Week of February 15th through 21st

It was a great week, in many respects busier than some of the others. We have more fun at Family Home Evening than any other time. We feel we are making some kind of contribution at Institute each Tuesday and we truly love every minute we can spend with our students. They are brilliant, fun, strong, and they teach us more than we teach them. We love them. 

We took the Sisters to District Meeting as Sister Mitte has injured her back and couldn't drive. Elder Bearnson was there and it was wonderful to see him again. He is amazing and it makes us so happy to see him. The meeting was very good and Elder Wood did a great job of conducting it and presenting better ways for us to succeed.  

Teaching investigators with the Elders and the Sisters is a privilege I can't begin to explain. It touches me deep within my soul to watch investigators learn of and accept truths of the Gospel. I feel the love of the Savior for these investigators as they commit to do His will. 

Flat inspections are fun and it strengthens me to see the strength of these dedicated missionaries.  

We went with Elders Wood and Gerber again this week to teach Peter and Peter was as remarkable as ever. He can hardly wait until he can be baptized. He is such a special person and he was so happy when I gave him the picture I took of him and Elders Session and Gerber. He thought abstaining from alcohol and tobacco was good and had no problem with that. But when they mentioned tea and coffee, he said, "Tea and coffee?" The missionaries said, "Yes. We do not drink tea and coffee. Will you live the Word of Wisdom and not drink tea and coffee?" He looked up and simply said, "Yes. It is a commandment." That's the way he is about everything. 

But of course the highlight of the week was Saturday night when Kurosh and Ben were baptized. Luc, our wonderful Luc, baptized Ben and Ben was deeply touched by the experience. He will be a great member of the Church. His parents and both Nanns (grandmothers) came. Kurosh, on the other hand is all alone in the world. He has no family, he is here as an assylum seeker, he is very shy and withdrawn. He now has people in the Church who will care for him. Elder Gerber spent a lot of time learning the baptismal prayer in Persian.  When he baptized Kurosh he said the prayer first in Persian and then in English, then he baptized him. It was very impressive. Right after the baptism the Zone Leaders took Kurosh with them to teach an investigator. He was so happy to be able to do that. 

Second Week of February 2009

It is amazing how many things can happen in a week. In addition to Ben, we learned that Kurosh wants to be baptized and it looks like that will happen on the 21st also.  Elders Session and Gerber stopped Kurosh on the street and talked to him about the Church. He had only been in Wales a few days, he listened to the Elders, and has accepted the Gospel. It appears to be true, the future of the Church in Great Britain and Europe is with the 18-30 year olds. It is an amazing privilege to be able to work with them.  

We have spent a tremendous amount of time this week studying the Gospel, part of the time preparing our Institute lessons, part of the time preparing a lesson for Relief Society, and a lot of time reading Preach My Gospel and reading and marking the scriptures referenced in PMG. I also finished the Book of Mormon for the second time since we started our mission. I only mention this to encourage my grandchildren and children to read, read, read the Book of Mormon.  I have gained an even stronger testimony of its truth and power. 

We had transfers this week and lost Sister Morris and Elder Sessions.  We will definitely miss both of them.  

I especially liked Institute this week as the students responded to the lesson and volunteered many, many comments regarding the Holy Ghost as a teacher of truth powerful enough to confound the mighty.  It was thrilling to me to see and hear them open up.  Their insights are deep and spiritually powerful.  

I gave a pass-along card to a Jewish Israeli at a stand in the mall in Cardiff. He said he hoped it wouldn't hurt his sale to me of products from the Dead Sea, but, "I am an atheist." I told him that it wouldn't. (I bought things I don't need.) We talked for a few minutes, I told him to look us up on mormon.org and he said he would. He said I could come back and talk to him any time and added, "And you don't have to buy anything." I told him I would like that. When we left he said, "God bless."  Interesting comment from an atheist!

Any time we can go with the Elders to teach Peter is a highlight. He is thoughtful, bright, serene, confident, studious and has such a simple and direct testimony of the truth.  I am continually amazed at how powerful the Spirit testifies when the Elders are teaching him and I believe it is because Peter has such strong faith and is so receptive to the teachings of Christ.  I hope and pray that his wife in Sierra Leone will receive the missionaries and join the Church too.  Peter is scheduled to be baptized soon and we are all looking forward to that. He could be such a powerful strength to the Church back in Sierra Leone, or anyplace else for that matter. 

Ben Edwards

Great News!

