A Spiritual Oasis

We live in an enviroment that is rich in the spirit. We talk about it. We learn about it. We practice it. We are aware of it. We are surrounded by it. We feast on it. We are wrapped in it. We are protected by it. Very little of the world seeps in and the problems that arise are solved through the promptings and whisperings of the spirit.

Example: There are always those who have companionship trouble. There are those who have trouble focusing. There are those who are homesick or physically sick. There are others who place unrealistic demands on themselves and those who worry about what is going on at home. There are those who come with unresolved sins and those who think they have no testimony -- and those who think they have made a big mistake by coming and on and on......One week into the MTC is usually the benchmark. It is when the dam breaks and the flood begins. But little things begin to happen. The spirit begins to heal them and it is wonderful to watch them break lose from the grips of the world and begin to submit themselves to the spirit and to the work......and then to watch them flutter their wings and begin to fly. Each day the pace excelerates and their capacity to learn is expanded. It is no wonder that missionaries come home a new person.....so different from the mere boy or girl they were when they left.

Well, seems I got a little carried away but back to the reason for this post.

Even though we live in this spiritual oasis, we still have need for continual spiritual nourishment. And it comes - and once in a while there is a spectacular moment when we are reminded that the Lord loves us and is using us. Such was Friday.

It was the day we took this group into Manchester to go street contacting. Richard and I have both been sick -- terrible colds, feeling miserable -- and yesterday we hit rock bottom. It was a cold, windy day and we were both beginning to wish we had stayed home in bed. I was quickly convincing myself that it would not be wise for us to be in the cold air and today we did not need to be on the streets contacting. About an hour into this pity party we both began to realize that the adversary had us just where he wanted us and we walked to the local square looked around, zeroed in on a young man taking pictures with a camera on a tripod and approached him. Within 10 minutes we had taught the restoration, given him a BofM, had his information and his permission to send the missionaries to his home. He is a young student, living with his parents. The family used to go to church, but don't anymore, because it just didn't do anything for them. He said his father would probably not be interested, but his mother would! Bingo! Just like that, we were taken to him.

And as if that was not enough. The next girl also took a BofM and then it was getting late so we stepped inside a restuarant to get something to eat. An older woman sat down at the table next to us. She leaned over and asked where we were from. Before we were finished, she had taken a Bof M and asked us if we could come to her home and teach her more. Her husband died in March and she is feeling lost and alone. The amazing thing is that she did not order any food. She was just sitting there to get out of the cold while she waited for a friend. When we finished talking, she got up and left. We have an appointment to meet with her Monday afternoon and then will turn her over to the missionaries. It was as if the Lord just picked that woman up and sat her next to us and when we had given her what she needed, he picked her up again and took her away.

We walked back to the train, stunned. The Lord had simply delivered 3 people to us in the space of 30 minutes. Imagine what we could have done if we had not wasted the first hour!

It is so good for us to feel what the missionaries feel. To understand their highs and lows. They are so amazing! When we returned yesterday we had a sister who fell apart. She felt like she could have done more -- could have been more effective -- could have been braver -- and on and on. So what else is new!!!!!

I never get over the thrill of it all.

Easter, Wedding, Mother's Day

This latest group of missionaries was the largest of the year. They came from England, Ireland, South Africa, Scotland, China, Singapore, Germany and 22 of them from the USA. The large group of Americans brought with them an openness and playfulness that is usually not present in those from other nations. But it does not take long before they begin to unify and support one another. it is a great experience for them to work together and learn of other cultures.




These missionaries experienced 3 major events while they were here. The first was Easter. It was a beautiful sunny day and we had an Easter egg hunt on the grounds. They were to find 2 plastic eggs, One egg was numbered and the other was plain. Both had candy, but the numbered ones each had a scripture and put together they told the Easter Story.

We gathered together, read the scriptural account of the crucifixion and resurrection and had several musical numbers that they had put together. It was a beautiful day and we all felt the true spirit of Easter.

The 2nd event was the royal wedding and I have already blogged about that.

A birthday is always a special occasion and the chef bakes a beautiful cake. Here is Elder Turner getting ready to endulge himself!

And finally Mother's Day!

They were all able to call home. They had not been gone from home very long, nevertheless, it was a welcomed call and most were bujoyed by the encouraging words they received from home.
Having been the recipient of those phone calls in years past, I relived the excitement that goes on at home when that missionary is connected by phone from across the world! Oh Joy!

Now, the picture above.......

The sister missionaries went to Walmart and bought matching scarves. They all wore them that day and in Relief Society, they presented Sister Williams and me with a scarf and a Happy Mother's Day Card. We linked our scarves together and shared our love and testimony.

"...........having our hearts knit together in unity and in love one towards another"

Mosiah 18:21

By the day of departure they are ready and excited to get on with their missions, but there are still lots of tears. They have come to love one another. The pangs of homesickness have disappeared. Any companionship trouble has dissolved and been replaced by love.

........and so at the end of their stay when the busses pull out into the morning dawn we wave our final good-bye with a prayer in our hearts that all will be well with them.

