….don‘t let them pass you by.

I am so enjoying the very long daylight hours! I keep forgetting it is night time because the sun is out till after 10. The dilemma however is to keep from being caught up in “Spring/Summer fever”! The past week was not quite as busy as the one before but there were still a lot of opportunities to serve, learn and love!

Wednesday last week was YSA meal as usual. Of course added to that event is all the World Cup watching; enjoyable and sometimes it makes for lively discussions. The evening was also laced with a Priesthood blessing and joy over a recently received Patriarchal blessing.

Thursday I needed to finish typing last week’s blog and prepare for Institute. It was actually the first day for a breather, and much needed. Evening was Institute which had to end early because a certain football game (England) started in the middle of it.

Friday we had to get up early and drive to Staines for a YSA Senior Couple training session. It was a long journey but well worth the effort. One of the councilors in the mission presidency, President Judd conducted the session. He and his family are moving to Japan with a new business assignment. They are Americans who have been living here for about 14 – 15 years. He had been the Stake President of the Staines Stake previously. He did a great job, so enthusiastic and insightful, he will be missed.

There were some very good ideas and instruction given to us and shared with us from all present. Pres. Judd presented to us what the main concerns the Stake Presidents in our mission have about their YSA. We discussed and addressed each issue. We then spent some time on the concerns we as missionaries have concerning our callings. We feel like we received some very good direction and already are trying to implement some of them. How great is this church?!

Friday evening after a long drive back to Bristol we got to attend Bernie’s baptism! He was so excited and it was a very sweet occasion. I still marvel at the wonder of the conversion journey! Welcome to the “fold of God”. (Mosiah 18: 8-10) How precious to now be able to partake of the fruits of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you Sian and Bernie for letting us be a part of your experience!

On Monday we decided to take advantage of the warm weather and enjoy some of the great sights and history of the "Mother Country". We drove to Blenheim Palace which is near Oxford. This grand palace is the birth place of Winston Churchill though he did not spend a lot of time there as he was growing up. It was a lovely day. The grounds and palace are magnificent! 

We learned a lot about the history of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough. They were awarded the land and allowed to build the palace because the first Duke, John Churchill, defeated the French at the battle of Blenheim. The French had not been defeated in 50 years so it was a big deal. So much history, so many generations and stories! It is the only non-royal and not ecclesiastic building in England to hold the title of ‘Palace’.

Tuesday was a busy day of planning, making appointments and organizing our week. In the morning we went to visit the Costume Scenic Art Theatre Design Exhibition at the Royal West of England Academy put on by the students to graduate from the production departments at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Our dear YSA friend Francine is featured in the display. It was just magnificent! Janet you would just be so impressed. Uncle Dan you would have loved the scenery design display! Thank you Fran for letting us enjoy such talent!

After we left the exhibit, since we were down town having come on the bus, we decided to eat lunch at Bill’s cafe. The last time we were at this establishment was with Adrian and Brenda Evans following our tour of the SS Great Britain. That was the day before Brenda ended up in the hospital 4 weeks ago. 

It has been quite a ride for them. We decided to go visit Brenda and felt blessed that we got there just as she received the news that she was being moved to the BRI and was scheduled to have her triple by-pass surgery. Today is the surgery and though it is a serious and very long road ahead, we are all so thankful that the wait was any longer and that she is getting the treatment she needs to put her on the road to recovery and back with us as soon as possible! We love you Brenda, as Elder Preece always says you truly are a treasure!

Wednesday District meeting. Good company, good training and wise leadership! Last week we were admonished to rededicate ourselves to this work. This challenge was timely with the senior missionary training session we had during the week.

I have been trying hard to understand the best use of my time and effort. So many of our charges are gone for the summer and with the challenge of health among the Stake YSA advisers we really have an opportunity to step up and support, encourage and lead. In institute last week Brother Balloch talked about how we as Latter-day-Saints need to be always in the depth of spiritual self-awareness. Sometimes that can be best achieved by being quiet inside, we need to do that by trying to turn off the noise in our mind. That is such great advice for me!

I hope you are all enjoying your summer! Please enjoy those precious little ones that you have been blessed with, they grow up so fast. Anna we will call you on Saturday to share your special baptismal day with you!

