Saturday, October 29, 2016
28 October, 2016
"We had a YSA Halloween party last night after Elder Warnick taught the Institute lesson. No one chose to dress up, but one of the youth did an activity through a darkened church and grounds that they enjoyed, and we did Halloween themed refreshments. These glasses with the eyebrows made the rounds."
26 October, 2016
The next day we got a call from President Gubler asking us to drive 2 sisters to their home. It was a long day of driving, but we were happy to help. It turned out well and they even got to see Stonehenge on the way.
We had district meeting in Plymouth the next day, then a flat inspection, and returned again to Plymouth that same evening for Institute and YSA activity. The young people have been taking turns coming up with the activity, and have been very creative. This night it was a 12 foot banana split served in a foil lined rain gutter.
We were invited to the one year birthday party for the granddaughter of the ward mission leader. She was born with abnormalities, and they didn't know that she would make it this far, but all is looking positive for her and they are most grateful. They had decorations everywhere and food of all kinds and people in every nook and cranny, which happens quickly as most homes are quite compact.
Next day was YSA choir practice, and we came home to a pleasant FaceTime with Heather and Afton (daughter and granddaughter). We are so grateful for the technology that allows us to see them, and recognize how amazing that would be to our ancestors when they left loved ones behind.
We had a great meeting with President Fullwood, the stake counselor over YSA, updating him on the YSA status and made several recommendations for them to consider. He is such and amazing man. He is deaf, but lip reads so well you wouldn't know it. We are certainly glad for that since we don't sign. Even if we had learned from the Kings, the signs are not the same in the UK. He is most supportive of the YSA.
Anna, our neighbor, stopped by with a cottage pie. She has had several experiences feeling the presence of her deceased mother, and wanted to talk about that but didn't really connect that with a belief in God until we pointed that out to her. Cottage pie here is made with beef mince, like what we would call shepherd's pie, but shepherd's pie is made with lamb, which only makes sense.
Edward's going away party was last Thursday, even though his leaving date was pushed back a couple of weeks due to visa problems. We will enjoy him longer now, as we will likely not see him again after a 2 year mission, although one never knows. Our stake president just returned from the US and Canada having run into people he knew from here, or who know people that he knows all along the way. He and his wife and daughter got to go to general conference and said they were so overwhelmed by the Spirit upon entering the conference center that they were all in tears. President and Sister Gubler were here for zone training, and we were impressed with examples they gave from their own lives and from the scriptures to illustrate their points. Sister Gubler talked about how scared she was to drive a two ton truck as a 14 year old in Idaho to deliver wheat, but did it because she loved her father, comparing that with what the missionaries are asked to do and why. President Gubler talked about the importance of knowing who we are in order to fulfill our missions here on earth. He used the example of Moses being called 'my son' in Moses 1 repeatedly, and that giving him the power to resist Satan, along with other scriptural examples. We sang 'I Lived in Heaven', noting the truths taught there.
In the afternoon President Martin went with us to look at repairs that needed to be made in one of the flats before turning it back to the landlord. We want to leave them in as good shape as possible, and he volunteered to use ward members to accomplish that. We are grateful for the help, as we don't have the tools nor even knowledge of where to go for materials.
Elder Leimer from Germany was our visiting authority at stake conference, and we didn't quite know what to think when he said he had heard of us. It was a wonderful conference, and we were very uplifted by the messages and love evidenced there. Two of our YSA were asked to share testimony, one who has been a member 6 months, and then Edward who has been a member 3 years and is leaving on a mission. The YSA choir sang two songs for prelude, and an arrangement of 'Come Ye Disconsolate'. We saw two YSA at stake conference who have not attended during the time we have been here, and it was great to meet them. We discovered that Elder Leimer had visited one of them Saturday night. He is an amazing man, and we felt good just being in his company, not to mention the powerful message he have of Heavenly Father being anxious to speak with each of us.
Elder Warnick teaches Institute tomorrow about prayer and revelation, and we are taking Halloween themed food."
10 October 2016
"The leaves are falling from some of the trees, and we have more rain. It feels like winter is not far away, but winter here is mostly rain. With bishop's wife in Redruth, who is from the Midwest in America, says that snow is rare and if there should be a little, people don't know who to deal with driving. Most of the traffic instructions are painted right on the roads, so if that gets covered up with snow it becomes difficult, and there is no such thing as snow removal equipment, though we have seen bins for sand by the roads.
Elder Warnick went to the rebroadcast of the priesthood session of conference Sunday at the Newton Abbot ward, and helped with the preparation and cleanup of a breakfast. It was a wonderful session. He particularly enjoyed Elder Holland's talk on home teaching. When he got back we invited the sisters over to watch the Saturday sessions, and fed them. It made for a long day, but we were happy to help them see some of the sessions, as we have wifi, and none of the young missionaries do. It is wonderful that we are able to watch these conference sessions halfway across the world. The technology may seem commonplace, but it isn't to us. It puts new meaning to the gospel flooding the earth. Elder Uchtdorf's talk 'Fourth Floor, Last Door' has particular meaning to missionaries, but has application to any stage of life. We gained something from each talk, and look forward to reading and listening again, and will encourage the YSA to do the same.
Tuesday we did another flat inspection and repaired a chair with a broken leg. The repair actually took a few days, since they said it didn't work the first time. It will probably need another repair, as the fix wasn't as good as Elder Warnick could have done with the proper tools, but we are glad for what we do have and he has since learned of a man in the ward who does have a good supply of tools. Missionaries seem to be rough on chairs.
Sister Warnick made ham and cheese rolls for Institute night. They played a game of life Pacman, with chairs set up in the cultural hall, and designated ghosts with bands around their heads. The group was small that night but they had a great time. It is a good thing they enjoyed it because it wasn't easy for them to set up and take down all those chairs! The young man with the blue headband is Edward, who is leaving in a couple of weeks on a mission to South Africa.
We attended sacrament meeting in Redruth on Sunday, where Edward spoke in sacrament meeting. He talked about the love of the Savior, and that we all need to work on developing that kind of love. It was an excellent talk, and he will be a very faithful missionary, judging by the courage and loyalty to the gospel of Christ that he has already demonstrated in his few short years as a member. He has ridden farther on trains to get to and from meetings than any of our YSA, often arriving home very late at night, and train tickets are not cheap.
Choir practice continues Sunday evenings for stake conference in two weeks. It is supposed to be a YSA choir and include the young missionaries. We will not be able to blend into that age group, but have been asked to sing with them."
Elder Warnick went to the rebroadcast of the priesthood session of conference Sunday at the Newton Abbot ward, and helped with the preparation and cleanup of a breakfast. It was a wonderful session. He particularly enjoyed Elder Holland's talk on home teaching. When he got back we invited the sisters over to watch the Saturday sessions, and fed them. It made for a long day, but we were happy to help them see some of the sessions, as we have wifi, and none of the young missionaries do. It is wonderful that we are able to watch these conference sessions halfway across the world. The technology may seem commonplace, but it isn't to us. It puts new meaning to the gospel flooding the earth. Elder Uchtdorf's talk 'Fourth Floor, Last Door' has particular meaning to missionaries, but has application to any stage of life. We gained something from each talk, and look forward to reading and listening again, and will encourage the YSA to do the same.
Tuesday we did another flat inspection and repaired a chair with a broken leg. The repair actually took a few days, since they said it didn't work the first time. It will probably need another repair, as the fix wasn't as good as Elder Warnick could have done with the proper tools, but we are glad for what we do have and he has since learned of a man in the ward who does have a good supply of tools. Missionaries seem to be rough on chairs.
Sister Warnick made ham and cheese rolls for Institute night. They played a game of life Pacman, with chairs set up in the cultural hall, and designated ghosts with bands around their heads. The group was small that night but they had a great time. It is a good thing they enjoyed it because it wasn't easy for them to set up and take down all those chairs! The young man with the blue headband is Edward, who is leaving in a couple of weeks on a mission to South Africa.
We attended sacrament meeting in Redruth on Sunday, where Edward spoke in sacrament meeting. He talked about the love of the Savior, and that we all need to work on developing that kind of love. It was an excellent talk, and he will be a very faithful missionary, judging by the courage and loyalty to the gospel of Christ that he has already demonstrated in his few short years as a member. He has ridden farther on trains to get to and from meetings than any of our YSA, often arriving home very late at night, and train tickets are not cheap.
Choir practice continues Sunday evenings for stake conference in two weeks. It is supposed to be a YSA choir and include the young missionaries. We will not be able to blend into that age group, but have been asked to sing with them."
1 October, 2016- a family visit
"We have been putting a lot of miles on the little Hyundai. On the 22nd we drive missionaries to a 3 zone conference in Poole. This is an all day affair with picking them up early in order to get them there for an early meeting for new missionaries, regular meetings, interviews and pictures, then travel home. The main focus of the training centered on becoming good listeners and asking better questions. The training missionaries receive new is far different than when Elder Warnick was a young missionary, where the focus was on teaching lessons. The focus now is trying to understand where individuals are in their spiritual journey, and helping them come closer to Christ and his teachings. We consider these young missionaries to be absolutely amazing. It gives us hope for the future to see them doing the Lord's work.
After returning them to their flats late that evening, we drove back north to a senior missionary conference in Staines the next day. While the drive was long and tiring, the opportunity to interact with the other senior couples is uplifting and spiritually strengthening, and worth the effort. We discussed the history of the early church in England. These early converts came to Nauvoo and Utah by the thousands, and were literally the means of strengthening the church in its early days. The bretheren have prophesied that there will be a second great harvest to parallel that of the first.
