August 2, 2012

Dear Family,

The other day, I received post for my travel next week. I will be
arriving in San Diego at 7:10, terminal 2. How mental is that!?

Words cannot explain what I have been apart of over the past two
years. I cannot believe that my life in England has come to an end, at
least for the time being.

I always think of the quote by Julius Caesar, "I came, I saw, I conquered."

I pray that I will always meet the expectations of my family, and my
Savior. For I know, that there will come a day where we will all be at
the feet of the Master, and I know that it will be a day of
celebration as we prepare ourselves appropriately.

Love,
Elder Resolme

July 16, 2012

Dear Family,
Over, the past week, I have felt like I was back in my old area with my old responsibilities. I had 3 work overs this week, two of which were with missionaries I served around maybe a year ago. It is wonderful to see the growth that they have obtained during the time of our separation.
Once again the weather has been dreadful, but I am enjoying every second of it, minus the wind factor. I still very much so enjoy finding and speaking to people in the town center. I wonder what I will do when I get back home to compensate for finding.
The ward is great, many members of which are completely focused on missionary work. I pray that we will be able to get this area up and running before I have to leave.
This morning I read the Our Heritage, a book part of the missionary library, about Zions camp. Joseph Smith had called many to volunteer for a little army to go into battle, where in the end, they did not. This journey was full of trials and events that led many down to their graves, but all in all, the purpose of the departure was to pretty much separate the wheat from the tares and determine who was ready for the call to become leaders in the church. I will always remember the importance of overcoming difficult times for the future welfare of myself, but most importantly, my family.
Love,
Elder Resolme

July 10, 2012

Dear Family,
I am living the dream. I absolutely love finding people in the town
centre. I feel that this is one of the biggest things that has kept me
sane on my mission. Although sometimes it is difficult to speak to
people, I find a joy within myself when I can testify of the divinity
of the Son.
Over the past week, we have had two zone meetings. One of which was
for the introduction of the new mission President/Wife, the Jordans.
The majority of the meeting was for him to get to know us as well as a
question and answer for the new leadership of the mission. I asked a
question and President Jordan and his wife gave me direct answers that
left everyone in awe. I thought it was so exciting! They gave me
promises for my future and put a heavy emphasis on the journey to
God's Holy House. How relevant for me, eh?
We are also finding some great new investigators. I am so thankful for
the abilities and talents that I have acquired on my mission, what a
blessing for my family in the future.
Elder Resolme
Other things that happened over the past week.
Got defecated on by a pigeon. Workover today with Elder Rogers from
Mesa, AZ. Once again barely slept over the weekend because of the
popular pub near our flat. Lovely members who sacrifice their time and
means for the benefit of the missionaries.
I will never forget the great things members do for us. I will never
forget. I promise, if I were the richest man ever, I would fly
everyone out to San Diego to hang out.

July 2, 2012

Dear Family,
Alex Boye! That is completely reem bruv.
I feel I am doing great. I have yet to slow my pace in regards to
missionary work. I know that the work I perform now will determine my
attitude and actions for the future. I cannot afford to slack and
relax.
My last area was little Scotland and the one I am in now is little
Portugal. It is exactly like the filipino branch, but in Portuguese.
The ward welcomed the both of us with excitement and like wise are we
pumped to work this area to its limit.
The first couple of days my companion and I were trying to get the
flat sorted and figured out because we had furniture, but nothing
else. So we looked for a bunch of things as we looked for people to
teach.
I am also in the same stake as I was in during my sixth transfer so I
was able to see a member from my old ward in the Sakte Presidency, and
I was completely overcome with joy. I am so grateful to be here
because this zone has a bunch of missionaries that I worked with
months ago, but now instead of looking for their needs and concerns,
they are now going to have to look for mine. Complete switches.
I have thought about going on a health diet for my last couple months,
but I do not think it will happen. Maybe I will be massive when I get
back home.
Please send everyone my regards.
Love,
Elder Resolme

June 26, 2012

Dear Family,

I think that  it is funny when people say something to the effect of, " just when I finally get used to something there is a significant change." The other day, I witnessed another one of these moments last night during moves calls. I thought that I was going to stay in this area for my last couple of weeks, but apparently I will be going back to essex to an area called Ipswich. So bitter sweet. I know that it will be so much fun because my new companion and I will have to find heaps for the first week, because we will be opening up the area, but my word, I will miss Kettering.


We have had such good times here and we have taught some great people. I am quite gutted because I will have to say goodbye to members/rc's/la's/investigators tonight, but its all good because I will see them again.


