Sorry it's been so very long since I've written out a proper update! Things have been so busy here, and the time has been flying. I can't believe it's nearly February. Perhaps I'll start with the basics... Swindon is a working town, so basically anyone who wants work gets it.. Which means there lots of foreigners and very little free time. We have met people from so many different nationalities. French Guinean, Goan (a state in india), Brazilian, Polish, Ghanaian, Italian, Portuguese, Romanian, etc. I love those people, they make the work so fun. All the foreigners are so humble, they just see things in. A different light. You'd be hard pressed to find a Goan who doesn't believe in God, and if you did, you would see that he's more humble than half the worlds Christians. I have taken a particular liking to the Goan people. I know a bit of their language( Konkani) and it's amazing to see how they smile when you stop them in their native tongue. We are teaching one Goan family consistently, and teach others from time to time. They're all staunch Catholic so they don't receive the message particularly clearly, which is interesting to see. But they are amazing people. There is something like 40,000 Goans in Swindon and most of them live on about 10-20 streets in one area near town. I LOVE going there. Swindon has taught me loads about contacting people on the street and understanding people, and just conversation in general. I really love all the foreigners here, I'm gonna find it hard if I ever go back to a staunchly English city. (Fortunately EBM is the most culturally diverse English mission) I've learn how to say little phrases in Portuguese, Romanian, Nepalese, and Polish... And it's awesome to see how much respect people have for you for simply learning how to say hello in their language. So I keep ranting about the foreigners but yeah, Swindon is definitely my favorite area so far. In Swindon I find myself constantly noting the significance of perspective in happiness and success. Something I have definitely learned out here... Every morning I wake up, I'm not vamping up to fight for success that day. Rather, I'm trying to truly obtain the perspective that is necessary to carry me in the work that day. When your perspective matches with your task, it becomes so simple. I've been learning over and over in Swindon, the power of mentality.
The Book of Mormon is the guide to that mentality. It's like a book of Wisdom, and when I align myself with the spiritual reverberations that are contained through out it... That same spirit permeates in my mind and through my actions all the day long. When we study the book daily, we become living testaments of its truthfulness. Moreover we cannot preach the faith if we do not live it. The rich man knows that he will not remain wealthy, if he does not have a source of continuing income, as expenditures are inevitable. Similarly the wise Christian understands that expenditures of faith are inevitable, and he must increase his spiritual accounts daily. There have been days when we don't have time for morning studies... Those are the only days I've been furious on my mission. I find that it takes quite a lot to be angry personally... But not on the days where I haven't made the effort to obtain a higher perspective. And particularly in this demanding field of labor... I find it impossible to succeed unless I refresh my mind/ spirit daily. But back to Swindon! We are teaching a lot of people! We have been so blessed in finding people so continuously. This last Saturday we tracked into a guy called JD, and he ended up coming to church the next day and bringing his friend. Hopefully we can start teaching him this week. It has been great, we have worked really hard and seen so many blessings! We have many investigators who recognize that they have a testimony, which is amazing.
Our biggest struggle is that people work too much here, so many investigators we can only see on weekend... And many investigators can't make it to church unless they quit their jobs. But nevertheless it is amazing. I have met so many amazing people out here, and am learning so much. I'm loving it. It's so hard, but it's so worth it. I won't go into detail about of the investigators because it would take too long, but we have a few really special people were working with right now. One is a Welsh man who lost his faith over the years of difficulties, it's been amazing to teach him. He came to church yesterday for the first time In many years. That was great to see. The Goan family I spoke of earlier is amazing, we're going to visit them tonight. And the list carries on. But at this point I think it is sufficient to say that the work is going well. Transfers are next week Wednesday, so that will be interesting.
Hope everyone is doing well,
Love you all.
Monday, January 25, 2016
Monday, January 18, 2016
Tuesday, December 22, 2015
Happy Christmas
Hey everybody! Hope your all doing really well :)
Things are going great here, and I haven't done an update for a couple weeks (I think), so I shall now!
