The days grow longer, brighter and warmer…

Last week there were definitely some good moments. I will try to record them all as I re-cap another week in the life of ‘S and E Preece’ as Bishop Nelson refers to us.

I left off last week with Wednesday’s events. That means I need to begin with last Thursday. The main event of every Thursday is Institute in the evening. Sometimes as we spend the time fervently preparing for the class we teach we get a bit frustrated. We only have 45 minutes to cover a lot of material and there are weeks when no one can come. We have 3 regular students and once in a while an investigator comes to our little class. Last Thursday was awesome! It was kind of a fulfillment of all our work. The Downend Sisters brought an investigator and YSA member we have not seen in a while. The investigator is Chinese so Shera came to help translate,  Tina and Will Farrell YSA advisers, Nathan, Lorna and Ben were also there. The room was overflowing with happy faces. It was truly a pleasure to watch as the spirit led the discussion and we were able to draw from the material we had prepared the appropriate message for the class!  “Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart…” Always a very sweet experience!!

Shera translating the lesson for Medea

During the day Thursday we took our dear friend Hanna to lunch. She is struggling with some health issues and challenges at school. It was good to spend time with her. The week seemed even harder because every day we got up to very thick fog. It would take a while to clear every day. I think there are lessons in the weather.

Friday we had a very fun senior outing again! It was quite a foggy morning so we left a little later than we had anticipated. By the time we reached London and Hampton Court Palace the fog had lifted. We headed straight for the Tiltyard Café to meet the other couples for lunch. There were about ten couples. It is always nice to meet with them and get a little glimpse into their goodness and their successes.

Hampton Court Palace: yes little granddaughters, Queens used to live here!

We really enjoyed the day. The sun was shining, there were daffodils everywhere and birds were singing happily. We have visited Hampton Court several times in the past so instead of rushing to see everything we just strolled around and enjoyed being there. We spent some time in a new section depicting what life was like for the “young” King Henry VIII.

The gardens were spectacular. I could not help thinking how much you little grand children would love to be running around such a fun place. There are several guides who dress in period costume and strolling about the grounds creating a wonderful atmosphere.

It was back to missionary work on Saturday, meeting at 10 am in our flat with the YSA from the Southmead Ward. Our Bishop has assigned them to be in charge of the ward activity coming up this Friday. The meeting was great, everyone came to help. The activity will be a service auction. I will report more about that in next week’s blog after the event.

At the conclusion of meeting we had pizza, then Bill had to pick up Elder Davis and act as his companion as they split in order to teach two lessons at the same time. Afterwords we had a nice missionary teach in our flat. In the evening we had our Baptism celebration dinner with Georgia. Finally our schedules were in line. That was a wonderful evening. I feel like such moments need to be embedded in our minds and memories. What a miracle is the conversion process! Such memories need to always see us through the rough spots of life!

Sunday was nice as always. Bishop Henley gave a phenomenal talk using the first vision to illustrate his message. The Elders had three investigators there. All of our YSA new members etc. were there to hear his powerful words too. I should have taken notes, I was just soaking it all in.The Southmead Young Single Adults handed out their awesome flyer and made the announcement to the ward members inviting them to the ward activity for Friday.

Sunday after our dinner we went for a walk on the Downs along with half of Bristol. It was a beautiful day; children running and playing, kites flying and people of all ages out enjoying the bright sunshine!

Francine and her friends enjoying the celebration of spring too! 

YSA FHE in the evening was very nice. Lorna our FHE chair person has decided to ask young couples to give the lessons every now and then. Such a great idea, Simon and Annie Evans gave the lesson and conducted the activity, a fun game involving characters from the scriptures. I would admonish those of you from the Bristol YSA who may be reading this to try to come to these evenings, they are so enjoyable!

playing chess with Ben, I am losing...

Monday was a true indeed P-day: we cleaned house, went shopping and then had FHE at our flat in the evening. Bill taught a lesson on being an example of the believers and we had BROWNIES for refreshments.

Tuesday we went to Costco and studied. Wednesday was Transfer day so we picked up the Portishead Elders and took them to Stains. Dropped one off picked up his replacement and got back by 3:30. It was the smoothest Transfer day yet! Evening meal was nice with good people to visit with.

missionary luggage, transfer day

Thursday Institute again; good classes, we had more investigators and good activity. There was an emergency situation.  One of the young women fainted, the paramedics had to come and all. With faith prayers and Priesthood blessing all is well today. She will be fine, just needs to rest and recover.

This past week I pulled out my ‘Keep Calm and Carry On’ notebook to read over the words of our setting apart blessings that Lindsey so kindly recorded for us. The phrase “your family will be looked after by our Father in Heaven… and the blessings to your family will be tangible” leapt out at me. I know that life has not been smooth sailing for some of you in the past 7 months. Sometimes I try to dictate what those ‘blessings’ ought to be, but I am not in charge. Elder Eyring in April of last year made this statement:

"My promise to you who pray and serve the Lord cannot be that you will have every blessing you may wish for yourself and your family. But I can promise you that the Savior will draw close to you and bless you and your family with what is best.”

So I say to you my dear family, The Lord is mindful of all you are experiencing! He is blessing you. Thank you so much for your prayers love and support! I know that He is blessing us!