December 29, 2014

Dear Family,

I'm convinced that a couple of the members of the ward were out to kill me this week with the amount of food they were slamming down on my plate. It was so good but it was too much. I was definitely pushed to my limits, especially with Citi the Ethiopian. Oh my days, was I full!

Other than that I had a very wonderful Christmas. We visited lots of the members and some of our investigators that were around and had a very nice time. 

Thank you so much for the emails this week. Mom, that talk that you told me about is one of my all-time favorites. Elder Klebingat really lays it down.  I listen to it almost every day. Its the best. It's just so bold and straightforward. Just how the gospel should be.

It was really nice to talk to you guys as well on Wednesday. You all look really good. I'm a little gutted it had to be a little short but it was good, nonetheless. I loved seeing all of your smiling faces. It was super strange to see some new ones, though. Campbell is super cute, and Wake was talking soooo much. 

So, on Tuesday I am moving. I'm going to another part of London called Sutton. My new comp is Elder Pulman. He's from wales! I met him awhile ago, back when I was serving in Oxford. President told me he's struggling a bit so I'm going to go in there and cheer him up. Elder Herrod is also leaving and so is Elder Ertmann. It's probably the hardest for Elder Herrod, though. He came to Welling January 2  and has been here ever since, except for his short stint with me in Oxford. He says leaving Welling is harder than when he left home in California. Welling is pretty much his home. Some of the members even started calling him Brother Herrod. Haha. I'm going to miss him a lot, too. He's one of my best friends. He's moving out to Cornwall to be one of the Plymouth ZL's. I'll shoot him some emails while he's out there, though. 

This week we had 2 to 3 dinner appointments every day. I'm getting pretty tired of Gelaphrice. But that German BBQ was really cool. Actually, it was Swiss! Maybe you've had it, Dad. Sis. Eckelt had these cool grill things and we grilled some pork on the top, but there was also these little tray things that you stick inside of the grill with like potatoes and cheese and some meat and veg and it gets all nice and gooey and delicious in there. So good! And yesterday we went over to Sister Lou's (she probably one of my favorite members here) and had a proper British roast (its been a long time since I've had one of those, too) and watched the coolest nativity movie ever. I'll have to show it to you guys when it get home. It's the best.    

​Well, the next time I email I'll be somewhere else! 

I love you all and hope you have a Happy New Year!

Love, Elder Glasgow

Sweet Food Fatigue, bleh!

Elder Byron and I with our investigator, Du, and her kids.

December 15, 2014

Dear Family,

 

I'm feeling a lot better this week. My cold finally left me! My appetite is still somewhere else, though. Yesterday it was Elder Byron's 25th birthday and we were invited for double birthday Dinner Appointments. I was so full. First a German/English Roast, with birthday cake afterwards and then all of the Gelafrice, Chicken, and Peanut Stew I could eat, with another birthday cake on top of that. It was too much. During accounting I laid on the ground to ease my swollen stomach.

 

Thank you so much for the letters this week. Chirstmas is almost upon us! I just love the Christmas season. It's definitely a time of reflection and a time of giving. Oh, how I miss those Windsor Ward Christmas Parties. We just had our ward's party last Saturday. There was loads of sweets and Santa's Grotto and a Christmas Quiz and a musical number by the U.S. Missionaries. It was lots of fun, but I still didn't think it compared. Holidays are just so much better in the States!

 

This week we want to sing some carols on the street with just the ''He is the Gift'' banner and see how that goes. It's really nice using the banners because people just come right up to you and ask all sorts of questions and it's different. Missionary work sometimes can get a little monotonous so we have to always be trying all sorts of different things to shake it up.

 

It was really nice to talk to you guys the other day to set up our Christmas Skype. It's so strange to hear your voices though. You all sound so American. And Chase it growing up quick. So is Crew.

 

Mom, something I've learned on my mission. If you don't ask, you won't know. And what's the worst that could happen? The answer is no and you move on. I think it's pretty easy.

 

Good news! I told you guys about Summer, right? Well she's accepted a baptismal date for the 10th of January! She's super great and has some great fellowshippers. We also met a guy named Harry (not the Prince) who has some serious potential. We'll be teaching him on Tuesday.

