As long as we try our best and... improve one step at a time, we're doing well.

Week 3, Transfer 8

It's only a 5 week transfer this time so transfer calls are in a week! Quick review of my life for the past week:

Monday we had Family Home Evening at Max and Katie Halford’s. They're about 23 and 22 years old and they're so cool! Katie isn't a member but we have FHE's and lessons with them both and it's really good fun. Tuesday Sister Zurcher got sick. Wednesday she was still sick for most of the day. Then we went to Phillipa's for tea. I love Phillipa!!!! She has 2 young girls and her sister lives with her and she's not a member I don't think. I love going to her house. She's so chilled I feel like she's a sister to me. And her girls are so cute! Maya and Ruby :)  

Thursday was zone training meeting. It was so so good. The main focus for the mission now is Virtue. So we're all studying virtue. It's more than just being pure and chaste and 'virtuous' in the typical sense that everyone thinks of it as. We had an inspired zone training about how it's the reason why we do things, it's the thoughts that we have, it's where our heart is. It's so much more than what I even thought it was. Sister Decker gave an amazing instruction on Light, Virtue and the Priesthood. I'm studying a lot about light and virtue. It's a lot to take in, because we all have so many things we could improve on within ourselves, but as long as we try our best and at least improve one step at a time, we're doing well. So that's what I'm working on :) I get a little overwhelmed thinking about all the things I need to improve on, but I know that Heavenly Father is patient with me, and he will help me a day at a time to be better, as long as I try my best. 

Sister Dragoti 

Thursday night we went to Bradford on exchange with Sister Kumire from Zimbabwe and Sister Dragoti from Albania. We had a fun exchange. 

This is what we've resorted to..stacks on stacks..

of plastic bottles. 

Then I was feeling poorly on the Thursday night and was sick Friday and Saturday. So basically..Sister Zurcher or I have been sick this whole transfer. It's been pretty brutal. I'm still sick, but I went to church yesterday because Sister Zurcher and I were talking in sacrament meeting. We talked on 'Staying faithful in times of adversity'. A lot of people came up to us and thanked us and complimented us on our talks. A few of them said it's what they really needed as well. I just feel such a great love for God's children and how strong we are with all the trials we go through. It really humbles me. I learnt a lot in that talk. Kaaron and Shazanna were at church actually! I haven't seen them yet but they were my investigators the last 2 times I was here. We'll start working with them again maybe.

Ward Social last Saturday- note the disclaimer.

Sunday was a great day :) We had tea at the Winters’ home! My goodness. I love the Winters. That family is gold! Not to mention their daughter Angela is a BOSS of a cook! We had Sunday dinner with them and Brother Winters shared some of his wisdom and knowledge with us which will help me a lot I think. Sister Zurcher and I just love them! Sister Winters is head of the family history centre in the ward, I had a great chat with her about her family history. It makes me want to know more stories about my family (look forward to a lot of questions when I get home Mum!) 

Tulips in our garden. 

Today we're having a sister's p-day at Kirkstall Abbey! :) So I will need to go soon actually…but it will be a nice chance to just chill with the sisters and get to know them better. I'm looking forward to it :)

I'm on the mend! We have a busy week ahead so I better get better soon! I'm sick of being sick :)

LOVE & PEACE

Sister Kuhn 

Hope you had a Happy Easter!

Week 2, Transfer 8

Sorry I haven't written a blog in a while everyone! I've been sick or Sister Zurcher hasn't been feeling well so there just hasn't been a lot happening. BUT...we had a pretty solid week! Happy Easter first of all!!!! Hope you all got fat on chocolate :) 

We spent Easter Sunday at the Turner's from America, which is funny because I've spent all my holidays with them since I've been on my mission. 4th of July, Christmas, Easter. I'm glad though because Starr (the Mum) is a great cook! She bought us Easter eggs which was nice of her :) I was craving mini eggs for ages and she bought me some! INSPIRED. 

