December 15th

Hello family and friends!! I have been moved out of Boston to Worcester.  Worcester is a city so that means lots of people to talk to on the street. We live right on the high street so we don't have to walk very far to stop and talk to anyone.

The Worcester ward has had retarded missionaries serve here forever. Like I don’t mean to be mean, but some of the biggest retards have served here in Worcester so they didn't get a lot done. SO the ward doesn't really know what to do to help missionaries out. They feed us very well but that is about it.  They don’t come out to teach with us or anything.  You kinda have to do missionary work solo out here.  Evesham is right next to Worcester so I plan on making a few visits to see some old friends.  I’m looking forward to it.

My comp is Elder Nielsen from Idaho. He has been out 7 and a half months now. He has had a rough mission.  He had a few retard comps and has never done gq’ing (street talking) ever. SO I tried to get him to do it this week but no luck.  But I did find two girls from China.  We taught them but they live in the other Worcester elder’s area so we had to give them up. The names of the girls are Hedy and Looloo.

Worcester does have a ton of good looking girls. So what I do is go stand outside the ASDA and stop people.  I have found myself only stopping girls a lot. I just flirt a little bit and tell them I’m American and it seems to work. We trade numbers most of the time so it’s alot better here than it was in Boston. We have one investigator and I think we are going to drop her this week.  She just won’t read or pray... don't really know why.

Well I miss all of you I hope all is well and look forward to talking with the family on the 25!! Love you all, Love Elder Doty

Mission Friends

David was able to see a bunch of his missionary friends last Friday at a mission conference.

 

Elder Kramer

Elder Taylor and Elder Wiser

Elder Farley

Elder Bass

Sister Stapley

Elder Wilding

Flooding!

This week was a bit crazy. Fast forward to Thursday night - I get a call from the bishop and he tells me that Boston is flooded. No rain at all but high speed winds.  It was nuts. Webster and I went into downtown Boston and sure enough water is coming off the rivers like crazy and downtown as all flooded.  So we took pictures and then went back to our flat to find that we are 1 inch away from being flooded!!  Webster was freaking out haha it was really funny.  I phoned president and took care of it.  So no flood but our house and the one next to us were the only ones that didn’t get flooded on the whole Norfolk street.  How crazy is that!!  Blessings. But loads of houses were flooded.  But because I was sick Friday, Saturday and Sunday we couldn’t do a lot.

Saturday a member took us to Lincoln to see Europe’s biggest Christmas market!! So many people. I have never seen so many people in my life at one time. Sunday a few members pulled me aside and asked me if I was okay.  I said I was and then they asked me why it looks like I’m about to cry. I have just been having a hard time with my comp and the work not going how I want it to go.  But later that day Donna phoned us. She is out of the hostpital and wants to get baptized still.  She was upset with me when I moved it to Dec 20th instead of the 14th. So that was a blessing. We also today got a media referral from salt lake temple square. A couple in our area went to visit and so we are going to try and see them this week if I stay. 

Tonight we find out all the transfer news.  I wanna stay for the members because they are so good to me.  But i DO NOT want to stay with my comp. I don’t think I could handle another one like this with him even with Christmas coming up and Donnas baptism; I just couldn’t do it.  I have already told president in an email. But I just get this feeling I’m going to stay here in Boston. President told me when I first got sent out here that I was going to stay a "long time".  So I think I might stay and my comp will leave and I will get a new one.  If I stay here one more transfer I will be here in Boston for 6 months. 1/4 of my mission.  But I did that in Evesham. Well hope all is going good this magical season.

December 3rd

So my week didn’t really go as planned.  Up to Friday everything was going well.  Then Friday, Saturday and Sunday all went downhill. Donna was doing great.  We helped her out a lot and gave her a blessing.  Then Friday we go over and her son says she is seeing the doctor.  So Saturday I phone her twice but don’t get anything.  Sunday comes and she doesn’t come to church.  I go by her place twice and phone...nothing.  So Monday during zone P-day (which was a lot of fun because I was able to play basketball) I phone and get her daughter who says Donna is in the hospital and will be in for a few weeks. I don’ know what for or what hospital. So I sent her member friend to kinda go figure it out. I still don’t know a lot about what happened but I’m pretty upset about it.