On Friday afternoon we all went to Runnymede, where the Magna Carta was signed in 1215, the forerunner and inspiration for our US Constitution. While whis was an agreement between the king and the barons, it also promised protection of church rights, protection from illegal imprisonment, and access to justice. It represented the first time a king had ever ceded power or recognized the rights of others in their governance. We went to dinner all together nearby, and enjoyed getting to know some of the new senior missionaries. One widowed sister says her mentally ill son is doing so muuch better since she left.
Saturday morning we drove to Bath and rejoiced in meeting Keith and Sarah (son and daughter-in-law, there on vacation.) We drove directly to Dittisham and ferried across the river to Greenway, the summer home of Agatha Christie. In the gardens a vinery is featured, where the grapes grow inside, with the roots outside, and a walk past a monkey puzzle tree. In the home are clothes that Agatha wore, and a mural on the walls added by soldiers who requisitioned the house in WWII. There is one chest of drawers, very heavy and made of bone. It was purchased in their foreign travels and had to be fumigated as they heard scratching sounds coming from it when it was really quiet. We ate scones with clotted cream and jam at the restaurant there.
The narrow roads there and back introduced Keith and Sarah to the kind of driving we have to do in some areas. There was plenty of backing up to let another car pass from the opposite direction. People seem used to having to accomodate each other, as the roads are not going to change any time soon.
We made our way back to the flat and had fish and chips from our local take away. It was nice to have a little time out of the car.
Sunday we all went to the Newton Abbot ward. In the afternoon we went for a drive in the moors in Dartmoor National Park. The ponies were overly friendly, no doubt looking for something to eat that surely must be in our pockets. We did see Belted Galloways and lots of sheep, as well as clapper bridges and water that looks like root beer. At Postbridge we struck up a conversation with a couple who had used the church's family history website, and had friends that are members. They were most friendly toward us. Afterward we celebrated birthdays for both Sarah and Keith with carrot cake cupcakes and lemon sauce.
Monday morning we drove to Cornwall to visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Lunch was Cornish pasties with ginger beer or an elderflower drink. We then drove to Port Isaac, of Doc Martin fame. The tide was in, so the sea glass hunting was poor. The sat nav (gps) took us through the back roads and right down through the town. There was hardly room for the car to pass without scraping the buildings, and of course tourists to avoid. We had ice cream, which is famous, but we don't think any better than in Cache Valley. We then drove to Jamaica Inn, the site of Daphne Du Maurier's novel and Alfred Hitchcock's movie of the same name. The smuggler's museum had displays of artifacts used in that enterprise. We had dinner at a restaurant there and then headed home on a dark and rainy night.
Tuesday morning we drove them past Stonehenge on our way to the hotel near Heathrow, then took the tube to London for an Italian dinner and play, 'The Mousetrap', which is the longest running play, in its 64th year. The tube ride can be interesting if you are a people watcher. Elder Warnick doesn't know quite what to think when he is offered a seat by someone he thinks looks about as old as him.
We had a nice breakfasat the next morning before having to say goodbye to Keith and Sarah. They were great traveling companions, and we appreciate the time they took to see us.
Thursday was another great district meeting, and Institute that evening. Bishop BUndy from St. Austell brought Aaron and Megan, which is really going the extra mile (many miles, in this case). Distances continue to be a major issue in who can make it, but broadcast equipment to the buildings is in the near future. It still will be important to be physically together for the YSA as much as possible for the social support.
We are looking forward to general conference. Everything will be by delayed broadcast. There will be a breakfast before they show the priesthood session tomorrow, and we are having the sisters over for the women's session this afternoon. Even where we can listen to it live, it is against the law without a license, so we won't."
After returning them to their flats late that evening, we drove back north to a senior missionary conference in Staines the next day. While the drive was long and tiring, the opportunity to interact with the other senior couples is uplifting and spiritually strengthening, and worth the effort. We discussed the history of the early church in England. These early converts came to Nauvoo and Utah by the thousands, and were literally the means of strengthening the church in its early days. The bretheren have prophesied that there will be a second great harvest to parallel that of the first.
On Friday afternoon we all went to Runnymede, where the Magna Carta was signed in 1215, the forerunner and inspiration for our US Constitution. While whis was an agreement between the king and the barons, it also promised protection of church rights, protection from illegal imprisonment, and access to justice. It represented the first time a king had ever ceded power or recognized the rights of others in their governance. We went to dinner all together nearby, and enjoyed getting to know some of the new senior missionaries. One widowed sister says her mentally ill son is doing so muuch better since she left.
Saturday morning we drove to Bath and rejoiced in meeting Keith and Sarah (son and daughter-in-law, there on vacation.) We drove directly to Dittisham and ferried across the river to Greenway, the summer home of Agatha Christie. In the gardens a vinery is featured, where the grapes grow inside, with the roots outside, and a walk past a monkey puzzle tree. In the home are clothes that Agatha wore, and a mural on the walls added by soldiers who requisitioned the house in WWII. There is one chest of drawers, very heavy and made of bone. It was purchased in their foreign travels and had to be fumigated as they heard scratching sounds coming from it when it was really quiet. We ate scones with clotted cream and jam at the restaurant there.
The narrow roads there and back introduced Keith and Sarah to the kind of driving we have to do in some areas. There was plenty of backing up to let another car pass from the opposite direction. People seem used to having to accomodate each other, as the roads are not going to change any time soon.
We made our way back to the flat and had fish and chips from our local take away. It was nice to have a little time out of the car.
Sunday we all went to the Newton Abbot ward. In the afternoon we went for a drive in the moors in Dartmoor National Park. The ponies were overly friendly, no doubt looking for something to eat that surely must be in our pockets. We did see Belted Galloways and lots of sheep, as well as clapper bridges and water that looks like root beer. At Postbridge we struck up a conversation with a couple who had used the church's family history website, and had friends that are members. They were most friendly toward us. Afterward we celebrated birthdays for both Sarah and Keith with carrot cake cupcakes and lemon sauce.
Monday morning we drove to Cornwall to visit the Lost Gardens of Heligan. Lunch was Cornish pasties with ginger beer or an elderflower drink. We then drove to Port Isaac, of Doc Martin fame. The tide was in, so the sea glass hunting was poor. The sat nav (gps) took us through the back roads and right down through the town. There was hardly room for the car to pass without scraping the buildings, and of course tourists to avoid. We had ice cream, which is famous, but we don't think any better than in Cache Valley. We then drove to Jamaica Inn, the site of Daphne Du Maurier's novel and Alfred Hitchcock's movie of the same name. The smuggler's museum had displays of artifacts used in that enterprise. We had dinner at a restaurant there and then headed home on a dark and rainy night.
Tuesday morning we drove them past Stonehenge on our way to the hotel near Heathrow, then took the tube to London for an Italian dinner and play, 'The Mousetrap', which is the longest running play, in its 64th year. The tube ride can be interesting if you are a people watcher. Elder Warnick doesn't know quite what to think when he is offered a seat by someone he thinks looks about as old as him.
We had a nice breakfasat the next morning before having to say goodbye to Keith and Sarah. They were great traveling companions, and we appreciate the time they took to see us.
Thursday was another great district meeting, and Institute that evening. Bishop BUndy from St. Austell brought Aaron and Megan, which is really going the extra mile (many miles, in this case). Distances continue to be a major issue in who can make it, but broadcast equipment to the buildings is in the near future. It still will be important to be physically together for the YSA as much as possible for the social support.
We are looking forward to general conference. Everything will be by delayed broadcast. There will be a breakfast before they show the priesthood session tomorrow, and we are having the sisters over for the women's session this afternoon. Even where we can listen to it live, it is against the law without a license, so we won't."
21 September, 2016
"The once a year stake YSA convention was the weekend before last. It was held in Holsworthy and Bideford. We started at Bradford Manor, a 16th century home and farm owned by a member of the branch presidency. He bought it in rough condition and has worked very hard to respectfully restore it to its present remarkable condition. Since it needed so much work he got it for a very reasonable price. It becomes so obvious in a country with very old structures that without maintenance, nature takes over.
We took a hike through the sheep meadow down to the river he owns. It is apparently full of fish, and he does own them as well. There was paintball in his forest. Then we went to Dragon Archery, owned by the branch president, the #2 rated archery center in the UK. It is set up with one area for dinosaur targets; another is Lord of the Rings themed; another is knights and castles; and finally a dragon. While some were doing archery, others did laser tag in the woods. We finished the evening roasting marshmallows around a fire, followed by sharing of testimony, which had to be cut short as many were staying at branch members' homes and didn't want to arrive too late at night.
Sunday the YSA had prepared to serve the branch by teaching classes and providing talks. After church, the branch members provided a munch-and-mingle, which left everyone set for the journey home. It was a great event, with some participating that we don't normally see.
This last Sunday we spoke in the Exeter Ward with the assignment of Elder Ballard's talk titled 'God is at the Helm' as the theme. It was the perfect week to be in Exeter, as we met 3 new YSA. Exeter has a university, so these three are there for education. One served a mission in California, right where Elder Warnick served; another is from Ogden area and here for 3 years; another is from Peru, who joined the church while at school in Florida 4 months ago. We have yet to see who has arrived for school in Plymouth, but there are 3 new ones in Cornwall as well. We see this growth as a real blessing, and love these new young people already- a gift that goes with our calling.
They held a great FHE on Monday in Exeter, with such a good feeling among them. One of them brought a girl who has been less active, and it was wonderful to see her again.
