Editor's Note: I typically omit comments directed particularly at family members when transcribing Elder and Sister Warnick's emails, but will include this one as it relates to the history of missionary work in the church.
"Dear Family,
We have spent the day writing Christmas emails to each of the young single adults in our stake. A momentous task! As we have done so we thought we would pause and reflect a little on our own family and heritage. Yesterday was Grandpa Miller's birthday. We are sorry that you never got to know him when he was younger. He was a kind and loving father and tried to provide growth experiences for his children. His own interest in the world around him never left him, even when his body couldn't keep up. Mom and Dad traveled the world as much as they could, and were always willing to try new foods and experience foreign cultures. They were some of the first senior missionaries to go to Nigeria, something we appreciate even more now that we are on a mission. Theirs would have been much harder.
He was a tremendous leader, something that doesn't always manifest itself in those with a mild manner, a welcome contrast to the leadership models we see around us in the world today. He was not only student body president in high school, but an aide to Dwight D. Eisenhower in WWII, a bishop and temple sealer and recorder in the Dallas temple (a real trial as he was not computer savvy, and computers were not user friendly in those days). He was such a good man, with a positive and caring approach to everyone. One day you will have the privilege of getting to know him in a more personal way. For now, we encourage you to look up his history that you have all been given. It will make you glad for your connection to him. Yes, we were all young once!
Just want you to know we are thinking of you and miss you. May the Lord bless you with fond memories of the Christmases we used to have together.
With our love,
Mom and Dad"
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
16 December 2016
"It seems that December is a time for food and association. Early this month we drove to the mission home near London for a dinner with all the senior missionaries. We had opportunity to meet some of the new couples and say goodbye to some who are leaving. Given the 4 hour drive, we don't get to the mission home often, and it was good to make acquaintances and renew associations.
Bishop Vousden, in Newton Abbot, asked the ward to fast for a baptism to occur in the ward by January 4th. The ward has not had a convert baptism for about a year, and he wanted to unite the faith of the ward members toward that goal. We were happy to join our fasting and prayers with theirs.
We sang with the choir in a Christmas cantata. While we admit that choir is not our favorite thing, there was a wonderful spirit present, and at least 5 people who were not members stayed to enjoy some food and socializing afterward.
We left early the next morning to drive to the London Temple for our YSA temple trip. 14 of our YSA were able to go. It was wonderful to be able to participate with them doing endowments, baptisms, and confirmations. After pizza we had a fireside with Elder Holman, who as a BYU professor of family life. He spoke on developing positive relationships with others. It was his second presentation for us, so he was able to follow up on some of the things he said last time. We thought it was particularly well done, and some of the young people asked for copies of a book chapter he wrote on the subject, which he freely shared.
The next morning we drove to Basingstoke for church with the YSA, had sandwiches with them there afterward, then returned to the temple accomodation center where we attended a gospel choir performance at the visitor's center. They interspersed their music with testimonies of the restored gospel.
The next day we helped the office couples with preparation for the missionary temple trip and dinner that would take place the next day. Missionaries came from the western zones and seemed thrilled to see each other. Another choir performed from the Crawley Ward a Christmas cantata written by one of the choir members. She said it came to her at 2am.
While there we were able to go the temple with one of our YSA who has his mission call to Australia. We considered it a privilege to be there with him. He has become a special friend, and the other YSA will sorely miss him while he is gone. We drove home late and tired, but well rewarded for our effort.
We spent the next day getting ready for our YSA Christmas party. Elder Warnick ended up teaching, because Brother Lewis was ill. It was on the scattering and gathering of Israel, and how God invites all to come to Him regardless of their background or circumstance."
Bishop Vousden, in Newton Abbot, asked the ward to fast for a baptism to occur in the ward by January 4th. The ward has not had a convert baptism for about a year, and he wanted to unite the faith of the ward members toward that goal. We were happy to join our fasting and prayers with theirs.
We sang with the choir in a Christmas cantata. While we admit that choir is not our favorite thing, there was a wonderful spirit present, and at least 5 people who were not members stayed to enjoy some food and socializing afterward.
We left early the next morning to drive to the London Temple for our YSA temple trip. 14 of our YSA were able to go. It was wonderful to be able to participate with them doing endowments, baptisms, and confirmations. After pizza we had a fireside with Elder Holman, who as a BYU professor of family life. He spoke on developing positive relationships with others. It was his second presentation for us, so he was able to follow up on some of the things he said last time. We thought it was particularly well done, and some of the young people asked for copies of a book chapter he wrote on the subject, which he freely shared.
