An End to A Beautiful Beginning

 Wow. This truly is it. 

The end to the beautiful beginning of my life mission. 

Here's the last and final highlights for my week:

-Departing interviews with President Clare on Tuesday!

-did some line dancing with the young women, and curled Emilys hair:) that was pretty fun!

-this week, we had the beautiful opportunity to go to the Preston Temple to do baptisms with a recent convert, Maxine for her first time. It was truly so special. We were able to be baptized for 15 people, some of whom are from parts of England that I have walked. It was a joy to be able to stand in their behalf and to give them an opportunity to accept the gospel of Jesus Christ.

-had some great lessons with our friends!!

-Lea got baptized!! She has been taught by the elders for about two months and was baptized on saturday!!

But wow. 

I am in awe of the goodness of my Heavenly Father, of His beautiful plan for me and for each one of us. And most importantly, I am in awe of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. For the incomprehensible love that He has for each one of us, so much so that He suffered everything, for me, for you, for each of us.

 I am in awe of how He has allowed me to walk with Him these past 18 months. From Rancho Cucuamonga, California for 6 weeks, to Darlington, England. Onward to Beverley, Alnwick, and then here in Bradford. I experienced so many vastly different things in each place I walked, with the beautiful people I met, but one thing was never changing. God's love is and forever will be unchanging. I know that He loves each and everyone of us. This truth that seems so simple, has held so much value to me on my mission.

Because I know that God loves me perfectly, I understand that He knows me perfectly, that He is with me always, and that everything that happens to me is not out of punishment, guilt, anger, none of that. But that the only way through all the sorrow and trials that come our way is by trusting in Him with all our heart, might, mind and strength. 

I know without Him, I am nothing. That with Christ, I can do all things. Truly. That the Atonement of Jesus Christ makes all things possible. I have full confidence in Him, and will take on anything that comes my way. No matter what. Because I know in whom I trust. I know that He will deliver me. I know that He will deliver each one of us. 

Because I know that He loves my perfectly, each of us perfectly, I know that He truly has provided a way for me to return to Him. I know that through Jesus Christ, through the covenants we make with our Father in Heaven, we can return to live with Him someday. There is no other way. 

I know that we do have a living prophet on the Earth today. That President Nelson receives revelation to guide the true Church. I know that He holds all the priesthood keys on the Earth. And i know that I too can receive revelation in my life.

I can not, nor will not deny that I know His voice. I have heard it time and time again. I know Him. I truly do. And I am so grateful for His grace and goodness in my life. 

I am forever grateful for Joseph Smith, for his faith in God, for humbling himself, and asking that question in 1820. I know that He truly did see Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and that through that vision, the dispensation of the fulness of times was ushered in. That the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ has and is taking place today. 

I know that the Book of Mormon truly is the word of God. There is power in reading the Book of Mormon. I will never and can never deny the truthfulness of it.

I know that the gathering of Israel is taking place on the Earth, today. There is no greater work. That He will gather all of us as one. That "the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together", that "every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him.".

Today, I testify and know that Jesus is the Christ, that He is my Redeemer, and that He walks with me always. 

If you don't know if God loves you, or are questioning anything in your life, get down on your knees and ask. I promise you that in His way, in His timing, He WILL answer your prayers. He will hear your pleas. And you can hear His voice.

I am so grateful for the people of England. I love this land, and I love this people. England will forever have a place in my heart. 

Again, I am in awe of His goodness and His grace.

Each week of my mission, President and Sister Clare have done a mission council at 9pm. And they end the call by singing this song to us that i wanted to end with,

"May tomorrow be a perfect day, May you find love and laughter along the way. May God keep you in His tender care, till He brings us together again, Goodnight everyone."

The best is yet to come.

For the last and final time,

Love,

Sis Jepp:)

Maxine at the temple!!!

Brian and Denise Knowles, us, and Maxine!!

This is the Jacksons! They feed all 5 of us every Friday!!

Amy!!

Young women's!!!

This is cute emily:) I curled her hair for her:)

Skyela!!!

Sweet Carol and lea!!

Lea's baptism!!

Michael, Maxine and Dorothy!!

Marco, Regina and their cutest lil kid Diego:)

Moments of Eternity

 This week was well nice everyone. I feel so grateful for just about everything right now. This week I had a couple of "Moments of Eternity". Moments that make me glimpse just the joy to come and helps me see things from an eternal perspective. 

