I love my mission!

So before I forget is it possible that I could get a digital copy of some of our family pictures so I can print them out here? So life is good elder Enenkel and I have been working really hard. I had a really cool experience this week that was one of those moments that kind of made all of this worth it. The sister missionaries called us and gave us a referral. This guys name was Jim and he had spent some time in the states and was interested in our beliefs. So being me, I forgot about it until on Monday of last week. I was on a work over here with Elder Volpe (Italy). After we got stood up twice, we decided to drop by. Jim let us in right off and we started talking to him. It turns out that through business he made friends with some really rich Mormons. His friends actually donated their personal jet to President Hinckley! And once a year he would go spend a week or so with them. He even met president Hinckley one of those times! We learned that he had absolutely no religious background and had never prayed in his life. We taught him about the Restoration and he recognizing answers from the spirit. Then at the end of the lesson we invited him to pray. He was really nervous and refused, so I knelt on his floor and Elder Volpe and Adon Giboin (local prospective elder) followed suit. Then we compromised with him. We three each said a little pray then he said one! He was hesitant at first but he prayed! It was amazing! Then when I returned on Thursday with Elder Muro (Brazil) and showed him the Restoration DVD we did the same thing and he prayed again. It was so cool to see this man, who had never even thought about God before in his life, pray. I really look forward to meeting with him again!

We had a bit of drama this weekend that we had to fix. One of the members was suppose to go through the temple this weekend and get sealed to her dead husband. The recommend wasn’t signed in time so she swore in her wrath that she would never set foot in a church again. So after about fifteen minutes of rebuking, encouraging and lifting we got her to change her mind. It was after I appealed to her American pride that I got her to see that she was 'digging her heels in' on the wrong path. Its funny how you get such opposite reactions whenever you tell people you are from America. Oh, also on Tuesday I had to get my three hours of driving instruction... that was crazy, this guy is an advanced police pursuit driver. It was like driving with dad again... but the difference was that he had his own brake pedal on the other side so I often found him slamming on the brakes for what I thought was no apparent reason. Then I would see a mile up a lorry (semi) driver cutting off traffic. I hardly survived but it was really cool to drive a brand new mini around the streets of London:) I love my mission!!

Ok, so thanks to Mikalie, Meagan, Jamie, Grandma, Kassidee, Maggie, Elder Brock Matthews and Elder Edwards for writing me letters it was awesome when President Patch came to our district meeting and brought me the letters I was so happy!! The church is true. Some times the people aren’t but the Lord is always there and always will be. So Elder Muro is one of those too deep doctrine type guys and he claims that the second coming will be in the next thirty years on account that his patriarchal blessing says that his children will usher in the second coming and that President Hinckley apparently said that the last prophet had been born or something like that... and also scientist claim that the moon is cracking... personally I think thirty years is a long way away but it got me wondering if I am ready... are you?

Love Elder Solomon

P.S. you have a small package on the way that I sent today hope it doesn’t melt:)

Drunks can enjoy church too!

Ok, so sorry for not emailing again this week. On p-day we had a special zone meeting with President Patch then I had to get my required 3 hours of driver training so I can drive now. Then the library was closed so I couldn’t do my emailing. Life is great and the work is progressing. we have had two investigators come to church over the past two weeks. Although they both were drunk they said they enjoyed church. I got a letter form Elder Matthews in the Birmingham Mission (Brock Matthews, Linden’s boy) and finally I got one from Elder Edwards in Peru. It was so good to hear from them and that they are doing well. It’s been weird taking over an area. I'm used to just following my companion around and then testifying when I need to. Since I have been in the area longer then Elder Enenkel he relies on me to make all the decisions on where to go who to see and what to teach. It’s been stressful but good. It has really forced me to be more observant too. Well, I better get back to out progress record for the week.

Sheldon congrats on being a priest! Little by little you are getting there. Now remember, it is in the priest quorum that every missionary should learn the doctrine and principles of the lessons then it is in the mission prep classes and the MTC that they learn how to teach. Make Preach My Gospel your best friend. Practice teaching principles in Family Home Evening. That goes for you to Brigg... especially you.

Ya’ll are great and I love you.

Elder Solomon

P.S. Will you please send me family pictures? Fanks!