One of our new sister missionaries is having a struggle, and called Elder Warnick for a priesthood blessing a couple of days ago. Missionary work can be challenging, physically and emotionally. We are glad to lend support wherever we can. We will drive them to Poole starting very early in the morning for a 3 zone conference."
We took a hike through the sheep meadow down to the river he owns. It is apparently full of fish, and he does own them as well. There was paintball in his forest. Then we went to Dragon Archery, owned by the branch president, the #2 rated archery center in the UK. It is set up with one area for dinosaur targets; another is Lord of the Rings themed; another is knights and castles; and finally a dragon. While some were doing archery, others did laser tag in the woods. We finished the evening roasting marshmallows around a fire, followed by sharing of testimony, which had to be cut short as many were staying at branch members' homes and didn't want to arrive too late at night.
Sunday the YSA had prepared to serve the branch by teaching classes and providing talks. After church, the branch members provided a munch-and-mingle, which left everyone set for the journey home. It was a great event, with some participating that we don't normally see.
This last Sunday we spoke in the Exeter Ward with the assignment of Elder Ballard's talk titled 'God is at the Helm' as the theme. It was the perfect week to be in Exeter, as we met 3 new YSA. Exeter has a university, so these three are there for education. One served a mission in California, right where Elder Warnick served; another is from Ogden area and here for 3 years; another is from Peru, who joined the church while at school in Florida 4 months ago. We have yet to see who has arrived for school in Plymouth, but there are 3 new ones in Cornwall as well. We see this growth as a real blessing, and love these new young people already- a gift that goes with our calling.
They held a great FHE on Monday in Exeter, with such a good feeling among them. One of them brought a girl who has been less active, and it was wonderful to see her again.
One of our new sister missionaries is having a struggle, and called Elder Warnick for a priesthood blessing a couple of days ago. Missionary work can be challenging, physically and emotionally. We are glad to lend support wherever we can. We will drive them to Poole starting very early in the morning for a 3 zone conference."
Clapper Bridge
"Since our last letter... we have driven to some of the places on Dartmoor that are of interest. Clapper bridges dot the moors and are made of huge flat stones set on stone pillars to provide crossing of small rivers for wagons and pack horses. We have also visited the ruins of one of the earliest castles in the area, Okehampton. Though solidly built of stone, without ongoing maintenance, even solid castles become ruins. Of course stone was often taken for other structures when there wasn't a resident nobleman."
Tuesday, September 13, 2016
More on Castles
Elder and Sister Warnick wrote an email to their grandchildren with more detailed information on the castles they have been touring recently.
"We got to visit a castle and learn more about what they were like. Castles looked cool on the outside, but really they were cold, damp, and poorly lit. The only heating was provided by fireplaces in each room, and castles had to be lit by torches because they were very dark inside.
People tended to spend much time outdoors to get away from the dampness of the castle. Tapestries were hung on the wall to help brighten up the halls and keep in heat.
The main furniture in the great hall were wooden benches and large tables made by laying wood planks across other benches. At night, the table was taken down to make room for the servants who slept on the floor. The floors were covered year-round with reeds, bones, and scraps of food. When the room began to smell, the servants added more reeds and sprinkled spices to help get rid of the odor. Once a year, the servants replaced the soiled reeds with new ones, and the whole process started again. The king and his family often shared a single room where their sleeping quarters were separated by curtains.
The king's kitchen staff decorated most of the food before they served it. Sometimes when the meat was served, the servants put the fur or feathers back on the meat to make it look alive! On the other hand, because there was no refrigeration, the food spoiled quickly. Sometimes when the food was spoiled, they just dumped extra gravy on it and served it anyway. One of the only ways to preserve and season the food was to salt all the meat.
In fact, since salt was so important at the medieval table, it began to be sort of a status symbol. Most great halls had only one large salt container, and where you sat in relation to it told people how important you were. The more important people sat "above the salt", and those that were less important sat "below the salt". During the evening meals, the lord and his family sat upon a raised platform and watched court jesters who sang, juggled, and told stories.
Castles had no modern plumbing, but the garbage disposal presented no problem. The servants dumped it into the moat. Bathrooms in castles often emptied right into the moat as well. Since people in the Middle Ages believed that washing too much could make you sick, bathing became a once-a-month affair. Most didn't even bother with soap, because the soaps were so strong that they could eat holes through cloth. The royal family preferred dirt to holes, so wash days were few and far between.
From now on you'll want to notice where the salt is at your table, but we wouldn't advise only taking a bath once a month."
"We got to visit a castle and learn more about what they were like. Castles looked cool on the outside, but really they were cold, damp, and poorly lit. The only heating was provided by fireplaces in each room, and castles had to be lit by torches because they were very dark inside.
People tended to spend much time outdoors to get away from the dampness of the castle. Tapestries were hung on the wall to help brighten up the halls and keep in heat.
The main furniture in the great hall were wooden benches and large tables made by laying wood planks across other benches. At night, the table was taken down to make room for the servants who slept on the floor. The floors were covered year-round with reeds, bones, and scraps of food. When the room began to smell, the servants added more reeds and sprinkled spices to help get rid of the odor. Once a year, the servants replaced the soiled reeds with new ones, and the whole process started again. The king and his family often shared a single room where their sleeping quarters were separated by curtains.
The king's kitchen staff decorated most of the food before they served it. Sometimes when the meat was served, the servants put the fur or feathers back on the meat to make it look alive! On the other hand, because there was no refrigeration, the food spoiled quickly. Sometimes when the food was spoiled, they just dumped extra gravy on it and served it anyway. One of the only ways to preserve and season the food was to salt all the meat.
In fact, since salt was so important at the medieval table, it began to be sort of a status symbol. Most great halls had only one large salt container, and where you sat in relation to it told people how important you were. The more important people sat "above the salt", and those that were less important sat "below the salt". During the evening meals, the lord and his family sat upon a raised platform and watched court jesters who sang, juggled, and told stories.
Castles had no modern plumbing, but the garbage disposal presented no problem. The servants dumped it into the moat. Bathrooms in castles often emptied right into the moat as well. Since people in the Middle Ages believed that washing too much could make you sick, bathing became a once-a-month affair. Most didn't even bother with soap, because the soaps were so strong that they could eat holes through cloth. The royal family preferred dirt to holes, so wash days were few and far between.
From now on you'll want to notice where the salt is at your table, but we wouldn't advise only taking a bath once a month."
24 August 2016
"Since our last update we have continued our travels throughout Devon and Cornwall. We attended Harold's baptism in St. Austell. Harold is a fairly intellectual man, whose first impressions of the missionary discussions were that it sounded logical. He talked about not doing "feelings", but the missionaries explained that the Holy Ghost can speak to us in different ways, and that his impression that it was logical was his answer about its truthfulness. We often fail to recognize the Holy Ghost's influence in our lives, much as in 3 Nephi 9:20. "The Lamanites... were baptized with fire and the Holy Ghost and they knew it not." Recent convert Rose was in attendance, and another recent convert family who have attended every Cornwall baptism since their own baptisms this summer. They say they really feel the Spirit at baptisms, which has been our own experience as well. Their daughter is joining our YSA group when she turns 18 next month.
The next day we returned to St. Austell to speak in sacrament meeting on overcoming our doubts and choosing to believe in God. The topic was requested by the bishop. One quote we particularly liked and shared is: 'We as members of the Church tend to emphasize marvelous and dramatic spiritual manifestations so much that we may fail to appreciate and may even overlook the customary pattern by which the Holy Ghost accomplishes His work. The very "simpleness of the way" (1 Nephi 17:41) of receiving small and incremental spiritual impressions that over time and in totality constitute a desired answer or the direction we need, may cause us to "look beyond the mark". (Jacob 4:14) ... I have talked with many individuals who question the strength of their personal testimony and underestimate their spiritual capacity because they do not receive frequent, miraculous, or strong impressions. Perhaps as we consider the experiences of Joseph in the Sacred Grove, of Saul on the road to Damascus, and of Alma the Younger, we come to believe something is wrong with or lacking in us if we fall short in our lives of these well-known and spiritually striking examples. If you have had similar thoughts or doubts, please know that you are quite normal. Just keep pressing forward obediently and with faith in the Savior. As you do so, you "cannot got amiss". (D&C 80:3) (David A. Bednar, April 2011)
We have been working on our Plymouth Stake YSA convention which takes place in September. It will be held at Dragon Archery, owned by a church member who is also the branch president in Bideford. He has 3 YSA children of his own.
We made food and taught at Institute last week. The subject was Joseph Smith Matthew and the signs of the coming of the Savior. Last Sunday we traveled two hours to the Bideford branch located on the north Devon coast. We spoke once again in sacrament meeting, this time on the promises the Lord has made, and that He has all to fulfill them, with counsel from two good sources:
James E. Faust quoted Dr. Arthur Wentworth Hewitt as saying: "If on a basis of strict personal return here and now, all the good were always happy and all the bad suffered disaster (instead of quite often the reverse), this would be the most subtle damnation of character imaginable."
Henry B. Eyring said, "God makes it attractive to choose the right by letting us feel the effects of our choices. If we choose the right, we will find happiness- in time. If we choose evil, there comes sorrow and regret- in time. Those effects are sure. Yet they are often delayed for a purpose. If the blessings were immediate, choosing the right would not build faith. And since sorrow is also sometimes greatly delayed, it takes faith to feel the need to seek forgiveness for sin early rather than after we feel its sorrowful and painful effects." (April 2014)
Speaking in church so often is a great opportunity to study the scriptures and the words of the prophets by topic. We are most grateful for their guidance and feel deeply of their truthfulness.
