Hello my friends and family!
This week I am very grateful that I was able to be a missionary and serve the Lord this Christmas! It boggles my mind that this is the second Christmas I've had on my mission. We had opportunities to visit people who didn't always have someone on Christmas which is something I am grateful we were able to do.
On Christmas Eve the ward had a carol night at 7 for a couple of hours, it was great to take time so close to Christmas and simply sing the songs of our hearts and relish in the spirit of Christ. Many of our good friends and members were there, and sharing that time with them definitely made it special.
On Christmas we began in the morning by walking to go see a family from Uruguay, the Pintos Family, to make English breakfast for them (Brother Pintos loves English breakfast) and then drove with them to go carolling to some of our investigator's homes and other members. It is a tradition in their family, a tradition of service that I definitely learned a lot from.
In the afternoon we visited our Ward Mission Leader's family to help them cook Christmas Dinner and that is where we Skyped from. A little while after that we visited the Vennerholm family from Sweden, and took food to a few single members. Christmas went by really quickly this year, it's still amazing to me that it has already the second Christmas I've had in England. I am very grateful that we were able to spend it serving others.
This year is gearing up to be a very fun year, 2016 will definitely be a good one! You are tired of hearing it but 2015 went by very quickly, it's the only year I will have spent entirely on my mission and honestly ai'm pretty sad that it is almost over. I know there will be many blessings and miracles in 2016 so I am looking forward to it!
Time is extremely short today, we are having trouble finding a place to email, so I apologise that is is short. I truly love you dearly. Thank you for everything that you do. Stay strong, stay faithful, and stay happy!
Love,
Elder Draney
Monday, December 28, 2015
Monday, December 21, 2015
Happy Christmas!
Hello my friends and family!
It's Christmas already! I think you will agree with me that December is always the fastest month of the year. That combined with about a thousand other things has made this last week cruise by.
Last Tuesday we were able to go to the temple with a third of our mission. The temple is always a highlight. Seeing other missionaries and being able to spend time with them is always great but by far the best part is the spirit that I felt both in the temple and in a meeting with President Gubler afterward. I love President Gubler so much! He loves the Lord, and this work, and us; you can see it in his face and in everything he does.
Christmas week is going to be a lot of fun! We have plans to do a lot of special things for some of our friends this week. We have received a lot of help from them and members of our ward this past few weeks so we will do what we can to help them out and ease their burden's this week.
We moved Nadir's baptismal date this week so that he could sort something's out with work and some other things. It isn't something we are sad about because his faith is unbreakable but we all want to make sure he is ready and able to have the greatest blessings that come as he does these things. We are looking forward to that soon!
I love the Lord and am grateful more than anything to be able to serve Him. I am surely still learning, but I've learned more in this past year what it means to give than I ever have. It is much easier said than done, but I am doing all that I can to give everything to Him. I know that He lives. I know He lives because I have kept His commandments and know that they come from a loving Heavenly Father that knows infinitely better than we do. (John 7:17) I know He lives because I have sought to lose my life in His service, and found more of myself than I could ever know was there. (Matt 16:25) I know that He lives because I have felt the power and love of His redemption fill every part of my soul and change and heal the broken and unsettled parts of me. Give all you can to Him and all of His children and I know that you will experience greater joy this Christmas than you have before.
I love you dearly.
Happy Christmas! 😉
Elder Draney
It's Christmas already! I think you will agree with me that December is always the fastest month of the year. That combined with about a thousand other things has made this last week cruise by.
Last Tuesday we were able to go to the temple with a third of our mission. The temple is always a highlight. Seeing other missionaries and being able to spend time with them is always great but by far the best part is the spirit that I felt both in the temple and in a meeting with President Gubler afterward. I love President Gubler so much! He loves the Lord, and this work, and us; you can see it in his face and in everything he does.
Christmas week is going to be a lot of fun! We have plans to do a lot of special things for some of our friends this week. We have received a lot of help from them and members of our ward this past few weeks so we will do what we can to help them out and ease their burden's this week.
