The Book is Blue and the Church is True

Heya!

Hope everyone is doing well!

This week was awesome!  Man, it flew by so quick though, I can't believe it's over! Early in the week I had the opportunity to go on exchange with Elder McMurray.  It was a great day.  It was good to get to know him better! He is serving in Ilford, which is just 45 minutes away from Romford. We were able to have some powerful lessons with some of our investigators and see some miracles as we opened our mouths traveling back and forth.  That was also the day we had district Meeting.  I love the Romford District so much.  There are so many amazing missionaries here! 

There was a training about using the Book of Mormon in our teaching.  It has been something I have been thinking about for a while now.  How to better implement the most important tool (along with the spirit) in teaching the restored gospel.  There is amazing power that comes when our friends learn how to rely on the Book of Mormon for spiritual strength, guidance, and answers to questions. That I believe is what helps people become truly converted.  The Book of Mormon is an irreplaceable tool in this great work!  I'm so grateful for it in my life, and the truth that it contains.

Something beautiful that happened on Saturday was Sharon was able to be baptized!  We are so happy for her and the changes she has made in her life.  When she bore her testimony after the ordinance, she explained how her life had previously felt like a gigantic jig saw puzzle with a piece right on the Center that was missing.  That piece was Jesus Christ, and she now has it in her life.  It was heart warming to see and to feel of her love for the gospel.  The next day she was confirmed and her daughter Vikki spoke in sacrament Meeting. There is a bright future ahead of the Essex family.

Some other wonderful people we are working with is Senessie, Katie, and Maxine.  

Senessie was being taught by other Elders around a year ago.  He has a belief in God, but suffers from schizophrenia and that he often feels paranoid.  Praying and developing a stronger relationship with God has really helped him deal with that feeling of paranoia.  Amazing.  

Katie is someone we met two weeks ago.  We were able to meet up with her this week and have a very powerful lesson about the plan of Salvation.  She understood and rejoiced over the plan that God has for his children and accepted a baptismal date.  It was amazing.  

Maxine was someone we found on Tuesday and saw on Saturday.  She recently got out of rehab and explained to us how her belief in God was utterly non existent until after that experience. She came to know that God was there and now just wants to learn more about Him and have a better relationship with Him.  She came to church yesterday and truly loved it.  Towards the end of sacrament meeting she was so overwhelmed by the calm and the love that she was feeling that she broke down into tears and left.  She explained that it was something she had never felt before and she was definitely coming back.  She is great!

One sort of crazy thing that happened this week was we met this man called Andrew.  He just approached us on the street and asked if we could help him with something.  He then said he had to go, but that he would call us later.  Then he set up a time when he and his wife could Falke us out for lunch.  At this point... I was thinking "this is going to be really great, or perry bad."  We met him and we started off just having a nice conversation, but then he started talking about reformed Egyptian and all of this crazy stuff.  Then he told us that he was a minister... one who specifically ministers to LDS people.  As he said that, the spirit left the room.  He tried to talk about some things involving the endowment, but we knew it was definitely time to leave.  We thanked them for the meal, bore our testimonies of the Book of Mormon and the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and then left.  Haha!  They can't argue with that!

I thought it was amazing how although he brought up things I had never heard of before, my faith didn't even quiver!  My mission has been a crucible, which has refined my knowledge and my testimony so much.  I am so grateful for the knowledge we have.  The joy that that the truth brings is so irreplaceable.  I love this great work!  I love being His representative.  I know that He lives and leads this work. I am just so happy to be serving!

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Elder Draper

P.S.  the picture with Elder Lindsey in the air is probably my favourite picture of all time.

Testimony

Heya!

This week has been amazing!  I am starting to know which buses get me where to where I need to be and which buses get me real lost.  Which is good.  I'm starting to get to know his amazing Romford ward as well!  It was the first Sunday that wasn't a Stake Conference, so I know who is actually in the ward.  The Bishop is really great!  He is so caring and he knows the needs of the ward so well.  He is just a boss.  One night, we got a call from a less active member who was in distress and asked for a blessing.  With such short notice, the bishop dropped everything and took us to her house so we could help her.  He is so great.  

We got to go to Ilford (which is a nearby town) to blitz (or find) with the Ilford Elders.  It was fun to see how different and unique each city is and how they react to the gospel.  We got TWINS to come in the church for a chapel tour, and they came to church yesterday!  TWINS!  Brilliant.  We have been seeing Sharon a lot, and she is so excited to be baptized.  She has already picked what hymns she wants to be sung and everything.  Her faith has grown so much in the last few weeks.  It's amazing to see the change that happens in people when the light of the gospel fills their lives.  She has been reading from the Book of Mormon for 2 hours a day and has already read to Alma! Its amazing.  She's practically a member already.  She is excited to be baptized in the coming week. Nadeem got confirmed yesterday. 

