Moving right along!

Back again, I swear the weeks just keep getting shorter. Shorter in some ways but still full of events that I have to think hard to recall in order to report on the week! I ended last blog saying that we were looking for flats for the Bath sisters. The perfect one did not pan out, the landlord did not want to rent to a company. We were in Bath three days last week, still no success on the apartment hunt.

Last Thursday was the final class for our Book of Mormon course. We had a nice lesson on Moroni’s promise. The investigator Conrad who came to class has now been baptized. Bill confirmed him a member last Sunday in the Downend Ward Sacrament meeting. We had two baptisms Saturday but they were both at the same time. A lady named Sian (pronounced Shawn) was baptized in our ward at the exact same time as Conrad’s baptism in Downend. We went to the Southmead service because Bill was giving the talk on the Holy Ghost.

Both experiences were sweet even though we just had to attend half of the ordinance for each new member. Georgia also spoke at Sian’s baptism and all of Sian’s family came to support her though none of them are ready yet to join themselves. On Sunday in Conrad’s ward we were asked to teach the Gospel Principals class in Sunday School after Sacrament meeting. Because of the talk on the Holy Ghost from the day before Bill was able to teach a great lesson. It was a nice reinforcement for Conrad of the importance of this great weekend in his life.

Last Friday it was our turn to sponsor the senior couple outing which was in Bath. We woke up that morning and it was pouring rain, even though it had been sunny all week. I was a little irritated. Fortunately, though, we met at noon for lunch first and by the time we dispersed to do our sight-seeing it was only sprinkling off and on.

We took the 2 hour walking tour with several of the other couples. It was really good. We learned so much. Since we had already visited the Roman Baths Spa when Emily came, we were happy to have the time to see the rest of the city. There is so much history in that city, actually in any town here in England. Dating back to the Celtics and pre Roman times all the way up to the Georgian period. Love it! Our guide kindly pointed out a few spots that are mentioned in some of Jane Austin’s novels.

  

The back side of the North facade,the back sides were a hodgepodge.

r

The Royal Crescent

The Circus

Because of finishing the Book of Mormon this week I have been very grateful for that great book of scripture. Reading that last chapter in Moroni is almost electrifying. The teacher’s manual pointed out the Moroni asked us to: first Read, and second to Remember how merciful the Lord hath been, in other words feel gratitude. Third: Ponder it in your heats. And fourth: Ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ. The rest of the promise is that we will know the truth, we will even know the truth of all things! A fail proof formula!!!

Elder Holland says of these verses in Moroni:

“That final, last, lonely appeal of the keystone of our religion and the most correct book ever written is to touch not the unclean thing; it is to be holy and without spot; it is to be pure. And that purity can come only through the blood of that Lamb who bore our griefs and carried our sorrows, the Lamb who was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities, the Lamb who was despised and afflicted, but whom we esteemed not (see Mosiah 14)…

“Purity—through the blood of the Lamb. That is what this book pleads for”

Now I have to tell a tale on myself. I am learning that a lot things are done differently here in the UK than at home. You all know the obvious ones like driving on the left side of the street or using different vocabulary for common things like, bonnet and boot for parts of a car and saying car park instead of parking lot. I have even shared with you that food is a little different. They eat beans on toast and jelly (Jell-O) with ice cream. I posted a picture of ice cream on pan cakes. Even things with the same brand name are just a little different like some soda drinks for instance. 

Well I decided that since my legs which have been hiding under tights all winter are just about as white as they have ever been in their 60+ years of life. At home, we just buy a little tan in a jar or tube and spread it on till we can get that needed sun exposure. I bought such a product. I assumed you use it the same as at home, so squirted out a generous amount for each leg and rubbed it evenly in just like I do at home. Here is where it gets different, when I went to wash it off of my hands it would not wash off. For several hours I had a great tan on the palms of my hands! With some nail polish remover and a lot of scrubbing it finally faded… You live and learn!!

Yesterday was a delightful day, we went with Adrian and Brenda Evans to see the SS Great Britain again. They had not been before and it was fun to share the experience with them. We did have a comical moment when all 4 of us piled into the handicap lift on the ship. The sign on the wall said limit 400 KG. We were positive we did not weigh that much, however there was a picture on the wall indicating only 2 people at a time or one person and a wheel chair. The lift began to lift at the rate of about a centimeter a minute. We finally got about halfway between floors and it seemed that we may have made a big mistake. Finally Adrian grabbed a hold of the top edge and lifted his weight off the floor and it started moving at a normal speed. Next time we need to follow the instructions better!

