#AlwaysThere

Hello everyone! This week was pretty good. I can't believe we are approaching April! So crazy.

On Tuesday I said goodbye to Sister Westover and basically bawled my eyes out. My new companion, Sister Mastroianni is super good. She's 22 and like 5 feet tall and so cute. She's from Napoles, Italy and has only been a member for 2 years! Her English is decent but she gives herself a hard time. Ive already learned so much from her.

Well this week has been tough because all the university students are going on Easter break so we couldn't really set up any appointments. It was also a bit stressful because I've had to be senior companion in an area I know so little about. We spent most of the week finding on Oxford road. This week especially there were so many people bashing us. It's funny to me how at the beginning of my mission, rejection and people bashing us used to make me so sad and discouraged but now it doesn't even phase me!

Huge miracle happened Sunday. We had no one scheduled to come to church cuz everyone's out of town. As soon as Sacrament started, a man me and Sister Westover met on the street a couple weeks ago came it! It was a man named Ken from Taiwan. Miracle!

Huge miracle pt 2 happened THIS  MORNING. On Friday, we met with an investigator, Chuyun and she was going through a lot and having a hard time so I mentioned receiving a priesthood blessing. She said the moment she got it, she felt strength. This morning we woke up to a message from her saying that she wanted to be baptized before she returns to China and to pray for a date for her. WHAT. Priesthood Power People!

The church has come out with an Easter Campaign called #AlwaysThere. I'm excited because as a district we have discussed ways we can use this for our street displays. I've been thinking a lot about the message of a Savior who really is 'always there' for us. I know the Savior has been there for me countless times in my life. I think since coming on my mission, I've been able to recognize his role as my Savior and Redeemer more clearly. In D&C 76:22 Joseph Smith says,
 “And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!”

I know He lives. Love you all! Happy Easter/General Conference/April Fools  this week!

Sister Gilland
England Manchester Mission

Pic 1#Candid
Pic 2 Chuyun! (with my previous comp Sister westover #rip)
Pic 3 china town in Manchester
Pic 4 Found out the only taco bell in our mission is 10 minutes from our flat #BLESSED

Nicely Played Satan + Transfers

Hi all! I hope you're all doing well!  This week unfortunately was a bit discouraging but it got better in the end! Missions have loads of ups and downs!

On Monday night as we finished making Diego's baptism program, we received a text from him explaining for various reasons that he didn't want to get baptized. As a missionary, of course, we develop a love for the people we teach and it's painful when they are so close to receiving the blessings we have -the blessings of baptism- and then just like that, Satan gets a hold of them and ruins everything. It got me thinking that this must be how God feels when he sees me or any of His children stumble on the path. The pain and disappointment I felt Monday night is something unfortunately most missionaries will go through. And God goes through it all the time! I can testify that Heavenly Father is our literal father who loves us and wants the best for us. Unfortunately that darn agency we have sometimes gets in the way. Luckily Diego still wants to continue reading scriptures, praying,  and coming to church. Anyways, nicely played Satan!

We had another lesson with our friend Lucy! She's learning and growing so much. Even though baptism isn't in the cards for her at the moment, I know one day it will happen. We had a lesson on tithing and temples this week and she really loved it. She's going out of town for a couple of weeks and we all had a feeling one of us would get transferred and so when she said her closing prayer, she said "Heavenly Father, please look after my missionaries." Ah she's amazing!

Transfers! I'm Staying in YSA & Sister Westover is headin' to Liverpool!
So even though we had a rocky start to the week, Sister Westover and I had an amazing last week together. I can't even begin to express how much I'm going to miss her. I could honestly serve my whole mission with her. I feel jipped that I only got one transfer with her. She has taught me so much and I'm so grateful for her. As much as I love her, I know she's missed speaking Chinese and so I'm excited for her to get back to that.
My new companion is Sister Mastroianni! She's a convert from Italy! I meet her tomorrow! I've heard good things. She's a transfer younger than me so I'm senior companion so that'll be crazy. But I'm really excited!

