Wilford Woodruff in Worcester

Another great week here in Worcester!!!!! Full of absolute weirdos and

miracles too. :)

Start off with Tuesday!!!!!

Stressful day. The elders in Evesham (district leader) were coming in
a week late because Opheikens was training and his boy just came in.
It's soooooo fun being back with opheikens aw man bringing back some
great mems from Birmingham but I think our whole district hates us
cause we just talk about it the whole time haha. But anyways they were
coming on a train and we had their keys and phone. We had noooo idea
when they'd get to Worcester because they had no phone so we literally
sat at the station all day and watch every train to see if elders were
on it. After 6 hours of trying to spread the gospel at the train
station;)...... they decided to arrive!!!!! Haha bless them.

In the morning we tried finding in city centre and sat down for a
moment. We were quiet for a for minutes then started talking about how
we wish we could just teach someone instead of spend all our time
finding someone to teach. All of a sudden some random dude comes and
sits down next to us and is like "mormons! Tell me about your
church!!!!!" He was so neat and from KIDDERMINSTER!! We talked about
the church for no joke and hour. It was sick. Hopefully he goes to
church in kiddie this week :):)

We met the coolest guy from Portugal last week sat on a bench by the
canal who we taught a great lesson to on Saturday!!!! He lives here in
Worcester now for work he's about 30. He came to church with us
yesterday!!!! Miraclesssz. lol I don't think he fully understood it
was a church service that he was coming to. He definitely strolled
into the chapel in biking spandex and a helmet HAHAHAHAHAH. The
members loved him and all the old women were totally flirting with
him. Bless!!!

This week the we had a door approach where the woman opened the door,
looked us up and down and absolutely disgusted said "What are you?" We
told her missionaries, she then cursed and yelled "Oh for havens sake"
then slammed the door. All those experiences remind me of the talk
"missionary work and the atonement" by Jeffrey r holland. He says
something like: "remember during these moments that you are standing
shoulder to shoulder with the greatest missionary the world has ever
known." He is talking about the saviour! And whoso receiveth you,
there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on
your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your
hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.

Met a weird Latvian dude. When we stopped him we said "hi we are
missionaries" and before we could even continue he just looked up,
threw his hands up in the air and yelled "I AM A MISSIONARY TOO, FROM
THE CHURCH OF LOVE!!!!!!" Everyone in city centre was staring at us.
He asked where we were from, we said America and he said "oh I've been
there!" Then he pulled out his phone and thought it'd be a good idea
to show us a picture of him hanging from a tree in the Grand Canyon
with absolutely no clothes on at all. EW!!!!! It was so gross he was
so random and asked if he could speak to our congregation on Sunday.
It was fast and testimony meeting so...... I've never not wanted
someone to come to church so bad hahahaha bless him.

Yesterday I gained a testimony of helmets. Had my first bike accident.
My helmet is completely broken I'm all achey and scraped up. I think
Nottingham was a time for emotional trials... Worcester must be
physical!!!!!!! Was going too fast, hit a curb the wrong way, went
flying and so did my bike:) and it so kindly chose to land upon me:)
went to the hospital this morn to check out my head, all good
though!!!

LOOK WHAT I FOUND: While serving a mission in England in 1840,
President Wilford Woodruff (1807–98), then one of the Twelve Apostles,
was prompted by the Spirit to go to the south of England. Through his
efforts and the efforts of others serving with him, about 2,000 people
were converted in the area of Herefordshire, Worcester, and
Gloucester. Reflecting on this extraordinary period of his life,
President Woodruff wrote: “The whole history of this Herefordshire
mission shows the importance of listening to the still small voice of
God and the revelations of the Holy Ghost. The Lord had a people there
prepared for the Gospel. They were praying for light and truth, and
the Lord sent me to them."

I AM EXACTLY WHERE MY GRANDPA WAS!!!!! I know that if I have the faith
he will help me find those praying for light and truth here in
Worcester. :) Can't wait to talk all about it with him in the next
life. ;)

Have a great week people!!!!!