 

It still doesn’t help that my companion won’t stop anyone and I have tried to help him out but I’m about to give up.  I’m praying I get moved out of Boston, or at least get a change of companion. The transfer ends in 8 days and the call to get moved come out in 6 days. So I just gotta hold on for that last little bit. But besides that a lot of the plans we had to find this person and do that didn’t really happen due to just bad luck.

The highlight was I stopped this lady from taking her names of the records of the church. It was a lost sheep.  I met with her and she wanted to have her name removed. I then had a chat with her about what would happen if she did.  I made small chat with her and walked away with her names still on the records of the church.  I don’t really know what I said but it worked!!  So I was happy about that.  That was maybe the only thing that went well this week.

 Hoping for a better week this week.  Love you all and miss you guys loads!!

 Love Elder Doty

November Photos

David eating pizza at a youth activity.

 

Seeing his last companion, Elder Bills.

 

Thanksgiving Day feast with a family!





A Story That Could Be In the Ensign

Fast forward to Wednesday and Thursday when I was on exchange with Elder Taylor, the freaking man. He really helped me out with the whole stress of Boston and my comp. We did lots of finding but didn't find anyone.  I just needed someone to tell me that I can do it.

 

So Friday I'm back with Elder Webster and I just made up my mind I’m going all out today. So I start talking to everyone. I'm chasing them down like I was back in Coventry. I just had elder Webster point the way and I would go and stop everyone in the way.  We met some really good people. One guy was like “I got 10 minutes starting now...go.” So we taught him and got his details...fake details.  I was bumped but oh well.   

Later that day I see two black people so I leave Webster and run up to them.  Get this they know elders from the past and they play basketball.  I was like dude no way I do to!! So we are going to play with them and a few others this Thursday. One of them is going to play for the under 18 UK team. So should be fine.

 

Saturday morning (this is the great story part) I was like I don't know if I can do that again.  I need some help. It’s 7:45am and I get a call from some guy in Nottingham.  He tells me how he was in Boston working on the chapel and a lady drove up asking if the church was open because she was trying to "find God".  Long story short: she was stressing out about her childhood and how the doctor gave her some pills and she went crazy. The guy then gives me her details and tells me to go see her. So that's what we do. She invites us in and tell us I don't think you can do anything for me. She tells me the same story really. I have no idea what to do. So Ii just pull out a picture of Jesus Christ in the garden during the time of the atonement and bear my testimony to her about how she can get that healing which she is looking for. She asks how and I tell her it is through something called baptism.  We talk more and walk out 50 minutes later with her on a date for baptism on December 14 and her to come to church on Sunday.

 

Sunday comes around and she comes for two hours and we are seeing her on again on Tuesday. It was such a crazy story and feeling when I think about it. Out of all the churches here in Boston how is it she comes to the church of Jesus Christa of Latter day saints. The ward helped out a lot with fellow shipping her. I was a bit shocked of how well they did really.

 

Also along the way to see her I was hit by a car haha. I'm just walking, just chilling and this car’s mirror clipped me going about 30 mph. He just drilled my elbow and didn't even stop. I was shocked like what the heck. I’m still a bit sore but it’s all good.

 

I have kinda figured out how to work with elder Webster.  We will see if we stay or I stay in Boston.  Transfer is the 11 of Dec. Oh the lady’s name is Donna.  Hope for another good week.   Love you all and miss you all,  Love Elder Doty

Novber 18th

Crazy to think this week on the 22nd marks one year of being a missionary. The time really does go by fast. I think on Sunday (a year ago) was when I bawled my eyes out while giving my farewell talk. I still try to forget that haha.