Game over,Soft hands, and Monopoly

Ok so I could completely see Brigg and Dad’s little girl play giggle fight going on as I read that last email. Hilarious. Ok, I thought that it was suppose to be the second year of my mission that everyone started getting engaged and married...WHAT THE HECK?!?!?! We have one missionary from Italy and he is the typical Italian lover. He is Elder Boer and he is my brother. Anyhow, whenever her hears of someone getting married he always shakes his head and says, “game over”. Its funny cause while Elder Gallagher was training him in Lea Valley, Elder Gallagher got a wedding invitation to his girlfriend’s wedding. It still stands in that flat with a nice little note from Elder Boer telling the story of when he read the letter.

Elder Enenkel is an amazing missionary and is defiantly in the top three of all my companions. We had to, of course, drive back from London on moves day and I was in charge of navigating. It took a little longer then it should have... I was a bit selfish and at one point we found our self-driving down Park lane and Mill lane is it? We also traveled down Old Kent road... is anyone recognizing these names form dad’s English Monopoly game? Anyhow we found our selves driving past Westminster Abbey and Big Ben it was awesome!!!

So this week was amazing! Chris (who is sitting right next to me in the library.) Finally got his revelation and is going to be baptized! Yea!! But we still need to wean him off of his wine. He has a metal plate in his head so he has problems sleeping cause his brain won’t calm down so I'm going to give him my bottle of Quiensecent essential oils...or what ever it is. I'm going to miss that bottle and the good sleep that comes with it, but hopefully it will help him get a good nights rest on Saturdays so that he won’t miss church anymore. Life is great we really started working more with the members so now they are happy and love us again. By the way the checkered shirt was a flat find that I now wear on P-days so people don’t see my hideous neck tan. Oh, and by the way I am completely white now... my arms are the same tone of color as the bottom of my feet and I hate it... don’t laugh. And my hands are getting soft. You don’t get to many blisters or calices by handing out pass along cards and tracting, Maybe a paper cut but those are few and far between. Congrats to Aunt Brigdett and Uncle Rob that’s is awesome!! I keep thinking of Rob Haynes whenever those two are mentioned together and I think to myself 'isn’t that an Alabama side of the family thing ' but then I remember it s Rob Ronan.

Well, I keep working and the Lord keeps working on me. I’m glad that it’s Him that is working on me cause I don’t think anyone else could do it. We have some exciting things ahead including a missionary fireside that we are in charge of getting President Patch to and now I have to get my British license.... I saw at church yesterday a couple from Mesa who where here doing family history. It was good to talk so someone who knew what Ned's subs was! Well, I hope the best for you all and I know that as you stay close to God and always remember the sacrifice of His Son that no matter what happens you will get through it and in the end it will be all good. I always like to keep in mind that this life is the worst it will ever get. Having said that aku na ma ta ta and farewell, salaam and may you live long and prosper (that’s for dad and the rest of the star trek fans)

Love,
Elder Solomon

(P.S. mom and dad we are meeting with a family who has a 11 year old girl named Gabby who has a brain tumor, can you send me a letter addressed to Duane and Sara Challis talking about how you were able to get through our ordeal? or is that not a good idea?)

P.S.S. Sheldon I love you

BBQ Tomoto tuna on rice with egg and peas.

Ok, finally I get a bit of time to sit down and write a proper email! So we have had a crazy week full of bad news. We had been having a really bad time with all our investigators. At one point we only had one investigator! They keep moving and losing interest! But at the end of the week things started turning for the better and now I'm happy. We have many good appointments set up for the following week so it’ll be good. The news came yesterday. Elder Hansen got a call from President Patch and he was called to be a zone leader in Basildon in Essex. Which mean I get a new companion... again. My new companion is Elder Enenkel and he is from Austria. I pick him up tomorrow so I don’t really know anything about him just yet. The weather here is absolutely crazy. It’s like the attitude of a fifteen-year-old girl. You never know what it will be like each day and with out one sign of warning it will do a complete about face!!! (No offence to any 15 year old girl that may read this I’m just saying...) Thank you mom for putting the money in my account but I must admit I used some of it for the wrong reason.... August was hard for us and we spent the last month with out any money and it got a bit interesting with food. I used some money for at train ticket into London for zone conference.

But back to the food. Missionaries do not have a years supply (except sister missionaries but then again what don’t they have?). So Elder Hansen and I had some interesting dinners. We basically would find whatever was in the house and boil it and put it with pasta. My favorite dinner, which sounds nasty but actually turned out quite good was tomato tuna on rice that was boiled with an egg and peas with bbq sauce and beef gravy. Elder Hansen added the gravy and I wasn’t to excited about that. I'm sad that Elder Hansen is leaving. I have had so much fun with him. Although he has extreme anti-American views, believes in global warming as a fact, and dislikes capitalism, we had a great time together and were always laughing.

