We've moved!

Dear Everyone,

 

I can't believe all the things that are going on at home.  It has seriously been freaking me out that University has started again at home.  That is a whole year of upper education that I missed.  But I would say that I am definitely receiving the highest education, so that is okay.

 

I love that you went to a Catholic baptism for the P family.  They sound wonderful.  I love that there are Catholics in the world that actually believe in their faith.  There are loads of Christianed Catholics and CofEs here, but most of them are atheist now.  It is quite sad.  I tell people occasionally that my  father taught me that people with religion- no matter what religion- are good people.  And honestly, they are, they just don't know where to find all the truth.  I completely LOVE that you invited them to the Temple open house :)  Way to be missionaries. 

 

I love the pictures from the Temple Open House.  The twins are so beautiful, seriously.  Most children grow up and aren't as cute, I think, but they really are. I wish I could have gone to the Open House as well, but I'm very blessed that now I'll be able to go inside when I go home.  We'll have to do a Temple tour, I think so.  It sounds beautiful, you have to tell me about the dedication.  That will be lovely.

 

We had a good week this week.  We took sometime away from the Uni campus, which was nice.  We were strengthening other members and less actives.  As much as I love the Uni and working with all the students there, it was nice to go somewhere else for a day.  The RS president had us go visit a recent convert who is in the hospital because of self harm.  I was quite nervous, but she was quite good. She was actually taught by E. Ashcraft, so that was kind of strange, but good.  We also did service for a member family, Sister Embley did their ironing and I helped them sort through family history cards... which I love doing, you know?

 

Elder Fawcett left this week, which was quite sad.  He has been my leader and my friend since I transfered to Liverpool, and he helped us a lot with the Chinese work and things.  All the Chinese members and investigators were so sad, and to be honest I was really sad as well.  The day after he left I was feeling upset because so many of my friends have left me and I don't think it is fair.  Not that I want to leave, I just want them to stay or to come back.  That morning I was just going through the Book of Mormon and the next chapter was Alma 17.  Verse 13 really stood out to me.  '...that they ^aseparatedthemselves and departed one from another, trusting in the Lord that they should meet again at the close of their ^bharvest; for they supposed that great was the work which they had undertaken.'  I realize that this is a really great work that we are doing, and I'm so blessed to still be doing it.  And we have to trust the Lord with everything, but especially that we will see those we care about again later :)

 

Van is dated for baptism this weekend.  She is so good.  We have taught her ever since Sister Gong and I came to the area.  She is honestly one of my best Chinese friends.  She is probably one of my best friends regardless, she is so good and takes such good care of us.  She has been living the Word of Wisdom for a while, but still had this collection of alcohol that she needed to get rid of.  I had to commit her to do it this past week, and I was quite nervous.  But it was a great day when we walked in and all the bottles were gone and replaces with textbooks :)  She is great- and thankfully she is from the same place as Sister Gong so when I go to China I can see her :)  I'm going to China.  Someday.

 

I used Sister Embley's cord so I was able to send some pictures :)  Enjoy!

 

Loves,

 

Sister Hull

 

PS  We moved!  We are still in Liverpool, but we moved to a flat with more rooms, and I love it.  Here is my new address :)

 

Flat 4 Abbeygate Apts.

Wavertree Gardens

Liverpool

L15 8HB

United Kingdom

 

Acting like a boss.  Jojo, Sister Hull, Van and Sister Embley



I like my head smashed against the walker.  Sister Gong, Sister Horne,
Sam, me, Beryl and Sister Adams.




At a Chinese Activity with Vincent.  Sister Hull and Sister Embley



Sister Hull and Sister Longmore hiking Mt. Snowden



Sister Preston, Sister Hull, Sister Gong and President Preston




Wini, Sisters Adam, Hull, Gong and Horne




The Chinese Members and investigators in Liverpool



 

Mt. Snowden

Hello Everyone!

 

I hope that you have had a wonderful week this week.  I can't believe how fast a week goes by, to be honest, it is crazy.  But I love being a missionary so much.