After the meetings in Bideford we were invited to Peter and Maureen Smith's for lunch, which was very kind of them. They told us the stories of their own conversions. He was shocked to be called by then Elder Hinckley to be a bishop of a large ward after being a member less than 3 years. He and Elder Warnick shared with each other their feelings of inadequacy accompanying the call to be the leader of a congregation. Now his son is a bishop in Scotland, and feeling the same desires to serve to the best of his ability.
Yesterday we took the ferry to Dartmouth and on to the castle at the mouth of the estuary. It was built for defense, and had multiple cannons. Originally they employed a huge chain they could raise to prevent the French and pirates from traveling upstream. The castle is rumored to be haunted.
We had local crab sandwiches, and decided we will stick with fish and chips. Many people were crabbing right off the pier, which involves lowering a line with bait on a small net, which the crabs grab and won't let go. There ought to be a lesson in there somewhere."
The next day we returned to St. Austell to speak in sacrament meeting on overcoming our doubts and choosing to believe in God. The topic was requested by the bishop. One quote we particularly liked and shared is: 'We as members of the Church tend to emphasize marvelous and dramatic spiritual manifestations so much that we may fail to appreciate and may even overlook the customary pattern by which the Holy Ghost accomplishes His work. The very "simpleness of the way" (1 Nephi 17:41) of receiving small and incremental spiritual impressions that over time and in totality constitute a desired answer or the direction we need, may cause us to "look beyond the mark". (Jacob 4:14) ... I have talked with many individuals who question the strength of their personal testimony and underestimate their spiritual capacity because they do not receive frequent, miraculous, or strong impressions. Perhaps as we consider the experiences of Joseph in the Sacred Grove, of Saul on the road to Damascus, and of Alma the Younger, we come to believe something is wrong with or lacking in us if we fall short in our lives of these well-known and spiritually striking examples. If you have had similar thoughts or doubts, please know that you are quite normal. Just keep pressing forward obediently and with faith in the Savior. As you do so, you "cannot got amiss". (D&C 80:3) (David A. Bednar, April 2011)
We have been working on our Plymouth Stake YSA convention which takes place in September. It will be held at Dragon Archery, owned by a church member who is also the branch president in Bideford. He has 3 YSA children of his own.
We made food and taught at Institute last week. The subject was Joseph Smith Matthew and the signs of the coming of the Savior. Last Sunday we traveled two hours to the Bideford branch located on the north Devon coast. We spoke once again in sacrament meeting, this time on the promises the Lord has made, and that He has all to fulfill them, with counsel from two good sources:
James E. Faust quoted Dr. Arthur Wentworth Hewitt as saying: "If on a basis of strict personal return here and now, all the good were always happy and all the bad suffered disaster (instead of quite often the reverse), this would be the most subtle damnation of character imaginable."
Henry B. Eyring said, "God makes it attractive to choose the right by letting us feel the effects of our choices. If we choose the right, we will find happiness- in time. If we choose evil, there comes sorrow and regret- in time. Those effects are sure. Yet they are often delayed for a purpose. If the blessings were immediate, choosing the right would not build faith. And since sorrow is also sometimes greatly delayed, it takes faith to feel the need to seek forgiveness for sin early rather than after we feel its sorrowful and painful effects." (April 2014)
Speaking in church so often is a great opportunity to study the scriptures and the words of the prophets by topic. We are most grateful for their guidance and feel deeply of their truthfulness.
After the meetings in Bideford we were invited to Peter and Maureen Smith's for lunch, which was very kind of them. They told us the stories of their own conversions. He was shocked to be called by then Elder Hinckley to be a bishop of a large ward after being a member less than 3 years. He and Elder Warnick shared with each other their feelings of inadequacy accompanying the call to be the leader of a congregation. Now his son is a bishop in Scotland, and feeling the same desires to serve to the best of his ability.
Yesterday we took the ferry to Dartmouth and on to the castle at the mouth of the estuary. It was built for defense, and had multiple cannons. Originally they employed a huge chain they could raise to prevent the French and pirates from traveling upstream. The castle is rumored to be haunted.
We had local crab sandwiches, and decided we will stick with fish and chips. Many people were crabbing right off the pier, which involves lowering a line with bait on a small net, which the crabs grab and won't let go. There ought to be a lesson in there somewhere."
7 August 2016
"We have had several baptisms in our stake and think we have outstanding missionaries in this zone. On the 23rd Titus was baptized in Exeter. We spoke in the ward the next day and were able to see his confirmation. He is from Nigeria, which would interest Grandma and Grandpa Miller. (Sister Warnick's parents served a mission in Nigeria.)
On the 30th we drove to Redruth to attend a baptism, but when we arrived the font had overflowed and flooded the whole chapel. As a result they postponed until the week following, but we were able to drive to St. Austell and attend Rose Boyd's baptism. She bore a sweet testimony and told how she had believed in paganism bordering on witchcraft, but realizes now she was so wrong. It is wonderful that the Lord is able to accept us no matter what our past has been if we are willing to change and follow Him.
Yesterday we attended Harold's baptism in Helston due to the ongoing drying out of the Redruth chapel. While there we met Ellis, a soon-to-be YSA, who was baptized with her parents in July. She really wants to go to BYU but has a year before she can apply.
In the midst of all these travels we have been transporting missionaries and doing flat inspections. Some of the flats are in quite nice shape, but others are old and run down. The Helston elders have gotten permission to look for another flat as their landlord claims the privilege of coming in at any time of day or night. Their flat is a dump, besides.
We have also been attending Institute and YSA activities. On Friday night we prepared food and met at the church before departing for Spitchwick in Dartmoor National Park. We returned to our flat on the way to pick up some sports equipment, thinking to meet them there, but we were never able to find them with the directions we had been given. It reminded us of the old hide and seek game- we drove around the area for two hours. They were very apologetic, but it was all right, as they had enough food without ours. Next week they plan to go to Teignmouth Beach. We will make sure we stay in the middle of the pack this time. There ought to be a lesson there somewhere.
We also had the opportunity to visit Coleton Fishacre, the home of Rupert and Dorothy D'Oyly Carte, built in the 1920s. They owned the Savoy Hotel, and the theatre in London famous for Gilbert and Sullivan operas, which they produced, and ended up wealthier than the artists themselves. The home and gardens were beautiful, with a view of the southern coast.
Elder Warnick passed his written driving test with excellent scores. The hardest part was a computer hazard perception test, as they have their own way of deciding how soon you should see it and what exactly might turn into a problem. We fasted beforehand, and he got higher scores than he ever had on the preparation tests, so we are most grateful for the help. The next part to pass is behind the wheel, and we are paying a church member to get him ready for that and present him at the test, as that is the way it is done here. It is not scheduled until November. Through it all we have felt sustained by Heavenly Father and know of His interest in the lives of His children."
On the 30th we drove to Redruth to attend a baptism, but when we arrived the font had overflowed and flooded the whole chapel. As a result they postponed until the week following, but we were able to drive to St. Austell and attend Rose Boyd's baptism. She bore a sweet testimony and told how she had believed in paganism bordering on witchcraft, but realizes now she was so wrong. It is wonderful that the Lord is able to accept us no matter what our past has been if we are willing to change and follow Him.
Yesterday we attended Harold's baptism in Helston due to the ongoing drying out of the Redruth chapel. While there we met Ellis, a soon-to-be YSA, who was baptized with her parents in July. She really wants to go to BYU but has a year before she can apply.
In the midst of all these travels we have been transporting missionaries and doing flat inspections. Some of the flats are in quite nice shape, but others are old and run down. The Helston elders have gotten permission to look for another flat as their landlord claims the privilege of coming in at any time of day or night. Their flat is a dump, besides.
We have also been attending Institute and YSA activities. On Friday night we prepared food and met at the church before departing for Spitchwick in Dartmoor National Park. We returned to our flat on the way to pick up some sports equipment, thinking to meet them there, but we were never able to find them with the directions we had been given. It reminded us of the old hide and seek game- we drove around the area for two hours. They were very apologetic, but it was all right, as they had enough food without ours. Next week they plan to go to Teignmouth Beach. We will make sure we stay in the middle of the pack this time. There ought to be a lesson there somewhere.
We also had the opportunity to visit Coleton Fishacre, the home of Rupert and Dorothy D'Oyly Carte, built in the 1920s. They owned the Savoy Hotel, and the theatre in London famous for Gilbert and Sullivan operas, which they produced, and ended up wealthier than the artists themselves. The home and gardens were beautiful, with a view of the southern coast.
Elder Warnick passed his written driving test with excellent scores. The hardest part was a computer hazard perception test, as they have their own way of deciding how soon you should see it and what exactly might turn into a problem. We fasted beforehand, and he got higher scores than he ever had on the preparation tests, so we are most grateful for the help. The next part to pass is behind the wheel, and we are paying a church member to get him ready for that and present him at the test, as that is the way it is done here. It is not scheduled until November. Through it all we have felt sustained by Heavenly Father and know of His interest in the lives of His children."
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Elder Warnick's talk- Senior Missionary Service
Below is Elder Warnick's talk on Senior Missionary Service, referenced in the last post.
"My dear brethren, President Martin has asked that I address the subject of Senior Missionary Service, hoping to “light a fire” in some of you to inspire you
to serve as senior missionaries. That is a tall order. I am reminded of the man who hitched his horse to a buggy and the horse refused to move. In his frustration, he lit a fire underneath it, and the horse moved just far enough to burn the buggy up. But knowing President Martin to be an inspired leader, I do not question the source of this call to speak to you.