Yesterday I gave a training to some of the missionaries, and it was about establishing doctrine in lessons with investigators. The spirit is great when truth is relayed forth and is so powerful. How I love sharing my different insights with the younger generation of missionaries.


Love,
Elder Resolme

Picture

June 4, 2012

Just a side note to all of you who haven't heard, Elder Resolme is scheduled to come home August 9! August 11 will be his welcome home celebration, we hope you can make it!

Dear family,

A couple of days ago we taught a young family  a proper lesson zero and then we spoke a bunch about Filipino food! The father of the family is from the PI but moved to England as a young boy. It was really fun to be able to speak about the Filipino culture once more! We will be seeing them again tomorrow. We also have a baptism coming up in a couple of weeks. We are really excited for her. She is a single mother named Zoe, and although she is yet a member, she bore her testimony at fast and testimony meeting. It was lovely. My companion and I too bore our witness of the truthfulness of the gospel, and I taught tithing in GP class.


On Saturday we attended the ward party in celebration of the Queens diamond Jubilee. We had a few investigators come and during the activity, my companion and I played basketball against some ward members.


Other things that happened this week..
-taught a Jehovah witness in the town. she was cool and quite the insightful young lady (Jazzmin)
-I bought ear plugs because my companion snores like a mad man.
- ate chicken yesterday
and miracles daily.


Love,
Elder Resolme


If there is an opportunity, please send my condolences for grandma Carmen. I feel that one of the greatest things about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is that it gives us hope not only for the end of  mortality, but beyond.


Tell Derrick I will be back soon.

May 15, 2012

Dear Family,


I thoroughly enjoyed the phone call that I had on mothers day. It is good to see that everyone is doing good. You have refrained from telling me so many things that have occured in San Diego!, it is proper mental that everyone is getting married and  that the place is changing. Who would have thought?

The other day I went indoor rock climbing with the some of the bishops family and other members of the church. So much epinephrine running through by body. After the activity, we shared a message about the importance of the Savior and how he saved us from the fall(relating everything to climbing).

Tomorrow I will be transferred out of Ashford and into North Hampton Zone, in a place called kettering. I am so excited to leave and start off fresh, but at the same time, I am highly gutted in regards to leaving Ashford. I know that this will be a good situation for me amongst young missionaries. I remember when I was young, and I feel like I am still, but my goodness, time is not on my side.

All I know is that I have a long time until I return home. Time for much needed growth and maturity. I still feel like an infant in the whole gospel, but I am grateful I have not stopped learning and growing. That would be distressing.


I am also pretty saddened at the fact that my responsibilities have changed, but I know that through my shift in priorities, different aspects in missionary work when in association with myself will start to grow. I have seen miracles in this area, and I know that as I constantly seek for them, they will always happen, why?!?! because God has not ceased in performing miracles!

Love,
Elder Resolme

Last week, our boiler broke, and it will be fixed his Thursday. We have had to boil water via stove because it is still freezing in the morning.

Apr. 30, 2012

Dear Family,

Looks like everyone is still keeping busy with the ward and other activities. It is nice to hear that all of you are keeping your hands full and that the weather is nice. The weather in my area has fluctuated tremendously over the past week. It has been difficult for the whole mission to oym in the streets because everyone is trying to get out of the vigorous rain/wind. Although this has been the case, we have all grown and learned. Instead of walking with an umbrella all of the time, I have learned to walk/talk without. Each time I open an umbrella, the wind in reaction with it leads my tool to either bend to the point of destruction, or merely collapse, and that is not too nice to see a good looking missionary like myself, have a panic attack while trying to re establish my brolly. It is so funny.

My companion and I had three work overs this week. One right after the other. It was so much fun and humbling to speak to all of the missionaries with whom I served with for a day and see what some of the things were that I might be able to assist them with. I served with Elder Tingey(Las Vegas, Paramalingam and Amador( Switzerland/Honduras) as well as Elder Helski(Finland). It still amazes me to be with missionaries from all over the world. I think that one of the coolest/ spiritual things that has happened this past week was while I was on one of these exchanges with Elder Helski. We had some time in the evening to pop by a part member family after a dinner appointment and I feel that it went perfect.

We knocked on the door and we met with a lady from South America who is a member of the church and we spoke with her for a while. We noticed that some of their children were home, but they did not sit in to chat. The whole time we were thinking of ways to see the children without being totally awkward.  As we kept on speaking questions kept on popping into our head about music. We did not really know why, maybe because we love music, but it started off into the mother telling us her daughter was quite good at singing. We paused and asked, "Hey , you should ask your daughter if she would like to sing us a song." She paused and hesitated, but ultimately, she said, sure. A couple minutes later her daughter comes and she sang us a couple of songs and they were absolutely amazing. After all was said and done, we invited them to listen to a message that we had to share from the scriptures. Next week the missionaries in that area will go back to have many more experiences to strengthen the relationship they have with that part member family.