Anyway news from home: Mom- keep at it I know that it is stressful but you have no idea the impact that you are having on those kids. Looking back Coach Leblanc and Workman had a more profound impact on those four years of my life then any other person at that school. You are an amazing role model for them and are teaching them the most important lesson that any teenager can learn. Hard work pays off and is always worth it. It sad how people have gotten so use to instant gratification that if something takes three minutes to download their blood pressure rises and they get up set. I wish that every one in the world could just take one week and worry about nothing and just enjoy time rather then trying to make more of it.

Sheldon did you get my letter/birthday card? I hope so I spent Hours working on it and I know that you love it! Brigg I laughed when mom told me that you were finally comfortable with swimming in a jammer! I thought that you would love to wear one and show off you manly muscular legs. Are you enjoying swim? Is it really that hard or are swimmers just girls? I have heard nothing about the Thompson’s house but if that is the case that is the saddest news I got all week. I love that place something is wrong with the computer I'm using and I cannot use the shift key or do any punctuation so please know that I am still smart and now how to write correctly. Dad: sounds like you really are having a good time with your new job but I'm really glad that you also got some time to spend with the family. The saddest thing about England and probably the root to all their social problems is that there in no such thing as a family unit. People just have "partners" and live with them for a couple of years and move on. Also England goes through two generations before we go through one. No kidding! I saw a twelve-year-old girl who looked nine months pregnant the other day. It was so sad. Then I had a ten year old ask me if I had a spare cigarette. It is sick to see what happens to a whole society when correct family principles are thrown out the window. It’s so sad to see when people have kids before they are ready and then try to raise them before they themselves are mature. I see all the time pregnant teenagers pushing a stroller with a cigarette in their mouth talking on the phone and screaming at their baby to shut up. I just want to scream. But I've been quite negative for a bit.

Guys at work: I want Robin to know how sorry I am that I cannot email you back but I love all the emails I get keeping me in the loop. Sounds like Brian is doing awesome and I have to admit when you told me about your dog I thought you were talking about a person and I was getting all worked up until I saw that you took him to the vet and then I calmed down and laughed. Congrats to Kayla. I’m so happy for her!

I wish all the best for everyone back at home. Preston! Holy cow my friend, I'm so happy for you! You are doing great and I hope that everything continues to go your way as you reap the blessings of serving the Lord faithfully for two years! Dad, I love the biscuits and I haven’t seen any of those meat pies that you are talking about but I have seen enough dogs and cats to last me a while. There isn’t enough room for people in the town yet less dogs and cats! They are everywhere and every one has at least two of each! Well, I love you all and I keep you in my prayers. I know that you do the same for me and you are the best people I could ever ask to support me in this great calling.

Love,
Elder Solomon

P.S. Elder Hansen loves that chipotle sauce! He puts it on his pasta every night with a bit (big bit) of mayo):) love you all!

my excuse

sorry i didnt email it was a bank holiday and the library was shut done. life is good transfer is almost over. IM STILL WAITING FOR OUR FAMILY PICTURES THAT WE TOOK IN MAY SO I CAN SHOW THE WHOLE WORLD THE BESTEST FAM DAMNLY IN THE WORLD
love
elder solomon

Ok, I have a short time again. We don’t have much of a pday we have a bunch of appointments and will only get three hours to ourselves. I'm emailing right now instead of doing our comp study. So. Thank you to Robin for the work update. I'm so happy everyone there is doing so good! Preston thank you for fillin in for mom you are awesome and I loved that email. Saturday was zone conference, which was awesome, but for some reason they thoroughly covered eternal marriage and then in Sunday school the lesson was also on eternal marriage and I keep thinkin I DONT NEED THUIS RIGHT NOW!!! It’s the last thing I want to think about. But Preston, I want you to know you are living the dream of about 50,000 missionaries right now. You have a fast car, lots of money and a girlfriend that you can actually hold instead of just look at and dream about! Sounds like you had an amazing experience with Elder Andersen! Was it a broadcasted fireside or was he there? I love the first presidency and the quorum of the twelve!

