Today was my first day in our London ward. The testimonies were very touching and I counted at least nine different ethnicities in the congregation. The first American to bear her testimony was a woman who was wearing red, white, blue, and black. She explained that the red, white, and blue was to celebrate the U.S.'s independence from Britain and that the black was mourning for the Mother Country who lost America. It was pretty funny.
During what would normally be sunday school, the bishop (or maybe it was the stake president..) pulled us aside and kind of explained to us that since we wouldn't be here long, we would just attend the ward and help where needed. He also said something like: Today you are probably wishing you were eating BBQ, lighting fireworks, and drinking sugary-carbonated drinks. This may be the first time you are away from your family, friends, boyfriends, and home during this holiday. However, when you are away from the places you feel most secure, you may make this an opportunity to find out who you are. I challenge you to go on a walk to the park and to sit there and think, if only for a few minutes: "Who am I?" and once you figure that out you might answer the question, "Who is God?" and then answer, "Who is Jesus Christ?" In those few minutes, you have answered for yourself these questions and you can board that plane home and know who you are, who God is, and who has saved you.
Anyway, it was really touching. I cried.
After church, I did go to the park and contemplate these things. This is what I came up with. Who am I? I am a princess of the Most High King or in other words, Heavenly Father. I am a sister to my siblings and a daughter to my parents. I am a friend. I am a peacemaker. I am a student. I am a lover of good books. My nature is divine and my soul is immortal.
Who is God? God is my Heavenly Father whose sacrifice and love for me has given me a family, a body, immortality, and a chance to live with Him again. God is all powerful. He knows everything and He is perfect. We are all His children and Christ is His Begotten Son. Heavenly Father loves me perfectly and knows what is best for me. If I trust in Him, I know I can become my best self.
Who is Jesus Christ? Jesus Christ is the most perfect man ever to be born on this earth. He glorifies Heavenly Father and loves us so much that through much pain and suffering He made an intercession for us. We can purge ourselves of our sins and become clean and whole so that we can enter God's presence at some point. Christ is our Brother, Redeemer, Savior, King, Light, and who the gospel often centers around.
After the park, four of girls went to watch Evensong at Westminster Abbey. The abbey was absolutely full of stone graves and we noticed that Sir Isaac Newton was buried there. The music was pretty cool and I felt like I was living in more ancient times. However, I prefer our chapel and our ordinances because I know that they are correct.
I finished my fast and had the biggest peanut butter and jelly sandwich of my life. Wishing that there was a waffle or two in the mix.
Love,
Jazlyn
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Room for the Restoration
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”
This begins the second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776.
When separated from our mother country, we created room for freedom of religion. We created a nation on which the people decide on how it is run. This is the kind of foundation our Father in Heaven needed to begin the Restoration of the gospel.
I love the United States of America. I am not oppressed. I can worship my God how I want and attend The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am free to write and learn and to live. My voice matters.
I know that my country was chosen as a place to restore the gospel because of these freedoms. I know that the first latter-day prophet, Joseph Smith, truly saw God and His Son. I know that he translated the Book of Mormon and that it's doctrines and principles are true. I fully believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior and Redeemer of all mankind was spit on, mocked, and finally nailed to a cross where He died for us all. I know that after three days, He was resurrected and reunited with his body. I rejoice in the fact that He lives and that through His death, we can come unto Him and repent of our sins.
There is no other way to live with God again but to follow and become a disciple of Jesus Christ. You must come to Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit. You must repent of your sins. You must surrender yourself to God and let Him help you become the best person you can be. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Fare thee well, Thomas Willis
Today is our first free day in London! Katelyn and I started off the day by sleeping in. I think it's the first time I have slept past seven-thirty since Winter Break. We then saw Big Ben, looked at Parliament House, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace (I saw a dead rat here), and strolled around Trafalgar Square. Then we went home and I zonked out again for about 2 and a half hours. I'm about to go get a crepe. Things are good here in London!
Love,
Jazlyn
Love,
Jazlyn
Friday, July 2, 2010
Part of my daily reading - second part of today.
Today I was reading around Alma 1-3, when I read about how the people rejoiced in the Lord and imparted of their substance to the poor and needy. I feel like in todays world many people have become self-absorbed and cannot look past their own wants. They assume someone else will help the poor beggar holding the sign in the street. They even may decide that the beggar is a drunkard and isn't worthy of their help. They may feel that service is good, but that they just don't have time for it.
