The Greatest 18 Months!

This is it! My last letter. Well before I get into why I loved my mission so so much, here's just a few precious highlights from the last week :)     
     
-Taking my daughter Sister Buck to First Five weeks and seeing how much she's learned and grown in the last transfer. She's incredible honestly.     
-Departing Temple Trip. It was absolutely priceless to be Reunited with the sisters I began this incredible journey with. It was also amazing to be back in the temple. Loads of tears.
-My Exit Interview with President McReynolds, more tears.       
-Miracle Monday, my last real day as a missionary. It was indeed full of miracles.     
-Sister Buck and I finished the Book of Mormon together.
-The Whitefield Ward surprised me with a Munch N Mingle. They all got me a Manchester hoodie, a card and flowers. So precious.
-transfer calls, Sister Buck is staying and getting follow up trained by Sister bulkley! They're gonna have a blast!
     
Well, my heart is filled (more than I ever imagined to be possible) with gratitude for my Saviour. I love Him. And I am eternally grateful for the privilege of being His representative for 18 amazing and sacred months. It has been the hardest, happiest most love-filled, brilliant rainy months when I've been sure that Heaven has been watching over me.     
I first want to show appreciation and gratitude for you all for tuning in each week to read of my adventures. When I left home, I didn't know how I'd cope without you all but I've been so fortunate to become a part of a new family across the pond. A family consisting of a Mission President and his wife who became my temporary parents, senior couples who took on the role of grandparents, missionaries who became my mentors, my support, and my best friends, and members offering all sorts of help, love and support. All these people that I only met in the last year and a half, that I can't picture life without. I hope that I may write a few of the reasons why my mission is so special to me.       
     
The Miracles       
I learned on my mission that it wouldn't be a miracle if there was no impossibility to be conquered! I believe I experienced a miracle big or small every day of my mission. It was a miracle that I got to be trained by Sister Menlove! It was a miracle all the busses and trains we barely caught. It was a miracle after a 24- hour fast, getting a phone call from a member referring his sister-in-law Pat, and her being baptised 4 weeks later. It was a miracle when Chuyun was healed from mental illness from a simple yet powerful Priesthood blessing. It was a miracle to watch a couple, Gavin and Cassandra who lost their way get re-baptised and have all their covenants restored. It was a miracle to to see Josh go from a complete atheist to a member of the church and future missionary in 3 months time. It was a miracle that it started raining on September 27th leaving us no choice but to have our lesson in McDonald's where we met Libby. It was a miracle teaching the Okewe family from Congo and seeing them moved by the holy ghost and enter the waters of baptism one by one. It was a miracle watching incredible people change and grow because of this gospel. It was a miracle that I got to serve in 5 of THE BEST areas of the mission, totally not being biased. It was a miracle having the Companions I had, learning so much from each of them. It was a miracle praying for a future missionary I didn't even know for months and learning that I would be training her my last transfer (Sister Buck). It was a massive miracle that my $20 Target Rainboots and $8 Walmart umbrella lasted me 18 months.     
     
The Disappointments       
Now missions aren't always a ray of sunshine (especially England lol). There were moments where the whole world seemed to be against me. The moments when I felt like I gave it my all and had nothing left to give. When I got the news of my Granddad's passing and then later, my Granny's, I felt like I truly experienced what I've been teaching these people for 18 months. I experienced the great plan of happiness. I was able to look beyond the brief separation from two people I loved so dearly and look forward, into eternity. I knew without a shadow of a doubt that because of Him, "the grave hath no victory, and death hath no sting". I testify of angels. My sweet grandparents walked with me every day of my mission.         
I felt disappointed when Diego cancelled his baptism two days before, after all the change and growth I saw in him. I was disappointed when a bag of sentimental belongings of mine got stolen while I wasn't looking. I was disappointed to leave areas and companions when I felt like I still had so much to learn from them. I was disappointed when all the amazing miracles fell through. I was disappointed at all the canceled appointments, all the no shows, and all the ignored texts. I was disappointed with companions, leaders, members, oh ya...MYSELF. But most of all, I felt like sometimes I disappointed God by not doing my best.     
     
