I'm an International

Hello Family!

 

I really can't believe it has been another week.  Sometimes it goes by so fast... its crazy! I think one reason why is because I'm so scared of change... and now change will potentially happen every 6 weeks... and so time goes faster.  Sister Low says each transfer goes by faster and faster in the mission :)  Crazy.

 

Just so everyone knows... when I wrote the address of my flat a few weeks ago I didn't write the country at the end... I've notice some have been returned and that makes me feel bad :(  Or it takes longer to recieve it so I'm not as quick to respond... so just write United Kingdom or England at the end of it... that should be fine :).

 

Sounds like it has been a crazy week back home... wow!  Jordan got to go to the Temple!  I love the Temple!  I really always have, but now I'm even more thankful for it in so many ways.  I wish I could go everyday like I did for that first week.  That was amazing.  But I have other important things to do.  President Kimball says in PMG that missionary work and Temple work shouldn't be divided or seperated because they are the same redemptive work!  So I'm still doing part of it, I suppose... :D 

 

Jenika went on her first date!  Crazy... I can't believe it.  It seems like just yesterday that I was going on my first date, and standing in that exact same spot and you taking my picture.  Wow.  That was so fun.  Every once in a while I miss high school, and it is when I remember fun things like that :)

 

Sounds like Jaden is doing great at soccer... congrats to him on the new cleats :)  We call it football here, though.  Which makes more sense than American football for sure :)  Everyone LOVES football here.... LOVES IT!  I think the nearest team is in Wolverhampton... or maybe Stoke.  The Wolverhampton Wolves.  Only 16 miles south of us, but outside of our mission.  There was a Manchester game last weekend in Stoke and there was an accident on the Motorway so everyone and their dog was driving through Stafford.  It made a mess of driving and being timely.  Like we are ever on time anyway.

 

I'm appropriately outfitted for right now.  During the winter I may have to find some warmer sweaters (jumpers).  The cds are great.  S. Low loves the missionary compilation one.  I wouldn't worry too much about bringing a ton of cds because I think most people bring a bunch, so just bring favorites.  Upbeat ones are good, like Praise to the Man and things.  This morning we listened to 'Pathway to the Promise' on repeat.  It is a song that a missionary in the EMM wrote, and the last President says things on it.  It gets stuck in our head like none other.  Yesh.

 

This week.  Wow.  On Tuesday after district meeting we had an exchange!  We didn't know about it until a couple days before because somewhere along the line the message didn't get passed on.  Its kind of tricky for sisters to have an exchange b/c usually you exchange with your district, but we are the only sisters in our district... or zone!  So we had to exchange with the sisters in the Manchester zone (Our zone is called Newcastle-Under-Lyme.)  So they had to meet us halfway, they on the train, we in the car.  We there exchanged.  Sister Low went up to Manchester and Sister Babbel came with me.  And we got lost on the way home!  But we eventually ended up in Stafford.

 

S. Babbel is very different from me or S. Low.  She likes things like manga and was kind of hoping that she would get called to Japan on her mission.  I was afraid things would be super awkward... but they weren't.  She was nice enough and only has one transfer left so she knows whats going on... most of the time :)

 

We went to Sister Nott's that evening for dinner.  S. Nott was telling me how much she misses her grandchildren.  I told her how much I miss my grandma's.  She said she will be my 'Stafford Nannie (grandma).'  It was so sweet... Everytime she sees me now she is like, 'my substitute granddaughter!'  haha.

 

Wednesday was good.  We taught Nirmala again.  She is so great and learning so much.  She really doesn't know anything about Christianity but she is learning so much and really soaking it all in :)  It really is amazing to watch how much she is learning.  We probably won't be able to teach her this week because they are having a big Nepalese festival equivilent to Christmas or something, so she will be busy :/  Too bad, we'll have to see her later.

 

We also taught David.  He is still so great.  I was really able to lead the discussion since I know about David's needs and things.  We asked Brother H. to invite him to church... he did and it was amazing!  Brother H. was so much more involved in the lesson, and really wanted David to understand that they care about him and no matter what they are friends.  It really was amazing to see.  When David prayed that night he thanked the Lord for the feeling of friendship that he felt in that house more than anywhere else in the world... Amazing!

