January 16, 2012

Hey mother dear!!!!     (He writes a separate letter to his Dad…)

Sooo this week we have set a baptismal date!! Chris will be baptized on February 11th. I hope one of us gets to stay to watch him get baptized... he told us how he knows the church is true and knows that the Book of Mormon is true as well!!! He has invited his mom to church! The best part is, is that his mom is bringing one of her friends as well!! This next week should be great!! :) We had a referral named Simone come to church! She has started to tell her sister about the church. Her sister is now interested in our church!! I’m soo happy to figure out what will happen in the next week or two! :) Moves day is this Wednesday so I’m excited to see what happens! Whatever happens I know it is called of god! But a refresh would be nice. Anyways I got your package today!! AWESOME! Thank you for the insoles. I am wearing them right now!! The Pictures were brilliant! I laughed!! The part that made me laugh the most was Andres Christmas card!! That was funny… hahahaha!! OH thank you for sending me that little horse!! I will post some pictures :)

I sure did enjoy Stake Conference this week! I totally forgot to bring my diary full of notes. I won’t forget next week so I can let you know what I have learned. I have gotten sick this week so it hasn’t been the fullest week it should have been.. :/ but I’m  feeling a lot better.  That is really interesting about Stake Conference for you guys! That is really special :) My group of missionaries really did set the bar up high! I know that a lot of the kids this year can set that bar! Like I had mentioned before... A lot to do with a mission is going to be the parents! I wouldn’t know how to put it in a way where they could understand the importance of it but I hope something can work out! I have sent a letter to a friend this week to help motivate him to go back on a mission! I hope he doesn’t take it wrong! All I want is for him to know I love him and that is why I have taken time to send him a letter!

What stood out to me about the temple statistics about RC(recent converts) being to the temple is way low.. Our mission focuses a lot on bringing back those less-actives... I am not sure about those in Mexico but the less-active people have ridiculous excuses about not coming back to church! If missionaries bear solemn witness about Jesus Christ and the importance of Enduring to the End they will come back, and partake of the fruit like they once did. Like I said I don’t know how missionary work is like in Mexico but that’s just my opinion. That goes right back to the quote you gave me -- ”when we come to know God, and have a strong relationship with Him, we then begin to understand our responsibility to those around us.”

We don’t have a p-day this week because of Moves Day! Last week I think I said we went to Windsor Castle!! That sure was cool! I’m mad they didn’t let us take pictures inside of the church.. It was amazing!!! Inside they had knights, priest, kings and queens who have been laid there since the 1200's. Hard to capture all the historic info. We will have to come back and visit after a year or so when I am home, or you can come here before I finish, either way it will all work out. I found out that Peter! (best friend in the ward) used to be an area 70.. He whispered it in church since I was sitting next to him. He cried because he had felt so bad about taking his name off! He wasn’t excommunicated for anything serious. He removed his name I think out of anger! He told me how he needs to come to Mexico to thank you for having such a fine son. ;) He’s lying! He is just trying to make me feel better ;)

Well I hope I will be able to send you guys a quick email on Wednesday letting you know what happens! Grandpa sent me a Package as well! I sure do love my grandparents!!1 <3 Love you grandmas and grandpa ;)
Thank you for prayers mom! Thank you to those who pray for me as well!
I love you:)
Elder Jones

January 9, 2012

Hey mother dear!! :)

This week has been really good! We worked extra hard and found some great people! I thank those who are constantly praying and fasting for me! The prayers and hard working are paying off. I have built such good relationships with members and investigators. This week we have found some new potentials who are very interested in our church! The greatest thing that happened this week was we gave a lady that is currently going through Dialysis a blessing! The Priesthood is an amazing thing. When you lay your hands on someone’s head it’s amazing to feel that close to the spirit. I won’t ever be able to explain everything because they are soo sacred. Another great thing that happened was we had a girl who's is in her 20's walk into church. She loved everything about it and wants to learn soo much more! Fast Sunday was very nice! Every person bore strong testimony! A lot of thoughts came into my mind about missionary work and how angels are there constantly to bear me up in times of need! I have had soo many great experiences since I have been out here! I'm working on not being Prideful and having more experiences to be more humble so that i may learn what the spirit is trying to teach me. The reason why I feel this was is because i was reading in Mormon 8 and Moroni 1. the part that hit me the most was Moroni said-- Christ hath shown me unto you and I know your doing-- verses before talk about pride so I thought to myself-- How prideful am I?--  We taught a Less-Active this week who hasn't been to church in over 3 years! He said that lately he has been waking up with a smile on his face because he is meeting with us. He said that he is such an angry person but has felt happiness to know that he is trying to change his life again. After the lesson he said the most humble prayer I have heard in a long time. It touched my heart.

I remembered today that it is Colton’s b-day! :) The ward has been soo good to us lately and we have heard from lots of people how very proud they are of us! They are proud because we have done our best about trying to reach out to the less active friends and we have been doing our best to serve them in any way possible! Mom I thank you for the letter you sent me! I know you think you are being preachy but I have and am learning soo much from you! Remember this -- seek the advice of your father and mother and put it to practice-- <3 I am still studying those papers you send me about my questions last week. Thank you again for that. Wayne, one of our investigators is driving to Israel next week, so last Thursday we met with him and his family! He sure is crazy and would never come into this church but I love them soo much! They are trying soo hard to make us into Christians! Dumb I know! But we have a good thing about him. We found out that he is ranked number 300 in the world in Black Ops the game! a guy with no legs and one arm is ranked 300!!!! hahaha he said the reason why he got into it was because he wanted to talk to people about Jesus! Shows how crazy he is hahaha his name on Xbox is called - The Preacher man JC-- Anyways we have met some cool potentials this week! We will set some baptismal dates soon and hopefully get someone baptized! Thank your brilliant letters mum! Sorry my emails are simple sometimes.. I will do better at putting more detail and more stories into them!

