Let every heart prepare him room…

Merry Christmas! We do not have snow here but it is cold and crispy, at least just enough. I love the chill in the morning when I walk. This is the season when it just does not seem right to have warm days and palm trees. I know that is what I have at home, we make do. I just feel more Christmassy when I have to bundle a little and can see my breath!

The other morning when I was walking I thought of the changing of the seasons. It is delightful walking on the Downs and experiencing each one; The crispness of an autumn mist, the foggy mornings of winter, the pale green awakening of spring and the warm breeze of summer. The route I take has so many memories attached to it. It is in these quite moments at the beginning of the day that I listen to the scriptures, ponder the wonders of the gospel, and contemplate how to best help the YSA, investigators and missionaries. Here is where I try to come to terms with the lessons that I am learning. Some of those lessons require swallowing pride and repentance. This lovely scene recalls to me feelings about the Book of Mormon, for it is here where I absorbed the words and regained a powerful witness of its truthfulness!

Winter

Spring

Summer

Fall

OK back to the events of the week...Last week’s post was in the middle of our semi-annual Bristol Stake Conference. We were able to attend 2 sessions and a special fireside of the conference and Elder Olsson of the 8^th quorum of the 70 presided and spoke. He is from Sweden, not only does he have a very sweet spirit about him but listening to his wonderful Scandinavian accent was delightful.

It was just so nice to listen to words of council and bask in the spirit brought by our leaders. For me the highlight of the whole conference occurred during the Saturday session. Fran spoke as a new convert and her talk was brilliant! I cannot explain the feeling of joy that I felt, just like Doctrine & Covenants 18: 15… “How great shall be your joy with her in the kingdom of my Father!”

Sunday afternoon the doorbell rang and two little Christmas Elves came to visit and spent the afternoon. What a pleasant surprise and enjoyable way to spend the Sabbath!

We ended up visiting the Southmead Hospital each of the first three days of this week. Monday morning we got a call that one of the sister missionaries in the Downend ward had to be taken in an ambulance because she was in a lot of pain. I spent the afternoon in A&E with the sisters as she waited for care. Bill drove back and forth with the Southmead Elders so that she could be administered to, then they needed to get back to E-mail their folks. It seems she may have passed a kidney stone. She was sent home with antibiotics for UTI.

Tuesday we had District meeting. The Zone leaders came and it was a very good meeting. New missionaries and new leaders give a different flavor each time but always a feeling of commitment and dedication. Elder Rolz from Germany fed us a German dish made from pancake batter, onion and cheese. It was interesting and tasty. After the meeting we went up to the hospital again because our Bishop had asked if we would look in on a sister from another city who was too far from her family for frequent visits. We drove around for a half hour and could not find a place to park. The facility is brand new and huge but without adequate parking for its size. 

We went home and came back on Wednesday. After waiting for a parking spot for about 10 or 15 minutes we were able to stay. I am so glad we did. Such a sweet sister! You could tell she did not feel well at all but was very pleasant to us an appreciative that we had come to see her. We left her with a prayer and the assurance that Heavenly Father is mindful of her.

We left the hospital and headed to Cribs Causeway mall where we met Hanna for a very nice lunch. Since she has returned to Bristol we have not been able to spend very much time with her and it was so wonderful to catch up. She is doing so well and loves the church. How thankful I am that we could witness the miracle of conversion last year! What a joy to watch her learn about and embrace Christianity! The festiveness of the shopping mall and the good company left us feeling very happy!

Thursday was institute so the day was one of preparation. The attendance was small but the spirit was good! It's the season for colds, flu and illness which is probably why we were few in numbers.

Today is Dec 5 and our release date is Feb 5, yikes, exactly 2 months!! Seems like time has gone so fast some days and yet slowly on others. I have learned so much! Lest you should think it is always a bed of roses, I will confess that is not always the case. Those times of challenge, lack of patience and sadness keep teaching me so much! This morning I was listening to the General Women’s conference to Sister Marriott’s talk, she was sharing about a temple visit during a difficult time in her life. Something that she said describes very well what such learning moments are like:

Through the pure spirit of revelation in the temple, I was taught of my utter need for a Redeemer. I turned immediately to the Savior Jesus Christ in my thoughts and felt my anguish melt away and a great hope spring up in my heart. He was my only hope, and I longed to cling only to Him. It was clear to me that a self-absorbed natural woman “is an enemy to God”⁷ and to people in her sphere of influence. In the temple that day I learned it was only through the Atonement of Jesus Christ that my prideful nature could change and that I would be enabled to do good. I felt His love keenly, and I knew He would teach me by the Spirit and change me if I gave my heart to Him, holding back nothing.

How I love you all! I know that my ability to love has increased much while I have been serving. I have felt the Savior’s love for the great people I have met and worked with! And my love for you, my dear friends and family has also increased! My cup runneth over!

Merry Christmas again!

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