Email 12/16/13

This week has been better!!!! We have found new investigators. So that should be good. That is one thing that I don't miss is the stupid inversion!!!!!!!

 

Oh I miss putting up the Christmas village!!!!! I look forward to doing it next year!!!!!! Those sound so cute!!!!!!! I am really cherishing the Christmas traditions we have and keeping them close to my heart. I wonder if he thinks it is like the computer because on mothers day you were trying to get him to talk to the computer screen to me. So he could think that that is what it is. I am sure that it was sad. I miss them a lot!!!! I miss you all a ton especially right now.

 

I am so excited for the Christmas party tomorrow!!!!! It is going to be so much fun. Yes you can send the package to the Mission Office that will be just fine. You are so amazing!!! You really don't have to send me anything!!!! I love you all so much. I don't think I can tell you enough!!! The past week I have just wanted to pick up the phone and talk to you and tell you all how much I love you and am so grateful for you!!!!!

 

Wow I cannot believe that He is already coming home!!!!!!!! That is amazing. He will be home for Christmas!!!!!!! What a great gift.

 

I love Christmas as a missionary. I wish that every one could experience it!!!!!!!! It is a great feeling to be able to focus your whole Christmas on the Savior and serving those around you like he would. I could not imagine it any other way. I know that we do it as a family. But there are so many families out there that focus so much on the commercial side of Christmas and forget the true meaning of it all!!!!!!! And here as a missionary I am able to bring a bit of that spirit into their Christmas. I love it so much.

 

We had a ward Christmas party on Saturday and it was so much fun!!!!!! Santa came and I think my companion was more excited then the little kids were. She was jumping up and down yelling Santa's here!!!! It was quite entertaining. While we were there the Elders had an investigator come and He had been taught before about 2 years ago. He saw my badge and asked if I knew a Ballantyne who served here before. I told him that I had a cousin serve in this mission and He said that He remembered Him. Then later that night and on Sunday I had a few other people come up to me and ask if I knew an Elder Ballantyne. On of them said that He gave him some proper American candies. Will you ask Kevin if he served in Stoke??? Please and thank you.

 

That is so great that He is enjoying what he is doing!!!! I am sure that it is hectic. I remember seeing the kids in High School and how hectic their lives got this time of year. Lexie is great!!! I would just say to keep reminding her how much you love and appreciate her. Spend some one on one time with her or even write her a note telling her how much you appreciate her. I know that a note or a letter goes a long way!!!! I remember getting those from you and dad one girls camp and on trek and they helped me to truly feel loved!!!!!! You are wonderful parents and family and I could not ask for a better one.

 

That bird sounds absolutely great!!!!!!!!! I love you all so much!!!!!!!!!!

 

Thank you for all that you do!!!!!!

 

I love you so much!!!!!!

 

Love

 

Sister Ballantyne

 

Give everyone my love!!!!!!

Email 12/9/13

Dear beautiful Family,

 

This week has been rough but good!!!!! I went on exchange to Congleton and that was fun but emotional. Because it was Tuesday to Thursday the day of the viewing and funeral. I was wishing the whole time that I could be there with you!!! But I knew the only thing I could do was pray for you. I think I said a prayer every minute. And on Saturday I did something you will never believe!!! I sang on a bus. But not just any bus it was a double decker bus that was full of people!!!!!!! My companion and I sang Oh Holy Night. And I had no nerves at all!!!!!!!! The spirit was so strong I don't think they would have lasted long at all if they did come. It was absolutely amazing!!!! I still could not believe that I did it. Sister Brown was saying that it was something that she wanted to do so I told her to do it. But then our bus stop came. So we got off. And started walking. I told her that if we didn't get on another bus now then it probably wouldn't happen. So we said a prayer for her to have the courage to do it. And during the prayer i was told that I had to sing with her. So we waited for the next bus and got on walked up to the top. Sister Brown said that we would like to share a song about Christ. And we started singing. It was an absolutely amazing experience. It made bearing my testimony on Sunday a piece of cake.

 

I knew that that would happen. He was a very loved man!!!!! With a heart of Gold. That poem was in a weekly news letter from president the week before uncle Steve died. And i was telling president that it was one of my favorite poems. And I now remember why it was because Uncle Steve had shared it to me and I could see how much it reflected his life and all our lives. I am so glad that I have that to read now. I am sure that it was absolutely beautiful. And I do have to admit that I think I am still in a bit of shock. And I think that it is going to take some time to really sink in. But I know that I am being taken care of. That there are angels watching over all of us!!!!! And I know that the savior is always with us and helping us along the way. I am so grateful for that knowledge that I have and that even though this is a hard time I am able to serve others and help them know that they are never alone. Thank you for raising me in this gospel.

 

It sounds like it was a great Christmas party. Who was Santa??? Oh I do hope you all have a wonderful Christmas. I will most likely be skyping you at 6pm here which is 11am your time. Is that alright???? 

 

I am so excited for him to go. I miss doing that!!!!!!!!

 

Oh she will be so good at that!!!!!! It is something that she enjoys doing!!!!!! I have always loved her cakes!!!!! Wish I could have one here. Oh well probably wouldn't taste very good by the time that it got here;) That is really funny that they were already doing one of her cakes.

 

We have not had snow yet it has been sunny. My companion says that it has been chilly but I don't feel it quite yet. Pictures of the beautiful snow covered mountains please and thank you!!!!! There was a flood in Rhyl last week. I miss it a lot but I am glad that I was not there for that.

 

I should get the packages next week on Tuesday because that is the day we are going to the mission home for our Christmas party. So I will refrain from opening them until Christmas even though it is probably going to kill me to wait that long. Hehe but I will be patient.

 

I am grateful that I was not transferred as well. This is great ward and have helped me a lot.

