It's been awhile since Mum updated my blog!

NOTE: It's been a long time since I've updated Lindsey's blog. It's not that there's been nothing to report. Quite the contrary. But, life has been crazy with preparations for our move to Phoenix and  I haven't had the chance to catch up. I feel badly because this missionary has been VERY busy touching lives and testifying of the Lord's hand in all things. The lack of blog posts is on her mom, me, and not Lindsey. I hope to do better in the coming weeks as our move date quickly approaches. Anyway, just know, she is doing well and is touching lives. Today's post is one experience of many that she has written about. Love this missionary of mine! -- Corinne Abeling

I feel blessed to learn that during this transfer, I'm staying in Romford, so I have seven more weeks here. My companion, whom I love, is moving and will be trained by the sister that I just trained last transfer! So cool! I will really miss Sister Stahlberg, but I'll be getting a sister from the visitor centre here so that will be so fun!!

Random guy on the street
wearing a Jerry mask!

This week we had the miracle of Myles and Lewis's baptism --  it was so special. We have really grown to love and adore this family. It's such a miracle how we found them…last transfer we were sitting on the bus and I saw this guy sitting in the back corner. I was looking for something to start the conversation and saw a west ham football bracelet on him. So, I shouted, " Hey, do you follow west ham? I love football, let's talk about football!"

We started a short conversation and started to talk about our father in heaven and he didn't quite believe in God so didn't take much of it. We ended the conversation and I handed him a card and went about our way.

Lindsey enjoying the sun
coming in the window.

Honestly, I didn't think much would come of it, it was just the normal interaction. But a week later we received a text from a random number saying he met this "persistent American on a bus the other day and wanted to learn more." So we set up an appointment and went to meet him. He (Lewis) had brought his sister, Alisha, and his friend Dan to the appointment. Sadly, they had heard some untrue things about commandments from someone who was a member but hadn’t attended church in 32 years. They spent the lesson explaining to us why they weren't going to follow commandments and how they didn't even believe in God.

Working in the garden with the
ward mission president's daughter.

Playing dress up!

We have heard that before from people, and it didn’t phase us. We simply invited them to the sports activity that was scheduled a couple days later so they could just meet some members, not thinking it would have much of an outcome.

Much to my dismay, two days later, in walked Lewis, Alisha and this time they brought along their brother Myles. They were so excited to share the news with us... that they wanted to know if God was there for them, and of course, we told them He is! They also surprised us and told us they had decided follow the commandments that we had talked about before.

Ad on a bus.

Sister Sahlberg and Sister Abeling.

We explained the important steps back to God included repentance and a change in heart and that the first step back to God was into the baptism waters. We showed them the baptism font and taught them about baptism and God’s great love for each of them. It was a powerful and spiritual experience!

They accepted an invitation to be baptized and began working right then and there to make changes in they lives and to follow the commandments. They decided to bring their less active friend to one of our lessons – he was humbled by the spirit and has since returned back to church after a long 32-year gap! Not only him, but his mother (who also hadn’t attended in a long time) decided to join them as well.

Lewis and Myles

Sunday, July 30, we witnessed Lewis and Myles take that first step, they were baptized! They have completely changed since we first met them, now they believe in God, they believe in his commandments, and have made his gospel a part of who they are. It truly warms my heart! Now, Lewis and Myles will receive the priesthood in two weeks, and Lewis is working towards baptizing his sister Alisha after her wedding. He told us he wants to start preparing to serve a mission!! Since we met Lewis on the bus, he has helped bring six souls back into his Heavenly Father’s arms! He will make an awesome missionary!! And to think it all started with a small football bracelet. Well, way more than a football bracelet, but I do know the Lord needed them in his kingdom, and he needed them to help bring all these children back to him.

Sister Abeling loves meeting
the people of England!

This experience is a testimony of how much he loves these people, and how much the spirit can change hearts.  They know who they are and what they can become. They emulate the Love of God. They are a personal testimony that the gospel is real. There's no way they could have changed if it weren't for the truth of our Savior Jesus Christ and His infinite atonement.   

Getting her animal fix with a hedgehog.

I have had so many wonderful, and spiritual, experiences on my mission so far. I have met many great people who have made sacrifices to make changes in their lives to bring them closer to God. Their commitment to the Lord is astonishing and inspiring. I’m so blessed to witness these changes and see the joy and happiness that emulates from them. The people here are awesome. I love them! And, I love my mission!

Love,

Sister A in the UK