Training, Temple and Touring

We are having so much fun with the video our Institute students are making and I am totally amazed with the quality of the production. The opening credits alone knocked my socks off. James Snookes has done a magnificent job of shooting and editing the video, we have costumes thanks to Terri-Ann and others. And our students are cooperative and enthused. The choreography by Nancy and Laura is fun and it is going well. Jess and Simon are adorable as lead dancers and everyone else is super. Too bad we weren't able to show it to a wider audience, but it is still worth the effort if for no other reason than it was so fun to do. These young men and women have surprised me with their ability once again. You would think I would get used to it.

At Family Home Evening a non-member friend of one of our regulars came even though our member, their friend, had to work and did not attend. Not only that, she brought another non-member with her. I love that they feel this is a good place to be and they want to associate with LDS students.

We also had at least one investigator at Institute and several new students. I would love to see more coming and bringing their friends. Ben, our new convert, said in answer to a question in class, "You have to sacrifice to develop spirituality." We asked, "Like what?" He said, "Like cricket on Sunday." (He is on a professional or semi-professional cricket team.) We asked, is it worth it? He quickly responded, "The joy of cricket lasts a day and blessings are forever." 

Wednesday morning early we left for Preston, England for CES training for two days and what a rich, rewarding experience that was. We were taught by such capable, fun CES leaders as well as the Temple President, President Jones and his wife; President Clegg, the MTC President, and we learned so much and felt even more. President Clegg said that Europe will lose about 25% of their missionaries as the new missionaries are being assigned to more productive areas rather than replacing those in Britain and Europe.  Right now there are only 24 missionaries at the Preston MTC, and sometimes there are as few as 14. 

We were able to attend an endowment session at the Preston Temple where Elder Cable and I were the witness couple.  Attending the temple was an unexpected and special treat. We were also asked to act as investigators at the MTC for some Elders who have only been on their missions four days. That was amazing. You can really tell the difference between a missionary who has prepared before his mission and one who has waited until his mission. 

One of the couples, the Magelsens, serving all of Ireland, were in the MTC with us. The Perrys are from Prescott and know my brother, Dick and Carole, his wife. That was fun. It is fascinating to me to learn that each of us serving CES missions in the United Kingdom are doing such different things. I like our mission the very best. Some don't have any interaction with the young missionaries, some sit in a YSA Center from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm every single day, some spend an amazing amount of money and time on feeding the YSA, some have missions that cost them $6,000.00 a month, some do not teach at all, some spend the majority of their time preparing reports, some feed the YSA dinner every day and breakfast often as well. We spend most of our time studying the Gospel, preparing lessons and best of all, loving the students and as an added bonus, we get to teach with the young missionaries. Sonny Donaldson, Mike Dockrill and David Beale are such inspirations to us and are trying so hard to make us all we can be.  We love them too.

Friday was the Institute Friday Forum in Cardiff which is for the Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfill, Bristol and Cheltenham Stakes. Unfortunately, Northampton, England was having a big YSA Convention so only a few from Bristol came here, none from Merthyr or Cheltenham. Such a huge disappointment as we were prepared for the choir to sing but realized that we wouldn't be singing to anyone. The group attending was the choir. We hope to be able to sing at Institute Graduation in May. And because we were gone for two days prior to Friday, Luc ended up doing everything. He is such a great leader.  

Saturday the Senior Missionaries from the England Birmingham Mission had an outing here in Cardiff. President and Sister Moffat joined us and that was a special treat. We started at Castle Coch and fully enjoyed the visit there, then went to St. Fagans where we ate lunch. The Moffats came and sat by us and we loved talked with them. I used to think it would be so neat to be a Mission President, but when I watch them I see how terribly difficult it would be. I truly don't know how they do everything they have to do or how they deal with all the problems they have to handle. Every day it is something new. 

Being able to walk around in the beautiful spring day at St. Fagans was renewing. The weather actually was very nice after a light sprinkle when we arrived. Then the sun came out and everything was beautiful. I love the daffodils and the lambs which are both real symbols of Wales. They were abundant. 

It sounds like all we do is play, but I promise we do teach. I will be teaching Sunday School, Family Home Evening and Institute next week - three days in a row. We are looking forward to General Conference so much, as I always have. It sustains me. 

We love the Gospel, it is a privilege to represent the Savior in this land, and our love for Him has deepened and grown. There are hymns about Him I can't even sing now because I am so overcome with emotion at the thought of what He has done for us.