Hey. I LOVE YOU!!!
Things are good, glad to hear that everything is going good. We had a couple investigators come to church I am glad that Bibiann was able to make it I knew she would come. It sounds like a lot is happing while I am gone. Figures hey, when I am there nothing happens when I leave everything happens at once haha. Well I am still struggling to talk to people and I am not very good at studying but I want to get better (even thought my attitude sometimes says otherwise).
Janine finally got a dark haired girl! About time I am surprised Chevauna isn’t a blondie, this one might look like Janine (watch it turn blond). Chelsea sent me a picture of her, she is a cutie. But they are funner when they are 2 years old anyway haha so I am not missing out.
I got a haircut today I would send pictures but I forgot my camera today so next time, I’ll take more pictures also to make things more interesting. I haven’t been able to weigh myself but I am pretty sure I weigh more than I did in the MTC. I work out every morning (except Sundays) and some times in the evening as well, and walking around gives me my cardio (sorta). I would like to run more but I know if I get the opportunity I would probably not want to at the time. But ya I can defiantly see a difference in my body but we will see what happens at the end of my mission :P .
Not many experiences that I can think of that are wonderful... but the members are cool and I love them all (and their food). I’m trying to learn the area better I have a map now so that helps. Names still escape me but that might be a lack of effort on my part.
The ward mission leader went on Google maps on his I pad and found where I lived, I got to see a satellite image of home and I realised how lucky we are to live in Canada. I could see the garden of dads 2 years back, it was pretty neat.
Still haven’t got the package yet but it is probably at the mission home in London but I’ll be going there this week to have a work over with the Assistants to the President so they can check up on how I am doing and whip me into shape.
Missing everyone a bunch and wish I could see them. The weeks seem to go by pretty fast though so that’s good and I have already been out for over a month, so I have no doubt time will fly and I’ll be home in no time, a better Stu ready for the life ahead :P (ya right then I will have to learn how to take care of myself for real, not to mention finding a wife)
Love to Julia Bennett and Georgie for writing me sadly I can’t write them back (rules and time will not allow :P)
Love you all and new baby Chevauna (Doug finally got some kind of truck name out there hehe) take care have an awesome week.
-Elder Onychuk
Monday, 26 March 2012
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
Week Seven: I love the work
March 19, 2012
HELLO!!!! I MISSED YOU!!! haha
Glad to hear the family got together and had some fun (way to make Kaden cry Chels) teehee (loves)
ummmmm. I suppose I’ll try to explain what’s happing here even though I am not sure myself... #1 question- my companion... is unique lol umm his name is Elder Sylva, he is Brazilian, he loves anime (no joke he is actually pretty obsessed with it) and he draws some as well he is pretty good. Kinda a goof ball likes his toys (nerf dart guns and helicopter flying thing that blows my papers around -shakes fist-) He is district leader and a really nice guy. But he gets on my nerves every so often. Not to the point of freaking out just "face palm" kinda stuff. Such as throwing a dart at a book with the radiator behind it... missing the book and making a teeny tiny hole that wreaked our hot water, (cold showers yay...) but ya I love the guy it’s just mostly stuff I have to get over... he walks incredibly fast... and ya he is teaching me a little Portuguese and stuffs like that.
#2- English money isn’t that hard to get used to... but the change builds up really fast.
#3 The work in my area is slow right now. We have been mostly visiting less active members, a lot of cancelled appointments. Carlos is the only Portuguese person I have met but they're out here... we only really have one solid investigator his name is Ryan and he is a university student. There isn’t that many Portuguese in Chelmsford to have a ward.
