I put together a survey for Jed to fill out, because we felt there were some questions we all wanted to know. Each of the family could contribute a question or two. Jed sent an email "survey done", and then another email "I laughed the whole way through it" ...
Here are his responses:
1. What does a 'typical' P-day look like for you? - "We do so many different things on P-day, I have no idea where to start. We always study, and we always email, and we always eat. But we'll go to London, and to other places, and around Enfield, and look at a castle-cathedral that was built in 1200 or something like that. England is actually quite a quiet place. P-days are nice when we can just relax for a little though."
2. How are you doing with your companion? (a- I hate him, b- I love the guy, c-somewhere in the middle)
"b"
3.How many times have you eaten in your flat? (a-Never, b-Once or Twice a Week, c- Regularly, d- Some other frequency) "c"
4. Did you get the mug Kate made and sent to you? (Yes/No) "Yes"
5. If you were forced to eat only what you have eaten in England so far, you would ... (a-
Probably die because it is sooo gross and it's probably harmful to man, b- Feel like you were a king, and die fat, c- Enjoy yourself, but yearn for the greener stuff on the other side of the fence, d - Not really notice ... the food is the same as you are used to eating) "C" ... and then also added: "Probably all of those things, but mostly the third one. I've eaten some food that wasn't exactly desirable over here, but some of it is really quite nice! I love a lot of it, if not most!"
6. Describe your flat (the inside of the apartment where you live) "Our flat is quite large, actually! No one in London has houses though, they're all small flats, and so I think that I've gotten used to the smallness of things. It has two bedrooms, and a small kitchen, and a living room, and two bathrooms, and the church probably pays somewhere around 300 pounds A WEEK for it. #wow"
7. Waking up on time is ... (a - Easy I do it every morning, b - I miss a few but I do my best, c - I never wake up till 9 or 10 every morning) "a"
8. How I get around: (walk, bike, car, train, bus ... either very often, sometimes or never) "Never bike or car, sometimes train and very often walk, bus"
9. Have you taught any native Englishmen or Englishwomen? (yes / no) "yes"
10. Tell us about a time when ... "Once, I got kissed by some lady who was totally plastered. That was exciting (or gross, for that matter). Also, there's a guy who sprayed me in the face with loads of cream, so that was exciting too."
The survey was fun ... we will probably do that again.
He also sent an email to his mom, in it he said there were transfers [Elders serving in an area they are assigned may have the area changed based upon revelation from the mission president] this p-day , "... [and]... I'm excited to continue working with Elder Toledo. He's still my companion. It's crazy though, because Elder Randall and Elder Martin are both leaving, but there's no other Elders coming in. So Elder Toledo and I have to do their work now. It's going to be hectic. But I know that the Lord will help us. I know that He qualifies those that He calls to do his will! That's what happened to Moses. Those are some of my favorite scriptures, in the Pearl of Great Price, where God refers to Moses repeatedly as "My son". That gives me hope, because I know that Heavenly Father is so acutely aware of our every move and every struggle, that He will help us. Elder Toledo and I were finally able to teach some first lessons, and I think that they went well. The Spirit is an amazing thing, and the Gospel is true..."
Jed ended with this charge, "...everyone, write in your journal, because it's crazy the things that you forget if you don't. The Lord gives you so many experiences and spiritual confirmations, but if you don't write them down so that you can draw strength from them later, then what do they profit you? Write things down..."
I guess the last council I would add is this, check your email. Jed has written to his brother Sam a few times and it was quite a treat when logging in to finally write his brother found these (for the first time) emails waiting for him tonight.
I am grateful for the example Jed is to his siblings of service to those who live in Enfield, England ... and for his service to our literal Father (we are His spirit children) in Heaven.
Here are his responses:
1. What does a 'typical' P-day look like for you? - "We do so many different things on P-day, I have no idea where to start. We always study, and we always email, and we always eat. But we'll go to London, and to other places, and around Enfield, and look at a castle-cathedral that was built in 1200 or something like that. England is actually quite a quiet place. P-days are nice when we can just relax for a little though."
2. How are you doing with your companion? (a- I hate him, b- I love the guy, c-somewhere in the middle)
"b"
3.How many times have you eaten in your flat? (a-Never, b-Once or Twice a Week, c- Regularly, d- Some other frequency) "c"
4. Did you get the mug Kate made and sent to you? (Yes/No) "Yes"
5. If you were forced to eat only what you have eaten in England so far, you would ... (a-
Probably die because it is sooo gross and it's probably harmful to man, b- Feel like you were a king, and die fat, c- Enjoy yourself, but yearn for the greener stuff on the other side of the fence, d - Not really notice ... the food is the same as you are used to eating) "C" ... and then also added: "Probably all of those things, but mostly the third one. I've eaten some food that wasn't exactly desirable over here, but some of it is really quite nice! I love a lot of it, if not most!"
6. Describe your flat (the inside of the apartment where you live) "Our flat is quite large, actually! No one in London has houses though, they're all small flats, and so I think that I've gotten used to the smallness of things. It has two bedrooms, and a small kitchen, and a living room, and two bathrooms, and the church probably pays somewhere around 300 pounds A WEEK for it. #wow"
7. Waking up on time is ... (a - Easy I do it every morning, b - I miss a few but I do my best, c - I never wake up till 9 or 10 every morning) "a"
8. How I get around: (walk, bike, car, train, bus ... either very often, sometimes or never) "Never bike or car, sometimes train and very often walk, bus"
9. Have you taught any native Englishmen or Englishwomen? (yes / no) "yes"
10. Tell us about a time when ... "Once, I got kissed by some lady who was totally plastered. That was exciting (or gross, for that matter). Also, there's a guy who sprayed me in the face with loads of cream, so that was exciting too."
The survey was fun ... we will probably do that again.
He also sent an email to his mom, in it he said there were transfers [Elders serving in an area they are assigned may have the area changed based upon revelation from the mission president] this p-day , "... [and]... I'm excited to continue working with Elder Toledo. He's still my companion. It's crazy though, because Elder Randall and Elder Martin are both leaving, but there's no other Elders coming in. So Elder Toledo and I have to do their work now. It's going to be hectic. But I know that the Lord will help us. I know that He qualifies those that He calls to do his will! That's what happened to Moses. Those are some of my favorite scriptures, in the Pearl of Great Price, where God refers to Moses repeatedly as "My son". That gives me hope, because I know that Heavenly Father is so acutely aware of our every move and every struggle, that He will help us. Elder Toledo and I were finally able to teach some first lessons, and I think that they went well. The Spirit is an amazing thing, and the Gospel is true..."
Jed ended with this charge, "...everyone, write in your journal, because it's crazy the things that you forget if you don't. The Lord gives you so many experiences and spiritual confirmations, but if you don't write them down so that you can draw strength from them later, then what do they profit you? Write things down..."
I guess the last council I would add is this, check your email. Jed has written to his brother Sam a few times and it was quite a treat when logging in to finally write his brother found these (for the first time) emails waiting for him tonight.
I am grateful for the example Jed is to his siblings of service to those who live in Enfield, England ... and for his service to our literal Father (we are His spirit children) in Heaven.