Leaving the MTC for London

By the time you post this, I’ll be in London! FINALLY, it’s the day! I'm super excited and can't wait to just get started on the work!! The MTC has been great and I learned so much! The spirit is so strong and the people so wonderful! Especially my companion, Sister Barnes! I will be sad when we aren’t companions any more, but I know we’ll be life-long friends!

Thanksgiving was good; not quite the same without the family, but I had a little family here. I made MTC history and put all the tables together so we could sit as a family. I even sat mamma and poppa Preston at the head of the table. I've grown really close with them and I will be sad to leave them tomorrow. 

It's been sunny all week!! SUPER FLIPPIN AWESOME! The new missionaries came in this week and it's been sunny ever since; like no joke no rain at all! I even got to play a game of futbal and got schooled by some English men. Wasn’t fair, futbal is in their blood!  

This week, we were able to go on a church history tour and saw some historic landmarks including the river where the first baptisms on this continent were performed in. Super neat and fun, plus it was nice to just get out of the MTC for a bit.

This morning I had the most wonderful experience in the temple! We got to perform sealings. The minute I walked into the room, the spirit was so powerful that I just balled my eyes out! Doing the work for the families like ours, and who never got to receive that blessing on earth just brought such indescribable happiness to me, and I’m sure to them on the other side! Such a beautiful experience that made it crystal clear why I’m on my mission – to bring families to Christ and be sealed together for eternity. This is a blessing I want for my own family so very much. I know it will happen one day, and when it does, it will be a great and glorious day.

My mission is a Facebook mission and I’ll get an iPad, so I’ll add ya'll when I get it set up once I’m settled in London!

My Preparation (P) day will be on Mondays from now on, so be on the look out for my emails then!

Special thanks to Alecia for the box of Twinkies! I shared them with some of the  missionaries and some had never had a Twinkie before; I was glad to share the sugar coma with them!

Thanks, Alecia! Everyone at the MTC loved the Twinkies!

The brief experiences I’ve had here reaffirms the knowledge I have that the Lord knows us and wants us to experience joy, both on earth and in eternity. The joy only this gospel can bring, only the priesthood can give. Only the LORD can give. This gospel has blessed my life and It will bless so many others. Today just really inspired me and gave me a drive to help others experience the joy of being with their families for eternity.

Faithfully yours,

Sister Abeling 

From the MTC...

November 25, 2016

Dear Family,

Your daughter will be departing the England Missionary Training Centre on Wednesday morning, 30^th November.  We want you to know how much we have enjoyed having her with us. 

Sister Abeling is a fine young woman and we are grateful for the opportunity we have had to work with her on a daily basis.  She is well-prepared for her mission and she continues each day to grow spiritually.  She is developing good teaching skills and is excited about the work.  She is ready for full time service in the England London Mission.

We love this young woman and are grateful to you for all you have done to prepare her for this wonderful time in her life.  Your love and continued support are important to her success.   Letters are always greatly anticipated and appreciated.  Please address all future mail to:

England London Mission

64-68 Princes Gate

Exhibition Road

South Kensington

London

England SW7 2PA

United Kingdom

May you and your family be blessed as she continues to serve our Heavenly Father.

Sincerely,

President & Sister Preston

England Missionary Training Centre

Happy Thanksgiving!

I made to week three! It’s crazy how fast and slow it’s been. Other than the fact I got super sick, and it’s been rainy, snowy and cold, I love it here!

This week, we were able to go out into Manchester City Centre and it was the BEST THING EVER! It was rough with pouring rain, wind and 3C temps, but I knew the work was too important and couldn’t stop, so we trudged through the storm and talked to everyone. We placed seven Book of Mormons and got contact information! It was super neat! Many of them were so ready to hear the gospel!

We got to go to the temple and again today; it’s so amazingly beautiful! We also went to the market today, which was super cute. I’ll send pictures of it soon.

It's great here, I love it. But I’m also ready to leave and head to the city and get to work! Tracting on the street just really made it exciting and I am anxious to get out there!

I got the hair utensils you sent yesterday! Our apartment/room thanks you too – we've been dying without them! AND, thanks so much for pepperconcis! I’m in heaven! All people eat around here is Nutella – NUTELLA ON EVERYTHING!

For Thanksgiving, Sister Barnes and I bought chocolate oranges so we could eat them on Thanksgiving; did you know they make them year round here?! Also, the American sisters got together to make hand turkeys so we felt at home! I'll send mine home :)

This week I was concerned about my family and their safety; then I read D&C 31. All of ya'll need to crack open the scriptures and read that chapter; it’s short but a total banger!! 

I don't need much except letters!! Well, and maybe I should get find some warmer clothes here. I’ve come to realize that I’ll be wearing rain boots every day because it rains everyday and gets muddy so there's no point in wearing other types of shoes.

I love you all so much and hope you have a wonderful thanksgiving! I love you all so very much! HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Faithfully Yours,

Sister A....In the UK