"The Lord doesn't only lead us to the elect, He leads the elect to us."

Bore Da! Hiya Hiya!

I know I keep talking about all this sun we've been getting...This week was different. Downpour...but nothing changed! We've still been running all over the town!

We saw Kirsty this week! She is doing so good! With her busy schedule, we've only been able to see her once a week, but she still is coming along. We are now in the "good stuff" teaching the commandments. We taught the Word of Wisdom this past time and it was a surprise to her but after our member's testimony, and some promised blessings, she accepted. She has some things to overcome, but she is determined. She even said, "Ya know, it is about time I stop smoking. I've done it before, I can do it again."

We knew the Word of Wisdom would be one of the hardest for her so we went in bold and started with it.  She really needs a faith building experience, and overcoming the Word of Wisdom and seeing the blessings is one way to see that faith grow.

I don't know if I ever told you about Liam. He was a man we taught and then saw him come to church with us. The only problem was that he dropped us right after sacrament meeting. He said, "I just cant believe in God, and I don't want to waste your time."  We tried our best to convince him that he wasn't, but it didn't seem to work, and he left....

Well, since that time we spotted him in the Rhyl town centre, and ran him down to see how we was doing. I told him to give us one more lesson. He agreed and, oh, we had an AMAZING lesson with him. We read Mormon 9, and focused on how he could gain faith. This lesson was 10 times better than the first in that he wasn't having a negative "I can't" statement every 2 minutes. We ended the lesson with a kneeling prayer and committed him to do his own "kneeling prayer" that night. He didn't accept a commitment to come to church, but said he would read and pray

Well at around 9:10 that night we got a text..."Hey Elda, I prayed for my son and family. See you at church on Sunday." And he surely did come! And stayed the entire time! The ward was AMAZING at fellow shipping him. I think he met the entire ward. He was even introduced in Priesthood. (He loved that). And our High Priest Group Leader would stop during the lesson and explain our "terms" as members. (Home teaching, Priesthood, etc). It was a much better time at church for him this time. We are planning on playing football with him this week, and seeing him tomorrow to teach!  What a miracle..

Also, he is from Liverpool. That makes 3 of our investigators from there. Kirsty, David, and Liam...No wonder they're so great. I cant get enough of their accent. "That Book is well nice Elda"  -Liam

This week I headed to Colwyn Bay for an exchange with Elder Hansen. (I came out with him, and was in the same district in the MTC). While in Colwyn Bay Elder Hansen and I were blessed to be apart of many miracles. We had the day planned out for finding pretty much all day with no investigator lessons planned..  We ended up teaching 3 lessons with 7 new investigators. I credit that to Elder Hansen's urgency and finding skills. He has been working on applying our "finding" training and was able to keep finding "interesting" which as a result kept us up beat, on our toes, giving full attention to our finding. We were able to teach 2 on the spot lessons...one being in the rain!  What a trooper she was!

The other reason for the miracles was simply out of the tender mercies of the Lord. We had a mother run us down to have us speak to her son. After speaking to him, she invited us over that evening. We went and taught the entire family. It goes to show that Lord doesn't only lead us to the elect, He leads the elect to us.  We just have to be ready and worthy to receive them.

I don't know why but in the past two weeks we have had TWO flat inspections. No worries though the flat has always been clean.

Elder Corbin and I also learned this week some interesting things about a town called "St. George," which is just a couple miles to the west. We were told by the members that back in the early days the entire town was baptised, then migrated to the U.S. There is so much history in this mission...

Sports Day is this Wednesday.. aka Showtime...

LOVE YOU ALL!

Elder Eliason

Zone Conference Letter from President Bullock

Dear Parents,

We had two special zone conferences this week with Elder Allan F. Packer of the First Quorum of the Seventy.  He was visiting the England Manchester Mission with his wife Sister Terri Packer as they were here on assignment that included other meetings in the U.K.  It has been over a year and a half since we had a General Authority visit our mission so we were blessed to have them here and feel of their spirit and listen to their instruction and counsel. 

Attached you will find two pictures: 1) one in front of the Preston Temple (#55) which is next to the Chorley Stake Centre where the meeting was held for the Ashton, Chorley, Liverpool and Preston Zones, and 2) another one in front of the Manchester Stake Centre (#77) where the meeting was held for the Manchester, Chester and Newcastle Zones and for all Chinese speaking missionaries.  You should be able to find your son/daughter in one of those two pictures.   

