GOD SQUAD!‏

Hi-ya Family and Friends,

 

Of course it was another good week. Not everything was perfect but all in all it is always a good week. Or we can always find some things good about it. Last Monday we went and saw the famous Falkirk Wheel (famous in Falkirk at least). I didn't read up on the history of it but you can ride a boat in the wheel. Somehow it connects two canals. But of course we cant ride in boats..... so we watch the wheel turn hahah. Still neat to see. Today we are going to see a mansion of some kind. It is called the Callendar House.

As for the work... One neat story. At night we plan on who the Lord has prepared for us to meet. This past week Sister Ricks had a good feeling about finding a young mom as we were walking to an appointment. Well Lo and Behold a young lady with her boy were walking. We talked to her about forever families and got her info to teach her more. She has not been home when we went by, so we chapped 5 aside. Her next door neighbor was leaving and told us to come by next week. So we have two people that we may teach. But it is always nice to know when we are doing what the Lord asks and we are in the area we are suppose to be in. Which leads to the title of this email. As we were leaving a ladys door step (she was not interested ) She yelled to her friend who was standing by the car and asked him why he was not coming up. He replied "You were talking to the God Squad". We had a good laugh with them about it. Sister Ricks and I want to make shirts with that on it. Mostly because we like being recognized as people of God. One lady we are working with is searching out if there is a God and wants to believe. She said if she comes to find out that this is true then she will be baptized and committed to June. That is very exciting and will do our best to help her do the things she needs to sincerely to know. We love her so much already.

In study this morning I was reading 3 Nephi 11. In verse 15 it tells about how Christ made time for all the people to feel the prints in His hands and feet. We all know that he was there for a while to allow everyone to do it. But then I got to thinking how Christ still uses His time to only focus on us. Everything He does is for us and is caring for us at every moment. Same with Heavenly Father. It made me think about what do I focus most my thoughts and time on. It changes things when I know they are spending all their time on me and it makes me strive to do things more for them. That is all my thoughts on this week. I hope you all have a grand week.

Love,

Sister Nicoll

Falkirk Wheel

Us in front of Falkirk Wheel

Do you know what I love?

HI-ya Family and Friends,

So as many of you know Sister Ricks and I will be staying together for at least 6 weeks. I am excited! She is a great missionary and we get along well and that is always a huge plus :)

In answer to the subject line... The example and teachings of Christ. I love how the organization of His church is perfect. The people within the church however are not (still love them too) but the organization of it is. I absolutely just love it. I realized that as we have been working with people in the Falkirk branch and how they are willing to help and fulfill their callings. Callings are definitely called of God to continue His work.

I read a quote by Elder Bednar this week that goes something like this: "People's conversion is not up to you. You are called to open your mouth. Conversion is up to the people hearing and the spirit." An encouraging and kind of a relief giving quote.

We got a call from William saying he has been feeling really ill and just isn't feeling up to meeting anymore. We will keep in touch with him but it is sad to hear. But we know God is aware of his needs and will help him and we did all we could.

There are a few other people that we are meeting and teaching but no one right now that has a date for baptism. We will be inviting some of the people this week. I am excited but if they don't accept we will still pray for them and work with them. This gospel is not made for just some people, it is made to make everyone's life more meaningful and joyful. But some don't see that right away. But we will keep on keeping on.

One last neat story. A few weeks ago and lady came up to us at a train station and said she has lived in Scotland for 6 years and has not been to church. She was baptized back in the philippines  She has a young boy and we invited ourselves over( as missionaries do). We have meet with her a few times and yesterday the Relief Society president took us and her and her boy to stake conference. She really enjoyed and her boy said he wants to go next week. God puts people in our paths and I love it. Hope you all had a wonderful week as well. I am off to go see some beautiful sites in SCOTLAND!!! 

Love,

Sister Nicoll 

A week of traveling! Loved it!!!‏

Hello Family and Friends,

 

It was sooooooo nice to talk to all of my family and friends yesterday! It is so nice to feel the love coming to me from Arizona. But weirdly enough I realized how much my heart is becoming attached to Ireland and Scotland. And I know it is because my testimony has grown the most here and it was been the most life changing and most wonderful experience. I am still by no means the greatest missionary but I do my best and learn from the mistakes that are made and through this grow closer to my Saviour and help others do the same. Being a missionary no doubt has the greatest benefits.