I love the work I am trying to get better (sorta) I need to start doing more than thinking of doing. I am thankful for the ward here and their love (and dinners). I know that this work is true and I will do my best to help people find out for themselves that it is true. You will never really know until you find out for yourself. When I was younger growing up in church I wondered why converts had such a stronger testimony then me-- it was because I didn’t really have one for myself. In my studying today I read Alma 32 it talks about faith and really puts it to you on how to build your faith and testimony. I am thankful that we have living prophets and for our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that our Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us and wants us to live the right way so that we can enjoy the time we have on earth to its fullest. This is the way, you can never really know until you experience it for yourself, and if you haven’t read Alma 32 it will change your life (only if you want it to change). I am thankful for my family and my friends and all the support I get for serving a mission and the blessings I get and can share with others There is no greater work than this and it doesn’t end when your mission ends and it doesn’t begin when a mission begins. Your mission begins when you find your testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. You share the joy that it gives you and don’t stop until it’s your time to rest. I know that my Redeemer lives, I am thankful for the love that our Heavenly Father has for us, His Children. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
I love you all tons. Have a great week and I’ll talk to you next Monday.
Elder Onychuk
HELLO!!!! I MISSED YOU!!! haha
Glad to hear the family got together and had some fun (way to make Kaden cry Chels) teehee (loves)
ummmmm. I suppose I’ll try to explain what’s happing here even though I am not sure myself... #1 question- my companion... is unique lol umm his name is Elder Sylva, he is Brazilian, he loves anime (no joke he is actually pretty obsessed with it) and he draws some as well he is pretty good. Kinda a goof ball likes his toys (nerf dart guns and helicopter flying thing that blows my papers around -shakes fist-) He is district leader and a really nice guy. But he gets on my nerves every so often. Not to the point of freaking out just "face palm" kinda stuff. Such as throwing a dart at a book with the radiator behind it... missing the book and making a teeny tiny hole that wreaked our hot water, (cold showers yay...) but ya I love the guy it’s just mostly stuff I have to get over... he walks incredibly fast... and ya he is teaching me a little Portuguese and stuffs like that.
#2- English money isn’t that hard to get used to... but the change builds up really fast.
#3 The work in my area is slow right now. We have been mostly visiting less active members, a lot of cancelled appointments. Carlos is the only Portuguese person I have met but they're out here... we only really have one solid investigator his name is Ryan and he is a university student. There isn’t that many Portuguese in Chelmsford to have a ward.
I love the work I am trying to get better (sorta) I need to start doing more than thinking of doing. I am thankful for the ward here and their love (and dinners). I know that this work is true and I will do my best to help people find out for themselves that it is true. You will never really know until you find out for yourself. When I was younger growing up in church I wondered why converts had such a stronger testimony then me-- it was because I didn’t really have one for myself. In my studying today I read Alma 32 it talks about faith and really puts it to you on how to build your faith and testimony. I am thankful that we have living prophets and for our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that our Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us and wants us to live the right way so that we can enjoy the time we have on earth to its fullest. This is the way, you can never really know until you experience it for yourself, and if you haven’t read Alma 32 it will change your life (only if you want it to change). I am thankful for my family and my friends and all the support I get for serving a mission and the blessings I get and can share with others There is no greater work than this and it doesn’t end when your mission ends and it doesn’t begin when a mission begins. Your mission begins when you find your testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. You share the joy that it gives you and don’t stop until it’s your time to rest. I know that my Redeemer lives, I am thankful for the love that our Heavenly Father has for us, His Children. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ Amen.
I love you all tons. Have a great week and I’ll talk to you next Monday.
Elder Onychuk
Week Six: The worst thing that can ever happen to a missionary-- NO MAIL
March 12, 2012
Hello.... no email from anyone this week? :(
Well... I suppose I’ll just tell you how my week was. Only thing really noteworthy is Carlos’ baptism, which was nice, but things are still not too super. Still not able to speak to people very well and haven’t stopped anyone on the street yet. Lots of walking, yep was really hoping to hear what everyone is up to.
soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo have a great week love you all.
PS - I threw up today after eating half a sandwich, don’t know why, I did eat a lot last night and exercise in the morning so maybe that was it, feel fine though.
