10/29
Jake to Dad
This week has been a lot better!
The first several days were pretty empty and we didnt seem to find any success
but regardless I felt a lot better about things! Your email really helped a lot.
Though the first half of the week didnt yield much, the latter half contained a few gems! We met a woman named Maria from Italy that was being taught by missionaries there before she came to visit family in Swindon for a few months. We also met a nice African woman named Gladys who has 3 children and accepted the Book of Mormon.
The greatest miracle of the week however has been a woman named Sue. She is INCREDIBLE. She has been searching her whole life for the truth. Ever since she was a child and read John 3:16 she has known that there was something out there and has been looking for it. Her family went through many religions while she was young, finally settling with the Jehovah's Witnesses but she knew that that wasnt right to her. She has investigated all different churches, Christian, Hindu, Muslim and believes ours comes closest to her understanding of the truth as shes found in her studies of science, history, and the Bible. She has also endured a lot of pain at the hands of an abusive husband in the past, to the extent that she hasnt been able to use her legs in years because of the damage he did to her spine.
Elder Callen and I found her almost 2 months ago but she was in too much pain at the time to sit with us so she gave us her number and asked us to call if we were ever nearby. Elder Barker and I finally met her this week and for 2 hours we listened to her story and spoke with her. As she told us all that she had experienced and about her search I just couldnt think of what to say to her. I felt that my knowledge and experience was far too limited to giver her any sort of comfort or to answer her questions. I flipped to many different scriptures from The Book of Mormon to Doctrine and Covenants to the Pearl of Great Price and finally decided I would read to her Joseph Smith History. I began a few verses in and as I started to read the most powerful Spirit Ive ever felt settled into the room. It filled me up and my body trembled as I read to her. When I read the part where Joseph Smith says "What is to be done?" She stopped me and said "Thats exactly how i feel". I kept reading through the first vision and then I bore my testimony of the Restoration and the Book of Mormon. The Spirit was so thick you could cut it! We talked some more and after 2 hours had passes we told her we needed to go and we left her the Book of Mormon which she accepted graciously. We havent been able to see her since as she hasnt been feeling well but I spoke to her on the phone and shes enjoying what shes reading!
She needs prayers!
In other news Debbie has yet to ever contact us, Charlie dropped us, her family is really putting on the pressure at the moment and she needs some time. Andrew is coming back from scotland, and Bhesh has so far enjoyed Church. He didnt come to Stake Conference this week (which was really good) but thats alright.
Elder Kearon gave a really great talk at Conference ( I got to shake his hand afterward!) It was on a variety of things but the part that really stood out was about the Atonement. He related an analogy another Seventy shared to describe the Atonement. He told of a beautiful park in Idaho, with rolling green hills and trees and a sparkling clear river with the Idaho Falls Temple at one corner. The Park was built on top of a landfill! He said that if you were to go to this park and try to dig out all of your rubbish and waste that went into it it would be an outrage, they would say why are you trying to go back and pull out all this trash? Look around you and see all the beauty that has come from it. The message was that we shouldnt go back and dwell on our mistakes our on our bad memories, rather we should accept them as something that makes the Atonement even more beautiful and wonderful for us because with it we can have something better.
I guess thats something that kind of defines my week this week. Just letting go. Letting things happen the way theyre supposed to and not worrying so much about it. Its a tough lesson and I cant say ive really "learned it" but im working on it!
I almost forgot! We got transfer news on Friday as transfers are Today this week.
Elder Barker and I are staying in Swindon for another 6 weeks! Though im quite certain that Im leaving after this one! Unfortunately that will be just before Christmas so I wont get to Skype home with Elder Barker! This last 6 weeks went by so quick, i realized the other day im 1/3 of the way through the mission! And Im coming up on 9 months at the end of this next transfer! It goes by way too quick!
My thoughts are pretty jumbled at the moment, I wish i had more to say but I love you and I pray for you guys every day.
Though the first half of the week didnt yield much, the latter half contained a few gems! We met a woman named Maria from Italy that was being taught by missionaries there before she came to visit family in Swindon for a few months. We also met a nice African woman named Gladys who has 3 children and accepted the Book of Mormon.
The greatest miracle of the week however has been a woman named Sue. She is INCREDIBLE. She has been searching her whole life for the truth. Ever since she was a child and read John 3:16 she has known that there was something out there and has been looking for it. Her family went through many religions while she was young, finally settling with the Jehovah's Witnesses but she knew that that wasnt right to her. She has investigated all different churches, Christian, Hindu, Muslim and believes ours comes closest to her understanding of the truth as shes found in her studies of science, history, and the Bible. She has also endured a lot of pain at the hands of an abusive husband in the past, to the extent that she hasnt been able to use her legs in years because of the damage he did to her spine.
