Email 3/28/13

You will never guess where I am right now or who my companion is!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have whitewashed into Rhyl that is in Wales and it is sea side. Yes I get to see the Sea every morning!!!!!!! It was so beautiful the first time I saw it yesterday. I am in Heaven!!!! My companion is the one and only Sister Clawson!!!!!!!!!!  While we were sitting at transfers she walked in and I just knew that she was mine. I just had this overwhelming feeling come over me and I just knew. And guess what we found out that we are distantly related!!! She is a direct descendent of Richard Ballantyne!!!! It was her Uncle who put that book together. Speaking of which can you send me the book about him?? I talked to President Preston and he said that it was fine for you to send it to us. Crazy huh!!! To top it all off she has had a blessing to tell her that she will help her distant family members come to the church as well. When we found that out this morning Oh man that spirit was so strong.

 

It has been snowing again this past weekend. But today it is absolutely beautiful!!!! The sun is shining and the beach looks so tempting;) hehe Just kidding.

 

I am sure that they got something from your lesson. And your right you may never know if they did or not, but maybe someday down the road they will share it with their primary class. It is just like Samuel Smith. He left his mission feeling like a failure because he only placed two Book of Mormon's and had no baptisms. But little did he know that out of those two Book of Mormon's we got Brigham Young and his family. So who knows!!!

 

We are not teaching him anymore much to his dislike. But the Elders are.

 

Well believe it or not we will most likely be going to Elder Donaldson's home for Easter. He is the Area Seventy over this area. His son is our Bishop and he brought us to Rhyl from Transfers. They are so nice. We met Elder Donaldson and his wife yesterday as well.

 

I am doing good. I am having a good time and I already Love Sister Clawson.

 

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

 

Love you mostess

 

Sister Ballantyne

Email 3/18/13

Good Morning every one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is such a beautiful day today!!!!! This week has been pretty good. 

For conference we go to the stake center where it is broadcasted. We get to go Saturday morning and evening and Sunday morning. I am really excited to try something different for conference. It will be a wonderful experience. This week we had a multi zone training it was really good I learned a lot!!!

I am glad that they like their letters. Dad should get his patriarchal blessing as well.;) Don't worry about me I am doing ok. Yes it is hard right now but I am not holding it all in I am talking to someone who I now can help. I am talking to my Heavenly Father. I am definitely going through a trial right now but that just means I am to do something really meaningful and I just have to trust in my Heavenly Father to help get me through it.

Don't worry it is nothing to big I am just dealing with a crazy/creepy investigator and worried about training. 

I am not sure how much longer we will have weather like that, but it will be good to have just in case. I have not bought a coat yet because we haven't really had a chance but I will be looking today.

Yes she will be coming in on this transfer. Now that I know her name I can keep an eye out for her and say hi. I am definitely nervous for this transfer especially for the not knowing if I am training or not. But i know that as long as I am keeping my faith in the Lord and keeping my hand in is I will be able to do it. The Holy Ghost is the Teacher/Trainer I just need to let him work through me.

Thank you so much for the Poem. I absolutely love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Love you mostess hostess toastess

Sister Ballantyne

Next week is transfers just so you know  

The poem we shared with Taylor this week that she is referring to in her letter:

The lad who sold them had such charm, I talk to him: he seemed so glad... if I were late 'twould do no harm,
And as I left he said to me :"Thank you. You have been so kind.
It's nice to talk to folks like you. You see," he said, "I'm blind".

Oh God, forgive me when I whine...
I have two eyes. The world is mine.

Later, walking down the street, I saw a child with eyes of blue.
He stood and watched the others play; it seemed he knew not what to do.
Then I said, "Why don't you join the others, dear?"
He looked ahead without a word, and then I knew he could not hear.

Oh God, forgive me when I whine...
I have two ears. The world is mine.

With legs to take me where I'd go,
With eyes to see the sunset glow,
Two ears to hear what I would know...

Oh God, forgive me when I whine...
I'm blessed indeed. The world is mine.


- Author Unknown

Email 3/4/13

Well I have been moved from Bolton!! Oh ya I am so sick of packing all ready. I am now in Oldham  with Sister Orr, she is from Pocatello Idaho. She has about 5 months left. It is about and hour away. 

My new address is
12 Lauren Close
Oldham
OL4 5JJ

Sister Orr is feeling a little bit better. Sister Telefoni she has constant stomach pains they have not been able to figure out what it is so she is going to see a professional on the 6th so see if they can figure out what the problem is.
Hungarian is quite interesting. I was getting used to the area, and now I am getting used to this area. President said that it is possible that I will whitewash and train next transfer so I am to learn everything I can from Sister Orr so that I will be ready to do that. I am freaking out a little bit.

