American Pioneer thing!

Teresa - Hi ya!

It was pioneer day? Golly, must've missed the memo! I don’t think Scotland is into the whole American Pioneer thing. Maybe it's just my ward here but my companion and I mentioned the idea of a Fireside and they weren't too keen on it! They were like, "no one's going to know what that is, that's an American thing." Haha! Uh never mind, I guess? But that's still great that you made some homemade butter! Haha That’s sooo funny, I laughed when I read that :)

I cannot believe Ashley Wilkinson is back already (from her Brazilian mission)! It feels like she just barely left! That's great though, I bet her talk was amazing! And I know it's nice to get actual experiences from her time spent in Brazil too, that is always more interesting to listen to!

So you sent me a mini package? Thanks mom! I really appreciate it!

So lately we have been meeting with these investigators June and Mellisa and they know that the gospel brings total happiness to their lives! But the thing is, they are getting a lot of stick from people. Everyone is against them and it is getting to Mellisa a bit. But this really made me think of how miserable the world really is. So much so that they have to tear anybody down who wants to fight to be better. It is completely sad. Misery loves company.

I had a really good experience with the scriptures today in my study time! I was reading in 1 Nephi 14: 11-14. It’s talking about how the church of the Devil has dominion over all the earth. And how the church of God had very few numbers because of the wickedness of the people. And let me tell you, it is so true! This really comforted me because it let me know that all this wickedness was foretold and we will always be physically out numbered. And we will often always stand alone. And as I read on it mentioned that the evil people were actively fighting against the saints of God. And here is the best part! That even when all this is happening, the power of God descended upon the saints and they were armed with righteousness and the power of God in great glory. Wow! Even though we get yelled at in the streets and are treated horribly by those we talk to and even though the members of the church are being full on harassed, The Lord is on our side. We will win this battle; it's all a matter of which side you choose to be on. Because although our numbers are few, we have more on our side then theirs as it says in 2 Kings 6:16. I know we have absolutely nothing to fear. I love this work and I know that the Lord will help us in all of our righteous endeavors!!

I love you family!! And I can't thank you enough mom and dad for raising me up in the gospel! I know my life is happier and full of purpose because of it! I love you guys!

Love always, Sister Teresa Kullick :)

First Exchange!

Rachel - Hello!

It's ok mom, I'm sure you will do a great job at getting all those pics (of the wedding)! Thanks for taking care of it! I really appreciate it! I guess now I have to start getting pictures to you! haha So sorry about that because I actually tried the other day but the lady in the library had no idea how to help me figure it out and today well today I forgot the cord! Ha! Whoops! I promise next week!

Wow, it seems like just yesterday since Ashley Wilkinson just left! I'm glad she had a great mission and is still continuing on in the work! (She just got back from a Brazilian mission!)

A box?? For me?? Wow thanks mom and dad!! I'm excited haha and I was very excited when I received the 50 look bars! Ha! But I just began looking over your lesson mom and I can't wait to read it all! I always really love your lessons!

Dad, I forgot to mention that I would really looove you to send me magic tricks that could relate to the gospel (make them easy…I'm no pro ;) )!

I have a question for Bro Mouritsen! I was studying in Jacob 2:27 and I'm having a hard time understanding it. Also what is some information you have on "Faith in Jesus Christ"? I'm trying to study that topic right now and just wanted to know if you had anything to share on that (the family can put information on that for me as well, I would love every body's insights!) And thank You soooo much Bro Mour for all that you have done for Teresa and I, You were a main component in preparing us for our missions! I really am so grateful for your willingness to teach us and for the journals! You are great!

I would also like to say thank you to Mike White who so nicely gave me those Plan of Salvation cards! I have used them and they have worked really well for an activity lesson!

Oh, by the way is it ok if you could send me two blank DVD's? Haha Random I know but I would like to get the Joseph Smith Movie on those so I can show them on my mission and so I can give the other one to Teresie!

I just had my first exchange! It was actually for two days and I LOVED it!! I stayed in the Manchester South area but Sis. Snell was my companion! I absolutely love her! She is from Colorado and has the best sense of humor and personality! I never thought I would meet someone I would get along with sooo well on my mission. We are now hoping and praying we can one day be companions together (on the Isle of Man! There are only one set of Elders and one senior couple there so we would have to white wash but man o man that would be amazing taking on that whole Isle with Sis. Snell!)! Haha!

