2019-2020
Sister Jakobi and I stayed put in our flat and tried to pass time by contacting members and friends we were teaching, family history, facebook prostelyting, etc. Each morning and night President Green would have a video conference with our mission to give us further instruction. By Friday, he sent the list of the first batch of missionaries going home. I happened to be on that list.
By 4:00 Saturday morning 60 of us headed to the airport. Whether we will be able to go back to England, reassigned, or released permenately I do not know. I am on a plane now to Salt Lake. This has been a very difficult day for me. Elder David A. Bednar once asked a young man requesting a blessing, "do you have the faith to submit to His will and NOT be healed?" I've been reflecting on this question over and over. I had the faith that Heavenly Father would give me the strength to complete my mission. But, do I have the faith to go home and trust in his will? I am confident that Heavenly Father knew what would happen as I was called to England. The virus affecting my mission wasn't plan B, it was plan A all along.
I will continue to trust in the Lord and his plan for me. Whether that is going back to serve in beautiful England, being reassigned, or completing my mission I do not know. But Heavenly Father knows.
I shared a hymn last week that has resonated with me over the past few months- Lead Kindly Light. "Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see, the distant scene—one step enough for me". No, I'm not sure what will come next for me. But I do know that Heavenly Father has a plan for me. It may be different than the plan I had for myself, but he will shape me into who I need to be as I submit to him.
I am grateful for this gospel. It is my joy and my light. Even when the whole world seems to be in utmost chaos, we can find peace as we immerse ourselves in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that God loves me. He answers prayers. Being sent home due to the Corona Virus wasn't part of my plan, but it was part of his. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity I had to represent Jesus Christ as a full-time missionary. Whether I get that opportunity again I do not know, but I will trust in his plan for me.
I love you all. Thank you for the support you have given me, and the prayers that have been said in my behalf.
Cheers! Sister Eliza Jones 🇬🇧
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| Elder Trey Stewart. Sat by each other on the way to and from our missions to England |
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| Coming home March 2020. Covid pandemic caused the UK borders to shut down 48 hours after I got back into the US. I was sent home among dozens of other missionaries in my mission due to my health concerns. I struggled with sleep and anxiety towards the end of my time in the mission field. Coming home after 9 months was really tough. Not what I expected or wanted to do, but I will trust the Lord even when I don't always understand why things happen the way they do. |
This week I made a goal to get outside every morning for exercise. It felt SO good. Being cooped up under the gloomy English weather wears on you overtime. My comp and I decided we'd start playing tennis with the racquets we found in the closet. Let's just say...we need a bit of improvement.
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| The sun was out for a tiny bit! Studying outside |
Good news! Our friend Pa. disappeared off planet earth about a month ago (that's not the good news). I've been praying that we'd someone run into her, and we did! Wednesday morning on our way to Nottingham we were on the same bus. What are the odds?! We started teaching her again (with Farsi translation), which I'm so happy about!
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| Funniest weirdest English learning book |
On a foodie note: has anybody tried roasted parsnips? They are amazing. Look up a recipe and make em. (Preferably with a meal smothered in gravy ;)
On Wednesday evening our friend P. accepted the invitation to be baptized. We were able to have a great discussion about the strength and comfort we gain from following the gospel path. As I have been going through some struggles of my own, I feel more sensitive to the difficulties others are facing. Although I don't enjoy difficult times, I am grateful that they draw me to my knees and help me to become more in tune with my Savior. I am also thankful that they help me to be more empathetic to people who are also struggling.
I've been reflecting on what I have learned and how my perspective has changed over the past 8 1/2 months. Initially, my motivation to want to share the gospel could've been summed up in one word: LIGHT. I chose to sing "The Lord is my Light" at my farewell. The gospel was sunshine. It was my joy, and I wanted to share that light with all of England. What has changed over the course of my mission, however, is the definition of that light. It has changed from beaming rays of sunlight to a single burning flame in a thick darkness. The gospel is that flame. It is that spark of hope, that glimmer of light that keeps us holding on. Read the words to this hymn carefully:
"Lead, kindly Light, amid th’encircling gloom; Lead thou me on!
The night is dark, and I am far from home; Lead thou me on!
Keep thou my feet; I do not ask to see
The distant scene—one step enough for me."
As we sing this hymn, we are essentially saying, lead me by that small glimmer of light, day by day. When darkness surrounds us, we plead for him to lead us forward by that flame. We do not ask to see the sunshine, or the results and blessings of our hardships. Instead we ask for him to lead us just enough for us to see one step ahead of us.