That's about all for the week! On Sunday we talked about how the gospel is our light in the darkness. As we feed that light and learn and grow in the gospel, it just gets brighter and brighter!
D&C 50:24 That which is of God is light; and he that receiveth light, and continueth in God, receiveth more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

I'm grateful for the light and clarity the gospel brings in my life! And I'm grateful for all of you as well! I hope you're all doing well! Have a good week!


Sister Gilland
England Manchester Mission

Pics 1&2 : Sister W and I did a photoshoot in the beautiful city of Manchester
Pic 3: Posh Japanese restaurant a ysa recent convert owns
Pic 4: When we got transfer calls :(

6 Months! + Happy British Mother's Day!

Hiiiii everybody! This week was really good! Every day just seemed to get better. I love being a missionary! Also yesterday was Mother's Day in the UK. Unfortunately mom, I don't get to FaceTime you til American Mother's Day. But I thought of ya all day! Also tomorrow I hit my 6 month mark. I can't believe it. Just like that, a third of my mission GONE.

Well Thursday, the Elders had a Baptism for their friend, Luis from Ecuador. We were able to bring our two most progressing friends, Lucy and Diego. Lucy was really amazed by it and she said on her bus home, she was thinking about it so much that she actually missed her stop. How precious is that?! Diego also loved it and passed his baptismal interview and is getting baptized Thursday the 15th of March!  After the baptism, he said, "I'm ready to live a life trying to be like Jesus." He is so ready!

Update on my Chinese... I'm basically fluent now. Lol jk but I'm actually starting to pick up a couple of phrases. Hats off to all you missionaries who learned a language. I can barely teach the gospel in English.

Omg transfer calls are this week! Time needs to chill! I'm really hoping I'm granted another 6 weeks in YSA. I really love it here and I love my companion. I could honestly serve my whole mission with her. Hopefully nobody gets transferred!

Also yesterday while street contacting, I ran into a knee high cement post. Whose idea was it to put a knee high cement post in the middle of a side walk? Luckily I didn't roll into the street and get hit by a bus! :)

To end on a spiritual note....
Something that hit me this week is that the Lord truly puts people in the right place at the right time. Coming to England, I thought I'd only be teaching British people but boy was I wrong. Every day, I meet people from all over the world. Our current teaching pool consists of people from England, China, Japan, Columbia, and Ecuador.  I'm so grateful that the Lord has placed me here in Manchester at this exact moment so that I can meet such amazing and diverse people.
Mosiah 3: 20 "And moreover, I say unto you, that the time shall come when the knowledge of a Savior shall spread throughout every nation, kindred, tongue, and people."
I know that to be true! Love y'all lots! Xx

Sister Gilland
England Manchester Mission

Picture: Sister Wood asked if this was Big Ben and we all made fun of her 

Blood Puddin Ain't Bad

HELLO! This week was super good! Oh my heck it was so cold! Nobody warned me England was this cold! Apparently it hasn't been this cold in Manchester in decades. I just want it to be spring!  We had lots of lessons and and our investigators are still continuing to progress. We had a hard time finding this week because it was so cold.

We had a really powerful lesson with our star investigator, Lucy. She told us she feels different when she comes to church. She loves the atmosphere and the YSA community.  She has a few concerns but she is so solid. We are hoping to get her on date this week.

Another investigator, Diego from Columbia is super solid and officially on date for baptism! He's investigated the church since October and he's finally decided that he wants to be baptized! On Sunday, we took him to our New Member Fireside in Liverpool and he loved it. He is amazing!

Something fun that happened this week was on Saturday, the YSA missionaries (all 10 of us) were invited to breakfast at the bishops house. We had a 'proper English breakfast' which consisted of eggs, bacon (ham), beans on toast, sausage, tomato, mushrooms, and blood pudding. Blood pudding is fried sheep's blood in a patty. It tasted like stuffing to be honest.
On the way home from breakfast, I was chatting with bishops wife and turns out, she and her family had my dad over for dinner back when he served here! It's crazy how many people I've run into that know Elder Gilland!

