One tough week...

TERESA - Heya Family!!

Mom!! Good for you!! Giving out Books of Mormon at the Post Office :) Right on! Tell Erika and Steven Happy 1 Year for me!! That's crazy that I've totally been gone for the first year of marriage! Haha. Did dad like his Scottish ties? (He wore one to Church) I hope so, because I thought he'd love 'em! Rach sent a tape?? Hmmm, maybe I should do that too! I'll get going on starting to get going on that haha.  Mom I LOVE my gift!!! So I'm happy. I am SO excited for my 4th of July Stuff!!! And Crystal light drink mixes :). You are the BEST mom, did you know that? By the way, the apron in the package was for you in case I forgot to label it! Hope you like it mom!

Ok, so this week has been really tough. Gosh, sorry for all these letters! I just seem to be going through a non-stop rough patch right now. But don't worry, I ALWAYS try to look on the bright side of things! But I'll start with the good stuff as always...

FHE on Monday was excellent because we went over the story of Abinadi with them all. We hold family home evening at Sister Green's (a long time member who knows her stuff) and with a few recent converts. It was good we went over Abinadi's story because they all had forgotten it! We were inspired for sure :). They LOVED it and we definitely loved telling it to them! WE all learned a lot.

Tuesday was great because we had our Specialized Zone Training Meeting at Glasgow Stake Center. President and Sister Griffiths were there and the Assistants. It was really great! We talked about setting goals during our Weekly Planning Session and then achieving them in our nightly planning sessions. It was very much needed for sure. I have been struggling with my WPS for a bit and this really gave me the insight I needed to make my plans really come to life during the week. And plus it was excellent to see the whole Zone then too, and the Assistants and President and Sister Griffiths as well. It's tough because once you've served in Edinburgh and been around them for a while it's tough when you move away from it all! Edinburgh is definitely the "happening" place in the mission! But don't get me wrong, I love Glasgow too!

Wednesday was a good and bad day. Our app with P. fell through and Sister Baxter slipped in mud (well actually we both thought that was funny!). But we taught a lesson that day to I.S. our only progressing investigator right now. And it was such a good lesson! We taught him the Gospel of Jesus Christ and he definitely responded well to it. He said he'd come to church and that he's looking forward to it! We then went out to dinner with Sister Lloyd (2nd Counselor in the RS Pres) she was sooo nice! She took us to an Indian restaurant! So pretty sure I have eaten more Indian food here then ever before! It was a good time to get to know her :). She served a mission too so she could really relate to what we go through as missionaries.

During our WPS we really tried to implement what we learned during out Zone Training Meeting. And it worked! We felt like it was a very effective planning session and we hope to see it fall into place this upcoming week.

Ok this past Sunday was really good! Ian came to church!!! And he liked it!! Man oh man we were so happy about that. He seemed to be fellow shipped in well too :). P. didn't come unfortunately but we will work on that this week for sure. We will hopefully see I.S. tonight at our FHE but if not we will see him Wednesday or so and talk about his experience at church. WE had asked him to bring a question to church and we promised him that it would be answered. He said to us after church that his question was answered!! Ya ya! He said his question was how to have/gain faith? And he said the answer was quite simple; to pray and read the scriptures! He was really excited about it and so were we :)

So yesterday, Sunday, we went out to Eagleshem a part of our area that is about an hour and a half away from where we stay. And the buses aren't good on Sundays and definitely don't take us ALL the way out there so we have to walk for a good 30-45 mins of the journey. We really still felt like we should head out there anyway, we wanted to try by some potentials and see if we could get anyone there. Well we went finding and no one wanted to listen to us! But to be honest that was kind of the attitude ALL week because everyday no matter what, we did our finding time. We were so proud of ourselves at the end of the week to see that because we made sure we did our hour of consecrated finding time everyday we reached our goal and it was the standard of excellence! But unfortunately we got very little and I mean very little potentials out of it. But it doesn't matter, we did it and we were happy about it! :) But anyway, the no one listening to us bit was a usual thing this week, sadly enough, but oh well. But back to Eagleshem. We tried by 3 people that were potentials. The first one wasn't in, the 2nd one said she wasn't interested, and the 3rd one couldn't come to the door. Man, we were like, Really? Haha. So we were walking by the first potentials house again and I had mentioned how it was unfortunate we could talk to her. Then Sister Baxter suggested we knock again. We did and she answered! She is the sweetest little lady ever! One thing that really stuck out to the two of us was her sincerity and real kindness. Do you know what I mean? I mean the people that just ooze with genuineness. She was so glad she was able to see us. She said she'd been thinking about the missionaries ever since. She wanted us to come back and see her so we set up an app with her! Golly gee we were so happy! Then as we left we saw her leave as well. There was a very small window of time to catch her and Heavenly Father made sure that happened. I am so glad we unknowingly followed the Spirit again! So that was excellent.

