Newton Abbot

While in London at the mission home, Elder and Sister Warnick found some heather at the London temple. 

"It reminds us of the sacrifices our ancestors made in leaving their homeland for the gospel's sake.  This is truly a beautiful country; it must have been hard for them to leave it, realizing they would probably never return, and then they arrived where it was dry and hard to get things to grow."

They also had some driving lessons with Elder Cannon, one of the office missionaries who will be heading home soon.  Then they went out to dinner with some of the other senior missionaries, to a Texas ribs restaurant!

Elder and Sister Warnick's first assignment is to the Plymouth zone, in a small town called Newton Abbot.  They spent the first week getting settled in their flat, learning their way around, and meeting the local members.  They also sampled some fish and chips and English bacon; they say both are better than the American versions.


"We have made it a point to go out exploring on foot each day, choosing different directions to get to know the town in which we live.  We have discovered that people lead quite meager lives here and we have more abundance, variety, and low cost in the USA.  Things cost about fifty percent more here.  At the same time there are some things available that we don't readily see, like different types of flour, and black currant products, and certain sweets and bakery products.  The shopping carts they call trolleys, and they can move sideways as well as forward and back.  Some stores chain them together, and you have to insert a coin to use them that you get back upon return.

Most things seem to be done quite deliverately and take more time than in the US.  We went to the bank to get a debit account and found that we had to have an appointment, and when we finally got it arranged it took 2 and 1/2 hours.

Our district of young missionaries represent countries from around the world: Cambodia, Denmark, France, England, Italy, West Indies, and USA.  They are a United Nations of missionaries.  They have varying levels of command of English, but are very focused and expressed strong testimonies of the gospel.  We think the church is in good hands with leaders like these.  Elder Gallitelli from Italy is so excited about the gospel; it is great pleasure to be in his company.  
Thursday night we had our first opportunity to meet the YSA in Plymouth, which is about a 45 minute drive from Newton Abbot.  There were 15 there, all quite enthusiastic and partipating in the discussion.

We have also had opportunity to teach a lesson with the sister missionaries.  It reminds Dad of his time as a young full-time missionary where he had opportunity to witness simple faith and was able to bear testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel to investigators.

Monday night we attended FHE with 4 YSA in Exeter, a 45 minute drive north.  We had a lesson, snack,s and a trivia game focusing on Europe.  Do you know the geographic center of Europe?  (Lithuania)

We have seen two bowling greens, and the sisters told us a little about the sport.  In warmer weather we'll try to see one of their matches.

The YSA hosted a pancake day celebration for the whole ward in Plymouth.  This is a tradition that goes way back in England.  These pancakes were more like crepes, and eaten with lemon juice and sugar.  Two investigators came."


The weather is much more mild than back home.  Spring is on the way, and the daffodils are already in bloom!