Meals, Gifts, Songs and Love

We had already been scheduled to speak in Sacrament meeting on the 14th, so that turned out well as that was to be our last Sunday. After the closing song and prayer, the congregation had us stand while they sang, "We'll Keep a Welcome." Oh how we love that song. Indeed, we will have a feeling of hiraeth after we leave here.

The Young Single Adults held a big Family Home Evening to say good-bye to us. Students came from all over South Wales and it was so nice of them. Because there were some investigators, Elders Burri and Clark were able to come also. After the lesson Luc sang the solo introduction to "We'll Keep a Welcome" then they all joined in. This song is so poignant. Oh how we will miss these young people. Several have promised to come visit us in America. We hope so, but we shall see.

The 16th was our last day in Wales. David Beale came over from Bristol and helped us go to the EBM office, taking all our luggage because it would not fit in our little car. We love him and will truly miss him. We admire his goodness (he has never even tasted a cola drink and neither has any of his children). We also respect and admire his abilities. He is legend.

Sister Ogden provided a wonderful dinner at their home, then a sweet testimony meeting, one of the most powerful I have ever experienced, with the other departing missionaries. Elder Wark's (from Scotland) testimony was one of the most powerful and amazing I have ever heard. Then President & Sister Ogden had us and Sister Cunha stay overnight at their home. The Elders stayed at the mission office. President Ogden got up at 3:00 a.m. with us, we shared some sweetrolls and he wished us bon voyage as the AP's drove us all in a van to the airport. All went well as we flew out from Birmingham to Paris to Salt Lake City. Truly the end of a very sweet experience.

CES Departing Gift - Davy Miner's Lamp

As we will be heading for home next Tuesday, February 16th, our S&I Coordinator came to our Institute class this week to give us a departing gift of this Miner's Lamp. He read the following letter as he presented it to us in front of the class:

Dear Elder and Sister Cable,

A Davy Miner's Lamp is the traditional British farewell gift in the Seminaries and Institutes of Religion programme.

The miner's lamp is symbolic of many things. The Master said, "let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven." (Matt. 5:16) For the last fifteen months you have held up a light to the young adults in Wales. The Psalmist tells us: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." (Psalms 119:105) The scriptures have been your lamp and with them you have illuminated many a darkened path for students.

Welsh LDS miners have figured prominently in church history. You may remember that it was miners of Britain who helped bring about Fast Sunday. Originally, the first Thursday of the month was set aside by the Church for fasting. However, the hot conditions and heavy work in the mines caused severe discomfort for miners who were fasting, and "Fast Thursday" was changed to "Fast Sunday" in Britain because of this. Later, in 1896, this pattern was established for the whole Church. It has been estimated that some 14 percent of LDS immigrants in the mid-nineteenth century were miners, mostly from the British Isles and in particular Wales. Their contribution was considerable. Many were employed by Brigham Young to pioneer new mining colonies to exploit the mineral resources of Utah, especially iron and coal. You also have been pioneers developing the S&I programme in Wales and helping Welsh students discover their hidden potential.

The miner's lamp is a safety device--a lamp of protection, to warn in times of danger and prevent tragedy, even death. As you have served your mission, watching over and teaching Institute students, your light has been their protection. Wherever the miners went, they took their safety lamps, known as "Davy Lamps," after the inventor, Sir Humphrey Davy. The lamps were able to detect the presence of explosive gas, without causing an explosion themselves. One little-known fact is that Davy refused to patent his invention, even though had he done so he would have made a fortune, so widespread was its use. The reason he gave was that the lamp was created to serve the cause of humanity, for which he sought no reward. As you have taught the Gospel in Wales at great personal cost, the students and priesthood leaders have seen the same spirit of selfless service in you.

God Bless you. Wales and its Saints cannot thank you enough.

David Beale

S&I Coordinator

That was so nice. I must say it is extremely difficult to leave these students who are a bright and shining light to us. We have gained so much more from them than we have given. What a joy they have been.

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6 COMMENTS: [I had to add these as I deleted this post then re-entered it.]

Julie said...

That is so awesome!! What a great thing to have in your home to remind you of the experiences you've had and the relationships you've formed while in Wales. You have sure done a great work there, and it will be so nice to have a little tangible reminder of that.