 

Quick break... Has Josie recieved her call yet?  I really want to know!  

 

On Thursday we went back to Crewe to meet S. Low.  I was really grateful to have her back.  Although it went fine, I was really stressed the whole time because Stafford is my area and I needed to take care of these people!  Now the responsiblitity is on both of us again.

 

We went to the Bensons for Tea on Thursday.  S. Benson had made curry, and I was like 'I love curry!' so I was excited.  Little did I know that S. Benson doesn't make curry like an American or an Englishperson... no, S. Benson is half Indian... it was sooooo spicy I thought I was going to die!  I nearly threw up, I can't lie.  BUT  I finished it.  All of it.  That in and of itself is a miracle.  AND.  I've eaten real Indian food.  Legit.  Bragging rights.  So it was all worth it.

 

Friday I decided that during lunch I would go through the potentials and reschedule appointments that had fallen through, or call people we hadn't set appointments with.  So I made a *ton* of phone calls.  In response to one of them we recieved this text message back:

 

'Just got your miss call sisters! Not sure I want to meet though as [I] fancy the sister with glasses lol.  So thanks and good luck'

 

Guess who doesn't wear her glasses?  S. Low. Guess who does?  This girl.  We figured out that it was a man named Harlem who I met like my 3rd day here... and he is black... and from Ghana.  So instead of thinking it was really creepy and things I decided it is kind of like a bucket list that I have a black man that is in love with me... I always wanted that right?  I know Chelsey had like a million Ghanaians in love with her because she was white, but there are more white people here than not... so he is really in love with me.  Check.

 

I nearly forgot!  My District Leader was on AMERICAN IDOL!!!!  I'm in the right mission!!!!  I asked him what season and it was season 8... my favorite season ever!  He was at the Salt Lake Auditions.  He told our district he was right before the big pink bunny... everyone else was like 'There was a big pink bunny? he heh.'  and I was like, 'No way, you were right before the big pink bunny! I know what bunny you are talking about!  He hugged Simon!'  So youtube him.  His last name is Welch.  I don't know if it says the last names on Idol... I think it does.  But he made it in front of the judges, but not to Hollywood.  So instead he is on a mission and teaches me things such as how to share the gospel.  Also.  Every weekend everyone wants to watch the X-Factor and not listen to us.  Can't say I would be doing much different.

 

MIRACLE!  The other day we set up this shaky appointment with a YSA named Sajith.  We didn't really remember what we had talked to him about, but we were hoping he wasn't Muslim (we aren't really allowed to teach Muslims for their own safety... they have to have like a long term visa and things).  We show up to his house... and he was actually there!  That in and of itself is a miracle!  And he had a friend named Chitura, who also wanted to listen to us.  Turns out they are both from Sri Lanka and are here for their final year of Uni.  Sajith is buddist and Chitura is Roman Catholic.  It was kind of difficult to teach because they were on very different levels when it came to Christ, but it worked out okay.  We were just about to tell them about the first vision when Ravindu, another one of their friends, walks in.  I was kind of upset because that is the most powerful part of the whole lesson, and he interrupted it!  But it turned out great and they were all able to listen to it and feel the Spirit :)  We asked them how they felt about Joseph's experience and Sajith said, 'I think it is a miracle!'  The other two agreed.  It was really amazing.  We asked them when we could come back and they said the same time next week, but we will be at General Conference.  They decided that they will come to Conference as well so they are going to have one of their friends drive them up to Newcastle.

 

WHAT?  If I wasn't here where would I have ever become friends with 3 Sri Lankans... let alone be teaching them the gospel!  It is absolutely insane... it blows my mind sometimes, all the things I am doing.  It is crazy.  I mean, who does these kinds of things?  Crazy!