This week we have been feeling BEYOND tired! Don't ask me why but we have been wiped. I think I'll go to bed earlier from now on, I'm convinced I need about 10 hours of sleep to function best but oh well!

But I love you all and I hope all is going well for you back home! Thanks for caring about Rach and I! Love you!

Love Always, Sister Teresa Kullick

Zone Conference

RACHEL - Mom and Dad and family!

I am so glad you got the tape! Wow mom!! I am sooo happy that you gave her a Book of Mormon!!! I wish you could see the smile on my face right now! Yes, I got the package and I really love them! Thank you so much! I am excited for the 4th of July Package as well! That reminds me, in our ward coordination meeting, we were trying to find ideas/ways to better unify the ward here in Swinton (they are already pretty unified but it definitely doesn't hurt to be completely as one!). And of course I came up with the idea of having on the 4th of July a Family Home Evening BBQ... and they are actually doing it! Ha I was actually quite surprised that they went for it! But they are not so much promoting the 4th of July part though, but that's OK with me :)

This past week has been a lot of different kinds of emotions and changes. On the Tuesday we were able to teach a young man, J. R. on the bus an entire first lesson and to invite him to be baptised! He said he would when he knew it was true! However we were right on the boundary line of our area so he didn't live within our bounds so we passed him over to the Sisters in Wigan. I was a little worried as the bus kept on going further and further and wasn't quite sure if we had left our area or not by accident so we quickly got his information and hopped off the bus. But another beautiful miracle came from this. If we had not gotten off when we did in the Tyldsley area then we would have never ran into J. J. She is a mother of a 21-year-old son. At first she wasn't interested but as we walked with her we spoke to her about the gospel. As we arrived to her house we stood there with her as she told us of her struggles in life. Tears were in her eyes as we bore testimony to her worth and her purpose in life then we decided (because of the promptings of the Spirit) for the 4th time to invite her to learn more. We are going over to Tyldsley this evening and teaching her the Restoration. If we had not met J. R. we would have never met J.J. We were able to make 5 more appointments that day!

On the Wednesday, the Assistants to the President and two other Elders came in a mini van to pick us up for Zone Conference. This has never happened before but they called the night before because they had some extra room, we were grateful for the lift! This Zone Conference was the final one with President and Sister Bullock. It was a wonderful day where we heard Sister Bullock give a training on holding on the Iron rod by following the first principles of the Gospel. It was wonderful. Then President Bullock gave a training on the Atonement. It was miraculous; the Spirit bore truth to me of the reality of the depth that my Savior Jesus Christ suffered for me. I love Jesus Christ and I am striving so hard to become like Him and for Him to be my best friend. We then had lunch and we able to take pictures together. After we played the Bullock's "How many game" where we were to be in Districts and to guess how many Cookies Sister Bullock has made during her Mission or how many times President Bullock forgot his missionary badge. It was hilarious and we all had a great time. I have come to realize that my District is amazing! They then put on a slide show of the past three years and that was really great to see. Then we sang a special musical number for President and Sister Bullock of "Each Life that Touches Ours For Good" to the "Come Follow Me" melody. Sister Davis played her violin, which sounded beautiful. President Bullock then asked a few missionaries to bear their testimony on what the Mission culture has meant to them. And I was one that was chosen! I said how grateful I am for it that it has literally changed my life. That my idea of my potential before has changed to something greater. My limits have vanished and that now I don't just want to be good, I want to be good for something. I have come to understand my true worth as it should be, a daughter of a Heavenly King and how there is nothing more important to me than becoming like my Savior.

I heard My Mission President and his wife give their Farewell testimonies, which really touched my heart. At the very end we sang the hymn, "God Be With You till We Meet Again" and when I first saw that I chuckled to myself at how awful that was because by the second verse all us missionaries stood and sang and were in tears. There is only one time our Mission President can give us a hug throughout his whole mission and that is if either we are leaving or they are. And so all us missionaries gave President and Sister Bullock a hug goodbye. It was a very sad feeling to see them go but I do know that President and Sister Preston will be amazing.

We had Sister H.C.P.'s Baptism on Thursday and that was great! She asked if I could give a talk on Baptism

On Saturday we had the Stake helping hands day and there were hundreds of members helping improve this park/lake. It was a really good time! Sister Bibb and I painted the Women's bathroom the entire time! They gave us these great suites to wear as we painted! We looked like Tellitubies, it was hilarious :)

H.C.P was confirmed on the Sunday and 6 missionaries (that's including me and Sister Bibb) sang the Primary song "When I Am Baptised". This past week we were able to have 3 New Investigators and it has been full of different kinds of emotions but I have learned so much from it!

I love you all and hope everything is great for everyone! Thank you for the prayers for Teresa and I!

Love always, Sister Rachel Kullick

Manchester Zone pictures

 Our Manchester Zone

 The sisters of the Manchester Zone

 SIster Rachel Kullick with Sister and President Bullock

 Sister Bibb, Helen and Sister Rachel Kullick on Sister Patterson's birthday/baptism day!