Elder Callen and I found her almost 2 months ago but she was in too much pain at the time to sit with us so she gave us her number and asked us to call if we were ever nearby. Elder Barker and I finally met her this week and for 2 hours we listened to her story and spoke with her. As she told us all that she had experienced and about her search I just couldnt think of what to say to her. I felt that my knowledge and experience was far too limited to giver her any sort of comfort or to answer her questions. I flipped to many different scriptures from The Book of Mormon to Doctrine and Covenants to the Pearl of Great Price and finally decided I would read to her Joseph Smith History. I began a few verses in and as I started to read the most powerful Spirit Ive ever felt settled into the room. It filled me up and my body trembled as I read to her. When I read the part where Joseph Smith says "What is to be done?" She stopped me and said "Thats exactly how i feel". I kept reading through the first vision and then I bore my testimony of the Restoration and the Book of Mormon. The Spirit was so thick you could cut it! We talked some more and after 2 hours had passes we told her we needed to go and we left her the Book of Mormon which she accepted graciously. We havent been able to see her since as she hasnt been feeling well but I spoke to her on the phone and shes enjoying what shes reading!
She needs prayers!
In other news Debbie has yet to ever contact us, Charlie dropped us, her family is really putting on the pressure at the moment and she needs some time. Andrew is coming back from scotland, and Bhesh has so far enjoyed Church. He didnt come to Stake Conference this week (which was really good) but thats alright.
Elder Kearon gave a really great talk at Conference ( I got to shake his hand afterward!) It was on a variety of things but the part that really stood out was about the Atonement. He related an analogy another Seventy shared to describe the Atonement. He told of a beautiful park in Idaho, with rolling green hills and trees and a sparkling clear river with the Idaho Falls Temple at one corner. The Park was built on top of a landfill! He said that if you were to go to this park and try to dig out all of your rubbish and waste that went into it it would be an outrage, they would say why are you trying to go back and pull out all this trash? Look around you and see all the beauty that has come from it. The message was that we shouldnt go back and dwell on our mistakes our on our bad memories, rather we should accept them as something that makes the Atonement even more beautiful and wonderful for us because with it we can have something better.
I guess thats something that kind of defines my week this week. Just letting go. Letting things happen the way theyre supposed to and not worrying so much about it. Its a tough lesson and I cant say ive really "learned it" but im working on it!
I almost forgot! We got transfer news on Friday as transfers are Today this week.
Elder Barker and I are staying in Swindon for another 6 weeks! Though im quite certain that Im leaving after this one! Unfortunately that will be just before Christmas so I wont get to Skype home with Elder Barker! This last 6 weeks went by so quick, i realized the other day im 1/3 of the way through the mission! And Im coming up on 9 months at the end of this next transfer! It goes by way too quick!
My thoughts are pretty jumbled at the moment, I wish i had more to say but I love you and I pray for you guys every day.
Jake to LoraLynn
President Rasmussen said the same
thing to me on the phone. Sometimes we sow and sometimes we reap. Supposedly
the mission as a whole is doing really well and there are some areas seeing
tremendous success at the moment and he insisted to me that what I was doing
here had a large impact on that. In any case things are coming along, hopefully
ill be mailing you the flash drive again soon and Elder Barker and I are
staying another 6 weeks in Swindon! woot woot! Have you ever heard of drop box?
or something like that? I guess its basically an online folder where you can
put stuff like pictures and access from anywhere else, another missionary
suggested we could set up an account and i could just upload all my pictures to
there and you could access them as you please, also what is the address to my
blog page I want to see it!
I like reeses! Other than that its hard to remember things that i used to love... hmmm... sour patch watermelons? I do need more thick black missionary socks! as well as black shoe polish, somehow it never made it into my suitcase if you recall, and ive been borrowing since then, i have a kit now but im out of polish.
love you!
I like reeses! Other than that its hard to remember things that i used to love... hmmm... sour patch watermelons? I do need more thick black missionary socks! as well as black shoe polish, somehow it never made it into my suitcase if you recall, and ive been borrowing since then, i have a kit now but im out of polish.
love you!
10/22
Jake to Dad
Its been a pretty up and
down week here in Swindon as well.
-On Monday we had an appointment with Charlie but she had to cancel and reschedule. Later in the day we biked out to Wooton Basset for a DA but they had forgotten so they cooked us some burgers quickly. The interesting part of the evening was on the way back. We went through a small community that isnt within the bounds of our maps and then from there passed by the large manor house and grounds. We decided to try to cut through the grounds but found the way was blocked. We also had a very bizarre experience with a floating green light! Elder Barker was very freaked out, it grunted at us! Probably just a groundskeeper of some kind but at the time Elder BArker was convinced it was an evil spirit. (Were going by again this evening! We have a DA with the same family again!)
-On Tuesday night around 10:20 a former investigator from about a month ago who is a recovering alcoholic called us. She had relapsed pretty badly so she was really drunk and super depressed. I tried to comfort her for 45 minutes on the phone until the Relief Society President could show up to help her. She was hysterical and thinking about suicide. It was the most stressful evening of my life!
-On Wednesday we went to visit the woman who called, Debbie, and tried to help her out. We sang her some hymns and recommitted her to be taught and read the Book of Mormon and it went really well. We set an appointment for Friday and committed her to Church
-On Thursday we had a really great District Meeting but something about it knocked a bit off balance. Im not sure what it was exactly, the spirit was strong, and Elder Paynter and a few other missionaries bore powerful Testimony about the Book of Mormon and about recent converts. I suppose it just made me feel really weak, or drew out the insignificance i was feeling last week. In any case it put me off a bit though I recovered.
