Whittle le Woods

Wouldn't you love to have an address like this:

15 Lea Road
Whittle le Woods, England

I think it is a most delightful name. Whittle le Woods is a little community that borders the temple. Today, the sun was shining, the smell of spring was in the air, the missionaries were in class and we went for a walk. We found ourselves in a beautiful little neighbourhood in Whittle le Woods. People were out walking their dogs, washing their cars and chatting over the fence. We stopped and did a fair amount of our own chatting with many of them and lo and behold, we found a young family who has a brother living in Sandy, Utah. Now what are the chances of that! It naturally led to why we are here. The brother and wife are not members but love living in Utah (in the highly Mormon populated Sandy). We have to hope they have good neighbours! This couple has been to utah, the temple, the pioneer museum, etc. Loved it. And we loved our walk in the English countryside!

Life is good here -- especially on days like this. This morning I took some time to visit with each missionary. Some of them just need a little mothering and this morning they got it. Some of them struggle with just little things, but they are big to them -- like no mail from home. (president called the parents today and asked them to please email by the end of the day and he will be allowed to check his email this afternoon even tho it is not P Day.) He just needs to know his parents are thinking of him. One was having bad dreams every night (president will deal with that one), one had never felt any love in his home and now finds himself in an environment where he is loved and valued. It is really sweet when a strapping young man begins to weep and admit that he is homesick or worried, or timid. One elder never expects to hear from his family and asked if he could use his email time to write to his sister, who will answer and respond to him. I spent some time with one young man who is very shy and encouraged him to smile and to speak up. He is so cute but just so painfully shy. But his heart is good and he will be fine.

Each missionary comes with a different package of challenges and gifts. The trick is to sort them out and help them. This group is so diverse. One young man from Romania speaks good English. He is the only member in his family and is a true pioneer in his country. He is working so hard (almost too hard) to prove to the Lord that he can do it, even with no support from home. And then there is our amazing elder from Ismir, Turkey -- the first missionary to ever come from Ismir. We have twice been in Ismir in the past 2 years, so it is wonderful to share our feelings of his homeland. He spoke NO English when he arrived. But today, we conversed in short sentences. I learned that his parents are Muslim. The missionaries found him knocking on doors. He is your typical short (not tall), dark and handsome Turkish lad. And he is so happy!!!! One of the most well adjusted in the group. While here both he and the elder from Romania have been able to go to the temple for the first time and receive their Patriarchal Blessings. For both of them these were significant events.

Have I mentioned latedly how blessed we all are. We have everything!