That is such a cute name I am sure that it fits her very well. I am sure that DeeAnn is excited. How is Riley doing??

I probably would have stopped trying as well. It would have definitely taken a tole on me.

That poem is wonderful!!! Thank you for sharing it with me!!

How is the family doing???? Could you also send me my Josh Gorban cds and other church cds please and thank you. I was also wondering if you could go on itunes and buy the song "the prayer by Josh Groban and Celiene Dion and burn it to a cd and send it to me please. I would really appreciate it.  No I did not have a fee for Candaces because she just sent in through the regular mail.

I am doing alright. I am just being the support for my companions right now.

Update: Laura is doing well. I was terrified to let the Elders teach her but they are exactly what she needed. I found out that they are now teaching her younger sister. I absolutely love Laura she is so sweet and has a wonderful spirit. I am so glad that I was able to meet her and watch her change!!!






The weather has been sunny here!! And warm surprisingly.

I Love you all!!!!!

Sincerely Sister Ballantyne

This is the poem I shared in Taylor's email -
You may not know me, but I know everything about you ... Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up ... Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways... Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered... Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image... Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being... Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring... Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived... Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation... Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book... Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live... Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made... Psalm 139:14

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me... John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love... 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you simply because you are my child and I am your

   father... 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could... Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father... Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand... James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs... Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope... Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love... Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore... Psalm 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing... Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you... Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession... Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul... Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things... Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me... Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart... Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires... Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine... Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager... 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles... 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you... Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart... Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes and will take away all the pain you have

    suffered on this earth... Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus... John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.... John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being... Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you... Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins... 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled... 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you... 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love... Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me... 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again... Romans 8:38-39

Email 2/25/13

I have had a pretty good week. We had another sister with us due to health problems so we have stayed in quite a bit between her and Sister Telefoni, but we have had a blast. Yes this is the week we should get the trainee she should come on Saturday. But we are not sure right now because President Preston might change some things around so we should find out tonight what the plans are. There are a few that the previous elders were teaching that we picked up but most of them only speak Hungarian so it is kind of hard. But I have decided that I am going to learn Hungarian;) We'll see how that goes!!! We haven't had too much snow lately last week we had 5 days where the sun was shining and 3 where we didn't need to wear jackets.

 

Oh I am so excited for them. She is going to be a wonderful mother. I am so sad that I am not going to be there to see them, So I am going to need some pictures!!! Please

 

Haha Camden is so cute!!! He will talk when he feels like he has something to say!!! Plus with our family how could he get a word in we are constantly talking:) He will do it when he is ready!!

 

I miss those horses!!! That might be a good change for them.

 

Your class sounds like one of the best classes ever!!!!!!!! I wish I was in that class I would have so much fun. It is crazy just how much that really do take in!! It is just the sign of the times.

 

I am doing good, Just trying to ignore all of the worry and stress that I have. The other day at Zone Conference I had a feeling that I really should get a blessing. While I was sitting there listening to Elder Kurr of the Area Seventy for our area give a training he said something that hit me and I knew that I needed him to give me the blessing. He said; We need to place our hands in the Lords and he will help us. I have heard that many times before but just hearing it from him it helped. So after Zone Conference I went up to him and asked if he had a few minutes to give me a blessing. We got my Zone leaders and Elder Kurr asked what the blessing was for. I told him that it was for peace and comfort because I have been really stressed and crazy with worries. He gave me a blessing and pretty much said that everything will work out as long as I put my hand in the Lords and trust what he is telling me!! I am so grateful for the Priesthood and for all it does for me and our family. I want to thank you and dad for teaching me about it and for the opportunity to grow up with the priesthood in our home.

 

The MTC here has definitely had an influx. Our next group of missionaries coming in next transfer is 34 new missionaries plus some going to other missions.

 

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

I hope you all have a wonderful week!!!!

 

Sincerely

 

Sister Ballantyne

Email 2/18/13

I am glad that Lexie  liked the card!!! How was her birthday???

 

Tina is so sweet!!!!! I was so shocked that she had sent me the package. It had a book in it and a chapter from President Gordon B. Hinckley's biography!. It was so kind and thoughtful of her to send it to me. In the letter it talked about her missionary experience. I am glad that she didn't feel any pain. I would have felt really bad if she did.