Cheers,
Sister McEwan xxx

Pictures:
1) bless me
2) Relief society district (more sisters than elders)
3) recent convert just commented this on someone's Facebook status LOL!
4) First sushi in over a year
5) Cute missionary wall the ward mission leader made
6) Sister Val Haw!!! Met my sweet nan and grandpa over a year ago at
Gadfield Elm!!!!! She's been asking president if I could serve here.
First thing she said to me was "I have been waiting a year for you to
come here!!!!!" Hahah.
7) Cathedrals on errry corner
8) Bike crash..... wear ur helmets guys!!!!!!!

Consider the Lilies

WOWOWOWOWOWW IT IS SO GOOD TO BE BACK ON THIS SIDE OF THE COUNTRY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is so much to say this week.

Oh man. It all started early Tuesday morning when I had to take a
train with all my luggage back to BIRMINGHAM. my love. I was panicking
when we got to new street station... I was nervous about moves and
everything, didn't wanna miss my train. Etc. Anyways we get down to
the platform and there was one other sister on my train to Hereford.
An elder helped us get all our luggage and bikes onto the train way
fast cuz it was just about to leave. We sit down. The door closes.
Then I proceeded to ask the elder which area he was headed to and he
said "Leicester." Definitely on the opposite side of the mission. So I
was like "hey mate, just so you know, you're on the wrong train." He
then pointed to the front of the train which read "Leicester". So ya
my heart dropped to the ground. I quickly threw my bags off the train
and BOOKED it to the Hereford train which was leaving in 30 seconds.
Made it. Barely. All passengers were laughing at me and my attempt to
get 3 luggage and a bike onto the train in a pencil skirt. Thx 4 the
help.

The stop before Worcester was Kidderminster I was SO tempted to just
get off there.... But I didn't.... Got off at Worcester and a bird
pooped on me as I stepped off the train. The greatest warm welcome
back to Worcestershire. Man it's SO GOOD TO BE
BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've already ran into 4 members from
Kidderminster oh my days the best reunions ever. HAHA it's hilarious
cause whenever I tell people here i served in kiddie they're like "wow
I'm so sorry" hahahaha everyone thinks it's such a hole (it is lol)
but I love it.

Anyways this place is basically kiddie 2.0 but WAY bigger WAY more
diverse and it's a ward not a branch and the members are on fire ready
for missionary work!!!! I know I'm going to love it. Definitely the
biggest area I've served.... so there's been NO walking. Biking all
day every day and my body is killing me hahah. They took out elders in
Worcester so there are 2 teams of sisters which has been
interesting...... we have a 2 hour bike ride ahead of us this week so
pray for my legs. I have come home dead every day. I can barely walk I
have some nice new blisters also sprained my ankle which has been such
a pain. Mission life my feet will never be the same. :):)

Okay here's a crazy story:
We were at the chapel on Wednesday evening for coordination when a man
with long hair and a beard walks in. We asked him if we could help him
and he said "yes, actually. No churches are helping me." So we said
"okay what can we do for you???" He said "Everyone in England says
that I am Jesus and I need your church to do something about it. This
is the biggest thing since Jospeh smith, it is a major biblical
event!" We were like uhhhhhhh what. He was convinced he was
jesus......

So many crazy people here I've missed it.

Also taught a lesson to a guy who wouldn't commit to live the word of
wisdom because he "was trying to cure lepracy" (the correlation
between the 2???? Not quite sure....) he said the closing prayer for
us and for 3 mins was going off about cats sis baker and I were so
confused. Then in the middle of his 10 minute long prayer he got up to
get his tobacco and coffee and gave it to us. He changed his mind and
wanted to commit to keep the word of wisdom mid sentence haha. Power
of prayer? Sure why not. We met him again a few days later and he just
had drool dripping from his face the entire lesson (withdrawals) I
don't think he got anything out of it... but he's clean!!!

EXCITING NEWS!!!!!!!!!

Dean the recent convert in Nottingham got the priesthood
yesterday!!!!!!!! Oh my I am so happy for him. :) and Sarah George RC
in kiddie got her husbands baptism done in the temple and is taking
family names now!!!! She's a family history addict I love it.:):) she
also gave a talk in sacrament last week (a member told me) she said it
was soooo sweet as she included her conversion story. Aww I love her.

