We are almost half way…

I was wondering this morning why being with people that you love can be such a delightful experience. Sometimes I get the same rush from associating with people who mean a lot to me as I get out of a trip to Disneyland, or an afternoon at the Cinema or even a long awaited vacation! Makes me smile to think about it! Thank you to all of you family, friends and acquaintances that make my life happy!

This past week had some busy moments, happy moments and thoughtful moments. Wed. was YSA Meal as usual. The main goal besides eating good food prepared by Wil and Tina Farrell, was working on some of the check off items for Bristol Convention which is coming up this weekend. 

The Wells Rd missionary trio were there also. Because of some changes in new arrivals our Elder Davies had to be a part of the Wells Rd missionaries till his companion arrived. Elder Simpson a new missionary in that companionship is from Scotland, so they were the UK three. One from Scotland, one from England and one from Wales.

Thursday the 24^th was my older brother’s birthday. Even though he is far away I was able to send my love and best wishes. I am thankful for the life we have shared growing up together: Happy Birthday John Olsen!

Back to Bristol. The Sisters from the Bristol 1^st ward brought their investigator Medea over and we had a wonderful discussion. After watching "Joseph Smith the Prophet of the Restoration" there was a good feeling and the presence of the spirit was sweet!

Thursday evening Institute began again after the break. The lesson was on 4^th Nephi. There are some sweet lessons there about a people choosing to follow the commandments of the Savior in all things and the joy that such choices brought to them. I am sure they still had to work hard, deal with illness and loss but their attitude of obedience and gratitude saw them through. I think I could do much better with my own outlook on life. The after institute activity was a ‘football’ game involving protecting your chair. It got a little wild, glad I was just watching.

Friday was the Senior Couple Outing for the month of April. We traveled by train and underground up to Greenwich. We have never been there before and even though it was a cloudy rainy day we loved it. The clipper ship Cutty Sark is there, also the Maritime Museum and National Observatory. We were able to stand on the ‘Prime Meridian’ line and take a commuter ferry back into London past the Traitors Gate at the Tower of London.

Two of the senior couples are going home in the next couple of weeks. At lunch time they all said a few words and gave their good-byes. It made me realize how we really are temporary. There are so many people who need lifting and so many still waiting to hear the gospel. Sometimes it makes me feel so inadequate. I think I just have to remember to make a difference to one ‘star fish’ at a time just like that parable about the man on the beach throwing one back at a time. It is worth it for them!

                         Nine of the couples from the England London South Mission                                

Saturday was a beautiful spring day. The stake had a helping hands project in Somerset County for flood clean up. It was supposed to rain but I think the day was bright as an answer to many prayers. We used the nice weather to drive over to Bath and check out sightseeing for next month’s senior outing that we are in charge of. Saturday is not a good day to go to Bath, the whole world goes there on that day. We were able to find the information we needed. In the afternoon got to visit with family on SKYPE.

At church on Sunday I realized something, it really is noticeable when there is no one to play the piano and the Bishop is not present. The meeting was about the commemoration of the Aaronic priesthood and the talks were very good. I just have to share with you a comment from Relief Society. Elliott a 5 year old son of one of the sisters was sitting in there with his mom. Sister Camacho asked who Joseph Smith was and his hand shot up. He said: “He was one of Heavenly Father’s good guys.” A good description.

In the afternoon the Elders brought our Belgium friend over for a discussion. The new Elder is from France, Elder Marot. I think it is very interesting how we had a missionary here from China when Hanna from Tiawan was being taught and now we have a French missionary for a lady from Belgian! I do not think it is a coincidence!

Feelings of gratitude for the many people we have met and grown to love here filled my day. So many fine young single adults and YSA leaders are now a part of our lives and we are so blessed because of them! FHE was fun, a newly married couple who met in YSA taught us about Prophets and did a wonderful job! Loved it Travis and Ruth!

Monday we drove up to the Temple. It is easier to take that trip in two days so we stay in the Accommodation Center and then attend the temple the next day. It is so pretty on the temple grounds even though we got a little wet by a passing rain shower. The drive up through the English country side is always so beautiful, it reminds us that we are really here, and this is not just a dream!

It was very appropriate to be going to the temple Monday. April 28th marks the 12th anniversary of the death of my niece Carly Fay, a nice reminder that we are an eternal family and that she and her mother will be there to great me when it is my turn to move on.

So our temple day Tuesday was crashed by two of our favorite people. Billie Norris and Georgia Dance. They met us after we finished the family work we came to do. We had lunch together in the temple cafeteria, walked around the grounds and watched a video at the Visitor’s Center while we waited for a Baptismal session to be set up to accommodate us and a lovely French family who had come all the way from Brittany.

