Week 87

"My big news for the week is that we had a transfer! 

Elder Peel has gone to serve in the new area Glyfada with Elder Deighton. My new companion is Elder Mead, who is now my third companion in the office! We're excited to be serving together and we're looking forward to it!"

Elder Mead - from Huddersfield England

"We had a good week, with the transfer, the week seems to have passed so quickly, but at the same time it feels like an age since we went on the zone trip last week! We also had a really good service project which you probably saw the video from, and then on Saturday we played football with some of A's grandchildren which was great. Yesterday all of the Athens missionaries were at the mission home for a meal together and we had a great time, the Heders are wonderful hosts and Sister Heder is in her element with a house full of people!"

"We've already had a guy phone us and say that he wanted to learn more about the church having seen the Facebook page! He lives nearby to us so it couldn't be better! And we've had other referrals from mormon.org which may have been from people that found the website through the page too."

At Home

On Saturday our daughter, Elder Teal's older Sister, got married. The opening picture is of Elder Teal and Elder Peel wearing ties that we sent out to match those worn at the wedding. 

"Thanks for sending all of the pictures that you sent, I really enjoyed looking at them! If you have any more send them too! It looks like Saturday was a wonderful day, and I'm glad it went so well!

Lots of people have wished congratulations for Rachel and Toby too which has been nice!"

"We had a service project together with a charity. We helped organise things that will be sent to the refugees in various apartments around the city that will be rented as temporary accommodation. We were there from 10am-3pm and we got a lot done. Whilst I was working with one lady I talked with her about God and religion, which resulted in a very interesting discussion. I told her that she would like our church. I invited her to come on Sunday and she said that she will.  We had a very productive day and were able to share the gospel whilst serving."  

There is a video of the service project HERE

"It's exciting how many new friends we are working with at the moment and how much we have going on and all being well we will be able to have at least 5 of them at church next week spread across the 3 Athens branches." 

"Elder Peel and I had our last companionship study together where we drew up a draft training plan for the mission." 

"To celebrate our last night together I made a dessert out of waffles, strawberries and Ambrosia custard with a dairy milk caramel melted in, it was really nice. 

I'm grateful for my time with Elder Peel, for everything that I learnt from him and for everything that we were able to achieve together." 

"Today was the day of Toby and Rachel's wedding. It was strange to think about all of the things happening at home, as during a mission it seems that it's very hard to imagine that things actually happen outside of the mission. Although it's a shame not to be there with them I'm in the right place." 

#mormonoi #lds #mormon #greeceathensmission #elderteal

Week 86

This weeks emails came on Tuesday not Monday, as the Athens zone had been on a trip to Mystras.

As well as fun its important to know the history and heritage of the people you serve amongst.

(Mystras or Mistras, also known as Myzithras in the Chronicle of the Morea, 

is a fortified town and a former municipality in Laconia, Peloponnese, Greece)

On the way a picnic among the ancient olive trees 

"We had a really good zone trip yesterday, where we went to Mystras and Corinth. I'll send you some pictures. I've been to Corinth before as you know, but it was my first time at Mystras and I really liked it. It's an old town that has loads of churches and monasteries, and it is in a really beautiful location. I drove our car and we took Elder Deighton and Elder Tornar, and we had a lot of fun. I really enjoyed driving there and back through the Greek countryside. Mystras is way down near Sparta so we drove almost the whole length of the Peloponnese. Greece is such a beautiful country, and it would have been worth the journey just to drive there and straight back again enjoying the views!"

You should be able to scroll around the Google Map image below to see where they were.

 

 

 

Church this week

"Church was good! We didn't have any new friends there with us this week as M. has broken her foot, but we have a couple of new friends that we're excited about, as well as people that we've met through the service that we've been doing. The branch is so friendly here so it's really easy to bring people. We've also been meeting with some of the members to discuss the Europe Area plan, and we had a really nice visit with the R. family earlier in the week. They're from the Philippines and are such a sweet family. It makes such a big difference when the members are welcoming, but perhaps even more important is that the lessons that our friends attend and the talks that they hear invite the Spirit. The members here are all so sincere and so committed to the gospel. I think that with it being such a small branch that only the people who have a strong testimony and who are determined to live the Gospel keep coming, and so they're the ones that deliver fantastic lessons and talks."

"It was lovely! And  I'm so excited to bring you over and show you things, you'll absolutely love it! Greece is your dream holiday place, it has beautiful scenery, good food, and such friendly people. And you'll even have a tour guide who speaks the language and drives like a Greek! Haha I think it will take some adjustment to drive in England after my mission, and not just for which side of the road!"

