Postcards from Preston -- signing off!

As we send our last Postcard from Preston we reminisce.....

And so it has been..............

 

The best two years of our lives!  (with the exception of a few others)

 

Two years ago we packed up our home, sold our cars, assigned our children the responsibilities of caring for our assets, said our good-byes through tears of parting and tears of happy anticipation as we eagerly looked forward to our new assignment in the England MTC!

 

We knew we would love it.  How could we not.  It was like coming home....It was like bathing ourselves in the rich British heritage that we both share.  We read and re read the histories of our forefathers.  We felt renewed gratitude for their sacrifices and for their love of the Lord.  And we wanted to add our testimony to theirs on this British soil.

 

We arrived here on Saturday morning, the 14th of January 2011.  President and Sister Clegg met us and as we rode from the airport our hearts skipped a beat with the knowledge that it had really happened.  Pictures cannot do justice to what we saw as we came round the roundabout and saw for the first time this beautiful facility and the adjacent pond.

 

We were tired, but ever so happy.

We were clueless as to how things were managed and what we were to do, but we knew the Lord knew and that His assistance would be ever present if we put ourselves in His hands.

  ***************** 

That first Sunday evening, when Richard stood and began to speak to those mssionaries, I knew that the mantle had passed and that he had now picked up the reins and together we would go forward.

 

Those first days melted into weeks and so many came forward to help us.

We were surrounded by a wonderful staff including instructors, engineers, custodians, security, and remarkable chefs whose goal it seemed was to add to our waistlines.
 

*************** 

We have had the best two years Great Britain has had to offer in this century.

 

We arrived in 2011 in time to celebrate the the Royal Love Story culminating in the marriage of William and Kate. It had fairy tale appeal with prince charming marrying the common girl.  The Duke and Duchess are the stars of the future, the jewels in the crown.  It was the wedding of the decade, celebrated by an outpouring of national joy, and we were here to savour the moment!

And add to that the announcement of the royal birth!

 

2012 brought Julilee Joy as Queen Elizabeth took her place in history by reaching the 60 year milestone as Queen.  Everything about this yearlong celebration endeared us to this lovely woman who wears her age like she wears her crown -- with dignity -- and again, we were here to savour the moment.

 

And as if that was not enough -- the Olympics came along.  We captured some of that Olympic fever as we shared the spotlighted moments of victory.  We cheered the torch as it passed through Chorley.  We felt true patiotism for this country of our heritage.  As one commentator stated "The Brits exuberance and excitement makes us sound like Americans."  And we were those Americans!!!

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We have walked the moors and the pastures, along the canals, through the villages, climbed over the kissing gates, watched the daffodils burst forth and welcome spring.  And we have done it all in some sunshine and lots of rain.

We have had the distinct pleasure of having been here during the wettest year in British history!

We have wandered through castles and forests and glens.

We have climbed to the top of towers and walked along sandy beaches.

We have stood at the gravesites of our ancestors and picked up pebbles from the beaches where they once played.

We have visited the birth places of the Bronte sisters, Jane Austen, William Wordsworth, Beatrice Potter, William Shakespeare, and Charles Dickens

We have trusted our Tom Tom (GPS) -- sometimes with disastrous outcomes.

We have haunted Charity shops, Primark and Marks & Spencer and have done our part to add to the British economy with our collections of Christine Haworth figurines and pewter knights.

We have celebrated every holiday from Pancake Day to Poppy Day, from Valentines to Halloween, from Robert Burns Day to Thanksgiving and from Easter to Christmas  with lots and lots in between.

We've had our Best of Britian nights complete with fish and chips, Cornish pasties and mushy peas!

We have learned a new language like Brilliant, and Rubbish, and Learnt, and Ya Au Right?

We have heard the National Anthems sung by missionaries from 60 different countries and together we have sung "God Save the Queen" as the anthem of their newly adopted home land.

We have talked and taught the gospel in meetings, conventions, and on the streets of Manchester on the bus and train, in the shops, on the walking paths and everyplace else we could find a warm body.. We have left a trail of pass along cards, Books of Mormon and referrals in our wake and even had one baptism.

We have been wrapped in the love of 1011 missionaries and listened to them teach and testify both in word and in song.