Ben Edwards has decided to be baptized on the 21st of February.  He has been coming to Family Home Evening and Institute for quite some time. He participates in all the YSA activities and has even gone on the Stake Temple trip to the London Temple the last two excursions. He waits on the grounds or in the visitors center while his friends do sessions and then talks with them between times and just enjoys being there. When he came to Church Sunday morning he showed me his new scriptures, a quad, that he bought while at the temple on Saturday and he was so excited to have them. He has been taught by Sisters Morris and Martinec and we are all thrilled at his decision. So is he.  As soon as he made the commitment, he sent text messages to all of his YSA friends.  He has asked Luc Rasmussen to baptize him. 

First week in February

Baptisms, Missionaries & Institute Students

Raymond Shepherd and Elder Cable

Elder Cable and Norland Kapler Mohoukou

Elders Toolson, Burtenshaw, Gerber and Sessions

Elders Gerber and Toolson, Elder and Sister Cable, Sisters Morris and Martinec, Elders Sessions and Burtenshaw

Elders Sessions and Gerber are our District Leaders.

Sisters Morris and Martinec are in our ward.

Elders Burtenshaw and Toolson are our Zone Leaders.

Dai Hole, Terri-Ann McKenny, Jess Witts, Luc Rasmussen

Ben Edwards and Elder Burtenshaw

What a great experience. Elder Cable was able to baptize Raymond Shepherd, a sweet man who is very sensitive to the promptings of the Spirit. He told me that when he was baptized, "The Spirit was so strong. I could feel it all around me. When I came up out of the water, tears came to my eyes." And they did. Raymond was tracted out by Sisters Morris and Martinec. He has been a Jehovah Witness for 22 years and the break was very, very difficult for him, but he knew this is what the Lord wanted him to do and that he had to do it. Missionaries had tried to teach him years ago but he would not listen. When the Sisters knocked on his door he thought, "I need to let them in. I think God has brought them to me again." 

Norland Kapler is a student who was befriended by Syr Mambou, a recent convert. Syr talked to him about the Gospel and got him to listen to the missionaries. It has been an incredible experience to go with the Sister missionaries when they teach Norland. If he didn't quite understand a concept, Syr would often explain it to him in French or any one of a number of African languages. Norland was very accepting of the doctrines and principles and so determined to have a better life which he believes the Gospel can give him. And it can. Syr and Norland are now friends and will be a great help to each other. Norland came to Family Home Evening last week and he absolutely loved it. Syr and Norland come to Institute whenever possible (transportation is a problem) and they have both told us how much they have enjoyed the experience. Syr said, "I love the Apostle Paul, so I really enjoyed your lesson." They have so many challenges and trials to overcome and I pray for them daily. 

Our missionaries are great. You hear so much about goof-off missionaries, after all they are still very young. But I don't see it with the missionaries serving in our area. They are dedicated, obedient, humble, spiritual, hard-working missionaries. It is a blessing beyond measure and really unexplainable to be able to accompany them when they teach investigators. We have had some of our most spiritual experiences at these times. They have a way of bringing the Holy Ghost into the center of the discussions and it permeates the lessons. It is a privilege to know them. 

These are some of our favorite Institute Students. It is amazing how much we love them after such a short time. They surprise me daily with their goodness. For instance, Luc bore his testimony at the baptism (after apologizing for his scruffy appearance due to his impossible schedule) and said, "I was having a very hard week at Uni. I was just walking around listening [on his iPod] to a talk on the Fruits of the Spirit. As I did so someone's name came to my mind. I felt I should visit this person, so I did. I found that they were having a hard week also. We were able to share and when I left we both felt better. I know I was guided by the Spirit." I love that. First, how many university students walk around listening to talks by Church leaders on their iPod instead of music? Second, when he was prompted, Luc went straight-away and did as he was prompted. That's the way they are. Dai misses his mission so badly that he still wears his name tag on the inside pocket of his suit where others cannot see it, but it is still close to his heart. He shows it to me once in awhile, but adds, "But it has lost its power." But Dai is still powerful. He baptized Norland and was happy to do so and has taught incredible FHE lessons. Terry is the sweet and enthusiastic girl who talked about how Institute had "saved" her and was such a blessing in her life. Jess is very capable, talented, smart and spiritual. She came up to me a few weeks ago with a sparkle in her eyes and told me with excitement that she is going to General Conference in Salt Lake in April. It is a dream come true for her and she is just the type of person who should have the privilege. What a blessing and joy each of the young adults are in our lives. 

And another hope and blessing is Ben Edwards, a non-member who has decided to listen to the missionaries again. Ben has been very active in Institute and Family Home Evening for quite some time and we are very hopeful that he will actually join the Church. His comment after the baptism was, "There was a very warm feeling in my heart tonight." Dai said, "That's the Holy Ghost, Ben. Listen."  