Adrian and Brenda Evans

After touring the ship we went to lunch at Bill’s Cafe! It was a delightful day and ended up with a nice YSA meal at the Wells road chapel with pleasant company. Our Southmead Elders even brought an investigator!

YSA meal, never had a fried egg on my hamburger before

This morning is a little gloomy, and cloudy but the temperature is mild and I am glad for time to write and share with all of you the adventures of my past week and to tell you again how thankful I am for all of you and your love and support!

“If you miss the joy,you miss all of it…”

Pretty Summertime

May 22, 2014

Well I am a little late this week. It has so far been very busy. This post will not have so many pictures and adventures. I will share lessons and musings instead.

Yesterday Bill asked me what I will tell people upon our return, when they ask; “How was it"? That is really a loaded question! 

This whole experience has been discouraging, wonderful, challenging, and uplifting. It has caused soul searching and much reflection. There is always some self-doubt and sometimes rationalization and self-justification. There are moments so sweet they cannot be put into words and times when I just want to go home for a minute and kiss little grand-kid cheeks!

I will to try to express some of the things I have learned. I have learned to not take myself too seriously. I have learned that no matter what, Heavenly Father is in charge. I have learned to be more patient with my companion, specifically more patient with my impatience. I have learned that the responsibility we have to brand new members of the church is daunting at times. I have learned that I need to a better job of leaning not unto my own understanding. I have learned that cultures are different all over the world and most of all that each and every child of God has their own journey. I am trying to learn that making uninformed judgments can lead you down the wrong path. I have witnessed that it takes incredible courage to embrace the gospel and become a whole new person; to be ‘born again’ as the scriptures teach. I have watched the latter-day armies of Helaman march forth with power, testimony and conviction. All in all I suppose my answer will be that I would not trade this experience for anything!

I am very thankful for my family and their support, love and prayers! I do not know what I would do without them.  Especially this week because our oldest grandchild becomes a teenager I feel grateful. Gracie, thank you for giving us the opportunity to experience love that we never knew could exist. I believe that the love we feel for our grandchildren is the closest manifestation of unconditional love that we have thus far experienced in mortality. These little munchkins really are 19, soon to be 20, of the most important reasons we are here!

Enough philosophizing! We had a nice week. Last week Wednesday we finished blog and had YSA meal. Thursday was institute, next to last class in the Book of Mormon. Conrad an investigator who is getting baptized this weekend, came to our class. He has such a refreshing outlook. It is a joy to watch someone so eager to learn. 

Friday was busy with the opportunity for Bill to give a Priesthood blessing in the morning. In the afternoon we visited the famous Primark discount store down in the city center. We took the bus, which is always an adventure. In the evening we went with the elders to teach our Belgium friend Dlila. Good missionary day! 

Saturday we finally cleaned our house from top to bottom and then got ready for the first session of Stake Conference. I cannot believe that this is our second Stake Conference in the Bristol Stake. Sunday was the second session and then dinner in the afternoon enjoying Georgia’s company and FHE in the evening! There how is that for a quick summary of our week?

  

Elder Preece talking on two phones at once trying to coordinate rides to stake conference

I am very grateful for Stake Conference. I was reflecting on how significant it has been that the practice of meeting regularly for general and stake conferences was instituted at the very beginning of the Church. There is much wisdom in the practice. We gain so much strength and knowledge on these occasions. 

I want to share one very profound insight I gained from a talk by a member of our Stake Presidency. He quoted from an article in the Ensign this past September written by Brad Wilcox. The title is: His Grace is Sufficient. The article compares this life’s journey to music lessons like we might provide for our children. We pay for it, do not wince at their mistakes, are proud as they improve etc. It is the same for us as our Father in Heaven sends us on this journey and encourages us along. President Beal then made a statement something like this and it hit me with power and humility: “there is a perfect song to play and only one person has ever or ever will play it perfectly…but He is right there with us as we practice, because His grace will make up the difference. We need to be patient with everyone else as they are learning to play this song too.”

Monday this week we had a very fun Family Home Evening here at our flat. Tuesday we went to Chippenham for a flat inspection, came back and treated the Southmead Elders to lunch at Cosmo (an Asian all you can eat buffet) and then enjoyed a new member lesson here for Alex and a very sweet teach with Fran later. 

