A Heat Wave

Yep! That's what they are calling it......temps up in the 70's for 3 days in a row. That doesn't mean it doesn't rain........at least a little every day........but what's a little rain when it is mixed with sunshine. The heat is big news. Just the kind of news we love!

Monday was our preparation day so we grabbed our little book of hikes in Lancashire, packed a lunch, pulled out our walking sticks and took off. We found the most wonderful 5 mile walk -- and I do mean walk as there is very little variance in elevation.

We walked for 5 miles -- across farmer's fields dodging the cows, into the woods and over the streams, down the lanes past the beautiful english estates, through the thigh high grasses across the rolling hills, over the bridges and along the canal.

We sat on a bench and fed the ducks our lunch crumbs and then ended our walk in a place called Fairie Glen. It was magical. I do believe real fairies live there. They are curled up in the knotted trees and dancing behind the waterfalls. And if grandchildren had been with us they would have seen them in many more places.

And the best part -- we wore short sleeves and no jacket!!!!!
And the worst part -- we forgot our camera!!!!!!

Lyme Park

We all know about English gardens. And sometimes we even try to re-create them in our own yards. But it would seem we lack the variety of plants and we certainly lack the moisture that keeps everything green and lush. And we always lack the mansions that stand at the centerfold of each of these magnificent gardens.

Lyme Park is a magnificent estate. It is one of the most country-house images in England and the backdrop to where Darcy meets Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice.

In fact, the guard standing at the top of the stairway when I entered made sure I knew that I had just walked up the steps that Darcy walked up in the movie. Now really, I had just watched Pride and Predjudice but had no recollection of Darcy on these steps. Furthermore there are several versions of the movie and who knows................The home itself was as beautifully restored as anyplace I have ever seen. It has a colorful family history, from rescuing the Black Prince, sailing into exile with the Duke of Windsor, to the writing of the hit series Upstairs Downstairs. (such a hit that I have never seen it!

The grounds go on for miles and are park like. When you enter they give you a CD to listen to while you drive. It gives you a description of what you are seeing and a little history of the site.

Very well done!!!!!

You Just Never Know!

In our past life we have on occasion hosted some cruises for LDS Travel.

Earlier in the week we got a call from them to say they had a group that would be docking

in Liverpool on Thursday.

We invited them to the MTC and offered to step on their bus and show them the Church History Sites in and around Preston

And so......

they showed up today in a very large motorcoach......bigger than usual with a very UPTIGHT driver. Though he was local, the narrow roads were challenging to him and he was not able to maneuver the bus to some of the areas we often visit.

We sensed that he was a bit uptight, a bit on edge, and not a bit happy about being with us.

As we prepared to return to the MTC, someone asked if we would share the story of how we met

and so.................

we gave a quick abbreviated version, ending with our love of the missionary work we were now engaged in.

When we arrived at the MTC, we invited the group in and asked the missionaries to come in and sing for them.

As the bus was unloading Richard made a point of thanking the driver

and then.......

this uptight, unhappy driver opened the flood gates and told him that he had been deeply touched by the experience we had shared. He said that he recently lost his wife and was in despair and could not believe the kind of peace that we seem to have and that he had felt the entire day.

And so...................

Richard gave his one minute version of the apostacy and restoration. He told him it was the spirit he was feeling and invited him to join us in the MTC for a brief meeting. He jumped at the chance and joined with us.

This missionaries sang the combo version of "Sisters in Zion and Army of Helaman". (I might say that we have a group that is so talented that their music simply knocks your socks off). After they sang President asked an elder from Slovania to come forward and bear his testimony. There was not a dry eye including this crusty bus driver!

Just looking at the missionaries is a sight that stirs the soul and fills you with such love. And then to hear them sing almost transcends you into another atmosphere.

It turned out to be such a wonderful day and I think a very memorable experience for all those who were here.

And the codgy bus driver asked if he could learn more, gave us all his information, said he is anxious to meet with us again....

In short, he thinks we are amazing!!!!

What he doesn't realize (yet) is that the Lord put him on that bus today.

This is not about us, it is about the spirit directing this work!

And to think we can be a part of it!!!!