We moved Nadir's baptismal date this week so that he could sort something's out with work and some other things. It isn't something we are sad about because his faith is unbreakable but we all want to make sure he is ready and able to have the greatest blessings that come as he does these things. We are looking forward to that soon!
I love the Lord and am grateful more than anything to be able to serve Him. I am surely still learning, but I've learned more in this past year what it means to give than I ever have. It is much easier said than done, but I am doing all that I can to give everything to Him. I know that He lives. I know He lives because I have kept His commandments and know that they come from a loving Heavenly Father that knows infinitely better than we do. (John 7:17) I know He lives because I have sought to lose my life in His service, and found more of myself than I could ever know was there. (Matt 16:25) I know that He lives because I have felt the power and love of His redemption fill every part of my soul and change and heal the broken and unsettled parts of me. Give all you can to Him and all of His children and I know that you will experience greater joy this Christmas than you have before.
I love you dearly.
Happy Christmas! 😉
Elder Draney
Monday, December 14, 2015
Another blessed week
Hello my friends and family!
This week was full of miracles and amazing things. We have been able to see great change and so much happiness in everyone that we taught. It has been a blessed week.
The first miracle came on Monday evening when we were teaching our friend Stephen. I've mentioned Stephen before and we have been teaching him the whole time I've been here. Stephen's wife is a member and he has been coming to church with her and being taught by missionaries for about a year and a half. After our teach with him on Monday we said a closing prayer and right as we were packing up our stuff to leave he said "I thought you should be some of the first to know, but I've seen a lot of blessings in my life this past week and I've decided I'm going to get baptised," Elder Chrimes and I were so stoked! I can't think of many times in my life when I have been speechless but this was definitely on of them!
On Tuesday we taught our really good friend Allen and that lesson was one of the most spiritual I've had on my mission. Allen talked about a lot of the spiritual struggles he has been facing and his desire to improve because he feels trapped where he is. As we talked the Holy Ghost gave me all the words I was to say and the Spirit was as tangible as anything I have ever felt. I've been teaching Allen off and on the whole time I've been here as well and it was amazing to have that breakthrough. He came with us to church on Sunday and immediately when it was over he said "Let's do this again next week!".
Thursday we taught Nadir who is going to be baptised this Sunday! We answered a lot of his questions and some of the things we've taught before really clicked this time. Nadir has such great faith in Christ. There is always so much to learn but I have learned a lot from Nadir. Nadir works 3 jobs to pay for his family in Pakistan while he raises money to bring them over to England. Despite being working until he is bone tired he still makes time to meet with us and come to church whenever he can and is one of the happiest people I have ever met. He is one of our Father's choice children. Often we have to meet at cafes and no matter how many times we tell him it's our turn to pay he always buys us a hot chocolate and always says we can pay "Next time,".
On Friday something happened to us that all missionaries dream of. During a longer planning session we do on Friday mornings we got a call from a random number. The person on the phone was a lady named Emilia. The basic version of the phone conversation is that she called us to tell us she knows that the Church is true and has a Book of Mormon that her daughter requested but that she wants us to bring her another one that she can have so we. An come and teach both her and her daughter more about the Church! Again I was pretty much speechless. We are going to be calling her again today to figure out when we can see her this week!
This coming week is geared up to be a killer week as well! Tomorrow we are going to the London Temple for Christmas and a special meeting with President Gubler! It was recently that I was able to attend the temple right before Elder Chrimes came but it will still be amazing to be able to take the special spirit of the temple and use it to help us in our work.
Like Amulek I cannot say the smallest part of which I feel (Alma 26:16). Nothing we give and no labor we perform in the service of the Lord is truly a sacrifice, the blessings that come far outweigh anything we can give.
I love you all so much! I didn't take any cool pictures this week, but there will be plenty next week!
Elder Draney
This week was full of miracles and amazing things. We have been able to see great change and so much happiness in everyone that we taught. It has been a blessed week.
