Bye England Helloooo WALES!

Helllloooo earthlings! (Ew)

Anyways I am moving! To a different country! :) Excited to see what’s in store for me in Cardiff, Wales!!!! It is the capital of wales and right on the coast so I’m really looking forward to no longer being landlocked ;);) it will be 
lovely! I am follow up training a girl named sister Siri-ek from Thailand!! Thailand, Albania, Ukraine, Armenia, Canada, Guyana, you can’t get much more foreign than sis McEwans comps! Shout out to de cap though you’re not that foreign. Ohanyan I love you so much. Sinumem kez shat gyankes.

OH MY GOODNESS DE CAP AND OHANYAN ARE COMPANIONS I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS!!! NEVER BEEN SO HAPPY. wish we could be in a trio wouldn’t that be fun. My two besties in Peterborough. 

ANYWAYS 

I’m sad to be leaving Worcester so soon. Last night was really hard saying goodbye to members and friends I have become so close to. One of the 90 year olds wanted to throw me a going away party tonight haha I love her bless her. A few are planning a kidnapping so I can stay in Worcester till the end ;) one old man said ‘oh it’s such a shame you are leaving, but do you think you could leave your eyelashes here?’ HAHAHAHA. hoping this’ll be my last area though done with these goodbyes!!

I want to send lots of love and kisses to my beautiful sister Amelia off to uruguay!!!! We will both be traveling to different countries on Tuesday if that makes you feel any better?:) knowing you’re in this with me makes it so much better. I know you’re so excited and I couldn’t be more proud of you. Wish I could have seen you speak yesterday. I love you Mia!!

Yesterday we had a European broadcast with elder Ballard which was UNREAL I wish everyone could have seen it (I think you can though on lds.org maybe? Totally worth a watch)

One bit I loved is he said that we must pray to be excited to be a member of the one and only true church. I love this. There are so many things in this gospel to be excited about. He told us not to be ashamed to be a member and to tell your friends!! He said ‘what will you say to them? I do not know’ (loved that) ‘but let the spirit work in you’ it is different for every person. There is no one way solution to bring people unto Christ. And I’m sure if anyone knows that it’s god himself ;) The important thing is to follow the spirit. Because he knows exactly how that person is going to recognise the truth in our precious message. 

Amelia. If there is any advice I could give you for your mission.... Grandma Butler sent a quote from Sister Larsen who spoke at your farewell. I couldn’t have said this any better. 

“When we do our duty, we do things well, When we do it with love, we do it beautifully.”

Do all things with love, and your mission will be nothing but a success. (Your mission in life, your mission in church, your mission in anything) I can promise you that. 

I love you all. 

Cheers,

Sister McEwan xxxx

Photos!

1) leaves in Malvern 

2) yay! Autumn. 

3) church I liked in Malvern 

4) this dog ran into our house we captured it though and fed it bacon don’t worry 

5) great scripture in almaaaaaa

6) district meeting pictures! Opheikens going home ;(

7) welsh badge. How do you pronounce it? No clue. 

This is written about Madeline from a couple who has dearly loved and given great service to her in England. It was sent to my parents as they have developed a friendship both being Madeline's "grandparents."

As you probably know by now that Madeline will be moving to Cardiff on Tuesday. We have so much enjoyed her serving in Worcester and will miss her lovely spirit very much. We are so glad we had her over for dinner last Thursday (she thought that she may be leaving) so we just had to make sure we had her at our home just in case she was going to be transferred. 

Thank you for the three photos of her when she was a baby and little girl they did make us smile but in a nice way. She has given us a few more of when she was a little girl. She was a lovely little girl. 

We were looking forward so much to meeting her from the day you were at Gadfield Elm and told us she would be coming to the Birmingham England Mission, so when she finally came it was as if we knew her already and the past three months we have got to know her a lot more and grown to love her very much. She is a special missionary with a special spirit, that makes her stand out as a lovable person. We will keep in touch with her through emails and told her we can’t fix her bike or have her over for dinner anymore, but will encourage her and share our testimony and love for her through emails for the last four months of her mission.  

She told our Grand daughter Jessica at church yesterday that she was her sister as they have the same grand parents which made us very happy to be her English grand parents. 

We love this picture of her she gave us of her with her sisters 

We will keep In touch with you with any news we have and will see her again before she goes home as we have to give her something for you to bring home with her

Love 

Bernard & Val 

Rigby's Baptism and Back to KIDDIE

HEY GUYS 

Good week in Worcester. Very tired but that’s okay. 

So no I’m not getting transferred back to kiddie but I GOT TO GO BACK THIS WEEK!!!! And it was the best day of my mission I think. 