  

Billie, me and Georgia

I am so glad that we got to have this experience! I got to watch. Bill got to help officiate and because the dad of the french family performed the baptisms they were all done in French. It was really a sweet experience!

We all returned home safe and sound! Today is prepare Institute lesson day and Blog day! I am currently enjoying Conference again each morning as I take my morning walk. A quote by Elder Scott seems appropriate to me considering my feelings about our work here and the lasting effect it may have on others:

We best serve our Father in Heaven by righteously influencing others and serving them. The greatest example who ever walked the earth is our Savior, Jesus Christ. His mortal ministry was filled with teaching, serving, and loving others. He sat down with individuals who were judged to be unworthy of His companionship. He loved each of them. He discerned their needs and taught them His gospel. He invites us to follow His perfect example.

Love you and miss you all. I have had some serious pangs of homesickness this week. If I could just spend an hour or two with some grand kids I am sure it would go away! Keep on striving, keep on moving forward. All that you have been taught is TRUE!

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 [RP1]

Hurdles and the Hope of Easter

April 23, 2014

While listening to General Conference Monday during my morning walk two very powerful phrases jumped out at me and stayed with me through the rest of the day. The first was from Elder Anderson’s talk: “…the world will not glide calmly toward the Second Coming of the Savior!” The theme of Pres. Eyring’s address rings so true in my mind: “A priceless heritage of hope…” Both of these thoughts have great application in my life right now, especially as I record the events of the past week.

Looking at the notes that I took for last Thursday I realize they were a little gloomy: “Seems as though the adversary is having a hay day this week…” Many of the newly baptized members and investigators that we spend a lot of time with all went home for their half term break from university. They were each in their own way faced with all manner of temptations and adversities. One had great conflict with family and friends and finances, one has been drawn by a new romantic interest, and another cancelled her baptism because of conflict with her dad and a family death. Two others have no support while they are away and the philosophies of the world loom heavily all around them. To continue quoting my notes: “Now what? I am just a little sad, it is so hard to help instill in others a firm foundation of the Savior. It is hard to watch as they struggle. It is far more important than ever to trust God!”

Friday we had a flat inspection for the sisters in the Downend flat. They are both so great. One is from the Gilbert Islands and the other from Croatia yet they seem to be sisters that just happened to have grow up on different sides of the world. They suspected that they were more than likely going to be separated at transfers this week. They asked for Priesthood blessings. The spirit was almost tangible because of the valiant dedication of these two choice daughters of God. Georgia was with us and she too felt the power of the moment. A great reminder to her of the reason she made the decision she has made to join the church, including the sacrifices involved.

In the afternoon we got to meet up with the same sisters again as they brought Medea (Chinese investigator) to our flat for another missionary lesson. There again we were all able to feel the influence of the Holy Ghost. Friday evening Elder Davies brought Dlila, an investigator from Belgium for a lesson, which also went very well. Bill was Elder Davies’ acting companion for the evening because they were on splits. I just want to say here how thankful I am for my missionary companion. He is such a good teacher!!

Saturday morning was a ward activity. Naturally since it was an outdoor activity the sun decided to take a break. It was cool, cloudy and a little rainy. We met at the church to clean up both the inside and outside of the chapel and then have an Easter egg hunt for the kids. (Just a side note for my friends and family back home, they do not color hard boiled eggs here. The hunt was for chocolate eggs, which by the way are very tasty!)

Elder Davies and Elder Moore

Saturday evening we decided to go out to dinner, since Friday night date night had been preempted. We took the bus and went down to the city center. We found a great place called ‘Bills’. Good news, it is open all the time, breakfast, lunch and dinner. Most places close after lunch and do not open up again till 6 or later for dinner. We always like to eat earlier than that so we are happy for the discovery and the good food. While we were waiting to take the bus home Georgia called to report how street teaching with the sisters and gone and we discovered she was just around the corner form us so we rode the bus back together.

Double Decker bus for Benny & Miles

Sunday morning, Easter morning! Rain and dark clouds; the atmosphere lent itself well to visualizing the gloom of Golgotha! Church still was very nice. Elder’s Davies and Moore were the main speakers.The message of Easter is the greatest message of all time! There were several investigators attending and I hope they were touched by the spirit and the message. The members as usual are friendly and supportive.

All week I had been planning to prepare a very American Easter feast. We had invited Georgia and were blessed to also have the Elders and Vera (university student from US investigating) join us in our celebration. We really had a lovely evening and the food all turned out well even though I had to make some UK adjustments to both the green Jell-O and the ‘funeral potatoes’. The best description of the experience for our two British guests of a US Easter feast was: “you know those 1970’s movies where people are sitting around eating Martian food? That was kind of how it was for me, but it tasted really good.” Of course this statement brought the house down and was a good note to end the day on!