Well this week a scripture popped out to me found in Deuteronomy 4:29 "But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul."
This scripture was shown to me my sophomore year of high school in seminary. Back then, I really didn't have a huge understanding of this gospel. Now I'm not saying I know everything but I do know that there is a God who loves us all so much. That's the first thing I teach to people. It is most important. I challenge you all to seek the lord this week!

Sorry no pics this week! Love yall!

Sister Gilland
England Manchester Mission

Migraines and Miracles

Hey yall! Well it's been another great week in Manchester YSA.

Well last pday was a little crazy. My companion has been having headaches for like 6 weeks and we tried literally everything to relieve them and the British health care is so bad that we weren't able to get a doctors appointment until a couple weeks ago. The general physician didn't know what was wrong so he sent us to a neurologist but that appointment wasn't scheduled to happen until today. So last Monday it got really bad and our mission nurse and mission president were concerned a couple other weird symptoms she had and so they  told us to go to the hospital. So we spent 7 hours at the A&E (ER). She got a CT scan and luckily it came back normal. But we still had no answers. The neurologist today gave her the diagnosis of chronic migraines and git her some good meds so hopefully they work!

Despite that, Sister Westover and I are working super hard and have seen countless miracles.  The other day, we only had an hour to go finding and we found 4 new investigators #blessed! We also had a girl call us and tell us that she's met with missionaries in the past and she wanted to come meet with us that same day. We retaught her the first lesson and dated her for baptism March 15. So hopefully all goes well. She's so cute! She's from China but grew up in England. Her names Chuyen!

Another miracle was a member referred us to her friend Frank. We gave him a chapel tour and he asked lots of really good questions. One if them being "Why are Mormons always so happy?". We gladly answered that and he's agreed to meet with us next week.

Our final miracle is Lucy! A couple weeks ago she walked into the church and basically asked to be an investigator. Ahhhh I love her so much! We met with her and taught her the Plan of Salvation with our senior couple the Quinns'. It took 2 and a half hours but it was probably the best lesson I've been apart of. So many good questions and the spirit was so strong. She came to church her 3rd time. We are hoping to date her for baptism next week.

So we have definitely seen the Lords hand numerous times throughout this week.  With the chaos going on in the world around us, it's easy to wonder if there even is a God. I learned this week that only 4% of the people in England go to church. Which is crazy to me because there's SO MANY CHURCHES everywhere. But they're all empty. We're in a very lost and confused world. I encourage you all this week to look for the hand of God in your life. I promise ya, he's there:)
2 Nephi 2:14 And now, my sons, I speak unto you these things for your profit and learning; for there is a God, and he hath created all things, both the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are, both things to act and things to be acted upon.

Love yall! Cheers

Sister Gilland

 

Five Months and Finally!

Hi everyone! This week was really good! We celebrated Chinese New Year and Valentines Day so lots of fun! Also I hit my five month mark and also got my first baptism! So exciting week!

So my Valentines Day was spent at Zone Conference! I really love Zone Conference because I learn so much and just want to better myself as a missionary so it was a good day! After Zone Conference, my companion and I met with a few YSA sisters and we all had a 'Galentines Day' Dinner and then went out finding! So fun!

On Thursday, all us missionaries and a lot of the YSA members did a street display to invite people to our Chinese New Year Party that we had on Friday. It was so fun to do it with the members. I think in total, we as a district got like 20 new investigators. So good! The next day was the party and it was such a good turn out! Since like half the YSA Ward is Chinese, we had lots of authentic Chinese food and games and it was so fun!

We taught our friend Lucy from London the restoration on Friday and she loved it. She had lots of really good questions. She is learning right now because she's just curious about us but I'm confident that she'll soon see that what we're teaching is true. She came to church on Sunday and loved it. I'm excited to see her progress!