The next morning we drove to Basingstoke for church with the YSA, had sandwiches with them there afterward, then returned to the temple accomodation center where we attended a gospel choir performance at the visitor's center. They interspersed their music with testimonies of the restored gospel.
The next day we helped the office couples with preparation for the missionary temple trip and dinner that would take place the next day. Missionaries came from the western zones and seemed thrilled to see each other. Another choir performed from the Crawley Ward a Christmas cantata written by one of the choir members. She said it came to her at 2am.
While there we were able to go the temple with one of our YSA who has his mission call to Australia. We considered it a privilege to be there with him. He has become a special friend, and the other YSA will sorely miss him while he is gone. We drove home late and tired, but well rewarded for our effort.
We spent the next day getting ready for our YSA Christmas party. Elder Warnick ended up teaching, because Brother Lewis was ill. It was on the scattering and gathering of Israel, and how God invites all to come to Him regardless of their background or circumstance."
29 November 2016
"Remembrance Day is celebrated the nearest Sunday to November 11, and we were asked to represent the church along with 5 others in marching in a procession to the Newton Abbot war memorial from a historic clock tower. Two of the young adults in our group then took their turn after being announced to lay a wreath of poppies by the base. All the wreaths are the same, just from different organizations, and they are still there. People start wearing poppies in the weeks leading up to the 11th. It was a great cultural experience for us.
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| Remembrance Day wreaths at war memorial |
Elder Warnick taught Institute on repentance and forgiveness. We continue to marvel at the Savior's mercy and willingness to forgive as we sincerely repent. Afterward the Exeter Ward did an activity which involved putting on a scarf, hat, and gloves before trying to get a piece of chocolate with a for and knife, while someone else rolled a die to get a 6 which stopped that person's turn. They had a great time.
One of the ward members asked us to help her and her husband paint their in-laws downstairs as a surprise. We were grateful the color chosen was very near the old one, as we would hate to have been part of an unwelcome surprise. They thanked us later, so it must have been agreeable. While there we learned from the husband about the process of thatching a roof. He had become quite a master at it, but changed professions for a more regular income. If old thatch had to be removed they would often find things tucked away in it, like poppets (rag dolls), used tools, coins forgotten about, even stuffed cats to ward off evil spirits. A wire mesh is put over the thatch to keep animals from making their homes in it. The roofs can last 50 years, but are quite expensive now. It is fun to see the animals made of water soaked reeds formed over the wire mesh sitting on top. We definitely see many picturesque old buildings.
After painting we went to roadshows in Plymouth themed "you won't find that in Shakespeare". More than one did caricatures of Donald Trump. (We could have done without that part!) They seemed to enjoy it all and were quite clever.
We returned home late and about the time we were going to bed Cory sent pictures of Finn. (Newest grandchild) We are so grateful for his safe arrival. The Lord is gracious and merciful.
We spoke on Paignton Ward again, and while there we met a new YSA and two investigators of that age group. It is one of our favorite wards, and it is growing.
We took smoke alarms and CO detectors to a senior missionary from Bristol, who met us halfway in Taunton. While traveling it was raining, as it had been almost nonstop for two days, with very strong winds. We noticed a lot of the fields were flooded, and learned from Elder Rampton that we were experiencing the effects of Hurricane Angus. We didn't even know there was a hurricane nearby. We are glad the storms were not worse. We understand that two years ago the train tracks washed away into the ocean in a community nearby, cutting off Devon from the north.
Thanksgiving we spent cooking and preparing along with the stake president's family for the young missionaries who were having a zone conference. There was enough food for them to take back to their flats. That night was Institute, and the activity was "what I am thankful for reverse charades". Everyone was involved, and guessed even the hard ones, like someone had written "perspective".
We didn't get Thanksgiving neighbor cookies out until Friday, but didn't think they would really care when American Thanksgiving took place. Our neighbor Lucy who has Down Syndrome was convinced they were for her birthday, which was yesterday.
While out shopping we just happened to walk into the parade with Father Christmas coming to turn on the Christmas lights. The procession began with a town crier. Apparently most communities do something similar. They do enjoy celebrating the Christmas season.
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| Town Crier and wife ushering in Father Christmas |
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| Elder Warnick with a suit of armor dressed as Father Christmas |
Sunday we held our first YSA committee meeting after new leaders have been called. We have great hopes for the next year.