 

This week as a mission we hiked Mt. Snowdon.  Oh my goodness, it was the worst/best experience of my life. The Assistants had hiked it before and decided to take us up the difficult trail, because it was more beautiful.  And apparently the day before it was quite beautiful... but for us we didn't get to see much of it.  We were about a 3rd the way up and it started to sprinkle just a bit... and it got heavier and heavier until it was a torrential downpour on our heads.  It was seriously raining so hard- it is unbelievable the Welsh weather.  And we were climbing up the side of a huge mountain- it was not a leisurely walking trail.  I realized that it taught me my true character, how much I had learned, and how much more I needed to learn.  If it was pre-mission me, I probably would have been screaming at however forced me to climb the mountain, and would have thrown a temper tantrum.  Honestly, it was that bad.  I was getting pretty uptight about it, but I tried to keep my calm.  At one time I did kind of shout, 'Elder Jackson... why are we stopped moving????'  and I felt horrible.  No one had forced me to climb this mountain, I had decided to do it myself.  It was my agency, and I decided to do it.  And I knew I wouldn't die, but I just had to keep putting one foot in front of the other.  Eventually we got to the top- it is supposed to be really scenic and beautiful, but we were just so wet and there were so many clouds we just pretty much started hiking back down, an easier way.  My hip was freaking out (sometimes I tell myself my back is better... but it really isn't, I'm just blessed) and I was hurting bad.  But I had to stay in front  of Elder Hengst, it was the rule.  So I was hiking down, talking to Elder Hengst and Elder Baker (there were sisters within sight and sound- no worry), and I was freezing, but I had a really good time.  I knew I just needed to keep going, and talking to those Elders was entertaining and enlightening and guess what?  I climbed up and down Mt. Snowdon.  It took sacrifice, a sacrifice of my selfish feelings, but I did it :)  Can you believe it?  I've changed so much.

 

On Friday we had a Chinese Activity for all the chinese people within the mission.  It was really good.  They are really pure in heart people and they really desire to learn about God.  Their faith develops so much that they don't even recognize how child-like and amazing their faith is.  They all had a good time, and I was able to see my friend Wei-Di from Preston again (he is going back to China in October :( ), and most of the Liverpool Chinese were there and I love them very much.  Working as a Chinese missionary is one of the biggest blessings of my life, I think so.  I have developed so many friendships and I love them so much.

 

It is crazy how much you love people on your mission.  Whenever I'm having a bad day President always says one thing to me, 'Prisca and her children.'  Oh my goodness, I love them so much.  When I was in Swinton I never thought I could love people so much, nor that I would be able to love anyone in the same way, because they were my first recent converts.  But I love so many people so much.  There are so many Chinese people I love, some are my recent converts, some are my investigators, and some are other peoples recent converts.  I just love them.  I wish you could meet them.  They are amazing.  And it is really hard, because even if I come back to UK in 5 years or something, they won't be here.  I need to go to China.  And another thing, I love my companions so much.  Honestly, they are closer than friends, it's like they have to be family.  And-ah- Sister Shen and Sister Gong, I miss the so much like everyday.  Sometimes I wish they were here to help me and laugh with me.  I think I've become more Eastern Culture.

 

Yeah.  Go on a mission.  I'm going to go on like 12.  Seriously, I hope that my husband and I can come back to UK for a mission, and go to China.  And I hope that Elder Fawcett is our mission president when we go on our mission to China.  He probably will be, to be honest.  He is leaving this week :/

 

Saturday was Vincent's baptism.  Vincent is so amazing.  He knows that God is real, and that is saying a lot.  I ask him how he felt and he said that he felt a little bit special, but he knew that it would grow, and he was glad he was on the path now to follow God.  He really understands that the Gospel is a progression, and that is amazing.  I have really loved him and respected him since I came to Liverpool, and I'm so blessed to be apart of his teaching process.  He will stay in UK for probably a year, which is really good, and then he will be a kingdom builder in China, I think so.  He is really amazing.

 

Funny highlights from the week.

 

Vincent thinks that home teachers should be given a test to make sure they know enough to teach.

 

Steven Dai doesn't have a church in his hometown in China... so he said he will build one.

 

Maxine's computer got wet and she prayed that she wouldn't lose her dissertation.  Her computer worked.

 

Owen said his first English prayer at Vincent's baptism.

 

And by the way.  I hiked Mt. Snowdon.

 

The Gospel is true.  I love you.  I want to go on a Sons of Mosiah mission- length wise at least.

 

Loves,

 

Sister Hull

 

New Companion

Hello Everyone!

 

I hope you have had a good week.  Mine has certainly been busy.  I'm so excited about all the things that were going on this week.  I'm especially excited for Katie's mission!  She will be so good and she will have so many amazing experiences :)  She looked really cute in the picture as well. Will you send me her address.  I'm also excited about Fyre's wedding- that is so strange that we are so grown up enough for her to get married.  Her wedding looked/sounded very cute.  And I've been excited all week for you to meet Sam and Beryl.  They are so amazing.  That is so funny that the kids love their accents. Believe me, not everyone in UK sounds like that.  It is a Liverpool accent for sure. Skouse accents are the best, albeit the hardest to understand.  They are so great, I'm glad that you got to meet them.  I hope they will be home soon.

