct. 21th

Friday morning we had what they are calling a "Cluster Meeting" I came prepared with a speech, only to find out that it was just two districts put together for one district meeting, so we role played to the max! We were able to catch up on some good finding time and teach Sain again, but nothing too special for today. 

Oct. 22nd

Saturday morning we arose and had a morning lesson at the church with Sian. We taught her all about families and temples, and committed her to go to the temple within the first three weeks of her baptism. Her face lit up as we shared all about temples and the work we can do there. She can't wait to experience it for herself. We were also blessed with another great opportunity to teach the Eastons. We taught about the Holy Ghost and how we can have Him with us all the time. The wee ones are excited for their baptisms and to have the Holy Ghost as their new friend, to help lead and guide them. To finish up the night we traveled down to Paisley where we were able to attend the Saturday night session of Stake Conference with the Easton’s, then spent the night with the Johnston Elders. 

Oct. 23rd

Sunday has got to be my favorite out of the lot. Out of the 16 months I have been on my mission 13 of those have been spent in the Paisley Zone, which means when I go to Paisley Stake Conference I pretty much know everyone and their pets! It was like one big family reunion! I especially enjoyed being able to spend some time with the Higgins family from the good old days in Greenock. What a blessing they have been to me! It is amazing to see Gavin now as the first counselor in the Greenock Branch. It feels like his baptism was just yesterday! It was another great blessing to have Sain and the Eastons join us in Paisley for conference. I loved each of the talks, especially the one given my Elder Pills of the Area 70's from Germany. The main theme was "Remember Him". 

 It’s been a very miraculous and blessed week, but this week is going to be the Big Burrito with Elizabeth and Andrea Eaton along with Sian all being baptized on Saturday October 29^th. We have plenty of reason to rejoice with great gratitude to our Father in Heaven.

Elder David A. Bednar: "The very process of people prayerfully seeking inspiration to learn and to improve—they will be taught things by the Holy Ghost that no lecture is ever going to dispense."

Love, Elder Cluster

All ScotlandConference, ZLC, and A Castle!

This week Elder Thomson and I were able to spend extra time working with a lot of amazing missionaries. We are very blessed with all the missionaries in the Zone and their fantastic examples, along with every missionary in Scotland that we got to see on Thursday! We are truly unified in this great work. I also had the major blessing of getting to see Sain and the Easton families grow in the Gospel and make some major steps towards their Baptisms!

                                                 

Oct 10th

Monday was absolutely beautiful! We quickly changed and ran out to the ferry for our journey to the Isle of Arran! We arrived right on time… Just in time to find out that we need to get there 20 minutes early to get on. So there we sat watching our ferry sail out to the lands we so desperately dreamed of for the past three weeks. (Today is ridiculously grey and wet, but you better believe we'll be on that ferry!!) So instead of exploring the Island we went out to my favorite castle wall and relaxed on the top of it contemplating the beautiful things of life. I could have stayed up there forever, but instead we came home and hit the streets teaching everyone about Jesus! 

Oct. 11th

Today we had a Zone Leadership Training where we got to instruct and counsel all the District Leaders in the Zone about how we were going to meet all our new goals and recognize all of God's miracles in our work. I would say the two main points were Faith, and learning how to work with members to the fullest! After our meeting, I went on exchange with a new missionary Elder Stevenson. All of the appointments we had set for the day kept getting pushed back until everyone wanted to see us at the same time. So we told them all to meet us at the church where we taught a class about the restoration with three investigators and two recent converts. It was pretty legendary. 

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Oct. 12th

Wednesday morning we drove the Johnston Elders home and used their shower because ours is flooding out our downstairs neighbor. Next we met up with a new investigator in a little cafe next to the Dundonald Castle; we got some sweet chicken noodle soup! Later on in the day we were getting ready to see the Easton’s when our joint teacher canceled on us. As we were frantically trying to find someone who could join us I got a call from a random number. It was my favorite English missionary Elder Gates and he was in Irvine! He was thrilled to help us out with our teaching. What a blessing. What a legend! We finished up the night by conducting a baptismal interview in Paisley. 

Oct. 13th

Thursday was a painfully early trip and long drive to Edinburgh for an All Scotland Conference. It was all worth it when we arrived. It was an amazing conference with a very powerful spirit. I must say though, the best part was when Elder Thomson and I got to instruct every Missionary in the Country on conversion. When the meeting was all finished up we grabbed the Stranraer Elders and started our journey back home. On the way back I got the most incredible chicken burger from KFC! I know KFC started in Utah, but the KFC in Great Britain is so much better! The only thing that could have made is better would have been a cold glass of Root Beer! Then we closed the night by teaching a lesson to a group at the church!

Oct. 14th

One of the greatest parts about Friday was the lunch we had with my favorite old lady. She is super sweet, and loves Jesus more than anyone I've ever known!! Another Great blessing was teaching the Easton family about the life of Jesus Christ, little Andrea is really starting to get it. I sure hope they make their baptismal date for October 29th!

Oct. 15th

Friday was made up of running around Glasgow helping a couple of our missionaries move into their new flat. After we finished up with all the silly monkey work, we met up with the sister missionaries in the area and went crazy on the town with family history pamphlets! We are going to baptize so many old folk! Today we also taught Sian the law of Chastity. She's committed, can't wait for her baptism at the end of the month! #KingdomBuilder

Oct. 16th

Sundays are always great. Both the Easton’s and Sian had a great experience. It was so nice seeing them there! Partaking of the sacrament next to your investigators is always very rewarding. I love it! The rest of Sunday wasn't anything to special. I had some pretty kick butt spaghetti, which was a good experience! 

