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]