Feasting on the Word     
As pathetic as it sounds, I don't think that I had a proper testimony of the Book of Mormon until I came on a mission. I remember seeing my breath while sitting in my freezing cold flat and having a vocal prayer in private to know if this book was true. I instantly felt such a warmth beginning in my heart and spreading to the tip of my fingers and toes. There was absolutely no denying such a clear answer. Soon after that experience, I got a blessing from an Elder who told me to liken the scriptures to every phase of my mission. From that time on, I did my best to do just that. I learned on my mission that the Book of Mormon absolutely is for our day. It's been an absolute pleasure reading it several times and also finishing it with Sister Buck my last transfer. I just know it's true!
     
Representing HIM     
Wearing my Saviour’s name on my chest for the past year and a half has been an incredible blessing. I remember first putting it on in the Provo MTC and immediately feeling the power of Jesus Christ. That power is what drove me to continue moving forward and to never give up. I learned quickly that the Lord deserves my very best and even if my very best is only 30% or 70%, Christ would make up the difference. I think the first thing people saw when they looked at me was my badge. From door slams, to being sworn at, to having cigarette smoke blown on my face to people actually running away from me (lol). I encountered several mockers, persecutors, and disbelievers. Though their hearts were hardened towards me, I began to realise later on that they weren't rejecting me. They were rejecting who I represented. And He already paid the price for that rejection. And the Lord will always give them a second chance. The badge has seriously become apart of me and I don't know how I'm going to take it off :’(.

The Greatest Debt
This past Wednesday, we had a Relief Society party and we watched the John Tanner Story. Now for those of you who haven't seen it, this story recounts the life and conversion of a man, John Tanner who gave incredible amounts time and money to the church. At the end of the movie, Joseph Smith is face to face with John Tanner and thanks him for the massive help and love he has given to the church and says to him "Father Tanner, I am in your debt". John Tanner then says, "The only debt... is one of gratitude... and that is mine".
When I came on a mission (a 19 year old prideful kid), I thought I was doing such a selfless act. Sacrificing 18 months of my precious life, putting things on hold and giving so much (I hope you're getting my sarcasm here). I almost felt like the lord owed me blessings because of this 'huge sacrifice' I was making. And there were many times where I experienced real heartache, sadness, and disappointments enough to make me question, "Is this even worth it?". But looking back at all the experiences I had of pure happiness and pure joy, and all the things the Lord has blessed me with, I realised that the only debt truly is one of gratitude and it is mine. How incredibly grateful I am to the lord for giving me this sacred and wonderful opportunity. I feel like I can never repay him.

Conclusion/Testimony         
If you were able to read though all of this, you may think that my mission sounds pretty average and typical to most missionaries. We all experience the same things in different ways. We experience everything from pure happiness to absolute anguish. We have times where we feel like we are at the end of our rope emotionally, spiritually, and physically, and then God asks us to go a little further. And if we have the faith to do it, to let go, we'd look down and realize at that moment that we haven't dropped because there were angels round about bearing us up. We go through these ups and downs, in the end we (hopefully) come out a stronger follower of Christ.         
It's hard for me to put my testimony in words but I'll give it a go. I know that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally. He loves us so much, that he sent his only son to perform the ultimate sacrifice. I know that this church was restored by a Prophet called of God. I know that the Book of Mormon confirms the truthfulness of this gospel. Most important, I know that God has a plan for me. I know that my Saviour is at the head of that plan. I know that the Lord placed me on earth at this time and called me to serve here in England for a reason. He knows me perfectly, he loves me and he loves all of you.     
     
The scripture I wanted to end on is found in D&C 31:3     
“Lift up your heart and rejoice, for the hour of your mission is come; and your tongue shall be loosed, and you shall declare glad tidings of great joy unto this generation.”     
My time here is up in England but my mortal mission continues. To forever keep his name in my heart and to always invite others to come unto Christ is my hope and prayer in the name of my Saviour, Jesus Christ, Amen.       
     