This week kinda sucked because of how my companion is I have to do all the finding all the teaching and everything. I feel like sometimes a mom who is babysitting a child. I'm just hoping I get a change in a few weeks. Transfers are the 11th.  Can’t come any faster. Our only investigator Gary dropped us this week. He won’t change even if he came to know it was true. So we are back to trying to find people. We have like a high school in Boston so we are trying to find people around there.  It’s going alright.  It’s  kinda nice to talk to people my age and I can just be real with them. But I'm kinda doing it solo. My comp is just too shy to gq anyone.

We had Elder Dykes of the 70 come and talk to us. He talked about setting goals and using time as best as we can. which is something I need because I’m running out of time here in England.

Other good news in Evesham, Angie met with the missionaries and came to church!! Highlight of my week!!

A member took us to a castle that was destroyed in the England civil war. I will put some photos up.

Hope this week is better miss you all and love you all!!  Happy birthday week Rachel!!

(Photo with Elder Higham.)

November 11th

It was a busy week.  We kept riding trains over and over again and that just takes up our whole day. But it was an alright week

Monday night we had FHE at the bishop’s and they got to meet elder Webster.  They like him which is good.

Tuesday we did finding and my role is I always stop blonde girls... Don't ask why I just do.  So there was this blonde girl with a group of friends and I stopped them and the blonde girl was like I want to know more! She later lied to me and said she doesn't have a phone but would call us if she was interested. She then texts me in like 20 minutes saying I went to Mormon.org and want to know more so we made a time to meet her. She flogged us and won't text us back. I was crushed. But life goes on.

Wednesday I went to Lincoln on an exchange for his birthday and we had a fun time. We put 3 people on a date for baptism.  They are teaching so many people. It was fun to just teach and not find.

We saw Elaine this week.  She is good and doing alright.  She came to church on Sunday and met with the bishop. Doing very good. We also met and are teaching a new guy named Gary.  He is bipolar and has had a crazy life but he seems alright. I have met my share of crazy people on the mission, so nothing new.

The bishop’s 11 year old kid went tracking with us. His 4th door this old man yells at us and like chases us off his drive. It didn't help that I was cracking up laughing. " You kids get off my bloody drive!"  I tried to be kind and tell him to have a wonderful day.  He then says this, "I will have a great day once you get the hell off my bloody drive." The bishop’s kid was like elders what's going on haha.

Well thanks everyone for the letters and emails. You guys are the best.

Nottingham Zone Picture



November 4th

This week was just very long. Elder Bills left and went to a place called Stamford, which is like 30 miles south of Boston.   So he didn't go very far.

My new comp is Elder Webster. He is from Las Vegas just east of the strip by the temple. He is very, very nice and has a heart of gold. He is very shy and doesn’t like to talk much. Sometimes it feels like I'm pulling teeth. But he is very happy to be here in Boston. I met him when he was first in the mission. He was in Coventry the same times I was.

The finding effort is a bit odd.  We go to talk to people and get nothing, but when I am just walking in the farmer’s market a former stops us named Gary and he asks for our number and wants to see us this week.  Pretty cool stuff. Also the bishop met with a former who had loads of anti Mormon questions.  And the bishop called us and said he is coming with us to see the former.  His name is Ashly.  His wife is a member but doesn't come because she doesn't feel it’s right to go without her husband.  So 2 birds with one stone??  I think so.

The members are having us over almost every night this week to feed us So I'm very happy about that because it’s starting to get very, very cold at night and the wind comes right off the coast and gets VERY cold and the thing is it’s not even the heart of winter. But I’m working on getting my driver’s license. I think I’m ready to leave Boston and go back to a city. I figure the only way to get out of Boston is to go zone leader and go back to a city because I really wanna go back to a city. Like Nottingham or even Coventry. I had such a short time in the city I just wanna go back. I told president I wanted to go to a city. He just didn't say anything back but he really never emails me back, haha.  He is just busy.  He has like 280 missionaries to look after.

