1-9-16 Galashiels

January 9th 2017 Galashiels, Scotland

With Mark’s Eeyore… And now my Spirit Animal

Hello Everyone!

It's been a very interesting week but ended very well!

We helped our Branch Clerk, Brother Anderson, reorganize the church library. It was great to get to help out.

On Saturday we volunteered again with the Gala Waterways group. We resumed trimming the trees down so the area looks nice!

Princess Leia

The best part of the week is that Mark… came to church. We walked with him and Kate to the church in the morning. The members made him feel very welcome!

Mark also has a goal now for Baptism. His date is for the 28th of January. He has some challenges to overcome but I know because he wants to reach this goal that he can overcome anything.

Other news… We have a new family: The Plochers, actually from america (I’ve been told), moving into the branch. They have been living in Edinburgh. Brother Plocher actually got called to be 2nd counselor in the Edinburgh Stake Presidency. It will be great to have them!

This week will be great because we have our FIRST, yes, First district meeting of the Transfer!

I hope you all are doing well. I appreciate all the emails!

Have a wonderful week!

Elder Joseph Udy

1/3/17

January 3rd 2017 The Great Unknown, Scotland

Hello Everyone and Happy New Year!

This past week was very slow due to the fact that it was a week starting with Christmas/boxing day and Ending with New Years so people were quite busy!

Kate came to church for the first time since we came here! It was great because now Mark has told us now that he will come to church this coming Sunday!

Elder Watson and I gave talks on Sunday. There were 6 people there including us. It was probably the smallest sacrament meeting I’ve been in.

My talk was about getting to know Jesus Christ. I was really nervous giving that talk especially because there was so few people there.

It is really weird that it is 2017. As Missionaries we call the year that we spend the whole year as Missionaries, The Black Hole Year. A Year where we are preaching the gospel and we aren't at home with our families. 2016 was that year for me. It's hard to believe that I come home in August.

I really look forward to the time I have left as a Missionary. I want to do my best! I know it will be a great year!

I hope you all enjoy this week

Elder Joseph Udy

(I'm sorry my email is so short. My email will be longer next week because we will go back to having 2 hours instead of 1)

12/27/16 Galashiels

December 27th 2016: Galashiels, Scotland

Hello Everyone!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!

It was a very rainy week as we came into Christmas!

I enjoyed Christmas! Skyping my family was probably my favorite part! I;m grateful that our branch president, President Kelly, allowed us to skype at his house even though he wasn't feeling the best!

The week leading up to Christmas was great as well!

We had a All Scotland on the 20th of December. We had fun doing some Christmas singing! We watched the movie Brave. It was funny because it takes place in Scotland! We had a huge snowball fight (using fluffy white balls). It was great and President Donaldson joined in as well!

On Christmas eve and Christmas Day we spent time with Mark and Kate!

It was very emotional to me that this is my second and final Christmas as a missionary! I really enjoyed sharing with people the true gift of Christmas, Jesus Christ! It makes Christmas all so more special!

I am grateful for all the Christmas wishes!

I hope you all have a Happy New Year #2017 

Love,

Elder Joseph Udy