October 20th

My stomach is feeling better. I think it was this spice I was putting in my rice that was causing the pain and runs so I cut that out don't worry. 

 

I spoke to a guy who works at an apple store. I told him what I needed for school and stuff. He said I should go with the iphone 5S. He wasn't too interested in the gospel but we still had a good chat. Things are doing okay.

 

I was a bit bumped out about not having a baptism my second year of my mission. But I spoke on the phone to some members in Bridgend. They said the ward still talks about me and even in Evesham as well. Turns out I had an impact on people's lives I just lost sight of that for a bit this week. Buts things should be good for this week.  We have some good things planned and hopefully the week will go by fast. The slow days are just killer...also when it rains but that hasn't happened alot this week...thankfully. Miss you mother and love you. Will see you soon

Love David

October 13th

My stomach is feeling better. I went and saw a doctor and talked with her. She was so nice and a good doctor. She just told me it's some kind of bug that is causing this and your body is just trying to get rid of it. I still can't really eat much. Toast is getting pretty boring haha.

No I haven't heard of  "Meet the Mormons". Wait was that a church thing about a missionary in Leeds England? if so I heard that kind of stunk and didn't really help the church that much.

I hope Allen and Malyssa can find a place. If not I'm fine with Allen's old room. I keep having dreams you guys sell my bed for a horse.... I'm doing just fine.

I had a interview with the mission president. It went well. We just spoke about going home. I wasn't trunky until that interview and well now I am just a little bit. He just spoke about home and girls the whole time. Turns out he was dear johned on his mission and told me a story about it. 

But things are going good. See you in a few weeks. Also im not going to do a group email anymore. too much work.  Love you mom!!

October 6th

David has stopped doing long, group e-mails.  So this is the e-mail he sent to his Mom:

This weekend I have gotten sick. Do you remember this time last year when I had the stomach flu? Well the same kinda thing has come back, but not as bad. But the mission doctor people have told me when I go home to seek a doctor. If it continues in the next few days they are going to have me see a doctor.

So I was able to see a bit of conference, but some of it I slept because I was not feeling well. They think it's something I ate that my belly doesn't like. I will keep you updated the next few days. I think it will pass soon. but I'm doing okay.  See you soon mom!!

Love you!!

September 29th

This week we had transfers and Elder Vlasco left and went to Evesham B so he will be able to see my old area. I'm happy for him. I was hoping he would stay with me but it will be good for him. I will miss him. My new Companion is Elder Kennedy he has been out about 9 months and is from Canada I like him. I got to go to the mission home and say goodbye to some Elders and Sisters. It felt weird to think I may never see some of them again. It feels like it is just another transfer in the mission, not my last.

I got a call from Elder Chantry in Bridged. He said he was having breakfast with a member and he said that Elder Chantry and I were the best 2 elders that ward has had in the last 4 years. It felt good to hear that. I really do miss that ward and would do anything to go back.

We have a new ward mission leader in the Sheldon ward. I don't know him very well but it should be good for the Sheldon ward. I have some ideas and things I want to try so it should be a good week.

Miss you all and love you!!
Love Elder Doty

**  Still no photos...

September 22nd - Transfer Calls

Tonight we have dodge night. And this is the last one that I will care about. Because the next one will say Elder Doty is getting transferred to Seattle Washington.

I don't have a lot of time so I will try and make this short and sweet.

We have a good lesson with Andrew our returning member about the priesthood. He is excited about it and has spoken to some members about going on a mission. I don't know if he can do a full time one because of his age but maybe a mini mission. So good news with him

I had a good 21st birthday. I went over to a member's house and had curry. That's the closest thing to Mexican food. I also had cake and pie. It was a good day.

Shout out to my good friends in Bridged - Jamie and Jess who both got married this week in Somerset England!! I'm happy for you guys!!

We had Stake conference so we got to see President. He came up to us and made it sound like I am going to stay with Elder Velasco which I hope I do. He told us I have to get him ready to train. Which he pretty much is he just needs to lead a bit more but he is shy because his English is not the best but it is getting better.

