Soggy…

Love this Picture

I am sure that I have experienced thus far this season enough rain for the rest of my life and then some by Arizona standards; but it just keeps coming out of the sky. Thirteen inches in the past 30 days. The good news is that the moisture keeps milder temperatures so I am not complaining!

Our week since last post has been fairly normal for a missionary week. We took a trip to Costco, Georgia came with us, we had a very long district meeting on Wednesday due to some communication glitches and I spent a lot of time preparing an institute lesson but none of my class was able to be there Thursday.  We made some very enjoyable visits to new member young single adults in Bath. The highlight of the week was the Senior Couple trip to the British Library in London and Kings Cross Station to visit the famous Harry Potter platform 9 3/4!

The Wed district meeting ended up long because we all got to the Wells Road chapel, including the zone leaders and the Sisters from Downend called and they were at the Southmead building. It took a little over an hour for us to go pick them up. We got back in time for lunch. The district leader chose to have the whole meeting again so we did not get home until 4 pm and had to be back to the same building by 5:30. Ya gotta love these kinds of days! We were able to have a nice visit with Amelia an upcoming YSA from Wells Road Ward at the dinner. She is really a sweetie!

Our new institute instructor’s wife had a baby last week so Elder Preece is substituting for a couple of weeks. We had to cover Alma 17 to 29, a lot of great information. These are the chapters with Ammon and the arms, and King Lamoni and his father and the people of Anti-Lehi-Nephi. Wow! Because no one in my class was there I did get to go into the other class and enjoy the discussion there. Activity after was cleaning the building. That is always fun in Sunday clothes. : )

The week had many ups and downs with Georgia’s family so that was a little difficult too for all of us, most of all for her. Her family did meet with the Bishop on Sunday and I have to commend them for that. Not sure anything was resolved but she has decided to just get on with her life. She came to FHE last night and even gave part of the lesson.

Elder’s Hagadorn and Lam are being transferred next Wednesday. The President has decided to move the Chinese speaking Elders out of Southmead so they will be replaced by English speaking missionaries. Last night was our last FHE with them and we had a good experience. This week’s District meeting was here in our flat today. Friday we are hosting a Chinese New Year’s party so we will send them off in style!

OK now for our very nice trip into London. We caught the train here in Bristol Temple Meads station at 9 am and arrived in Paddington around 10:40. We took the underground to Pancras Station and meet the other couples at Carluccio’s. We had a very nice visit with Elder and Sister Smart who are Family History missionaries. They have just been given the assignment to travel throughout the mission training people in Family Search etc.

Pancras Station

After dining we crossed the street to Kings Cross Station to stand in line at the pretend platform 9 3/4. It was worth it for the picture!

Kings Cross Station

The British Library has a wonderful collection of important documents and manuscripts. There is a whole room for an original copy of the Magna Charta, dated back to 1250. There were original music scores written by Mozart and Beethoven. Jane Austin’s journal in her own hand. Original copies of Tyndall and Wesley bibles. There was even a hand written letter from Henry VIII. There is a Beatle display with the original scratched out words to the song ‘Help’ by John Lennon and a song or two in Paul’s handwriting. I cannot even describe it all, quite impressive.

When we left the library we went to Covet Gardens to wander around the shops and booths. I bought me a fun hat to keep my hair dry when I am wearing my non raincoat. We wandered out to Leicester square and found the London ‘Five Guys Hamburgers’ and enjoyed every minute. If we had visited this establishment soon after we first arrived it would not have been so great, but after 6 months it was like visiting a piece of home, even though a tad expensive! Even the toilets had a sign that said "Restrooms"…

Covent Gardens

Me in my new hat...

When we finished dinner it was too close to rush hour to get back on the Underground so we walked toward Trafalgar Square and happened on the National Portrait Gallery. I loved it! Portraits from all the way back to medieval times and up to the present. So many famous people that I have heard about and read about. I was surprised that I know so many famous British people. I think it is because I read a lot of English Literature.

among the famous ladies...

