December 13- 20th

IT'S A BOY!!!!

Family!!!

Yes it is true. I am going to be a father for Christmas! I got a phone call the other night and because we do not get cell reception in the flat I had to run outside and take the call from president (see the picture...it was a huge blizzard). Anyways, I am so excited. I do not know who it is yet but I pick him up from the MTC tomorrow. We will be in a threesome until after Christmas and it is going to be a blast!

Okay ready for another surprise? I passed my practical driving test!!!!! I am now legal here in the UK! Wow, that was stressful. Lots of missionaries fail. Supposedly it is one of the toughest in the world. However, after driving bonnie all over the isle it was no sweat.

Can you handle another surprise? Now for your Christmas present.... President has got the okay for us to Skype so you will be speaking to me face to face on Christmas!!!!!!! Hope you’re looking pretty (only teasing of course you are). I will still skype you at 3:00 but if you could make sure your account is under scunningham1@cox.net or Bobcunningham@cox.net that will be great. I will have to create an account so I will find you! I can’t wait.

On top of all these miracles there are more! First, Mike was baptized and confirmed. Just seconds before the baptism began he started to get cold feet. He was so nervous and I thought we might have to send all these people home. The scripture “the prayer of a righteous man availeth much” comes to mind. We were able to sit him down, pray, read some scriptures, ask some questions and reassure him this was right thing. After we prayed he said all right I am ready lets proceed. Everything went really great and he was so happy after. He said that it was magical experience being in the water.  

For the first time I was able to interview three of the zone leader’s investigators for baptism, all of which are Chinese. It was a very spiritual experience for me. As I interviewed them I felt the spirit strongly testify to me that each was worthy and prepared to be baptized. I cannot explain the feelings I had but my testimony was greatly strengthened. I know the work we are doing is not only real but also the Lord is heavily involved.

There is a big emphasis on the Chinese. They are amazing investigators and the goal is to find teach and baptize them so they can return home and grow the church in China. You would not believe how many have been baptized already. In our area we have a few but most of them live right next to the universities.

Last night we were doing a little tracting before visiting some less actives. We felt prompted to go down a certain street. After knocking a little we realized the neighborhood was missing the Christmas spirit. However, we continued and the lord placed us at the door of some former investigators. They welcomed us right in. The missionaries that had taught them previously may have lacked a little boldness. After telling him that the Church of England was completely false and his baptism was not recognized in the eyes of the lord he agreed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. He said when he receives an answer he will be baptized properly! It was such a miracle. We are looking forward to continue meeting with them.

Well I Love you all and cannot wait to speak to you face to face!!!! Merry Christmas.

LOVE,

Richard

Dec 6- 13

Family,

What great letters this week! Thank you, thank you. I know I seem to always start my letters off with, “What a great week!” sorry to say this week is no different!

    

 Lots of good things are going on. We have had a few setbacks with our dated investigators however things are now back on track. Mike’s baptism has been pushed back to this coming Saturday and Martins the 8th of January. Mike is doing great and has a strong testimony of The Book of Mormon. We had to push his date back because of some word of wisdom confusion. I am quite confident that he will make his date this week. Also, Martins date has been pushed back because he has yet to move out of his girlfriends flat. He is doing great and is dying to get out but just doesn’t have the finances. He just picked up a job though and feels that he can make the 8th.  Nadia (his girlfriend) is a little less interested and so we have slowed down teaching with her. 

    

Cathy is such a wonderful woman but just has a hard life. Her husband divorced her recently and continues to make visits to the house and verbally abuse her. As well, she has had quite a few family members die in just a short time. These setbacks have kept us from meeting with her frequently but she loves meeting with us and is preparing for the 8th to be baptized. She says once Christmas is all put away she will be ready to meet with us more often.  

      

This week while tracking we were welcomed into a home of some Jamaicans. Before even saying anything more than Jesus Christ the woman welcomed us into her home. It so happened that it was her birthday! We not only got to share the gospel with her but also sing happy birthday. While I was saying the closing prayer we got giant HALLELUJAH. It was quite a memorable experience; the house even shook a little. You have to love all of the different cultures.

    

This week for a zone activity we went down to Piccadilly and sang some Christmas hymns. That was really fun. While some were singing some were street contacting and so it was great afternoon in the centre of Manchester.

      

Last night we were able to go to the Christmas devotional from the first presidency! All three of the talks were amazing. I really loved all the stories. President Irings talk about the woman always having the spirit with her was my favorite. How great it is to know that even when we loose our mind if we have continued to faithfully and worthily partake of the sacrament we may ALWAYS have his spirit to be with us! The gospel it true.

Love,

Richard

Christmas is coming up shortly and I will able to talk to you in just 12 days or so. I will call probably around 15:00 my time. I think that is about 8 your time. If that does not work let me know. I am happy and willing to do anything. You tell me if you want me to call a conference call, buy a card, or give you a number to ring. Not bothered me, as the English would say.

    

Mom I am sorry about the sacrament meeting. I know the spirit will prompt you as to my true feeling/testimony so feel free to write/change whatever you need to.  

The house looks beautiful thank you for the pictures!!!! Also, thank you for matt’s address.

-Have Paige and glen found a house yet or are they still at home?

-Chareese those are the cutest pictures!!! Ali is so stinking cute.

-I cannot believe Robert is already home,  that is CRAZY!

 I forgot to tell you about my study of patience

I loved the study of patience this week. I have been able to realize that often impatience comes because of a lack of understanding(Proverbs 14:29). I am grateful for the gospel because the more I learn, the greater perspective I gain, giving me the understanding needed to be more patient.

Love you 

November 29- Dec 6

Family,

This has been such a great week. We had specialised trainings and I got my package. Looks exciting I cannot wait to open it. The other one is at the office but the office elders are coming our district meeting so they will bring it to me and I should have it by tomorrow.

Around Europe baptisms are down from the previous years. In America they are up about 15%. In the EMM baptism are up 78%! That did not just happen out of luck but that happened because President Bullock is inspired! It has been wonderful to serve here and I know that this is where the Lord called me.

