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!)