Oct. 16, 2010

Dear Family,

This week has been full of meetings and work overs. On Monday we had family home evening at Sister Okloos. On Tuesday and Wednesday we had work overs. I was stayed in Enfield with our zone leader on Tuesday, and then on Wednesday i was able to go to Hayes with the missionary from Sweden, Elder Engelbrekston. Zone meeting was also on Wednesday. After the meeting we went to Nandos! I've been waiting months to go there. The chicken is really good!

I am finally at the point where I feel like I have been apart of missionary work for my whole life. I can't see myself doing anything else. It is such a humbling experience. This week I have been working very hard on my lessons and I know that only through the power of the Holy Ghost am i able to remember and apply these things to teaching. It is amazing how the spirit works. I look forward everyday to my personal studies so I can gain more knowledge about the scriptures and doctrine, but there is just not enough time, especially this past week. there is an advantage to having a companion that is District leader, but there are also many disadvantages, like no time to study. I now just try and find every opportunity to learn more.

Last night we learned who was getting transferred out of the area. We held a conference call with all of the missionaries from the zone. We all contemplated who was going where and then the actual details were given by the zone leaders. Elder La Rosa will be transferring Monday to an area a couple hours away. He has been a great trainer and I have learned many things from him. I know that his training will help me grow into a powerful teacher. My new companion will be a missionary named Elder Allen. Although it will be a change, I know I will be able to learn a good amount from him as well. I think he is from Utah.

Fasting is an important command that members should not take lightly. It was given to us out of love so that we might be able to grow spiritually and come closer to our Heavenly Father. This act brings forth many blessing in heaven (Malachi 3:10). It is still the middle of the month, but somehow I have almost depleted my missionary card?! I could not believe it. I am so excited to finally experience the time at the end of the month where missionaries run out of food money. These next weeks will be so fun! I cant wait to start fasting! God works in mysterious ways.

Mobs and armies may assemble, but the truth will go forward boldly to every nation. Have no fear because the Lord is with thee. Go and do.

Love,
Elder Resolme

Oct. 11, 2010

Dear family,

This week has been very busy. It has gone by very fast. Lately, since it is almost the end of the transfer, we have been having many companionship work overs. They are so much fun. Work overs are very important because I can learn from other people. Everyone has their own type of teaching and approaches where I can grow from. This week I had work overs with with Elder Glancy (California) and Elder Biergerg (Sweden).

One of the most interesting things that happened was with Elder Glancy. We went street contacting in Edmonton and we stopped this one man who looked a little disoriented, but Elder Glancy started to talk with him, I thought that the conversation was not going anywhere so I was looking for more people to talk to. Just as I turned away, this man, tried to kiss Elder Glancy on the cheek. He was obviously drunk. I could not believe that happened, but it did! After the event, I felt bad for the man, but I was laughing so hard.

I also have to get used to the transportation here in London. We either walk, use a bus, or ride a tube. I am still confused on all the different routes. During the work overs, we got lost multiple times. It was so bad. First Bierberg and I were on a tube that suddenly stopped, and went into a different direction, then we went on another tube that was going into a different part of the city after we got on a bus that was going North instead of South. Traveling has been my conflict, but now I know the area I am in because of the various mistakes that occurred. I love this place!

Today is our p-day, but we just got back from a lesson. We taught this person the commandments because his baptism is on Saturday. He is such a great person. His name is Chukwuemeka Azubuike. He is from Nigeria and he knows so much about the gospel. He once was taught about it in Nigeria, but then he moved to London. He had a couple personal trials, but now he is fully prepared make and keep covenants. He has read the Book of Mormon multiple times and he loves reading other church related books (Gospel Principle Manuals). He knows so much. We have enjoyed teaching him, and seeing his enthusiasm about getting baptized on Saturday. We are so blessed to be able to have him here in Enfield. I know he will be a great leader, and he will move the missionary work forward here in this area. In Abraham 3:22-23 it talks about these noble and great ones. After seeing him, I know he will be a tremendous example to the church members. All of us were called to be these powerful beings, we just have to live up to our potential and live our lives in accordance with the will of God.