Although he called me to England, the weather would make you think Siberia, Russia. Lots and lots of snow this week but it made it fun. Mother after all my complaining the tractor sized boots are amazing! Nice and warm.

So this week Elder Eliason and I went out with all diligence but it seemed to no avail. We applied all the trainings. We were setting up appointments, confirming them, and following up. However, almost all of our potentials fell through. It was hard work and we were having no success. We were doing everything we could; we even stayed out and worked through our tea break. Finally, Saturday afternoon it was time to start our fast. Looking at our week we had only one new investigator and no more potentials to try. With faith, we prayed that we would be blessed to achieve the standard.

Around 4:30 on Sunday we had almost given up hope. We had a fireside at the mission home and were not going to have any time to tract. Before heading home we decided to tract a few doors. After saying a prayer on the street we started knocking. Just as we were getting ready to call it a night the Lord placed us at the door of three prepared individuals. It was incredible. We were able to get into the home and teach a mother and her two grown up daughters who had recently lost their grandfather. They had questions we had answers. I know it was an answer to our fasting and prayers that we were able to meet them that night. I know without a doubt that the Lord blessed us that evening and we were instruments in his hands being led by the spirit to find them. It is such a blessing to be a missionary and take part in the Lords work. There is no place I would rather be and nothing else I would rather be doing.   

Later that evening we took Mike to the fireside. Every fast Sunday the Bullocks hold a fireside in their home for all the progressing investigators. It was a great evening. Both talks were focused on Christ and the spirit in their home is almost tangible. Lots of effort is put into making these nights memorable. Sister Bullock cooks cookies and brownies of all sorts for probably 100 people even though about 65 people showed up.  

It has been a wonderful week. I have so much to tell you when we speak on the phone. Letters just are not completely adequate.  

I Love and miss you all,

Richard

Mom if you could please get that address for me for matt Johnston that would be great! Also did you get the picture i sent?

Paige those pictures are great thank you for sending them!!!!!

Tell Alisa thanks so much for the email. I love the pictures. The shafers are amazing from what i hear. Everyone loves them because they are “so American”! I pray I will be able to serve there! The kids are soooo BIG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tell rowland congrats. Whens the ring comming out????

CHaresses and DAd- love you both

Nov 22-29

Family,

What another great week! Thanksgiving was very good. it was kind of their family to have us over. The sweet potatoes were defiantly something to write home about, some of the best!

This week we had some great things happen. Fist I went on an exchange with an Elder in my district in the neighbouring town, Stockport. His name is Elder Birliba and he is from Moldova in easter euprope. Together we had a good time and were able to set up lots of appointments. He said he had been struggling with bus contacting (my favourite) so for both days we spent majority of the time on the bus. It was great and I think he was able to overcome some of his fears. He is a great person and has a really interesting conversion story. He has lived on his own since he was fifteen and his mom lives in Israel so that she can find work. His dad MIA. However, some good man in the ward was able to activate him and get him on a mission. It is amazing to see how with such little support he was able to get on a mission. The Lord needs all of us to motivate those who are in need of help.  

Friday was SPORTS DAY! The Bullocks put on a day of pure sports. The mission came together at the Manchester Stake Centre (where I serve) and we all just had an amazing time. We played American football, football, basketball and volleyball. It was great president played quarterback as well he played a little basketball. And yes I was the one defending him. It was great. I wasn’t sure if I was supposed to go all out or to hold back. In the end it all went well. They also fed us pizza from Costco and sister bullock made homemade cookies, 4 each. They are amazing people and do so much for us missionaries. It is going to be sad when they leave.

Mike is doing great and is scheduled for baptism this week! He is a really interesting man and hilarious to talk to. In just the short time that I have been teaching him he has grown tremendously. He was addicted to coffee, tea, and alcohol yet he has been able to overcome them all. He has a great testimony and really has seen the importance and significance of the Book of Mormon.

Martin is doing great as well. He should be baptised next week if everything goes as planned. He is 26 and has had a really hard life. For the past few years he has been living with his girlfriend but after meeting with us he has accepted to live the law of chastity and moves into his own apartment this week. He really has a firm testimony in Jesus Christ and has been really seeking stability and purpose. I love that about the gospel because it offers everyone exactly what they need.

This week whilst striving to become more virtuous I have focused on having more sincere daily repentance. It has really helped me see the great blessing of the atonement. Also, when I give an accounting to the Lord it makes me find areas that I need to work on and be much more proactive about fixing them.

Love,

Richard

MOM- there has not been too much talk about the wedding of the prince except for the fact that it will be a bank holiday and so everyone is happy about that. Harry Potter has been all the rage though. How was it?  Any other questions i have forgotten about i would love to answer! Also in about 27 days you can speak to me on the phone!!!

******Matt Johnston the Cowleys nephew emailed me and so I wrote him back telling him i cannot write him but to send me his address and i would write him back. Well i am not allowed to read the email he sent it is only one time and so if you could get his address and give him mine that would be great. You can just email him his email is Mathew.johnston@myldsmail.net

Is Rowland married/engaged yet/buying a ring?

How is kenz and jim? Winter Casey?

What are you doing for Christmas?

November 15-22

Family!

What a wonderful week it has been yet again. Being in Manchester is really a treat. There are tons of people and lots who are ready and to hear the gospel. Lately, we have been doing lots of finding on the busses pretty much because it is so cold outside. It is great, you get onto a bus and 50 people right there ready to talk to you. I love bus contacting it truly is the greatest! We have been able to set up many appointments from doing it.

So we have found so new great people this week. We have been teaching a man named Liam. He is a boxer and recognizes that he needs to strengthen his relationship with his Heavenly Father. He told us that he only really prays when he is in a tight spot or before a fight and knows that is not right. He is amazing and came to stake conference with us!