Love you all so much and miss you!!  Love Elder Doty 

We Had a Freaking Baptism!

This week was just so great I can't even explain. It was like all the prayers in the last 3-4 weeks all got answered in just one week. Since the senior couple is gone we have to get around by bike, train and bus which just sucks.  But it’s life.  But we were always running behind time getting somewhere are we HAD to make a train at a right time or a bus at the right time and every time we just said a real fast prayer it always worked.  The bus came early or the train was running a few minutes behind or something always happened so it worked out for us. We saw Elaine and as you can tell by now we had a baptism. She was so pumped for it. She had the biggest smile on her face and she was crying and everything.  It was SO good. It was Elder Bills first baptism in the mission and he was so happy about that. The ward really stepped up and welcomed her and were all so nice to her. Everything just worked out perfect. If only every week could be like that.. But then I guess weeks like this wouldn't be as great then.  

The Senior couple came down from Preston to see her baptism They were so happy; everyone was just so happy. This was the first baptism Boston has had since February of 2013.  So the ward just way pumped. Well everyone was pumped. It was such a good way to end the transfer. We get the call tonight and I think it is fair to say Elder Bills will be leaving Boston. He has been here for 6 months now and it’s his first area. I'm pretty sure I'm staying here. It’s going to be hard now because we now have 0 investigators. We have to start from step one....find someone to teach. I hope my new comp is ready to do loads of finding in the rain. We are having a huge storm right now so the winter is coming into England now.

With the baptism of Elaine I had some time to reflect on my own baptism while I have been here and I thought about each person and how they are a child of God and how happy he is for them. I texted the elders in my past areas and asked how they are all doing.  So here is a little update on them.

  The Goddard family is doing way good they are making plans to go to the temple to be sealed this coming December.

Angie is still having a really hard time and missionaries can’t get into to see her and she is really stressed.  I wrote her a letter trying to help her out.

Festus has gone a big off the rails and missionaries can’t get a hold of him and he keeps flogging. Don't really know what’s up

Marcus and Susan are doing really good.  They come to church every Sunday and are loving it.

 I hope I can stay in touch with all of them.  They are great people and I loved getting to know them and work with them.

Sister Teague is SO nice.  She loves elder Bills and I.  We spent all Sunday there.  We did pumpkins and played on the trampoline with the whole family it was SO much fun. I felt like a kid again. I needed it.  Thanks Teague family!!

Pictures

Benbow Farm and Gadfield Elm Chapel

This is what my mission president said about the places we visited on Friday:

A special mission event will be held during October at Gadfield Elm Chapel and Benbow Farm. These historically significant places will be our privilege to see, experience and remember together.

The Gadfield Elm Chapel near the village of Pendock in Worcestershire, England, is the oldest existing chapel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The structure was built in 1836 as a religious meetinghouse by the United Brethren, a group of breakaway Methodists led by Thomas Knighton and John Benbow. In 1840, Elder Wilford Woodruff of the Quorum of the Twelve preached among the United Brethren; ultimately all but one of the 600 members of the United Brethren were converted. After the conversions, the structure was deeded to the Church by Thomas Knighton and John Benbow. Three prophets have spoken in Gadfield Elm Chapel.

At Benbow Farm, Elder Wilford Woodruff first began to preach the restored gospel in Southwest England and at the farm’s pond he baptized many of the United Brethren group, including John and Jane Benbow. These new converts immigrated to America where they made significant contributions to the Church.

Following our trip to Gadfield Elm Chapel and Benbow Farm, we will travel to Gloucester Chapel for lunch and a group activity. It will be a glorious and inspiring time. Sister Rasmussen and I are looking forward to being with each of you. Thank you for your faithful service to the Lord.

October 21

This has been a great week and Elder Bills and I have great news. Our one and only investigator Elaine is going to be baptized this Saturday the 26!! We are so happy!! So let me take you through the week.