I also loved General Conference! What a powerful weekend that was. All of the talks were fantastic. The leadership in the church is magnificent and you can tell their words are true by the spirit. The priesthood session was so powerful. Missionary work is so important. I am just very grateful to be out in a time like this. I am also really looking forward to the talk President Monson gave to the Relief Society. I guess the Priesthood session is not the only session where members get rebuked. I heard the charity talk was great.


Love,
Elder Resolme

Oct. 4, 2010

Dear family,

This past week has been very successful. We have found many new investigators who are ready to learn so much more. Enfield has not had a baptism in around a year, but I am feeling one very soon. I learned from others that this area is pretty challenging, but I am so happy to be here because I know I will grow significantly. We have been blessed with so many people who are so accepting to our message.

One of the couples we are teaching are John Claude and Melanie. They are from the Congo and they speak French. I would have to say that the hardest part of my mission is just understanding what people are saying. Everyone is so diverse that I have a hard time listening to what they say, but luckily they both speak very well English. The first appointment we had was so exciting. The Spirit was there and so we set conditional baptisms. They said yes! We called last night and they have been keeping the commitments that we gave them. We are meeting with them tonight and we are going to set a baptismal date. This has been the case for other people a couple of times already. If it be the Lords will, then we will be bringing a couple of brothers/sisters back into His the fold. John Claude said that he made an appointment with us because he felt something different from us that set us apart from others during our initial contact.

On Friday, my companion and I did a good amount of finding, but since it was raining and the wind was destroying our umbrellas on the high streets, we decided to stop street contacting and go tracting. We knocked on many doors, but many of the families weren't home. As we knocked the rain was pouring. About halfway down the street we were able to be invited in by a woman named Arvina Mungar. She let us in because we were basically soaked. She is a 27 year old teacher and she is very busy, but luckily she was off that day. We talked about who we are and what we do and then we taught her about the restoration/families. At the end of the lesson her father walked in and talked to us. Her family is great! They both took a liking to us so we scheduled another appointment. As we finished we started to knock on more doors. While knocking we noticed Arvina run out and she gave us vouchers to Starbucks!?!

General Conference was outstanding. It means so much more as a missionary. I loved it when Elder Nelson asked the missionaries to stand! It made me so happy to see the missionaries in the zone stand and also when the choir sang Called to Serve. The talk that meant the most to me was by Elder Holland. Mom/Dad, thanks for everything. I will work hard.

The mission life is so good. Waking up early, studying, finding, teaching, testifying, and learning is something I look forward to each day. Becoming a fisher of men is exciting.

Finally got my raincoat today.

Love,
Elder Resolme
This e-mail was from Sept. 27, 2010:


Dear family,

Everything is going well. The past week has been great. It has gotten much colder and it has been raining a good amount. I finally feel like I am in England. My suit is already wearing out. We're constantly walking around and traveling on buses looking for people to teach. all of these finding hours have been paying off because we have had many appointments over the past week.

One of the lessons we had was last night. We were coming home from a dinner appointment around 8, so we decided to go tracting until 8:30 because we had to make other calls at that time. As time passed, we grew closer to the eight thirty mark, and the last door we knocked on was wonderful. A lady from Ghana answered the door and she accepted us in her home for a lesson. Her family was great. We taught her about the Book of Mormon and she accepted all of the commitments that we had. Knocking on hundreds of doors are tiring, but when you knock on a door like hers, everything is worth it.

2 days ago, Elder la Rosa and I basically had a bible bash day. There were multiple people who consistently tried to prove us wrong. There were so many questions that i could not answer but, luckily, my companion could. He was able to keep the bashing to a mere conversation and everything went well. Our last item for that day was to visit a referral. His name was admiral and we thought we were going for a friendly visit, until he opened the door. He argued with us about the church and got out all his false ideas and perceptions about the church. I was so upset about the things that he was saying. With this person, I could have easily answered all of his questions in a powerful manner and i could have easily made him feel discouraged. there were so many times where i was about to lash out at him, but my companion just testified of the things our church believes in, and he showed charity. Although we both could have easily destroyed him in doctrine, telling him off would have been useless. being charitable and showing kindness was the best answer.