So there is the sweetest family of 4 little kids that live in Kidderminster but they attend the Cannock ward with their dad (my first area) and I became so close with their sweet mom who is a less active member in kiddie. Anyways their little boy rigby was baptised!!! And they asked if I could come so I pleaded with my mission pres and he let me. :) words can’t explain my happiness as I walked off the train back to kiddie. WOW even just the smell of the chapel brought back so many memories haha I was in tears.  It it was so special because all my favourites from both my first 2 areas were there. Cant even tell you how good it was. Being surrounded by so many that I love. At so many times I kept thinking “wow this is what heaven will feel like”

My grandpa McEwan shared with my a scripture that so very fits how I feel about these people!!! “I love the scripture in Alma 27: 4 that expresses this congenial love and affection.  "Ammon and his brethren saw ...............those whom they so dearly beloved, and among those who had so dearly beloved them---for they were treated as though they were angels sent from God to save them from everlasting destruction." 

These people are my angels sent from god. 

They had me in the program as well they asked me to give a testimony just before he was confirmed which was really special. :) I just love that family with my whole heart. 

Driving home was random. We were going to take the train but this random family from Weymouth insisted on driving us back to Worcester cos they were going down south. Haha missions are weird you just get in the car with strangers all the time (members don’t worry)

Well other than that haha I don’t really have anything that tops that. 

FACEBOOK has come to the England Birmingham mission. Ha. The last mission in the British isles to get it. So if you see me on Facebook don’t stress lol. Cracking down on loads of rules as well we will be trained on how to use it for proselyting this week.... 

Our investigators are the same. Still coming out to church but have their own road blocks which is frustrating. Regina is doing so well and she will be baptised it just won’t be right now. But she is totally taking control of the lessons and on top of coming out to church as well. One of our investigators who struggles with the plan of happiness was just told she has cancer which was really hard for her. Her brother is in the ward and he wasn’t there today but she still came (progress) I think she wants comfort and knows where to find it she just can’t admit that. ;) but she asked for a priesthood blessing which was cool 😎 it was great because all the testimony’s today were about the priesthood and “having the faith to not receive the miracle” I think it was good for her. 

We’ve made playing the piano at the cathedral a weekly ritual. :) it is always a great experience playing the hymns there and the workers are always really happy when I come to play a little :)

We met some great people this week and got let in while knocking doors on Wednesday. We got to teach about the Book of Mormon to 2 girls they were really sweet and asking lots of questions it was cool gonna go back Tuesday :)

We did service for this old woman and man who are husband and wife and suffer from dementia we just had to sit with them and keep them company for a couple hours giving their daughter (a member) a break. It was hilarious listening to them talk to eachother. the man kept forgetting where he lived (we were at their home where their daughter takes care of them) anyways his wife kept saying “darling, we live here! This is our home!” And he would be like “no this is not where I live” and she would be like “no darling we have lived here for 3 years this is our home!” Then he would be like “when will we go back home?” Literally repeat that conversation over and over and over for an hour straight. Then he FINALLY UNDERSTOOD that’s where he Lived. About 5 mins later we brought in his dinner, he put it on his lap to eat and he said “wow this looks great, I’ll eat this then we can go home dear” hahahahahahahaha I was dying. His wife was SO FRUSTRATED Hahahaha bless these 90 year olds. 

Went to Malvern one day and locked our bikes at the co-op Some CHAVS decided it would be super nice of them to steal my hand grips off my bike and my front tire as well?????? But not to worry Bernard Haw came to save the day!!! As always bless him. The haws came to pick up my bike and he spent the next day fixing it bless him then he came back had bought me lights, new tire, and fixed my brakes!!! Such a good guy then he said “that’s what grandads do! They have to take care of their grandkids!!” Haha so cute. 

Well I’m super boring this week and don’t have anything else good. Just hiked the MALVERN HILLS sooo beautiful!! Will send pics. 

While reviewing conference from last week I found so much that I had unknowingly missed!!! I would highly encourage reading and rereading the instruction given by Gods chosen servants! Their messages come directly from HIM! 

One that I really enjoyed studying this week was Elder Bednars. He quoted my favourite scripture: Because of the saviours atonement a mighty change takes place in us, “we have no more disposition to do evil but to do good continually” mosiah 5:2

My favourite thing that he said was that “our scales of distortion will fall from our eyes” 

When we come to know the saviour, and use his atonement in our lives, we no longer long for the things of the world. So how can we do this?

He goes on to say: We too often allow ourselves to come down to the level of the world. The sabbath day helps us rise above the corruption of the world. 