Tuesday we tried to see Elaine but the senior couple’s car broke down so we couldn't make it to see her. The senior couple was SO sad because we all felt like that was the lesson where she was going to set a baptism date. So we spent that whole day dealing with car issues.

 

Wednesday we had Zone meeting so we had to train to Nottingham then I went on exchange with Elder Higham.  He is a cool guy and a hard worker. Elder Bills and Elder Human went to see Elaine and after they called us saying they have great news!!! Elder Bills said all he did was tell her she is ready and will she be baptized. She said yes and what do I need to do to be ready. Sounds like it was really easy.  Elder Bills was SO happy as this will be his first baptism on his mission and he has been working with Elaine for 6 months now. 

Thursday I was still in Lincoln with elder Higham and we had so many lessons.  Lots of Chinese people so it’s like teaching a child because they don't really know who god is or what is a god. After playing train hopper to get back to Boston with elder Bills we figured everything out for the baptism.  Setting up a baptism is so stressful!!

Friday we got to go with a large bit of the mission to Benbow Farm and Gadfield Elm Chapel. The farm is where what’s his face taught 600 people and baptized like 599 of them.  I got a picture of it. And the chapel is the Church's oldest chapel on earth, so i got a picture of that as well.

 

Saturday we did a mini swap so elder Higham, the district leader, could go up to Boston to interview Elaine and she passed, so she is all good to go for the 26!! And I was in Lincoln with elder Human and we did more teaching. They teach so much in Lincoln. It’s nice with lots of Chinese people.

 

Sunday was great.  We had church and Elaine came and the ward is so pumped for her. This is the first baptism since like April time for Boston so they are all way happy. Also we got to teach youth. It was so much fun.  Elder bills and I just made up a lesson. We just talk about commandments and how they bless us.  It was a lot of fun. Then we went to a less active’s house for dinner and it was a really good full grown roast dinner. SO good. Also I fell off my bike in the mud... my ego and pride are hurt a bit. Elder Bills got a photo of me after I got up.  Haha… it was really funny.

 

All in all this has been such a good week We said goodbye to the senior couple but they are coming back for the baptism this Saturday. All the crap that has happened the last few weeks with the death of grandpa and going to to the hospital just doesn't matter anymore I'm so happy. The Lord has been so good to Elder Bills and me. Transfer is on the 30th so Elder Bills’s time in Boston is just about up. Sad to see him go but I'm happy he is going with a baptism!

Love you all so much I am so grateful for the prayers you have sent our way.

Pumkin Carving

 

 

October 14th

t was so nice to be able to talk with the family, but it made me miss you all so much. Made me look forward to going home.

This week we were able to get back into things as we saw a lot of less actives and I wasn't sick which always helps. Well I still am kinda sick and I have lost like 13 pounds of weight and the mission president’s wife made me go to the A&E to see a doctor.  So we had to take a train out to Nottingham and see a doctor. What a waste of time that was.  All he did was tell me to go get my poop tested..... I don't know if I'm going to do that. So I hope I get over this 100%. The senior couple goes home this week so no more car. So that also means lots of taking buses and trains and biking....not looking forward to that. 

 

Maybe the highlight of the week missionary wise was watching one of the returning members that we have been working with go up to bare her testimony and she saw someone else was going at the same time so she ran up to beat him.  It was so funny.  She has made so much progress from when I got here. She is working on going to the temple and I'm sure she should be able to make it in the next few weeks.

 

We also have a lot of other less actives we are working with. With the senior couple leaving we pick up a few that they left. Really that's all we are working with. But then again we have 93+ less active families so that's a lot of people for us to work with. So we should stay busy the next few weeks. Transfers are the 30th of October so Elder Bills will be leaving for sure.  President told me.  But he also might train so maybe I go. Who knows.  I just wish we could get a few more investigators to work with.  We still have our 1 which is Elaine. We are going to try and get her on a date this week. She is so ready, she just needs to pull the trigger.

