Cute Picture

Sister Maughan and Sister Hull
December 2011

Transfers

TRANSFERS

Can you believe it?  I'm in my second area... with my third companion.  I can't believe it.  I'm kind of in shock.

I'm in Swinton now... serving with Sister Suaybaguio.  Swinton is a suburb of Manchester, so I'm a lot closer to the proper city, and probably technically in the England Manchester Mission :)  I'm in the Manchester Zone which everyone seems to particularly love, and serving in Swinton, which everyone also loves.  When Sister Maughan heard where I was going she said, 'Everyone loves Swinton, I've never heard anything bad about Swinton...'  Which is true, and doesn't seem to happen all the time.  I'm also serving with Sister Suaybaguio, who is from the Phillipines.  She has 2 transfers left, and everyone loves Sister Suaybaguio... lot's.  She is an amazing missionary and has a very sweet personality.  I have so much to learn from her.  It will be quite exciting, I'm sure.

Here is my new address:

Sister Hull

8 Park Street

Church View

M27 4UP

Swinton

United Kingdom

Kind of long, isn't it?  The flat is so huge, I can't believe it.  Everyone told me that the Stafford flat was small, but I didn't believe them.  This one is so large, I could run around in circles.  I probably will.  Just kidding.  But maybe. 

I'm really excited about this new opportunity, but I'm also rather nervous, if I'm honest.  Change is really hard for me, as you all know.  I just feel so silly that I hate change and I came to a place where you can up and move, or your flatmate will, every six weeks.  Plus daily your life is changing, mostly in a good way, but it is still really hard sometimes.  I miss the familiarity of Stafford.  But I was too much in my comfort zone, and that is why I had to leave, you know?  Missions are meant to stretch you and try you so that you can be refined.  That's what they tell me anyway.

Anyway, I've been in Swinton for all of 2 hours tops so I really don't know much more about it.  The past two days since I talked to you have been great.  On Monday we went to the Hills for Boxing Day and got to walk around Sandon Hall, which was neat.  Yesterday we just did missionary work.  We talked to people about the gospel.  We were able to set some appointments and I feel like I left Stafford in a good place.

Well, I'll let you know how it goes.  Mission life is quite exciting.  You have to love it or leave it.  And I refuse to leave it. 

Loves,

Sister Hull

Only....6 more sleeps til Christmas :)

Hello Mom!

 

This is a funny story I forgot to tell you.  Sister Maughan had a dream a while back that we were having a special Zone Conference.  This zone conference was a very special, historical, one for the England Manchester Mission.  Not only was it special for the England Manchester Mission, but also for the church because it was a special Multi-Mission Zone Conference.  It was here in England, but it wasn't combined with Leeds and Birmingham, now, it was combined with some very special other missions... they flew every missionary in from these missions: Chile Rosorno (Elder Peter Maughan served there), Iowa Des Moines (Elder Cannon), Austrialia Brisbane (Elder DeFriez) and Canada Winnipeg (Elder Brendon Mansfield, of the Stafford Branch, whom we never met, is serving there).  I'm a bit blurry on the details of what happened at this Multi-Mission Zone Conference, but I'm pretty sure it was great.  I hope Bolivia Cochabamba will also be invited :)

 

Speaking of, I can't believe it was Jordan's farewell talk yesterday!  That is so insane... life changes so quickly.  I totally do remember being right there... the day of the farewell is pretty good because you just feel an outpouring of love, but the days after are a bit of a beast.  I'm glad that I get to speak with him before he leaves... it seems like someone planned it ;)  I'm sure it was planned.  Sister Maughan has been teaching me this Christmas about the Spirit of Compensation.  It is really how Heavenly Father compensates us for those things (and mostly people) we are missing.  Sometimes as missionaries we try to hold on really really tight, and not forget, because it will be horrible to forget... but then we just get homesick.  Heavenly Father helps us hold on really tight, but He compensates us so we don't have to feel *as* homesick.  We really get to use the Atonement as a balm to soothe our troubled hearts.  I know that is true because I have felt it... and I know that Jordan will be able to feel that as well.

 

It's super scary going into the MTC... but it is possible.  I remember the night before I was set apart I told Katie that I didn't have any faith.  She told me, 'You are going to get on that airplane.  That is faith.  You don't have to do anything else right now.'  And it is so true.  Faith is an action word.  We have to take that first step.  The moments Jordan walks into the MTC will probably be some of the hardest of his life, but as he takes that step, Heavenly Father acknowledges that, and compensates.  When he thinks he'll never be able to learn the lessons in Spanish, he'll need to study a bit harder, and Heavenly Father acknowledges that, and compensates.  We really can't do anything without Heavenly Father's guidance and Jesus Christ's atonement.  I know that is true.  I've tried, I was trying my whole life until now, I think, and now I realize how much I was failing.

 

Jordan's going to be an amazing missionary.  He has such a sweet testimony of the gospel.  It is pure, simple, and yet profoundly logical.  He also cares for others deeply, and when he does that he has no desire whatsoever to hurt them.  And he doesn't really get upset easily, which is a beautiful quality to have pre-mission.  Because when some 16 year old kid tells you that he doesn't believe in God because he is 'educated'... it is upsetting.  But Jordan won't really have to deal with that, because he'll just bare testimony. 

 

I'm so glad to hear that so many people were able to attend his farewell.  Missions really make you realize how many people care about you, and how profusely loved you are.  I realize by how many people came to my farewell, how many write and send me things, and how many prayers are offered that I am so loved.  I really don't know what I did to recieve that, and I don't know that I can ever hope to reciprocate it, but I am so thankful.  I can't even express how blessed I am.  I feel like I was such a jerk most of the time, but you loved me.  Wow.

 

We are going to have a fabulous Christmas.  The members have been showering us with love, and so our tree is stocked with gifts and cards.  We are going to the Preston's for a Christmas meal on Thursday (that is when they will hand out the packages), and then to the Dowds on Christmas Eve, the Notts on Christmas Day (and obviously the Deans that evening) and the Hills on Boxing Day.  We have already been invited to the Sherrards for New Years Day, but I may or may not be here because transfers are the Wednesday in between.  I just can't believe how they have helped us.  It is so amazing.  We have been hand delivering Christmas cards to the members and they have been letting us in to teach them, and to feel of the Spirit in their homes.  I love it.  It has definitely been my compensation, because Stafford Branch is my family this Christmas.  And Oh MY GOODNESS.  You don't realize what it feels like to have the Spirit in your home until you move to England.  There is a profound difference in the feeling of members homes and investigators homes.  It is like night and day.  Seriously.  I never realized it at home because all of our family and friends have the Spirit there, and so it is just a constant, you know.  But I'm so excited to spend the holidays in their homes... it will be like my heart is healing itself.

 

We have a dated investigator!  My first proper one, which is amazing.  His name is Chris M, and we street contacted him, but he wouldn't set an appointment with us, but went and looked online and found Sister Davis' blog (the one you were looking at before I left) and wanted to be taught.  It's really funny because he knows all of this missionary rules and things, and makes sure we tow the line.  We were teaching him the other day at the University (<3 universities!) and our member fellowshipper's, Nathaniel, lecturer came up to us and started talking to us and stuff.  Nathaniel was mortified that we were going to get thrown out or something, but I was thinking that universities, if anything, are a public forum, meaning you have the right to talk about anything there.  But I didn't know the UK laws on public domain.  Anyway, the professor wasn't mad, he just thought we were interesting.  He finally asked, 'Am I bothering you?... sorry to interrupt.'  Chris was like, 'yeah, actually I'm thinking about becoming a Mormon, so I need to talk to them.'  It was so funny/great.  He is not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  He is going home for the holidays, but wants us to set up for the Elders to teach him while he is gone.  He even found the church's phone number for where he is going.  He is great, albeit a little shy.