The first miracle came on Monday evening when we were teaching our friend Stephen. I've mentioned Stephen before and we have been teaching him the whole time I've been here. Stephen's wife is a member and he has been coming to church with her and being taught by missionaries for about a year and a half. After our teach with him on Monday we said a closing prayer and right as we were packing up our stuff to leave he said "I thought you should be some of the first to know, but I've seen a lot of blessings in my life this past week and I've decided I'm going to get baptised," Elder Chrimes and I were so stoked! I can't think of many times in my life when I have been speechless but this was definitely on of them!
On Tuesday we taught our really good friend Allen and that lesson was one of the most spiritual I've had on my mission. Allen talked about a lot of the spiritual struggles he has been facing and his desire to improve because he feels trapped where he is. As we talked the Holy Ghost gave me all the words I was to say and the Spirit was as tangible as anything I have ever felt. I've been teaching Allen off and on the whole time I've been here as well and it was amazing to have that breakthrough. He came with us to church on Sunday and immediately when it was over he said "Let's do this again next week!".
Thursday we taught Nadir who is going to be baptised this Sunday! We answered a lot of his questions and some of the things we've taught before really clicked this time. Nadir has such great faith in Christ. There is always so much to learn but I have learned a lot from Nadir. Nadir works 3 jobs to pay for his family in Pakistan while he raises money to bring them over to England. Despite being working until he is bone tired he still makes time to meet with us and come to church whenever he can and is one of the happiest people I have ever met. He is one of our Father's choice children. Often we have to meet at cafes and no matter how many times we tell him it's our turn to pay he always buys us a hot chocolate and always says we can pay "Next time,".
On Friday something happened to us that all missionaries dream of. During a longer planning session we do on Friday mornings we got a call from a random number. The person on the phone was a lady named Emilia. The basic version of the phone conversation is that she called us to tell us she knows that the Church is true and has a Book of Mormon that her daughter requested but that she wants us to bring her another one that she can have so we. An come and teach both her and her daughter more about the Church! Again I was pretty much speechless. We are going to be calling her again today to figure out when we can see her this week!
This coming week is geared up to be a killer week as well! Tomorrow we are going to the London Temple for Christmas and a special meeting with President Gubler! It was recently that I was able to attend the temple right before Elder Chrimes came but it will still be amazing to be able to take the special spirit of the temple and use it to help us in our work.
Like Amulek I cannot say the smallest part of which I feel (Alma 26:16). Nothing we give and no labor we perform in the service of the Lord is truly a sacrifice, the blessings that come far outweigh anything we can give.
I love you all so much! I didn't take any cool pictures this week, but there will be plenty next week!
Elder Draney
Monday, December 7, 2015
Dec 7th, 2015
Hello my friends and family!
The first week of December has passed and now it's only 2 1/2 weeks until Christmas! Last years Christmas in Christchurch feels like it was only a few months ago and it's already time for Christmas in Croydon! Last year there was a distinct longing to be at home for Christmas, but while there is still a desire to be with you this Christmas, I'm excited to be able to feel the special Christmas spirit with friends that've made over here in England.
There were a lot of meetings this week that took up a lot of our time but we were still able to meet A LOT of new people! There is never a shortage of new friends in Croydon! It's been an exciting week as well because we were able to see some of the people we have been teaching for awhile but weren't able to see for a few weeks. It's not typical to stay in an area as long as I will be in Croydon, but is definitely a blessing.
This week should be interesting because we will be staying with the other Elders in our district for the week while our flat is getting repainted, it should be a lot of fun! We are all pretty close so it will be fun to stay with them, but their flat is TINY, we were so cramped last night when we went to bed! It's either going to be a really quick week or a really long week, I'll let you know when we get there!
I know this is exactly where I need to be right now. Ever since I felt that peace that came from knowing I'm where the Lord wants and needs me to be over a year ago now, I've felt a greater magnitude of love in ever sense of the word. Love from our Father in Heaven, love for my companions, love for the people, love for my family and all those close to me. I love you all so much! Talk to you soon!
Elder Draney
[Editor's note: Jacob was a pretty picky eater. He didn't like lots of common things (like lettuce and carrots). Now he's eating all kinds of ethnic and other strange foods.]