Keep up the good work and remember to take the time to be happy!

Improve the shinning moments…

World Cup is here!

Last Wednesday seems like more than just 7 days ago! We have had an eventful week with a lot going on. Among other things we had Zone Leadership training, a great afternoon BBQ at Bernie and Sian’s, had the opportunity to speak in church on Father’s Day, took the Sacrament to a sick member in hospital, went on a church history trip and had a very fun YSA evening at the Downs playing soft ball! On top of all this we have been enjoying some of the World Cup matches on TV most evenings.

It is always a good week when we are busy. Besides the above mentioned events we had some challenges to deal with. Our mission car needed to be taken into the dealership so we had to rent a car for a few days. The City of Bristol have been replacing the water lines in the streets in our neighborhood for a while and have been noisily working right in front of our flat. It is quite interesting the way the workers cordon off portions of the street and the traffic just has to weave through a kind of maze to get past. I know a few little boys,  my grandsons, who would love to sit and look out our front window at the ‘worker men’ every day for sure!

Worker men right outside our front window.

Zone Leadership training last week was good as usual. I am a little prejudice but I thought that the senior missionary’s presentation on “The Corps of Discovery” was outstanding! Yes Bill gave his inspiring presentation to the zone including the “just keep swimming” salmon story. We enjoyed presentations from the zone leaders, Downend sisters, President Millar, our mission president and President Byrom of the Bristol Stake.

Saturday a couple from our Southmead Ward invited us to their home for a BBQ. Sian has just very recently been baptized and her husband Bernie will be baptized this Friday. It was a very beautiful day with sunshine and a soft breeze. The food and company were great. The neighborhood is completely decorated with England flags. Bernie hung a US flag also in our honor!

At Bernie and Sian's

Sunday, Father’s Day, too was a very good day. Sorry to most of our kids who tried to call on SKYPE that day, Dad was very grateful for you attempt. We were in and out all day and missed most of them.Our Sacrament meeting talks were on the importance of fatherhood. I would like to share with you some meaningful quotes I found on the subject:Pres. Monson said: “God, our Father, has entrusted precious little ones to our earthly care. To them may we teach prayer, inspire faith, live truth, and honor God. Then we shall have heavenly homes and forever families. For what higher gift could we wish? For what greater blessing could we pray? None!”

James E Faust stated: “It is important to remember that in this Church, the husbands and fathers, and members of the family through them, enjoy a power and influence in their lives, far beyond the natural gifts of intellect and character of the father. I refer to the priesthood of God, which every worthy man and boy over 12 years of age enjoys.”

I concluded the talk by saying:  “I am grateful for two sons and four sons-in-law who are trying to be the best fathers they can. I am grateful for seven little grandsons who watch their daddy’s and are taught in love. I have a sweet memory of one of them at two and half years holding his brand new baby brother on his lap and singing to him “I am a Child” of God";  another generation preparing for fatherhood and the priesthood.  This is truly how I feel!”

Father's day bouquet, notice the type of flower...

Fran and I at church...we match!

Sundays are good days for visiting the sick, right? This is definitely one of the SMA's (Standard Mormon Answers). Sunday this principal came sweetly to life for me. Last blog post I mentioned that there is a brother in the hospital here from a neighboring stake. He is still here recovering from the surgery he came to Southmead Hospital to receive. He was suffering from a bicycle accident he experienced while on a business trip in Portugal.  

The Southmead elders asked if we could take them to help administer the Sacrament to this good brother. His family were there with him bringing him love on Father’s Day. I naturally have never had the opportunity to be on such an errand and I was very touched as the Elders using a makeshift tray for the bread, and a hospital cup to hold the water knelt on the floor in that hospital room and blessed and administered the sacred emblems of the Saviors body and blood. I will long remember the beauty of that moment and realize that the encouragement to visit the sick on the Sabbath is not just for the benefit of the person who is ill!

We were also able to stop by and see Brenda Evans. She is still in the hospital waiting to have by-pass surgery. Again her sweet spirit and attitude gave us a spiritual boost for the day.

