Week 9 in Wigan

Hello family and friends!!!!!!!

This week was really busy and full of excitement. I feel like this has been the busiest I have been for my mission life. We are just teaching so many good solid people. One of which is Soul!!!! Soul is amazing and we just hit such a breakthrough lesson with him this week. He has been a very slow progressing friend but this lesson we really just resolved a lot of his questions but he told us that despite all of his questions he knows that this church is true 100%!! He is just so close to actually making that commitment of following Christ! He is actually talking about his baptism! He really just wants to make sure he is doing this for himself and that it is the right thing to do. 

We have also been working with quite a few excommunicated members who want to be rebaptised. One of which is Yvette. She is an amazing person who has been through a lot. She definitely has had multiple trials and challenges in her life but through it all she does want to come back to this church because she knows it is true. She also has a daughter Charlotte who has never been baptised but wants to be. We had a lesson with Yvette where we got to tell her that getting her rebaptised wasn’t as difficult a situation as we thought it was going to be. She was so happy!! Definitely on my mission, I have seen not only how the gospel changes people but what it means to those that have fought to have it in there lives. The gospel has such meaning in our lives if we just let it. Once people feel the atoning sacrifice that Jesus Christ made possible for us is the time that they truly are converted. This gospel is so true and I am so grateful and blessed that I have it in my life. I am also so grateful that I get the chance to share with the people in Wigan. 

Also, this p day was a bit different than the others. So I got to play piano at a funeral this morning! The bishop asked if we could help and so of course we did. Most of the people there were non members, the person who passed away was recently baptism just a few years ago. But, I am just so grateful that I have the comfort the gospel does bring.

Well I love you all and hope you have an amazing week!

Sister Sever

Week 8 in Wigan

This week was pretty incredible!!! We had this amazing ward party that was Harry Potter themed and they did amazing on it!!! Tons of people showed up as well!! So many returning members were present and members boroughs many of their friends. We brought a lot of our friends as well. Around 6 people we are teaching decided to come which was amazing! We were all sorted into our houses as well. I guess more people are bound to show when Harry Potter is mentioned haha. 

Then, Sister Terry and I played piano at our bishop’s daughter’s baptism. Our friend Soul decided to come with his adorable son. Soul said he was only going to stay until the actual baptism portion because Manchester United was playing. But he ended up staying for the entire thing and he really liked it! He has actually been talking about his baptism as well. He says he doesn’t know this church is true yet but he does want to look into joining haha. 

This preparation day we decided to come to Liverpool and we went to some pretty amazing places. I don’t know if I have mentioned primary but it is a magical place that is super cheap and has really cute clothes. In Liverpool it has 5 stories!!! It is the biggest one I have ever seen. We also went to the second largest cathedral in the world and another cathedral that looks like a spaceship. It was pretty amazing. Also we took pictures at the docks. 

We also had zone conference this week wher I got to see my old MTC companion Sister Rasmussen! Funny enough Sister Terry was also companions with her haha. Pretty great stuff. So this zone conference our mission President had this object lesson where he had sand and really big rocks. Sister Terry had to fit all these big rocks into the sand without it overflowing and it was really hard. But when she put in the big rocks first then the sand could fit into all the cracks and it all would fit. The analogy was that if we put the Lord first then everything else will work out. The Lord’s promise to us is that when we make sure that he is first in our lives by making time for prayer, scripture study, and families, everything else will work out!

Love you all!!!!!

(mom note:  Here's a little bonus from our personal email.  We had some visiting friends over the weekend with precious England ties and we had an awesome discussion about their loves of all things English.  So Sidney gave her two cents and also piped in about some of hers as well (below).  Enjoy!

"That’s nice that you are thinking of me haha. England is pretty great. I do love it! The weather hasn’t even been that bad. Now it’s getting a bit nippy and the beginning of my mission was..... so cold. But the summer was apparently the best one they have had since the 1960s. So I can’t complain. Except all the British people said they couldn’t cope because they have never had the need for an AC before. Everyone here is obsessed with vegemite and marmite. I’ve never had it here yet but I have had pate. I think that’s what it is called. It’s this weird meat spread, it doesn’t taste that bad. I have had haggis, I actually like it. It’s just this weird stuffing. I can see it being banned in the USA😂 Just like crackers. Iron bull is delicious! It’s really Scottish. But you can get it anywhere. Also, I like the coke here, but if you see doctor pepper....🤢 It’s gross don’t get it. It’s watered down and disgusting. Yes! I have had frog in a hole. That’s like egg, pate, and bread... I think. It likes like a ball. It is quite good! Do you know what else is good!!! Roasted parsnips!!! They are delicious!! I love parsnips! Ooo and I want to learn how to make roasted potatoes with coconut oil, those are delicious! Things I have tasted recently? I have lots of Sunday roasts! We had Mexican food at a members home!! It was quite good. But I still do not get chilli with rice and why they think it is Mexican haha."