Martin is progressing so well and we have even started to teach his girlfriend Nadia.  She was not interested at all in the beginning but after sitting down and speaking with her she was able to realize that we had answers to her questions. She had been to many churches and asked them things that they could not respond to. I love that about the gospel. We truly have answers that you cannot find anywhere else.

We are teaching a woman named Cathy. She has recently been through a messy divorce and also has had some deaths in the family. At first she did not want to set up an appointment but after she felt the spirit she set up a time. After meeting with her for the second time she said last time I walked away I felt happy. As the weekend went on it drifted away but I feel good when I am here and I want to keep that good feeling with me all the time. How can I keep this happiness? The gospel is true. It really does bring greater happiness into our lives, not only happiness from having an understanding of the purpose of this life but also a happiness that just comes from having the spirit.   

This week we had zone conference and it was amazing. Scripture chase went well. I got third in my group but wasn’t too bothered because I knew the scriptures and that is what is most important. D&C kind of kills me though. Sister Bullock gave a talk on warning voices and President on 12 steps to apostasy. Apparently 6 missionaries got sent home for disobedience and so he was letting us recognize the grave we dig for ourselves when we are disobedient. Being on the isle I didn’t hear anything about it but was sad to hear about on my return.

Stake Conference was really good. We had a large turnout. No surprise, President and Sister Bullock gave the best talks. They are just amazing. They both talked about how every member is a missionary and if you expect missionaries to rise to the bar you need to raise yourself and invite everyone you know to hear about the gospel!

The Ashton Stake Conference (Bolton Ward) is held in the Manchester building and it was right after ours. I was able to see all the people from Bolton. If you remember Elder Stringham and I taught and baptized a young woman named Lauren. She had a boyfriend but he wasn’t so sure about it yet and stopped meeting with us. Well they were both there and Tom is now dated for the 4^th! Sister Unsworth also came and you would not believe it but she baked me a delicious chocolate cake! Wow, I love her she is amazing. It was really good to see everyone.

Charity and Love are almost interchangeable for the word Christ. Everything our Savior did for us was based on those two words. As the Savior said the greatest commandment is to love God and love our neighbor. I know that right now the greatest way for me to show my love for God and my neighbor is to go out and work with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. What a remarkable opportunity it is to be a missionary!       

Love,

Elder Cunningham

Mom I sent you my testimony but I had no time to write it. It might need some help. If I need to redo it please let me know. I will make some time next P-day.

Sounds like Mexico is going to be a bit like England... cold! Hope you have a great time. I will be celebrating thanksgiving this evening at the Petersons home and I heard she made pumpkin pie! I cannot wait.

Mom if it is not too late I am in need of some color pencil refills for the pencil you gave me. If you have some around the house and can though it in that would be wonderful!

Paiges-hahahh love you also those pictures of Preston are so cute! Wow he is getting so big. He is baby though and tanner than me? Is that the picture or do you have a dark boy?

November 11- 15

Family,

Wow, sounds like some fun things are going on. Let me tell you I love serving here! It is great and the ward is huge. There are lots of people and we are right in the middle of all the action. Currently we have three dated for baptism: Martin, Mike, and Lucy.

Martin is an amazing young man, 26, who is truly seeking to find God is his life. He is currently living with his girlfriend, but accepted the law of chastity and was grateful for us to teach it to him. He is currently looking for a home to move out of.

Mike likewise is wonderful. We taught him the word of wisdom this week and he knows that it is a true law of health given to us from God. He lives in England so of course this is going to be a big challenge for him to overcome, but he knows with the Lords help anything is possible.

Lucy is hilarious. She is a young Asian student from china. PA (pop asian)!!!! She is currently working on her masters! Her parents are scientist and she never knew about God until she came to England. She is currently seeking to find out if God is really there. We had a great time teaching the other night. The library closed so we then were going to teach her in a cafe and then that was closed and so we ended up teaching her the freezing cold and she was really great about it!

There is this wonderful family in the ward and they are going to have us over for thanksgiving! They currently have a son in California serving and so she is looking out for us missionaries. I cannot wait for a proper American Thanksgiving!!!!!

The flat I am living in is huge. It has lots of rooms and has been in the mission for 25 years. As you can imagine after 25 years there are piles and piles of random stuff. However, we have decided to pile up the piles and stick them in a room that we never go in! The flat will be spotless in no time.

I was grateful for the chance to study hope this week because it greatly strengthened my understanding of what we are sharing as missionaries. The greatest part about the gospel is that it brings hope of a better future and happier life. That hope only comes through our Saviour. I know that as we continue to strengthen our testimonies and those we teach then our perspectives will broaden and we will gain a greater hope. Greater hope not only helps us overcome challenging times but also gives us the power to strengthen those in need. There is no greater calling then to be a missionary.

Love,

Richard

Could you please send me the list of my line of authority and find out where or ancestry is from? Did we have any English mormons or did we all convert when we came over?

Tell sister Clason i miss her class wish her the best with her new calling. Their family sent me a letter and I cannot remember if i responded or not. OOOPS. If you could tell her sorry it will come soon. Also, sis skidmore sent me another letter…. I  will send a quick note soon.

Yes i can buy garments here and will do so soon

Mom, do not worry about Christmas we found a man in the ward that wants to take us to Costco! I could not think of a better Christmas present! Also, I think I may purchase an English suit. They are about 100£ and fit a lot better than American ones.

Dad glad to hear things are going well with the company! I would have loved to have done that test drive. I am sure I can sign the papers somehow.

November 3rd- 11

Family!

Well sadly I am no longer on the Isle. However, I am here in Manchester! I am serving at the main stake centre in Manchester and apparently it has great church history ie. Prophets have spoken from the pulpit.

I believe the ward is the largest in the mission as well as President and Sister Bullocks. I am very happy to be here and we are going to have an amazing transfer. My companion is Elder Eliason from Texas! Disappointingly enough, there is no country twang or cowboy hat... He is really great though and I’m happy to serve with him. He is a great missionary. Elder Moss (my good friend from the MTC) was his last companion and this is his second transfer.