Monday was just the best day ever! Since Georgia is going home for the summer we decided to take her on a church history tour. A few months ago she did not even know that there was church history in England. We had a lovely day visiting the Gadfield Elm Chapel, Benbow’s pond and hiking up the Hereforshire Beacon in the Malvern Hills. The view from the top of the Beacon was breath taking. The sun kept shining in and out of the clouds. The wind was blowing. The atmosphere up there was sacred. I can understand why Wilford Woodrfuff and Brigham Young and the other early missionaries went there to meditate and petition the Lord on important matters.

I will have to admit however that I am not quite as resilient as I used to be. I really had to labor hard to get up that steep climb. It was well worth it when I got there but I do now know that I will not ever be attempting to join my friends at home as they hike the Grand Canyon from rim to rim!

Tuesday was the best! Several of the YSA are finished with their studies for the school term. On of them, a fairly recent convert, Billie is graduating and leaving for good. She suggested that we have an evening on the downs to celebrate and play american soft ball! Of course my companion was all over that! Our Stake YSA committee president Lisa Taylor was having a birthday also so we had a double celebration. With portable BBQ grills we cooked hot dogs and taught them how to play soft ball. 

Ordered the equipment on line.

Rubbish bat, connecting with the soft ball bent it, we ended up playing with a tennis ball!

OK imagine what it would be like if a bunch of Americans got together and tried to play cricket? It was very fun and comical at the same time. Bill was teaching them how to play, shouting out the rules and trying to umpire all at the same time. Everyone thought they understood about 3 strikes and you’re out until Billie hit a foul ball on the 3^rd strike! A few times they felt like shouting "kill the umpire". Any way it was VERY fun! About 25 young adults including the missionaries came. We concluded the evening with a large group returning to our flat and watching the rest of the World Cup game Mexico vs Brazil. I can truly say that a good time was had by all!

District meeting with our new district leader Elder Darcy was good but had to be cut short. 2 or 3 of the missionaries were feeling poorly. One sister had a bad cold and one Elder had to rush out off to the loo with the stomach flu. Again, I was able to witness unity and genuine caring. They all just wanted everyone to get better so that the work would not be delayed. Instead of having lunch together the meeting ended with two Priesthood blessing for the afflicted . It is so clear to me that Heavenly Father truly loves and watches over these missionaries! I am proud to be one of them!

At the softball game the other night while visiting with one young woman, she asked me what I felt I had learned so far on my mission. I kind of stammered because I have learned so many things I could not acurately articulate them. I have since been thinking and I would have to say that one very profound lesson I am learning is that there is room at the Lord’s table for everyone! It does not matter your size, shape, color, gender, nationality, economic class etc; all are welcome. Consider the workers in the field!

Thank you again to my beautiful family! As I thought this week about how fortunate we all are to have William Preece as our patriarch, I felt a very deep love and desire to tell you all how much you mean to me! Sometimes there are moments when we catch glimpses of heaven. This week I have felt gratitude and joy for the eternal family that I have been blessed with!

Time flies when you are having fun!

Lots of good things this week. Wednesday was transfer day and our district only had one change. Elder Davis from Wales, our District leader is now one of the Bristol Zone Leaders and we have Elder Darcy form Ireland as his replacement. I know for all of you Jane Austen fans might think it is kind of cool to have an Elder Darcy. We welcome him!

  

Elder Davis is from Merthyr his picture is on the bulletin board

Thursday we spent a very lovely hour at the hospital visiting Brenda Evans. She is one of the Stake YSA advisors. She gave everyone quite a scare a couple of weeks ago and ended up in the hospital. She has diabetes and they will not let her go home till all is stabilized. We had such a nice talk with her and as is often the case the person we had gone to cheer up and inspire ended up lifting our spirits for the rest of the day!

Thursday evening institute class and a great discussion about two of Elder Scott's wonderful talks on revelation. There is an article in the June Ensign from him called ‘Agency and Answers: Recognizing Revelation.’ It pretty much sums up the discussion we had.

On Friday Bill and the elders moved some boxes from Hanna’s flat. She is going home to Taiwan for a few weeks and we are baby-sitting some of her stuff. We fed them lunch. They had to go give a blessing to a member in the hospital who because of a serious bike accident during a business trip in Portugal, had to come to Southmead Hospital for a special hip operation. He is from the neighboring stake of Cheltenham and he had requested the blessing. While the elders and Bill were waiting for the appointed time they dropped by to say hello to Brenda again for a few minutes.