-On Friday Debbie AND Charlie cancelled their appointments and now it seems like theyre both in the same boat again of us not being able to contact them top set things up. They were going to be amazing lessons, we knew what we would teach, we had members involved and it was going to be amazing! And they cancelled!
-On Saturday morning I called President Rasmussen and told him about how I was feeling. We had a long conversation. He reminded me that the Lord doesnt always bless our efforts right away and that it always hits rock bottom before something great happens. I felt a lot better afterwards anyways and I feel alright now. I spoke to him again that evening to tell him how my day went. He encouraged me a lot and let me know that he wants me to go Senior Companion soon and suggested he may want me to train or lead in the near future. He also asked if I wanted to stay in Swindon or if i needed a change of environment. i told him i wanted to stay. He also suggested that Elder Barker and I were only meant to be together for a short time to help me get back on my feet. He will be calling me later this week to check up on me.
So We had some good moments but this week has been very stressful and disappointing at many stages. There is only a week left before we find out about next transfer! Its a very strange moment. Im afraid to leave Swindon, and lose my opportunity to help Charlie and Debbie. Im afraid to leave or lose Elder Barker. Im out 7 months today and this last 4 weeks have been the fastest on my mission. I feel like im running out of time, theres never enough of it and I just wish I could do more. Im confident that things will look up in the future but I hope it doesnt take too long.
This must sound like a negative email but Im ok. I still love being a missionary and we are so blessed. I am surrounded by some of the best friends Ive ever had and some of the nicest people ive ever met. Its just frustrating that we cant seem to do more for them at the moment. I suppose its like the calm before the storm or something. Silence in the heavans before the blessings are poured out! I just hope when it comes its awesome!
One of the things I talked about with President Rasmussen was gratitude. He asked me what I was grateful for and the first thing on the list was my Dad. I am so grateful for your example to me of patience in adversity, integrity, and hard work. 4 weeks without much success is a small thing and it probably wont be the only time it ever happens on my mission. My mission Scripture comes to mind yet again. Trust in the Lord, with ALL thine heart. He will direct my paths! I know that at the end of the day I will try my best to do what the LORD wants. Everything will be better!
-On Monday we had an appointment with Charlie but she had to cancel and reschedule. Later in the day we biked out to Wooton Basset for a DA but they had forgotten so they cooked us some burgers quickly. The interesting part of the evening was on the way back. We went through a small community that isnt within the bounds of our maps and then from there passed by the large manor house and grounds. We decided to try to cut through the grounds but found the way was blocked. We also had a very bizarre experience with a floating green light! Elder Barker was very freaked out, it grunted at us! Probably just a groundskeeper of some kind but at the time Elder BArker was convinced it was an evil spirit. (Were going by again this evening! We have a DA with the same family again!)
-On Tuesday night around 10:20 a former investigator from about a month ago who is a recovering alcoholic called us. She had relapsed pretty badly so she was really drunk and super depressed. I tried to comfort her for 45 minutes on the phone until the Relief Society President could show up to help her. She was hysterical and thinking about suicide. It was the most stressful evening of my life!
-On Wednesday we went to visit the woman who called, Debbie, and tried to help her out. We sang her some hymns and recommitted her to be taught and read the Book of Mormon and it went really well. We set an appointment for Friday and committed her to Church
-On Thursday we had a really great District Meeting but something about it knocked a bit off balance. Im not sure what it was exactly, the spirit was strong, and Elder Paynter and a few other missionaries bore powerful Testimony about the Book of Mormon and about recent converts. I suppose it just made me feel really weak, or drew out the insignificance i was feeling last week. In any case it put me off a bit though I recovered.
-On Friday Debbie AND Charlie cancelled their appointments and now it seems like theyre both in the same boat again of us not being able to contact them top set things up. They were going to be amazing lessons, we knew what we would teach, we had members involved and it was going to be amazing! And they cancelled!
-On Saturday morning I called President Rasmussen and told him about how I was feeling. We had a long conversation. He reminded me that the Lord doesnt always bless our efforts right away and that it always hits rock bottom before something great happens. I felt a lot better afterwards anyways and I feel alright now. I spoke to him again that evening to tell him how my day went. He encouraged me a lot and let me know that he wants me to go Senior Companion soon and suggested he may want me to train or lead in the near future. He also asked if I wanted to stay in Swindon or if i needed a change of environment. i told him i wanted to stay. He also suggested that Elder Barker and I were only meant to be together for a short time to help me get back on my feet. He will be calling me later this week to check up on me.
So We had some good moments but this week has been very stressful and disappointing at many stages. There is only a week left before we find out about next transfer! Its a very strange moment. Im afraid to leave Swindon, and lose my opportunity to help Charlie and Debbie. Im afraid to leave or lose Elder Barker. Im out 7 months today and this last 4 weeks have been the fastest on my mission. I feel like im running out of time, theres never enough of it and I just wish I could do more. Im confident that things will look up in the future but I hope it doesnt take too long.
