A cozy group

These are the Karyan sisters.  They are from Armenia and are one year apart in age.  They recreived their calls the same day.  One is going to London and one to London South Mission.  It will be the first time they have ever been apart.  They have even slept together their entire lives.  They arrived at the MTC carrying their teddy bears (their new nighttime companions).  We call them by their first names,  Sister Araks and Sister Ani.  Sister Ani speaks English very well and Sister Araks is still learning.  She is so funny.  When she is at the pulpit, she is always stopping and asking her sister for a word.....don't know what she will do when they are apart.  It is a good thing they are in a threesome and have a 3rd companion.   They are slowly get used to being with others. 
One of them told me she has a dream -- she can see a big table with grandma and grandpa sitting at the head, then she and her sister and their families all down the sides of the table.  "We be a BIG family and we all be in church!"  Right now only her mother is a member. I so hope her dream comes true.

But they are such beautiful girls -- and so full of faith.  They are the only children of their parents.  Their father works construction in Russia because there is no work in Armenia.  He comes home every 8 months.  They rarely see him but they idolize him.  Their mother is now alone but is so happy these girls are serving.  She will probably go to Russia to be with her husband while the girls are away.  They are little jewels.  We would love to bring them home with us.  They tell us they will be coming to Salt Lake to be married in the Salt Lake Temple, but it will be in a few years.   (We hope there are young men in this world who are good enough for them).

 

We only have 8 missionaries in this group......three sisters and 5 elders. As you can see, we practically have one on one with them.   It is so cozy and so fun!  We love them to bits!

 

Elder Tikoicina is from Figi.  He flew here via Suva, Nandi, Auckland, Singapore, London, Manchester and here.  It took him a mere 29 hours of air time.  He arrived exhausted and freezing cold.  But he has done so well and is so happy.  Once his feet got used to shoes and he got a coat, gloves and scarf, he settled right in.
The others are from England and the USA other than Elder Popa who is from Romania. (just R of tree)

 

Missionary Work

I love being a missionary!

It is like living in a different world! 

You eat, drink and sleep missionary work.

You talk differently, you work differently, you listen differently, you focus differently.

You really begin to understand what is meant by "being in the world but not of the world".

 

I am beginning to understand how "re entry" into the world can be difficult.

We will soon see why...

In the meantime,

 

We savor our mssionary experiences.  They sometimes surface in odd ways.

Here are the latest.

 

We were in the Preston Market wandering among the vendors.  Richard picked up a jar of shoe polish and the man offered him 3 for £1.  They began chatting -- and wouldn't you know it -- they were soon talking about the church and our assignment.  A few days later we were in the cafeteria having lunch and someone came down to say there was a man upstairs asking for President Walker.  Low and behold, it was the man from the market with a bag full of shoe polish jars for the missionaries.  He had taken a bus from Preston to the MTC to bring this gift to the missionaries!  This is only the beginning of that friendship.

 

Yesterday we took the missionaries to Manchester for their first "finding" experience.  On the train home I sat by 2 women and Richard stood by a young Chinese student from Mainland China.  I had a most delightful chat with my women but could get no further than a pass along card.  Richard, on the other hand, hit a gold mine.  The young man asked if he could have a Book of Mormon before Richard even offered it to him.  He wants missionaries and we have sent a referal.

 

And then....last night...

Our stake does a Nativity  Festival in the stake center that is adjacent to our building.  It is such an amazing event.  Monday we went to the Chorley market to invite the vendors who have become our friends.

And last night while we were in a meeting with the missionaries, an instructor came in and said there was someone in the lobby who wanted to see us.  Richard went out and found one of our vendors and his wife who had come to see the Nativity Festival.  They were all dressed up like they were going to a party.  We took them downstairs, fed them dinner and then took them to the stake center.  They simply absorbed everything they saw.  They looked through the entire building and listened as we told them what we believe and bore our testimonies.  It was one of those really warm fuzzy evenings.

 

Like I said, "I love missionary work".

 



Welcome to the holidays!

A little postscript from the last blog -- the curtain going up on 42nd Street!

More war memorials --more poppy wreaths -- more Christmas lights!

 And now.....THANKSGIVING.  It is interesting that the Brits love the holiday.  In fact they love all American holidays, even tho they do not celebrate them. 

This year Thanksgiving Dinner for us was on Friday as we had new missionaries arriving on Thursday.  In addition we invited the American couples who serve in the temple and the Area medical Advisor who is also an American.