Thank you so much for all of your prayers this week,specially the ones for the Easton’s and Sian. I am very grateful for that! Never forget how present God is in our lives. As we build our faith we will recognize his miracles. The Lord has said, “For behold, I am God; and I am a God of miracles; and I will show unto the world that I am the same yesterday, today, and forever; and I work not among the children of men save it be according to their faith.” (2 Ne 27:23).  “And I said unto them: If God had commanded me to do all things I could do them. If he should command me that I should say unto this water, be thou earth, it should be earth; and if I should say it, it would be done. “And now, if the Lord has such great power, and has wrought so many miracles among the children of men, how is it that he cannot instruct me?” (1 Ne 17: 50-51).

Love you!

Elder Brycen Cluster

Blessings and Crazies!

It’s been a great week filled with Blessings and lots of Crazies! Let me give you a few of the greatest moments of my mission this week!

What Ever Thou Art, Act Well Thy Part

Oct. 3rd

Elder Thomson and I ran as fast as we could to get out ferry to go explore the Isle of Aran. We bought our ticket and then we were told that there is not only one boat and it doesn't leave till 5.45pm. We sadly walked back to the car. Next I got an awful haircut by a Turkish man who couldn't speak English; it took him half the P-day to do too! We finished P-day by doing some crazy manly workouts in the flat and then had a great family home evening with the Easton family!

Oct. 4th

Today I had a great district meeting in my home town in Greenock! It felt weird standing in the same spots as I did this time a year ago... After DM we went on exchange back in Irvine, I was with my homeboy Elder Harker. The craziest part of the day was when we were teaching out investigator Sian outside, when this crazy ball Born-Again sits down next to her and starts going buck wild saying that we are teaching her lies and that the Book of Mormon is false doctrine! Just when I was about to get up and fight the man Sian bears her testimony on the BOM being the word of God, and then she read him a scripture about baptism. It was one of the best moments of my life.

 

Oct. 5th

We awoke at 5AM and hit the road to Edinburgh for Mission Leadership Council dropping off the other Elders in Glasgow along the way. This was one of the greatest leadership meetings I've been too. We talked all about Faith and working with Members. The spirit taught me so much. Elder Thomson and I also did a stellar instruction on Scripture study.

Oct. 6th

My favorite part of today was when we knelt down and prayed before sharing a powerful lesson in the chapel with Sian. She's now committed to the Word of Wisdom, what a boss. The second greatest part was a baptismal interview I got to conduct in Paisley. Her name is Lindsay and she went from being a complete atheist to now being a full fledged Mormon in a matter of weeks! Her baptism was Saturday and she is now enjoying the blessing from the Gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Oct. 7th

Friday we were back in Edinburgh, this time on exchanges with the Assistance. I spent the day with Elder Crowe from Beyond 5! What a lad. We spent the day teaching lots of Chinese students and eating fish and chips. 

Oct. 8th

The greatest thing about Saturday was the lesson we had with Nicola at the beach. Nicola's testimony has grown so much since I first started teaching her! Her friends are awful and hate her being a part of the church, but she just sticks it to em because she won't deny the truth and is staying true to her faith! I also ate fish and chips again, for both lunch and dinner. 

Oct. 9th 

Church was absolutely incredible! We had Sian join us, she felt the spirit so strongly as all the members got up and shared their testimonies. She'll be baptized by the end of the month if it's the last thing I do!! We also spend a lot of time running all around Ayr moving a lot of old junk and trying to shut down an old missionary flat. It was good fun!

So there you go, lots of memories were made :) We are going to try once again to make it out to Aran now... So wish us luck!! 

PS. Please keep the Easton’s and Sian Bigham in your prayers.

Love, Elder Cluster

Moves Call, Moves Planning, Moves, and the Flu.

My family and friends!! I'll be completely honest with you, I'm almost out of time and I kind of just want to explore the Isle of Arran before the weather changes and we find ourselves in a monsoon again. But I’ll sum up the last couple of weeks for you with a couple of power statements! 

1. Moves call... That was something crazy! I got the call to serve with one of my good buddies Elder White, but when we found out that neither of us could currently drive in the UK they made a switcharoo and hooked me up with another South African named Elder Thomson, and asked me to train him how to be a Zone Leader. I'm still just trying to figure that junk out of myself so this is going to be an interesting transfer. Also I think I’m starting to get quite the strange accent being with a South African 24/7 and constantly speaking to Scots! 

2. Moves planning is harsh. On Monday we sat at the computer from 7am to 6pm on a spreadsheet with all the ZL's in the mission figuring out what Trains, Planes, Busses, Trams, and Ferries we would need to get in order to get everyone to their new areas! It was a struggle to say the least, but was nothing compared to the moves day itself. I got the Flu and felt like I got hit by a bus and still had to spend the day (and a good chunk of the rest of the week) driving all over Scotland trying to get new missionaries safe and sound into their new areas! Oh yeah, Elder Wilson also had a car fall on his foot. That slowed us down a bit! 

3. I ate a lot of fantastic food this week! My two favorites was the Haggis I had with the Easton Family, and the other was a burrito I got in Glasgow. That is probably one of the only Mexican restaurants in all of Scotland. It still didn't taste like a real burrito but I’ll take whatever I can get! 

4. Last but definitely not least was general conference! General Conference is just like Christmas for missionaries!! My favorites were Elder Uchtdorf and Elder Oaks. Dallin H Oaks was going powerhouse on missionary work! You can just look into the eyes of these amazing men and women and see a light. They've got something special. They are called of God! 

Well that about sums it up. I love you all so much! I am especially grateful for your prayers, they are heard and the Lord blesses me every day. Now it’s time for some hard core adventures!!! P-Day is a great break for us! Talk to you in a week!

Love, Elder Cluster