 

REMINDER :)  It's transfers next week so I won't be emailing until Wednesday or Thursday.  As I will most likely being staying in Stafford, probably it will be on Wednesday :)  I just don't want anyone to freak out :)

 

AGH!  I miss all of you so much!  I honestly do.  I am really growing and enjoying myself here, and I loved [most] of the people I'm surrounded by, but I just wish all of you could be here too :)  I wish you could see the sights I'm seeing (not really any 'sites' persay, but the places) and talk to some of the crazies I speak to.  Missions are nothing and everything you expect.  But they are good.  I was thinking the other day, I haven't experienced the feeling that I've 'known' anyone before yet... but I really think the afterlife wouldn't be nearly as enjoyable without David making me laugh by telling me I shouldn't eat animals anymore.  I'm just finding more people to care about.

 

Anyway, time to go.  I love you all soooooo much.  Seriously, if you are reading this I LOVE YOU.  I worry about you and pray for you, and I know that God will bless you.  If you let Him.

 

Much love,

 

Jasmine

 

I'm already rockin' the cross

Hello Family!

 

It's been a week!  I can hardly believe it!  But at the same time all morning I was like, "I need to go email my family!!!!"  It drives me crazy every Monday until I can finally email you :)  Very good.

 

I haven't recieved any packages.  They pass them out at zone conferences and meetings.  So it might be another couple of weeks still... but I'll let you know!  I need to take some pictures so I can send you some when I finally get the cord :)

 

JENIKA GOT ASKED TO HOMECOMING!!!!  I'm so excited :D  I love high school dance things.  She told me in her last letter that she was kind of sad that she hadn't been asked, but that most of the boys she knew weren't 16 :P  But she did get asked!  She is going on a date a year earlier than I ever did.  Haha, do you remember how dad acted when I was on that date?  Good times.  I bet he is still freaking out about her :)

 

JORDAN IS GOING TO THE TEMPLE!!!!  Yeah-a.  I LOVE it there so much.  I'm so thankful there is a Temple in my mission so I'll at least get to go on Christmas.  Bolivia sounds kind of terrifying.  The road of death... wow.  But there is a rule that missionaries can't go swimming, so the piranas won't be too much of a problem.  I tell random people here that my brother is going to Bolivia :)  They are surprised.  One lady was mad, and was like, "Why don't you stay in your own country?!" (She didn't want me here...)  I told her that three of my bffs were in my country.  Shut down?  Nope.  She still didn't want me here.

 

This week was SO GOOD.  Things get better everyday!  I do get quite homesick in the morning during study time, but when I'm out and about I'm preaching the gospel.

 

You asked what we do on P-Day.  We email you, go to Tesco and buy groceries, then go home and write letters.  There isn't much time for more than that.  There is a castle in Stafford, so we want to go and see that, maybe next week?  That'd be good.

 

Last Monday we taught the Single Adult FHE.  It is one of the best FHEs I have ever attended in my entire life :)  I love these people.  The youngest is 58 and the oldest is 80... and they are so legit.  Most of them are recent converts, and they want so much to learn about the gospel.  They all have really random life experiences, such as searching out the dogdiest pubs in England, or marrying someone in the military to move here from Malaysia.  Yup.  And they tell all... well maybe not all.  They are all best friends.  They sit together every week at church.  And, since they are mostly recent converts, and sisters have been in Stafford for a while, we are the missionaries to them.  They don't really know what Elders are, so they totally love us.  They are so great.

 

There is a girl who is here in the library every week, mostly listening to Rihanna.  It drives me crazy, because then I'm singing it all day and Sister Low yells at me! haha.

 

Tuesday we taught a member referall.  Sister W, who is less active sometimes herself, invited us over for tea and to teach her friend LeAnn.  (There isn't really teatime like we think of at home, they just call dinner tea instead.  So we don't have any dinner appointments, we have tea appointments!)  It was so amazing!  I didn't realize how awesome it would be!  To have a member, that they trust, there to testify of what we are teaching, it is really the icing on the cake.  I totally love it.  Problem is that Sister W. went to hospital for major surgery on Friday, so we don't know when we'll be able to meet with them again.

 

The Zone Leaders were really encouraging us to have lessons in members homes this week.  So we invited David to come to Bro. H's.  The Spirit is SO STRONG in members homes.  It is there all the time, so it just naturally flows better when we are teaching.  You don't notice it so much at home, because everyone has the Spirit, but we definitely notice it here.  It was amazing lesson!