It was sad saying goodbye to everyone, but I had a feeling it was coming. Everyone was really kind especially the Sayle family. They wrote these amazing letters and also sent me off with some Manx goodies and a Manx tartan tie. I am so excited for them they were a blessing to teach and we will be friends forever.

I am getting my weeks mixed up, I don’t know if I told you this already but Isabella went on holiday, but before she went she cooked us a delicious meal and gave me some great Manx chocolate. There were lots of gifts from kind people and I am grateful for the time I was able to spend with them.

My companion stayed with the Allens and I travelled on the fairy all by myself. The day before I left, the ocean had tsunami size waves and hurricane winds and it made me sick just looking at it. Thankfully the Lord answers prayers and the next day the sea was like glass!

Once I got to Preston the Zone Leaders picked me up where I then had to take a train to Manchester. After that I had to wait for the Manchester Zone Leaders to pick me up where I then went to the stake centre and pick my companion up and then finally arrived at home. The last time I did that amount of travel I ended up in Australia! It was a long day but everything went well and I was able to get lots of scripture study in. We have a mission scripture chase next week so I got to make the family proud (after all President Uchtdorph said that’s okay!).

I hope you have a wonderful week. I will write you soon.

Love,

Richard

The boat looks beautiful and i am excited. I love navy, silver, white, orange, red, yellow (depending). I think one of these colours would be great ,did i leave any out. It has gotten soooooo COLD! WOW. It is time for thermals now every day!!! For Christmas mom i would love CD from the approved list. If you don’t have it i will send it with my testimony. So sad to hear about Kathy Evans, they will be in my prayers, hope everything works out. How are the Bangarts doing? Is Rowland engaged? Will i get a notice before hand>? How is chareese haven’t heard from her in awhile.        

Mom also i have to give district meetings with more than just the allens. Its is good if i can come up with little games and things if you have any ideas from seminary i would love to hear about them. Also any good quotes and scriptures would be great. LOVE YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU

PICTURES!!!!

Dear Family Cunningham,

We are so privileged to work with your Elder on the Isle of Man.  We are the Senior Couple, as you will easily tell by the picture.  We could be the grandparents of these great Elders.

The last transfer, Elder Boswell was moved without  us getting a good picture of him.  But last Tuesday we were able to get a good picture of Elder Ashcroft and your Elder at the end of our District meeting.

We love the missionary work and we love the excitement and great desire of these young missionaries.

We send out love from the Isle of Man,

Elder and Sister Allen

Elder Boswell and Elder Cunningham fishing of the Irish Sea (pday)

Elder Ashcroft and Elder Cunningham last Tuesday at District Meeting.

Elder Boswell, Elder Cunningham, John Hynes (reactivated Elder's Quorum President) Elder and Sister Allen

Elder Boswell and Elder Cunningham taken before Elder Boswell was transfer

October 25th- November 1st

Happy Hop To Naa,

That is the Manx Halloween. It is a Celtic holiday and it is pretty funny they have their own twist on Halloween. For instance, instead of carving pumpkins the tradition is to carve a turnip!

I hope you liked your Manx goodies. No there were no pictures in it...sorry. I am still waiting for you to send me a memory card. If you would like I can just buy another one.

I cannot believe you saw AJ. What a small world, if you could email his address for me that would be great.

What a week it has been! Due to the recent baptisms, as well as work conflicts, our teaching pool has dramatically thinned out. You could say that it went on the HCG diet and is now emaciated.  However, the good news is that means lots and lots of finding. I love finding because you get to meet all sorts of people and come away having some great laughs and some wonderful new people to teach.

Favourite quote of the week, “Can’t chat lad I’m just walking home from prison.” I should really start writing all the quotes down; it would make for quite a funny book. This man literally had just got out of jail. The lord was truly giving him an opportunity to make a 180* turn ha!

We have found some great new people though. We were able to teach a man whose name is Elliot and sadly his wife recently died from cancer. He is a Baptist and even through tragedy he has been able to keep strong faith in God. The lesson went really well. It will be great when we get to teach him the plan of salvation.  

Also, I wrote about Paula last week and we were able to teach her again at her mother’s house. She is doing really well. Unfortunately, she is going through a divorce so we are not able to meet with her as much as we would like but when we teach her it is great.

When I said work conflicts I meant Brian and Jillian have been slammed at work and not able to meet with us. It is hard because they both know the gospel is true but can’t seem to catch a break with their schedule. I think that it is one of Satan’s greatest tools.

Halloween was a great night. The Sayle family cooked us dinner. You would not believe it but I ate salmon! I think my pallet may be maturing because it was delicious. Keith had caught it fresh out the river the other day and Jeanine prepared it. It is amazing to see the change that the gospel has made on their family. It truly has caused there to be so much more peace and happiness in the home. They are wonderful people and I am excited for their future. The rest of the night we stayed in our flat and got caught up on lots of things.

Today we went out with Sister Radcliffe who took us to the Laxy Wheel. It is this ginormous water wheel that was built in the 1700. It was lots of fun. We then went to this old man’s little factory where he makes all these different clocks and music boxes, etc. It was really great you of loved it.  

Well glad to hear everything is going well. Hope you have great week and I will write soon.

Love,

Richard

PS: Sad news- This is most likely my last week here on the Island and you won’t hear from me until the middle of next week. Pray that I stay another transfer the island is amazing!   

October 18th-25th

Family!

What an amazing week it was. Saturday we had the baptism of Jeanine, Hannah, and Henry! It was wonderful. Monday night we went over to the Sales house and talked to Henry. He was struggling with what he was going to do with football and church (games are on Sunday) but he eventually found a solution and knew that he needed to be baptised! It was great. I baptised Jeanine and Hannah and Elder Ashcraft baptised Henry. Three different people from the ward confirmed them. Keith gave a talk at the baptism and it was brilliant. He stood up there like he had been a member his whole life. He is definitely going to be a bishop one day. They are already talking about going through the temple and being sealed. February 2012 is the goal!!!