As missionaries we have one hour a day to study. I had no idea how reading the scriptures could take an hour, but now this hour is terribly short. There are so many things to learn and read. I wish we had more time, but we don't. Can you just let all the prospective missionaries know that reading preach my gospel would be one of the most significant ways to prepare for the mission. Before missionaries can teach, we have to know the doctrine, and when we know the doctrine, the Spirit gives us strength when we invite others to come to Christ. I love it.

The pictures are from P-day. The ones on the street are of Abbey Road!!

Love,
Elder Resolme

Sept. 20, 2010

Dear family,

The past couple of days have been tough, but I am settled in now and I am used to talking to everyone. Although some people look intimidating, most of my fear and doubt is gone, and I am able to talk to them because I know that I am doing the Lord's work. I used to be very upset when people would argue with us and close their doors on us when we haven't even got a word in, but now I just shake it off. Instead of getting angry and upset, I just get sad. I know that the things we teach will bring happiness and to have people not want to listen, is not the best feeling. Although I have only been here for a little while, I love this place, especially the area I am in.

Over the past couple of days, my companion, Elder la Rosa, and I have been having so much fun. We have been able to find many people who are interested in the things we have to say. One of the things I love on my mission is tracting. It is great to watch people on their doorstep become fascinated about our message and see that they understand the things we have to share is important. In my area, we do not really receive many referrals from members, so we have many hours of finding. About a week ago we knocked on a house and the person who answered was Richard. We weren't able to come in because he was busy, but we were able to schedule an appointment with him. He was really sincere, so we were excited to teach him. We taught him this past Sunday, and the lesson went magnificent. We taught him about the Restoration of the Gospel, and he was really receptive to our message. He told us that he let us in because he knew we would listen to him, unlike the other churches in the neighborhood. He said he respected us because we were able to discuss things pertaining to Christ, while other religions would try and force doctrine into him. We all understood one another, and the spirit and love was there. At the end we extended a conditional baptism to him and he accepted. He is a Roman Catholic, and he said he was baptized and explained to us that he grew up in this church his whole life, but he also said that if he gained a witness through prayer that the things we taught him were true, he would no doubt get baptized as a member of the church.

There have been many miracles that have already happened on the mission, but there is not enough time to write everything. Basically the work is great, the people are wonderful, I had chicken adobo last night from Filipino members+played the guitar, I love finding people to teach, but love teaching more. The place I serve in is great (sometimes we call it Africa because when you go into Edmonton, you see no white people). I finally understand how a person can sleep during a prayer, and I know that there will be much success in our area. England is the best, the church is true wherever you are in the world. The people are different, but the spirit and the doctrine is the same. I love you all.

Love,

Elder Resolme

Sept. 13, 2010

Dear family,

So I am finally here in London. Its is pretty insane. It was sad to leave the MTC, but it was more exciting to get into the field. There were two buses. One going to London South, and the other, going to London and Birmingham. We all left around 6:00 am. It took around six hours by coach to get into London. We stopped off at Birmingham to drop off a group of missionaries including my companion, and then we were off. The ride was horrible, because there was no ventilation. When we finally made it into the city, it took around an hour to get to the mission headquarters. We passed by the headquarters because there was no where to park, and then the second time, the coach driver just decided to park in the middle of the street. It was hilarious! All of us 8 missionaries piled out of the vehicle and basically stopped oncoming traffic as we unloaded our luggage. President/Sister Patch as well as other missionaries helped pile our luggage into the office. After we had a couple of meetings with the mission President and leaders, we made our way into a meeting with the Area Presidents. We sang 'Called to Serve" and then our trainers greeted us. We were all surprised. We had no idea who they were. After we met everyone took pictures and then scattered to our different missions. We took the tubes and then finally got to the flats. My first area is in ENFIELD.

Enfield is an area that needs some work. I have been in the field for about a week, and we have had only a couple of appointments a day. The rest of the time we spend is finding. We had about 20 hours of searching this week for people ready to receive the gospel. After everyday I was so tired. We knocked on so many doors, street contacted for hours, and constantly tried talking to people on the buses, but there were only a few who received our message in a positive manner. Sometimes it is discouraging, but everything pays off when you have an appointment and you are teaching about the restored gospel.