I can’t tell you how much my own testimony is strengthened when I hear the words of truth taught by the missionaries! Wednesday we had District meeting and then drove to Bath for a session with the sisters there and a recent young single adult convert. Then we went with the missionaries to look at a new flat. The one they are currently living in is really run down and old. It does not even have a shower. The flat was great and in a great location. We have our fingers crossed! Wed evening meal was enjoyable as usual with opportunity for good conversation.

Cheerio!

 Make the most of every day!

Its May its May…

Today is one of those beautiful Camelot type days that make you feel so happy to be alive! The sky is blue, sun is shining and the birds are singing. I am grateful for days like these. I know they are more enjoyable because of past days of rain wind and clouds! Love this day when I can take a deep breath and sit down at the computer to record the past busy week!

The first of last week we were moving kind of slow trying to recover and regroup from the Bristol YSA Convention. Tuesday was laundry, house cleaning and Costco day. Then we needed to come home and sit down for a few minutes to rest our weary bones. In the evening we went on a teach with the Elders. It was kind of cool because they were teaching Dlila from Belgium and Elder Marot from France, did a lot of the teaching in French and because I knew what they were talking about I could follow most of their conversation! It has been a long time since French class in college!

Wednesday we were in and out of a comatose state all day but were able to go to District meeting and then YSA meal in the evening. They YSA surprised Bill with a fun Birthday cake with candles and all. It was great! We needed to get home early though to get a good night’s sleep for the busy Thursday the next day.

Thursday morning we got up early and picked up Elder Davies and Elder Marot and drove to Basingstoke; took about 2 hours. We dropped Elder Marot off and picked up Elder Pulman and drove to President Millar’s house about 45 more min away. The Pres. and his wife served us Pizza and peaches with ice cream.

Then we parted ways. The reason we were on this errand is because Elder Davies and Elder Pulman who are best buds in Wales before their mission, both had earned the gold medal for the Duke of Edinburgh award which is quite prestigious. More so even than Eagle Scout. This day they were taking the train with Pres and Sister Millar to St James Palace to be awarded this award by Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh himself! They were in their missionary uniform with badges apparent hoping for some great missionary moments during the ceremony. Cool stuff! As far as our mission president was aware this is the first time in the mission that has taken place while missionaries are on their mission. President was very proud of these young men as he should be, it is quite a distinction and honor and a great representation for the church.

We now had about 6 or 7 hours to kill till they returned so we could reverse the trip and get everyone back safely where they belonged. We wanted to do something celebratory for Bill's birthday. We found an English Heritage sight about 10 miles away so decided to go visit it: Marble Hill House. We got there only to find out that in order to see inside the mansion it needed to be Sat or Sun, not Thursday. The grounds were beautiful though and we enjoyed walking around them. The house had been built by King George II for his mistress, it is on beautiful piece of land right on the Thames River.

Now we had about 4 hrs. or so left to amuse ourselves so we decided to go to a movie. We drove back to the town where Pres. And Sister Millar live to be closer for fetching the Elders at the end of the day. The only movie playing at that time of day that would fit our schedule was a new animated release called TARZAN. Gag! The animation and graphics were wonderful but the script must have been written by a 6^th grader. It was a combination of Tarzan, Star Wars, Jungle Book and even UP. I would not recommend it but we were the only ones in the theater and it was comfortable.

When the movie ended we had enough time to go out for Birthday dinner. We found a near by Mexican food restaurant and had a lovely meal. We finished just in time to meet them as they returned back to the president’s house. Now we had to travel another 3 hours reversing the trip to get everyone back home. We were tired when we walked into our flat.

Friday morning, we were not moving too fast but had already planned a trip to Portsmouth to celebrate Bill’s big day. It was a nice day, Sun with patches of rain. The wind was blowing pretty hard but the drive was fine, motor ways most of the way. Of course I could not stay awake, good thing that the driver could. We arrived in the afternoon with plenty of time for site seeking but we both had to nap for a while first since we were still experiencing 'convention lag'…

We drove down to the historic dock district and walked around the old fortresses and cannon mounts. It was still very windy so it felt pretty authentic. We had a very good dinner at a sea front historic pub/inn. 

Saturday we went back down to the historic docks and walked around in 30 mile an hour wind gusts! Our most favorite historic site was the HMS Victory: a 250 year old naval ship that Lord Nelson had been on in the battle of Trafalgar. We saw the spot on the deck where he received his mortal wounds. It had three decks of cannons. It was just fascinating. We loved it!

