10/11/2021 Mission Field

Hello Everyone! What a week! Theres so so many things to talk about but I'll try my best to keep it short:) 

First off, General Conference! 💓 It was so powerful and I am so grateful for all the messages shared and for those who allow the spirit to speak through them! President Nelson... WOW! That man is exactly who the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints needs leading us! Being a missionary is really making me appreciate all that President Nelson, the Quorum of the 12, and the 70's. Being able to be in tune with the Spirit 24/7 is difficult but they love our Savior and the members of the church SO much that they continue to do that hard work! 

So Thursday I got to London! And met President and Sister Thompson and they are so great! Thursday was really hard though. I miss my MTC family so much! But Sister Fennegan is my trainer and I love her! Shes from Dallas, Texas and is so funny! This is her first time training so we are both learning. She's amazing plus Dad and Elli will be happy to hear that shes not much of a Cowboys fan ;) We are becoming great friends and I'm grateful for her everyday! 

Milestones: This week is kind of big! I just realized that tomorrow is 1 months since being set apart! ONE MONTH! and Sister Fennegans 9 month is on Wednesday so we will be going out to dinner to celebrate at some point this week. 

Missionary work: Okay I'll be honest adjusting to the mission field is so odd. MTC was so simple and very routine but mission field you have to be disciplined all by yourself. I had to make a new facebook account and the rule is that I can only be friends with immediate family, missionaries ive served with, and people i meet through church and missionary work. Its been hard because I have so much family and friends who I care so much about but we have talked a lot about being a concecrated missionary so i am doing my best to obey that rule. I just wanted everyone to know thats the reason we cant be facebook buddies. 

So my first day, we had orientation, I met Sister Fennegan and then we travelled to the flat(apartment). I feel a bit spoiled, we have our own bathrooms and our own gym which has been amazing but I know when I leave this area it'll be very difficult to adjust to sharing a bathroom again. Anyways! We got to the flat and had 3 lessons which felt crazy but it actually built up my confidence a lot. 

We have met a few new friends (we don't like to call people investigators). This man named Michael we met and he beleives he met us for a reason, hes been dealing with family issues for the last little while and hasnt seen his kids in 6+ years and wants to change his life. We simply explained that the Book of Mormon can provide guidance and being a Follower of Christ would be that positive change and he has done an amazing job at keeping commitments this far! We only met him on Friday and he has already read 5 chapters of the BoM AND attended church for the first time yesterday! 

There is this woman who I am in complete awe of! Her name is Faria, she was brought up muslim but knew something was missing. Its quite dangers for muslims to leave the traditions, like REALLY dangerous. Her husband is still a practicing muslim as well. She is in such a hard situation however she is an amazing example of ACTING in faith. I seriously look at her and hear her story and just feel like she is Super Woman. 

Saturday I attended my first baptism as a missionary!! Romain, a little 9 year old boy was baptized. It was so fun to see the joy on his face and it took me back to my own baptism. I'm so grateful for the convenants little maddie made so that older maddie can help others make those special, life changing covenants as well. Romain is going to be such a powerful tool in Gods hands. His grandmom was taught by missionaries when Romains father, aunts, and uncles were young. The whole family was baptized. Now Romains grandmom is the only active member in the family but she would take her grandkids to church and was a great missionary! Romains father gave a beautiful testimony at the baptismal service and we hope that through Romains example we can get Lee, his dad, back to church! And hopefulky start teaching Romains mother as she is not a member. 

So i think thats basically all. I'm in an area called Hayes which is only about an hour outside of London (I have no idea if its north or south because no mountains! Haha) Anyways I love you all so much. I appreciate the emails that I have been receiving! I miss you all and look forward to hearing from you <3 

My mom sent me an email earlier this week. As a missionary I think about how honored I am to be a literal mouthpeice for my Savior and how I have the oppurtunity to comw closer to him but my mom made me realize something. She said that its amazing that I am dedicated time to help others to their Salvation (she worded it much better) but Ive just had that on my mind and I know that as we all LOVE as Jesus did we can help our brothers and sisters get on the path to salvation and eternal happiness. My challenge for you  this week is to be kind & to help someone in need. :)

Love always, 

Sister Fox 

Pictures! 

1-3: Sister Fennegan & I on Skreetssss 

4: Welcome home, Sister Fennegan is so sweet 😅

5:Sister Costa got me this gift before we parted ways. its huge! It made me feel at home becausw mom and i would always share them:) Thank you Sister Costa, I LOVE AND MISS YOU!!! 💖

6: ELM IS THE BEST!!! 

7: View from the flat 😎