The first week of December has passed and now it's only 2 1/2 weeks until Christmas! Last years Christmas in Christchurch feels like it was only a few months ago and it's already time for Christmas in Croydon! Last year there was a distinct longing to be at home for Christmas, but while there is still a desire to be with you this Christmas, I'm excited to be able to feel the special Christmas spirit with friends that've made over here in England.
There were a lot of meetings this week that took up a lot of our time but we were still able to meet A LOT of new people! There is never a shortage of new friends in Croydon! It's been an exciting week as well because we were able to see some of the people we have been teaching for awhile but weren't able to see for a few weeks. It's not typical to stay in an area as long as I will be in Croydon, but is definitely a blessing.
This week should be interesting because we will be staying with the other Elders in our district for the week while our flat is getting repainted, it should be a lot of fun! We are all pretty close so it will be fun to stay with them, but their flat is TINY, we were so cramped last night when we went to bed! It's either going to be a really quick week or a really long week, I'll let you know when we get there!
I know this is exactly where I need to be right now. Ever since I felt that peace that came from knowing I'm where the Lord wants and needs me to be over a year ago now, I've felt a greater magnitude of love in ever sense of the word. Love from our Father in Heaven, love for my companions, love for the people, love for my family and all those close to me. I love you all so much! Talk to you soon!
Elder Draney
[Editor's note: Jacob was a pretty picky eater. He didn't like lots of common things (like lettuce and carrots). Now he's eating all kinds of ethnic and other strange foods.]
Monday, November 30, 2015
Happy Thanksgiving
Hello my friends and family!
Another blessed week in Croydon! It was a little rainy this week but a lot of great things happened so it was a good week as they all are!
Most of the interesting things happened on Sunday, Sunday is usually the highlight of the week anyway.
One of the coolest things was seeing a new member of the church named Esther that was actually taught by one of the sisters, Sister Mahaffey that was with me in the MTC but is in the London Mission, not London South. The reason we saw her is because Esther is originally from the Croydon area but moved away for university but came back to visit her family. The coolest part by far is that a couple of weeks ago through Sister Mahaffey we were able to get into contact with Esther's mom and start teaching her! So because we knew each other in the MTC we are able to teach members of the same awesome family! :)
Another highlight was a familiar face from Christchurch popping up at church yesterday! My first Ward Mission Leader on my mission, Russ Babidge, came to Selsdon Ward to visit his son-in-law and neither of us had any idea! Just before the sacrament hymn started he walked in an we had a quick hug before we had to sit down for the hymn. We got close while I was serving in Christchurch and seeing friends after so long is always awesome! Everywhere I go there are connections to Christchurch.
This week Elder Chrimes and I found a lot of new friends and we are looking forward to seeing them next week! We had a pretty mixed week of teaching, finding, and some service opportunities as well. On Saturday we had a belated Thanksgiving dinner with an American member of the ward and one of our investigators! I've eaten a lot of food at dinners on my mission and it wasn't the most I've eaten, but I was still really full so it accomplished its purpose!
My mission is the single most defining and stretching experience of my life, and I know it's meant to be that way. I wouldn't trade any of it or the time I have left for anything. I love the Lord for calling me on this mission, and I will forever be in debt to Him for all He has done for me.
I love you all!
Elder Draney
Another blessed week in Croydon! It was a little rainy this week but a lot of great things happened so it was a good week as they all are!
Most of the interesting things happened on Sunday, Sunday is usually the highlight of the week anyway.
One of the coolest things was seeing a new member of the church named Esther that was actually taught by one of the sisters, Sister Mahaffey that was with me in the MTC but is in the London Mission, not London South. The reason we saw her is because Esther is originally from the Croydon area but moved away for university but came back to visit her family. The coolest part by far is that a couple of weeks ago through Sister Mahaffey we were able to get into contact with Esther's mom and start teaching her! So because we knew each other in the MTC we are able to teach members of the same awesome family! :)
Another highlight was a familiar face from Christchurch popping up at church yesterday! My first Ward Mission Leader on my mission, Russ Babidge, came to Selsdon Ward to visit his son-in-law and neither of us had any idea! Just before the sacrament hymn started he walked in an we had a quick hug before we had to sit down for the hymn. We got close while I was serving in Christchurch and seeing friends after so long is always awesome! Everywhere I go there are connections to Christchurch.