This must sound like a negative email but Im ok. I still love being a missionary and we are so blessed. I am surrounded by some of the best friends Ive ever had and some of the nicest people ive ever met. Its just frustrating that we cant seem to do more for them at the moment. I suppose its like the calm before the storm or something. Silence in the heavans before the blessings are poured out! I just hope when it comes its awesome!
One of the things I talked about with President Rasmussen was gratitude. He asked me what I was grateful for and the first thing on the list was my Dad. I am so grateful for your example to me of patience in adversity, integrity, and hard work. 4 weeks without much success is a small thing and it probably wont be the only time it ever happens on my mission. My mission Scripture comes to mind yet again. Trust in the Lord, with ALL thine heart. He will direct my paths! I know that at the end of the day I will try my best to do what the LORD wants. Everything will be better!
10/15
Jake to LoraLynn
So missionary work is hunky dory. I
told Mom I havent gained any weight yet, nor lost any, im maintaing my girlish
figure quite nicely. (Bikes, morning exersice and fasting weekly ;O) Meanwhile
my companion has got significantly chubbier since he came out HAHA! But thats
cuz he doesnt want to wake up at 6:30! I made him breakfast in bed today. But
hes my best pal as well so its cool.
I love you!!
I love you!!
(Jacob also shared another song this email: Lex De Azevedo’s If You Could Hie to Kolob http://www.youtube.com/watch?
Jake to Dad
Elder Barker is really
good at reminding me to be positive! He always calls me out if I start to beat
myself up! Im really lucky to get to serve with him. I really hope we get at
least one more transfer together. This transfer has gone by so fast! I suppose
it must be because Ive passed the 6 month mark and everything is accelerating
from here on out. Elder Barker reckons either hell leave and Ill train next
transfer or well stay together another transfer than Ill go District Leader
somewhere. He sure is encouraging! Id be perfectly content to stick around with
him for 2 more transfers.
The work this week has been good, its always improving. The two miracles of the week are Charlie and Bhesh. We met Charlie a few weeks ago and she was totally golden... then we couldnt get a hold of her. We were praying for her every day to be able to get in contact with her again, but she was never around when we went by and she never answered our calls. Well on Friday, we met her again after we got flogged for an appointment. She was walking her dogs in a park we regularly pass through. At first we were kind of scared to approach her but we did and she was glad to see us and we learned that her family made a pretty solid attempt to anti her and she was kind of scared to call us back, but she was really glad we got to meet her again! She took her dogs home and we met her 15 minutes later outside a nearby church to teach her (she doesnt want to be taught in her home because of her family). She is really interested and wants to be religious and she even accepted a soft baptismal commitment (is she feels right about it and without a date yet) She also asked for a Book of Mormon for her boyfriend and wants us to meet him, at least to put him at ease about us. We taught her the restoration and she committed to read and pray and even said our closing pray. She closed "in the name of Heavenly Father" Well work on that. Were seeing her again today and were thinking we might invite her to prepare for the 17 of November! Fingers crossed!
Bhesh is a Nepalese man we met while he was jogging. We talked a bit and gave him the Restoration leaflet and got to come by his home later that day to give him a Book of Mormon and talk about the Restoration. He doesnt want to get deeply involved with anything at the moment but he was receptive and agreed to read the Book of Mormon and let us bring him one in Hindi. And he came to Church! He stayed the full 3 hours and seemed to really enjoy it and even said hed come next week! Hes still hesitant to be taught more but well go by this week to chat and maybe after he comes again hell be ready to look into it with more depth!
We have another gut weve been teaching, Darren, who struggles with a lot of addictions. So far he flogs every other appointment and he cant work up the resolve to just decide hes going to quit but well keep trying with him and see where it goes.
Andrew has yet to return from Scotland as far as we know.
We saw Catherine and Hannah this week and both are still solid as ever! Catherine is even introducing us to her friend Abigail on Wednesday!
Things are going otherwise. Im feeling a lot better this week and really looking forward to working harder! Weve been pretty slack the last several weeks as far as handing out the Book of Mormon. The standard of excellence is 10 but we have yet to pass 6. Just means we need to talk to more people! Something I struggle with a lot is how to approach people more individually. Its really easy to adopt a standard approach at which point people aren't people anymore. Our DL elder Paynter and Elder Callen are both pretty good at it but I cant seem to figure it out. I always blank when I try to mix it up. We should be discussing it in District Meeting this week so well see what happens.
Thank you for the advice. i think about it alot that I just cant quit. I wish there was a more clear correlation between the work we put in and what we get out of it but it wouldnt be much of a trial if it were so easy. We will just persevere!
It sounds like things are alright at home! Let me know whats happening. How tall is John? How far along is the Temple in Phoenix?
I love you!!
The work this week has been good, its always improving. The two miracles of the week are Charlie and Bhesh. We met Charlie a few weeks ago and she was totally golden... then we couldnt get a hold of her. We were praying for her every day to be able to get in contact with her again, but she was never around when we went by and she never answered our calls. Well on Friday, we met her again after we got flogged for an appointment. She was walking her dogs in a park we regularly pass through. At first we were kind of scared to approach her but we did and she was glad to see us and we learned that her family made a pretty solid attempt to anti her and she was kind of scared to call us back, but she was really glad we got to meet her again! She took her dogs home and we met her 15 minutes later outside a nearby church to teach her (she doesnt want to be taught in her home because of her family). She is really interested and wants to be religious and she even accepted a soft baptismal commitment (is she feels right about it and without a date yet) She also asked for a Book of Mormon for her boyfriend and wants us to meet him, at least to put him at ease about us. We taught her the restoration and she committed to read and pray and even said our closing pray. She closed "in the name of Heavenly Father" Well work on that. Were seeing her again today and were thinking we might invite her to prepare for the 17 of November! Fingers crossed!
