Changes, Transfers, Graduations and a Baptism

ROATH PARK RECREATION FIELD

Our students are going home for the summer and we will miss them, but at least some will still be around. Even in a week when you don't think much is happening, when you look back over the week, there have been quite a few memorable experiences. We all had fun at FHE playing "How's Yours?" a game my granddaughter, Melissa, told me about. Tuesday at Institute Luc led the discussion of Sister Lifferth's Conference talk on Respect and Reverence then they had great participation in playing Rounders. After that the men played Rugby while we ate goodies and talked. The weather was perfect even though the forecast was for rain. It was beautiful at Roath Park and so good to be outside.

Transfers brought many changes this time, as it is the last transfer day for President and Sister Moffat. I don't even like to think of them going home.

Seminary graduation was very nice. Of the eight graduates, six students have also been attending Institute: Melissa Dearden, Lydia James, Johnathan McColgan, Michael Parry, Laura Sutton and Michael Wilkinson. Michael Parry conducted and I haven't heard anyone do a finer job. He was amazing. He will be a great asset and a strong leader in the Church here in Wales. After the graduation they had ballroom dance lessons. They all participated and had a wonderful time. The treats by our Relief Society were beautiful and well received.

President Dearden's talk at Seminary Graduation was excellent, as usual. His points were (1) Learn what you need to learn; (2) Do what you should do; and (3) Be what you should be. One of the things he said when emphasizing that we must do what we should do is: "When you have trials and tribulations do not stop doing the things that will help you the most. Don't stop reading the scriptures, praying, attending Church, keeping the commandments. Don't stop. If you are drowning, don't stop swimming." He concluded by saying Seminary (and by extension, Institute) is a part of all three things. "We are to learn, do and become. The gospel of Jesus Christ is not about attendance. It is about perfection."

Edward Bruce's baptism was nice and he was happy. Everything worked out in spite of some early cliches. It was a nice evening. We enjoyed meeting the new missionaries in our area.