My birthday was weird!!!! Hahaha it was like my 2nd day in Worcester
so nobody knew. I didn't tell anyone haha but that night I got a sweet
call from some members in Notts :) but ya spent my 20th knocking doors
in a downpour. :) what could be better!!!!?? (Also taught drool man)
taught he most AWKWARD WORD OF WISDOM LESSON to a guy with literally 3
of his neighbours smoking right next to us hahahaha it was soooooooooo
awkward we were rebuking them through the scriptures indirectly they
kept giving us dirty looks hahah so awk.

We found 7 new investigators this week with the coolest backgrounds.
Tell ya about them next week though cuz this is getting too long:)
just have to say again.... man I've missed being here. THE FIELD IS
WHITE ALREADY TO HARVEST.

This week I studied Doctrine and Cov. 84. Thanks to Sarah hall

"Therefore, take ye no thought for the morrow, for what ye shall eat,
or what ye shall drink, or wherewithal ye shall be clothed. For,
consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, they toil not,
neither do they spin; and the kingdoms of the world, in all their
glory, are not arrayed like one of these. For your Father, who is in
heaven, knoweth that you have need of all these things."

The most important thing is the task at hand. Heavenly Father KNOWS
what we need. And now, I need to give my all to this and nothing else.
And that is what I will do.

Speak SOON!!!!!

Cheers,
Sister McEwan xxx

Photos:
1) goodbye nottingham! Some of my favourite members
2) Everyone on the train hated us and all our luggage..... haha! There
were 7 missionaries. Not pretty.
3) a fave from Kidderminster!!!!! Love Morris!!!
4) BIRTHDAY!
5) me and sis Baker. Shes from North Carolina btw. Love her!

Sis Mc takes WORCESTER

Hey fam!!!!!! I'm moving!!!! Already! 😭

I am going to Worcester! (Pronounced Wooster @ Americans)

Pretty excited... as it's only a 10 minute train ride from
Kidderminster.... back to Birmingham I go! I've missed that place!
Can't seem to get away from it... ha!! (ALL YOU FROM KIDDIE BETTER
COME VISIT ME!!!!!!!! No excuses!!!!)

Anyways yaaaa worcester! Lots of church history so less go!!!:) I'm
follow up training again. a girl named sister Baker or something not
quite sure. The ward is sad I'm leaving, but probably only because of
my piano prelude music hahah... I have gotten so many music books from
everyone! And 2 members bought keyboards to learn because I "inspired
them" lol. :)

This week was probably the hardest of my mission. I was feeling quite
down... always hard before you leave an area. Elder Wallace gave me a
blessing which was really special. The spirit floods the room during
priesthood blessings. It is my favourite.

My favourite day was Friday. We had to go to Birmingham for a meeting
for my companion. So I got to be with Sister Jacobs for the day and
knock doors in Birmingham and it made me miss that place soooooo much.
Can't wait to go back. But yessss. Sis Jacobs has been in the mission
for a month! She is the sweetest and I really hope I get to serve with
her one day. We met the weirdest people and had a lot of fun together.
:) One guy, upon finding out I was American, said that if we returned
he would "just have to throw himself off the balcony." #English pride.
Another man answered the door wearing a red onesie zipped up to below
his chest with long slicked back hair. We were trying very hard not to
laugh. England is so weird!!! Actually no, Birmingham is so
weird!!!!!! Awww man it made me miss Kiddie. :) excited for worcester.

I'm grateful for trials, and hard weeks. (Don't wanna say that too
loud though cause I'd rather they didn't come very often....) but it
helps my testimony of the saviour become more powerful. I hope that
what i am going through now will one day help someone else.

Jesus Christ lives. And because of him, we can overcome ALL things.

Cheers,
Sister McEwan x

Pictures:
1) The boys last ward coordination
2) the death of elder Wallace HA!!!!
3) The district
4) NOTTINGHAM for lifes.
5) Trunky meeting / Finding for 7 hours groupies
6) Rydalch
7) BIRTHDAY PACKAGE AMERICAN CANDY!!!! And on the phone with a recent
convert lol

Melek vs. Ammonihah

Already emailing??? The weeks are flying. Today is my 11 months....
what is happening!?!