 

I don't really see much difference in how holiday cheer affects people here during the Christmas season. However, it gets pretty crazy on the High Street on the weekends, with all sorts of performers and publicity acts and stuff. I do like singing all the Christmas hymns at church a lot though.

 

This Thursday we'll be going to the Temple and having a Christmas dinner with President Millar. I'm really excited about that. It should be pretty revelatory.

 

Hope you guys have a great week. Only 10 more days 'til Christmas! I love you all.

 

Elder Glasgow

pix. a new suit, wooo hooo!  and the birthday boy

December 8, 2014

Dear Family,

Well.... this week I got sick.... Like I got a terrible cold and I'm pretty sure it's evolved into Bronchitis.... So for most of the weekend there wasn't much work getting done.... yeah.

The work we were able to do this week has been really good, though. We've been going out with some Banners to the High Street and it's been very very successful. We have lots of people to hunt down next week. 

Our investigators are doing good. We weren't able to meet with Summer, yet but tomorrow I am going to give her friend Emily a call and set up dinner with all of her family and Summer. Its so nice when investigators already have stellar fellowshippers. Perhaps you guys could think of someone new to introduce to the Missionaries back home? I bet the Sisters there would be super grateful. I feel so blessed whenever I get a referral. It helps a lot. 

Elder Ertmann is great. That Thanksgiving turkey was so good! His comp is Elder Alambra. He was born in the Philippines but is really from Australia. He's a real good guy. 

We're also working with a member of the ward, who works at a Prison, so we can go give a presentation there! I am praying it will all work out because that would be so cool to go preach at a Prison! 

Oh! I tried calling you guys yesterday but no one answered. We need to sort out Skyping for Chirstmas. I'll try calling today again, though. It'll be at like 10pm my time. Cool?

This week has been rough with me being sick, but I trust it'll all work out. Elder Byron is raring to get out there and I don't want to keep him or myself from finding the Lord's sheep too much longer. 

I love you all! 

Elder Glasgow

December 1, 2014

Dear Family,

Thank you so much for the birthday package. I made those Brownies last night and they were delicious. I'm going to buy some extra milk today so I can make that pudding. I'm so excited for that. It's little things like brownies and pudding that you forget about on the mission, but then someone reminds you and then you miss them soooo much, then a great family, like yourselves, sends them and it's just the best. 

Thanksgiving was really good this year. We actually had to have it a day early because of some appointments we set up... but it was good. We had Thanksgiving as a District. We bought a whole turkey and Elder Ertmann put it all together. That guy knows how to bake. It was so good! I have some pictures of the turkey and stuff. 

My birthday was really good, too. The other Elders bought me some Dunkin Donuts and a member in the Ward will be baking me a cake on Tuesday. She was upset that she forgot. But it's not really a problem. 

I got to shake my 4th Apostles hand on Tuesday, too! Elder Quentin L. Cook came over to Hyde Park and talked with both of the London Missions. It was really great to see some of my old MTC District there and even my old comp, Elder Butterfield. There were so many missionaries, and Elder Cook was great. He talked all about the heritage of the mission and PMG. Did you know that Brigham Young and Heber C. Kimball walked the banks of the Thames in Woolwich??? I was just there two days ago!! And did you know that Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and and Elder Cook were companions in England? Super cool!

Man, I miss all the good AZ stuff like hiking and shooting guns and just all of it.  It sounds like you've been having some fun. 

This week has been really good to us. We've met lots of good people and picked up a really solid investigator named Summer. She is a friend of one of the families here. She came to church and also brought along a less active YSA that hadn't been to church for 4 years! We'll be seeing them both this week. 

John and Tasha are doing really good, too. John struggles to read but when you sit him down and read with him, he understands just great. They are really excited for the Christmas party the Ward is putting on as well. 

The french speaking guy is my comp dad!   He is from the French speaking side of St. Lucia and is learning English. It would be really nice if you could send him a quick message in French. He's had the craziest life ever. Seriously. I'm going to write his autobiography. It's that great. 

Cousin Bentley is in Paris??!! That's so cool!