Athens Zone Conference

Last week Elder Teal attended the Zone conference in Cyprus, 

this week it was Zone conference in Greece. 

This week we had over 60 pictures, too many to put them all on the blog, 

but if you click HERE you can see them all

Other News

Elder Teal LOVES old books, he took time to read Homers Illiad and Odyssey before his mission. We can only imagine how being shown these old books would have been for him.

"These are books that V. has in his collection. 

This one is a copy of Homer's Illiad in Ancient Greek."

These are books that V. has in his collection. 

This one is a copy of Homer's Illiad in Ancient Greek.

Final Thoughts

This coming Saturday Elder Teals big sister, our eldest daughter is getting married. It will be a little strange not having Elder Teal here, but it is a testament to his conviction that he knows he has a work to do where he is. Families can be together forever, so we are happy to let Greece keep him a little longer 

"I'll be thinking about you all too! I think it will be a little bit strange not to be there, but I'm happy that it's happening now! Make sure you take lots of pictures and videos to send to me on Monday! Elder Peel and I will both wear our wedding ties and send a picture over :)"

Week 85 Athens and Cyprus

Elder Peel, Elder Teal and The Heders flew to Cyprus for Zone Conference this week. 

We have totally lost track of how many times Elder Teal has flown on his mission now, its 30+

Sister Heder and Alinda are always up for a Selfie !

 The Cyprus Zone, President and Sister Heder 

"Cyprus was really good! We had a great time over there and it was so good to see everyone!"

Presenting Training

Visiting Cyprus was also a good opportunity to meet up with old friends. 

Both Elder Teal and Elder Peel have served there.

 

 

"At Panayiotis's home we had a meal with him and Georgia and the food was really good as usual.  It was also really nice to catch up with them and talk about the changes that have taken place since I was last here. 

As we walked home it seemed strange to think about all of the months that I spent in the area and to remember all of the good times with Elder Dixon. I miss serving here in Larnaca, it was one of the best periods of my mission and although I love the area I'm in now it will always have a special place in my heart. And it's strange to think that it was my previous area as it feels like such a long time ago." 

"View over Nicosia from the plane. The lights on the hill are the Turkish flag that they have on the other side of the border in Northern Cyprus."

Back in Athens for Sunday Meetings

"Church was good too, although unfortunately we didn't have any new friends there yesterday. 

A.. is doing a great job of inviting all of his family and friends, and a couple have taken him up on the offer.  He talks about the church to literally every single person he speaks to, he's such a good missionary! We had a meeting with him last night and we left so happy, it's amazing to see how much he knows now and how much he loves learning more. He's halfway through the Doctrine and Covenants and is really loving what he's learning, and has such good understanding. We gave him the book Our Heritage which I think he will really enjoy, and I'm excited to talk to him about it. And things are going great with his work, It's so good to see that we are fulfilling our purpose as missionaries, and to see people like him and P. who have changed so much and who are so much happier now."

"The Facebook page is doing great and growing fast, we just hope that we can maintain the growth! I think a lot of the people that have liked it so far are church members already, but it's a good start and we need to have the strong foundation before we can start seeing lots of new opportunities to teach from it! And it's good for members here to have something that they can refer friends to, it provides them a very easy way to do missionary work!"

"Today was the last day for me to take my eye drops as its now been 2 months since the surgery, so now I'm officially out of treatment! I have another appointment in April as a final check up and then I will be done." 

"Our district meeting was really good. It was about revelation through prayer. Elder Peel and I had a role play where we taught Elder Petchey about prayer and right at the beginning he asked if we used The Lords Prayer in our church. We then showed him how we use it as a model for our prayers by going through and talking about the parts." 

"We had a meeting with the university professor again and he and another friend with him. We discussed the possibilities of the church in Greece and their university working together on a variety of ventures and it was a good meeting." 

"It started to rain and there was thunder and lightning and it was absolutely pouring down. When you see the lightning storms here, it's easy to understand why the people used to believe in a God of thunder and lightning." 

I learnt the Greek word for dragonfly. 

I've really enjoyed looking for types of Christ since you sent me the email about Zoram, and I think there are so many in first Nephi! I really like where it says about Lehi dwelling in a tent in the valley of Lemuel. I think in part it represents Christ's condescension to live in a mortal body (which he was way above) with Lehi's living in a tent (a rich man in poor circumstances), but also "in the valley of Lemuel" which Lehi named to represent obedience to the commandments, which is the way in which Jesus lived his life.

"yes that is a carrot"

We had lots of pictures this week, many with companionship's in the Cyprus zone. 

Click here to see more

13 Άρθρα της Πίστης

Πιστεύουμε στο Θεό, τον Αιώνιο Πατέρα, και στον Υιό Του, 

τον Ιησού Χριστό, και στο Άγιο Πνεύμα.

