So this email is long I have a lot to say!
The last few days have been really long and tough. But I have never learned
more. So on Wednesday we couldn't email because we were super busy! We had to
wake up at 4:30 on Wednesday because the London south group was leaving before
us. It was really hard saying goodbye to those guys. I'm going to miss district Lehi so much!!
The bus ride from the MTC to London was
about 4 hours. We drove right through the center of London and it was crazy!!!!
So many cars flying by each other almost crashing. Massive old buildings on both
sides of the road! It was super cool. So when we arrived at the Hyde Park
chapel, President and Sister Stevens were there waiting for us. They are the
nicest people!!!! It was sooooo good to finally meet them and talk with them.
They fed us lunch and gave us some training stuff, our iPads, and then our
trainers!!!!!
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| Jacob's flat is in the top of this home |
So my trainers name is Elder F from
Australia! He has been here for like 15 months. He was a zone leader in London
before this. He is pretty awesome! So after we
were paired up we went out finding in the streets of London for like 30
minutes, Elder F placed like 2 Book of Mormons in like 10 minutes, he's
got skills haha. I was trying to learn from him, all it really takes is
confidence. But a lot of it...after finding we were sent off to our new areas.
The train ride was rough though, it was a massive walk from Hyde Park to the
station....all in the rain. Then a 2 hour bus ride from London to Bedford. So
ya haha fun stuff. We got to our flat at about 10:55pm and
just went right to bed. It felt so good! My area is a little town called
Bedford. It's a classic English town like the ones we searched on the computer
mom. It's super cool. There is this canal thing that surrounds the town
basically. My area is pretty big!!!! It goes all the way out to the country. We
have bikes so we can travel farther and faster. But the bikes are pretty crappy
and my butt is soooo sore oh my!
Thursday was basically just a training day
so we planned and went out finding with not much luck at all. People here are a
lot nicer than in London, but still really grumpy haha so it's hard. A cool
story was we weree walking and Elder F asked which way we should turn. I
was prompted to say left. Not knowing why, we walked and walked and walked and
I was somewhat irritated at my decision because there was no one, but after
about 30 minutes of walking we ran into a lady named G! She was from Poland
and had been looking for the missionaries. So this was cool!!! We gave her a
lesson the next day and committed her to baptism on
the 10th of October If she was ready by then! I was super
happy!
On Saturday we helped a member move 1000
bricks from his neighbor’s house to his, it was a lot of work but it made me
miss the days at home helping dad work around the house. I miss that so much. I
want to just be able to build and clean and fix everything around our house,
just to be with the family on those Saturday mornings. I love you guys so
much!
Sunday was fast Sunday! We have a good ward,
but nothing can even compare to ours back home. I love the Bonneville 2 ward so
much, the love that is there is out of this world. I hope all is well within
the ward. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to have my dad as the Bishop! I
love you dad.
There have been some moments this week where
I have been struggling pretty hard. The people here aren't the nicest, well
some of them at least, others are super kind. But there are a lot of grumpy
people. I have talked to a lot of Hispanic and Chilean people!!!! They are
seriously so kind! I love them. But my Spanish is awful so it's hard to talk
sometimes. When I was struggling this week, which was quite a bit, I read this
email that Johny (his good friend serving in Argentina) got from his uncle a few weeks back. "I kind of found the
mission to be a lot like body surfing or boogie boarding. Sometimes you
are on top of the wave and sometimes you are at the bottom. Then again
sometimes you are on top and all of the sudden you get slammed to the bottom of
the ocean and you find yourself picking sand out of your teeth. I think I
ate more metaphorical sand in the first six months of my mission than I had
during the first 19 years of my life." I have felt this metaphorically and
physically haha and it is beyond true. I really am looking for the best of
things here and that's helping a lot, but sometimes it's hard. I have really
learned to rely on the Lord for strength and help. I have seen him give me the
slightest bit of comfort to help me push through the hard times.
THE LORDS HAND:
This week I have seen the Lords Hand everywhere.
It has been hard. But I know that I can pray to him for help and guidance. A
friend told me that I need to pray to our Heavenly Father like he is our best
friend, talk to him, tell him everything, cry unto him, and that's what I have
done. I have felt his comfort when I am at my lowest point, and sometimes it's
not a lot of comfort, but it's enough to get me going, I know we have trials of
our faith to strengthen us. I know that this gospel will swell within my heart
as I work hard, just like it says in Alma 32:28, I know this gospel is a
"true seed" and I am ready to spread this "good seed" to
those In England.
I love you guys all so much!!!!! I miss
being at home so much, I want to fight and argue with you all I miss that, I
love you so much!
NO SHORT CUTS
Elder Parkin GOOOO FREEEEKINNNN UTES BABY!
There was a kid from Michigan in the MTC I told him they were gonna lose haha
love you all!!!
I saw the Utes one!!!! 🙌🏻
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