 

I love and miss you all tons!!!!!!!

 

Love

 

Sister Ballantyne

Email 12/2/13

Dear Beautiful and Strong Family,

 

It gave me a lot of peace as well. I just had to know how you were all doing. But I had to hear it in your voices!! I am glad that you all have each other for the support!!!!! And I am so grateful that I am here in this beautiful place with these wonderful members who have been so great. I have gotten so many hugs and love from these members. I love this church so much because it is the same. You can find the same love and kindness where ever you go.

 

Please know that I am sorry that I cannot be there but you all will be in my thoughts the whole time!!!!! And I will be praying for you forever!!!! You have so many prayers being said in all of your behalves!!! I wish I could do more, but one thing I have learned is that prayers are so strong and powerful. And to have people that are here with me that are here to help people who better then to have them saying prayers for my family. At first I didn't want people to know because I just wanted to deal with it myself and to continue the work. But then I thought about My wonderful family and how it was selfish of me to not want them to have the comfort that they could receive from the prayers of the righteous follower who put their own life on hold to help those who have lost loved ones or who may be struggling or who need comfort.

 

Please watch after Katie I am afraid that she is going to be strong for her mom but not let herself feel break down when she needs to. Her and I are a lot alike because I do that myself. Please let her know that I love her and that I am always here for her!!!!!! I truly wish I could be there with you!!!!!!!!

 

Tell them all hi for me.

 

We had Stake conference this week. It was really good!!! The adult session was all about missionary work. They had us missionaries as the Choir and I sang in a quartet. It was nerve wracking but I am starting to realize that it is not that bad. My companion Sister Brown is an absolutely amazing singer and she is going to help me work on my voice and lungs and get them back to what they used to be. It should be good I hope. President said that he wants us to go caroling through Stoke. We have already done it a bit and have seen some miracles. We have some potential Investigators from it. I love how the spirit of Christmas changes people and they are a bit more open. I love Christmas time!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

My siblings are so amazing, and so very talented!!!!!!!! I am so grateful for them!!!!!!!

 

I would like some Christmas pictures of the family sense I never got them from last year and I mean every one in the family not just a few. Please and thank you!!!!!!!!!

 

I love and miss you all so much!!!!!

 

Love

 

Sister Ballantyne

Email 11/28/13

Oh how I love you all so much!!!!!!!!!!!! I am still in stoke and my new companion is Sister Brown. She is from St. George Utah, She is spunky and crazy just like me so we are going to have lots and lots of fun together!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She is an absolutely amazing singer!!!!!!! She was trained by my previous companion Sister Fortuna who is now on a plane home to California;( I am really going to miss her but it was her time.

 

I was able to go to the Temple on Saturday with some members here in this ward and it was absolutely amazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have missed it so much. I just want to say that if you are not going to the Temple regularly you should. Because it brings so much peace and clairty into your life!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is what I miss so much! And when you go don't just rush out take some time to sit and ponder and to talk to your Heavenly Father. The temple is a place were you can have a pure one on one conversation with him with no other outside influences getting in your way. Show Him that He is improtant to you!!!!!!!!!!

 

Those gifts I am learning about are still in the process!!!!! I am not exactly sure what they are but I am working on building them up. Read D&C 46. It is so great!!!!! I am learning that I can do things (Like Singing.) as terrifying as it is I am getting more comfortable singing in front of people. And I think my new companion will help a lot with that!!!! The difficult part is believing in myself and that I do have these gifts. And letting myself use them instead of talking myself out of it like I have so many other times. (ie. Trying out for the softball and football teams in High school, Trying our for choir or singing solos.) I have a tendency to tell myself that others are better then me so why even try. And I have learned throughout my mission that those thoughts are not from God and are not going to help me progress. All good things come from God, everything else is from Satan.

 

I love Thanksgiving!!!!! Today we are going to the Bishops home for tea. And guess what He is American.Thats right we get a proper American Meal!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so excited!!!!! I love this ward so much!!!! They are so kind and loving. This is going to be a wonderful Transfer. 

 

Oh I so wish I could have been there with you. It sounds like it was a wonderful conference!!!!!! Those Lyrics were amazing!!!! I really like them. What Hillary Weeks talked about is so true. We have been learning a lot about that last transfer. Talking about how half the stuff we say to ourselves(about ourselves) we would not say to others(about them). So why do we feel it is alright to say it to ourselves. Especally when we know that our Heavenly Father would never say that to us. He made us exactly who we are for a reason. And we should love ourselves the way that He would love us if He standing right in front of us. 

 

I am not so much terrified about coming home as about not having a plan for when I get home. I don't want to be a missionary that falls into a rut when they get home because they had a great mission and came home and quit progressing. I don't want to fall back into what I was before my mission. That is the only thing that I am terrified for about coming home. Thank you mom you always know what to say to help me feel better. 

 

Oh I miss Pie Night!! Did you do crafts???????????????  Oh good I am glad that they got the letter!!!!!! That little boy is so cute and I am sad to say has grown a lot. I am not even going to recognize anyone when I get home. 

 

Sorry that I was so vague last time.  

 

I want you all to know that I am so grateful for each and every one of you and for all of your support and love. You have all had an influence in my life and I will forever be grateful to you for that!!!!!!

 

How is the Ward doing???

 

Love you the most

 

Love

 

Sister Ballantyne

Email 11/18/13

Dear Wonderful Family of mine,

 

I love and miss you all so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope and pray that you are all doing well! Last week was crazy!!!!!! But really good. We were able to pretty much book all our christmas plans already!!!!! So if I stay in stoke (which I think I am) I have the best day planned ever!!!!! I am so excited!!!! I have also been able to learn more about the gifts I have. It has been really hard and a bit painful. But I know that it needs to be done!!!!!!!!!! And I am learning a lot about myself in the process!!!!!!