 Sister Bibb and Sister Rachel Kullick at Mormon Helping Hands Day

My District Leader, Elder Smart and Elder Diaz with Sisters Bibb and Kullick

Farewell...

Dear Parents,

As we come to the end of our service in the England Manchester Mission, we want you to know what a blessing and privilege it has been to serve with your missionary.  We have such great love and admiration for them as we have witnessed their faithfulness, obedience and diligence and we recognize that the Lord sent us some of his very special and valiant spirits.  They answered the call of a prophet and did as the Savior asked by forsaking “mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters and friends” (Matt. 19:29) and by so doing they open the door to receiving the “riches of eternity.”  (D&C 67:2) 

Attached you will find a picture that was taken of your son/daughter at our final zone conference the past couple of days.  The picture was taken with their zone in front of the Preston Temple. 

President and Sister Preston arrive from the Mission President’s Seminar on June 28^th at which time he will begin his service of presiding over the mission.  We know President and Sister Preston well as they live within the mission boundaries.  They are kind, loving people and your missionary will be in very good hands.  President Preston has been a stake president in the Ashton Stake which is in the Manchester metro area and he has a great enthusiasm for missionary work. 

We extend to you our love and thank you for raising such fine young men and women.  Our lives have been forever changed and richly blessed to have served with them. 

Warm regards,

President and Sister Bullock

England Manchester Mission

Good-bye

The Bullock's Final Zone Conference

Birthday Baptism

RACHEL - Hello family,

I liked Elder Kearon's talk as well! That Stake Conference was covering Scotland, England and I believe some of Ireland as well. It was a very good one. Happy Father's Day Dad! I sent a letter today so hopefully you will get it soon :) No mom, I did not get your package but I am now sure excited to get one now! Hope it fits...? Ha-ha well I do too!

This letter will be extremely short it seems because this past week, I have been very poorly and therefore that has slowed down the work here in Swinton. It began on Tuesday after District Meeting when I started to burn up and become very lethargic. So for the past couple of days I have been inside and trying to recover from a fever and fatigue. I still tried to go out and work for some half days to go by some appointments because I just couldn't help it! However, I am doing a lot better now than this past week so the work will begin to improve again!

H.C.P. is getting baptized on her Birthday June 23rd, Thursday at 7:30pm!!! She has invited her three children and friends! This will be such a wonderful missionary opportunity, we are very excited for her! We gave her 3 copies of the Book of Mormon to give to her children to write her testimony in and she is so excited to do that for her kids! She has asked me to speak on Baptism and for us Sister Missionaries to sing a musical item, "There is Sunshine in My Soul Today"! Sister Gallozo will be coming back for the baptism this Thursday with Sister Dell, her companion. I am very excited to see them there and they don't know it yet but they will be joining us in that musical item! haha I will tell you how that goes ;) Helen is such an amazing person! I am so blessed to have witnessed her conversion! The entire Relief Society loves her and after her baptism the Sisters are going to order a Birthday Cake and sing to her Happy Birthday as well! I really do love the Swinton Ward, they are one big family.

This next couple of weeks will be very odd and different for the entire mission because we will have new Mission President by the 28th of June. President and Sister Bullock will be sorely missed. I love them so much! The culture in this mission has changed my life, I would actually go as far as to say it has saved it. Now knowing the potential I have and what I can amount to and become, this has saved me from now in the future settling and only becoming mediocre. I now want to be good for something and to aspire to my best and Heavenly Father really knows I can one day become like Him. I am very grateful for the Mission Vision and the Sacred Missionary Document. I have come to know myself in the England Manchester Mission and I have come to know what I want to change and be right now and in the future. I know that President and Sister Preston will do and be amazing and I am excited for their arrival!

Sister Bibb is amazing; she is way ahead of the game and is going to prove to be one of the most strongest Sister Missionaries in the EMM! I am privileged the Lord placed us as companions; this has been such a wonderful learning experience for me.

I love you all and I hope all is well! I really do hope I can see some wedding pictures of all of my friends that are getting married! And Mom I would love some more Crystal Light packages! Ha-ha that was great when you sent it with the Easter Package! Thank you!!! Love you all!!

Love always Sister Rachel Kullick

Read Moses 7

TERESA - Hey Fam!!