There has been a scripture that has become a new favorite of mine (sorry if I have already mentioned it!) Helaman 5:12 it is a beautiful promise that we are given if we only rely on the Lord as our foundation!

I got a letter from Grandma and Grandpa Coombs! That was wonderful. Grandpa just so you know - you still have to seal me in the temple one day so you are not going anywhere anytime soon :) But thank you for the letter.

It is amazing how I am changing! I mean I'm still me but now whenever I see people, anyone, I think about sharing the gospel with them! If they would receive it well or how they great of a Priesthood holder he would be or a wonderful temple worthy woman she would be! Ha I love it! I have never thought about that as much in the beginning but now I can't help it! I am truly loving my mission this was the best decision I could have ever made in my life!

I do love you all and do love hearing from you! Hope to hear from you soon!

Love always Sister Rachel Kullick

PS I'm really glad you got my letter!

Written letter!

Dear Daddy-O!

It has been so wonderful to have received all the letters you have sent me while on holiday in St. George! I have love reading all of them! I thought I would write a letter back in response to all of the ones you have sent recently.

I had a fun time looking at Alma 51 with you through your letter. I agree! There is no end to the ways your testimony can grow while reading the scriptures and how Joseph smith couldn’t have written all that himself! I would love to share experiences while studying but honestly I have received more revelation while I have been thinking. Like that passage I shared with you! I have some more that have made a big impact on me that I’ll share later on.

That story about at the gas station in Baker, CA was hilarious! (For more details see, Steve, Linda or Cary!) I can’t believe he wouldn’t notice that his pants were all the way down under his bum! Ha, ha, ha, wow…and you didn’t take a picture?! Just teasing!

I’m excited to see where Teresa’s flat is in Scotland! It was great to know that you could “walk” with me to my flat and around it! I will try to let you know of any other addresses and thank you so much for archiving them for me! That sounds awesome!

This last transfer Sis. Bowen left for home and unfortunately I didn’t realize how amazing she was or how much I missed her until I got my new comp. We had not been getting along so great; we kept having these little bickerings and it just didn’t get any better till I had to say something first about it. And at the end of it actually turned out really good. Since then, we are really warming up to each other and are becoming friends! I am really happy about that because to be honest I was not happy for those first few days but now it’s all good and we are teaching really well together! I agree. Your first priority should be the companionship because it makes all the difference!

I haven’t seen any castles yet and to be honest there really isn’t much around me, everything seems to be in Southern England and Scotland but yes it was still fun to go to where P&P was filmed! We will have to do a whole bunch of things when you come.

And I can’t throw my keys to my new comp because I am the “designated driver”. I actually think that near the end of my first year, I may be asked to try to get my license here, which would be amazing! Because then I would have it for life but considering I barely passed the one in California, maybe not! Ha~

I can already tell that I am getting stronger and I thought I was good with people but now I realize I am getting even better with people with what I am learning. I can feel myself becoming better. Serving a mission was my call ever since I was a little girl. I am amazed that as a little girl I had faith that became knowledge to know that this was and is my purpose. I recognized what I wanted and needed, which I knew could only really happen through serving a mission. Heavenly Father knows me and knew I needed to do this to become what I will be; something great!

I really do thank you for all the support that you and mom have given me and Teresie our whole lives and just believing in us! I know that you are my parents for a reason and have prepared me so much for serving a mission because of your own personal experiences on your missions!

I pray every night for the gift of teaching, which is actually promised to me in my patriarchal blessing but seems to not really be coming. Can you pray for me with that? I would be so grateful! I am becoming a better teachers but I still want to be wonderful so that my investigators will understand the doctrines clearly. Thank you for your love and support!

Love you both sooooooooo much! Thank you!

Love always, Sister Rachel Kullick

"The Spirit of God..."

RACHEL - Hello!

I received your letter this week where there is a picture of Steverino in a dashing black suit on! haha It was very fun reading about the preparing for the wedding and Open House and the clean up afterwards! I feel like I was there and experienced it even though I am a couple of miles away ;) I am so glad everything went smoothly and that Steven and Erika are enjoying my old room, are they going to paint the walls a different color? I would imagine they would!