 

We had our Branch Christmas Party.  We had a time getting Chris there, but we eventually did, and he just started socializing.  It was like he didn't need us to introduce him.  We of course, did, but we had a fun conversation with the 'Bachelor Table' where all of our investigators, recent converts, and a less active were.  The bachelor table had Bachelors' ranging in age from 25-80.  Also from 1 to 92.  (Chipmunks roasting on an open fire... ;P).  Also, President Dowd was Santa's helper, which was so funny.  And Sister Hill was and elf.  The kids were so funny.  The Deans son, George, was like wrestling his father to try to get to Santa, and Ismai had her named called, but there was another Ismai, and so the second time, when it was called for real, she didn't trust Santa.  It was like, 'I've been burned by you before...'  She is two.  So funny.  Love 'em :)

 

We also had our district picture at our last district meeting.  Sister Maughan and I told everyone to wear Christmas colours.  So the did.  Most of the camras were being dumb and so the picture quality wasn't very good.  But all the Elders' were like, 'Whoa, these are so good!'  Sisters, 'um, the quality is horrible...'  Elder, 'But we are all MATCHING!!!'  Yes we are, Elder, yes we are.

 

I realized just barely one of my Christmas traditions for the past three years, has been working at Lee's.  Sister Dean got a job in a deli and we talk regularly about what a great job it is.  And we are both completely serious.  It was a really great job for me, I miss it sometimes.

 

I can't believe White Christmas is over.  I completely, from start to finish, missed it.  That is so weird to me.  I have a hard time believing everything is still going on at home, because I've never seen home without me in it.  Not saying the world should self-destruct, but I just can't imagine it, you know?  So strange.

 

I just want to keep typing.  Ahhh.... I get to talk to you next week :)  It's going to be so good... and a little bit weird.

 

I forgot my list for the shout-out.  I remember I opened both of my grandpa's, and Andrea signed hers as Damien Bellos.  I'll try to remember next week.

 

Have a beautiful day.  I love you all sooooo much.  All of the chocolate England couldn't hold my love for you.  Even all the chocolate in my flat couldn't :) (A lot of chocolate... and I do like chocolate quite a bit more here, but it is still A LOT of chocolate.  I'll probably end up eating most of it, though.)

 

Loves,

 

Sister Jasmine Hull

3 Nephi 1:11-13

 

PS Did you recieve my Christmas card?  I hope I put enough post on it :)

Life is Good

Mom!

 

Oh I love the paper chain, and homesickness is to be expected this time of year.  Luckily, Sister Maughan went through it all last year, so at least I have a companion that understands.  I guess that will be me next year.  Weird.

 

I can't believe Jordan's farewell talk is so soon.  Seems like yesterday.  I got a letter from Brendan last Monday and it sounded like he had just barely heard my farewell talk, so it probably was just yesterday.  When you give that talk you just look around at all the people that really love you, and you can't help but cry.  At least I couldn't.  I saw you and the family sitting in the middle, friends to the side, coworkers in the very front, and random spurts of people whom I absolutely love intermixed with our supportive ward.  It was amazing.  I can't help but feel blessed that I am so loved... there are a lot of people who aren't, and it is heartbreaking.  That is why we need to learn to love the Saviour most, so we can show them how to, because He is the only one that will never be far away from us.  Jordan, your talk will be great.  No fear.  Rock it in Bolivia. 

 

I'm sure dropping him off at the MTC will be fine.  Countless mothers have done it before you ;)  They have all seemed to survive...barely. :D  The airport was nice, and I met Elder McCoy, my district leader, there.  That was fun. And Sister Hadley, who is in my mission and now serving with Sister Low.  Yeah, the airport was good.

 

We do get to go to the Mission Home.  Newcastle Zone goes on December 22, so that will be fun.  That is when they will dispurse the packages... and we'll have something under our tree!  We have a tree!  Claire lent it to us :)  Also, for district meeting tomorrow we are dressing in Christmas colours for our district photo :)  Fun fun.

 

Josh is home.  I can't believe it.  I have to admit on Tuesday I got a letter about him coming home from Andrea, and I started bawling that night.  Not quite bawling, but I was really sad.  I just wanted to give him a big hug and say, 'Welcome Home Joshie!'  But I hope he is safe and well, and I expect I'll hear reports soon.

 

When does Kaia report?  If you can you should send me her address :)  I'd like that.  I also can't believe James is going to India!  It totally fits him, though.  Wow. everyone is growing up.

 

We were unable to teach the family again.  They dropped us.  President was encouraging, though, and said that they are now in our area book, and someone will find them.  They have started their journey.  Sister Maughan reminded me that the father, Daniel, prayed for the first time in *years* and if we opened that line of communication for them that is good.  We'll see... in heaven.

 

I didn't know Jenika had a solo in White Christmas.  It's not in the movie, and I guess I don't remember the play very well.  That is really good.  I haven't heard her sing much, but it sounds like she is good :)  I'm glad Sydney Yorgason tried out for Oz with Jaden, I told her mom about it ages ago before I left.  Also Maddie, so that will be super fun :)

 

Jordan is almost 19!  Holy Cow!  I can't believe it, we were just little running around the couch in the old house... like yesterday.  Jordan can make me laugh more than nearly anyone else, and I'm going to miss that.  But he'll be doing great things, and I will speak to him on Christmas and then again on Mothers Day 2013 :)  And via email.  That will be super fun.

 

Buyback!  Oh my goodness, I miss finals week!  I thought finals were so hard!  They've got nothing on a mission, although I do think I stressed more about them than the mission.  I wish I could take a final on Health Care in Great Britain.  I'd win.  Story for another time.

 

I have *not* surpassed you.  Don't you ever say that again.

 

I did recieve my ointment and my arm is healing quite nicely.  It looks much better.  It was really bad, but I took a picture of it so you can see is someday.  And I *love* the tights... oh my goodness, do I love those tights.  They are so warm :)  Love em.

 

Our investigator, Chris, came to church!  After some incidents and having to cancell his lesson, he thought we had dropped him.  He said he would 100% be at church and that he wanted to get baptised!  What?  His baptism will probably have to be sometime in January as he is going home for Christmas next week, but he seems pretty excited and serious about it.  He is the one that has been reading Sister Davis' blog, so that is really neat.  We'll see what happens :) ... [Makes me nervous about my blog... it is like a living testimony that anyone can access...!]

 

I was thinking about the scripture, 'After all that we can do...'   A lot of times we stress ourselves out, trying to do absolutely everything before we let the Saviour in... we are like, 'Nope, I have to do everything I can do before I let you help me!'  But that is not how it works.  Relying on the atonement is *ALL* that we can do.  There is no other way to salvation or exaltation without Jesus Christ and His atonement.  None.  So all that we can do is rely on Him.  And we might as well rely on Him for everything, because he makes it so much simpler.  I know that is true.  I love Him.

 

Have a wonderful week.  Everything will go great, and soon you'll have two missionaries!  Jordan will be a brilliant missionary, he is already so prepared.  I remember Jake telling me, 'It's a steep learning curve... but you can do it.'  I'm just so glad he was honest with me.  It is hard, but the Saviour compensates... if you let Him.  You are all amazing.  Share the gospel.  Love you tons (or loads).

 

Loves,

 

Sister Jasmine Hull

 

 

 

PS  Paper Chain Shout Out!  (Imagine me Shouting your name, mkay?)

 

Chelsey! (PS, I know what your wish was in Venice... ;)).

Karli!

Reggie Nyman!

Fyre!

Kali!

The Gatherum Family!

Jenny Bragg! (PS When do you turn your papers in?)

Holland!

Grandma Hull!

Jentry!

Kenden!