The End of January 2009

And so we end the month, and certainly more happened than we expected at the beginning of the month. Besides all the great experiences we have had with our very dear Institute students for whom we have the highest regard and have come to love, and the wonderfully spiritual experiences we have had in teaching with the young missionaries, and the opportunity to participate at a baptism, all the reasons we are here, who would have thought we would also be able to visit St. Fagans and learn about Welsh history and culture, as well as visit Stratford-on-Avon and fulfill a life-long dream.  

Of course the very best times have been those when we have felt the love of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as it has been manifest to us by the Holy Ghost.  These times have been so much more frequent and are so much more powerful since we have come on a mission and they are sacred and humbling. This cannot be explained, but these experiences are deeply felt and are treasured. I know the Lord is in this work and it is a marvel to see His hand work in the lives of those who are seeking Him and in the inspiration given to His missionaries. Hearing about it is one thing, as we did before, but it is entirely different to experience it day by day. 

Week of January 22nd through 28th

We have had some amazing teaching experiences with the young missionaries, especially in teaching black Africans, one from Sierra Leone and one originally from the Congo who most recently came from London. I am so impressed with their strong desire for a better life, their faith in and love for Jesus Christ, their thought-provoking and important questions, the depth of their character and their determination to live each principle taught. Peter has a wife and two children in Sierra Leone and is studying here in Wales for a year and hopes to make a better life for his family. He believes the Gospel will help him do that and wants to be baptized. 

Not long ago Syr, a black asylum-seeker from the Congo joined the Church. All his family have died except one sister. He had no friends, no money, absolutely nothing, but he decided to reach out to others and tell them about the Church. He found Norland and they are now friends and Sisters Morris and Martinec are now teaching him. The Church has changed Syr, helping him overcome some of his shyness and reach out to others. He blessed the sacrament for the first time Sunday and his prayer was full of the Spirit and it was powerfully done. I've never heard anything like it, especially from a man who seems afraid to talk to you. When teaching, if Norland did not understand something, Syr would explain it in French or an African language. They both speak more than four or five languages. Norland is studying plumbing and Syr is just hanging on waiting until it is legal for him to get a job. He had one set of clothing, though he always looks neat and well groomed. A member bought him another. Hopefully his status will change soon. It has been such a blessing to be involved in the teaching of these fine young men. If all goes well, Norland will be baptized on February 7th. I hope we can get Syr and Norland to come to Institute and maybe even Family Home Evening. 

The Sisters had eight investigators to Church on Sunday so we were all busy welcoming and helping them. Three were Christians from India and they were very impressive. We shall see what develops there.

On Tuesday we went to a training meeting put on by all the important area people who want the Outreach Initiative extended to England and Wales. President and Sister Moffat as well as David Beale and so many other of our line authorities were there. President and and Sister Moffat took us to dinner before the meeting and they are always such a delight. I love them and they are so kind and good to us. 

This meeting at the Solihull chapel was very close to Stratford-on-Avon so we easily got permission to visit there. It was delightful even though it will be much nicer in the spring and summer. I was thrilled to be able to visit all the places I have heard about and have always wanted to see. In addition to many other sites, we saw Shakespeare's gravesite in Holy Trinity church. It was most interesting. Stratford has been so commercialized, but it is still wonderful to me. 

Week of January 15th thru 21st

Elder Gerald Causse was the General Authority who came to our Zone Conference this time. He is from France and has been a member of the First Quorum of the Seventy for a year, and he is Julie's age. I could be his mother! That certainly made me feel old.

It was so rewarding to have Institute go well this week. It did so much to encourage me and make me want to keep trying. We taught, "I Know That He Lives" and shared testimonies from some of the presidents of the Church then opened it up for them to bear testimony of the things we have been studying, especially of the Savior Jesus Christ. Their testimonies were exceptionally sweet and meaningful. We ended with some testimonies from the "Special Witnesses of Christ" DVD and it worked out very well. 

Let me share a couple of the testimonies of the Institute students so you can get an idea of what I am talking about: 

(A lovely young woman) "[A friend boy] and I cycle to Institute from Student House (about 4 or 5 miles) every week and it is really hard and I often do not want to do it, or I want to quit, and I am so tired, especially when we come up that last hill toward the Church. But I know it is so important for me to be here. Institute has saved me. I have regained the testimony I thought I had lost a long time ago. I know my Savior lives and loves me." 

(A young man) "I have been told through the Holy Ghost that God lives. The thing I am most sure of is that God loves me. I know that God loves me."  

(A young woman) "In taking Institute this year I prayed I would understand the scriptures and they have been opened to me and I know I should be in Institute." 

(A young man) "The gospel is really such a light, a bright thing in my life. It helps me to be optimistic and have hope for a better world."  

(A young woman) "I have had a need recently to depend on my Heavenly Father. I have studied the atonement and it has helped me so much." 