pictures1-3-Zone conference
4-'the Beatles
5-Liverpool
6-the beach
7-me at the docks
8-just cause it looks so British, haha
9-space cathedral
10-space cathedral interior
11-large cathedral
12-me in cathedral
13-companion selfie
14-15-Large cathedral

Week 7 in Wigan

(mom note:  All Sidney sent this week is what I have included below...which is basically a response to my own personal email to her.  So if it sounds a little choppy, it's because of that.  But...I was requested by Sidney to delete a special story of one of her new investigators...apparently I can't post it on the blog; might be dangerous for his safety...that's all I can say.  But if you ask her personally about it then she can respond to you and tell you about him.  And let me tell you, it is worth the inquiry.  A very special man and his riveting backstory...it's amazing.)

Debora's baptism was this past Wednesday on the 10th! 

So, I'm in Wigan... and they have really... interesting accents, hahaha. It's the best. 

Woo!!! That's is such great news about dad!!!!! That is the best Christmas present in the world!!! Its so weird how christmas is already just around the corner. Only a couple more months and i will get to see your faces!! 

Oh yeah!! I have some connections in the mission home. They love me haha. When you sent me the package last time, a senior missionary drove to Wigan to personally deliver it. They normally don't do that haha. My mission definitely has increased my desire to serve a mission with my husband in the future. Just because, I love senior couple missionaries!!!!!

That's good that Jayden is better and wow good on him for those grades!!!! It sounds like he has improved loads!!!! He has such a drive, he will be an amazing missionary. 

Yeah!!! I heard that Nate is whitewashing his first area!!! Sounds familiar to what I did in my first area. Whitewashing was so fun and I would love to do it again. I want to whitewash sisters into Wales!!! Elders can't take all of of it!!!

Week 6 in Wigan

Well! Transfers are here again!!!! And you will never guess what's happened........ I AM STAYING IN WIGAN!!!! I am still with Sister Terry!!! Which I am so excited for because I love her to pieces! Woo! I am so happy that I am staying with Sister Terry another transfer!!! I would have been so sad if she left right before Deborah’s baptism. I thought she would stay though. Also, it’s her birthday today!!

DEBORAH IS BEING BAPTISED!!!!!!! I am so excited!!! She is so ready!!!! Also, we were planning on watching general conference with her but something happened and she wasn’t answering her phone. We were a bit scared because she just wasn’t answering us at all. But it turned out her baby was sick and she had to take her into the clinic. She just kept on throwing up:( poor Kamoica. But she is really excited for her baptism and it looks like a lot of members are planning on coming and we have made sure to invite all of our friends:) We also had a lesson with her in a members’ home!! It went so well. The member s saying a talk for the baptism.

So Charlotte is somebody else that we are working with. She wants to be baptised but she just needs to marry her boyfriend haha. She was going through a rough time last week and was having doubt about the church. She opened up to us a lot about why she was having doubts. Charlotte is really incredible. Even though she was experiencing doubt, her response to it was to still come to church and she doubted her doubts before she doubted her faith. She is incredible and I love her so much:)

So our mission has a really special day the other day where President McReynolds challenged the mission to find 2 new friends this Monday!! Having a total of 150 friends in the mission. We got up to 130 New friends and we found 2 new friends as well!!! One of them We were a bit late coming home and as we were walking we stroked up a conversation with a man named Darryn!! He was super nice and agreed to come to Deborahs baptism!!! Super exciting!!

Anyways!! Wow I have to say something about this general conference!!! It was absolutely amazing!!! 2 hour church!!!! The prophet truly does receive revelation about this church and I l loved what he was challenging us as women to do. The 10 day fast from social media is a bit easy on my case but now i am going to try and finish the book of Mormon by the end of the year. I encourage all of you to do the same!!! It won't be easy but I know that whatever the prophet challenges us to do will be for our benefit and will only draw us closer to God!!! 

I love you all!!!! 

Sister Sever

1 and 2. The colours are changing!!

3. Sister Terry and I

4. A park

Week 5 in Wigan

Hiya!!!

So Deborah has been doing amazing!!! The members have helped with her so much it's crazy!!! So Deborah isn't in the best of financial situations. She doesn't have much. But, there are members who have gone out of their way to give her so much. They have given her baby clothes, a crib, and lots of food. Deborah is so humble that she won't ask for anything and will be happy with whatever she has but she was grateful with the ward's efforts. 