Hunter!

The Gardners!

Grandma Carol!

 

There are exclaimations because I was shouting... not really, but you know what I mean :)

 

 

 

OH MY GOODNESS!!!

OH MY GOODNESS!!!!  That paper chain was BRILLIANT!!!!  I opened it this last week, and I saw the first few from our family and Katie, and I was like, 'oh, how cute...' and then I started cheating and looking at who else had written, and you must have chased down like every  important person in my life!  I couldn't stop staring at it, and I had to wait a day or two to start it... and I look forward to it everynight.  I'm going to tell you each weeks whose I've read, kind of as a shout out to them :)  Here it is so far:

 

Kallen

Sister Geddes

Heidi

Morgan

Will Weiss

Sister Deb Andrew

Heather

Pam and Brianne

 

Mom, it is seriously so great.  Fabulous job.  I have to admit, it makes me a bit homesick, but I really love it.  It's like I'm assured a letter everyday until Christmas.  Wow.  So great.

 

Tough week.  Gonna be honest.  We set some pretty big goals for Stafford with Sister Low was still here, and it looks like we probably won't be reaching them.  At least not in the timeframe imagined.  It has really gotten me down, because I feel like it is my fault, but what can you do?

 

We went to the Temple on Tuesday!  We did get the names on the Monday so it was perfect.  With the ones Jordan sent we had enough that all the sisters in our zone were able to do my names.  It was really fantastic.  I love the Temple, I just wish I could be there more often.  Sister Maughan and I were the last ones out of the session because I refused to leave.  And we were like the first ones finished.  We had a lovely Christmas dinner for our Zone conference in the Temple Cafeteria.  It was so good.  We were running a bit low on food so S. Maughan and I really had them pile our plates, which was a really good idea :)  Love it.  (BTW, we have plenty of food now.)

 

While I was in the Temple I had an impression that we needed to go to 'Maple Grove'.  I didn't actually even know if it existed inside of our area, but we checked the map and it does.  We have been able to tract it and were able to teach someone on it, so we'll see how it goes :)

 

We taught a family last night, my first time!  The dad is Daniel and the mom is Becky and there kids are Callum (5), Tom (4), Ollie (2) and Sophia (12 weeks).  We meant to teach all of them, but I mostly distracted the little boys while S. Maughan taught the parents.  After a while I had a lapful of Christmas decorations because they wanted to show them all to me.  I was trying to tell them about Jesus, but all they knew about him was that he was 'in the sky' and that they are in a Christmas play about Him.  Callum is in the choir (I thought he said he was a cryer) and Tom is a camel.  Appearently he likes being a camel more than a sheep because he cried last year.

 

The discussion eventually moved to angels.  Tom began to tell me how scary angels are.  Not only how scary, but he showed me the scary faces they make.  Then he told me that if you close your eyes the angels will get you.  Callum informed me, however, that Dr. Who is not real.  He said, 'Dr. Who isn't real, and neither is Jesus.'   I told him that Jesus was real...and he said, 'but He is in the sky...'  I had to clarify that Dr. Who isn't real, but Jesus is... so not ALL things in the sky are pretend.  Tom then went off about a sonic screwdriver.  I asked them what they asked for for Christmas.  Dr. Who dvds, and books, and cybermen, and daleks, and stone angels.  And a TARDIS.  I asked him what size of TARDIS, and he said just a medium sized one.  So that is good, not a real TARDIS.

 

My friends love these kids.

 

Apparently the lesson went really well as well.  Becky really felt the Spirit and was even able to identify another time in her life she had felt it before.  They don't really know what to believe, but are planning on coming to church in two weeks, so that will be great.  And the LOVE their children.  It is so amazing.  To be honest, in England there are a lot of broken families and you can't say that all parents love their children... a lot of parents are children themselves trying to play house or something.  But this family definitely has love, and they want to be together.  Family is the most important thing to all of them.  So we'll see what happens :)

 

I've been studying more about Jesus Christ.  I've heard that we celebrate His birth because of His life.  But I think we celebrate His birth *and* His life because of His resurrection.  If He hadn't loosed the bands of death and sin He would have simply been another great moral philosopher.  I'm eternally grateful that He is not only that but my Saviour and Redeemer.  I love Him.

 

Everyone have a memorable Christmas Season.  'There is so much to be grateful for...'  I'm grateful for all of you.

 

Loves,

 

Sister Jasmine Hull

Pictures

The Wrekin District

Single Adult FHE

Hair Thinning Project

Harry Potter (?)

Letter :)

Hello Everybody :)

 

I love you all, just be aware of that.  You have all blessed my life exponentially, and I am eternally grateful for each one of you.

 

I can't beleive that Josh's Homecoming is on the 11th!  It was probably on the 11th of December 2009 I was sitting next to him taking a Foreign Policy final.  That seems just like yesterday, and at the same time like a different lifetime.  I miss that kid, I hope he settles in well.  No doubt Andrea, Katie and Chelsey will assure that.  Poor thing will probably be dragged around like a little puppy.  'No reading.'

 

Thanks for sending me Chris' address.  I'll try to sort out how to give it to Elder White without looking inappropriate.  No letters from Sisters to Elders of course :)

 

Jenika hasn't told me about Sadies yet, and I didn't know she made the basketball team again!  Is she on JV this year?  That sounds super great.

 

I'm glad Jordan got everything sorted with his pharmacy tech.  I'm sure that was stressful.  But now it is done :)

 

How is school going for Jaden this year?  Rocking 7th grade?

 

I'm so glad to hear the show is going so well.  I would love to see a copy of the write up in the newspaper.  And pictures!  I want to see some pictures of the show :)  That would be so amazing.  I bet it is fantastic.  I'll be excited to watch the video recording someday.

 

REGIS RETIRED!!!!!?????  I refuse to ever come home from my mission.  I love the Regis and Kelly show.  I loved watching the American Idol days, and I remember I was watching Live! when Brendan called and told me that he was going to Iowa.  That is some pop culture news that is important.  Breaking Dawn not so much.  I've seen posters here, actually on my way to the computer lab today, and I was like, 'huh... I don't really care.'  It was weird to me that I didn't care.  Probably won't ever watch it.  To be honest the only show I really think I'll be worried about is Star Trek, and thankfully Star Trek never dies, so I'll be fine :)

 

Yesterday we were tracting and I thought, 'David Cook.... DAVID COOK!' Then I was like, 'I haven't thought about David Cook in weeks!' and S. Maughan was like, 'Who is David Cook?'  My response, 'A musician.'  I didn't give her his entire back story, or even tell her that I saw him in concert. Isn't that so weird?  I forgot about DC.  And I just realized... I don't even know if American Idol is going to be on anymore.  This is so weird.  Things become irrelevant.

 

This man stopped us on our way here today and started bashing people politically and socially.  I didn't say anything.  You don't realize how amazing that is.  I have a hard time with that, because they obviously don't want to listen about the gospel, but you can have the Spirit when you battle intellectually, so I mostly just stand there.  Yup.

 

We have a new Stake President in NewCastle-under-Lyme Stake! President Dowd, from the Stafford Branch, was released.  The new Stake President is so young!  He must be like 35 or something, his children looked like 4.  He will be great, I'm sure, you can see the mantle has already fallen upon him.  He is from Crewe ward, and I think they have been doing really well with missionary work (I think he was Bishop there) so we'll see what he does with the Stake.    I'm sure it will be fantastic.  President Dowd has expressed to us that he would enjoy being Branch Mission Leader, and it just so happens that our BML is turning in his mission papers soon, so that could be a possiblity. That would be so amazing for the work here in Stafford, but it really is the Lord's will.