I love you! Thanks for being amazing parents to me!

Elder Jones

January 3, 2012

Hey mum! ;) It’s what they say here…

Sorry I didn’t get back to you! This week has been soo busy! Plus there have been more holidays and that is why we couldn’t email yesterday. I got The Hinds email address is you want to talk to her.. She has a lot of cool jewelry! I thought you would like some of it.. I really do love them.. They have taken care of Elder Burton and I quite well :) -- juliannahind@gmail.com-- anyways this week we have worked hard! We have found plenty of potentials who are interested! These next few weeks should be interesting! I wanted to thank you for the Christmas stuff! I’m sorry to say that the Heated Blanket blew out hahaha even with a converter.. Don’t feel bad! The flat is warm and if I sleep with my PJ's(nacho) on I get quite warm :) The nerf guns have been quite fun to have :) I LOVE my jerky :) and the CDS.. Thanks for everything again.. The ward gave us cuff links, ties, candy, bath bombs, etc! It was great :) The scarf you guys sent are wonderful! i love it, especially the gloves as well :) So I got the package with 17 miracles, Swedish fish and the chapstick! the chapstick you sent has sparkles in it lol it was the other one haha il just give those to the sister missionaries.. Don’t worry I got 2 sticks left :) I watched 17 miracles later that day! It re-newed my spirit and gave me that desire to keep working hard. I think the best part of my week was getting a few referrals who are very interested in the church. The other good thing was a x-member in our church asked me to re-baptize him in due time. He removed his name and regretted it.. I sure do love him.. He is one of my dearest friends in the ward! Just on the side note he built the little pond that you see in the London Temple pictures :) His name is Peter Tanner. He sings alot. I think he is on either iTunes or amazon.. He might be under P.V Tanner.. look him up if you want :)

We celebrated our new years at one of our members houses! We only stayed til 9 which was alright! Their son was smoking that night and they caught him.. It was sad to see his parents.. Totally set the night off for them. :/ Church the next day was great.. One of our LA's who hasn’t showed up in over 2 years was there:) I gave a talk about charity. I based it all on Moroni 7: 45-48. Peter was in the back cheering me on :). Since everyone looked exhausted I started off in Spanish and everyone quickly jumped out of their seats and laughed! :) It was a good little talk.. They then asked me to give the lesson in Sunday school. That was about temple work and family history. Since we have a lot of divorced members I didn’t know where to take it.. The spirit was present.. The members taught each other, comforted each other and all went really well :) I def was nervous for that one. I’m glad that a family member and I are building good relationships again :) Uncle Tony and Aunt Chris sent me a really nice letter :) Grandma sent me a really heart felt letter as well! I sure do love my grandmas :)  I absolutely love that idea dad has thought of! Anything about buying, selling, investing or making I would love to do!

I’m grateful for great men who come from my community, I’m grateful to have had them played a part in my life.. I’m grateful to have been involved with them,. Learned from them, and loved them. Trials show me that I can keep going no matter what that circumstance might be. Lately I have had growing opportunities.. since almost all the missionaries are 20 and older I have had to adjust in a heartbeat.. i didn’t realize how young I was until last week, on the other hand I feel prepared for the tasks, I’m confident and love serving! I’m grateful to have those opportunities to learn and to grow! I will read that talk given my Elder Holland. I love that quote as well - the passed is not to be lived in but learned from-- I have learned from and will continue to learn from :)

Thank you for helping me understand that as well! I have seen how one thing can lead to 10 different other things. Crazy. I thought that question about why those shepherds were chosen to see the savior! I will print those articles off so I can better understand that. Thank you for always reminding me about service! I will do better each time at serving those around me. I know this email has been short but not a lot of crazy stuff has happened.. This week is going to be full of miracles I know it :)

P.s this past week we prayed to know which street to knock. the 2nd door we knocked a young guy in his 20's  came out and listened to all we had to say.. we taught him the plan of salvation and wants to see us soon! Sometimes we think about seeing crazy miracles, but the small and simple ones like that mean just as much to me.