As I have pondered, prayed and fasted about what I might say that would inspire you to serve as senior missionaries, two words have come to my mind: Remembrance and Gratitude
Remembrance
In 1848, my great grandfather, William Woodward, was a 15-year- old boy living in Bushy, Hertfordshire, just outside of London. His stepfather, who was foreman of a section crew, was able to obtain employment for William on the London and North-Western Railway. In 1848, there was talk and ridicule concerning a group of people—the Latter-Day Saints. These peculiar people had rented a small school house in which to hold their meetings, and one Sunday night, William decided to go see for himself what it was all about. William wrote of this first experience with the Mormons, “(I) sat close by the door so (I) could retire if the services did not suit (me). The opening exercises were simple: singing, prayer, and singing. Nothing remarkable in these proceedings but when the preacher commenced his discourses, it was electrifying. (I)had never heard the like before. It was Bible doctrine, and (I) was familiar with the scriptural passages given. (I) did not want to leave the meeting till it ended. Notice was given that a tea party would be held next evening and a public meeting afterwards. (I) attended it and received the first piece of Latter-day Saint literature, a small piece of paper about 3 inches square, and called an 'Invitation'; with references on Faith, Repentance, Baptism, and Laying on of Hands. These two meetings changed (my) course of life.”
William’s stepfather told him that he would put him out of the house if he was baptized a Mormon, and checked his hair each night to see if it was wet. William continued to go to their meetings till June 18 when he gave his name in for baptism, and on June 21 [1848] he was baptized by Martin Cole an engine driver, and a priest in the Church ... William said, “I dried my hair very carefully.”
It was some time after baptism before he heard the name of Joseph Smith or the Book of Mormon or of the gathering. As soon as he heard of these things he received them with joy.
Soon after, he was put out of the house, and lived for a time with the missionaries before emigrating to Salt Lake City in 1850. Heber C. Kimball took William into his home and treated him as one of his own children. William returned on a mission to England in 1852 and served there until 1856. On his return from his mission, he stayed behind in Iowa to help outfit and lead the Willie Handcart Company as a captain of 100. Leaving late in the season, they were caught in the early snows on the plains of Wyoming. On hearing of the plight of the handcart saints Brigham Young declared to the saints, “I will tell you all,” said he, “that your faith, religion, and profession of religion, will never save one soul of you in the celestial kingdom of our God, unless you carry out just such principles as I am now teaching you. Go and bring in those people now on the plains, and attend strictly to those things which we call temporal, or temporal duties, otherwise your faith will be in vain; the preaching you have heard will be in vain to you, and you will sink to hell, unless you attend to the things we tell you” (Deseret News, Oct. 15, 1856, 252).
William wrote, “It was a sorry sight, over 400 people with hand carts, short of bedding, and to sleep on the cold ground. One thought is enough for a lifetime.”
When the relief party arrived, William said that they looked like angels when they saw them coming toward them through the snow. He did not think they were real men. He wrote that they had buried 68 of his people, and went on to say, “Had it not been for the timely aid sent us, it seems we must have all perished . . . Teams and help with food and clothing were sent by the good people of Utah to our rescue, God bless them. The best of all bread was sent to feed our hungry loads of people. What kind boys they were who were sent to our help. President Brigham Young seemed to be inspired and seemed alive to the occasion. God bless his memory.”
Gratitude
I cannot read this account of my great grandfather without weeping. I am so grateful for his humility and willingness to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ when it was taught to him by the missionaries. I will be forever grateful to those missionaries who left the comfort of their homes to declare the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ to my great grandfather, and to those who offered their lives in Christ-like similitude to rescue him on the plains of Wyoming. I owe my own life and my membership in the Church to them. When I am privileged to finally meet them, I will thank them and thank them for what they have done for me and my family.
My brethren, each of us has his own story of the sacrifices of others to bring the Gospel to us and our families. We each owe a debt of gratitude to the Savior and to those He has called, who left the comforts of home and family to offer us salvation.
President Gordon B. Hinckley has said, “As this work rolls forward, that need (for senior couples) is increasing. Let us, in our richest years of experience, maturity, wisdom, and most of all, our faith, rise to meet that need as only we can.“ (To the Bishops of the Church,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, June 19, 2004, 27.)
President Gubler, our mission president, has told us that the church is down 2000 couples from previous levels. “The harvest is great, but the laborers are (indeed), few.” I urge each of you to meet with your bishop or branch president and not put off the call to serve the Lord as senior couples. He will help you prepare and qualify to serve as missionaries.
We may think that our talents are so meager that we have little to offer in the Lord’s service, but if He was able to bless five loaves and two fishes and with them feed five thousand, surely, with His blessing, we will be magnified in his service to feed thousands. Some of those thousands will be our own descendants whose lives have been blessed by our service. You may have the sweet privilege of having those you rescue think of you as angels sent from heaven to save them.
President Hinckley said to the bishops, “There is a constant need for more couple missionaries. They perform wonderful service throughout the world. You [leaders] need not wait for the couples to volunteer. The sacrifices associated with serving the Lord full-time will abundantly bless the couples, their families, and the people they serve.” (President Gordon B. Hinckley, “To the Bishops of the Church,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, June 19, 2004, 27.)
I testify of the blessings that have come to us as senior missionaries. I testify and promise, as you lay aside the cares of this world and place your all on the altar of sacrifice, the Lord will come out of his hiding place and bless you in rich abundance.
As one of his ordained servants, I bear you my witness that I know Our Father and the Savior live. I know Joseph Smith was the Prophet of the Restoration, and that through him the Lord restored the only true church on the face of the earth, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know Thomas S. Monson is his prophet today.
I pray that we may each have the privilege of bearing that witness as one of his missionaries. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
"My dear brethren, President Martin has asked that I address the subject of Senior Missionary Service, hoping to “light a fire” in some of you to inspire you
to serve as senior missionaries. That is a tall order. I am reminded of the man who hitched his horse to a buggy and the horse refused to move. In his frustration, he lit a fire underneath it, and the horse moved just far enough to burn the buggy up. But knowing President Martin to be an inspired leader, I do not question the source of this call to speak to you.
As I have pondered, prayed and fasted about what I might say that would inspire you to serve as senior missionaries, two words have come to my mind: Remembrance and Gratitude
Remembrance
In 1848, my great grandfather, William Woodward, was a 15-year- old boy living in Bushy, Hertfordshire, just outside of London. His stepfather, who was foreman of a section crew, was able to obtain employment for William on the London and North-Western Railway. In 1848, there was talk and ridicule concerning a group of people—the Latter-Day Saints. These peculiar people had rented a small school house in which to hold their meetings, and one Sunday night, William decided to go see for himself what it was all about. William wrote of this first experience with the Mormons, “(I) sat close by the door so (I) could retire if the services did not suit (me). The opening exercises were simple: singing, prayer, and singing. Nothing remarkable in these proceedings but when the preacher commenced his discourses, it was electrifying. (I)had never heard the like before. It was Bible doctrine, and (I) was familiar with the scriptural passages given. (I) did not want to leave the meeting till it ended. Notice was given that a tea party would be held next evening and a public meeting afterwards. (I) attended it and received the first piece of Latter-day Saint literature, a small piece of paper about 3 inches square, and called an 'Invitation'; with references on Faith, Repentance, Baptism, and Laying on of Hands. These two meetings changed (my) course of life.”
William’s stepfather told him that he would put him out of the house if he was baptized a Mormon, and checked his hair each night to see if it was wet. William continued to go to their meetings till June 18 when he gave his name in for baptism, and on June 21 [1848] he was baptized by Martin Cole an engine driver, and a priest in the Church ... William said, “I dried my hair very carefully.”
It was some time after baptism before he heard the name of Joseph Smith or the Book of Mormon or of the gathering. As soon as he heard of these things he received them with joy.
Soon after, he was put out of the house, and lived for a time with the missionaries before emigrating to Salt Lake City in 1850. Heber C. Kimball took William into his home and treated him as one of his own children. William returned on a mission to England in 1852 and served there until 1856. On his return from his mission, he stayed behind in Iowa to help outfit and lead the Willie Handcart Company as a captain of 100. Leaving late in the season, they were caught in the early snows on the plains of Wyoming. On hearing of the plight of the handcart saints Brigham Young declared to the saints, “I will tell you all,” said he, “that your faith, religion, and profession of religion, will never save one soul of you in the celestial kingdom of our God, unless you carry out just such principles as I am now teaching you. Go and bring in those people now on the plains, and attend strictly to those things which we call temporal, or temporal duties, otherwise your faith will be in vain; the preaching you have heard will be in vain to you, and you will sink to hell, unless you attend to the things we tell you” (Deseret News, Oct. 15, 1856, 252).
William wrote, “It was a sorry sight, over 400 people with hand carts, short of bedding, and to sleep on the cold ground. One thought is enough for a lifetime.”
When the relief party arrived, William said that they looked like angels when they saw them coming toward them through the snow. He did not think they were real men. He wrote that they had buried 68 of his people, and went on to say, “Had it not been for the timely aid sent us, it seems we must have all perished . . . Teams and help with food and clothing were sent by the good people of Utah to our rescue, God bless them. The best of all bread was sent to feed our hungry loads of people. What kind boys they were who were sent to our help. President Brigham Young seemed to be inspired and seemed alive to the occasion. God bless his memory.”
