The Library!

Awesome engraving above the Library I'm emailing at: 

Amen.

– Elder William Kevin Black

Motherwell

I had a wonderful exchange with our district leader, elder Facer. He is very converted, and I was taught much. I told my mission president: 

I felt the spirit so strongly on my exchange with elder Facer, learned so much! Not just knowledge, but the spirit taught me a lot of principles that I understand emotionally as well. I feel like that's the way that god really wants me to learn. I loved it so much!

I have been privy to learn several things from the spirit over the last few weeks - things I've come to know in my heart, not just in my mind. Verily, this is how spirits communicate - by the spirit - conveying thoughts with emotions, rather than sound waves. It's cool. :)

At the start of my mission I had a "bite-the-bullet" approach, where you do it because you're supposed to. Over the last few months, my nature has really changed. I've come to love the gospel, and love sharing it. I want to make the most of my time, rather than just fill time. I'm confident the change I've experienced has been because of my deciding to follow Christ, rather than myself. I'm not trying to see how much William-time I can have, but want to be the best Elder Black that I can be. 

– Elder William Kevin Black

Running!

Here's me with my running shoes! :D

 

They're just a little bit worn... 

​

Aye right, a lottle bit worn. 

​And that's after trying to fix them up a bit with superglue. XD

Thankfully a member here happened to have a pair that fit me perfect they were willing to split with. 0u0

– Elder William Kevin Black

Fwd: Zone Conference Pictures

Here's our entire mission, when President Dyches (sp?) visited us!

– Elder William Kevin Black

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Alan Henry Brown <browna@ldschurch.org>
Date: 21 July 2014 11:14
Subject: Zone Conference Pictures
To: Scotland/Ireland Mission <2018500@ldschurch.org>

PS – Elder Frost who returned home early due it health issues recently has asked that we pray for him – he had hoped to come back out but he is on a long waiting list for treatment and is fearful that he may not get back.

 

President Brown

 

AAAHHH!!!! O-O

Well, we got a surprise call from the mission president yesterday morning. I was asked to move to Motherwell, in Glasgow Zone. A missionary there was having a hard time with the area and needed to move, so President Brown prayed about it, and felt he should move. He looked at the board of missionaries, and my face stood out. 

All right... So? When do I move? 

I thought P-day would be best. 

So tomorrow? 

Yup. 

So! I'll be heading out to Glasgow (to the West!) in just a few hours. 

BUT! In even more exciting news, MARY CAME TO CHURCH!! 0w0 =D *squee!!*

She is the most solid person I've ever found. She is so open-minded, happy, excited to learn everything, and really wants to know the truth. She is drawn by our love for everyone (not condemning people e.g.: homosexuals) and how happy we are, as a people. :D

She'll get baptised. :) 

This week was hard, starting last Sunday, until Saturday, when we saw Mary, as I was quite depressed. :/ (Just waving between depression and being normal throughout the days) But Mary actually lifted me out of it! I had felt so weighed down (literally) from my depression, but I testify that prayer helped me get through it. 

Elder Ward and I gave talks yesterday, and I had felt earlier to speak on how trials are part of god's plan for us. How fitting it was! My personal study on Sunday was completely focused on it, as I was really seeking comfort from the scriptures. So when I gave the talk (without notes, as usual) I talked about how depression has been a blessing in my life, then sprung the news on the congregation that I was moving, surprising everyone. 

One of the members afterwards mentioned how she wasn't going for a temple reccomend, because of her struggling faith, but I had mentioned in my talk how depression attacks your faith. She said It hadn't registered in my 40 years of having depression, and my 30 years in the church that that struggle was because of depression! So I touched at least one person in Gala. :)

I have loved serving here in Galashiels, and will miss it dearly. :/ I've spent about half my mission so far in it, but now I'll hit my year mark in a new area, with an Elder Shippers. 

So! Press forward, trusting in God, and everything will work out for our good. :)

Love you all! Cheers! 

– Elder William Kevin Black

Thought by my mission president in his weekly letter:

"In my study last week, as I continued to seek to more fully understand the principle of faith, I noted that in the world we have a saying "Seeing is believing" but perhaps it should be "Seeing is knowing" because knowing doesn't always motivate us to change or do anything. Believing on the other hand can lead to action. The exercise of faith is a powerful motivator whereas just knowing something by sight doesn't change our heart's desire. Laman and Lemuel "saw" and because of that they "knew" but no change of desire resulted – Nephi saw and knew but he also believed and exercised faith unto repentance – he allowed himself to be changed – he desired to change and do the will of God. It is my earnest hope that you will have faith unto repentance – sanctifying yourselves to a purer way of life which will bring the spirit more into your planning and execution of your plans. When the Lord is invited into open hearts and minds, the work will go forward more effectively." 

[emphasis added]

– Elder William Kevin Black