Meet the Missionaries

This is a small group of 15 but we have never known a more JOYFUL group. The day we took them on the Church History Tour, they were just like sponges, soaking up everything! They were so happy they could hardly contain themselves. At the conclusion, when we gathered to share testimonies, there were so many tears, so much gratitude and such childlike faith. It simply melts your heart to be in their presence. As usual they are from all over the world. What is unusual is that there is only one from the USA. One of the miracles is that they arrive as strangers gathered from the far corners of the earth, and they leave as dearest friends. I know I say this everytime, but it will be so hard to say good-bye to this group. Each one is such a little jewel. Let me share just a few of them with you.
Meet Elders Curran and Torjesen. Elder Curran is an English convert of two years and he teaches with such conviction. On the train this week he leaned over to the man next to him and said, "Do you mind if I share a story with you. It is a story about me and what happened to me two years ago." He then shared the story of his conversion and of course, the man was taken in and accepted the B of M.
Elder Torjesen is from Norway, going to serve in Sweden. He is one of those tall, handsome Scandinavians with a smile that lights up the world! I don't know how anyone could turn him away.

Meet Sisters Carson and Herrera. Sister Carson is our lone American. She is from Lindon, Utah and her favorite pastime is calf roping in rodeos. She stepped off a horse and into the mission field and is doing missionary work with the gusto of a rodeo champ.

Sister Herrera is from Costa Rica. She is a convert to the church -- the only member in her family. She is as sweet and happy and full of the spirit as I have ever seen.

Meet Elders Atkinson and Mahendran. Elder Atkinson is from England, the quiet steady type, and Elder Mahendren is from Germany. His family is from Sri Lanka and was Islam. They joined the church 7 years ago. People are always surprised that German is is native tongue. He is the epitomy of tall, dark and handsome. He is always happy. He smiles continually. There is an air of quite dignity about him. And he is fearless. He will be a wonderful missionary.

Elder Tabakace is from Figi. When he arrived he was so soft spoken -- feeling a bit out of his element. But all that has changed. When we are out on the streets, he is so bold!!! He talks with everyone. And I mean everyone! He went with one of our instructors who could hardly keep up with him. He received his patriarcial blessing while he was here and was given some promises regarding missionary work -- and since then, wow! Look out world.....here he comes!

Meet Sister Louis from Bangalore, India. She is a convert and the first missionary to come from her little branch. She learned English by going to an English class taught by the missionaries. And she loves to use it. She talks and talks and talks. And you are rivited by everything she says. She arrived with no coat. She just could not imagine it could be THAT cold here! So right off, we had to run her to the market where we bought the only coat that fit her (sort of). But she loves it. We call her "Pretty in pink!" and she wears it most of the time. She is simply overwhelmed with the entire experience -- the gospel in her life, being in England, being around these other wonderful young people, receiving her patriarcial blessing, receiving her endowment. She brought with her the names of her grandparents so she could have their temple work done while she is here. The first week she went to the temple for the first time. She then wanted to do the work for her grandmother(whose name she has). But the preliminary ordinances needed to be done so we made special arrangements for her to be baptised for 4 of her grandmothers. She asked President Walker if he would do the baptisms. I wish you could have seen it......The two of them in the water performing the sacred ordinance for her grandmothers. We were all so emotional Richard had a hard time getting the words out. As I watched, there flashed through my mind the remarkable gift this young girl from Bangalore India has given to her family -- on both sides of the veil.

And now, the frosting on the cake.....Today we took her to the temple to have her great grandparents sealed (Richard and I were proxy) and then she was proxy for her grandmother who was sealed to parents.
We took all 4 of the sisters with us and they did sealings for temple names. None of them had ever been in a sealing room and they were loving every minute of it.
Sometimes there is more emotion than you can contain.

Another day on the streets

Piccadilly Gardens in downtown Manchester where we talk with strangers and play with pidgeons. One very funny elder told of holding a pidgeon in one hand while he taught. When he finished, his hand --- well, let's just say he ran to find some soap and water! But it was worth it.....another B of M placed.

This is the way it is done. Two by two, boldly sharing their message. It is amazing to watch. They walk up to strangers and open their mouths and people listen. These sisters gave out 12 Books of Mormon in 2 hours and loved every minute of it.



We only had 15 missionaries with us - 8 companionships and they came back with 38 referrals that were given to the full time missionaries. They never cease to amaze me.

When we return to the MTC they report on their experiences. Sometimes we laugh, sometimes we cry but we are always filled with their amazing faith and fearless efforts.

"One stranger said, 'I know all about you Mormons. The Bible says you cannot worship God and Mormons!' 'No, no no, that would be God and Mammon sir!'" (another B of M placed)



"I just walked up to a man and said, 'You look really happy so I think we can talk to you!'"
(another B of M placed)

"One man said he couldn't talk to us because he was going to the photo shop. 'Funny thing', we said. 'That is just where we are going.'" (Another B of M placed and in the fly leaf of the book he wrote, "Two very nice boys!")