February 11, 2010 9:46 AM

Becky said...

I can't believe you are coming home early. What an abrupt end to your mission. I hope Wayne is doing well. I bet Cherie will be glad to have you home -- and the rest of your family as well.

February 11, 2010 11:36 AM

Wren said...

Very nice blog! Thanks so much for sharing.

February 13, 2010 12:32PM

Kim said...

Very appropriate. Thanks for always letting your lights shine for me, and protecting me from hidden dangers as well. I love you.

February 14, 2010 12:38PM

Julie said...

I think you should continue blogging, now making it all about your awesome family. :)

February 18, 2010 12:17 PM

Katie Kerr Wrede said...

You must be feeling such mixed emotions. I hope the best for you and Wayne.

February 19, 2010 8:29AM

Just a Few More Hours

As Elder Cable requires some surgery that cannot be done here for quite some time, we have been advised by our Mission President and the Area Authority to end our mission three months early and return home to have him taken care of. It is with great regret that we leave the members, our Institute students and the missionaries whom we have come to love so dearly. We are excited to be home with our family again, but for today there is sorrow in leaving, even though we know it is right and for the best.

Everyone wants to say good-bye in a special way and they are showering us with meals and little gifts. They are far better to us than we deserve, but we love their warmth and kindness.

Sinead Cross, an investigator, wanted to fix dinner for us and the Elders. It was a fun evening. On Thursday we took the Elders to Interviews at the Ward as Elder Clark can't walk very far or ride a bike because of an unknown pain. We take them everywhere. Thursday we were off to Merthyr Tydfil for our last time teaching Institute there. We love those girls and they are hilarious. I recorded their Welsh accents. That was an experience!

Friday we did our last flat inspections. What a delight. It is something we will definitely miss. Our first stop was in Pontypridd, Elder Hummer and Elder Jagoda's flat. Elder Hummer had a teddy bear on his bed, Buster, and told me they have been together since he was a baby and that I should say "Hi" to Buster. I did. There are not a lot of missionaries who could get away with having a teddy bear, especially one that his companion must say "Good Night" to every night, but Elder Hummer is so cool, he can. In fact the missionaries call him Commander Hummer.

Elders Hummer and Jagoda really wanted to win the "Cleanest Flat Award" as Elder Clark nearly always wins. When we arrived they told me to look at the refrigerator. On it was a note: "Sister Cable, look in the fridge." I did, and there was a beautiful bouquet of roses for me. They won.

There's nothing quite like TGIFriday's. I wish we had discovered it sooner. It was fun to treat the Elders to lunch between Elder Clark's appointments with Dr./President Dearden.

Countryside in Wales

I thought I would put up a few photos of Wales. These were taken on January 29th after we did flat inspections. We decided to have lunch at Thornhill Farm, really close to where we live, and I think the countryside is beautiful. It was a clear, sun-shiny day, well at least part of the day. The weather here changes every five minutes. It rained within ten minutes of these photos. But that didn't last -- we soon had sunshine again.

You can see the Severn River and England in the background; and my beloved sheep grazing in the meadow. I am still amazed at how green things are, even in the middle of winter.

____________________________________________________________________

(Because I deleted this post and added it again later, I will add the comments just so I don't lose them.)

4 COMMENTS:

Becky said...

VERY cool pictures. You are an awesome photographer!

FEBRUARY 3, 2010, 4:43 PM

Julie said...

Beautiful Wales. I'm sad to say that you're coming home to a place that is not that green in Winter. But if we get a little snow, it will be a beautiful white!

(Regretfully, I've lost the other two comments.)

22-29 January 2010: Baptism - YSA - District Mtg. - Paul's BD - Flat Inspections

When I look back over a few days, I am always surprised at everything that happens. Ken and Margaret's baptism was one of the best. They are so excited about being members of the Church.

I am ever surprised at how willing our YSA are to go to a lot of trouble for their "fancy dress" parties and dances. They have such a good time with one another.

It was also very kind of our students to come to our home for Family Home Evening when Elder Cable was too ill to go out. We loved having them there and we had a good time.

