Month: May 2026

Sam – Pontefract – Week 8 (England Isn’t Real)

Good morrow everyone, (whomst is on this list) this week has been a pretty good week. Not a whole lot happened, but it was good.

Highlights

Starting a workout routine (bricks in backpack)

Cottage Cheese brekkie

Meal appointments

Walking

I found a piece of 2×8 plate steel in the road. 3/16th thick

Sister Mckeon admitting to animal abuse (Flushed hampster down toilet)    (it was dead)

New Shipment of BoM

Soup for District council

Drunk guys trying to bash, never listening to our answers to their “questions”

Warmth, it was pretty warm the last couple of days.

Karaoke night at youth, I sang f

One thing I actually enjoy is just sitting on the bus in my own thoughts. It has been nice to spend time just reviewing different life experiences. And how I have gone about things. I am increasingly greatful for my parents, not only in their way of raising me. But also how great of people they are. My Mom (Hi Mom!) has been sending me small updates on my brothers, and other things going on back home. Those have been nice to read, and have brought upon me not only peace, but reflection. Reflection of who I want to be in life. Where I want to be. I want to be like the Savior (Saviour in Bri”t”ish spelling). And the more I reflect on those atributes. I want to be like my parents. They are so loving, thoughful, humble, hard working, caring, and kind. Too many other beautiful adjectives to give them. But there is a quick plug for my parents. (You are amazing!)

Mostly been doing alot of PMG (Preach My Gospel) study, so not much more to give you from there, other than that you should read it too. My companion has started reading “Jesus The Christ” by Talmage. And every once and a while he will just tell me about how goated ( with the sauce) it is and how full of doctrine it is. I will continue focusing on PMG/Scriptures. But it is for sure on the “To Read” list.  

On Sunday we had some friends show up. It wasn’t a normal sacrament meeting. We had a broadcast from the Hyde Park chapel, with Elder Gilbert and Elder Cook. It was very good. Some of our friends had to leave in the middle. But that is okay. I am happy they attended. Some other friends didn’t show up (even though they said they would), including our guy who was on date, but has only come once. (when we took him) So we might need to arrange with a member to pick him up on sunday so he can make it. 

Also. I have come to a conclusion…

England isn’t real.

 Many reasons for reaching such a drastic statement. 

– 1. A pound is weight. Not currency

– 2. no one actually talks like that. They are faking (I’m pretty sure)

– 3. They call a vest, a body warmer. (Litterally anything is a body warmer)

– 4. Most laws aren’t even enforced. 

– 5. Trucks are rare. And never used for towing. Thats relegated to commuter cars. Or vans

– 6. “You alright?” Is a greeting when passing by. Not a genuine question

– 7. Entire stores dedicated to birthday cards

– 8. A cupcake is called an. “Iced bun”

There are more. But I will continue the list posthaste. 

All jokes. It is interesting here, but I love it. 

Today was pretty hot too, high of 90. (I don’t care what the other unit is)

But it honestly wasn’t bad. Felt like South Carolina during basic training. But I’m not getting yelled at and doing the Y squat. So it’s not as fun. But p-day wad good. Got our groceries, had taco bell, which isn’t too expensive. And went to Pontefract park. There is a cool pond there. With ducks, geese, swan, and other fowl. It was pretty. And we played on a playground for a bit, zipline. Then we went to the markets to check out charity shops. Talked to an old guy for awhile because he had a cool motorcycle. A 90’s Honda valkarie. (I’ll put pic). He was really cool. We talked about bikes, religion, life, science. It was nice. I’ve seen him riding around a couple times. Hopefully we will more. 

Charity shops here are pretty much like thrift stores. And they are goated. I bought 2 ties. For like 2 pound each. I also bought slippers. Because I am an old man (our flat has no carpet)

I created a budget for me to follow. Because I want to save up some money. For what? I don’t know, maybe another suit, or a puppy. Jk. Unless…

That was the week. All is well, if you want to know more, ask my Mom.