I'll be arriving in Midland Texas on March 28th and be staying there for a couple of weeks and give a homecoming on that Sunday the 31st of March at 9am (address: 2102 Tarleton St) . I'll then be back in Springville Utah and give a second homecoming the 14th of April at 10:30am (address: 2379 East 1100 South). My heart is filled with excitement to see all of you but aches for the painful goodbyes I will face this week. I love this work and I love you all. See you soon.     
     
For the last time,     
     
Sister Gilland     
England Manchester Mission     
13 September, 2017-28 March, 2019

Pictures:
Black & white one is of me on my first day in the MTC
Departing Temple Trip, reunited with my MTC group, selfie with President and Sister McReynolds
The Pickerings from my first area came to visit me on my last Sunday!

The Time is Far Spent; There is Little Time Remaining

Well as of last Wednesday I've been serving for 18 months, so I'm officially in overtime! I'm so grateful to have an extra 2 weeks!

On Tuesday we had the usual District Council. Wednesday and Thursday, nothing much happened, on Friday, we got a text informing us that we'd be having interviews that afternoon with President and Sister McReynolds. It was so good to see them! On Saturday, we spent a lot of the day preparing for our ward activity a Lip Sync Battle. Now our ward kinda has a reputation for being bad at singing (it's fine, we embrace it) so we thought a lip sync battle would be a good idea. It was the funniest night of my life. People got so into it!

As for an update on our friends that we're teaching, y'all may remember our friend, Walled...So he's super prepared and I was so excited about him but we haven't heard from him in over a month (when we called, his phone went straight to voicemail) but I had remembered him saying that he worked in a hotel in a small town in our area so we asked some members to give us a list of hotels in the area (there was only 3) and we went looking for him. Found him at the first one we went to. Well we found his coworkers (one of them may or may not have proposed to sister buck) but in the end, we got walled's new number and we are going to see him again! We weren't able to see Ian and Margaret because they were ill. Our friend Anthony is still flaking on us most of the time but he said he's coming to my last Sunday so I hope he doesn't let me down.

Sister Buck and I are up to the best part of the Book of Mormon, when the Saviour comes in 3 Nephi. I always love to put myself in the shoes of the people in the Americas enduring all these crazy signs anxiously awaiting for Christ. And before he comes, he says a few things, but one scripture really stuck out to me.
3 Nephi 9:14 "Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me."
The Saviour in the midst of all the chaos that had just occurred invited everyone to come unto Him. It amazes me how his love is so unchanging. Even though we live in a chaotic crazy world, the invitation to follow him is always there. I really love that.

That's pretty much been my week. We've got an insane week with District Council, First 5 Weeks, Departing Temple Trip, and my Exit Interview. I can't believe it's my last full week as a missionary! You'll hear from me one last time on Tuesday because of transfers. Love you all lots! Have a wonderful week!

Sister Gilland
England Manchester Mission

Pictures:
-Went to the Peak District for pday last week-Amazing!
-Nandos with #crew
-Turns out the sketchiest part of my area has a Temple Square
-Happy Pi Day

Winter's Back

Well it's been another good week. Unfortunately, spring is no longer upon us. Winter is back and colder than ever. We got out the winter coats and beanies this week. But we saw incredible miracles and stayed busy.   
   
On Tuesday we had District Council and straight after we went on exchanges in Manchester YSA! (My LAST exchange!:/ ) It was so weird to be back where I was exactly a year ago. I enjoyed it though. I got to work with Sister Palavi from Australia/Tonga. It was super fun to work with her and be reunited with some of the members. It was also crazy to be back in the same flat for a night. Honestly felt like I never left.   
   
We've been teaching our investigator Ian and his wife Margaret for the last 2 months. His wife is a member and has been for about 20 years. Ian has pretty much been investigating for the last 20 years and slowly bit by bit has accepted the gospel. Well the members told us that he's never been at church so much and progressing so rapidly. We had a lesson with him and brought a solid Fellowshipper and asked Ian if he would be baptised and he said YES! He said he wasnt ready to set a date but that he would pray about it. So we are so excited for him. It just shows that we really should never give up on anyone! Can't wait go see what happens with him!     
   
On Friday, we decided to go to a village we've never been to and call by some less actives. We were able to contact a couple and then we knocked on a couple doors near by and and ended up meeting a super nice family from Ireland and a really nice lady from Scotland. It literally rained all day but we didn't care because we were having such a good day!   
   