We have listened to their tender stories of sacrifice and dedication and have marvelled at their commitment and faith.  We have thrilled as we have watched them change from young men and women of the world, to servants of the Lord, ready and willing to go forth and bring others unto Christ.

And most of all, we have been blessed by a Heavenly Father who seems to know no bounds when it comes to blessings.

***********
And now it is time to draw the curtain on another chapter of our lives....We shall return to our home where once again there will be tears of joy and reunion.  We will resettle ourselves into our home, buy a new car, regain control of our assets and build a new life.

In the closing scenes of Camelot, King Arthur gathers a young boy to him and sings,

Don't let it be forgot
That once there was a spot
For one brief shining moment that was known
as Camelot.

This has been a Camelot and every day we will thank the Lord for this one brief shining moment that was captured in the land of our heritage!

and so it is....we sign off with a
 CHEERIO!!!
 

 

 

 



A Week of LASTS

A week of "LASTS"

 

All good things come to an end and so it is.......

we are at the week of LASTS

 

Sunday we took our LAST Church History Tour.

We walked the streets of Preston -- for the LAST time

We stood by the River Ribble -- for the LAST time

We said good-by to 15 Wadham Road -- for the LAST time

We wandered through the historic village of Downham  -- for the LAST time

We knocked on the door of Lord and Lady Clithroe and had a wonderful visit with them -- for the LAST time

And we stood on the banks of the Chapburn Baptismal Site and bore testimony -- for the LAST time.

 

We officiated in the missionary session of the temple -- for the LAST time

 

We went to the Chorley Market -- for the LAST time

 

We are going on the train to Manchester and do street contacting -- for the LAST time.

 

We slept in our apt.  -- for the LAST time and we have now moved across the hall so they can refurbish our place and ready it for the new president.

 

We have been to dinner with our new non member friends -- for the LAST time

We have welcomed a group of new missionaries -- for the LAST time

We will hear the missionaries sing their National Anthems -- for the LAST time.

We had Elder Kerr come and speak at a Devotional -- for the LAST time (and his last time as he is being released.)

We have yet to do our LAST teaching, our  LAST departure testimony meeting, eat our LAST meal in the cafeteria, drive on the left hand side of the road for the LAST time, and say our final Good-byes.

LAST always comes and it is always tender!

 

 

 



New Years Eve

 One last round of polishing shoes!!!!

 And one last celebration!

Our New Year's Eve Celebration consisted of hats, poppers,

 festive crackers, sparklers

 and an attempted round of Auld Lang Syne

Many of them had never sung Auld Lang Syne and so we had to teach it before we could really sing it.

 

 

This was a group we will remember for a long time.  They became our Christmas family and were as close to each other as any group we have ever had.  One sister was from Albania really struggled with her English.  In the beginning her frustrations would erupt into temple tantrums, but in time she settled down and when she left she was full of love and smiles. The season, the change, the stress and the many new germs brought with them caused an onslaught of colds and sickness.  But somehow the missionaries pushed through and had a wonderful time.

 

On the night before their departure they gathered together in our apartment and shared contact information with the promise that they would meet again on april 20, 2015 in front of the pond o Temple Square. We will be there.  We will see if anyone else will be.

Christmas Festivities

Christmas is magic.  And the magic was 21 times as wonderful this year.

 21 children -- 21 stockings -- One Santa (and a couple of imported helpers)

Christmas Eve afternoon we went to Chorley and did our usual Christmas Caroling.  When we returned we listened to a powerful message by Elder Holland which stirred their hearts and reminded them of their commitment to the Savior.

  That evening we gathered in the apt. for a Christmas Eve Family Home Evening.  We let them share some favorite Christmas memories, we sang, we had a Christmas story about the white handkerchief and invited them to each take a white handerchief from the tree and keep it as a memory of this Christmas -- their first as a missionary!

 

In conclusion, we read from Luke and Matthew and sang the carols that go with it and then gathered around in family prayer.  We learned last year and it was evidenced again this year that many have never shared the Biblical nativity story on Christmas Eve and many have never had family prayer.  It is a sweet thing to gather with them and wrap ourselves in the spirit which is so evident at those times. 

