Each Life That Touches Ours for Good….

When I was a child and my big brother Johnny and I would return from school at the end of the day, our mother would ask us what we did at school, our answers were very different. Johnny would say “O stuff.” But I would go into detail about everything that had happened and almost word for word what I had been taught. I have always been that way. I love to share, I love to give a commentary on the happenings of life. I know you are all very surprised! 


I really do love FB and Instagram and blogging for that very reason. I can write down the thoughts that seem so important to share, at least to me, and you can read them or not. We are all happy with this arrangement. Having said this I am sure that most of my social media friends have noticed the increase in chatter on FB and other sites… Yes Bill is still not completely up to speed yet so lots of time on my hands, lots of time for contemplation, meditation, study and yes boredom! Thank you all for your patience.

On the home front things are looking up. We have been to the doc and had a CT scan and he is getting better every day. Time living day to day as a missionary sometimes feels pretty compact. Patience is a good lesson.

Sunday was a good day! We did go to our meetings and really enjoyed the talks and lessons of the day. The privilege to take the sacrament is always a high light of the week. In Gospel Principles class the discussion was great. An investigator asked good questions. Most of the comments came from 3 new converts and were so meaningful, loved it!  

All of the Sacrament Meeting speakers were young people, Georgia and the full time missionaries. They spoke on the signs of the second coming and kept the message very positive. I was really effected by the message that Jesus Christ our Savior will truly come back to earth again! What a glorious day that will be.

Fran made a great comment on the way home. She said isn’t it great that everyone, young and old listened to their speeches with great interest and learned from them. It is nice to have someone point out to me that in the church all are equally important.

misty fall morning

YSA home evening was nice. Lorna gave a great lesson on the importance of work. The personal testimony she bore about being patient when circumstances make it hard to work productively were very timely for the two of us.

Monday I furiously cleaned and scrubbed. I even cleaned out some cupboards and closets. Tuesday afternoon was the appointment with the specialist; and Wednesday we actually had a very full normal missionary day!

Wed. morning was district meeting. It was good to be taught by hard working dedicated young people. In the afternoon two of the elders helped Bill take the rest of Hanna’s things back to her. We had been storing them for her when she was away in Taiwan over the summer. In the evening we had a very enjoyable YSA meal.

Frazier Miller, Lorna’s brother, returned home from his mission in Spain Wednesday. They came over to the church for a few minutes after the meal. It was kind of sweet to be in the presence of such a freshly returned missionary. I love it! He looked great and of course glowed!

Thursday was a nice busy day again. We had to be up early for the medical screening. We then went to Cosmo, a Pan Asian buffet, for lunch. It was to belatedly celebrate Georgia’s birthday and Fran’s baptism/re-birth. We had a very enjoyable time and got very full. I cannot help but reflect on how very blessed we are to have made such good friends; even better that we were here for this pivotal time of their lives!

Institute Thursday evening was as always very enjoyable. I am so pleased that so many young people are trying hard to make gospel instruction and important part of their week! Balance in our lives is so essential in today’s overly secular world!

me and Helen

Bill taught our little class and his instruction was excellent. Everyone participated. Again, I feel so blessed to rub shoulders with such good people!

After Institute we were able to SKYPE a granddaughter on her birthday. Our grand-kids are just growing up so fast! We also talked to Bill’s sister and his mom. Grandma had an incident Wednesday and spent the night in the hospital. We are glad that everything turned out alright. It was a bit of a scare.

 Life happens every day! The sun rises and shines on everyone, the rain rains on everyone. How thankful am I for the eternal perspective the gospel of Jesus Christ brings to our lives!

Again thanks to you all for your prayers, especially the past couple of weeks! A special thanks to the grand kids! I am confident that all twenty of them are the best spooks in the nation on this Halloween!! Happy Trick or Treating!!

How Gentle God’s Commands…

Morning sun

Oct 23

Sometimes life is super busy and sometimes it comes to a screeching halt. Last two posts were about the busy days. Today not so much. Bill has been under the weather. We have been to the doctor though and he is on medication and will soon be good as new. In the meantime things slowed way down. Friday last week was a rest day. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday not much to report.