Sister Buck and I have had a goal to read the Book of Mormon from start to finish in this transfer and its going so well. This week we read in Alma 37:41 Nevertheless, because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them marvelous works. They were slothful, and forgot to exercise their faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did not progress in their journey;   
   
This stuck out to me because there have been so many times before and on my mission where an insane miracle would occur and I wouldn't even really acknowledge it. Having a greenie companion is great because they're at the beginning which can be really hard so they really feed off those small miracles. I'm grateful Sister Buck is helping me to see how miraculous this work really is. She keeps me diligent and as we continue in patience, the work, our friends, and ourselves progress. 

Love you all!

Sister Gilland
England Manchester Mission

Let the "Lasts" Begin

Well it's been an incredible week full of craziness, laughs, and tears. Missions are amazing. We had Zone Conference and a baptism!     
   
Just to recap you all on our friend Espoir, here is his conversion story:   
Espoir was found while we were teaching his mom and sister Christine and Amina. As we taught this family, Espoir didn't seem too interested until we started including him more and asking him questions to get him involved. As he answered them, we realised that he did in fact have a testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He decided that he too, wanted to enter the waters of baptism just as his sister and mom had. He is looking forward to receiving the priesthood and baptising the rest of his family later on! He loves church and activities and is excited to be apart of the Whitefield Ward family.   
Espoir's Baptism was on Saturday! It was really good. Sister Buck and I both gave 5 minute talks. The entire baptism was under 45 minutes. It was a good time!   
   
On Thursday, Sister Buck and I went to Chorley for Zone Conference. My LAST Zone Conference. It was sos amazing. The theme of it was Improving our personal and companionship studies so that we may be better teachers. I learned loads and it was fantastic to be reunited with my mission friends. At the end of the meeting, myself and two sisters gave our Departing Testimonies. I managed to hold it together and get through it with no tears surprisingly but my voice was definitely shaking haha. I swear my trainer Sister Menlove was just giving hers! I can't believe how fast the times gone honestly. Such a bitter sweet moment. After Zone Conference, Sister Buck and I were talking to President and he asked Sister Buck if she's ready for me to go and she just started crying haha 😂 #toosoon.     

We also attended my last New Member Fireside. It was a miracle we were even able to go but we managed to go with our friend Jade. The spirit was absolutely incredible. I'm really gonna miss going to those.
   
My good friend, Sister Dunlavy shared in her Departing Testimony a quote that really stuck out to me. "A mission isn't a saving ordinance but for me it may as well have been." It got me thinking of a scripture I'm sure I've shared before (cuz it's one of my favs), Mark 8:35     
"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel’s, the same shall save it."   
I'm so so grateful for choosing to serve a mission. I know it is something I'll never forget. It's been a blast and I'm grateful to have 3 more weeks!     
   
I know that this is the Lords work, I know that as we lose ourselves in His service, we are saved.   
   
Love you all have a good week!


Sister Gilland
England Manchester Mission

Pics:
Meat n Potatoe pie, an English classic.
Mother daughter pics
LAST Zone Conference
Espoir's Baptism
Today for pday we went to the Manchester United Stadium

Spring Fever!

Hello all! It's been a beautiful SUNNY week over here in GB. Hopefully spring is coming. I'd love to never put on my winter coat again.     
Sister Buck and I have had a lovely week!🌞🌞   
 
Our friend Espoir was interviewed for baptism by Elder Hardman and he passed! He is very excited to be baptised and can't wait for Saturday! He asked for our wonderful Bishop, Bishop Branch to baptise him. The Whitefield Ward absolutely loves this family and we hope they will each join one by one.     
We also called by some friends we haven't see  in a while Valdemiro and Isa. They are a young couple from Cape Verde and they have a 2 year old and a newborn. When we knocked, they immediately let us in. They were having a family get together and they offered us some of the food and then we just started teaching them. They were all so nice and wanting to learn more. Definitely doesn't happen every day!   
   