Monday was truly a P-day! We did laundry and cleaned the flat spit spot! We also made quite a discovery, remember my lonely bird feeder? Well you will see from the picture below that it is no longer a bird feeder but it is keeping some of God’s little creatures alive.

squirrel hanging by hind feet, baffled crow

Evening was FHE. Vera and Georgia and the Elders came. Recently baptized Sister Dance gave the lesson, a beautiful presentation about how studying physics testifies to her the absolute conviction that there is a God. Smile!

Tuesday we had Transfers one day early because of a conference that President has to attend on Wednesday. Our job was to pick up Sisters Steffenson (from Norway who has been serving in Bath) and Moangare from the Downend flat and drive them to Stains. You cannot believe all the luggage that we got into our little missionary- mobile! For the entire 2 hour drive me and the sisters slept which was annoying to the driver. When we arrived it turned out because of some last minute changes with the new group of missionaries arriving from Provo MTC we did not have any cargo (missionaries) to return anywhere.  We stayed until after lunch, had some nice visits with the other couples who were there on transport duty also and then left early.

Meriva ville (Just put your luggage in the silver Meriva in the car park)

On the way home we decided to stop by Highclere Castle which is the estate used in the filming of the TV hit: Downton Abby. We discovered that it is only open to the public for a couple of weeks around Easter and then otherwise only in the summer, good timing. It was really thrilling to actually be standing next to such a famous place, one I have watched many times on TV. I quite enjoyed it, more than I thought I would. Family still live there so it has not been all spruced up and restored and gives a much more authentic feeling as you walk through it. No photography is allowed inside so I cannot illustrate what I mean. Loved it! Mostly loved hearing the reactions of my daughters when they saw that we had been there!

Every day is such a learning experience as we serve in this capacity! Some days are so wonderful and the spirit of everything is so good, other days are worrisome and challenging. I know that there must needs be opposition in all things, I just sometimes get caught off guard. I love the words of President Uchtdorf in conference:

"Could I suggest that we see gratitude as a disposition, a way of life that stands independent of our current situation? In other words, I’m suggesting that instead of being thankful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances—whatever they may be."

I will never be able to adequately express my gratitude to God for the opportunity of living in mortality and the growth and learning this earthly life provides me!

Bless you all! Have a good week! Rejoice in the tender mercies of every day!

Whenever I hear the song of a bird...

“One of the strange things about living in the world is that it is only now and then one is quite sure one is going to live forever and ever and ever. One knows it sometime when one gets up at the tender solemn dawn-time and goes out and stands alone and throws one’s head far back and looks up and up and watches the pale sky slowly changing and flushing and marvelous unknown things happening until the East almost makes one cry out and one’s heart stand still at the strange unchanging majesty of the rising of the sun—which has been happening every morning for thousands and thousands and thousands of years. One knows it then for a moment or so.  And one knows it sometimes when one stands by oneself in a wood at sunset and the mysterious deep gold stillness slanting through and under the branches seems to be saying slowly again and again something one cannot quite hear, however much one tries. Then sometimes the immense quiet of the dark blue at night with millions of stars waiting and watching makes one sure; and sometimes a sound of far-off music makes it true; and sometimes a look in some one’s eyes.”

                      The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Spring so far is absolutely delightful! I know part of the reason that I am enjoying it so much is because we are emerging from a very wet, often cloudy winter. I also know it is because in Arizona we do not have the same kind of slow, gradual awakening of the earth like it is here. The flower parade with hyacinths and daffodils followed by tulips; then blossoms and faint green spreading almost before your eyes into new leaves and new shade! I have to admit I am almost intoxicated by it all!!!

OK on to missionary work, I have to admit that I think the beauties of nature can assist our effort, so many people out, being happy, families walking, children squealing. It is half term right now too so everyone seems in a holiday mood.

Last week we spent most of Tuesday scheduling appointments for the remainder of the week. As is usually the case many of those were canceled but that doesn't mean we will stop trying. District meeting was last Wed and YSA meal in the evening. Thursday we drove to Bath for flat inspection and then came home and took Narraser, one of the YSA women from Downend ward, to lunch. We had a jovial drive downtown with a few missed turns and going up the down etc. Then Wednesday evening YSA Meal.

