Tuesday, September 26, 2017
ONE YEAR MARK IN THE MISSION!!!! ~ The Cow Heart
((Although ZP doesn't mention it, it is his ONE YEAR mark in his mission!!! 💖💖💖💖💖💖))
Well Dear Family,
Well Dear Family,
We are preparing for MLC (mission leadership council) and it is pretty intense. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with being a leader ((Zhaun-Paul is the zone leader in London)) and having so much depend on me, but then I remember that I don't have to do it alone...which is the best! This really is His work, and He will help us every step of the way.
Okay! Story time!
This week, I got a random huge package in the mail, and everyone was asking me if it was my birthday, and I had no idea what it could be. ((MOM send him some packages for his one year mark in the mission!)) We all gathered (Sister Reese and the assistants) around in the mission office and we opened it up. When we saw the ham, Elder Jackson said that it looked like a cow heart... and it did! So we had a great time convincing everyone in the Visitors Centre that I got a cow heart in the Mail! It was AWESOME! Plus it was delicious! Win, win, and win.
((It was a HAM!!!))
((It was a HAM!!!))
The other story is about miracles:
We had to do TONS of stuff early in the week to get transfers sorted out and prepare for a big meeting on Wednesday. So we were pretty behind in our goals. We had only found 5 New Investigators, and we needed to find some solid people! It was Sunday afternoon, and we got a call out of the blue from a Philippino member in our ward asking us if we could come over for dinner. We wanted to spend the rest of the day finding, (contacting) so we prayed and asked God to help us make the most out of the little time so did have.
Then, MIRACLES! On the way to the DA (dinner appointment), we found someone really cool on the tube called Jacob. He's from California and is super receptive to the gospel! Then when we got to the appointment, the members gave us 2 amazing referrals! People who had almost been baptized in the past! It was such a tender mercy! Then, to top it all off, we were able to 6 more new friends as we opened our mouths on the way home from the dinner. We were so blessed!
We had to do TONS of stuff early in the week to get transfers sorted out and prepare for a big meeting on Wednesday. So we were pretty behind in our goals. We had only found 5 New Investigators, and we needed to find some solid people! It was Sunday afternoon, and we got a call out of the blue from a Philippino member in our ward asking us if we could come over for dinner. We wanted to spend the rest of the day finding, (contacting) so we prayed and asked God to help us make the most out of the little time so did have.
Then, MIRACLES! On the way to the DA (dinner appointment), we found someone really cool on the tube called Jacob. He's from California and is super receptive to the gospel! Then when we got to the appointment, the members gave us 2 amazing referrals! People who had almost been baptized in the past! It was such a tender mercy! Then, to top it all off, we were able to 6 more new friends as we opened our mouths on the way home from the dinner. We were so blessed!
I love being a missionary, and I love you all so much! Have a great week!
Thank you so much for all that you guys do!
Here are some pictures of his flat in London.
He shares it with 3 other missionaries.
Tuesday, September 19, 2017
Visit from Jeffery R. Holland
Hello Dearest Mother!
This week was so wonderful! I am seriously blown away each and every day by how much Heavenly Father knows me, loves me, and helps me. I found out yesterday that I will be staying in Hyde Park for another transfer, AND I will be staying with a Elder Sorensen for another transfer as well! He will be my second ever 2 transfer companion (the first being Elder Botta.) Speaking of Elder Botta, he goes home tomorrow... I can't believe it. My fantastic Italian trainer is going home. Him and Elder Lindsey (probably my closest missionary friend on the mission) are both finishing their missions. Crazy how fast the time has gone. I don't like admitting it, but I am almost at my 1 year mark. It feels like I just got here! I really love those lads, and I'm honestly pretty broken up about them leaving. I wouldn't be where I am today without their help.
The Zone is doing great, and some cool changes are happening as well. We are getting 4 brand new missionaries in the Zone! That is some greenie fire and faith right there! I'm so stoked! I'm grateful I get to stay another transfer here in Hyde Park, because I love serving in London, AND the ward is great!
This week on Tuesday, we had the incredible opportunity of hearing from Elder Holland! It was unreal. We got the chance to shake his hand, and as I looked into his eyes I could FEEL that he was a living witness of Jesus Christ. It was an amazing experience. Right as he was about to begin addressing us, the fire alarm in the building we were in went off and we all had to evacuate with Elder Holland. (We weren't in the Hyde Park chapel because it was under construction) Opposition is so real! Nonetheless, we were able to get back in after a few minutes and we were literally tutored from on High. He is a legend. He spoke a lot about how his mission changes his life, and the Book of Mormon. I learned so much. A quote that he said that really struck me was "Everything that matters in my life stems from.. Well Exhibition Road." (Exhibition Road is the Road that the chapel is on and missionaries have preached the gospel for many years. I have been lucky enough to spend hours upon hours teaching people on that same road. How lucky?! I go finding where Jeffrey R Holland went Finding! The England London mission has such rich tradition and it's so cool to be able to say that I have walked and preached on the same streets that apostles have for years and years. He served in this mission and he ended off on a proud note saying that he always wants to have a special England London Mission bond with every single one of us individually. The spirit was incredibly strong and it is easily evident that he has been called of God to receive revelation on our behalf and to act as a special witness of Christ. IT WAS SO AMAZING! Right as he was leaving, he blew us all a kiss and whispered "Work hard" then walked out. The spirit was so strong! Ever since then I have had the most amazing boost in energy and enthusiasm!