The Harveys drove us to the Powderham Castle estate restaurant on Monday for lunch. We had been wanting to buy them a meal ever since they provided us fish and chips our first night in Newton Abbot, and also stocked our fridge. There is a current earl residing there, and it is a functioning estate, like the old system of paying rent to the gentry. Monday evening we had a couple over for dinner. We had hamburgers, and strudel for dessert. How that for a mix of cultures? The wife had been discouraged at losing her job, and we had a good discussion together. We showed them a video clip from Elder Holland's Oct. 1999 conference talk showing him as a young man dealing with a car that wouldn't run, and having 2600 miles to go to get to the destination of his young family. They were touched, and said they were encouraged.
The weather continues to get cooler. The sun sets just after 4:00pm. We think we are in for a colder winter this year than when we arrived. This is nothing like Utah, Indiana, and Washington winters, more like Northern California, with lots of rain."
12 November 2016
"We celebrated Sister Warnick's birthday by getting a leaf brooch at a local antique and farmer's market.
We got scones, expecting to be able to have them with clotted cream, but this place did not sell them with clotted cream, which is odd for Devon. We also got our flu shots, and later in the day went to a local Italian restaurant- good day spent with a number of family and friends taking note.
Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes was Nov. 5th. It was a very cold night but we did venture out to a bridge where we could see fireworks from all around. This celebration has been going on since 1605, and is where the term "guy" came into popular usage. Guy Fawkes was a Catholic terrorist who with others tried to blow up King James I along with Parliament. If he had succeeded we wouldn't have the King James Version of the Bible, which has so much of William Tyndale's inspired translation into English.
After much work, prayer, fasting, and a blessing by President Martin Elder Warnick passed his driving test and is now a fully licensed UK driver. This was important, because without it we wouldn't have been able to remain here. We are very grateful and much relieved to have it over. As an indication of what a big process it is, they even sell greeting cards devoted to people having passed the driving exams, and only 50% do pass. The YSA all signed a greeting card congratulating him, which was very thoughtful. It has been an added blessing to get to know his driving instructor. We hope to be able to continue our friendship with him.
There has been a lot of interest in the US election here. Regardless of our personal feelings about the outcome, we feel we can all move forward with hope and faith in the future.
Yesterday we hosted another senior couple, traveling across the moors, then to the Mayflower Steps and the Hoe where Sir Francis Drake continued blowing while waiting for the tide to change as the Spanish Armada approached. We went to a small restaurant for fish pie, then on to the church in Plymouth which was hosting the Plymouth Concert Band Remembrance Day concert. There has been a wonderful relationship develop with this band that likes using the cultural hall. They say it has a good feeling there. Katherine Martin, one of our young single adults, was the featured vocalist.
The couple we hosted brought a 6 inch foam pad for our bed that another couple wasn't using, and our bed was much more comfortable last night. Elder Warnick was able to teach them how to download video clips for use in lessons. That may not seem like a big deal to you, but for people belonging to the technology challenged generation it is.
We have been asked to help place a wreath at the local war memorial this Sunday for Remembrance Day, and will report on that later as another new cultural experience."
We got scones, expecting to be able to have them with clotted cream, but this place did not sell them with clotted cream, which is odd for Devon. We also got our flu shots, and later in the day went to a local Italian restaurant- good day spent with a number of family and friends taking note.
Bonfire Night or Guy Fawkes was Nov. 5th. It was a very cold night but we did venture out to a bridge where we could see fireworks from all around. This celebration has been going on since 1605, and is where the term "guy" came into popular usage. Guy Fawkes was a Catholic terrorist who with others tried to blow up King James I along with Parliament. If he had succeeded we wouldn't have the King James Version of the Bible, which has so much of William Tyndale's inspired translation into English.
After much work, prayer, fasting, and a blessing by President Martin Elder Warnick passed his driving test and is now a fully licensed UK driver. This was important, because without it we wouldn't have been able to remain here. We are very grateful and much relieved to have it over. As an indication of what a big process it is, they even sell greeting cards devoted to people having passed the driving exams, and only 50% do pass. The YSA all signed a greeting card congratulating him, which was very thoughtful. It has been an added blessing to get to know his driving instructor. We hope to be able to continue our friendship with him.
There has been a lot of interest in the US election here. Regardless of our personal feelings about the outcome, we feel we can all move forward with hope and faith in the future.
Yesterday we hosted another senior couple, traveling across the moors, then to the Mayflower Steps and the Hoe where Sir Francis Drake continued blowing while waiting for the tide to change as the Spanish Armada approached. We went to a small restaurant for fish pie, then on to the church in Plymouth which was hosting the Plymouth Concert Band Remembrance Day concert. There has been a wonderful relationship develop with this band that likes using the cultural hall. They say it has a good feeling there. Katherine Martin, one of our young single adults, was the featured vocalist.
