Heather in Hyde Park: ONE OF THE STRANGEST WEEKS OF MY LIFE!

Hey hey hey!

This has definitely been a journal worthy week!

So it all started with Monday. We had an appointment that night with a new investigator, who acted a little bit strange on the phone. He kept calling us allll throughout the day to confirm and ask questions like who would be there, what colour should he wear, did we want food, etc...it was just weird. So we showed up (We were on exchange so I was with Sister Rodriguez) and we had a member, Annie, come with us. He met us on one street to show us how to get to his flat, and started talking about how he was looking for a job, but it was hard because of his "colourful past"...so anyway...we went into the flat and ended up having a semi-normal lesson! He just has a lot of confused ideas, but we were able to bear testimony and help him understand more about The Book of Mormon. We didn't hear anything from him throughout the week, until this morning. We called, and it felt like a break-up haha! He basically said "it's not you...it's me. I'm going through too much right now." And then proceeded to tell us wayyyyyyyy more information than necessary. But on the bright side, his friend is interested and will hopefully be giving us a call soon. :)

Then on Tuesday, Sister Rodriguez and I stopped my random names from the ward list! We ended up going to this one flat building that was right in the centre of Oxford Circus, and WAY posher than anywhere I have ever been. That was an experience! We also met this cool guy from India, named Ramone!

We had this father and daughter come into the VC that was...interesting! They loved the church's views on families, and each took a Book of Mormon. :) But then the man began to tell us his whole life story, with more details than needed. But hey! They left with a really good impression, and the desire to come to a service one day. :)

Wednesday, we had an appointment with Justina, but she wasn't home...so we took Katie, the member with us, to visit Lorraine! We shared the Mormon Message "Our True Identity" and talked about how we are all daughters of God. It was honestly a really powerful lesson, and a tender mercy that we were able to see Lorraine that night. :)

Thursday, we had district meeting! It's always a party. We combined with the London North district, and learned a lot about district unity and having enthusiasm for the work.

Friday we had a lesson with Leah. :) She is great!! We finished teaching the commandments and she is SO excited to be baptised!! Then we went and had dinner with Michael, and Lorraine came along! It was a bit of a miracle, because our female member we had coming had to cancel last minute. But we were really happy to have her join us, and we really felt like this would be the lesson where we could finally put her on date for baptism. Well...we sat down, started eating, and while we ate, we watched Prophet of the Restoration! Afterward, we began talking about it and had a great discussion. She had a lot of questions! But then as we kept talking..she said she had been to church before she met us...and had met with missionaries....AND BEEN BAPTISED. We were like what?! Hahahaha sooooo we turned out investigator into a member in a mere matter of seconds. ;) Apparently she was baptised like 36ish years ago, and now she wants to know why God would keep sending her Mormons. :) So we're going to try and help her find out! ;)

Saturday, started with another crazy experience. We were on the tube, heading to the VC meeting, when we ran into this guy who looked lost! We helped him find the platform, which happen to be the one we were headed to as well. I tried to make small talk with him, but instead he put his arm around me and said "I love you!" So I jumped away. And then a few minutes later when we had reached the platform, he said he was heading down to the other end. So we said bye and before I could even blink, he had me locked in an embrace and planted a big kiss on my cheek! I was stunned hahahahahahaha. Sister Dabrowska was trying hard not to bust up laughing.

Well, then we continued on with the day! But that night in the VC turned into Polish night! SO many people from Poland came in! Luckily, Sister D was able to help them. :) Then on the tube ride home, there was a major delay and we were just stuck for like 30 minutes. These 2 (slightly intoxicated) men were sitting across from us and were speaking Polish REALLY LOUDLY, thinking no one understood them. Well, apparently what they were saying was hilarious, because Sister D just started laughing and then they looked at us. They spoke in Polish for a while, and then made me try to say some very difficult things. It was really funny, and we ended up giving them a card. :)

By Sunday, we hadn't had any contact with Justina, and were worried that she wouldn't be at church. But sure enough, she came in! She enjoyed sacrament meeting, and then as we were headed to Gospel Principles, she said she knew the way and left. (She's very independent) Well...she disappeared and we're not quite sure where she went. So that's weird.....

We helped teach Primary! They had a mini MTC and so we taught a station on feeling the Spirit. It was SO sweet! Ah, I miss Primary. :) While teaching one of the groups, Leah (who is also our investigator) turned to her little sister and said "Hey, if you lost your sandwich (they had made some in a different part of the activity), I will give you one of mine!" And then they hugged. it was perfect, because then they said they felt good and we were able to point out that it was the Spirit telling them that they had done the right thing.

We also taught a combined Priesthood-Relief Society lesson, on member missionary work! It was really fun, and they seemed to enjoy it. :)

After church, Leah had her baptism interview and passed! She is all good for the 13th. :)

Later we had an appointment with Holly, our new Chinese investigator and his family! It was fun, and they are really open to learning. They don't quite believe in God, but don't disregard it as error. So we will keep seeing them and helping them along. They love the idea of commandments, The Book of Mormon, and The Spirit World! :)

Today we just partied with the Elders and went to the Freemason temple near our flat. THAT was fascinating!! Then we went to Buckingham Palace and took some cool pictures. :)

Well! As always, I fall in love with London every single day. I'm so grateful to be serving in the best city in the entire world. :) I love the Gospel, and know that it is true! Have a great week!

Xx Sister Moody