It was quite poignant Friday listening to the tribute and the special celebration at Normandy on BBC for the 70^th anniversary of that historical events that led to D-day. This country was the last hold out to Nazi Germany and their story is very courageous. The significance of that day on the beaches of France is a powerful reminder to the citizens here in the UK of the sacrifice and courage of so many who stood up to and fought hard to conquer such a great threat against freedom. I do not think I can describe the feelings that I have seeing this commemoration from the perspective of those who were pushed right up against the wall, fighting such over powering evil. I definitely have a new appreciation and I salute these brave allies!

Sunday meetings were great, as always uplifting and edifying. We had High Council speakers. The tradition in this stake is for the wife to accompany her husband and be one of the speakers. I must say I am glad that was not the case at home when my companion had the same assignment. The talks were both excellent. Both were on faith. 

Sunday evening was the 4 Stake Institute Recognition program. It was held at the Merthyr Tydfil Stake Center in Wales. The Farrells gave us a lift and we had a very nice journey. The sun was shining though Tina warned that there is always rain and sheep in Wales. She was a prophetess indeed there were lots of sleep and we did drive through a couple of cloud bursts. The regional YSA committee meeting was held before the recognition program so we started our journey just after church in order to be there by 4 PM.

Wil and Tina brought a picnic

Elder Donaldson our Area authority was there and gave a wonderful talk on Moroni 10: 3 & 4.   Elder Kearon who is in the Area Presidency sent a very nice video message which was quite timely for the group assembled. Such a pleasant afternoon and evening. Bill’s great grandmother was born in Merthyr Tydfil so the experience was doubly nice.

Monday the Southmead elders needed to use our internet for Monday mailing. Before they left we fed them taco soup and sent them on their way. In the late afternoon we drove over to Bath and met the sister’s there to look at another possible flat rental. This time was a success! The flat is very nice, in a nice location and is happy to rent to a company. The landlords are St Johns hospitals, a charity themselves, so everyone wins.

Monday evening we had FHE with the elders and Alex. I taught a lesson on the blessings of choice and we played a couple of games and had brownies. Alex goes home this week end so it was nice to spend the evening with her.

This week has been full of some great blessings, some especially wonderful Family History discoveries and temple work was experienced by Georgia. We feel blessed to share the joy with her.

I have a couple of spiritual thoughts I want to share from Patricia Holland about humility and self-worth:

“I think the Lord is looking for people who are truly contrite. Humility is very becoming to any of us and humility comes from an honest recognition of both our limitations and our strengths.

When you dwell on your limitations excessively, to the point that they affect your inner view of strength, you mock God in his very creation. You deny the divinity within you. You resist the gift of Christ on the cross. So be patient in your pursuit of perfection.”

It has been a good week. I have had some great conversations with many of you on SKYPE. I am so grateful for your constant support and prayer! Be happy! Happy Father’s day to the 6 wonderful father’s or our grandchildren! Hope you have the good day that you deserve and feel the love that your family has for you as well as our deep gratitude for who you are!!

It is Summer in Bristol

Rain is the price you pay for green!

Yes today, the 4^th of June our Anniversary and it is raining. It rains even when it is supposed to be summer. The good news is that it is still fairly warm and mild so no more bundling, just be sure you are water proof when you go out! I am sure that there is a wonderfully religious message in the above title, you know metaphorically? I will let you each make your own application!

Good things filled the past week as always. The variety of our responsibilities keeps life interesting! Last Thursday was institute and Brother Balloch, former President Balloch of the previous Stake Presidency, has devised his own 6 week course for the summer months. We love it. Our little class is disbanded for the break so we can attend this class and reap the benefits. We also brought the missionaries with us so they too could enjoy the lesson and improve their work accordingly. Francine came for the first time! All in all it was a good evening.