We have been so blessed lately, by meeting the most amazing people!
For one, we tracked into the nicest brothers ever. They are so sincere and humble that it's hard to believe. They invited us in, fed us, and let us teach them. They invited themselves to church, and we're really excited about what we shared with them. they work really hard, but Hopefully they can make it to church next week! Also we tracked into the most amazing family from Ghana. (We talked to him on the street earlier that week) it was really exciting to see him at his house. He understands that God sent us to his family, but he and his family are ministers of a local church. We're really excited to teach that family. We also have an amazing investigator who has come to church for three
weeks in a row now. I'm amazed at how many awesome people we have met recently. And this
ward is great, just so willing to help.
Oh yeah! I'm still in Swindon, and I'm serving with elder Davis again :) So that is pretty much what's happening lately! We've been spending a lot of time sharing the churches Christmas video
with everyone. It's a great little video, you should all share it with your friends! There really is an attendant spirit about Christmas.
We had a multi zone conference last week, and it was wonderful. The spirit was so strong at the testimony meeting! It's such a wonderful opportunity to be called to share the message of Christ's birth and atonement.
I really love this calling, it has taught me so much!
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas week, and enjoy spending time with family!
Love to all of you.
Elder Jarvis
We have been so blessed lately, by meeting the most amazing people!
For one, we tracked into the nicest brothers ever. They are so sincere and humble that it's hard to believe. They invited us in, fed us, and let us teach them. They invited themselves to church, and we're really excited about what we shared with them. they work really hard, but Hopefully they can make it to church next week! Also we tracked into the most amazing family from Ghana. (We talked to him on the street earlier that week) it was really exciting to see him at his house. He understands that God sent us to his family, but he and his family are ministers of a local church. We're really excited to teach that family. We also have an amazing investigator who has come to church for three
weeks in a row now. I'm amazed at how many awesome people we have met recently. And this
ward is great, just so willing to help.
Oh yeah! I'm still in Swindon, and I'm serving with elder Davis again :) So that is pretty much what's happening lately! We've been spending a lot of time sharing the churches Christmas video
with everyone. It's a great little video, you should all share it with your friends! There really is an attendant spirit about Christmas.
We had a multi zone conference last week, and it was wonderful. The spirit was so strong at the testimony meeting! It's such a wonderful opportunity to be called to share the message of Christ's birth and atonement.
I really love this calling, it has taught me so much!
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas week, and enjoy spending time with family!
Love to all of you.
Elder Jarvis
Monday, December 7, 2015
New Area
Hey everybody! I can't remember when I did an update last so I should probably do one!
I'm serving in Swindon now, with elder Davis. He's from Texas, and kinda sounds like forest gump. It's a great time (: Swindon is totally awesome. There is so much to love here! But this week our progressing investigators were shipped out of the country due to unfortunate circumstances... So it has been a strange week. But nevertheless, it continues to improve. Today we went as a district to Gloucester cathedral. Aka the halls of Hogwarts. It was great.
Oh yes, this week was thanksgiving... And well they don't celebrate it here... So that was a bit disappointing. :-(
Also, we went tracking in a little village in our area, it was really posh and interesting to see the people there. Rich people in this country are either really kind or frankly rigid. We went to stake conference is week, and on the Saturday session we got there 3 hours early by a happy mistake. So I had the opportunity to go contacting with two of my favourite missionaries. It was eye opening to see the power of a positive attitude. Our joy of being together fuelled our efforts to complete our tasks. I think we ended out giving out about 20 Books of Mormon in the course of 2 hours.
