Hello family. It sure has been a crazy week. I don't think I will ever realize how amazing this is. It definitely has its good times and bad times, but whatever it is I feel safe and confident. The only times I am ever upset is when I don't do something I needed to. I can deal with rejection when I do my best.
England has really brightened up this week, and it has felt great. Who knows how long it will last, but I seem to be blessed abundantly all of the time. It sure is nice to have an amazing family! The learning curve is pretty quick, and Elder Mckenna is so good at picking it up. I think he will train next transfer. We are getting 16 new missionaries this upcoming transfer, so I hope President Jacobsen doesn't have any funny ideas. Whatever he wants me to do, I guess. I think he feels like he has overwhelemed me, so I could see myself being Junior companion to a great missionary next transfer. Whatever it is, let's do the best we can.
I have started to love the English people, especially some members of our ward. There are some amazing, dedicated people in this ward. One of them being the Brogans. I don't know if I have told you about the Brogans, but I think we have seen them every single day for the last week. We use their home and also us Brother Brogan a lot. He is a great missionary, and since he got a car again, he has had plenty of time to hone his skills. I think Sister Brogan wants him back a bit, so we are trying to give him a break, maybe.
I wish I could share and remember everything that has happened. There are little things inside everyday. And not just in a missionaries life. You can see God in your day every single day. I promise you. Something I taught in my District meeting this week (first one) was about the Atonement. There is a great talk, and book, by Stephan A. Robinson called 'Believing Christ'. It has helped me understand the Atonement better. Something I love about the Atonement is that it allows me to have the Spirit. I don't have any of the huge greivous sins that we think about when we think about applying the atonement to our lives, but I do sin. We all do. And God cannot dwell in unholy places. The atonement cleanses us, no matter how big or small our sins, to allow us to have the Spirit, which is so critical in everything we do (read PMG chapter 4). It also allows to just to lay everything, whether it is sin or not, at the Saviors feet. He did not just suffer for our sins, but for our infirmities and trials AND TEMPTATIONS. I love that too. We are not alone in ANYTHING that we go through.
I begin to understand Alma 7:11-13 even more each time I read it. I love the scriptures and the knowledge we get from them. Imagine if we didn't have them! We would be so lost! Everything would be so confusing! Please read 1 Nephi 13 and look at all of the amazing prophecies. I gave a pretty long talk on Sunday about the Book of Mormon. It was great. I love the Book of Mormon. I also love you all, sorry to end so abruptly, but my time is counting down on me. Tra,
Elder Davies
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
April 23rd
Sorry my e-mail did not go through last week. I did write it, but it wasn't that great so oh well. Sorry that this week i am pressed also. I just want you all know first that I love you. We are so blessed to have the gospel rooted in our lives. It is the guidance for everything. We need not fear. This has been a pretty amazing week. We have had an amazing zone conference, and President Jacobsen told us that we were having a visit on May 25th from President Uchtdorf. I am really excited to meet him (well, probably just to shake his hand). We had a great zone conference that just talked about taking it to the next level. We really have to and we really can. It is what the whole church needs. We just all need to take ourselves to a new level. That was talked about at conference a lot. And if you ever want to know how. Read the Conference talks. They really will guide us and direct us in what we need. A lot of other things happen, but to ensure that I get this e-mail off, I am going to try to send it real quck. I am praying for you. I love you. The work is going along, and I am doing my best and staying up with it! Pray for yourselves to have missionary opportunities! God is wonderful and wants to help us. So does his legion of Angels.
Elder Davies
Editor's Note: What Jordan did NOT mention here is that he was called to be a district leader. We know he will work hard and do a great job fulfilling that calling.
Elder Davies
Editor's Note: What Jordan did NOT mention here is that he was called to be a district leader. We know he will work hard and do a great job fulfilling that calling.
From Wednesday April 9
What a wonderful week it has been. Conference was absolutely amazing, and we are just seeing blessings being poured down from Heaven. The Lord wants what is best for all of His Children and we are lucky to receive the guidance through the Spirit for how we can follow His will. It truly will make us very happy. Today was transfers and nothing happened gratefully. I get to stay again!
I learned how to start driving this week. We go out for about an hour with a driving instructor, and have to pay quite a bit, especially when we double it to get it into pounds. I drove manual for the first time, and it did take me a while to get used to it, but I eventually got the hang of it, and I will be able to whiz through these lessons, hopefully.
I received the Leishman Line this week. I love the Leishman Line! Our family is so amazing, and we are receiving so many blessings. I have really come to know this time after time, after seeing what so many people struggle through. I never cease to be amazed while reading the Leishman Line.