Well that's pretty much all that's happened this week! I'm excited for the upcoming week ahead. A scripture I loved this week is found in Jacob 1:19 "And we did magnify our office unto the Lord, taking upon us the responsibility, answering the sins of the people upon our own heads if we did not teach them the word of God with all diligence; wherefore, by laboring with our might their blood might not come upon our garments; otherwise their blood would come upon our garments, and we would not be found spotless at the last day."   
I feel like this verse is all about having a sense of urgency in this work. It's up to us as missionaries and members to spread the gospel to to tell as many people about this gospel. It's such a privilege to be a representative of Christ for 18 months but it's important that we represent him ALL our life.   
   
I hope you all had a wonderful week! Love and miss you all!   
   
Sister Gilland   
England Manchester Mission

Victory McFlurries after Espoir's Baptismal Interview
Street display in the rain
Spring selfie
Found a cat

Dream Team

On Wednesday we all met at the Manchester stake centre to meet the new missionaries and be introduced to our new companions! I'm training Sister Buck from Nephi, Utah. She and I are so similar it's scary. We also have like 10 friends in common haha. She is so excited to be here and start strong. I literally want to extend my mission a transfer so I can finish training her. She's amazing. Dream Team for sure.

Literally prayed so hard that Sister Buck and I's first lesson together would run smoothly so that she could see how a lesson is supposed to go. We taught our friend Anthony and it was AMAZING. Neither of us had ever taught him and so we just got to know him and then shared the plan of Salvation with him. Our mission president invited us and our trainees to extend a baptismal invitation once a week and so I thought "why not now?". When we asked him, he said something like "Its funny you mention baptism because when I was reading the scripture you just asked me to read, I actually pictured myself being baptised." Amazing! We were absolutely thrilled. He's got a long way to go but I really feel like he will one day know that these things are true.
We also taught a couple other really strong lessons. Our friend Espoir is still on date for March 2nd and his interview is this week. We are so excited for him!

Something I read in my studies was the scripture Helaman 5:9 "O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world."
I've really tried this week to remember and reflect on the things I've learned over the last year and a bit and it's been amazing to see how coming to know our saviour really shapes and changes us into better people. It's been amazing to watch this change in people I've taught and also in myself.

Well I'm excited to FaceTime my fam for the last 6 Mondays of my mission! 😂 I can't believe how many things have changed in the church since I've been out. It's actually crazy to me. I wish I could FaceTime you all but I'll see you soon enough. Have a wonderful week everyone!

Sister Gilland
England Manchester Mission

Pics
Libby and Sean came and visited me in Whitefield!
Me and sister buck thought we'd match our first sunday.
Valentines Day😘
Another selfie with sista buck.

Temple, Two Baptisms, Transfers, & TRAINING!

Crazy week people! We got the call Saturday morning from President informing me that I'm training a new missionary. It's also my last transfer. This is exactly how I wanted to end my mission so I couldn't be happier! We had Train the Trainers Sunday night and I pick up my greenie tomorrow!

On Thursday we got to go to the temple with our recent convert Christine. So many miracles took place for this to happen. We were worried that Christine would get nothing out of the temple because she doesn't speak any English and her 9 year old daughter couldn't come help translate. When we got there, there was a man who spoke swahili! He explained everything and we just watched her face light up. It was so special.

Amina
Amina is the cutest and probably the smartest little 9 year old I know. She speaks perfect English and swahili and was the key to her mom, Christine's conversion. When we taught Christine, Amina would translate the lessons. As she did so, she started to realise herself that it was true. Her testimony started to grow. She absolutely loves primary and learning. She told us that one day she wants to be a missionary. She is amazing!

Libby
I'm sure you all know about the famous Libby but if not, I'll catch you up. Libby is a direct result of following a simple prompting. I first saw Libby whilst we were having a lesson with our friend in McDonald's and she was working a shift there. She caught my eye for some reason so I went up and talked to her for a couple of seconds. I felt prompted to leave a note with our name and number on the table when we left. She ended up texting us that very night. For that day forward, we cultivated an amazing friendship. We watched the light of the gospel touch Libby's life and saw and incredible change in her. She began reading the scriptures and praying seeking to get her answer. It took a few months but as she continued studying and learning and reflecting on the little coincidences that occured, she realised that God was with her all along. He never left her and he never will. The boiler in St Helen's was broken so they held the baptism in a neighboring town called Warrington. When they got there, the boiler was also broken in Warrington. The chapel was so cold, you could see your breath so you can imagine how cold the font was. But despite that, it was amazing to watch and the spirit was just incredible.

