On the Road Again

   We had moves call. I'm leaving this blessed city! I'm heading down to Dublin City. It's only about an hour or two bus journey away. My new companion will be ________.(will fill in later)   I am way sad to leave the best city in the Scotland Ireland Mission, I will miss serving with Elder Mulville. It's been great. 

   We are still teaching a lot. We are teaching multiple men, named F____ and D______. Both have dates for February. We are still Teaching S_______. We taught him the story of Esther and how she fasted for before going into plead the king to spare the lives of the Jews. We are going to do a fast with him.. well they are going to do a fast with him and then ask his Government if he can be baptized. He really wants to. There are just a few hang ups that can be over come.

"The Fab Four" as the members in Holywood Road Ward call
them.  Elders Parkinson, Penman, Mulville, Wilson

 It was a great Sunday service. They assumed that Elder Parkinson and I would be leaving so all four missionaries spoke. Literally, I say this all the time... I have never been so loved by one ward! I love them all so much. They are incredible. It's so heart breaking to leave, ha ha. The work has been picking up so much that they are putting two more elders in. So they will have six missionaries. I have never given the Lord so much thanks for one opportunity as this one to serve here. The best part was some of the members even teared up after the sacrament meeting. I know it sounds like I am bragging, but it as through the enabling power of the Atonement of the anointed one, Jesus the Christ. If grace would have never come into my life. I would have not been able to stay on my mission, the plethora of trials would have been too much.

  I was studying the day of Judgment in Alma 5. I realized how the judgment would work. I had heard that the Lord Jesus Christ would be our judge and I wondered how he would do it.  

33 Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you. 34 Yea, he saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the  bread and the waters of life freely; 35 Yea, come unto me and bring forth works of righteousness, and ye shall not be hewn down and cast into the fire 36 For behold, the time is at hand that whosoever bringeth forth not good fruit, or whosoever doeth not the works of righteousness, the same have cause to wail and mourn.  37 O ye workers of iniquity; ye that are puffed up in the vain things of the world, ye that have professed to have known the ways of righteousness nevertheless have gone astray, as sheep having no shepherd, notwithstanding a shepherd hath called after you and is still calling after you, but ye will not hearken unto his voice!  38 Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd.

  This is how I imagine it. We will all stand there and we will all be offered eternal life. Many will say no, they will not listen, or they may not be able to stand in the Glory of The Most High. It will be unbearable, or as explained here... "to wail and mourn." 

I truly know that the Holy Spirit Lives among us. The Father is close. Closer than you may think. I know that the Savior has power that is infinite to heal all things... not just some, but all. 

Elder Penman 

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P-Day Fun

Saint Patrick's Church Belfast

Saint Patrick's Church Belfast

Another Blitz.  

The outpouring of love from members of the Holywood Road Ward at the news of Elder Penman moving on has been so touching.  They have consented to me sharing them here.  
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From Sister Florence Roberts:

Sister Florence Roberts and Elder Penman
"Elder Penman and me. He's always got his mouth open, says its resting!"

"'Taken today at my house. Had 4 super duper missionaries, Abdullah and Dermot. Elder Penman likes to keep his mouth open, in case a fly might pass by. Elder Parkinson (Ginger) has been with us for 6 months and may be leaving, but we hope not. Elders Mulville and Wilson are checking each other out...it's almost like looking in the mirror! These 4 Musketeers have made a lot of difference to Holywood Road ward. They all got to speak today as those assigned were sick. Maybe that's the way it was meant to be...such a special meeting. Such dedication and love from these guys. Parents - thank you for sharing them with us'"

Dermot, E Penman, E Wilson, Abdullah

Elder Mulville and Elder Wilson who she says look like twins

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From Sister Debbie White: 

Hi Karen, Your lovely son came by tonight to say goodbye to our family, we will miss him very much he is a wonderful young man we hope all goes well for him in Dublin please know that our lives have been blessed because of him and his example xx Everyone in the ward has been so grateful that he has served here we have be so blessed with the four elders we have had we call them the "Fab Four" lol and yes he has made a difference in many of our lives he's just brilliant xx

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E Penman & Jade

From Sister Jade Fox: 

Karen this is a photo of me and Elder Penman from tonight! I've just spent 5 weeks in the US and got home today! I'm so glad I was able to see him before he moves! He might have only taught me recent convert lessons for a short time and I don't know if he told you but he challenged me in November to complete the Book of Mormon again before the 28th of December which is the date I was a member for a year and he agreed to do it with me. He might not know it but it was what I needed most in my life at that time. Not going to lie, there may have been a tear shed saying goodbye! Your son has been such a blessing in my life and the lives of many in Holywood Road, he is such a credit to you and will be greatly missed! I hope to keep up to date with him through his blog over the next 5 months and on my next trip to America in August I hope I'll get to see him and also to meet you! Here's a photo we took before he left!