 

President Dowd joined the church because some missionaries came to his mom when he was like 10 and asked if they could come over and share a message and pop popcorn.  His mom said he was more excited about the popcorn at that age.  And now he has been Stake President.  We are thinking this might be a good finding tool ;)

 

I guess it was Thanksgiving last week, wasn't it?  We didn't have a tea appointment, so S. Maughan and I bought a roast (it looked better than the turkey) and ate that, but we only had a normal amount of dinner time.  It is kind of shocking to me that it is already November.

 

I got the letters from Lesli and the kids this week... super fun :)  I also got a letter from Sister Low, she seems to be settling well into her new area.  It is called Whitefield, and seems to be aptly named.

 

I'm so thankful for all the love you each give me.  It is so nice to be remembered, sometimes that makes my day.  I am so thankful for each person I'm allowed to come in contact with, because they all teach or something... or make you laugh at least.

 

I KNOW that this church is true, and I know that God knows each one of us by name.  He knows MY name, and not only that, He knows the person behind it.  He really does have a Plan of Happiness for each one of us, and is calling out to us.  Sometimes that call can come from a 21 year old girl saying, 'We're sharing a message...'  I can't believe He works like that.

 

Love you all,

 

Sister Jasmine Hull

Happy Thanksgiving

Dear Mom,

 

Thanks for your email.  Sounds like you've had a lot of fun ;)

 

Yes, it is really exciting to have Sister Maughan as my companion.  We decided that we were suppose to be friends, and since we didn't become friends in high school God made sure that we would somehow.  She is a great missionary, and I have a lot to learn from her.  I'm positive that we will see miracles.  It will be really great to have my first two companions live so close to me when I get home... easier to keep in contact :)

 

Sports day was fine.  We did yoga for half of the day, and for the other half I just sat around and talked to the other sisters.  It was a good stress relief.

 

I'll send of picture of my hair thinning.  It turned out quite well.

 

Before I forget, there is an Elder here named Elder White that Chris trained while he was here.  He doesn't have Chris' post address, so I told him I would ask you.  Could you find that out?  That would be great.

 

Spencer did have to move on.  It was sooooo sad, I love him so much.  He was so prepared.  I told President Preston all about him in my weekly email to him, and he was impressed as well.  He rang me last night and said that he was going to contact the President from the London South mission and tell him to watch for Spencer.  He forwarded the email he sent to the other president to me today, and it included some excerpts of my email... and he asked him to keep us updated.  So hopefully I'll be able to find out if he has been taught, and *when* he gets baptised.  President Preston is amazing.  I love that man, he is an inspiration.

 

I haven't got the package yet, but I probably will next week.  It will be very nice to have it, my arms are quite irritated with eczema.  Its the breaks I suppose.  Kevin's package had gummy candy, pudding and EASY MAC.  Which was amazing.  I also got a package from Chelsey this week with things she had got from Europe, so that was nice.  Spoiled missionary am I.

 

James is doing well, really starting to understand and things.  He may have a potential problem with his family, because he feels like he needs to ask them first.  I don't think they should have too much of an opinion because his dad is an atheist and his mom is a Roman Catholic converted to Judaism... but we'll see.  I think there might be other family things going on, which is hard, but I guess we can't pry.  Actually I have no idea if we are allowed to pry or not.  He didn't come to church yesterday because he overslept, but we'll make sure it happens :)  He wants to be baptised, but is afraid of being without his family in the Celestial Kingdom. 

 

We also taught a woman named Precious from Nigeria.  I think that she has real potential and can really progress.  We can't set a baptismal date with her yet, though, because she is going back for the holidays.  So hopefully we can start teaching her and finish when she gets home.  She has adorable children, by the way. Phoebe and Jason.  I love African children.

 

We don't have anything planned for Thanksgiving... but that is pretty much expected.  We do have plans, however, for Boxing Day.  I asked Brother Hill what it was, and he said that it use to be that Christmas was only to be celebrated religiously at a church and things.  So then the next day they would give each other presents or boxes.  So that is pretty cool.

 

Did I tell you that Sister Low and I went to a castle?  I can't remember what I told you last week really, because everything was so busy.  But there is a castle in Stafford and we were finally able to go to it last week.  It was so great.  And tiny.  But its still a castle!  HOGWARTS IS IN MY MISSION!!!!!

Hmmm.... Just emailed a couple of days ago.  We taught Relief Society yesterday.  Even less response than the student ward.  Tough crowd... tough crowd.

 

The woman sitting next to me is watching this like Indian movie on youtube or something, and is blasting Bollywood music.  Only in the UK.

 

The Sri Lankans seemed to accept baptism yesterday.  It might be hard helping them progress with their coursework and jobs, they are very busy.  But we'll try.  They know who Joseph Smith is and believe that he saw God and Jesus Christ.  So that is a definite start.

 

Ahh... I just keep thinking about President emailing about Spencer.  I'm going to be anxiously awaiting some news, that is for sure :)

 

Loves,

 

Sister Hull

Miracles

Miracles.

 

That is what Sister Low and I saw our last week together.  Yes, Sister Low is no longer in Stafford.  I miss her dearly already.  I would have cried, but I know I'll see her again, I'm so glad she lives in Utah!  She was amazing, and really trained me well, and was an amazing friend.  She left Stafford after 7 months... so she was pretty nervous.  I also was very nervous getting my second companion.

 

My new companion's name is Sister Maughan.  She is from Cornish Utah, and went to Sky View High School.  Her dad is an Institute Teacher at Utah State, and and a brother named Peter.

 

Can you believe it?  Neither of us can.

 

She just came yesterday to Stafford and I've had to lead the way to places.  It makes me quite nervous, but we haven't gotten too lost... yet.  We seem to be having a really great start with everything, I can't believe it.  We taught a member present lesson this morning and he accepted a baptismal date.  I really think we are going to see a lot of good things happen in Stafford, I can't wait.  And it is kind of fun, because Sister Maughan and I don't really know each other that well, but when we describe things from back home we know exactly what the other person is talking about.  It's really great.

 

I do have to tell you about a miracle we had last week.  His name was Spencer.  We met him on the street and he invited us to his home right then.   We were able to teach him the first three lessons, and they all went amazing.  He was able to explain the Plan of Salvation back to us!!!  WHAAAAA?!  Amazing.  He, however, has moved to London with his cousin, and he is not sure how long he will be there.  So we had to pass him on :(  He told us, though, 'When I get baptised, I will let you know... and then I'm going to preach!'  Ah, Spencer was a tender mercy from the Lord to let me know I could teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ lesson, I think.  So amazing.

 

There is so much more to tell, I'm so sorry we don't have much more time.  We were teaching quite a bit today and had a lunch appointment.  Never had one of those before. 

 

Heavenly Father Love you.  And me. And I'm thankful for that.

 

Loves, Sister Jasmine Hull

Pictures from 11/07/11

Sister Low and I with the Hills.  They are an amazing couple in our branch, and as you can see we are all laughing.  Good good.

 

Bonfire night poster :)





Me and my expando. S. Low thought I should get it to keep my post in.  It reminds me of the lame policy kids who didn't have enough evidence to have a box.  Humility my friends, humility.

Three months WOW!!

Dear Mom,

 

I can't believe it has been three months.  It has been like the longest three months of my life, but at the same time seems much shorter than the three months proceeding it.  I can't believe it.  It's insane.

 

You are right, transfers are next week... crazy.  You can still send post to me in Stafford, if I get transfered the next missionaries can bring it to me at zone conference or something, but it might be best to send it to the office.  I doubt I'll get transferred, its more likely that S. Low will (she has been here for 6 1/2 months!), but you never know.  The branch is thinking about giving her a proper calling, haha.  By the way, fyi, if I don't get transfered my post code is ST17 4DZ.  I must have sent it wrong the first time because everyone has been writing 'C' instead of 'Z'.  It's okay though, because we know our post man.  His name is Stuart and he got baptized about a year ago, so he is in the branch.  Yup, the sisters talked to the postmand and he got baptized.  And he is like the best most proactive recent convert ever.  He gets to go to the Temple soon.

