14 January 2013

I need to send pictures right away... I’m worried my camera battery is about to die.... bah. Never mind... it just did.  Good thing Sis. L. has a fancy card reader.

So we went to the castle today... probably about an hour or so ago. Then we went to a caffi (got some chips and a meat pie :) took a few pics of the castle, but we weren't there for too long.  And there’s not much left of this castle. But it's beautiful.

There is some cool history about the castle too.  Something about a prophecy that Merlin made about how a dragon would come and reclaim the land.  And a war.  I didn't follow all the details, but I took a picture of the history plaque thing so I’ll read it later tonight.   The castle is set with the river on both sides. It is interesting, it kind of loops around. Pretty :)

Transfers are next week! Oh my goodness! It’s hard to believe I’ve been here for 5 weeks already... yet it seems like I’ve been here forever.  I’m really loving it. 

Yesterday I gave a talk in church... about New Beginnings and turning to God.... I was supposed to give it two weeks ago, but somehow they forgot me.  I was glad to give it yesterday though, cuz it fit the theme they were already talking about, and it gave me the opportunity to address the whole ward... I think they are growing more fond of me... I can tell the children are. So cute. So many little kids!  I think i'll mail home my notes for my talk in my letter home so you can read my main points.  several people told me that they enjoyed my story about raising money for my mission, praying to get 1st class shifts on the train, then paying my tithing and receiving the hugest blessing when Bishop told me that someone was offering to help with my mission... then I got the 1st class shifts too.  A powerful witness of the power of paying tithing. :)

President has made some changes to transfer week (since we're getting so many more people... he said this year's complement was 144 missionaries... next year's is 242... I don't know what complement means... but we're getting a lot more missionaries.) so if I get transferred I’ll travel to my new area directly and possibly alone. That will feel strange.

Thursday was probably our best day this week. We had two lessons planned (with our two potentials from last week) and right after that we had a former call us and tell us he was in town and really wanted to meet with us. So we called the members that live next door to him and had a member lesson. He’s been investigating for 3 years and has seen the huge impact that the church has had on his life and wants to be baptized. He already quit smoking... but struggles with the coffee.... he's a lorry driver (semi-truck...) he drinks 2-3 per day.... he spends 2£ per cup! He’d save so much money if he'd just quit... I know it's hard though. We’ve been trying to call him every day to remind him and encourage him. We’ll see another investigator  again tonight. She says she just likes to learn, and doesn't want to join any specific church, but we're hoping that she'll feel the spirit strong enough in her life that she'll want to change. What more can we do, right?  The whole day was great cuz we saw so many people.  Two lessons to potentials, one lesson with a member present.  4 less active lessons and 1 media referral.

We had Indian food after a lesson on Friday.  We've become good friends. Even his employees enjoy seeing us... and giving us free food.  One of his employee’s may be a potential. He's young (19) and says that if he could see then he would believe.  He is inquisitive. A good person. We have a Spanish speaking family in the ward too. So that might help :) it’s fun to think of all the potentials and then to make it happen.  Sometimes things don't always work but it's an adventure every day. :)

Anyways. Not a lot of time left... now that we have to go fetch the car before 530.  I guess that'll give us time to go home for a few minutes before heading to cardigan for a lesson.

Hope you have a great day and a good week!

Love you tons!

Gyda Cariad (with love)

Chwaer Boots ... (that means sister :P )

p.s   piediwch ag anghofio rwhy dycaruti! byth a beunydd!

don’t you love my welsh. lol. i learned some more this week from a nice welsh lady we met while tracting.