We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.

Πιστεύουμε ότι οι άνθρωποι θα τιμωρηθούν για τις δικές τους αμαρτίες, 

και όχι για το παράπτωμα του Αδάμ.

We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.

Πιστεύουμε ότι μέσω της Εξιλέωσης του Χριστού μπορεί να σωθεί όλη η 

ανθρωπότητα, με την υπακοή στους νόμους και τις διατάξεις του Ευαγγελίου.

We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, 

by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.

Πιστεύουμε ότι οι πρώτες αρχές και διατάξεις του Ευαγγελίου είναι: πρώτο, 

Πίστη στον Κύριο Ιησού Χριστό· δεύτερο, Μετάνοια· τρίτο Βάφτισμα 

με κατάδυση για την άφεση αμαρτιών· τέταρτο, Χειροθεσία για τη 

δωρεά του Αγίου Πνεύματος.

We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are:

 first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; 

third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; 

fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Πιστεύουμε ότι ο άνθρωπος πρέπει να κληθεί από το Θεό, με προφητεία,

 και με τη χειροθεσία εκείνων που έχουν εξουσία, για να κηρύττει το 

Ευαγγέλιο και να τελεί τις διατάξεις του.

We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the 

laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the 

Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

Πιστεύουμε στην ίδια οργάνωση η οποία υφίστατο στην Πρωταρχική 

Εκκλησία, δηλαδή, αποστόλους, προφήτες, ποιμένες, 

διδασκάλους, ευαγγελιστές και λοιπά.

We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, 

prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.

Πιστεύουμε στο χάρισμα των γλωσσών, της προφητείας, της αποκάλυψης, 

των οραμάτων, της θεράπευσης, της ερμηνείας γλωσσών και λοιπά.

We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, 

healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.

Πιστεύουμε ότι η Βίβλος είναι ο λόγος του Θεού εφόσον είναι σωστά μεταφρασμένη. 

Επίσης πιστεύουμε ότι το Βιβλίο του Μόρμον είναι ο λόγος του Θεού.

We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; 

we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.

Πιστεύουμε όλα όσα ο Θεός έχει αποκαλύψει, όλα όσα τώρα αποκαλύπτει, 

και πιστεύουμε ότι θα αποκαλύψει ακόμη και άλλα πολλά μεγάλα και 

σημαντικά πράγματα που αφορούν τη Βασιλεία του Θεού.

We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that 

He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.

Πιστεύουμε στην κυριολεκτική συνάθροιση του Ισραήλ και στην αποκατάσταση 

των Δέκα Φυλών, ότι η Σιών (η Νέα Ιερουσαλήμ) θα χτιστεί επάνω στην 

αμερικανική ήπειρο, ότι ο Χριστός θα βασιλεύσει αυτοπροσώπως 

επάνω στη γη, και ότι η γη θα ανανεωθεί και θα λάβει την παραδεισιακή της δόξα.

We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion 

(the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; 

that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth 

will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.

Αξιούμε το προνόμιο να λατρεύουμε τον Παντοδύναμο 

Θεό σύμφωνα με τις υπαγορεύσεις της δικής μας συνείδησης, 

και αναγνωρίζουμε το ίδιο προνόμιο σε όλους τους ανθρώπους, 

ας λατρεύουν όπως, όπου και ό,τι μπορούν.

We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our 

own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, 

let them worship how, where, or what they may.

Πιστεύουμε στο να υποτασσόμαστε σε βασιλιάδες, προέδρους,

 κυβερνήτες και ηγεμόνες, στο να υπακούμε, 

να σεβόμαστε και να υποστηρίζουμε το νόμο.

We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, 

and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

Πιστεύουμε στο να είμαστε τίμιοι, ειλικρινείς, αγνοί, φιλάνθρωποι, 

ενάρετοι, και στο να κάνουμε καλό σε όλους τους ανθρώπους. 

Πράγματι, μπορούμε να πούμε ότι ακολουθούμε την παρότρυνση του Παύλου -- 

Τα πάντα πιστεύουμε, τα πάντα ελπίζουμε, έχουμε υπομείνει πολλά, και ελπίζουμε 

να μπορέσουμε να υπομείνουμε τα πάντα. 

Αν κάτι είναι ενάρετο, ωραίο, είτε καλής φήμης είτε αξιέπαινο, τα αναζητούμε όλα αυτά.

We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, 

we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul-We believe all things, we hope all things, 

we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. 

If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

Η Εκκλησία του Ιησού Χριστού των Αγίων των Τελευταίων Ημερών - Ελλάδα

Translations and artwork via lds.org