More pics from the MTC

First Letter from Northampton

This area is amazing!  I am serving in the Northampton!  It's this really cool town about 40 minutes north of London.  I'm really getting a taste of full-blown English culture now. Having to look out for cars driving on the WRONG side of the road, walking and taking the bus everywhere, going on the tube (which is just a subway), all sorts of English accents everywhere, and I love it all!!!  

My trainers name is Elder Botta!!  He is from Bergamo, Italy!  (Zhaun-Paul's Mom, Holly screams will joy and surprise right here...because she served her mission in Italy 23 years ago!!!) He is an amazing missionary.  I feel so lucky to have a trainer that strives to be perfectly obedient, he works really hard, and he is over the top enthusiastic in the best possible way.  

I have learned so much in the last week. I have learned that it truly is the Lords work.  I myself can't convert people.  I just can't.  I'm new, I don't know where I am half the time, and I know that I have lots to improve on.  That being said, through the Lord all hints can be done.  Through obedience, faith, prayer, and hard work we can have the spirit with us.  That is what teaches people.  That is what brings people unto Christ.  I really am loving it here in England. Hope you all have an amazing week I know I will!

All the best!!  You guys rock!

Elder Draper

First Area = Northampton

Dear Brother and Sister Draper,

We are pleased to let you know that your missionary, Elder Zhaun-Paul Draper  has arrived in the England London Mission. He is happy to be here, and is anxious to get to work.  We are excited to have him here with us and know that he will bless many lives as he serves.

Soon after he arrived we introduced him to his new companion, Elder Botta. He is a wonderful young man. They have been assigned to work in the Northampton area. Elder Draper is doing the work of the Lord and will be blessed by our Heavenly Father in countless ways for his selfless service.

Again, thank you for supporting your wonderful missionary as he serves here in the England London Mission. Please do not hesitate to call me with any questions or concerns you might have.

Sincerely,
Mark W. Stevens
England London Mission President

So Long MTC! ~ MTC Week 3

This is my last day at the MTC... THOSE 3 WEEKS WENT BY QUICK!!!  This experience at the MTC truly has been wonderful.  Thanks to amazing missionaries around me and the devotion of amazing teachers I have learned and grown SO much.  My amazing teachers always taught with the spirit, and they really cared about us becoming better missionaries.  So shout out to Brother Nolan and Sister Sawyer, I wouldn't be where I am without them, they really showed me what it is going to take to be the missionary that I want to be.  That it's going to take diligence, consecration, and even desperation.  I have lots of work ahead of me... that's for sure!  The spirit here has been so present each and every day.  The food has been great too... which helps.  One thing that is complete rubbish is that I have to say goodbye to all these amazing people who have helped me learn and grow so much.  I've met so many brilliant missionaries and teachers here, and I'm grateful for each and every one of them.  The British people even put up with all of my stupid American questions!  It truly has been amazing. 

Now to the fun stuff!  This last Saturday I GOT TO SHAKE Russel M. Nelson's HAND!!!  That man is 92 years old, but he has this energy about him and incredible light in his eyes.  Plus... his hands are ridiculously soft.  He gave such an amazing devotional.  He spoke about really APPLYING the atonement in our lives, and the great joy that comes from doing so.  By repenting every single day we can draw closer to our savior, becoming more like him along the way.  Then he talked about the word atonement in Greek, which is METANOEO.  It's amazing because the META part of the word translates to change.  The NOEO part of the word has 4 different translations; NOUS (which translates to Mind) GNOS (which translates to Knowledge) PENUMA (which translates to Spirit or Air) and PNEO (which translates to Breath)  When he shared that he talked about our need for change when we repent.  In mind, knowledge, spirit, and in the very breath we take.  Then he shared Mosiah 2:21, which says something along the lines of "Serve the Lord thy God who lends thee thy very breathe..."  Powerful stuff.  It was amazing getting to hear from an Apostle of the Lord.  At the end he gave all the missionaries the COOLEST blessing.  It was an amazing experience.