Any time we can spend with the missionaries is always an enriching experience. We especially love Elder Clark and Elder Burri and are so lucky to be able to spend extra time with them as we help them shop, drive them to teaching appointments, and teach with them. I love to listen to them discuss the gospel and express their love for the Savior and His work.
Another "fancy dress" party, this time to celebrate Paul Pratt's birthday. The theme was "suit up" and everyone was requested to wear a suit. We ate at Nandos in the new St. David's Mall which is first class all the way. The new John Lewis department store there is amazing.

Nathan East and Simon Hayes always wear their missionary name tags on the inside pocket of their suit coats. For fun they put them on the outside for a photo. They both miss being on their missions.

Sean Chen Chen will soon be going back to China. Oh how we will all miss him.

Flat inspections in Cardiff, Blackwood, Cwmbran and Newport. It has been hard to inspect all the flats we need to because Elder Cable doesn't feel as well as he would like. We love visiting the missionaries in their flats and you never know what you will find. Do you like the "Lads on Tour" flag in the Newport flat? In these photos we have missionaries from Italy, China, Germany, Sweden, England, and the United States.

Winter Loveliness

Invalids, Institute, Zone Conference & Friday Forum

Transfers, A Wedding & A Birthday

We absolutely love and admire Elder Clark and we are so happy that he is our new District Leader. He is an amazing missionary and one of the nicest people I have ever met. Elder Burri is from Switzerland and he will be a great co-senior companion with Elder Clark.

The Family Home Evening we had on the 11th was amazing. It is good to have Jess back and to have Ben meet with us, a pleasant surprise. Luc taught the lesson, always a treat, on Elder Holland's article in this month's Ensign, "The Best is Yet to Be". He used as discussion topics, "Remember Lot's wife." and "Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us." As each of us shared our feelings and experiences I realized that almost every one of these students were suffering hardship in one way or another, yet their faith was firm and they felt the comfort of the Holy Ghost in the midst of their struggles. These young people truly inspire me.

January Comings and Goings

With the joy of having our Institute students returning, though a few at a time, we are also experiencing one of the hardest parts of our mission. Just as you get really attached to someone, especially the missionaries, they leave. Elder Halaufia has only been in Rhiwbina for six weeks and he and Elder Clark make an awesome companionship. They work so well together, they teach with the Spirit, they are both dedicated missionaries and they are so much fun. Just as we become attached, they transfer missionaries. We are so thankful that Elder Clark will be here, but Elder Halaufia has gone to Nottingham. I would like to share a story he shared with our Institute class last Tuesday.

We asked the Elders to talk on some specific things to solidify the principles in the Institute lesson (Alma 17-24) which was emphasizing missionary work. Elder Halaufia said that after he finished his time in the MTC, while he was waiting for his visa to come through he was assigned to a three-some in Salt Lake City. He was excited to be a missionary and wanted to do his best and work hard. They lived in a member’s home and he said, “Let’s go knock some doors. I’m ready.” The other two Elders said, “This is Salt Lake City. We don’t knock doors in Salt Lake City.” Elder Halaufia wanted to know how they found people and the Elders said, “We go to the home of a member and they give us a referral, then we go teach that person.” Elder Halaufia was still excited and wanted to knock some doors because he had always thought that was what missionaries do. So the Elders condescendingly said, “Okay. Let’s let Elder Halaufia feel like a missionary. Where do you want to go?” Elder Halaufia said, “Well how about here, right in our neighborhood.” So they went across the street and knocked on the door. They could see someone coming toward the door. That was when Elder Halaufia got nervous, wondering what he would say, but he was determined. When the door was answered, it was a woman who said, “I have been waiting for three years for one of you to knock on my door. Come in.” So they went in and started teaching her the Gospel. You’ve got to love Elder Halaufia. He truly teaches with the Spirit.

A New Year Begins - 2010 is a Lovely Number

End of the 365 Day Challenge. Hallelujah!

Christmas & Boxing Day

I am totally exhausted from all the parties, celebrations, Christmas services, and family get-togethers we have attended. It has been very nice, people have been phenomenal and overly kind to us, and we have been constantly fed. Christmas is a huge deal here and they have many public as well as private gatherings.