December 27, 2011

That explains soo much dad! Thank you  :)  it was soooo good to talk to you guys! I’m glad for that time I got to talk to you guys! It gives me that extra little boost to keep on going! I am sorry about not getting a proper email to you guys this week but I will get a good one next week... thank you for the tips... this week we are going to work extra hard to find the lost! I’m thankful for all your prayers mom and dad! I have seen the power that mighty prayer has taking on me.. My prayers have become more meaningful and sincere each time! I forgot to tell you that lil Jesse sent me a card with 100 dollars in it.. I thought that was a sacrifice for him because he is in college and works. Showed a lot there. Anyways thank you for all you have given me and continue to give me. I can write all day how thankful I am. I guess words can’t express. I wish I could have Skype a little longer but that is fine! :) I sure do love you guys and look forward to talking to you on Monday! Have a great week! (look for the small in simple miracles in your daily lives) my insights towards my patriarchal blessing are : 1st its says... you are to assist in gathering Israel for the last time.. ( Isaiah 55-66 talks a lot about the gathering of Israel) You will be an instrument in gathering those of the tribe of Ephraim, of which you are a descendant. You will have the privilege of gathering those lost tribes of Israel and bringing them into the kingdom of your Heavenly Father. You will prepare them to return to their Heavenly Father and gain their exaltation. You will prepare them to go to the temple to be sealed for time and all eternity in the house of the lord. They will call you blessed for all that you do for them. ( my thoughts on that are.. tell me if they are wrong or right... well there are 12 tribes of Israel right?? where are those 12 found? where can I learn more about them.. I have found a lot about Judah, Ephraim, Asher, and Levi, but haven’t found the rest. I don’t understand if my blessing refers to those 12 tribes or just gathering the lost tribe of Ephraim. What I thought was interesting as well was that every tribe has a symbol.. Ephraim’s is the wild ox, Judah the lion, Asher the olive tree, and Levi the Urim and Thumim.. Now about the Levites. DC 13 talks about them. So what do the symbols mean? I thought the levitcal sign was deep. Does that mean that JS was a Levite? does the brestplate have another meaning instead of just being a plate? Sorry about all the questions haha. I have just been studying alot... the last question that I thought was interesting as well was... when the angel came to the shepherds in the field what made those shepherds different from the rest? How come the angel came to them instead of others?? 

December 20, 2011

This Year For Christmas - 2011

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving. The thrill just wasn't there.
No pictures taken with Santa Claus, My decorating has no flair.
His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties, two suits and socks...no fun.
I've bought him all white clothes because... This year I'm giving Christ
my son.

I've spent more time in the temple, my testimony stirred.
I've reread November's Ensign, Felt strength come from His words.
Our family prays more frequently. My tears are quick to run.
Abraham seems closer because, This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war?
Or how the pioneers chose Zion , their sacrifice was so much more.
My loss will be his presence, I'll miss his smile a ton
For two years we will pray for him, I'm giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he's not looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine.
He's always hungered for the part of him, that makes his soul divine.
The stories and lessons he always heard, His choice and mine are one.
I'll put my faith in God's hand, This year, I'm giving Him my son.
Past gifts have lost their glitter; I think I finally understand
Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand.
It's because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing's done.
My gift has taken years to make, This year... I'm giving Christ my son.

I know there's One who understands, the sacrifice I'm making.
Who knows the gift I willingly give, The toll it will be taking.
For He has done it all before Greater love - there could be none.
For years ago God gave to me, His only begotten son.

The hands I washed, the hands I held, The hands I taught to pray;
Now knock on doors to find the ones Who will listen to what he'll say.
Because I know Christ needs him, Until all the gathering's done,
My gift has taken years to make. This year...I'm giving Christ my son.

 

December 19, 2011

Hey :)

This last week was slow but really fast haha we did a lot of less-active finding. Alot of people asked for their names to be removed. It was sad to hear. Others wanted us to come around so we could get to know them. the best part of my week was half the zone got to go to the temple! We did a Session in the LONDON TEMPLE. Hopefully we can come back to do a session there one day :)  After the temple everyone got together to eat. Every district was assigned to make up a skit of some sort.. haha not one of the skits weren’t funny! Then Pres and Sis shamo talked to us! After that I got all my letters and presents!!! Agh such a relief to have finally got them! Elder Burton  and I had the biggest boxes and the most boxes as well! I felt good to know my mom loved me!! Have I ever told you about my Bonsai tree I bought?? Well we named him Moses and he is our Christmas tree! We water him every day and he is just great to stare at! il post a picture of him ;) yep so all my presents are under Moses being cared for mom :) This week for Christmas we have DAs every night which is wonderful! Plus around Christmas time we have tons of families that want us to go over! The ward sure is good to us :) I will be at the Hinds.. They are American! He is the manager for Microsoft over here! Pretty cool guy!  He is in charge of all the video games! My Skype name is jordan.max.jones   the password to it is the same one as this email! So go ahead and add me! You can get on the account to accept the request as well okay! We are thinking about calling you guys on Sunday around 6 or 7! I will call you guys before anything to make sure all is good :) You guys excited or what??  It will be great to see you guys! It has been a quick 4 months! I haven’t really been that homesick to be honest! it’s because you take good care of me soo that’s probably why I don’t feel homesick haha other than that in church one of the members said -- what i like to do around Christmas is to write 24 things why I love you--- I thought you and dad should do that next year! :) We should also spend our Christmas serving those around us! I guess i have never really seen the meaning of service until now! It means soo much to me to know i could do one thing for someone else that would make there week or day! :) I have also come to have a better relationship with our savior! I still want to make that relationship grow through my life! Burton and I decided we were going to make cookies for people in the ward and our investigators!! We bought 4 pounds of butter and 5 bags of sugar! Can’t go to wrong with that huh ?!?! ;) Let’s hope they turn out good lol Updates on our investigators.. Chris is doing better! We are hoping to set a date and he can work towards it. Addie who is our recent convert is doing amazing! We are taking him to the temple sometime to do baptism’s.. Elain uhh slowly she is getting up there. I guess that’s kind of it.. We have a few potentials but there still trying to find out what they are going to do with their lives.. Tell Evan I said thanks for always being kind to me.. He will always carry a spot in my heart.. Well your welcome! Choosing to be your son was great! hahaha and still is ;) Bishop was right! We do have a way good relationship! :) It will always get stronger as the years go by! <3 