I've been reading in 2 Nephi and chapter has become one of my favourites. In verse 41 and 47 we are reminded how crucial our Saviour is in this plan and how desperately we need him.
"41 O then, my beloved brethren, come unto the Lord, the Holy One. Remember that his paths are righteous. Behold, the way for man is narrow, but it lieth in a straight course before him, and the keeper of the gate is the Holy One of Israel; and he employeth no servant there; and there is none other way save it be by the gate; for he cannot be deceived, for the Lord God is his name.
47 But behold, my brethren, is it expedient that I should awake you to an awful reality of these things? Would I harrow up your souls if your minds were pure? Would I be plain unto you according to the plainness of the truth if ye were freed from sin?"
We are all imperfect people. But because of Christ, we all have the potential to arrive to our Heavenly Father but we must utilise the keeper of that gate, Jesus Christ. There is no other way.

When we were at the temple, myself and my companion did baptisms and we of course weren't wearing our badges on our jump suits. When I introduced myself to others, I kept pointing to where my badge would normally be. I felt so empty without it. I've gotten too used to having a badge and I never want to take it off. I can't believe how fast the time is going. I really hope things slow down. I can't wait to see what this transfer brings.

I love you all.

Sister Gilland
England Manchester Mission

We'll Sing and We'll Shout

Well it's been absolutely freezing here. England doesn't know what to do with snow because they never get any so when it does come, nobody shovels or plows or anything (because they don't have shovels or plows or anything) so everything just gets super slippery and ice doesn't really help the uncoordinated so I've slipped twice so far. So hoping it warms up soon!

It's been an insanely quick week. We had District Council Tuesday and afterwards we had Amina's baptismal interview... She passed! Also Libby back in St Helen's passed as well so they're both good to go! Amina turned 9 on Saturday so we got her a little gift and made some cake, it was lots of fun. She's looking forward to this Saturday, as are we! Should be a crazy upcoming week.

We've been calling up people in the area book lately and seeing if they would be able to meet up for a lesson and most have said yes so we've just been meeting and teaching all sorts of new people. We taught Liam again on Thursday about the Plan of Salvation and he liked it. He's very philosophically minded so he entertains most beliefs and considers everything. Also our friend Waleed from Sudan is amazing! He is literally so prepared and just wants to know more and more. We gave him a book of Mormon in Arabic and his face just lit up. He read Moroni's promise and said "So what this says is if I read it, and ask God if it's true, with a sincere heart, he will answer me?" and we told him yes and he was like "I can't wait to find out for myself and become a better person along the way". He's so precious I love teaching him so much!
On Sunday, we got to attend a new member fireside with Espoir. It was an especially good one. Some amazing stories were shared and the spirit was so strong. The closing hymn was "the Spirit of God" and when we all sang, it was like electric. The spirit was so intense you just couldn't deny it!

Well over the last week or so, I was challenged to write/draw what the Plan of Salvation means to me on one page. This was an amazing activity and I really loved studying about God's plan for me and all his children. I'm grateful for this plan and grateful I get to share it with those around me!
Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he [Jesus Christ] became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.

Love you all! Have a good week!

Sister Gilland
England Manchester Mission

Best Week of my Mission (Until Week of February 9)

Well one of the most amazing weeks of my mission for sure folks! We had exchanges and some really good lessons and a surprise Baptism!!

ALSO BREAKING NEWS, some of yall may remember my BFF Libby! Well she came to Whitefield today and told me that she is getting BAPTISED. February 9th is the day, I can't believe it, when she told me I was bouncing off the walls. Ahhhh I'm so excited!!!

So we were calling and texting people in the phone to see if anyone was still interested in learning from us and we came across a man named Walled. He's from Sudan and he is probably the kindest, most genuine man I've ever met. We were able to meet with him in McDonald's and share the message of the Restoration with him. He loved it! We are seeing him again this week.

