MARCH 14-20

“Scattered Israel loves being with Gathered (Covenant)  Israel”

Jason Benting - a young father who has ‘investigated’ the church for a long time with several young missionaries.  He has read the Book of Mormon many times, loves everything about the gospel, yet puts up self-confessed roadblocks before baptism.  We had a special time teaching him and will continue weekly discussions.  Will this time be different?  We pray it will.

-Philippa Smith - she looks forward to our weekly visits.  She is reading the large print Book of Mormon.  She asks good questions.  While she is naturally a sceptical person, she admits she looks forward to our weekly visits and discussions.  

-Chantelle Comins - a baptized, endowed member of the church who hasn’t been living the gospel or attended church for over 18 years.  Her story is a sad one, as most are who stray from the covenant path.  Yet - when we called to ask if we could visit her, she agreed.  We had a wonderful hour, gave her hope and encouraged her to return… Scattered Israel loves being with Gathered Israel.

-The Cooneys - Kev, Alisha, Chloe, Madison

Recap:  Kev and Alisha both get new jobs at a company. Both recognize that there are co-workers who seem ‘different’ (clean language, no tobacco and drinking habits, kind, friendly). Who are they?  Ethan and Aiden Quilter, Sam and Chloe Davies, and Gem Shinasi, four returned missionaries and one new convert!  They invite the Cooneys to church.  We have just arrived here to begin our mission.  We meet them, invite them to study the gospel with us.  They readily accept and we begin a sacred, exciting, unbelievable journey with them because… ‘scattered Israel’ loves to be with ‘gathered Israel!

This weekend was just the beginning as Kev and Alisha were baptized.  In addition to their baptism, President and Sister Johnson joined us.  They had never been to the Isle of Anglesey, or the Gaerwan ward. President Peter Johnson is a General Authority Seventy. This ward has never had the opportunity for a leader like him to be present at church.  Both of the Johnsons spoke in sacrament meeting and then taught everyone during the second hour. It was amazing. 

In preparation for this special Sabbath day, earlier in the week, Michael and I cleaned the church and baptismal font, met with Cooney’s to ‘practice’ the ordinance, called/visited lapsing members to invite them to come to church to meet ‘Elder’ Johnson and witness the Cooney baptism…70 people attended church, and 47 stayed for the baptism! 

We sang beautiful hymns, I spoke, and then Kev was baptized by Michael, confirmed by Aiden Quilter, and ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood by Bishop Quilter.  Kev was then able to re-enter the font and baptize his wife, Alicia.  After the ordinance, they just remained in the water crying and hugging each other. There was not a dry eye among us. I then went to the dressing room to help Alicia change.  She was just standing there, dripping wet, crying and through her tears said ‘I’ve been waiting for this my whole life’. Such a woman of faith.  Michael then performed the confirmation of the Holy Ghost for Alicia.  It was the sweetest, yet most powerful baptism I have ever witnessed.

Kev and Alisha are now part of ‘Gathered Israel’!  

And…the ministering continued.

President and Sister Johnson came back to our flat.  We had a potato bar for them, the Cooneys, and the YSA in our ward that eat with us each Sunday.  The Johnsons spent the next two hours asking questions and answering questions.  It was spirit filled and a time none of us will ever forget.  

Our flat:

(Chloe, Alisha, me, Sophie, Eliza, Tucker, Liam, Kev, The Johnsons, Gem, Jordan, Michael)

As if all of this was not enough, we spent Saturday with the Johnsons - toured Penrhyn Castle a few miles from our flat, and then Llanddwyn beach/island. We loved showing them this beautiful part of the mission, and just being with them.