Week 30 in Wigan

Hola friends and family!!

This week has been absolutely amazing!! The weather has been nice and perfect for miracles. First and foremost... Vejas is now a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!!! His service was wonderful and he kept on telling us how grateful he was that we taught him about the church. It is just amazing to see the change that happens to these people over the course of just a couple months! Only Christ can change people so fast and significantly. Next step... THE TEMPLE!!! 

Then, we also taught Sebastian again this week. We taught him the plan of salvation. Sister Brown(the bishop’s wife) was there again and you can just see how she looks forward to teaching him. She actually invited him to a ward activity we didn’t even know about! He came as well! So, he got to know a lot of ward members there.

Then.... transfers are now here!!! And all of you have probably guessed what is happening especially since I have been in Wigan for so long.... IM STAYIN!!! Woo!! I am getting a new companion but I don’t really know who it is until tomorrow so you will just have to find out next week! She is a new missionary!! But, I am so glad that I have had the chance to serve with Sister Robertson. Even though it was but for a short 3 weeks. 

In Train the Trainers, the assistants mentioned 2 Nephi 2:11 in a different way that I didn’t realise before. They said the same applies in our mission lives as well. Without those days where our lessons fell through and we couldn’t find anyone I couldn’t appreciate days like seeing Vejas get baptised. But since I know those days, I have to say seeing the fruits of our labours just makes the fruit of the tree of life a lot sweeter. I do know there is opposition in all things for a reason and I am grateful for that. Without that opposition, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. 

I love you all!!

Sister Sever

Week 29 in Wigan

Hello friends and family!!!

So... I haven’t sent this in a while!!! My email hasn’t been working well but I have been working great! I didn’t have an update last week. But here are the highlights!!! 

So, we had a miracle last week where we met this man named Andrew. It was right before we were going to go in for the night and we introduced ourselves to him. He asked us if we could walk with him for a little bit so he could talk with us a bit more. We talked about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon and he kept on asking us,”So... Is it true?” And we kept on saying,”Yes! It is true!” Then we met with him again and by the end of us teaching the Restoration he said, “IT HAS TO BE TRUE!!” He was talking about how far the Book has come and probably a lot of people have tried to destroy it and make it less than it is. But now he is meeting with missionaries and learning more about that same book. 

We also met with Paul!!! He is so good! He just has such amazing insight. He has now read through the entire Book of Mormon. And... he bought himself a quad!!! He loves quoting scriptures to us and he has such an amazing testimony of the Book of Mormon. We are planning on giving him a chapel tour soon. 

We also had the chance to go to a fireside. There was a testimony I really liked. It was the first speaker and he was completely atheist before he met with missionaries. The missionaries asked him to pray before he read the Book of Mormon and then he did! He said when he was reading it he just felt this amazing feeling that the book was true! Ever since then he has not doubted it and now he is baptised! 

So that was last week!! This week was quite exciting! So first and foremost..... VEJAS IS DEFINITELY GETTING BAPTISED!!! MARCH 23!!! We met with him actually today! He is excited that he is being baptised and yeah he is the best! I am so excited for his baptism! I can’t believe that from when I first saw him talking to Elder Wagner in a street display that he would be preparing for his baptism next week! It is just amazing being a part in this amazing work:)

Also!!! So, a new sister came in midtransfer and so our mission President took the liberty of switching out a few companionship’s! So now I am with Sister Robertson! She is amazing and I am so excited to serve with her! Even though it might only be for a few weeks. Sister Rasmussen has gone to Barrow with Sister Dunlavy. Reunited at last!

We also had another miracle this week! We were going to a tea appointment and we had a bit of time so we tracted a street. Nothing. So we started to knock another street and the first door we knocked a man immediately opened the door. He said he saw us from his window and didn’t think we were going to knock but we did! He met with a missionaries a year ago and he really liked what they had to say but then they disappeared and never contacted him again. He thought they were really nice people. He actually made a return appointment for the day after and we planned on talking to him about the Restoration. But then, literally all of his questions followed every principle of the plan of salvation. After he learned it, he said that he found such great comfort from it and it just felt right. MIRACLES!!

This week on Sunday a member gave a talk about revelation. He mentioned the sentence Russell M. Nelson gave about how in the coming days we will need to be led and guided by the spirit,and receive revelation EVERY DAY in order to survive spiritually. He then made the point that what did Russell M. Nelson mean by the coming days? Is it in a few years? Few months? Then he said, he thinks he meant the last 12 months since he gave that talk! That really got me thinking! These truly are the last days! The coming days are now and revelation is key. There is a quote by Lorenzo Snow that says “It is our right to receive revelation EVERY DAY.” We need only ask from Heavenly Father. He is so willing to give us inspiration and we just ask him he will not give us anything contrary to it if it of righteous desire:) I love you all!!!