We had exchanges in Chorely this week so I got to go back to my ol stompin ground. I got to work with Sister Schulze (from Germany). I was reminded of how it was one of the most difficult times of my mission. Rough area, not a lot of people to teach, and I had a hard time loving the people around me. We would go and stand in Chorley Town Centre on numerous occasions trying to talk to people about the gospel. Someone I talked to one of those days was a Romanian man named Gavril. He was so prepared but not in our area so the zone leaders taught him. He was taught and came to church every week and when I saw him, I would stop and have a chat with him. I didn't tell him I got transferred because I didn't think he'd really care. Fast forward 5 months to my exchange this week. I was informed that Gavril would be getting baptised the following Saturday. He had gone back to Romania to marry his partner so he could get baptised. The zone leader also told me that Gavril asked if I would give a talk at his baptism. He remembered me! It was just a wonderful reminder that this really truly is the lords work and no effort is wasted. And even though things were so rough during that particular time on my mission, it was all worth it because Gavril was baptised. In my mission, you can't attend a baptism unless you have an investigator with ya (even if you're giving a talk lol). So we invited a family of 4 we are teaching and our bishop offered to drive us so we were able to go and it was amazing! They loved the baptism and we were able to show them around the temple afterwards as well.

Not much else happened this week, I got asked to speak in church 5 minutes before Sacrament meeting started. Totally winged a talk on temples. Lol missions are greatttt.

Apologies if I shared this before but one of my companions shared this with me and I just thought a lot about it this week. D&C 123: 17 "Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."
I've loved this scripture for some time now. It's just a promise to us that everything truly happens at exactly the right time. God really is in charge. He is in the details of our lives. He knows us perfectly. As a missionary, I've come to know that he knows the people we teach perfectly. I know this is his work and I'm grateful every day to be apart if it.

I feel so blessed! I love you all, have a good week!

Sister Gilland
England Manchester Mission

Gavrils baptism
Me n sis cook
Throwback with Libby n sis mcchicken

Hujamba Everyone!

Well we can add swahili to the list of languages I can say hello in. It's been an amazing week in good ole Whitefield. We saw SO MANY miracles.

We had Zone Conference on Tuesday in Chorley and it was super uplifting. The general themes were "Lord Increase Our Faith" and "Becoming A Consecrated Missionary" We were invited to change two things by the end of the week to help us become better, more faithful, consecrated missionaries and more fixed on our purpose.

Well one miracle came on Friday. We felt like we should go by this Recent Convert, Bill. Unfortunately, Bill didn't answer but on his street, we met someone from... take a guess... CONGO. He was so prepared, he met missionaries before that gave him a book of Mormon and he said he's been reading! So we are seeing him this week. After meeting him, we decided to go by a man named Sergio in the area. When we got to his house, a man named Valdemiro answered and said he was Sergio step son but he let us in!! And we met his cute wife and baby. They're from Cape Verde but speak really good English. It was honestly like they were just waiting for us. We talked about the Book of Mormon and he said he had one and he'd read it. His wife is pregnant and actually due today! So we will go and visit in a week or so.

So we have been teaching Christina's children. Her daughter Amina is on date for February 9th and we were able to put her son Espoir on date on Thursday! We taught him the restoration and he really felt like it could be true. He asks such good questions. Honestly it's the highlight of my week teaching that family. So Espoir feels like he will be ready by March 2nd. We're so excited!

Well that was pretty much my week! One of the things we talked about in zone conference was a parable of the unprofitable servant in Luke 17:7-10
7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat?
8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink?
9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

This totally went over my head when I first read it. But upon studying it further, I actually learned a lot. Sometimes I feel like the servant. I might well feel that after a day’s work in the field I'm entitled to rest but when I get home at the end of a long day, I see that there's still lots I have to do. As a missionary, the master (Christ) has a right to my time and attention. Just like the apostles, who had given themselves entirely up to their Master’s service could not hesitate whatever the effort or sacrifice required. And at the end of the day, the best they could do would be no more than their duty required.

I invite yall to study this parable and to look for additional ways you can serve others around you! Christ deserves our very best!!

