dear believers of ancient american writings,
i would like to point out that this letter is not necessarily addressed to those that also believe in ancient american astrology but can in fact be read by them as well if they so please.
some highlights of this last week definitely include receiving the news that both me and elder gill will be staying in this area for the next seven weeks. officially making elder gill my longest companion (so far) and Farnborough my longest area (so far, longer than epsom by one week:) ) this news was unexpected but enjoyed. now knowing that we have at least till the end of january to work together in farnborough has given us an added measure of commitment and blessings this last week. most of the missionaries in the mission actually stayed put this last transfer as well with only four missionaries coming into the mission. the last time this mission received a group that small was about a year ago when i got here :)
we had a great miracle this last week in that Mona Cowie came to church this week. Mona is woman from Germany that we've been teaching on and off for the last two months or so. she is really really busy with her work schedule so it's been hard to find the time to see her. she has a strong belief in Jesus Christ and actually investigated the church about six years ago when before she moved to farnborough. she became great friends with the sister missionaries that taught then, although she didn't join the church, and actually is still in contact with both of them. she originally let us in because she had fond memories of the missionaries. as we've taught her and grown close to her over the last few weeks we've stressed how much keeping the sabbath day holy by attending church can bless her. specifically we felt impressed to read the account of the savior instituting the sacrament in the americas with her this last week. as we read and explained the blessings she focused in on the blessing the savior gives that those who keep this commandment shall be built upon his rock and therefore be safe from the destructive powers of the adversary. as we read the spirit came and she committed to come!
one of my favorite parts of having an investigator attend church is seeing the support the ward gives them. it's always great to see my great friends in the ward become friends with the friends that we've been teaching. as always one of the great aspects of the gospel is that it brings people together :)
the christmas spirit is really picking up around here. you can tell it is when Merry Christmas becomes the standard end to all conversations. we had a great experience a few days ago when the stake choir went to a local shopping centre to sing christmas carols. for about an hour the missionaries handed out fliers for the upcoming stake christmas concert. it was great to see the affect that just singing christmas carols had on all the people in the area. many people would stop to listen or at least take the time to slow down, turn their heads and listen as they walked passed. among the busy shoppers the true meaning of christmas took root as the choir sang about the greatest gift that has ever been given. as we were handing out fliers i had the opportunity to have many short conversations with people about christmas and christ. one elderly irish woman told me that for her it's never quite christmas until she hears a few carols. she waited around listening to the choir for as long as her schedule would allow and applauded openly before she had to move on. it's amazing to me how much the spirit of christmas helps so many people to feel the spirit of christ.
i love you all and am grateful for your prayers and your support
with love
Elder Jarman
ps. who came up with the word Nogg anyways?
pps. this post script is the natural byproduct of forgetting to write down certain codes
ppps.i recently thought about how cool it would be to actually have a fully sized and fully operational cane made out of candy. and i haven't been able to stop thinking about it since
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