Bhesh is a Nepalese man we met while he was jogging. We talked a bit and gave him the Restoration leaflet and got to come by his home later that day to give him a Book of Mormon and talk about the Restoration. He doesnt want to get deeply involved with anything at the moment but he was receptive and agreed to read the Book of Mormon and let us bring him one in Hindi. And he came to Church! He stayed the full 3 hours and seemed to really enjoy it and even said hed come next week! Hes still hesitant to be taught more but well go by this week to chat and maybe after he comes again hell be ready to look into it with more depth!
We have another gut weve been teaching, Darren, who struggles with a lot of addictions. So far he flogs every other appointment and he cant work up the resolve to just decide hes going to quit but well keep trying with him and see where it goes.
Andrew has yet to return from Scotland as far as we know.
We saw Catherine and Hannah this week and both are still solid as ever! Catherine is even introducing us to her friend Abigail on Wednesday!
Things are going otherwise. Im feeling a lot better this week and really looking forward to working harder! Weve been pretty slack the last several weeks as far as handing out the Book of Mormon. The standard of excellence is 10 but we have yet to pass 6. Just means we need to talk to more people! Something I struggle with a lot is how to approach people more individually. Its really easy to adopt a standard approach at which point people aren't people anymore. Our DL elder Paynter and Elder Callen are both pretty good at it but I cant seem to figure it out. I always blank when I try to mix it up. We should be discussing it in District Meeting this week so well see what happens.
Thank you for the advice. i think about it alot that I just cant quit. I wish there was a more clear correlation between the work we put in and what we get out of it but it wouldnt be much of a trial if it were so easy. We will just persevere!
It sounds like things are alright at home! Let me know whats happening. How tall is John? How far along is the Temple in Phoenix?
I love you!!
10/9
Jake to Dad
Dad,
Being a
missionary is the best! But it can be frustrating and frequently
discouraging. This is not Brazil (As President Ogden would say: This is a real
mission) We have been working hard this last few weeks but as always seems to
happen when my desire to work is highest, things come up to sap our time: Zone
Meetings, President Interviews and the like take us away from our area for
extended periods. In the time left over we work our hardest but so far very
little has come. I fully expected that as soon as Elder Barker and I got
started we would talk to everyone, find lots of people and be teaching all the
time. As opposed to certain unnamed missionaries who dont work because they
figure its the Lords Will that they wopnt baptize, I figure you just have to
put th work in and youll find the people and teach the people and on down the
line. But the Lord has his own way! I dont know exactly what the lesson hes
trying to teach me is, probably more patience and gratitude and testing my
faith. (patience is defenitely my weakest attribute according to the survey we
took in the MTC) Its frustrating because when we work our hardest so many people
wont een turn to speak to us and its discouraging because I constantly feel
like im hindering the work when i dont talk to certain people or i dont
confidently follow the thoughts that come to my mind. Elder Barker thinks im
crazy when i get discouraged and thinks i expect too much from myself but whats
wrong with expecting my best? I know what I can do and I rarely do it and I
feel like i put myself in the Lords way. Im trying as best as I can but theres
always something. I just want to do whats expected of me and help the people
waiting for me. But I cant help the people if I cant get in contact with them
or they wont call me back! This transfer has me anxious because were doing a
special "Thomas S. Monson" Transfer and each companionship is
supposed to be trying to baptize at least one person within the transfer. We
enthusiastically felt we could find 3! But the time we have to find those people
is extremely limited, more every day and it gets me antsy! We have 2 weve been
able to teach, but neither of them seems ready to fill that goal. On top of
that the hours of the day we have to work is getting shorter all the time. I
feel like talking to President about the things im struggling with but I feel
like I ought to be able to resolve it myself, epecially after we just had
conference and we had interviews last week.
I just want to do the
best I can!
I will do better this
week. It all starts with waking up on time and doing what im supposed to.
I
love you
Jake to Mom and John
Man! General Conference
was crazy! I still havent gotten to see the Sunday Afternoon session or the
priesthood session (Its not so simple to watch conference here) but the rest
was awesome! Just Ask the Missionaries! They can help you! The announcement
concerning the age of missionary service was probably the most shocking. I mean
thats practically a new section on Doctrine and Covenants right there! The
implications are quite interesting as well, when I complete my mission I will
be an "older missionary" One of the last to come out at 19 (at my
first opportunity that is) And Ill be 3 years older than the new missionaries
coming in! I also felt a little gyped like I could have come out sooner! I didnt
have to wait around at home so long! Alas! The craziest announcement was about
the girls though, the Elders were in quite a tizzy about that for many reasons.
The first being the potential for many of the elders to be serving alongside
ex-girlfriends in the field. Now that would be awkward!