On Friday we had Interviews with President Stevens.  Man.  I love him so much.  He is just amazing.  He one of the best examples of being consecrated that I've ever seen.  He has so much faith and love.  He is also a man of revelation.  The spirit just tells him stuff, and it is the craziest and coolest thing I've ever seen.

I have been thinking about how wonderful testimonies are this last week.  Many times when talking to people who don't have the same views as me, they will say "you can't know that there is a God."  It's amazing to know that we absolutely can know for ourselves.  

I love this quote by Bruce R. McConkie:

"I am one of his witnesses, and in a coming day I shall feel the nail marks in his hands and in his feet and shall wet his feet with my tears. But I shall not know any better then than I know now that he is God’s Almighty Son, that he is our Savior and Redeemer, and that salvation comes in and through his atoning blood and in no other way."

He knew.  He knew much more than mere seeing could ever do. Let us all seek to strengthen our testimonies of our Saviour Jesus Christ.  I know that sharing my testimony frequently has helped it grow more than anything else.  I know that Jesus Christ Lives!  He overcame death and sin so each of us can live with our Father in Heaven again.  This is His Church!  I know this is His work.  He is at the helm.  

Hope you all have an amazing week!  

Elder Draper 

Mother's Day 2017

We got to talk to Zhaun-Paul for Mother's Day. It was indescribably awesome. He is absolutely LOVING his mission, and is loving his time serving. Sydney asked him if he ever got home sick, and he said not even on his worst day did he ever even think about coming home. He just loves what he's doing. We are so happy for his service and his good and willing attitude. We miss this awesome boy!!!

I was taking pictures of him on the TV on Skype, so they're not the best lighting or clarity:

Romford Da Bombford

Heya!

This week has been pretty great! I got to my new area Romford and it is incredible!  Romford is technically still London (Zone 6) it is very, very East London headed more towards Essex.  The area we live is really nice. Our flat is pretty posh.  Anyways, we are teaching a pretty great family.  The Essex family.  Vickie (the daughter) is a recent convert.  She has been a member for about 3 weeks.  Sharon (her mom) saw the change the gospel made in her daughters life, and is now taking the lessons.  She is great!  They have a crazy three legged dog and a grandma who is permanently in the living room (Charlie and the Chocolate factory style) and they always tell the most random stories when we teach them!  It's pretty great! 

Oh, I forgot to tell more about my companion.  His name is Elder Gato, and he is from Para, Brazil!  He is working on speaking English, so sometimes I have absolutely no idea what he is trying to say to me. But he's either getting better, or I'm learning how to speak Portuguenglish (Portuguese English) because it's getting better. 

Something I have been thinking a lot about this week is how faith precedes the miracles.  I love scriptures like Alma 26:22, Ether 12:22, Mosiah 8:18, and Moroni 7:33 that tell us exactly what we can do when we put our faith in Jesus Christ.  In Alma 26:27 it says "Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success."  It always seems to be after trials that we can see the Lords tender mercies.  It is so often the fourth floor last door. night in the pouring rain.  The last house on a long street when we see miracles.  I know that as we go through these trials with faith, we become better acquainted with our Saviour and Redeemer.  We grow spiritually.  We become in tune with the Spirit, who comforts and guides us through the storms of life.  I know that this is the Lords work.  I know that it helps us realize our Divine potential.  I know that Jesus Christ lives.  He loves us so personally and so completely. As we show faith in him he will bear us up and carry us home.

Love you all!  Have an amazing week!

Elder Draper

We asked him to send us pics of his new and very "posh" flat:

Talking to the Family for Mother's Day 2017

Beginnings and Endings (and a Transfer to Romford)

Heya!

Hope you are all having a brilliant week!

First of all, there is some news!  Transfers are tomorrow and I will be leaving the blessed land of Britannia and heading for East London in an area called Romford in the Romford Zone. It's exciting! Leaving central London in a YSA ward to the East side in a family one. I am beyond excited for this new assignment!  I love thinking that there is a reason the Lord would have me be there.  People I can help, things I can learn, and a chance to grow. I have loved my time serving in Britannia.  I have come to love the ward and the people here so much!  I have made great memories and amazing friendships.

This week we had some amazing experiences!  We were able to teach a man called William, who had been investigating the church about 6 months ago, but decided to stop.  After a miracle and getting back in touch with him we were able to have an amazing lesson with him.  We took him through the Hyde Park visitors centre and used the exhibits to teach him faith, repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Ghost.  It was so powerful!  The spirit was there in the lesson.  He is excited to learn more and can't wait to feel the Holy Ghost more in his life.