This week started out amazing!!!! We got to go to Stamford for
exchanges which is PROPER ENGLAND. Lol.... love the midlands. ;). But
yes it was gorgeous I will send some photos. Exchange was great!!! Got
to be with sister Carson and Nkomo for 2 days so I loved it.

There is a member we went to visit in Stamford who is the carer of an
old woman with Dementia named Pat. I have never been kissed so much on
my mission haha. She kept going for my mouth as well so I had to
quickly move my head so she'd go for my cheek. It was actually really
sad she was just so out of her mind.

Knocked loads this week. Lots of angry people. :) Had little if any
success but saw miracles in other forms of missionary work!!! We
stopped a guy named Matthew on the way to a lesson and scheduled to
meet him at the library the following day. We had such a great lesson
with him and he's willing to read and learn though a little sceptical!
So please pray for his heart to be softened. :) Shawn is being weird
and won't meet with us because he doesn't trust us as we are only
19..... ?? Also said there is a "trust gap" because we don't go by our
first names.

There's a girl who took her name off the church records several years
ago who asked to meet with us this week. We got to teach her and her
step dad and it was AMAZING. We have taught her dad before and he is
atheist. But when we told him we had a living prophet he was blown
away and became more interested!!. But the daughter is great and has
just had the most humbling experience which led her back to the
church. It strengthened my testimony of trials and how they bring us
closer to God. We are excited to see where things will go with her!

Went to follow up with the Russian woman who wasn't in... we wanted to
leave her a note so we popped out the good ol google translate and
took 15 minutes to try to somewhat legibly write some Russian
characters.... hopefully she understood. Thought my mission was
English speaking but clearly it is not.

Got the best early birthday surprise this week from my Grandma and
Grandpa!!!!!! Seriously exactly what I needed after a day full of
slammed doors. :)

Saturday we knocked doors for the last 2 hours of the night and didn't
get even 1 potential. We barely even got a word out before we were
rejected. In Alma 8 It talks about Alma going to Melek, having lots of
success, and then going to Ammonihah where he was rejected by
everyone! (Kind of like Kidderminster to Nottingham hey??) Here is the
scripture....

"Now Satan had gotten great hold upon the hearts of the people of the
city of Nottingham; therefore they would not hearken unto the words of
Sister McEwan and Sister De Capite."

I think that's how it goes;););) But anyways..... Alma really
struggles in Ammoniahah and decides to leave!!!!! But an angel appears
to him and tells him to return. Turns out the Lord was preparing
Amulek just for him, so they could go and preach together! And they
saw many miracles.

"Nevertheless Sisters McEwan and De Capite labored much in the spirit,
wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that he would pour out his Spirit
upon the people who were in the city of Nottingham; that he would also
grant that he might baptize them unto repentance."

Sometimes it is hard not to give up. Even Alma, one of the Book of
mormons greatest missionaries, gave up!!!! And after he did, he
returned. We must return! We must keep trying! To "press forward with
a steadfastness in Christ!!!!" to "wrestle with God in mighty prayer."
Are our prayers as thoughtful and meaningful as they should be? Do we
feel as though we are talking WITH our father in heaven? Developing a
better habit of "mighty prayer" has been something that I have prayed
for on the mission. I have prayed about what I should pray for!!!! And
I have seen my relationship with my father in heaven grow. It has
given me the strength to keep going even when all I want to do is give
up. We will be blessed according to our faithfulness.

The church is true. I can not deny that. And I will do all I can to
share it with others, even if they choose not to accept it.

I love you guys.

Cheers,
Sister McEwan xxx

Pictures
1) STAMFORD
2) STAMFORD
3) Best Friends ❤️️❤️️❤️️
4) Service for this disaster of a yard
5) Love her so much
6) Pat my new BFF
7) My attempt to leave a note for a Russian investigator hahaha

PUB GRUB 🍔🍟🍻

Early Birthday present from Nan!!!

NOTTINGHAM, City Centre

Depth of our Conversion

Ey up me duck!!! 🐥

This week was full of good things!!!! here is the low down of the high lights.

