January 2, 2017

Helensburgh, Scotland at Christmas time

This week was really fun! We had a lot of stuff going on for the holidays, and we rested up for the upcoming year to push even harder than we did this year! It was great! So, we have missed a few updates since the libraries close for the holidays here, so this update will just cover from Boxing Day up to New Year’s Day, and then hopefully we'll be on track after that.

So, on Boxing Day, we just chilled out all day and then went over to a less active's house for dinner. It was a really relaxing day. Then on Tuesday we had a half P-Day since things were open again, and then we spent the day finding with a dinner appointment in the evening to finish off the day. We also saw a bit of the Church's Christmas Devotional, and the Queen's Annual Christmas Speech at this dinner appointment.

Then the next day we were back at it. And we were finding all day. Thursday was good because we had a service project in the morning, and that was really fun to mix things up a bit. It was awesome! We even got a new mirror for our bathroom from it! It is really nice to be using a nice mirror, as opposed to the half mirror that we had before! haha! So that was good! That was followed by a lunch appointment, and then some good finding in the area to finish off the day.

Friday we were finding all day, and then we went to see a part member couple in the evening. It was good. They are a really good couple. They enjoy some good banter! It's great! New Year's Eve was a snore for us. As we were finished with our day by 6pm, and we just decided to stay in a relax. It was quite nice! I think I went to bed at like, 9:45.

Happy New Year! haha! New Year's Day was great! We had church, with only a one hour service again. This meeting was nice! I have really enjoyed our meetings the past little while! They have spoken about really good things! Then afterwards, we went over to the Couper's house for dinner, and then we stayed a while, played some card games, and just hung out! Then we went over to the Gallacher's house to finish off the last 2 hours of the night. They are a good family. It was good to spend time with them. 

But that was my week! Sorry about it being so rapid fire! I am trying to finish this email before my timer runs out on the computer! Things have been good out here! It was kind of surreal to welcome in 2017, but I am excited for the months ahead of me. The mission has achieved great miracles, and I know that we can achieve even more this upcoming year! We finished the year with 367 baptisms as a mission, and we rejoice in that! The Work is good, but it's not done yet. Love you all!

--

Till the Work is Done

- Elder Mickelsen

December 25, 2016

Merry Christmas 2016 Skype Call!

Elder Mickelsen in Dumbarton, Scotland

December 19, 2016

LIGHT THE WORLD!!

I feel like this update is gonna start off a lot like the last one, but wow, this week flew by. On Monday you tend to think, "Here we go. Anther week opens up!" and then it comes to Monday again and you think, "Where did my week go?"

This past little while has probably been the fastest bit of my mission. I feel like I only arrived in Dumbarton, but in reality, I have been here 3 months. It's been crazy. But this week we had a good time. We visited a lot of people, and we also set up an appointment to teach someone this upcoming week! So that is really exciting.

Her name is Nicola, and Elder Milburn met her on the bus, but she got off before we could get her info. So, he had been praying for a chance to meet her again, and lo and behold, who do we meet first thing the next day? Yep. Nicola. So that was really exciting! We got her info and we set up a meeting with her for this upcoming Wednesday. So that should be awesome.

We have also had a good time this week working with the members to help them "Light the World" this Christmas. So it has been really great this week. I hope all of you are giving your best effort to Light the World this Christmas, and I know it will bless your lives. Because that is really what this season is all about. Blessing lives. And we have a powerful example to look to in our Father in Heaven, who gave His only begotten Son to bless our lives, and then the example of the Son, in blessing the lives of those He came in contact with. What a perfect example for us.

We have had a lot of good times this week sharing Doctrine and Covenants 64:31-34 with the members. And it is indeed truly a scripture to live by! 

 31 And behold, I, the Lord, declare unto you, and my words are sure and shall not fail, that they shall obtain it.

 32 But all things must come to pass in their time.

 33 Wherefore, be not weary in welldoing, for ye are laying the 

foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great.

 34 Behold, the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obedient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these 

last days.

Love you all! 

--

Till the Work is Done

- Elder Mickelsen

December 12, 2016

Well, another week has flown by, again! And it was a relatively good one! We had some really good times this week and it culminated with moves call! So, I'll give a brief run down.