 

We had a Zone Meeting this week... and we are changing things up a bit.  The EMM has been famous for "finding" through street contact and tracting.. we count this by something called QGCs (Quality gospel conversations).  BUT with President Preston, he wants us to still do that, but since he is from here, and that doesn't usually happen, he figured there must be something that he was supposed to offer.  MEMBER WORK!  He knows the members, and it is very likely from every statistic out there that member referals are the most likely to join and remain in the church.  So we have an entire new emphasis!  Instead of QGCs being the main focus we are going to calculate Member Efforts, or how well we work with the members.  This is going to be really great for this mission :)  I know it.  Some of the missionaries that have been here for a while are a bit nervous, but I really think it is going to rock the EMM.  Yeah-a.

 

Friday we called by David to invite him to go with us to a baptism on Saturday.  He told us that he feels like he has been getting answers to his prayers.  When we asked him how he said, "Well you lot showed up."  Yup.  Answer to David's prayers.  S. Low and S. Hull?  Make me sound so much more special that is true.

 

Oh!  I had this random old Pakistani named "Z" (pronounced "Zed" in England) give me a side hug and say," You teach da good word!"  He didn't want to listen to it himself.  But it was encouraging.

 

Saturday we took David to a baptism.  It was up in Crewe, which should be 45 minutes away, but took us an hour and a half!  We were late, and made it just in time for the actual baptism.  We found out later it was good, because the baptism talk was given by the woman's husband, who is not LDS and studies religion.  So it might have been bad for David.  As we watched the baptism David said, "She looks terrified..."  He is very scared of baptism, because he understands the commitments and doesn't want to mess up and break them.  Afterward we introduced him to Megan, the convert. He *grilled* her about her decision.  It was insane, but she was amazing at answering all of his questions!  Like a pro!  S. Low and I were asked to give our testimony.  I was like, "What?  Why?"  Sister Low said that God probably knew that David needed to hear us.  After the meeting David told one of the Elders that he had been investigating the church for 6 or 8 weeks.  Yeah.  I said, "David!  I've only been here three weeks!"

 

Brother David B.  Oh how he makes us laugh. We've started calling him Brother B. because everytime he starts laughing at us.  He like poking fun at S. Low, and usually expects me to join in... which I usually do.  His favorite jokes are that he has an appointment with the devil, or that he is going to drive on Route "69" in California.  He has never left England.  He loves Michael and the Jackson 5, but doesn't love his mother or brother.  I wish that each and every one of you could meet him.  He is so funny, and most the time it isn't his jokes that are funny.  He told me the other day that "ASDA is American... Comes from Wal Mart... You ever seen a Wal Mart in America?"  "Yes, David, there are two where I live."  He is so funny.

 

Yesterday I had an official English Roast.  Sister O'K. made it.  There was pork, beef, mashed potatoes, roasted potatoes, brococlli (sp?), carrots, and pudding (dessert of any kind is called pudding here... it was cake.)  With gravy all over everything (except dessert) I thought I was going to die.  You all know me, I can eat A LOT, but that is like 2 meals at a time.  Wow.

 

Big news of the week in Stafford area... WE HAVE A CAR!!!  Guess who gets to drive it because you can't drive anymore after you have been in England for a year?  THIS GIRL.  Yeah, I'm driving a car.  I was so excited, I couldn't even help it.  I LOVE driving... and I feel like I'm pretty good at it.  But I realize that a mission is a time God's show us all of our weaknesses, and humbles us a bit.  I was telling Sister Low for like 3 days before I got it that I was the best driver out of all of my friends, and I went to the driving school of my father which meant I was really good.... Yeah.  Don't be proud.  I stink at driving in England.  It's not so much being on the other side of the street, but the other side of the car is rough.  PLUS they don't have 4 ways most of the time, they have roundabouts.  I never know where I'm going, or what lane I should be in.  I've hit the curb countless times, because the roads are so narrow, and hit garbage bins a few times (Sister O'K...."Sister Hull! I never seen anyone hit the bin before!"  She is the 70 year old from Malaysia, that can't drive... but everyone knows more about cars than the American Sister Hull ;) ).  So that has been fun.  Plus, it is Sister Preston's car, and as all the members describe it is very "Posh".  It is like a 2010 and only has 8000 miles on it.  Yeah.

