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!!!