 

I'm glad Jordan did well on his test.  I know he was worried about it.  There is entirely too much to worry about in life, especially when there is a mission coming up.  I don't envy him, but I can't say that the worry stops. 

 

The girls sitting next to me aren't using very nice language.  Apparently they are mad at someone and telling them on facebook chat.  Oops.

 

On Halloween we went to the Jelfs house for tea.  They don't really celebrate Halloween here.  All the older generation was talking about how trick or treating is like imported from America or something.  Sister Jelf said the only time she celebrated it was when the American missionaries would make a spook alley when she was in mutual.  We saw a couple of YSA dressed up here and there, but only one trick or treater. She was a princess.

 

Guess what we ate at the Jelfs house?  Salmon.  Guess who ate it?  Me.  You better be proud of me.  I can't believe I did it, to be honest.  I tasted fish for like hours afterward.

 

Guy Fawkes day was spent inside planning.  It was sad.  But the night before while we were tracting we were able to see some fireworks, quite a few actually, and they were really loud.  I was thankful.  We did have a beautiful sunset that day, it was like bright orange.  S. Low said God sent us a Bonfire since we couldn't go to a proper one.

 

Your Halloween sounds lovely.  I love the 3rd ward.  So much.  Oh my goodness, I wish that the 3rd ward could just wrap its arms around the Stafford branch and give it a hug.  I guess that doesn't really make sense, but it does in my mind.  And it would be really good :)

I'm glad Jaden sorted out his Eagle Project.  I won't be there to help... again. :(  I'm not going to know how to help my boys with Scouting.  I guess my husband will have to help... or dad, depending on who I marry I suppose.  But the theater sounds like a fantastic project. That will be so amazing, and it will be fun to have Kordell and Penny help and things.  Penny wrote me a letter a while back, it was very nice.  I'm already behind on letter writing.  It is so much harder than I thought it would be, to be honest.  I was like blaming my Elder friends every week I didn't get post, and now I realize that I should be so thankful for every piece of post they sent, because it does take a lot of time.  But its so lovely to get letters as a missionary, so you want to write back... its an endless cycle.

 

I didn't get to see Captain America before I left.  It's Dillon's favorite, though, I think.  Thor wasn't that great, so I hope Captain America was better :)

 

Oh my goodness, I miss America sometimes.  Today I started telling S. Low about the Electoral College, and I couldn't stop thinking about the political system and how much I love it.  I loved following the 2008 election and I'm so sad that I'll miss the 2012 election :(  I thought I would miss my tunes (which I do), but I didn't really think I'd miss the political process.  Silly me.

 

Lucky goose, you got your hair cut.  I swear hair grows faster and thicker in England (as evidenced by multiple women with beards :p).  My hair has suddenly gotten so thick, and because I'm blow drying every day, it is getting beat up a lot faster than usual.  Plus the moisture makes it curl like crazy.  Today I bought some thinning shears so we'll have a go.  It's been about a year since I cut my hair myself, we'll see what happens.  I don't plan on giving it a proper chop myself, just thinning it out a bit.  Particularly in the back and my fringe (bangs).

 

A package?  You spoil me.

 

I'm glad you had Katie around.  I'm also glad that you got after her for not having a date to the IWA dance.  Sounds like something I would do.  Actually, I would have forced her to have a date like 3 months before hand. 

 

I was just going to suggest she take Peter Maughan.  I think he is home now, but the dance is over.  I was telling S. Low about Peter last night (she knows nearly all my friends by name, and quite a few by face) and we realized it would be super weird to go up to Sister Maughan and be like, 'We were talking about your brother the other night...'  Yeah.  I think Luke-y is also home, which makes me so happy.  I love that kid, he is so funny.  I sincerely hope he survived Mexico.

 

Our time changed last Sunday.  We had like half of the branch call or text us to remind us to change the clock.  I'm wondering if there have been sisters that have forgotten before.  I'm not sure.

 

I fried up some mince meat the other day.  It doesn't taste like hamburger, in fact is is supa nasty.  I won't send you any for Christmas, don't worry.

 

David dropped us hard core yesterday.  He has tried doing so before, and we have given him some times and things, but I think it is really over.  I actually, to be honest, think that he will call us in about a month or so and give it a go again, but you never know.  It just kind of bites because he is the only person we have taught past the 2nd lesson to. (Aside from Lee, who is amazing...)

 

Also, Bowen, our amazing prepared investigator... is moving back to Taiwan :(  It's so sad, he is so ready for the gospel, and was asking amazing questions.  We hadn't been able to get a hold of him for a while, and he said that it was because he got this job, and will be moving back in about a week.  We got his contact details, so hopefully the Elders over there get ahold of him, but so much could be lost in transit, it so sad.

 

We are having a 'Sports Day' this week.  Apparently half the mission gets together and plays sports.  Sounds like, 'Let's not have any fun and waste our time running around Day' to me.  I mean, honestly, I excercise SO much more here than I ever did at home.  Granted, my ateries are filled with custard and trifile and biscuits and things, but still.  S. Low is super excited for 'Sports Day', she has been looking forward to it all transfer :P  No one told me about this.

 

I love you.  Have a great day. 

 

Jasmine

 

(I miss being called Jasmine!)

Remember Remember

Hello!

 

So I have to say, the very last person we contacted before coming in to email was a Wiccan.  I thought it was so appropriate that I met my very first Wican on Halloween.  Ironic.

 

Oh wow.  I had so much to say but I always forget right as I start typing.   That always happens.  It did even before I came when I would write letters and things.  Oh no.

 

I'm glad you had such an amazing Stake Conference.   Having the Broadcast must have been unbelievable.  I love the church so much.  I just love how it runs and the order and everything.  It just makes sense.  It is so great.  We are having a Stake Conference at the end of November and an area authority is coming and they rented out a hall in Stoke instead of having 2 sessions in NewCastle.  We've heard that the only time they rent out the hall is when a new stake president is called... so we'll see.  The current president is actually from Stafford branch!  Yup.  I don't know if I'll still be here by then, it is pretty soon after transfers. 

 

They do celebrate Halloween over here.  Brother Hill says the whole trickortreating thing is an American import.  Some other -interesting- members of the branch are really glad that we aren't having a branch Halloween party because of its origins.  One of those members also thinks that the government is run by witches or something.  So that is cool.  But we are not proselyting tonight, because even last night they thought we were trick or treating.  So we went out this morning and will be having our P-day in the evening.  We are actually going to Sister Jelfs to eat, so I thought we might get to see some trick or treaters, but Sister Low says they aren't really in a place where it would be likely to have trick or treaters.

 

Also Sister Low and I dressed up like Daphne and Velma from Scooby Doo.  Mostly because we have sweaters that look like theirs.  But no go go boots :(

 

This is funny.  Last week we were doing a FHE for the Sherrard family, one of the young families in the ward.  While we were there Elder Gallacher, one of the Assistants, called us.  Ellyania (Elaina) asked, 'What is a Gallacher?'  I told her, 'It's a boy missionary!'  Since she has grown up in the Stafford branch, she only really remembers sisters being here.  So now boy missionaries are called Gallachers.  I love it.

 

George, a little boy in the branch, always shouts when he sees us 'IT'S THE SISTER MISSIONARIES!!!!'  and runs up and hugs our legs.  It's quite adorable. 