In reality, serving others actually creates joy in our hearts. I am sure my great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents can relate. They love serving my cousins, siblings, and me and in return we are each trying to be the best person we can be.
From the good examples set in my family, I know what it is like to serve those who need me. I like to start with the donations at the grocery store line. So what if I already gave them one dollar earlier in the week towards a foundation? I'm sure I could handle giving one more. It's about 1/9 of the pay I get for one hour. I can work an extra 1/9 of an hour for that foundation!
Another place to start is with beggars on the streets. As Mosiah says, "And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish. Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just -- But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God. For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver...?" (Mosiah 4:16-19, The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Christ).
What Mosiah is saying is that we should help those than need our help. We should give to the beggars. We may think we should leave the beggar alone because it's his life. He's an alcoholic. He'll spend his money on liquor. Do we really know that? I don't think so.
Mosiah reiterates that we are all beggars and God is our succorer, so we should succor the beggars in our lives. My boyfriend's brother, Elder Justin U. is currently serving in Canada. One day on the way to the bus, he and his companion noticed a beggar man calling for money on the streets. Elder U. reached into his pocket to pull out money to give the beggar and all he found was $20 bill. He gave the man the money and as he walked away, the beggar played the harmonica and sang a song about how the missionaries are angels. Later Elder U. realized he had given the man their bus money and for a few hours the two asked around or begged for four quarters in order to board the bus. Elder U. ended his letter with a positive remark about how we are all beggars and quoted Mosiah 4.
What can we gain from this story? First of all, recognize the joy in the beggar man as Elder U. and his companion gave him that money. Second of all, the two men had a chance to be in beggars' shoes for a few hours as they asked for quarters for the bus. We can learn from this that not all beggars are out to get money to do sinful things. Third, service helped bring joy to Elder U. We see this throughout his positive message and his remark at the end.
I challenge all of us to look for more ways to serve others. It's easy to impart of your money. What about your time? Do you think you could give a timely commitment to help someone each week? Pray and seek for revelation on how to be more of service to God and his children. Do what you feel is right and don't forget that each person on earth is a child of the Most Divine God.
Love, Jazlyn
P.S. Remember, if it's not Celestial, forget about it!
In reality, serving others actually creates joy in our hearts. I am sure my great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents can relate. They love serving my cousins, siblings, and me and in return we are each trying to be the best person we can be.
From the good examples set in my family, I know what it is like to serve those who need me. I like to start with the donations at the grocery store line. So what if I already gave them one dollar earlier in the week towards a foundation? I'm sure I could handle giving one more. It's about 1/9 of the pay I get for one hour. I can work an extra 1/9 of an hour for that foundation!
Another place to start is with beggars on the streets. As Mosiah says, "And also, ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of your succor; ye will administer of your substance unto him that standeth in need; and ye will not suffer that the beggar putteth up his petition to you in vain, and turn him out to perish. Perhaps thou shalt say: The man has brought upon himself his misery; therefore I will stay my hand, and will not give unto him of my food, nor impart unto him of my substance that he may not suffer, for his punishments are just -- But I say unto you, O man, whosoever doeth this the same hath great cause to repent; and except he repenteth of that which he hath done he perisheth forever, and hath no interest in the kingdom of God. For behold, are we not all beggars? Do we not all depend upon the same Being, even God, for all the substance which we have, for both food and raiment, and for gold, and for silver...?" (Mosiah 4:16-19, The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Christ).
What Mosiah is saying is that we should help those than need our help. We should give to the beggars. We may think we should leave the beggar alone because it's his life. He's an alcoholic. He'll spend his money on liquor. Do we really know that? I don't think so.
Mosiah reiterates that we are all beggars and God is our succorer, so we should succor the beggars in our lives. My boyfriend's brother, Elder Justin U. is currently serving in Canada. One day on the way to the bus, he and his companion noticed a beggar man calling for money on the streets. Elder U. reached into his pocket to pull out money to give the beggar and all he found was $20 bill. He gave the man the money and as he walked away, the beggar played the harmonica and sang a song about how the missionaries are angels. Later Elder U. realized he had given the man their bus money and for a few hours the two asked around or begged for four quarters in order to board the bus. Elder U. ended his letter with a positive remark about how we are all beggars and quoted Mosiah 4.
What can we gain from this story? First of all, recognize the joy in the beggar man as Elder U. and his companion gave him that money. Second of all, the two men had a chance to be in beggars' shoes for a few hours as they asked for quarters for the bus. We can learn from this that not all beggars are out to get money to do sinful things. Third, service helped bring joy to Elder U. We see this throughout his positive message and his remark at the end.