So before the baptism we had a little freak-out. Jeanine called us up on Friday night and told us she had been having these weird dreams for the past few nights. She wasn’t not sure if she could be baptised while having these crazy thoughts go through her mind. We raced over to the house and then were able to comfort her almost immediately. The spirit prompted us to read the actual account of Joseph Smiths first vision and then we were able to explain more about the adversary. Then we read Alma 37:37 which really touched her. After speaking with her for a little bit she was feeling much better and we were back on track. That night she prayed before bed and was able to get a good night’s rest. Jeanine is truly amazing. She has done so much for us: dinner, haircuts, making sure we get home safe, etc. Not to mention besides that little scare she has really accepted the gospel. She went from 16 cups of coffee to 0 in a weekend! She has also read, studied and prayed about everything we have taught.

The apple does not fall too far from the tree. Henry and Hannah are wonderful people as well. They really took everything seriously and understood the commitment they were making. I love this family and will forever keep in contact with them.

Miracles do not cease. After the baptism we went out and went tracting. That night we got into a home and taught the restoration to a Methodist woman, we set up a few appointments, and we got homemade freshly baked ginger bread from a kind woman who was not interested in the slights of what we had to share! She was great. The night was miraculous. Oh also my companion sang I am a child of God to an old woman! I would have joined in however i was trying too hard to hold back the laughter. It was a wonderful evening.   

Another miracle...last night we had a full evening of tracting and weren’t sure where to go. We prayed about it and both felt like this little town in the middle of the island, where we had never been, was where we should go. So we headed off and the first door we knocked we set up an appointment. Felt pretty good about the town so far. The next door we knock and got to talking and find out that the woman who answered the door is actually the daughter of a member. She had actually been planning on going to church that morning with her mom but her mom got ill and wasn’t able to attend. She has never really been to church but knows that her mom goes alone and felt like joining her. The Lord literally placed us at her doorstep. She has been prepared. Because she didn’t come to us we went to her. It is truly amazing to see how the lord places us in the right place at the right time. The prompting we both got was gentile yet when we acted upon it we were able to see the blessings. 

There is so much more that I wish to tell you but that is all I have for today. I hope you have an equally wonderful week.

Love,

Richard

Ps. Glad you like the movie we actually went this morning to the exact place it was filmed with that white house and the red doors. Wow, it was beautiful. Cannot wait to take you there.

PPS. Sad sad news I am not allowed to have the made easier books that i loved. I actually found out a while ago and haven’t been able to remember. I only got through the first book and a little of the second. What would you like me to do? Should I send them back?

MOM- i think every missionary needs an iphone/ipad. Once the churches paper work goes digital everything will be so much more efficient! Congrats though, how do you like it? Have you been using the lap top?

October 11-18th

Family,

Those pictures were so great! Mom you look like you have been on that diet too long, time to eat a big American cheese burger and get off that crazy diet! All the kids look so old and big. Ali is a true Cunningham, beautiful. Sounds like you have been having a great time.

So the interview went well. He did not even say anything about the email so I didn’t care to mention it either. I read it again and realized it wasn’t as bad as I had thought. He did however tell me that I probably shouldn’t wear brown shoes with a blue suit. Apparently in the business world that is a fashion faux pas. Oh well the brown ones were the ones that are done anyways

.

So I bought a new pair of scriptures and have loved my new marking system. Wow, dad advice to the new missionaries is to find an effective way to mark their scriptures. Also, the simplified curriculum is really good. Have the missionaries know that and they will do well on their mission. The new curriculum is not very different though from what we had been training on because president fasted and prayed for a long time on a mission vision and almost everything in that was part of what he and sister bullock created. They are inspired.

The boat ride back was nice. The water was flat and you could hardly tell that we were moving. My prayers were answered. Being away from our investigators for so long made it difficult to keep things going so it was very nice to be back. Although we were gone for 2 days of this week were still able to exceed the weekly standard key indicators. We were also blessed to have 9 member present lessons. The island is being blessed.

Jeanine and Hannah Sayle are going to be baptised this weekend. It should be a wonderful service. The oldest boy, Henry, who is 13, is not sure if he wants to be baptised because he loves football and games are always on Sunday. Difficult situation, but he knows the church is true and he is an amazing young man. We are going to meet with him tonight and talk about it.

Also, Brian was supposed to be baptised this weekend but did not show up to church. He is a shift worker so coming to church has been a little difficult. However, in order to be baptised you have to be a regular church attendee. Hopefully we will get his work schedule worked out so he can make it.

Jillian, a wonderful woman whom we have been teaching, told us that she knows the Book of Mormon is true and wants to be baptised. She is still working some small things out but we committed her to look at a calendar and schedule her own date. Sometime within the next month she will be baptised. She is a body, mind, and spirit psychiatrist. It has been really great teaching her though because she is sensitive to the spirit and is able to recognize it testifying to her.

We have been able to teach Karen and her partner Paul. They are doing very well. Karen and Chloe (her daughter) continue to come to church and find great fellowship in the ward.  They are really kind and fed us a delicious curry this week!

This Sunday we had the temple President come and speak in church and later give a fireside. Isabella fed us before we went to the fireside and it was a wonderful meal. We actually got to teach her son the restoration as well. He is only 18 and lives in England but the lesson went well and hopefully we planted some seeds.

Earlier today we went to the Manx museum and wow it was incredible. You would not believe the history that this island has. For being so small it is crazy. When President and Sister Bullock were here they said that when we go home we need to watch “Waking Ned.”  It is supposed to be a funny movie that was filmed all over the isle. If you want to see where I am serving go rent it!

Driving on the Isle is lots of fun. We go all around in the little Vauxhall Meriva. Her name is Bonnie and we take good care of her. Stick is now first nature though as well as driving on the wrong side of the road!   

Life is beautiful. Thanks for all of the prayers, thoughts, love, and support. Miss you lots.

Love,

Richard

PS. I got a letter also from sister unsworth and it was 5 pages long! She was very appreciative, thanks again for sending that. What did she mean by “going to be...”???? hhahaha will forgive her for that.