Sir Paul McCartney

We then enjoyed Trafalgar at night and headed back to Paddington to drink hot chocolate and eat a scone while we waited for our return train!

Trafalgar at night

Sunday was a nice day. Rebecca came to church with Georgia. Elder Hagadorn and Elder Lam were the Sacrament speakers and they did a very good job. It is fun to watch them grow and mature. Sunday evening YSA FHE was at the Downend building. Bishop Daren Evans spoke and conducted the activity. The attendance was higher than usual and the lesson on faith was very appropriate. After we played the game Mafia only the bad guys were gadianton robbers and the good guys were prophets the rest were citizens. A great time was had by all with a lot of laughing, teasing and jeering! I was a gadianton robber...

Monday morning we finally received our Christmas present from Mikey and Caitie. There were nice surprises including cute valentine hugs from Miles and Benny!

Hugs from Miles and Benny

Mikey and Caitie's surprise Christmas present!

We sang ‘A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief’ for district meeting and verse seven struck me profoundly:

Then in a moment to my view the stranger stated from disguise. The tokens in his hands I knew; the Savior stood before mine eyes. He spake, and my poor name he named. “Of me thou hast not been ashamed. These deeds shall thy memorial be; Fear not, thou didst them unto me.”

 John 6: 67 & 68 is also quite profound: 

 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will you also go away? Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life.

The reality of these messages is made even clearer to me as I become more and more involved in this marvelous work! Cheers!!!

Almost 6 months…

Equal time!

Monday Jan 20

This past week has been a very typical missionary week; flying high and happy one minute and then down and trying to cope the next! Whew! Sometimes you just have to hold on to your hat!!

Monday after doing preparation day jobs around the house and posting a late blog entry, we packed up and headed to New Chapel, Surrey to the London Temple. The drive was uneventful and we arrived late afternoon to the Accommodation Center.We took a breather and then headed out for dinner then we turned in early to prepare to attend a temple session the next morning.

The temple experience was up lifting and edifying as always. We just happened to be there on the day when the second new film was being shown for the first time. Just as the new one we enjoyed on our Christmas temple visit this one was powerful and gave much food for thought.

We also went to the distribution center and picked up some needed items and gifts for Hanna and Georgia. Next we visited the little town of Godstone in which is the only privately owned LDS book store in our mission. The owners of the store are the Fagg family which we discovered after some conversation, were in Bill’s mission way back when. They remembered many of the same missionaries and Brother Fagg kept in touch with President Reed Callister the British Mission President at the time. It was great fun actually talking to someone from his mission after so many years. It really made me smile!

Wednesday we were getting ready for district meeting, the elders had come to our flat so that we could give them a lift, when we got a text from Georgia and she had chosen a baptismal date: Feb. 1^st! Hence the flying high missionary experience. The story about this does not end here, but I will proceed with the rest of Wednesday.

It was Hanna’s birthday so we took her to lunch at a Pan Asian Buffet. We ate and ate, till we were entirely too full. The staff had to remind us that they were about to close so we had hurry and go back through the line one more time.

Happy day, lots of food!

By the time we finished it was too late to run Hanna home and then go back in a short while to pick her back up for the Wed. meal so she came home with us and used my computer for a while. At the meal we gave Hanna a Birthday cake and candles and sang to her. She was very happy! She told us that when she is home she and her twin sister buy a cake together just so they can blow out candles and make a wish… We were glad to help her have that experience!

make a wish

Rob our resident Scot, looks like he belongs in the movie BRAVE

Thursday was hit-the-books-hard-day! We had an institute lesson to teach in the evening and the busy week had not allowed much time for preparation. We were looking forward to the fact that both Georgia and Hanna were attending that evening.

Lessons went well, all enjoyed the evening and as those of you on Facebook know I am now famous for my attempt at Michael Jackson style dancing!