First was the rebroadcast of the First Presidency Christmas Devotional on the 13th which we really enjoyed even though it always makes us homesick to see the sights and sounds of Salt Lake City. It was a beautiful way to start the season for us.

On Friday, the 18th Luc Rasmussen invited us and the two sets of Cardiff missionaries, Elders Gerber & Wang and Elders D'Ottavio and Richter, to Student House where he served us a fabulous traditional Christmas dinner he had prepared for us and the students still here. It was so nice and so good of him to do this for us. We had a really fun time there. Now they will all leave for the holidays and we will miss them.

Cardiff Stake held a Carol Service Sunday evening, the 20th. You cannot believe the difference carol singing is here as compared to home. The people of Wales, who seem to naturally have really good voices, really sing with all their hearts. It makes you want to sing the same way. Because of the power of their singing, with the strength of the organ, I felt like they would actually raise the roof. I will miss hearing the singing of hymns like this when we go home. Gillie Grant also prepared a wonderful traditional Christmas dinner for us. She is always overly generous toward us.

It snowed on the 21st, a rare occurrence in December here, but it made everything more Christmasy. Also on the 21st we went to Roger and Margaret Wilson's for a lovely Christmas lunch. Elder Cable has especially bonded with Brother Wilson. They are a sweet couple and very loving.

The England Birmingham Mission party was held on Wednesday, the 23rd from noon until 6:30. PMG Jeopardy is always a favorite game and the talent show is unpredictable and amusing. We had a very nice Christmas dinner and an especially nice program at the end commemorating the birth of our Savior in narration done touchingly by Elder Ezard and in song. Elder Cable and Elders Clark, Halaufia, Gerber and Wang sang, "O Come, O Come Immanuel". Nicely done.

New Years Eve was spent at the home of Peter and Lisa Hammond, with more wonderful food. They always sing Christmas carols and have the story, "The Three Trees" read. It was a nice evening, partly because Elders Clark and Halaufia came with us. They are good and fun Elders.

Christmas morning at 9:30 am we went to the Stake Christmas Service. It was not heavily attended, but it was my very favorite part of Christmas. They had a program read by various people in the ward, mostly the Parry family, telling the story of the birth of the Christ child from the point of view of others around him. And of course there was a lot of singing of Christmas carols interspersed. The script was written by sisters serving at the London Temple and it is brilliant.

We came home and opened our few Christmas gifts and that was very nice.

Then it was a wonderful Christmas dinner at Alex and Jo Winters' home in Taffs Well. They live in an old (200 years) stone house that is so very charming. And Alex and Jo have two small children who are very well behaved and charming. Alex is a star on children's television, CBBC, and we had a wonderful time with them and Elders Clark & Halaufia. It was the perfect Christmas day. They bought us all gifts to remind us of our time in Wales. I got a red scarf with the symbols of Wales embroidered in it, the daffodil, leeks, the Prince of Wales ostrich feathers, the dragon, and the flag of Wales. We are spoiled.

Christmas evening we went to Colin & Sue Winters to enjoy the gathering of all the Winters clan. The families of Colin & Sue, Helen & Rob Kay, Claire & Jamie Holcombe, Alex & Jo Winters and Gareth Winters and his girlfriend, and others. Of course there was an abundance of food and beauty all around. Elder Clark called his family from the Winters home. We then came to our flat and Elder Halaufia called his family from here. We had a delightful talk with Elder Clark about the scriptures and the gospel. We love our Elders. They loved calling home, but it does make it harder for them to be away.

We were not finished yet. Saturday the 26th was Boxing Day, a day for more celebration. We were invited to join Derek and Sue Parry and their family. We spent Christmas with them last year, but Jo invited us to their home in October, so Parry's invited us for Boxing Day. It worked out super for us. We ate another big traditional Christmas dinner, watched the family open gifts and enjoyed the teenagers in the family. Parrys are always so very good to us. In the evening we went back over to Colin & Sue Winters' home and another feast was spread. All of their family came again and after eating all we could, we all played Articulation, a word game, women against the men. It was a fun and raucous game.

Sunday was Church and then dinner at Gillie's again. But it was quiet, restful and very enjoyable. I can't believe how good people are to us and I am quite embarrassed by all they do for us. We certainly don't deserve it.