 

I have a new companion!  She is very very good.  Her name is Sister Embley and she is from Michigan, but has lived in China and Mexico as well.  Her Chinese is very good, she only spent about 4 1/2 weeks in the MTC and then got moved up to come a transfer earlier.  She is really great and I'm really blessed to be her trainer.  She already loves the Chinese people so much, like so much it is crazy.  It is so good, though, because she really desires their welfare, and she has plenty of time to teach in Chinese.  And I feel totally in my element because I can't understand everything that is going on, so it feels just a teeny bit like being with Sister Shen or Sister Gong again, and I love them so much that it is a very good thing.

 

We had a very busy week. We went to the Temple.  The Preston Temple is so beautiful, by the way.  I have been so blessed to go so many times particularly recently.  You should all go.  I don't know how, just go :)  Someday.

 

We also had a Chinese meeting for passing on some of the Chinese culture, which was really good. 

 

We are planning Vincent's baptism for the 18th.  He is so good and has such a strong faith in God now.  He knows that God is there, and that is really really good for a Chinese person.  I love Chinese people, and I love Liverpool.  Times are hard and stressful, but the Lord really helps me do all things :)

 

I love you.

 

Loves,

 

Sister Hull



Aug 11 2012



Chinese Speakers

 

Weekly Letter

Hello :)

 

I'm glad you got in contact with Sam.  That is great she saw Taylor last weekend.  You'll have to see if she posted any pictures on fb of him in his red trousers- He was pretty proud of those. I think Elder Eggers will be wearing mint green ones, if I remember right.  I'm glad that you'll get to meet Sam and Beryl as well.  They are so good, I miss them very much.  Church is honestly a bit harder on Sundays without them there.

 

For my fb, I think you can just take it over, mom.  That will be fine.  I can send you the password... If I remember it.

 

I miss Jordan. 

 

Everything is okay here.  I don't have much time, because we are having a district activity in downtown Liverpool.  Our investigators are good, they are continuing to progress, although I would say progression is a bit slower since we aren't speaking their language. I think it will help when the new sisters get here.  We had to split our investigators for each companionship, and that was very difficult, especially for me because I have been here for a while and have formed really close bonds with all of them.  I love Chinese people so much.  So so much.

 

This week will be very busy, but very fun, I think.  On Tuesday we are going to the Mission Home for a short training, and then we'll stay the night there because our trainees will come the next morning.  Then on Friday we will be going to the Temple as a Zone, which will be great.  We are taking time to rededicate ourselves as a mission, because we really do need that, and so we'll be going to the Temple.  And then Saturday we are going to have a Chinese Meeting before Elder Fawcett goes home.  And then next week as a mission we will be climbing Mt. Snowdon- it's like 6 miles or something, but I think I'm in better shape.  So that is good.  It will be crazy.

 

Please pray for me.

 

I love you.

 

Sister Hull

 

PS  The newspaper article was published :)  I don't know where to find it, President just gave me a copy of it.  It was in the Independent I think probably on the last Sunday in July.  It would be about like British Mormonism.  I'll try to copy what President gave me, but see if you can find it online.  I'm quoted :)

Hi Mom :)

It's crazy to hear about what everyone is doing.  It feels like everyone I know is making big changes and adjustments in their lives.  It's crazy.  I can't believe Chase Noble Randall is a missionary now.  He's always been like other little brother that sat on our couch and I had to kick off so I could watch American Idol.  Now he will be preaching the gospel.  I love it.

Justin Brown and Alexis Valdez.  I would have never guessed that in high school for sure.  I wonder who else from my high school class has gotten married.  It's so strange to think about.

I love that you found the pictures from Sam and Beryl.  Did you see the one where my head is squished against Beryl's walker?  I thought that one was so funny, I just have this huge smile on my face and my head is smashed against her walker :)  They are great. 

I'm so excited Shanna is going on a mission.  So so excited.  I'll miss her being at Utah State when I get home, though.  You'll have to send me her address when you find it out :)

This week was so busy.  Liverpool is actually insane and so many miracles happened, I'm so grateful.