Looking back it seems to me like this is applicable to everything in life. Our attitude is the driving force for our success and happiness. Especially since our attitude in most cases won't change our scenario. (And in the few times it can, it's always made better from the positive attitude, rather than the negative one). I'm seeming to be taught over and over that finding the capacity to enjoy the moment and press on at all times, is one of the great
callings of this life. That is made so much easier as we take hold to the simple truths of the gospel. Not perhaps at first, (as surely the iron rod is made cold from the lack of warmth present in the mist of darkness)... but as we
hold on and press on, The confirmation of our own standing(in relation) to the saviour can truly carry us to press on through any degree of trouble.
Anyways, no time. Gotta go! Hope you're all doing treat love ya
I'm serving in Swindon now, with elder Davis. He's from Texas, and kinda sounds like forest gump. It's a great time (: Swindon is totally awesome. There is so much to love here! But this week our progressing investigators were shipped out of the country due to unfortunate circumstances... So it has been a strange week. But nevertheless, it continues to improve. Today we went as a district to Gloucester cathedral. Aka the halls of Hogwarts. It was great.
Also, we went tracking in a little village in our area, it was really posh and interesting to see the people there. Rich people in this country are either really kind or frankly rigid. We went to stake conference is week, and on the Saturday session we got there 3 hours early by a happy mistake. So I had the opportunity to go contacting with two of my favourite missionaries. It was eye opening to see the power of a positive attitude. Our joy of being together fuelled our efforts to complete our tasks. I think we ended out giving out about 20 Books of Mormon in the course of 2 hours.
Looking back it seems to me like this is applicable to everything in life. Our attitude is the driving force for our success and happiness. Especially since our attitude in most cases won't change our scenario. (And in the few times it can, it's always made better from the positive attitude, rather than the negative one). I'm seeming to be taught over and over that finding the capacity to enjoy the moment and press on at all times, is one of the great
callings of this life. That is made so much easier as we take hold to the simple truths of the gospel. Not perhaps at first, (as surely the iron rod is made cold from the lack of warmth present in the mist of darkness)... but as we
hold on and press on, The confirmation of our own standing(in relation) to the saviour can truly carry us to press on through any degree of trouble.
Anyways, no time. Gotta go! Hope you're all doing treat love ya
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Mission Conference w/ Elder Ballard
Hey guys, November 16
Short update!
I got moved again...
I'm in Swindon now. It's an awesome area, I totally love it. There are three teams in Swindon, and it's a load of fun. Also, we had a mission conf. With Elder Ballard. It was probably the best day of My life. It was so wonderful. Things have been really busy this week, but I just wanted to let
Ps...
It gets totally dark at 5 now, and the sun comes up at 730.
It's totally strange. But it really mixes things up!
November 9,2015
Hey everybody!
Here's another update for ya :D
Things have been great this week. We have been so blessed. We have started teaching a couple new people this week, which is awesome because we've been struggling to find people to teach. We're going to do some service for one of the investigators tomorrow by helping him heart he sermon from the church his wife goes to, as he is hard of hearing... So that will probably be a funny story.
Nevertheless, We're happy to help. This week we helped a less active family move over the course of two and a half days... So this week has been pretty tight on time, and yet things have still worked out beautifully. Just goes to show... If your hearts in the right place, the Lord will provide. Despite the challenges of life, I have seen how the Lord does truly provide... If you can put your trust in him, you need not worry. When you teach or share your testimony, there's a wonderful spirit about the experience. Those experiences are what have carried me throughout the week. We have been doing loads of work with less actives, and it has been so wonderful. We have met tons of wonderful families. Also, we got a new bishop this week. And he is totally missionary minded! We are excited for the new emphasis, and change it will bring. So all in all, this week has been awesome!
And this next week will be even better. Elder Ballard is coming to the mission!
Well, I hope everything is going well!
Love and warm regard,
Elder Jarvis
Here's another update for ya :D
Things have been great this week. We have been so blessed. We have started teaching a couple new people this week, which is awesome because we've been struggling to find people to teach. We're going to do some service for one of the investigators tomorrow by helping him heart he sermon from the church his wife goes to, as he is hard of hearing... So that will probably be a funny story.