Wow Elder Patrick Kearon was there?! And he's married to the daughter of Joy Hulme?!! What are the odds?! That is so neato! I hope then I'll be able to meet him someday! ;) But I didn't get a package from you yet mom. Nothing that fit?? Oh I'm excited! By the way, I need a pink gelly roll pen! Ha-ha I ran out and I need it for a scripture project. Thanks mom! Oh and it's 4th of July coming up! I'm totally excited! We are planning on going up to the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond! You know like in the song... "I'll take the high road and you take the low road..." We are ready to celebrate! And I was hoping I could get a 4th of July flag or whatever! But its ok if it'll be too late :)

Ok so this week has been interesting for sure. We got a new investigator named P. and she is so great! She wasn't able to come to church this Sunday but we definitely have high hopes for her. She's in her late 30's and she has 6 kids! Her youngest are ages 6 and 4, two sweet girls named T. and M.   P. is totally lovely and wants her family to have a religious foundation. She said she researched what are church's stances were on a lot of main issues of the world and said that she found nothing she disagreed with! She totally agrees and understands our message and said that if she knew it were true she would act on it. Gosh, it was such an amazing lesson and it was super natural, which is what we strive for! She said that there was no coincidence that we came to her door at this time of her life. She said that she had been really praying to know what to give her girls (they are the focus since her boys are all grown up now). She said she couldn't ignore this as her answer. She's excited to take her girls to primary so that they can get that belief they need! So yes, we are looking forward to teaching her.

Later in the week unfortunately we had been sick! On Thursday Sister Baxter wasn't well and on Friday I wasn't feeling well. It was just tummy troubles so it's passed now. Thank goodness! But we had to stay in for those days. So Needless to say I don't have too much to report on! Sorry, but I'll do my best.

We taught our other new investigator, I.S. yesterday the Plan of Salvation. He has a speech impediment but he still really gets the message we're sharing which is nice. He wants to learn more about what we share and read the Book of Mormon for a bit before he does anything about it. Fair enough. He says though that he doesn't know if he could REALLY know it's true. He has absolutely no religious background so this is all new to him. But that is why we keep emphasizing prayer to him. Letting him know that he can't get that answer from us, only from Heavenly Father, and He'll let him know. So hopefully he seriously pursues that course and prays with real intent.

I was reading Moses chapter 7 and boy is that a good one! Honestly guys, you should pick it up and read it sometime soon. I gained a lot of good insights from it that I never really thought about before. And it just further confirmed to me about how we have the MOST loving Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ ever. Wow, I just am always just so happy when that gets reconfirmed to me over and over again!

But anyway, I am sorry for the briefness of this e-mail! Hopefully next week will get more exciting! But I am always trying to remain optimistic because remember how I said A LOT can happen in two days well it's true. And it doesn't just go for the good things either; A LOT of not so good things can happen that quick too. We weren't able to get a hold of W.W. this week :( He did kind of drop a bombshell on us later anyways, so we don't know how too promising that will be. BUT, even so, it was a real example to me that Heavenly Father loves me and sees my efforts. Us not being able to get a hold of him after doesn't change anything for me :). I still know it! I am excited for this coming week! I know I'll be able to improve and find people who are prepared! I just have to find them! And that's ok, with Heavenly Father's help, I WILL be led to them. I know it.

Thank you for everything! I love you all so much! Thanks mom and dad for EVERYTHING you do. I love you both!

Love always, Sister Teresa Kullick

Testimony builder

TERESA - Hi Family,

OK, so life has been beyond crazy lately. Loads has happened and it's really been a big testimony builder to me on how Heavenly Father is so very aware of me and my efforts and desires.

Gosh, it sent before I was finished! OK this is after my first paragraph OK? Haha

The district meeting we had in the beginning of the week totally got us amped to go out and have success. After all, at that point we had NO investigators at all! But we knew that Heavenly Father wanted us to find them and even President said that every single companionship could go out and baptise every month starting in June. So we knew we could do it! I just have to really focus on following the spirit. So we started to organize our potential investigators so that way we could go by them when we were in those certain areas. All right, good!

So on Wednesday we found two potentials and scheduled to see them the next day!  Here's Thursday for you! It was a great day! Let me tell you, it was a real change of pace for us. We went with Sister G. to teach one of the men. His name is A. F. and he's in his 80's (he kind of looks like Richard Nixon too!). But anyway, he was very nice and the lesson went very well. We taught him the Restoration. He said he'd come to church this past Sunday and that if he knew it were true he'd "probably" get baptized. OK, better then nothing! He said he'd read and pray about the Book of Mormon as well :). It was neat! Then we went to see the other potential named P.M. Sister B. came with us, she's like our unofficial ward missionary, she's so great! It was an ideal lesson. He's quite the character but he understands the message well so that was good. He said he'd come to church too and that he'd read and pray about the Book of Mormon! And that he'd get baptized on the 26th of June! Yes! We were so happy because we knew this could happen. Things were really looking up for sure. When it rains with blessings, it always seems to pour! Haha But we are so happy.

