Hello all! I was taking a look back at the emails I have written in weeks past and I have realised I write so much. So, I am going to cut it back a little bit so I can send some other personal emails. But yeah this week was good. Also, it has only been 5 days so what could have happened? Well, here we go.
Wednesday and Thursday there was an extra estimated 15,000 people in the city because all of the colleges had open days for prospective students. We went out and attempted to contact people but basically all of them were either students, their parents, or, wait, no, it was just them. I guess everyone else in the city knew they were coming and took adequate shelter. Thursday night was pretty great because we had a really amazing lesson. It was really full of the Spirit and earnest questions and answers were shared, and we all walked away from it feeling full.
Oh! also, Thursday, we were invited to attend a faith walk put on by the oxford council of faiths. It was so incredible! I got to hold the banner for the walk and speak with people of all different faiths and really learn from others about how they seek God. I got to share some of my own beliefs as well, but it was a really feel good, community unifying experience.
Friday was long and tiring but it was all worth it in the end because I got to go on the 13th floor of this flat complex for a dinner appointment. In case you are not aware, in America, you never really see people refer to the actual 13th floor as such because of superstition. Therefore, this was my first time on a formally named thirteenth floor. Cool stuff. There were amazing views as well.
Saturday we were outside all day. I mean we were outside from 9:30 to 9:30 and we were only inside for about 2 hours the whole day. For some reason, England has had this sunny spree for the last few weeks and the grass everywhere is dying as well as the English people who are not used to prolonged pleasant weather. But yeah I kind of got sunburnt, hence the title. That was really weird. I was not expecting to have this problem when I came to this country. We were able to play basketball with some friends, help an older welsh lady with her garden, play football with some other friends, and teach a spontaneous last minute lesson to a guy who called us up and asked to meet (that never happens) and it all went really well. It was a ridiculously tiring day but a great day nonetheless. We sat down at the end of the day and we were just exhausted. It felt really good emotionally and spiritually, but less good physically. Eh, oh well. That is basically life from this point onwards.
Yesterday was a really good day. Church was wonderful and although our friend had to cancel coming last minute, we saw a really cool miracle. We were talking with a member and she said that she had brought her sister to church and that if she kept coming and she liked it, she would introduce to her! That made my heart so happy. I know how much joy this has brought my family and to see it bring joy to others is better than any other gift I could receive. After church, besides the fact that it is still ridiculously hot and we were wearing suits, we went to Gabby and Riley's house. They are awesome. Gabby is here studying business and Riley works in oxford with certain museums. His background is in history and he worked for the Church history museum in Salt Lake City. So if you see the fancy screens they have as part of the displays and in their theatres, he set that up! They are so much fun and we had such a good time. Each day I get to have conversations with people, real, authentic conversations, deep or not so deep, I feel such joy. I think of how much joy it brings me and then I imagine how much joy our Father in Heaven feels when we have such conversations with Him. Now these conversations might seem a lot more one sided but I promise you He is eager to here your voice and your thoughts and He will answer and respond.
TODAY has been so weird BUT SO FUN. So it's weird because I have done this on Wednesday's primarily for the last ten months, and doing it on a Monday seems unnatural. But, today we went to this café where you pay an entrance fee and you get three hours at a table to play any of the 1000+ board games they have in stock. It was so much fun. We went with the sisters and played catan, exploding kittens, and this brand new game. Mom, Dad, I have so many new games for the family to try (and for any other enthusiasts and I was going to say conniseuor but I realised I don't know how to spell connorsewer and am resorting to spelling khanehsuer as awfully as I can). So yeah it's been a good kind of day.
British Food of the Week: elderflower - so there are so many elderflower infused drinks here and I don't have a problem with it
British Word of the Week: petty - not inherently british, but given that it just sounds better when a british person is explicitly exhorting such behaviour (see paragraph starting with "TODAY"), it deserves a mention.
Companion Comic: Elder Man has prayed for many different teams to win different matches in the world cup. Each of them have lost. Except for Brazil. interpret as you wish. also #uruguay
Scripture of the Week: 3 Nephi 13:34
short thought. I have been really working on being present in the day and finding joy in the moment. It works. This scripture has helped. Centre yourself. Take a moment each day to reflect and I promise it will make all the difference.
Well, I will be signing off here. If you would like to send me things, this is the new mission address:
SW7 1PA
I would love to hear from you. Have a great week!
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