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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.