PPS: I meant to send my nephew a happy birthday email and the computer logged me off!!! Make sure you tell him that his favourite uncle Loves him and wishes him the best!!!!!

October 4th-11th

Family,

I am assuming that something happened to the computer and the parents were not both neglecting their favourite child! I only received an email from Paige and Chareese. Thanks sisters you are both amazing.

So this week has been a really great week. Elder Ashcraft and I are still in Liverpool but we leave tomorrow night after interviews and training. So we travelled here on Wednesday and the fairy ride is 3 hours long. Bing in an adventurous family I never get motion sickness of any kind, or so I thought… The ride was seriously one of the worst boat rides I have ever had on in my live. I felt like I was on the deadliest catch or something. I am still nauseous!  I felt like I was going to die. Luckily we had some pills and so I took enough until passed out and arrived in Liverpool! I don’t know why that happened but it was bad.

So Zone Conference was really great. President Bullock gave a talk on the nag hamadi codice scrolls and the Dead Sea scrolls. It was wonderful there is so much evidence that proves the Book of Mormon true. It is ridiculous how much they have found. I don’t know if any of you have done ant studying on it but if you haven’t I highly recommend it. Sister Bullock did an amazing job as usual on becoming a 5£ missionary. She always takes these very temporal things and turns them into profoundly spiritual lessons. She is extremely talented!

Lately I have realized that my scripture markings do not make any sense and that I have made the mistake of marking TOO much! Yesterday I bought a new quad and am going to start all over! It was a big decision but I needed to happen. I got the mini scriptures but they are separated. Thank you.

Other than that we have been going on exchanges with other missionaries throughout the zone. It has been fun. We go to these areas for the day and just blitz them. I went on one with a new elder and together we were able to get 50/18 qgc. The weekly goal is 70/16.  It was a blessed day.

We spend the night at the zone leader’s house though and we have been having so much fun. They are both amazing Elder Sturt and Kearsy.  Elder kearsy is actually from England but has been living in Utah for the past 5 years. He also went to the Y. He is a good missionary and has been helping me develop my new technique for marking.

Other than that we are still scheduled to have two baptisms this Saturday. That is if we can make is back and get everything done on time! Things are looking good though and were really excited.

I love you and hope all is well!

LOVE,

RICHARD

September 30th- October 4th

Family,

This week was really great! Conference was so amazing. I am not sure if all the men stepped up their game this year or if I have just become closer to the spirit! I felt as though each one of them had a specific thing to teach me. My companion and I were able to watch all the sessions except for the Sunday afternoon. So we were watching the Saturday morning session and just as Elder Uchtdorf begins his talk the satellite goes crazy and he started speaking in German! Haha the lord must have wanted us to hear him in his native tongue. Sadly enough none of us had the gift of tongues and we could not get it back to English. We had to end it for the night but it was fixed the next day and we were able to watch everything.  I think my favourites were... I just began to type my favourites but I ended up putting every talk I could remember. It was great. I went home last night looked at my patriarchal blessing and came up with some goals to accomplish by the end of my mission. I love conference and the wonderful people that lead our church!

The work is continuing to go well. After the Saturday session of conference Elder Ashcraft and I were invited to dinner at a member’s home. Although we had not eaten much we knew that we needed to go out and tract. That evening we were able to get into a home and teach the restoration as well as set up many appointments. Sacrifice and obedience truly “brings forth the blessings of heaven”.

Elder Ashcraft is my new companion and he is great. He is one of those where it would be hard not to love. He is from Utah (I think they might all be except for me) and has a great heart. He loves to sing also and has a great voice. Maybe he will be able to teach me something.

I think I wrote last week but yes Jeanine is dated for baptism! The 23^rd is her date. The two children, Henry and Hannah, are still not sure but I think now that they know their mom believes they will also be baptised. Teaching their family is lots of fun. We try to make things exciting by teaching with sweets or DVD clips. I know the family has really enjoyed having the missionaries come to their home.  Jeanine takes care of us like we are one of her children. She is always trying to feed us or make us “American Popcorn.” I love them and Yes dad we will come and visit the Isle!!!

This coming week we have zone conference and interviews in Liverpool.  This will be the first time that I have been to both since being on island. We will be gone for a full week! It is going to be a little scary taking that much time away from all of our amazing investigators but I am sure things will turn good still!

Sounds like life is going great back home, busy, busy, busy.  Is Rowland at home now? How long is he off his leg? Preston is looking so cute. Glen is looking thin! You go glen coco! How are the boys? Send me pictures.

LOVE LOVE LOVE YOU ALL,

RICHARD

DAD- how is work going? I forgot to answer your question about the tt races awhile ago. On our lunch break we took 15 minutes and went and watched from the side! WOW. They go almost 150 miles around a corner!  It is crazy crazy crazy. Three people died this year and I think that is pretty typical. I do not know what would cause someone to want to it but it was definitely worth watching!

Mom- the weather here has not been too bad yet. However, I have worn two holes in my mephisto shoes! Yikes. The other ones, the feragamos, are doing great though. I don’t need new shoes though by any means. I will buy some here if I do end up needing some. I just thought you might be interested to know that those are not all they are cracked up to be. For Christmas don’t send me anything unless it’s chocolate peanut butter balls and sugar cookies. I really do need candy or anything!

September 20th-30

Family,

So this was a really amazing week. Keith was baptised!!! It was a great service and his family was all there to support him. We also had a great turn out from the ward. His family is so wonderful. He and his wife have three children: Henry 13, Hannah 11, Jenna 7. We taught them this week after his baptism.

Isabella who just got baptised a few weeks ago had us, Karen and the whole sale family over for an Italian dinner. It was amazing and she is doing wonderful.  Karen is Isabella’s friend who the missionaries first found. She invited Isabella over for the discussions and funny enough she got baptised first.

This week was transfers and that is why I am writing you on a Thursday. My companions name is Elder Ashcraft and he is from... UTAH!  I have decided that almost all missionaries come there. He is a great new missionary though and we are going to have a great time.