Elder: "Do you believe in God?"

Man on street: "There is NO GOD!"
Fearless Elder chased after him: "Why do you think there is no God?"

Man on street ended up with a B of M and a promise to read it!

Harrogate

Welcome to Harrogate. Another spectacular city in Northern England. We have a missionary here right now who is from Harrogate and has been telling us how beautiful his city is so on Monday (preparation day) we ventured out. Sure enough! He was right. It is a city rich in architecture, green space and charm. It was an overcast day (so what else is new?) but the rain never became more that a mist, so we walked the streets and enjoyed the sights.


Every city is built around a cathedral. Harrogate is no different.

The hotels all have the old world charm and sophistication of days gone by.

The entire city is filled with green spaces, grass and flowers and beautiful obelisks.
Harrogate is also a spa town once known for the healing effects of the surfur hot springs. Even today you can sip the spring water and it will cure what ails you! And it smells and tastes just like the mineral hot pots that bubble and smell in Yellowstone Park. So nasty!!!!! I would just as soon have the ailment it is meant to cure!!

Quite by accident we stumbled on to a beautiful park whose show piece was a garden of dahlias! For those of you who have every tried to grow them you will know the work and care that goes into them. But these were simply spectacular!!!

I doubt we will ever run out of beautiful things to see and do.

October 1, 2011

I don't know about you, but I am sitting here wondering if we had a September! It came and went so fast that I must have missed it. I have been reminded that fall is coming because outside my office window there is a tree whose changing leaves remind me that Mother Nature is in charge and doing her thing. But as far as fall weather. What is that?

It was cold and rainy until the first of this week and then something happened. It was as if summer had been forgotten and so Mother Nature decided to throw it in at the last minute. This week we are breaking records. Yesterday and today are the hottest days on record for this time of year. A whopping 78 degrees! Nothing for you, but for us.........WOW! There is almost a feeling of urgency among everyone that they must get out and enjoy it while it lasts. The roads are bumper to bumper, the buses are loaded and the trains are on overflow.

And we have joined the masses. Everyday we go for a long walk. We jump in the car and within a mile in any direction we find public footpaths. We park and walk and walk and walk, down country lanes, across pastures, through graveyards, picking and eating the wild blackberries and marveling at the beauty of this place.

Friday we had another one of those days on the streets of Manchester. It is always scary and always fun. We placed 4 Books of Mormons to people who promised to read and pray about it and welcome the missionaries in to teach them. On those days we come home higher than a kite. That is when you really begin to get inside the skin of what it feels like to be a missionary!!! And it is fun!

We had an interesting experience on the train hom We sat by a foursome of big, loud, beer guzzling bruisers who told the missionaries they could sit by them if they didn't talk relgion. Fair enuf, we said. But of course it was not long before they were asking questions......"where are you from..?" "Italy, Denmark, Brazil, America". They were stunned and that led to more questions. "What are you doing here? How long do you serve? Why in the world would you do such a thing?" They moved from taunting to genuine interest. The elder sitting closest to them got a dozen questions thrown at him. And we just sat and listened to him respond to every one in a most amazing way. This young elder is a soccer player and coach and was headed for the big leagues when he met the elders and was converted to the church. He shared his feelings with these big guys and they were moved. We were so proud of him!!! However, there was one of these big bruisers that continually used foul language. Another in the group suggested to him that he tame it, as there was a lady in the crowd. But he continued.

We talked and laughed and had a good time. As we pulled into our station and I stood to leave the train, I told them how much we enjoyed riding with them and talking with them. It had been very informative and entertaining. And then I turned to the foulmouthed man and said, "But you need to know that it was very hard for me hear the language you were using. I am not used to it and it was very uncomfortable." And then the most amazing thing happened. All the other big bruisers began to jump on him and apologize for him and tell me they were sorry and that they were out of line. I smiled and accepted their apology while the elders stood by watching. When we got off the train they were cheering. It was a David and Goliath story and the little guy won! This led to a wonderful discussion on how to diffuse anger when people are attacking you.

It is simply amazing how the Lord empowers you when you are on His errand. The elders felt it in that moment as did I. This is an amazing work!

Castles, castles and more castles.....

Just when we thought we had seen them all.....

We went to Caernarfon. We were told it was grand, but in fact it is larger than grand. It is here that the future king is confered the title of "Prince of Wales." When his father becomes king the next in line receives this title -- so when the current Prince of Wales, namely Prince Charles, becomes king, William will become the Prince of Wales and he will crowned such in an elaborate ceremony in this massive castle. I guess if you've got a few castles, you might as well use them..(just a little English trivia!)
We had gone to the Isle of Angelsey to speak at a ward fireside. This is about a 2 hour drive and since it was Friday evening, we stayed overnight and made our way back via this castle.

Look out President! Those things could be dangerous!!!

How's this for a view from your balcony!

This is a pix of the last coronation when Prince Charles became the Prince of Wales!!

Honestly, who needs stage props when you have a backdrop like this! Hang a few banners, put up a canopy for rain and you're there!!!