Also I’m thankful for Pres Whetten! I sure do love him! I hope he knows that! I’m thankful he is taking care of my dad while i have been gone! The twin ;)  I always like hearing a good story! If there are any good stories tell people to write them to me :) it would be appreciated! I’m thankful for dad! :) Love you dad! When we went to the temple is snowed a lot the whole way there! But melted shortly after! I wish i would have gotten a picture or two, but since we were on the train I couldn’t really get a nice picture.. It is getting really cold, but I have a nice jacket that is way warm! No need to worry :) Please let me know how that experience goes for you :) The best moment I had this past week was to be in the temple and to socialize with all the missionaries! I still haven’t gotten the package with 17 Miracles! I’m sure I will get it soon :) Thanks for that Spiritual thought mom! I will def do those! It’s always good to have Reminders so that we can go back and improve! I glad I get to talk to you guys this week! I didn’t realize til a few days ago that I’m talking to you guys in a week! Pretty weird :) This week has been slow as in teaches and street contacting, but this week should be full of exciting things! Sure do love you guys! I will talk to you soon :)

 <3 Elder Jones <3

P.s There is a kid from Mexico City serving in the London South with me! I just barely found out til yesterday! Were good buddies now!

December 12, 2011

This week has gone by soo fast! I have felt the harder you work the faster your days go by! I love that feeling! It’s always good to hear that things are going well! I hope things will get better with the family! I’m sure everything will be okay! I will send him a letter soon to let him know I love him! Please tell him I said that! Mom I will do better and better each day okay :) I guess I’m still learning the ropes, I’ve got them figured out really well. My comp is not as obedient as he should be. It puts a lot of pressure on me to lead the way of the senior companion. it’s also difficult when he just wants it to go his way but patience is been my key attribute believe it or not haha! I’m very patient now :) Thank you for those quotes! I too have seen how obedience blesses me daily! I hope people can always feel my strength of love towards them. My goal is to be that strong one. I am learning to be a leader and I have chosen good when others haven’t on the mission! I pray that heavenly Father will always give me learning experiences so that I can help others and understand what they are going through.. Thanks for the talk and insights you have sent me mom! I’m always seeking the advice of my parents and leaders.. I’m sure that quote will remind you of something :) Please don’t think you’re preachy. Thanks for the thoughts and improvements you think I need to better! That’s the goal is to be a strong one in the lords hands! :) Tell Elder Johnson I said I missed him haha and thank you for his concerns! He’s a good ol guy ;) I’m glad that the kids enjoyed that letter haha they asked me a lot of funny stuff! I will get my packages this Thursday! We will be going to the temple to have a reunion kind of thing and that’s where we will get the boxes and letters :) We have found 2 new investigators yesterday :) They are going to Italy for 2 weeks but when they return we will begin teaching them :) I’m happy :) Chris is doing well! He has given up his old lifestyle and is now turning to the right path! He loves what we have to say and everything that church has to offer :) Elain is alright... she is also trying to give up old habits and start coming to church! Its sad to see what alcohol and smoking can really do to your life! Half the time she doesn’t know what she is doing, but people can change. I know she will change! It doesn’t look like I will have a baptism on Christmas... but it’s okay! I’m sure we will have 2 or three in January! Mom I just want to say thank you for preparing me for this moment! I’m grateful to have been taught well and how obedience will be the key to everything!   I’m also grateful to have inherited that from you mom! To sense when things are not right and to help others when they are not doing well! It has always been a blessing in my life to have that attribute. I am learning how I can be more sensitive to those spiritual promptings.. to know when to do the right thing at the right time.. Thank you for always teaching me! I’m trying to be like one of those stripling warriors! It’s not easy but I can do it:)   thank you for everything you do! This should be another great week! I hope you guys know i love you and thank you for all the prayers :)

I will talk to you guys soon! -

Elder Jones

December 7, 2011

Dear Mommy!!

Haha transfers were this Wednesday!! Sooo guess what?? Elder Burton and I are staying in Reading for another 6 weeks! I’m happy we didn’t get moved. Our work isn’t finished together.. We are planning to work extra hard these next 6 weeks! We are doing a lot better towards obedience. It’s hard when you’re tired haha but it doesn’t bother me as much as it used to. I’m going to do better each day. I hope you are up when you get this email. So we were at a members house the other day talking about deep doctrine stuff.. He said a good book to buy is -(Encyclopedia Of Joseph Smiths Teaching- Larry E Dholl Donald Cannon) I was wondering if you could buy that and when I get home I could have it. You could read it as much as you want but when I get home it all mine :). Also my lips are getting really dry and they - (hurt real bad- napoleon) could you send me a couple of sticks of Softlips chapstick!! :D that would be great:) Also if it would be possible if you could send me 17 miracles... I miss that movie. So I will share a miracle with you okay. It’s a small one. Anyways we had an ex-change with the other missionaries so I ended up staying in Reading and Burton went to Woodley. I decided to knock some doors close to a member’s house. I said hey lets go down this street and before we do let’s say a prayer. We prayed that someone would let us in and we will begin teaching them and others they will let us plant that seed in their heart. We walked up to the 1st door and a lady came out of her house. She then let us come in and we taught her the Plan of Salvation. Her husband was very nice and she had 2 kids. They had a nice home. Usually the more well off of the people they choose not to listen, but they listened to us. She said she was going to read the pamphlet and get on the church website. She said come around Thursday sometime. So hopefully we will see what happens! Isn’t that cool :) others just asked us to come around some other time! I haven’t yet written it in my journal but I will today! I’m hoping all goes well with them :) 

I love you! 