 

We get Book of Mormons from the mission office. But that is very kind and thoughtful of Sister Brown. I am glad that you now know what white washing is;) My new address is

 

the Mere NO. 9 Bradstone Court

off Brocksby Chase

Bolton

LANCS

Bl1 2JD

 

Kaetlyn is so cute. I am sure that her talk was pretty powerful. Thank you for sharing that with me. The poem is absolutely wonderful.  Seth is funny!! I am sure that he did a great job as well. He is a very good example to the youth. I don't think he realizes it either.

 

Haha you should come prepared next time and know how to make balloon animals;) Didn't you know that is now a requirement to teach primary?? HEHE!!!!

 

I absolutely love my new companion she is so cute and sweet. We have to spend time in the flat some days because she gets really bad stomach pains. I am now starting to realize why President Preston put us together. Because she is going to be training in a few weeks and when she is in bed in too much pain I will be the one training her. I am terrified!!!!!!!!!!!! I so don't want to train!!! I kept hoping that he wouldn't ask me so I wouldn't have to say no. But he has already told me that he is going to need me to train. Baaaaaaa I am so nervous. The ward is really small but I like it and every one here really wants to do missionary work. It is going to be a really good transfer!!! I love Bolton but I miss Chorley!!

 

I love you all as well

 

Love you mostest hostest toastest

 

Sister Ballantyne

Email 2/14/13

This is transfer week so we did not get an email until today.

The Temple was good I was able to go again yesterday. I have been transfered to Bolton we whitewashed in, so it has been quite a bit of fun trying to find our way around.

 

I don't think the burn will leave too much of a scar.

 

It snowed yesterday so it was quite entertaining with all of the suitcases.

 

We had ward conference as well! It was really good they talked all about the Restoration and the Book of Mormon and using them for missionary work. I am sure that yours was just as wonderful!! It is good to be true to yourself.

 

 As of right now I am not coming home. I told President that I was not going home yet. He asked what I meant by that. I l told him that it meant that I am not going home right now but if I happen to get ingured (not planning on it) or if I am told to go home I am not going to be mad I am just going to do what my Heavenly Father needs me to do!!!!!!!!!!!! My new companions name is Sister Telefoni she is from New Zealand. We will be getting a new one in about 2 weeks. She will be coming from the MTC she is there longer because she is learning English. She is from Spain. Her name is Sister Rojas Vela.

 

UMMMM ya I don't think that I like that either. He needs to stop growning right now!!!!!! Haha I am sure that she is excited!!! But I think she needs to stop growing up!!! I don't like this change thing!!!!

 

Love you tons!!!!!!!!!!

 

Sincerely

 

Sister Ballantyne

Emial 2/4/13

Well I have to admit it has been a really rough week!!! I will be going to the Temple Tomorrow Morning. Hopefully that can help clear up my mind of all things. I will hopefully be able to go to the Temple next week as well on Trasnfers. It is so hard having a Temple so close and not being able to go when ever I want. But it is also humbling to be able to turn to my Heavenly Father and seek his guidence.
My hand is doing fine it is starting to peal, but it is healing very nicely. Sister Spencers hand is fine it was better in 2 days. We are meeting with Laura tonight I think she is doing alright, but I know how hard it is. I just wish I could do more for her. Well we were teaching another one but we had to drop her because she wasn't keeping commitments or appointments. I really didn't want to drop her but there is only so much that we can do without beating them over the head. Sports day was fine. I was able to talk to Sister Longmore and Sister Hanson. I wasn't able to do any of the sports because I was talking to them about what I was feeling. It was really good to talk to them I miss them so much. They helped me so much last transfer. I will forever be grateful to them because they broke me and made me talk about feelings blah;) I also got to see a lot of the other sisters that I am friends with. Yes I am surrounded by loving sisters. I got the chance to meet some of the new sisters coming in on the 13. We were leaving church yesterday and they were outside the MTC taking pictures so we offered to take some of all of them together. It was really weird to realize that that was me just a few months ago.
We have one kind of like that in our ward. But he get up as says that he has a tesitmony that Joseph Smith, Boyd K. Packer, and Thomas S. Monson are Prophets. He also read to us from the book of Tobet. ( I don't even know what that book is) It was quite strange.
Your Primary class sounds wonderful!!!!!!!! So much fun. I think I would fit right in;) You should teach them the bumble bee song:) hehe that would be lots of fun.
It has just been regular England weather here for the past few days other than on Saturday it was a Clear Sunny day and i absolutely loved it!!!! Ya I saw pictures of it from some of the Senior Missionaries in our ward. I am so jealious. I prayed for that snow and it didn't come until I left:( What knife did he loose??? I would have loved to see his face when the ice popped!!!! I am glad that he didn't leave his keys in the truck but it would have been really really funny if he did;) hehe.
I hope you have a good week

Love

Sister Ballantyne