This past weekend was buzzing along however! Saturday we were asked to conduct a Preach My Gospel workshop for the Bristol Stake Youth Conference. In 40 minutes we were to teach them how to teach, go over the Restoration discussion and actually have them prepare a lesson to teach each other! I must say that I was quite skeptical that such a task could be done in the time allotted. Four of the missionaries from our Zone assisted, two elders and two sisters. We taught the workshop four times. It was actually amazing that as we used some of the methods practiced in the MTC it worked! They prayed about their lesson and for the most part took the job seriously. Most of them did a great job. There were a couple of goof balls but what do you expect. 

Elder Kirk, Elder Davis, Sister Polidario and Sister Torvinen, her new companion from Finland, were fantastic. They took the role of mentors. They just made suggestions and encouraged each companionship during their preparation. One little girl was a nonmember. The elder helping her picked up on that right away and actually taught her about the restoration as he helped her prepare her lesson!

I was so happy that I had been wrong with my assumptions! Through all of this Bill did not feel at all well, but with prayer and a Priesthood blessing it was very successful!

Saturday evening we had been invited to a get acquainted social in our apartment building. Now I have to admit I was kind of dreading this, especially when I realized that I would have to attend alone. I did bake brownies for it, so when we got home I sucked it up and took them upstairs. I am naturally shy! But because I put forth the effort in a situation that was important not only for us but for other missionaries that will replace us, I was able to greet and chat with everyone. I now know a lot more of my neighbors by face and name. I am so thankful for the blessings of Saturday!!!

Bill had an important responsibility on Sunday too. Medea (Yzing Zhang) from The People’s Republic of China, had asked him to confirm her a member of the church and give her the Holy Ghost. We have been involved with teaching Medea for a long time. She has been investigating for over a year and a half. She called last week and asked if he would baptize her but because we had the Youth Conference assignment he could not. She then asked him to perform the confirmation during Sacrament meeting in her ward on Sunday.

There are a lot of things that are difficult to describe in words. Greeting this good person again after not seeing her for a while, and feeling of her spirit and commitment was overwhelming. She knows that she is a child of God and that she wants Him and the Savior to be a part of her life. She had to make many changes and sacrifices in order to be baptized. Monday she left to return home to China for a month. Thank goodness we will still be here when she returns. She is going to go on line to check out the ward nearest her home. It will take her 9 hours by train to go, so she may just have internet contact with them. She really wants to know how the Church works in her country.

The meeting at Downend ward was great. We were sad we did not get to see our friends in Southmead. Two of our sweet YSA women spoke and for a rest song we sang: “Onward Christian Soldiers”. Which in and of itself is fun to sing, even more enjoyable were the three brothers on the front row signing the song in unison. They have a deaf brother in the ward and one or two members sign to him and with him every week!

Sometimes when we are in the middle of living life we forget to see how remarkable it really is. I am so thankful for these experiences. I am thankful that I can write them down and share them. The best part about this blog is that I can save these moments forever!

A typical Wed meal. This was a couple of weeks ago

We have one more week until Lindsey and Jared come to visit. I am so excited! It will be great to share this wonderful country with them but also to share them with the people we love here!

We have lost two dear friends while we have been serving. I knew we would probably miss some births, but it never occurred to me that we would miss some funerals… Love to the Oscarson family.

As always thank you all for your prayers and support! Sometimes you all seem very far away. Thank goodness for SKYPE, Facebook and the Internet!

You can tell by my cork board that I have been here a long time. Can you detect a theme?

Call life a good gift; call the world fair.

The splendor of Autumn

Looks like my blog day has somehow just crept on to the end of the week. At this rate I will soon be back to posting on Mondays!

Good news last week Hanna came back! It was so very good to see her. She is doing great and will be working hard to finish her paper and her degree! So proud of her she bore her testimony in fast and testimony meeting Sunday! Welcome back friend!!

Institute was great!