Gratitude
I cannot read this account of my great grandfather without weeping. I am so grateful for his humility and willingness to accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ when it was taught to him by the missionaries. I will be forever grateful to those missionaries who left the comfort of their homes to declare the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ to my great grandfather, and to those who offered their lives in Christ-like similitude to rescue him on the plains of Wyoming. I owe my own life and my membership in the Church to them. When I am privileged to finally meet them, I will thank them and thank them for what they have done for me and my family.
My brethren, each of us has his own story of the sacrifices of others to bring the Gospel to us and our families. We each owe a debt of gratitude to the Savior and to those He has called, who left the comforts of home and family to offer us salvation.
President Gordon B. Hinckley has said, “As this work rolls forward, that need (for senior couples) is increasing. Let us, in our richest years of experience, maturity, wisdom, and most of all, our faith, rise to meet that need as only we can.“ (To the Bishops of the Church,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, June 19, 2004, 27.)
President Gubler, our mission president, has told us that the church is down 2000 couples from previous levels. “The harvest is great, but the laborers are (indeed), few.” I urge each of you to meet with your bishop or branch president and not put off the call to serve the Lord as senior couples. He will help you prepare and qualify to serve as missionaries.
We may think that our talents are so meager that we have little to offer in the Lord’s service, but if He was able to bless five loaves and two fishes and with them feed five thousand, surely, with His blessing, we will be magnified in his service to feed thousands. Some of those thousands will be our own descendants whose lives have been blessed by our service. You may have the sweet privilege of having those you rescue think of you as angels sent from heaven to save them.
President Hinckley said to the bishops, “There is a constant need for more couple missionaries. They perform wonderful service throughout the world. You [leaders] need not wait for the couples to volunteer. The sacrifices associated with serving the Lord full-time will abundantly bless the couples, their families, and the people they serve.” (President Gordon B. Hinckley, “To the Bishops of the Church,” Worldwide Leadership Training Meeting, June 19, 2004, 27.)
I testify of the blessings that have come to us as senior missionaries. I testify and promise, as you lay aside the cares of this world and place your all on the altar of sacrifice, the Lord will come out of his hiding place and bless you in rich abundance.
As one of his ordained servants, I bear you my witness that I know Our Father and the Savior live. I know Joseph Smith was the Prophet of the Restoration, and that through him the Lord restored the only true church on the face of the earth, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know Thomas S. Monson is his prophet today.
I pray that we may each have the privilege of bearing that witness as one of his missionaries. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."
22 July 2016
"Since we last wrote one of our young single adults, Edward Blow, received his mission call to the South Africa Johannesburg Mission. He is a recent convert himself and had been one of our YSA stake leaders. His story, in short, is that he went out in search of a crab sandwich and found instead the church as he was approached on the street by missionaries. He expresses a strong testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and has consistently been one to be counted on in any request made to the YSA, sometimes arising very early to catch a train to help others out. We will miss him when he leaves in October.
We attended the Exeter district meeting and made a presentation on working with members to find people to teach. Afterward we took them all out to lunch and then put on our 'Hoover' repair hats again while inspecting the sisters' flat. They thought the vacuum didn't work at all, but it turns out that previous missionaries had hooked up the hoses wrong. It is amazing how sometimes simple fixes can bring great results. This is our third 'Hoover' in our district we have managed to repair.
We took apple muffins to our meeting, and two of the missionaries asked for the recipe. By the time we leave we should have quite a few missionary approved recipes.
Friday evening we were invited to dinner at the Zugcic home. The mother was a missionary in England, and another guest was also a missionary in this very area (having come from Austria) and now lives in the same ward as some people she baptized. We had a full bowl of soup and bread, which Mom thought was the meal; it was followed by much more. We went away stuffed. They have a flat right by ASDA, which is the Walmart affiliate here. Some stores have an American aisle, but that doesn't really mean you can find anything you might want. Did you know Chex cereals can't be sold here, but Cheerios can (although more sugar is added)?
Saturday Dad spoke in stake priesthood meeting on senior missionary service. We will send it separately.
Dad taught missionary preparation, then visited with the Pearces, who have been called as the YSA couple in Exeter. We count it as a great blessing as this ward has the second highest number in the stake, but don't have anything going except a YSA Sunday School class.
On Tuesday we visited Compton Castle, home of Humphrey Gilbert, half brother of Sir Walter Raleigh. He established Newfoundland, but really only stayed there 2 weeks. He is infamous for his brutality in wars in Ireland. We are quite sure that had we lived in the times of those early castles we would have been field hands or in the kitchen instead of living in the house, but then they weren't always the best people. This castle had a separate kitchen as they were worried about fire. It was used in the filming of Sense and Sensibility.
Yesterday we drove to Poole for a 3 zone conference and had to rush back for Dad to teach Institute, both ways providing rides for missionaries. At the conference we were particularly impressed with Brian Martin, a counselor to President Gubler, who is British. His humble manner and view of the history here that he has experienced firsthand were the highlights for us. We were going strong from 5:00am to 11:00pm."
We attended the Exeter district meeting and made a presentation on working with members to find people to teach. Afterward we took them all out to lunch and then put on our 'Hoover' repair hats again while inspecting the sisters' flat. They thought the vacuum didn't work at all, but it turns out that previous missionaries had hooked up the hoses wrong. It is amazing how sometimes simple fixes can bring great results. This is our third 'Hoover' in our district we have managed to repair.
We took apple muffins to our meeting, and two of the missionaries asked for the recipe. By the time we leave we should have quite a few missionary approved recipes.
Friday evening we were invited to dinner at the Zugcic home. The mother was a missionary in England, and another guest was also a missionary in this very area (having come from Austria) and now lives in the same ward as some people she baptized. We had a full bowl of soup and bread, which Mom thought was the meal; it was followed by much more. We went away stuffed. They have a flat right by ASDA, which is the Walmart affiliate here. Some stores have an American aisle, but that doesn't really mean you can find anything you might want. Did you know Chex cereals can't be sold here, but Cheerios can (although more sugar is added)?
Saturday Dad spoke in stake priesthood meeting on senior missionary service. We will send it separately.
Dad taught missionary preparation, then visited with the Pearces, who have been called as the YSA couple in Exeter. We count it as a great blessing as this ward has the second highest number in the stake, but don't have anything going except a YSA Sunday School class.
On Tuesday we visited Compton Castle, home of Humphrey Gilbert, half brother of Sir Walter Raleigh. He established Newfoundland, but really only stayed there 2 weeks. He is infamous for his brutality in wars in Ireland. We are quite sure that had we lived in the times of those early castles we would have been field hands or in the kitchen instead of living in the house, but then they weren't always the best people. This castle had a separate kitchen as they were worried about fire. It was used in the filming of Sense and Sensibility.
 |
| These little mice were hidden all over the house! |
Yesterday we drove to Poole for a 3 zone conference and had to rush back for Dad to teach Institute, both ways providing rides for missionaries. At the conference we were particularly impressed with Brian Martin, a counselor to President Gubler, who is British. His humble manner and view of the history here that he has experienced firsthand were the highlights for us. We were going strong from 5:00am to 11:00pm."
12 July 2016
"Institute this week focused on the Book of Abraham. In preparation, we read the Gospel Topic Essay on the Book of Abraham. We continue to attend district meetings with the young missionaries. They are such an inspiration to us. We have a new elder from Thailand whose companion is patiently helping him learn English. We tried a new recipe on them: muffin tin chicken tacos. The meeting does end at lunchtime, after all.
On Friday night we attended the Plymouth concert band performance held at our chapel. The stake president said they like holding it there as it has a 'good feeling'. Kathryn Martin, one of our young single adults, is a featured singer with the band and did a wonderful job. She has a degree in vocal performance. We got to sing along with some English favorites and enjoyed some Broadway tunes as well. There was even music from a Beatrix Potter ballet, if you want to google it. The ballet takes place in full animal costumes, and is quite entertaining. The concert was in remembrance of the Battle of Somme in WWI where there were over 1 million casualties on both sides, without anyone gaining a clear advantage. We don't think about it much in the US, but WWI cost England the best part of a generation. They still think of it here in painful and vivid terms.
On Saturday we went to Broadsands Beach near Paignton for a YSA activity. Dad fell and hurt his knee playing cricket (fielding, not batting), but is on the mend. He says his body is becoming increasingly resistant to what his mind tells it to do. He gets reminded he is not 25 anymore.
Sunday we went to meetings in Newton Abbott. Dave Grant, a convert of less than a year, is the new YSA Sunday School teacher. He did an outstanding job teaching Alma 30 and 31 about Alma's encounter with Korihor. He started the lesson with a profound question: is there anywhere in the world you haven't been, but you know is there? He went on to emphasize the need for faith and reliance on the testimony of those who have actually seen God, rather than dismissing those witnesses simply because we have not personally seen Him. It was a powerful lesson, and we were so impressed with his conversion to the gospel. He expresses such great gratitude for coming to know the church is true and the difference that has made in his life.
Sunday afternoon we had a Face Time with the Germanys, a senior missionary couple who are assigned here who are in Sneddon's ward in Providence. President Gubler has asked if they can move up their arrival as they are sorely needed. Three couples are leaving, without replacements. We made a list of the things we thought would be useful for them to know before they came. Number one on our list was getting a no-international-fee Visa card, as Heather arranged for us. It has saved us a lot of money and been convenient to use rather than always going to the bank. We have been very glad to both have iPads. They are used constantly by the missionaries here as well. We hope our suggestions are helpful to them. Sister Sneddon would love to come to this mission.