 

My asthma is fine. Yes the medicine is working and I don't think I need anymore now. But I would like family pictures of all of you please and thank you!!!!!!

 

Teaching is going fine. We don't really have investigators at the moment but we are teaching a lot of less Actives which are great!!!!! And we are actually going to be teaching a cute little 9 year old who has decided that she wants to get baptized!!!!!! We are teaching her the first lesson today!!!! I am so excited. I love teaching little ones!!!!!

 

Wow that is amazing!!!!! I would love to go there one day!!!!! It is so rich with history!!!!!!!

 

I have really gained a huge testimony of Family History!!!!! I love it and want to do so much of it when I get home!!!!!!

 

She is a wonderful speaker I wish I would have been able to hear her agian. Maybe some other time. She is very personal when she speaks.

 

Oh I hope you have a wonderful time at your conference and I look forward to hearing all about it!!!!!!!!!!!! I hope that lexie will enjoy it!!!!!

 

I have been worried about all of you for the past few weeks. Just had a feeling that you were having a rough time. I hope you are all well. I have no idea what I am going to do when I get home and it kind of scares me. Okay it really terrifies me. 

 

I wish I could be there with them!!!!!!!! I miss each and every one of you so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

 

Will you Tell the primary thank you for the package that they sent me I really appreciated it. 

 

Transfers are next week. 

 

I love you all so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Love 

 

Sister Ballantyne 

Email 11/11/13

I am doing fine. We had an exchange last week and it was so much fun. It was completely full of laughing and singing!!!!!!! It was great!!!!!! Don't worry I am continuing on getting better.

 

I am glad that you have had good weather. We have had pretty decent weather. Starting to get colder but I don't mind because it doesn't really bother me but I am still bundling up. So that I don't catch my death;)

 

Oh I miss shooting so much. And the people here although they are wonderful just don't understand. I really look forward to doing it again when I get home. How are Gary and Cindy???? How are the horses????

 

That is so sweet of him. Tell them thank you for remembering me!!!!!! I cannot believe that she is already 1 years old. That is absolutely crazy!!!!!!!!!!

 

Oh that is going to be a great Christmas party. I love Christmas so much. I am hoping that I will be able to stay here in Stoke at least one more transfer. So that I can be here for Christmas!!!!!!! I would love it so much if I could. I love this area!!!!! They are just so great!!!!! Will you be keeping with tradition and going to Aunt Lynn's for Christmas breakfast???? Do you want to skype there????

 

I have had a prompting to bear my testimony:

 

I know that this Gospel is true. I would not still be out here if I didn't. I know that God has a plan for each and every one of us. He knows exactly what we need and who we need in our lives. He loves us so much more then we realize. And I am beginning to understand a little bit just how much we are truly missing when we think that we are completely alone on this earth. Because in all actuality we are never alone. There are angels all around us constantly and they are trying to help us we just need to let them in and to let our Heavenly Father in. We need to build that relationship with Him. (2 Nephi 33:6)" I glory in plainness, I glory in truth, I glory in my Jesus, for He hath redeemed My soul from hell. I know that He died for each and every one of us with no exception. I heard a quote the other day " Even if only one person accepted the Atonement it still would have happened." And that is because of us never ending love for us. He wants each of us to have a chance to be with our loved ones again, and that includes Him. I know that trials are hard and painful!!!! But I also know that without them we would not progress and we would never learn who we truly are!!!!!! We will never be able to gain the understanding of what our true purpose on this earth is at this very time. We were not placed in these places or families by accident. There is a reason and we need to find it. And help those that he has placed in our path. 

I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I have felt its power. I have seen it soften some of the hardest hearts. It has a power to change you like you would never believe unless you read it and experienced if for yourself. But you have to do what it says in the introduction and int Moroni 10:3-5. You need to have the sincere heart, pure intent, and faith in Christ. And you will see the power it has. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that he was called to restore Christ church back on to the earth. I know that He restored the wonderful power of the priesthood. And because of that wonderful priesthood I am here today helping these wonderful people. I am so grateful to have magnificent priesthood holders in my family and for all that they have done for me. I am also grateful for those strong and courageous women who stand right along with those priesthood holders helping them to use their priesthood power. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the prophet on the earth today and that He is called of God to help this church grow into the wonderful safe haven it has become and will continue to become.

I am so grateful for all of the blessings I have received in my life and for the wonderful examples I have in my life. I love this Gospel with all of my heart and I want it to be apart of my life forever. I know that Heavenly Father is watching over each and every one of us and that He knows your needs all you need to do is turn to Him and let Him help you. Prayer is one of the saving graces in my life and I have been able to learn so much through prayer. I love you all so much and I am grateful for each and every one of you for helping me become who I am today. I say these thing in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

 

Love

 

Sister Ballantyne

Email 11/4/13

YAY SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish I would have been able to see it. I miss it so much.

 

I am able to go out and go to lessons I just have to rest and not push myself too hard. But don't worry I am getting better!!!!

 

Yes I am taking the medicine, and I think I am doing fine. But thank you!!!!!!!

 

I don't remember them but they may have been living there before I left. I am so glad that she came to church and liked it. I love that you are all doing missionary work. You are all wonderful!!!!!!!!! I am so grateful to have you as my family!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 Oh that is so exciting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love little babies. It kills me that we are not allowed to hold them on our missions.

 

Things are fine here. The weather is getting colder but I don't really feel it. My companions seem to always feel it more then I do.

 

Last week we had our zone meeting and the musical number that they had me put together turned out just fine. But I was a complete nervous wreck right before it. But once we got up there all my nerves went away and I was able to do the solo. I love that when we feel that we cannot do something our Heavenly Father helps us when we do our part.

