We took this companionship to see the moors, the sheep, the ponies, the Belted Galloways, and even stopped for a stone circle we just saw from the road. We had a picnic lunch for them near the clapper bridge in Postbridge, and though it was cool, the sun came out. Both sisters seemed to enjoy the day, and it gave them a chance to see some things on their preparation day.
The multi zone conference was great. President Gubler spent significant time talking about repentance and the Savior's absolute willingness and desire to forgive us of our sins if we sincerely repent. He counseled us to be passionate about repenting in our own lives, and teaching repentance. He said the story of the prodigal son should hold meaning for all of us, with the father seeing and running to the son from a great way off.
We attended an 18th birthday party for a new YSA that was Harry Potter themed and cleverly done in decorations and food, including butterbeer (similar to cream soda) and aptly named snacks. There will be another one we are invited to that is Star Wars themed. People are invited to come in costume. We may just skip the costumes.
We went to visit Knightshayes, a beautiful house with extensive gardens that included topiary and animals made of natural products. Maxwell will like the foxes. The source of the wealth came from the invention of lace-making machinery. Actually the inventor and his sons' families lived very modestly, giving good wages to employees, but the grandson decided to spend the family fortune on the estate and be a "gentleman" rather than hands on with the business. The company is still running, and over the years has produced many of the wedding veils for royalty. One of the benefits of working there is to be gifted a wedding veil.
We attended two separate baptisms on the same day. One of them for a young man from Bermuda going to school in Plymouth for the next 2 or 3 years in electrical engineering. He has attended Institute a couple of times already. The other baptism was in Paignton for a Chinese lady and her 9 year old son. She wanted to be taught quickly so she could be baptized, having accepted everything with gratitude.
We have been working for many months on developing a workable process to broadcast Institute to some of the remote locations in the stake. For many of the YSA a two hour drive is just not feasible. There are several who are fully active and would attend. Last week the right man came forward to help test it with the equipment he knew was already available. We ordered and received another camera for the building where it will be taught in the summer, and should be able to actually broadcast with a screen for the power points this week.
Some of you will know Van Johnson. His funeral is this Friday. It makes us grateful for the time we have been able to share being on this mission together. The time we have on earth is uncertain.
Tuesday was Grandpa Keith Warnick's 101st birthday. None of our children ever had the opportunity of knowing him in this life, as he died long before any of them were born, but we hope that reading about his life and remembering his birthday will help them appreciate what a marvelous heritage they have. If each of you could end up being as kind to others and look out for the downtrodden like he did, you would do well.
Sister Warnick made labels for the quilts the ward is making for refugees, and the sisters asked for a tutorial. Little did they know she had only done it once, and learned how from the internet. For anyone interested, it is easy to print on fabric using a freezer paper backing and setting the ink with white vinegar. It works great.
We greatly appreciate Daniel looking after our affairs while we are gone. He recently took care of our taxes yet again, and keeps our house from flooding by controlling the secondary water. The lawn is a big one to keep mown, and there are constant details to attend to. Thanks, Dan."
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