Perspective

Mum,
Our week was really good but frustrating and bad all in one. Funny how that goes huh? So all of our amazing people who came to church or who we are teaching will be off the radar for this next week. Four Investigators are out of town this week and the young couple that came to church moved yesterday. Things are going really good though. We had fasted that we would be able to find and teach people who will be baptised this year so we can reach the ward goal of 12 baptisms and hopefully things work out. At first I was disappointed that everybody was leaving for a while but then I realised that it was the Lord's way of letting us focus completly on finding new people. He has those people for us we just have to work our butts off and we'll find them. Its funny how the adversary tries to stir things up sometimes though. This last week I've had to fix the bikes probably 10 times and there always seems to be something that needs fixing. I think I'm gonna save some money up in my mission money account and when I leave this area buy 2 brand new bikes so that the next missionaries don't have to deal with it all. But we almost always prevail when it comes to bike problems, we just have to rely on the Lord for help. Elder Hilliard is doing well, things are always an adventure but the work is getting done and we're having a good time as well. I love it here in Selby. I feel like it is my home ward now. Can't believe I've already been here an entire month. We did have something kind of funny happen last week. I got to go on exchange with Elder Thorup, my trainer. It was a really neat experience, he's a zone leader now and is doing really well. They baptise loads and loads of Chinese people here and he is loving it. He goes home in 2 weeks so it was a good little goodbye. Sounds like things are all over the place back home! I love you mum. I'd attach a picture but I'm in York and don't have my chord. We're going to York Minster today as a zone so I'll be sure to take some pictures for you today. Take care!
Elder Rowley

Dad,
Well I haven't got much time today. We're going to York Minster as a zone today so next week there will be a lot of pictures for you. I don't really know what it is but its a really really old thing and all of York is built around it. Our week was all sorts of crazy. Really good at first but then ended kind of bad. All of our investigators have either moved or are out of town this week so its kind of frustrating. But we fasted yesterday to find 10 people to baptise this year. That is a huge goal but the ward felt that the goal of 12 for the year was appropriate and we only have 2 so far. Looks like we've got quite a workload ahead of us. So it actually works out well that everyone will be gone this week. We can focus every effort on finding those people to baptise. It'll be really exciting. The bikes broke a lot last week so I had to fix them, I went on exchange with Elder Thorup which was interesting and fun, and all sorts. I was so worried about getting things done that I didnt' spend as much time helping Elder Hilliard, I need to do better. But this next week is looking promising and I'm excited to report on it next week! I'll have to get going. Sorry this is so short. I'm glad to hear that everyone is doing good back home. I can't believe how old Carina Crookston has gotten. I miss that family. Oh well, the work needs to be done. I love you Dad. Go easy on that shoulder. Love you!
Elder Rowley