February 24, 2014

Dear Family,

So my comp is going home on the 23rd of April, so at night we always talk about home.  Haha, it's crazy.  I've only been gone for 6 months and it seems like so much has changed since I left.  I'm scared to think what it will all be like in 2 years.... but I don't think I should worry about it too much.  Missionary work is more important. 

It is so good to hear from you guys every week.  I love every letter that you send.  I would love it even more if you sent more pictures ;) haha. 

I finally got your letter's, Brittnee.  Thank you so much.  Just for the record every one...  Brittnee is the most faithful and most honest letter writer out of all of you!  Boom!  Some of you can improve.  Shoot your long-gone brother a letter, huh? 

I plan on writing letters to Chase and Crewbeans today, by the way.  So, you can expect those sometime next week. 

This week has just been crazy.  We had Zone Conference.  It was all about Family History work.  My eyes have been opened to Malachi 4:5-6.  Study it.  It all makes sense.  Use D&C 128 and 138 to make sense of it all. Along with that we had a little lesson by the AP's about taking to everyone.  They did a role play of what it will feel like after Judgement Day for those who were placed in our path and we didn't talk to them.  And then what it will be like when talk to them.  The spirit was super strong and I felt rebuked.  I kept thinking about Alma and the sons of Mosiah, and what they felt like about everyone, and how their very frames shook at the thought of someone not accepting the gospel. 

The work is going good.  We are meeting with the Ward Auxiliary leaders over the coming weeks to see what we can do for them.  It's all been positive responses so far. 

Last Friday the Chinese Elders put on a Chinese Cultural Evening.  It was great. There was a presentation about China and they had a Band and loads of Chinese food.  It was great.

This week should be great, though.  We finally have some time to do some real work.  I'm really excited.  There are so many people here, and there are people, somewhere in there, just waiting to hear us out. 

There's people like that in AZ, too.  Find them!

I love you guys. 

Elder Glasgow

February 17, 2014

Dear family,

 

I JUST LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I just had to get that out of my system. phew.  Oxford is the coolest place in the world to be.  I just love it.  Our ward is rather tiny, just 70 people but that's because we just got split about a year ago.  But they're all great. Although, lots of them are American.  I almost feel at home at Sacrament meeting!  It's so weird.  But I love them all.  They're all great members.  And there is just loads of YSA.  That's my favorite part!  They're all so funny and love working with us.

 

I think deciding to come out on a mission has probably been the best decision I have made so far in my life.  Not only have I matured quite a bit physically and mentally (I have more chest hair! and if I don't shave everyday it's so apparent!) but I've matured spiritually a whole lot.  Sometimes it feels a bit like the refiners fire, but strong timber doesn't grow in quiet and peaceful places.  You face a lot of opposition as a missionary as well.  Especially here in England.  But I know what is true and my faith has become unshaken.

 

It's a big thing to serve a mission.  Sometimes I wonder what I would be doing if I wasn't out here, and I come to the conclusion that whatever it could have been, it's nothing compared to where I am now.

 

Anyway, it's just amazing to hear from you guys this week.  Its sounds like you guys are having a great time.  I'm glad you had a good birthday, mum.  And I'm so excited to see how different everything will be in a year and a half.  It seems like so much has changed already.

 

Haha, I don't really wanna guilt trip my sibling into writing me more, but it has been.... lacking.  I get a quick note every once in a while and I just love it when they do but its not exactly... consistent.  Oh well.

 

Anywho!  Everything is under water here.  We had to travel to Reading for a Leadership Council and the train station had to put us on a bus because the tracks were under water!  But we can still get around for the most part.  All the fields are ponds and all the ponds are lakes.  Haha.

 

 

Man, everyone here is just so smart.  It's crazy.  I found out how Oxford University works, though.  It's actually 42 separate colleges that are under Oxford University.  But they are everywhere and everyone goes to them.  Some of the people you meet are quite hoytie-toytie, to coin the phrase, but most are really interested in the message because you're just as old as most of them and they're curious why you are doing it.  But there's just sooooo many of them.  It's crazy.