Okay so as for this week... We were able to go to Edinburgh and Glasgow. I already told you about Edinburgh (mom it is pronounced ed-in-burr-a) last Tuesday. On Wednesday we got to go to Glasgow for training since Sister Ricks is new. It is called Smart Start and the Zone Leaders in Glasgow did the training for us and two other sets of sister missionaries. We mostly just role played for 3 hours but it was very helpful and that day was able to apply what we learned. Wednesday afternoon we met with a man who is atheist humanist. During Smart start we talked a lot about applying How to Begin Teaching and when we met with this man it was perfect to apply. He had lots of deeper doctrine questions. We knew we shouldn't and couldn't answer them so we started with just telling him that our purpose is to help him know that he has a loving Heavenly Father and testified how we knew about God. And told him that many questions he has can be answered in the Book of Mormon and Bible and from latter-day prophets. We were a bit flustered at the beginning with him but once we started testifying of our purpose and inviting him to know for himself, I could really feel the spirit in the lesson. It was wonderful. My testimony grew about sharing our testimony. I love it. We met again with William. Now William is an older gentleman and forgets to do the commitments that we extend to him. So this week we listened to the Book of Mormon with him and it went well. But we know he hasn't been praying. So this time we invited him to pray (we did in the past but he refused) This time we were more persistent  He ended up saying the prayer and it was simple and wonderful. After he said he felt he was really talking to God. Precious and spiritual moment. See why I love Scotland? 

Well that about covers it all. I challenge you all to pray and act on your prayer of having missionary moments. It is the best feeling. I love you all so very much and I am very very excited to see you all in 7 months!

Lots of Love, 

Sister Ashlee Nicoll

A view from Linlithgow palace

Sister Ricks and I on the very top of the Palace

Sister Ricks and I after a very rainy day

Us and Elders from my last distric

FUN FUN FUN!!!

HI-ya Family and friends,

 

There have been loads of things that have been fun since I last emailed. First was last Monday a couple in the branch was kind enough to take us to  a place called Linlithgow palace. IT WAS BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!! It was a bit windy but seriously could not have asked for a more beautiful day to go. We ran all over the palace because there were so many staircases and rooms to see. Wish you all could just come here and see it. And sadly I forgot my camera back at the flat so the pictures will have to wait til next week. Then the members had us back at their flat and feed us potatoes, peas and HAGGIS! Classic meal and it was yummy. I think everyone reading this should be proud of me.. especially dad... I love most every food people give us here. I like all veggies and fish and most everything else. I still do not like baked or refried beans too much. But I think the Scottish and Irish really know how to good really well. I love dinner appointments here. :) Anyways.... There is another man that we are visiting with and his name is Keith. While I was in Edinburgh Keith stopped the sisters and told them about this website he made about his dog and their travels around the world. They told him about the church and he was willing to learn. He is so kind. He told us that he would like to learn about the church but he thinks on June 2nd he will become a member of the Church of Scotland. So we have 20 days to help him see the truth. Something I love about him is that he use to work at Disneyland and so every time we leave his flat he says "Have a magical day" with a big grin.  Friday started out not so great but ended with us gaining a stronger testimony about diligence  It was raining most the morning and all that we had planned was finding. At one point we were standing in town centre and we both look at each other and said that all we want to do was get a hot chocolate and go into our cozy beds and sleep. But after we cried/laughed it off... we said we are going to work hard and make it a good day. One of the first ladies we talked to, stood in the rain and talked with us and said she would like us to teach her more. She is currently meeting with the Jehovah Witnesses. Then we went by a part-member couple and here comes the tender mercy... the wife asked us straight away if we wanted hot chocolate. It was Belgian hot chocolate and it was some of the best I have ever tasted. The Lord truly blesses us when we do what He asks us to do no matter the situation. Alright this email is getting long so I will just end with the fun day of yesterday... So one of the senior couples that work in the mission home, both of their birthdays are this week. So the staff put on a surprise birthday party for them. They invited all the missionaries in the Edinburgh Zone. It was such a blast and beautiful day. We sang for them and had a YUMMY BBQ  It was fun being with lots of missionaries and just relaxing. Sister Ricks and I also got to stay the night with the sisters in Edinburgh since we had zone mtg there today. We just did finding all night in Edinburgh. I LOVE BEING IN SCOTLAND!!!!!!!! I love my mission. Hope you all made it this far in the email. Sorry it is so long. Hope you all have a wonderful week. Love you all.

Love,

Sister Nicoll