9 Weeks Out!

 

Our last trip to the Market! UK food!

Typical driving obstacles

Can you believe that it has been a little over two months since we reported to the MTC in Provo? The days have been busy and eventful. In some ways the time has flown by and in other ways it feels like we have been here in our little flat in Bristol England for a very long time.

Each week it seems harder and harder to sit down and put into writing all of the important memories. Last post was particularly tedious for some reason. I think that as we get more and more involved in the work around us taking time to enter meaningful descriptions and record of our comings and goings is more challenging.

There is a lot that goes into transforming ordinary people into servants of the Lord. Some days that transition flows more smoothly than others. Each time we meet with the Young Single Adults in our Stake they become dearer to us. The regular activities of this week have continued to add to these feelings. The weekend of course was filled with General Conference so we did approach the week with renewed testimony.

This past Monday we had a stimulating experience for FHE. The Elders brought two ‘Uni’ Students from the University of Bristol. These lovely British Girls are studying Physics and Chemistry. After watching President Ucthdorf’s talk from Sat Morning session of Conference we had quite a lively discussion about Creation verses Evolution. They really were polite and very curious. We even called my brother John on SKYPE for some help. I guess the students called the Elders later and said they had a wonderful time and felt so comfortable in our home, almost like they always knew us…

District meeting came on Tues this week. With a new District leader the Zone leaders came to help. These fine young missionaries have become so dear to us. We have such an appreciation for their devotion, service and individual personalities and talents! They make us smile. We are a part of this Missionary District!

Elder Mansfield from our district (he is British)

The Memorial Service for the Sweet sister who passed away I mentioned last week took place on Wednesday. Her father conducted the entire service and gave a beautiful talk on the Plan of Salvation. There were many nonmembers there from the school where his daughter used to work. He asked all the missionaries in our District to be there and be available. He bore such a strong testimony and said that he would be happy if just one person not of our faith approached him after and wanted to know more about the gospel; which would seem to him to give meaning to this untimely event. The family all spoke, it was a very powerful and emotional day! It was sweet to watch the missionaries mingle with the guests afterward.

YSA dinner in the evening gave us the opportunity to participate with the district leader in giving two sister missionaries a blessing and again sit with Hannah and help her understand more. As we tried to read the introduction to the Book of Mormon with her I realized that she does not even understand how to read a book of scripture. It is very hard for her not just because it is another language but she does not have any scriptural frame of reference at all. She does pray night and morning and does feel the spirit. The next step will me to get a testimony of the Book of Mormon which will not be easy.

Our Friend Hannah!

Thursday there were over 38 YSA at Institute! It was great, the desire to reach out and invite is becoming real in our Stake. This morning we took a new Ward YSA Rep on a visit with us and it was wonderful to watch a she received inspiration for her new calling. These are the visits we are working hard to have more often! THE WORK GOES ON!

Institute

Thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement! We love you all so very much! Each family member and friend is a vital part of our lives and have added so much to our testimonies and helped us be who we are!