Getting To Work In Poole!

Hey everyone!

This week was the final adjustment needed to be on track for the normal missionary life. MY area is Poole, UK! I arrived here last Sunday and met my companion for the next several weeks. It feels great to be at this point.

Our Flat is a little bit of a downgrade tbh. The Zone calls it "the shoebox" and indeed it is haha. But what made it worse is the previous Elder's did not take care of the place. It smelled rank, things were sticky, the dishes weren't done and there were SPIDERS in places where there shouldn't be spiders. But I got down and cleaned everything up and it is not bad anymore. Kind of cozy even.

My Companion is Elder Stoddart (insert random Mandarin characters below name). He is a Mandarin and English speaking Elder from North Ogden Utah. He was previously serving in Cardiff and Caerphilly, Wales. He has got about 5 months of experience out here and is helping me learn the ropes well.

He is really good at Martial Arts and loves listening to music. And in case you were wondering: I am not learning Mandarin anymore. It is so hard because you have to learn tones and Japanese pronunciation and then memorize these super complicated characters.

Yes, we got to get out and explore the UK! Last Monday we went to Bournemouth (a big city next to Poole with a Uni) and just had a good time. We went indoor mini golfing, ate at Nando's (an African Grilled Chicken place), and did our shopping at ASDA. I don't have a car so I bus and walk everywhere, and I have seen a lot of Poole now. It's great. Also the Ferraris and Lamborghinis that drive around.

The work is going well. We got really involved with service at the food bank and helping out in member's gardens. We also taught 2 men that just got baptized about receiving the priesthood, and we have one more friend on date for baptism! We have also gone out to try and find people. Not much luck, but we have made some friends and joined some groups.

Today for P-Day we went to Bournemouth beach and ate at a fancy restaurant. We went because a member is a chef there and loves the missionaries, so she personally cooked everything for us and gave us a 30% discount! It was so sweet. Sue came and talked with us in between and took pictures and talked about our food. It was a blessing. Then we went to the chapel with the district and played chair Football. Tons of fun.

There is so much more to share but this is literally the very beginning. I am like 1/36th of the way there since my very first email.

I know that this is the right thing and I am so excited to be out here. God has led me to find people that I needed to find. I gave away two Book of Mormon's this week! I also love how beneficial social media is and have enjoyed using it to share uplifting messages about Christ and help others.

Also, this next week is packed. I have 2 days of a Youth Camp, Zone Conference (100+ Missionaries), A sick day of Volleyball on the beach, and a good deal of service. So look forward to all of that next Monday.

One last thing: UK is SUPREME. The US is missing out, trust me.

Here's my address in case you wanna mail me!

Caden Berry

721 Wells Road
Bristol
England BS14 9HU
United Kingdom

-Onwards and Upwards-

Elder Berry

1. A giant panda that almost got me!

2. A classic in the UK. a red Telly Box and Seagull

3. The meteorologist inside of me couldn't help it haha

4. Pretty Sunset coming home

5. The district!

6. Bournemouth Beach!