 

This week was Zone Conference.  It was AMAZING!!!!  I love Zone Conferences.  They are so edifying and uplifting and really help you get back on your feet and feel like you can do it once again.  Part of that is because you are around other missionaries that are doing the same crazy things as you, but it mostly because of the spirit.  And President Preston.  Oh my goodness, I love President so much.  He simply embodies how the gospel can make you happy.  He isn't a fool, he knows exactly what is going on in the world and what we are dealing with everyday, but he always has a smile on his face.  It makes me have a smile on my face.  We had the Area President, President Kopischke, come and speak to us.  When President introduced me to him he said, 'Watch out for this one, she cries!'  I said, 'Sister Low cries more!' (That isn't actually true, but we both cry.)  President is so great.

 

So is President Kopischke.  He had us decide on goals based on our desires.  It is really hard, but will be really good.  I really think that when we as a mission follow his counsel we will see miracles.  I definitely want to see them in my life.  I know it is going to be super hard, but I think it will be amazing.  I really realized that what I need is faith.  A lot of times I don't believe that even if I talk to someone, or teach someone or something, that they are going to progress.  I really need to believe that.

 

What is the best area in the mission.  Right now, New Town.  It has like 6 members or something, but Elder Gionotti, from Italy, is serving there right now, and I swear wherever he is serving is the best area in the mission.  He just loves everything.

 

The YSA are amazing.  They really are.  Most of their problems are that they don't have time to read or they don't have time to see us.  But they are honest.  If they don't believe that the Book of Mormon has any relevance to them, they'll tell you straight up.  If they put Uni first, they'll tell you.  They are honest that Sunday probably won't be the best day if they are getting over a hang over.  And they invite us to parties.

 

The Sri Lankans invited us to a party at theirs on Saturday.  AK invited us to go with him to Paranormal Activity 3 with him at the cinema on Friday.  I think the hardest part with the YSA is for them to recognize and understand why we are here, and why we have a 9:00pm curfew.  It's weird that I have been invited to more 'proper' Uni parties on my mission than I was invited to before I left.  I mean, we did fun things, mostly because cheap beer wasn't involved, but that really isn't most college experiences, is it?  I'm glad mine was different.

 

There are these two streets where we know like everyone.  Its so funny.  Sister Low asks me, ' do we know them?'  Sometimes I say, 'Not yet.', because I'm pretty sure that we will.  They are all honestly looking for truth in their life, and they are really curious about things.  Its really great.  We just hope it will click for someone.

 

When Elder Kopischke was talking about desires, that was the first thing that popped into my mind.  'I desire for someone to understand.'  That's all.  I want someone to 'get' what I'm saying.  Because honestly most people don't.  There is a PROPHET living today.  We are sharing the PURPOSE OF LIFE.  I'm sorry, but your CofE or Catholic baptism really doesn't count, and I don't care if you go to church every Sunday, because that isn't going to get you where you think it will.  I guess maybe it might.  Depends on where you want to go.  We did have one investigators understand about Priesthood Authority, and it made him mad because he didn't appreciate out claim.  And he was Nigerian, so I couldn't understand very well why he was unhappy.  But, yes, that is my desire.  To have someone understand, because that is really they only way they can take the next step.

 

CofE = Church of England.  Basically the same as Catholic, except for the back story.  So basically, they are the Catholic church without any claim to Authority, but with possiblity of divorce.

 

Guy Fawkes day will be on Saturday!  Proper English people, however, call it Bonfire Night.  I have wanted to street contact with that before.  'Hi, we were just wondering if you would like for us to come and tell you more about Guy Fawkes and another religious person who was called as a Prophet.'  Not that I actually know much about Guy Fawkes, except he tried to blow up Parliment and has a very cool name.  But that is more than most Americans.  So that is cool.  I know that Chelsey will be celebrating it, but I don't know that she will have a proper bonfire.  I am.  In my flat.

 

Probably not.  But maybe I'll pretend to burn something.

 

Actually the High Priests are going to the Temple on Saturday and they announcment they read was all Guy Fawkes-y.  It was so funny.  I loved it.

 

Sister Low and I got some chips and gravy right before emailing.  She had never had it before last week, but now craves it.  I told her I would be craving it the rest of my mission.  We decided I'll be a chubber, you'll have to roll me off the plane.  So that will be cool.  It's also true that I'm exercising like 15x more than I did at home.  More than just walking from the Institute to Old Main.

 

I decided what I want for Christmas.  A Mermaid Barbie and a Monkey Costume.  Thanks.

 

Well, I love you all.  Thank you for the postcards, I got them this week :)  I love post so much.  Makes me seem sane. 

 

Thank 'Boo'.  (A Sister Low Joke.)  Love you all,

 

Sister Jasmine Hull

 

Remember Remember the 5th of November, gun powder, treason and plot.  I can think of no reason the gunpowder treason could ever be forgot.

 

UEA Vacation

Oh wow.

 

One week you are just sitting at home, and the next week you are at Mt. Rushmore!  I can't believe it!  I've never been before and you went without me!  Oh well, I guess you can't postpone your whole life while I'm gone.  But you really should ;)  Just kidding.  I'm glad you had a good time.  I have wanted to see it before, it must be really neat.  I just keep thinking of National Treasure 2 and how there is like a massive treasure room underneath Mt. Rushmore.  I wish you had found it.  That would have been cool :)

 

I don't think I tried anything new to eat this week...  I did have something spicy again, but it was a bit better this time.  Although I would still really prefer to not eat spicy things.  I guess I did have English Chips from a real Chippy!  That was cool.  It was called Prospect Point Fish Bar.  But I didn't eat any fish.  That's gross.

 

I hope that Kade is okay.  That is really rough, not just physically, but will be rough emotionally.  Hopefully he gets feeling better soon.  I know he must have been a great missionary.  I hope he doesn't forget that.

Jordan and the shot glasses.  Haha.  I totally forgot about that.  I was like 7 or something, and I don't think that we knew what shots were.  But we thought those glasses were something else.  I can't believe that he is leaving so soon!  2 months!

 

I would like to send you a list of cool things to do at Staffordshire University:

 

1: Play video games.

2: Play football.

3: Go to Birmingham.

4: Get smashed on the weekend.

5: Listen to the Sister Missionaries.

 

It's so weird.  People just listen to us, they let us in.  I've realized that most of the time I don't know what to say at a normal doorstep approach anymore.  Because recently it's been like, 'Hey, Marco, we taught your friends the other day... do you want to let us in?'  Yeah, I already knew Marco's name.  But really, I basically started a conversation like that this week.  He let us in, and although we didn't teach him, we taught 3 of his friends.  There names were Kevin, Akelish (AK) and Sebastion.  Sebastion didn't really want to listen, but he was waiting for them to go to the library with him.  After we taught them, we were in another house (that we had just got through the door) and we got a text from AK saying, 'My friend at Portal 4 wants to know more about religion.  Go talk to him.'  We thought it might be a joke, but the next day I texted him back and said, 'Send us his name and phone number and we'll set up a time to meet with him.'  And he did.  I called him (his name is Sam) and he was like, 'I didn't really know what AK was talking about, but, sure, you can come over and talk about your book.'  Appointment.  Nonmember Referal.

 

They are all like, 'Oh yeah, Julian met with you last week!'  Appearently Julian is cool... so everyone wants to talk to us now.  Weird.

 

We met again with Alex and Lewis, whom I didn't think was sincere.  But Alex prayed!  And he looked in the Book of Mormon for something specific to pray about, which is amazing!  The thing he flipped open to happened to be about sexual sin, but he still prayed about it.  He said when he prayed he felt something... but he didn't know if it was just the window being left open.  Haha, jokster.  When we shared the 1st Vision we ask how they felt after it.  He was like, 'I felt nice, but not as good as when I prayed.'  WHAAAAA?  It was so awesome.  We invited them to be baptized (which I kept postponing because I didn't know if it was appropriate to invite someone when they were rolling a joint...), and they said when they know it is true.  They didn't want to be rushed.  But I think they will love the Plan of Salvation!