I challenge all of us to look for more ways to serve others. It's easy to impart of your money. What about your time? Do you think you could give a timely commitment to help someone each week? Pray and seek for revelation on how to be more of service to God and his children. Do what you feel is right and don't forget that each person on earth is a child of the Most Divine God.
Love, Jazlyn
P.S. Remember, if it's not Celestial, forget about it!
Cambridge + Punting + Wet, wet laundry
I really need to get out of the old listing-what-I-have-done-today-for-a-title habit, but for today it will suffice.
This afternoon our little group had the privilege of visiting Cambridge University under the direction of a BYU professor, Brother Kerry. We were able to visit Pembroke and Kings Colleges as well as the chapels inside. I had not realized how akin Hogwarts is to universities like Cambridge and Oxford. All are composed of multiple, completely separate colleges. Each college participates in "rituals" that are very symbolic - like dining together in the Great Hall, the changing of robes during matriculation/graduation, etc... What is interesting about the colleges is that each student would probably be in small classes that consist of maybe one or two other students. This makes the student very responsible for their homework and learning because they have no other classmates to "hide" behind. Also, the students do not receive grades until they take a week of tests three years after they begin their schooling, so if the student does not do well, much blame can be put upon the professor for not teaching them what they are supposed to know for the test. Students are encouraged to have free time to think and have fun so that they can enjoy a fulfilling life that includes education.
I love BYU, but this university sounds amazing to me!
One of the graduate students, Brady, took twelve of us girls punting after our tour of the colleges. This was a very new experience for me. It consists of about three to five people sitting in a narrow, wooden raft with mats for seats. The punter stands on one end of the raft (usually the back) with a long stick that will help pull the boat forward and in the right direction. A paddle is also in the back in case the passengers need to help steer the raft. During our ride we saw many swans and little ducks. I wanted to touch one, but I was scared it would nip at me like a chicken did yesterday. They're just so cute! At one point during the ride, there were seven rafts across the river leaving about an inch of room between each one. I cannot believe we didn't capsize. Along the river were many bridges a little higher than the taller punters. While going under one of these bridges a punter from another boat lost his stick. Apparently he had kept the stick straight up while going under the bridge and it was taller than the bridge, so he lost his grip and left it there standing straight up and leaning on the bridge. Don't worry, we saved the raft by propelling ourselves over to the stick, holding it on one side of the boat like a whaler, and safely returning it to its owner. Job well done, ladies.
When we finally returned home from our little adventure, I decided to do my laundry in the sink and stand-up shower. This is quite an event. I first plug the sink, put some detergent in it and fill it half-way with warm water. Then I stuff some clothes into it, let more water run in, and rotate the clothes for about two minutes. I then rub any areas that could become especially dirty (bottom of pants, armpits of shirts, etc). After, I smush the clothes around a little more and lay them in the stand up shower. Next, I drain the sink and refill it, but let them soak while I rinse the clothes in the shower with the extendable showerhead. This process goes on for quite awhile and is sometimes stopped as I wring out clothes and find somewhere to lay them to dry. As you can imagine, the strength in my arms is not quite as strong as the centripetal force that spins the clothes down in the washer. At this moment, I have ten shirts and three jeans and various underclothes dripping excess water on the carpet in my room. Every so often I have tried to squeeze out the drops with a towel beneath.
It isn't the lack of a washer and dryer that I decided to do my laundry this way. Part of the excuse is that it saves money -- about 5 pounds worth. I think I also like the idea of washing my clothes in a more primitive way (minus the tub and washboard). I feel like Snow White!
For exercise today, I decided against running outside. At this time of the day the streets are full of smokers and pollution. Actually at most times of the day the streets are full of smokers and pollution. Instead of risking a disease from secondhand smoke, I did a wee bit of crunches and push-ups, calves and hams up the stairs, quads and hams down the stairs and then ran up the stairs (91 steps). I bet I lost like... 30 calories. That's a third of the cookie I ate just beforehand. Insignificant it may seem, but I have been walking around all day.
Love,
Jazlyn
P.S. Went to King's Cross and visited Platform 9 3/4. Got a good picture. Whoo!
