January 12, 2015

Dear Family,

Well well well, its been quite the week here in Sutton. Here's my new address...

3 Kingfisher Court

37 Grove Road

Sutton, Surrey

SM1 2AG

Already week 2 here. It's nice here. Our Ward is really good and we have a stellar Ward Mission Leader. Brother Leppard. He is a doctrinal scholar and knows how to magnify his calling. I love working with him. There's also lots of Americans in the ward. It kind of reminds me of Oxford. 

This week we've done a bit of finding and did some service. We went to the Visitor Centre and watched "Meet the Mormons". It was sooooo great! We went to a Youth Super Saturday and taught the Youth about missionary work. It's been really good. 

Elder Pulman and I are having a good time together, as well. He's a really fun guy to have around. It's nice. He really loves everyone around him. 

Today I got to go to London again! All of the District really wanted to go so we called up the ZL's and they passed us. We stopped by Big Ben, Westminster Catherdral and Abbey, Trafalgar Square (we even took a quick look around the National Gallery) and Buckingham Palace. It's always so cool to go into central London. 

So, my comp was on Exchanges with another missionary in our District, the other day, and they were heading over to another part of the area when they got stopped by the Travel Police to check their tickets. They were just outside of their travel zone so the were technically breaking some laws. Elder Pulman had zero cash and zero ID to give to the police, but they ended up calling President Millar to verify, which he did. And, luckily, one of the Police ladies knew missionaries from Addlestone so Elder Pulman only had to buy the 4 pound ticket and they were off the hook. Lucky Ducks. President Millar wasn't too happy about all that... but it's all okay now. 

We picked up a former investigator this week. Her name is Sophie. She's really nice but has a few worthiness things to work on. We also got a referral from one of the members! We're hopefully teaching them on Tuesday. 

My pics of London will come next week, so you'll have to wait..... also! i'm going to need a new pair of shoes soon!

That's pretty much all to report this week. I love you guys!!!

Elder Glasgow

Buckingham Palace. Elder Pulman and I are on the ends.

January 5, 2015

Dear Family,

I am doing just grand in this New Year. Sutton is a nice place. We have a wonderful District and we are already all really good friends. The Flat's pretty good - has a funny smell, but I'll get used to it. Hard wood floors and a Ping Pong table (don't worry, we only play on p-days!) There's also a super stellar Ward here. And 6 missionaries who go to the ward as well (2 are the AP's). 

It's sooo much different than Welling. Like, Huge. There are so many white people here. Sutton barely makes the cusp of London, though. It's more Surrey than London, but people still call it London. 

Elder Pulman and I are doing good together. He's a really good guy. He loves everyone around him and is really good at teaching and addressing concerns. The only thing is that he absolutely hates finding. He despises it with a passion. Street contacting and knocking. So, I'm going to be slowly working him into that favorite pastime. In the meantime we've been doing lots of Less-Active work, getting to know the members, and pursuing Service activities. It is nice to broaden our horizons, though, and try some things that I haven't done much on my mission. This week we're going to stop by the Salvation Army and see if we can help out there. We are also going to get involved with the Youth. 

The week before I got here literally all of the investigators dropped because of anti-mormon material, so we don't really have anyone we're working with right now, other than some part-member families which I still need to get to know better. 

I really enjoy my new suit. It fits me really well and I like the color and pattern. And speaking of clothes... Mom, my nice looking black shoes are not going to make it too many more weeks with all the walking I do here in Sutton. I'm going to need to buy another pair, soon. It being New Year, there are lots of good sales going on, so the quicker I can buy a pair the cheaper they will be!

I'm so happy to hear about all the progress you guys are making spiritually as a family. I contribute so much of my success and happiness to the amount of time I spend praying and reading the scriptures. The scriptures really are  the words of Christ and they will tell you all the things which ye should do. 

Thanks again for all the letters and support you guys give me. It helps so much. I love you all!

Elder Glasgow

Final Day in Welling.  Elders Alambra, Ertmann, Byron, Me

Sa-weeeet!!  Mmm, mmm, mmm!!!  Just what I need.

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