Monday, February 23, 2009

Fasting for 40!

Monday, February 23, 2009 4:27 AM
Wel,l my week wasn't the most eventful yet, but not bad. We had some really good things happen. Unfortunately we've had to let a lot of people go, but we're now preparing Becky for baptism on the 7th of March. We're also teaching a South African family that is really prepared and should hopefully want to prepare for baptism soon.
On Thursday we had Zone Conference in Reading. It was amazing. It was unreal how powerful the spirit was. We're now doing something special, kind of what we've done before though. We're fasting for 40 days, not from food, but from things that may distract us from the Spirit's influence. Its crazy how many little things make you lose your focus. The intent is obviously not just for 40 days, but by the end of the 40 days we should be changed, more spiritually in tune, and not go back to those things. We've done one before, but it's time to do another. I really like it. It helps my focus on the reality and seriousness of my calling.
We've had a couple other visits with Becky this week and she's doing great. All is well in the work. Things are going to pick up quickly this week, I think. The weather has been really nice lately. It's been in the mid 40's-low 50's F. A bit better than home I presume? :-). Anywho, the pictures are:
E. Karges and myself at Zone Conference and
a house in Oxford that has a shark body diving in.
It's pretty funny. I heard that no insurance companies will take it.
Love ya!
Elder Warner
(ONLY 5 MORE DAYS UNTIL.......HUMP DAY!!!!)

Monday, February 16, 2009

Hello!

Monday, February 16, 2009 4:41 AM
There's not too much to report since last Thursday. We finished the moves alright. Thursday evening we taught Clemencia and her son. It was a really good teach. Unfortunately they're gone till the 23rd, but when they get back things should pick up quickly.
We've done quite a bit of finding this past week. We've been working to find those who are prepared for us. Its tough work, but it's been working out alright. Church attendance was really low this week, but things should get better as we get further into moves and pick up some more people.
Becky is really close to a baptismal date. She's praying and reading every day. She's enjoying Church too so we're real excited for her. It's going to be a slow progression for our friend who thought we were police, but she's really good and trying to have faith in Jesus Christ.
That's pretty much all that's gone on here in Oxford since I last wrote. The weather is a bit better-staying around 7 degrees C, so not too bad. Thanks for your prayers and support. Love ya!
Elder Kyle Warner

Thursday, February 12, 2009

A couple of firsts

Thursday, February 12, 2009 5:04 AM
Well E. White and I are going to have a couple firsts this next moves. We'll both be having our first area for 6 months or more and first companion for 4.5 months or more because we're both staying in Oxford! It was kind of surprising news, but we're both excited because we know the area, we're getting to know the ward better, and we've got some good things started.
A lot has happened since last Monday. I want to send a couple pictures so I'll just touch on the highlights. It's snowed a lot here (for England); the most in 20 years. It was fun for us because we're used to it, but schools shut down, buses shut down, etc. They aren't prepared for it so the streets just had to be cleared by car and the sidewalks just turned to ice. Most of it’s melted now because it's warmed up and rained a lot too. But I attached a picture of the view from our flat the other day.
We've taught a couple people a few times. We've been working with mostly women lately. The one who let us in because she thought we were police is doing amazing. She is going to be coming to church this week and is loving the Book of Mormon. Every time we see her it's so spiritual. She must be really sensitive to the Spirit.
On Saturday we went to Newbury so I could interview a girl who's preparing for baptism then had an exchange with the Assistants in the afternoon. It was really good. We started teaching 5 new people with their help and I learned a lot. Sunday we had only 3 people at Church, which is better than last week, but I know we can do better. Tuesday was pretty good. We taught a new woman from Botswana who is amazing. We're seeing her and her son tonight. They're going away for a week, but when they get back things should progress quickly.
We've been meeting a lot of people who've been quite prepared by the Lord for us. We've been praying hard for it and our prayers are being answered as usual. I love being able to teach our brothers and sisters and help them feel the Spirit. I get excited each chance I get to bear my witness of our Heavenly Father's love. This is going to be a fun moves for E. White and myself. We've got big plans for our friends we're teaching. I hope all is well. Till next week.
P.S. the other picture is of the District after District meeting on Tuesday. Left to Right-Me, E. White, E. Barker, E. Gasparato, E. Lindsay, E. Wetherill, Sisters Eyre and Higbee.

P.P.S. E. Gasparato has been moved to Staines and E. Roberts is the new ZL. E. Wetherill has been moved to Worthing and E. Voycowsky (not how you spell it, but how it sounds-he's Polish).
-Elder Kyle Warner

Monday, February 2, 2009

I looked out the window...

Monday, February 2, 2009 5:04 AM
And what did I see?
Snow?!??!
It snowed last night and has been snowing off and on all morning. Not much has stuck though. Not even an inch, really, but I hear it's going to continue over the next few days. It's been an interesting week. Tuesday I was on exchanges with E. Wetherill from Newbury and we had one of the most spiritual teaches about The Restoration I've had all mission. We had a member with us and almost all four of us were a bit teary eyed as I finished quoting the 1st Vision. It was amazing. The spirit was so strong within me as I quoted it. It gave me a deeper testimony of it's reality. It was the woman that let us in Sunday night. She loved the teach and we'll try to extend a baptismal date to her tomorrow.
Wednesday we taught a member referral who was pretty cool. She has been to a temple open house, seen the Joseph Smith film, and is burning through the Book of Mormon. We taught Michael the Word of Wisdom on Friday and he took it quite well. He's really interested in the D&C and wants one of his own. Saturday was interesting. We had a lot of teaches set up, but 3 of the cancelled. I saw E-man (from Portsmouth). He was in Oxford with his brother Tom, who's in our ward. He's doing well and if you remember Allison, E-man's girlfriend that I taught with McConkie and Dutson? She's no longer his girlfriend. They're engaged and she's going to be taught the lessons again. I was so excited to hear the news. E. Karges will be teaching her too so it's a cool tie. In the evening we taught Lydia and she accepted a baptismal date for 28 Feb. That's really good news too.
I think this week should be pretty good. It's week 5 of moves so that means that next week. We'll have P-day/Moves on Thursday. I'm not sure what will happen. Anything could, really. Elder White and I have both been here for the same amount of time so we'll just have to see.
That was pretty much my week. I should be sending home another DVD full of pictures and video clips for ya. The picture is the view outside my window just before I studied this morning. LOVE YA!!
Elder Kyle Warner