The couple we hosted brought a 6 inch foam pad for our bed that another couple wasn't using, and our bed was much more comfortable last night. Elder Warnick was able to teach them how to download video clips for use in lessons. That may not seem like a big deal to you, but for people belonging to the technology challenged generation it is.
We have been asked to help place a wreath at the local war memorial this Sunday for Remembrance Day, and will report on that later as another new cultural experience."
Saturday, October 29, 2016
28 October, 2016
"We had a YSA Halloween party last night after Elder Warnick taught the Institute lesson. No one chose to dress up, but one of the youth did an activity through a darkened church and grounds that they enjoyed, and we did Halloween themed refreshments. These glasses with the eyebrows made the rounds."
26 October, 2016
The next day we got a call from President Gubler asking us to drive 2 sisters to their home. It was a long day of driving, but we were happy to help. It turned out well and they even got to see Stonehenge on the way.
We had district meeting in Plymouth the next day, then a flat inspection, and returned again to Plymouth that same evening for Institute and YSA activity. The young people have been taking turns coming up with the activity, and have been very creative. This night it was a 12 foot banana split served in a foil lined rain gutter.
We were invited to the one year birthday party for the granddaughter of the ward mission leader. She was born with abnormalities, and they didn't know that she would make it this far, but all is looking positive for her and they are most grateful. They had decorations everywhere and food of all kinds and people in every nook and cranny, which happens quickly as most homes are quite compact.
Next day was YSA choir practice, and we came home to a pleasant FaceTime with Heather and Afton (daughter and granddaughter). We are so grateful for the technology that allows us to see them, and recognize how amazing that would be to our ancestors when they left loved ones behind.
We had a great meeting with President Fullwood, the stake counselor over YSA, updating him on the YSA status and made several recommendations for them to consider. He is such and amazing man. He is deaf, but lip reads so well you wouldn't know it. We are certainly glad for that since we don't sign. Even if we had learned from the Kings, the signs are not the same in the UK. He is most supportive of the YSA.
Anna, our neighbor, stopped by with a cottage pie. She has had several experiences feeling the presence of her deceased mother, and wanted to talk about that but didn't really connect that with a belief in God until we pointed that out to her. Cottage pie here is made with beef mince, like what we would call shepherd's pie, but shepherd's pie is made with lamb, which only makes sense.
Edward's going away party was last Thursday, even though his leaving date was pushed back a couple of weeks due to visa problems. We will enjoy him longer now, as we will likely not see him again after a 2 year mission, although one never knows. Our stake president just returned from the US and Canada having run into people he knew from here, or who know people that he knows all along the way. He and his wife and daughter got to go to general conference and said they were so overwhelmed by the Spirit upon entering the conference center that they were all in tears. President and Sister Gubler were here for zone training, and we were impressed with examples they gave from their own lives and from the scriptures to illustrate their points. Sister Gubler talked about how scared she was to drive a two ton truck as a 14 year old in Idaho to deliver wheat, but did it because she loved her father, comparing that with what the missionaries are asked to do and why. President Gubler talked about the importance of knowing who we are in order to fulfill our missions here on earth. He used the example of Moses being called 'my son' in Moses 1 repeatedly, and that giving him the power to resist Satan, along with other scriptural examples. We sang 'I Lived in Heaven', noting the truths taught there.
In the afternoon President Martin went with us to look at repairs that needed to be made in one of the flats before turning it back to the landlord. We want to leave them in as good shape as possible, and he volunteered to use ward members to accomplish that. We are grateful for the help, as we don't have the tools nor even knowledge of where to go for materials.
Elder Leimer from Germany was our visiting authority at stake conference, and we didn't quite know what to think when he said he had heard of us. It was a wonderful conference, and we were very uplifted by the messages and love evidenced there. Two of our YSA were asked to share testimony, one who has been a member 6 months, and then Edward who has been a member 3 years and is leaving on a mission. The YSA choir sang two songs for prelude, and an arrangement of 'Come Ye Disconsolate'. We saw two YSA at stake conference who have not attended during the time we have been here, and it was great to meet them. We discovered that Elder Leimer had visited one of them Saturday night. He is an amazing man, and we felt good just being in his company, not to mention the powerful message he have of Heavenly Father being anxious to speak with each of us.
Elder Warnick teaches Institute tomorrow about prayer and revelation, and we are taking Halloween themed food."