Saturday, my golden investigator in my previous area, Pat was baptized! I was in the best mood that day. Even though I was sad that I was unable to attend the baptism, my heart was so full of love for this gospel and my sacred opportunity to share it here in England. I was able to call Pat before and I could tell in her voice how excited and ready she was. I can't even express how happy I am to be apart of her conversion. She is amazing! I didn't think that I'd hit my 5 month mark before I got my first baptism but I have really learned that God does prepare His children. I know that God has a work for me. He has a work for all of us!

I've really come to love teaching the message of the resoration to people. I try to do it as much as I can on the street. The more I teach it, the more I know of its truthfulness. I read in Joseph Smiths History this week and couldn't get through verse 16 and 17 without tearing up.

16... "I saw a pillar of light exactly over my head, above the brightness of the sun, which descended gradually until it fell upon me.
17... When the light rested upon me I saw two Personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description, standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said, pointing to the other—This is My Beloved Son. Hear Him!"

I've probably quoted this a million times but it hit me super hard for some reason. I'm so grateful for Joseph Smith and his work in bringing about this church- the church of Jesus Christ. I feel so blessed to be apart of this work.

Anyways that was my week! Hope you're all doing well! Love yall!

Sister Gilland
England Manchester Mission

Pics:
Zone Conference
YSA Street Display
Pat's Baptism!
Shout out to my mom & AnnaClaire & Noelle for the parcels
My Welsh Tag came in! & My Mandarin Tag has been ordered! #Trilingual

Ni hao From Manchester!

Wow what a week! On Tuesday, I headed to Manchester Piccadilly train station BY MYSELF with 3 pieces of luggage. Luckily the whole YSA crew was there to welcome me! There are 2 sets of Elders and 2 sets of Sisters. Well to start off, I was absolutely shocked to get called to YSA.  This area is very focused on Chinese speakers and President McReynolds wants to get more English speakers at YSA so he is having Sister Westover and I's primary finding focus be on English speakers.

Sister Westover and I are literally best friends. We are so similar! We both have a goal to eat better and go running every morning bright an early at 6:30! She's amazing! Also she's fluent in Chinese because she lived in China for some time. My first night, I woke up to her speaking Chinese in her sleep. Slowly but surely, I will learn Chinese! Lol just kidding it's impossible. But I have learned to say 'hello', my name, 'repent' , and 'baptize'. I think that pretty much covers everything!

As a missionary at YSA, you spend ALL your time street contacting on the famous, Oxford Road. There's no tracting. Just street displays and street contacting. SO different from my previous area. But it has been a blast so far. We are always so busy! Manchester is amazing! I love the city vibe so much! Plus the 6 other missionaries here are so fun! We're like a little family. And we also have a senior couple here, the Quinns' and they're from the blessed land of Texas! Also the ward is great! This is my first time in YSA like ever so it's super new but I love it!

So the day after I left Birkenhead, Pat had her baptismal interview and PASSED. Next week she will be baptized! I'm so excited for her! It was really hard saying goodbye but I am so happy for her and I'm so amazed how much she's grown! Unfortunately I won't be able to attend the baptism. But I'll be able to Skype in!

Sister Westover and I have already seen so many miracles! We fasted together on friday and that day, a girl named Lucy walked in the chapel and asked for a tour and then said she wanted to come to church on Sunday! What?! She came to church and loved it and wants to learn more! We are super excited!

Well that's my week! I absolutely love Manchester! I want to challenge you all to really strive to have meaningful personal prayers this week! It can be so easy to get distracted by all the chaos of the world but don't forget you have a father in heaven that loves you and wants to hear from you!
Moroni 7: 48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen.

Cheers,

Sister Gilland 💕

Pics:
1-Sister Gaugau and I waiting for my train, it was a long day haha.
2-New comp!
3-Cute sisters in my district from Taiwan
4-Manchestaaaa
5-Our Church Building- Not so typical

Manchester, I'm Coming for Ya!