We started with P-Day, and it was pretty chill. I am pretty sure I just slept for most of the day, and that is why I don't really remember it.  I’ve been sick with a head and chest cold and ear infection.

But Tuesday was good. We had our District Meeting, and then we went back to our area to do some finding.

Then on Wednesday, we went over to the Gallacher's house and had dinner, and that was pretty good. We went on splits with them after that and we had a good time. We did some AUF's and then called it a night.

Thursday we were finding all day and then we went with Chris Gallacher in the evening. He is a recently returned missionary, and we invited one of his friends to be taught, but his friend wasn't interested, so he just came out around the town with us in the evening. We visited Colin with him. And we decided to read Alma 32 with Colin and then Elder Milburn invites him to be baptized, and he just goes, "Alright, you convinced me. I'll do it." So now he has got a baptismal date for January 8. But we are not sure he even remembers that he committed to be baptized, because later on in the discussion he didn't really know. Colin is an interesting character. But that was a good evening. Then we called it a day.

We were pretty much finding all day Friday, and in the morning we were in Balloch. And we were in this park and I saw a tree, and I thought to myself, "Mom would like a picture of me sitting in that tree." So I decided I would climb said tree. So I start to climb and realize that it is going to be a bit more difficult than I thought. So I stop halfway up, and straddle the tree. When to my utter surprise, the crotch on my pants straight out explodes. I was like, "Dangit." I had just restitched the trousers like two days before that. So I readjust on the tree and then my trousers rip again. So, I hope you all like the picture. It cost me my favorite pair of trousers!! But I took a picture, and ended up with a rip from halfway down my zipper to about 4 inches below my waistband in the back. And I had to walk around like that for a bit and travel home like that. So that was fun! But the rest of the weekend was good.

We had church on Sunday, and it was really good. Chris reported his mission and the talks were on missionary work. Sunday school and priesthood were really good as well. Then we had lasagna at the Coupers, and then we went and visited another couple and had a really good visit with them. Plus, they gave us a ton of biscuits (cookies). It was awesome! They are really good.

While we were there, we got our moves call. And we are both staying in Dumbarton for another transfer! So that will be good to spend Christmas here. I think this next transfer will be a good one! But anyway, that was my week! Things are good here! It was actually quite warm this week, so that was awesome! Like, almost warmer than June this week! Which, in Scotland, isn't saying much, but it's still saying something. But it's all good here!

Ether 12:4

An Excerpt from the Book of Mickelsen

1 And behold, Elder Mickelsen did desire to up his picture game for his mother, and upon seeing a tree in the wilderness, did climb upon it, thinking it to be the perfect opportunity.

2 But in this he did greatly err, for his trousers were indeed not fit for the task at hand. And upon realizing this fact, he sat upon the tree and heard a great tear, yea, and exceeding great rip

3 And he did sorrow for the loss of his trousers, but being fixed in his mind with a determined resolution to still up his game, he did settle upon a regal pose, and had the picture taken.

4 And lo, when he did dismount from the tree, he found that there was indeed an exceedingly great rip in his trousers, and in this thing was his knowledge perfect. But the photo which had been captured did exceed his expectations, and his joy was full nonetheless.

Love you all!!! 

--

Till the Work is Done

- Elder Mickelsen

December 5, 2016

Well all, another week has come and gone here in the Scotland/Ireland Mission. And it was a good week.

We had exchanges, which are always fun, District Meeting, and this week we had to added bonus of doctor appointments! Wooooo!!!! (SARCASM)

But yeah, it was still good this week. Church was really great and we had a lot of people there. But is was visitors, mostly. There was a baby blessing and a missionary homecoming, so we almost had a full house! It was really crazy to see an almost full chapel!

I have learned a lot this week about patience and persistence. Sometimes we work our hardest, try our best, put all we have on the table, and we don't see any results. But the result, I think, is a better you. That is what I have been pondering this week. And I know it is a good principle to apply in all of our lives. I know I have said it before, but a good question we can ask ourselves is, "Am I getting better?" A similar question was posed by the rich, young ruler when he posed the question to The Master, "What lack I yet?" I have had opportunity to ask myself this question on so many occasions I can't even count them. But I have grown because of it. And I hope everyone can as well. 

--

Till the Work is Done

- Elder Mickelsen