 

This week we haven't taught loads of lessons because the world was against us, but we did better than last week, and plan to do some solid finding and teaching this week.

 

You guys will never guess what is in Reading!!  A Five Guys burger and fries!!!  I was in heaven!  It was soooo good!!

 

It's so great to hear from you guys.  I love you all and hope you are enjoying the weather cuz it's cold and raining over here!

 

Love,

Elder Glasgow

ps, those glasses are fake, they just make me look nicer/smarter and they only cost me 50p!  And we made pancakes!

February 10, 2014 TRANSFERRED

Dear Family,

 

Life is so great right now.  You'll never guess where I got moved to.  Its just the best thing ever.  My new address is...

 

I Hampden Building

5 High Street

Kidlington, Oxford

OX5 2FN

 

Aand now if you will be so kind as to put that into Google Maps...

You will now see that I am in OXFORD!  Yup!  Even though we live out there in Kidlington, our area covers all of the Oxford City Centre and most of the neighborhoods just outside of it.  We share it with 2 Chinese Elders, but they only teach Chinese so it's just amazing!!!!  And my new comp is Elder Aichele and he is from Osorno, Chile! Yeah, I get to serve with a Chilean!  He's so funny!  I love serving with him.  He's been out for 22 months, as well, so I will probably end up killing him because he only has a little over a transfer and a half left!  It's all just so new and amazing and I just love it all so much!

 

The Ward is awesome too.  Most of them are American, haha.  And there's loads of YSA's, and we have two Senior couples.  It's great!  Sadly, I have not taken any pictures just yet, but they will come soon.

 

I loved your letters this week.  I wanna see the new temple film so bad!  And I want to go to the Gilbert Temple! And I wanna help out with the missionary work in Mesa!

 

Here's what you do to help the missionaries.  Let them teach investigators in your home.  Give them referrals. Feed them.  Just do whatever you can.  Our ward is great.  They will be taken care of.

 

I don't have much time today but I love you all and I'll be sure to get some pictures to you guys next week, okay???

 

Bye-bye

 

Elder Glasgow

February 3, 2014

Dear Fam,

 

I am really stressed right now!!!  Moves calls should come any minute now!  I want to move, but at the same time I don't.  I love the island.  It's the best and the work is going sooo great.  But, I need to get out and see the world! Along with that we're trying to get a baptism together for Thursday and when I get Moves calls is when I can know to worry about it all or not. haha.  But, hopefully I'll find out by the end of me writing this email.

 

This week has been great, though.  Our friend who is getting baptized is named Eilleen.  She is in her...60's?  She comes from a family of Irish gypsies.  But, she just loves the Book of Mormon and how it helps us in everyday life and shes making some great friends in the ward.  Missionary work is just the best!!

 

*sigh.  The other night I realized that I left 6 months ago this friday, the 7th.  Time has gone by so fast!  I'm already a quarter of the way through!!  Can you believe that???  I can't!  Oh boy, I'll be home before I know it.

 

Ahem.  Anyway, it's great over here.  It's been around 45° to 50° the past month or two, which isn't too bad at all. I do kind of wish it would snow though.  That would be awesome.  I miss the snow.

 

Haha, so my comp, Elder Rogers, is a Seahawks fan.  He's from Seattle after all.  His family was sooooo excited about the SuperBowl.  They gave him a full overview of it all and hes.... well, I wouldn't say trunky right now, but he reeeeally wants to watch that game right now.  Haha.

 

Where are the Olympics taking place this year??  I haven't heard anything about it at all.  The last Olympics were in London, so the missionaries were allowed to watch it at either members or investigators houses.  EVERYONE was watching it and was not interested about a message about Jesus Christ at the time. We'll see what happens.

 

Dad, you're gonna be a Temple Ordinance worker??  That's so cool!  My Zone Leader, Elder George, was the very first young worker at the San Diego Temple.  He always tells us all sorts of funny stories about the workers there and stuff.  I wanna be one!