There was an Emergency transfer which was kind of exciting hahaa
because ELDER DAINES WALLACE came to my ward / district!!!!!!! Friend
from high school. :) it has been really fun reminiscing about the good
ol Lone Peak. I feel like we are old talking about high school "back
in the day" and unable to remember the names of people lol. He goes
home this transfer. He was serving here when I got my mission call!!!
I remember seeing pictures thinking "wow I hope I get to serve there!"
:) elder Willis is now an office elder. We miss him! Willis, Wallace,
and Williams. The ward is very confused!!!!! There are 2 Elder Louis's
serving together in Birmingham. I think they're up to something????

During our weekly planning session we gave Shawn (the doctor guy) a
call and he was wanting to meet right then at the library. So we said
we would be there in 10 minutes. He was feeling very defeated and had
loads of questions about God and why he didn't feel like he was
answering his prayers. He expressed to us that he wanted to have
energy and a change in his life. Right after he spoke those words I
thought about Dean and his change. I began to tell him his conversion
story and guess who walked into the library.... DEAN!!!! Who better to
testify of the effects of the gospel than a recent convert???? It was
AMAZING. He shared with Shawn his testimony, and when Shawn left he
said - I need that enthusiasm in my life.

He had questions concerning the word of wisdom as well as the law of
chastity when dean left. We had a great lesson / discussion and he
knew the those things were true and came from god! Excited to see
where things go. :)

Saturday we were finding all day and FOR THE FIRST TIME ON MY MISSION
I GOT TO USE MY SPANISH, NOT ONCE BUT TWICE!!!!!!! And wow I was just
getting a feel of what Amelia is going to be experiencing in 3 months.
:) it was so great!!!!! I couldn't believe how much I remembered
hahah. One lady was from Argentina and one from chile. Both agreed we
could come and teach them. (The difference between English people and
foreigners lol amelia u are blessed.) aw man it was so fun using my
espanol. I didn't have much difficulty saying things but understanding
what they were saying back....... lol...... that was quite the
experience... we also knocked into a Russian woman and all my Russian
my Ukrainian comp taught me in the MTC came in handy!!!! :) (hello,
How are you, good, thank you, elder, pencil, and bird) all the
essentials. ;) we are teaching her next week!

Saw the woman who was excommunicated. We showed up when they were
eating dinner and i kid you not there was spaghetti all over the
floors walls ceiling and on every inch of each child (4). Whenever we
go there the children just crawl all over us. And sure enough they did
that day as well... covered in spaghetti!!!!!! so that was not an
experience I will cherish forever...

There is a less active older woman called flora from Iraq whom we
visit about once a week. It is her culture to give and give so much
even if you say no she still gives it to us. Last time she basically
forced us to paint our nails haha, and then when we were leaving we
told her we had to go eat dinner. She asked if we wanted her to make
us pizza and we said no. She immediately went to her kitchen and made
us pizza, beans, peaches, cookies, hot chocolate, (even though 80
degrees outside) apple strudel, and ice cream. Every time we go over
she asks us if we have a boyfriend and when we say no she goes "why???
You have face?? You have legs??? You have feet and feet fingers?????"
Haha bless flora.

Still working with our sweet little part member fam with the husband
on a baptism date!!!! They are doing really well. :) we also have a
less active who told us her daughter wants to meet with us this week
so that was just what we needed after a week full of rejection haha.

This week I finished the book of mosiah!!!! I love the "mighty change
of heart" within alma the younger and the sons of mosiah. My favourite
verse is Mosiah 28: 3 "Now they were desirous that salvation should be
declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human
soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should
endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble."

Right after their conversion, they wanted to do whatever it took to
preach and help be an instrument in the hand of the lord toward the
salvation of others!!!! I love this. The depth of your conversion
reflects upon your desire to help others!!!! And you do not have to be
a missionary to do this!!!!:) I want to invite you all to read mosiah
27 - 28 and read about "the mighty change" and think about what you
can do to be more deeply converted!!!:)

Cheers,
Sister McEwan xxx

Pictures:

1) Pretty shortcut we take to walk to the chapel
2) Besties
3) England in one photo lol. Love me the chippy
4) chillin in the library enjoying all the lessons who have FLOGGED us. :(
5) When this happens........ :(
6) High school mates :)