The Book is Blue

The Church is true

And Jesus…

Loves you!

PEACE

-Elder Berky 

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9QsVXWnMXFVcH8AV6

Sam – Pontefract – Week 7

Good day my fellows, my chaps, my aquaintances, dare I say… Lads?

Anyway, It has been a pretty good week. It has absolutely flown by. I have a strong feeling that it will continue to do so for the next 2 years. But I am fine with that. 

Highlights

Moved into our flat finally. (No more tiny AirB&B)

Watched the Chosen on the TV in our AirB&B before we left. (Should have done it earlier)

Aquired a furnishing for our flat. (alledgedly)

Bought military equipment off of facebook marketplace (a backpack and mission satchel)

Have real cooking equipment now (I made salsa)

Goated meal appointments (even if we had to travel an hour and a half by bus)

Visiting Nan again, she is awesome. (see attached video)

SHOUTOUTS

ALDI – sourdough, tools and hotwheels.

M&S – $1.75 two foot long baguette.

One of the Sisters friends, for making us a roast on Saturday. 

Vodaphone for killing my sim card

I also gave a talk on Sunday because bishop asked on Saturday, so I talked about God’s love for us. And how we can keep Him in our hearts. It was pretty great. We also brought our homie James to Church on Sunday. We picked him up from his house. As we were getting there, Elder Olds was checking the bus route, and it got cancelled. So we sent a text into one of the ward chats, and got a member to come pick us up, which was clutch. James had a good time at church, he stepped out a couple times to rip a fat one off of his vape though. We shall teach him the word of wisdom this week haha. After church we tried to go to a friends house for a lesson, but our bus got cancelled. (there was a marathon going on on Sunday, so bus routes were cooked) So we went back to the chapel and tried to call them, but they said they had just left for work. Bruh. We need to just keep going haha. 

Flat move in was on Wednesday. It was fun. The office Elder dropped us off at district council while they set up a bunch of stuff. then we got lunch in town, and they drove us back. I can’t wait till I have a car. Busses are buns. The Flat is great. But empty. Need couch. its fine though. I really just care about the kitchen, and its amazing. A gas stove, good cooking utensils, and even spices. Shoutout to Elder Olds, because he was the housing coordinater before he trained me, and put together a flat furnishings list with links to amazon items. He chose well. See video on my google photos album for flat tour. 

Pday was chill. We have meal appointments every night this week, so didnt need to buy any dinner items, even though we have stuff for it. so I will be eating a great breakfast this week. Consisting of greek yogurt, cottage cheese and berries, and some granola. 

I need to (for a lack of better terms) “lock in” 

For many reasons. But it can be challenging to do so. England loves carbs, and protein is expensive. Plus every meal appointment they feed us dessert. Because that is common in England. But alas, God gives his hardest battles to his strongest warriors. If that battle be English food, so be it. But to defeat your enemy you must know your enemy – sun kist, art of sugar.

One benefit of England dietary practices, is that vegetables are common, and cheap, as well as nearly all soda is Zero sugar. So that is pretty chill. So we have some good things here. I just need to remember my training from ARMY fat camp haha. Good thing I brought my journal with me. 

I have been studying alot of PMG (Preach My Gospel) latetly, because our mission President says “Preach My Gospel should be in your DNA” and he is correct. So I have been studying it alot more. I really think that not only missionaries should read it, but everyone. It is a great resource to learn our gospel principles, not only surface level. But it does a great job at providing scriptures for us to study to deepen our understanding. So I encourage you all to read some PMG. 

Other than that. I am doing absolutly fantastic. I have been getting some updates about James at Basic in Fort Sill. He is having a blast there. It is fun to hear some of the things the Drill Sargeants do to mess with the trainees. And other updates from family are amazing. 

I love you all! Jesus does too!

Elder Berky

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9QsVXWnMXFVcH8AV6

Sam – Pontefract – Week 6?