Elder Onychuk
Hello.... no email from anyone this week? :(
Well... I suppose I’ll just tell you how my week was. Only thing really noteworthy is Carlos’ baptism, which was nice, but things are still not too super. Still not able to speak to people very well and haven’t stopped anyone on the street yet. Lots of walking, yep was really hoping to hear what everyone is up to.
soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo have a great week love you all.
PS - I threw up today after eating half a sandwich, don’t know why, I did eat a lot last night and exercise in the morning so maybe that was it, feel fine though.
Elder Onychuk
Week Five: Settling into my first area: Chelmsford
March 6, 2012
I am doing a lot better now and am going to improve this week for sure. Just so you all know mail takes 12 days to get here....
The first week here was good. We had zone conference on p-day and that was tons of fun. Although I did hyper extend my right leg a bit-- slide into a piano and white board and slam my right kneecap into a wall.... other than that it was awesome :D lol Maybe I got too competitive... but although it sounds bad it’s not impairing me too much, it felt a lot better in the morning and I can walk fine, just can’t jump
Well... lay overs are soonish I don’t really know when but I’ll be out with the zone leaders today cause they are interviewing Carlos for his baptism on the 10th. Can’t really count it as my first baptism cause he only speaks Portuguese.. my companion Elder Sylva says that he will teach me on language study cause there are so many catchers here that it would come in handy to know. So I might be learning a lot of languages here after all if that’s what I am supposed to do XD
I Still haven’t stopped anyone on the street to talk to them but that’s going to change today/this week.
Wish we had a mission car in this area so I could learn how to drive here :P I think I am learning the ropes just by watching other people drive though. I’m surprised I haven’t seen a car accident yet though the roads here are stupid crazy...
I have a hard time studying in the morning, today was ok, but I usually doze off a bit if not a lot
haha. Another thing to improve on yay :P
I’ll have to remember to bring my camera and upload some pictures for everyone not much of a picture taker though... lots of pictures of the swan, ducks, and Canadian geese.... and the pond... yep lol. So many song birds around here it’s very nice you can hear them all day. Lots of types of birds I haven’t seen before also. I’ll ask someone what they are called some time.
Let’s see... most interesting guy we have run into yet was a Buddhist man, maybe early 30's my comp talked to him the train ride over to an interview cause he is a District Leader. He was a pleasant guy to listen to and had read a bit of the book of Mormon. Elder Sylva invited him to look at mormon.org and to read some more of the book of Mormon (he said he still has it) and that was as far as we got. Very nice guy though.
I got to meet the ward but it was fasting testimony meeting and I didn’t want to take up time to say hi... I’ll do it next Sunday probably maybe I should touch up my talks... but ya, got to go to 2 dinner appointments to very pleasant families and ate some wonderful food.
My love to everyone that likes to see what I am up to over here XD and can’t wait for more mail!
Cheers <------- English word haha weirdos lol... love ‘em to bits :P
-Elder Onychuk
I am doing a lot better now and am going to improve this week for sure. Just so you all know mail takes 12 days to get here....
The first week here was good. We had zone conference on p-day and that was tons of fun. Although I did hyper extend my right leg a bit-- slide into a piano and white board and slam my right kneecap into a wall.... other than that it was awesome :D lol Maybe I got too competitive... but although it sounds bad it’s not impairing me too much, it felt a lot better in the morning and I can walk fine, just can’t jump
Well... lay overs are soonish I don’t really know when but I’ll be out with the zone leaders today cause they are interviewing Carlos for his baptism on the 10th. Can’t really count it as my first baptism cause he only speaks Portuguese.. my companion Elder Sylva says that he will teach me on language study cause there are so many catchers here that it would come in handy to know. So I might be learning a lot of languages here after all if that’s what I am supposed to do XD
I Still haven’t stopped anyone on the street to talk to them but that’s going to change today/this week.
Wish we had a mission car in this area so I could learn how to drive here :P I think I am learning the ropes just by watching other people drive though. I’m surprised I haven’t seen a car accident yet though the roads here are stupid crazy...