 

Oh.  My subject line.  The other day we were street contacting and this guy was like reaching down his shirt.  All the sudden he pulls out rosary beads and is like, "Hey, sister, I'm already rockin' the cross!"  Good.  Maybe not quite Eternal Salvation good, but, I'm mean, that is still good...

 

I gave a talk yesterday.  My topic was "The Great Council in Heaven".  A bit overwhelming.  I kept it simple :)  Some people complimented me, "Your talk was so good!  I could hear it!"  Because of the age of the Stafford branch, they don't talk very loud nor hear very well... so I spoke loud, and they could hear.  :)  Very good.

 

Well.  I love you.  I miss you.  And I want you to meet Brother B. ;)  Have a beautiful day, and know that I love you, but God loves you more!

 

Sister Jasmine Hull

Another Week-Can You Believe it?

Dear Mom (and Family),
The weeks go by fairly quickly, but sometimes the days go by really slow. And by days I mean hours and by hours I mean whenever I'm standing at a door and no one answers :) Otherwise, yeah, it can be fast.

Our flat. Well, I'm use to it now, but I have to admit I didn't like it in the begining. We do have a microwave, but not a dishwasher. There isn't really a need though, because we only have like 4 plates and 2 bowls and 4 cups. We have a washer... but no dryer. This is the worst part because we have to find places to hang our clothes all around the flat, and you can't wash and wear something immediately. It has 2 bedrooms, one where we sleep and the other we just throw all our extra stuff in, a bathroom, a kitchenette and a living room combined. And the hot water is now not working... I didn't think I was coming to a third world country! Haha, its fine. We aren't in the flat very often anyway, so it doesn't really matter, I suppose.

Yeah, you should definitely let me know when you hear about Josie (and Kevin's) mission calls. I did tell her Kirtland, haha.

Jordan is going to be an AMAZING Elder. It is a great responsibility, but he is going to do so well :)
I'm glad you have our flags hanging up :) I wonder what the Bolivia one looks like? Is there guns and knives like the Mozambique one? I know Karen didn't really like that flag because it was violent :)

The other day we were teaching David again, and he had MJ on before we got there. Sister Low asked him to turn it off. We taught the lesson. He is really receptive and really wants to learn, but he thinks he isn't worth anything. He told us he had problems with his mom, and thinks that she didn't want him. He doesn't understand how anyone could love him, really. We are trying to show him that he is a good person, and about God's love. It's hard sometimes. He loves talking to us, though. He will call and ask about scriptures and everything. It's great.  The other day after we left he sent us this text. Quote:

"Enjoyed To Night! I have got the King of Pop back on! Say a Prayer for Me! SLEEP WELL. David."

I just loved it so much, it made me laugh. He is great. We were wondering how long it took him to text that :)

We had a potluck with the branch this week... at an ESTATE! What? At an estate? It is called Sandan Hall and Sister Hill works there, so the Hills live in a house on the estate. It is SO crazy! We were on an estate! For a Ward Party!
Plus we ate things like finger sandwiches, and I had my very first real trifile. This is funny. When we taught Lee WofW we told him that some members choose not to drink Coke. So he brought a couple cans for himself. For everyone else he brought Irn Bru- from what I can gather is Britian's equivilant to a Rock Star. Yeah. We didn't explain caffine very well, haha.

We had a lesson this week with a woman named Nirmala and her 9 year old daughter Nicosha. Nirmala is from Nepal, and her husband works in the military here (Hayden says they are called gerchers or something... IDK). Anyway, she knows about Hindu and Buddist beliefs, but Nicosha has been going to Catholic Primary school, so she wanted to learn more about what her daughter has been learning. They prayed at the end of the lesson. Nirmala wanted Nicosha to do it, so she whispered the words in her ear and they said their first prayer together. It was amazing!