This afternoon our little group had the privilege of visiting Cambridge University under the direction of a BYU professor, Brother Kerry. We were able to visit Pembroke and Kings Colleges as well as the chapels inside. I had not realized how akin Hogwarts is to universities like Cambridge and Oxford. All are composed of multiple, completely separate colleges. Each college participates in "rituals" that are very symbolic - like dining together in the Great Hall, the changing of robes during matriculation/graduation, etc... What is interesting about the colleges is that each student would probably be in small classes that consist of maybe one or two other students. This makes the student very responsible for their homework and learning because they have no other classmates to "hide" behind. Also, the students do not receive grades until they take a week of tests three years after they begin their schooling, so if the student does not do well, much blame can be put upon the professor for not teaching them what they are supposed to know for the test. Students are encouraged to have free time to think and have fun so that they can enjoy a fulfilling life that includes education.
I love BYU, but this university sounds amazing to me!
One of the graduate students, Brady, took twelve of us girls punting after our tour of the colleges. This was a very new experience for me. It consists of about three to five people sitting in a narrow, wooden raft with mats for seats. The punter stands on one end of the raft (usually the back) with a long stick that will help pull the boat forward and in the right direction. A paddle is also in the back in case the passengers need to help steer the raft. During our ride we saw many swans and little ducks. I wanted to touch one, but I was scared it would nip at me like a chicken did yesterday. They're just so cute! At one point during the ride, there were seven rafts across the river leaving about an inch of room between each one. I cannot believe we didn't capsize. Along the river were many bridges a little higher than the taller punters. While going under one of these bridges a punter from another boat lost his stick. Apparently he had kept the stick straight up while going under the bridge and it was taller than the bridge, so he lost his grip and left it there standing straight up and leaning on the bridge. Don't worry, we saved the raft by propelling ourselves over to the stick, holding it on one side of the boat like a whaler, and safely returning it to its owner. Job well done, ladies.
When we finally returned home from our little adventure, I decided to do my laundry in the sink and stand-up shower. This is quite an event. I first plug the sink, put some detergent in it and fill it half-way with warm water. Then I stuff some clothes into it, let more water run in, and rotate the clothes for about two minutes. I then rub any areas that could become especially dirty (bottom of pants, armpits of shirts, etc). After, I smush the clothes around a little more and lay them in the stand up shower. Next, I drain the sink and refill it, but let them soak while I rinse the clothes in the shower with the extendable showerhead. This process goes on for quite awhile and is sometimes stopped as I wring out clothes and find somewhere to lay them to dry. As you can imagine, the strength in my arms is not quite as strong as the centripetal force that spins the clothes down in the washer. At this moment, I have ten shirts and three jeans and various underclothes dripping excess water on the carpet in my room. Every so often I have tried to squeeze out the drops with a towel beneath.
It isn't the lack of a washer and dryer that I decided to do my laundry this way. Part of the excuse is that it saves money -- about 5 pounds worth. I think I also like the idea of washing my clothes in a more primitive way (minus the tub and washboard). I feel like Snow White!
For exercise today, I decided against running outside. At this time of the day the streets are full of smokers and pollution. Actually at most times of the day the streets are full of smokers and pollution. Instead of risking a disease from secondhand smoke, I did a wee bit of crunches and push-ups, calves and hams up the stairs, quads and hams down the stairs and then ran up the stairs (91 steps). I bet I lost like... 30 calories. That's a third of the cookie I ate just beforehand. Insignificant it may seem, but I have been walking around all day.
Love,
Jazlyn
P.S. Went to King's Cross and visited Platform 9 3/4. Got a good picture. Whoo!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Hiking in Kent
Darenth, Kent - 1 July 2010 (10:00-18:00) -- A group of U.S. study abroad students arrived in Darenth, Kent to meet President Chittock, stake president of the local Latter-day Saint church and hike to the lavender fields on Selbourn road. What the group did not realize at the time was that the ten mile hike would not only include a sight of the large squares of lavender growing in preparation for Lavender Days, but also a challenge from the president.
After visiting the Eynsford Castle and having a quick lunch, the students were challenged to walk in the River Darenth to a barbed wire fence and then return to the sidewalk. A few tried and failed, slipping on the moss or tiring of continual stepping on jutting rocks. Three girls, Jazlyn Renee Crandall, age 21, and Chloe Gott, age 20, and Katelyn Gentry, also age 20 were the only participants to finish walking the whole river. Crandall suffered two minor abrasions and a contusion on her right shin. Gott attained no injuries.
Okay, this whole fake news report thing is hard. Switching to first person - ready - go! Okay, so yes, I am the one of three people to ever complete the river walk while hiking with President Chittock (and he has even had guys try it). Whoohoo! I feel accomplished. Those rocks hurt so much.