I love this!!!! So often people ask us what is the importance of going to church? Why would I need to do that when I already know what I need to? If I’m living a good life? Well it can help us rise above the world! Our worldly desires fade. Church give us that extra motive and spirit to do this. We read! We go to church! We pray! And we no longer desire to do evil, but to do GOOD continually :):) 

I love you all. Thank you for all your support. I am cherishing every day. 

Cheers,

Sister McEwan xxx

Pictures: lots this week will send another email 

1) THE WORK in action. Sister mamajanyan teaching on the train :) 

2) my new ride at the museum lol

3) museum a member took us to so random

4) museum 

5) sunset while tracting 

6) WELCOME TO KIDDERMINSTER 

7) THE MALWES my favourites from Cannock 

8) sister MCCALL my other favourite from Cannock!!!:)

9) RIGBYs baptism bless him he is so sweet 

10) Sarah my girl  

11) my children 

12) I scream you scream we ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM!!

Great Malvern 🍃🌻

To Them Who Love God

“I love the British summer, it is my favourite day of the year”

“Oh my goodness, I think I’ve overslept and missed summer!!”  - Quentin L. Cook

The most true statements to ever be said at general conference 😋 Love the British sarcasm and humour. Don’t love it’s summer all too much though. And just like that it’s over!!! Welcome back darkness at 4 pm and rain ALL DAY EVERY DAY! 

Crashed again this week.. the joys of biking as a missionary. Had a giggle during one of the talks which mentioned it. But yeah might have not been paying attention and ran into a pole... I didn’t get hurt just banged up my hand and my front tire haha bless... my neighbor attempted to fix the bike but just messed up the front brake and we haven’t had a chance to get it checked out yet. So it’s been kinda scary only having partial brakes 

One night we were biking home in the pitch black. I didn’t have any lights (just bought some don’t worry) it was POURING RAIN and my brakes werent working properly(just fixed them don't worry) so you could say I was really scared ha. I prayed the entire 30 minutes home. Gods hand was definitely in that situation. WHICH BRINGS ME TO Ronald A Rasbands talk which I absolutely loved. That god is in even the small aspects of our lives. That “not even a sparrow falls to the ground without his notice.”

Tuesday we had zone conference in Cheltenham. We recieved some training for the upcoming poppy appeal in November we get to volunteer for again this year!! I loved it last year, love the poppies. :). went to Birmingham after with sister smith! Good times. Love being in Birmingham it’s my favourite. 

But I missed my sister Gjika!! I love exchanges they make you appreciate your companion more haha. Missed Worcester as well. Worcester is ready for miracles and god will bring those who are ready for our message to us as “fast as we can receive it” I’m really hoping this ward can kick their new vision into gear so we can build up this area! Missionary work is impossible without the members. 

News on investigators... they’ve all come across some sort of doctrine that is a stumbling block for them. Regina it’s the word of wisdom. She doesn’t want to give up alcohol because if is a very social thing in Portugal... Joan is struggling with our views on same sex marriage. So we will see what happens. We are planing to do a lot of finding this week. We had a miracle where we prayed for a street and knocked into a less active part member family! So that was neat we are looking forward to working with them. 

Yesterday Bernard Haw (the legend, favourite member here) set up conference for the missionaries at the Worcester chapel as it was only being shown at the stake centre in Cheltenham which is ages away. Bless him. So it was fun watching it with him. He would always make silly remarks during the speakers. When president nelson was talking about choosing diamonds or rubies or the book of Mormon he said "well I would definitely choose diamonds, I already have a book of Mormon!" hahaha bless reminded me of something my granddad would say ;) 

I have been sat in front of a blank screen for several minutes trying to adequately express my thoughts and feelings from this weekends conference. 

My personal conversion has changed. As Elder Rasband remarked, I have "progressed to a place I never imagined."

I loved every moment. My favourite talk was by Ronald A. Rasband.. I love how it coincided perfectly with a recent training given by President Leppard at zone conference. How Alma found Amulek "by the way." He said that, "God does not do things by coincidence but by divine design, looking back we can see his hand in our lives." Looking back on my mission and thinking about every person I have met "by the way" has in no way been a coincidence. I know that those people were placed in my path by divine design. I am forever changed by knowing them. 

This has given me a greater knowledge on God's omnipotence. Like King Lamonis father, I too have the desire to "give all my sins to know thee." I want to change whatever needs to be changed in the coming weeks to come closer to him. I want him in every aspect of my life, in the small things, and in the milestones. Because he can make more of me than I can make of myself. 