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| Preston Temple with Sister Jakobi and Janet Stinson (a friend from the ward). |
This new definition of the light of the gospel has helped me to grow closer to the Savior. I know that I truly need him every hour. I need that single burning flame every day to get through. And each day he gives me just enough light to get to the next. How grateful I am to know the source of all light! I am truly blessed to be able to give others that same glimmer of hope that the light of Jesus Christ gives.
Cheers, and have a great week.
Sister Eliza Jones
(Ps: I got to go to the temple for the first time in 8 months. What a tender mercy! Take advantage of your access to a temple...my challenge is to plan to go in the next week or two, ok?)
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| Made cake pops for a friends Birthday Party. |
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| Home made Birthday card. |
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| Studying outside!!! |
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| Came out matching |
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| Matt Pegg ordered us food cause we only had week old vegetables |
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| My favorite flowers! |
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Painted things that made me happy this week |
For those of you who know me well know that I'm not one to sugar coat. I'll say exactly how things are, and exactly how I feel. I hope that my letters never give a sense of negativity, however, I believe it's important to hear how things really are. There are beautiful moments on a mission. Like hearing someone say a prayer for their first time, developing a strong relationship with Heavenly Father, and looking back just to see how much you've grown. However, a mission is tough. This week, in particular, was quite difficult for me.
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| Sister Emily Lunt. We've known each other since we were kids |
As studied this week for comfort, I came across this scripture:
"Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great."
I am grateful for the scriptures. I am grateful for the hope that the gospel brings, and even more so the hope that we have because of our Saviour!
One thing that also helps me get through tough times is having a good laugh. Here's my story for the week. Sister Jakobi and I were walking down a street and she started doing some heel clicks. I decided I needed to show her how to do a proper one, so I went in front of her to demonstrate. As I jumped into the air I heard a loud rip. My dress split down the back about 6 inches. Is anyone surprised? I had to walk around the rest of the day with my split dress. We got a good laugh out of that one.
I also found some satisfaction in the little rays of sunlight every day this week. We got a glimpse of the sun -even in the rain- for about 5 minutes every day. Oh how we take the sun for granted!
Cheers. Have a good week
Sister Eliza Jones
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| Stocking up for the Corona virus. We took this picture as a joke and said "THE WORLD IS ENDING". If we only knew the affect that this virus would have on us |
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My Favorite house on the right       |
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| My new Trainee, Sister Jakobi from Germany |
Wow. I am completely and utterly exhausted. Who knew training would be so tiring?? Nobody warned me...Ha! Tuesday morning we woke up at 5 and headed to Nottingham then Leeds to pick up our trainees! My new star is Sister Jakobi from Germany!
She is actually Visa waiting to go to Salt Lake visitors center, but will probably be here a few months. Our week was filled with lessons and studies.
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| Put these things together for my trainee |
We taught 4 lessons this week which is FANTASTIC over here in the east of England, and a wonderful way for Sister Jakobi to start off her mission! On Saturday I proudly made her try "German Pancakes" (named by Americans) as well as a first rootbeer float. It's fun to have a companion from a foreign country.
On Wednesday night we taught a lesson to our friend J. We proceeded to teach him about the Book of Mormon and prayer for the 3rd time because we really wanted him to grasp the idea of how we can develop a personal relationship with God. We asked him at the end if he'd close with prayer, and to our surprise he said yes. After a few minutes of thinking, J. opened the prayer then said "thank you for giving me the Book of Mormon so I can find how to be happy. Thank you for sending these messengers to me" and then closed his prayer. It was so simple, yet I felt the spirit so strong. I never forgot when my older sister said on her mission that hearing someone pray for the first time was so special. And it is. Such precious moments as a missionary!
On my mission I have come to really appreciate the words in the hymns. One in particular was on my mind this week: "I Know that my Redeemer Lives". Two lines in particular were,
"He lives to silence all my fears"
"He lives to wipe away my tears"
Notice how it doesn't say that he will take away our fears, or cause us to not cry. We HAVE to experience pain and hardship in this life, but he is there to help us get through our adversity. The rest of the lyrics express that because Christ lives, he will enable us to face opposition in this life. Wow. Such a profound concept.
