Its Been A While...

Wow I'm so sorry for the lack of emails these past few weeks. I really don't have an excuse for not writing. I'm going to catch you up to speed on what's been going on here in South Shields. I'll try not to write a novel. 

So currently I'm serving in a place called South Shields. It's a place right on the coast about 30 minutes from Newcastle. The ward has been great and treated us well to a bunch of food/Christmas gifts. It is a bit colder compared to Halifax. Being by the beach is a cool thing, but it's definitely no California summer time beach unfortunately. We have 1 friend named Liz who has been with the missionaries for about a year now so hopefully we can help her get closer to baptism and a testimony of the Book of Mormon. 

England has been crazy lately. The whole of England is getting in a tighter lockdown too. A new strain of the virus is out and about which makes it more transmittable. Before this new strain we had 3 tiers of restrictions and now they've created a tier 4 and pretty much the whole southeast is in tier 4. Originally Christmas was supposed to be a 5-day period where households could mix, but this new strain made it so only Christmas day are you allowed to mix. It foiled our plans as missionaries to spend the night at each other's flats. Thankfully we were still given a day to be with each other on Christmas. It was good while it lasted, but really do miss meeting with other missionaries. 

Hope England can take control of this virus soon. There are plenty of vaccines being distributed, but it'll just take time for the vaccines to take effect. 

Spiritual thought: 

2 Nephi 9:52 

"52 Behold, my beloved brethren, remember the words of your God; pray unto him continually by day, and give thanks unto his holy name by night. Let your hearts rejoice."

I thankful for all God has given been even with these challenging circumstances. I know things will be better patience is key. I'm grateful for the prayers and support you give me as well!! I hope you all have a fantastic week!! 

Elder Jones 

1. At the beach with Elder Frandsen, me, Stamminger, Park, and Fyfe

2. Christmas gifts from the ward

3. Lighthouse

4. New district Sisters Ribolla and Lynch, Elder Park and Fyfe, Elder Frandsen

5. New views

6. South shields

7. Sunset from flat

8. Views