Milton is still doing really good, we are working on rebuilding our teaching pool right now, and there is just so much Joy in this work. It is His work. I'm honoured to be a part of it. I love this gospel and it really has changed me. I feel like a different person from when I left. In a good way. I'm grateful for everything you and Dad have done to help me grow up in the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.
I LOVE YOU SO MUCH!
You mean the world to me Mom!
Have an amazing week!
Okay, I sure love you. I'm learning and growing so much! Talk to you next week!
Elder Draper
Monday, September 11, 2017
MIRACLES!
HIYA!
First of all... HUGE announcement! For those of you who don't know, Elder Holland loved his mission. He also happened to serve in this mission. He was in England doing some super important Apostle business, and he arranged for a last minute meeting with the whole England London Mission. We found out he was coming just 4 days ago! What a blessing! So we will be able to hear from him.
This week was so wonderful! I love being a missionary. Many great things happened this week.
Elder Sorensen (my companion) is such a boss. I can't believe we've already been together for 6 weeks! He has been a great example to me, and I have learned so much from him! This is a 7 week transfer, so we get to be together for at least one more week! Great things are happening! The work truly is Hastening!
Some miracles to share!
First of all MILTON got confirmed! He said it was such a great experience and he was smiling from ear to ear.
The next one was right before church we were excused from ward Council a good bit early. So we had some extra time to get out and invite people on the street to come to church with us! We were able to bring two people in for sacrament meeting and they both loved it! One in particular was amazing. We had him set by a member that I didn't really recognize, and it turns out that he was an MP for Parliament Visiting from Scotland! He also just happened to have graduated from the same university, and study the same subject that our friend attended and studied! It was such a miracle. Our friend is so excited to learn more and have a church in London he can go to. The Lord really orchestrated the whole thing! This really is His work! We just have to do our best to align our will with His. To work hard, be diligent, and obedient. If we do these things, the Lord will do the rest.
I know this is the Lords true church in the Earth. I know he leads it through living prophets and apostles. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and reading it brings such a power into our lives! I love his work in which we are engaged!
(From his letter to his Dad): I feel that I have been settling into my role as a leader. (He is Zone Leader) I have learned a lot in these past 6 weeks. My goodness a lot. The Zone is doing great. I feel like I am doing much better than I deserve. The Lord is blessing us so much. It really is His work. We just have to give up our will to His and do our very best. I read a talk called "the Miracle of a Mission" from Elder Holland to prepare for hearing from him tomorrow. Man. It hit me so hard. It rejuvenated my desire to give my everything to this work! I don't know what my next step would be... if I know I would to my best to take it! You are my father, and are entitled to revelation for me. So any advice you have for me I will treasure with all my heart! (Oh MAN, we love this sweet boy!!!)
Sure love you all!
Elder Draper
Zone PDay with President and Sister Stevens.
We played ultimate frisbee... so it was amazing!
First of all... HUGE announcement! For those of you who don't know, Elder Holland loved his mission. He also happened to serve in this mission. He was in England doing some super important Apostle business, and he arranged for a last minute meeting with the whole England London Mission. We found out he was coming just 4 days ago! What a blessing! So we will be able to hear from him.
This week was so wonderful! I love being a missionary. Many great things happened this week.
Elder Sorensen (my companion) is such a boss. I can't believe we've already been together for 6 weeks! He has been a great example to me, and I have learned so much from him! This is a 7 week transfer, so we get to be together for at least one more week! Great things are happening! The work truly is Hastening!
Some miracles to share!
First of all MILTON got confirmed! He said it was such a great experience and he was smiling from ear to ear.
The next one was right before church we were excused from ward Council a good bit early. So we had some extra time to get out and invite people on the street to come to church with us! We were able to bring two people in for sacrament meeting and they both loved it! One in particular was amazing. We had him set by a member that I didn't really recognize, and it turns out that he was an MP for Parliament Visiting from Scotland! He also just happened to have graduated from the same university, and study the same subject that our friend attended and studied! It was such a miracle. Our friend is so excited to learn more and have a church in London he can go to. The Lord really orchestrated the whole thing! This really is His work! We just have to do our best to align our will with His. To work hard, be diligent, and obedient. If we do these things, the Lord will do the rest.
I know this is the Lords true church in the Earth. I know he leads it through living prophets and apostles. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and reading it brings such a power into our lives! I love his work in which we are engaged!
(From his letter to his Dad): I feel that I have been settling into my role as a leader. (He is Zone Leader) I have learned a lot in these past 6 weeks. My goodness a lot. The Zone is doing great. I feel like I am doing much better than I deserve. The Lord is blessing us so much. It really is His work. We just have to give up our will to His and do our very best. I read a talk called "the Miracle of a Mission" from Elder Holland to prepare for hearing from him tomorrow. Man. It hit me so hard. It rejuvenated my desire to give my everything to this work! I don't know what my next step would be... if I know I would to my best to take it! You are my father, and are entitled to revelation for me. So any advice you have for me I will treasure with all my heart! (Oh MAN, we love this sweet boy!!!)
Sure love you all!
Elder Draper
Zone PDay with President and Sister Stevens.
We played ultimate frisbee... so it was amazing!
Sunday, September 10, 2017
Still Alive
Just wanted to update you and let you know that I am still alive. I am loving the work. Loving my companion. Loving life. Milton got baptized!
Hope you have an amazing week!
Love you!!
Elder Draper
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