Sister Sever

Week 28 in Wigan

Hello friends and family!!!

This week has been super good! We have had a couple lessons with Vejas and are planning to have a couple more! He is doing so well! He is really dedicated, he comes to church despite having no sleep due to work. But he still does!!! He now has been really thinking about the Rome temple and he wants to go inside it! Already thinking ahead:)

We also had a first lesson with a boy name Sebastian! We had first met him on Sunday and he actually looked up the church on his own and requested the missionaries to come. And so we did! We taught him the Restoration and he said he really wants to come on Sunday! 

We also had exchanges in Liverpool and it was super neat because 2 exchanges ago I was with Sister Takata and we found a man named Andrew. This exchange, I was again with Sister Takata and we met with Andrew for a lesson! It’s so amazing seeing the people we have found still be taught in the future! He not only is being taught but also his mother as well! It was such a good lesson as well. You never know what his happening with the seeds you plant and how they might grow. I have heard of so many stories of people who were not interested but took a card and time passes and they find the card and decide how was the right time. Then they are baptised! We have these fireside where people say how they are found and I think there is one of those almost every single time. It gives me hope and motivation to make sure I am doing my best to share the word of God! Because even if they are not interested then, we never know what the future may hold!

This week, I read a talk by Jeffrey R. Holland and I thought it was just amazing! It was called Lord I Believe. It talked to those who were young in age, young in membership of the church, and young in faith. He said a story that I really liked. It said, “A 14-year-old boy recently said to me a little hesitantly, “Brother Holland, I can’t say yet that I know the Church is true, but I believe it is.” I hugged that boy until his eyes bulged out. I told him with all the fervor of my soul that belief is a precious word, an even more precious act, and he need never apologize for “only believing.” I told him that Christ Himself said, “Be not afraid, only believe,” a phrase which, by the way, carried young Gordon B. Hinckley into the mission field. I told this boy that belief was always the first step toward conviction and that the definitive articles of our collective faith forcefully reiterate the phrase “We believe.”And I told him how very proud I was of him for the honesty of his quest.” He talks also in this how it doesn’t matter how much faith you have to work miracles in your life, that’s why the Lord said if you have faith as small as a mustard seed you can move mountains. Believe is a strong word. It doesn’t seem like it is but when a man came to Jesus Christ asking for him to heal his son, he said!”Lord I Believe.” And his son was healed through his faith even though he but only believed. So many people I have taught have only believed and the Lord has worked miracles in their lives. It has led them to baptism and through that their belief has grown. As I have also grown in my belief, I can say that I do know. Even though I say I know now but tomorrow I will say it with more conviction. Because it is an ever growing process as I learn more of what Heavenly Father has in store for us and feel of the redeeming love of Jesus Christ. I know this gospel to be true. I love you all!

Sister Sever

Week 25 in Wigan

Hello friends and family! 

This week was pretty good. First and foremost.... I CAN CALL MY FAMILY!!! Of all the changes that we are all expecting, this was one that certainly surprised and I didn’t think would happen. I Skyped my family today! (Well.... google hangout) That is seriously just amazing! I am still in shock. After I called them, I just felt so weird because it felt like a holiday. Like, it was Mother’s Day and then I just had to wait for 6 months to call them again. Not to be biased, but I really like this change. 

We met with Vejas a lot this week! Like 4 times. One time was for a YSA activity. We all had to play a game where one person had to ask a question and had to remember all the answers everyone gave. You would think since my memory is so bad I would be naturally bad at this game but I surprised myself! So basically, I can forget my wallet on a bus but when it comes to a memory game I am fine haha. Priorities. 

Also, we had to say goodbye to Sister Dunlavy.... It’s so weird not being in a trio! But, I love Sister Rasmussen. She is so sweet and she is hilarious. I am definitely looking forward to this transfer! I can sense good things are coming! 

I don’t really have time for a spiritual thought but here is a scripture that I was reading in my personal study. My life would be nothing within it God, it would hold no meaning. I love this gospel and I love my Saviour. I hope you all have an amazing week!

2 Nephi 22:2

2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation.

Sister Sever

Week 24 in Wigan

Hello friends and family!!