This week Elder Chrimes and I found a lot of new friends and we are looking forward to seeing them next week! We had a pretty mixed week of teaching, finding, and some service opportunities as well. On Saturday we had a belated Thanksgiving dinner with an American member of the ward and one of our investigators! I've eaten a lot of food at dinners on my mission and it wasn't the most I've eaten, but I was still really full so it accomplished its purpose!
My mission is the single most defining and stretching experience of my life, and I know it's meant to be that way. I wouldn't trade any of it or the time I have left for anything. I love the Lord for calling me on this mission, and I will forever be in debt to Him for all He has done for me.
I love you all!
Elder Draney
Tuesday, November 24, 2015
Christmas in Croydon!
Hello everyone!
This week was a really solid week! We saw a lot of our friends that we haven't seen in awhile and got the ball rolling with them. We also spent a lot of time painting the inside of one of the members flat, which took up a lot of our day yesterday but has been rewarding to help out those in need.
As you may guess by the title, we found out whether or not I would be getting moved to a new area this week but I will be staying in Croydon for another 6 weeks! That will make it more than 8 months in total! I'm really glad that I get to stay with Elder Chrimes and keep working with all the great people I've come to know over the past 6 months! This transfer will take us in past Christmas so it will be a Christmas in Croydon!
The sad news is that our missionary district got split and most of the companionships are now part of two other districts. Now our district is just the 4 of us serving in Selsdon Ward, but it will still be a lot of fun to work together in the district!
There should never be routine weeks on a mission, and this week wasn't, but in terms of things to write about in an email it seems pretty routine! As always, but especially in the past few months, the work is progressing very well in our area. Even if those we teach don't choose to join the Church or do the things they need to do in order to gain a testimony, we are still able to be successful and do our part when we raise a warning voice to all those we meet and invite them to enjoy the blessings of following the Savior.
My testimony has deepened throughout my mission and it has come through simple habits of study and prayer. Doing those things more is part of our missionary schedule and I am so grateful for change that it has wrought in me. I love the scriptures and I love communicating with my Father in Heaven.
Love you all! Have a good week!
Elder Draney
(Serious district picture, everybody got the memo except for Elder Chrimes)
This week was a really solid week! We saw a lot of our friends that we haven't seen in awhile and got the ball rolling with them. We also spent a lot of time painting the inside of one of the members flat, which took up a lot of our day yesterday but has been rewarding to help out those in need.
As you may guess by the title, we found out whether or not I would be getting moved to a new area this week but I will be staying in Croydon for another 6 weeks! That will make it more than 8 months in total! I'm really glad that I get to stay with Elder Chrimes and keep working with all the great people I've come to know over the past 6 months! This transfer will take us in past Christmas so it will be a Christmas in Croydon!
The sad news is that our missionary district got split and most of the companionships are now part of two other districts. Now our district is just the 4 of us serving in Selsdon Ward, but it will still be a lot of fun to work together in the district!
There should never be routine weeks on a mission, and this week wasn't, but in terms of things to write about in an email it seems pretty routine! As always, but especially in the past few months, the work is progressing very well in our area. Even if those we teach don't choose to join the Church or do the things they need to do in order to gain a testimony, we are still able to be successful and do our part when we raise a warning voice to all those we meet and invite them to enjoy the blessings of following the Savior.
My testimony has deepened throughout my mission and it has come through simple habits of study and prayer. Doing those things more is part of our missionary schedule and I am so grateful for change that it has wrought in me. I love the scriptures and I love communicating with my Father in Heaven.
Love you all! Have a good week!
Elder Draney
(Serious district picture, everybody got the memo except for Elder Chrimes)
Monday, November 16, 2015
16 November 2015
Hello my friends and family!