Friday was excellent because we started out with a district fast to find. Such a good idea! It was funny because that morning I was looking up scriptures on fasting and it talked about how fasting = rejoicing! That helped me get into the proper spirit of things :). Then our district blitzed each other's areas. It was wonderful! They spent an hour in out area then we went to Hamilton then Motherwell for each an hour. It was a really amazing experience. We found some pretty amazing potentials for Hamilton and for Motherwell. We also talked to this one less-active who hadn't been to church in decades! The spirit was SO strong while we were speaking with her that she was crying. She said she missed the feeling she got when she was active, that she missed the spirit.  She said she just felt a little neglected by a lot of the church members and didn't know if she was wanted back. It was incredible! (And that is why I'm so excited for the SJ California mission to do a major reactivation! There are hundreds of less-actives out there, just like this woman, that just need to be INVITED back. That is all, and now they are focusing on bringing them back in! How inspired is that?! I'm so excited to see this take place!) The whole time the district was fasting and we saw success. It was amazing.

Saturday we started to get worried about Sunday (by the way, in the mission, Sundays are the MOST stressful days because you want people at church and to be fellow shipped! So please, to make it less stressful on the missionaries, help them out by being pro-active and friendly!). And plus, I was getting really scared because I only have about 5 months left and it is just too close. You have no idea, 5 months to a missionary is JUST around the corner! I LOVE being a missionary and I don't want it to be over! But anyway, I received personal revelation that a lot can happen in two days and that it is my choice whether or not I make my mission great. No one else can determine that for me! So that was comforting!

SUNDAY! The big day. We pick up A.F. with Sister G. and he's looking real spiffy in a nice suit! We were very happy that he was still coming. We get to church and the members were doing wonderfully at fellow shipping him! Ahhhhh, what a relief! P.M. didn't show up so that was a real bummer but we figured we'd make the most of it because we had A.F. there. That was a blessing! So he goes to Priesthood and then when it was time for Sunday school we walked out of Relief Society only to find A.F. walking out the doors of the church! We run after him and he tells us that he's not very religious and that it "dragged" (plus, the lesson was on tithing so I don't think he liked that either! haha) We asked if we could still see him and he said to "leave it" (that's Scottish for no). So yeah, we dropped us on the spot! Right on the doors of the church during church! HahaHaha Wow, too amusing. Dad told me never to loose my sense of humor on my mission and trust me; I've tried to always see the funny side of things! Anyway we walk back inside knowing that we tried our hardest to get investigators at church and it just didn't work out. They used their agency and decided not to go through with it. So we go into Gospel Principles class to teach on sacrament feeling a bit bummed for sure. Then we see Sister C., Bishop's wife, calling us outside class. So we go out wondering what's going on. We walk outside to the hallway and she introduces us to this man named W.W. He's dressed in street clothes and Sister C. didn't even know him. He told us that he just wanted to know what we believed and walked into church to find out! He was on a search for God and was going to many different churches to find out which one he believed in. Oh my goodness. When I shook his hand I wanted to cry. He stayed for Sacrament and we have an appointment with him on Wednesday. Honestly guys, this was HUGE. Heavenly Father knows our efforts and what we are trying to accomplish: His work. I KNOW that he sent us W.W. because we were trying. That even after all the efforts we had getting people to church and they failed big time, He noticed and then W.W. just walked in. What a loving Heavenly Father we have. He knows YOU. He knows your individual troubles and circumstances and He wants to help. Gosh, I feel overjoyed when I think about this! Sunday was excellent! We sang "Come Thou Fount" in Sacrament Meeting and this next week is full of potential investigators' appointments. Yes, it was right. A LOT can change in two days :)

Monday was beyond the best when we had Zone Development Meeting (hence the reason why I didn't write yesterday!). I learned sooo much and the Spirit was definitely there! The Assistants to the President were there as well and let me tell you that I have inspired leaders! I am so thankful for the Elders in my mission! I was asked to bear my testimony in the start of the meeting so that was a neat opportunity. We had a fun filled day of games and Zone unity. Man it was great!

I just want you to know that I love my mission, that I cannot compare myself to other missionaries in other missions. That isn't what Heavenly Father wanted for me, He wanted this for me. He knows what we all need individually and he gives it to us so we can personally grow more from it. I am so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who tailor makes my experiences so that I can get the most out of them. Every trial I face is for ME and if I get through it well, learning what I was meant to learn, then I know that slowly and surely those rough edges are being smoothed away. I am becoming little by little more like my Father in Heaven. I try to look at everything I'm faced with now with that in mind.

I love you all. Thank you for supporting Rach and me in our experiences!

Love Always, Sister Teresa Kullick

Mom, was the package a box or a bag by the way? I sent 2. If it's the box then just leave it and put it up in the closet. If it’s the bag then open it! It's for you guys!

I love you...

