Saturday, December 24, 2016

"Happy Holidays Everyone!" (Jack Skellington - Haunted Mansion Holiday)

Christmas is tomorrow - 1 more sleep! That's pretty exciting! I would like to invite all of you to read 3 Nephi chapter 1 and chapter 11. They talk of Christ and his coming and they have really helped me appreciate this Christmas season.
This week was probably the best 1st week I could have had! Starting off in the field with a Christmas party was wonderful! Even though we got a bit lost through our travels on the way home. That was an adventure, but at least we were lost together! ;) Our district stayed together until we went to our separate areas. Our Christmas party was at the Preston Temple and the chapel across the street, and we were back in Crosby at 10:30pm. It was a long day, but also a fun one. We went to the temple, and performed skits, and had a feast. It was tons of fun. The Spirit was so strong, and I know that the temple is a house where the Lord resides. I love this gospel and I'm so grateful I have been able to go on a mission. Month one of 18 is complete. It has honestly felt like the longest month of my life! But I know these next few will zoom by.
This week we just did a lot of tracting. We weren't able to find any new investigators, but some people were willing to listen to our message. Most of the people here have been nice about their rejections, which is good. Some say that it is just because it is Christmas time. But so far, my experience has been wonderful. My companion and my district have helped me with everything, and I'm still learning how to feel more comfortable talking to strangers. But I do enjoy that constant spirit that is with me while I am serving :) My Spirit has grown so much this month than it ever has in my whole life. I love this gospel and I know it is true.
I love you all and I'll talk to you next week!

Monday, December 19, 2016

A whole new world

Hello family and friends! This week has been long... and exhausting... but also good. I've been learning different approaches and I have been able to be more outgoing. I know that a mission is very demanding, but I think I have been handling pretty well. I've successfully made it through this week, so I've been able to endure to the end so far! I have been able to keep my focus on the Lord, and that has helped me overcome any struggles.
I love my companion, Sister Bundy! And she has been so nice and kind to me. She has helped me so much already, and she is a great example to me. I know that we will make a good team and that we can gain a close friendship.
Through my various gospel studies this week, I was able to learn a bit more about Jesus Christ and who He is. I know that He loves us more than we can even comprehend. And that He is continually watching over us. My testimony has grown throughout this week as well - I know that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father really do provide me with so much strength. I would not be able to do any of this missionary work without their help and guidance. Missionary work is definitely hard, but I know it can bring so much joy.
We weren't able to teach too many people this week, but the people we did get to see helped me see my purpose as being a missionary. I also know that the Lord is preparing a way for people. We found one new investigator - she found out about us online and decided to come to church. Which was incredible! We also were able to set a baptismal date with one of our investigators.
The Crosby are is beautiful and the members are very nice. One day while tracking, we were right next to the ocean. It was sooo pretty and I wish I could have taken a picture! Also, sorry there are no pics, but I can now only take them on P-day and the computer I am using doesn't have an SD slot. But this week has been really wonderful.
I love you all!
 - Sister Wilkinson

Tuesday, December 13, 2016

Sister Wilkinson's safe arrival

We heard from Sister Wilkinson just very briefly this afternoon and we got an email with pictures from her mission president.  She is safely in the mission field.  Yay!  We couldn't be prouder and more excited for the adventures that await her.

Her mission president said: (just part of his letter)

Your daughter has arrived in the England Manchester Mission (EMM) safely and is ready to go to work as a missionary. We held a training session Tuesday morning where we covered many things including their mission finances, their first three-month training schedule, becoming a “Christ-like Missionary” and the EMM vision and guiding principles. We concluded with a testimony meeting and afterwards they had lunch. 


Attached you will find a picture of your daughter with Sister Ulrich and me in front of the mission home and also a picture of her first companion and trainer. Please know that we love the missionaries in the England Manchester Mission and we watch over them with great care. May the Lord bless you during this time of sacrifice in the lives of both you and your daughter.

President Ulrich




Once she was transported to her first area we got a short email from Sister Wilkinson:
Don't have too much time to email, but hey - I get to email!! I just wanted to let you know I'm safe. I'm serving in Crosby. I hope you've seen the facebook pics. Love you!!!
Facebook Pic she was talking about:


My trainer is Sister Bundy.  She is from Nevada and only has about a month left.  So far, we get along really well.

Sister Wilkinson

**I have added some other mailing instructions that the mission home sent as well as some pictures of her new area.  You can check them out on the tabs above.--Katie's mom :)

Tuesday, December 6, 2016

Think of all the joy you'll find when you leave the world behind

Okay folks... lots to say in such little time.
This will be a short email! But I am doing good! We did lots this week - including finding in Manchester City. We talked to real people on the streets! It was scary, but I actually learned a  lot.
The Spirit is so strong here and it is such a good feeling!!! :) I have learned a lot and my testimony has increased so much.
Sorry for this weeks email, once I have a tablet, it will be better! 


This is everyone here at the MTC - we are a small but mighty group!


And this is apparently how my district looks as cartoon characters - Mostly Elder Casadibari drew them. He made us all look weird at first - so this was just the final product. But he made everybody look weird except for me, because he said I was too nice to him and he didn't want to ruin my face because I had a nice face. So, I was the only one he kept looking good ;) 
Love you all!

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Spirit of Adventure

It's only been one week?? It feels like I've already been here for a month! The first few days were hard, and I'm just starting to get over the jet lag. But so far, my MTC experience has been wonderful! We are in class basically all day every day. Either that or in a meeting. We only get small breaks, but I'm definitely grateful for those! Every day here feels like a week because of how long they are and how much stuff we've done. It's incredible to see how much someone can change in only one week. I have felt the Spirit so strongly since the moment I got here. Every now and then, it was hard because I would miss everyone back home,  but the more I tried to be completely obedient to the Missionary Handbook, and lose myself in the work, the Spirit would always grow stronger, and I would feel a sense of peace. I know that the Lord blesses his missionaries and gives us SO MUCH strength so we can do his work.
Okay, LET'S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS....
I am currently in a district with 7 missionaries. 3 Elders, and 4 Sisters. They are  all wonderful and my district leader is also great! 2 of the Elders are from Italy, one of the Sisters is from Albania, and my companion is from Jamaica. The rest of us are from America. We have a pretty fun district :)
So far, I've met some really good people and I'm learning and growing so much! The Spirit is so strong here and I feel almost like a different person.
Until next week! Love you all!

P.S. We have a word of the day in our district, and all the missionaries have been adding to our vocabulary. So now, I'm learning lots of different languages, including Albanian, Swedish, and Welsh. So, I'll share one of the words with you guys.
This week's word is: Uomo-Ragno (Spider-man in Italian)

Sister Wilkinson


My first fish and chips
Me and My Companion- Sister Sutherland


Preston Temple



Crew with me on the plane


Me and My Companion- Sister Sutherland


Wednesday, November 23, 2016

first letter from Sister Wilkinson

Honey I'm home

Well, this will probably just be a quick email, but I made it here and I'm safe! We met up with some of the other missionaries when we got to Orlando. There were 5 total people with me when we came on the bus. The flights were good and I have a few stories and pictures, but I'll probably send those next week. My P-days while I'm at the MTC are going to be on Tuesday. I also get to go to the temple twice while I'm here, but our exercise routine usually includes a walk around the temple grounds. I'll get to know all the missionaries here because it is such a small MTC. People are already enjoying my smile and were excited to meet me. Love all of you!