Elder Jones

December 5, 2011

HEY guys!! This week has been difficult but nothing too big. Chris decided that he doesn’t want to get baptized on the 24th.. He said that he has too much going on and that he feels that a better time for him will be in January. We felt that that would be right... we don’t want to just baptize someone who will later fall away from the church, we want people who are going to benefit the ward not just make them deal with more less-actives. We are teaching a kid named Decklin. He came up to us wanting to get taught. He has been taught before by missionaries. He could possibly be baptized on the 24th or the 26th we are not sure.

This week has def gone by fast. It makes me happy to know that you have enjoyed those pictures! :) Elder Burton is way funny haha Moves day is on Wednesday. One of us might get moved, we are still not sure how it is all going to take place. We didn’t end up going to Windsor Castle. We decided to go to a town further north called Oxford, that place is way fun. One of the missionaries serving there was celebrating his 1 year mark so we wanted to go to a little get together :) it was fun! I am happy I made the choice of coming on a mission.. Even though I still don’t yet realize the blessings of it, it has made me happy and I have seen my spiritual growth :)

That’s nice to hear that Rodrigo got baptized.. It makes me happy.. Mom thanks for all your prayers and fasts :) I have seen the impact it has had on me lately! I will begin praying to know what we can do better.. This month we have decided to visit the less-actives and re-activate them. I’m sure it will go well :) Hopefully one of us doesn’t get moved so we can see the growth of the ward come back! That’s amazing to know that you did that around the wards in your mission, mom! I wish I could have taken singing more seriously so that I could offer that :) haha this Christmas we will have a big get together at the temple.. It will be our zone which should be way fun :)

  

I forgot to mention that one of our investigators (Wayne) promised us he would read the Book of Mormon if we read some of his stuff... he keeps on trying to convert us which is way funny :) he ended up giving us this Anti book! Elder Burton read it clear through with no problem.. So I thought it wasn’t that big of a deal.. I picked it up and right away felt a spiritual prompting to set it down.. The book was full of darkness.. It scared me! I read the intro and gave up. I followed the promptings given instead of ignoring them.. Who knows what could have happened.. Anyways I thanked Heavenly Father for that :) I have been learning sooo much! I have been writing it down in my journal..  I loved that insight about the Atonement :) I will copy that down and put it in my study journal! This week has been okay.. not the best.. I’m sure this week will be wonderful!

I love you soo much! I am excited to get the packages! :)

talk to you soon :) Love Elder Jones  

Thanksgiving 2011

Thanksgiving with the Ambrose Family - Reading, England.

November 28, 2011

Hiiiiiii!!! This week has been wonderful! We had a great Thanksgiving at the Ambrose Family! They are soo nice to us.. :) It’s good to hear that you received those letters.   I thought some of those pictures and videos were quite funny as well..  You guys will receive another letter soon.. I sent one to Victoria and I think one more to Dad.. idk maybe it was the one you already read.. I’m thankful for Grandma Elma and the great example she has been to me. I have always loved her and cared soo much about her.. Tell Grandma Christine to tell her I love her and I’m doing really well on my mission. :) Most of the missionaries always miss home around this time of year. I’m just happy to be out here haha not that I don’t like you guys, I just like it out here a lot more :) I’m excited to get those packages.. Once again thanks mom <3 It makes me happy when I hear how proud dad and the family are of me.. I’m making really good progress. I’m getting better and better each day! It makes me happy to hear how well Clave is doing! Please tell him i said hello and that he needs to email me when he gets his mission call :) haha I miss the geese flying over our house.. I wish we had some geese but they just have swans swimming in the canals haha.. It’s starting to get cold.. This morning we woke up and it had frosted for the 1st time. I was wanting to buy more thermals since I only have 2 pairs.. Would that be okay?? I have learned a lot from the scriptures lately.. before I left you said those scriptures better be worn out.. they are already getting worn. Hopefully they will be in tact when i get home  ;)

 
Do you remember when i told you what Pres. Eyring said to Pres. Shamo? - The time will come when the seekers shall return?? This past week has had plenty of experiences like that.. the 1st we were at the bus stop and a lady walked up to us and wanted to start learning about our church! The next was we were coming back from the chapel and i felt impressed to talk to a lady that was sitting next to me at the stop, so I asked her how she was doing. I asked her a series of questions and she then accepted to be taught. she said she had always wanted to know more about the church! I later thought to myself.. what if God had put her in my path and I didn’t even come out of my comfort zone and talk to her? How would i have then felt if I didn’t do anything about it :) We got invited to Krispy Kream on Saturday.. Elder Burton wanted to see a girl he used to teach.. After we got a dozen of donuts haha… we walked out and this 12 year old kid walked up to us wanting to learn about our church.. We found out that his dad was a LA member and didn’t attend church that much.. We are going to work on re-activating him and maybe even getting this kid to come to church.. :) I thought that was pretty cool of that kid because he walked away from his friends to talk to us.. I thought it showed some courage! Other than that we are going to Windsor to see a Castle and tour for p-day.. Look it up online if you would like haha! I think that is it for this week.. Next week I will update you on everything next week. Moves day is the 7th of December.. Elder Burton has a feeling he will be moved.. So this might be our last moves day together. Thanks for your prayers! Know that I’m working hard :) love you guys

<3 love elder jones
p.s I loved the pictures and videos you guys sent me.. it made me laugh to see those guys

November 21, 2011

Hey mom :) and hello family :)

Christopher S. is doing really well! We set a baptismal date for the 10^th of December but he hasn’t been to church because of school and such, but he promised us he would come to church this week :) We felt like that he needed a little bit more time so we are thinking about moving it to the 24th :) It would be amazing to give Jesus that present don’t you think? <3 Wayne and his family (the one in the accident) are slowly making progress..The other day we met up with him and taught him about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.. He has a hard time thinking about having a Heavenly Father.. At 1st he said he would never read the Book of Mormon and guess what??? He promised me he would read 60 pages! It’s amazing to watch your prayers get answered :) makes my eyes water up sometimes.. The Perez family is having a slower time progressing but I know they will be baptized one day!

