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?