My trainer had so much gas that we had to go to the doctor's office. They gave us complimentary tea while we waited. Don't mind if I do!
So I'll start off with the story of Sister Dan Jones. After District Council last week, we went contacting as a group. As part of our contacting, we soap boxed. Let me explain. You stand up on a bench in the middle of town, hold up a Book of Mormon, and preach the gospel so everyone can hear. I have hardly been in the field for a month...so this was absolutely terrifying. And when I stood on that bench, I about died. This tactic may have worked 150 years ago, but I am positive there are more effective and natural ways to preach today. To make a long story short, I found out a few days later that my District wasn't actually serious about it...they just made me do it to build confidence. Because I was the only new missionary who actually did it, I got nicknamed Sister Dan Jones. HAHA. (Dan Jones was a Welsh missionary in the 1800s who used this tactic to preach)
Dan Jones
On Friday we met with a friend named "K". He told us that he needed more direction in his life. He said that he felt like he needed a path to follow and something in the distance to look at for guidance. Can anyone guess what we shared with him? The Tree of life. We read Lehi's Dream with him and bore testimony that we have exactly what he's looking for. We are excited to continue to meet with him and hope he will be able to find what he is searching for!
On Saturday we spent the day in Rotherham. We jumped from house to house teaching about the Plan of Salvation, repentence, and baptism. These Slovakians are so ready for the Gospel! It's always a bit chaotic in their homes because many of them have 7+ children, and share a home with grandparents, cousins, etc. In one home we taught a lesson with 12 people in the room! What an experience.
Playing memory match with the Macko kids
I have some very exciting news... three of the Macko children want to get baptized! Anna Maria (8), Nikolas (11), and Geiza (12). When we went over to their home, Anna Maria whispered to me, "Teacher, I like when you come over." I asked why and she replied, "Because you teach me about Jesus and make my home so happy." Oh how I love those children. They will be baptized this Saturday! On Sunday, their father Frantisek took two trips to get everyone to church. It was four hours traveling for him. Wow. Can you imagine that? I am touched by the sacrifices these people make to come to church, when at home I could hope over the fence at 8:59 am.
A question so many people ask us here.... IF THERE WAS A GOD, WHY WOULD HE LET ___ HAPPEN? Here are my insights.
The other day, I received this text from a man I met on the bus: "So apparently God loves all of his children? So tell me why some babies are born with incurable diseases, pneumonia,...etc. God wouldn't allow that to happen to his people right??" I have been contemplating this question over the past few days. After studying the scriptures and the Plan of Salvation, I have discovered that it all comes down to three major points.
1. WHAT is God's plan for us?
2. WHY would a loving God allow suffering?
3. HOW can we overcome adversity?
I challenge you to read through this chart that I have put together, along with the scriptural references. When we have the eternal perspective, we understand that God allows us to struggle now in order to gain something so much better. But he does not expect us to suffer alone. I know that through the atonement of Jesus Christ, I can overcome anything. I love this Gospel!
Cheers! Sister Jones
Ps: I just wanted to express gratitude for those of you who have sent me emails or messages. It's what keeps me going. I was so touched this week as I received an email from my aunt, my former Sunday School teacher, a neighbor, my grandma, a few good friends, and of course, my family :) I love you guys so much! Thank you for your love, prayers, emails, and support. Have a great week!)
A focused Hula Hooper at the Peggs
Pesky little Pigeons. Tupans a bag! (Two pents... finally get what Mary Poppins meant in this song)
Visiting June a Rest Home. We sang hymns and talked about light
Hi everyone! I thought I'd start out with describing the typical life of a missionary so those of you who haven't served can get a good idea of what it's like and those of you who have can step back into the good ol' times.
•wake up, 6:30.
•go for morning exercise. Run around the same small block 40 times because you don't know where else to run...while listening to the one and only EFY music
•eat the same breakfast as you did yesteday, and the day before. Get ready, then daily plan.
•1 hour personal study of The Book of Mormon and Preach my Gospel
•take bus to a lesson at noon...person doesn't show up. Find other meaningful things to do with your time, smiling and saying hello to every person you pass
•try to strike up a conversation with the guy next to you on the bus then bring up the gospel in the most natural way possible (which I'm still working on)
•give away some pass along cards, go to another lesson and pray that your friend will show up.
•Have tea (or dinner), then companion study
•Get ready for bed w/lights out at 10:30.
•Then repeat, Every. Single. Day.
This week was the first that I've faced repetitive rejection. On my exchange with Sister Kenagawa in Barnsley, we went hours without finding a single person who would listen to us. It was really tough. Imagine the homeless guy on the street that is begging for money...that is what I felt like. I had a small glimpse of what the Savior felt when he came to Earth.
I want to end on a spiritual insight I had yesterday. On my mission, I have had a hard time feeling the peace that the gospel brings because of all that is going on. That seems silly, because I am focused on the gospel 24/7. But we are running place to place, and I'm thinking about so many things at once. In all of the commotion, I'm struggling to find the peace I normally feel in the gospel. But today I discovered that you CAN feel that peace no matter how busy your life is. In the sacrament prayer, we are promised that as we remember God and keep his commandments, we will ALWAYS have his Spirit with us. I've been trying to understand more about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how I can use it beyond repentence. And today I found one way! Because of Christ's Atonement, we always have a constant companion. The Holy Ghost doesn't change what happens in our lives, but it makes our busy days doable. It makes us feel lighter.
This week, I challenge you become in tune with the Spirit. When you wake up, kneel down and ask Heavenly Father to help you to recognize its presence. Then take a moment of stillness, and let it fill you. As you do so, your busy tasks won't change, but the way you feel will. Life will become more enjoyable.