I have learned to always roll with whatever is popping into my mind because, it most likely is the spirit. As long as I am doing what is right in the eyes of my father in heaven, I know I will be led into the right.

Love,
Elder Resolme

Ps. I should be calling some time on Sunday! Speak to you soon! There are so many things running through my mind when I call, that I think that it would be appropriate for you to come up with some questions to have a structured conversation.

Apr. 24, 2012

Dear Family,

 

This week we have had only two work overs, but next week we will have three. We have had a pretty difficult time with the weather here. It has been windy as well as rainy this week and it does not look to promising for this next week either. We have some umbrellas and a couple of them broker because of the wind. Although it is hard to speak to people in the street, it is quite the experience to try.

 

I hope to write you a letter tonight or something, because I have to finish some reports right now, but like always, I am doing good. I hope all of you are well. Last night we had a cottage evening where a few of our recent converts attended and we shared a short message on the Savior. We spoke about how we often go through the everyday motion of what a Latter Day Saint goes through, but we also spoke about how often times, we forget why we do what we do. I know that I do what I do because of my understanding of The Plan, and I just pray that you do as well.

 

Love,

April 16, 2012

Dear Family,

I am doing fine.

Love,

Elder Resolme

April 10, 2012

Dear Family,

Last night we received calls to state whether any members in our zone were going to move to different areas. I guess President saw it fit for me to stay in Ashford for a couple more weeks while my companion transfers on to another area in the mission. This will be my first sixth month area on my mission! I am going to be companions with another Italian. It should be good.

He should be very excited for the next five weeks because we will be speaking to a ton of people, since it is vital that we replenish our teaching pool. One of our investigators had a smooth baptism this past weekend. It was so serene and peaceful. Her whole family was able to come as well as many of her extended family. I am so grateful for all of the grit and grime when occasions like this occur.

Over the past week, I have been reading the gospels and have been paying close attention to the actions the Savior exerts when put in difficult and off situations. Oh yea, the other day I gave a talk in Sacrament. I have gotten so used to speaking in public that I just feel good when I stand to speak. After we went to the stake presidents home to spend eater with his family.

Tell Derrick I say Hi.

Love,

Elder

April 2, 2012

Dear Family,

Here are some pictures over the past couple of months. Many of them, if not all are with a bunch of the missionaries from the zone, originating from places like Scotland, South America, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, and some other places.

Over the past couple of weeks, I have been receiving answers to my prayers and they are coming so clear and blunt, it is mind blowing. We have been finding day by day, just speaking to people in the town center. I feel like I have been in Ashford for my whole life because I know many of the Ashford town center regulars. When we walk by certain shops, we wave to the owners or just in the streets, we speak to people whom we have met before and just speak about how their family is doing and all that jazz.

I think that over the past week, I met one of the most aggressive people on my mission. I think that we had a good 10 minutes of just conversing on our different beliefs and sharing scriptures from the bible. I love my mission. I am so grateful I have been able to study different topics that many people misunderstand. I had the opportunity to set forth our beliefs in a bold manner. He was ranting and raving over the differences we shared and he was furious. I know that this probably came about from my questions for him, but none the less, I felt it was expedient that I establish our doctrine.

Hmm.Today we traveled into London for a leadership meeting and we were reminded of our duties and the importance that we fulfil them. A wise man once said, " example is not the best way to motivate, it is the only way." The trainings given today were pretty much revolved around this idea. I loved how president said that if we are not dead tired at the end of the day, we did some thing wrong. I will never forget some of the leaders that I had early on in my mission. From what their actions were and what they said, I would have done any righteous thing they would have asked me to do. Why? because they were sincere and kind.

Love,

Elder Resolme

March 26, 2012

Dear Family,

This week has been pretty rough. There have been many things that I have had to look over and just oversee to make sure everything with missionaries as well as the area was running smoothly. It was difficult for me to find peace and comfort, but I am so grateful for this week because I know that it was a time of growth and progression. I probably did not excel at everything, but I tried.

On Tuesday I had a work over with the Gillingham Elders and I was able to give one of their investigators a baptismal interview. Being able to take part in ones journey towards baptism is very rewarding for me. This past week I also found, a couple of opportunities to play the guitar! What a relief that was for me. In Gillingham, sang a song for someone to come to church. I think i've still got it.