Benbow Farm and Gadfield Elm

During our break we took a little 2 day jaunt to Benbow Farm and Gadfield Elm. We explored a bit on our way and the picture above is of historic interest. This elevated building is in Ledbury and dates back to 1633 - 53. Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff and Willard Richards all served here for a time in the 1840's.
This small church is a neighbor to Benbow Farm. When Elder Woodruff was preaching at the home of John Benbow, the rector of this parish sent a constable to arrest Elder Woodruff. The constable was invited to sit until the end of the sermon, and at the conclustion, rather than arrest Elder Woodruff, the constable requested baptism. Following this episode, the rector sent two others to learn what was being preached and they too were converted. That ended inquires by the rector!

Benbow Farm is a beautiful, pastoral farm. It was here that Elder Woodruff first preached and two days later, in this pond he baptized the Benbows and several others in the Church. This continued as many others came into the church. The pond and surrounding areas are today owned by Robert and Louise Manning who have been generous by allowing visitors to freqent the area.

The home at Benbow Farm. The day we were there Robert was kind enough to invite us in and show us around. They are chicken farmers and raise 141,000 chickens and farm 300 acres.

Wonderful people and great friends of the church.

The highlight of the day was Gadfield Elm. This is a tiny chapel in the middle of nowhere! This little building was given to the church in 1840. Brigham Young, Wilford Woodruff and Willard Richards preached in this hall. In 1842 the chapel was sold to help those who were emigrating. Various owners held title to it for a century and a half. Finally a group of interested Latter-day Saints organized a trust and purchased the building at auction. The Trust then donated it to the church in 2004. It was first dedicated by Elder Holland and then on May 27, 2004, President Hinckley visited this spot and again offered a prayer and planted a tree to commemorate the occasion.

This is supposed to be the oldest chapel in the church.

The house is not manned but there is a key pad (above) with questions that you answer and then the door is unlocked.

If you can answer these questions, you can unlock the door. Very clever, don't you think?

It was a wonderful little break and reminded us once again of those early saints who made such sacrifices.

Post Script

Our final testimony meeting is always tender. Lots of loving expressions are shared. Our Elder Hlalaphi shared this: "All my life color has been an issue. I have been teased and abused and taunted. Color is BIG in my country and I have always been so aware of it! The first day I walked into the MTC I looked around and realized that I was in an "all white" environment and I thought, "here I go again!" But it wasn't long before I began to feel like one of you. And today I can say that for the first time in my life, I no longer see color. Instead I see my brothers and sisters in the gospel and I am one with you!"

Another young man, who is painfully shy and has little self esteem, said that the first time one of the elders told him they loved him, he thought they were joking. In fact, he thought they were making fun of him, but in time he came to realize that they really meant it. For the first time he felt loved and accepted -- even valued!

And still another VERY British missionary meeting said, "I never thought I would say this, but I LOVE my American brothers!

The gospel does wonderful things for people!

Elder Hlalaphi is from Cape Town South Africa, a city of about 2.5 million people. He joined the church as a young man -- the only member in his family. He was raised by a single mother and has 3 siblings.

He is the first missionary to come from his branch and they have nurtured him and helped him prepare for a mission.

When he left home, he told his mother that she needed to understand that he was going for 2 years and would not come home for anything.

A week after his arrival in the MTC, we received word that his sister had passed away. This sister had suffered with serious health problems most of her life, nevertheless her death was very unexpected.

President Walker had the very sad task of telling him of his sister's passing. He was broken hearted and his heaving sobs almost broke my heart. He asked if we would get his companion so that he could tell him. His companion lost his own mother 2 days before he submitted his mission papers so they sat and wept together. It was a beautiful spring evening and we walked with him and his companion around the temple grounds while he told us all about his sister. She was his greatest support -- she loved him and stood up for him when others turned their backs on him. His grief was almost dibilitating.

Later that evening he called his mother. He was stunned at her reaction. She reminded him that when he left he told her that no matter what, he would not come home and she did not want him to break that commitment.

This assurance from his mother brought such peace and that combined with a beautiful blessing President Walker gave him brought him understanding and almost within hours he was back to missionary work and moving forward.

He is a young man of great faith and an amazing amount of gospel knowledge. He fully recognizes that he is laying the groundwork for the gospel in his family and in his country.

He is one who has been singled out, chosen for a great work.

It is a privlege to know him.

Bronte Country

The little village of Haworth is complete with cobblestone streets and quaint shops. Lots of antiques with vintage clothing.

The Moors.........

This bridge is 1000 years old...

Monday (our P Day) we took another little trip that loosened some memories of years gone by when I read Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights and saw myself galloping across the Moors on a white steed.....running to and from love.....!

Well, it wasn't quite like that -- no white horse -- no running to and from love -- nevertheless it was Bronte Country complete with Moors.

And we did head out across the moors -- on foot -- wandering among the sheep and feeling the wind in our faces.

It was a spectacular day. We are having unseasonable weather.

April was the dryest month on record.

Not good for farmers but great for us.

We visited two little villages -- Wycoller and Haworth.

Both drip with charm

Both are filled with remnants of the Bronte family.