10 October 2016
"The leaves are falling from some of the trees, and we have more rain. It feels like winter is not far away, but winter here is mostly rain. With bishop's wife in Redruth, who is from the Midwest in America, says that snow is rare and if there should be a little, people don't know who to deal with driving. Most of the traffic instructions are painted right on the roads, so if that gets covered up with snow it becomes difficult, and there is no such thing as snow removal equipment, though we have seen bins for sand by the roads.
Elder Warnick went to the rebroadcast of the priesthood session of conference Sunday at the Newton Abbot ward, and helped with the preparation and cleanup of a breakfast. It was a wonderful session. He particularly enjoyed Elder Holland's talk on home teaching. When he got back we invited the sisters over to watch the Saturday sessions, and fed them. It made for a long day, but we were happy to help them see some of the sessions, as we have wifi, and none of the young missionaries do. It is wonderful that we are able to watch these conference sessions halfway across the world. The technology may seem commonplace, but it isn't to us. It puts new meaning to the gospel flooding the earth. Elder Uchtdorf's talk 'Fourth Floor, Last Door' has particular meaning to missionaries, but has application to any stage of life. We gained something from each talk, and look forward to reading and listening again, and will encourage the YSA to do the same.
Tuesday we did another flat inspection and repaired a chair with a broken leg. The repair actually took a few days, since they said it didn't work the first time. It will probably need another repair, as the fix wasn't as good as Elder Warnick could have done with the proper tools, but we are glad for what we do have and he has since learned of a man in the ward who does have a good supply of tools. Missionaries seem to be rough on chairs.
Sister Warnick made ham and cheese rolls for Institute night. They played a game of life Pacman, with chairs set up in the cultural hall, and designated ghosts with bands around their heads. The group was small that night but they had a great time. It is a good thing they enjoyed it because it wasn't easy for them to set up and take down all those chairs! The young man with the blue headband is Edward, who is leaving in a couple of weeks on a mission to South Africa.
We attended sacrament meeting in Redruth on Sunday, where Edward spoke in sacrament meeting. He talked about the love of the Savior, and that we all need to work on developing that kind of love. It was an excellent talk, and he will be a very faithful missionary, judging by the courage and loyalty to the gospel of Christ that he has already demonstrated in his few short years as a member. He has ridden farther on trains to get to and from meetings than any of our YSA, often arriving home very late at night, and train tickets are not cheap.
Choir practice continues Sunday evenings for stake conference in two weeks. It is supposed to be a YSA choir and include the young missionaries. We will not be able to blend into that age group, but have been asked to sing with them."
Elder Warnick went to the rebroadcast of the priesthood session of conference Sunday at the Newton Abbot ward, and helped with the preparation and cleanup of a breakfast. It was a wonderful session. He particularly enjoyed Elder Holland's talk on home teaching. When he got back we invited the sisters over to watch the Saturday sessions, and fed them. It made for a long day, but we were happy to help them see some of the sessions, as we have wifi, and none of the young missionaries do. It is wonderful that we are able to watch these conference sessions halfway across the world. The technology may seem commonplace, but it isn't to us. It puts new meaning to the gospel flooding the earth. Elder Uchtdorf's talk 'Fourth Floor, Last Door' has particular meaning to missionaries, but has application to any stage of life. We gained something from each talk, and look forward to reading and listening again, and will encourage the YSA to do the same.
Tuesday we did another flat inspection and repaired a chair with a broken leg. The repair actually took a few days, since they said it didn't work the first time. It will probably need another repair, as the fix wasn't as good as Elder Warnick could have done with the proper tools, but we are glad for what we do have and he has since learned of a man in the ward who does have a good supply of tools. Missionaries seem to be rough on chairs.
Sister Warnick made ham and cheese rolls for Institute night. They played a game of life Pacman, with chairs set up in the cultural hall, and designated ghosts with bands around their heads. The group was small that night but they had a great time. It is a good thing they enjoyed it because it wasn't easy for them to set up and take down all those chairs! The young man with the blue headband is Edward, who is leaving in a couple of weeks on a mission to South Africa.
We attended sacrament meeting in Redruth on Sunday, where Edward spoke in sacrament meeting. He talked about the love of the Savior, and that we all need to work on developing that kind of love. It was an excellent talk, and he will be a very faithful missionary, judging by the courage and loyalty to the gospel of Christ that he has already demonstrated in his few short years as a member. He has ridden farther on trains to get to and from meetings than any of our YSA, often arriving home very late at night, and train tickets are not cheap.
Choir practice continues Sunday evenings for stake conference in two weeks. It is supposed to be a YSA choir and include the young missionaries. We will not be able to blend into that age group, but have been asked to sing with them."
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