We miss our family so very much, especially during the holidays. We wish we could be with them, enjoy our family traditions and listen to them tell what is going on in their lives. They are so very precious to us.

We are so thankful and increasingly aware of the great blessing of our Savior, Jesus Christ. His condescension, humility and willingness to help the one, no matter the status or comeliness of the one, is such a gift for us. He has given us everything. We will strive to come closer to following his example in the coming year. We love our Institute students and the missionaries and feel so blessed to be able to associate with them. We pray continually that we will be able to make a difference. We know that Jesus Christ is the literal son of the Eternal Father and the way, the truth, and the light. We know the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. We know the Book of Mormon is the word of God for us in this time and it will change your life if you prayerfully and sincerely read it and embrace the principles it contains. We know by personal experience that these things are true.

Elder Cable's Birthday

I'm sad to say that I caught the flu this week which made it impossible for us to go to Chorley (by Preston) as planned for S&I Training and a session at the temple. We were very disappointed. We always enjoy meeting with the other senior missionaries and the S&I training is always motivating and inspirational.

We feel deeply grateful for the generosity of Gillie Grant in taking Elder Cable, Lynne and me to tea for his birthday. It was celebrated at a beautiful, authentic Welsh pub in a 400-year-old stone building, the Maenllwyd. The atmosphere was delightfully quaint and the food was perfectly and beautifully prepared. We had such a nice time.

Friday we were cooked a wonderful Christmas dinner by Luc Rasmussen at Student House. The two sets of Elders in Cardiff were also invited and we had a really fun time. Tomorrow the few students left in Cardiff will be going home. We will miss them during this break. Luc is amazing, so generous and willing to help others. The hospitality he extended was unexpected but deeply appreciated. The dinner was plentiful and delicious.

OUR MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU

1) At a District Meeting; 2) My Beloved Sheep; 3) At an Institute Activity; 4) Raglan Castle; 5) At Castle Coch; 6) Cardiff Castle; 7) Forest of Bluebells in Wales; 8) Stratford-on-Avon; 9) Tintern Abbey

Christmas Parties, Zone Conference & Baptisms

Thursday we saw so much beauty at Cardiff City Hall that we had no idea existed. It has wonderful marble statues, paintings and stained glass windows. It was good that we went there. We ran into Laura Slater, one of our YSA, and she invited us to a concert she was performing in that evening in City Hall, so we went. Luc also came and we were able to sit with him.

We went to a baptism on Friday in Pontypridd and one again on Saturday in Rhiwbina. The Spirit that is felt at these baptisms is beautiful as these tender, new converts accept the gospel and take this step with full faith in Jesus Christ. Baptisms at Christmas time seem to be especially appropriate.

Winter & the Christmas Season are Upon Us

We are so excited to have Elders Clark and Halaufia in our Ward. They were asked to bear their testimonies Sunday. Elder Halaufia was born in Tonga but raised in Florida, even playing football for the University of Florida (or was it Florida University). He said, "I prayed and prayed to know if the Book of Mormon was true. I never got an answer. I prayed to know if I should go on a mission. When I went to Church the Bishop asked me if I would like to go on a mission. That was my answer. I now know the Book of Mormon is true. There is power in that book." Elder Clark, from Idaho, said, "I know that the Book of Mormon is a tangible piece of Heavenly Father's love. Being on a mission brings me happiness, the greatest happiness I have ever known."

I have newly discovered this quote by Sir Winston Churchill, and I love it. It applies so perfectly to missionary work: "Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm." When I see the missionaries doing this very thing, my heart is filled with love for them as they continue with full faith and an optimistic spirit in their efforts to find, teach and encourage others to accept Christ and remain faithful to His church. It isn't easy, but they actually do it.

I was amazed at the ambitious plan Kaylee Hillier and Jess Witts had to have our students build a nativity scene in one activity after Institute last week, but they did it. I love that we now have an Institute Nativity and I think it is very cute. Nice job Cardiff YSA!