Transfer Calls!!
Well my email title gave it away haha but I will be going to MANCHESTER YSA (Young Single Adult) WARD. My new companion is Sister Westover from Highland, Utah!! She's amazing! My mission is both English and Mandarin speaking and Sister Westover is Mandarin so that'll be crazy!  We have been out the same amount of time so we're both a couple of newbies.  I'm so excited to serve in the 'Big City'!

Well that was the biggest news of the week but here's some additional highlights!

Funeral and Exchanges
On Tuesday right after district meeting, we went to our investigator Pat's partner's funeral. It was held at our church. It was a really good service but of course super sad. Pat just looked really upset and confused. But she said if it weren't for the Gospel of Jesus Christ, she would be in a much worse state. She has been getting some family persecution but she's not having any of it. She's still on track for February 17! I'm so excited for her!  
After the funeral, we went on exchanges in Runcorn with the STL's which was pretty fun. I got to go with Sister Pogisho from Namibia. She's so fun and we had a blast!

This whole week, the ward assumed I was getting transferred and they know I love pizza and so we've had it almost every day. I didn't complain one bit.

Saturday was so so fun! Us and the Elders made the most of our last day together and went to KFC (lol) and then did a street display and followed that with a blitz (multiple companionships tracting on the same street) and then we had dinner (Pizza!) and ward coordination at our Ward Mission Leader's home. 

It was a tough time saying goodbye to my ward. A couple of tears were shed. I cant believe 1/4 of my mission has been spent here.  I really have come to love this area. This ward will always be special to me. I did a lot of growing here, spiritually. I will definitely miss Birkenhead but I'm excited for a change! Onto the next chapter!

Spiritual Thought
How many times have we asked the question, "Why me?" I was reading in what is now my favourite section of the D&C section where Joseph Smith is in liberty jail and has endured  countless trials. He asks the question, "Oh God, where art thou?" Verse 7 & 8: 
7 My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
8 And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes. 
Now there have been countless trials in my life that I have not exactly endured very 'well'. But I have seen on my mission the blessings and benefits of enduring the trials as well as possible. I encourage y’all to look to the saviour during those times because it is in those times when we truly need Him the most! 

Love you all! Email me! 
Sister Gilland 💕

PICS! 
1-Tracting is lyfe.
2-Last ward coordination. Elder Risk and I have been transferred!
3-#DietCoke
4- Grateful for these 3. My fam the past 12 weeks. 

Curveball After Curveball

Hello everyone! How are yall?? My week was alright, I had some of the best fish n chips of my life...but lots of hard and annoying things happened. Satan is definitely aware of missionaries and our dated investigators.

Pat
So things with Pat have gotten a bit difficult. In the two weeks that we've known her, she has lost her partner of 40 years, her dogs, and her house. She suffered from a stroke, and she's experienced difficult family circumstances. Anyways, she's been sick this week and we visited her nearly every day and sadly we had to reschedule her baptismal interview because of illness. By postponing the baptismal interview, we have had to postpone the baptism to February 17.
I was disappointed, upset, and completely heartbroken, because I know how ready she is for this. I've seen her grow so much and it just buggs me how everyone is dragging their feet!

Mahmoud
On Saturday, on the bus, a man looked at me and said in an unfamiliar accent that I just  looked so happy! He sat down and saw my tag and said "Oh that's why! You represent Jesus Christ!" Well we got to talking and his name is Mahmoud and he is from Jerusalem (crazy huh?). He was brought up Muslim but was very interested in learning more about the church. I told him to come church the next day and he said he would and guess what...HE CAME! Lol he showed up at the Catholic church nextdoor and we ran over and got him the heck outta there. He was working so he couldn't make it to sacrament but we were able to just go in a classroom and teach him the restoration. And then all of the sudden I heard myself asking him if he wanted to be baptized. Well he said he would and we have him dated for February 24! Unfortunately he lives in Liverpool so he's not technically in our area so we will probably teach him a bit and then refer him to the missionaries in Liverpool. He works at a Chippy in Birkenhead so he said we can come by for free food whenever we wanted. #tendermercy

Transfers Approaching
Ok so the transfer is coming to an end! Transfer planning is THIS WEEK and we should get a call Saturday or Sunday letting us know who's gettin the boot. The ward is well aware that transfers are next Monday so we are fully booked in tea appointments. I'm most likely to get transferred because I've been here the longest . But I don't know, I think I might stay! We'll see! Maybe I'll get transferred to Liverpool and get to teach Mahmoud!