I have a hard time studying in the morning, today was ok, but I usually doze off a bit if not a lot
haha. Another thing to improve on yay :P
I’ll have to remember to bring my camera and upload some pictures for everyone not much of a picture taker though... lots of pictures of the swan, ducks, and Canadian geese.... and the pond... yep lol. So many song birds around here it’s very nice you can hear them all day. Lots of types of birds I haven’t seen before also. I’ll ask someone what they are called some time.
Let’s see... most interesting guy we have run into yet was a Buddhist man, maybe early 30's my comp talked to him the train ride over to an interview cause he is a District Leader. He was a pleasant guy to listen to and had read a bit of the book of Mormon. Elder Sylva invited him to look at mormon.org and to read some more of the book of Mormon (he said he still has it) and that was as far as we got. Very nice guy though.
I got to meet the ward but it was fasting testimony meeting and I didn’t want to take up time to say hi... I’ll do it next Sunday probably maybe I should touch up my talks... but ya, got to go to 2 dinner appointments to very pleasant families and ate some wonderful food.
My love to everyone that likes to see what I am up to over here XD and can’t wait for more mail!
Cheers <------- English word haha weirdos lol... love ‘em to bits :P
-Elder Onychuk
Week Four: First letter from London!
March 3, 2012
I went proselyting twice in the MTC. I did feel more confident the second time proselyting but still couldn’t approach people well.
My study skills are still not very good. Now that I am out in the field it’s hard to focus on one thing.
Chelsea asked if I had one on one interviews with my MTC President and if I liked the food there. I did get personal interviews with President Walker and Sister Walker. They are very nice people. Food was good but some days it could have been better.
A lot of people have asked if I am getting a British accent. I don’t know if I am picking up the accent or not…
We had a testimony meeting at the end of the MTC and it was very nice.
The weather is nice by the way. My first area is Chelmsford. My companions name is Elder Silva he is from Brazil and has been out for 14 months.
Have you sent me any letters?
-Elder Onychuk
I went proselyting twice in the MTC. I did feel more confident the second time proselyting but still couldn’t approach people well.
My study skills are still not very good. Now that I am out in the field it’s hard to focus on one thing.
Chelsea asked if I had one on one interviews with my MTC President and if I liked the food there. I did get personal interviews with President Walker and Sister Walker. They are very nice people. Food was good but some days it could have been better.
A lot of people have asked if I am getting a British accent. I don’t know if I am picking up the accent or not…
We had a testimony meeting at the end of the MTC and it was very nice.
The weather is nice by the way. My first area is Chelmsford. My companions name is Elder Silva he is from Brazil and has been out for 14 months.
Have you sent me any letters?
-Elder Onychuk
A letter from the President of the London England Mission
29 February 2012
Dear Brother & Sister Onychuk,
We are pleased to let you know that your son, Elder Stuart Michael Abel Onychuk, has arrived in the England London Mission. He seems very happy to be here, and is anxious to get to work. We are excited to have him here and look forward to getting to know him better.
Soon after he arrived, we introduced him to his first companion, Elder Thales Alessandro Silva. He is a wonderful young man and one of our very best missionaries. Elder Silva will teach your son the joy of sharing the gospel. They have been assigned to work in the Chelmsford area in the Ipswich zone. I have enclosed a picture of your son with myself, Sister Patch and Elder Silva.
Missionaries greatly benefit from weekly letters from their families that encourage them in their work and express the family's love and support for them. They are also allowed to receive emails from their families and can respond to them once each week. Your letters and emails will be very important to your son during his period of service.
We consider the physical, spiritual and emotional wellbeing of our missionaries to be our top priority, and we do everything we can to make their time here a positive and faith promoting experience. Elder Onychuk is doing the work of the Lord and will be blessed by our Heavenly Father in countless ways for his selfless service.
Again, we thank you for allowing your son to serve in the England London Mission. Please do not hesitate to call me with any questions or concerns you might have.
Sincerely,
Renn M. Patch, President
England London Mission
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