 

Well I love you all and miss you all. Love elder doty 

October 7th

Not much to report this week as I was down with the sickness the whole week. So we only did 20 mins of finding, so nothing really happened this week. Sickness is still floating around and if it doesn't go away in the next few days I will be making a trip to the A&E.  (I don't know what it stands for.)  I saw a lot of general conference, everything but the Sunday afternoon session.

3  favorite talks:  Edward Dube  (mostly because he is black)

Dieter F Uchtdorf  at priesthood session
and M Russell Ballard because he is my favorite.
Overall they were all good but I just really liked these ones.

Look forward to talking to the family again on Sunday during skype.

Peace love and blessings, Elder Doty

Tattershall Castle



End of September

Crazy to say it’s almost October. It has gone by so fast. It’s weird to say but I only have a year left in the mission.  Because of the visa we only serve 23 month missions. So end of October 2014 I will be headed home. It has gone by way too fast.

Elder Bills and I have been just GQing like crazy. We have been stopping everyone left and right and trying to give them cards, books, leaflets, anything.  English people are very rude. I was told to f-off 2 or 3 times this week.  All I did was ask him if he was doing alright and how his day was. Fun part of the week was I got to bash with a JW (Jehovah’s Witness) and I ripped him apart. I know they tell us not to bash but he made a cheap shot at Mormons and so I tore him apart. He said a church shouldn't be centered on Jesus. I then explained to him about the fall of Adam and Eve and because of that we are forever damned unless something can lift us from that. This something has to be an atonement which Jesus Christ did. The man just said nothing and asked for a leaflet and then left. Never got a call or anything. Elder Bills said that was the coolest thing ever. He has never bashed before and now he really wants to bash with someone... oops.

But besides that we have been talking to a lot of people.  The ward has been feeding us well. How can I lose weight when they keep feeding me?  But today we are going to a member’s place and they have a gym so that's going to be sweet. I'm pumped for general conference.  I'm calling it right now… a temple in Scotland or England (Birmingham) - just wait and see.  The prophet  and I are buds. Last night we went to this family home evening at a member’s house and I must have eaten something that was bad for me because now I'm way sick.  We had to cancel a few things today which sucks.  But 1st time in 10 months I have been sick, so I would say that's pretty good.

 

well miss you all and love you all. – Elder Doty

 

September 23rd

It was a busy week. We are working with a lot of less actives and they are making progress!! They are coming to church (the ones who can).  One just got a calling last week and is so happy. Investigators....not so much but we did find "the place".  It’s an area where you don't have to move around a lot and people are always coming and going.  But not too many or you don't stand out. We found it late this week but we are looking forward to working this area. It’s not very big, only a little road about 50 feet long. I found a place like this in Coventry and it helped a lot so I'm really looking forward to working "the place". This week we don't have a lot going on so we can really work it. 

To tell the truth I don't really know what happened but I’ve just got this unreal desire to find people. I kinda lost it when I went to Evington but it’s back and I am VERY happy about that. I'm really looking forward to this week.

The funny thing of this week was Elder Bills and I were out talking to people and we stopped this one lady.  We are talking to her and she says she worships the devil. I asked her if she ever thought about maybe trying God or Jesus and she just walked away. It was one of those where you had to be there, you know.

I hope all is well my family and friends. I'm looking forward to this week!!

 Love Elder Doty

Lincoln Castle Continued

Lincoln Castle

For P-Day the missionaries went to The Lincoln Castle in Lincoln, England.  According to Google:  Lincoln Castle is a major castle constructed in Lincoln, England during the late 11th century by William the Conqueror on the site of a pre-existing Roman fortress. The castle is unusual in that it has two mottes.^[1] It is only one of two such castles in the country, the other being at Lewes in Sussex. Lincoln Castle remained in use as a prison and law court into modern times, and is one of the better preserved castles in England; the Crown Courts continue to this day. It is open to the public as a museum. Lincoln castle remains one of the most impressive Norman castles in the United Kingdom. It is still possible to walk around the immense Norman walls which provide a magnificent view of the castle complex, together with panoramic views of the cathedral, the city, and the surrounding countryside.