Then we had a lesson with Soul! It was so good. We are just having a problem with him committing to the Book of Mormon challenge. He says he just wants to start it knowing he will finish it but he has said that for about a month now. I think we have to ask him a bit differently or promise him more blessings? But the good thing is that he said when he ends the 21 day challenge He wants to be baptised!!! So when he starts we could go ahead and set the date for him. 

Also, I do want to implement more member missionary work. We have a goal of having a fellowshipper for every lesson this week. Also, I want to be more purpose minded in member visits. Not even just member visits, every visit! The ward mission leader in Rossendale had some really good advice; that we should go into every house with the mindset of getting referrals. I do want to try that. I know for the few tea appointments that I have had...maybe we didn't get a referral, but we did have good conversations about missionary work!!! 

Also, I was reading in Alma 31:5 this week and it reminded me of Boyd K. Packers quote on how t"he doctrine can change behaviours faster than a study of behaviours improves behaviour." The gospel is so true. I have definitely noticed in my life how it has improved me everyday by studying the scriptures!!! By that, I have seen it more in how we teach our friends. The gospel does so much for us and we need only pray and study it to know it is true. 

I love you all!!

Sister Sever

pictures below: 

1. Wigan for a street display 

2-4. such a pretty place I am blessed to serve in 

5. My companion and I in a double decker bus 

6.Just cause...but a great quote! 

7.  I have begun to knit!!

8. My zone

Week 3 & 4 in Wigan

This week was pretty amazing!!!! Our friends are definitely progressing and this area is still amazing!!! 

Deborah was taught the law of tithing not too long ago and she really actually taught us an important lesson. I have noticed as a missionary that as I teach sometimes, I will say something really profound that I have no idea where it came from and it really has taught me that the spirit is REAL!!! In this lesson, she was really concerned because of the fact she has no job and no income to pay tithing, but she really wants the blessings of tithing. We told her that it's less about the money and more the time that goes in them. She can get the same blessings when she makes sure that she gives her time and effort to the Lord, always putting him first. So that's something I definitely want to apply especially when I am home. To always serve those that are around me and striving my hardest to fulfil the callings the Lord has in store for me. 

We also had a lesson with our friend Soul again as well. He really wants to be fully prepared to do the Book of Mormon challenge! He says that he doesn't want his efforts to be half hearted but he knows that if he goes to read the Book of Mormon for 21 days, he will get the answers he desires.

We had a tea appointment this week where we felt prompted to share a scripture that we read in personal study. It's in Alma 24:16-19. It is where the anti-nephi-lehis laid aside their weapons of war so they could stand as a bright testimony to God at the last day. I think everyone could do the same. I hope that all of you don't have the same problem as those people, but I know for myself that I definitely have bad habits that I could work on in order to stand as a bright testimony. I invite you all to think of something that you do want to get rid of and make steps so that you can get rid of it! It's just like Jeffrey R. Holland's talk , "Be ye therefore perfect eventually." We start with the little things that we can be better on! 

I love this church and I love this gospel. I know it to be true! I said a talk this Sunday about the book of Mormon and that book is evidence of so many things. It truly has so much power and if we but only read it with a sincere heart we will know it is true!!

I love you all such and hope you have a good week!!

Sister Sever

Week 2 in Wigan

Hello!!!

     So we had a seventy (one of the leaders of the church) come to our mission, Elder Moreira!  This zone conference I had a goal of really trying to take notes as people speak. I have such a one track mind, and usually for zone conferences I only really write goals down of what I want to do after they speak. So our mission president and wife gave speeches and I wrote such good notes. I was so impressed with myself! Then Elder Moreira came to speak and the first thing he said was, “Put your notebooks down, and after I speak I want you to write down any goals you feel impressed to write down after I speak.” 😂 The zone conference was AMAZING!!! Elder Moreira was a very good speaker. He is so funny and enthusiastic.

     I"m definitely getting settled in Wigan!!! I LOVE Sister Terry, my companion. She is the funnest. She’s absolutely hilarious and this area is amazing. I hope I stay here for a while, but now I have abandonment issues from last transfer... and I the one abandoning!!!😂

     Deborah, one of our investigators, teaches me so much. This week we went over to her house and she told us this amazing story about how one of roommates doesn’t like us coming over. Her roommate didn’t understand why she had us over if we didn’t give her either food or money. Deborah told her that we gave her something much more important than food. Then she bore her testimony of the Book of Mormon, it was pretty incredible. Also, that same meeting I felt really prompted to read 2 Nephi 4:15-35. Usually we have to stop after every verse and explain it. But Sister Terry and I just kept reading and she understood every word!! The Book of Mormon definitely speaks for itself. 

I love you all! 

Sister Sever