Work while the sun is radiant…..

3 July, 2014

 Love this picture of my 3 yr old grandson refusing to do anything, 
because some days are just like this

I love the words to the song improve the shining moments. Each phrase has such great application to every day of our mission.

Since last post it has been business as usual. We went to YSA meal Wednesday where Wil served us lasagna and we all enjoyed one another’s company. Thursday Institute in the evening. We are in charge on Thursdays now until Brenda gets better. By the way she has had her surgery and is home from the hospital recuperating. All went well she just needs to patiently heal.

Back to institute, we gave the Elders and Fran a ride. We attended the Stake YSA presidency meeting before the class started. As usual the class was great. Brother Balloch spent a lot of time talking about conversion and our responsibility in that process. The point that I enjoyed the best was his emphasis on choice, conversion is a choice, we have to choose to have the desire and we have to choose to act on it. We have to also choose to submit our will to Heavenly Father thereby having the Faith to be converted and move forward.

Friday we drove out to Taunton and Weston-super-Mare for flat inspections. It was a rainy day. I never thought I would say this but we really did need the rain. There was a down pour on the way but the rest of the drive was fine. Of course evenings lately are spent watching the World Cup.

Saturday we had the privilege of providing our flat for the Downend Sisters to teach Media again the Chinese girl we have mentioned before. There was a very sweet spirit in that session. Sister Nenadovic bore such a powerful testimony! She is from Croatia and is a convert of only 2 years herself. Sometimes I wish I could capture such moments so that I can revisit them when I need courage and faith my self!

Sunday we drove out to Trowbridge to visit that ward for all of the Sunday meetings. It is the first time we have been out there and it was a very nice experience. There are several young ladies in that ward who are just turning or have turned 18 so will be joining the Stake YSA. We enjoyed visiting with Beth and Cassie also YSA. A member of the bishopric and his wife, who is in the RS presidency are helping to advise the Young Single Adults in the ward, and it was good to meet them and touch base with them. All in all we had a very good visit!

Our plan for Monday was to drive to the temple and then stay over night in the Accommodation Center so we could attend the temple bright and early Tuesday morning. We had made reservations at the center, we were all packed up and ready to go and Bill was hit with a bad migraine headache... change of plans! He had to go right down in a dark room. I was brooding a bit because I am not one who does well with last minute plan changing. It is interesting how things worked out. A little while later I received an urgent text from someone in need. I was glad that I was able to be home and respond; funny how that works huh!

Bill woke up from his rest and his head was a little better though he was still pretty wiped out. He was craving roast chicken from the Harvester Inn so we went there for Family Home Evening!

Tuesday was a busy day with making appointments, sending greetings home and shopping at Costco. In the evening the Elders met with Francine at our flat. That was also a very good experience. I feel so lucky to be in on these moments! Wow what privileges this mission affords us.

Georgia has been home for a few weeks and things are going well for her. Hanna also and she has attended her ward in Taiwan.  She is trying to adjust to the church in another country. Alex is also home but will be back for a short visit next week before she heads to Texas for the rest of the break.

Wednesday we had district meeting. As always it is enjoyable to watch the workings of the missionaries. At the close of the meeting Elder Darcy our district leader played a combined talk by Elder Eyring and Elder Holland. Of course the message was profound. They talked of the difficult challenge of being a missionary and how that difficulty allows these young people to learn through adversity the same way that the Savior learned. Elder Holland’s address was to future mission presidents and he told them that as their missionaries take these great challenges on themselves “They are standing shoulder to shoulder with the best life that ever was.” He also said that salvation is not a cheap experience; it is not supposed to be easy. As I was sitting in that room watching the faces of 4 elders and 2 sisters listen to this council, I realized how much Heavenly Father loves them! They are his emissaries doing what he would do were he on the earth today. I pray that I can support them in their unselfish efforts!!

So we had to prepare the YSA meal for the first time Wednesday. We of course decided to do something that did not need cooking. We served hoagie Sandwiches (some had to Google hoagie before they would  sign up to come) and crisps (potato chips), watermelon and carrots! Then I served the brownies that I am becoming famous for. (They are made from the Ghiradelli brownie mix sold at Costco) We did not have a very big turn out but we had a great time and got really full!

Got a kick out of these crows the other morning: "I don't know mate what d'ya wanna do"

Sometimes when I take my morning walk I become overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity I have to be here in Bristol England seeing so many wonderful things and being able to work with such great people. I have to admit that there are times when I get restless, or feel like I am not actually making a difference, I feel a bit like 3 year old Markus. And then there are times when I get homesick but those times go away soon when I feel the spirit of the Holy Ghost testifying through me, or I am privileged to feel the Saviors love for the Young Single Adults of our stake. Thank you all again for your love and support which helps lifts us up and helps keep us focused!