I have go to run but miss you guys and love you!

Update: 

Elder Velasco is leaving me and I'm getting a new comp I don't know where he is from.  And Velasco is going to my old area Evesham B. So he will see some members that I know like the Goddards and others. I think it will be a good change for him. He was happy with me but didn't like the area here so he needs the change. I'm looking forward to this last transfer. I'm excited to go home and see everyone again.

The DL played a joke on me saying I was whitewashing president with an AP who just got dropped....it was not funny but everone else thought it was.

Have a good week!! love you all!!

September 15th

This week we had Zone meeting. It might have been one of the best ones I have ever had.  It was very funny and I felt the spirit very strongly. It was about the Book of Mormon and I was asked to give some training on how the Book of Mormon helps us resolve concerns. I used The promise that is given at the end of the book. That if you read, pray and really want to know anyone can know that the book of Mormon is true. And if the book of Mormon is true, then Joseph Smith is a prophet, the church is true and so on.

Our washing machine is broken so we were unable to wash our clothes this week until we get a call from the Elders in Solihull.  So we took us stuff down there and did splits with the DL and washed our clothes.

We are working with a less active member who was baptized by elder Chantry in another area. He came to church this week and plans to keep coming and wants to get the priesthood and start being active in church again. Also a family we have dinner with every week that is not active said they are going to make a few changes in their life. One of them being coming to church on Sundays.

It was a good week I miss you all and look forward to seeing you guys soon.

Love Elder Doty

 

**  David isn't able to download any photos on the computers in this area.  Sad!

September 8th - The Walk In

On Sunday we had 3 walk ins to church. That never happens. One of them was a homeless man. He even went up and bore his testimony. I don't really know what he said... something about hitting someone and Hitler. It was pretty good. He said he felt very welcome and plans to come next week. Along with a Hungarian lady who we believe is a media referral we got a few days ago.

This week we were going by a less active as it was his birthday and it turns out he was baptized by Elder Chantry my last comp. He said he would like to come back to church and is going to meet with the bishop this week!

We also had zone conference this week and Elder Bowen of the 70 came and spoke. He did a good job and if it is your last zone conference they ask you to give your departing testimony. I spoke about the change that I felt I had made and said it was because my trainer and I came up with "Nike"..."Just do it". When you get a feeling you should do something...just do it. It was a bitter sweet moment to give my departing testimony. It has been a journey for sure.  I have learned so much I can't really say everything I want to in 2-3 minutes.

Not a bad week for being sick in the flat for most of it. I'm looking forward to feeling better and having another awesome week.

Love Elder Doty

September 1st

This week I went on an exchange with my district leader Elder Nielsen. He was one of my companions in Worcester. It was amazing to see how he has grown over the last 6 months. He is a completely different person. Amazing how in just a few months a person can change so much.

I had a chat with someone on the street.  He said something that I thought I was pretty funny. He said all churches are the same and that we need to go to the root of the tree and make a church there. I said "so maybe a church that Jesus Christ set up?" he said "Yes that would be it." I then told him that this was that church and showed him my tag the says Elder Doty The church of Jesus Christ of latter day saints. He looked at me and just walked away and would not listen to me. I got a chuckle out of that.

Been sick over the weekend. Last night was rough with only a few hours of sleep. I think sometimes we aren't grateful for when we do have a healthy body.

miss you all and love you

Love Elder Doty

PS I can't get the pictures to work on this computer will try again next week.

August 26th

Hello everyone I'm sure you have all heard I'm back in England and I have left Wales. It's good to be back in England it's alot different from Wales. Like over here you don't have to pay for a plastic bag when you are shopping. There are many others.

We have one investigator who is making progress and things are going well with him. We also have been getting alot of media referrals. We just got one that shows alot of promise. From what we understand in the text that the church sends us, she is from Hungary and wants to learn more about the church. It shows that the church is growing though out the whole world!

Hope you are all doing well. No pictures this week do to the computer not working. I will have to show you guys next week my visit to Aston Villa FC park!!