Thanks for putting some cash in my account. I'm going over to Bromley with Elder Herrod today and we'll look for something that suits me (haha punny, Suits) It will be nice to spend the day with him, too. I love that guy. And yes, after the mish I'll be going to to San Diego all the time to hang out with Elder Herrod and Elder Jackman. They will probably come to AZ a couple of times, too. 

As for Chirstmas.... I dunno. You can probably just wander around Walmart and get me some random stuff that you think will strike my fancy. I will love it all. I'm going to be sending home a small package for everyone, too. 

Thanks again for everything. I love you all so much. Go on this website and share this video on your Facebooks! That means all of you! He is the Gift

Thanks, and loves

Elder Glasgow 

Haha!  Notice the pic behind me and Elder Herrod!

This didn't last long! Mmmmmm!

November 24, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you all for the letters this week. They always mean a lot to me. I finally got both packages you guys sent, just yesterday. Thanks for the cars Crew, I'll play with them every day. And thanks for the letters. They help. There's just something really special about hand written letters. And don't worry, I won't open up the birthday package until Saturday. 

Time is just flying by so fast. I only have 5 more days as a teenager. No more childhood. That's a sad thought. Speaking of childhood, I listened to a really great talk about children. It was by Brad Wilcox. Not only was it hilarious but it also taught me a lot. He explains that as we grow up we loose things; things that all children have, but are forgotten as we grow up. These things are self-esteem, love, wisdom and faith. Little kids are just chalk full of that stuff. Christ taught that unless we become as little children we cannot return to live with Him. I think those four attributes are a great place to start.

So, my new comp, his name is Elder Flavius Byron. He's from the countryside of St. Lucia. He is a convert of 3 years and has been on a mission for about 16 months, 9 of that in the West Indies. He actually served in the same ward as Kyle Brown for a bit, and the rest here in London South. He had to learn English when he came here because he only knew French. You should email him sometime, Dad, flavius.byron@myldsmail.net. He is a really great guy. I'm doing my best to help him with his English but I'm still trying to work out what is most effective. I enjoy serving with him. He's really funny and has quite the history. 

This week was pretty crazy for us though. We had to clean the Flat because of Transfer, and then Elder Ye took the key with him to Oxford! When he mailed it back all that arrived was an empty envelope! So, we had to go cut a new one. It was a process! And then the Key Code to get into our Flat stopped working and Elder Herrod lost the fob awhile ago so we had to call to get a new password and hopefully we'll be getting a new fob as well because the password will only last so long.... whew. 

Some of our investigators dropped out this week, but the most promising ones are still around. Last night we were able to see John and Tasha. They are doing really well. Tasha loves what we are teaching her but John stuggles. He is very apprehensive about it all and stuggles to read the Book of Mormon. Last night we read Alma 7 with them, and talked about Jesus Christ, and they liked it a lot.

Tomorrow the London missions get to go to Hyde Park, and see Elder Cook! I'm really excited about it all and am awaiting the wisdom he will share with us. Tonight we are starting a Fast to prepare ourselves for it. There will also be District Leader Council and Zone Training coming up. So we'll be really busy. 

Thanks again for the letters and prayers. I pray for you guys every night. I love you guys.

Elder Glasgow

pic. our plan of salvation display from last week. sweet

November 17, 2014

Dear Family and Friends,

Thank you so much for your letters this week. It makes me so happy to hear about how well everyone is doing. I miss the american holiday season so much, especially in our family. November and December are just so full and it makes it all the better. I hope you guys can make it one more time without me. haha. 

This week has been quite the experience. Loads of really great stuff has happened. So our District got the great idea to try out some creative finding ideas and what we ended up doing is hand painting a giant Plan of Salvation on a big sheet and we've been going to the High Street and talking with everyone about it. It's probably the most effective/fun way to find, ever. I love doing it. We've found lots of good people as a District doing this and we are going to continue to do it every week from now on. 

On Friday we had a Multi Cultural evening. It was awesome. There was loads of food. Us missionaries even made proper Corn Dogs! the ward loved them!! African music playing, dancing and all sorts of fun. Did I ever tell you about Shaun? He's a Less-Active that showed up to church yesterday after quite of few years of not coming out, so we've been teaching him lately. He's making leaps and bounds. He brought his non-member wife to the party as well. She's very nice and we are praying we can teach her soon. 

