WEEK TWO: THE HEART OF MANCHESTER

This week went by faster than last. Every day we spend around 7-8 hours in class and studying. I've really enjoyed getting to know the missionaries here and here about their cultures.

One night after class, we held a mini dance workshop in the Sister's hall where a few different girls taught some cultural dances. Sister Tahiro taught us how to dance Tahitian style, Sister Shaheed taught us Indian, and Sister Paiva showed us some Brazilian moves. It was so much fun!

Tahitian Sisters teaching a traditional island dance

• Ballet with Beisinger (A professional Ballet Dancer from NYC)

For exercise time, I invented a new routine called the 10-9-8. It's 10 laps around the field, 90 crunches, 80 squats, and it goes all the way down to 1 minute plank. I started doing it on my own, but now a big group of Elders and Sisters have started doing it with me! They all think I should be a fitness trainer..Haha!

First Proselyting Experience with my companion Sister Johnson

Yesterday we had the opportunity to go to the heart of Machester and proselyte for the first time. I was so nervous. But I felt the Lord giving me confidence as I opened my mouth. I even gave a Book of Mormon away! We talked with Jehovah Witnesses, Roman Catholics, Christians and non-believers. It was such an eye-opening experience.

At the end of the day, Sister Johnson and I ended up talking to a retired police officer for about 45 minutes. We could tell he was lonely since he didn't have much to do, and that he just needed someone to talk to. When we mentioned The Book of Mormon, he said his daughter saw the play the previous night! I know the play isn't a great representation of the church, but at least it brought some familiarity to the conversation. Although not much came out of this experience, I felt really good that we planted a small seed in this man by giving him a good experience talking to missionaries.

Watching recordings of our practice teaching in the MTC eek!

Lastly, I want to share a message that Elder Bednar gives in a missionary devotional. He says that missionaries worry too much about whether the Holy Ghost is prompting them, or that it is their own thoughts. But we need to stop worrying about that. The Spirit isn't going to slap us in the face every time it needs us to say or do something. As representatives of the Lord, he increasingly trusts us to use our best judgement in what we say or do. In D&C 80:6 it reads, "Wherefore, go ye and preach my gospel, whether to the north or to the south, to the east or to the west, it mattereth not, for ye cannot go amiss." All we need to do as missionaries is be good, follow the rules, keep the commandments, and try our best. When we are doing those things, the spirit will be in our thoughts and judgement. I love that promise! I have been struggling to recognize the voice of the spirit here, especially as I teach, but I know that with time I will learn to trust it's voice and follow it's promptings.

Regarless of the strange stares we get everywhere we go, I am so grateful to represent Jesus Christ! Cheers!

Sister Jones