RACHEL - Dear Mom and Dad,

I just wanted to take this time to say that I love you both so much. Throughout my entire life I have been blessed to have you two as my parents and how you have raised us. I am very grateful for your example of living the Gospel and how it has blessed our family. I am grateful for the specific time and attention you have given to every single one of us. Also the love you continue to have for us even when we have made mistakes. My companions hear about you two all the time and the lessons you taught me either by word or example or maybe just even the funny stories and experiences we have had whether they are on road trips, movie nights or family get-togethers. I love my sister Teresa so much that words cannot describe it and I love my entire family. Thank you for always being there for me and talking to me throughout any trial or problem I have ever encountered big or small. I know that you will be great grandparents one day and many things I will teach my children are the things that you taught me throughout my life. I am excited for the many more lessons and advice you two will give to me in the future as well. I am grateful for everything that you have sacrificed and done for Teresa and I to be here on missions. I am very grateful for all of the love & support you have always given to Teresa and I with your mission experiences as well. I thank Heavenly Father every night for you two and how you have helped shape me into who I am today. I love you both so much and I pray fervently every night for Sheila that she will be ok and be at peace and that Steven & Erika will be able to be happy as well. Teresa has always been a great example to me with everything she has said and done. I love you all. 

Love always Rachel

Edinburgh pictures... 33 of them!!!

Cary - My apologies ahead of time for the few pictures that are sideways! It took over 2 hours to get all 33 pictures in here with her captions and with the way things are going these days I just wasn't up to turning those few so...

 Sister Peterson and I with a member of the Stake Presidency, President Patterson. 

Like his kilt?

 Sister Sorenson and I. I love this sister! She has been out only 4 months less than me. We served together for 1 day! Best day ever!

 Sister Peterson and I. She's home now in Idaho. It was really good serving with her! A lot of laughs :-)

 Me, Sis Peterson and Elder Duran. 

We're on the way back from a Tri-Zone Conference in Aberdeen with our district. 

Excellent conference!

 On my Birthday morning! Sister Peterson made me a poster! Nice huh?

 The amazing candy bar letter that I got from mom and dad! Thank you! I loved it!

 Me opening Rach's presents :-) Gosh, I love my sister - she's the best.

 My birthday dinner at the McKay's. I love this family! It was a great 22nd birthday. 

 My first meal that I cooked on my mission! Ha-ha! A pasta tuna bake! Yum! A moment to be documented.

 On the Royal Mile in Edinburgh... 

Cary's comment - if you don't know about it, google it!

 Loved the phrase on the monument... Perfect for a missionary!

 Sis Peterson, Rebecca Cunningham and I. She is an amazing YSA here! 

She would go out teaching with us loads!

 Us and the McKays! They took such good care of us! McKay is pronounced McK-"I" here :-)

 Elder and Sister Graham. They work in the Mission Home. I adore this couple! 

Elder Graham even reminds me of Dad at times!

 Sister Woolley & I walking up Pratt's Hill.

 Sister Woolley and I on top of Pratt's Hill.

 Our trip to the Edinburgh Zoo!

 Most of our district plus the APs at the Zoo.

 I thought this was amusing. Ha-Ha!

 The Edinburgh Castle

 The Scot's Monument on Prince's Street

 Me and Sis Woolley with our less-active member, Joanne. She is so great!

 Sis Woolley and I eating our chocolate Easter Eggs!

 Me with Shona & Andrea Dixon. They are less-active members but still a very special family :-)

 The spire of the Church of Scotland in front of our flat.

 Sister Manson (RS Pres.) and I. I love her so much!

 Dot, me, and Doreen. They took care of us missionaries!

 The Mateer Family and myself! Amazing family - so helpful in the work!

 Bishop's family of the Edinburgh Ward.

 Annie & Ahmad; the muslim investigator couple! They were so kind and hospitable.

 Sister Peterson and I by Mary King's Close.

 A question on the UK Census! You would never see this on a U.S. one! So funny, the different options.

Me with my old district in Edinburgh! Man, we has some really fun times!

Small miracles taking place

TERESA - Hey Family!

Sorry about the shortness of the previous email! Now I have all my info so I can fill you in accordingly :) But remember how I said that loads had happened, yeah get ready for it!

So last Wednesday was amazing. We had taught K.T. a lesson on tithing and fasting. Now usually you wouldn’t think that that would be an excellent lesson but it was. The spirit was so strong as we testified of the truthfulness of these commandments. At first she was very leary of the idea, she kept throwing out all these excuses and we just had so say that she needed to come at this with an open heart, that Heavenly Father was asking her to do this not us! And if she already made up her mind that she wasn’t going to do it then there was no point in discussing it further. But by the end she was saying how she’d need to take a look at her finances to see how to work it! Then we asked her how real her ‘real intent’ was, if she was fully planning on acting on the answers she’d receive from her prayers. She said yes, that she wouldn’t care about all the other stuff and that if she got an answer she would “be crazy not to be baptized” (her own words), needless to say we were very happy about that! Then at the close of the lesson we had her offer the kneeling prayer and as always she prayed to know that what we were teaching her was true. Then something happened. Right after she had asked that question she stopped. She reached out and held both our hands and we looked up and she had tears in her eyes. She said she had never felt this way before and that she felt warm and calm but at the same time it was a very powerful and distinct feeling. We talked together and we helped her to identify that it was the Holy Ghost answering her question. She kept sincerely asking, “Really? You think that’s what it was?” And we would confirm to her that it was. We told her to write it down and reflect on it and we would talk about it next time. During my entire mission I have NEVER experienced something like this. We have knelt with our investigators countless times and never have we been sitting there when someone’s received their witness of the truth!! It was amazing!

