Happy weekend everyone!
There is another week gone by! I know I say it a lot but, oh how the time flies! At this rate, I will be a Grandpa by next week (at least it will feel like it LOL!).
Let me just say, this week has been totally crazy! There has been a lot going on with Zone Conference and everything. It started Saturday night as we were planning travel for all the missionaries to get to and from Zone Conference. As I think I've said before, there are two Zone Conferences, one for the North end of the mission, and the other for the South. The South Zone Conference was held on Tuesday and the North one was on the Wednesday. I was in charge of planning travel and booking it for all the missionaries attending the South Zone Conference. It took me 8 hours total to get the South travel booked due to the fact that I also had to book travel plans for the choir members who need to attend both conferences. Regardless, there were a lot of other things that just made booking the travel a complete nightmare in my eyes. Besides that, it was a learning curve and now that I'm not in the moment, it seems more enjoyable now than it was before.
In Zone Conference, my companion and I were tasked with talking about travel (train tickets, railcards), area book and data privacy and the Bank of America app. As missionaries we have a bank card and are given money monthly. The only problem is that we can't see the transactions in real time and the money that is left in our accounts. However, at present we are sent weekly emails that tell us up to 4 transactions and how much money is left on the card. Luckily, we have been working with Salt Lake and we are one of four international missions that are having this app being tested.
I can also say that I had a part in Zone Conference besides making sure that all of the tech was working! Let's just say, I'm glad that this week is now over, and I can finally relax a bit without feeling stressed about conference planning.
Thursday, we managed to go see one of our friends. Her name is Shabana. She is a very nice lady, very talkative. When we asked her a question, she would go on for 5 minutes. It was hard to get a word in, but we managed! She is going to visit some family in Wales this weekend and she said that she would go to church there. The ward that they are going to is in our mission and we have missionaries there, so we can always ask them if they showed up.. hehe!
So, I was reading in the book of Jacob chapter 6, right after the allegory of the olive tree. I think that this is now one of my favourite scriptures. I was reading verses 4 and 5. I read them over again and again just to understand the profound meaning behind it. The scripture reads:
4 And how merciful is our God unto us, for he remembereth the house of Israel, both roots and branches; and he stretches forth his hands unto them all the day long; and they are a stiffnecked and a gainsaying people; but as many as will not harden their hearts shall be saved in the kingdom of God.
5 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts.
I really love what these verses are saying. God is a God of mercy and love. He is always there reaching out and stretching His hand towards us. As humans, we tend to forget and let our pride get in the way. I love what it says in verse 5, cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. When I read this, I pictured God embracing us, wrapping His arms around us tight and not letting go. We know we are all not perfect. We are human. I find that a lot of people nowadays tend to blame God when something bad happens, and blame Him saying that if He is really there, He has left them all alone. But the truth is, in our imperfection, we are the ones that have left Him and He is patiently waiting for us to come back, to follow the light that leads into His ever waiting outstretched arms. As long as we have that desire to come back to Him, God is always there already waiting for us. All you need to do is humble yourself enough to reach for His arms.
I really do know that this is the only true church established by the Master Jesus Christ, Himself. I know that the plan that our loving Heavenly Father has put in place for us is perfect, and that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to perform a perfect Atonement to provide a way for us to return into His presence someday. I know that because of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, that we can receive His mercy if we really seek it. I know that Heavenly Father is waiting for us to embrace and hold tight to Him as He is to us. I'm so grateful for this church and the lasting joy and happiness that it brings to my soul. I know that anyone can find this for themselves, and it all starts with a desire, if you really want it.
I love you all and hope that all is going well. I am praying for you.
Cheers,
Elder Jakob
There is another week gone by! I know I say it a lot but, oh how the time flies! At this rate, I will be a Grandpa by next week (at least it will feel like it LOL!).
Video of me trying Marmite for the first time!
Let me just say, this week has been totally crazy! There has been a lot going on with Zone Conference and everything. It started Saturday night as we were planning travel for all the missionaries to get to and from Zone Conference. As I think I've said before, there are two Zone Conferences, one for the North end of the mission, and the other for the South. The South Zone Conference was held on Tuesday and the North one was on the Wednesday. I was in charge of planning travel and booking it for all the missionaries attending the South Zone Conference. It took me 8 hours total to get the South travel booked due to the fact that I also had to book travel plans for the choir members who need to attend both conferences. Regardless, there were a lot of other things that just made booking the travel a complete nightmare in my eyes. Besides that, it was a learning curve and now that I'm not in the moment, it seems more enjoyable now than it was before.