Saturday I had an exchange with Elder Rogers. It's so funny to go on exchanges with previous companions. It's a lot easier than with the regular Zone Leader. But it was really cool because we were able to see how much we have grown over the past year. We also had a really cool experience together. We were driving back to the Flat to go Park and Contact around for awhile before going to teach an investigator and we saw this guy who was trying to fix his car so we stopped and was able to help him change his flat tire! He was so grateful for our help. But it was like a textbook missionary thing. Helping people fix their flats. Haha. He was from France, too. We ended up even giving him a Book of Mormon and a Testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith pamphlet. 

Last night while at Du's house I got a phone call from President Millar as well. I'll be getting a new comp on Wednesday because Elder Ye is going to Oxford! I'm kinda jealous of him. But my new comp is Elder Byron. He's from the West Indies. To be honest I'm a little nervous. I've met Elder Byron before but we'll see how the Transfer goes. 

That pretty much sums up my week. It's been crazy. 

Pops - the English are lame when it comes to the Holidays. There's usually some small displays in grocery stores but that's about it. Barely any Chirstmas lights. It's nothing compared to our street!! haha. 

Thank you again for the letters. They have helped a lot. I'm going to have to go on a Temple tour when I get home now!

Love you all,

Elder Glasgow

ps. went to Lesnes Abby for p-day.  Built in 1178, pulled down after the "Dissolution of the Monasteries" in 1524.

November 10, 2014

Dear Family and Friends and whoever else reads this on my blog,

 

So, that Sister that you heard about from Grandma Wiegel is Sis. Brown, who is Brennan Brown's mum, if you guys remember him (we played volleyball together and hung out quite a bit). Sis. Brown was companions with a member of the Welling Ward, Sis Lou, who I am actually going to go have dinner with tonight. It's so crazy to find out all the ways that we are connected to one another. The world is much smaller than we think. Crazy.

 

You know Mom, sometimes I still find it hard to fully understand what Grace is, too. But from what I do understand, it's something along the lines of this... Our Father in Heaven is just that, a Father. He's our Father. Christ is our Father, too, because we have taken upon us his name so that we can grow to be like Him. So, there's 2 father figures. I'm sure you understand as a parent that you do all that you can for your children. Well, so does Heavenly Father and Christ. They have given us a body, an earth to live on, Prophets and Revelation and Christ gave all the Atonement. All of these are free gifts with no cost to us. The only reason They gave them to us as well is simply because they love us. So in my definition, Grace is all the gifts God has given us simply because He loves us. But like I'm sure you understand, these gifts, like a tool, is useless if you just leave it in the tool box. You have to take the gift and use it. For example, the Atonement. It's available to everyone but requires effort on our part to use it. We have to repent and confess our sins to God and understand our potential and then it can be used effectively.

 

But now to answer your question. How to receive Grace as a Mother. I think the greatest way to apply Grace is to simply understand it. For example, I recall a story I read in a book. There was a young family. A mother, father and one child. They raised their son in the church. They went to church every week and the mother and father were as righteous as they could be and they raised the child to be righteous, too. But once the young boy became a young man, he started to sway, get caught up in the wrong crowd, he became unrighteous. The parents didn't know what to do. They had done all that they knew how, yet it made them frustrated their son didn't choose the right. One night, as they were praying, because the son had decided to run away from home, tears streams down the mothers face. She was asking the Father, ''why? why is it that my son has strayed? how has this happened? I've done all that I could do.'' Shortly thereafter, she got a reply. ''He's my son, too''. She heard those words loud and clear.

 

I don't know if this little parable has helped you at all, but I hope it has. I think it's kind of the same with you as the RS President. Sometimes things are out of our control. Sometimes people make choices that we don't want them to make. But all things are done is the wisdom of him that knoweth all things. That's how I see Grace. We do our part, God makes up the rest. Because He loves us. If we are doing our best, there is no need to be overwhelmed with our calling or our family. God knows whats going on. Have faith, trust and lean on him. He won't let any of us down. That's what I think about Grace.