As we inspected missionary flats it was evident that the Christmas spirit has touched our missionaries. Two flats had Christmas trees and the other had adorable Christmas decorations. It was hard for me to see one missionary receive many, many Christmas packages and the companion receive nothing. I am hopeful that all will receive something before Christmas. I know if they don't their companion will share. Christmas is joyful, but can be hard for some missionaries. Notes or other remembrances from home mean so much to them.

The Institute Choir sounded wonderful at the Saturday night session of Stake Conference. I am so impressed that they will sacrifice so much to be at every meeting they are asked to attend. Besides all the demands of university and work, they devote an amazing amount of time to the Church, many of them holding positions of great responsibility in their wards. They inspire me.

Transfers & Thanksgiving

Sister Russell has departed for home and Sister Strein was sent to Leicester (for you Americans, that's said "Lester"). Now we have Elders in our ward instead, and Elder Clark was so excited when he heard he was being transferred to our ward he could hardly contain himself. We are just as excited to have him come, and his companion, Elder Halaufia, is great too. We hope they have great success and love the work here.

It's always exciting when we have investigators come to Family Home Evening and Institute. You really think about what you are teaching and how you teach it. The members of our classes are all on such different levels, but somehow it all works out. Best of all, some who have been fairly inactive have been coming regularly and even volunteering to do extra things to make the gospel come alive for all of us.

We had such a great time with the senior missionary couples in our mission at the home of President and Sister Ogden. The food was unbelievably good and such a great touch of home. As long as we couldn't be with our dear families, this was a good alternative. It is wonderful to talk to other missionary couples and compare their activities to ours. Elder & Sister Karren are amazing S&I missionaries serving in Birmingham. It is so fun to talk to them.

We have so much to be thankful for at this time of year. We are blessed with wonderful families and with a marvelous heritage from our ancestors. Our daughters are so precious and so helpful and caring for one another. Our grandchildren are delightful and bring us joy beyond anything we ever expected. The opportunities we have had to associate closely with the wonderful young adults here in Wales and to learn from and be inspired by them is a high privilege, one that we will sorely miss when our mission is over. The time we spend with the young missionaries is rich and rewarding. We do treasure every opportunity we have to be with them, and especially the times we can teach with them. It is at those times we are shown the operations of the Holy Ghost and how great things are brought to pass through small and simple means. We love and admire them. We are thankful for our Savior and have learned, more than ever before, to appreciate his atonement and the incomparable love manifest by the Father and the Son in providing this gift for us. We find great joy in knowing that Joseph Smith truly saw the Father and the Son and did all that was required of him to bring about the restoration of truth upon the earth. Our gratitude is deep for all we have been given.

Things Will Never Be the Same

The Stake President made a lot of leadership changes in the Rhiwbina Ward this week.

We learned that there will be no more CES missionaries here after we leave.

They are "whitewashing" our area by taking the Sisters out and replacing them with Elders.

Someone once told me change is good. I hope so.

Elder Cable still feels very poorly, but it has been so good to get a little more back into our regular routine. We miss our Institute students when we don't get to see them. And we love every minute we get to spend with the missionaries.

Not Everything Was Good

President Uchtdorf's CES Fireside talk was exceptional. He said exactly what the YSA need to hear with an unbelievable delivery. He was charming, friendly, fun and yet powerful. He gave so much good advice and challenged us in such a way that I want to live better and be better. This was a choice opportunity, and we can even watch it again on lds.org, which we have done a couple of times.

President/Dr. Dearden has been so caring of Wayne during this illness. He is very much appreciated. We appreciate all everyone has done for him and hope he will now get better, become stronger, and that we will be able to resume our missionary duties. I had some very interesting chats with the various taxi drivers as I went back and forth to the Heath Hospital. One wasn't sure whether there was a God or not (I told him there was and that He loved him), another was mad that the English newspapers don't report the big Welsh rugby match scores, and another thought George W. Bush should have dropped a nuclear bomb after 911. Go figure.

The weather has been miserable with driving rain and 68 mph winds so when Sisters Russell and Strein dropped by just before their mealtime on Saturday, even though they have a car, they were sopping wet and very cold. So I fixed them some piping hot tomato soup and toast while they warmed themselves by the space heater. They were gladdened and soon went on their way. They have a new appreciation for the Elders who are on bikes in this weather.