Sister Zurcher and I are speaking this Sunday. Too bad you all can't be there for it!..................Haha. It was weird. While I was sick, one of the days I just started thinking of a sacrament talk and pretty much making one  up in my mind. The next day, we get a call and Sister Zurcher is given a 20 minute talk in sacrament, on the exact topic that I was making a talk up on in my head. I told her we could split the time if she wants and I could talk too (don't know why I did that now haha) so we asked if it was ok and now we're both talking :) It's amazing because we went (to see) a lady we sang to at Christmas time when I was here and all of us missionaries went caroling one night together. We sang to a lady called Joan who had a really sick husband at the time and he told us he was basically on his death bed. Sister Edgington and I went by a few weeks later but no luck and then we both got transferred out of Leeds. Now I'm back, and Sister Zurcher and Sister Wynder went by Joan’s a lot but no answer. We went by again on Sunday night and she was in! We stood in her kitchen and spoke to her for about half an hour. The spirit was so strong. I've never felt Heavenly Father's love for someone so strong as I did with Joan. She had a lot of questions (about) why bad things happen to good people and she expressed a lot of grief and pain to us about how she felt. Her husband sadly passed away from cancer in January, soon after Christmas. She is so much stronger than she thinks. We just feel such an overwhelming amount of love for her. She said she might come to church this Sunday out of curiosity. The topic we're speaking on is basically all for Joan, so I hope she does come. She will be able to feel the spirit and rekindle her belief in her Savior and in Heavenly Father and how much they love her. So that's Joan :) 

We went on exchange with Sister Hall and Sister Hooker in Wharf Valley (not sure how to actually spell the area but that's my guess). It was a good exchange. The sisters in this mission are just trying so hard and doing their very best with what they can do despite all the trials and afflictions and things they have to deal with here or at home. I just admire them so much. A lot of them have hard things they're dealing with, but they solider on. It's an extremely humbling experience being able to serve them. I just love all these sisters!!!!

On Wednesday we saw Frank. FRAAAAAAAAAANK!!!!! I love Frank. He's Susan C's non-member husband. You may or may not remember me talking about him ages ago. The good news is he didn't swear as much when we went there last week. We went to see Susan and to uplift and strengthen her, because she is amazing :) Frank always sits in and tries to have an opinion (which usually (is) a bunch of swearing)..but he didn't do much of that this time. We had a really good lesson actually. So that's good :) We'll focus more on Susan than on Frank like we used to…maybe that will settle him a bit more. (Mum, that Haigh's bear you sent me ages and ages ago…I named him for Frank) I told Frank how I named my bear after him, he seemed to like that haha Man..Frank..love that man hahah

We saw the Rojas' on Wed night. They're from Chile I think? They're teaching us Spanish and we're teaching Brother Rojas English :) His English is getting really good! His wife studies English here, she's doing her masters. They'd be in their late 50's maybe? All their family is back in Chile. Bro and Sis Rojas are such good people! Love them :) 

There were a bunch of funny things that happened this week...but they'll have to wait until next week because I didn't write them down to remember them! 

Anyway fam, I hope you're all doing well, had a great Easter, enjoyed conference and are enjoying life!

Love, Sister Kuhn x

Goodbye Beverley.. Hello Again, Leeds 1 !!

Ola!

OK, STRAIGHT INTO THE BLOG BECAUSE I CAN'T HOLD IT IN ANY LONGER!!!!!!

Week 6, Transfer 7

Honestly, if a mission represents how the rest of your life will be…then I think I'd rather just be translated and go up to heaven now.

TRANSFER WEEK

So, it was transfer calls last night. Sister Scott and I were POSITIVE that neither of us were going anywhere. So positive that we made great and amazing plans for Wednesday (which is transfer day and if you're being transferred, training or going into a leadership position you go to Cross Gates chapel in Leeds). Well, they have been cancelled..because I'M BEING TRANSFERRED...BACK TO LEEDS!!!! Hahahahahaahahhahaahahahah I can't even....I was like, what duh?!

President calls right..and we thought we were safe because it was like 9:15pm..first thing he said was 'I have 2 things sisters, the first thing...(he laughs a little bit) Is there any way you can make your emails shorter?' Apparently Sister Scott and I write mammoth emails (which include our exchange reports) haha he continues..'It's like reading War and Peace Vol. 14!' haha..I love President Pilkington. He is just the best. Anyway, he said 'The second thing is..I'm going to re-assign you sisters..' At the time I was thinking we were going to be released as Sister Trainer Leaders but then President says 'Sister Kuhn, you are going to go to Leeds and be with Sister Zurcher..and Sister Scott, you are having Sister Wynder come to Beverley'. Now…I was born in the same flat as Sister Wynder (aka I came on my mission and lived with Sister Wynder) and Sister Zurcher is her companion and was when Sister Edgington and I got emergency transferred back to Leeds after Skipton and we lived with them both for a transfer. Moral of the story, I absolutely LOVE Sister Zurcher and Sister Wynder. Sister Zurcher and I had way too much fun in the flat when I was there. I am super excited about it. Confused WHY I'm going back to Leeds 1 but not complaining because I love Leeds 1!!!!! Sad I'm leaving Beverley though. Sister Scott and I only had 6 weeks serving together :( We had so much fun this transfer too...especially with bikes, and we have a pretty tight black British accent going which we talk to each other in all the time...haha ohhhh bless us.. rip Beverley <3