 

That will be good for the both of you to do together!!!!!!!! Tell him not to worry. Just keep working hard. Tell him that I love him!!!!!!!

 

I love you all so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Love

 

Sister Ballantyne

Email 10/28/13

I cannot believe it!!!!!!!!!!! It is crazy!!!!

Oh He will be a great missionary!!!!!!!! He is going to do wonders and miracles!!!!!!

I cannot believe that Potato is a Priest!!! He is growing up so fast. Focus on what he is doing and he will be alright. Tell him to do everything he can and then pray and ask God for help.

That will be good for them to be able to have the Horses

close. I miss those beautiful animals!!!!!!! The Elders keep asking how Kevin is doing??

It is so crazy how things work out like that!!!!!!! I am completely amazed that we keep finding those connections like that!!!!!! It truly is a

small world in the church.

Oh I loved doing make a difference month with her!!!!! It was always so much fun!!!!

Things are going alright. Still pretty much stuck in the flat but I seem to be getting a bit better. The Zone Leaders asked me to organize a

musical number to the Zone meeting that is coming up on Wednesday. So I am excited and nervous for that. I am singing a solo with another

sister. Will see how that goes. The ward is great but a bit stressful. The Elders had a baptism on Saturday and only 3 members showed up and they were a family. They say that they are a close nit ward but they don't really support each other. It is just sad to see. I am praying for a way to help them

We are not really teaching any investigators at the moment. The one we had started hanging around some not very nice people and we

have not been able to get in contact with her. But we are still keeping her in our prayers.  We are working more with Less-Actives and Recent

Converts. It has been a crazy two transfers receiving revelation after revelation of things that I never thought I would get on my mission. I am so

grateful to my Heavenly Father for helping me through those hard times and for know me so much more then I know my self to give me what

I need even when I don't think I do.

Sister Fortuna and I gave the lesson in Relief Society on Sunday. It was on the May conference talk "The Lord Wants To Forgive". That talk was

absolutely wonderful. If you have not read it you should. Because it talks about how he wants to forgive us now not later but now!!!!!!!!!!!! And

that we also need to forgive ourselves!!!!!! It was really good and something that I really needed.

Ya I sent her and Adam a letter. I just had a feeling that I needed to. I miss them like crazy!!!!!!

It has definitely been a crazy year!!!!!! One that I am glad has happened!!!!!!!!  I have learned so much and have been able to change into what

my heavenly father needs me to be. This mission has truly saved my life and changed me for the better

I love you all so much and I am so grateful for each and every one of you!!!!!!

Email 10/21/13

Dear Wonderful Family whom I adore,

 

It has been a pretty good week. Frustrating because I have not been able to go out much. But I know that I need to take care of my health so that I will be able to continue to do the work that Heavenly Father has for me. Yes the medicine has been helping thank you very much!!!! I was asked to give a talk on Sunday on the Importance of Families. I think it turned out pretty well. The whole talk was pretty much on my family and how much I have been able to see them grow in the gospel and closer together through all of the hard times that we have faced and will continue to face. And how I have truly come to realize that the word family does not just mean our immediate family or our extended family. It can mean anyone who means something to us or is there for us when we need them. I really enjoyed giving that talk.

 

No we have not been able to meet with her because she does not have credit on her phone so we are going to have to try and get in touch with her a different way. Hopefully we will be able to soon.

 

I had an interview with President Preston. It was a very good interview. He told me that He has seen me change a lot. I was able to tell him that I am starting to be able to see that change that every one else sees and I am truly grateful for this mission and all it has done for me. I love who I am becoming and I love the testimony that continues to grow inside of me. I am beginning to truly love myself for who I am a Daughter of my Heavenly Father.

 

Wow that is amazing!!!!!! I didn't find any Tree's but I will look for the other names.

 

Haha Yes He will be a good missionary. Tell him congrats for me and good luck He will do great!!!!!! Your class sounds like it was even more fun then usually. Oh I miss the ward Halloween parties. I think the ward here is having one but we are probably not able to go because we will be in the flat on Halloween Night. Oh well I will just have to wait until next year!!!!!

 

OH I wish I could be there for his Concert. Let me know how it goes. How is he doing driving wise???

 

Oh poor thing I hope that she doesn't burn herself out!!!!!!

 

That is very nice of her. I am terrified to go back to school when I get home.

 

I really cannot believe that she is already walking!!!!!! She will be talking before we know it. It is so weird how life just keeps going when you don't really expect it to. I am happy that everyone seems to be doing well.

 

The weather keeps changing here. One day it is sunny then it is raining then it is hot and sunny again and then it is raining again. It is a good thing that I like all weather and am just happy to be able to be here. Why are you having a hard time walking???? Are you going to need the surgery soon????

 

It sounds like a very good meeting. I hope that you are able to enjoy it and take from it what you need.

I emailed her last week. I told her that I am always here for her if she needs to talk. I told her that I have enjoyed watching her grow and that if she trusted in God that I knew she would be an outstanding missionary. Griffin seems to be doing better as well.

 

That bird sounds really funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and really cute!!!!

 

How is daddy doing?????

 

I hope you all are doing well!!!!!!

 

I love you tons

 

Love

 

Sister Ballantyne

Email 10/16/13

It is alright. I had them ask because on Tuesday of last week while I was praying I had a feeling that she had passed away and I just wanted to see if the family was alright. She is happy and is watching over them. I am glad that they were all able to be there with them.

 

I have not been transferred and I am still with Sister Fortuna. YAY!!!!!!!!

 

She said that the lung thing is because it is getting colder and to just keep doing what I am doing. Yes I got the package thank you so much. My favorite candies!!!!! Don't worry I have not eaten them all.  As for the Dizziness she said it was due to hormones. It is called a blood pressure drop. So my prescription for that is Salt and Vinager Crisps or licorish.