I felt that the theme for this conference was that "all things work together for good to them that love god." My love has increased for my God this weekend. I feel much closer to the spirit, and I will continue to nourish that so it does not fade. 

Elder Zwicks talk made me feel so close to home. I was overcome with emotions every piece the choir performed, and every time missionary work was mentioned. Each speaker, and their countenances, strengthened my testimony. These men are truly called of God. How can this work NOT be true? It is. I know it is. 

Let us read and reread these inspired words from God!!!! MAY WE NEVER TIRE DESCOVERING AND REDESCOVERING THESE PRECIOUS TRUTHS OF THE GOSPEL. I love you guys.

Cheers,

Sister McEwan xxx

Pictures

1) we are all in Cheltenham zone haha best mates 

2) my day ones. 

3) you grow another chin on a mission......

4) best ward coordination ever! And saying bye to elder Stephenson:(

5) everyone was in Birmingham on exchanges for this coordination it was so much fun haha love this group of people. 

6) Birmingham 

7) I look like an amputee but it’s fine 

8) about to take on the ENGLISH WEATHER trio life for a day. So fun.

A few more pics...

1) playing piano at the priory in Great Malvern 

2) gen conf on the Saturday 

3) sister power 

4) Cheltenham missionaries at gen conf 

5) SPIDER IN OUR FLAT 

6) Sunday gen conf 

7) birthday ice cream today with a recent convert from Romania andrei!

8) Cheltenham zone conference 

9) tarapi! 

Last General Conference on the Mission!

Good afternoon from the uk!!! Another week down....

Taught our cute Bulgarian family English. We were running a little
late in the morning so called them to let them know, and their 3 year
old Dinaset answered and was trying to communicate with us but can
barely speak hahaha. Then we went to the door and he answered and just
went "welcome! Come in! Come in!" He sat us down and brought us a
Bulgarian pastry and coke then his mom walked in behind him. She sat
down, he went outside and picked a flower for her, and when we were
finished eating he took our plates into the kitchen HAHA it was
adorable!!!! They fed us soooo much. Even when we'd say "oh no thank
you, I'm full" they'd come out with a plate of cookies and sweets.

We had district meeting this week in Evesham as our chapel in
Worcester is being renovated. It wasn't even a chapel though they have
church at the top floor of an old apartment building. Haven't served
in an area like that as of yet but it was really neat to see. Made me
so thankful for all the chapels we are blessed with back home.

This week we stopped by a less actives work, he always gives us free
food and drinks :) anyways there was this big missionary workshop in
Merthyr Tydfil in Wales this weekend which isn't too far from
Worcester so we invited him to go be a pretend missionary for a couple
days there. :) he said he couldn't decide if he should go so we
flipped a coin. If he flipped heads he'd stay, if he flipped tails
he'd go, and god was obviously in our favour so he flipped tails. :)
so right after we went to the computer and signed him up!!!! He had a
great experience :)

We did a fun day of service in tenbury for some members!!!!  We were
cleaning out a brook. I'll send some pics dad you'll be proud. Reacted
in the rain lots this week. It's hilarious because people will answer
the door and be like "wow you look so miserable out in the rain! What
a shame!" Then close the door haha. Yesterday we knocked into an old
dude who gave us a tour of his garden for 30 minutes. It had like 4
flowers in it and wasn't even nice but that's ok we pretended to care
hahaha missionary life.

We had all of our Portuguese investigators at church on Sunday. It was
so fun seeing a row of them up at the front. They are so attentive and
participate really well in the lessons. We played football with them
all on Saturday again which was a blast :) also a miracle because some
members were at the park playing tennis so they got to join in and
fellowship:):)

Watched the restoration with Andrew and his girlfriend Monday he loved
it. Hopefully he will be baptised next month!!!! :):)

I am really looking forward to GEN CONF this weekend. It will be such
a treat. We cannot take this time for granted!!!!! We must fill
ourselves spiritually :):) so when "the devil shall send forth his
mighty winds - it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the
gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are
built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build
they cannot fall."

KISSES FROM ENGLAND 😘

Cheers,
Sister McEwan xxxx

Pictures:

1) chapel in Evesham
2) teaching with Matt!
3) almost poppy season!! We get to sell them soon again.
4) tennis with our Portuguese crew
5) cool tower at the members home :) they have a house in here!! So sick.
6) helping the hurricane damage in England ;)
7) mud!!!!
8) cheeky Joseph during church hahahaha
9) our sick gospel principles class :) love teaching it!!!!
10) sister willmore!!!! She works at the office in the misssion.
Wilford woodruff baptised her great great grandpa!!!! :):)
11) best mates. Eating dinner at bishops.