September 17th

So this week was alright. Still doing a lot of finding and not finding anything great. We did however find this guy I feel pretty good about. His name is Mark and he stopped another elder when we were on exchanges and we are meeting with him on Tuesday. He just got out of jail and is looking to have more peace in his life. Works for me. Whenever someone stops you on the mission they are always really good. Look what happened in Coventry with Festus...

I still feel we are really close with this part member less active family. Once we get the mom to join the rest of the family WILL become active. But she is waiting for her husband to come back home (he is living with someone else right now). But we are trying to get her to see if she takes the first step the rest of the family will follow. She is coming to church and says she loves it. We go over and do service for her and teach her every week.  We are SO close. Once we get her on a date and baptized she will be an awesome member. Her name is Elaine. Like people in the ward think she is a member. When we told them she isn't they are shocked. Everyone thinks she is a member.  Besides Mark and Elaine we have a few we find and they drop. Been that way this whole transfer.

We are trying to work better with the members by just getting them to do little small things. Each time we have a dinner we always share I think its Alma 7. The small things bring to pass the great things. We are really trying to get the members to help us out. Good news Elder Bills and I are staying here in Boston so we might be able to get the members help  Because they are feeding us and are very kind to us.  We just need from them people for us to teach.

We hope for a good week coming up. Looking at the plans we are packed.  Going to be a busy week.

Love Elder Doty

The District

 

The district is Elder Human. The one in the suit. Elder Higham next to me. He took over for me in Coventry when I left. Sister Curtis wearing the black and red shorts.. yes they are my shorts.

sister Davis looking at Elder Bills and Elder Bills.

September 9th

This week was busy but we didn't get a lot of missionary work in.

On Monday we had zone p-day in Nottingham so we got to run around and play some football and basketball.  It was good to see some other elders and sisters again.

We saw the less active with the 3rd nut again. He didn't bring anything up about his 3rd nut again which was nice because last time it was just awkward...

I went back to Leicester to see a doctor.  I don't know why they sent me all the way there. 3 hours on the train just one way. So we didn't get anything done that day. It was crazy to be back in Leicester and my old area again. Never really liked that place. Just not the people I like to talk with.

We had our 1st English class this week....no one showed up. So we are going to try and get the word out more and give it another shot. We have too many people who speak polish and russian here but speak poor english so we are trying to use it as a finding tool.

We have had a lot of dinners from the ward.  We had two on Friday. This less active lady always feeds us but we showed up late hoping she already ate... no luck. I never felt so sick in my life. I thought I was going to pop.

This other less active lady came back to church. We were at stake conference and the bishop comes up to me and elder bills and asks if we can help with a blessing. She asked if I would do it. I have no idea who this lady is and I had to give a blessing. That was a lesson of always being ready to give one because you never really know when we might have to give one.

 

Well this week we did a lot of finding. We are finding people but no one will hold. Hopefully this week will be better.

Miss you all and love you all so much.

September 3rd

It was an alright week.  A lot of weird things happened from talking to people on the street.

We had someone last Tuesday tell us that us knocking doors kills people. He said that when we knock a door an old lady has to come down the stairs and when she does that she falls and dies and because of that we are to blame...so in other words us knocking doors kills people. We had a chat with him for about 10 seconds then he used some nice words and left us. Didn't stop us knocking more doors.

We also met with a less active and he told us about his problems which are a lot. One of them being that he has a 3rd nut because he got the snip and something went wrong. I have no idea why he needed to tell us that but he was very open with us and told us the whole thing.  A bit awkward but not going to lie it was very funny to hear this because this guy is a bit off so it was funny.