We feel so blessed to have such wonderful missionaries in this mission and we marvel at their faithfulness and diligence as they go about the Lord’s work.  This is a reflection of them being raised well in loving homes.  You can be very proud of your missionary and we are grateful to serve with them.     

Warm regards,

President and Sister Bullock

England Manchester Mission  

Picture #77 -- Me and Elder Corbin are peeking out from the back just left of center, back row.

Picture #55--Going to Miss President and Sister Bullock!

The Little Things Matter...

At Zone Conference I ran into my trainer, Elder Moss (to my right). To my left is my trainee Elder Corbin.

HIYA!

Weeks are flying by! I cannot believe school is almost out and Dallin had a birthday...

But this week was fabulous. It started off unbelievably with the Mission Conference up in my hometown (Wythenshawe), that you got a picture of. How great are the Bullocks!

But the mission conference was a great experience, one that I will remember for a long time. President and Sister Bullock spoke, then Elder and Sister Packer spoke soon after. Sister Packer really touched on some topics that have been ringing in my mind all week. Some quotes I took from here talk were..  "The Lord is in the details", and "don't let the little things trip you up." Each of these statements have reinforced to me the importance of the "little things". 

Leaving the flat 2 minutes late, filling in half of the back-up plans are just some examples of ways we can look over the "little things" which in contrast are very big and influential things. If we break one rule, we can justify to break another.

Elder Packer stood up to the pulpit and simply said, "Lets have a Q and A session." So we did, we fired questions, and he definitely answered. It was a learning experience for all of us. When we would ask a question, he would answer and use it as a topic to teach us something. So all in all it was like 30 talks squeezed into one. It was great. One thing that stood out to me was when he said "The Mission President receives revelation on where you serve... It's up to you to receive the revelation on why you have been called to serve there."

Elder Gallacher (our Assistant) and I were tracting in the late evening and came to the house of Ollie. We QGC'd him at the door and asked to come in. He reluctantly accepted and invited us into his room. We were able to teach him about the Book of Mormon, and then very early on commit him to baptism. When we hit him with that commitment he really understood the importance of the message we were sharing. I again am grateful to be a missionary at a time where we invite to baptism in the first lesson. It makes all the difference... Ollie's lessons have since fallen through. But I know we made who we are, and what is expected of us clear for him in the future.

Kirsty is still in Liverpool...aka the blessed land of the UK.... She has had to stay some extra time because of a friend, but has been in contact with us making sure that we come see her on Wednesday.. She is still going very good.

We have been teaching a kid by the name of Tom recently. He is 17 and lives up in Dyserth, which hugs the mountain range behind us here in Rhyl. We taught him the Plan of Salvation this past Saturday. It was a great lesson where he really understood everything. He is our second most progressing investigator at the moment..

Now that I have been out for a little bit now I have really been able to gain a testimony of "Preach My Gospel." President Bullock has instilled in us the importance of it. He always explains to us that we should revere it as scripture. Knowing it has been written by the Apostles and First Presidency. Elder Bednar has challenged us to "become Preach My Gospel, and not just merely know it."

I can say that it has helped me learn to become a greater tool in the Lords hand by knowing how to work "smarter" and not "harder," while also giving me an understanding of my purpose as a missionary. One of my favourite lines is "As your understanding of the atonement of Jesus Christ grows, your desire to share the gospel will increase." I know that to be true because it has happened to me. People need to know about these things! And when I have felt the magnitude of the gospel and the responsibility that I have to make it known, I have no option but to work hard! Thats the same for members! How's your missionary work going?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY D! 

Love Love, Love

Elder Eliason

Love Zone Conferences...Spiritually Fed

The Royal Wedding. It was quite an event over here as you can imagine. 

Our best attempt at a ping pong table.

Another winner past Elder Corbin. I've still got it... Like the matchy shirts?

Zone Conference! Zone Leaders in coats.

Hello, Hello!

I hope I answered most of your questions yesterday on the phone call!  but I'll add some little tid-bits on the week that I might not of mentioned...