The work is trucking along as usual. For some reason the Bishop here has something against missionaries so we are not having the support we would like from him but we are finding other ways to make it work out. Finding is getting hard again I think people recognize us now and want nothing to do with us again. The beautiful thing that I found out I already knew this week is that the lord gives us commandments then He provides a way for us to keep them. THEN He blesses us for keeping those commandments! It’s a win win situation! Of course He isn’t going to take away our free agency but he will always provide a way to follow Him and support us in those righteous efforts. How is it possible then to fail? During out Elders quorum lesson yesterday our investigator Chris asked how could you lower your Standards? When I was thinking about it I came to the conclusion that the only way someone could possibly lower their standards is when they do not understand the relationship they have with their Father in Heaven. Joseph Smith though and I'll put it in my own words that no one can teach us that relationship. We cannot gain that knowledge by sermon or scripture. The only way we can learn and gain a testimony of our true relationship with our Father is through prayer and personal revelation. As we gain that knowledge or remembrance of that relationship then we will have no more disposition to do evil. That is how we can rise to that next level. That is where we can find the strength to move forward in the right direction. Regain that relationship that was lost with the veil then will you receive a remission of your sins through the reception of the Holy Ghost and then the blessings will be poured from heaven. Quickly the other lesson I learned is Progression can be measured by Opposition. The closer we come the harder it gets but the more strength we receive.

Thanks to Sheldon, Jamie, Taylor and Kassidee, mom and sister Thompson for the letters. You are awe3some.

Love,
Elder Brighton

They are miserable, but I am not

Ok, I will explain how it is here in Dover in a bit but please look at the pictures. My words wont give it justice and the pictures almost do its kind of something you have to see for your self.

So last week we had zone pday and I did another train then we had a bbq on the beach so then we had to drive the sister missionaries (one is Italian and the other was Hawaiian) back to Canterbury so we didn’t have time to do our emailing before the appointments we had scheduled that night. So, the workin here is amazing and I give all the credit to the Lord working through the missionaries that were here before me. It is proof that an absolutely diligent and obedient servant of the Lord can do miracles. They had 4 baptisms the weekend before I got here and now we have 14 investigators and I want to say 10 other less active/recent converts that we teach. We are working so hard every day that we honestly have no time to even take a lunch and when we get back we have to take so much time to prepare for the lessons the next day that dinner is always every small and quick and I still have to write in my journal by torch (flashlight) light because without fail the lights are out at 10:30.

Ok, so my area goes from Folkston to Dover through sandwich deal all the way up to the Isle of Thanet, which is Margate and Ramsgate. It is the most spread out area in the mission so we spend a lot of time driving. Elder Hansen drives (illegally) because he knows the area but before this transfer we both had the same driving experience. So the countryside is amazing!!! I have never seen so much green in my life! Every one is growing wheat right now so all the fields are golden. The sides of the hill are all pasture for the many sheep and cattle and what ever isn’t pasture is forest. When we drove out of the country side and started going down the hill into the harbor I literally lost my breath at the sight. Far off in the distance you can see France!!! Yes FRANCE!! The there is the English channel between us which is the busiest water channel in the world so it has all kinds of ships scattered all over the place. Then there is the harbour which is its self is amazing with the pier /sea wall rising out of nothing. Then there are the cliffs... you basically have to see them for your self. Absolutely stunning huge white cliffs then at the top of the cliffs is the Dover castle the biggest castle in England.

Anyway I'm almost out of time. We have one investigator named Chris who is the English version of Kenny Kelley! He is awesome and was timed as the world’s fasted jockey! But since he got kicked in the head and now has a steel plate there he can’t really remember it all. He is the world’s best investigator. He is studying the gospel principles book and totally believes everything with out a doubt. He receives more personal revelation then most life time member but the only thing holding him back from being baptized today is he doesn’t want to be baptized until he knows that he has the strength to live the wow 100 percent. He is awesome.

The English people are the most miserable people I have ever seen.
O the cunning plan of the evil one of the vainness and frailties of man. For when they are learned they think they are wise and hearken not to the counsels of the Lord... I have totally seen it its amazing how closed minded people are and how they can be guided but such blanket lies and they allow their predetermined prejudice keep them from finding the most happiness they could ever wish to experience.
I love bearing testimony. I learned a really cool thing for myself after and amazing step in appointment. In 2 Nephi 31 18 it says something along the lines of 'then comes a remission of sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost' it is when we receive and feel the Holy Ghost that we are cleansed of our sins. I testify that this is true. I have felt it. I have never been so happy in my life and I have been surrounded here with the most miserable people because I know that my Redeemer lives and I get to testify multiple times a day and every time I do He sees it. Every time I am flipped off cursed and insulted and rejected it’s recorded. I glory in the tribulation.
Second thing I learn is righteousness in Gods eyes is completly subjective. We will be held account...

G2g love
Elder Solomon