Hey everyone! This past week we got put into full quarantine, so we can only go outside to exercise and get groceries. That means all of our missionary work is being done via technology. So far it has been pretty good. We are trying to continue to find new and creative ways to share the gospel and help fulfill others' needs. If anybody has any good ideas or suggestions, I would love to hear them!

We are really excited for general conference this upcoming weekend. Obviously it's already a conference that we will never forget, but I'm excited to hear the messages that I'm sure we will never forget as well. I encourage you all to watch it. It's going to be amazing!

My companions and I have also been noticing that this time is a really great opportunity for the world to be still, spend time with their loved ones, and remember what's most important in life. I hope that the blessings that come from this virus will far outweigh the price that we are paying now. When Joseph Smith was locked up in Liberty Jail the Lord said to him "And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?" I definitely believe in this principle and know that we can all grow stronger and become more unified during these challenging times. Stay safe everyone! Love you all!

Elder Wray

Pics:

1. This is St. Michael's Mount. It's a castle on an island. The island is just off the coast of a town called Marazion. There is a footpath that leads to the island, but when the tide is in, it covers the footpath. So if you make a visit, you have to go when the tide is out.

2. This is in a town called St. Ives. We were loving the beautiful and warm weather before we got quarantined.

3. The 3 Elders in Helston. My companions are great!

4. Here is another shot of St. Michael's Mount.

5. A selfie with the companions and St. Michael's Mount.

6. This is an amphibian vehicle. It can drive on the ground and water. They use it to get back and forth from Marazion and St. Michael's Mount.

7. Here is a neat arch in Helston.

Hello family and friends! 

I hope everyone is doing well! Elder Anderson and I gained a new companion this last week, Elder Hewitt. Elder Hewitt is in my group and is a great missionary. His companion, sadly, had to return home due to health concerns. So we were rockin the trio life this past week. It has been really fun! We've bought a ton of Cornish pasties and joked around a lot. It's been good!

This past week was our first week doing all of our missionary work online. It has been interesting! It has definitely taken some getting used to, but it's gone quite well! We taught a few lessons through video call, which was awesome! I think this time period will help us missionaries learn how to use technology more effectively in our work.

One amazing experience we had this past week happened when we were driving back home from running an errand. We were driving on this country road near a bunch of farms and fields when a baby lamb ran out into the middle of the road. Luckily we didn't hit the lamb!  We decided to pull over and help it get back to its fold. When we pulled over, we saw a field where there was a bunch of lambs and sheep. They were all calling for this lamb.  The lamb was trying to get back to them, but the fence was blocking it. We chased the lamb to catch it.  It then just rammed it's head into the fence and got stuck.  We were eventually able to catch it and lift it over the fence to its family. 

As we were driving back home, we realized how symbolic that experience was of us bringing "the one lamb back to the fold." That's exactly what Jesus Christ does with us. He will bring "the one back to the fold." We joked around after that that we were still able to do missionary work without talking to people. It was funny!

On Thursday, we went to this American burger restaurant called "Boo Koos". Since it was my birthday, Elder Anderson insisted that we go.  I definitely was not opposed to it. The workers there also sang to me, which was embarrassing of course. But it was cool! These awesome members in our ward also brought me a banana cream pie which was so nice of them!

Well, I hope you all are safe and staying sane. Keep trusting in God and his promises! He loves you all and is there for you. Don't be afraid to reach out to him. Love you all!

Pics:

Well... 

I hope everyone is still alright back home with all this panic in the world. This past week was definitely a wild one! I got my new companion. His name is Elder Anderson. He's an awesome guy. We do a lot of driving, and a lot of the time we end up talking about college football or college basketball and all that good stuff. To be specific about how much driving we did last week, our car has accumulated over 1,700 miles and 30 hours of travel. It was a crazy week! 

Since the U.S. banned travel from the U.K. and the rest of Europe recently, all senior couples, other than the couple who we have in the office, have returned home. As well, all young missionaries who have underlying health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or high blood pressure have sadly returned home. Many of these missionaries who returned home have had a huge impact on me, and I feel so blessed to have known them and served with them. I hope they will all be able to come back out eventually. 

Yesterday, was definitely a day that I'll never forget. I've been staying with Elder Hewitt in Redruth for the last few days. My companion had to drive Elder Hewitt's companion up to the mission home, because he had to go home due to health concerns, sadly. But anyways, we went to this lady's house who was recently baptized, and since church was cancelled we went to her house, along with a member of the Redruth bishopric, to confirm her a member of the church and have her receive the Holy Ghost. I had met this lady once before. Her name is Tasmin. She is a sweet lady. She couldn't decide who she wanted to confirm her, so she just started doing "eeneemeeneemineemo," and when she started doing that I had a strong feeling that it was gonna land on me so that I should probably get myself prepared. And sure enough, it was me who her finger pointed at. I was pretty nervous to confirm her since it was the first time I'd ever done it.  Once I started, I felt comfortable and peaceful. I felt the spirit so strong.  I was so grateful to have the opportunity to do that. Tasmin was crying afterwards so I know she felt the spirit, which made me really happy. It was just the most random thing because I was not expecting to wake up and go confirm someone. But it was awesome and I'm really grateful I had that opportunity. 

My testimony on prophets and apostles has definitely been strengthened during this madness. It's just such a blessing to have leaders who prepare us for times like these and who can help us through these times. That's why they are doing what they are doing. God hasn't left us without any help. He has given us prophets to guide and direct us. I'm really excited to hear from these leaders during general conference. I invite you all to hear from them as well! I know that they speak the truth, and I promise you that their teachings will give you guidance and direction that will lead you to safety and peace. I hope you all are doing well! 

Love you all!

Elder Wray

Hello everyone! 

I hope you all are doing well! We did a lot of traveling this past week. We drove up to Birmingham for a meeting and then to Bristol for our interviews with President Hughes. It was nice talking to president. He always has lots of good advice and counsel. 

Elder Fellows is going to be training this next transfer, so he is leaving me this week. It was a good transfer with him! I'll be staying in Helston. But I'm getting another great companion. Elder Anderson will be my new companion. He is exactly a whole year ahead of me in mission experience, and he's a great missionary. It'll be a good transfer with him! 

I took my car theory test this past week, and I passed with the lowest possible score that I could get and still pass. So I lucked out! Now I just have to pass the practical test, and then I'll have my full U.K. license. 

The work is still coming along! It isn't always easy, but I love it! I'm excited for general conference which is coming up in a few weeks. As a mission we've been studying the Book of Mormon to prepare for it. There are lots of different ways to prepare for it. But I invite you all to prepare yourself to hear the Lord's servants speak. I know that if we prepare for it, it will be an even greater experience, and we will be ready to follow the guidance that we recieve. 

Love you all! Have a great week!

Elder Wray

Pics:

Some other missionaries and I ate at "The Beefy Boys". It's a really good burger restaurant!

We visited the Truro Cathedral. It is pretty cool!