We have been focusing teaching members some basic lessons that have been put across by the Bishopric. Our Bishop is quite young, but he is amazing. he is always thinking of missionary work, and these lessons are going to set up this ward to do missionary work for such a long time. It starts with daily scripture study. This will be a Liahona for our whole lives. It must happen daily. The area presidency has challenged each member to bring a soul into the gospel. That means the membership in this whole area would double this year. I know that it can happen, because we can feel it and it came for the area presidency. Satan cannot stop it from happening, only we can. It is true. We wouldn't be asked if it wasn't possible. The work must press forward, and England is lacking a bit lately. Why can't it happen? Is not this the most important work ever? I feel blessed to watch it happen, and it will be something I will always remember.
This week, Elder Mckenna and I found a member that had moved into our area about a month ago. His records had been sent up here from London, but we had never been able to get to him. I wasn't expecting much, but this man is amazing. His name is Brother T****, and he is from Nepal. He is about 28 years old. He moved over here from Nepal and was Hindu. He converted to Christianity a couple of years later, but was being delayed being baptized into the Catholic church. One day sister
missionaries found him, and he progressed quickly. He loves the gospel so much, especially the Prophet Joseph. It means everything to him in his life. We are so excited to have found him. He also loves missionaries, and owns a really great Nepalese resturaunt that he fed us in on Monday. Wow, have we been pampered by members the last couple of days. He
is so excited to go to the temple and to share the gospel with his friends. I cannot even begin to explain how pure and great this guy is.
We have had many great lessons with C***** these last couple of weeks. By his request, we have been teaching ALL of the commandments. He just wants to live the right way. He has taken everything and even stood up to his friends numerous times about his belief. He should be baptized in the end of April, and hasn't only because he had to fight to get work off on Sunday. WE are pretty sure everything is going well, and we are free to date him later this week. Awesome! What a blessing! We
also had a former investigator tell us on the bus a couple of hours ago that she is coming to church this weekend. We had talked to her before, and she had been very funny about it. Suddenly, she just tells us that she is coming this weekend. Awesome!
Sorry, I have very little time. I just want you all to know that I love you. WE are so blessed, I cannot even believe it. Study Conference. I wish I had time to talk about it, but let the Spirit teach you. I love you all,
Elder DAvies
I learned how to start driving this week. We go out for about an hour with a driving instructor, and have to pay quite a bit, especially when we double it to get it into pounds. I drove manual for the first time, and it did take me a while to get used to it, but I eventually got the hang of it, and I will be able to whiz through these lessons, hopefully.
I received the Leishman Line this week. I love the Leishman Line! Our family is so amazing, and we are receiving so many blessings. I have really come to know this time after time, after seeing what so many people struggle through. I never cease to be amazed while reading the Leishman Line.
We have been focusing teaching members some basic lessons that have been put across by the Bishopric. Our Bishop is quite young, but he is amazing. he is always thinking of missionary work, and these lessons are going to set up this ward to do missionary work for such a long time. It starts with daily scripture study. This will be a Liahona for our whole lives. It must happen daily. The area presidency has challenged each member to bring a soul into the gospel. That means the membership in this whole area would double this year. I know that it can happen, because we can feel it and it came for the area presidency. Satan cannot stop it from happening, only we can. It is true. We wouldn't be asked if it wasn't possible. The work must press forward, and England is lacking a bit lately. Why can't it happen? Is not this the most important work ever? I feel blessed to watch it happen, and it will be something I will always remember.
This week, Elder Mckenna and I found a member that had moved into our area about a month ago. His records had been sent up here from London, but we had never been able to get to him. I wasn't expecting much, but this man is amazing. His name is Brother T****, and he is from Nepal. He is about 28 years old. He moved over here from Nepal and was Hindu. He converted to Christianity a couple of years later, but was being delayed being baptized into the Catholic church. One day sister
missionaries found him, and he progressed quickly. He loves the gospel so much, especially the Prophet Joseph. It means everything to him in his life. We are so excited to have found him. He also loves missionaries, and owns a really great Nepalese resturaunt that he fed us in on Monday. Wow, have we been pampered by members the last couple of days. He
is so excited to go to the temple and to share the gospel with his friends. I cannot even begin to explain how pure and great this guy is.
We have had many great lessons with C***** these last couple of weeks. By his request, we have been teaching ALL of the commandments. He just wants to live the right way. He has taken everything and even stood up to his friends numerous times about his belief. He should be baptized in the end of April, and hasn't only because he had to fight to get work off on Sunday. WE are pretty sure everything is going well, and we are free to date him later this week. Awesome! What a blessing! We
also had a former investigator tell us on the bus a couple of hours ago that she is coming to church this weekend. We had talked to her before, and she had been very funny about it. Suddenly, she just tells us that she is coming this weekend. Awesome!