My highlights from
conference had to be Jeffrey R. Holland and Dieter F. Uchtdorf however. Its
interesting that Jeffrey Hollands talk was very similar to an MTC devotional he
gave a few years ago that was shown in the MTC in Preston. Very similar in its
climax! Great talk! And Russell M. Nelsons talk will be heavily quoted among
the Elders at least until next General Conference! Quite an interesting
weekend!
The work is slow at the
moment here in Swindon. Weve been working our butts off and talking to everyone
but at the moment not much is coming from it, at least not as much as I
expected given the significant increase in work we are doing. We have 2
investigators weve taught more than once at the moment, Andrew and Darrin.
Andrew is still in Scotland today as far as I know and has been gone for a
week. Last we saw him he was still clinging to some anti-material he dug up on
the internet. Darrin is a former investigator from a few years ago who
struggles with a lot of addictions and consequentially some mental problems. He
smokes, drinks, may do other drugs as well and suffers from some paranoia he
takes medication for. Weve seen him twice and he takes time to pick up on
things but he has a sincere desire to change his life and enjoys having us
around. Right now he really struggles to understand the Book of Mormon on his
own so in our last visit we read Alma 22 with him and explained it to him 1
verse at a time. Well see what happens but he will probably need some time to
progress and overcome his problems. Prayin for miracles to help him along
faster! Other than that we have some potentials who are taking some time to
develop for various reason and its getting a little frustrating at times!
But the work goes well!
Im enjoying it even though its getting really cold outside and the people are
as well! Another difficulty is that its getting darker earlier and earlier so
unless we have lessons scheduled in the evening we cant really do much work the
later it gets.
We will just have to get
more lessons!
I love you!
John- 8 years just
became 7 kiddo; read your scriptures! It comes quicker than you think! Enjoy
yourself but dont forget what counts! Modern day England isnt up to much, buts
its getting cold! Very cold!
10/9
Jake to LoraLynn
I wish we were seeing
lots of results! But things dont always develop as fast as youd like! We just
have to be patient and grateful for the things we are blessed with!
Conference was BANANAS!
We only got to see a few sessions but we heard the crazy announcements! Lots of
feelings swirling around that. My initial impressions were I wish I could have
come out sooner. Man there are going to be SO many Sisters now and much to our
relief here in England. Its crazy to think that girls I know from back home
could pop up in the mission within 6 months! And Im going to be an older
missionary now! Ill finish at 3 years older than the new missionaries coming
in! Weird! I didnt even realize that Zach can come out early now! I was just
thinking of all the guys back in Phoenix! Nuts!
Praying har for Charlie
at the moment, since we met her we havent been able to see her again and have
started to worry that she has forgotten us. Im on exchange today and Elder
Barker and Elder Paynter are planning on going by so fingers crossed. She seems
absolutely golden and it was definitely no mistake that we found her! So im not
giving up till shes in the temple! We found another interesting girl named
Jennifer (19) who readily accepted a Book of Mormon and has been
wondering about life after this. She seemed miraculously golden as well, but
theres only one problem, she said her parents wouldnt like it if she gave out
her details so were praying shell give us a call. Pray with us! We want to
teach her!! She said her father was struggling with some of the same worries
and also said shed show the BoM to her Sister! It could be cool! The work is
progressing slowly, Id hoped wed be teaching more people by now but we have to
be patient and press forward! Its always darkest before the dawn! The source of
my anxiety however is that were doing a Thomas S. Monson Transfer. Basically a
rededication to our purpose and to mission standards in honor of Thomas S
Monson and the goal is for every companionship to find and baptize at least 1
person within the transfer. Were rapdly running out of time to find the people
who can be baptized within this transfer.... and we set a goal for 3! We
certainly cannot accomplish this on our own, we need miracles! Whatever happens
will be for the best though..... but me and Elder Barker want to baptize
dangit!
Hannah is st ill solid
as ever, trying to find a new job, Catherine is good so far but has a super
atheist boyfriend now who we worry about, but shes is wonderful and were
watching out for her! Shes smart! Hugh is really struggling with his depression
and ther difficulties but he agreed to meet with the missionaries again the
other say an agreed to go to conference, still dont know whats happened there,
I will have to call someone. Elder Barker and I will be going back to Cardiff
on the 19th and the 27th for 2 of his investigators who are getting baptized
and we have permission to go early so I can see Hugh. Jaz is also finally going
to get her endowments on the 27th!!! After she goes through the temple she will
know everything there possibly is to know about the Gospel! :O If anyone comes
to pick me up from the mission they arent leaving without meeting Jaz!!
My luck with bikes is
terrible, but my new wheel and derailer are sweet! Now i just need to replace
the springs in my brakes! So close to a perfect bike.... then ill probably
crash it '-_-
Much love!
P.S. This weekend was
MISSION FOOTBALL!!!! Oh ya!!! It was intense but it was super wet and muddy and
i didnt have cleats until the last round (borrowed some) The Cheltenham Zone
won over all, we have an Australian who owns it up at Football. Pictures soon!