After our very busy week last week Friday was our break day. We took the train into London in the morning. We took the underground to our hotel, checked in, left our bag and climbed aboard the tube again and headed to the South Bank to the Shakespeare's Globe Theater. We went to see “The Comedy of Errors”. We have never been to the theater before and it was on our bucket list. Friday was a great Fall day and the atmosphere in the outdoor theater was delightful. Pigeons fly around, the breeze blows the sets and costumes and the standing audience heckles and gets heckled back from the actors! We had nice cozy seats up on the back row under the roof with a place to lean our backs.

Shakespeare's  Globe Theater

After the play we walked back across the Thames River on the Millennial Bridge. The late autumn sun made everything look magical; loved the view of St Paul’s Cathedral as we crossed the river. We were hungry but it was a little early. Unintentionally we just kept walking. Somehow we ended up at Covent Garden. We stopped at Porter’s, a favorite restaurant we have visited many times in the past. It was Friday night so without a reservation there was no room at the Inn.  Instead we ended up at Five Guys! OK! A good ole American hamburger and fries really hit the spot!

Millennial Bridge

walking towards St Paul's

Temple Church

We collapsed into bed, exhausted and ready for a much earned rest. At 2:30 AM the fire alarm went off… We staggered around the room finding coats and shoes and wallets and phones and just as we got into the hall the bell stops ringing. It was a false alarm… It took me 2 hours to get back to sleep!

Saturday we woke up to a beautiful day again, bright sunshine poking out between occasional rain clouds . We decided to go visit the Imperial War Museum. Bill, as he always does, successfully worked out which underground line and connections we needed to get there. The building is very impressive. The displays are very interesting and informative. It was Saturday however and very crowded. Mostly I was impressed that most of the visitors were British. Obviously the history on display means a lot to the citizens of the UK. The story is one of much sacrifice and courage. We wore out fairly quickly so did our best to see the highlights and then went outside to sit in the spotty sunshine!

Imperial War Museum

We headed back to Bristol on the 7:30 pm train, in the meantime we found a great Italian Restaurant in South Kensington that took our order on a Samsung tablet. It was a build your own pasta menu!

Sunday meetings were lovely and FHE that evening was very nice. Quite a good group came. The lesson was very good, appropriately on Fasting and the activity had us all in stitches. Fife McKenny brought an original board game. I guess he created it before his mission. He dusted it off and brought it back. I laughed so much. We just watched, I am not sure I could have figured out the rules if I had tried.  At the end from what I could gather either everyone loses or everyone wins. I think they all lost!

FHE hilarity 

Fife and his game

The first of this week was calm, Monday and Tuesday we were busy around the flat and running errands. Both of us got some correspondence caught up on and spent time preparing for the Stake Youth Conference we will be helping with this week end. Wednesday we enjoyed YSA meal.

Thursday we were back in the Bristol Flyer again heading to Poole for Zone Conference. Elder Alder, of the seventy who is a Area Authority, with his wife was the visiting authority. In spite of leaving our place at about 7:20 AM and driving across town to pick up the Downend sisters and with a new route mapped out from Google it still took until nearly 11 to get there. The drive is beautiful but all on back country roads. The traffic in both Bristol and around Bath very congested. Oh well we got there!

The conference was marvelous! Wow! Elder Adler and Sister Adler really carry an amazing spirit with them. Elder Adler gave an inspiring address about repentance and change and being converted not only to the church but to our mission. He told them, us, the Lord has chosen each of us as individual personalities because we are who we are! He wants all of us to be happy. That joy spreads the gospel!

Sister Adler said that she thinks showers are sacred places, at least when you are a mom they are because it is the only place where you can be alone. As a result she has gotten into the routine of receiving revelation when she is in the shower! 

The revelation she shared with us from that morning was about Abraham. This great prophet was asked to make a huge sacrifice, she said that God knew what Abraham would do, but Abraham had to learn himself what he would do. It is like that in many of the callings and duties we are asked to do in this church and mortality. Our Father and his son Jesus Christ already know that we can handle it, we just have to learn that for ourselves. This process builds faith and confidence. 

She also told the missionaries to beware of the mists of darkness from Satan. He wants to stop us. Like Elder Holland she pointed out to hold on to what we know! She quoted Elder Jorg Klebingat, from this past conference, telling us to be really really good at repenting quickly and really really good at forgiving. These are some of the things we can do to thwart the fiery darts of the adversary! And then partake of the Sacrament worthily every week!