So something exciting this week is that we had something called miracle Monday yesterday. We all posted on this group chat that had every missionary in the entire mission and we had some set challenges we had to accomplish before the day was done. Then, we all posted miracles that happened to us throughout the day. One of them, we had to pass out a book of Mormon in a different language. I didn't really know what language we would need so I grabbed a Persian one, hoping that I would meet someone who would need it. Then that morning we ran into a nice young boy and we tried talking to him but he couldn't speak English very well. That sparked my interest and so I asked him what language he spoke.... He spoke Spanish!!!!!!! .....Just kidding, it was Persian!! So, we gave him the book of Mormon! We ended up giving out quite a lot of them! It was super fun! (Mostly english) 

We had some lessons with Vejas this week! He is really amazing! But.... He is moving to Manchester soon😫 It's ok though. He has promised he would visit us. We took him to eat at Galloways and by the way, Galloways has the best pies in the world!! 10/10!!!!! Ok, now I just have a question for all of you, I think I am rethinking my life a bit..... Do you eat pies from the outside in or the inside out? I eat the crust on the outside first but Sister Rasmussen and Vejas eat from the inside out. They just take a scoop out from the middle of the pie!!!!!! It got me shocked!! 

Oh! Also, speaking of companions.... guess what! Transfers are here!!! Sister Rasmussen and I are staying!!!! So...the trio is down to a duo😔  Sister Dunlavy has gone to the land of Barrow!!!!! Not only that!!!!! But she is going with a brand new trainee (most likely american) who will be driving them!!!! She said that she will be singing "Jesus Take the Wheel" when she first starts driving haha! I will miss her though! Sister Dunlavy was the best, we had so much fun!!!! She is an amazing missionary and will do absolutely incredible in Barrow:) I am also so excited to be staying in Wigan for another 6 weeks!!!! I have been here 6 months now and now I will be here for another 6 weeks!!!! Which I am super excited for because I love it here!!! Not only that but I get to stay with Sister Rasmussen! She is amazing! She is from Colarado for those who do not know and she is the sweetest person alive! She is an amazing teacher and is hilarious! 

So in a tea appointment (We call dinner, tea here), we shared this video by D. Todd Christofferson called, Is There A Place for Me? He talks about how God's church is one body and how we need everyone! He mentions that when we feel like we are alone or feel like we aren't needed he says for us to think,"Jesus Christ died for me." I watched this video first quite a while ago and it changed my thinking a bit when I was talking to people. I started thinking," Jesus Christ died for them." Sometimes I am on a bus and I look up and I have a sudden realization that everyone here, the people who are walking on the street outside, all the people in this entire world! Jesus Christ died for them. This truth rings clear for every single individual no matter how insubstantial they feel, no matter what mistakes they have made, no matter their living situation. And they need to know this! People need to know that there is a man who was perfect and loved them infinitely who died for them. And because he did, they have the chance to feel true joy, peace and purpose like they have never experienced before in their entire lives. I love Jesus Christ and I know He is my Saviour. I know He died for me as well as He died for you. I know that this church is true and that we have a living Heavenly Father who desires and longs for us to return home to Him :) 

I love you all!!! I hope you have an amazing week!
Sister Sever

Week 23 in Wigan

Hello friends and family! 

This week was amazing! We had a miracle earlier in the week! So, I have to go on a little blast to the past.🕓 So, when Sister Dunlavy and I were together for the first time(2 months ago), we got into a conversation with a young man named Paul. We talked for only a little time but he was so nice! He said he investigated the church and had a Book of Mormon but he doesn’t know where it is. However, when we asked if we could meet with him he said he didn’t believe in a God. He was more leaning towards Buddhism. So, now back to the present.🕐 So, we were having a street display and we weren’t finding much success. I couldn’t really see why because it was sunny!!!🌅 (Usually people are a lot happier with the sun haha! ) So I said a little prayer in my heart and asked that I or some other missionaries could come into contact with someone who was prepared and I felt immediate relief! Then... not 5 minutes later ...I was looking around the town center and I saw a man and he seemed REALLY familiar. He saw me and gave me a huge smile. I then remembered he was Paul!!(those of you who know me probably will remember I have a rubbish memory, so this was really surprising to me that I remembered him that fast) He then proceeded to tell me that ever since he talked with us he had a desire to learn more. He couldn’t find his Book of Mormon so he bought another one and has been reading it ever since. He said this time he read it and he has felt more spiritually connected to it and it’s teachings than he has any other book. He also said he has paid a visit to the Chorley temple grounds and has been having dreams of meeting with missionaries and when he talked with them in his dream he would feel really good and happy but when he woke up he could never remember what they would say. MIRACLES NEVER CEASE!!! I seriously was in shock while I was talking with him. Like seriously, what an answer to prayers!!!!!

We went to Liverpool this week! We had exchanges and we got to go to their ward coordination. They have 5 sets of missionaries in one ward! It was like a mini zone conference. We also taught Vejas this week! 