We passed by 10 million pounds worth of cars on the way to Zone Conference!
In Zone Conference, my companion and I were tasked with talking about travel (train tickets, railcards), area book and data privacy and the Bank of America app. As missionaries we have a bank card and are given money monthly. The only problem is that we can't see the transactions in real time and the money that is left in our accounts. However, at present we are sent weekly emails that tell us up to 4 transactions and how much money is left on the card. Luckily, we have been working with Salt Lake and we are one of four international missions that are having this app being tested.
The look of the pass along cards we are giving to the missionaries.
I can also say that I had a part in Zone Conference besides making sure that all of the tech was working! Let's just say, I'm glad that this week is now over, and I can finally relax a bit without feeling stressed about conference planning.
Went to a carvery (a restaurant where they carve up meat in front of you and give it to you). It was soooooooo good and a ton of food!
Thursday, we managed to go see one of our friends. Her name is Shabana. She is a very nice lady, very talkative. When we asked her a question, she would go on for 5 minutes. It was hard to get a word in, but we managed! She is going to visit some family in Wales this weekend and she said that she would go to church there. The ward that they are going to is in our mission and we have missionaries there, so we can always ask them if they showed up.. hehe!
A pretty meadow we passed by.
So, I was reading in the book of Jacob chapter 6, right after the allegory of the olive tree. I think that this is now one of my favourite scriptures. I was reading verses 4 and 5. I read them over again and again just to understand the profound meaning behind it. The scripture reads:
4 And how merciful is our God unto us, for he remembereth the house of Israel, both roots and branches; and he stretches forth his hands unto them all the day long; and they are a stiffnecked and a gainsaying people; but as many as will not harden their hearts shall be saved in the kingdom of God.
5 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, I beseech of you in words of soberness that ye would repent, and come with full purpose of heart, and cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. And while his arm of mercy is extended towards you in the light of the day, harden not your hearts.
I really love what these verses are saying. God is a God of mercy and love. He is always there reaching out and stretching His hand towards us. As humans, we tend to forget and let our pride get in the way. I love what it says in verse 5, cleave unto God as he cleaveth unto you. When I read this, I pictured God embracing us, wrapping His arms around us tight and not letting go. We know we are all not perfect. We are human. I find that a lot of people nowadays tend to blame God when something bad happens, and blame Him saying that if He is really there, He has left them all alone. But the truth is, in our imperfection, we are the ones that have left Him and He is patiently waiting for us to come back, to follow the light that leads into His ever waiting outstretched arms. As long as we have that desire to come back to Him, God is always there already waiting for us. All you need to do is humble yourself enough to reach for His arms.
I really do know that this is the only true church established by the Master Jesus Christ, Himself. I know that the plan that our loving Heavenly Father has put in place for us is perfect, and that He sent His Son Jesus Christ to perform a perfect Atonement to provide a way for us to return into His presence someday. I know that because of Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice, that we can receive His mercy if we really seek it. I know that Heavenly Father is waiting for us to embrace and hold tight to Him as He is to us. I'm so grateful for this church and the lasting joy and happiness that it brings to my soul. I know that anyone can find this for themselves, and it all starts with a desire, if you really want it.
I love you all and hope that all is going well. I am praying for you.
Cheers,
Elder Jakob ../I loved reading about what your missionary life! A big pat on your back for the huge coordination of both conferences. Another talent the Lord is giving you to develop on your mission. Love you! Keep on being amazingš¤❣️
ReplyDeleteWow i can tell you love marmite but the other meal looked delicious The scripture you quoted was just what i was telling my 14 yr old grandson the other day as he figures God has abandoned him as he is having some hardships but i told him what you just said.....keep enjoying your mission
ReplyDeletethe above comment was from The Stanton's
ReplyDeleteReally though...have we not taught him anything about England and Marmite??? hahahaha!!! That stuff is GROSS! We had a friend who stayed with us for a few months and he would eat it like it was gold...loved it!! But then again, he's not all right in the head...hahahaha. Glad he survived!
ReplyDelete