E-mail (2)

A new P-Day in a new land :). Thank you once again for the E-Mails and I must
give great thanks for the wonderful package which I was able to receive on
Friday and for TWO AMAZING LETTERS which I also recieved! I must say that the
TWO AMAZING LETTERS! Caused me to do a bit of a dance when I received them (they
arrived in Wrexham but were hand delivered by my old companion at a meeting
Elder Larson and I had to attend) and was a great cause of rejoicing in the
Chorley flat later that evening :)!

Sorry for all the confusion… as I said in the last E-mail I have been
whitewashed into the Chorley area which means a couple of things. First, I no
longer know what is happening in the Wrexham area… When I left Wrexham Alice and
pals were struggling quite a bit, Jamie Owen was just baptized, and we had just
taught Yestin the word of wisdom (after we did he took his kettle (which was
full of freshly made tea) poured all the tea down the drain, threw away all of
his tea bags, coffee, alcohol, and is progressing very quickly to his date
of baptism). Second, I have had the craziest few days trying to learn the area and
manage all that comes along with it… The Chorley ward is amazing! There are on
average about 150 members who attend church a week (that is the largest
congregation that I have seen in 18 months) and we not only cover Chorley 1 but
also Chorley 3 because there are two companionships covering 3 wards! But
however amazing the ward is it doesn’t make up for the fact that the
missionaries before us have left us no investigators and a horrible
dysfunctional record system, but we have things under control and are getting
out there looking for some fresh blood :). Third, Elder Larson and I have had to
attend like a million meetings this past week and I am just completely burned
out in that aspect, but Elder Larson and I get along like American peanut butter
and jelly between two delectable pieces of thick sliced white bread :). But
overall life is great.

Back home seems to be quite exciting as the summer holidays come to an end and
the wee ones are now back in school AKA: Prison :). Ellyse is now a senior so
she is feeling the joy of being ‘Queen of the school’, Meghan has taken her
rightful place as ninth grade class president, Jackson is in the fifth grade
being taught by a ‘nice’ teacher as said by Carson who is enjoying his football
development under the master sensei (Jeff McKenna) himself. Mom is enjoying her
time at the Shakespeare festival/cabin, and everyone else is living life to the
fullest. But, no one has sent me any amazing, stupendous, delectable, remarkable
photos of Connor and Ashley’s wedding… so… get on that :).

It’s interesting as I have passed the 18 month mark and have reflected on the
past months of my mission my heart is pained at the idea that one day I will be
leaving all of this behind… I miss you all something terrible but it is
beginning to dawn on me as I continue in the work that every day leads me closer
to a time in my life where this will no longer be my full time duty… As I look
around at the many wonderful ‘Brits’ whom I have made my abode for over a year
and a half I can’t help but feel the overwhelming love of my Heavenly Father for
the welfare of these outstanding people. Despite the abuse, the bad names, the
insults, and especially the weather I can’t help but feel an overwhelming love
for my brothers and sisters in this part of the Lord’s vineyard. 5 months… it
just doesn’t seem real… I know that this church is true, that Jesus Christ
lives, that Joseph Smith was his prophet, and that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet
today, the Book of Mormon is a true record… The Spirit is real I feel it every
day and I thank my God for this precious20time that I have left to serve with all
my heart, might, mind, and strength.

With all my love,
Elder McKenna