I have to tell you about the Single Adults. Yeah, we don't have YSA in Stafford, just SA. That is because they are all from 50-80 years of age. And they are awesome. We are going to go and teach FHE for them tonight, one of them is a recent convert (the 80 year old). Anyway, two of them are Brother H and Brother H. They are Stafford rockstars. They have both joined the church within the last two years, and will walk nearly anywhere to come fellowshipping with us. That is so cool, because Bro. H can't walk so fast. The other day David really seemed to like them as well, so hopefully he'll fit in :)

Someone told me that they thought God was an Extra Terrestrial. First reaction (in my mind) "LIKE SPOCK!!!!????". Second reaction, much more calm, "Like an alien?" He then went on about the Ark of the Covenant, and blah blah blah. It is a much more intelligent response than, "I am God" or "Go away."

You know how English people always call each other "love" in movies? Well they really do it, but perhaps more popular is to call young women, such as myself, "duck". "It's awright, duck." "I have me own beliefs, duck." "Ta, duck." Quack.

Speaking of YSA. There is a University here, and we have been counciled by apostles, and mission leadership to really focus on YSA. Uni is starting soon, so we are going to dedicate some time there. Stafford really needs it because without YSA the branch will be basically nonexistant in 30 years. S. Low is pretty nervous about it, she is not really comfortable talking to people like us, beause she is afraid they will reacte like us. So it is taking a lot of faith. The thing I don't know how to handle is that everyone our age is atheist! So we have to start from the foundations. If anyone has suggestions, post them to me. I know Elder DeFriez has worked a lot with YSA (hint hint).

I forgot to say... we found Nirmala on Tedder Road. This is how tracting Tedder was decided.

Sister Hull: I really want to track Tedder, but that is seriously only because I love Ryan Teddar, who is the lead singer of OneRepublic... so it's probably not inspiration.

Sister Low: Well, you were called for this time and this mission... maybe that's why?

Whilst tracking Tedder:

S. Hull: Ryan Teddar was born on this street! This very street! Right here in this road!

S. Low: You really think so?

S. Hull: No. He is from Colorado...

And that is how I rock the EMM. Yup.

Well, I love you. You are all so great :) I am showered with lovely letters, thoughts and prayers. It seriously means the world to me that I'm not forgotten, because there are a lot of people who are. The gospel is true. I am a Daughter of my Heavenly Father... Who loves me. And I want to share that with the world. I guess I'll start in Stafford.

Jasmine

PS To everyone in the band "No Fun Was Had", S. Low and I made a band called "Chasing Men With Beards." Our first single is "I am an Onion Cell." Also S. Low said, "Tell your friends our band is better than theirs." Throwdown.

Newcastle-Manchester Zone(Mission Tour)

MISSIONARIES!!!!

JORDAN HAS HIS MISSION CALL!!!!!  I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!!!!  BLARG!!!!!!!!  Bolivia!!!!! BOLIVIA!!!!!! That is so great!  He is going to love it so so so so so much, and it is so perfect for him!!!!  Wow!!!!  I didn't realize that it was the least developed of the S. American countries, but I knew it was one of the poorer ones... but that also kind of fits him.  He is going to teach so many people the gospel, and they are going to LOVE HIM!  Wow, he is going to be so awesome :)  I'm so happy that he gets to leave so soon after his birthday, I know that he really wanted to just get going!  And I'm SUPER glad that he gets to go to the Peru MTC (CTM?) for part of the time.  Foreign MTCs are the greatest... so much better than Provo :)  BOLIVIA!!!!!!!!  AHHHHH!!!!!  I'm so excited!!!!!  He is going to be so amazing!

 

I've been waiting for so long to get on here and read where he is going.  Now I can't think of anything else.  Tell me everything- anything that was different from getting mine, if they eat bugs, everything etc.

 

Ya awright?

 

That is how people say "how are you?" Here.  They don't actually even say hello... just yawaright?  I suppose it is supposed to mean "Are you all right?"  Sometimes they look like they don't know what to say when I ask them how they are... yeah they all right, but are they good?  Also, they call umbrellas "brollys".

 

Anne Marie is pretty lonely, but she won't let us come back.  I think she might have told her boyfriend or son that we had been coming, and they encouraged her not to let us :(  Super sad.  So many people need the gospel!

 

I'm glad Jordan's finger is doing better.  I recieved a letter from Jenika on Saturday... and she is wearing my shirt in the pictures she sent!  She sent me the evidence! haha.  Sounds like she is doing well at SV :)  I'm glad.