We also got to go on a church history tour, where we went to different locations in Preston, England.  That is where the first missionaries served like Brigham Young, Parley P. Pratt, and a bunch of other big names in the early church.  It was amazing to hear about their success and diligence as they brought the restored gospel to England.  Hearing all the miracles that had to happen in order for that to happen was really eye opening, and just goes to show that our Father in Heaven truly does guide this church, and he makes things happen so that people can find true joy that only comes from His love and His plan.  We got to go see Gordon B. Hinckley's flat when he was a missionary too!  He had his "Day of decision" there where he decided to "forget himself and go to work" as his father so eloquently put.  Seeing all the history that our church has here in England was amazing.  

This last Sunday we had a going away testimony meeting.  It was inspiring to see how firm all these devoted missionaries are in faith and testimony.  It was really special being able feel the spirit one last time with all of the great people here.  

These weeks here at the MTC will be ones I never forget.

Love you all!!

Elder Draper

Letter From MTC Mission President

Dear Family,

Your son will be departing the England Missionary Training Centre on Wednesday morning, 19^thOct.  We want you to know how much we have enjoyed having him with us. 

Elder Draper is a fine young man and we are grateful for the opportunity we have had to work with him on a daily basis.  He is well-prepared for his mission and he continues each day to grow spiritually.  He is developing good teaching skills and is excited about the work.  He is ready for full time service in the England London Mission.

We love this young man and are grateful to you for all you have done to prepare him for this wonderful time in his life.  Your love and continued support are important to his success.   Letters are always greatly anticipated and appreciated.  Please address all future mail to:

England London Mission

64-68 Princes Gate

Exhibition Road

South Kensington

London

England SW7 2PA

United Kingdom

May you and your family be blessed as he continues to serve our Heavenly Father.

Sincerely,

President & Sister Preston

England Missionary Training Centre

P.S. Please see the attached photograph

Preston MTC ~ Week 2

Well, this week has been eventful.  It started off with a trip to the Preston, England temple.  This temple is so strikingly beautiful it's not even funny.  Doing a session full of missionaries was such an amazing experience.  The spirit was so strong.  All the temple workers having accents was definitely a bonus.  Then we went to Tescos... which is like the British equivalent of Costco.  Paying in pounds was really cool, and the chocolate here in England is the best I've ever had.  It's all about Cadburry over here.  You know, cadburry eggs... but EVERYWHERE!  My favorite so far is called a Wispa.  We don't have anything like it in America... which is just tragic.

Next, we went to Manchester to do some street tracting... that's right, one week of experience and we're already doing the real deal.  It was such a neat experience.  First of all, the buildings in Manchester are INCREDIBLE!!  They're SO tall, and SO old.  Lots of them are older than the United States!  The streets were bustling with busy Bits going about their day when this bus (they call it a coach in the UK) pulls up with around fifty missionaries in it.  It must have been quite a sight seeing all the young people wearing suits pouring out onto the streets of Manchester.  Brother Nolan challenged me to get rejected 10 times in the next 20 minutes... I far and away blew that number out of the water.  Not everyone wants to hear what you have to say...and sometimes Brits are just rude, but that's okay.  Amidst all the sideways glances and avoiding eye contact all together there were some people who listened.  We started talking to this lovely old couple who were waiting at a bus stop, and they were very interested in what we were doing, where we were from.... and if we were voting for Donald Trump.  Haha!  We started talking about what we believed and they were actually very open.  We were even able to give them a pamphlet about the restoration.  We talked to lots of people, passed along lots of mormon.org cards, and learned a bunch along the way.  It was amazing.  

Sundays in the MTC are the best. The spirit was so strong during the sacrament.  It was so quiet and peaceful.   All the missionaries had to prepare a talk on the Book of Mormon, then 6 would be chosen to give their talk in sacrament.  I didn't get picked, but I liked the talk I had written and learned lots when I was writing it.  All of the missionaries who did get picked bore such sweet testimonies of the Book of Mormon.  After that we watched the movie about Joseph Smith, where it went over his whole life, and it was really different watching it as a missionary.  Knowing that I wouldn't be here if it weren't for his diligence in following Christ.   Then later that day we had the opportunity to listen to a devotional given by Elder Bednar on the Character of Christ.  It was so good.  My favorite point he made was that the main character of Christ was that he turned "outward" when others turned "inward."  In the midst of his most intense trials, he focused on others.  It is something for all of us to strive for.  Being more like him.  So I invite all of you to do your best to do something small, like smiling at someone, or opening a door for someone.   Do it when you feel alone or hurt, and I promise that you will feel better and become closer to Him.  