Setting the table was fun -- just open the walk-in frige, load some baskets with fruit and veggies, sprinkle some autumn leaves around, grab a few candles, fold the napkins and it's a go!  We even had children at our table as the MTC Manager brought his wife and 2 children.  They wore their little turkey hats and added a bit of "home" to our fun.

We placed 5 kernels of corn at each place and shared the story that goes with it and then had them share something they were thankful for.  We only have 8 missionaries here in this tiny group but 3 of them had never tasted turkey and had never heard of Thanksgiving.  They loved it all and learned something along the way!

 

 We have a very creative chef - Stephen - who built a swan out of tin foil and towels!  Such a work of art.

 Now, these chefs!  They have been working for weeks on the food.  I gave them a Lion House Cook Book with holiday recipes and sure enuf!  It tasted just like home.  They even made my mother's Pumpkin Chiffon Pie! (along with K Lime, Chocolate Peanut Butter, and Apple Blueberry)

 And wasn't it cute -- Our swan flew in just for occasion and parked himself right outside the window!

 Now this is the way to do it.  Put together a few decorations, tell a few stories and wait for the food to be served!  I AM SPOILED! 

 In the middle of it all, Christmas came to the MTC.  The foyer is decorated

 And so is our apartment!

Sister Fusco from Brazil and Sister Stoica from Romania stopped by to say good-bye!  Hardly seems possible that they are on their way home.  They were here just yesterday -- or so it seems.  Such wonderul sisters.  They told us that their mission was the hardest thing they have ever done, but the best thing....they learned more than they can comprehend and the difficulties and challenges were interspersed with such spectular moments and miracles that the hardships faded in their shadow.  Such is the story of most of them.  As Dickens says, "it was the best of times and the worst of times"  but they wouldn't trade it!

And neither would we!!!

MORE BITS AND BOBS!

Bit #1

REMEMRANCE DAY in Great Britain is like Memorial Day in the USA.  It is celebrated with the wearing of poppies and laying poppy wreaths at war memorials.  All of this happens about 2 weeks before the actual day of Nov. 11.  You buy the poppies in any store for a donation, and the proceeds go to charities that support the armed forces.  November 11 at 11 a.m. the country stops for 2 minutes of silence.  We did the same.  

There are so many memorials.  This country was so heavily bombed during the World Wars and they pay great respect to their service men and women.

Remembrance Day was also our Church History Tour Day and it was one of those few spectacular autumn days.  This is a glimpse of Avenham Park -- next to the River Ribble.

 

Bit # 2

15 Wadham Road, Preston, England.

It was in this home that Elder Hinckley first lived as a missionary in the summer of 1933.  It is part of the Church History Tour that members and missionaries visit when they are here.  The flat recently went up for sale so I called the realtor and made arrangments to go through it.  It was quite amazing.   He lived in an upstairs bedroom, most likely the one pictured below.  Soooooo fun to be there!

 

Bit #3

 

42nd Street

I am speaking of the broadway show!  It is currently playing in Liverpool.  Having never seen it, we took a P Day and went to the matinee. What a show! Such music, such dancing, such FUN.  Honestly, in my next life............well, I guess it is OK to dream!

Madrid, Spain

Q:  What is it?
A:  It is a yellow submarine!!!  We flew out of Liverpool, home of the Beatles!  Get it?
I



President and Sister Sitterud are our counterparts in Madrid.   We spend 24 hours with them and stayed overnight in the Spain MTC.  They are delightful people and it was fun to compare notes.

They were kind enough to take us around Madrid and show us the sights.

Madrid is in the center of Spain and all major roads to the major cities meet at one central square in Madrid.  From this point you span out like the spokes in a wheel......

Madrid is a beautiful city with spectacular architecture including this cathedral.

Our night on the town included dinner and Flaminco Dancing.  It was amazing.  Looked like a strenuous cross of Celtic, clogging, and Irish dancing with the added addition of castinets and footwork that was a test of endurance!

The Madrid Temple is a true piece of art.  It is spectacular in every way, both inside and out.

This lattice marble work runs throughout the temple.  We were told that the architects found this design in an ancient Spanish tapestry and it symbolizes a never ending chain of life.  It is exquisite!