Tell Elder Rowe’s Mom to tell him I said happy b-day! I sent him a letter the other day! He might just get it today haha England is getting cold! Since its humid here the cold feels extra cold which isn’t very fun, but I don’t mind it.. I looked at the area Appledore from where the Jones’s came from and it’s not very close to my area! Maybe I’ll get transferred somewhere more close so I can go see that place :) Keep me updated on those little areas so hopefully I can see them.. Thats great that you got that letter :) I’m so happy! I’ll try and get that picture from elder Burton! He has one on his camera as well. Today we have a little Zone Conference! Everyone is going to get together and play some games! It should be fun! We also got invited to eat some good food on Thanksgiving at the Ambroses house! She is American but her husband is English! She is a nice lady :) Other than that i did get that Envelope! I was sooo happy to get it! That jerky was AWESOMMMEEEE!!!!!! hahaha I set up that little turkey thing on my desk! :)

Tell Uncle Tony I love him! Thank him for always taking care of me <3 I owe alot to that ward!! Each person has a part in my life :) Tell everyone I am doing well and I thank them for their prayers! I see them answered each day.. it always makes me so happy to hear that people are always asking about me.. It gives me that extra kick to keep working hard :) I always love getting pictures! Dad sent me 2 haha.. It’s sad to see the boys miss.. If they only knew what they were missing out on.. My advice to give would be to work with the ones that do attend regularly and talk to the parents of the boys who don’t attend.. Tell them if they want there kids to go on missions they better ephasize it a little bit more for them.. Speak BOLDLY ;)

Thanksgiving sounds really exciting this year! I hope you guys have tons of fun! I can’t wait to get those boxes :) Our mission does let us Skype! So get that set up next month and make sure all the internet connections are working.. The update on Elder Wright being here.. He talked about feasting upon the words in the Book of Mormon.. He said there are rooms in the Book of Mormon that you need to find.. Picture walking into a room and you see a bed, curtains, windows, etc well that’s the same in the Book of Mormon. FIND THE ROOMS and study them.. I never looked at in that way you know.. He also said we need to recognize our dependence on the Lord.. and when we struggle to take those problems in mighty prayer! Sometimes we let out fear control our faith in most occasions.. If our faith isn’t great, we can’t really move mountains as it says in the Book of Mormon or that the trees will obey us.. Faith is a hard thing but only through trials that is where we test our faith.. This week in church was very special to me.. I learned that temples are a Sanctuary, School, Salvation, and a Sealing place.. Your light isn’t sufficient enough by itself.. You need a greater light! The speaker really broke down those 4 S's. the next thing I thought was interesting was that we think things are soo hard and we can’t do them and we have to sacrifice things and such. If we prepare for that sacrifice, if we prepare for those blessings, if we prepare to receive them, God will do the rest.. That struck me.. We need to prepare a lot more.. and when we don’t we feel we are sacrificing.. I hope you get what I’m trying to say hahaha things just speak to people in different ways! That is why we have the holy ghost to speak what they need to hear..

That is my letter for this week.. I hope that something in my letters may answer a question, satisfy a need. I love you.. Thanks for your letters :) <3 Elder Jones

November 14, 2011

Thanks for those pictures :) I always like getting pictures!

Yeah we ate at the Ambrose Family.. They asked were I was from so I got on Google earth and told them what the lifestyle was like growing up there. I can’t wait to one day move back :) I heard about those missionaries. My heart dropped when I heard that. I could only imagine what those families felt like.... at least they passed in the service of their God right?!?

Lately I have been praying for an investigator who is prepared by the Lord. The other day we received a media referral so we decided to stop by his house. The media referrals we usually get don’t really want to get taught, they just want us to drop of a dvd or a pamphlet. Anyways as we knocked on his door he invited us in and we taught him the restoration. His mom was taught by the missionaries when she was young and she has always kept in contact with those 2 missionaries. After the lesson he asked so many questions and wanted to get taught the next day, he also told us how he wants to lead his family by example and eventually baptize his brother and mom.. He said I want to raise my family on a sure foundation, not raise them the way our dad raised us. Somehow we started talking about miracles and we shared a few.. The spirit was sooo strong!! I told him he was an answer to my prayer! His eyes watered up and so did mine.. This week has been wonderful. We set a date for the 10/ Dec! I’m soo excited he has made this decision. One thing he said that really stood out to me  was -- Mormon people lead by example, they didn’t push me into the church and they were always kind to me, which made me jealous in a way because they were always soo happy-- sometimes we don’t yet realize the impact we can make on someone just by kindness and doing the right thing.. :)

The family we are trying to teach is a hit and miss. The kids are always busy. Hopefully we can get them to mutual and then church. We are also going to see if we can get the mom into the Addiction Recovery Center. It makes me thank Heavenly Father to be raised in such a great family, community and people. The culture in England is horrible. Single moms who don’t care about their children. It’s sad to watch. Like I said awhile back, the church will be the last standing beckon of hope.