I love you all so much!

Till next week!

Elder Draper

LETTERS from Preston MTC! Week 1

PIP PIP AND CHEERIO!

*Disclaimer.  This subject line is a phrase I have not heard once in my first week at the MTC, despite being literally surrounded with Brits.  So, I'm going to have to say that that is definitely not at thing... but I still think it's funny. 

I am really loving it here in England, and here at the MTC!!  The MTC has really been such an amazing experience so far.  Getting here too.  It was so weird leaving the Manchester airport.  Rolling my suitcase over cobblestone paths and seeing cars on the left side of the road (that's a real thing, I didn't quite believe it until I saw it for myself.)  

My companions name is Elder Porter, he's from Lehi and he is a big ol' football player.  He's super nice and genuine, and is always telling me I'm the best companion, because I help him get up in the morning and simple stuff like that.  He's a great guy.  I'm in the Ammon District, and I honestly have built such good relationships with everyone!  Elder Watkins especially!  He's a big goofball from Minnesota, and I love being around him!  

The food here is incredible!!  I've already had my first proper fish and chips.  The temple is short walk away and is honestly one of the most beautiful temples I've ever seen.  Hearing all these different accents and meeting people from all over the world has been incredible as well.  I've met Scottish, Irish, Italian, Philippine, New Zealanders, French, German, and all kinds of wonderful people willing and ready to serve the Lord.  It's fun to talk to British people with an accent, and hear them do their best American accent.  I played soccer... with Europeans.  They call it football... The weather is amazing.  It rains a lot, almost every day, but when the sun comes out it feels AMAZING!! It's really great here!

We've had a couple different teachers who have all been great, but there is one in particular who has been just such an amazing teacher.  His name is Brother Nolan, he teaches with such a strong and sweet spirit.  He also knows great ways to help each of us grow and become better missionaries.  Plus he served in the same mission I'm going to, so he's extra great.

This first week has been brilliant!  (President Preston says we should sound cultured, so stop using American slang like "awesome" and "cool")  This week has been absolutely unreal.  England is an amazing country!  I've only been here a very short time, and already learned SO much.  One of those things I've learned is that Fish and Chips is definitely holding up to its reputation, but that's not so important.  

I've learned that missionary work takes sacrifice.  That the power of prayer is amazing and so strong.  I've been blessed with teachers who really know their stuff.  You can feel the spirit when they teach, and I know that they were incredible missionaries themselves.  At the England MTC there are only 58 missionaries.  Nine of them are in my district, the Ammon district.  Definitely the best district.  My companion is Elder Porter, he is from Lehi.  He is a stud.  A football player who has a sincere testimony and is so genuine.  I've grown so close to each person in my district, and I learn and grow from their examples.  One of my teachers especially has been AWESOME!! (sorry President) He told us that we each have the capability to become amazing missionaries through becoming consecrated.  What that means is sacrificing more than what is asked.  Giving up lunch here, P day here, sleep there really seems like a small sacrifice in the grand scheme of things.  

I know without a doubt this Church is true.  I thought that my testimony was pretty much done growing when I left, but it has been strengthened and grown so much.  Conference has been amazing.  Being able to watch it in the MTC is an experience that I am so grateful for.  I love it here.  I love this Gospel.  I am so grateful for Jesus Christ and his Atonement.  I love and miss you all so much, but I know that I'm right where I'm supposed to be.  I wouldn't rather be anywhere else but here serving the Lord.  

The Church is True!

Till next week, 

Elder Draper

This is the Preston, England MTC

Preston, England MTC

Preston, England MTC

Preston, England Temple

Preston, England Temple