Sad news... the lady we had on a date dropped.  We are going to try again in a week. We also had to drop about 4 of our investigators this week so we are kinda starting over in a way. We did have one person at church. She is a part member family. Everyone is less active in the family but she came to church and it was everything she needed to hear. It was like the fast and testimony meeting was made just for her. She said she loved it and was going to go call her husband (who is living with someone else right now) about tell him how she felt. Hope that turns out alright.

Should be an alright week. I have to go back to Leicester to see the doctor again about my knee.  I hope we can finally figure this thing out. We also have stake conference this week. Hope they talk about member missionary work. Just of right now we have people in the ward who are sharing the gospel with friends. This one lady comes up to us and says elders I need 4 book of Mormons now! She is working with friends and we had no idea about it. Hope something turns out there.

Thank you all for the letters and emails, Love Elder Doty

August 27

I have two stories I think are good so here they go:

1. We were up in this area called Skegness and Elder Bills felt like we should go see a former member. So we go pop by. We start walking down this hill to the flat and this kid comes down on a bike and knocks the door we are trying to knock.  So we start talking to him. About 10 years ago he met with missionaries and said he wouldn't be up for retaking the lessons. Told us the former didn't live here and his mom might be down to have the lessons again. He gives us his mom's details and we go by his mom. We go to his mom's house and she is outside smoking.  We start talking with her and she thought we were police haha. We talk to her for about 15 mins. She tells us how her son (the one we just talked to) is on his way to prison because he just beat the crap out of some guy. We/Elder Bills talked to her and bore testimony of how the atonement of Jesus Christ can heal even the most broken families. She said we could then come back next time we go up to Skegness and she took a Book of Mormon and said she would reread it. The reason I like this story is because of just the timing of it. It just happened to be the time her son was riding his bike and just happened to be the time she was outside and listened to us. And that just happened to be the day we went us to Skegness. Truth is it didn't just happen. God has a plan for everyone of Jis children and it's on His timing.

2. We have this golden person but we just can't get a hold of her for some reason. So we go tract her house. We got her mom in and she said she moved to west street. So we make plans to tract the hold street and card every single one of them to find her. The street has about 40 houses. so we start at door number one...nothing...two...got a referral to door number three....not home. So we keep knocking and no one is home. We get to about door number 25ish and it is getting late and this lady just slammed the door in our face. We feel like giving up and I just look back at all of the doors we have knocked and guess who I see walking our way. Savannah. the golden person. We then talk with her and she tells us how her phone has been all messed up and she said she is going out of town for a week. But she just felt like she should come outside and talk to us because she saw us through her window. Elder bills says" oh what a small world.  We just happen to be knocking door to door where you live...it was meant to be" haha funny guy. So we plan to meet with her next week.

Besides that the week has been alright We had a ward bbq the other day. Nothing like the American bbqs but it was good.  We had a few investigators come and a few less actives. Things are starting to pick up here in Boston. I really don't want to leave or get a new companion for a while.

 Love you all and miss you, Love Elder Doty

Photos from Boston

 David and Elder Bills (his new companion)

 At the top of a church...

August 19th

This has been a good week. I got to meet a lot of the ward. I really like the ward and it's full of good people. I was also able to see and meet with all of our investigators and the good news is we have good investigators. Some of them are wasters but a few of them are good. We put one of them on a date for the 13 of September (early birthday gift) and I think she will make it.  She is 23 and married. Her husband has been way sick so we might be able to put him on a date as well once he gets better. We also have other people who I think could be baptized in the future, we just need to get a hold of them and teach them. Like this 13 year old girl named Jordan. She is so solid, we just need parent's permission so we can go in. She came to church with her grandma and said she loved it. So things are looking very good here in Boston.

 

I am on a bike but we don't bike much. The area is huge and we have a senior couple who drives us around so that's good.  I'm loving this area.  But how can you not with the place I just came from. Elder Bills is a really good missionary and he is fun and he likes to have fun, so life is great.

Thanks everyone for the letters and emails you are the best,  Love Elder Doty

St Botolph's Church

 

David's comment:  "This is a sweet church. 

You can see it from anywhere in Boston."