 

I was able to talk to Brice Cox a little bit just last week. It sounds like he's doing really good. And I would definitely agree, Jace Hancock has learned LOADS on his mission. I'm excited to seem them all when I get back. Doesn't Hamilton Crocket come home next month?

 

Pops - I could count on my hand the number of Brits that actually like the NFL. That's super cool though that the Cardinals are doing so good! Is Fitzgerald still around?

 

The whole ward is changing! Next thing you know Dad's going to be Bishop! I always thought Bro. Whitehead was a great Councilor. Have you guys heard anything about Tyler Whitehead at all?  Has Truman Crocket left yet? What's going on with Will Carvalho as well??

 

You guys probably want to hear about my week, huh? Well, we did soooo much finding it was crazy, and we saw lots of miracles as well. One of our investigators had a little emergency last week, though. You remember John? Well we might have to call him 7-fingered John, now, because he lost a few in a construction accident... Oh my. He sounded alright though when we talked to him on the phone. We'll be seeing him Tuesday.

 

I'm doing really good this week. It's just been good. Happy birthday to Cedar and Chase.

 

Love,

 

Elder Glasgow 

 

ps, we got lost in these woods looking for a Less-Active, and then we made hobo dinners!  Mmmmmm!

October 27, 2014

Dear Family,

This week has been.... tiring. Yup. Tiring. 

Looking back at the week... we played ping pong for p-day, did some service for an African family in the Ward, painted a lady's house and taught her neighbor, contacted lots, taught a part-member family, made a new Area Map, had District meeting and Ward Correlation in the same day, had an exchange that was not what we planned at all, got flogged a couple times, had an emergency exchange because Elder Herrod got sick again and they had some appointments that needed to be attended to, got new furniture in the Flat, attended the other Elders' baptism, had church and taught a less active lady.... and now I'm here.  

We haven't been able to seen John and Tasha or Du or even our recent contact, Mark, for awhile, now. Everyone seems to be so busy, including us. It's half-term, though, so Du's kids finally were able to come to church for the first time in ages. I was glad to see them there. We also got the number of a returning member and will be teaching him and his nonmember wife this week. When we do our Weekly Planing it seems like we have loads of investigators but a large number of them are struggling to progress in the gospel. 

I'm very excited for this week, though. I've been studying "A Marvelous Work and a Wonder", by LeGrand Richards, and have had many very spiritual experiences from that. We're just so blessed to have the restored gospel in our lives. Along with that, this week is what Elder Adler has coined Consecration Week. We will be contacting a minimum of 4 hours every day and will be expected to find 4 new investigators this week and to be teaching more than 10 proper lessons by next week. It's going to be pretty hard but it's just what the mission needs - a little boost. 

Hey Pops - The part of London that I live in is not the part of London you want to visit. I have been to Central London, like you know, but I still don't really know where to go. For the most part I just stay in Woolwich, Plumstead, Abbey Wood, Thamesmead, and Welling, occasionally. Yup, they aren't exactly the most touristy places. We'll always have the Isle of Wight or Oxford. I suggest Oxford. I know both places REALLY well.

Oh, how I miss fishing. I've been looking for an opportunity my whole mission, but I just can't seem to find any. Glad you could get out with Bro. Matthews, the resident Pro. 

Mom - I totally do know Elder Ganta! That's so crazy. He's a really great missionary and a funny guy, and his Sister is no doubt awesome there in Mesa.

Sadly, this Halloween we will not be doing anything at all. Well, actually we're going to go have dinner with a Nigerian family, which I always look forward to. But no Halloweeny stuff. We'll probably have to stay indoors for the most part on the 31st. That's my guess, anyway.

I finally had Ethiopian food! It's defiantly my favorite of all the African foods. One of our investigators made us Samosas with some steak and veggies. It wasn't with Zigny or Ingera, our Ethiopian investigators, though. But we'll be going over again this week if they have the time.   

It sounds like you guys are very busy back home. Almost as busy as me. haha. 

Just remember that whatever happens to us, our personal salvation is just that, personal. It is up to us, individually, to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. It doesn't matter what anyone else does, so long as we are doing. 