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From Brother Alan Marshall:

I was in Holywood Road Ward with Elder Penman. I just wanted to say that I will miss him. He is a fantastic missionary. I am glad I got to know him. I bought him lunch last Thursday. I thought i would let you know that.  

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From Sister Margaret Watson:

 "He is moving to Clonsilla Ward in Dublin still as Zone Leader. you should be so proud of him Karen. I know I am and he isn't even mine. He and his fellow missionaries have made such a difference to our ward in terms of baptizing investigators that we are getting 2 extra Elders to help us with our Chinese speaking people. He is just so wonderful and I will miss him dreadfully. So Monday and Tuesday he has to sort out all the moves in the zone as well as find a flat for the new missionaries. He just never stops. xxxxx"

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From Sister Miriam Shearer: 

I thought I'd drop a quick message to you. Im from Holywood Rd ward. I've been thinking about our missionaries all day and thought I'd let you know that your son is wonderful, he always has such a good spirit about him, you can tell how passionate he is about the work. Im not the first to tell you this I know we'll miss him and elder parkinson. The missionary effort has improved tenfold because of their hard work along with their companions so its no surprise that they are needed elsewhere. I have two small sons and can't help but see them when I look at our missionaries. The spirit emanates from your boy and you should be so proud!

It's been a long, long time

Elder Penman, Gary, Johnny, Elder Mulville

Buff Norn Iron Men (2 with beards)

 So Gary got baptized!!! 
I got the best picture ever. It is Gary and a member named Johnny Shearer. They are both in white, but they are both buff Norn Iron men, with beards. Its so good. Baptismal services are so good. 

I honestly think it is one of the most spiritual meetings ever. You can feel the ripple of affect that it has into the eternities. It is amazing. I saw him right after the baptism an he said "I feel clean." I will never forget how sweet that was to my ears.   I was so honored to get to confirm him a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is now a sheep in the fold. 

   Sebastian was unable to be baptized. We are going to have to sort things out with his government. So we will work on here. 

   So we had zone interview training and a world wide broadcast for missionaries.  Our Zone meeting went wonderfully. It was a super spiritual climate. We focused on personal conversion. Elder Mulville and I were giving training. Literally the words coming out of our mouths were pure Spirit. It is quite amazing when you feel moved by the Spirit and you speak... not even knowing what it may be. Trusting and speaking. You will speak with power and authority that the counsels in heaven are conducted by, the very words you speak in that moment are the word of God. I had an amazing experience the next night. While speaking to the zone. I felt prompted to promise them something very sacred and speaking I could feel the spirit rest upon me teaching me that it was true. 

   This Saturday we texted everyone (contacts--missionaries' phones stay in their area, even when the missionary moves on) in our phones and we had 2 people walk in to the church because of these texts. We also had a YSA man walk in that was less active as well. It was great. The congregation had over 100 people, which is way more than there was when we first came here. I love watching wards grow!! 

Sorry, today was pretty gumbled. 

I truly know that the Holy Spirit has a personality, and is a personage. God the Father Lives and we are all His children. Jesus the Christ is our Savior and redeemer, and went lower than all of us. I know they all live as 3 individuals in perfect unity, with out one there would be no God. I know that Joseph Smith saw the Father and Son with perfect bodies of flesh and bone. The evidence is the Book of Mormon and the truth can only be learned through the Holy Spirit. 

Elder Penman

Chris Shearer & Elder Penman

The Power and Authority of the Priesthood

Belfast Zone doing another Blitz, and getting a little soggy

From this week one thing I know is the Priesthood is real!