 

I see him quite often. He also said that he found more on Alfred Cordon. I have not read it but I might be able to ask him for it. He is so funny. He has even put some music on my Ipod for me.

 

I think the baptism is going to be postponed. Due to not being able to see her for a while.

 

Oh I miss primary programs. I am not sure if they do them here. But I really think that they should.

 

I am glad that He got his card and that He enjoyed his present. He will really enjoy helping his neighbors again. I have such wonderful examples of service in my life. And I am so grateful for each and ever one of them!!!

 

Oh I miss high heels so much!!!!!! It will be great to wear them again when I get home.  Where is he going on his mission???? It is so weird that they are going out now. I still see them as little kids. Weird.

 

Just tell him to be careful cause that is my car when I get home;) Hahaha kidding. I bet he just loves being able to drive himself around. He is a good kid. I have some very smart siblings!!!!

 

Well I am doing alright just a bit I don't even know what I am. But I am hanging in there. Doing what I know how to do and relying on my Heavenly Father for the rest. I am so grateful that I came on this mission and for the changes I have been able to make in my life. It has really helped me know what I want and need in my life. I am go grateful for the wonderful influences I have in my life and for the wonderful parents I have. I don't know how everything is going to work out but I do know that as long as I have my Heavenly Father on my side it will all work out the way he needs it to.

 

Hopefully we will be able to go to the temple here in a few weeks with one of the members in the ward that we have been working with. She is great and she really reminds me of you mom. She even has a craft corner in her Kitchen. And her daughter is crazy like me. It feels so good to finally really be myself. I will forever be grateful to Rhly for helping me start being my self again. I didn't realize that I had lost it before my mission and it feels wonderful to be back.

 

Thank you so much for all that you have and continue to do for me. I love you all so very much!!!!!

 

Love

 

Sister Ballantyne

Email 10/7/13

The week has been pretty normal other then last Monday we played Chair Football (Soccer where you each guard a chair and the other people try to get you out by hitting your chair with the ball. Every one is against each other) with the Elders and I ended up playing like I have never quit and I was pretty sore the next few days but it was so worth it especially when they didn't realize that Sister Fortuna and I could play like that. I didn't realize just how much I really missed it.

 

That sounds like it would have been terrifying.I wish we had snow now but I guess I will just have to wait until January again. The weather has started to get a bit more gloomy but I am just taking it as it comes and making the best of it. Conference weekend was all sun shine though and that was nice. I loved watching conference I wish I would have been able to watch the Sunday evening session but I will just try to be patient. Elder Hollands talk I feel was directed towards me and telling me to take care of myself. I am trying but It is hard when all I want to do is help others around me.

 

Oh I miss decorating the house. I love the pictures!!!!!!! It looks wonderful and I am glad that you both enjoyed time together decorating the house. It is great time for bonding.

 

I love that girl!!!! She is great!!! I love that you talk to her. I have so really good friends that I will forever be grateful for.

 

I tried sending her an email last week but it got sent back to me so I tried sending another one today and it seems like it was sent through!!!!!! Hopefully she will be able to get it. Mom I miss Rhyl so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would give anything to be able to go back one more time. I think I love it as much as Utah and I never thought I could love a place as much as I love My home. It is crazy. I love it more then Chorley.

 

Guess what I made a peach cobbler and an apple cobbler all on my own!!! Just from memory and it turned out pretty well!!!!!! I wasn't a huge fan od the apple cobbler but it was alright.

 

I am glad to hear that you are all doing well. I love and miss you all so much!!!!!!!!

 

Love

 

Sister Ballantyne

Email 9/30/13

haha you can send them to the mission home or my flat what ever would be easier for you. I am going to the Dr. sometime this week or next. I don't want to go but my I had a prompting that I needed to go at the sisters training on Friday so Sister Preston is getting me an apt.

 

This week has been good. We have had quite a few meetings. But it has been good. We had a Sisters Training meeting and that was absolutely wonderful. Being able to see all of the sisters in the mission. We learned about modesty/virtue and how when we realize who we really are (Daughters Of God) then we hold ourselves differently. We learned about budgeting, diet and exercise, Obedience, and Stress Management. Sister Cola King from Rhyl came and talked about Stress Management. It was so good to see her I really missed her. And I was able to get a hug from her. I really miss Rhyl. I hope that I am able to go back one day.

 

The weather has been pretty good and decent but I think it is going to start going back to how it was when I first got here. But I am excited. You really feel like a missionary when you are standing out in the rain getting drenched trying to talk to people and tell them that there is a way that they can be happy in this weather. Funny thing is that they tell you that they don't want to know, but then they complain about how miserable the rain and cold is. Oh I miss the snow capped mountains.

 

I am really looking forward to the Relief Society Conference. And General Conference. I am just excited!!!!

 

That is good to hear that she is doing well. They are a great family. I don't know how or if I could handle it myself.

 

I am glad that he got his birthday card. Is he getting excited???? What is he going to do for his Birthday???

 

Oh I wish I could be there to see their primary program!!!!!! I don't know if they do them here which is sad because the primary have such beautiful testimonies and the are so pure. And you can always feel the spirit when they talk about Christ.

 

Oh I am glad that you enjoyed work. It will take some time but you will get the hang of it. You are a fast learner. Plus you have Heavenly Father on your side. He would not have you go to a new job and then not help you. Just learn all that you can and he will fill in the rest. It is just like missionary work. Do all you can and the Holy Ghost will do the rest. But we have to do our part. You will do great!!!! And I am glad that they are nice to you!!!

 

How is your health???? How is daddy????????????????

 

I am going to be making haystacks next week for a member here because she said that she would like to try them. I am so excited!!!

