Monday, March 21, 2016

"I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go"

To my amazing family and friends,
I am so sorry for not writing proper emails these past few weeks. It was been busy here in Newcastle. This past week we have been getting Dean ready for his baptism this weekend. He is so ready to make the change to follow Christ and his example. Shannon (his friend, who is a member) has been helping him along his journey of become a member of Christ's church. The both of them have helped me become stronger in so many ways. 
So I would like to share a hymn with all of you today. It is called "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go."



Now my version...
🎶I will be on an air-plane, flyin' over that England sea, 
This Wednesday I'll be flying home
Cause the Lord told me, it must be. 
I am answering, the Holy Ghost's voice 
To come home three weeks early. 
I am singing this tune to tell all of you, you will get me sooner then you think
So..... I'll go where you want me to go, dear Lord, 
To Utah's mountain over the sea; 
I'll head the call you asked me, dear Lord; 
To Utah, my friends, I will  to be.🎶
Hope that made sense. I did wrote that in 15 minutes so you will have to give me a break. Last p-day I thought I was going home in April but I received a prompting (as it states above) and I am coming home this Wednesday night. This was probably a shock to a lot of you, and I am still trying to wrap my head around it but you know what they say, “The Lord works in mysterious ways.” I am going to have to cut my email here but when I get home I will send a more detailed letter of my mission and all that I have learned. I have been so very grateful to have served a mission. It has blessed me in so many ways. I'm glad I have chosen to serve Heavenly Father and His children. When I first came out I thought I was going to change England. I was wrong. England changed me, for the better. Excited to see you all. 
With much love, 
Sister Garrett (soon to be Melissa.....weird....)

P.S.  By the way, my folks are having an open house for me on Saturday, but they will have to email the details because I really can’t think that far ahead right now. 

Monday, March 14, 2016

Newcastle with Chinese and Georgies!

Hello family and friends,

Just so you know, this email is going to be short and sweet. Newcastle is great! I am loving it!! It is massive though. I get lost sooo easily. Our area has a university and their are quite a lot of students. There are a lot of nationalities. Mainly Chinese. The Chinese sisters gave me a Chinese name, which is Sister Jia. They also helped me construct this in Chinese. 我是加姐妹 我是耶稣基督后期圣徒教会的传教士 (My name is Sister Jia. I am a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.) The accent here in Newcastle is quite unique. It is a mix of Scottish and English. I will get some sayings for you all next week.

We are working with two investigators right now who are working towards a baptismal date. Dean is scheduled to be baptised on the 26 of March and Rob is going to be baptised on the 2 or 9th of April. It is quite exciting! We have found some potentials this past week that we hope can become investigators.

To please, my parents here is a little bit about Sister Cockburn:
Age: 20
Hometown: New Zealand.
Also, lived in: Australia
Nationality: kiwi, Scottish, Samoan
Hobbies: too many. Sport, art, playing instruments (jamming), dancing, photography, camping. "Anything and everything. Oh wait, swimming."
Interests: music, India, beach, different cultures, (direct quote) "I'll stop it there before I get carried away... FASHION! and teeth."

Live anywhere: Hawaii
Dream Holiday: Japan
Future job: "Deciding. Dentistry."
dream job: fashion designer or singer
5 words that describe you: weird, non-judgmental, creative, caring, and zealous.
Worst fear: sharks

Favorite Color: Royal Purple
Favorite Animal: elephant!
Favorite Temple: Hawaii
Favorite Season: summer
Favorite Car: Range Rover 2014
Favorite Singer: Alisha Keys
Favorite Book of Mormon Prophet: Ammon
Favorite Disney Movie: Tangled

Favorite Food:
breakfast: crepes; cream, strawberry & chocolate
Lunch: Greek salad
Dinner: lazona w/ garlic bread
Dessert: Banoffee pie
Vegetable: potato
Fruit: watermelon

Hope you all have an exciting week! Next week I will try to write more. Emailing time feels like it is cutting down.

With much love,

Sister Garrett


Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Transfers....

Hiya mates, (family and friends)

I am sorry this email is going to be a short one but I am running out of time so I will tell you all the details as short as possible. Last Tuesday, Sister Weakley and I received a call from President Pilkington that Sister Weakley needed to go home and that he booked a flight. Sister Weakley and I packed up her stuff and she left the next morning for home. It was a very emotional week due to that. But I feel so very grateful that I got to serve with Sister Weakley. I learned so much from her. I learned how to serve, love, have fun, enjoy life, and become more Christlike. She really taught me much and I am glad I was her companion for two transfers.

When Sister Weakley left I went into a trio with the other sisters in the flat. Sister Gornicak and Sister Van Zyl. They were lovely and very understanding of the whole situation. The week was busy because we had to fit two missionary schedules but we made it work. So now comes transfers. I expected to stay and get a new companion. I was right with one thing.... I have a new comapaion. She is from New Zealand and her name is Sister Couburn. She is lovely and I am excited to serve with her. As for my area, I will be leaving South Shields which I am quite upset about. I was just starting to get to know the ward and get comfortable. I am sure there is a reason for me to leave. I am heading to Newcastle which is in the same Stake as South Shields so it is not to far away. Well that is all the news. I am doing well and I hope all of yous are too! Until next week.


Love, Sister Garrett