To help me find more stability, I have been reading in Doctrine and Covenants. I think I read in section 103 the other day and I thought it related quite well to my situation. It spoke about being saviors among men, and how important the callings are that we receive.

Love,

Elder Resolme

March 19, 2012

Dear family,

This past week has been quite busy. It has been fully occupied by workovers with three different areas, and finding. I wish that I could send some pictures of the missionaries that I have gone on work overs with, but I always fail to bring my usb chord to the library. Maybe I will just send them via post.

The other week, we displayed a video from Mormon messages about fine tuning a radio, and how it compared to the spirit. I have internalized this principle and have tried to fine tune my ability to feel and follow the promptings of the spirit. The Ashford community, is quite accustomed to being stopped in town center by missionaries. Their actions after seeing us are either ones of walking faster, expressing their frustration with rude/smart comments, or walking past as if we were never there. We get the odd few who stop and listen to what we have to share.

As I have payed attention to how I feel, and what the message I think heaven is trying to relay to me, I have been able to see miracles. I think within a little while, we were blessed with finding/teaching two people in the town center who became new investigators, and the next day, we were able to find another, who too has become a new investigator and communicated to us his desire to show his gratitude to God for all he has been given. While in Gillingham, Kent, we found a young man who too was taught on a bench in town center and became a new investigator for our younger missionaries.

I remember following the spirit a while ago and seeing that i did not really get anywhere when I listened to its promptings. Now I have been able to recognize a little bit more of how the spirit speaks to me. Oh my goodness, it makes life so much easier.

Another thing that happened while on a work over with Elder Lingam, from UT Provo, was during the early morning of Sunday. We both woke up to around four am to a revolting argument between a couple of our neighbors. I thought I was dreaming until I heard Elder Lingam say, "Man what is that?" We both just laid there in aww and then fell asleep as the heated argument started to subside. Then it proceeded once again terribly loud, and simultaneously, Elder Lnigam and I both jumped out of bed, turned on the light, and started to prepare to go outside to make sure everyone was okay. It sounded as if someone was going to do something he would regret. As we were about to go outside, the police came. That night I had a couple of hours of sleep. Oh my, I was completely knackered for Sunday services. I love England.

Yes, I did receive the package. Thank you. I have been sharing with the missionaries in the zone and I will have our investigators taste a bit of the US goodness.

Love,

Elder Resolme

Mar. 5, 2012

Dear Family,

On Saturday, we had another leadership meeting in London. We read a couple of scriptures in the old testament on how we can become better leaders, not just for our investigators, but more directed towards the missionaries in the zone.

Ezekiel 34

4 The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was ^asick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with ^bcruelty have ye ruled them.

5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.

The training given by our leaders were both bold and direct. It got the point across to each of the missionaries in the room. I remember back when I was a new missionary, I had different priorities that I focused all of my attention on, but now, my perspective and list of priorities have changes drastically. The other day we also had a meeting with a member from the ward. He taught us the importance of leadership and stated that the weaknesses of the zone are a result of the weaknesses of its leaders, and the weaknesses of the leader are the weaknesses of the missionaries.

One word that I have tried to understand is the word "success." If you asked me what success was at the start of my mission, it would be completely different from my answer today. I feel everything falls back to the scripture in Ezekiel. "Shepard's and flocks"

Love,

Elder Resolme

Feb. 28, 2012

Dear Family,

I have had some spiritual experiences, but I feel it will be more appropriate when I share them with you when I get back home. Here are a couple of funny instances that have taken place over the past week.

I had a work over with a missionary from Louisiana and in the evening, we went tracting in his neck of the woods, Gillingham, Kent. Although it was dark outside, the people were quite friendly and some were willing to listen, and then we came upon a Jewish evangelist. We explained who we were and he warmly invited us in his home. We accepted and as we entered, he offered us some alcohol. We both hit a roadblock and just paused. We instantly declined and we explained ourselves once again. He took no offense and then proceeded to introduce us to some of his friends. As he did so, there was a bit of an awkward couple of minutes before we started talking and feeling comfortable around one another. His friends asked us questions but at the same time, they were still puzzled on why their friend had let missionaries in their home, on a Friday night. The Jewish evangelist expressed some interest and exchanged details with my companion. As we were about to head off, I saw posters of The Beatles and other bands on their walls. I asked if they had a guitar and they said yes. Then I asked if I could play. Heaven. After that night, their attitudes about missionaries definitely changed as everyone joined in on singing and having a good time while I messed about with the guitar. Sometimes, unless we are paying attention, we might miss the promptings of the Holy Spirit. Its whisperings could be as simple as, "Do you have a guitar?"