I will call it week 6. Just because it was the last week of the transfer. Good news, I am staying in Pontefract, as is my trainer. And we got our move in date for our actual flat. The 15th. So finally we will have a real place to live. AirB&B is small. 

Lots of great things this week. 

A new friend, alcoholic, but very motivated to get back on track.

Lots of lessons with friends

Baked cookies

Did yard work/service for Nan. (Old British lady/member, gave me a temu watch)

Ate Five Guys. The burber place. (Mucho dinero$$$ never again)

Knocked for like 4 hours on Saturday.

New family at church.

Sang a song with the Sisters in our wardshare

New segment (copying from my buddy Elder Pricer)

SHOUTOUTS

Batesons Bakery – fire pastries and sammiches. Plus it’s cheap

Turkish barber, for the skin fade while listening to some guy groaning/singing in a Arabic. Good cut though

Hemmingway’s. Member family. Goated meal, and funny.

Robertson’s. Member family. Yummy meal. And they are going to Utah in August. They might be at the West Jordan Demo Derby. 

Squashies – Egland candy. Like a fluffy airhead. Or a stiff marshmallow. But yummy, and cheap

Traeger BBQ seasoning rub i brought from home

Alright, downsides.

James didn’t come to church. Bruh. So we have to push his baptism back. 

Some canceled lessons

Like 4 people said they were coming to church, then didn’t. 

All is well. Good things to come. There will be a cool thing happening soon. Elder Gilbert will be showing up and giving a mission devotion for the Leeds and Manchester Missions. So that will be sick. Been reading more D&C. Lots about sending people on missions and other stuffs. But revelation is real. And Jesus loves you. 

“This is true”

Elder Berky

Sam – Week 4 – Pontefract

GREETINGS, LIFE FORMS OF THE CHOSEN

It was an amazing week. On Teusday we put our boy James on date for baptism! 

Other than that, it was pretty great. Had an exchange with the Zone Leaders. My trainer went to Middlesburough. And I stayed. We went finding and knocking. The Zone leader said he has never done any knocking before. Because he has always been in an area with a very active public finding place. But there isn’t much here. A couple busy streets, but the flow of people fluctuates from busy to nothing pretty frequently. But I learned alot from him. Like getting people to talk and think about what they belive. While we may not be putting them in our area book. Hopefully they can remember that moment, and begin to think deeper about life, and their personal beliefs. 

Had some great meal appointments this week too. Got a proper taste (or lack thereof) of some classic British food. It honestly wasn’t bad. Just bland. But sometimes life itself can be bland. So we must rejoice in all things. 

Been reading some more D&C this week. It is really interesting to see that it is where we get much of the churches organizational routines and guidelines. I didn’t know that it went that far back. 

Didn’t end up having any of our friends at church. James for some reason didn’t show up. But he doesn’t have a phone either,  so yea. I think next week we will just pick him up and travel with him. Because he is on our way there as well. But all is well. He is a great guy. Oh also when we were walking to our meal appointment on Sunday I got a call from one of the online refferals I had texted. And bro was having it rough. Clearly was drunk. Said he is an alcoholic and has been sick stuck in bed for a week. And wants to come to church. Talked with him awhile and we’re going to meet him Monday evening, but he said to come tommorow. So we shall see how that goes. But I hope he turns his life around. 

Didn’t do much for P day. Got a haircut. Grocery shopping. Played cards with the Sisters in our ward share. Went to Five Guys for dinner. Then tried visiting some of our interested friends. But no luck. All is well. Got some good walking in at least

Transfers are next week. Hopefully we will have a flat by then. We are still in the AirB&B. It’s small, but doable.

I love you all! God does too! Be a light unto others and remember that everyone is going through something, whether they make it known or not. Assume the best from people. Even if they are rude, they probably are just sad. 

The Book is Blue, the Gospel is true!

ELDER BURR OF KEYYS