We had Zone Conference this past week and it sure was a good one! I got to meet up with Elder Moss and catch up. He is now a Zone Leader in Newcastle and is doing great. We had our "generation" picture. Him with me and Elder Corbin. He still is as funny as ever. We had a good laugh talking about our times together, and all of our experiences. Crazy to think it has been 6 months since I was walking the streets with him.

President Bullock during Zone Conferences likes to speak on something for our benefit, rather than a "training." I love that he does that because it really helps us build upon our own testimonies and learn more in-depth about the gospel. Topics he has spoken about in the past:

• Allegory of the Olive Tree in Depth
• The Great Apostasy
• Sign of the Second Coming
• 2 Steps to Personal Apostasy

A s you can see, they are some pretty interesting topics that always get us as missionaries excited for Zone Conferences. 

This one was "True Evidences of the Reality of the Book of Mormon." He of course started off telling us that a testimony of the Book of Mormon is only true and lasting when based on a witness through the spirit. But he went on to add that "evidences" can act as appendages to a testimony. He went through a PowerPoint of all of these so called "witnesses" he would call up to the stand. It was very interesting! 

I know I touched upon the Tea Appointment with Elder Donaldson on the phone call but it truly was a memorable experience. He has so much knowledge about the gospel and such a conviction for missionary work. Elder Corbin and I asked all the questions we could. He also printed off  a "Prophecies about the U.K" that he got from another Seventy. It was written by Parley P. Pratt and Joseph Smith and isn't widely known about. It was about some things that are to come and some that have already happened. It was profound! 

On Tuesday we contacted a 20 year old, David Gallacher on the street. He accpeted to be taught right then, and loved the message. He just moved from Liverpool (no wonder he was so great!) and is staying with his grandpa. After he walked away we got a text from him saying "Am lookin forward to learning more about this. Everything you said makes sense. See you Thursday, David."  We indeed did see him on Thursday and he was well excited for everything. He had read 3 chapters of the Book of Mormon and is doing great! The only problem is that he is a chav, and they have a reputation to lose contact. But we'll see!

Tonight I will be back in Wythenshawe! We are heading there early to stay the night in preparation for Elder Packer of the Seventy.

LOVE YA'LL!

Elder Eliason

Royal Wedding...Passed Theory Test...Faith in the Lord's Timetable

Bore Da!

Well after this so called "Royal Wedding" and 4-day holiday I am finally writing!  It's been a good week. Sun is still out all the time and the face is getting quite tan...while the neck is staying quite white. Tan line looks... well... nice.

I passed my driver's theory test! The same lady was working the counter and you better believe I got my signature on the first try! She even made a comment when I came up, "Oh, I remember you." But now that I have passed, it is time to get some driving lessons and learn how to drive a stick.

This week we spent a lot of time teaching Leon, our miracle kid who ran up to us. We taught him nearly four times and he was doing very well. We even found him a white shirt and tie for Sunday. But as Sunday arrived, his phone was turned off and he didn't show. Later in the day we called him and his Dad told us he wanted to slow it down. It was hard for us to hear but we will give him another call in a week or so. I know Leon is amazing and he will turn it around! 

On Sunday we had two appointments fall through, while also having Leon drop us, so I started to get frustrated, but while walking through the bus station Kirsty ran us down and said "I'm back from Ireland!" This was while she was sitting there with her friends who were mocking her for talking to "Bible People." She was not phased and was excited to see us. She said she was headed to Liverpool for two days then would be back. She said "text me Wednesday and I'll see you then!" It was such a tender mercy for us that we needed.

That's one of the biggest lessons I have learned here in Rhyl. God is in control. We do not know what is in store or what will happen in a week. All things are done in wisdom. I have seen it again and again. I will get a little bit down or frustrated, wondering why no one will listen. Then BAM...we see a miracle. I have learned bit by bit how patience is necessary in missionary work. It has taught me to put away my "time-table" and have faith in the Lord's.  

This past week we were able to be at a tea appointment with an older couple in the ward. They went on about the history of the church in this area. I was amazed at all the events that have occurred here. The first church in Northern Wales was in Abergele, (which is where we found Kirsty). Dan Jones and John Taylor were there preaching. And in the town just 10 minutes away, Rhuddlan, they used to ring a bell in the town centre to have everyone come out and listen to the missionaries. It brought back the rush of excitement I felt as I read about the history of our mission in our binder at the beginning of my stay in the Preston MTC.  I truly am grateful to be apart of the EMM (England Manchester Mission), and to continue in adding to the history.