HMS Victory, Cannons, the great cabin, plaque marks where Nelson fell, the HMS Warrior 

We found a Chinese buffet for lunch and then headed home.  Portsmouth is a beautiful port city, a great place to see. We drove through lots of wind and sporadic rain showers to return home. We were ‘plum tuckered out’ when we got there. 

Sunday was American Mother’s day. Church was good. We got a new Bishop: Sigmund Geldenhuys a wonderful brother originally from South Africa. He is going to do a great job. We are very pleased. It turned out that he and his wife had previously been assigned to be High Council speakers for our ward so very appropriately they gave their first Sacrament meeting talks in their new role. 

A family from Wisconsin were attending our ward Sunday. After visiting with the dad a Matt Allen, I found out that he served a mission with our son David in Guatemala all those year ago. Small world in the church 

Adrian and Brenda Evans the Bristol Stake YSA advisers invited us to dinner in the afternoon. That was such a sweet gesture, it was a nice way to celebrate mother’s day away from family. The meal was great and the company was wonderful. We had such a nice time! 

fun trying on Adrian's father's police uniform

looks like Clouseau

At FHE we watched Elder Ballard’s CES broadcast and it was profound ! Good messages and nice company. I do have to admit however that the pancake with ice cream on top refreshments were a novelty!

Monday we ended up going to Bath to take Billie to lunch and stop by to visit two more YSA girls on the way home, Alice and Lucy! It was a very nice day. We ended up having to spend the evening finishing up the Monday P-day jobs that still needing to be done.

Tuesday up bright and early to pick of the Downend Sisters and drive to Poole for Tri-Zone Conference. Whew! Zone conference was great as always. It is still almost a breathtaking experience to sit in that room with those wonderful missionaries, truly the armies of Helaman!

The return trip was almost too pretty to describe. We kept driving in and out of spring showers. The sun was bright and low in the evening sky. Everything a brilliant color of green, washed clean by the rain and just as we were saying we wondered where the rainbows are, to one side of the car was the most brilliant, bright rainbow I have ever seen! It was full arch and filled the sky, it even had a shadow rainbow next to it. I could not help but think of the words of the Primary song:

“I like to look for rainbows whenever there is rain, and ponder on the beauty of an earth made clean again. I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain. I want to be the best I can and live with God again.”

“I know when I am baptized my wrongs are washed away, and I can be forgiven and improve myself each day. I want my life to be as clean as earth right after rain. I want to be the best I can and live with God again.”

How appropriate as we drove away from that gathering of young people who dedicate 18 months or 2 years of their lives to help others experience this joyful cleansing event in their lives! Truly humbling!

Now a conference thought from this morning's listening; President Monson:

Blame keeps wounds open. Only forgiveness heals.

Love you all, miss you so much and thank you for your Mother’s day wishes. It was great to talk to most of you. Dad thanks you for the B-day wishes. Have a good week and know that we pray for you every day!

      

My Soul Delighteth in the things of the Lord: 2 Nephi 4:16

We have had a great adventure this past week. The England Bristol Stake YSA sponsored their annual National YSA Convention! Wow! The planning for this event has been in process since we have arrived. I could not quite get my head around what it was all going to look like and even the magnitude of the event. Under the direction of the very capable Adrian Evans who is the High council member over the Young Single Adult program he and his wife Brenda being the YSA advisers, the Stake YSA Presidency and committee worked long hours and presented a fantastic event. Because this experience has been all consuming for this past week it is my blog!

There was hilarity, dancing, eating, playing, painting, praying, learning, feasting on the spirit, confusion, monitoring and adjusting when needed and lots a lots of hard work. The end result was many things to many people most of which will be a part of lasting memories and increased desires to recommit lives to the building of the Kingdom of God on earth.

Friday Barn dance and registration 

Saturday, workshops, sports, 50's dance

Sunday church, service workshops and Fireside  

Bristol's Got talent

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2SZEk49vLM0

This was the winning performance, 'Robbie-D' came out as a rappstar and then burst into this beautiful song by Puccini!

I am thankful for this mission that allowed me such an opportunity. I am thankful for these young LDS members in Britain that are even now leading this work forward. In the Sunday night Fireside, Elder Boone (YSA senior missionary here in London South Mission) quoted Boyd K Packer: Seldom is there a reaching down without first a reaching up…” Grateful for the inspiration this event has provided for many to do just that!