So that's the CRAZY PSYCHO NEWS for you all for this next transfer! I just get moved around like there's no tomorrow! I really really REALLY hope I'll STAY in an area for longer than 2 transfers. Seriously.

And so this is my life:

Came on my mission in June 2013 a week into the transfer

First 7 Weeks - in Leeds 1

Mid 2nd transfer - Emergency transfer to Skipton

3rd and 4th transfer - In Skipton with Sister Edgington

5th transfer - ET'd back to Leeds 1

6th transfer - Moved to Hull

7th transfer - Moved to Beverley

8th transfer - Moved BACK to Leeds 1

Can I get an amen? Crazy or what!

So..yup. Back to my wonderful amazing lovely ward in Leeds 1 whom I love and miss!

Exchange with Sister Edgington and Sister Price last week.
They came to Beverley :) 

Exchange with Sister Huang and Sister Arrive.
They also ventured to Beverley for the exchange :) It was so fun ! 

My district while in Beverley :) I was in Elder Pollock's district when I was in Hull, then I was moved to Beverley 6 weeks later and was then in Elder Thygerson's district and 2 weeks into the tranfers, the districts changed and I was back in Elder Pollock's district. STORY.OF.MY.LIFE.

​

 

Elly Taylor - she is an amazing woman. Her life story is incredible. I respect and love her to the heavens and back. She always took good care of us.
The food she cooked us (Below)

Beverley Minster that I never got to go inside of :) 

The Ashmore family - less-active but coming back :)

Other than that, we've had lessons and member visits and miracles and less-active visits and such fun times on the bikes and all sorts this last week. Sad I'm leaving, happy it's back to Leeds. I wish (and thought) I would be staying...but that's not the way the cookie crumbles this time!Something I was studying in the scriptures this morning for a few minutes was about angels. Hebrews 13:2 I found really interesting. I love scriptures that make me think. Feel free to look it up :) I think a lot, and so I was thinking and a certain question popped into my mind, and then without hesitation, my hands were turning my scripture pages and I ended up looking at Doctrine & Covenants 130:5 which directly (and I mean DIRECTLY) answered my question. I had to laugh at myself a little bit and I said a short little prayer and thanked Heavenly Father for helping me out there! Then I read over to verses 18-19 about knowledge and intelligence..and how the more we gain here the more advantage we will have in the life to come. I thought that was interesting as well. (Especially with the spiritual thought you gave me in your email Mum!) It doesn't matter what we learn about, as long as we are gaining true knowledge and intelligence. And Sister Scott pointed out that the more we know and understand, the more Heavenly Father can and will reveal things to us because we will have an understanding of it. He won't give us something we can't understand, because it could go the other way and we would be confused, so we are urged to gain as much knowledge and intelligence as we can, not only to benefit us in the life after this, but so Heavenly Father may reveal things to us that will help and benefit us, but will do so only when we are able to comprehend and understand it.

I just love the scriptures. They are such a great strength in life, not only as a missionary.

So fam, I hope you are all well. Share your testimony with people, be a good example, STUDY the scriptures, let the spirit teach you things, gain more knowledge and intelligence! I love the fact we are blessed with brains so we CAN learn more and more and more. What a shame it would be if there was a cap on how much we could know. But there isn't...and I know it's because we have a Heavenly Father who loves us and knows us individually and he wants us to become like him. He has enabled us to learn and to grow. I just love the simplicity and perfection of His design with all things. It just shows how much he truly does love us.

Speaking of love, I love you all and I hope you have a well good week!

Sister Kuhn xoxoxo

p.s I say 'innit' a lot and 'hiya' to eeeeveryone. It's habitual now. Oops :) it's also lovely and PERFECT weather here today. Blue sky, light breeze, it's t-shirt weather! Lovely! Life is good! Gotta be grateful for the little things :)