Then we went out chapping and we actually got into a house! That NEVER happens! The woman was so nice and she was totally willing to talk with us and have us back. Her son (18) came in and asked what the Book of Mormon was and after we’d explained it he asked if he could have one! WOW! It was a wonderful day! We are so excited to visit them again. :)

Ok, so the follow up on K.T. We really didn’t have anything specific we wanted to teach her because we wanted to ask her about her experience and what she thought about it. We definitely relied on the spirit for this lesson! And what we feared would happen, happened. She sat there talking down her experience and making it seem trivial. We were open and honest with her and told her what we believed it was and offered sincere testimony. She believes all churches are true and are of God so we just simply explained the Apostasy and the need for the Restoration. But she even said that she knew our job wasn’t to convince her, only God could do that. She said she’d really have to come to a decision now. But she was pushing away and wanted to see us and the church less and less. We explained to her in a loving but bold way that Heavenly Father already answered her and that coming to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints would provide answers for her. She knows, she really does but that experience to her just wasn’t good enough. We phoned to confirm our next appointment a few days later and she cancelled on us and said she wasn’t going to learn anymore. We were extremely disappointed in her and her decision. We were so helpless and there wasn’t anything we could say or do. Needless to say we were feeling down for a bit there because our only other investigator dropped us as well so that was sad too. But I can honestly say that there was nothing more that we could’ve said or done to have avoided the situation and for that reason I feel comforted knowing I have no regrets. But it still doesn’t always make you feel better. We have been trying to be upbeat and positive knowing that if we just work our hardest Heavenly Father will give us the satisfaction we are so desperately looking for. At District meeting our District Leader talked about what a successful missionary is. Now let me tell you, we REALLY needed this...

“Your success as a missionary is measured primarily by your commitment. . . Avoid comparing yourself to other missionaries and measuring the outward results of your efforts against theirs. Remember that people have their agency to choose whether to accept your message . . . Some may not accept your message even when they have received a spiritual witness that it is true . . . You should not, however, become discouraged.” Preach My Gospel pg.10 A Successful Missionary

So we have been really trying to focus on the good things that can and could come our way. I have a strong feeling that we are going to find someone who’s ready in our area book, so we are going to be focusing on that. I just want to see conversion and see others accept the message we share. I know thought that to measure your success off of other people’s choices is flat out silly. So I do feel calm about it. I am looking forward to the future with joyful anticipation knowing that nothing worth having is ever easy so it is going to take a whole lot of hard work. So now we have a few things that are looking even the slightest bit hopeful even though nothing is set yet. The last couple of days have been very special and it’s nice to notice the small miracles that are taking place!

We have been guided by the Spirit to go places when we didn’t even know it! On Sunday we visited Sister J.C. who is a single parent of two young adult boys and is the only member of her family. When we randomly just dropped in, her son L. (20) and his girlfriend L. (22) were there. There were super nice and relaxed and very easy to like. But let me tell you, this was inspired! Because we ended up discussing the restoration with them both! It was super natural and simple and they were both totally willing to listen and were quite receptive to the message. Lindsay was a tad more receptive and said that it was made perfect sense! The spirit was totally there because everything we said to them was what they needed to hear, there wasn’t a question we couldn’t answer that they didn’t like! But since this was the first time ever that they had heard the gospel and considering it was an unexpected visit we told them that we would love to talk to them more about the gospel and they said they’d get back to us. But they took a Book of Mormon and a Restoration pamphlet! It was so great! On our way out Sister C. gave me a hug and discreetly I jumped up and down! Sister C. phoned us later that night and left a voicemail telling us how happy she was! That this was the furthest she had ever gotten with L. She thanked us for the spirit we brought into her home and that she is sooo happy! Gosh we were so happy about that!

But also we were guided without knowing it the night before to a less-active’s home where the family had been deeply offended by a few members of the ward earlier on in the week. We never visit this family and they thought that the Bishop had sent us to talk to them! Nope! Unfortunately they were just so bitter that there wasn’t much we could say or do without making it worse so we just kept apologizing that they were hurt. It was really sad to me that they were letting the MOST trivial thing get in the way of their salvation. We were glad though that we got into their home that night and to form that relationship before they closed their door completely on the church. Now we have an “in” with them, where if we hadn’t been prompted to go there that night, wouldn’t have ever been able to establish.

