Week Thirty Seven: Trusting His Plan

14.3.20

Hiya! This week has been one full of much emotion. The Corona Virus has skyrocketed in England, particularly in my mission boundaries. On Wednesday the entire mission was isolated. We were instructed to stay in our flats (except for early morning exercise) and stay put until further instruction. President Green informed us that because of the virus, 1/3 (and more to come) of our mission would be sent home. This included any senior missionary, anybody with health or medical conditions, and anyone who was going home relatively soon. Because the U.S. is still allowing people from the U.K. to travel in, President Green wanted to start travel plans immeditely.

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 🇬🇧

Elder Trey Stewart. Sat by each other on the way to and from our missions to England

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.

Week Thirty Six: Lead Kindly Light

10.3.20

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.

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!

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.

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?)

Made cake pops for a friends Birthday Party.

Home made Birthday card.

Studying outside!!!

Came out matching

Matt Pegg ordered us food cause we only had week old vegetables

My favorite flowers!

Painted things that made me happy this week

Week Thirty Five: Heel Clicks and Sunshine

2.3.20

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.

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

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