Thanks for sending me some packages :) This week we had Zone Conference and Elder Wright attended our meeting. He is the area 70 at the moment! I forgot to bring my little paper of notes so I will get them to you next week. So guess what :) I was going through some old ensigns we have at the flat and came across Pres. Whetten.. haha I was bragging that he was like my 2nd Dad ;) I also saw Benjamin De Hoyos in there.. I hope that is how you spell his name :/  anyways that is it for this week.. I will try to make me emails better and better each time.. I sent home my camera card so you will get all my pictures and funny videos soon!

Thanks for your prayers and keeping my name in the temple.!

I love you!

Bye…Elder Jones

**

I forgot to tell you that in England they wear a poopy flower in remembrance of those in battle.. the Sunday after the 11/11/2011 the whole united kingdom stops for 2 mins.. in church we all stood and stood there in silence.. I thought that was special.. people cried during those 2 minutes and that sacrament meeting was very special.. i forgot to tell you that.. and I also remembered that next year is 12/12/2012 we will never ever see the numbers match up ever agian.. so this next year you party hard woman!!

Halloween Picture

November 7, 2011

HELLO GUYS!! She sent you that picture :) she said she wanted to surprise you and tell you how my progress was going haha, I guess she really did.. I will def tell her what you told me to tell her. WOW that’s great that 2 more boys are leaving! I’m soo happy to hear that! Things are going alright. The family we are teaching is hit and miss kinda.. The mom is an alcoholic and her kids are golden. I wonder how they put up with it all sometimes. So they really have a rough time.  She makes these dolls! She has got a gift of making these dolls, they are crazy, you will just have to see later when you get the package :) yeah so just watch out for my account okay :) I can’t wait to get a postcard from Chicago! i love that place <3<3

It has been a sad week for me in a way. I hope the family feels the prayers that are going out for them and things work out alright. Please send my love to them. People can change! I know that because I have seen it and I’ve seen how people change.. I still have really high hopes for my buddy and I know everything will come out good in the end :) Man what a small world huh?? To know Andre is just walking into all these people! :) ha-ha it makes me laugh. Tell the family how much very I love them and how I feel all the prayers that are going out for me.. If it weren’t for them I probably wouldn’t be doing too well. Thanks everyone. The weeks are getting better but are slowing down.. I’m learning a lot from my scriptures and preach my gospel. I want to get to the point where I can answer everyone’s question with a scripture and also put in my feelings on things :)

I loved that talk about the priesthood! I hope I can purify my heart each day so that when the times come I can call upon the heavens so that I may speak with the tongues of angels.. When I asked you to pray about Wayne the guy that was in the bad accident and how I then told you nothing worked out. Well we helped them move there things into a storage unit the other day and I found myself alone with him.. It was kind of weird but I knew something was going to happen.. He said Jones I will read your Book of Mormon if you read these pamphlets... I gladly took them and set up another appointment with him.. Elder burton said that was odd that he would do that. I studied these pamphlets to know them and his beliefs. I know for a fact that the prayers are being answered in a way. We all need to work on patience.. Heavenly Father answers our prayers when they need to be answered.. So I guess I need to work on having more patience.. These next 2 months or the 4 weeks I’m with Elder Burton we decided to work our behinds off so that we may be able to have a baptism for Christmas.. that’s the goal! I know if we work for it and are faithful to our goals the lord will bless us! I’m hoping we can give that mom I was talking about a blessing so that she may get over her addiction to alcohol and be baptized!

Thank you guys for your prayers and comments!

Love Elder Jones

October 31, 2011

October 31, 2011

Dear Sister Jones
I just wanted to write to you to say thank you for sharing your wonderful son with us here in England. My family and I live in the Reading Ward where Elder Jones is serving with Elder Burton. He has visited our home several times now for meals and yesterday my husband brought he and Elder Burton back for breakfast after an early morning priesthood leadership meeting and we took this picture of them outside. I have a son on a mission too at the moment and know how comforting it is to hear from them and hear from others that are ok. I want you to know he has a strong testimony which is growing daily as he serves his mission . He bore his testimony in church recently and expressed his great love and appreciation for you and all you had done for him to support and encourage him to serve his mission. He said he knew he had not always made that easy. I know as a Mom we don't always get to hear those words so I wanted to share that with you . I cried for you!! He is a gentle missionary who is always friendly and welcoming with all he meets. He is excited to share the gospel . We love having the missionaries in our home they bring a special spirit. My husband Andy and I have 4 children and 1grand daughter - Meg 25 married to Luke who have baby Hollie they have just moved back to live with us, Jak 22 married to Sandy living also in Reading Ward, Ethan 20 serving in the England Birmingham Mission and Elliot 16 still studying. Elliot loves to have the elders round and we are grateful for the example they are to him. If there is anything you feel we could do for Elder Jones while he serves in our ward please do not hesitate to ask us.
Love Sue Blackwood and Family xxx

October 24, 2011

HEY FAMILY!!

