'15 Goals

Back at the start of 2015, I made 15 goals I really wanted to keep in my life, and I've been meaning to share them with you all, hopefully to get some help and support in seeing them fulfilled. :)

Run - run daily! Waking up at 6 to run for about an hour. (which would mean getting to sleep early enough nightly

Diet - keep to my diet, eating healthily, not overeating

Typing - Improve my typing speed to 120 by practising daily

Study - Spend at least an hour daily studying physics/maths

Languages - spend time daily learning languages (esp Japanese, German, Greek)

Piano - spend time daily practising piano, so I can hopefully play many hymns by the end of the year

Worlds - spend time daily creating, writing stories, imagining worlds

Depression - publish what I've learned about depression, and help others with it.

Wife - search for a wife. :) aiming to date weekly. or something like that.

Virtue - memorise scriptures daily

Communicate - spend time daily talking with family and friends

Convert - help family and friends become more converted

Temple - seek to attend the temple weekly at least

Feast - keep having personal study in the mornings daily

Serve - give meaningful service daily

So it'll take some planning and effort to do, but I really want to see these goals come to fruition! :D So I'd love some help and follow-up in achieving them. :)

I think the biggest lesson I learned this week was how important the time we have is. We were out of our area a lot this week with exchanges and training, so we were both /very/ excited to get back to finding.

I love serving with Elder Møller - we get along so well. He's so diligent, obedient, and just a stellar friend. :D

Also! I've begun preparation for the easter Choir, but this time it's a lot more organised, which is such a relief and de-stressor. :)

Love you all! Cheers!!

– Elder William Kevin Black

PS: Here's a letter our Mission President's wife just sent out to the choir memebers, showing a pretty darn awesome miracle:

Dear Elders and Sisters

The music for "In the Garden" by Ryan Murphy performed by the Tabernacle Choir isn't published so that explains why we couldn't find it for the Easter Choir.  Elder de Vries asked his mother who asked Facebook.  Elder Penman's mother who is in the Motab, saw the post, contacted the choir office who contacted Ryan Murphy who has graciously agreed to release the music to us.  We are not at liberty to share it with anyone else or keep personal copies.  The copies will be gathered back after the choir.  Once the music is received I'll email it to you.  In the dropbox you'll find a download of the Motab singing it.

Tender mercy!  I really believe the heavens applaud what you are doing.   You will change touch hearts and change souls with your wonderful musical testimonies .

Love

Sister Brown

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Photos! For I have been lacking...

Here's me doing some epic pondering!

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And here's us trying to describe authority:

– Elder William Kevin Black

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The Worst Week of my Life

Sligo has been a fantastic area for me. Having a companion with such a strong desire to work feels so healthy. It's really been opening my eyes to how missionary work is successful when we do it in the right spirit. It's all about doing the right things for the right reasons, not just "biting the bullet". Laman and Lemuel bit the bullet, and apostatized.

*SQUEEEE!!!* a potential of ours just texted us back, and she seems /so/ solid!! She was panicking b/c she didn't have our number, but just responded that she liked the plan of salvation pamphlet, and was looking forward to coming to church in the future!! :D :D :D

Okay, but to serious stuff - I am doing so well. I am on top of the moon. I am so blessed to have such great friends, such fantastic family, an amazing mission, and I love being a missionary. I may be imperfect, but I am so glad that with God's help, we can change our natures. I know we can change - the change in my own life is so apparent. I revel in the spirit. I know it's real. So much that I once theorized or believed I now know. I know God lives. He is real, as is the Spirit, by which he speaks through His son, Jesus Christ. I am so grateful fro their hand in my life. I love this gospel - the more I study it, the more I know it is true. Recently, I've been impressed by the importance of understanding the true nature of the Godhead: that we have the potential to be like God. that we, through Christ, can change for the better (not mere belief, as the devils have). that we can still communicate with God through the Holy Spirit, and receive answers back. I have had so many revelatory experiences, I cannot merely say I believe, for I know.

Love,

– Elder William Kevin Black

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"another week been going by... have a great week"

says my Danish companion. Yeah, his english isn't perfect, but I love him nonetheless. Actually, probably the more because of it. X)

I really know that if we ask God what we should study, he will give it to us, and when we study what God tells us to, not just following some pattern or programme, our studies can be of most worth.

I know God does inspire us - that those thoughts and words which come to mind, those impressions that sink into your mind, and the feelings which come to your heart are truly communication from God.
I wanted, so badly, at the start of my mission to become more in tune to the spirit. I thought it meant seeing visions with my physical eyes, hearing things with my physical ears, but my spiritual ears and eyes are now sharp enough to recognize the promptings I've been given all along.

I know God lives. I know he speaks to us. Jesus is the Christ, and I am serving him. And you can know these things too, if you only ask God in prayer, for he will answer you. I promise it, the scriptures promise it, and so do the feelings of your heart.

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

– Elder William Kevin Black

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Another stellar week!

It's been brilliant. :)

We got to go to Mullaghmore, a famous surfing spot! :D It was /gorgeous/.

We've been having a great time, and have seen lots of success in finding and teaching people. I love it here in Sligo, and am so happy to be serving a mission. :)

Here's a cool story:

I was a bit down Sunday morning, and was just trudging through the day, until the third hour of church, when the elders quorum president felt inspired to give a talk on Joy: what it is and how to feel it. It was exactly what I needed. :) It lifted me out of my slump, and I had a good rest of the day! :D By the way, just so you (especially worried psychiatrists) all know - that's not a usual thing, for me to be feeling so down. I'd say about 98% of my days, I haven't been depressed. :)

Love you all! :D Cheers! :)

– Elder William Kevin Black

NOTICE: This email message is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message.