Sorry, I have very little time. I just want you all to know that I love you. WE are so blessed, I cannot even believe it. Study Conference. I wish I had time to talk about it, but let the Spirit teach you. I love you all,
Elder DAvies
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
It is good to hear that everything is going well and that people continue to push along with a heart full of song. My mind is trying to remember the last week, so stick with me for a second. I am also sending some pictures.
This area has been trying this week. We are usually able to get some contacts, but I am not sure about what is in the water here. It is like happiness is drained out of everyone. We had some investigators drop us, but it gives a chance to find those that are really interested. A lot of time is spent just trying to give everyone who we have talked to a chance, or maybe we are just pestering them. But it is important to find out. We have some great members of this ward. I was sent to the zion of English wards I am sure. Our bishop gave us Krispy Kreme donuts the other day while we were teaching our soon-to-be-dated-for-baptism investigator. He and his wife has been to Provo, so it was fun to talk to them. An Elder Whiting just became our Zone leader because they have been moving some stuff about. He is from Vegas also. Actually he is the Ralphs neighbor and knows them very well. Pretty crazy! Someone will have to tell the Ralphs that I know an Elder Whiting.
This week we also tried to teach a less-active member named J***-***. He speaks french, so it was to little success. His wife, who speaks English, is coming over so that will help. This is quite a short e-mail, so i am sorry. I know that this church is true, absolutely. There is so much evidence, but the best evidence is the witness of the Holy Ghost that I feel. I love you all and I hope that conference is amazing for you, because it can be.
Elder Davies
Elder Davies and comp:
Elder Davies' flat:
This area has been trying this week. We are usually able to get some contacts, but I am not sure about what is in the water here. It is like happiness is drained out of everyone. We had some investigators drop us, but it gives a chance to find those that are really interested. A lot of time is spent just trying to give everyone who we have talked to a chance, or maybe we are just pestering them. But it is important to find out. We have some great members of this ward. I was sent to the zion of English wards I am sure. Our bishop gave us Krispy Kreme donuts the other day while we were teaching our soon-to-be-dated-for-baptism investigator. He and his wife has been to Provo, so it was fun to talk to them. An Elder Whiting just became our Zone leader because they have been moving some stuff about. He is from Vegas also. Actually he is the Ralphs neighbor and knows them very well. Pretty crazy! Someone will have to tell the Ralphs that I know an Elder Whiting.
This week we also tried to teach a less-active member named J***-***. He speaks french, so it was to little success. His wife, who speaks English, is coming over so that will help. This is quite a short e-mail, so i am sorry. I know that this church is true, absolutely. There is so much evidence, but the best evidence is the witness of the Holy Ghost that I feel. I love you all and I hope that conference is amazing for you, because it can be.
Elder Davies
Elder Davies and comp:
Elder Davies' flat:
From 3/26/08
This area has been hit hard with a lot of interesting missionaries, so Elder Mckenna and I have just had to try to build from ground up. However, we have been blessed. A lot of people express interest and then draw it away, so we could have had it built even more, but we are teaching some great people. Well, mainly just one really good person, and some others that are just as great, but not as gospelly minded. This persons name is Callem, and he is going into it will full purpose of heart. He is going to be baptized in April, we hope. He just wants to be completely ready to make it his whole life, which we love. He is doing his homework and picking up on everything very well. It has been a blessing, because it has been a while since this area has seen a baptism.
We had a man who was a recovering alchoholic drop us because the man who was helping him overcome alchohol told him to stay away from us. We are also teaching a Irish Catholic named Theresa. She belives the Book of Mormon is true, but we are trying to help her understand what that statement entitles. I hope to send you all some pictures soon. I am not getting too fat, mainly because I finally found a companion who will run with me, though we are killing ourselves. I just wanted to leave you with something:
I have been trying to thoroughly read through this month's Ensign all about the Savior. Contained within are many beautiful testimonies of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. I hope that everyone gets to read it. I don't remember everything from it, but I desire to share some of my favourite parts from it. Through out the whole magazine there are many different personal testimonies and experiences that people around the world have shared concerning Jesus Christ. I love the see the difference
that He is able to make in the lives of people around the world, not just my life. I know what the Savior has done for me, and it is so much. I can't imagine anyone being able to pull that load, but then I realize that it is that times eternity. His sacrifice is eternal. I know that sounds impossible and quite bold, but I have felt it in my life, and there is no other way to understand than to allow Him into our lives. I promise that as we read the words about the Savior in the scriptures and from the modern-day scripture that we were gain a stronger testimony of Him, and better understand His role in our life. I know that the Spirit will testify of the truth to everyone who desires. It doesn't matter where they may live, how old they may be, or whether they
are a member of the church or not, His sacrifice is for all who come unto Him with full purpose of heart. We will begin to see our view of others and of the world lifted to a new level, and our hope for a better place in the world to come become a reality. President Hinckley gives a beautiful testimony of Him on page seven of the Ensign, under the heading ˜The Focus of Our Faith". Over and over again, the prophets have declared our worship of Christ and our love for Him. I am grateful for men of God on the earth today that speak with God and declare the divinity of His Son, Jesus Christ. I am moved when I think of how
selfless and humble the Savior is. When He had divine power given from on high and struggled through more than any man before, while suffering more temptation in the like manner, He offered Himself as a sacrifice for all mankind. It was His purpose, but it was voluntary. Not just a plan enacted by the Father and thrust upon any soul to save the rest of His Children. But it was willingly offered by His Only Begotten Son. A performance of that manner could only be performed by Christ because of His matchless love and character (for a better and more eloquently stated source of this topic, please read "The Character of Christ" by David A. Bednar). President Packer helps us envision this sacrifice on pg. 15 of the Ensign under "Atonement of Jesus Christ".