The nasty English weather has officially arrived! This past Friday the cold weather turned on like a light switch and the rain followed shortly after on Saturday. I feel like my blood has definitely thickened since last year and the damp cold doesn't penetrate as deep, but the rain combined with the cold adds a new meaning to the phrase "soaked to the bone". Weather like that always teaches/reminds us what it means to work, and that's what Elder Chrimes and I did this week, we worked.
I finally ventured(was forced into) to eat a particular food that I have been avoiding for the past 14 months, doner kebabs. We were invited to grab some dinner with one of our close friends on Wednesday and I ended up finally trying one. I had been avoiding it before because I didn't want the possible health risks ending my mission halfway through! These aren't the perfectly sanitary meet and vegetable sticks, they are much more risky! I will let you Google what lamb doner meat looks like as it is being cooked and how it is served! :) I'll include a couple of blurry pictures as well! It was really good!
Overall this week went quickly as they all do. On Tuesday we went on exchanges with missionaries in another town called Maidstone. Maidstone has a lot of English architecture, a lot of cool archaic buildings and cobbled streets. No pictures of it though, exchanges are always really busy, sorry... :)
On Thursday we had Zone Conference which is always a highlight! It's always good to see missionary friends and past companions (it might be the last time I will see Elder Probst before I come home) but the biggest take away is always the training from President Gubler. I have no doubts that he is an inspired leader, the one we all as missionaries need right now, and conveyed the Lords message to us. I know when I feel a power beyond my own, and I felt the Spirit very powerfully as we were there. One of the biggest indicators for me that the Spirit has spoken to me is the drive and desire to improve, no matter how good I may think I am doing, and I definitely feel that now.
The updates this week are a little short because a lot of the fruits of our labors were less obvious, but nonetheless there. I love the Lord and doing His work. I feel Him working with me(which only He has the patience needed to do) and through me. I love Him and I know He loves you. You are my family and I love you too!
Love, Elder Draney
PS. They are upside down but I have noooooo clue how to fix it. Sorry :)
The nasty English weather has officially arrived! This past Friday the cold weather turned on like a light switch and the rain followed shortly after on Saturday. I feel like my blood has definitely thickened since last year and the damp cold doesn't penetrate as deep, but the rain combined with the cold adds a new meaning to the phrase "soaked to the bone". Weather like that always teaches/reminds us what it means to work, and that's what Elder Chrimes and I did this week, we worked.
I finally ventured(was forced into) to eat a particular food that I have been avoiding for the past 14 months, doner kebabs. We were invited to grab some dinner with one of our close friends on Wednesday and I ended up finally trying one. I had been avoiding it before because I didn't want the possible health risks ending my mission halfway through! These aren't the perfectly sanitary meet and vegetable sticks, they are much more risky! I will let you Google what lamb doner meat looks like as it is being cooked and how it is served! :) I'll include a couple of blurry pictures as well! It was really good!
Overall this week went quickly as they all do. On Tuesday we went on exchanges with missionaries in another town called Maidstone. Maidstone has a lot of English architecture, a lot of cool archaic buildings and cobbled streets. No pictures of it though, exchanges are always really busy, sorry... :)
On Thursday we had Zone Conference which is always a highlight! It's always good to see missionary friends and past companions (it might be the last time I will see Elder Probst before I come home) but the biggest take away is always the training from President Gubler. I have no doubts that he is an inspired leader, the one we all as missionaries need right now, and conveyed the Lords message to us. I know when I feel a power beyond my own, and I felt the Spirit very powerfully as we were there. One of the biggest indicators for me that the Spirit has spoken to me is the drive and desire to improve, no matter how good I may think I am doing, and I definitely feel that now.
The updates this week are a little short because a lot of the fruits of our labors were less obvious, but nonetheless there. I love the Lord and doing His work. I feel Him working with me(which only He has the patience needed to do) and through me. I love Him and I know He loves you. You are my family and I love you too!
Love, Elder Draney
PS. They are upside down but I have noooooo clue how to fix it. Sorry :)
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