I just wanted to thank you Dad for all the letters you wrote from the time you were on holiday in St. George! It was great! I loved reading all of them! I think I will start writing you back not only by email but also by hand, so I really want to so I'll make time to do that! Thanks Mom for the letter you wrote me haha I was so surprised to see that it was the card I made forever ago! Haha

Well the last Pday we went to Piccadilly Square and my companion and I got a parking ticket... haha Well its only about 25pounds so its not too bad but yeah don't worry I'll be smarter this time around!

I was reading the email Teresa last sent and when she started about talking in her sleep it made me laugh soo hard because the same is happening to me! I have been bearing my testimony in my sleep ever since I have been with Sis. Bowen and now with Sis. Hulet! Apparently my favorite one that I like to say is "And I just want you to know that I know that families can be together forever" haha Sis. Bowen would actually sleep talk back to me and we would both bear testimony to one another! Haha And its exactly like Teresa, I know I’m talking but I can't stop myself! Haha it’s really funny :)

Oh by the way I met a Michael Robinson who the Ludwigs would know him better as Elder Robinson, He was a missionary in Greece while the Bro. Ludwig was his Mission President! It is crazy how the church makes the world a lot smaller! I love it though! But he says hi to the Ludwigs!

My companionship with Sister Hulet has gotten a lot better and we are becoming friends! It's really great and I’m so happy about that!

Oh did I mention how my trainer Sis. Bowen reminded me soooo much of Katy (Maxwell Huntsman)?? I loved it; it was like having Katy around me always! And Sis. Hulet actually went to Pleasant Grove High so she thinks she might know you Katy! She graduated in 06. Just a fun little fact!

Hey Lauren, do you mind taking down movies, music, and other stuff that isn't appropriate for a missionary on FB haha people are ridiculous here they are looking me up on FB they can't see my pictures except my profile so that’s good but they can see my interests and stuff, so thanks Lawren! Oh and if Teresie asked some questions in the letter to you and I didn't still include that info in your letter back to me too k? haha k good!

Well, the work is great! For the first time last night I truly meant and understood the phrase "the Spirit of God like a fire is burning" I experienced this after a lesson we taught to this young woman who is struggling with her identity and worth. It was amazing we read the talk by Sister Dalton "Remember Who You Are" The Spirit was so strong it was undeniable! I had never really ever felt the spirit like a burning feeling inside of me. I felt amazing like I was on fire and untouchable! The Spirit truly led that lesson and it was amazing to be an instrument in the Lord's hands!

We are teaching two 18-year-old girls who are beautiful inside and out and are excited to learn more! I am so excited for them to fully embrace themselves in the Gospel and to have the knowledge that they are true daughters of God! Their names are Rosel and Elizabeth.

Unfortunately Simeon and Mayrose dropped us but hey they will come back when they are ready!

And Dad thank you sooo much for the advice that you gave me for the mission, about always having a sense of humor when things are tough like when tracting. My companion has a harder time laughing things off when people shut the door in our face but I appreciate the advice you gave so that my spirits can always be high!

Love you all so very much! Hope to hear from you soon!

Love always, Sis Rachel Kullick

Smart Start Session

TERESA - Ok so....

This week has been swell. This is Sister Nelson's last move so she goes home after this! Noooo! She has been an excellent trainer and I'll miss her goofy self :) She has been a great help to me because of her upbeat attitude. We've not only been companions but friends, and it has made all the difference. I will be very sad to see her go and I feel very nervous when I think about when that time comes. But I know the Lord will help me with the area so I won't be completely lost!

But anyways we went to Edinburgh for my Smart Start Session in the mission home. Pretty much just doing training models (role play) the whole time, which was actually a lot of fun! And plus, it is always fun to be with all the missionaries and to see the mission President and his wife! But it was funny cause we took a train there and then we had to walk in the pouring rain from the train station to the mission home! We pretty much drowned haha. It was totally worth it though.

We also had our Zone Development Meeting, which is great too! And this time it was a little different because of the combining of the missions. We have a new Zone Leader transferred over from Ireland and he's quite funny because as a "get to know you" game he had us all play Mafia. haha It was different! But Sis Nelson and I also had to do a presentation on charity in missionary work and I think we did pretty well :).

Uh lets see anything else...

The Castle was nice, but you're right mom, after a while they all start to look the same! And that's sad cause I've only seen 2 haha. But it's still nice.