 

I love you all so much and I am so grateful for all that you do!!!!

 

Love

 

Sister Ballantyne

Email 9/23/13

It has been a pretty good week.

 

He had to do a presentation on the missionary work in this area for some apostles a few years back. He said that he was very interested in Alfred Cordon and that it was sad that he didn't get the credit that he deserved in the church history. But I am just glad that he was apart of it and did what he did. He truly was an amazing man.

 

We have one solid investigator. She is so sweet and excited about learning. Her friend is a member and that is how we got in contact with her. We went over to teach her friend and she was there. After the lesson she asked her friend to get our information for her. So we gave her a pamphlet and got her number and address and set up an appointment. She came to church on Sunday and loved it. She is great!!!!!

 

Oh I am glad that his talk went well.

 

Haha seriously your class sounds wonderful!!!!!!! These young ones really are very smart. They continue to teach me things!!!!!! They are great!!!!

 

I am sorry that you had to say goodbye today!!!!! But God will be with you the whole way!!!!!! I am proud of you for following him. You are stronger then you know. You continue to strengthen me with you testimony and the faith that you have. Where it not for yours and Dads example and faith. I would not be here today. Thank you!!!!!

 

I am looking forward to the broadcast as well. We are going to watch it on the 18th of Oct. Strange that it is so late but I guess it will be alright. I am really looking forward to Conference. It always seems to help me with any questions that I have.

 

Oh that is good that you all got to go!!!!! How is everyone doing???? I am glad that they were able to get custody. It will be the stability that he needs. That is good that he is trying to straighten out his life.

 

Oh I miss those mountains so much!!!!! They are so beautiful. I look forward to seeing them again next year!!!!!!

 

So we had an exchange last week and I went back to Chester. I went on exchange there while I was in Rhyl. While I was there last week we went and taught a woman named Melanie. I taught her when she was first being taught while I was in Rhyl. Well we went in and were going to talk to her about how we can help her quit smoking and drinking, to talk about her getting married before she is baptized, and to push her baptismal date back a few weeks. Well after we sat down she told us that she had her last drink and cigarette 3 days before and she was not going to have anymore. She also said that she was thinking about pushing her baptismal date back a few weeks because she felt that she would not be ready by then. She also told us that she talked to her partner and he said that they could get married at the end of the year due to financial issues with Christmas coming up. Well the last one complicates things a bit. So we talked to her and asked if we found a way that she could get married before her baptism would she do it. She said yes. So we left and I started calling around. We called the bishop and asked him if he knew, He told us to call the Relief Society President and she was able to give us some information. Then it was time to exchange back. So I called on Friday to see if they were able to figure anything out and they told me that the Bishop could marry them for free and that the Relief Society President was a registrar, and all they had to pay was 30£ for the certificate. They just needed to tell Melanie on Saturday. So I called on Saturday and they said that she was so excited when they told her that she called her partner down and asked if they could do that and he said yes. So the Chester Sisters are not only planning a baptism but also a wedding. It is amazing what God can do when you are willing to follow him.

 

I hope that you are all doing well and enjoying the beautiful things in life.

 

My release date is May 7th not April 30 sorry.

 

I love you tons

 

Love 

 

Sister Ballantyne

 

Email 9/16/13

Thank you so much. That will do perfectly!!!!!

 

He is really great!!!!! I am glad that you were able to let Uncle Steve know. It is defiantly a crazy small world. He just put the journals on my USB stick. I just sent them in a different email. I hope that you are able to receive them. Wow that is amazing how it all works out in the end.

 

Well we asked the Zone Leaders to give us a challenge. So they challenged us to sing a Hymn in a lesson we had that day. Well we didn't have any lessons so we decided to do it in coordination. Brother Beeston is the Ward Mission Leader. So we sang Nearer My God To Thee. The Elders sang as well but he picked out my voice and said: "There is a very powerful voice in this room" and then pointed to me. Bahh. So then on Sunday during the Gospel Principles class he was talking about gifts and talents and turned to me and said: "You can sing!! Stand up and sing a verse of I am a Child of God." So I stood up with Sister Fortuna and we sang one verse of I am A Child of God. It is defiantly getting easier every time I have to do it but I am not yet a complete fan of getting up and singing in front of people. We'll see what happens down the road. 

 

That is fine when ever you have a chance!!!!!!

 

The Zone meeting went wonderful. That quote that you sent me that Cassie Jones used was perfect!!!! It went better then I thought. And I was not nervous when I got up there all of my nerves just went away once we started!! I love how Heavenly Father does that!!!!

 

Why do I choose to do what is right??

     I would have to say it is because I know that by choosing to do what is right I know that I will always be protected. That my family will be taken care of. I have seen a lot of people who have not chosen to chose what is right and then wonder why everything seems to be going wrong. Once they find the gospel though it takes some time but it changes them They soon come to realize that by choosing to follow the commandments or just choosing what is right they are happier and things just tend to work out in ways that we could never imagine.

    Keeping the commandments is like a string on a Kite. You are the Kite and it may seem like the string is restricting at first because you cannot fly free. But when you take a closer look you realize that they are helping to keep you grounded. When you break a commandment (Cut the String) you (the kite) falls to the ground and it hurts. The string helps keep you up. The commandments keep us from getting into dangerous situations.

    On a mission everything revolves around being obedient. When you are obedient you see blessings and you can see how your investigators progress more. You can see how your family or ward back home is being blessed. You are able to see so many things differently and you grow a greater respect for your Heavenly Father and your parents. You will also be able to see your progression as well!!! When obedient you grow and learn more about yourself and those around you. You are able to gain a greater knowledge of the material you are teaching others.