August 18th

I have left Wales :( and am very sad to leave that place.  I will miss it dearly. But I'm back in England.

The area I'm in is a place called Sheldon, but we cover the south area which is Acock's Green. It's  a bike, bus and walk area. It's the HOOD with lots of different races.  I'm exicited to be able talk to people and be able to understand them without a huge valley accent, but now I have the Birmingham accent. If you wanna hear it it's on youtube.

My new Companion is Elder Velsaco.  He is 23 and from the Philippines. He has about 8 months left in the mission. He is so funny.  I have a hard time understanding him because english is his second language.  He loves the UK and the USA and he is always positive which is great. Elder Nowak my Polish companion back in Bridgend taught me what it's like to always be happy. It's something I learned from him and hope to apply it to the rest of my life. And having elder Velsaco helps me continue to do that.

We have one investigator right now who shows promise. a few other leads that might turn out good.

Here are some photos of me leaving Wales and getting Elder Velsaco. I'm excited for this new chance to learn and grow and I have finally made it into Birmingham!

(Photos are not working for some reason... we aren't able to actually see them.)

Love Elder Doty

 

August 11th

Tonight we have the transfer calls. It seems that I will be leaving Wales :(  I have loved it here. I have a few pictures of members.

We were able to have a lesson with our investigator Nesley. Only problem is he is living with his girlfriend and won't get married until next year.

We had a very interesting thing happen to us this week. Our shower broke and we were unable to shower Sunday. And it just dumped rain like crazy - the size of golf balls.  So we had to walk in the rain and we got soaked. But the thing was we were so happy we just didn't even care. I think that comes from a knowledge of the gospel. It just makes you happy even when times aren't going very well. Don't worry the shower has been fixed.

Hopefully I will be able to stay here in Bridgend.

Miss you all and love you - Love Elder Doty

 

UPDATE on 8/12/14:  So I'm moving areas.  I'm going to a place called Sheldon.  It's in Birmingham. It should be a good area and I'm excited for this new chance I have to learn and grow.

August 4th - "Pobudka"

Elder Nowak tends to talk in his sleep. Sometimes it's in Polish and sometimes in English. Saturday night he spoke in Polish and had an issue. He started to yell "Pobudka"!  He starts to yell this at night over and over. He then gets up and goes to Elder Chantry's bed and starts to shake it and still yelling Pobuka!  Elder Chantry wakes up kinda freaked and says "pobudka" back to him. Elder Nowak then stops and goes back to sleep. We then ask him what "Pobudka" means the next morning.  Turns out it means "get up". He claims he slept fine Saturday night.

In Cardiff this week we saw some dudes from Britain's "Got Talent" doing a signing Cd's tees and stuff. I have never so many 12-16 year old girls in my life. Turns out the two boys sing about anti- bulling and it's a major hit over here. The 12-16 girls are in love with them. I give it 2 years and no one will know them. Boy band one hit wonder.

We have done  alot of service and we have almost built a shed for someone. I will show you a picture next week.

Our workout crew that does the insanity with us in the morning. They are all members of the ward.

 

July 28th

This week was alright. We got flogged a lot and people canceled which is never much fun. But it's still so much fun with having 3 Elders!

We went out today with our member who works out with us. I pulled my groin pretty good so this whole walking thing is going to hurt.

I had a man get up in my face this week because I put my rubbish in someone's bin...Only an old British would even care about that.

We are trying to find more and more Polish people so Elder Nowak can work his magic.  Hopefully this week will be better in that.

"Here we have hard working Elder, sport Elder and Lazy Elder" Elder Nowak

 

 

Miss you all and hope you all are doing well

July 21st - The Golden Child

Elder Nowak (it's said Novak) is here with us. He is from Poland.  I really like him.  I think we are going to teach a lot of Polish this week. I'm excited for it.  The only elder from Poland on a mission. Two other sisters are in the states. So it's a big deal to have him here. Our President said "He is the future of Poland in the church."  So... a little bit of pressure. He does go home in 9 weeks, but he is SO funny. I love the kid. He is 26 years old and a convert of 3 1/2 years.  He has a way strong testimony!

