Emi's Nineteenth Email! June 22nd, 2015

So I am officially leaving Hyde. I keep thinking "come what may and love it," but I have really, really come to love this area. I'm only going to Oldham, which is Northish of Piccadilly (Manchester), but it's a different zone and actually is considered as being part of the top half of the mission. And, that is where my MTC companion has been serving up till now. I am going to miss this ward, but there will be people to love in Oldham.

I love Sisters Warren and Black and I will love Sister Allen. 

I have finally figured out why the double chin exists. British people don't eat much fruit or vegetables. I love the meals people provide us, but if they have veggies, they're boiled to no nutrients and if there is fruit, it's from a can. Totally cracked the code. Looks like my comps and I got some health shopping to do. Only took this long to put it together.

It's been getting dark at about 10:30 and light again at around 4 which has been fantastic, but since the summer solstice has now passed, the days are officially starting to shorten....which means winter is approaching. Not excited.

Hope Hannah Andrews had a good birthday and that Kerry Hammock enjoyed Flag Day!

Change is different but good. I am excited. 

Top 10

10) Piccadilly Museums with our recent convert playing tour guide. Apparently, we saw the first computer, I totally missed it.

9) Peace fulfilling his calling in Young Men as a counselor.

8) Making yummy ice cream. Vanilla, Daim, Biscoff spread, peanut butter, and cookie dough. I have to make this for everyone back home. Even Bishop approved.

7) Ward Family Fun Day (and the scones a member made for it, beyond delicious).

6) Visiting the Lees with Brother Jitterbug and Granny. 

5) Bishop Holt

4) Seeing Dolly/Dolly in general

3) Hyde ward

2) Hyde members

1) Hyde area

Sister Doncheva

Emi's Eighteenth Email! June 15th, 2015

So I mentioned last week how I was starting to love my mission. We had an all mission meeting this week (very rare) and it helped me with that turning point. The point to finally fall in love with it completely. There will always be so much to this gospel that is difficult to understand and different parts are more of a challenge to different people. I received a letter from someone very close to me recently and the person mentioned how I should be doing whatever it is that makes ME happy. What a concept. The more natural part of us as people always wants to do OUR will. It is commonly said in our church that as we fulfill His purpose, our potential is fulfilled.

I've been really feeling that recently. Too many times can we find our excuses for different things. I am culpable for venting too much, being too stubborn or proud to align my will to be more like His. Our bishop has shared this scripture with us recently.

In the Book of Mormon, page 219, Alma 5:26:

 "And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?"

This is the change that is meant to bring us true happiness and to continually do so.

Whether or not the sun is out can reaaallly dictate my mood. Any tips to get over that? It's a legitimate issue.

Congrats to Bishop Walton, gnarly! He'll be so good! Bishop Roberts will always be bishop though, he's amazing.

Happy birthday Hannah Andrews!

Top 10

3) Got sunburnt! Feels sooo good. Hopefully it'll last forever

6) Peace spoke at the fireside

4) Pan got the priesthood

7) It was sunny 2 1/2 days and dare I say hot!

1) Mission-wide training

8) The fireside

5) Bernardo, he's just my fav

10) Meet the Mormons Family home evening at Hyde Ward. They are pretty opinionated about the film, but it was still good. Bishop Holt should've replaced the African American one.

2) Dolly is finally back!

9) Munch and mingle after church with a reverse schedule 

-Sister Doncheva

 Peace in a tree

 werkin

 EMM

 Peace sucks as takin pics from a tree

 Bought this from a kid

 Peace being Peace

 Actually not planned

 Peace doing pushups

 Candid

 Some house

Emi's Seventeenth Email! June 8th, 2015

So recently, I've been studying the missionary guidebook, preach my gospel, and the Christlike attributes section. It helped me realizzzze I've got a loooong way to go. But I'm very grateful that our weaknesses can be made known to us because weaknesses really can be made strong! I think the hardest is learning how to care for people. I am very used to not caring for many people and we need to love everyone to an extent. Especially on a mission. First step, learning how to listen to people better. Oh, we got the iPads. So sorry for the typos, I blame the contraption.  I've really been learning to love my mission more. I've always liked it, then really liked it. As of now I love it, and I know I can grow to really love it.


Can't number the Top ten. It was all good

Sweeping for this perfect old lady, Audrey, I want to keep her.
Package from the Richmonds!
Exchanges with the 26 year old Philinina Sister Zulueta
Sunshine
P-day hike and IKEA
Visiting Elder Lee and Sis Lee buying us M&S cookies. Prayers to him, especially today
Digital conference with President Holland speaking
Peace working with us
I'm a Mormon accounts, they're the best. Make one

Sister Doncheva

 Candid

 Sassy Swede

 Pointing to the beloved Ikea

 Clique

 Ikea meatballs

 iPad and ice cream

 Sister Zulueta

 She's the best

 Elder Lee still being Elder Lee

 Peace

 Twins

 Good ole Hyde

 Good example of our relationships

Crew