 

It's so great to hear how everyone is doing.  What kind of dogs did Rod and Connie get?  Haha, Disneyland.  That's pretty funny that Avery and Wake named them Micky and Minnie.

 

I hope everyone will get along alright over the next while.  The world is getting rough, that's for sure.  I see it every single day.  Society is falling apart.  But I know that when the gospel is the center of a home and a family, nothing will prevail.  Though the fiery darts of the adversary come, our shield of faith and our breast plate of righteousness will prevail and our sword of truth with divide asunder the enemies.

 

On a side note, my comp just found out his mum is pregnant with her TENTH child and he's kinda freaking out even more now!  Hahaha.

 

Ah, I love the temple so much.  Cherish it, cuz you have it right there by you.

 

I love you guys.

 

Elder Glasgow

ps. Picture is my District. Sisters Lloyd and Clark, Ward Mission Leader Bro. Marlow, Elder Rogers and me

January 27, 2014

Dear family,

 

Ohhh, my goodness!  Your letters this week were awesome!  Thanks, Chase.  Keep up the good work.  Don't get in trouble, though.  And listen to mom and dad.  I have a rep there at Mesa High, right?  Keep up the tradition of awesomeness at MHS!   

 

I'm glad to hear everyone is doing okay.  That's a bummer for Rod and Connie, though.  House fires, man!  Tell them they got some Missionary Prayers going to heaven for them.  And the Carvalho girls are getting baptized?!! That's soooo cool!!!  I bet Will and Tiffany are so excited!  Will will probably baptize them, too!  I love missionary work so much!

 

Thanks for the picture, dad.  I'm gonna have to ask Elder Bailey about it, haha.  I've got some pretty sweet ones for you guys this week.   And just so you know, dad, I know allll about the races on the Isle of Man.  I watched them all on Youtube (before my mission).  It is pure insanity.  Yes, we're going there to see it some day!!  Also, I most definitely want to come back to England soon after my mission and visit all the friends I've made here.  I've made loads of friends, even some in Italy and Germany... so i may have to go there as well. Yup!

 

I wanna see the Gilbert Temple!  I'm so glad you guys went to see it.  That's something I wish I could do a bit more of on my mission, go to the Temple.  I'm on this super spiritual high but wish I could spend just a few more hours in the Lords House each year.  Well, at least I get to go once a year.  It sounds like something out of a Fairy Tale - just once a year.  There will be plenty of visits to the Temple when I come home, but let's not talk about that just yet!

 

My new coat is awesome, by the way.  It's rated to about 8° Celcius, so like 45° Farenheit, or something like that.  But at least I'm not freezing like Dallin in Ohio!  He says he just went through -6°, and -40° with the Wind Chill.  Doors were frozen shut!  And there's the rain.... I don't like the rain. It's just so.... wet.

 

This week was alright. not stupendous.  We have been trying out a few new techniques for finding people to teach, but they didn't work out too swell, so were just going back to basics this week.  But Stephen was confirmed on Sunday and we have two new families coming to church, and we're also trying to put together a wedding.

 

Oh! and Transfers is next week, so I'll find out if I'm getting sent off next Monday.  I think it may be time, but who knows?

 

Anyway, I love you guys.  I think about and pray for you guys allll the time.  Keep up the good work back in Mesa.  Stay strong.  Read your scriptures every day.

 

Love,

 

Elder Glasgow

 

ps, Pics are from The Needles last p-day with Matthew and the Sisters, and Epic Taylor Bailey in Scotland.  Hope he takes the stairs down off that roof.  No Parcour, Elder!  

  

January 20, 2014

Dear Fam,

 

Well, we had another baptism!  Stephen Csaba Szenasi was baptized by the one and only Bishop Cornish of the Isle of Wight Ward.  And then I got to confirm Nastassia, and then I ordained Matthew!  It was awesome!  I thought it would be ages before I did stuff like that!  The Priesthood is wonderful.