A couple of other great things for today:
* We visited the lavender farm and I bought some yummy ice cream and watched two chickens follow Siljia around because she fed them
* I found out that I have a good idea of which direction I am in and which direction I should go. They ask me where I thought the train station was and I pointed in a certain direction and I was right! The leaders were impressed
* Also, I have endurance! Everyone was so exhausted from the 10 mile hike (which was more like a 10 mile walk) and I was definitely feeling pretty normal. Okay, I'm probably gloating. I'm just excited that I might be somewhat fit!
* I learned a little bit of how the people of Cockney spoke. President Chittock, one of his counselors, and his two brothers all bombarded me with information regarding the Cockney "talk" in front of the group. It was kind of a secret language. This is what they would do. Let's say you heard some one say they wanted a "rosie." You may think, what is a Rosie? It's actually short for Rosie Lee. Well, that doesn't mean anything. What is a Rosie Lee? Rosie Lee rhymes with tea and that is what they mean. They want tea. Here are a few more I learned: Loaf of bread = head Example: Use your loaf!
Jimmy Riddle = I have to piddle (kind of awkward, but cool! That's why they call bathrooms the Jimmy)
Brown bread = dead
Mince pie = eye
Anyway, it's pretty cool.
* I went to Ben's Cookies after we got off the tube. Best cookies EVER.
* Got to take a nice, warm shower. That definitely didn't happen the first morning here. Water heater broke.
* Londoners say "london" like "lundin." Example: I'm going to London = Am goin t'Lundin
* This is from my linguistics class yesterday. How do you say "ghoti". You would pronounce it the same way as "fish." The gh in "ghoti" is like the gh in tough. That would make an "f" sound. O is from women (pronounced like wihmehn). So now we have an "f" sound followed by an "ih" sound. Ti can be found in the word, nation. It makes a "sh" sound. Now we have "f" "ih" and "sh". Fish!
I love London!
After visiting the Eynsford Castle and having a quick lunch, the students were challenged to walk in the River Darenth to a barbed wire fence and then return to the sidewalk. A few tried and failed, slipping on the moss or tiring of continual stepping on jutting rocks. Three girls, Jazlyn Renee Crandall, age 21, and Chloe Gott, age 20, and Katelyn Gentry, also age 20 were the only participants to finish walking the whole river. Crandall suffered two minor abrasions and a contusion on her right shin. Gott attained no injuries.
Okay, this whole fake news report thing is hard. Switching to first person - ready - go! Okay, so yes, I am the one of three people to ever complete the river walk while hiking with President Chittock (and he has even had guys try it). Whoohoo! I feel accomplished. Those rocks hurt so much.
A couple of other great things for today:
* We visited the lavender farm and I bought some yummy ice cream and watched two chickens follow Siljia around because she fed them
* I found out that I have a good idea of which direction I am in and which direction I should go. They ask me where I thought the train station was and I pointed in a certain direction and I was right! The leaders were impressed
* Also, I have endurance! Everyone was so exhausted from the 10 mile hike (which was more like a 10 mile walk) and I was definitely feeling pretty normal. Okay, I'm probably gloating. I'm just excited that I might be somewhat fit!
* I learned a little bit of how the people of Cockney spoke. President Chittock, one of his counselors, and his two brothers all bombarded me with information regarding the Cockney "talk" in front of the group. It was kind of a secret language. This is what they would do. Let's say you heard some one say they wanted a "rosie." You may think, what is a Rosie? It's actually short for Rosie Lee. Well, that doesn't mean anything. What is a Rosie Lee? Rosie Lee rhymes with tea and that is what they mean. They want tea. Here are a few more I learned: Loaf of bread = head Example: Use your loaf!
Jimmy Riddle = I have to piddle (kind of awkward, but cool! That's why they call bathrooms the Jimmy)
Brown bread = dead
Mince pie = eye
Anyway, it's pretty cool.
* I went to Ben's Cookies after we got off the tube. Best cookies EVER.
* Got to take a nice, warm shower. That definitely didn't happen the first morning here. Water heater broke.
* Londoners say "london" like "lundin." Example: I'm going to London = Am goin t'Lundin
* This is from my linguistics class yesterday. How do you say "ghoti". You would pronounce it the same way as "fish." The gh in "ghoti" is like the gh in tough. That would make an "f" sound. O is from women (pronounced like wihmehn). So now we have an "f" sound followed by an "ih" sound. Ti can be found in the word, nation. It makes a "sh" sound. Now we have "f" "ih" and "sh". Fish!
I love London!
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