"Since we last wrote we have spent a wonderful and full week with Dustin, Heather, and Afton, followed by General Conference. It was so good to see them and spend several days with them. Afton has grown and retains her kind nature. We visited many of the places that we had previously seen with Keith and Sarah and other senior couples. While the weather was a little rainy, many flowers were in bloom.
One of the things that struck us as we toured these beautiful estates is that the people who built them and lived in them are long gone. There were the privileged, and even those who served them fared better than many around them. But even they were beset with trials and tragedies of their own. Now they are all gone, and their luxurious dwelling places are empty. We can't help but wonder what has become of them, and whether their feelings and knowledge now would have made any difference in the way they lived. It is something to consider. At least we think about it as we contemplate our own lives and situation.
We left the Petersens in Bath on Saturday and returned home to enjoy conference weekend. Because of the 7 hour delay between time zones we were not able to watch any of the sessions in real time, but have enjoyed them all through technology. How privileged we are to live in a time when any time we choose, we can hear the words of the apostles and prophets. No other generation in the history of the world has been so privileged as ours in this regard. So many of the talks spoke to us personally. We have a hard time thinking of favorites, because each one touched us in some way. We strongly encourage you to watch and ponder them for yourselves. We express to you our testimony of the truthfulness of the restored gospel, and that Jesus Christ is leading us with love through all we face through His chosen servants. It is our love for Him and His teachings that sustains us and bring us joy.
On Monday we had a couple over for dinner. The wife has been a member almost a year now, and we were able to talk with them about the eternal blessings available for them in the temple. It was a nice evening. Yesterday we went to lunch with a fellow who rents lodgings from church members. He is an amazing family history expert, and is helping us with some of our own family history on ancestors who lived in Somorset, not far from here. It was his 70th birthday, and we had a wonderful time with him joking about growing older. We feel it is a blessing that we have come to know him."
Saturday, April 22, 2017
17 March 2017- Happy St. Patrick's Day
"It is hard to believe that it is spring again, although we are most glad for its arrival. The daffodils are blooming everywhere, including random roadside corners. Trees are in blossom and the sheep continue faithfully gracing green fields with their calming influence. By the way, did you know that speed bumps are called 'calming measures' here?
We continue to participate in the teaching of Lee's mother, and see her again Saturday. She expressed last time that she never thought she could pray for herself, only other people. We read to her from Amulek's discourse in Alma 34:17-27 where we are instructed to pray for everything that concerns us. This should open a new avenue for her as she realizes she can pray for her own needs as well as others'.
Mission presidents have been instructed to interview all the missionaries every 6 weeks. In order to do that President Gubler has scheduled interview days where he travels to Plymouth. We were asked to provide the lunch somewhat last minute. We served BBQ chicken sandwiches with crisps (chips, for you Americans), vegetable spears, and dessert. President Gubler requested banana splits for dessert as a reward for them, which was a bit of a challenge for us because the chapels here don't have freezers. We ran to the store just before lunch and hoped it would not turn too soft. It turned out OK, but here were some leftovers that became soup. It is hard to know how much they will eat; some missionaries have reputations that they never get full. We think he should promise them chocolate chip cookies next time, which have a better chance of surviving.
The Paignton Ward celebrated the tenth anniversary of being in their building. We were asked to participate in a choir performance about the life of Christ on the Saturday, followed by food and mingling and displays of different church programs. There was at least one woman that just came in, having heard about it. She had gone to school there as a child and wanted to see what it looked like now. At the table about family history we met a man, not a member of the church, who is quite an expert and very willingly offered to help us with our Somerset ancestors. He himself is Roma, which entails its own challenges to research. It brought back memories of being with Ben in Bulgaria, and he would point out Romani to us. Since then this researcher provided us with additional documents we did not have on our Stevens ancestors, and continues to work with us on researching that line more accurately. It will be nice to get rid of some of the "about"s that have been included on dates.
We received a call from Sister Gubler of the need to check on a sister who was having back problems, especially with the increased walking required in her new area. She asked that we evaluate her mattress to see if that was part of the problem. She needed a new mattress, which was provided, but it hasn't yet made the hoped-for change. As Aunt Linda and Uncle Paul know, it can be a challenge to keep missionaries well.
The Newton Abbott Ward has a sewing group providing quilts for refugees, and we are attempting to help out in that area with a little handiwork that can be done in spare moments without a sewing machine. We work with the local councils, who know ahead who is coming from the refugee camps. So much needs to be done.
The Paignton Ward had a celebration for one of their YW turning 18 and invited us. She then came to Institute for the first time, and we hope will continue. Transition times are hard even under the best of circumstances, and this young lady will have to find the strength without family support.
Last night in Plymouth Elder Warnick instructed all the Ward YSA committees in the stake regarding their responsibilities. The meeting was conducted by a member of the stake presidency, who is extremely supportive and committed to improvement. One of our young leaders shared the YSA perspective of the challenges they face, including things such as transportation and money and feelings of isolation. We are hopeful this will jumpstart some action. Too much of the time this age group has been overlooked locally, with the thinking the stake is taking care of them.
Afterward we rejoined the YSA and had very green rice crispie treats for St. Patrick's Day, although most do not celebrate it in England. We did it for our young people from Ireland. Elder Warnick had to go to 3 different stores to find truly green food coloring. It finally worked so well that it turned their teeth green when they ate it. But if the Chicago Irish can dye the river green in honor of St. Patrick's Day, why not a few green teeth in Great Britain? Happy St. Patrick's Day. Hope you don't get pinched!"
A couple Irish sayings for you:
"As you slide down the banister of life, may the splinters never point in the wrong direction."
"People who wonder whether the glass is half full or half empty miss the point. The glass is refillable."
"You don't scare me, I was raised by an Irish mother."
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