Hear, O ye heavens, and give ear, O earth, and rejoice ye inhabitants thereof, for the Lord is God, and beside him there is no Savior. Great is his wisdom, marvelous are his ways, and the extent of his doings none can find out. His purposes fail not, neither are there any who can stay his hand. From eternity to eternity he is the same, and his years neverfail. For thus saith the Lord—I, the Lord, am merciful and gracious unto those who fear me, and delight to honor those who serve me in righteousness and in truth unto the end. Great shall be their reward and eternal shall be their glory.

Doctrine & Covenants 76:1-6

Tuesday 21 August 2012

A Quick Update and Some Pics

Ali hasn't sent an actual email the past couple weeks. But she was allowed to email me in the middle of last week to let me know she isn't feeling well. Her mission president gave her permission to email us to ask what kind of doctor she should see as well as what blood work she should have done (for those who don't know, her dad's a doctor).  Since then, she has seen a doctor and is feeling a little better. Because of the health care in England the blood work my husband wanted her to have done most likely will take too long and may not happen at all. She is still able to do her missionary work but with some pain. Of course prayers are welcome... thanks!

We found this place just walking around by our flat - The Bulls Head Hotel and they sell STOUTS!! HAHAHAHA

Me and my BFF Jakub :)

Jan and Jana at their wedding - The entire family (6 crazzzzzzzyyyyyy boys!)

Sister Harrop and I

This cat follows us everywhere we go :)

The Sheffield Zone!!!

Sister Harrop and I at the Peak District last week :)

Monday 6 August 2012

Yes. It is time again. Another email.

Soooo, this week was good! We saw some wonderful miracles and had some funny times. The funniest was when we did our best to put on a FHE for the Slovak youth . . . and it didn't go too well. I have once again forgtotten my camera, but next week will be overloaded with pictures of things I should have put up over the last couple of weeks. Sorry about that. But the youth thing ended up with some really gross english hot dogs and a lot of nonparticipation. 
 
We are also making real progress with some of the members here. They are all so young in the church and they are expected to run this group, and it can be very stressful for all involved. But things are progressing towards the positive which is what we want, obviously. They all have such good intentions, and the members try their very best, which I really appreciate. I love them all so much.
 
I do not have too much time to email today, because we are going to the Peak District again and we have to fill up our car with petrol and buy something for lunch and I need another memory card for my camera. But just know that everything in Sheffield is fantastic and wonderful and I love being a missionary.
 
:)
<3,
Sestra Ali Stoutova

Wednesday 1 August 2012

Seeing the Good

Wow. Missionary work is SO hard sometimes. When you put your all into something, but then people still choose to use their agency in a negative way. And all those who know me, know that on occasion I struggle to keep upbeat and positive. . . so that was my week this week. But I know that even weeks like these are for the best. I have learned a lot and I know that Heavenly Father loves me and just wants me to grow from this experience. It was nothing too dreadful that happened, it was mostly me just being a pitysuck. So, yeah. It happens. But because of my slightly sour attitude this week, I have decided to keep a journal for the things I am grateful for. Some of the things I have written in the last couple of days are: Blue skies, hilarious conversations with random strangers, HILARIOUS gypsies, baptismal services, how much the Slovaks LOVE to sing (their favourite is God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again, or in Slovak, Boh bud' s vami, which they sing every week in Sacrament as the intermediate hymn hahaha), and being an obedient missionary. So it has helped me to see the good and wonderful things I have and that I get to experience.
 
I love this area and I've been taking it for granted the last little while. But I have a feeling that my time here is running out, so I'm going to just enjoy it while I have it. This place is the promise land of missionary work and I have been so blessed to see so many miracles!
 
I love you all and I will talk to you next week.
 
<3,
Sestra Ali Stoutova