Yes, we did get to watch the Royal Wedding! It was quite the event. We watched it at the home of a less active Bonnie and Martin. There have been flags and banners everywhere for the past couple of weeks. It was exciting to be over here for the event, something I will remember for awhile!

Tonight we have Dinner with a member of the Area Seventy, Elder Donaldson. He is a member of the Rhyl ward and has just gotten back into town. So that will be exciting!

I wont be able to Skype this time, but I will call you around 3:00 over here, which will be about 9:00 am over there.

Talk to you soon!

LOVE,

Elder Eliason

THANK YOU FOR THE CARDS! did you get a deal on the big size cards? I like it. Whats next... poster size? All I need is a poster size card of Dallin flexin it at the gym. That will give me the will power to workout.

Here Comes the Sun!

Our beach front property...

Chinese...English...Gaelic

Our district before last transfer. The sisters have been replaced with Elders.

The sun is out and we've been loving it!

This is our flat. It's called a Masonette. We have all elderly neighbors. It's lovely.

 

Hello!

All is well here in Rhyl! The sun has been shining non-stop, and we are not complaining!  It has yielded  many on-the-spot lessons, and great new investigators. One of them is Leon. He came running up to me and started firing off questions about Christianity. We pointed out a bench and taught this eager kid right there about the restoration. His situation reminds me of Elder Tellem's conversion story, who was street contacted at the age of 15. Leon's parents are willing to let us teach him so we are excited to see what happens!

Elder Corbin is doing very well. He continues to be a very hard working and urgent missionary. He is also a great example at time management. He's always prepared and ready to pop out the door after lunch, and tea breaks. It really shows his desire for the work!

This past Sunday was a good one! The speakers were the Bishop and his wife. They gave a great talk about the significance of the Atonement and the last week of Jesus Christ's life. It all pumped me up and gave me that boost for the week. We also were showered with food from the members. What a treat!

On Saturday we headed up to Chester for District Leaders council with the Zone Leaders. We just sat together and came up with the "Weekly Focus's" for the upcoming weeks, and reviewed what we want out of the transfer. It's a good time to be in the "Chester Zone" a lot of good things are happening! 

This transfer is going to be a busy one. We have 6 exchanges planed, one with the Assistants. For Elder Corbin's "Assistants Exchange" one with the Zone Leaders and then two each with the members of the district, Bangor, and Colwyn Bay. We also have another Sports Day this transfer with the soon departure of President Bullock. He said he has to throw another touchdown before he leaves UK soil. We also have a member of the First Seventy coming in a week or so, Elder Packer. 

We taught a man named William at a bus station in Prestatyn, then hopped on his bus to Rhyl with him and taught the rest there. It was quite the exciting event. Goes to show what some sunshine can do. Everyone has been down at the beach this past week. Our street out front is always packed.

I am grateful for the time to celebrate Easter. I am grateful for the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. I know that he is the Savior of the entire world. I know that he did rise again. That he does live! I know that it is important that people know this! So I will do what is necessary, to contact on the streets, knock doors, even contact on trains and buses. There is peace in the atonement of Jesus Christ that can work into our lives, but only if we 1) know about it and 2) apply it through living his gospel. 

Sorry this letter is so short, and all over the place!  Not much time today...

LOVE,

Elder Eliason

Elder Tellem Transferred... Drivers License Issues

Oh, Hiya! Ya' Right?

It has been another beautiful week here in sunny Rhyl, and somehow we are already at transfers!

Well the "news" goes as follows... Elder Tellem has been shipped off to Chorley to white-wash in with a good friend of mine Elder Birliba from Moldova. Elder Corbin and I will stay the same. As for my district, the sisters who were in Bangor, have been replaced by Chinese speaking Elders. One of them being Elder Eggers! It's a pretty funny situation they are in because they are white-washing into the area, and it is a car area.  Elder Eggers or Elder Tai definitely have no experiences with the stick shift. We'll see how this goes! hah!

Elder Corbin continues to do very well in his first few weeks. He is such a fearless missionary and is always asking for tips and ways to improve. One of his strengths continues to be his organization. His planner, desk, room are all crisp and always maintained. Such a strength in a young missionary. I'm already a seasoned vet in that aspect...have been before I came out, right mum?