Sister Baxter and I had NO idea that we needed to be at those specific places at those specific times! It was a great testimony builder for me to be a part of that - a very special few days for sure. I hope and pray that it will only get better from here. But also on Sunday we were busy Sisters because we gave a little message on following the prophet in Primary (totally fun!) and then we gave a little lesson in Young Women’s (even better!!). We talked about how all members need to do is invite people – not teach lessons! We shared funny stories with the girls of our personal experiences on sharing or not sharing the gospel before our missions. We came up with 3 simple steps for members:
1.) Be an example
2.) Bear testimony
3.) Invite
How easy is that?! So that was a neat experience. We also had an amazing Fast and Testimony meeting where some excellent testimonies were given!

The week before was our Glasgow Stake Conference and it was the BEST ever! It was a broadcast from Salt Lake City and the prophet spoke!!! Also Elder L. Tom Perry, Sister Barbara Thompson, and Elder Patrick Kearon of the Seventy spoke. Every single one of their talks hit me so personally!

• Elder Patrick Kearon’s talk was amazing. He spoke about how there are worldly things we are tethering ourselves to that are dulling our spiritual sensitivity. That we need to make a personal assessment of ourselves and our homes. We need to be receiving light and making it brighter not dimmer. He said the world is made up of patterns and labels, they will brand you. But the Lord does NOT. He knows exactly what we could and can be. But do we? We need to be determined to change and to lift other while we are at it.

• Sister Thompson spoke about how we need to steady ourselves against life’s challenges. We are given clear instructions through our prophets and commandments on how to do that. If we follow them we will make it back. She said that NO sacrifice is too great to get to the temple. None is.

• Elder L. Tom Perry’s made me think of a lot of things that he didn’t even mention too much about in his talk! So I learned a lot of personal things that I needed to learn.

• President Thomas S. Monson’s talk was excellent as always. He talked about how we need to focus on our less-actives and bringing them back. How we need to tell the ones we love that we love them. To get rid of pride and be forgiving of others. He said, since we are on the Lord’s errand we are entitled to His help! What a comfort! And this was my favourite thing: Have the ability to see Christ in every face you encounter and then treat them accordingly.

Wow! What a wonderful experience! I was so glad I was here for this because if I were still back in the States I would have missed out on it!

This has been an eventful week for sure but very nice at the same time. Thank you to everyone who is praying for Rach and I. We sincerely appreciate them. I love you guys!
Love always, Sister Teresa Kullick

Life is wonderful!

RACHEL - Hello!

We have been seeing sooo many miracles this past week, it has been so amazing!! I love to be constantly working and speaking to everyone about the feelings I have are of pure joy! I am sooo happy being a Missionary! I really really Love this work! A couple days ago I had this feeling of completeness which was indescribable! I have also thought about asking my new Mission President for an extension!

This past week we have been able to teach so many of the people we have made appointments with on the bus and on the street that we have gained 8 New Investigators! I Love Bus Contacting now! I used to be a little frightened of it, but the majority of our appointments come from the people on buses! My old companion Sister Suaybaguio taught me by her example that we just have to keep on moving. If we stop or hesitate then that's when fear creeps in and stops you from talking to more people. So this past week we were able to have about 23 appointments which is probably the highest I have ever seen in my week on a mission so far! The Lord really has been helping us every single step of the way and it is because we have really been trying to speak to everyone we can. I really do know that the Lord sends prepared people to His prepared service. My mission has really taught me to love sharing the gospel and in a talk by Elder Eyring, he spoke about when we truly love the gospel, talking about it with people will become a part of who you are and I really want to carry that with me throughout my life.

Sister Bibb is a natural! She is so wonderful! Right away she will talk to people on the streets, on buses and cashiers! She is amazing! It has been so nice serving with her. She really good at teaching to the "you" (the individual) and already knows the scriptures and Preach My Gospel well. It seems like since this last transfer there hasn't really been any time to do any personal things! There doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to do everything we need and want to do! Today we will be baking a lot for the members when they help us fellowship and give us lifts! I have seen that make a nice difference in their willingness to help when we take a little extra time to show we care. I wished I learned that sooner on a mission because Sister Gallozo taught me that and miracles have come from serving the ward members in little extra ways.

Our Investigator H.C.P. is doing amazingly! She loves the scriptures and the Church. She has been so sweet and has been feeding us dinner as well! She wants to be baptised on her birthday, June 23rd, so we are excited! This Saturday right next to the Preston Temple, there will be the 400th year anniversary of the King James Bible Concert and we are going to take H. or more likely meet her there because we don't have a lift. It will be so wonderful returning back home to Chorley for an evening! It will be wonderful to see all the 2nd and 3rd Ward members and those I use to teach there! I am excited!

Life is wonderful as you might have been able to tell and I just love what I am doing! I hope everyone is well and I would love to hear nice little Missionary experiences that you all have throughout the week! Let us know! Thank you to all who have supported Teresa and I in our decision to serve, we love you all!
Love always, Sister Rachel Kullick