Yesterday Bishop Vousden and his wife Susan took us on a ferry ride across the river Exe from Starcross to Exmouth. We spent some time walking on the beach, but did not find any sea glass this time. We stopped for lunch in Shaldon with them on our way home and just got to their place before the rain poured down. We think it has rained some portion of nearly every day since we arrived.
Dad is studying for his drivers license exams. It is a much more difficult process than in the US, and more expensive as well. It will be a relief when he has passed."
On Friday night we attended the Plymouth concert band performance held at our chapel. The stake president said they like holding it there as it has a 'good feeling'. Kathryn Martin, one of our young single adults, is a featured singer with the band and did a wonderful job. She has a degree in vocal performance. We got to sing along with some English favorites and enjoyed some Broadway tunes as well. There was even music from a Beatrix Potter ballet, if you want to google it. The ballet takes place in full animal costumes, and is quite entertaining. The concert was in remembrance of the Battle of Somme in WWI where there were over 1 million casualties on both sides, without anyone gaining a clear advantage. We don't think about it much in the US, but WWI cost England the best part of a generation. They still think of it here in painful and vivid terms.
On Saturday we went to Broadsands Beach near Paignton for a YSA activity. Dad fell and hurt his knee playing cricket (fielding, not batting), but is on the mend. He says his body is becoming increasingly resistant to what his mind tells it to do. He gets reminded he is not 25 anymore.
Sunday we went to meetings in Newton Abbott. Dave Grant, a convert of less than a year, is the new YSA Sunday School teacher. He did an outstanding job teaching Alma 30 and 31 about Alma's encounter with Korihor. He started the lesson with a profound question: is there anywhere in the world you haven't been, but you know is there? He went on to emphasize the need for faith and reliance on the testimony of those who have actually seen God, rather than dismissing those witnesses simply because we have not personally seen Him. It was a powerful lesson, and we were so impressed with his conversion to the gospel. He expresses such great gratitude for coming to know the church is true and the difference that has made in his life.
Sunday afternoon we had a Face Time with the Germanys, a senior missionary couple who are assigned here who are in Sneddon's ward in Providence. President Gubler has asked if they can move up their arrival as they are sorely needed. Three couples are leaving, without replacements. We made a list of the things we thought would be useful for them to know before they came. Number one on our list was getting a no-international-fee Visa card, as Heather arranged for us. It has saved us a lot of money and been convenient to use rather than always going to the bank. We have been very glad to both have iPads. They are used constantly by the missionaries here as well. We hope our suggestions are helpful to them. Sister Sneddon would love to come to this mission.
Yesterday Bishop Vousden and his wife Susan took us on a ferry ride across the river Exe from Starcross to Exmouth. We spent some time walking on the beach, but did not find any sea glass this time. We stopped for lunch in Shaldon with them on our way home and just got to their place before the rain poured down. We think it has rained some portion of nearly every day since we arrived.
Dad is studying for his drivers license exams. It is a much more difficult process than in the US, and more expensive as well. It will be a relief when he has passed."
Independence Day
"For the Fourth of July we saw a country mansion previously owned by a man who went to fight against those 'rebellious colonists'. Major John Acland bought a commission and fought under his friend John Burgoyne, but was wounded early on in New York. His wife crossed the Hudson into the enemy camp to ask permission to care for him during his recovery for nine weeks, for which she was much celebrated later in her life. Acland himself was called before King George for his evaluation of the war after returning to England. The following from a biography:
'Acland was grateful for the treatment received when recuperating as a prisoner of war, so much so that following his return to England he challenged a certain Lieutenant Lloyd to a duel when the latter spoke poorly of Americans at a dinner party. Although he survived the duel, he caught a cold during it, from which he died at Pixton Park in 1778.'
Apparently a lot of Englishmen thought the Americans a bunch of rabble and not a match for the great army sent by the king. To set his man straight through a duel was a rather stalwart defense of their character. So he was loyal to the Americans after all, and we celebrated American bravery unknowingly by being in his home."
'Acland was grateful for the treatment received when recuperating as a prisoner of war, so much so that following his return to England he challenged a certain Lieutenant Lloyd to a duel when the latter spoke poorly of Americans at a dinner party. Although he survived the duel, he caught a cold during it, from which he died at Pixton Park in 1778.'
Apparently a lot of Englishmen thought the Americans a bunch of rabble and not a match for the great army sent by the king. To set his man straight through a duel was a rather stalwart defense of their character. So he was loyal to the Americans after all, and we celebrated American bravery unknowingly by being in his home."
2 July 2016
"Last Monday we took a steam train and bus to Greenway, which was Agatha Christie's holiday home. It can be reached by boat, as it is located on the water, but forget about getting there by personal vehicle. This country has a real problem with parking availability and road width. The house is full of her collections and even clothing.
Last evening we went to a YSA activity in Paignton on the beach, then returned home and did some emergency baking, as we didn't get the announcement about zone training the next day. Luckily we had something on hand to contribute to the meal. The reason we didn't get the announcement is that Dad had to deal with a man who appeared at the church during the district meeting, wanting money.
Tuesday morning we drove the Newton Abbott sisters to zone training in Plymouth. There are three new sisters, fresh out of the MTC, in our zone: one from California, one from Missouri, and one from Taiwan. The one from Taiwan speaks very little English, but is learning, and has a huge smile on her face.
We had an unexpected trip back to Plymouth on Wednesday for a district meeting, as one of the two missionaries couldn't get home by train; a tree had fallen across the tracks.
Thursday was our regular institute class, where we tried having Edward call in with a computer from Cornwall. We need to refine how that is done, as it cut out roughly every 15 minutes. Not all young people are equally tech savvy, and we depend on them to a great extent. Eventually each unit is supposed to receive broadcast and reception equipment.
We made a quick trip to the mission president's home yesterday for lunch with the other senior missionaries. While we were there, we were very close to a fox who is apparently a frequent visitor.
Last evening we went to a YSA activity in Paignton on the beach, then returned home and did some emergency baking, as we didn't get the announcement about zone training the next day. Luckily we had something on hand to contribute to the meal. The reason we didn't get the announcement is that Dad had to deal with a man who appeared at the church during the district meeting, wanting money.
Tuesday morning we drove the Newton Abbott sisters to zone training in Plymouth. There are three new sisters, fresh out of the MTC, in our zone: one from California, one from Missouri, and one from Taiwan. The one from Taiwan speaks very little English, but is learning, and has a huge smile on her face.
We had an unexpected trip back to Plymouth on Wednesday for a district meeting, as one of the two missionaries couldn't get home by train; a tree had fallen across the tracks.
Thursday was our regular institute class, where we tried having Edward call in with a computer from Cornwall. We need to refine how that is done, as it cut out roughly every 15 minutes. Not all young people are equally tech savvy, and we depend on them to a great extent. Eventually each unit is supposed to receive broadcast and reception equipment.
We made a quick trip to the mission president's home yesterday for lunch with the other senior missionaries. While we were there, we were very close to a fox who is apparently a frequent visitor.
It was a four-hour drive each way, so we don't know that we will try to go that way in the future. We are the farthest away, except the Dames on Guernsey Island, and they don't come to everything. We had to be back for a stake primary activity that the YSA was asked to help with. Our stake is very spread out, so it is a real commitment for people to attend any function, and with the price of petrol it can be hard. Some people back home can't relate, with a church right down the street.
We discussed this morning whether and how we might celebrate the Fourth of July on Monday. For obvious reasons it is not a holiday here. The biggest issue is the UK exit from the European Union. Many Brits resent the power the EU wields over all aspects of their lives. We see the political turmoil both in the US and UK as signs of the times."
We discussed this morning whether and how we might celebrate the Fourth of July on Monday. For obvious reasons it is not a holiday here. The biggest issue is the UK exit from the European Union. Many Brits resent the power the EU wields over all aspects of their lives. We see the political turmoil both in the US and UK as signs of the times."
Thursday, July 7, 2016
Transcript of Elder Oaks' Oxford Address
In the last post, Elder and Sister Warnick mentioned that in addition to speaking at their mission conference, Elder Oaks was scheduled to speak at Oxford University and to Parliament. The transcript of his Oxford address can be found here.
Tuesday, July 5, 2016
Mission Conference and Touring London
"We were privileged to attend a two-mission conference with Elder Oaks, Elder Kearon, and Elder Herbertsen and their wives. They made a point to shake the hand of everyone in attendance and their great love was very evident. Elder Oaks taught us that we now live in a world that mostly doesn't believe in God anymore. He talked about the devastating impact that has had where government officials pass laws that undermine freedom of religion and speech. He said missionaries who teach belief in God and repentance should feel successful even if their investigators are not baptized. It was a wonderful conference and we felt the strong influence of the Spirit. Elder Oaks was on his way to speak to Parliament and at Oxford. We had a mission picture taken on the steps of Royal Albert Hall and then the senior missionaries handed out sack lunches as the missionaries separated and departed back to their areas. It started to rain, and we got soaked. A 'brellie' is always handy in England.
We took some senior couples around to see Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace before attending a performance of Wicked, starring a church member as Glinda. We returned by train to the accomodation center at the London temple late that night and attended the temple the next day before leaving for home.
Last week was mission transfers and we were busy getting sisters to Plymouth and then picking up a new missionary who comes from Cairo, Missouri.
Last Sunday was busy as we traveled to St. Austell for church and met with Bishop Bundy afterwards. He was a young single adult himself right there and he has a great vision of the future of the YSA in Cornwall... we also met a young man who wasn't on our list of YSA as he is recently divorced. He is hoping for a group to get going in this area.