 

haha, I totally imagined what Katie and Andrea were saying when you said they were talking like a thousand miles a minute.  Yeah, I do miss them a lot.  Katie's letters make me laugh my head off.  Literally.  My head falls off of my shoulders and rolls around on the ground, whilst laughing the entire time.  It's kind of weird to think that you all still have lives without me, honestly.  Huh.  I'm glad you were able to see so many of my friends at Lee's.  I have friends at Lee's Marketplace!

 

I'm excited for the new RS book!  I freaking love Relief Society!  I miss teaching it... but now I'm teaching people the same things... but they have no previous knowledge, so it is kind of harder.

 

MIRACLE!  We were going back to teach this man, and before the appointment we saw another man in his backyard.  He was working on his patio, and showed it to us.  We didn't even ask to be invited back, but he was like, "Come back in 20 minutes and teach me."  Uh, yeah!  It was during the other mans appointment, but that fell through anyway.  This man we met name is David, and he has so many questions that only we can answer!  It is so great!  We taught him for a short while that day (Friday) and then went back yesterday and taught him the first lesson.  The lesson was all over the place, but that is what this new program is teaching us... teach people not lessons.  We adapt the information in the first lesson to fit the persons needs.  Because generally people need to know that God loves them, Families are eternal, and that we have a Prophet.  It just ebbs and flows naturally.  We asked him to be baptized and he said, "I guess that is something I need to start thinking about..."  He told us he liked talking to us better than sermons because he felt like he was actually learning something.  He's a good man.

 

Some people don't believe that they are good people.  They don't want us to talk to them.  But people are good!  They are so good!  I'll admit the UK has a lot of problems, specifically with morality.  They really just don't get married here.  It is so sad!  I just wish people could understand how much living the gospel could make them happy.  We ask people if they are happy, or they know what their purpose is, and sometimes they say 'no'.  We tell them they can be happy and they don't want to listen.  One person even said, "You both seem happy... how do you do that?"  and then didn't want to listen to the answer.  It is so sad for them.  It makes my heart hurt a little bit inside.

 

Sister Low asked if Dad thought that Jordan and Mitch's mission calls got switched... haha.  I KNOW that Jordan is supposed to be in Bolivia!  It is so perfect for him.  And both Dad and Jordan will be able to translate for us soon :)  Mission calls are so perfect.  I had never thought of Bolivia, but when I heard it, I was like, "Of course... that is so PERFECT!"  Has Jordan sent a letter or something to Sharik?  I think he would really like to know.

 

Today marks one month since I arrived to England!  Can you believe it?  I can't!  I don't think I've ever been away from home this long before, even with our family.  How long were we at Pageant last year?  It's so weird, because England is just a place, just like every other place.  But every once in a while I'm like, "What is going on????  I'm in ENGLAND!!!!!????"  Then everything seems much cooler.  We went to a members house to eat last week and they fed us Cottage Pie.  I guess it is like Shepards Pie, but they only call it Shepards Pie if it has actual sheep in it.  This had something called Quorn (sounds like corn).  I've never heard of it before, but it is like mushrooms or something that is supposed to taste like meat.  It tasted fine, but not really like meat.  There are these biscuits (cookies) called Digestives that are absolutely amazing.  Sister Low and I ate them after every meal this week... and finished the package last night.  She says we shouldn't eat them so fast, but they are SO GOOD.  Maybe I'll send you some for Christmas or something.

 

Oh yeah!  We taught Lee about the Word of Wisdom this week!  He said he has already given up illegal drugs (before he met us) and will now start on coffee and tea, then tobacco and finally alcohol.  Yeah, he had WofW problems... but he bore his testimony in church on Sunday!  It was amazing, he bore his testimony that prayers can be answered, so God must be there.  It was really great. 

 

Well, I miss you.  All of you.  A year ago I would have never imagined that this is where my life path would have taken me.  But I'M IN ENGLAND.  And I'M A MISSIONARY.  Wow.

 

Love you,

 

Jasmine

 

 

PS JORDAN... MISSION.... BOLIVIA... PERFECT!