The week prior to this, I was on another work over with a missionary from Germany. We were in Ashford and we went finding for 7 hours that day. As the day grew to close, we got in the car, and were about to go look for some less actives, but I was unable to find our worksheet. I told my companion to pull over in a neighborhood, and right when we parked, we felt the prompting to tract two houses on the side. Through this experience, I can testify, that Heavenly Father has a sense of humor. One thing that I was able to be taught that day, was the definition of a naturalist. My goodness. The second house we knocked on, a man came to the door, fully fleshed, and as he opened, I quickly put a folder I was carrying below my eyes to save myself from such horror. As he excitedly stood naked at his front door, my companion and I Taught, Testified, Invited and quickly left.

Love,

Elder Resolme

Today we will be playing table tennis at a local school in favor of one of our investigators whose family came to church on Sunday. Apparently he is quite the allstar.Last night was transfer calls and I am staying in Ashford while Elder Cena is moving.

Feb. 13, 2012

Dear Family,

I am doing fine. This past week, we had a power week. We were able to find and teach a handful of new investigators. Like always, we have been able to recognize a copious amount of miracles, but not just my companion and I, the whole zone. I know that it is through our chain fast. We have been having this goal where a different companionship would fast each day in the month of February for zone unity and blessings. The blessings have come in abundance.

Last week, we tracted into a young lady who is a Born Again Christian. we got off on a good topic and we were both comfortable with what was being said, but than I had the prompting to speak about the Book of Mormon. As I spoke, she related an experience of when her boyfriend received a religious book while walking through town. A book that caught his interest and one that made him want to tell his girlfriend about it. I helped her realize it was the Book of Mormon. We will be giving her family a call tonight to see when we would be able to them all.

I wish that I had a powerful memory, but I do not. Experiences like this one, happen all of the time. I hope that I will be able to remember all of these good times. Thankfully, I have the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Love,

Elder Resolme

One last thing. On Friday, we were prohibited from going to the local library, but this is a story for another time.

Feb. 7, 2012

Dear Family,

I am on another workover today with Elder McCormack from Scotland. We started the day off with a man who knew about The Church back in Nigeria. The conversation got a bit heated, but we bore testimony of the truth.

The Book of Mormon is a record of holy scripture given us by God through his designated leaders, the Prophets. I know that it is true, and I know that it is a witness that Jesus Christ lives. I love my Savior, I am starting to understand him a little bit more through receiving answers about the Atonement from my prayers. I know he is real. I am a living witness of it.

Love,

Elder Resolme

Jan. 30, 2012

Dear Family,

The other day, I was able to have another double work over with two areas in the zone. First I was able to go to Gravesend and spend the day with Elder Hlaphi from South Africa. He is a spot on missionary with no fear. Thankfully, he understands what his purpose is as a missionary and through his efforts, it is evident. That day, we had around seven hours of finding...mmmhhhmm, so much fun!

After this work over with the missionaries from Gravesend, I went straight to Deal for another work over with the District Leader. We supposedly had a couple of appointments, but I think all of them cancelled that day. Luckily, that gave us some time to find the elect. As we did so, we walked and testified of the Savior, and we were able to find and teach those who had been prepared.

Probably, the main experience that I got from that day was when I was led to stop a lady who seemed to be in a rush. As I approached her, I asked her if she felt that life had a purpose, and from that point, I listened and got to the conclusion that she was unhappy with her current life and that she truly wanted to understand what her purpose was. I then invited her to sit down at a bench so that I could help her understand how she could find her purpose. Although she was in a rush, she spared fifteen minutes to learn some truth. Throughout the fifteen minutes, she spoke about her life, goals, and problems. During the teaching process, she kept on asking, "Why?" Through the message, she gained peace, and we left with a prayer. The spirit was there in abundance, but there was something missing, her choice to learn more. Because of her career in dance, creating time to see us was problematic. I left her with my witness and hopefully in the future, her life will be sorted through the gospel.

Choices are so important to pay attention to. Unfortunately, many people want to do the right thing, but somehow, they always choose the wrong. I have realized that the Plan of Happiness, can also be called the Plan of Choices. Our choices make us who we are. It is important to study out everything in our minds before we come to an action or response, because there will always be a result.

Over the past weekend, we were able to have a couple baptisms, and this week we will have one more. If you could keep Shawnie(I can never spell her name right) in your prayers that would be fantastic. She is a young mother who is determined to get baptized.

Love,

Elder Resolme

PS. Can you send me some pictures from the WEDDING!