Elder Boswell was my last companion and we really had a good time. He is an excellent missionary and I truly learned a lot from him.

Because of the way that transfers worked I stayed on the Island with the Allen’s the senior couple. It was so great. I got fed breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She is a wonderful cook. Also, I went and taught with them at the prison. That was really a neat experience. We went behind bars and everything. My companion did not come in until 10:30 but it was good to spend the day with them.

OUT OF TIME SORRY

Love YOU,

RICHARD

September 13th-20

I tried to send pics via email and it did not work so so sorry!!!!

Family-

Wow that is too bad that the Internet is out! Looks like that party was lots of fun you all looked great!

First off THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for the books! They are incredible. I am already half way through the first book for the book of Mormon. I think I have read over 200 pages because I can’t put it down.  I love the stories and the quotes that he adds they are great books!

What an amazing week it was here on the isle! Isabella got baptized and the service was really nice. It was a good turn out from the ward.  I confirmed her on Sunday and it so happens that we also got a new bishop so the whole stake presidency was there and everything. It all went well. We were also blessed to have 8 investigators at church. I think that is the most that I have had on my mission yet! It was wonderful. We worked hard and were rewarded for it. On top of that we were fortunate enough to teach 25 lessons this week! The Lord is pouring out blessings on the Isle!

Keith and his family are still doing great. Keith should be baptized this week. We are going over to his house this evening and his wife is going to cut our hair! She teaches hair at a college and was telling us both how we desperately needed her help! Haha. I have to admit I caved in and have let my companion’s stick a #4 to my head! YIKES.  Haha. They are wonderful though. Jeanine comes from a very strong Irish Catholic family and so she is taking her time but I think she knows that it is true.

So last P-day I went a bought a card reader so I can send you some pics via email! This morning we went on a beautiful hike and then Sister Radcliffe took us out for lunch. It was wonderful. We went to this little old village and were able to see the history of the isle.

Okay so i dont know what pictures i even included. This thing is killing me and i am now out of time. I would send you my sd card but you never sent me mine back so i have nothing to replace it with. If you can send it in a letter please do and i will exchange you!

Got to go!

Love,

Richard

note from the mission pres

Brother and Sister Cunningham,

Thank you for your letter.  We saw your son Elder Cunningham a couple of weeks ago during our annual visit to the Isle of Man and again this past week at zone conference.  He is progressing so well as a missionary and we are grateful to have such great young man that can step up and fill leadership positions so early in his mission.  Serving on the Isle of Man is one of the most unique opportunities not just in our mission but in all of Europe.  Because it is so remote from the rest of the mission, we only send our best missionaries there and only leave them there for a couple of transfer.  You can be very proud of him.

Warm regards, President Bullock 

September 6th- 13

Oh wow Family,

Well those were some great Emails. Thank you.  This week has been amazing! First off Elder Boswell and I headed off to Liverpool on Wednesday (a three hour boat ride) for Zone Conference! Oh it was wonderful. We were able to go and stay with the Zone Leaders, Elder Sturt (father) and Elder Kersey. It was soo much fun and good to catch up with Elder Sturt. Liverpool is CRAZY and I hope one day I will get to serve there. The accent is really funny and lots and lots of people live there. They have 6 missionaries in one ward!

Thursday we had Zone Conference. After an hour’s journey in the car blasting Josh Groban’s Noell CD as well as the Motab we made it to Chorley. President did a wonderful job and spoke on the power of the priesthood as well as miracles. He told us about 4 miracles that he has had in his life and how the priesthood is real. Many of us are not giving it the power it deserves. It was very much like President Packers Conference Talk.  Speaking of which, conference is coming up and it is very exciting!!!! Then Sister Bullock did an amazing job as usual on seeing everyone as God does. Knowing that everyone has the potential to become like him! They are amazing. First presidency is changing mission schedule though and we are only going to have zone conference quarterly. However, president has arranged it so that zones will still gather together every transfer!!!

While at Zone Conference I was able to see Elder Stringham my previous companion in Bolton who told me the exciting news that one of our Investigators, Lauren, was baptized and confirmed yesterday!!! She was amazing. I am not sure if I wrote to you about her or not but she read the Book of Mormon is about 6 weeks!!!! She is wonderful and will be a huge asset to the Bolton ward.

After the travel back Elder Boswell and I were able to have a full weekend of teaching. We have been blessed to find some more wonderful people. I street contacted this man named Mike and set up an appointment. We had originally thought we weren’t going to make it to the appointment because he lived on the other side of the isle plus it was kind of a shaky appointment. Circumstances changed though and the lord placed us in the right area. We went and taught him and the spirit was so strong. You would not believe how prepared he is. At the end of the lesson we asked him if he could ask God one question what would it be. He said that he would ask God if what we shared is true and this was the path he should take! We left him Moroni 10 and he ended up reading the whole book of Moroni. He has a good job and is smart! It is a blessing to teach him.

Keith and his family all came to church again! They are doing wonderful. Keith’s wife is still trying to make sure the gospel is true but Keith has received his answer. It looks like he might set the example for his family and get baptized before them but everyone is continuing to progress! His wife is so so so kind. She bought us these manks mints. They are delicious. She also got Elder Boswell a birthday present. Their family is going to be eternal in only a short time!  Every time we go to their house the family is excited and all focused and wanting to LEARN. It is amazing.

This Saturday we have Isabella’s baptism! She is a very intelligent, wonderful woman. She has about 5 degrees and is really a quality person. She asked if i would be the one to confirm her. Wow, big responsibility, pray for me! I am excited though and I am sure things will be wonderful.

Well my time here on the Isle could not have been more rewarding. Not only are we teaching a lot of people, but they are quality. By quality I mean they really are interested and seeking to find the truth.  There is nothing more rewarding then being a missionary and seeing the change and effects that the gospel brings to these wonderful peoples lives. I love and miss you all. May the Lord continue to bless you in all that you do!

