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!