Nevertheless, We're happy to help. This week we helped a less active family move over the course of two and a half days... So this week has been pretty tight on time, and yet things have still worked out beautifully. Just goes to show... If your hearts in the right place, the Lord will provide. Despite the challenges of life, I have seen how the Lord does truly provide... If you can put your trust in him, you need not worry. When you teach or share your testimony, there's a wonderful spirit about the experience. Those experiences are what have carried me throughout the week. We have been doing loads of work with less actives, and it has been so wonderful. We have met tons of wonderful families. Also, we got a new bishop this week. And he is totally missionary minded! We are excited for the new emphasis, and change it will bring. So all in all, this week has been awesome!
And this next week will be even better. Elder Ballard is coming to the mission!
Well, I hope everything is going well!
Love and warm regard,
Elder Jarvis
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Wolverhampton update
Hey Guys,
Things have been so crazy here. To be perfectly honest I don't remember exactly what my last update covered, so forgive me if my updates touch on the same things. My time in Wolverhampton so far has been nuts! I came in with 2 companions, Elder Bogeart from Switzerland and Elder Smith from Jamaica. Within two week I lost both of them, and now I have Elder Bellen as my companion again (the Elder I served with in Walsall). So that has been most peculiar! It has taken a little while, but I'm finally starting to get settled in. Things have been going great out here. It's been a bit hard to find people to teach, because of the dynamic of our area, so we have decided to put a bigger emphasis on working with less active members. We have set up a programme with the ward mission leader and elders quorum president, and they have become really excited! It's awesome to see the ward getting excited, but especially the ward leaders. We are going to try and have every less active member of the ward (which is a lot) visited before Christmas, by coordinating missionary efforts and home teaching efforts. I really hope we can help people see how important home teaching really is, and what a sacred privilege it is! We don't have many people we are teaching, but we did meet with a great less active - part member family least night and they are so awesome. We will definitely start visiting them more often. So that's what missionary work looks like in Wolverhampton 2nd ward right now. Fall is coming, and it's beautiful, but really cold. But being able to share a testimony brings the warmth to heart that makes it bearable. It's so true that the spirit brings warmth to the soul, and what an amazing feeling indeed. I think that's about it for today. I really love this ward, and this work it's so great. I hope everyone is finding happiness, despite the trials in your life... For I have learned out here that happiness is not situational and knows no bounds!
Love you guys,
Take care
Things have been so crazy here. To be perfectly honest I don't remember exactly what my last update covered, so forgive me if my updates touch on the same things. My time in Wolverhampton so far has been nuts! I came in with 2 companions, Elder Bogeart from Switzerland and Elder Smith from Jamaica. Within two week I lost both of them, and now I have Elder Bellen as my companion again (the Elder I served with in Walsall). So that has been most peculiar! It has taken a little while, but I'm finally starting to get settled in. Things have been going great out here. It's been a bit hard to find people to teach, because of the dynamic of our area, so we have decided to put a bigger emphasis on working with less active members. We have set up a programme with the ward mission leader and elders quorum president, and they have become really excited! It's awesome to see the ward getting excited, but especially the ward leaders. We are going to try and have every less active member of the ward (which is a lot) visited before Christmas, by coordinating missionary efforts and home teaching efforts. I really hope we can help people see how important home teaching really is, and what a sacred privilege it is! We don't have many people we are teaching, but we did meet with a great less active - part member family least night and they are so awesome. We will definitely start visiting them more often. So that's what missionary work looks like in Wolverhampton 2nd ward right now. Fall is coming, and it's beautiful, but really cold. But being able to share a testimony brings the warmth to heart that makes it bearable. It's so true that the spirit brings warmth to the soul, and what an amazing feeling indeed. I think that's about it for today. I really love this ward, and this work it's so great. I hope everyone is finding happiness, despite the trials in your life... For I have learned out here that happiness is not situational and knows no bounds!
Love you guys,
Take care
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