Wow I really want to know how the meeting will go in San Antonio! That’s GREAT! I bet dad is soooo happy :)

My week has been fantastic! Even though we have been flogged, yelled at and plenty of more stuff but I’m still happy! Things like that don’t seem to bother me as they used too! I guess that is just one of many changes I’m seeing in myself.. The baptism went really well! After the baptism he stood up and said how happy he was to make this choice in his life! He asked me if i could go to the temple with him a year from now :) isn’t that great! I’m glad you are updating my facebook and such :) let them know I’m good I guess if they want to know haha.. My area is really good! This past week was rough because a few of our investigators decided they didn’t want to follow the church, I couldn’t do anything to convince them to come back.. Lately Pres. Shamo has asked us to start teaching and baptizing more families! We have been praying most earnestly to find families! Well 2 days ago we received a referral from another area! We decided to stop by and get to know them! We found out that her 2 youngest kids were living in Spain with their dad and they just randomly decided to move back with their mom! I honestly think they were the answer to my prayer! Sabrina is 15 and James is 14! They EVEN speak Spanish :) isn’t that great :) We are going to start teaching them, hopefully the mom will want to follow the path they are taking :)

Elder Burton and I are doing well! Everyone has their ups and downs but I’ve gotten through them easily by just smiling a lot and laughing! haha I feel like the smile makes everything better ;) That’s sad to see 2 missionaries have a hard time! I wouldn’t let a rough time affect the missionary work! :) The Weather is really good! Everyone in England is surprised on how warm it still is :) I probably brought some of the Mexican weather over here I suppose ;) jk. We don’t have bikes we have the double decker bus to haul us around!! yeyeahh!! ;) We walk a lot though! I think I will need new shoes in months :D

I might be transferred before Christmas! I’m not sure to be honest but I will be with Elder Burton for 6 more weeks! yes I am keeping the letters from my mission president! If you would like mom get on here and go to the folder that says - mission president letters- and print them of every other week so that they won’t get deleted :) Speaking of mail could you get Elder Rowe’s address for me? I think I will always consider him one of my good friends!

That is a really good quote by Elder Packer! I am purifying my heart daily! It’s easy to do on a mission! :) I sure do love serving the lord! I feel soo good all the time its weird haha! Sometimes I ask myself am i really a missionary? I never thought time would come this fast! I’m still trying to catch up! I’m doing really good though.

WOW, I’m glad the wedding went well :) That is awesome that Eagle project worked out! My eyes watered up as i read that too! That is sooo cool! Dad has been extra emotional since I have been gone :) Finally he’s turning into a big softy :) Wow if you’re serious about this marathon you’ll be looking younger than me by the time I get home mom haha! jk we’ll have to run a marathon someday wont we :) thanks for that sweet little quote mom! I have seen both sides of what you’re talking about.. it’s amazing to call upon the heavens and give them a blessing! You can literally feel energy that being send through you to the other person.. I have been reading Jesus the Christ!! I think it is my favorite book! I read that book as much as I can! I’ve never really loved reading until I’ve read the Book of Mormon and Jesus the Christ haha! You guys should def study Jesus the Christ!

Tell Mitchell I’m super happy for him and also that it’s about time the last dog left! haha see I told you Andre would be good.. I talked to him for a while! He is excited for his baptism that is coming along :)

Thanks for everything you do for me mom! I love you tons! I forgot to tell you that I bore my testimony the other day and told everyone how much I loved my mom and my dad and how you and I were best friends and how we did everything together! If it weren’t for my parents I wouldn’t be out here! But I always tell people how good of a relationship I have with you! I sure miss you mom!

love you

Questions From Home - Oct. 13, 2011

Here is another set of questions...just answer them in the same email and send it back;)Love you!

1.  Is is cold yet?  How cold....is your apartment warm? yes it is getting cold :) the apartment is pretty warm! i think you should send me an electric blanket if that’s okay :)

2.  Do you eat with members every day?

 most of the days we do.. once in a while we will throw some food together

3.  How do you do your laundry?

 laundry?? wash it in a washing machine and hang it up to dry!! guess what??? I’m super super good at ironing ;) put Uncle Matt to shame!

4.  Are you getting letters from friends?

 yes im getting letters :)

5.  What is your flat like?  Big...small?  clean...dirty???

 the flat is big sort of clean! i try to keep it clean but my companion freaks out! He is such a pig haha but I’ve dealt with it

6.  What have you learned about yourself since you have been in Reading?

 i have learned that things are a lot easier than they really look

7.  How do you spend your p-days?

 p-days we shop, we get things we need, go out to eat, hang out with other missionaries in other  areas and we take a nap if we can

8.  Where do you go to send emails?

9.  What is the best food you have eaten since you have been in Reading...and the worst food?

 the best.. um probably foo foo made by the Africans :) and the worst.. a nasty lasagna lookin stuff the English look.. no flavoring in it whatsoever

10.  Do you get to do anything fun on p-day?  Basketball?

 Yes, with other missionaries..love it!

11.  How far is the temple from you?

 the temple is an hour away! we don’t get to go :/

12.  What do you miss from home...that you can't get over there??

 i just miss my awesome family and my horses! if i do miss a certain thing il tell you :)
thank you for that wonderful package mom! it really did make my month.. i was having a sad day and i said a lil prayer that  i would get it and i got it and it all went up hill :)

***Muneca and Reina say hi!!!  They came for a visit yesterday..I gave them apples...Riley rode Muneca and brushed them

both really well.  Reina is in love with the gay horses....she cries when she isn't with them!;)

 stupid gay horses!!! haha i cannot believe that have brought her into the homo fold!! MESSEED UPPP!!!! lol

I love you Sonny!!!!

Elder Jones 1st Baptism!