Week Six...

Let me start out with the continuing story of Hannah. The Elders asked if they could meet with her again at our flat. They showed the video about the restoration and discussed with her the importance of baptism. They invited her to attend a baptism that will take place in our district on the 28^th. She said she believes. She talked to her mother and told her about the wonderful feeling that she felt Wednesday night and her mother said: “Follow your heart!” There! already an answer to her prayers. She is going to pray about joining the church and about continuing to be taught by the Elders. I cannot explain the beautiful feeling that was here as this meeting went on. I felt so strongly of Heavenly Father’s love for this sweet Chinese young woman. I need to have faith too and not worry so about the obstacles she will have to overcome as she moves forward.

Sunday Elder Preece was not feeling so good with a virus of some kind. I was so appreciative when he still gave me a ride to church. (I am not brave enough to drive.) I was able to sit with Hannah. Our ward was having Ward Conference and there were very appropriate messages from the Stake leaders. The Spirit was strong and Hannah could feel it.

To my grandsons, especially Miles and Benny, you might be interested to know that one of the councilors in the Stake Presidency is a Fire Fighter! He was on duty Sunday so he came to church in his uniform. While at the pulpit in the middle of a very inspiring talk for Sacrament meeting he pulled his pager out of his pocket, looked at it and immediately closed his talk and rushed off the stand. See boys they even have to take care of putting out fires and saving lives on Sunday!

Also Sunday evening we had a wonderful Fireside presided over and given by the Stake President of the Bristol Stake. The whole experience was very powerful! The leaders over here are committed to “Hasten the Work of Salvation.” It was a call to the Young Single Adults in our stake to reach out and invite. He said that the success was in the invitation! A goal was set for each one to be prayerful and bring a friend to Sacrament meeting in December. It can be a less active member or non-member. The members of the Stake YSA presidency also spoke with powerful enthusiasm encouraging their peers to bring people unto Christ in order to be the leaders of tomorrow!

Monday, my companion was still under the weather…. We still had FHE here with Hannah and the Elders anyway. The Elders gave her an object lesson about building her foundation on the Savior. She was so good at stacking the stacking cups, even on a bunched up blanket that she almost foiled the lesson. It was fun and I think she got the point.

she was proud of her creation

  

We went to the store to buy ingredients during the day Monday and discovered that the only way applesauce is sold is as a relish in little tiny jars.  Also no one has any idea shortening is. I bought apples to make my own applesauce and I will use soft spread (margarine) to bake with!

Weeks are starting to fly! Today is Friday already. It has been a little rough because we have both been feeling ‘poorly’ yes I caught the gomboo too.  The good news has been that we have still been able to attend to our responsibilities.

 Wed was the last District meeting before transfers so we treated the missionaries to KFC! It was  fun. Dinner that evening went well. Hannah is still coming to everything. We had the opportunity to taste a British favorite dessert; jelly and ice cream. (Jelly is Jell-O.) No one could believe that we eat Jell-O with our meals as a salad instead of at the end as a desert. Food has been an interesting experience here, not nasty just different.

Ice Cream and Jelly

Tuesday our park sprouted a Circus! Yes a full Circus with a big top and everything is right up on the Downs. We have not seen any animals so maybe all of the acts are acrobatics etc. I guess it is comparable to a parking lot carnival that shows up occasionally at home.

Circus on the downs

Institute started last night and we were able to meet more of the YSA in our stake. We taught our class to two young people who need a little slower pace. It was nice, there was a sweet spirit there. After class are the activities. Last night it was a team competition quiz. Lots of laughs and enjoyment!

Book of Mormon Institute

After even Elder Preece got into the fun!

Life Savers and Straws

Saturday there is a baptism in our District and we get to take Hannah! I know that will be a good experience for her. She is still very enthusiastic about coming and learning.

We have been trying to visit the YSA members one at a time. We have a visit tomorrow and had one on Thursday. These are very good, here is when we really feel Heavenly Fathers love for each of these young people. We are hoping that such visits will be more frequent and regular as we move forward with this work.

I do not have many pictures this time because we have been cooped up for part of the week. We are excited to report though that the scaffolding that has been up on our building since we came was taken down yesterday and everything is getting cleaned up. It feels like we just moved into a new place because it looks so different! Yay, we can see out of all of our windows now!

Our flat  front on the bottom left of stairs

Bill went off to ride the bank while I stay home and rest. He is taking the bus trying out our new 'Senior' bus passes. Hope he comes back!

We are teaching the Book of Mormon in our Institute class. In the first lesson says to “Testify to students that as we read, ponder, and pray about the Book of Mormon, the Holy Ghost will witness that it is true, that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom on the earth.” I want to leave you all with that testimony today. If each of you will spend part of every day or week reading this precious book I know your lives and the lives of others will be blessed! It truly is the keystone of our Religion!

Cheers!

Driving home from Weston-Super-Mare Saturday