Hello family and friends and associates,
Last week was kind of a bummer as far as missionary work for the most part.
Appointments kept falling through, I had to take some time to look at USU classes, I had to meet with the zone leaders to discuss some challenges and issues in our district, and etc. Just a weird week. But a few cool things:
On Wednesday night, a new member (about six months) named Pierre invited us all over for a surprise farewell party for one of the sister missionaries that is moving to a new area.
She had been here since just after his baptism, and had helped him out a lot during his process so he threw her a little surprise party to thank her. It also happened to be Guy Fawkes Night (5th of November), and here there are lots of fireworks lit off to celebrate.
His flat, in one of those high-rise towers that are so abundant here, overlooked a big firework display that the city put on. It was a fun night, with a few other members and a few other missionaries.
Next--____ and ____!
We have been teaching them about two weeks, and they want to be baptized! They accepted a date of December 7th--just before I go home. The only problem is that they need to get married and stop smoking by then. But perhaps they will!
I am kinda on the fence but I may even tell them straight up that I want to be there when they are baptized, so they should TRY to get ready by then. If not, oh well. I think they'll still be baptised even if it's not in my time.
They are great though, non-Christian background but they love everything we teach. Lots of deep questions, like where did God come from, and stuff like that.
They are very solid. Almost came to church, but she always has to look after her ill grandma and she wasn't able to get someone to care for her while she went to church.
But they really want to, and I think they'll be pleasantly surprised...when we told them that they'd meet the Bishop they were amazed! "You want us to meet the BISHOP? Oh I'm kind of nervous..." But then we explained that our bishops aren't typical bishops.
They're gonna love the way our church services are, I just know it.
I gave a talk in sacrament meeting yesterday and for once felt good about it. I made some good jokes that worked well with the crowd, had some good stuff to talk about, and delivered it well. I was asked to talk on "Why I served a mission". It was fun, but it's weird that it's coming to an end soon.
Miracle story:
We were tracting, and as we knocked this one door, the man who lived there walked up, asked who we were a bit suspiciously, but then when we told him he told us he was baptised in the Mormon church in Dundee about 15 years ago as a teenager.
He let us in and we got to know him, gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon to start reading again, and he asked us where the church is in Glasgow.
We told him the address and time, and he came!
He loved it and wants to come back every week.
Elder Zander was prompted to lead us to that area to tract. It was a cool experience and a miracle!
Another Chinese lady was baptized yesterday. It was a good experience.
However, I would love to get a Scot baptised before I go--the ward here hasn't seen much success with native Glaswegians in the past few years. We'll see!
Until next week,
Elder Spencer Ashcraft Burt
Photos:
Me wearing Pierre's Scotland onesie and Guy Fawkes mask.
5th of November fireworks.
5th of November fireworks.
The group of us at Pierre's. Great people.
My strange companion.
A high-flat being demolished.