Thursday evening the activity at Wells road consisted of working on preparations for the Bristol Convention that is coming up the first week in May. I should take a moment and clarify. Every year the YSA here in Bristol puts on a 4 day convention that draws nationwide attendance. It is quite a production. This will be our first experience with it. I am looking forward to the event and anticipate that it will be a wonderful occasion for the Young Single Adults here in the UK; the chance for them to associate all together with other young people who have some of the same challenges and too often feel outnumbered in their day to day world.

Friday we spent the day with two other senior missionary couples who serve in this mission. They both work in Oxford: the Mechams and Tanners. Mechams are MLS missionaries and Tanners work with YSA same as us. They wanted to come spend a day in Bristol so we got to be tour guides. Luckily the weather cooperated and we were able to have a very nice day. It is good to get to know them better. We do kind of all keep in our own section of the vineyard and have few opportunities to get better acquainted and share experiences. I really am glad that they came.

Sis Mecham and me on Bristol Suspension bridge 

View from the bridge

On the bow of the S. S. Great Britain 

Saturday we were out to Weston and Taunton for more flat inspections and came back for a teach with the Elders and visits on SKYPE from home!

Sunday Church, another enjoyable visit with the missionaries and Francine and then FHE with the YSA that evening. Monday P-day chore day and our own little FHE since no missionary one was scheduled. Tues errands and teaching an investigator with the missionaries. We met with the same lady as Saturday. She is from Belgium working here in the UK and is quite interested in the church.

Today District meeting again and of course we had to take pictures because we know there will be moves this coming week during transfers. It is always a little sad to say goodbye because we do not really know when we will meet again. Our lives are so enriched by these young people who come and go in our District. They are from all over the world. They have many different personalities and back grounds but are all so fervent in their desire to bring others to Christ. It is quite humbling!

Sisters Nenadovic and Moangare, us Elders Davies,Lamb,Moore,Johnson and Wheatley

We love you all! We do not really want to be home, but it would be nice to have an afternoon with our little grand kids. We would love to take them ALL for a romp on the Downs. Oh well, only in my dreams.

I just want to leave you with my firm conviction of the truthfulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Just as this lovely weather makes our hearts beat true and fills our lungs with clean fresh air, so does the gospel bring new life to the lives of those who embrace it. I know there is much talk, and many Facebook posts about the trials and struggles of mortality, but I personally feel we need to spend more time posting about the beauty of life and joy that the Savior brought into the world. Happy happy Easter! Glorious is the good news of the Resurrection!

This little lane is across the street from our flat and I just barely crossed over to read it. Who knew?
We live on the Roman road to Bath!!

A tour of the British Isles in accents

Conference, the best!

This past week was not as eventful as the week we spent with Emily and Matthew but we had some good missionary moments!

Thursday we got to drive out to Taunton again, we had not been for a while and it was more than wonderful to see Sister McKay and Sister Mott again. We hurried back for a scheduled teaching appointment with the Elders. The lady scheduled to be taught did not come but Alex and Fran did and we had a nice visit with Elder Davis and Elder Lamb (Zone leader).

Friday we again had an appointment for a missionary discussion at our flat. This time the Downend Sisters brought a Chinese girl that has been meeting with missionaries for some time. She had previously been to our Institute class and enjoyed it so wanted a sort of mini institute lesson. We taught from Nephi 11 on the importance of baptism. For the first time she accepted baptism which was great! Her goal is May. Vera a student here in town from Maine who was first approached on the street about two weeks ago also attended. Vera has a baptism date of April 19 and is very enthusiastic and loves the gospel!

I always enjoy watching this missionary machine move forward. Most of the time if the missionaries are doing what they should to prayerfully be in the right place at the right time, success comes in many different ways. I am sure it is because all people have such individual needs and back grounds and the spirit is the great discerner!

Friday evening a young man named Jake was baptized at the Wells Rd. building. This was his second attempt because a week ago there was no hot in the building so they had to put it off for a week. Guess what it was still broken but he went ahead anyway and braved the shock! That is dedication! The whole service was very sweet as such occasions always are. One of the Stake YSA, a member of Wells Rd Ward gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and did a superb job. As he was speaking I again realized how important this age group is to the future of the Lord’s Kingdom here on earth.

Most of the schools and universities are on spring or Easter break right which ends up being a slower time for us. Georgia, Francine and Alex have all gone home and will be back in about 3 weeks. We miss them but text them often. Hanna is still here and working hard on school work. It has been hard but she continues to press forward. We really enjoyed having her watch the Sunday Morning Session of General Conference with us Sunday evening.

