Newcastle Emlyn, Wales - December 22, 2014

Hello Everyone!

So England is absolutely amazing!! It's sooo pretty where I live! I have not seen a bright sunny day in a long time, but that is totally fine with me haha :) I am serving in the New Castle Emlyn, Wales area so people definitely try to speak Welsh to me and are surprised when I answer back with an American accent (usually they start talking about me after I tell them I am American, too haha :) )

My companion is Sister Gaffney, she is from England which is lucky for me since I don't know what I am doing haha :) She does not know how to drive so since the day I got here I have been driving all over Wales haha hopefully the people know to watch out! Our area is huge so we definitely drive a ton. I am quickly trying to learn what all their signs mean and everything plus not running in to people on their tiny tiny tiny roads which I am pretty sure are only supposed to fit like half of an actual car. Plus trying to remember what side of the road I am supposed to be on :) It's not so bad. I guess Welsh drivers are notoriously crazy though and they definitely go insanely fast on tiny, windy country roads. At least the car is an automatic so I don't have to handle a manual too :)

I have to admit though that we have been super crazy busy over here so it doesn't even feel like Christmas! The tree in our flat is patheticly decorated haha :) But we are going over to a members house for dinner and that will be lovely. The ward here is so friendly and nice. I just love this area already! Well Merry Christmas and I love you all!

Mailing address:

Cilwendeg House, Waungilwen,

Drefach Felindre, Llandysul

Wales

SA44 5YH

Love,

Sister Rasmussen

MTC - December 12, 2014

It's so funny here because we have been talking about what we did at home with our friends and everything and when I told them we went spotlighting, made works bombs, shooting guns, and things like that everyone was kinda shocked...including the guys. Which brought up the question-am I more of a guy than some of the boys here??? haha probably

 

Anyway this week has been filled with so many spiritual experiences that it is hard to choose where to start. First of all Brother Zwick of the Seventy came and spoke to us and that little girl Lexi Walker who is amazing at singing came and sang. The Spirit was so strong. I looked around and everyone was crying...even the 300 pound Polynesians sitting next to me haha. I love how spiritually fed I am here!

Anyway then this morning we went to the temple for the last time in a year and a half. So crazy! I loved being in there with so many friends and all of them missionaries. What a blessing! My testimony has grown and multiplied by like 100 and I have only been here for a week and a half. I am learning more than I ever thought possible, but that is only because the Lord is helping me. I can't wait to get out in the field.

We leave Tuesday at 3 a.m. that is going to be a killer. Then I am on a plane for about 13 hours throughout the day with waiting in 3 different airports. I guess that just gives me a long time to talk to people. Teaching is getting easier and we have been having this really awesome TRC investigator named Alessandro. Hopefully when we teach him tonight we can get him to commit to baptism. It's just a mock thing most of the time but there is a chance he could be a real investigator so that would be AMAZING. I love you all and appreciate all you have done! Keep the investigators in your prayers!

MTC - December 5, 2014

So the MTC is amazing! I have only been here for about two days and have already learned more than I have in my entire life about the gospel. It's such a huge blessing to be here and I'm doing fantastic! My companion is Sister Blake and she is wonderful! She is from Blackfoot, Idaho and I just love her! We immediately hit it off (so thankful for that!)

 

I'm just learning the best way to teach people, but lets be honest...I'm not the one teaching it is most definitely the Spirit. I met one of the other missionaries that was supposed to go to the Preston, England MTC and got held in Provo so that was cool to see who I will be traveling with when I fly out in a while. I also saw the girl I got my endownments taken out with about five minutes after I entered the MTC so that was super awesome to see someone I knew. I really love everyone in my district and zone. Everyone is just so nice! Plus it helps that we are trying to learn the same thing, have the same goals, and invite the Spirit :) I am already having so much fun and by the time ten thirty rolls around I can barely keep my eyes open anymore. Studying sure wipes me out.

 

There is another companionship staying in our room with me and Sister Blake and they are way sweet girls and we all get along great. The room is built for six girls so since we only have four we have some extra room which is AMAZING! haha :) I am getting more confident in learning the gospel and have already taught some people so I think I will do alright. haha my branch president said something I liked, "It's ok to feel inadequate because you are inadequate. All of us are" haha it was soooo true :) Well I gotta go so love you! 

Love,
Sister Rasmussen