As we look over this past week, it has given us a chance to reflect on the many, many blessings we have received. I love Thanksgiving as it is filled with food, fun, family, and friends. This year was no exception. We invited the Young Single Adults and full time missionaries to join us. Also, it just so happened that our hometeacher from our Orem ward, Dennis and Karen Madsen's son just moved to Cambridge to work for a few months, so he was able to join us. And yes, a 10 pound turkey was able to feed them! It was so fun to have a housefull! I think they have found their favorite game, SPOONS! Of course, we missed our children and grandchildren immensely, but having a house full of people made the day a little less emotional for me. And no, I did not make zupfe bread! I ordered rolls that were delicious. Bread making is too hard here with our little oven and crummy flour!
We are having some incredible experiences in teaching and meeting with part member families. One family we are teaching, we felt that we wanted to teach them and this week at our lesson we realized why we felt that way. There are some issues that we think would blow young missionary's minds. The spirit was very strong, and the couple opened up with us in a way that was very touching. This sweet sister has been inactive for about 8 years and she is starving for the gospel. I'm reminded of the scripture in Amos 8:11, "Behold the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord." We saw with our eyes and heard with our ears her anxiousness to hear the gospel, as though she was starving. We were emotionally exhausted at the end of the visit, but also very buoyed up with hope and love for this wonderful family.
We were able to meet also with another part member family whom we have grown to love. They invited us for lunch and we had such a delightful time with them. Brad asked the husband (not a member) if he would allow us to teach him the gospel. He said, "no, I don't think so"! So we just asked if we could just be their friends and stop in to visit them regularly. Oh, of course! That is the way these British people are. They are very friendly, but typically not interested in learning the gospel. They are content with their own religion. Having grown up in Utah, I'm having a first time experience in talking with people who have no idea about God, and believe in Jesus Christ as a good man, but nothing else. And these people belong to the Church of England, a Christian church! So I feel that I am learning a lot about the church and about myself. President Monson said, "As we make Christ the center of our lives, our fears will be replaced by the courage of our convictions."
I feel that my testimony is growing in a way I hadn't expected! As I listen to people's questions and doubts about the existence of God or the need for a church, I have found myself studying more and praying more intently to feel that what we are teaching is the truth. As I have done so, I feel my testimony expanding and my desire to open my mouth to testify increasing. For this, I am so grateful, more than I can adequately express.
I also realized the great importance to do the simple things every day the prophets have told us to do, prayer, personal and family, scripture study, FHE, and attending church. They keep us safe and focused on eternity. We love you, our dear family and precious friends! You mean so much to us. We pray for you and we feel your prayers in our behalf. Have a great week! Keep the Faith!!!!
With all our love,
Dad and Mom,
Papa and Grandma,
Elder and Sister Jackman
For a fun FHE game, play this matching game: match the British word to the word that it means in English!
trousers gasoline
you al'right shot
trolley apartment
jumper semi truck
bin car hood
rubbish parking lot
flat cell phone
scrappy sweater
boot hi, how are you?
bonnet vacuum cleaner
wonky pills
jab cafeteria
bert shot needle
buttery pants
plaster grocery cart
tablets car trunk
sharps windshield
hoover wobbly/unstable
mobile a funny guy
car park garbage can
lorrie garbage
motorway grumpy
windscreen bandaid
petrol freeway
windshield
Have fun and I will tell you the answers next week! Love you all!
How we love our kids and grandkids!!!!! We are so very proud of you all.
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