We have a member who is a insanity teacher so he took us out to the park and worked us. Oh my gosh I'm so sore! It felt good to work. He is going to get us on a week work out to help get in shape.  Elder Nowak goes home in 9 weeks so he just wants to get in shape and fit so when He goes home to Poland he can get married.

We have finally moved flats I like the new place. I can finally get some sleep and not have to look out the window and see a club.

We got antther single sister active in church now so I'm way happy about that. Things are going well here I just fear that I'm going to leave in 4 weeks time :( I hope I can stay!

Miss you all and hope everything is going well!!

 

 

 

July 16th

Today we are getting a missionary for a few days or a few weeks. He is from Poland and is 1 of 3 Polish missionaries in the whole world. I'm very excited about it!!

This week was a bit crazy moving flats still and seeing some dude beat up a girl and calling the cops on them. We saw a castle which I have some photos of them I will send to you all.

Hope you all are doing well.

 

 

July 7th

As some of you may know by now I'm staying in Bridgend for another 6 weeks! I'm very happy about it. Also Elder chantry is staying with me as well.

This week we have been very busy as we are moving flats. We are not moving more than 100 yards but it's still a pain to move everything. Also the flat was not cleaned. So we spent maybe 7 hours in all just cleaning the kitchen. It's just gross no other way to say it. But this week we should be moved in. It's a nice flat. The one we are in right now is a castle, but we have to move :(

We are seeing good things in the less actives we are working with.  They are coming to church and making some good progress.

Miss you all and hope you all are doing well.

June 30th - Dodge Night

Tonight is dodge night so we are going to find out if I'm staying here in wales or if I'm getting the move. I really hope I can stay here in Wales.  I'm loving it.

This week we did some painting of a member's house. I am really bad at painting. The whole pulling weeds thing I'm pretty good at but not painting. Also this week I had a dinner everyday which is so rare.

Sorry this email kinda sucks.  I just really wanna stay in Bridgend. I love this place. The members, the people everyone. I think I might cry if I leave.

Hope you all had a nice week,  Love Elder Doty

 

E-mail from the following day:

"Make that 6 months in Bridgend!!"

Yes that's right.  I'm staying in Bridgend another 6 weeks so that will be a total of 6 months in Bridgend!! I'm so pumped and Elder Chantry is staying as well!!



 

June 23rd - Service Week

This week we had a service project everyday.  It was great but I'm really sore. It went from painting to pulling weeds to pulling a wall down and moving rocks.  It was a lot of fun. It's so nice outside.

The other day I had a member we have been working with come up to Elder Chantry and I and say that we are the first Elders he can remember our names in 15 years because no one took the time to go out and visit them and work with them in their yard and show that we really cared. Due to this he has us teaching his grandson who I bet will be baptized in July time. If that worked it would be Bridgend's first baptism in a year.

England got knocked out of the World Cup. They have a sick obsession with Wayne Rooney. It's gross. I got a photo of the Metro. (That's the UK's largest free newspaper.) The cover and title says it all.

Hope all is well back home miss you and love you all,  Love, Elder Doty

June 18th

This was our district P-day.  It was alot of fun!

 

June 16th

This was another good week. Did I tell you guys how much I love Wales?

This week I got to go on exchange into Cardiff. That place is sweet!  So many people and the weather has been off the charts amazing! So we have been doing loads of service and teaching our less actives and it's going very well.

We even got a member to come out finding with us for a day and we were able to find a 19 year old named Robin and we taught him. So things are picking up and are doing well.

We were also able to help out at the farm again.   So I got a picture of this chicken. (Found those shades at Primark...1£ great deal.)

Also I woke up one morning to find this "guest" in our flat. Turns out he had flown in the window so we had a fun time getting him out.  And yes, we are still in the flat next to the club.

Sorry for the short email but I'm off to Cardiff again for district P-day.

Miss you and love you