Love,

Richard

P.s.

Did you hear about ALI ROYAL? IF not call her up and ask her ASAP!

How is kenz and jim?

I have pictures of the beautiful isle. I would send you my sd card but i never got my old one back! I am going to buy a card reader though for the computer so will send some next week.

David Ridges...i haven’t got the package yet. It is best if you send them to the flat on the isle. I should be able to get it in a few weeks though. Did you send me the first one of the BOM or the new testament? I have started reading BOM again and Isaih is still looking pretty grim. I have though been able to pick up a lot more than ever before.

August 31st- September 6

WOW, family this week was an incredible week. You have no idea. Elder Boswell and I were able to teach 24 lessons (23 of them investigator lessons) and have 9 new investigators and 7 investigators at church!  It was truly a blessed week and one that you would not believe.

The Lord is pouring out his spirit on the Isle. Keith and his family all came and had a wonderful time. We were able to go to dinner at their home this week and eat an amazing meal. Also, we went the other day and were able to teach the kids about the apostasy using skittles. It went really well, they are doing amazing. Today we are going fishing with Keith and Henry (his son). The weather is not too hot so it should be fun.

So this week there was a scare in the ward. A woman who is just a younger woman with 2 kids and a husband woke up and had viral meningitis(sp). She ended up having something worse than that and her head started to swell and so she was loosing her memory and she was supposed to die...Well miracles of fasting and prayer…. The ward came together and had a fast for her and after not talking for a week and things looking pretty sad she started to improve. It was truly a miracle. She was able to speak to her husband and smile and the swelling is going down. The Power of the Priesthood as well as fasting and prayer is real. She is having a miraculous recovery and it is amazing to see.

It was my companions B-day today. He is 21!

Well unfortunately the library was closed and we stayed in Castle town this week so i am emailing at a hotel bar type thing and they only give us a few minutes. yea kinda awkward in bar but were separated so its okay.

Thanks for everything you do! Mom thanks for sending the package you are wonderful! My new address is if you ever send me anything again you can send it there for the next little while. Do you know how long it takes a package to get here?

Ribblesdale

Shore Road, Castletown

Isle of Man IM91BF

Okay love you all gots to go!

Love,

Richard

August 23-31

Family,

Wow, what an amazing week! This was one of the greatest weeks I have had on my mission yet. President and Sister Bullock are truly amazing people. I can honestly say that I think he will be an Apostle. Okay there is so much to tell I don’t know where to start.

First off before they came Elder Boswell and I had a great week. We were able to teach some amazing people. One night we had two of our dated investigators over for dinner at a member’s home, (Tanya she is amazing) and then watched Mtn of the lord. It was a wonderful night and that is a great DVD. They are all doing so well and ready to be baptized.

Okay so President came in town and we met him at the church and actually taught one of our investigators, Keith, with him. That was a little scary but president was very good and the lesson went extremely well. I will tell you a little about Keith. He restores antiques and is very passionate about finding the truth. His wife has been very skeptical, (thinks we are a bunch of polygamist...etc). They have a family of five. Keith called us on Sunday evening and invited us to his home to meet his family. We sat down and immediately his wife started firing questions at us. It was wonderful, we were able to resolve her concerns and assure her that we would not keep anything from her. We then watched the restoration DVD with the family. The spirit was there and she felt it. It was a wonderful evening and to end the night Keith offered a beautiful kneeling prayer. His wife was so nice though. She had gone out and bought us “American popcorn” and had drinks and it was just an amazing night. None of them are dated for baptism. Keith wants to do it but is waiting for his wife. It is going to happen. Their family will all be baptized!

Okay back to president. Later that night we had a fireside on the Book of Mormon at the church. WOW! President put the BOM “on trial” and went through about 50 different compelling arguments that would prove the BOM is true.  Each argument would have stood on their own. It was wonderful. He says at the end of his mission he may give out his presentations. Pray for it. He had everything from computer analysts to testimonies to court to language similarities. 180 versus of Isaiah are quoted exactly the same as the Dead Sea scrolls that were just recently found! It was really good. It was interesting, but I wouldn’t say that it really strengthened my testimony. It was just wonderful to see all the facts. True testimony comes from God, not from facts. We had a really good turnout  from the ward and from our investigators.

After that we headed back to our flat. It is about a 20 min drive and some roads here on the Isle have no speed limit! President was following me haha...I was confused what speed I should go! It was funny but we figured it out and got back safely. Sis Bullock inspected our flat and send it was really clean and president said our area book was great! SO they rewarded us with a huge box of girahadeli (spelling?) chocolate brownies.  When I say huge I mean four packets come in the box! We spent some quality time talking there for a little bit and it is just good to be around them.

The next day we had church. Sister Bullock taught combined relief society priesthood and she did it on gospel study from pmg (preach my gospel). She has an amazing way of drawing events in her life and bringing it into a spiritual lesson. She did a great job and talked a lot about how we need to be opening our scriptures, keeping a journal while studying, and allowing the spirit to teach us. She also spoke a lot on using the topical guide and Bible dictionary, and following chains throughout the scriptures. Spend time pondering.

Sacrament was great also. They both did a really good job. I hope one day you will both get to meet them.

Yesterday was a bank holiday, library was closed so we couldn’t email, sorry. Today I gave a district meeting on the book of Mormon and how it is the number one tool combined with the spirit. I have gained a real love and appreciation for that book. I don’t know if you study it or not but mom it would be good to get ideas for lessons out of!  I have so much more that went one. WE literally see miracles every day. I look forward to reading my journal with you so you can really see the little things that happen in my life while on mission.

I hope you are all doing well! I LOVE LOVE LOVE you all and cannot wait to read your emails every week. IT is like Christmas!( Especially when you have to wait an extra day to receive them)

Love you lots.

Richard

Ps. Thank you thank you for sending that book. She deserves it. She did a lot for me and I love her for it!  pps. just finished the new testament wow that was amazing. Revelations still needs to be revealed to me though!!!!!! :)