We are all Enlisted…..Happy are we

A January morning

On Sunday Elder Terry in his testimony quoted 2Nephi 9: 30 …and to be Spiritually Minded Is Life Eternal = SMILE. How blessed are we, all who make the covenant of baptism! We are engaged in spreading word of the great plan of happiness. All I can say is that I am not sure I could have anticipated the feelings of joy that I have been mine while serving as a full-time missionary. Happy New Year!

The past week as always, brought many enjoyable activities and moments. On Saturday we attended the wedding of Ben and Helen in Cardiff, Wales, two very fine members (now former members) of our Bristol YSA. Such a joyful occasion! The beginning of an eternal family!

For my US friends I need to explain that here in the UK all weddings must happen in public so a civil wedding has to take place before the temple sealing. I was not sure what to expect because this is very different from my past experience. The ceremony itself took place in the chapel. There was a bridal procession. There was an opening and closing song and some lovely words from family members before the vows were uttered. Then joyfully the newly married couple marched down the isle out of the chapel and we all followed. Next was an organized picture taking session and a lovely sit down luncheon. Speeches were made from the head table kicked off with the traditional best man’s speech. Everyone raised their glasses of sparkling cider in a toast as each speaker finished their remarks.

Then the bride and groom headed to the London Temple to have their marriage solemnized. I am so happy for these wonderful young people and the start of their eternity together!

As Monday morning dawned so did the realization that this is truly our last month in this assignment! I must admit I have mighty and mixed emotions! One moment the aspect of being reunited with my children and grandchildren is so thrilling. The very next moment realizing who and what I will miss when we leave is overwhelming! I know all of this is normal.

Tuesday morning listening to Alma 26 as I took my morning walk, I felt as though the words were just for me, a comforting tender mercy from my Father in Heaven:

… that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work.…

… behold the number of your sheaves! And they shall be gathered into the garners, that they are not wasted.

 But behold, they are in the hands of the Lord of the harvest, and they are his; and he will raise them up at the last day.

 But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom; but behold, my joy is full, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God.

  Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.

This week we had two lunch dates with two lovely YSA women from our stake. On Tuesday we met Medea at ‘Five Guys’. She is a newly baptized convert from mainland China. The conversation was delightful. She has a favorite hamburger now. Such enjoyable company!

Medea

Wednesday we met our friend Narraser at ‘Wagamama’ a local Japanese noodle restaurant. The topic of conversation turned to the YSA in our stake and in her ward. She is the Rep from her ward. Good to know that this program is going well and is in good hands.

Narrasa 

Thursday morning we attended district meeting at the Southmead building. This is the first meeting of this transfer and we have a new district leader and one new missionary. Elder Terry is the new DL and an elder from France, Elder Didier is now with Elder Morelli in Downend ward. Lunch was good, runny burritos (re fried beans are not readily available so they used baked beans and kidney beans).

We brought a large box of missionary supplies from our flat since it will be closing down. It was so fun to watch these 19 and 20 year old boys and girls attacking this box of religious materials as if it were a Christmas package! They are just such great people!

Thursday evening Institute started back up after the Christmas break. Before class we were able to attend our last Stake YSA Committee meeting. It is hard to express our feelings of love and admiration for all of the people in that room. What a rich experience! Again I am not sure that I quite understood the depth of the relationships we would forge with the saints here in Bristol England. We will leave as missionaries do; they tend to come and go. But for us however these moments are unique and singular. They are embedded in our hearts for eternity!

Again I turn to Alma as I close this week:

O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!

I ought not to harrow up in my desires the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction.

 Now, seeing that I know these things, why should I desire more than to perform the work to which I have been called?

 For behold, the Lord doth grant unto all nations, of their own nation and tongue, to teach his word, yea, in wisdom, all that he seeth fit that they should have; therefore we see that the Lord doth counsel in wisdom, according to that which is just and true.

Alma 29