 

Well, to answer some questions.... we've taught an average of about 44 lessons this transfer!  And we have another baptismal date.  One of the members here owns a cello which she keeps at the church, so Elder Rogers can use it whenever we are around.   We play together for all sorts of stuff.  Missionaries don't "jam", we just practice a bit for our performances.  Also, I got a new jacket - it's nice.  I got it for half price, too.  I only spent 40£.  Stephen is enjoying his new jacket, haha.  He's sooo funny, and a great guy.  Even though he's kinda homeless he still is so humble and wants to start his own Soup Kitchen!!  Yeah, he's great.

 

This week has been full of just great stuff. We had a young family come to church with their dad!  5 investigators at church, that's a new record!  We've started doing chapel tours a half hour before church as well so that people aren't too confused in church.

 

There are people prepared on the island. It's amazing.  We seem to run into them every single day!

 

Elder Rogers and I got some of those Institute manuals for the New Testament, D&C, and the Book of Mormon. We use them during our personal study, and I've got to say, they are sooooo coool!  Especially the D&C.  I think everyone underestimates the D&C.  The Bible and Book of Mormon are amazing.  A testimony of the Book of Mormon helps convert people.  But, the D&C was written for our day and has revelation from God for US.  It's so great!!!!

 

What do you mean there's another new Temple film out?!  The first new one just came out like 8 months ago! Have you guys seen it?  I only get to go to the temple twice my whole mission which means I probably won't get to see it until i come home!  Ahhh........ that's unfortunate.  Oh well.

 

Today, our District is going over to this place called The Needles.  It's all the way across the island, so we have to travel loads and we gotta hurry, cuz we have to be out proselyting by 6, so i will tell you all bye and I love you all so much and remember to read your scriptures every day and the church is true!

 

Love,

 

Elder Glasgow, the Cannon

January 13, 2014

Dear Family,

Haha, you're probably wondering why I am emailing so late in the day.  Supposedly, all the island libraries today are going through a staff training, so all of them are shut down and it just so happens to be on a Monday that they do it, of course.  So we went to the chapel and it turns out the internet it down there, too, so we spent a good hour trying to fix it but it didn't work at all.  So eventually after going shopping and having lunch we found a little internet cafe hiding behind the McDonalds on Scarretts Lane.  Yup.  England.  Missons.

But this week was great!  We had another baptism!  Her name is Nastassia.  She's about 45 and has two kids. She met missionaries 19 years ago and then ran into us and we got her baptized!  She's super great and just loves the atmosphere of the church and everyone around it.  Elder Rogers baptized her and I gave a talk and Elder Rogers and I did a musical number together.  He played the cello and I played piano.  It was pretty moving, if I say so myself.  Steven is still on track for getting baptized next week, too!  It is so great.

Other than that, guess how many lessons we taught this week?  Forty-nine!!  Yeah, an all-mission high for me! Now I just have to get fifty!  We're teaching some great people.  There's Nick and Carol, a young couple with 2 kids.  They are both just great and really interested about it all.  And there's still our neighbors, James, Leah, and Allan.  We keep on running into people every single day that are just so prepared!  It's so cool!

But, enough about me.  It's so great to hear about you guys.  I'll be buying a good jacket today for sure.  Sorry my original one didn't turn out so well. Chase has brother Spencer for Seminary?  Is he the short one or the big one?  I can't remember.  Love Seminary!

Is Crew still doing gymnastics, or is he just going to school right now?  I miss him so much!  Whenever I see all the little kids at church I think of him.  Kids here are pretty cool, but they're not Crew.

So, I found out something rather interesting about the island the other day while I was at a members house.  It turns out that the island is full of jargon that isn't anywhere else in England.  Here, they use this word, Gert.  It means big.  If you're a tourist you're a Grotel.  And during Cowe's Week all the big-shot Yachters come here and they're called Grotty Yachties.  Haha.  And someone from the island is called a Caulkhead.  Anyway...

I'm doing great.  It's sooo good to hear all you guys are doing great, too.  I miss you guys a lot.  I pray for you every day.  Keep up all the missionary work you guys are doing!  Love you.

Elder Glasgow