Hey family. friends, associates, compadres, and all around lovely people. Here we are once again. i might get a bit pensive in this email but I am also trying to condense the length so we shall see what happens.
This past week was crazy busy at the beginning and then it mellowed out by the time we got to Sunday. Tuesday was spent in London for a tri-zone conference. We had to get up at 4:50 and we got back at 9:45 but it was a really great day. It was the first zone conference President Checketts has officially conducted and I thought it went really well. There are a lot of changes happening and a lot of really good plans for helping us move forward. I won't get into all of it, but just know I am super excited to be a missionary in the England London Mission. I got to catch up with old friends and make some new ones and it was just a blast of a day.
Wednesday involved an adventure to Havant to get my bandage replaced. Let's just say I am ready for it to come off. We also got lost on the way to a dinner appointment, but we luckily were early for a change so we were able to make our way there without any trouble.
Thursday was an odd day. We did a lot of work trying to get our paperwork sorted and trying to figure out who has been taught by missionaries in the past and who we should stop by and what all we need to be doing here that we don't know about. It was tedious but necessary. I wish I could say it was done but not quite. Hopefully it will be soon though. Also, we had dinner with someone who used to be in the ELSM but went home in January. She and her fiance are visiting the island right now and they took us out for food and it was a blast. It is kind of comforting to be reminded about how there is a life after your mission and how even though there are hard times sometimes, it all gets better.
Friday was a bit ridiculous and not really worth mentioning other than the fact that we ran all around the island and saw some gorgeous coastal towns but did not find anyone who was interested in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Saturday brought a whole new day full of talking to people, scouting out different areas of the island and homemade lasagnas.
Yesterday was probably the highest and lowest parts of my week. First the low. Following church, I just could not really stand standing. So that awful. Being on a couch for a few hours when you really do not want to be on a couch is frustrating. The high made up for it though. We were at church and as the second hour was about to start, a sister in the ward introduced her brother to us. He really wants to learn more about what we believe! We had a really good lesson for class that day and we are seeing him on Wednesday. He is a really sweet humble older man and we get on well. I am excited to share what has brought me so much joy with him.
British Food of the Week: malt loaf - i didn't eat it but we saw it in the store and I was just reminded of how british it is. Think of a rock that is actually a sponge and is somehow bread with dried fruit in it. It is interesting.
British word of the week: cling film - plastic wrap; what i have to cover my foot in to shower every day.
Companion Comic: so when Elder brewster was typing his email home to a friend he accidental wrote that I was an animal fan instead of an anime fan (which I am barely even an anime fan) and now his friend (who apparently is a massive animal fan) wants to discuss animals with me. does anyone know what a binturong is?
Scripture of the week: Moroni 10:7 by the power of the holy ghost you may know that Jesus Christ is and I know that Christ is and knowing that has meant everything to me.
So. Here we go. The pensive reflective bit that is actually going to be fairly short but still worth reading.
I have been thinking much on the past year. It feels so weird to think that almost a year has gone by since I left America for England. I think about all of the things I have learned in the past year. I think I have grown more in this past year than any other year in my life. I have seen sorrows and struggles, both my own and others. I have seen joy and happiness in the little and the big things. I have learned so much and have recognised how much I do not know. I have seen the hand of God daily in my life as I have woken up each day with a heart and mind ready to serve Him. I have laughed, I have cried, I have done everything in between. I have discovered who I am, well I at least know more about myself now than when I started. Throughout it all, the Saviour has been right there beside me. His love has been manifest in the kindness and strength you all have given me as you have prayed for me, sent me letters, emailed me, and let me know that I had support. I could not have made it this far without you all, and I definitely could not have done it without my Saviour. I love Him and am excited to spend another year entirely devoted to serving Him. As my birthday and year mark are right around the corner, it makes me realise how fast missions go and I want you each to know that every day I have left is going to be spent working as hard as I can, do what I love, in a country I love, for the God I love. I love you all and hope you have an amazing week.
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