May 21st Grandma Johnson Passed Away

Hello everyone.

I got the news that Grandma Johnson passed away and it sound like everyone has had a pretty rough week. I got a feeling on Friday night that she had passed away, kinda weird, so I wasn't too surprised to find out. I hope everyone is doing a little better and that her funeral arrangements go smoothly. It sounds like she went peacefully and wasn't in too much pain. It also sounds like she was ready to go as well and she showed tremendous courage. She was such a good example to all of us. It's times like these when we have to be so grateful for the gospel, to be able to know that this life isn't the end brings so much comfort. It's good to know that she's been re-united with Grandpa again. Thank goodness for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Things have been going pretty good here. It's hard to believe that it's already been four months since leaving home. Time is flying by. they compare it with a roll of toilet paper. It starts off slow then starts rolling faster and faster. This transfer is already half over! 2 more weeks and I'll probably be in a new area! crazy crazy.

Gerald is progressing very well. We've had a few very good lessons with him in members homes. He loves the people in the ward. That'll be the biggest aspect of his conversion, the people showing him love. It's something that's very different about our church. He has been reading the Book Of Mormon....a lot. He read all of 1 Nephi in one night! I was shocked. We're really focusing on him gaining a spiritual confirmation to know that it's true. He's still going to have to overcome his strong Catholic upbringing and I think that it will come over time. He's dated for baptism on June 9th so we'll be pushing for that day.

The week went pretty well. I went on an exchange with Elder Saunders this weekend. We had the chance to attend a baptism of one of an investigator in one of his previous areas. It was an odd service. The water was filled up all the was so Elder Saunders had to kneel down and the person being baptized had to sit. It was interesting to see. haha. We got a ride back to Stockport from President Preston and it was nice to be able to chat with him for about an hour.

Funny experience, Elder Thomas and I were looking for the address of a less active member and we ended up in a market in town center. Someone yelled to come over. It was a crazy Gypsy lady who said that she was a member of the church. I was laughing so hard inside because back home we always used to joke about gypsies but it never occurred to me that they were real. haha. She was selling all of her goods on a little table. It was an experience to remember for sure.

I also got to eat more African food this week! It's soooo good. African dining is so different the English. In an English home you use a fork and knife and sit up straight, when you eat African food you eat with you hands. It makes eating fun. ahah. We had fufu(kind of like mashed potatoes) that you dipped in a spicy sauce. We also had pepe soup but it was way too spicy for me. I took one sip and was coughing and crying so hard. It was a good time though.

Everything is going well here and we're looking forward to the coming week. Can't wait to hear from you all soon.

Love Elder Ford

May 9th Life with Elder Thomas

Hey everybody!

Sorry I didn't email on Monday. It was a bank holiday and everything was shut down for the day. Bank holidays are basically a day of for everyone for no specific reason, pretty lame. haha. Hopefully everything is going well for everyone.

Everything is going good for Elder Thomas and I. We're already getting used to each others personality and teaching style. It should be a really good transfer. We're pretty much starting fresh and focusing the majority of our time finding people. We've had a little bit of a drop off of people to teach in the last few weeks so We're going all over the place to try and find people. We even got kicked of a bus the other day for speaking to people. haha. It happens all the time. Some people just get so upset.

We've got a lot of good people that have a lot of potential to be really solid investigators but it's just a matter of finding a time to teach them. We're doing our best so it will all work out. This transfer is going to fly by, especially since it's only a 5 week transfer. That will probably be the end of my stay in Stockport. It'll be pretty weird moving into another area. Just when you get comfortable somewhere you move! haha That's missionary life, you're never comfortable. It can be the most uncomfortable thing sometimes just moving from seat to seat on the bus speaking to people. The person you'll try and speak to next already overheard what you were saying to the person before so they know you're coming for them. Sometimes it can be a pretty funny situation.

I got the news that Grandma isn't doing to good. Hopefully everything will be o.k. She's been in my prayers every night and it's good to know she's getting support from everyone.

Other than that not too much is different here. We had our mission wide sports day yesterday. We all gathered at the stake center and played sports all day long. it was so much fun. Playing American football and basketball. I was pretty rusty and our of shape though. It was frustrating haha. Elder Thomas and I are so sore today from it. haha Feels like i was hit with a hammer. I probably should start working out a little harder in the morning. haha it's been a struggle without the gym pass though. However the weight continues to fall off. Total weight loss, 23 pounds! I'm in danger of breaking into the 190's. Crazy! It's probably just the lack of fast food in my diet, something I plan on doing a lot of when i get home. Fast food is amazing.

I'm looking forward to speaking with the family on Saturday! It'll be interesting to be able to skype. Just email the Forsyths if you have any questions. It'll be best if you have a list of questions you want answered and I'll do my best to answer them.

Hopefully everyone has a good week. You'll be in my prayers. I miss you all but I'll speak to you soon. Love you all!!!

Love Elder Ford.  

Scripture of the week. Alma 5: 14, 26. The need for constant conversion.

Pictures:

1. The Manchester United jerseys. Looks like it should be framed

2. Shooting some hoops on p-day at the park.

3. Companion Unity

4. Stockport district 2.0

May 3rd Two Transfers Down

Hello everyone,

Two transfers are already gone. It's crazy! Time is flying by so quickly! I'm officially a trained missionary. haha. crazy crazy

I'll be staying in Stockport this next transfer. No surprised there. Elder Corbin is headed off to Bolton. He was pretty excited. My new companion is.....(drumroll) Elder Thomas. He's amazing. He's a professional soccer player from Belgium and a convert to the church. He played for the Belgium national team, then was taught and baptized by missionaries then a year later he was on a mission. He is going to teach me so much.

I'm taking this as a sign that i need to start enjoying soccer.ahah. He's going to need to teach me how to play. I also bought a Man. United jersey last week with my name and number on the back. haha. It looks quite i nice if i do say so myself.

It's going to be a little weird adjusting to a new companion but it'll be a really good learning experience. I'll be able to see how other missionaries are successful and learn from them.

Sadly I'll probably be leaving Stockport after this transfer. It's only a five week transfer this time as well so it'll go by very quickly. I could easily stay in Stockport for another transfer but I'll go where I'm called. I'll try and get some good pictures to send on Monday.

Other than that nothing much is new. Elder Thomas and I are just going to work hard to find, teach and baptize. That's what we do!!! haha.

I hope everyone has had a good week. I'll be emailing again on Monday.

Love you all

Love Elder Ford