Well this week honestly felt like one bad thing after the other. It's frustrating to have to deal with all of Satan's curveballs but I know there is a purpose behind each one. I realized this week how crucial it is to really forget myself. Forget my thoughts, worries, concerns, problems, etc and really do my absolute best to be an instrument in the Lord's hands. I was reading in D&C section 98 and came across a verse that really struck me.
"3 Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name’s glory, saith the Lord."
The word 'immutable' is super powerful. It means that the covenants we make with the Lord  cannot change. Later we will see that all of life's challenges or afflictions, were for our good. He will always fulfil his promises as long as we do our part! Always.

Love you all! I'm so excited to hear Federer won the Australian Open! Numba #20!
Have a good week everyone! Email meee!

Sister Gilland 

1- Someone at a street display gave me a bubblegum flavored soda. Lol it was so bad.

2- tribute to Federer's big W yesterday! #trunky 

 

 

Quite the "Stroke" of Bad Luck

Hello everyone! I hope y'alls week was good! This week has been amazing but let me just say, it's been a eventful. 

New Prophet
First off, it was amazing to see the announcement of the new Prophet. I mean we all pretty much knew but I think it's great that the church made it public.  I remember being 9 years old when President Thomas S. Monson was called. He really was the Prophet of my youth. I miss him but I am so grateful that the church will always have a prophet leading and guiding us. I know President Nelson will be an amazing leader!

Pat!
On Monday, we got a call from our golden investigator Pat telling us that her partner of 40 years (basically husband) passed away.  It was kind of expected.  He drank a lot and he was having liver failure. Despite this tragedy, Pat is still so strong. She said that even though she lost David, she still has this gospel! She's also given up tea and coffee!  Anyways, Sunday, she came to church and we taught her a lesson and then my companion and I went to choir practice with the ward and when we came out of the chapel, we saw an ambulance in the car park and PAT WAS IN IT. So we ran outside and told Pat we loved her and that everything was going to be ok. Then they drove off. It was like a scene from Grey's Anatomy honestly. But as they were leaving, Pat told us she would see us at her house on Tuesday for our lesson. She went home later that day. They think she had a mini stroke  (hence, the punny subject title). We are still planning on a February 3rd Baptism! She's quite the fighter. Keep her in y'alls prayers!
(Lol I'm sorry if the subject title crossed the line but it was too clever not to use + Pat is alive and well so not to worry!)

Surprise Speaker @ Zone Conference
Thursday was Zone Conference in Crewe! President McReynolds is doing this new thing where he asks us all to prepare talks and he chooses 3 'lucky' missionaries to get up and speak in front if everyone.  I thought I'd be off the hook because this is only my third Zone Conference but NOPE!  Me and two elders from Germany and New Zealand each got called up to speak 10 minutes on how a deep understanding of my purpose as a missionary guides my planning and actions each day. Yikes. Haha but it went alright. It was super intimidating being in front of tons of missionaries who have been here a lot longer than me, as well as President and his wife #nopressure.

Well I started Doctrine & Covenants at the beginning of the year and this week, I came across my mission plaque scripture found in section 84.  Verse 88: "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up."
One of the biggest things I've learned is when I'm at the end of my rope emotionally and spiritually and physically, and then God asks me to go a little further, if I have the faith to do it, to let go, I look down and realize at that moment that I haven't dropped because there are angels round about me to bearing me up! I know that God is definitely aware of me and he's aware of all y'all!

