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!

Dec. 12, 2011

Dear Family,

How is everything going?

Thank you for the package and everything.

My life is great. I just got transferred into Ashford. The flat is disgusting, but I promise I will clean it just for you mom.

One of the things that has stuck out to me over the past couple of weeks, is the importance of having a vision. This is so essential for my mission now. I know that as we pray for visions of our areas and our investigators, we will be blessed with an idea of what we can achieve, then it is our choice whether or not we want to work to reach that potential. I love painting pictures in my mind of what this area can become. I am grateful for this idea because it helps me understand my potential, but not just for my mission, forever after.

Recently, I have received more insight on how much President Patch loves us all. He once said that the success of a Mission President does not come from the amount of baptisms, but the outcome of missionaries families that enter into the temple.

I cannot believe all of the things that I have experienced on my mission. Some of them are small, but they mean the world to me.

Today we actually had zone meeting, and when I spoke, I was able to see a change in me. I do not know what it is, but looks like you will have to wait a little while to see it for yourself.

I know that God is there and that my Savior Jesus Christ lives. It is so fun to speak to people in the town centers about these things because I know it will bless them in their lives.

The other day I spoke this one lady in the street about her purpose of life, and thankfully she was interested enough to have a lesson on a concrete planter on the side of the road. She is interested in increasing her faith and the message we share does just that. I know that as we work our hardest the blessings will come, but the miracles come after we feel like we have no energy left in us, but keep on testifying of the Savior. Amazing. I wish you could see them all.

Love,

Elder Resolme

Nov. 29, 2011

Dear family,

Good to hear all of the miracles happening back home. I hope everyone is well. Right now, these past couple of weeks have gotten really busy. We have been preparing our trainings for new missionaries, looking for new flats, helping struggling missionaries out, and definitely searching for new people to teach. I have no idea where the time is going. I cannot believe that this transfer ends next week.

This week we will be teaching a couple more chinese students. Bless China!

On the weekend, we were able to travel up North to stay in a members guest house for a couple of days, so that we could visit some of the members who struggle making it all the way down to church in Norwich.

One of the families we visited were a ways away in a small village. They are getting up there in age and their health is deteriorating, but my goodness, their faith has not. When we got there, all I could feel was the love that was in the home. They spoke about how they want to go to church, but they are physically incapable. Although they are restricted to come to church, they still keep up the faith by reading/praying/everything daily. I absolutely adore them. After which, we sang her a song because that was something that she dearly missed. Later we gave them both blessings.

How often do we forget the conditions that we live in Today and take everything for granted. I know this family will be greatly rewarded in this life, but also through the Eternities.

Love,

Elder Resolme

ps. can you send me your conversion stories. they would help tremendously.

oh yea, I will be sending a package home of clothes that I never used.....