Good Friends and Beautiful Autumn Weather

We were so pleased that Luc invited us over to Student House 42 for dinner on Sunday. It was so good and made us feel all warm and cozy on this cool autumn day because he made a delicious Acorn Squash Soup. Chen Chen was here and that is always a great bonus. We miss him. His parents came by and as usual it was great to visit with them.

Lynne Pearce invited us to dinner Wednesday. She is a great cook and she made her amazing fresh blackberry and apple crumble. I always eat too much of that. Friday night Elder Gerber and Elder Wang fixed an American dinner with Chinese dishes added for the Chinese new member and her investigator friend they are teaching. They invited us to join them and I was so excited because Elder Gerber made Stove Top Stuffing. Such a wonderful taste of home. They had several other very good dishes, but I was happiest with the Stove Top.

Guy Fawkes Day or sometimes known as Bonfire Night is an interesting British holiday. In 1605 some men who thought the government was persecuting Catholics decided to get rid of the government by blowing up Parliament on its opening day when the King and the Prince of Wales would be present. In the nick of time the plot was discovered and Guy Fawkes was discovered in the basement of Parliament where barrels of explosives were hidden, ready to be lighted. Guy was captured, tortured and hung at the age of 35. Since then children make an effigy of Guy Fawkes, carry them around town asking for "a penny for the Guy" then they take the money to buy fireworks. They then have a big bonfire and burn Guy Fawkes in effigy. This has been going on for 400 years. We have heard fireworks for several nights. Our YSA had a big bonfire in their back garden, with effigy and all.

Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot...

Zone Conference & Achievements

Elder Cable is so happy that he finally has his British driver's license. With the 163.00 pounds for the application fees, the 30.00 for a computer learning program and 148.00 for driving lessons, it cost 341.00 pounds stirling or about $575.00 to get his license to be able to drive for the next seven months, but he did it on the first try. Most need to take the tests more than once, paying for fees again each time. We are thrilled.

Zone Conference was excellent this time. Elder Rapana spoke on Our Purpose - "To invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and his atonement, . . ." He used the example of the brother of Jared who had such faith he saw the finger of the Lord, and his faith was so strong, Jesus Christ revealed himself to the brother of Jared as he would be when he came to the earth to bring salvation to all who would believe. So it is with us. As we develop our faith, God will reveal himself to us.

We have lost 10 companionships or 20 missionaries in the past year. President Ogden said Gideon's army was drastically reduced so they would clearly know that it was God's hand that gave them success. By the end of the year we will be down three more companionships, or six more missionaries. We have zero Americans coming to our mission this next transfer. In our Zone Conference of the Cardiff, Cheltenham and Merthyr Tydfil Zones we have missionaries from Germany, Italy, the United States, Scotland, Finland, Sweden, South Africa, Tonga, New Zealand, Switzerland, England and Canada.

Elder Bohn was one of the missionaries who shared his departing testimony as he will go home next transfer. He said, "When I was preparing to go on a mission, my Stake President asked why I wanted to go on a mission. I said, as an 18-year-old, 'Because it will make me a better person.' Now I know the real reason. We are sharing the greatest message ever given to man."

Sister Russell said, among other things, "There have been so many people who have tried to get me to deny the gospel. I will not do it. I cannot do it. I love the Book of Mormon. I don't want to go home. I didn't want this day to come."

President Ogden had Elder Gerber come to the front, then related the experience he had when he had Elder Gerber transferred back to Cardiff. It was clear that this is where the Lord wanted him even though logic, policy and past experiences would preclude it. But it was certain that the Lord wanted him back in Cardiff so he is here. Much of it had to do with Peter, his prayers for direction and prayers that the Lord would intervene in his life now that his wife has died. President Ogden said Elder Gerber is that intervention.

It is so great to have Elder Gerber back in Cardiff. We always have great spiritual experiences every time we teach with him and his companion. Elder Wang is such an asset and a happy, pleasant person. It was really nice to go teach these Chinese women with them. We went to Fang Lin's baptism in April, and now they are teaching her friend. They taught everything in Chinese and when they had us bear testimony, Elder Wang would interpret what we said. It was an unusual, but rewarding experience.