Friday the Southmead Elders needed to use our SKYPE for their Chinese district meeting in the morning. We had an appointment in the afternoon in Taunton for the Sister’s in Bridgwater to use our SKYPE also. We messed up big as it turned out because we had the afternoon appointment written down wrong and the sisters called at the time it was scheduled and we were still home. They were able to work it out but we felt bad!

Saturday brought the downward plunge in our spirits. Georgia’s family is very against her joining the church and through a series of events the baptismal date is now postponed until further developments play out. It has been hard to watch someone embrace the gospel with so much joy and then be prevented from moving forward right now. All will be well in the end I am sure but it has been a humbling and sobering experience just the same!

Sunday church meetings were wonderful! All of the messages were uplifting and appropriate for our little investigator and new convert group. The Bristol 2^nd Ward is a wonderful ward with encouraging and friendly members. We think the world of Bishop Henley!

Sunday afternoon we invited Elder Hagadorn, Elder Lam (new companion, he is from Hong Kong) and Georgia to dinner and we had a nice afternoon. We had a positive discussion and a good start to our week.

Evening we went to YSA fhe and watched the CES broadcast from last week. It was a message by Elder Tad R. Callister of the presidency of the 70. It was slam bang right on! A wonderful presentation of the relationship between our Church and the Church that the Savior set up here on earth during his mortal ministry. It is fantastic! Watch it and learn!

To finish up my entry for this week I would like to include a quote by Elder Russell M Nelson that was found in our Institute lesson we taught Thursday:

“I recognize that, on occasion, some of our most fervent prayers may seem to go unanswered. We wonder, ‘Why?’ I know that feeling! I know the fears and tears of such moments. But I also know that our prayers are never ignored. Our faith is never unappreciated. I know that an all-wise Heavenly Father’s perspective is much broader than is ours. While we know of our mortal problems and pain, He knows of our immortal progress and potential”

I have learned so much, and gained compassion that I never before knew about. How blessed are we!!!

Better late than never...

Bristol Sunrise

I am really behind so I am going to try to write just highlights of the past week plus…

Last night we got to go to Wales! The YSA leaders in Bristol plan a yearly calendar with 4 other stakes in the region and every quarter there is a regional coordination meeting. Last night the meeting was in Cardiff! I have been looking forward to this opportunity to travel to a new country in the UK. I think it will be a little more enjoyable next fall though because this time of the year it gets dark so early and the meeting begins at 4 PM. It was also very rainy on the way so we could not even see very far as we crossed over the Bristol Channel. However the travel company was wonderful, Brother and Sister Evans and Lisa Taylor drove with us. The meeting is always inspiring to us as we see leaders and YSA from all over the area with the same goal and purpose to bring this vital age group in the Lords vineyard back into the fold and strengthen those in the fold!

Wales!

It was good this past week to get back to a more normal routine as I am sure most of you have discovered in your own lives. We had the regular YSA activities as well as our weekly trek to Taunton and a mission zone training meeting.

I love meeting with the missionaries as they inspire, teach and uplift one another! On Thursday during the zone training President and Sister Millar were caught in traffic so Elder Gardner, one of our Bristol Zone Leaders, was trying to constructively fill the time. He called on a few missionaries to share their testimonies. I kept feeling like he might call on me, though usually our role is a back row supportive one. My suspicions were realized and he did call on me. It was a sweet moment to tell them all how much I love working with them and learning from them and bear my testimony of the power of this work!

The Wed YSA meal was back on and it was fun to visit again with those we have come to love so much, almost like being back around a family dinner table! Thursday Institute is back underway. The regular class now has a new teacher because of the change in the Bristol Stake Presidency.  Our regular instructor is now a counselor in the new presidency and a member of the old presidency is now the instructor.

We only had two attend our little class but it was a sweet evening. I love studying for these lessons as much as I enjoy teaching them. The Book of Mormon is especially appropriate to this missionary calling that we have!

After class on Thursday the activity was ‘towel volley ball’. And what might that me you may ask is that? We too were wondering. Two people with a beach towel stretched between them need to toss the ball over the net from the towel and catch it to return it in the same manner. Eight of us played, four people, two towel teams, on each side. We laughed ourselves silly! Elder Preece sat it out because of the lingering cough from the nasty cold he has had.