I'm so grateful for the restored gospel in my life. It just makes so much sense and brings me so much comfort and peace. I am so blessed to be born at this time, in this family. I always tell everyone that I have the best family in the world, and I thank the gospel of Jesus Christ for it. Remember that.  I love you all very much and pray for you daily. 

Elder Glasgow

October 20, 2014

Dear Family,

 

When you talk to your family and friends only once a week time flies by much too fast. Much too fast. My little niece, Campbell, is already a month old! I feel like she was only born a few days ago. It's so strange. She looks so cute, though. I can't wait to see her for real. Is she strictly Campbell or does she go by Bell for short? And who is your photographer??

 

This week has been pretty crazy for me. We had DLC (District Leader Conference), which was pretty intense. Last Transfer the mission had a big change in how we do missionary work by cutting out street teaches. And this Transfer we've been doing lots of fine tuning. The Mission Training Plan consists of three big focuses: Finding by Revelation, Accountability to the Lord, and Teaching People, Not Lessons.  Accountability to the Lord is my main focus for the District, though. I'm training myself that whenever a situation is presented before me I ask myself, ''is this going to help me fulfill my purpose as a missionary?'' A missionary in DLC brought up a very interesting concept. So we have a little white handbook full of rules, right? Well, he narrowed the whole thing down to 2 rules. Always remember your purpose as a missionary and always be wise and mature in your conduct. And that was it. When we follow those 2 rules, the rest kind of just come along with it. Of course there's been mistakes in the past so that's why there's all the little details in between, but if we are following those 2 rules, the rest are easy.

 

Zone Conference was one of my favorite. Elder Adler, of the Seventy, came and talked with us. It was his very first Mission tour but he did very well. Most of the Zone Conference was based off of a talk given by some guy to a mission in the states. Its called the Donaldson's papers. It is a wonderful piece of Doctrine, and how to improve as a missionary. I'll send it to you guys to check it out. It's really cool. What President Millar taught us about was teaching like Angels. Exciting huh? It's really cool.

 

Elder Ye took the IELTS on Saturday in Lewisham, so it involved me waiting outside for like 4 or something like that hours while he took it. It seemed like an eternity. But if he did good he'll be able to go to BYU. I hope he did alright. He had to pay a pretty penny for that test.

 

We didn't really have loads of time to work this week. We were able to teach John, though. Tasha was out and about so we didn't get to teach her but John is doing really good. They are trying their hardest to understand the Book of Mormon and find out if this is all true. Pray hard with me so that they will. They are a great family that the church could benefit so greatly from.

 

Next week should be good for us, though. We'll have lots more time to get out and teach and find new people that the Lord is placing in our path.

 

That sounds pretty gutting to hear that Sis. Bickmore is leaving. She left quite a legacy in the Windsor Ward. Remember the next one that comes has just as much power and authority as the last. Keep on helping them.

 

Today we're going to go play some ping pong at the chapel. We're almost running out of ideas for p-day..... oh well. I didn't take any pictures this week but hopefully I'll be able to get some off Elder Herrod and I'll send them in a bit.

 

I love you guys and pray for you all everyday.

 

Elder Glasgow

(my District before last Transfer)

October 13, 2014

Dearest Family,

Well, another week here and gone in London. Time flies much too fast here. We can never really manage to get all that we want done in a week. All sorts of appointments and service and dinners with members and investigators and studying and meetings. It's just crazy sometimes. But I love it. I love teaching people and eating African food and gardening and studying the gospel. Oh how I love studying the gospel. It is one of my favorite pastimes here on the mission. 

​Thank you so very much for the letters this week. I know sometimes it can be difficult to write long, nice, lovely letters when nothing really happens during the week. I struggled soooo much to write Aubrey and Cedar. I would pick up the pen…. and just sit there….. and think….and think….and think….and then I would write a line…. and then crumple it up and get a new piece of paper and start aaallll over again. I'm excited for this little package, though. You guys are the best. 

Sadly this p-day wasn't as epic as the last. We kind of just wandered around and I ended up finding a good jacket that will last me through the winter. I like it a lot. Nice and British, with toggles. haha. 

Grandma- I feel for you. I'm soooo tired all the time. Missionary work is tiring. 