 

We also had someone come to church!  My very first investigator at church! (Well, Lee has come, but he is kind of like a perpetual investigator.)  His name is Maneesh, and he is a friend of Karthik and Shamanth.  We were going to teach all of them on Saturday, but the other two went to Stoke for the weekend.  So we taught him, pretty much just about baptism.  He is Hindu and prays to the God of Bachelors, because he is single.  Haha.  Although we had some Nickleback helping us out in the background, he still accepted a baptismal date, and came to church.  Therefore he is a dated investigator!  We aren't sure if he understands that, but it is our job to help him :)  He really liked meeting everyone in church, and the branch really welcomed him.  Hopefully he keeps coming, and his friends come as well!

 

Karthik also said that he read some of the Book of Mormon, and felt peace when he prayed in his heart about it.  I don't know what is going on, except that Moroni's Promise is true.

 

We are a bit worried of keeping track of everyone and making sure that we don't leave anyone behind, or let them get too busy for us.  It is going to be difficult, honestly.

 

We went on exchange again this week.  Sister Allison came here with me.  I always think her name must be Allision, even though it is her surname.  Huh.  Anyway, she is from Lester, so she is English!  She served in Stafford when Sister Low first got to the area, so she's knows all the members and things.  She is also really hard core about missionary work.  I swear she has no fear.  Except we all do.  But she is amazing at just talking to people and in a instant they are her friends. I learned a lot from our exchange, it was good.  While we were on exchange we met a boy named Camroy who is from the British Virgin Islands.  He doesn't have a copy of the bible, because he believes it has been changed over time.  WHAAAA???  Sister Low and I were able to teach him.

 

I tried tinned macaroni and cheese.  I would love if you sent me some easy mac for Christmas ;)

 

Quote.  Karthik (When invited to come to church with us...): 'Yeah!  First church in UK!!!!'  To bad he was unable to come.

 

There is this one boy that everytime we are talking to an angry person seems to ride by and say things like 'Religion is the cause of all wars!'  Guess who tracted into the angry bike boy.  Yup.  We did.  He wasn't very happy.  Probably best to avoid that home for a while.

 

I love riding trains.  I want to go on a train trip someday.  If I ever travel around England or Europe, trains are definitely the way to go.  They are just so exciting!  Maybe they wouldn't be if I had grown up my whole life riding them, but I just get so excited everytime I get to ride a train.  I always wish it could last longer :)  We take the train everywhere, now that they took the car back (a senior couple came), and I love it.  I also don't understand, however, how stateside missionaries get to district meetings and zone conferences.  I suppose it can't be that difficult to work out, but the bus system just doesn't work like the train system. Somedays I wish that we could just take a break and grab a train to London. Everybody else is doin' it ;) 

 

You know what else is great?  District Meetings.  I'm not even sure I knew they existed before I left (like I knew that Brendan and Sam were District Leaders, but I don't think I knew what they led...), but they are one of my favorite things ever.  We get together with all these other missionaries and get to talk about how we can improve and be better, and really build each other up.  Plus we get to have district lunch afterwards and just share funny stories and things.  Plus you get great quotes like this. 'Go tell them to read Harry Potter and pray about it.  Then ask them if they felt the same they feel when they read the Book of Mormon.'- Elder Neilson (current District Leader).  And the best part is when you get to use it.  Like yesterday this man was like, 'How do you know the Koran isn't true?' Well, go read the Koran and pray about it.  While your at it, read some Harry Potter.

 

Speaking of HP.  The other day on the way home there was this hill lit up exactly like Harry Potter.  Sister Low and I may or may not have ran over the hill yelling 'EXPELLIARMUS!' and 'STUPIFY!'  and going psh psh psh, to make the wand sound.  And when I say that we may or may not have, I mean that we did.  It was awesome.

 

I got a card from Grandma Carol and Grandpa Danny on the same day!  It was really great.  Grandpa said that you all went over and sat around the fire and things.  I love that.  Mom, you and Grandpa write really similarly.  It's kind of weird, but you find the same type of things important, and share the same kind of details.  I don't think I would have ever noticed it before.  Like father like daughter, I guess.

 

Sometimes I feel like England isn't actually a country.  It is actually like a time warp or alternate universe.  You know how in the new Star Trek the timeline completly changed?  I feel like my life did the same thing when I got on the plane to head out to the UK.  It's weird.  But in the alternate reality Spock and Uhura end up together, whereas before they wouldn't have.  I mean, of course we also happened to lose the planet Vulcan, but the Spock/Uhura romance was worth that right?  So it seems to be with England.  I have lost Hyde Park, and everything I love, but in this alternate reality I'm learning all kinds of new things and meeting new people and growing up.  But the best part about this timeline is it is running parallel to yours, and eventually it will meet up again.  So I'll have this alternate reality in addition to everything else.

 

I guess that was really complicated.  Alternate realities seem easier for me to imagine than thousands of miles.  Huh.  Good thing I'm taking a break from sci fi, I guess.

 

Well.  I love you all.  I hope you know that.

 

Sister Jasmine Hull

 

PS  Sometimes I really miss being called Jasmine!  We met this mum and her little girl was named Jasmine and I like yelled/screached... 'Her name is JASMINE?!'  Sister Low was like, 'Oh, that is such a pretty name...'  I'm a bit jealous of that little girl.  I want to be Jasmine.  But I guess I'll be Sister Hull for a while longer.  Maybe I'll get use to it.

 

I love you!

 

Mom!

 

I got the Halloween package :) I recieved it on Thursday, so I'm not exactly sure how long it takes to get here, because of the mission office and things.  I think they will send you a letter about Christmas packages, but they say to try to send it before the first week of December.  I loved the 'costume' by the way.  I've been wearing it running, because it is still dark in the morning and I think it makes me more visible than a USU shirt :)  I opened the package at specialized trainings because S. Low's interview went forever (as did mine, we love talking to President!) and all the other missionaries were like, 'are you a Trekkie?'  Well, yeah.

 

I also got a tape from Katie, Andrea, Chelsey, Carrie and Heather!  It was so awesome, I freaking loved it.  S. Low loves it too.  We especially get the Minivan song stuck in our heads.  But really, I hope I have a seat in the minivan.  Because if I do I'm strapping myself in and never leaving. 

 

Jenika is already going on another date!  Wow!  That will be fun for her to go with Nick, they will have a very good time, I have no doubt :)  I was telling S. Low about some of my dance experiences and things they other day.  Like how I went to prom in a 71 Firebird.  That was cool :)

Sounds like White Christmas is coming right along.  Seems to be ahead of schedule to me, but I'm not very good with time right now.  Every day is the same and different.

 

Jordy, getting ready to go on a mission!  I can't believe it honestly, it seems so foreign (harhar, laugh at my pun, please).  But really, he is going to have an entirely different experience than me.  And it is going to be awesome.

 

Hmm... E. Layton was in my MTC district.  And he was going to the Scotland/Ireland mission.  That is too bad that he isn't doing well.  That is really nice that you sent him a card, I'm sure he will appreciate it.

 

Haha, Stan, a recent convert was asking me about Mitt Romney last week at church.  Stan is 80 years old, and knows that he is a member of the church, but I'm not sure that he knows that it means he also classified as Mormon.  He was kind of disgusted about some one said in the paper about us, and by us I mean mostly Mitt.  Whatevs.  Brush it off.  Is John Huntsman still showing well?  I would really like for him to be President, honestly.  We'll see.  Elections are coming up soon... will I get a ballot?  It would be for city or county reps I think...