We had a Zone Conference this week and our Zone Leaders gave an amazing training (did I tell you that Elder Reynolds- one of my favorite district leaders- is now my Zone Leader, he is in that picture you sent with Elder Fawcett...).  It was about how we need to give God a sacrifice of  broken heart.  They pointed out to us that it means we need to choose to break our hearts so Christ can take away the bad bits and replace them with good bits.  It was really really good, I really liked the concept of it.  I've been reminded this week of the need to sacrifice- it is so important.  Very very important.  But God doesn't really ask us to sacrifice the good things, only the bad ones that He then replaces with good ones.

We also had a Sisters Meeting which was nice.  It was a lot better for me than the last one.  Like loads better.  We learned from the Assistants about Grace.  Grace is so important.  I would highly suggest anyone reading this email do a personal study on the grace of Jesus Christ starting from the Bible Dictionary.  That would be good.

Will is receiving more answers to his prayers since we taught him how to pray properly.  He is really good and things and understands that he will be converting to the Mormon religion.  He said he would live the Word of Wisdom which was really good, usually Chinese have some concerns with tea, but he just said it would be mind over matter.

Vincent is so good.  He really is able to receive answers to his prayers.  His progression has been so amazing since Sister Gong and I came.  As he has prayed diligently he has been able to receive answers, I really love it.  He came from not knowing like anything about God when the Elders started teaching him, to telling us that he really can't deny that there is a God.  I can't believe it.

It just really strengthens my testimony to see these Chinese people progress. They seriously go from having no belief or knowledge about God (some just know Jesus Christ because they have heard it in movies) to receiving direct revelation in their prayers.  It is so amazing.  God is answering these people- and my job is to help them recognize the answers they are receiving.  I love being able to tell them that what they are feeling is the Holy Ghost, it really is amazing.  They are so good.  Heavenly Father has blessed me so much to serve in Liverpool and to teach these people, and also to hear first hand experiences from my 2 native chinese companions.  Their example really helped me know how to help these investigators and how to love them.  I really really love the Chinese culture.  It is different, but it is good, and it shows me that the gospel really can fit in with any culture :)  I love it.

My companions are quite funny, to be honest.  It is definitely a different experience being in a trio.  There is always something crazy going on, but it is generally good, or at least not bad.

I love you all so much.  I want you to be happy.  I can't believe Jaden is growing up.  Tell him to stop.  He still needs to be a little kid when I get home.  For that matter, so does Jenika.  Only me and Jordan can grow up, and then when we get home then they can grow up.  Good idea.

I love you :)

Loves

Sister Hull

PS  Thanks for the update about everyone.  I think the reason I haven't heard from Katie is because the letter was sent back to me.  It said return to sender on it, which was weird. 

Sisters Meeting/Training

Being a missionary is totally the best

Dear Mom,

 

I have tried diligently to send you pictures of myself and Sister Gong for like an entire transfer.  The computers here don't all read my card reader all the time.  So I've tried.  I will continue to try, but I might not be able to for a while.

 

Before I forget, some amazing members from Liverpool ward are coming to America for 5 weeks.  Their names are Sam and her mother Beryl.  They'll be visiting a lot of missionaries and things, but they'll be in Cache Valley from 9 Aug- 13 Aug, and they want to meet you and the family :)  I gave Sam your details yesterday so she'll probably contact you sometime in the near future.  It's a blessing to have them in the ward, they make all the missionaries feel like they are at home.  I'll miss them while they are in Utah.

 

That is exciting that you were able to serve food at Zone Conference.  That is exactly what it is like for me, except I'm usually at bit louder and run a bit awkwarder when I see my old friends and companions and things.  I pretty much attack some of them.  It's so weird, though, because except for Sister Beaty all my previous companions are home, and additionally a lot of my Elder friends are home as well.  I'm starting to feel a bit old in the mission, which is weird because I still feel brand new.  But, yes, Zone Conferences are lovely.

 

The newspaper article will run sometime in August.  President will probably get me a copy, I assume.  He'll probably show everyone at Zone Conference- we were able to see a clip of 'The One' show when some of the Elders were on it.  They were famous.  But not too many people read the paper anymore so I probably won't be famous.  Okay, they were actually that noticable, but they were famous amoung us missionaries.

 

Wait.  Were you in charge of the entire parade?  This whole time I thought you were just in charge of the Primary float.  My bad.  That is really cool that you did that, I'm very proud of you :)  That would be stressful, but I'm glad it didn't stress you out too much.