 

Oh good I am glad that she is doing well, and that she likes her YSA ward. That really does make all the difference when you love the YSA ward or even the ward you are in. She can really do anything that she sets her mind too!!!! She is stronger and more beautiful then she knows. I am so grateful to have her a my sister!!!! She continues to amaze me with how much she knows and what she does!!!

 

I still like the name peaches!!!!!!! It really does sound like the best bird ever. As for the squawking. That sounds like how I was yesterday. I was getting ready for church and just started giggling for no reason and I just had a Laughing attack for a good 20 min. Sister Fortuna kept asking me why I was laughing and I had no clue why!!!! It was just funny.

 

I am glad to hear that everyone is doing well.

 

OH my goodness Mom that is amazing. I am so happy for you!!!!!! See another blessing for choosing to do what is right. That is great!!!!!! 

 

I got some good news the other day!!!! Graham took all of his piercing out and is keeping them out. And Chez is now teaching in the Young Womens, getting ther patriartical, and taking temple prep classes!!!! So amazing!!!!!

 

I love and miss you all so much!!!!!!

 

Love

 

Sister Ballantyne

Email 9/9/13

Oh my goodness you will never guess what happened. So on Friday we were at a members home for tea. She is really nice and after she dropped us off at the chapel. We started talking to a man named Dave Morris. He is a member of the New Castle ward which shares the same building as the Stoke ward. So we started talking and he asked me what I thought of Stoke so far. I told him that I was so excited to be here because I have family history all over this place. (Stoke is known for its Pottery). He asked who my ancestors were. I told him Alfred Cordon. He told me that Alfred Cordon was one of his hero's and he wrote a paper on him. He also said that he had all 7 of his journals, and that he would get me a copy of them. It is so amazing!!!!! So we kept on talking and he said that when he was on his mission he had a companion with the last name of Ballantyne that lived in Farmington. I asked him where he served. He served in Califorinia in 1990-1992. I asked if his name was Steve. He pulled up a picture of him on face book and it is none other then dad's Brother Steve Ballantyne!!!!!!!!! It ceases to amaze me how Heavenly Father has a hand in every thing and he knows exactly where we are needed and when.

 

In Gospel Principles on Sunday the lesson talked about how we were for ordained before we came to this earth. He already knew that I was to come to England and Stoke-on-Trent. We already had the talents that we have and we just need to find them and develop them. The teacher Brother Beeston (WML). Found out that I can sing on Thursday when we sang at his house, and in the middle of the lesson on Sunday asked me to get up and sing. It was nerve racking but not as terrifying as it normally is.

 

My address is:

Flat 1, Hartshill House

St. Andrews Square

Stoke-On-Trent

STAFFS

ST4 7GD

 

My release date is April 30th. I was just going to have you look and see what I needed to do. I know that I need to work so that I can save some money. This is going to be so much fun. All that I know is that I need to go to school.

 

There are a few investigators. This area is just pouring of our family history!!!!! I love it so much. The ward is great!!! They are so nice and loving!!! I love my companion!!!!! She is so sweet!!! We have so much fun and just laugh the whole time.

 

That quote that Cassie shared is exactly what I was looking for. We are giving a training in our Zone meeting tomorrow and it is on the "power of words". And that will go perfectly with what we were thinking of doing. 

 

Quote:

"Watch your thoughts; for they become words. Watch your words;for they become actions. Watch your actions; for they become habit. Watch your habits; for they become character. Watch your character; for it becomes your destiny."

 

We have been getting some rain as well. We are coming back into the normal british weather.

 

I love that post!!!!! It is exactly what we as Christians should do. We need to be that example and not be ashamed of who we are or who we represent. We need to show to him that we are here to do his work and to help his children come closer to him. 

 

Post:I am a Christian

When I say that "I am a Christian," I am not shouting that "I am clean living." I'm whispering "I was lost, but know I'm found and forgiven.
When I say "I am a Christian," I don't speak of this with pride. I'm confessing that I stumble and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say "I am a Christian," I'm not trying to be strong. I'm professing that I'm weak and need His strength to carry on.
When I say "I am a Christian," I'm not bragging of success. I'm admitting I have failed and need God to clean my mess.
When I say "I am a Christian," I'm not claiming to be perfect. My flaws are far too visible, but believes I am worth it.
When I say "I am a Christian," I still feel the sting of pain. I have my share of heartaches, so I call upon His name.
When I say "I am a Christian," I'm not holier the thou. I'm just a simple sinner who received God's good grace, somehow!

 

I love you all so much and am so grateful for all of your constant love and support!!!!

 

Love

 

Sister Ballantyne

Email 9/5/13

Dear Family!!!!!!!!!!

 

I have been transferred to Stoke-on-trent!!! And I am serving with none other then the amazingly wonderful Sister Fortuna!!!! She is from California!! She goes home in 2 transfers. And we have been really close friends since my first transfer when we went on exchange together. She is great!!!! We have been waiting 5 transfers for this. I still cannot believe that we are companions. 

 

Yes I have been taking the pills, using the nebulizer (I have plenty of medicine for the nebulizer), and my inhalers.I have had to stay in the flat for a few hours a day so that I would be able to take the nebulizer. It is just frustrating because I will be out walking around for about 30 min and it is hard to breath. I cannot take deep breaths, It feels like there is someone sitting on my chest. I just don't know what is going on. I don't think that there is anything that she can do from there and I am at a loss of what to do here. I think it is just something that I am going to have to struggle through until I get home. I feel lazy though when I have to go in and use the nebulizer because that is time that I could be out talking to people.

 

Oh I miss football season!!!!! When I get home you will have to tell me who won the super bowl.

 

I don't really need anything but if you really want to send something. Some cute shirts would be good. You really don't need to send me anything.