Have a wonderful week, Cheers! Sister Jones
Homemade Memory Match
My cute little plan of salvation. Laminated it with tape and took it on the go!
Honey pie
The Morton's make each set of missionaries a 3 course meal
salmon cucumber toast. Course 1
ham wrapped chicken. Course 2
A little jelly. Course 3
postcard from mum
Blackberry season. These bushes were on our walk up the hill to our Sheffield flat
What a week. We started off with a pday at FIVE GUYS. I've been craving an American burger so I was chuffed.
On Tuesday we had interviews and training with President Green and our district. My companion and I thought it was in Sheffield but it was in Doncaster. Long story short, our train was delayed, our bus didn't come, and we ended up walking 40 minutes in the rain to get to our destination. We showed up 2 hours late. When it was my turn for an interview, President took me on a walk. I told him my frustrations and concerns, and after talking it out with him it suddenly clicked. I feel helpless. I can't speak the language of the majority of the people we are teaching, I am being trained, I'm brand new, the public transport here is garbage, etc. But now that I recognize my struggle, I see exactly why the Lord put me where he did. He needs me to not feel in control in order to learn how to do this work HIS way, not mine. Isn't it funny how the Lord gives us the exact trials we need to grow? He knows me so well:)
On Wednesday we visited a cute elderly woman in our ward named Jean Collier. She showed us pictures in her scrapbook of her grandmother, Eliza Jones. She also showed us pictures of her many years ago as a ballerina and acrobat!
Sister Collier. She brought a bag to church of fruit and treats for us to take home each week
We also went to the British Heart Foundation to dust furniture for weekly service...and let me tell ya. Dusting for 3 hours feels like eternity. Luckily this week they had an old piano out for sale, and instead of dusting I got to play piano as background music for customers coming in. It was honestly such a blessing because I have really missed playing the piano because it helps relieve a lot of my stress. I played a lot of hymns so it was a form of missionary work...right?
Macko family. Kids are Anna maria, Janko (yan), nikolas and Geisa
I wanted to share some brief insights that I had in my personal study this week. Have you ever heard the story of Gideon in the Bible? Go read the talk "The Sword of the Lord and of Gideon". It's golden. There are two main takeaways I want to touch on. First: we ARE capable of doing what the Lord asks of us. Gideon was just an average Joe with no special talents, but through the Lord's help led an army of 300 to victory. "God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about our availability, and if we then prove our dependability, he will increase our capability!" Second: The Lord needs to humble us so that we know we cannot do it on our own. I have felt that as the Lord has put me in a position where I do not feel in control of just about anything. I learned quickly that this isn't my work, it's his. I couldn't do this without him. Take a step back and think about the trials you are currently facing. Do you think that there is a reason he gave you that specific one? He gives each of us different trials that WE need in order to grow, and so that we rely upon him. Keep that in mind.
Have a fantastic week! Cheers!
Sister Jones
(PS: I have a job for you. Go to the temple for me this week. After going to the temple every week for over 2 years, I realize what a difference it made in my life. I can't go for a while so will you do me a favor and go? Thanks.)
the beginnings of a life long friendship
Sister Pegg came to visit with her dog "Honey" and chat so we could take a little break. She called us and said, "Look out your window." If you know me, I love dogs!
I'm grateful for these kind people who are always watching out for the missionaries!
Tea with Jan, Nigel and their little Chihuahua Pippin (not featured)
Eating Ox heart.
Faith and Elijah
Gospel Memory Match I made
Anna Maria drew this for me. It's Joseph Smith with Jesus, and finding the Golden Plates under the stone. She is such a special little girl.
The Pegg's favorite fish n'chip shop. Make sure to get a dandelion and burdock soda and some mushy peas and curry with your meal! Ps...notice how the cars park on the road here.
Was I warned about the rain in England? Yes. Was I prepared for it? Nope. The rain here is SO unpredictable. One second it will be sunny and warm, and the next it is pouring. Imagine a shower coming from the sky. It's like that...but worse.
This week was super busy. Most of our appointments fell through, but the Slovak work is moving forward rapidly. A little background- there used to be an entire Slovak branch here in Sheffield, but there were some major problems that caused everybody to go inactive except for one older man.
This week we met S. He is a Slovak man who isn't a member but is eager to learn more. We have taught him two lessons and hope to keep progressing him. His daughter in law is also interested so we began teaching her as well. In addition, we met with the M. family, and hope to reactive them and get their sweet 8 year old daughter baptized as well! Sister Mottlova translates for me as I simply explain principles and testify of the truthfulness of this gospel. The work is moving forward!
Fun side note: It's berry season here, and Sis Mottlova LOVES blackberries. So every few days we walk down the street collecting blackberries to put in our morning porridge.
Five Guys with my district. Elder Sena, Reese, King-Taomohanga and Hadfield.
Side note no. 2... We got invited to a BBQ this week at a friends house. When we showed up, we were the only white people there HA. Try to picture that. Two white girls with funny name tags and long dresses at an African backyard BBQ. It was awesome.
This week I have realized how grateful I am for the consistency that the gospel brings into my life. I meet people every day who do not know their purpose. They don't know why they are here and who they can turn to for strength and comfort. Because of the gospel of Jesus Christ, I can have constant peace in my life regarless of my circumstances. Think for a second about that. What would your life be like without that knowledge? The gospel is so good. Do not take it for granted!
Cheers! Sister Jones
Package from the fam! No better feeling than picking up a package at zone conference.
HAPPINESS! Ice cream and a craft store....The whole Peter Rabbit Collection!
Such a nostalgic view for me. This is my view right after we got off the train in Rotterham. We'd walk across the bridge and the soccer field into the run down gypsy town to teach our Slovak friends