This is known as Solomon's Seal.  A temple worker shared this story:  When he was 7 years old and not a member of the church, his uncle taught him how to draw this design.  All of his life he doodled and would play around with this fancy little design.  After joining the church he was assigned to act as one of the architects for the temple.  When he saw this design he recoginzed it as the one he had been drawing all his life.  He was stunned and asked a designer what it was.
 It was then that he learned that it was Solomon's Seal. 

This olive tree is on the temple grounds and is 400 years old.  It was transplanted to this location and  placed in a prominent area where it is well lit at night.

One of the great pleasures of the Mission President's Seminar is the association you have with the other wonderful couples who are currently serving in the Europe West Area.  This couple are the Nielsens from Las Vegas, currently serving in Poland.  They just happen to be good friends of Richard's sister and brother in law.  Small world.

and below are President and Sister Deere, Malaga Spain, Rick Walker's mission president.

Break time.

Madrid is full of plazas and artistic statues....this one of Neptune.

Street Art......you figure it out!

The palace is grand.......fit for a king (and queen).

St. Peter holding the "keys".  Little did he know.......these are men with "keys"

all good things must end.....departure day outside the hotel.

It was a wonderful seminar with a lot of instruction, a lot of inspiration, a lot of food, and a lot of great people.

Missionary feelings

One of the great joys of this calling is listening to the missionaries share their story, their conversions, their lives, their feelings.  Last Sunday was testimony meeting and there is never a wasted minute. They pop up one right after another....

I have mentioned that this group comes from 18 different countrieswith names that are very difficult to pronounce and many of them struggle with their English.  Here are just a few of the expressions made as they bore their testimonies.

 

From Germany:

When I was 19 I finished my work experience.  It perfect time for mission.  I didn't want to go.  I didn't need it.  Over time father was less active, mother drifting away.  Six months ago I knew I needed to go on mission and be example.  Stake President said my family will be blessed.  When set apart, I was told about my family.  My father said he proud of me!

 

From Russia:

Have so much thought in head. Can't say it.  Felt born again here.  Have little seed -- it grow bigger here.  When I leave mission I be strong tree!

 

From Hungary:

My mom say to me it very hard her, but she know it bad decision if I don't go.  Sister in mission, she write to me mission is really COOL!

 

From Finland:

My heart beating so fast some say it not safe! 

Heavenly Father know me and what we need and when we need it.

 

From Russia:

Have faith that I speak English one day.

 

From Norway:

Two year ago I depressed.  My father strong man.  He bishop.  Father told me read Book of Mormon and pray.  My faith grew.  Decided on mission -- so scary.  Hard to be here but I good.

 

From England:

My friend asked me why I am going on a mission.  I said that in this world you need hope and purpose and I trust God.  My father has MS. When I return he probably won't be able to walk.  He told me that because of his faith he is becoming stronger through his trials.

 

These are remarkable young people



Sheffield, England and Chatsworth House

We were invited to speak at a stake fireside in Sheffield, England which is about a 2 hour drive from here.  One of the side benefits was a visit to Chatsworth House -- an extraordinary mansion that is still the home of the12th Duke and Duchess of Devonshire.  The house is owned by a trust and they pay rent to that Trust.  They have 3 children and 9 grandchildren.  What a great place to play Hide and Seek! 



This beautiful manor is nestled among the trees and exquiste gardens that surround it.  It is said that Mary, Queen of Scots, was brought here several times as Queen Elizabeth I's prisoner.  Not a bad place to be imprisoned!

Another interesting bit of trivia.....Kathleen Kennedy was married to the brother of the current duke.  Her husband was killed in the war and shortly thereafter, Kathleen was killed.  She is buried on these grounds. 

Anyone for dinner?  They actually use this dining room for special occasions, but it takes days to unset and reset the table.  Thank goodness for housekeepers who take care of such little details.!

Our hosts were Bishop and Sister Gilmore.  They are a wonderful couple who went out of their way to show us a good time. Following our tour of the House, they took us for "tea" where we sipped on hot chocolate and ate scones and other delicacies.   Bishop Gilmore was a bishop, then the Stake President, then the bishop again!  But this is an area that is on fire in terms of missionary work!

The best part of the trip was the evening we spent with the members.  They expected only a handful of young people for the youth meeting and had 45 show up.  That was the work of good parents and leaders.
The local missionaries were all in the member meeting with investigators.  These missionaries have all been in this MTC with us, so it is wonderful to see them in action!!!  And best of all, we are told that following the meeting one of the investigators asked to be baptized!

These are the big payoff moments!!!