"Institute and YSA resumed last week. After a 3 week hiatus it felt a little like startinng new, so after the Institute lesson everyone seemed inclined to just sit and talk with each other. They did however play basketball, girls and guys both included. Some of the guys could learn how to manage their competitiveness. One of the young men is more used to playing rugby, so you can imagine how it might have looked. None of them are ready for the NBA as far as scoring goes, but they do have a good time.
In Plymouth district meeting we were asked to share the stories of our own conversion. It was a nice opportunity to both reflect on and express how we have come to know that Jesus is our Savior and Redeemer and that this is His church.
Sister Warnick provided ham rolls and carrot sticks. They really like those. Some of the districts all bring items to share, but not this one, so they were glad for anything after the meeting.
Saturday we added another YSA to our roster; an 18 year old, Lee, was baptized. He was invited by a friend who is not a member to go with him to see what we believe. Lee continued learning, but the friend yielded to considerable peer pressure not to even complete the lessons. We met Lee's mother at his baptism and spent time talking with her. She wonders why there are so many different churches, much as Joseph Smith did. We would like to show her the video of Wilford Woodruff's conversion, called A Search for Truth. It shows his own quest for a church with apostles and prophets, and the practices and authority that existed in Christ's church anciently. We will ask Lee tonight at Institute if they will come to dinner.
Sunday afternoon we took the Paignton elders to lunch at a member's home. They played a role in reactivating her by dropping by one day when she was receptive. She has been so grateful ever since, and has invited us, as well as them, repeatedly for meals. She always serves a variety of vegetables, much like they do for a Christmas dinner. Brussels sprouts are a must, it seems.
Tuesday we spent the day getting missionaries to and from the train station for transfers. There was a train strike, so they new arriving sister was about an hour and a half late, but it all worked out in the end. Some of their bags are so heavy it is a really good thing they have wheels. The new sister used to be in Cornwall, so we know her, and it is so good to have her back, She is from Madagascar; we call her SIster Andria, along with most of the missionaries, because her full name is difficult to say, let alone to spell.
Our first temple preparation class was Tuesday night at our flat. There were supposed to be 5, but only 2 showed up for various reasons of being "poorly", and forgetfulness. We will see what next week brings. There has been a lot of illness going around, but we have avoided getting it so far.
We are speaking in the Bideford Branch this coming Sunday on the keys of the priesthood, so we are shifting some of our time to preparation. We always benefit more than we feel we give.
Tonight is Institute in Plymouth. We are glad to have a great man who usually teaches. He is a former mission president in the Philippines, and travels about 2 1/2 hours to get to us, so we are grateful for his efforts and always hope for his safe travel.
It is raining a lot again, just like when we first arrived. It is rare to see sunshine. We have taken note of the snow and cold in the US. We read that 49 of the 50 states have snow on the ground."
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