10/1
Jake to LoraLynn
Man you
never email me anywhere! Luckily I havent had much to write back
for a while but this week was awesome! Elder Barker and I have talked to
so many people this week! Most people wont stop to talk anymore, some wont even
turn to look at you! And this is what weve been up to! At our last Zone
Meeting we were promised that if we would make sure to speak to at least
10 people outside of planned finding activities everyday our baptisms would
double and weve been trying our best. But our efforts have not
been entirely without fruits! Weve found some good potentials this week and set up lots of return appointments.... none of which worked out this week but the good ones have been rescheduled so there is still hope! The best story is probably from Saturday however. On Saturday morning we had 2 hours of going by potentials, a new investigator, and gqing (street contacting) planned and for that entire 2 hours
absolutely no one would speak to us. Our new investigator dropped us and another appointment we scheduled turned out to be a dud. So at this point we were starting to feel a bit discouraged! But right
around 12 we talked to one more person, a 20 year old girl named Charlie. I asked her how her morning was and she said it was terrible because she drinks (she was hungover). We started to talk more and she
told us it felt like fate that she was meeting us and she had just been thinking that she needed a religion in her life. She said she needed to get on the straight and narrow. So we talked a bit and gave her the Book of Mormon and scheduled a return appointment later in the day. She ended up sleeping through it and not answering the door (again, she was hungover) but she was very apologetic on the phone and
still golden! She wants to sit down with us with her boyfriend sometime this week! We have another nice lady who accepted a Book of Mormon named Natalie that we had to reschedule to wednesday, and last
night we met a girl named Becky that was very nice and open minded and readily accepted the Book of Mormon. We have found so far that women are much more receptive than men! However we do have one guy weve been teaching, Andrew. This week has been a bit rough though because he looked up a site on the internet "For those investigating The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints". There is much truth on it but there are so many falsehoods mixed in that its a pain and a hassle addressing the concerns hes come up with. Hell be out of town this week in Scotland but he will be solid in the near future! He loves the Book of Mormon and the Resto DVD and Church at least but hes cautious about jumping on board at the moment because God lives on a planet near a star called Kolob with his many goddess wives! Its been a good week, were a bit anxious to start teaching people and helping them
progress though!
In other news my bike broke down in numerous ways this last week and I just got it back from the shop for £130 its running beatifully again and I hope this is the last time I ever have to drop any significant
amount of money on it!
Cant wait to tell you how many people want to get baptized next week! Love you!
been entirely without fruits! Weve found some good potentials this week and set up lots of return appointments.... none of which worked out this week but the good ones have been rescheduled so there is still hope! The best story is probably from Saturday however. On Saturday morning we had 2 hours of going by potentials, a new investigator, and gqing (street contacting) planned and for that entire 2 hours
absolutely no one would speak to us. Our new investigator dropped us and another appointment we scheduled turned out to be a dud. So at this point we were starting to feel a bit discouraged! But right
around 12 we talked to one more person, a 20 year old girl named Charlie. I asked her how her morning was and she said it was terrible because she drinks (she was hungover). We started to talk more and she
told us it felt like fate that she was meeting us and she had just been thinking that she needed a religion in her life. She said she needed to get on the straight and narrow. So we talked a bit and gave her the Book of Mormon and scheduled a return appointment later in the day. She ended up sleeping through it and not answering the door (again, she was hungover) but she was very apologetic on the phone and
still golden! She wants to sit down with us with her boyfriend sometime this week! We have another nice lady who accepted a Book of Mormon named Natalie that we had to reschedule to wednesday, and last
night we met a girl named Becky that was very nice and open minded and readily accepted the Book of Mormon. We have found so far that women are much more receptive than men! However we do have one guy weve been teaching, Andrew. This week has been a bit rough though because he looked up a site on the internet "For those investigating The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints". There is much truth on it but there are so many falsehoods mixed in that its a pain and a hassle addressing the concerns hes come up with. Hell be out of town this week in Scotland but he will be solid in the near future! He loves the Book of Mormon and the Resto DVD and Church at least but hes cautious about jumping on board at the moment because God lives on a planet near a star called Kolob with his many goddess wives! Its been a good week, were a bit anxious to start teaching people and helping them
progress though!
In other news my bike broke down in numerous ways this last week and I just got it back from the shop for £130 its running beatifully again and I hope this is the last time I ever have to drop any significant
amount of money on it!
Cant wait to tell you how many people want to get baptized next week! Love you!
9/24
Jake to Dad:
Catherines Baptism went
really well! It was really stressful leading up to it and trying to get a hold
of people to take part in the program but at the last minute it all pulled
together! I forgot spare garments however and had to take some extra time to
wring them out before going back to the chapel! Oops!
Me and Elder Barker are really excited to get to work in Swindon! He loves the area and the ward already and things are starting to move forward again. We have a good handful of appointments this week and plenty of time on the side to FIND!