I would like to close with my testimony that I love the Savior. He makes it possible for me to gain true happiness in this life and, more importantly, makes it possible for me to take with me to the next life my most precious gifts on Earth. That is my family. I love my family. Please read and study the Ensign. It is inspiring and uplifting. How great it is to have those men that know so much, and have given so much, on the earth to guide us as they are guided by the Holy Ghost. Another thing has also helped me grow in appreciation for the Atonement, and that would be a talk written by Melvin J. Ballard titled, "The
Sacramental Covenant". Another great read. I know that Jesus Christ has made it possible for us to stand before our Father in Heaven again and to cleanse ourselves before Him. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
We had a man who was a recovering alchoholic drop us because the man who was helping him overcome alchohol told him to stay away from us. We are also teaching a Irish Catholic named Theresa. She belives the Book of Mormon is true, but we are trying to help her understand what that statement entitles. I hope to send you all some pictures soon. I am not getting too fat, mainly because I finally found a companion who will run with me, though we are killing ourselves. I just wanted to leave you with something:
I have been trying to thoroughly read through this month's Ensign all about the Savior. Contained within are many beautiful testimonies of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ. I hope that everyone gets to read it. I don't remember everything from it, but I desire to share some of my favourite parts from it. Through out the whole magazine there are many different personal testimonies and experiences that people around the world have shared concerning Jesus Christ. I love the see the difference
that He is able to make in the lives of people around the world, not just my life. I know what the Savior has done for me, and it is so much. I can't imagine anyone being able to pull that load, but then I realize that it is that times eternity. His sacrifice is eternal. I know that sounds impossible and quite bold, but I have felt it in my life, and there is no other way to understand than to allow Him into our lives. I promise that as we read the words about the Savior in the scriptures and from the modern-day scripture that we were gain a stronger testimony of Him, and better understand His role in our life. I know that the Spirit will testify of the truth to everyone who desires. It doesn't matter where they may live, how old they may be, or whether they
are a member of the church or not, His sacrifice is for all who come unto Him with full purpose of heart. We will begin to see our view of others and of the world lifted to a new level, and our hope for a better place in the world to come become a reality. President Hinckley gives a beautiful testimony of Him on page seven of the Ensign, under the heading ˜The Focus of Our Faith". Over and over again, the prophets have declared our worship of Christ and our love for Him. I am grateful for men of God on the earth today that speak with God and declare the divinity of His Son, Jesus Christ. I am moved when I think of how
selfless and humble the Savior is. When He had divine power given from on high and struggled through more than any man before, while suffering more temptation in the like manner, He offered Himself as a sacrifice for all mankind. It was His purpose, but it was voluntary. Not just a plan enacted by the Father and thrust upon any soul to save the rest of His Children. But it was willingly offered by His Only Begotten Son. A performance of that manner could only be performed by Christ because of His matchless love and character (for a better and more eloquently stated source of this topic, please read "The Character of Christ" by David A. Bednar). President Packer helps us envision this sacrifice on pg. 15 of the Ensign under "Atonement of Jesus Christ".
I would like to close with my testimony that I love the Savior. He makes it possible for me to gain true happiness in this life and, more importantly, makes it possible for me to take with me to the next life my most precious gifts on Earth. That is my family. I love my family. Please read and study the Ensign. It is inspiring and uplifting. How great it is to have those men that know so much, and have given so much, on the earth to guide us as they are guided by the Holy Ghost. Another thing has also helped me grow in appreciation for the Atonement, and that would be a talk written by Melvin J. Ballard titled, "The
Sacramental Covenant". Another great read. I know that Jesus Christ has made it possible for us to stand before our Father in Heaven again and to cleanse ourselves before Him. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
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