Another great experience this week was teaching a man called Gerald. He is from the Philippines and has many questions about God.  We taught him about the Restoration and showed him a video about Joseph Smiths first vision and the spirit just filled the room!  It was almost tangible!  After the video he looked at us and said, "I'm speechless."  He went on to say that it helped him feel something deep inside of him.  It was an amazing experience.

The title is called beginnings and endings because I was hinting about what an amazing beginning baptism is.  It's the beginning of a new life devoted to God.  It's a fresh start, a clean slate.  We were able to see three amazing people enter into this covenant with God on Sunday and it was amazing.  Hearing their testimonies about coming to know that he was there and that he loved them always strengthens my own.  The changes these people make, and their dedication to come closer to Christ is incredible.

I know that this is the Lords work.  I know that he guides it.  He is more involved than we sometimes think.  I love being an instrument in His hands.

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

Elder Draper

Gratitude for the Priesthood

Heya Everyone!

Exciting things are happening!   Elder Nelson and I have been exploring this great city we get to live in.  Finding in places we've never been before!  It was refreshing and exciting!  Another thing we've found great joy in was visiting members and helping hem set goals to come closer to Christ.  We got to meet with some amazing recent converts and they set amazing goals that we all fasted together for.  It was just great! 

Some of the sweetest experiences of my mission have happened this week.  One of the times was when Elder Hulett told us that someone called and explained a situation that their Uncle was on vacation on London with his daughter when she had a heart attack and died.  We got the chance to go to the hotel he was staying at and visit him with our ward mission leader (Jacint from Hungary) It was one of the sweetest experiences of my mission thus far.  We sat in the hotel lobby and talked about his mission, his family, and life in general.  He was sharing beautiful memories with us.  Then at one point he was telling us a story about singing Hymns in the missionary discussions and when he said the title of the Hymn "I know at my Redeemer Lives" he got really choked up.  The spirit filled the room as this man, who had just experienced such a devastating tragedy, remembered one of his favourite Hymns about the Saviour.  It was such a sweet moment.  Then we went downstairs to the breakfast area where there wasn't a soul (this was late in the evening) and gave him a blessing of comfort.  I am so grateful for the priesthood.  I'm grateful I have the chance to hold it and be worthy to help others through it. Later in the week we had another opportunity to visit a less active lady who was in some pretty severe pain with our ward mission leader and it was just another experience where I was grateful to serve others through the priesthood. 

Jun is doing really well! Everyone in the Britannia ward thinks he is already a member!  He passed his interview and is looking forward to his baptism next Sunday!  After he tried on the baptismal clothes, he said "well, lets do this" and started heading for the font!  He is so excited! This is the Lords work!  I am so humbled and grateful to be a part of it.  I know that Jesus Christ leads this church.  Striving to be an instrument in His hands is such an exhilarating adventure!

Hope you all have a brilliant week!

Elder Draper

Apostasy

This week has been fantastic!

Man, I love serving in London.  There was some crazy stuff going on!  On Earth Day, there was a HUGE science rally right outside the Hyde Park Chapel because it's right across the street from the science museum.  It was insane!  There were thousands of people that were yelling and holding up signs about science and other crazy things.  It was pretty entertaining to watch.  Then, to get to our flat we had to walk through this mob of passionate science lovers.  It was awesome.  

Our friend Jun has been progressing a lot this week.  It's amazing the change that happens in people when they do the small and simple things.  I really believe that his recent change of heart came from his reading and praying each day.  It's no surprise that President Monson addressed the importance of reading from the Book of Mormon each day.  It helps gain, build, and strengthen our testimonies of Jesus Christ.  I love the Book of Mormon.  I know it is the word of God.  I know that there is real power and protection we gain when we put time in to studying it.  

I guess all those following along at home are wondering why this email is called apostasy.  Well.  This Sunday we were able to do something pretty fun that I have never done before.  Our friend Alvin (from Singapore) told us that if he came to our church service, we had to come to his.  So of course we took him up on that tantalizing offer.  Alvin really enjoyed our church.  He was asking so many great questions and it was such a relief that he was genuinely interested in learning and seeking truth.  So, as promised, we met him at his student housing and went to his church with him.  It was a learning experience for sure.  There was a band with guitar and drums and lots of saying recited prayers.  I am so grateful for the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It is such a stark difference between the two services.  I am grateful for the spirit, and how it testifies of truth.  I'm so grateful that the priesthood was restored, and for the knowledge we have about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  It's incredible how important those plain and simple truths are. 

Well, I hope you all have an amazing week!  Read the Book of Mormon!

Love ya!

Elder Draper