I'll share two of those with you:)

The first is with our Italian friend! Now she has truly been through so much, it truly breaks me heart to hear it all. I have met a few people like her on my mission, and i just cant comprehend it. My heart breaks and i know that there truly is only one person that can bring the healing and peace they so desparately need. And it has been beautiful to see her learn and grow and find that healing, slowly but surely. And this week in the lesson, my sweet companion knew that we had to invite her to be baptized. And so we did, and it was so sweet to see her desire to be a new creature in Christ. So that was happy! And what added more to my joy, was the closing prayer. I asked her if she would like to say it, but she was too nervous, so i offered to say it and then she would repeat it in Italian. It was truly a "Moment of Eternity". The Spirit was so strong as we prayed simply but fervently, truly speaking to our Father in Heaven. I can testify of the love that God has for each one of us. I cant describe the feeling, but I know it and I will not deny it.

The second is with a special visit from Huseyin and Burcu!! Quick catchup for everyone, i taught English class for 16 weeks in my first area in Darlington. And we taught the best Turkish couple (Huseyin and Burcu). We became the bestest of friends, gave them a Book of Mormon in Turkish, and went our separate ways. The week i moved to Beverley, they moved to Preston. Then on Saturday, they wanted to come take me out to lunch before i went back home! And it truly was the sweetest moment. I am in awe to see God's hand in this friendship. A 20 year old from California, moves to England for 18 months, and teaches English to a couple from Turkey, once a week for 16 weeks, and now have a forever friendship. It is undeniable to see how God brings complete strangers together. It gives me a glimpse of the beautiful gathering that is taking place and will surely still come.

We went to an amazing Turkish cuisine place called Istanbul, with SO much food. I dont know what i ate, couldnt tell ya, it was just so good. And guess what they told me?!?! They passed their English exams so they can stay in England!! AND, they are expecting!!! They were so happy to tell me they are going to be a baba and anne (mom and dad in turkish). My heart is so full!!

So those were the sweet moments i had this week!!

Other fun things:

-Acacia from up North came down and visited me!! It was so sweet!! Ben (who joined the church last year) drove her 3 hours to see me and say Goodbye 

-we had a stake service project cleaning up peoples gardens, it was pretty comical and good

-still no hot water....

-it was rememberance Sunday! We got to participate in the ceremony, by laying down a poppy wreath in rememberance of those that have fought for this wonderful country. It was a pretty neat experience.

And yea!! Thats pretty much it. I can't believe this is my last full week. That is insane. One more lovely email from me next week and I am home!!

Love you all!

Love,

Sis Jepp:)

"Diet coke moms"

Carol!!!!! We love Carol!!

Aesthetic Pinky Promise 

Huseyin and Burcu!!!

Heart attacking at its finest

Leeds zone!!

Acacia!!!

And Ben!!!

Ultimate Nerf Battle

 Hiya everyone!!!!

I hope all is well:) I have had a really good week!! Lots of good things have happened:

-monday we had stake pday and had an ultimate nerf battle with all the missionaries, that was epic

-had some beautiful lessons with our friends!!

-planted lots of seeds

-went on exchanges with Sister Wade!! that was super fun

-on exchanges, we taught the three cutest kids!! The 8 year old boy wanted to learn about Jesus Christ, so his mom called the missionaries after looking them up online, and are teaching him!! it was so cute! he also taught us how to draw Pokemon:)

-got poured on, and then shouted for joy when the sun came out!!

-Sister Natasan made me authentic curry that was so yummy. but it was so spicy it burned my mouth haha, but I ate it all, I was so proud of myself

-Sunday was bonfire night, so all week long, but espcially Saturday and Sunday there were fireworks all night long

But yea it was super good!! I was in reflection mode this week haha, and was thinking about my "why". Why did I come on a mission? Why did I stay? And i thought I would share a thought with you:)

I came on a mission because I love God and want to do anything I can to help Him, to be His hands in this great work. Not because He can't do it without me, but because He has asked me to and I made promises to Him that I will. Because I find purpose in helping others. In giving everything to others, to God. Because I have felt the joy and the happiness that comes from living the gospel of Jesus Christ and wanted to bring others the same opportunity to feel the joy that I have felt. Because my family means everything to me, and I am sealed to them for all eternity, and I want others to have the opportunity to be with their families forever. 

I have stayed on my mission because I have felt the transforming power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ in my life. I have been able to witness that transforming power change the lives of those around me, friends we are teaching, strangers, members, and companions. I have seen people from all over, all different backgrounds, religions, lifestyles, find the peace and healing that comes through our Savior, Jesus Christ. I am indebted to my Savior, and it is my honor to represent Him, not just now, but always. 

I love being a disciple and representative of Jesus Christ!!

Love,

Sis Jepp:)

Sister Natasan's curry:)

Nerf Battle. Nuff Said.

Cute Athea:)

We love the Book of Mormon!!

Haha leap frog madness, these pictures make me laugh hahah

The cutest kids ever!!