Mom,
This week has been a tough one, but we've definitely come out with a few successes :)
Suling is finally progressing! We've set up a consistent meeting schedule with her, and with my broken Mandarin and my companions amazing artistic skills (boy, is he a cartoonist), she's coming along to a knowledge of the Gospel. She really has desires to learn, and comes to church each week along with her husband. She's now staying for gospel principles, where we have a very basic lesson with lots of diagrams and physical examples. It's an interesting way of teaching, seemingly more effective in many ways. I can definitely understand why the Savior taught in parables. We must teach so that a child may understand, and by doing that, our teaching has become more effective than ever. Nothing is missed, skipped, or misunderstood, and the Gospel becomes what Nephi said it was supposed to be: "plain."
The ward is really progressing as well :) We were invited to ward council, where Elder DeBisschop and I brought out a few of our ideas for hastening the work in Maidenhead, and explained some of the methods we were already using. It was an amazing meeting, and I can already see the effects that our determination is having on the ward. A ward that does missionary work thrives. A ward that believes that the foremost and central focus of their ward is something besides missionary work loses out on so many blessings that come with sharing the gospel. I'm so proud and happy to see the ward catching the vision.
Hopefully we will be able to make a smooth transition with all of this progress, because it turns out that our Ward Mission Leader and Bishop are both moving this month! Which means a new Bishopric and a whole new ward mission team. It will be interesting, both for the members and for the work :)
I passed my driving Theory Test! :) That is quite the accomplishment. It was well worth some time put into study. Now I get to take the Practical and start driving! Yay roundabouts!
Last but not least, we went to Windsor Castle! And the queen was there as well. We left a Book of Mormon with one of the wardens; hopefully it makes it's way to royalty. Oh man, next week I'll send pictures. It is a beautiful sight. Windsor, which is also in our area (Maidenhead and Windsor), is so gorgeous. Rolling hills, a castle, and everything :)
I really loved the way the fathers day gift turned out. I think it looks fantastic :) You should have told me we were doing this in front of fences, and I wouldn't have chosen a ginormous cathedral.
Cheers,
Elder Foster
P.S. The world cup is crazy. There are so many different countries represented here that it's like every other person you meet supports a different team. I hear Belgium is doing well, though. My companion is a happy man. Also, there were a lot of angry Englishmen about after those matches ;)
This week has been a tough one, but we've definitely come out with a few successes :)
Suling is finally progressing! We've set up a consistent meeting schedule with her, and with my broken Mandarin and my companions amazing artistic skills (boy, is he a cartoonist), she's coming along to a knowledge of the Gospel. She really has desires to learn, and comes to church each week along with her husband. She's now staying for gospel principles, where we have a very basic lesson with lots of diagrams and physical examples. It's an interesting way of teaching, seemingly more effective in many ways. I can definitely understand why the Savior taught in parables. We must teach so that a child may understand, and by doing that, our teaching has become more effective than ever. Nothing is missed, skipped, or misunderstood, and the Gospel becomes what Nephi said it was supposed to be: "plain."
The ward is really progressing as well :) We were invited to ward council, where Elder DeBisschop and I brought out a few of our ideas for hastening the work in Maidenhead, and explained some of the methods we were already using. It was an amazing meeting, and I can already see the effects that our determination is having on the ward. A ward that does missionary work thrives. A ward that believes that the foremost and central focus of their ward is something besides missionary work loses out on so many blessings that come with sharing the gospel. I'm so proud and happy to see the ward catching the vision.
Hopefully we will be able to make a smooth transition with all of this progress, because it turns out that our Ward Mission Leader and Bishop are both moving this month! Which means a new Bishopric and a whole new ward mission team. It will be interesting, both for the members and for the work :)
I passed my driving Theory Test! :) That is quite the accomplishment. It was well worth some time put into study. Now I get to take the Practical and start driving! Yay roundabouts!
Last but not least, we went to Windsor Castle! And the queen was there as well. We left a Book of Mormon with one of the wardens; hopefully it makes it's way to royalty. Oh man, next week I'll send pictures. It is a beautiful sight. Windsor, which is also in our area (Maidenhead and Windsor), is so gorgeous. Rolling hills, a castle, and everything :)
I really loved the way the fathers day gift turned out. I think it looks fantastic :) You should have told me we were doing this in front of fences, and I wouldn't have chosen a ginormous cathedral.
Cheers,
Elder Foster
P.S. The world cup is crazy. There are so many different countries represented here that it's like every other person you meet supports a different team. I hear Belgium is doing well, though. My companion is a happy man. Also, there were a lot of angry Englishmen about after those matches ;)