The second day I was out, we went tracting for a couple hours and people were just not interested. We finally ran into a family who let us in. The family name was Georgia Steer. They are Greek Orthodox and the son is a Christian. It was an amazing experience. Being able to teach is wonderful. its moments like this when I know i am doing the right thing, by being out here and serving. We have not had many appointments with investigators, but when we do it is so fun.

On Sunday I was finally able to meet the ward. In my area there is only 1 ward. There are probably around 80 members, and by looking at the ward, you wouldn't even be able to tell we were in London because there are only about two English families.The rest are from all sorts of different places.The ward is so diverse its mind blowing. I bore my testimony and also taught the youth for an hour. All the members are great, and the food that they have given us is very good.

This area has a great amount of potential, i cant wait to have more appointments and grow mentally and spiritually. there are definitely times where it is rough and times where it gets discouraging, but you just have to keep on working, because there are people waiting to hear the good word. Church is true, God lives, Jesus is our redeemer. Hard work pays off.

Thanks for all of the other emails. Sorry, but I can only email my family. Looks like you just have to write :)


Love,
Elder Resolme

PLEASE WRITE HIM! I know he looks forward to hearing from you. His London, England address is the second address posted on the first post in this blog.

Sept. 9, 2010

Dear family,

These past couple of weeks have gone by so fast. Preston has been such a great experience. Learning about our purpose as missionaries has been the best. On Friday we went tracting for the first time and it was difficult at first because there were so many people who just didn't want to hear about the message we had to share. Although we were discouraged at first, we kept on smiling and kept on knocking. Because we showed our willingness to serve as a messenger of Christ, Heavenly Father blessed us with people who were receptive to what we had to say. It was a wonderful experience. So tomorrow we'll all be leaving for the field. Its been a blast here in Preston, but everyone is excited to get out and serve.

Love,

Elder Resolme

Sept. 1, 2010

Dear Fam,

These past couple of days have been amazing. I am really getting used to the MTC and everything is going well. The spirit here is so strong and I am learning so much, fast! My teachers have helped my companion grow in leaps and bounds. I remember when it was hard for me to be able to teach a lesson at first because my nervousness got the best of me, but now, the spirit calms me down and words just start to flow out of my mouth. I never really understood everyone in church saying that until now. It is insane! I love it.

On Friday, we had the opportunity to go out and proselyte in Manchester. This place was packed with so many people. All of the companionships were so excited to be able to get out of the MTC and do some teaching, but when we got out of the train station, many companionships were overwhelmed (including Elder Jean and I) and we were so discouraged. Everyone was busy and had no time to hear the words that we wanted to teach them. It was tough so we tried picking people out of the crowds thinking that they would listen, but they wouldn't. We were so down on ourselves that we just kept on walking and smiling. We finally got things together and knew who we were and what were here to do. So we went up to various people no matter how intimidating they looked and introduced ourselves. Yes, we got many rejections like, " not today, I dont want to hear it, and go away" but we kept on going and we were led by the spirit to people who were prepared to receive the gospel. We were able to talk to a couple of people who were interested in the things we had to say. We gave a couple of cards with information about the church and were on our way. We didnt set any baptismal appointments! but it was all good. We even had a lady who asked us to take a picture of her in front of the mall, we found out she was a member and we got some referrals from her. She was the best. Her name is Noreen and she is from Africa. She was at the mall for her day off and she was leaving for Africa the next Tuesday. Our experience proselyting was tough, but fun because we knew that we were doing the right thing. Through the spirit, we will be able to find those who are prepared for the gospel, but those elect of God will find us, we just have to be prepared to ask the right questions.

Today we were able to go to various church historic sites. We went to the River Ribble where the first saints in England were baptized, President Hinckley's flats when he was here on his mission, and the village of Downham (where Elder Kimball preformed a great work). We walked on holy ground and it was a powerful experience. There are pictures of this stuff and the thing I'm pointing to is where President Hinckley lived as a missionary. Sooo cooool.

Scriptures that help me when I feel down- Doctrine and Covenants 84:88, 6:36. Hope you all are having as much fun as I am!!

Love,

Elder Resolme

PS these are some sweet pictures of the MTC, historic sites, and our district.