Love you all, have a wonderful week!

Sister Gilland
England Manchester Mission

Sweet 16! (Months)

I'm happy to announce now that after 16 months as a missionary, I am finally teaching A FAMILY! Christine (the girl who got baptised last week) has 5 kids age 7 to 19. The kids speak pretty good English. We've been seeing them multiple times a week teaching Christine her recent convert lessons. Amina (age 9) is getting baptised on the 9th of of February. The other ones, we are still working on and we are also teaching their cousins. Christine can't read or write in English or swahili so we use Google translate on the phone but the person sounds kinda robotic so I listen to the translator and then repeat it to Christine in swahili and she understands! The gift of tongues is REAL.

On Friday, we had a miracle! We went to call by this person the sisters met a few months ago. Turns out he had moved and the person living there wasn't interested so we were like "K now what?". Well I got this super strong feeling that we needed to stay and Tract on this street we were on. This never happens because I do not like tracting. But we followed the prompting and we met this man named Carl! He's our age and from the Philippines originally. He was super nice and we chatted a while and gave him a card and went on our way. About 15 minutes later, he called us asking if we could meet up with him the next day! Unfortunately... He stood us up! But we are still in contact with him and we are planning on seeing him this week.

Well for the spiritual thought this week, I thought I'd share
1 Nephi 13:37 "And blessed are they who shall seek to bring forth my Zion at that day, for they shall have the gift and the power of the Holy Ghost; and if they endure unto the end they shall be lifted up at the last day, and shall be saved in the everlasting kingdom of the Lamb; and whoso shall publish peace, yea, tidings of great joy, how beautiful upon the mountains shall they be."
I know that as we try to bring forth Zion and to do good to others, we will indeed have the gift and power of the Holy Ghost. Even though life is hard and gets harder every day, we are promised that in the last day, we will be lifted up. I'm so grateful for the gospel and that I've been able to see so many people change because of it.

Love you all! Have a good week!


Sister Gilland
England Manchester Mission

The FIELD is WHITE

Well transfers happened and I've been booted out of St Helen's to the wonderful Whitefield Ward (Ashton zone) where the field is white and ready to harvest (&everyone that serves here makes that joke lollll). I will most likely finish my last two transfers here which is crazy to wrap my head around. Leaving St Helen's was incredibly difficult. I really feel like I grew a lot there and I'm so sad to leave it behind. The hardest bit was leaving Libby. It's crazy how close you can get to someone in such a short amount of time. There were lots of tears. Seems like every area gets more and more hard to leave from. On to more heart break!

I arrived to Whitefield on Thursday. My new companion is Sister Cook, from Moscow, Russia! Jk lol she's from Moscow, Idaho. She's been out for 8 months and she's been in Whitefield for 5 of them so she's teaching me lots. Every single missionary that has served here has said that they loved it and I can already see why. So far, I love it here!

We had a baptism on Saturday! So I got here just in time. Her name is Christine and she is from the Democratic Republic of Congo! I got to teach her twice before the big day. The rest of her family should be baptised in the next few weeks too so that's exciting! They all speak swahili. The kids speak a bit of English. The baptism started at 3 and we went to go pick up Christine and turns out 9 of her friends and family wanted to come as well. So we all got on a bus and got to church... Only 15 min late. Oops. It was an amazing day though!

Well I've re started Book of Mormon and I've made it a goal to summarize each chapter in my own words and write it in a journal. So this week has been great. I read about how Lehi made his whole family move and laman and lemuel were murmuring and I likened it to my current situation moving areas. My whole mission I've struggled with change and on a mission you experience a lot of it. It's uncomfortable, it's difficult, it's emotional. But I know it's all the lords plan. I know that transfers are inspired and even though it sucks now, God's purposes are revealed in time. I've seen that as I've moved from area to area. A scripture I read this morning was 1Nephi 7: 13 "And if it so be that we are faithful to him, we shall obtain the land of promise; and ye shall know at some future period that the word of the Lord shall be fulfilled..."

I'm grateful to be here and I know there are miracles coming soon! Love and miss you all!

Sister Gilland
England Manchester Mission 🇬🇧