This past week and a half has been a lot of finding, once again.  Our day usually consists of waking up at 6:30, study till 10:00, head out and talk to people till 12:00. Then head out for another 4 hours at 1. Then at night we usually will have an appointment or two. It has been a different experience than usual as I said before, but I am adapting and loving the new "style" this area brings.

Yesterday we taught a Chinese woman!  It brought back all the memories of Liverpool. We found her on Monday, and set up a time for yesterday. As Chinese people do, she was right on time and curious to what we were going to share. She is very good, and we are excited to see where it goes. The only problem is she is married to a Welsh man, and he seems to not be the biggest fan. We'll work on him!

Now on the Bad News front... I failed my Theory Test yesterday! By two questions...unreal. I almost didn't even get to take the test. In order to take the test you first must sign your name. We'll apparently I wasn't doing it right because the woman at the desk made me do it four different times then had me sit down. After everyone else had made it through she called me up again. This time saying, "You have two more chances to match the signature on your licence, If you don't match it up, you will forfeit your chance to take the test." Talk about pressure! So my first try?... False. I was down to my last shot. And then of course, I came through with the victory...haha. I don't know what she was going on about. It looked the same every single time.

So all in all it wasn't the best morning I've had, but I'll get another shot at it soon enough! 

This week I had a big study on "Unity." It really put into perspective how essential the doctrine of unity is. It's one of the basic units of the gospel. One of the most common concerns we get on the street is, "How can there be a god? Look at all the wars and troubles going on?" It's true, people have used their agency and in some cases this world can be torn apart by opinions, and prejudice. I've learned the only thing that can bring us all together is choosing "truth." Truth doesn't waiver, it is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And when people choose truth, the influence of the Holy Ghost is present. Then the fruits are shown and the evidence is seen. 

When Jesus Christ appeared to the Nephites he gave them the authority and power to baptize. This so that there would be "no disputations" among them. I know that what we share is truth. It leads to real answers that give comfort and understanding. It brings families closer together and brings unity that is needed to stay strong in these days of adversity.

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

Elder Eliason

Suit Coats Are Off!

This is our "band album cover" -- band name undecided. Maybe The Rhyll Chill

The landscaping one is our front yard...

Elder Tellem crocheting, and trying to teach us. He is quite the talented Welshman.. Knitting, Gardener, Cook.  He's got it all... I love it!

from our "View Point"on the way to a dinner appointment..

Conwy Castle, Wales UK

Hello!

What a week!  The suit-coats have been off, and we have had some b-e-a-utiful weather here in Rhyl. People are flocking to this town like birds, and that's how we like it..

Update on Kirsty:

We saw her once this past week and watched the Finding Faith in Christ DVD... Again she expressed how her faith is growing and she is seeing more and more how "real" this gospel is. Her Book of Mormon reading has been key to building her faith. We gave her the first few chapters of Mosiah, and she blew through them like a champ. They were good chapters for her talking about children and charity. She says they are her favourite thus far, and the "old English" style is getting easier and easier to understand. The only downer is she is leaving for Dublin today for two weeks. So it will be a little bit before we see her again, but before we could even say it she said, "No worries, I'm taking the book with me." She's catchin' on!

We have been taking numerous trips up to the hills of Denbigh. Wow, what a gorgeous place that is, with a castle at the top and rolling green hills all around. Google map it. But we have seen a lot of success there. Because it is a 45 minute bus ride away I don't think many missionaries have taken the trip up there. It feels like un-tilled ground. A lot more people stop and talk and are receptive. Rhyl needs a bit of a rest, people see us quite a bit around here so we are taking our time to the hills of Wales.

On the way up to Denbigh I bus-contacted a woman named Amanda. She explained how she had lost her Mum just about a year ago. Well I was able to testify of the Plan of Salvation, and she let us come up and teach her. We phoned up the only members in Denbigh and they let us teach in their home. It seemed to go together so well! It was a great lesson, and I look forward to telling you more about her!

Elder Corbin has been showing off his new skills lately and even got a kid to stop and let us teach him on a bench. It was one one of the best lessons of the transfer. Even with a three-some, it all flowed well and Gary Pary, his name, accepted to see us three times a week.
 