Well that was pretty much my week! I hope you're all doing good across the pond! Keep Pat in yalls prayers! Shoot me an email:) have a good week!xx

Sister Gilland 

Pics- 

1- This is for my brother-in-law Miles, Royal Liverpool Golf Course- famous golf course that is in the Open championship rotation. 

2- My adopted Grandparents, the Fieldings. I LOVE senior couples.

3- Zone Conference

We've Struck Gold!

This week was amazing!  After lots of prayer and WEEKS of finding, I'm proud to say that we have found what appears to be a golden investigator. The Lord really does prepare the hearts of his children. They may be few in number here in England, but they exist!

On Wednesday, we got a call from a man in the ward who was referring his sister in law. He said she'd love a visit. Her name is Pat and she's in her early sixties. She has been investigating the church for years.  When we showed up and sat down, she said before we even began, "I want to join the Mormon church". My jaw was on the floor. I honestly thought I was in a dream. My companion and I have both yet to get our first baptism and we could barely contain ourselves. She was curious about life after death so we went on to teach her the Plan of Salvation and then we dated her for February 3 (3 days before transfers!). She came with us to church and stayed the whole time! She already has an amazing support system because she's related to half the ward lol (not kidding). Her nephew is the bishop and will be baptizing her! Legit had tears in my eyes when she said the words, "You two will be the missionaries that brought me to the church." But really, it wasn't even us.  Member missionary work is the way to go. We really couldn't have done this without them. Ahhh she's so prepared! Pray for Pat everyone!

As a district, each companionship got someone on date for baptism! That's like never happened! 

This week was also amazing because we had dinner appointments EVERY night and a couple of lunch appointments as well. Meanwhile, I'm praying I don't gain a stone. Also I'm praying I don't ever leave this area. I'd be down to spend my whole mission here. Every area I serve in is going to be compared to this ward. 

This upcoming week we have Zone Conference which outta be good. I'm excited to see everyone and President and Sister McReynolds and the mission fam. 

Since I'm the most humble person on earth, I had yet to read the famous talk given by Ezra Taft Benson in 1989  'Beware of Pride' until this week! (Hopefully you caught my sarcasm). But this talk was so helpful and really helped me take a step back and evaluate myself. One thing he said was, "When pride has a hold on our hearts, we lose our independence of the world and deliver our freedoms to the bondage of men’s judgment. The world shouts louder than the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. The reasoning of men overrides the revelations of God, and the proud let go of the iron rod."
I think lots of us are unaware if how prideful we are. I know I definitely am. I challenge you all this week to pray for humility. It is something that we should always strive to improve day to day.

Also, I think my body is getting used to the weather here. I'm not constantly shivering anymore! Must be my warm heart ;)!

I'd love to hear from you all! Thanks for the prayers! England is amazing, I know I was definitely supposed to come here! 

Sister Gilland💕

Bundle Up Bud!

Hellooooo! It's been dead cold here and guess what... our heater broke again!! Usually tends to break when it gets the coldest. Lol send prayers.

Happy first week of 2018! It's crazy cuz a couple weeks ago, when people would  ask me when I was going home and I was like "lol 2019..." but now I can say "next year" and that blows my mind haha. I hit 4 months this Saturday... weirddddd.

Ok enough trunky talk lol this week was pretty good! The past few weeks have been super crazy with the holidays and this week we actually got to work and hit it hard. My comp and I found the most investigators in the zone this week so that was super good. Not a lot of super serious ones but hopefully we can change that this week! It was super cold this week and WINDY. Which made for some LONG nights tracting but it's all good. We really didn't have any super crazy things happen this week.

Something kinda sad that happened was our most progressing investigator, Callam, dropped us. I was pretty sad just because how hard we worked on him. I could see in his face that he so needed this gospel. Hes had a lot of hard things happen to him and I just knew this gospel would save him. But I KNOW that we will not be the last missionaries he talks to. I KNOW that eventually, he will know for himself that thus gospel is true. I KNOW one day, he will make it to the waters of baptism.