 

This area is very beautiful and hilly. So I am hopefully going to loose the 2 stones that i have gained on my mission. Ugh so frustrating so many nice members feeding us. (this is not a complaint) I love the tea appointments, just not the weight gain. I have only met a few members so far, but the seem really nice.

 

Haha that is great!!!! Will you copy that letter and email it to me. My companion wants to use it when she goes home so that she can keep doing something. I am just still amazed that they used it and that is has had such an impact. It is amazing to know that when I feel like I am not making an impact in the area I am in now, I am making an impact at home and I never even thought of it like that. It is just amazing that God really does work in round about mysterious ways.

 

I think the home sickness is alright. Still here but I think it has something to do with the whole asthma thing and not being able to do as much as I would like, and investigators not doing what I know will help them. I was just really really stressed for the past two week. I will always miss home, but it was a lot more so this week. I am constantly worried about everything and I am trying to figure out how not to worry so much but it is not really working.

I love you all so much and hope you have a great weekend. I will talk to you on Monday!!!

 

Love

 

Sister Ballantyne

10 Fundamentals for a Better Life

10 Fundamentals for Life

1.      Read the Book of Mormon. Every day! It will help you have a better day and it will help you stay focused.

I know that by reading the Book of Mormon everyday it has helped me have a greater understanding of things and people.

Challenge: Read the Book of Mormon in 30 days. (Yes it can be done! I have seen it done)

2.      Create a Mormon.org profile.

Millions of people look at that site all of the time. It is good to have one so that people can see how we incorporate out faith in to our lives.

Challenge: Share it with a friend.

(It is a great way to share your testimony with people without voicing it out loud.)

3.      Learn about your family history.

Knowing our family history can open so many doors to us. Also it helps us become closer to our loved ones. Family history is also a wonderful way to do temple work. When we do our family history we know who we a doing the work for and it makes it more personal.

Mal. 4:6, Rom. 14:9, 1 Cor. 15:29, 1 Peter 4:6, D&C 2:1-3

Challenge: Talk to your grandparents and great-grandparents about their childhoods or stories about their parents. (Write down the stories) Go on family search.org.

4.      Go to the Temple as much as you can!!

The temple is a wonderful place for revelation. It has been my safe haven for the past few years. Don’t wait until you cannot get to a temple to want to go inside. Do it now while you have so many to choose from.

The temple is why I am still here on my mission today. It helps with those huge life changing decisions. Take the advantage of the temples now!

Challenge: Take a question to the temple. Take family names to the temple and do the work for them. Always strive to be worthy to enter the Temple at any moment.

5.      Write in your journals!

If you do not have a journal, get one!!!!!

Your journal is a way for your future generation to know what you went through growing up and how you dealt with it.

It is their way to read you testimony and to get to know you so much more! The scriptures are journals of the prophets. If they had not written we would not have them. Who know some of you could be Apostles or Prophets someday.

Write in your journals your wonderful testimony.

Callenge: Write down 5 different miracles or blessings you see each day. (Yes they have to be different each day.)

6.      Find your own Sacred Grove!

a.       Find a place that you can call your own. If you are having a bad day or just need some time alone. Somewhere that you can just offer up your soul to you Heavenly Father.

As a missionary we don’t really have any time alone unless one of you is in the rest room. So find a spot where if it is still surrounded by people you can block them all out and chat with Heavenly Father.

Challenge: Have your own Joseph Smith moment. (In a vocal prayer come to him with a question about the church in your Sacred Grove)

7.      Moroni 10:8-18, D&C 46:8-33

Find and develop those gifts and talents that God has given you. Ask for and strive to find more. Each and every one has them! (D&C 6:7)

Challenge: Use 1 of those talents or gifts every day for a month! (Different 1 for each day of a week, they you can use them again.)

8.      PMG Chapter 6 Christ like Attributes

Tread about the Christ like attributes and apply them into your life. Strive to become more like him!

When we Strive to achieve the attributes of Christ we become more like him and closer to our Heavenly Father.

We also learn more about ourselves!

Challenge: PMG pg.126

Do the assessment and work on them every day! (PMG = Preach My Gospel)

9.      Share your testimony every day!

As we share our testimonies it gives the Holy Ghost a chance to testify of the truth. It also helps out testimonies grow stronger and stronger.

Bearing out testimonies plants a seed in the hearts of those that are listening! When we bear out testimony it gives them a chance to use their agency about whether to accept or reject the truth.

Challenge: Write your testimony in a Book of Mormon and prayerfully give it to someone, or give it to the missionaries to give to someone!

(Putting your testimony in a Book of Mormon personalizes it.)

10.   2 Nephi 33:6

Develop a personal relationship with your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ!

As you do all of these things # 10 will come!

When you have a personal relationship with your Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ you will be able to feel them near you and you will know exactly who you are and what your purpose is!

Challenge: Write a letter telling me how this has helped you or how it has changed those around you. Share what miracles or blessings you have seen. And continue on with them. Don’t stop or give up. I know that you can do them.

Most of all continue to do every thing you can to always have the Holy Ghost with you. I can assure you that it is the worst thing to be without the Holy Ghost in your life especially after you have already had him there. Continue to talk to your Heavenly Father! He wants to hear from you! He loves and care for you so much!

I love all of you so much. Continue to be the wonderful sons and daughters of God that you are and stay on the right path. It will take you so much farther than the other one!

Challenge: Share with you families the miracles and blessings you have seen!

I know that if you do these things that the Lord will be with you and you will be able to feel hem close around you!

I know that this gospel is true. I know that Joseph Smith was the Prophet of God and that Thomas S. Monson is the Prophet today! I know that the Book of Mormon is the true word of God translated by Joseph Smith. I know that each one of you are choice sons and daughters of God and that he has a great work ahead for each of you! I know that as long as we do what is right we will be blessed. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.