 

X FACTOR!!!  Everyone in England watches it on Saturday night!  And I am a bit jealous, I've watched bits through the window before, which is completely useless because you can't hear them singing.  And of course Simon and LA Reid would get the good groups, because they are the best producers.  I would probably choose LA myself, if I had a choice.  Either him or Clive Davis, because me and Clive are besties.

 

This has been such a week of blessings.  We needed it.  We were so blessed to have 8 new investigators this week!  It is so amazing!  To put it into perspective, last transfer we had 9 new investigators over 6 weeks.  We are so blessed.

 

It really is the YSA.  I told you about the experience we had last week with the German and the Muslim... we went back to the same student housing, and found so many amazing people.  These people are actually intelligent, and listen to us. They realize that there is truth out there and they have to be informed about it before making a decision.

 

Monday was like the day we imagined our missions to be.  We were going from door to door, having amazing conversations and setting appointments right and left.  We got through one door to these 3 YSA men 2 from India and one from the Mauritias.  We taught the restoration right there and then.  It was so amazing.  The two from India seemed mostly polite, but Ashwin, the other one, seemed really sincere about his quest for God, and not being agnostic anymore, but really defining who God it.

 

We knocked a couple more houses, still having good conversations, until a couple from Nepal let us in.  We didn't really get to teach a whole lesson, but explained a bit about Christianity, because they didn't know anything about it and had a ton of questions.  We seriously had an amazing night teaching the gospel. 

 

Tuesday we taught a Uni student from Nigeria who wanted to know about the Book of Mormon.  He is seriously the first person I've ever taught that actually understood what we were saying from the get go.  He didn't really appreciate that we were saying his church didn't have authority, but at least he understood what we were saying.  When he gets the answer he will at least know what it means.

 

That evening we went back to the student housing.  2 doors in another student let us in named Calvin from Malaysia.  He was shocked that he had never heard of the Book of Mormon before, and wanted to know all about it.  His flatmate (a Muslim) came in, but unlike others who distract he just listened and told us about his Mosque in London.  Calvin is Christian, but seemed sincere in wanting to learn more.

 

Uni students love hearing about the BofM.  Usually in a Restoration lesson the BofM is last, but we have had to put it first. We are really trying to 'teach to the you' and teach the entire Restoration lesson by teaching the Book of Mormon.  It is turning out sooooo great, honestly.  They all want to know about the Book of Mormon.

 

Wednesday we went back to the student housing, because we had set an appointment Sunday with a YSA from China named Lei.  He is a Chinese Christian!  WHAT?  Prepared.  He had a hard time understanding that it isn't just your belief in God that means you will be saved, but ordinances and things.  He believes that if you belive in God you will see God.  What are these Chinese Christian Churches teaching people? ;)  He is so great, but texted us the next day and has moved to London for 2 months.  We'll have to follow up.

 

We tracted the students again that night and met some named Alex, Lewis and Carlis.  Alex and Lewis are actually from the UK, which is a bit different for us.  Carlis is from Lithuiania, and anti religion, but is actually the one who let us.  They are really into philosophy, and wanted to debate religion a bit.  I gave them this big spchill about Decartes, and 'I think therefore I am', just to show them I was intelligent.  Then I was basically like, 'this is all irrelevant because of the Book of Mormon.'  They kept grilling us for proof, and I was finally like, 'Here it is, the Book of Mormon, there is a test in here, put it to the test.  Just be sincere.'  They all the sudden backed down, and said they would try it.  I hope they are sincere, we'll see.

 

Thursday we had interviews and training.  I love President Preston so much!  He is seriously an amazing man, and I'm so thankful to be serving under him.  I really think it will be a blessing for my entire life :)  Plus missionary meetings really get me going, and lift my spirits.  Its so nice to be around others that have the Spirit, and also the Priesthood.  It makes a huge difference, honestly.

 

Friday wasn't the greatest. It wasn't bad, but nothing super exciting happened.

 

Saturday was amazing.  It was seriously what we all think missionary work is going to be like.  We were teaching all day.  We had 5 member present lessons that day.  That is seriously so huge.  We were going from one appointment to another.  It was such a blessing.

 

We taught Lee in the morning.  He hasn't drank alcohol since Conference!  He thinks it is because he felt guilty when we called by one time and he was drunk, but we think it is because of the Spirit :)

 

We then went back to the uni housing, because we had set up a lot of appointments for Saturday because they doing have uni that day.  We went first back to the Nepal couple.  They weren't really paying attention, and didn't really want us to come again.  That was okay, because we didn't really want to go again, if they didn't want to take is seriously.  Interesting fact, in their branch of Hindu they believe that if they are married in a certain way they will be together for the next 7 human forms they take.  It seems like that would make them together forever.... unless they didn't take a Hindu human form, I guess.  Our Eternal Marriage is better :)

 

We then went to an appointment, and he wasn't there.  I wanted to Call By another Potential, but S. Low was a bit nervous about it, because Claire, our amazing member missionary was there, and she hates tracking.  I was like, 'don't worry, they'll let us in... they are uni students!'  And so he did.  His name is Julian and he is from near Lester (here in England).  And he is black.  So Katie could probably marry him :)  He had a hard time understanding why God forces us to do things.  We were trying to explain agency and he just wasn't getting it.  Claire explained how she ahd to realize how it worked before she got baptized, and it was amazing.  He was much more willing to listen.

 

Our next appointement was with another Julian.  He is from France and is hysterical.  I thought it was funny to have an English person do an American accent.  It is like 10x funnier to have a French person do an American accent.  We read the invite in the Introduction to the BofM and he was like 'I havz to invite you toz read it?'  We explained, no, it was inviting him to read it.  So then when we asked Claire to read a verse he was like, 'We arez inviting youz to read zis book.'  It was so funny.  He is really great.

 

We had to walk to our next appointment and it was pass tea time, so we stopped at the Esso Garage (gas station) and bought a sandwich before going and seeing the Sri Lankans.

 

The Sri Lankans are so great!  They were all prepared, had even moved the furniture so we would fit better.  We went over the Book of Mormon with them again, because we had taught them before we realized that it was good to use the Bof M when teaching uni students.  Afterward they were like, 'Wait... we prepared a hymn for you!'  Ravindu had learned a Christmas song on the keyboard, and Chitura sang along with it.  I had this huge smile on my face.  It was so amazing.  It was seriously like one of those 'perfect' moments.  I was in England, teaching the gospel to some Sri Lankans, and in their imperfect English they were singing to me about how Christ was born in Bethlehem.  It was so amazing.

 

Wow.  This is how I thought missionary work was going to be.

 

Yesterday we taught David again.  He tried to drop us on Tuesday, but I had him read Alma chapter 32.  He made some stupid joke about Muslims, and I honestly freaked.  I feel like it was 'righteous indignation' but how I portrayed that came out more angry than anything else.  He just jokes about stupid stuff, and it makes me mad.  I mean, who are the most made fun of religions?  Probably Muslims and Mormons.  We tried to follow it up with love, S. Low was a star, but we'll see how it goes.  I think he is really frustrated because he doesn't understand the Book of Mormon and God and so he is trying to hid it and cover it up.  Its really hard because he didn't come from a very loving home, so he doesn't have very good manners, and he also thinks he is a bad person.  It is really hard for him to realize or accept love.  I'm pretty sure David might be the one that was sent to Sister Hull for her to learn patience.  How exciting.

 

Well, here's hoping next week is as blessed as this week.  We keep praying that we will be able to take care of all our investigators and make sure they progress how God would want them to.  We have a large task on our hands, but it is going to be so good.  God will bless.

 

Thank you everyone for being there.  I miss you all more than you know.  Keep writing, and if you can't do that, I would at least love a prayer :)  I'll send some your way.

 

Sincerely,

 

Sister Jasmine Hull