We just learned that the Newton Abbot chapel isn't available for Institute on Thursday, so have to work out what alternative is best. We also need to work out a ride for a young lady from Utah who is here for a month and wants to attend. It will all work out somehow (or, 'get sorted')."
We took some senior couples around to see Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and Buckingham Palace before attending a performance of Wicked, starring a church member as Glinda. We returned by train to the accomodation center at the London temple late that night and attended the temple the next day before leaving for home.
Last week was mission transfers and we were busy getting sisters to Plymouth and then picking up a new missionary who comes from Cairo, Missouri.
Last Sunday was busy as we traveled to St. Austell for church and met with Bishop Bundy afterwards. He was a young single adult himself right there and he has a great vision of the future of the YSA in Cornwall... we also met a young man who wasn't on our list of YSA as he is recently divorced. He is hoping for a group to get going in this area.
We just learned that the Newton Abbot chapel isn't available for Institute on Thursday, so have to work out what alternative is best. We also need to work out a ride for a young lady from Utah who is here for a month and wants to attend. It will all work out somehow (or, 'get sorted')."
Saturday, June 11, 2016
May
A slightly longer, but less detailed, post than usual to get all caught up:
- Elder and Sister Warnick noticed that they often pass a nesting swan on their drives. Also came across a fun fox bench.
- Had dinner with the bishop of the Paignton Ward and his wife. They are converts of about 5 years.
- Taught Institute in Plymouth, with 23 in attendance. The lesson was on the Utah war, the Mountain Meadows Massacre, and the revelation on the priesthood. They recommended this article.
- Spoke in Paignton Ward's Sacrament meeting, on the theme of "rescue". Discussed examples from the rescues of the Willie and Martin handcart companies and compared to our modern-day responsibilities to rescue others. Also shared the experience of Elder Warnick's great grandfather, William Woodward:
"He joined the church as a 14 year old boy after hearing the missionaries speak. He said that their words were 'electrifying'. He was immediately convinced that what they were saying was true. When his stepfather discovered that he had been baptized he was put out of the house. He lived with the missionaries for a time before emigrating to Utah [from England]. Heber C. Kimball took him into his home, treating him as one of his own family. William went on a mission back to England, and upon his return was one of the captains in the Willie Handcart company. He recorded in his journal that when he saw the rescuers coming he thought they were angels. He did not think they were real men coming to save him. All of us [in our family] owe our very lives and existence to those 'angels' who reached out to save the Willie Handcart Company."
- They continue to teach a missionary preparation class in Newton Abbott. Some members come quite a long distance by train in order to attend. One young man just received his mission call to New Delhi.
- Pablo, returning to the church after more than 20 years of inactivity, was able to baptize his wife Jennifer. Pablo expressed that the few minutes waiting for her to enter the font were really like having waited for her for 21 years. (Pictured below with Elder Kjaer, from Denmark, and Elder Lorenzana, from the Phillipines.)
- Drove to Poole for a 3 zone conference. Heard an amusing experience related by Elder Herberton of the area presidency, in his rich Scottish accent: When he was a bishop, a young woman from Zaire was converted when a member shared a Book of Mormon with her on a bus. She wanted to be baptized, but felt she needed her older sister's approval. When she called her sister to tell her, the sister was so upset that she flew to the UK from Zaire to talk her out of it. They met with Elder Herbertson (then bishop). After listening to the upset sister for a while, he said, "This is a real mess." He suggested they talk it over with the missionaries and then come back to see him and sort it out. After 3 days, the sister returned and said she also wanted to be baptized, but was fearful of what her husband would say. He was one of Zaire's government ministers, and was sensitive of his family's reputation. Bishop Herbertson handed her a phone right there to call her husband. He was so upset that he also flew to the UK. The sister brought her husband in to see the bishop, who carried on in agreement with the husband about this being totally unacceptable. "This is a real mess. All I can suggest is that you meet with the missionaries about it, then come back to see me and we'll see if we can get it sorted out." 3 days later the husband returned a visibly different person, and also asked to be baptized. When they returned to Zaire, he offered to resign his government position, but the country's president told him that was unnecessary. They also discovered that there was a church building only a few blocks from their home.
-Spoke in sacrament meeting again, this time about the restoration of the keys of the priesthood.
- Traveled with other senior missionaries to historic and geographic sites in Devon and Cornwall. Elder and Sister Lock, from Bristol, acted as tour guides. They visited Plymouth Hoe, where a battle with the Spanish Armada took place in 1588; St. Michael's Mount, an island monastery later fortified as a defense against supposed Catholic invaders after Henry VIII abolished Catholicism (the hill took several hours to climb); visited Penzance and St. Ives, but did not see any pirates or kits, cats, sacks, and wives; Port Isaac, setting of the Doc Martin BBC show, where they walked the beach and found lots of sea glass; Padstow, home to lots of restaurants and chef Rick Stein's cooking school; Tintagel, supposed site of King Arthur's castle, and also the oldest post office in England, a 14th century thatched-roof building; Lanhydrock, where they toured a Victorian home and garden, complete with furnishings; Dartmoor National Park, where they saw lots of wild ponies with their foals, sheep, and a few more of the Belted Galloway "oreo" cows.
- Had dinner with the Paignton ward bishop and wife again, the Schofields. They had an interesting elderflower drink, and heard about their conversion story.
- Attended the first Institute class of the summer in Newton Abbot- this term is on the Pearl of Great Price.
We're all caught up to the present now! Check in for more next week!
- Elder and Sister Warnick noticed that they often pass a nesting swan on their drives. Also came across a fun fox bench.
- Had dinner with the bishop of the Paignton Ward and his wife. They are converts of about 5 years.
- Taught Institute in Plymouth, with 23 in attendance. The lesson was on the Utah war, the Mountain Meadows Massacre, and the revelation on the priesthood. They recommended this article.
- Spoke in Paignton Ward's Sacrament meeting, on the theme of "rescue". Discussed examples from the rescues of the Willie and Martin handcart companies and compared to our modern-day responsibilities to rescue others. Also shared the experience of Elder Warnick's great grandfather, William Woodward:
"He joined the church as a 14 year old boy after hearing the missionaries speak. He said that their words were 'electrifying'. He was immediately convinced that what they were saying was true. When his stepfather discovered that he had been baptized he was put out of the house. He lived with the missionaries for a time before emigrating to Utah [from England]. Heber C. Kimball took him into his home, treating him as one of his own family. William went on a mission back to England, and upon his return was one of the captains in the Willie Handcart company. He recorded in his journal that when he saw the rescuers coming he thought they were angels. He did not think they were real men coming to save him. All of us [in our family] owe our very lives and existence to those 'angels' who reached out to save the Willie Handcart Company."
- They continue to teach a missionary preparation class in Newton Abbott. Some members come quite a long distance by train in order to attend. One young man just received his mission call to New Delhi.
- Pablo, returning to the church after more than 20 years of inactivity, was able to baptize his wife Jennifer. Pablo expressed that the few minutes waiting for her to enter the font were really like having waited for her for 21 years. (Pictured below with Elder Kjaer, from Denmark, and Elder Lorenzana, from the Phillipines.)
- Drove to Poole for a 3 zone conference. Heard an amusing experience related by Elder Herberton of the area presidency, in his rich Scottish accent: When he was a bishop, a young woman from Zaire was converted when a member shared a Book of Mormon with her on a bus. She wanted to be baptized, but felt she needed her older sister's approval. When she called her sister to tell her, the sister was so upset that she flew to the UK from Zaire to talk her out of it. They met with Elder Herbertson (then bishop). After listening to the upset sister for a while, he said, "This is a real mess." He suggested they talk it over with the missionaries and then come back to see him and sort it out. After 3 days, the sister returned and said she also wanted to be baptized, but was fearful of what her husband would say. He was one of Zaire's government ministers, and was sensitive of his family's reputation. Bishop Herbertson handed her a phone right there to call her husband. He was so upset that he also flew to the UK. The sister brought her husband in to see the bishop, who carried on in agreement with the husband about this being totally unacceptable. "This is a real mess. All I can suggest is that you meet with the missionaries about it, then come back to see me and we'll see if we can get it sorted out." 3 days later the husband returned a visibly different person, and also asked to be baptized. When they returned to Zaire, he offered to resign his government position, but the country's president told him that was unnecessary. They also discovered that there was a church building only a few blocks from their home.
-Spoke in sacrament meeting again, this time about the restoration of the keys of the priesthood.
- Traveled with other senior missionaries to historic and geographic sites in Devon and Cornwall. Elder and Sister Lock, from Bristol, acted as tour guides. They visited Plymouth Hoe, where a battle with the Spanish Armada took place in 1588; St. Michael's Mount, an island monastery later fortified as a defense against supposed Catholic invaders after Henry VIII abolished Catholicism (the hill took several hours to climb); visited Penzance and St. Ives, but did not see any pirates or kits, cats, sacks, and wives; Port Isaac, setting of the Doc Martin BBC show, where they walked the beach and found lots of sea glass; Padstow, home to lots of restaurants and chef Rick Stein's cooking school; Tintagel, supposed site of King Arthur's castle, and also the oldest post office in England, a 14th century thatched-roof building; Lanhydrock, where they toured a Victorian home and garden, complete with furnishings; Dartmoor National Park, where they saw lots of wild ponies with their foals, sheep, and a few more of the Belted Galloway "oreo" cows.
- Had dinner with the Paignton ward bishop and wife again, the Schofields. They had an interesting elderflower drink, and heard about their conversion story.
- Attended the first Institute class of the summer in Newton Abbot- this term is on the Pearl of Great Price.
We're all caught up to the present now! Check in for more next week!
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