Hay Tor, Cleaning, and YSA Meetings

"We didn't see any hounds at the moors last week except on leashes, but we did see some wild ponies that roam free much like mustangs in the west.  The moors are granite covered with a thin layer of soil, and granite outcroppings in places called Tors.  Teenagers join in the Ten Tor Challenge which requires them to hike to ten of the designated granite hills over two days, taking with them everything they will need for the overnight experience.  The weather doesn't always cooperate, and it can be quite rigorous and a point of pride to accomplish.  They even have support from the army, including helicopters if needed."

ELDER AND SISTER WARNICK IN FRONT OF HAY TOR

"We turned into vacuum repairmen.  We found that the belt was broken so we ordered new ones, which came quickly.  It was very satisfying to put it on and actually have the thing work.  It must have been broken quite a while, as a satisfying bunch of stuff was picked up.  They call it 'hoovering' here to use a vaccuum cleaner.  And, by the way, the cooktop of a stove is called a 'hob'.

For Dad's birthday we went with the sisters to an appointment out on a horse farm, and took them to lunch.  We had bangers and mash with mushy peas and fish and chips- classic English fare.

Wednesday was a district meeting, for which we made blueberry crumble bars.  The district leader and his companion made banana bread.  The blueberry bars were a hit, so we will send along the recipe.

On Thursday we prepared food for the YSA.  Mark Lewis, the Institute teacher, taught them about following the prophet and discerning truth from error.  The stake president, President Martin, then taught them about the area and stake plan and challenged the YSA to set 5 personal goals in achieving the plan.  It was an inspiring meeting centered around: Bring a friend, Be spiritually and temporally self-reliant, and Find an ancestor.  He shared a quote from President Monson that goes like this: 'When performance is measured, performance improves.  When performance is measured and reported, the rate of improvement accelerates.'  So the YSA leaders, the Brockways, and we, have been asked to follow up individually with the young singles on their goals.  It will be an excellent way to learn how we can be helpful to them, and will challenge us to set our own goals in a meaningful way.  Afterward the YSA played a game where 2 people sat back to back and were asked a question like, 'Which of you could beat the other in arm wrestling?'  Two brothers got 21 of 21 questions where they agreed on the answer.  No one else came close- not even us or the stake president and his wife.

We went to the bishop's house in Friday for dinner and met his daughter who is less active.  They were pleased that she would join us.  We were told later that she had said earlier that day that Americans are all weird, except the Kardashians.  She has some growing up to do.

On Saturday we attended a dramatic performance by the youth and YSA in the Newton Abbot ward, supported by a number of adults, titled Free to Choose.  Our favorite scene was a sequence of people discussing the fillings in their sandwiches, with one fellow day after day lamenting that he always had a cheese sandwich.  He was finally asked who makes his sandwiches for him.  He replied, 'I do.'  The bishop played that role so well it brought the house down with laughter.

Sunday we drove to the Paignton Ward which meets in a converted young children's school.  We could see the ocean from the window where we attended Gospel Principles class.  There was a young couple there, just married the day before, who had met while they were both working on a cruise ship, he in the kitchen and she as a dancer.  Pablo is from Peru, so enjoyed speaking with Dad in Spanish.  Jennifer is from England and doesn't speak any Spanish so they decided they would make their home in England.  He is already a member, and they have been attending for a few weeks, but she says she really doesn't understand most of what is being discussed.  They will now start having the missionaries come and teach where she can get her questions answered on a more personal basis and learn in an orderly manner basic gospel principles.

Monday the sisters wanted to come make cookies at our flat for their P Day.  We have also created a handout for the YSA, and some other things that needed our attention.  The other day Dad did such a wonderful job of cleaning the shower that we may have baths from now on so we don't muss it up again!  There was a lot of mold collected in the hard to reach places.  It is a small shower that reminds one of being in a slippery slide tube."