Towel Volley Ball

A very wonderful part of the week has been the return of Georgia on Saturday! She was home for the Christmas Holiday. She is in a much better place than she was the last meeting with her. She has spent a lot of time studying on her own and engaging in personal worship. She really glows! I have learned so much from her sweet testimony and conversion to the gospel. All she could talk about and share was her overwhelming gratitude for everything, even this challenge with her Mum. I am so glad to know her and be blessed by her courage.

Church was lovely. There were good talks, a lot of them on the subjects we have been teaching to Georgia. She encouraged Francine an investigator who has not been to church in a while, to also come to church Sunday and she came. Smile!

We have also had a very good week with each other. There is a point in this senior couple missionary experience when it is a good idea to sit down and resolve concerns that tend to build up because of being together 24/7. We have had some sweet moments working out such issues.

Our dear friends Elder and Sister Kanzler in Sierra Leon posted in their newsletter last week a great talk given by Vaughn J. Featherstone entitled, “Prisoner of Love” April, 1992 Ensign. 21 years ago, and the plea for senior couples to serve missions.

“We are prisoners of love. Come, my beloved brethren (sisters). Let our generation do something great and noble, come join our ranks. Let us march by the thousands out into the vineyards to nurture, teach and bless the tender branches (so true in a mission consisting of more branches than wards). Let us protect and bless the fruit of the harvest. Let us gather the sheaves into the garners, away from the storm, safe from the whirlwind, a holy place where the storm cannot penetrate.”

“There has never been a greater need than now (21 years ago) for an army of mature couples to go out into every far corner of this earth and retain the fruit of the harvest.”

“There is a holy hand behind the divine purposes of God. We can be His 'instruments.”

“........As we come to the latter years of life, we come to a mature spiritual understanding. We have these next years to do something great, important and significant for God, our religion, our wives (husbands) and children. We ought to raise a new title, not a title of liberty, but of love – a banner that will remain long after we are gone.”

“Who knows, but what God will grant for us and ours what we do for others? Come, lift your banner high and march with us into the mission field in the spirit of love and caring.”

I love these inspiring words! I love that we are learning so much, that I am learning so much. I pray that we are helping, not hindering, Heaven’s plan of hastening this divine work!

Flooding on the Avon 1st week in January 

Check out how fun this is!

my mormon.org profile

Elder Preece's

Happy New Year!

Our flat back to normal. Home sweet home!

Well formal missionary work during the week between Christmas and New Year’s is not too productive. The good thing about the slowdown is that everyone is spending the time with their families. The hard thing is feeling like the work is not moving along.

After our very nice international Christmas most of the missionary related activities consisted of texting our investigator friends and cheering missionaries and being of good cheer.

We had one very exciting evening. On Boxing Day (a British Holiday the day after Christmas) we got a frantic telephone call from Hanna. She had gone out late afternoon to see firsthand the sales and crowds of the day. On her way back on the bus she missed her stop. The bus proceeded to take her clear out to Cribs Causeway Mall. When she got there she found out that NO MORE BUSES were running for the rest of the day. The phenomenon of the bus schedule here for Christmas and Boxing Day is challenging. On Christmas Day no buses run what so ever. When you drive around the streets it feels like a ghost town. Everyone is inside with their families(a good thing right?) It is so easy to get around town on that day. The next day is a modified bus schedule and if you are not careful you will end up like Hanna: stranded!

We headed out to rescue her. When we got to the mall all of the vehicle entrances were barricaded so we could not get into the car park. With Hanna on the phone, I switched into a kind of ‘mother mode’ and jumped out of the car to walk through the huge empty lot. Through the course of our conversation I learned that she was on the other side of the mall and not at all where I thought we had agreed to meet. When I got closer to the main entrance I could see people inside even though the stores were all closed off and locked down. We agreed that since we both could get into the shopping center that she ought to come in and try to find the place that I was describing to her. Bill was in the car outside the car park with no idea what was going on, because I did not want to lose her I dare not hang up the phone to let him know what was going on. He soon discovered that the way out was not blocked so he backed up and drove in the out.

