Week Thirty Six: Lead Kindly Light

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?)