The work has been kind of slow just because the people who we've been teaching haven't really been progressing so.... that's lame! But we are trying to find new people and strengthen the ones we have. So just one thing to keep in mind: Every member a missionary! And yes, you hear this ALL the time but it is truer than you could ever imagine. All our work is for nothing unless members step in and out of their comfort zones to fellowship recent converts and less actives. And what is fellow shipping you ask? Well, it's just a formal fancy word for friendly. That's it! All we want members to do is say hi, sit next to them during the meetings, invite them to things; being friendly! It is so simple. So please, could everyone who's reading this just say hi to someone who seems to look a little lonely or out of place? Because everyone is a child of God so they should never feel out of place at church that should be the one place where they have friends and support. So even if you've already done stuff like that, it doesn't mean you've filled up your quota for the month. It is and should be an everyday effort. Missionaries can't do everything, we need members help!!

But anyways, life has been good. I have been missing Rach quite a bit actually but I know I'm ok and that the Spirit will help us! I so LOVED getting your letters! Thank you so much dad and mom for the support. And thanks Steven and Erika for the postcard. I can really feel your love through the letters I receive! Thank you! I am so lucky and blessed to have the family that I have and I wouldn't trade you guys for anything! Thank you for raising me in the gospel.

I LOVE YOU ALL!

Love always, Sis Teresa k

New Companion

Rachel - Hello!

I am so glad that you all had a great time in St. George! I know that place can be fun!

I have a new companion now, her name is Sis Hulet and she lives right next to the Maxwell’s basically in Lindon. haha I thought that was crazy! She's really laid back and that’s nice but we are a tad different so it just takes some adjusting. It has been very difficult switching companions this soon for me considering I barely know the area (And you know me with directions and remembering people! Yikes!) And she has never been here before so its been tough and sometimes I feel like we could be more productive with our time but I think we will get better at it all. It almost feels like “white washing” (when 2 missionaries both arrive in an area at the same time with neither knowing it!) cause I still don’t know many people or places! But I pray every night for that help :)

I was very surprised to get a postcard from the Reese's! Haha I never thought that I would be the missionary that they would send postcards to cause I didn't know they were still doing that! Way to go! Keep on that tradition! Ha!

But I am really loving the BoM challenge though (fine mom, I guess you can cheat) (I told her I was already in Alma and was not going to start over again but would read around to Alma again!) but it’s great! I am becoming so much more involved with the scriptures; it’s amazing to see how the Lord is truly in all things!

The Zone is heading to Piccadilly City today to all eat at this Chinese Buffet there so I am really looking forward to that and I actually haven't had a chance to go tourist shopping before this! And haha I can't believe I only brought these two wimpy cardigans (I actually can't find the other one so now I have one haha) and no nicer warm sweater to keep me warm! So that is something I am definitely going to be looking for today!

Two new Sister missionaries came last transfer and they are soooo nice and I can't wait to get to know them more! And I think I knew one of them before the mission...we both recognize each other and its driving me mad that I can't figure it out! Haha Her name is Sis Carey.

But I just wanted to say to all those that have written me that it meant soo much and I do appreciate it! Thank you soo much dad for all the letters you send and love! Hopefully you got my Fathers day card and could ready it!

So far this transfer has really pushed me to be better and to have more faith in my knowledge of the area and such and its surprising that I am now just beginning to remember things a lot easier, it definitely is a blessing that I have been given. There is a new AP that came up to me to talk about Teresa in Scotland! He's been to the Dundee ward or area at least and it was great talking to him about where Teresa is right now!

I am doing really well and more and more as each day passes it is confirmed to me how I am exactly where I need to be! I am truly blessed! I love this work and mission! Everyone should serve; it’s a choice you will never regret!

Love always, Sister Rachel Kullick

PS I’ll send pics next time Teresa told me how!

Short & Sweet?

Teresa - Hey mom and dad!

That's crazy that Spain won (the World Cup)! I totally thought that Holland would win for sure! Poor guys, can't seem to catch a break.

Thanks for sending the letters on your vacation! I look forward to getting them!

And if Scotland is going to put on an "American Summer fair" then it is only right that an American represents (Teresa won the bubble blowing contest)! haha It was fun :)

I love you all and I hope all goes well back in the States!

Thanks again for everything!
Love always, Sis Teresa Kullick