Good Morning! 10 November 2014

Good Morning!

Real quick, we made it over here! FINALLY. The traveling was long and I am still jet lagged. It is 7 hours ahead of Provo over here so I'm still wide awake at night and dying in the morning.

We had a real Scottish welcome as it was raining and cold and snowing and WINDY as we (all the new missionaries) climbed a mountain called Pratts Hill. In 1840, Orson Pratt came and prayed for success in his mission. We all went up there and prayed and set mission goals for ourselves. It was a cool experience even though the wind was literally blowing me over. (that is why in the picture I look like a crazy person). Only moment in my life I wished I weighed more. 

My trainer Sister Firth is AMAZING. We are the same person and it is wonderful. I am learning so much from her except she's leaving me in 6 weeks. This is her last transfer and so I'm "killing her" which is what they say when someone finishes their mission. Which sounds morbid to me and I don't actually want to kill Sister Firth. She is from Sandy Utah and did track and cheer like me. She is super happy and always steps up when I forget what to say to someone.

I actually met her Uncle Paul in the airport on my way here. Small world!

But, I am in my first area as the subject line says Lisburn, Northern Ireland! We are just outside of Belfast. I still can not believe I'm here! It does not feel real at all. Especially because of the accent--The other day we were talking with a man on the street and he said "telly" and I straight laughed! It didn't register until after that he was serious and that is what they call the television. 

Speaking of the accent, they use weird words for things! For example:

6:30 = half six

flat = apartment

coach = bus

petrol station = gas station

ham bone = gamon bone

little = wee

They also says "cheers" and "hiya" alot. Before my mission everyone said to come back with an accent but I'm not sure if I will because I just feel silly saying all of these things. But I've almost got the intonations down. In a sentence, Irish people talk from low to high. It's hard to explain but I'm working on it.

ALSO. I'M GOING TO GET FAT AND I AM NOT HAPPY. ;)

The members here feed us heavy food alllll the time. I've had lasagna 3 times and I've only been here a week. They also give us french fries (chips) for like every meal. Good thing I love them. 

The last few days we've been trying to visit less actives and potential investigators but haven't had a lesson yet. We also go chapping (knocking doors) and you lift the mail slot thingy up and let it drop a few times instead of using your hand to knock. But we end up knocking the second time sooo.. 

We chapped on this one house my first night and this old man answered and told us that all religion is "rubbish" and shut the door on us.

I AIN'T EVEN MAD BRO CAUSE YOU JUST SAID RUBBISH.
It was funny hahaha. Seriously, the accent just gets me. 

The weather is not that fun but it hasn't been too bad. It is rainy and cold all the time which is what I expected. Also it gets dark at like 4pm here! So most of our street contacting and chapping is in the dark (sorry mom, I'm safe don't worry!)
I haven't pulled out my huge marshmallow coat so I'd call that a success on account of it's November #winner

We walk eveeeerywhere because we don't have a car or bikes so, ya know. It just takes forever to get anywhere but it's a good thing! It'll keep the weight off. 

Other things that happened this week:

Sister Firth saved me from stepping in poop, she's an angel.

Saw a 10 year old boy straight up smoking! 

I met an older woman named Beryl and I told her all about my Beryl in Orem, Utah :) 

We gave out a Book of Mormon on my first full day as a missionary and yesterday I invited an investigator to baptism #holla. He said "possibly" so we will see. His name is Chris and he's 17 and has had all the lessons before and just randomly walked into church yesterday. 

One last thing (sorry for the long e-mail, so much happened!)

We were in the Library on Saturday printing stuff and there was this man in his 20s and he saw us and smiled real big and said "Hi! How are you?!" all nice and excited (which is NOT what people do here.) 

So I was thinking "Oh man oh man, these are the mission miracles everyone talks about! The person that is just ready and waiting for you!"

Sister Firth says "Hi Phillip!"

-___________-

Man. She knows him! Oh well. He is a potential investigator though so we're trying to set up an appointment with him. 

Anyways. Today is P-Day so we are going to the Belfast Castle- I'm excited!

I love you all and pray for you. I hope you're doing well.

Cheers!

-Sister Skagen