It's great to see Elder Corbin get his feet on the ground and have these experiences. I've already learned many things from him. One being his overall excitement and enthusiasm after lessons. It has been something for me that has seen its ups and downs. I need to have the same excitement when someone accepts a date, as I did when I came out.  I've seem from him how that excitement can "get the companionship going." We have really fed off of his enthusiasm. It's contagious. When we start "going through the motions" that's when we need to refocus and not let anything rob us of enthusiasm in the work. 

It reminds me of when President Bullock said, "When there comes a time when you get 'comfortable' as a missionary, you need to repent." Such a true principle to be learned there. We must always be on the up and up and that takes changes and goal setting to stretch us. 

 

I'm still "feeling it" after conference and have been reflecting on my notes. President Uchtdorf's talk on the priesthood has stuck with me. I've been going through the "commitment" he gave, to read a few sections from the Doctrine and Covenants and master the doctrine. One that I liked was in D&C 84:48- "(Priesthood) is confirmed for your sakes, and not for your sakes only, but for the sake of the whole world." That has definitely applied to me as a missionary. 

Service, service, service...To exercise that priesthood for the benefit of others. When given the priesthood we have "potential". We are given authority to act in the name of God. That's pretty serious stuff. But authority is different from power. The "power" comes from our righteousness. And as a missionary there is no other way to teach. As a priesthood holder I have felt a tremendous amount of responsibility to live to my potential here in England, and to do what is necessary to maximize my time in helping others come unto Christ. We as missionaries are "his hands" of missionary work, and we must do just that, work!

I also had the chance to take a train with Elder Corbin to "Bangor" (unreal train ride, gorgeous...along the coastline...Conwy Castle? Look it up, we went right around it) to interview a Chinese student for baptism. It was like revisiting sixth grade. It definitely reminded me of Liverpool. And the Chinese people. Gah! They are so great!  It was such a privilege to sit there and hear her bear her testimony. I loved it! Going back again this Thursday!      

Well I love you all dearly!

Oh, and transfers are this week, so I'll write Wednesday!

LOVE,

Elder Eliason

"The harder the area, the more I grow."

Hello, Hello!

No I didn't forget to write. We just haven't been able to email in the mornings because of a new "Elderly People Typing Class" that has begun at the Rhyl Library!

Weeks are still flying by and it is scaring me. Feels like a week ago me and Elder Cunningham were dressed in robes on Christmas day teaching newly arrived Elder Davis the ropes. Now he's 4 months out and I have my own new missionary...

This week was a great one with Kirsty, our "miracle train ride find." We saw her twice, once on Tuesday and again on Saturday. She has been showing her commitment by powering through the first chapters of 1 Nephi. On Tuesday we had a great lesson over the Plan of Salvation. It answered questions she had about before this life and the overall look out for what's to come after. But I think the most help of our lesson came from giving her an "Eternal Perspective." She's been divorced and now is raising two daughters,  she explained how she once had a strong faith, but has since withered away with the challenges in her life. We focused on points of how challenges shape us and make us stronger, and how we must keep the eternal spectrum in mind.

On Saturday we talked about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She loved how we started out talking about how faith is an "action" word, and how after we show action, we gain faith. It really motivated her to act and come to General Conference. We also helped her resolve some concerns with what "repentance" entails. She again accepted it well and felt "motivated" after the lesson. 

But as I said, she came to conference! Her and her kids. I don't know who was more excited the girls or Kirsty. We also had great ward involvement. One couple with the same aged kids invited her over for Tea (Dinner) later in the week, such a help! It also was a great session of conference she came to. It was the Saturday evening session where a lot of the talks were centered around families and teaching your kids by example, about faith. It was so great!

I love the differences that come with moving to new areas. Here we don't have as many investigators or as big a finding area, or even as big of a ward as Liverpool. This is the time where we get to be creative. The time that we get to really focus on relying on the Lord to place such people in our path. We are usually out finding or running around talking to people for 36 hours a week here. It is harder, but I love it! The farther the long toss, the harder I throw. The harder the area, the more I grow. Seems to work...

Elder Corbin continues to improve rapidly. He has seen much success in finding and that has seemed to boost his confidence. One of my favourite things about him is his love to "run." He loves it when we run back to the flat at night to make it in before 9:00. It shows he has a a great desire to be that obedient missionary. Elder Corbin is always looking for the next step and for more ways to learn. I love having him here in Rhyl! He also is quite the B-Ball player. Come July Sports Day, we are going to be the Dirk and Nash combo. Be on the look out for pics come that time...