To answer your questions.  Dad: there isn't that much nationalism in England. It's a very old country and I think the people are tired right now; at least where I live. There are loads of Africans anyway, so they are much more proud of Africa. haha. The work is moving. We've been having a lot of success working with members, getting referrals and getting people back to church. One lady in particular, Jackie, has been meeting with the missionaries for ages. She knows it's all true but she just can't shake off smoking. We'll be taking her to the Addiction Recovery course tomorrow, though. That program works miracles. I love what they teach there. Elder Ye and I are doing great. We both enjoy spicy food and that's enough for him. haha. This weekend he's going to be taking the IELTS test (Int'l English Language Testing System), so that he can apply to BYU, so I'm helping him prepare for that. Hopefully he will pass. The District is great. Elder Ertmann is the new guy. He's only been out six months. He's from Morgan, Utah, and is neighbors with my MTC comp, Elder Butterfield! He's a great guy. Proper small town Utah boy. I love him. There's a handful of missionaries from England here, but the bulk are from America. I think we have missionaries from like 50 different countries, though… something like that. It's pretty cool. As for sisters, I'm guessing maybe 80-100 of the 250 missionaries in the Mission?  The Senior couples always talk about how much they LOVE it here. 

Oh! so Elder Schumann finished his mission, so we got a new Zone Leader and guess who it is??!! It's Elder Rogers! Yeah! Both of my Zone Leaders have been my companions. It's so weird, but I love them both and am really glad I get to serve around them again. 

This coming week is really busy for us. We are having Zone Conference on Wednesday. Elder Adler, from the Seventy, will be there. The next day is District Leader Council, and Saturday is Elder Ye's test and there will be two baptisms as well. One was taught by the Zone Leaders. His name is John and he's only 11. His family went less active for a while but one day the Mum felt she needed to go back so she did and now her son is getting baptized. He's a great kid. I really enjoyed interviewing him. The other is Paul. He's a middle-aged fellow who was taught by the other Elders in the District and I'll be interviewing him this week. I hope he's ready. I taught him on exchange awhile ago. We'll see how it goes. 

So, last night we had dinner with a family and they had proper American pickles! Those don't exist here, just so you know. Only these nasty things called gherkins, eww. The dad was raised in American so he always gets his parents to sent him stuff from the states. haha. 

Well, that's pretty much my week. Moves (again, I dislike tri's so much!), new missionaries, baptism interview, member work, and all the other good stuff. 

Thanks again for the letters. They help a lot. 

I love you guys,

Elder Glasgow

October 6, 2014

Dearest Family,

General Conference is the greatest thing in the world!  We are so blessed to have Prophets, Apostles and Seers here on the earth today preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It's truly wonderful.  I just love it.  Sadly, I haven't been able to watch all of it, yet.  Only all the the Sessions from Saturday.  I think the Saturday afternoon Session was my favorite, ever.  Elder Anderson and that Ukrainian guy (Elder Klebingat).  Wow!  The Ukrainian guy was my favorite, rivaling Elder Cook's talk in the Priesthood Session.  He knows how to lay it down!  I'm super excited to listen to the rest of it.  I'll be downloading it after I'm done emailing everyone.  We'll be getting the November Ensign here so don't worry about sending me one.

Winter is finally here in England.  It's been raining on us for the last few days.  It was a beautiful summer, though.  I'm surprised it lasted all the way through September.  I heard somewhere that it was the hottest September in a long long time here.  I enjoyed it a lot. :)  I still miss the AZ life, though.  It's so nice over there. Seriously, though, I do like cloudy skies.  But maybe that's the remnant of the AZ kid in me that has survived all this time.  Gray skies are nice. 

London is so much different that anywhere I've been.  SOOOO different!  It looks different, it smells different, the atmosphere even feels different.  It's just its own place.  Super different from Oxford and the Isle of Wight.  I can't decide where I like most, though.  All of my areas have been legendary!

So, you'll be happy to know that last week our District got Presidents approval to go to Central London!  I have soooo many pictures this week and I know you guys will love them so much.  I loved it!!  It was so surreal to be there.  I never thought I would have the chance!  There was Big Ben, the London Eye (that huge ferris wheel thing), and Westminster Cathedral and all!  It was great!  Loads of fun.  The Queen was even at Buckingham palace when we walked by! 