On Wednesday morning, we woke up to a text from my mission President about the death of our beloved Prophet, Thomas S. Monson.  What an incredible example of serving the Lord diligently and enduring to the end. I invite you all to go watch his most recent conference talk from 2017 April General Conference and heed his counsel to read the Book of Mormon. I don't think I ever had a true understanding of the Book of Mormon until I came out on my mission. I invite you all to really take time and make it's priority to study it daily.

Oh something really great that happened this week was we were calling by a less active lady whom we had never met. She's like mid 50s. Anyways we knocked 3 times and no answer and right as we were leaving, she pulled up in the driveway! She invited us in and we had a lovely chat and she told us she'd come to church Sunday and guess what... SHE CAME!

I really don't have much else to say this week. We were crazy busy and this week literally flew! I hope you all are doing well! Know that I love each of you and pray for you daily! I appreciate the love and support I've gotten! Have a good week

Pictures!
1- Selfie of me and my comp while waiting for the bus.
2- BIRTHDAY SHOUT OUT TO MY MUM (trainer) SISTER MENLOVE. HAPPY 21st!!!!

Sister Gilland 💕

Christmas With The Kennys

HELLO 2018
Hiya everyone! This week was one of the best weeks of my mission! So so good! Missions have lots of ups and downs and this week seemed to have a lot of ups! 

Back to the Grind 
Well the day after Boxing Day we went right back into missionary mode and had a District Meeting. After that, the 10 of us did a street display which went super well. Found two new investigators that we will follow up with this week!  

Exchanges in Runcorn!
I went on exchanges with my Sister Training Leader, Sister Sutherland (from Jamaica) in Runcorn. It was pretty good. I just really love my area and being away from it makes me legit homesick!  lol everyone please pray I don't get transferred...like ever. 

CHRISTMAS WITH THE KENNY'S 
Highlight of my week was definetly Thursday night. The Kennys are a family my dad baptized (I've mentioned them before). Well my presisent gave us permission to go outside our zone to their house up in Liverpool for tea! Brother and Sister Kenny have 5 grown up kids, and 13 grandchildren and they were ALL THERE. Crammed into a tiny English house #typical. But I gotta give thanks to my dad because I was treated like royalty over there. They have our Family Christmas card framed haha so cute! They gave us lots of presents and food to take home too haha #blessed. It was so fun being with a family that means so much to my dad! 

**Explanation for the Subject Line**
So apparently my dad may have needed a little push to go on his mission so he may have been bribed by my grandparents with a Porshe waiting for him for when he got home. I've heard this story from my mission president (who's brother served with my dad) AND again for the Kenny's. So dad what car do I get when I get home????

Talk in Sacrament 
On Christmas Eve, Bishop asked me to give a talk on the following Sunday! Seriously?! Haha but it was ok. One of the Elders spoke too. I had to speak for 20 minutes on the Role of Righteous Women.  The Kenny's came too which was really nice of them! AND they brought us another bag of food haha they're seriously the best. 

Well I finished the Book of Mormon on the LAST DAY of 2017! I started it my first day at the MTC! It was so good to end the year with that. When I finished, the spirit just confirmed everything I already knew to be true. I'm so grateful for the Book of Mormon. I know that it truly is another testament of Jesus Christ! 

Challenge!
Ok this is a big one, I may not even be able to do it but I was challenged by an old seminary teacher to read the ENTIRE standard works (Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, Docterine Covenants, and Pearl of Great Price) in 365 Days.  That's 7 pages a day folks!  If I don't finish by the end of 2018, I at least want to finish by the time I'm done with my mission. Lucky for me, I have an hour of personal study every day so I've got it easy! But I encourage you all to do that! 

Happy New Year Folks! All y'all should shoot me an email cuz most of you haven't since last year ;) (hahahah I'm so funny)! Anyways, Tara' til next week! 

Sister Gilland 💕

Sorry no pics this week! Hopefully by next week I get the pics that I took at the Kenny's!