Friday we had a very lovely experience. Tamara Tovey, a single mom in our ward, invited us dinner and asked is we could prepare and teach a FHE lesson for her girls. She said they get bored just listening to their mom all the time. She also invited Georgia to come with us. Tamara’s girls are Lucy 6 and Clara 3 years old. We had a delightful evening. The lesson was about noticing the things in this world that tell us that Heavenly Father loves us. The girls were great in discovering and listing them. Little Clara drew a picture of her own curly ginger hair as one of those gifts! Smile!

Tamara is from Russia, she joined the church there as a university student. She then served a mission of her own and moved here and married. She is now working hard in the role as a single mom and doing a wonderful job of giving her girls a gospel foundation! She is a good example to all of us!

Saturday was a very good day too! Remember back in early March when I wrote of our Southmead Ward activity planned and carried out by the YSA in our ward? We held a service auction and Alex, our ward YSA rep won the bid of our offer for a KFC picnic on the Downs. We had that picnic Sat. She kindly invited Georgia, Fran and Hanna. Of course because here in this beautiful green place in which we live the grass on the downs was soggy from a week of rain. It was not raining Saturday however I still decided that since we have a nice picnic table in our flat we would eat in and then go out for a walk. 

KFC is a little different here than at home. The sides are not all the same so I made potato salad and we bought coleslaw at Costco. We had rolls and carrots and of course chips (fries) which came with the chicken. Bill had a funny moment when he ordered two big chicken meals. They could not understand or believe that he wanted that much chicken. In the end our eyes were bigger than our stomachs and we had a lot left over even though we ate and ate. We all went for a walk on the downs and got ice-cream from the ice-cream man and came back to brownies! A good time was had by all and you could not ask for better company! We love this job!!!

Walking to the ice-cream man

Alex, Georgia, Fran and Hanna

A very fun antidote after we were sitting around visiting out of the blue Georgia gets a text from her flat-mate Owen saying “I need fried chicken!” He was home studying for exams and had no idea that there was a KFC picnic going on. Georgia took a baggie with some chicken and fries back to him. We tucked a pass-along-card inside for good measure. He was so surprised and very happy when she showed up with the gift!

Saturday evening there was another baptism at the Downend Ward. Jaime from Ecuador. What a sweet humble young man. The spirit was so sweet at the service. His English skills are limited so one of the talks was given in Spanish and translated for the rest of us by the ward Elder’s Quorum President who is a Spanish speaking return missionary. The miracle of conversion never ceases to amaze me! All of God’s children have their own journey.

Fast and testimony meeting in our ward Sunday was very sweet. There was a strong spirit there and so many baring heartfelt witness. I especially loved sister Herdon’s testimony. She is this adorable little short grandma in our ward. She truly is only about as tall as a 10 year old. She and her husband are from Wales. I am sure that there is not a more Christ like person than she. It is a thrill to know such people.

The missionaries, Fran and Georgia came over for a teach in the afternoon which is always a joy to sit in on. The evening we went to YSA FHE. Lorna finished the lesson from Gospel Principles on the life of the Savior. She bore a very strong testimony and thus invited a very sweet spirit for us all to feel and be grateful for.

I mentioned previously that today is our Wedding Anniversary, we have been married 43 years. When I look back on that day so long ago I realize that at that time I had no idea of the journey we were embarking on. We loved the then popular song by the Carpenters: “We've Only Just Begun” and Perry Como’s song “It’s Impossible”. When we hear those songs now they bring nostalgic feelings though our perspective is much different. 

The Temple President in the Los Angeles Temple who performed our sealing told us to look around the sealing room at the smiling faces of family and friends who love us. He said especially to notice Bill’s two grandmothers. President Evans told us that we think we are happy now, we think we know what happiness is but he assured us that those two wise ladies had a much better grasp of happiness than we did and we too would one day understand. I guess to a degree that day is here! It is the wonderful family that came about because of our union and the grandchildren who we now enjoy. It is the ups and downs of the journey, the dark times and the bright times. And it is the constant support and forgiveness from our Savior that now enlightens hearts and gives understanding to the meaning of what happiness is. maybe it can more appropriately be described as joy!

Ready for the next 43 years!

I love my husband, I love my family, I love this opportunity and I love the Lord!

2 Nephi 2:25 “Men are that they might have joy…”

Last tri-Zone Conference