It is a little frustrating that I can only relate their words but cannot recreate in print the powerful spirit and love in which these words of council were given! I just must testify again that the Lord really loves his missionaries!

We did not make it to Institute Thursday because we got back too late and were a bit too weary. I did however read the lesson. We were studying some of my very favorite sections. D&C 6,8 and 9. I just want to share with all of you section 6: 22 and 23…

 22 Verily, verily, I say unto you, if you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.

 23 Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?

So many times in life we are given an answer, we receive a witness and testimony concerning a doctrine, a decision we need help with or a direction to our lives but as we face the challenge of everyday life we become fearful. I love these verses because so many times in my life I have to go back to the very hour when I have felt that confirming feeling and let go of the fear and remember the confirmation! I know you all face the challenges and doldrums of everyday life! Take a moment and in gratitude remember that peace!

I love you all, you become dearer to me every day! Have a good week! Choose the right!

Looking at St Pail's across the river

Hold to the Rod…

Wow, Conference! What else can I say? I feel so thankful that even though I am thousands of miles across the ocean and far away from home I could watch every single session! I am now glad for the opportunity to listen to them again when I want and need to. The web site has them all and so many keep being posted on FB. Then comes the Ensign in a few weeks!

Here are some of the things that I learned; some of the things I am trying to put into my life. I learned that the real manifestations of God’s love are the commandments. I learned be kind, be kind, be kind. I know I need to cherish the privilege of giving fast offerings. Decisions determine destiny, a testimony is like a tree and that I need to be careful not to rationalize… “Lord is it I?” I am very grateful for the gifts of continuous and confirming revelation. I know I need to Stay in the boat and that our choices don’t affect only ourselves.

      Elder Jorg Klebingat listed 6 steps that will bring success and keep away discouragement. I think they are worth mentioning:

1. Take responsibility for your own spiritual well being.
2. Take responsibility for your well being and health.
3. Embrace voluntary and whole hearted obedience. 
4. Become really really good at repenting. 
5. Become good at forgiving. Accept trials, setbacks and surprises as part of the mortal experience.

All of Elder Nelson’s talk teaches us why we follow the prophets. The other talk that just placed everything into perspective for me was Elder Scott’s talk in the Sunday afternoon session. To me it was a clarifying summary of all that was being said and taught to us! He concluded:

"I am not suggesting that all of life’s struggles will disappear as you do these things. We came to mortal life precisely to grow from trials and testing. Challenges help us become more like our Father in Heaven, and the Atonement of Jesus Christ makes it possible to endure those challenges. I testify that as we actively come unto Him, we can endure every temptation, every heartache, every challenge we face, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Wow I am glad that I have taken this opportunity to solidify in my own mind many of the insights I have gained form this past General Conference!

OK on with the rest of the week. We spent the last three days driving back and forth to London. Monday we drove all over Bristol picking up and dropping off companions so that we could drive Elder Barron and Sister Connery to the mission office because they have honorably completed their assignment as full time missionaries!

Monday night we stayed overnight at the accommodation center after 6 + hours in the car making our way through the driving rain! Tuesday we were going to do some family sealings but the session would be too late for us to get back to the new missionary flat and the finish touches. Because we did not go in however we were able to embrace and say fond farewell to several of the missionaries we have been privileged to serve with here including Uncle Craig’s niece Sister Jonni Clark! God be with you all!!

good bye Sis Bolinder

good bye Sis Moangare

farewell Elder Barron and Sis Connery

Sis Watt is still here one more transfer

When we got back late afternoon we drove over to Downend and finished putting the last of the furniture together, hang a picture of the London Temple on the wall and make sure the boiler worked so that the elders would have hot water! We were tired when we went to bed that night!

