"To say we were well received would be an understatement."

 - was the line that kept coming to my mind yesterday. The congregation in Lisburn is so kind - it was actually the first time that I was accosted by members, rather than us having to go after them. The bishop is also brilliant - he and his wife have served missions, and were completely on-board to help with missionary work. 

It's been fun, getting to whitewash into Lisburn! I love seeing the sights that William would have seen, ages ago. Pretty awesome. :) 

My companion, Elder Blosil, is pretty cool - from Utah, but lived in NYC for a year - kept bees, into music. Really clever guy - has loads of connections. 

You can see here an article from the Mormon Newsroom about the last choir tour! :D [codename swan song]

Love you all! Cheers! 

– Elder William Kevin Black

#10 Castle Street, Lisburn - William Black's address before he left! 

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Prophesy Fulfilled!

And I quote my mission president, in a letter to my parents:

With regard to his luggage he is currently on the west coast of Ireland so this would represent a long journey to get to him. It is very likely that he will be transferred in a couple of weeks' time but at this stage I have no idea where he will be. It could be anywhere in Scotland or Ireland – however I can say that it will not be Lisburn because that is currently a sister area and we have no elders there.

And I quote my mission president, from this last moves call: 'You will be whitewashing Lisburn, with Elder Blosil.' When I told him I was floored, he asked why. 'Well, 1) it was my dream to whitewash these last two moves, 2) I love Elder Blosil - I served as his district leader, and 3) IT'S LISBURN!!!' He didn't get the last one. I reminded him of my lineage and of the above email. In shock, he replied '...I had completely forgotten! This is miraculous for me, Elder Black, and a real testimony builder for me!' We were pretty excited about it. :)

Well, this time in Sligo has been amazing. Miraculous. There's a mural on the side of a building that says "Sligo sets your spirit free". Never before in my life have I felt so close to God, been led by the spirit, and seen the gifts of the spirit manifest. I testify that all the gifts of the spirit are real - that they have not stopped in these latter days. I know that God lives, and talks to us. I know revelation through prayer is real - that God can literally talk to us in our minds and hearts (as well as with our physical senses). Dreams are inspired of God, and if we turn to Him, He can reveal their meaning to us. The gift of prophesy is real. Of this I am certain.

Of these things I am certain.

God lives. He loves us, and wants you all to know that with your hearts, not merely your minds. You can feel this love if you turn to Him in prayer, and turn yourself over to Him, trusting in His loving corrections.

Love you all. :) See you soon!

– Elder William Kevin Black

Here's last night - absolutely stunning sunset. :) Enjoy!

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Anti-Training: The Last 12 Weeks

So yep. Had the terrifying epiphany yesterday that I only have 12 weeks left. 0-0 Yeah. Crazy. Just like the opposite of being trained as a new missionary - seeing how fast it goes, I know it'll be gone in the blink of an eye. And boy, am I excited! I feel God still has some high goals for me to achieve, and it'll take some miracles to achieve them! but I have confidence that as I do everything He tells me, it'll all work out. :)

Recently, I've been taking to a study of my weaknesses and strengths - looking at the ensign article: It isn't a Sin to be Weak. And boy, has it been revelatory. I've seen how some of my mortal weaknesses, or "thorns of the flesh" as Paul calls them, are really a blessing - they've been given me of God to help me achieve my ultimate potential! For example, this morning, I was looking at my shyness. The times I'm least shy have been times I'm in leadership (ironically): as a trumpet section leader, physics tutor, choirmaster, district leader - all these times, I've actually been excited! It's thanks to two attributes: (1) Virtue, having light in the subject I desire to share, and (2) Charity, desiring to impart of that light to others, to help them progress.

I've come to know that the promise in D&C 121 is literal:

 45 Let thy bowels also be full of charity towards all men, and to the household of faith, and let virtue garnish thy thoughts unceasingly; then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God; and the doctrine of the priesthood shall distil upon thy soul as the dews from heaven.

 46 The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion, and thy scepter an unchanging scepter of righteousness and truth; and thy dominion shall be an everlasting dominion, and without compulsory means it shall flow unto thee forever and ever.

 My confidence has been strong when I have Charity and Virtue - the Holy Ghost is my companion, and the doctrines of the priesthood do literally distil upon my soul. as I have Charity and Virtue. When I lack Charity of Virtue - when I don't care about the people's progression or don't have light to share, I'm shy, bashful, turn inward.

Thankfully, God's also given me depression! Turning inward is a great way to spiral into depression. The solution to depression is turning outwards, no matter how hopeless or tiring and hard it may seem. Turn outwards to other people, turn outwards to God - When I've asked His help, he's given me Charity and Virtue, which allows me to serve as a leader best (else, it's just prideful, and doesn't help people - I'd just be ticking a box).

And since I'm shy by nature, it makes the times I shine as a leader more desirable, thus increasing my drive to help others, turn outwards, seek inspiration.

I really know that many of the "weaknesses" I have are really God-given tools to help me in my eternal progression. Without shyness and depression, I would not be as powerful a leader, and could much easier spiral into pride. So! I'm actually pretty grateful for my thorns God's given me. I'm working to overcome the thorns of the world, and the thorns that come because of my running through brambles, but I am grateful for the thorns that God has given me, and I exhort you to ask God about the thorns in your life: are they from Him? If so, what are you to learn? are they there because of sin? if so, remove the sin! are they there because of a worldly problem? if so, ask God what to do about them!

He will answer. He does speak. I so testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Until next week! :D Ta!

– Elder William Kevin Black

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Re: Video-Easter Choir-2015

Video of the choir!

– Elder William Kevin Black

On 11 April 2015 at 13:04, Doug Ladle <ladledoug@gmail.com> wrote:

Dear Choir Members,

This is a week late because I left my camera at the Mission Home and I had to retrieve it a week later!

Hope you enjoy and can forward it on.  I have not sent it to your parents or friends even if you wrote down their email addresses on my list.  Feel free to do that yourself if you like the video.

Also, it will download for 1-2 minutes before it is ready to play.

If you don't like the video quality, the camera man says "sorry!"

If you don't like the music selections, you are in the minority because THOUSANDS loved this choir!  

Well done!

Love to you all,

Elder and Sister Ladle

 Easter Choir-2015.VOB

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Fwd: hey

Elder Luna visited Dublin! It was /crazy/ getting to see him!!

– Elder William Kevin Black

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Elder Clawson

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– Elder William Kevin Black

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Re: A Brilliant Week

PS: I'm in the middle of saying "Sligo" in the photo, hence the funny face. x)

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A Brilliant Week

Here are some photos from the choir!

Oh yeah, I got to go to Elephant House, and the graveyard where Thomas Riddell is buried, and saw the school Rowling had in mind for Hogwarts. :D :D :D Probably one of the most fulfilling moments of my life. x)

​I got a new coat. :) I'm very very very happy with it. :)

General Conference was brilliant. Loved it. :) Loads of ideas and bits of inspiration.

– Elder William Kevin Black

Here's a bit I wrote about the choir, how it impacted people, why it was important... It took a few goes, but here it is! :D Enjoy!

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Fwd: FW: Missionary concert publicity

Here's us in a newspaper! :D They sent out their top photographer for us. :)

– Elder William Kevin Black

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