I'm glad to hear everyone is so busy, too, especially Chase.  Being busy is good.  It keeps you occupied, not lazy. Laziness is bad.  Chase, even if the volleyball team stinks that doesn't mean you have to stink.  Lead by example and show 'em who's Boss.  Do Work!! 

As for our investigators, John and Tasha are really difficult to tie down.  They are so solid when we get them nailed down and just teach, but when we aren't around it's harder.  But, we will persist.  We will take the Ballard approach and Follow Up. (April 2014 GC)  We also watched a Session of Conference with Du and her kids.  Du was very attentive during it all and I'm guessing she will watch more on her own. 

District News:  Elder Embulu is leaving to Waterloo and Elder Da Bisschop is getting a new comp.  So, we'll be in a Three-some 'til Wednesday.  Don't like Tri's.  They're a bit awkward. 

Man, time is just flying.  One more transfer and I'll be 20, and one more after that is Christmas!  Crazy. 

To answer your question mom.  PMG - A study of Doctrine will improve behavior much much faster than a study of behavior.  True doctrine, understood, changes lives.  It's as simple as that, really.

I hope you guys have a great week.  Enjoy my pictures.  Don't get too jelly ;D

Love you guys,

Elder Glasgow

September 29, 2014

Dearest Family,

It sounds like you guys have all had quite the week back in the good ol' AZ. Man, I miss that place so much. The Monsoon season is my favorite. And I miss you guys a lot, too. Everything is changing over there and I am missing it all! But it's so exciting to hear all about it. I feel like I'm going to have a really fun time when I am finished here in England. I'm glad to hear Grandma is doing alright. Quite a way to end a mission. I hope I don't follow suit. haha. (Grandma had a little accident - 12 stitches)

I wanna hold that little baby so bad.... I have a new Niece and I don't get to see her! Consider yourselves blessed. She looks so cute and happy, though. Aubrey and Tyler, you're both going to be wonderful parents. I just know it. 

Cami Ray.... is that Tyler Ray's little sister????? Whoa, that's weird. I've gotten so old. Oh gosh. You need to send me some photos of Chase's Homecoming next week. 

So, if I remember right, there weren't many convert baptisms in our ward for the whole 11ish years I lived there, but the moment I go out on a mission, loads of people join the church! What happened? Teach me so I can do it here!!! 

​All the wards in the Stake got reorganized??? That's intense. I wonder what they are all like now. I wish I was still in Oxford so I could talk to Ben Shurtz about it. His home ward, Fairfield, is gone now! Dad, you've been in the Stake for too long. I remember back when you were the High Council newbie. 

This week was pretty good for all of us. John and Tasha couldn't make it to church but we're going to go over there hopefully this week and help them in the garden and cook them Chinese food. It should be really nice and helpful. Our Chinese investigator, Du, the one whose kids got baptized, was there and in Gospel Principle Sunday School class she said she will be joining the church soon! We need to follow up on when that will be. Haha. There was also a Less-Active that showed up. His name is Sean. His parent are from Pakistan and he's been inactive for a long time but some things in his life shook him up so he's decided to come back. We're going to go visit him this week and teach his non-member wife so that she can get baptized and they can raise their daughter in the gospel. That's what they want.  Awesome!!  We also had a dinner appointment with the Eze family, and we're going to teach Sis Eze's brother, now! Part-Member families - Yeah - go for the win!!!

This week I had Foo Foo!!!!! It was soooooo good!  If you don't know what Foo Foo is, it's two things. You have this mashed stuff made out of yams (like the big brown root looking ones) and a stew. You use your fingers to scoop the yam and dip it in the peanut stew - nice and spicy! And there's goat, chicken and turkey meat in there, too. Sooooo good!!

Just so you guys know, I'm the District Leader here. I'm the resident long-timer in the District, a sign that I've been out too long :(

Thanks for the pic of Katie Carroll's reception. Her little Kayden is so cute haha. I just love her soooo much.  And the giant cutout of Dallin.  Nice!! 

Thank you guys so much for the letters. Today I'll be going to Central London, so I'll have some great pics for you guys next week. 

love,

Elder Glasgow