As a  Christmas Gift we gave the missionaries an extra hour of sleep on Christmas morning.

(actually we were giving Santa and extra hour of preparation time!!!)

At the appointed hour we  met them at the top of the stairs and brought down to the tree -- the stockings -- the gifts -- and a breakfast of waffles and fruit cocktail in our apartment!

Now don't they look like happy little campers with  bulging stockings, smiles on their faces and the joy of Christmas.

All previous signs of homesickness were gone on this festive morning.  These young people have become such wonderful friends.  Forevermore they will remember with fondness the brothers and sisters they came to know and love in the MTC.

 

 

 

Members the world over love the missionaries and reach out to them at Christmas.  A youth group from Huddersfiled (some distance) brought these many gifts to the missionaries.  We put them under the tree in our apt. and during breakfast they drew numbers and each retreaved a gift and a card.  (I might just add that the cans of Pringles were BIG hits!! -- much bigger than the candy!)

At the end of the morning they came forth with gifts for us.  They were so excited and could hardly wait for us to open them.  They had made their own plans and done their own shopping the day before when we went caroling in Chorley.  I thought I knew everything in every store in Chorley, but they uncovered some treasures I had never seen before.  Not only was it a great surprise and very touching, but they gifts were wonderful.  Forevermore they will remind us of these most wonderful days and Christmas with the missionaries!!!!

 

At noon some pre assigned families came and picked up the companionships and took them to their homes for lunch and to listen to the televised Queen's speech!  They came back beaming from ear to ear.  It was fun for them to be with families and do some family things on Christmas Day.

 

For dinner we pulled out the leftovers (just like home) and then watched another Christmas Devotional from Provo.

 

And for a grand finale -- we invited them to get their slippers and popcorn and we turned on The Muppets Christmas Carol.

 

And then -- we sent them to bed and we did the usual Christmas Night collapse!

Christmas misc.

 

Our little town of Chorley went all out this year!  A giant size ferris wheel lit up the skies at night and looked rather magical!

 

Even the dogs dressed up!

Trunk or Treat sponsered by the Young Adults!  And they are faithful 100%. 
It was pouring rain, but no matter, in England you just go for it -- rain or shine!

After 22 months we said good-bye to the Williams and hello to the Durkins who have been called to serve as counselors.





If you can look beyond the people you will see in the background the beautiful village of Downham with Pendle Hill as the backdrop (the closest thing to a mountain).

The little village of Downham is a fitting climax to  a wonderful visit.  It was here that Heber C. Kimball baptized the entire village.  The village is owned by one family who have preserved it in it's original state. 

Christmas Dinner -- so good they licked the platter clean!!

Note:  Sunday was Joseph Smith's birthday although we were surprised that no one knew it!

But we celebrated.  After dinner we gathered in a circle and shared thoughts and feelings about the prophet Joseph.  It was one of those wonderful moments that brings tears and deep feelings.  I think that these missionaries will never again forget that Dec. 23 is Joseph Smith's birthday and we hope that this memory will always trigger the feelings and testimony that were expressed that evening in the MTC.

We finished the evening by handing them a piece of string and teaching them the little pioneer game of Cat's Cradle.  Some were experts and caught on very quickly -- others were........??? Oh well.  It is not one of those things you have to know to qualify for the Celestial Kingdom!

Even the MTC received a Christmas present!  New plants and artificial greens to add to the decor!   Nothing the elders would rather do that put together greenery!

Avenham Park borders the River Ribble where the first baptisms took place.  The markers have been placed here by the church commemorating these significant events.  And note the sun -- shining just for us!!

The Sunday before Christmas is always a favorite day.  It forces you to stop -- the shopping, and the baking, and the sewing and the whatever -- but it is often replaced with Sunday responsibilites for you and for your family. 
It would seem that the same thing applies here.  We simply pushed the pause button and swung into the Sunday mode.....
Our Sunday included taking the missionaries to the Church History Sites and sharing the stories of faith and sacrifice of those who have gone before.

Our Sunday responsibilities included speaking and singing in a neighboring ward.  When we are asked to bring the missionaries to sing, we never know if we will have a group that CAN sing.  The first time we met with this group I knew we were banking on a Christmas Miracle.  We had a few very good singers,  a few mediocre singers and some major monotones.  But no matter.....We imported a pianist and went to work......and sure enuf.....we got our miracle.  We featured those with solo voices and I even prevailed on Richard to solo with the choir as back up.  I have to say, it was a tear jerker! 