When I got inside and Hanna got inside we talked each other to the same spot. It was soooo good to see her smiling face even though I was upstairs looking over the rail and she was down stairs looking up. Now I could hang up the phone and let our anxious driver know that all was well. It was rather exciting! Glad she is safe and we all learned that during the holiday public transportation is not so trustworthy!

Sunday I was able to help out again in Primary and enjoy church. We also met with the Bishop for tithing settlement. All good stuff.

Monday I got a lot done, but it ended up being a hard day because things did not go well when Georgia told her mom about her interest in the church. Thanks to those who have joined us in prayer for our sweet friend. The situation is yet to be resolved...

Tuesday we were able to meet with the Elders and Georgia for dinner as we all put our heads together to help her try to find a solution. We tried to reassure her with our love and encouragement... After dinner we took them all home.

 We had to say good-bye to Elder Yu. He is being transferred to Brighton. What a joy it has been to work with him! We will cherish his friendship forever! I think that a mission creates Eternal Friends!

When we got home we watched a movie on Netflix then enjoyed the most incredible fireworks display on TV from London at Big Ben’s stroke of midnight!

 I have many thoughts and feelings as I approach this New Year. I hope I can successfully put them into words. First of all we will be residents of England for an entire year. Wow, that is something, to be full time representatives of the church, 24/7 for a whole year, New Year’s to New Year’s. Humbling!!!

I was reading through the recorded words of the setting apart blessing President Duke gave me. One of my favorite phrases is: “The Lord will give you the ability to let go”. Such comforting words, they helped me through the incredible busyness of getting ready for and heading out to serve a full time mission. I since have learned that I need to let go of a lot more than just material ‘stuff’ and family worries. Complete faith means letting go of my own desires and expectations. I need to trust completely what God’s plan is for me, for another person, organization or situation. Wow that is hard!

I have also come to love with a profound love the young Sisters and Elders who are out here on the battlefront wielding the sword of righteousness and raising a voice of warning, their powerful invitation to all to come unto Christ. They work with all their might and strength to help hasten the work of salvation! It is so awe inspiring! I hope that I will never forget their example when I return to civil life. I hope I will remember what I need to do to continue in this great work. Sweet Sister Cowley from Mesa expressed to us this week that she thinks she will feel guilty when it comes time to go home because there is still so much that needs to be done here; noble feelings!

Another thought on my mind lately as I study Preach My Gospel is how can I obey with ‘exactness’? There are many levels to that challenge. Of course there is the obvious, to act in accordance with the mission rules; but exact obedience can involve a great deal more. As I try harder to do better in one way, another challenge appears and I need to improve in a totally new and different way. I am sure it is that BECOMING thing! We are told that as missionaries we are given the authority to preach, teach and change lives but that the power to do so only comes as we exercise our faith and are obedient; a sobering responsibility!

You would not think that by this point in my life I would feel like I still have so much to learn, but every day it is more evident that I know so little. Sometimes it is hard to not be discouraged when looking at the enormity of the task before us. I also know we are only temporary here. My sweet companion always helps me understand that even the small things make a difference, in fact they make the most difference. I am coming to learn that when those ‘blue’ moments come they are not from God.

 I also must express how very thankful I am for all the wonderful people I meet here and work with and learn from!  I wish I could bring them all home and share them with you. This truly is a great experience!

I will share with you a quote Mimi sent this week , it is such a beautiful summary of how I feel about all of this learning:

"When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives. Our love of the Lord will govern the claims for our affection, the demands on our time, the interests we pursue, and the order of our priorities." Ezra T Benson

HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all. Love you more than words and feel your support and prayers!  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day-Saints is true!

A winter morning walk in our neighborhood

The whomping willow is just across the street!