I am grateful for conference and definitely was "spiritually fed." I am grateful for men called of God to give us such instruction. I was able to write down some questions I have had in my mind and to ultimately see them answered. Not by "the light switch" but as like the "rising of the sun"... bit by bit, as Elder Bednar explained. I loved the theme of the "Priesthood" during the Priesthood session. It really set in motion what is required of me as someone who has been given duties here in England. I am grateful for time that I have to spend in this service. I am learning and growing and seeing others learn and change. How great is this calling!
 

LOVE YOU ALL!

Elder Eliason 

Welcome Elder Corbin!

Elder Corbin from Murrieta, California

 

 

Boda-dahh from Wales!

What a week it has been here! A lot of exciting things...

The story starts on Thursday morning just before personal study. I got a call from President Bullock. The first thing he said was, "Elder Eliason, I am about to flip your world upside down." I didn't know what to think. I thought they might need my Chinese speaking skills in the Hong Kong mission or something... But in all reality, he told me I would be training a new missionary! He said that three new missionaries had just arrived from Provo and I was to train one of them. He told me that I had to be in Manchester the next morning at 9:30.

Well that wasn't the easiest thing, knowing we are a ways from there. So Elder Tellem and I took a train to Birkenhead and stayed the night with the Elders there. Then in the morning Elder Ashcraft and I headed to Manchester to pick up our new missionaries (which you probably knew about with all the train tickets we had to buy). We then spent most of the day at the mission home going through trainings and waiting for the new ones to go through a little orientation with President. President Bullock then interviewed them and then assigned companions! 

My new "son" is Elder Corbin from Murrieta, California! He is settling in very well here in the bless-ed land of Rhyl. Our first full day included a lot of finding, which gave him a lot of time to practice QGCing (Quality Gospel Conversation). I can't tell you how much desire he has! He just wants to get to work! On the train ride home, he was speaking to people, and now is already running people down.

As the companionship goes we will all stay together this transfer. That now makes half of my mission as a threesome, unreal..haha. It really has been such a great thing! And now with three here in Rhyl the people on the streets wont know what to do! Big things happening here in Rhyl! Since this is such a short transfer President informed me that Elder Corbin and I will be here for another transfer. So it looks like a guaranteed 6 more weeks in Wales.

We saw a miracle this week while traveling on train to stay the night in Birkenhead. I QGC'd a young Chinese student on the train, and found out he attended Liverpool University, the University I spent a lot of time at these past months. After talking for 5 or 6 minutes he accepted to be taught on the train. So we said an opening prayer and began! With it being a 30 minute ride we were able to teach him all of the Restoration.  He was so positive and accepting of our message, while also accepting baptism! On a train! It was such a testimony builder for me on "Forever Finding."  Talking to everyone opens up many more doors than it would to wait and talk to people when its "convenient."

 

This week we have been blessed with many "on the spot" lessons, which is where we will QGC someone and simply ask, "Do you have 10 minutes right now that we could share this with you?" Many have taken to that invitation and have accepted to be taught. I'm grateful for tools such as Preach My Gospel which helps us get the material down so well that we can teach an array of info in just a couple of minutes, and from that see them accept baptism! 

 

I am excited for what the rest of the transfer has in store!

 

Love You ALL!

 

Elder Cody Eliason

Rhyl: Lovable People and Warm Atmosphere

Hello dear family!

It's been a great past couple of days here in the new place. The views in this area are amazing! We are just minutes away from green hills that overlook the ocean. It's crazy the different places I have been: the outskirts of Manchester, heart of Liverpool, now the hills/seaside of Wales. Beautiful!

The ward here is a lot smaller than my last two, but still has the same "feeling"... Lovable people and a warm atmosphere. After giving my testimony in Sacrament Meeting yesterday, about the entire ward came up and asked me where my last name originates. They all were so intrigued it was hilarious. They guessed "Scandinavian" or Swedish/Danish/Norwegian... and that's what I told them. That is right, right?