Conference! Loved every minute of it. Because of the time difference it doesn't start here until 5 pm. Morning sessions are 5 – 7 and afternoon 9 – 11. We just stayed up and watched it all, at least we get a whole day in before we listened. Priesthood session was rebroadcast at the Stake Center on Wells Rd. at 10 am Sunday. Bill went there to watch it and gave the Elders a lift. I stayed home and watched it here. I must say that I enjoyed that session very much, something about listening by yourself with no distractions made it so easy concentrate; no distractions.

I really enjoyed the reaction of some of our new converts as they listened to the words of wisdom and inspiration for their first time after being baptized. It think it made me listen with a more open heart. One of the most rewarding things about serving in this capacity is learning to not take for granted the things I know and believe to be true. Everything is new and fresh and precious through the eyes of someone who so recently obtained their testimony of the truthfulness of the Gospel.

There were so many wonderful messages from the Brethren and Sisters. Many themes. It has been my experience that we each take away our own theme. The idea that today’s world is sometimes like a tornado was powerful, that we probably will not just glide toward the Second Coming! Elder Holland kind of laid it out when he reminded us that we may need to know how to defend what we believe. We need to leave ‘an inheritance of hope’, be willing to lift and bare our own burdens with the Saviors help and always act in the attitude of complete gratitude to God. I am beginning to sound like the pages of Face Book and Pinterest. I am truly thankful for the time spent in spiritual renewal this past weekend and glad that through the gift of technology I can again listen to and reread these words over and over and allow them to enrich and change my life.

Good news from home over the last few days has added to my feelings of joy. Two of my family members who have been out of work are now employed and my daughter who relocated to Arizona has found a place to live.

Many of my children have been spending time together at our house, which makes me happy.  They love being together even when we are not there with them! Thank you Mimi for holding down the fort. I love pictures of the kids romping and enjoying each other and the parents visiting happily together. When I think of all that joyful noise I am kind of glad to be here.

Life is good! Sometimes we just need to be reminded! Love you all!!

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Joy with family

I suppose I should every now and then record the date, someday I will want to locate an entry and will have trouble identifying it if there is no date. Today is Wednesday April 2, 2014, or should I say 2 April, 2014…

I mentioned in the last post that we were going to be running around England sharing the highlights with our daughter Emily and her husband Matthew who came to visit. We had a glorious time! Bill was in his element. He loves this country so much, especially London where he served a mission 45 years ago. Just as enjoyable was sharing our YSA and Ward with them. When Emily was serving her mission in Houston TX many years ago Bill was able to visit her and spend a missionary day with her. It was a joy for us to now share a missionary day with her and her husband as the roles are reversed!

A picture equals a thousand words so here are pictures of our very fun week.

First day we went to Bath and Bradford-on-Avon!

First day in London: Big Ben, Westminster Abby, Trafalgar Square, Onslow Square etc

Second day in London, The Tower, St James's Park, Buckingham Palace, St Paul's, Hyde Park Chapel

Church history sights and ancestral homes

Farleigh Hungerford Castle and Stonehenge

The frosting on the cake came Sunday when we all attended Bristol 2^nd Ward (Southmead) together and then to YSA FHE that evening. It was a sweet feeling to blend these precious parts of our life: to show members of our family off to the wonderful people here and introduce them to our mission, ward and YSA family!

Sunday afternoon a stroll on the beach at Westen-Super-Mare

We had to get up at a very unearthly hour to get the happy yet tired travelers to the airport Monday morning. We left our flat at 3:30 am, mind you the clocks just changed Sunday so it felt even earlier. We were able to go back to bed but Emily and Matthew had a 24 hour travel day ahead of them! They are now safely back with their children!

Monday Family Home Evening here at our flat with the missionaries was very good. We ended up with 3 investigators and had a wonderful lesson about General Conference! Of course we had brownies for refreshments and a nice visit after.

Tuesday we were busy with a Zone training conference. I just marvel every time I attend one of these. We are literally given wonderful truths, doctrines and training that can sharpen our skills as missionaries by 19 and 20 year old young men and women. We love it! This meeting was special because Vera an investigator who is getting baptized on the 19^th of this month came and also Georgia came; a unique experience! They even got to be in the Zone picture!

Tonight we divide and conquer, Bill is going to the Ward Council for Weston- S- Mare 1st and I am accompanying Georgia as she receives her Patriarchal blessing. This is all good! We get tired sometimes and feel our age but so often we are lifted and renewed by the miracles of the Work of Salvation here in the London South Mission, Bristol Zone!

Food for thought, I love this statement from the ‘Gospel Principals’ lesson we taught in YSA home evening Sunday. It is very appropriate for all, especially those who are trying hard to solve large and small challenges in your lives:

Our prayers are always answered at a time and in a
way that the Lord knows will help us the most.