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| Sally Coxon's son Luca drew this. She got it printed on a pillow |
You're probably wondering why in the world I titled this email "teddy bear and a closet", so here's to explain:
We have a dear friend who was baptized a bit ago. Because previous missionaries leave bits and bobs behind in our flat, we told him we'd give him a bag to take to the charity shop. We filled it with clothes, shoes, and a little teddy bear we found on the shelf. In our next meeting together, he told us that he had taken the bag, but hoped we didn't mind that he kept the teddy bear. He explained that because of his rough upbringing, he had never owned a toy in his life. Here he was, 60 or so years later, and finally had his first toy. Wow. My perspective has been so opened as I've lived out here. I see what people really go through. I see the reality and consequences of living in this fallen world. I wanted to share this story to hopefully remind each of us to not take the things we have for granted.
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| From: Thailand, Portugal, Philippines, South Africa, Germany and America |
I also had an interesting experience at the beginning of the week. In our bedroom, there is a massive standing closet that rises just barely below the ceiling. Well, because I'll be in Eastwood for a while I wanted a change of scenery for the coming transfer. I rearranged the beds, then attempted to move the closet. I pushed, then I pulled, then I shoved...it wouldn't budge. Well at this point I was annoyed. I could've just left it, but I'd already wasted 20 minutes trying to move it. Suddenly an idea came to mind that I should say a prayer. "That's so silly..." I thought to myself. Why would I pray that I could have the strength to move a closet? Well, I did. After my silent prayer, I tried again. And it moved. The closet took a full 90° turn to a different wall in less than a minute. This was quite a silly experience, but It taught me that God will answer our prayers, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant they may seem.
Isn't is funny the lessons that a teddy bear and a closet can teach us?
Have a good week. Cheers!
Sister Eliza Jones
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Valentines Gift from my Mom and Dad..just came in the mail! They have the cutest craft stores here in England  |
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| Saying goodbye to my old comp sister Whitby. I will miss her tremendously! |
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| Picking up our new Trainees :) Elder Cody Campbell, Preston Heaton, Orlyn Fenn and Trey Stewart |
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| Jammie hearts we made! |
Hello! I wanted to give a quick rundown of my week....first off, I got a call from President Green last night and he asked me to train! Pretty gutted because Sister Whitby will be going all the way up to Hartleypool, but I'm looking forward to training a new sister! I swear I was just in that chapel, a new wide-eye missionary, looking out at all the trainers wondering which would be mine. Now here I am, 7 months later, wondering where all of that time went!
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| Last week with Sister Whitby.😢 I have loved being comps with her!!! |
On Thursday we taught our friend P. As Sister Whitby and I discussed what we should teach him, she said that she felt prompted that we should only teach him the first principle of lesson #3 instead of the whole lesson. I wasn't sure why, but I trusted her. We spent the whole hour talking about Jesus Christ and his atonement. Later that night we had Come Follow Me study group and to our surprise, P. turned up! As we discussed the readings and prompts from this week they were all centered around Christ's atonement. It's so incredible to have experiences like this where the spirit prompts you to do a certain thing, then you are able to see why afterwards. I feel like the amount of times this happens on a mission is like, tripled! So cool!
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| Ruby. Relief society president..I love her |
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| Sister Whitby painted this for Ruby |
"And now, my beloved brethren, seeing that our merciful God has given us so great knowledge concerning these things, let us remember him, and lay aside our sins, and not hang down our heads, for we are not cast off; nevertheless, we have been driven out of the land of our inheritance; but we have been led to a better land, for the Lord has made the sea our path, and we are upon an isle of the sea."
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| Sister Whitby drew this. (She is currently an art major at Utah State 2023) |
The part I want to focus on is the last bit. Jacob explains that although they'd been driven out of the land of their inheritance, they "have been led to a better land." How many times does our life not go the way we think it should? We didn't get the job, we didn't make the team, we got declined, rejected, but then, redirected. The Lord sometimes redirects us "out of the land of our inheritance" to give us a better opportunity further down the road.
When you ask the Lord for something, he will never answer no. He will answer: yes, not yet, or, I have something better for you. Trust that he knows all things. We don't see the big picture, but he does. Amidst the troubles of life, trust him enough to cheerfully lift up your head and say, "the Lord has something better in store for me." This is something I'm really striving to do out here in the middle of England.
Ok, that's bout it! Have a wonderful week! Cheers!
Sister Jones
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| Bishop King and Katrina took us out for lunch. I won't forget the delicious honeycomb pie |
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