    We had one of our friends come to church. He wasn't able to walk and he really struggled to get up and come to church and come with his daughter. He asked us for a blessing, so we had one of the members he was close with give the blessing. It was so powerful. He was still walking stiff and really hunched. Two hours later he called us and all pain was gone. He could run, jump, he had full motion. It was incredible. The Spirit rested upon me confirming that it was through faith, the Priesthood and the Holy Ghost that it happened. It's great. Because he is going to be baptized this Saturday. But he told us "I know the priesthood is real." I know miracles do not produce faith... but it does confirm what is hoped for and can, if done through faith, ground your belief.
    Our other friend S________ will be baptized Saturday as well. We are hoping that his government confirms that it is ok for him to be baptized. Please pray that all will happen according to the Lord's will.
    This week we had two men meet us at the church and before we were teaching I felt horrible inside and I discerned that these men were there to trick us, contend with us, accuse us,  and make us stumble over our words. I let Elder Mulville know before we saw them, which prepared us for the awful contention which came from them. Comment after comment trying to tear us down and destroy our faith. In the middle of the meeting, I looked at Elder Mulville, he had a smile smile on his face and then we did not contend with them, we bore sweet and some of the strongest testimony we ever heard deep within our souls. It confounded these men. We ended the meeting.
 
We are so blessed here! The Lord's increase has consecrated everything for gain. I love being here to witness the hastening of the work. I know that angels are around us every day. I know that the Holy Spirit was with us in that very hour we needed it. As we act on our faith, we will have power over those who try to contend with us because we are children of the most high God, our loving Heavenly Father.
Before you pray tonight think about your relationship with Him and I promise when you understand that you are his child, you will pray with all energy of your soul.
Elder Penman
 

Walking on a Dream

Elder Mulville & Elder Penman

I hope all of you had a great week. I honestly have never felt so blessed.

2 Sundays ago, the ward from the pulpit in sacrament meeting talked about how much they loved the missionaries in Holywood Rd Ward.

So many members we so grateful and gave & showed so much appreciation. I love it here in Belfast! I hope I get another Transfer here.







   We are seeing tons of success. It is all from the grace of God. 1 Corithians 3:6-8.  We really have been doing all we can. But it doesn't matter unless God gives the increase.

That's why its so important that not my will but thine be done. The more we have sought the LORD in prayer the more success we have seen. But far to often we don't see success and we blame our selves.

We need to esteem our selves as children of God. We need that confidence to always be happy!








 

We have 3 baptisms coming up this month on the 23rd. We have G___ a members friend!! he is so ready! S________, from Africa, and our Chinese friend H_. It was a great week!!!

Elders Penman and Mulville with Sebastian

Sebastian and Eddie

Elders Mulville, Parkinson, Penman, Wilson emailing home

More pictures of the Holidays in Norn Iron

Out to eat with Sister Allison Tracy of the
Holywood Rd Ward

Elder Wilson-Festive! 

Elders (LtR) Mulville, Wilson, Parkinson, Penman & S. Tracy

Allison Tracy.  What an angel on earth! 

Elders Wilson & Parkinson

Elders Mulville, Kropushek, Thomson

More mustache fun at the Shearers

Elder Mulville

Victoria (Vicki) Shearer on Christmas.  She must have
found Elder Penman's camera and taken a few selfies

Vicki Shearer

New Year's! #2

Out for Southern Barbeque on New Year's Day with the other Elders,
at the treat of lovely ladies from the Holywood Road Ward
Joy Peden and Margaret Watson.  Angels on Earth!  

A special visitor to Belfast, buddy Noah
(from Omagh), for a quick lunch at Burger King 

 Well the break time is over and it is time to work full speed again. It was a much needed time. I have never looked so forward to relaxing. It is so good to be back and working.

   On New Year's Eve, we had a couple of missionaries getting emergency moved. One missionary coming from Glasgow got lost. We spent our whole day looking for this Elder. Somehow he came through Belfast and ended up 3 hours away, down in Dublin. I was so relieved when they found him.

   We had our Chinese friend H_ at church this week. H_ is so good at playing the piano. After church we lost him and we saw people in the chapel looking at the stage and we heard a piano playing. We walked in and he was playing the piano like a champ. It was a mini concert.  Sadly S________ slept in yesterday so he didn't make it out to church. When we taught S________, he prayed and asked for forgiveness for missing church. It was so funny... But awesome how sincere he was.

   While tracting, when people would go to shut the door. We play this "game" its not really a game. but when ever someone goes to shut the door we take turn bearing our testimony to have the Spirit confound them. It's way fun and works quite often.

  I'm so sad. We have had so many things to do for the mission that I haven't gotten too much time to study. But one thing I'm studying is about how Christ is called the Eternal Father. It has helped me understand what it truly means to be born again. It makes sense why repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Ghost go hand in hand.  Moses 6:59-60.

Elders Wilson, Mulville, and Parkinson out for dinner
 (Elder Penman's "Peace" sign doing the photobomb)

Elder Penman