Yesterday we planned for the week and we set our vision for this transfer. Our vision is 3 more baptisms in Swindon and 2 more with a date for next transfer. Its a lofty goal and we dont have much to work with but Im confident that its possible if we put in the effort and the faith. In my studies in Preach My Gospel and in our various meetings it is reinforced in my mind that if we get out of the Lords way, follow the Spirit, and WORK that anything is possible! There are many things to keep in mind but the way I see it its a formula! If we have enough faith and humility and our hearts are in the right place
and we put in the time and effort the baptisms will come and the Kingdom in Swindon will grow! There are over 200,000 people here in our neck of the woods and the way I see it there must been tons of people ready to be taught and a good handful ready to be baptized! We are setting our sights high and it will take plenty of work and
prayers to accomplish it so pray for us!!!
I have had a few impression and ideas about my studies recently; first, in my reading of the New Testament I read Matthew 11 this morning, and the chapter closes with Christs invitaton to "Come Unto Him". It reminds me of a conversation I had about not just Believing IN Christ but BELIEVING Christ. If we truly believe in him we will believe in his promises. He has invited us to Come Unto Him and promised that he will make our burdens light and give us rest. He never promised to take our burdens away, just to make them light. Ive been impressed this week that I dont believe in God because he makes my life better and gets rid of my problems, I believe in God because he strengthens me to persevere through my problems and supports me through my trials and finally, consecrates them for my good. Sometimes he makes things better as well! But we have to wait for those kind of blessings! I would refer you to an excellent BYU Devotional By Henry B. Eyring in 1982 called "The Law of Increasing Returns"!
Another thing I have been thinking about is that I want to study more from the scriptures than I am now. Right now Im reading bits from the Old and New Testament each day and studying Preach My Gospel, but its not enough! Ive decided to rededicate my spare time during lunch to the suggested additional study, and I want to use that time primarily
for reading the Book of Mormon. Ive been trying to read the entire Standard Works but since I finished the Triple Combination i haven’t read much from the book of mormon and ive been missing it! So ill be starting that this week!
Good things are happening and about to happen in Swindon! Pray for us as we try to kick ourselves back into shape and get the ball rolling!
Me and Elder Barker are really excited to get to work in Swindon! He loves the area and the ward already and things are starting to move forward again. We have a good handful of appointments this week and plenty of time on the side to FIND!
Yesterday we planned for the week and we set our vision for this transfer. Our vision is 3 more baptisms in Swindon and 2 more with a date for next transfer. Its a lofty goal and we dont have much to work with but Im confident that its possible if we put in the effort and the faith. In my studies in Preach My Gospel and in our various meetings it is reinforced in my mind that if we get out of the Lords way, follow the Spirit, and WORK that anything is possible! There are many things to keep in mind but the way I see it its a formula! If we have enough faith and humility and our hearts are in the right place
and we put in the time and effort the baptisms will come and the Kingdom in Swindon will grow! There are over 200,000 people here in our neck of the woods and the way I see it there must been tons of people ready to be taught and a good handful ready to be baptized! We are setting our sights high and it will take plenty of work and
prayers to accomplish it so pray for us!!!
I have had a few impression and ideas about my studies recently; first, in my reading of the New Testament I read Matthew 11 this morning, and the chapter closes with Christs invitaton to "Come Unto Him". It reminds me of a conversation I had about not just Believing IN Christ but BELIEVING Christ. If we truly believe in him we will believe in his promises. He has invited us to Come Unto Him and promised that he will make our burdens light and give us rest. He never promised to take our burdens away, just to make them light. Ive been impressed this week that I dont believe in God because he makes my life better and gets rid of my problems, I believe in God because he strengthens me to persevere through my problems and supports me through my trials and finally, consecrates them for my good. Sometimes he makes things better as well! But we have to wait for those kind of blessings! I would refer you to an excellent BYU Devotional By Henry B. Eyring in 1982 called "The Law of Increasing Returns"!
Another thing I have been thinking about is that I want to study more from the scriptures than I am now. Right now Im reading bits from the Old and New Testament each day and studying Preach My Gospel, but its not enough! Ive decided to rededicate my spare time during lunch to the suggested additional study, and I want to use that time primarily
for reading the Book of Mormon. Ive been trying to read the entire Standard Works but since I finished the Triple Combination i haven’t read much from the book of mormon and ive been missing it! So ill be starting that this week!
Good things are happening and about to happen in Swindon! Pray for us as we try to kick ourselves back into shape and get the ball rolling!
I love you and I hope things are going well this week!
9/20
Jake to LoraLynn:
Dear Sister,
I have disowned you and will no longer be reading your emails...
Is that what you thought I might say? Haha! I love you!
But my nerw companion is Elder Barker!!! Trained by Elder Leavitt! We served together in Cardiff! He got to stay a little longer than I did (7.5 months) and now were COMPANIONS! Apparently hes had a pretty rough 3 months as well. But we are ready to absolutley work our butts off, we both will need a few days to learn how to do missionary work again and get ourselves situated but its going to be amazing! Im freakin excited!
I love you!
I have disowned you and will no longer be reading your emails...
Is that what you thought I might say? Haha! I love you!
But my nerw companion is Elder Barker!!! Trained by Elder Leavitt! We served together in Cardiff! He got to stay a little longer than I did (7.5 months) and now were COMPANIONS! Apparently hes had a pretty rough 3 months as well. But we are ready to absolutley work our butts off, we both will need a few days to learn how to do missionary work again and get ourselves situated but its going to be amazing! Im freakin excited!
I love you!
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