A little spiritual thought! ...I was studying 1 Nephi 16 (or 15?) and I did some deep thinking. It is the chapter where Nephi breaks his bow. It is a very popular story where Nephi and his family are in the wilderness and Nephi breaks the last bow they have. So, they don’t have any means to get food and so his family starts complaining. Even Nephi’s father(who is the prophet) is not happy about this situation. And so, Nephi makes another one and then he asks his dad to pray to show him the way to obtain food. He does and Nephi gets food for them and everyone is happy! But then I got wondering...why does Nephi ask his father to pray? Doesn’t Nephi probably have more factor with God since he is the only one not complaining? But then I thought, why do we ask the friends we teach to pray? Well, because it is important. We want them to know that prayer is a direct communication to God and we need to rely on him for EVERYTHING! I think that’s why Nephi asked him to pray. I think Lehi forgot in that time to rely on the Lord and the true power of prayer. I also think to this week when for a moment I knew I wasn’t doing well in the street display and so I prayed. It was just such a small thing to think of but I know it was because of that I got to be a part of that miracle! I know that as we rely on the Lord for all of our needs and as long as we ask him with a sincere heart and real intent. He will grant us our desires. I know that there is a God out there who listens to us and hears us and he wants us to comeback to Him so badly. He rejoices when we make right choices and helps us as we turn to Him. I love Him and I am so grateful for this chance to serve Him. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Sister Sever

Pictures below...NOT in order. :-(

Liverpool at night

It was a nice in Liverpool so I took a picture

A river in Wigan

A beautiful sunset

A view from a members window

Zone p-day in Liverpool 

Week 22 in Wigan

Hello friends and family!! 

This week we had another amazing lesson with Vejas!!! We taught him the Word of Wisdom, with a member named Gonzalo, and he accepted it immediately. We were teaching him about the importance of prayer and we were telling him he needs to pray every day! So, he decided that he was going to say prayers of gratitude for one of us every day. He said," Tomorrow will be for Sister Dunlavy, then Sister Sever, then Sister Rasmussen, and last Gonzalo, because he needs salvation." 😂😂

We also had a ward activity called a Burns Night! Apparently, it's a Scottish holiday for a poet named Robert Burns. We have a Scottish family in our ward and all the men had kilts on. They had somebody from another ward come and play the bagpipe. Then, a member from the Scottish family read out a poem that apparently you read out before you have haggis. In the middle of it, He stabbed into a sheep's stomach. And yes, I had haggis again. For those of you who don't know what that is, it is the inside of a sheep's stomach😳 It is alright. It just tastes like a meaty stuffing. They also did Scottish dancing, called Keely. It looked super fun! 

We also had a tea appointment with a member and she took us for dessert to this gelato place. They had halfbaked cookie dough and she said we could get some. Naturally, we all got some! Well, we should have all shared because I think by midway I started feeling super sick! But, I was so proud, I ate it all!!!!! It was mighty delicious and a genius creation!

During sacrament, we had someone give a talk about having a celestial vision. As I have taught people the plan of salvation my knowledge(although still not perfect) has grown significantly in how perfect God's plan is for us! If we have faith in Christ, we can achieve anything! Miracles are wrought according to our faith! Having a celestial vision is so important becsuse our brains are so powerful. What you think is exactly what you do! If you think you are lower, then we will achieve lower than what we are capable of. Our thoughts are everything and if we truly desire to live with our Heavenly Father again... We will!!! We have endless potential. Heavenly Father has gifted us with agency so that we can progress now and forever but also so that we can attain our higher purpose IF we have the vision to do so. I know Heavenly Father's plan is without fault and I know that he loves us infinitely. That is why there is a sure way to Heaven if we keep his commandments and honour the promises we make. I love you all and hope you have an amazing week!

Sister Sever

(Bonus mom note!!  From our personal email today, which I thought, would also be interesting to all of you:
"I was in Manchester today and I totally had a flashback to my MTC days because tons of missionaries from the mtc were proselyting there! They asked what advice we would give them and the only thing I thought of was to have genuine love. Genuine love for the work, for Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, for the people, for yourself! I want to use this for the rest of my life. If I have genuine love and interest for the gospel and for my God and others. Then, everything else falls into place. No matter what happens you can endure but enjoy as you are doing it! There is a Hope Works that totally describes what I am talking about, it's called Feeling Joy in the Midst of Struggle by Abby Stephens. It's on lds.org and mormonchannel.org if you want to watch it it. Also, a few sisters from the MTC told me that they read my blog before coming out haha! I had to tell them I have an amazing mother who makes it possible! They thought the vegan video was pretty hilarious😂 ")

1. Piccadilly square

2. Trump calendar you can buy in stores that we thought was funny😂

3. Chinatown in Manchester

4. Cookie dough place with members, winter makes me look like a hobo😂

5. This week there was something super random, it was just a normal day in Wigan and then in the town square a ton of Chinese people started dancing😂😂😂

6. Manchester

7 & 8. Guess what..... IT SNOWED!!!!!❄❄

9. Haggis!!! They had mashed potatoes and carrots with it.