One month to go......

Alright...I think my heart is about to explode from all the birthday lovin' and awesomeness!!!!!!!!!! Seriously, I love you all. I want to reply to all of you individually, nice n' juicy, so here are some quick pics to describe my week:

Queen Elsa Farted and blew snow all over the town.

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My week pretty much consisted of walking in the snow all day (quite epically), getting to know members, having an adventure up in Burnley and having tea with a non-member family from Kiribati, hiking up a mountain, getting lost, teaching an old, spunky lady named Doreen who is close to baptism, learning more knife fighting from Elder Moote, helping a member move house all Saturday, and soaking in the fact that I only have one more month on this adventure.

Words can't describe how grateful I am for this experience and all of you.

Hopefully I will be able to show you instead.

But until then, keep up the steeze, 

and peace out!

Elder BA

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Rossendale and Snow.

Heyo everyone! Greetings from the land of Rossendale Valley. I will just go straight to the deets!

Rossendale Valley=

Rural farm town, nestled in a beautiful valley.

Very poor and deprived, but well kept.

People speak a very "common" (equivalent of our "hick") accent. 

The ward is surprisingly very strong, and they love missionaries,

80-90 strong, with a lot of young families.

Covered in snow.

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Companion=

Elder Moote

From the Pacific island of Kiribati (pronounced "keird-a-biss")

Very chill, very islander

recent convert of 1 year

gangster past, scars to prove it

loves teaching me knife fighting and nunchackus

loves Bob Marley

has a rough time speaking and understanding English, but we have learned to communicate through facial impressions and bird signals

never seen snow before, until now

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Our week has been pretty chill, just exploring and getting to know the area and members and getting lost several times and relaxing to Marley at night. The ward warmly welcomed us, and it feels so good to be back in a ward that befriends missionaries again. We have 6 tea appointments this week! This sets the record for my entire mission. 

They have a well established Book of Mormon class and games night, and the YSA are awesome. Not too many, but good characters. Oh yeah, Bishop Masser is my favorite so far. Young, beautiful family of 5 young kids, friendly, athletic, amazing dad, and is already becoming one of the examples that I want to follow. 

This is a really good area, and with the added bonus of snowing for the past few days straight, it's an awesome adventure to end off on. My companion and the vibe of the ward is making it a perfect transition for me.

I am happy and well, and I am so stoked to see you all in about 5 weeks!

I love you all, and may your adventures continue

Peace!

Elder BA

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p.s. my investigator Matt from Preston is getting baptized this week! happy flappy

LE suit Burning.

Chillin with Elder Moote

These were used for real.

Snowy view from the flat.

The chapel.

The last Transfer!!!!

Ladies and gentlemen....the last transfer has come. The Majestic Preston Squadron has been dissolved, and I have been called to die in the land of Rossendale Valley. I shall be whitewashing it with Elder Moote from the Pacific island of Kiribati, and I am stoked for this last adventure!!! The energy is high, and I am loving life. 6 more weeks of English awesomeness.

This week has been a mixture of happy adventures and sad goodbyes, as I have really grown to love the people here. The saddest one, was to say goodbye to my dear friend Saroosh, who gave us a departing arabic feast. (schofield, Mo "stay fresh", Saroosh, BA)

For the adventure side, Schofield and I found the three major, mormon historical sites in this area. Here is me, assassin creeding over the River Ribble. We also found President Hinckley's first flat, and also Heber C. Kimbals first flat where he was attacked by legions fo demons.

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I love you all, and I am beyond excited to see you in 6 short weeks. This has been the greatest adventure of my life so far, and I have grown and learned and loved more than I ever thought I could. I will keep you updated on the deets when I get into my new area, but until then, peace out, stay fresh, and...k bye and stuff.

Elder BA

Schofield, BA, Mongie and Frenchie

 Andrei 3000

 Ottenhoffs

 Yuki and Mona

 Sanj Cat, newest addition to the flat.

 Hinkleys Flat

 Midieval battle happening right over there.

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New Years in Preston.

Heyo family. I just realized...I am so tired of writing missionary emails. I love you all, but I can't wait till I can just say it to your face. Not too much longer now!

Ok, because of my lack of energy today, here are the quick deets:

At my district meeting, we were playing a game, and as I majestically lunged for the ball....it happened. My suit trousers ripped and bursted open...from zipper to belt. Everyone just stopped, had a moment of silence, then all 14 of us were crying laughing, some of us literally crying. I had to tie my jacket around my waist for the rest of the meeting, all the way on the bus and journey home. I had that English suit for nearly my whole mission. It was sad to say goodbye, but now...it shall be burned.

New years eve= massive volleyball tournament and food with most of the missionaries in the zone. Good times.

New years= the 6 of us in Preston chilled at our Bishop's house with his young family and watched movies and had a nerf war. Good times.

Spiritual experience= We knocked on a woman's door named Ellen Smith. She was in tears and immediately showed us her journal. That morning she wrote "Please God, send someone or something to help me". We showed up, taught her, gave her a blessing of physical and spiritual healing...and it was powerful. After the blessing that I pronounced on her, she just sat there, completely dazed, and eventually asked "is it normal to feel this really warm feeling?". It was one of the most reverent experiences I have ever had on my mission, and I was so thankful to be where God wanted me to be.

Other than that, it has been pretty standard missionary life. All our YSA friends are back from their holidays, and now we have actual members and friends who want to work with us. This Saturday we will get our transfer calls, and I will learn of my fate for my last transfer. Anything can happen, so I am excited to see what adventure awaits me.

I love you all, and I will see you shortly!

Peace out

Elder BA