 

There is an Elder here named Elder Christensen and he is brand new and at the concert on Saturday he was looking for a sister from Logan Utah.  I was like, 'I'm from Logan Utah...'  He said, 'Do you know Jessica Christensen?'  and I said, 'Yes, she is my best friend!'  And then he said my Christen name in front of everybody!  I couldn't believe it :)  Luckily it was mostly Sisters and Elder Sutton who were standing around so most of them already knew my Christen name.  Weird.  The world of the church is so small. Another Elder in the last group was like, 'Are you Jordan Hull's sister...'  and I told him that I was.  He went to SV with Jordy.  Isn't that weird?  So strange.  The Elders are Jordan's age.

 

Sister Gong went home yesterday!  Oh my goodness, I was so heartbroken.  So heartbroken.  When she left I like went in the bathroom and bawled.  The other sisters didn't know what to do with me.  I was crying for so long.  We have a lot of plans, I'm going to go to China and she is going to come to America (after my wedding... I told her to not come for my wedding, because I'll be really busy) and we are going to come back to UK and then go to Italy and stay with Elder Perego's family (I don't really know him, but she does, so we'll stay there.)  These plans are good.  I hope they happen.  I'll need to get a good job someday.  Like in 13 years.  I'm on a Sons of Mosiah mission in length.  Anyway.
 

That is cool you met Derek Hough.  I wish you could have met Mark Ballas as well, but at least you got to see him.  He was performing for Pioneer Day... is he a member?  I don't think so.  Hmmm... It's weird, I think I haven't thought about him for months.  My life has changed.

 

Cam Clark is married, right?  I can't remember.

 

My life is so crazy.  I love it soooo much, though.  Being a missionary is totally the best, it isn't just cliche, like it is soooo good.  I'm so grateful that so many people I know are deciding to serve, because I know that they'll love it so much.  And I pray that Jenika will prepare herself to serve if that is the right choice, and that Jaden's excitement will stay strong.  Because a mission has completely changed me.  Sometimes I just realize I have a smile on my face, and I'm not sure why.  I never just smiled naturally before in my life- my natural face looked like I was going to cry, as evidenced by all the YSA men that asked me if I was okay on campus.  But now I'm more inclined to smile, and it feels soooooo good.  Missions are the best.  Even the hardest times are like sacred to me now, because they are the times I learned the most.  I love it.  I love England, I love Liverpool. Ah.  I wish I could take how I feel and transplant it into all of your hearts at home, because it feels so good and I don't know how to describe it.

 

I love being a missionary.

 

Loves,

 

Sister Hull

I love being a missionary. So much.

Dear Mom,

 

Thanks for your email.  I appreciate it.

 

My life is absolutely insane, if I'm honest. 

 

I was interviewed, along with Sister Gong, Elders Francis and Webb and President and Sister Walker of the MTC by a national newspaper called the Independent.  The feature will run in a Sunday newspaper in August.  We went to the MTC to receive training from the Public Affairs manager of half of Europe, and stayed the night there and then were interviewed the next day.  Crazy.

 

I went on exchange to Wales with Sister Hoffman.  The most exciting part was that the flat there is on Anglesey Island.  I've heard about that Island for a lot of my life.  I was very excited about it, when I found out where I was, and I couldn't wait to tell Laura Lee.

 

Transfers happened.  I'm still in Liverpool with Sister Horne now, and we will be serving together until in 3 weeks when we will both receive Chinese trainees.  So it will be a 4 sister flat, and we'll divide our investigators and things at that point.  There is plenty of Chinese work to do here in Liverpool, so we will all be busy, I think.  Sister Horne is very great, I'm excited to be companions with her.

 

Sister Gong doesn't go home until Sunday because she has to be released by the Area Authority in China because they don't have Stake Presidents.  He is a very busy man, so she is staying a bit longer.  I'm grateful I haven't had to say goodbye yet.

 

We found out at transfers that we are going to be in a trio for the next three weeks.  A sister going to the London South Mission got to the MTC and found out that her MTC companion got jury duty instead of a visa.  So she couldn't stay without a companion.  So she came to us completely untrained for the next 3 weeks until there are sisters in the MTC.  Her name is Sister Adam.

 

I'm seriously not making any of this up.  And I'm teaching Chinese people, some of which are preparing for baptism.  Ask me if I have enough time... I don't :) 

 

But I know that the Lord loves me, and for some reason has asked me to do all these things.  I love Him so much.  He is my everything. 

 

I love being a missionary.  So much. 

 

Loves,

 

Sister Hull