Excerpt from our weekly letter from President Brown (Mission President)

My Dear Elders and Sisters,

This past week I have been led to ponder more on the great sacrifice you have all made to serve as missionaries. I have thought over all the things that you give up and leave behind for the period of your service – of the things you do each and every day to search for those people who are ready for the gospel. My son Sandy recently remarked that his mission in West Africa was easy when compared to serving here – he even said he didn’t know if he could have done what you do! So basically what I’m trying to say is that I continue to stand in awe of the strength of your dedication and commitment to this work. These thoughts lift, inspire and keep me going in my futile attempt to try to match your diligence. It is much easier for me at my age and stage in life to be here because I’ve done all the other stuff and am heading for the twilight years – not only that but I have the best companion in the mission, and I get to be with her for the whole three years – not to mention the little matter of eternity! 

A wee while ago I received a letter from an investigator, and this is an extract from it;

“I want to write to express my gratitude for the work of the LDS missionaries in Scotland. In this age of secularism and materialism it is heartening to meet young people who are committed to putting spiritual priorities first in their lives.

Their lives of sacrifice and service have been a great inspiration to me and my family; even helping us with our allotment which is essential for feeding our family. Thank you for sending them to this area.”

So, you see that I am not alone is my appreciation for what you do for the Lords children in these lands amongst my countrymen.  I share below an extract from my journal dated June 12^th 2012 just a couple of weeks before we left for our mission. Apologies for the pre-mission language – I learned pretty quickly under the tutelage of the Assistants, Elder Costley and Elder Bland to drop the “Awesome” “Guys” etc.!!

The letter was from our investigator Wesley! So we got a shoutout from President Brown! Very exciting. :) 

– Elder William Kevin Black