Wednesday up bright and early again to drive to Weston and pick up 2 sisters and 1 sisters luggage, drive to bath, drop of 1 sister and pick up 2 more with 1 more set of luggage. Let’s just say our little "Bristol Flyer" is not made to hold that much stuff! After much maneuvering and shoving we got it all in and then got stuck in traffic. By the time we got to Staines they were all waiting for us…

Sis Stuart trying to squeeze herself in

these are my knees being squished by that suit case in the front seat

a random van we were stuck behind on the motorway,
guess there are wild apes and monkeys in wales...

To return we took 2 new sisters and their stuff back to Bath, then on to Downend in Bristol. We can accommodate 2 extra passengers and possessions but not so much 3. Whew!! Got home late and relaxed by watching The Great British Bake Off along with 10,000,000 other British people.

This morning is a beautiful fall day! Hanna is home and we get to see her today!

Lord, accept into thy kingdom…

This has been a good week with a lot going on! I hope I do not forget anything, not for you readers sake, but for my own sake. I want to record and keep these important memories.

The best news of the week was Francine’s baptism last Saturday. There are baptismal services and there are baptismal services…this one was exceptional! I think it was so because of her sweet spirit. Her father performed both ordinances: baptism and confirmation. It is easy to see where she gets her gentle nature.

The spirit of the service from the opening song to closing was powerful! Everyone there was edified. I am thankful for the privilege of witnessing and participating in such a profound experience. “Sweet is the peace the gospel brings…”

OK back to the events of the week. Thursday Institute started back up. We get the opportunity to teach the beginning class again. The subject is the Doctrine & Covenants.The attendance last week was splendid! Our hope, stake goal is to double attendance. The opportunity for these young people to come together in a gospel study class, studying and listening to a phenomenal instructor and to learn from each other is really priceless. The trick is to help them all see that this is the case and embrace it!

Friday Bill went to the Rugby game with Adrian and Brenda and I stayed home to serve dinner and entertain a girl’s evening in the night before the baptism. All in all we each had a very enjoyable evening. I can tell you this assignment is keeping me young!

Bristol Rugby

Sunday was a lovely day! We had ward conference with so many stake visitors. The singing was wonderful! The lessons and talks were very uplifting.

The crowning event of the Sabbath this week was the baby blessing back home of Julia Colleen Preece. Pictures have been shared and we got to talk to the little family and coo to the baby on SKYPE! Family truly is one of my greatest blessings!

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday this week have been nonstop shopping and gathering in order to accomplish the task of furnishing the new missionary flat by next Wednesday. It has been exhausting and I must say a little daunting deciding the wisest use of the Lord’s money!

Thursday again, Institute was great! The turnout was fantastic and everyone enjoyed themselves so much.  The YSA leaders goal emphasizing reaching out to the one is working. So many lovely friends that we have not seen for a while and new friends that will enrich our group! I am a happy YSA senior missionary!!

Sorry that it is taking me so long to get this blog posted this week. Today was the culminating day with the new missionary flat. We met the Zone Leaders at IKEA this morning and they helped us put all the boxes on trolleys and load up the Enterprise van. All of the elders in the district came to help plus Lorna and Nathan. There were boxes and bolts and nuts, Allen wrenches and furniture pieces all over the place but by about 3:30 in the afternoon everything was assembled except for one chest of drawers. It was a great united effort and a wonderful way to prepare for new members to our district family!

left hand corner, Elder Davies and the Ikea automated "geedonk" machine!

The sisters will be helping tomorrow with the last piece of furniture and we still need to find curtains then it will all be ready and waiting! I have to admit I have quite a feeling of accomplishment and relief right now!

It is with joy and anticipation that we await General Conference. This will be the third one since we arrived in England. Modern technology is so wonderful, by staying up just a little late both Saturday and Sunday we can watch every session live. Bill will go over to the Stake center on Sunday morning to watch the Priesthood station because we would have to be up at about 2:00 am to see it live. I hope that each of you will take the time to watch all or most of Conference and feast on the words of Latter-Day Prophets. Do not ever take that for granted!

I love you all so much. Your faith and prayers are felt and support me through each day. I love the young people of the Bristol England Stake. I love the leaders who are dedicated to serving and changing lives!

Happy Conference watching!!!

Sister Erasmus singing  an original song about our district, The cake is her birthday cake