 

Missionaries would rather sing than street contact!!!  They took time out from their street contacting in Manchester to share the music of Christmas and while they sang, Richard talked to those who stood by to listen and of course, he placed two Books of Mormon and got information for the missionaries to visit after Christmas!  So FUN!!!

(I know that those of you who are techies could solve the problem I have of mixing up these pix.  But since you are not here to help me you will just have to take them in their jumbled form --- !)

More jumble to come!!!












 

a Christmas moment.....

Christmas should be full of miracles and magic.

And we feel them here.

When things calm down I will get to recording some of the simply wonderful moments that have part of this Christmas....

in the meantime I share one...

 

Saturday we had a youth group come to the MTC.  This is often the case, but this group was unusual in many ways. They came from quite a distance....and they had a number of leaders and even parents with them.

 

We met with them, talked with them, and had the missionaries sing for them.  They toured the building and as they were lingering in the halls chatting a young woman came into my office and told me that when the Preston temple was dedicated their family attended.  Her brother, who at the time was 10 years old, was invited by President Hinckley to add some mortar when they were putting the cornerstone into place.  This young boy's heart was touched and for years he spoke of this event.

 

He grew to mission age and responded to a call to serve in Australia.  Towards the end of his mission things began to fall apart in his life.  He returned home, married, had a baby and soon divorced.  He now lives with a girl and they also share a baby.  He is completely out of the church but still the little spark that was ignited that day at the cornerstone ceremony comes to the surface on rare occasions.

She asked if I would write to her brother and share my experience at this temple dedication in the hopes that it ignites some kind of small flame of the gospel.

 

I was touched that perhaps she saw me as a way to reach this young man.  I am not sure anything will come of it, but there is nothing to lose in trying.  After all, we are all in this together, doing all we can to help build the kingdom.

 

But even better.....

While I was chatting in my office, Richard was in the foyer talking to a family who were recent converts.   The mother and two daughters have been baptized but the father has not and apparently was not showing much interest. 

For whatever reason Richard  spoke very directly to him, asking him why he had not joined and that it was imperitive that he not deny his family the blessings of eternity.  He encouraged him, even challenged him to get on his knees and seek divine guidance, promising him that the Lord would answer his prayers and that as a father he would bless the lives of his family and future generations. 

Honestly, he was so direct and so firm but so profoundly loving.

The man became quiet and said very little in response.

They left here and walked up to the temple where his wife and daughters went in for baptisms.  As he sat on the grounds waiting, Richard's words echoed in his heart.

Sunday evening Richard got a call from the Stake President to say that this man had just called him and had asked to be baptized on Christmas Day -- as a surprise for his wife and daughters!

The Stake President was over the moon!   This man has had missionaries for 2 years!

(I would love to be a fly on the wall when he tells his family they are going to have a white Christmas)

 

Such a great opportunity to teach these missionaries -- you may never know the good you are doing.  The missionaries of the past 2 years have taught and taught and taught and felt discouragement because of his resistance to baptism....and then......bingo!

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

 



Christmas Fayres

The Brits are not given to many Christmas window decorations or street decorations but they love their Chrismas markets or Fayre's!  Every city and even some of the smaller villages have their version of a Christmas market.  Some are quite elaborate, while others are rather small.  

The booths in the market feature everything from nuts to candy to jellies to handmade items and to wonderful cheeses.  (I shall greatly miss the delicious cheese!!!!  A nice fattening snack!)

Most of the markets feature street actors, musicians and Christmas characters. 

 

This particular market is in York -- which is one of the most charming areas around.  And we were lucky enough to hit it on a clear day.  Clear here means that it is not pouring rain.  It has nothing to do with sunshine which is almost non existent.

 

Winter Solstice is here.  It is dark at 3:30 and light at 8:30 and in between it is mostly grey skies with mist.  Honestly, this Island is drowning......flood warnings every day.  The fields are soggy, the rivers are overflowing and the unbrellas are big business!!!

 

But still, we love it!!