When I wrote every week, I always knew how long I had been out for, but as I was beginning to write this letter, I had to count... ha ha! I'm still down here in Weymouth with Elder Parker! Weymouth is a beautiful place. I'm not sure if you all know about hurricane Ciara, but it is currently passing over England and specifically the Midlands. Quite a few Sacrament meetings were canceled yesterday, but ours was still on. We actually had our Branch Conference yesterday. It was fantastic!
Honestly, we have been so busy driving everywhere, teaching, finding and finding in other teams areas within our zone, district councils, traveling to Plymouth to teach some Chinese people progressing towards baptism, stop-bys with less-active members, visiting active members, coordinating with stake and branch leaders, and traveling for choir. Let me tell you... it is really hard to balance the work when you have a lot going on. But having said that, if I can learn it out here, I can apply it to anything!
Because we are so busy, I honestly don't know where the time is going! It's flying by! I'm already halfway through my 2nd transfer in Weymouth! It feels like I just arrived at Bristol, stepping off the train getting ready for my new life as a missionary. But nope! It's already been 9 months since then... CRAAAAZZZZZY!
The branch president here is AWESOME! I don't recall if I have ever said this, but he was a former mission president in the Philippines! So he is super on board with missionary work and is trying to help the branch to be as well. The stake president is awesome as well! At branch conference yesterday, he extended the an invitation to the branch. The invitation was to individually seek guidance from the Spirit and invite 10 people this year to come closer to Christ in whatever form. President Cope (the stake president) is also really on board with missionary work.
This upcoming week is zone conference, and all I can say is THANK GOODNESS I'M NO LONGER IN THE OFFICE! Travel planning, NO THANKS! Although the office was an amazing experience, I dreaded travel planning. On that note, one of the senior couples in the office leave tomorrow (noooooooooo)! I love them so much! I will miss the Bartholomew's so much! I think all of the senior couples in the office made my time there. They are all so awesome!
My companion and I went inviting in our area the other day, and we approached this guy on the street. We stopped him and asked him how he was and his response went something like this "Oh! You sharing about Jesus? How fantastic! *pause* There is no God, so how about you do something productive and get lost?!? " At the pause I thought he was a total believer but it turns out he didn't believe at all. He was actually quite rude. It really makes me sad to know that people out there don't believe in God. Regardless of what anyone says, I know God IS there. I know He loves us. I have felt it, and as I reflect upon my life so far, I can see His hand in my life. There is no one that can tell me otherwise.
"...Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted. My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh." (when Nephi says "even unto the consuming of my flesh" he is saying God's love has led him to overcome the natural man/pride)
- 2 Nephi 4:19-21
How blessed am I to have God as my support. How blessed I am to know that He is with us every step of the way, regardless of our circumstances. He is always cleaving unto us and extending His arm of mercy towards us (Jacob 6:5).
Thank you all again for the support you give me! I am very grateful!
Cheers,
Elder Jakob
(Editor's note... no photos home this week means I can add any from home I want! ;) Elder Jakob with his older brother Caleb)
Honestly, we have been so busy driving everywhere, teaching, finding and finding in other teams areas within our zone, district councils, traveling to Plymouth to teach some Chinese people progressing towards baptism, stop-bys with less-active members, visiting active members, coordinating with stake and branch leaders, and traveling for choir. Let me tell you... it is really hard to balance the work when you have a lot going on. But having said that, if I can learn it out here, I can apply it to anything!
Because we are so busy, I honestly don't know where the time is going! It's flying by! I'm already halfway through my 2nd transfer in Weymouth! It feels like I just arrived at Bristol, stepping off the train getting ready for my new life as a missionary. But nope! It's already been 9 months since then... CRAAAAZZZZZY!
(Editor's note... Elder Jakob at New Year family party before he left on his mission)
This upcoming week is zone conference, and all I can say is THANK GOODNESS I'M NO LONGER IN THE OFFICE! Travel planning, NO THANKS! Although the office was an amazing experience, I dreaded travel planning. On that note, one of the senior couples in the office leave tomorrow (noooooooooo)! I love them so much! I will miss the Bartholomew's so much! I think all of the senior couples in the office made my time there. They are all so awesome!
My companion and I went inviting in our area the other day, and we approached this guy on the street. We stopped him and asked him how he was and his response went something like this "Oh! You sharing about Jesus? How fantastic! *pause* There is no God, so how about you do something productive and get lost?!? " At the pause I thought he was a total believer but it turns out he didn't believe at all. He was actually quite rude. It really makes me sad to know that people out there don't believe in God. Regardless of what anyone says, I know God IS there. I know He loves us. I have felt it, and as I reflect upon my life so far, I can see His hand in my life. There is no one that can tell me otherwise.
"...Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted. My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh." (when Nephi says "even unto the consuming of my flesh" he is saying God's love has led him to overcome the natural man/pride)
- 2 Nephi 4:19-21
How blessed am I to have God as my support. How blessed I am to know that He is with us every step of the way, regardless of our circumstances. He is always cleaving unto us and extending His arm of mercy towards us (Jacob 6:5).
Thank you all again for the support you give me! I am very grateful!
Cheers,
Elder Jakob
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