Kilmarnock!

is the place I'll be for at least the next six weeks! And I know absolutely nothing about it. It's by Paisley, and is in the SW of Scotland, which is more north than the northernmost part of Ireland. 

So here's a bit of accounting for my week: 

On Monday, we double booked, so had two lessons set up for Monday afternoon, but both fell through, right after the member called and cancelled, they didn't show. :/ So that was a disappointment. 

We saw brother O'Rourke again, the excommunicated member who is coming back - he's so humble, and is very receptive to the spirit! 

We took a 1.5hr drive out to Kilkee, a bit to the NE of Limerick. We saw a former investigator, who is basically a dry mormon - that is, follows the teachings of the church and believes them, but isn't baptised yet. But he's ready, and will soon progress. 

Uhm... I'll see if I can attach some pictures...

Eh... 

There! 

This is me and Elder Green, in Brother Kurvink's neighborhood, just sort of typical of ireland. :D 

This is Dan Crotty, also known as Dan the Man, Dan the Candyman, Willy Wonka, the Great Wuzzah, that crazy irish man, and many other names. X)  We love him to bits, and he always comes out with us when we ask, and feeds us well! :D He's also 75, despite having the spirit of a 19 year old. XD 

(my haircut was given by Elder Walker)

So I hope you're all doing well! Thank you all so much for writing me! I really appreciate all of you, and hope you're all doing well! :) 

Cheers!

– Elder William Kevin Black

And some pictures!

Here's something from ~5 wks ago, when we went to a museum with some Ireland missioanries: 

[picture forthcoming]

And something from like the second week of my mission, when all the missionaries went out to eat with the Browns, and a few members: 

– Elder William Kevin Black

Catchup, verse two

Okay. So. My mailing address will probably be different, starting wednesday next. Throughout my whole mission, you can mail to: 

Scotland/Ireland Mission

51 Spylaw Road

Edinburgh

EH10 5Bp

Scotland

and it will be forwarded to wherever I am. But I'll let you know next week what my actual address is. 

Thank you everyone for your prayers, and for your letters! They mean a lot to me, even if I don't respond immediately or ever, I really love just seeing a few of your words! 

This week was zone interview training, which was great, as was our district conference (like stake conference, but limerick district is too small) at which we got to sing Let Zion in her Beauty Rise, which went wonderfully! I may have a recording to share next week... 

We got to do a unique service: take part in someone's survey, testing our mental health! Thankfully, I passed! 

I also made pancakes for my companions, which were great, though I accidentally used twice as much lemon. Still tasted awesome though! >:D

I love you all, and am so thankful to have friends like you! :) I hope you all have a brilliant week! 

Cheers! 

– Elder William Kevin Black

Catch up, part one

first off, from last week: 

some investigators: 

Joshua - awesome indian guy into astrophysics, working on the space elevator, in finding higher strength carbon nanotubes. So much fun to talk to! 

Esau - malawi man, very sincere, in college, very fun to be with

And some other people: 

Anthony - man dealing with medical malpractice, sees irish doctors as all in conspiracy

Donal - knew that Obama was in the illuminati, and did human sacrivices

Mary - woman who came into church on whiskey or something similar, kept repeating herself, and asking nonsensical questions like "but why would you" why would you what? "yeah, but why would you?" It was really confusing. 

Uhm... Have a picture from an ex member's house, who is so ready to be baptised now: 

He's awesome, and so cool! 

– Elder William Kevin Black

Grr

I forgot my plannar which I draft my email in, so this week will be a bit abbreviated. 

So we had a family history even, which we got into the newspaper:

The response wasn't huge, but we only got the one ad into the small section there. 

But I found out I'm related to a gandolf! 

Oh, and Robert is FREEEEE!!!!! 8D

He ended up only getting a few months parole, rather than the 3-5 years they expected!

That was probably the highlight of the week...

Here's some about Elder Walker. He played trumpet in blue devils for two summers, and has a cornet he fiddles with now and then. He's quite a bit like me and elder luna in his sense of humor... X) Anywho. I love him, and wish you all the pleasure of getting to meet him someday! XD

  

Thanks to all of you who write me! :D I really appreciate anything you write, even if it's only a few lines.

Wishing all the best~

– Elder William Kevin Black

Fwd: Socialism is the plan of the devil

Said president Reed, in exasperation. XD 

There is much truth to that statement, though - the irish government gives out a dole, helping everyone, paying them for not working. The incentive not to work is so huge - it feels like most workers are foreigners here... The irish children are more often uneducated, called NEDs - non-educated delinquents. And they're more scary than drunk adults - they have no restraint or sense of consequence. 

Anywho. Sadly, the person making the most progress, Robert, the sweetest and most humble man I know, is probably going to jail for a robbery in 2006 he admitted to, despite no evidence being present. 

AND NO ONE TOLD ME AMERICA SHUT DOWN. I have absolutely no idea what's going on, and it's frustrating hearing only 3rd hand what's going on. It didn't sound too serious, but I just wish I could be more in the loop. Not that it would help me at all as a missionary. But it's just odd not hearing about it... 

So! Conference was fantastic! If you didn't see it, I highly reccomend it! 

I loved SatAM: Edward Dube, David A Bednar; Priesthood: Uchtdorf, Eyring; SatPM: Gifford Nielson, Holland, Ballard; SunAM: Eyring, Scott, Monson; and I didn't get to see the PM, since it was from 9 to 11 my time, so we'll listen to it in the car. 

And here's me and elder luna and walker in our flat! 

Meh. Nevermind. The picture wasn't loading. 

Aha! Okay, it worked! 

Have a great week everyone! :D 

– Elder William Kevin Black