We have a small teaching pool here in Rhyl and it is a lot different than Liverpool. I think in Liverpool I tracted only 3 times. We were always teaching or street contacting. Here we have to tract everyday, which is great. I love the change and the "challenge." It's difficult but we all know "The pursuit of the difficult makes men strong." THE great Mitt Romney said that. Now is the best time to put that into practice!

I am now reading through Doctrine and Covenants and came upon a great verse that I have applied to my change to Rhyl. D&C 9:6 "Do not murmur my son, for it is wisdom in me that I have dealt with you after this manner."

I take that to mean that I must accept the change. Understand that it is God's will and then go and do! He knows the "bigger picture" and it is for the best. Now it's up to me to find out why I am here, what it is He wants me to learn, and who does He want me to find and teach. That is the motivation I take with me each morning!  To find the one He wants me to find. 

We had a great miracle unravel over the past couple of days. While coming home from District Leader Council, Elder Tellem and I remembered a member telling us about a town they wanted us to try out. So instead of getting off at the "Rhyl" stop we stayed on until we reached Abergele. We jumped off and started street contacting. We walked up to a young lady named Kirsty and talked about families. She was asking such great questions that we were able to answer and ended up setting up an appointment. We ended up driving all the way back to Abergele last night to teach her. 

And the lesson was amazing! She was glued in and understood all that was taught. She accepted baptism and a date with such conviction and ease! We also brought a fellowshipper who is single with kids (Kirsty too is in the same situation). His testimony of how he has been strengthened through the gospel made everything flow into the "perfect lesson," not because of us but because of the prepared and willing person she was. 

I know that we were led to meet her! To stay on the train for one more stop. I also know that inspiration from ward leaders is also very real. We followed the spirit and the inspiration of a leader and were part of a miracle.

So many things going on in the world and we are here in Rhyl finding and teaching. It is the greatest thing. We've got one thing on our minds: to invite others to come unto Christ. I love it!

So many exciting things coming up!

-Suitcoats come off April 1st
-General Conference--it's like a training session times 30!
-Warmer weather!

Love you all!

Elder Eliason

Hello Rhyl, Wales!

Hello from Welsh country!

I have arrived in the land they call Rhyl, which is in Wales!  

My new companion is Elder Tellem! He is from Cardiff, which is in Southern Wales. He is on his 3rd transfer and is such a great missionary. He is a convert to the church of years and is the only member of his family. What an inspiration he is! 

I have also been called to be a district leader of some other areas here in Wales, exciting times..

Our flat is located just about 100 yards from the beach. We went running along there this morning... no big deal. 

Going from the heart of Liverpool to a Welsh town is a huge change, but at the same time it's a great opportunity with new challenges and things to learn! Lets get it!

To wrap up Liverpool...

Du Xin is getting there, he has had some hiccups with the Word of Wisdom, and understanding who God is. But he is set to continue and will be baptized soon enough!

Xiau Zhu is on fire and loving everything we taught him. He has such good desires and an openess to continue to grow. I am excited for his future! Such a pro! Should be baptized in a week or two, I'll keep you posted!

Nicole is doing very well other than the Word of Wisdom. She continues to pray about it. Chinese girls are always the hardest!  But things are looking up...

In all, I loved my time in Liverpool! Elder Eggers, Jin, Fawcett and I saw so many great things! It tears my heart out leaving that blessed land, but the Lord needs me elsewhere. So its go time in Rhyl!

That's all I've got time for the rest are pictures!! 

P.S: Dad, I was Evil Kinevil for Wax Museum... Classic. I still remember the start of my lines.. :5..4..3..2..1 and I was off to set a new record for.... 

New address;

3 Glendower Ct.
Rhyl
DEN
LL18 3SG
North Wales

The greatest pic of the year. This sums up our companionship. It's our "Band" pic. Call us "Chinese Take-Out"

Elder Jin...LEGEND

Chinese that we have taught.. Zhu and Horan are RC.. Horan in white.

Xiao Zhu/ Todd!

Our district plus Zone Leaders

Transfer Predictions...our "March Madness"

NICOLE!

Chinese students that we have taught.. Zhu and Horan are RC...Horan in white.

Last time with the Buds...

Du Xin!

Fionas house...

The Chinese people are amazing!

FIONA! a recent convert...hilarious and future missionary!

Soom a recent convert

Sam Perries house. Many meals here. WONDERFUL members...

Elder Tellem!

This is what Wales is all about! Two languages!