"Get busy livin' or get busy dyin'

So this week has seemed to go pretty fast. Which is good! It has been a good week. I've decided that when you aren't a busy missionary it kind of sucks. But when your whole day is full and you have dinner appointments it's the best. But this week wasn't busy, at all. We had 5 lessons planned for this week but they slowly fell through. It's tough because I feel like these people that we meet have real intent, they feel the spirit, but when they leave I guess they forget about that feeling and bail. So that was a bit frustrating. We had 3 people crying because of the new Christmas video and we shared a bit more with them and they still didn't show up. Haha sometimes I just wish it was like lacrosse practice or skiing. When you don't show up or when you show up late there is a punishment haha like 500 push-ups at lacrosse or being mocked and bullied by your buddies if you're late for skiing. 

So there's nothing really note worthy or mentionable this week haha. We had Zone meeting which was really good. It was awesome to see some of the guys from the MTC that are in the zone. The zone meeting here are great though, the zone leaders give great trainings, but I guess one of the main reasons they have them here is to help the missionaries almost relax and socialize with other missionaries because sometimes life in England can get gloomy and depressing. But I can't even imagine Chiz (dear friend serving in the Baltic States Mission)  right now, he has always been so positive and he is an example to me. He looks so happy in all the pictures I see haha. He has the biggest smile and I really do look up to him so much. 

But Saturday was a really good day for Elder A and I. We had our first appointment with D. He is the father and Husband of a few members in the ward. But he is not a member. He asked if he could start taking lessons from us. We went over and taught the restoration. It felt so good to actually teach one of the Preach My Gospel lessons! I haven't for almost 7 weeks now.  It was really good, I am still grateful for mission prep and everything I learned. It really has helped the last few months. But anyways, we taught a great lesson to D and the spirit was so strong. I actually extended a baptismal date to him! My first time ever doing that! I was so nervous. But he accepted!!!! His date is the 26th of December! The day after Christmas (Boxing Day)!!!! He was really excited and said he had been waiting for this moment for a long time. We are super excited, but he goes to Preston every week for like 6 days and stays there, so it's going to be hard teaching him all the lessons before the 26th so we are going to try and Skype teach him while he is up north.

Ingenious way of getting WARM water!!!!

Sunday was great too! Doe didn't come to church but he is in Preston, but that's all good. He loves church. Testimony meeting was good! One of the sisters investigators who we have been Working with for the last few weeks bore his testimony today! He is only 16! He has only had a few lessons but he's a great kid. His testimony was so powerful, he talked about how much better his life has been since he met us and since he started coming to Church. He is just a really cool kid with a good heart. 

Lords hand

I have seen the lords hand in D. It has been a tough last few weeks. With little success in anything. I have seen the lord prepare D for us to meet him and start teaching him. Being able to teach a real lesson just a few days ago has really helped boost my enthusiasm in the work. I have seen the lords hand in O, the 16 year old. It has been good to just talk to him about life as a teenager and just helping him out. I have seen the lords hand in helping me connect with him that way. I am grateful for the work ethic I have learned and everything you have taught me mom and dad. But also all my uncles aunts and grandparents. The Parkin/Howell family is the best. I am grateful and proud that I can represent such great names. 

I love you and miss you guys! I hope Ben is doing alright. I'm sure he is. He just sends it too hard. 

Elder Parkin 

No Short Cuts

"Get busy livin, or get busy dyin"

Making dinner