Week Twelve: The Garden

This week was full of so many miracles! I wanted to start off by saying thank you for your prayers. I feel an army of strength back home and have so much gratitude for you.

I am so grateful for the members here in the Sheffield First Ward. They are really starting to get involved in missionary work. It's so edifying to see members helping missionaries, and missionaries helping members. I have a strong testimony that when we work together, everyone is happier. We are made to strengthen each other! Word got out that my favorite meal is Speghetti and meatballs and I'd like to thank the members for the many variations of this meal I have gotten over the past couple weeks ha!!

On Tuesday night we had a fireside at the chapel with the Elders, a less-active couple, a few members, and our friends who are getting baptized, Carlos and Simone. We had a dinner that consisted of Pot of Plenty, Enchiladas, Korean Beef, and American peanut butter balls (thanks to Bobby Smith for the recipe!) After we ate, Carlos shared his experience with the Elders. It was one of the simplest, most authentic, and most powerful testimonies I have ever heard. He shared how the Elders rescued him and changed his life. When people share experiences like this, I reflect on the importance of a missionary's calling.

Later in the week we taught our Slovak friend Maria. She described a dream she had the week before she met us. Her sister-in-law, who passed a little while ago came to her with some fruit. She told her it was the most amazing fruit she had ever tasted, and that she wanted Maria to have it too. But when Maria asked to try it, she told her that she needed to go to the church to find it. We let her read Lehi's Dream, and she was overjoyed. She said it was exactly the fruit her sister-in-law was talking about. Wow. The Lord works in miraculous ways.

Making Poppies for Remembrance Day

DARLING LITTLE SLOVAK GIRL

On Saturday the Elders called us up and asked if we could teach someone that they had an address for since she lived close to us. We looked up the address and realized it was right across the street! We went to knock on her door preparing for any outcome, as missionaries do. Katie invited us in and we began to explain to her what we do as missionaries. She was SO eager to learn. She begged us to stay and teach her more. Just then an exchange student from China walked in and asked to join. Kim was so interested and even asked to come to church with us! After teaching them for a second time on Sunday, Kim expressed that he felt serenity in the things we were saying. He said, "I know that you are sent from God." And Katie told us that she felt a special power when we were in her home. Wow. There I was, in a little home in England, with someone from China, Hungary, and Czech sharing about Jesus Christ and the hope that the gospel brings. This moment was priceless...one that I will never forget.

Sister from our ward, Katie and Kim

I'd like to end with something I've studied hard and deep this week. Sister Pegg, a close friend of mine, suggested that I study about gardens. As I have done so, I have discovered so many significant connections between the gospel, myself, and gardens. I would like to touch on two of the major things I took away from my study.

Padley Gorge

#1: The most significant events happened in gardens. God chose the Garden of Eden as the first place to begin our journey here on earth. The first covenants with God, which are essential to our salvation, were made in this Garden. Then there is, of course, The Garden of Gethsemane. Because of the Atonement that was performed by Christ in this garden, we are enabled to spiritual and physical redemption.

#2: Patience. Gardens take TIME to grow. We can water the plant, place it in good soil, give it sunlight, and shout at it all we want...but it will not grow in an instant. Likewise, I am a fairley new missionary. I see my potential, and want to be a tall and beautiful shade tree. But growing takes time. No matter how long I read the scriptures, growth takes time, and it takes patience. Sister Pegg said something that really stuck with me. "Remember to be happy enjoying the work of gardening and not just desperate for the end result." This is a good reminder for each of us. We all want to become better than we are. We know we need to be better. But for us perfectionists, this can be difficult. I often tend to get frustrated that I have not yet reached my full potential. For everyone out there who feels unsatisfied with themselves, be patient. Work on improving yourself, but be patient with your growth. There is joy to be found in the small steps we take!

I am grateful for your concern and prayers and wish you a wonderful week from England.

Cheers! Sister Jones