Sometimes it overwhelms me and I simply say, "Why me?"

Temple Grounds -- Preston England

And I thought the fern grotto was in Hawaii!

Early summer on the grounds of the Preston Temple.

Every two weeks we walk the 500 yards to the temple and every time it is a new experience.

We have watched the crocuses turn to daffoldils and then tulips and then azaleas and then......

on and on it goes.

This week was no different. The trees are as beautiful as the flowers.

This tree is covered with these delicate white blossoms.
Perhaps someone out there knows what they are.

Even the green archways are blooming!

English gardens are filled with variety. No formal beds....
just a flux of color mixed among greens

This white tree heralds the entrance to the brick pathway that leads to the temple.

No all paths lead to the temple, but this one does!

Don't they look good enough to hug!
But I have to leave that to the President.

I tell them they are proxy hugs from me!

Ironbridge and Shrewsbury

We took a day between groups and went south to two towns: Ironbridge and Shewsbury. They are located in the Midlands of England and this area looks very different from Northern England.

Iron bridge is noted for the large Iron Bridge that was built by a man named Abraham Darby III in 1779. It was the first cast iron bridge to be built anywhere in the world, and cost considerably more than anticipated, leaving Darby in debt for the rest of his short life!

I am always amazed at the genius of some people! The things they create in their brains and then bring to fruition --- like iron bridges!!!

So what if Darby died penniless. Look at the monument he created in his memory.

The River Severn flows through this
valley and towards nuclear reactors
Have you ever seen the painting titled: Swans on the Severn
Look closely and you can see the baby swan riding on it's mothers back!



In Ironbridge they have recreated a Victorian Village, much like Williamsburg or Pioneer Village at Lagoon.

The village is a re creation of the age of coal smeltering that was used to make the iron.

The village streets with the horse drawn carriages speak of days gone by.

At one point I heard a little girl aske her grandmother if she lived during Victorian times. The grandmother spoke right up and said, "Of course I did!" And why not, the woman looked all of 62!

We left Ironbridge and went on to Shrewsbury. This is a historic Tudor Town complete with black and white buildings -- some look like they are ready to topple!







It was another great day and VERY warm. What a pleasant surprise. Bet many of you wish for such a day, given the weather in the states!

More chit chat

It has been a while since I have posted anything. Things go in cycles around here and many days are packed with responsibilities which leaves little time for chatting.
However it is now Friday morning. We said good-bye to this group on Weds. and we are now waiting for the bus to arrive from the airport bringing 19 elders from the USA. The rest of the group will come throughout the day.

(The red telephone booths are still alive and well in England!)





So while I am waiting, I will chat about this last group. They were so interesting. Once again they had their own personality and lots and lots of challenging problems. Mind you, most of them were golden, but those with problems keep you hopping.

Choir practice is a favorite of the missionaries. Every Sunday afternoon we sing (whether or not they can carry and tune). The last Sunday every missionary sings his/her National Anthem as evidenced by the above pix.

There were some very funny moments.......for instance: Richard and I played the parts of investigators and had 2 sets of elders teach us every few days. One day they were teaching us the 10 commandments and Richard (in his character) asked if that meant he couldn't say "Damn"! The elder thought for a minute and then said, "Well, I know you can't say it in America but I think in England it's OK!" I can tell you, it is hard to stay in character in these moments. I was biting the inside of my cheeks to try and contain the laughter!

Another tidbit.......one day the elders were setting goals -- you know the kind -- worthy goals like studying the scriptures, getting along with companion, studying Preach My Gospel, getting to bed on time, etc. etc. One young man after thoughtful deliberation announced his goal. "I'm going to try to wear a part in my hair!!!"
But honestly, you just gotta love em!



The last time we took the missionaries on the Church History tour this garbage can was just through the fence. I couldn't resist a pix. A reminder that 15 Wadham Road was the house where Pres. Hinckley lived as a missionary!!!! And it is part of the Church History Tour.

These are the 2 German elders we took to 15 Wadham Road.

Five sisters from five different countries. USA, Romania, Denmark, Brazil, Switzerland! Such fabulous young women!

Well, this group is now history and we are greeting 34 new missionaries today. What will they be like?

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.