(A young man) "It has not always been easy to live the gospel but as I try it becomes easier. Being with you at Institute and YSA activities helps me. I know it is only because of the Savior that we are here together. I feel grateful so much that He was willing to go through that pain for me." 

I really feel that the best lessons are when they can learn from each other and bear strong testimony of the truths we are discussing. What a privilege it is to serve among them.

Missionary Missionaries

Keergin Ji and Elder Cable

I've mentioned that we have been told not to look to the "missionaries" to do things when we meet people. In fact, we have been told, "You are the missionaries." Well Saturday we felt a little more like we actually were missionaries. I went with Sisters Morris and Martinec to teach the second lesson to Raymond, a Jehovah Witness, in his early 60s, I would guess. He was so nice and though he wanted to talk about so many other things off the subject, he did agree with what we taught him about The Restoration. He said, "I'm not going to tell people in our congregation yet because I don't want to upset or offend anyone, but when I am a Mormon then I can let them know gradually. When Sister Morris told him about the First Vision he said, "Isn't that lovely. Joseph Smith. I will have to remember his name. Maybe I will put it on a piece of paper and tape it to the wall. He is important." I truly enjoy going teaching with the missionaries and it was great to be able to add my testimony to the things they were teaching Raymond. He said the prayer at the end of the lesson. Very sweet. 

Sister Martinec, Keergin Ji, Sister Morris

In the evening we went to the baptism of Keergin Ji, a YSA age Chinese student. Jack Kirby came and Raymond came, as well as many, many of our Institute students and several from the Ward. It was a beautiful evening, filled with the Spirit. One of our students, Jess Witt, spoke on baptism and I spoke on the Holy Ghost. And Wayne was honored to do the baptizing. It was a lovely evening. Keergin was so happy to be baptized and has such a pure radiance about her. 

Jack Kirby is still being "persecuted" by members of his former congregation for joining the Church. Someone comes almost every day and tells him what a horrible thing he has done. They are mean about it. He said, "I don't understand. They didn't pay any attention to me before I joined the Church so why are they spending so much time coming to tell me what a terrible thing I have done now that I have joined the Church." Kind of like Joseph Smith when he told the ministers of his First Vision. He wondered why so many people would be so upset with what he, a boy, said. Satan is still alive and well. 

Raymond came to Church today and I sat by him. After every hymn, every talk, everything that happened he would say, "That's lovely." He asked me while the sacrament was being passed if it was okay for people to pray during this time. I said yes, so he bowed his head put his hands together and I could hear him say, "Dear Heavenly Father," and he continued to whisper a prayer. It was very sweet.

Second Week of January 2009

Now that we have learned to find our way around a little better, we actually love inspecting the flats for the missionaries. They are always so kind, fun and impressive. It is great to see good missionaries doing what they are supposed to be doing. Elders Hepworth and Hansen are the very cleanest missionaries ever! Elder Hansen is from Sweden and he insists on cleanliness and order. He is a cute, fun missionary and he showed me a long scrapbook type card that "a friend" had sent him for Christmas. He was so pleased. I said, "I can't believe he would spend that kind of time on the card. He smiled but didn't admit he had a girlfriend.

The Stake Seminary meetings are great. It is a real privilege to watch David Beale teach and it is fun to watch the response from the students. He divided the glass into groups of three or four and gave each an "adventure" scripture reference from Acts, had them read the scriptures and then draw what happened on a white board. Then one from each group came to the front and explained their picture and what happened in the scripture. The students absolutely loved it. He has such a great way with people.

Wayne absolutely loves his new suit and I think he looks good in it. Notice the name of the Church in Welsh. I am so sad about losing Liyang. He is brilliant and so very nice. The Chinese students all have chosen an English name to make it easier for people. Liyang Zhou goes by Alex, but just among the YSA. He is Liyang in our ward. Chen Chen goes by Sean. Keerqin goes by Betty. She is being baptized Saturday and has been dating Sean. They are so very quiet it is hard to get to know them well. I will be speaking at her baptism.

It is such a privilege to teach about the Savior's life and atonement. I had several very spiritually moving experiences while preparing for the lesson, but then the lesson did not go well. I don't know exactly why but I was, and am, very discouraged. I want so much to reach these young people and to make a real difference in their lives. When it does not flow, does not go well, you can't get good responses to questions it is very disappointing. I will keep trying.

I have actually done my "365 Day Challenge" for fourteen days. Only 351 to go. I think that is the longest I have ever kept a New Year's resolution, but I am also still trying to "do better". 

First Week in January

I have decided to accept The 365 Day Challenge to record something every day. I think it will be a fun way to remember our mission and perhaps give you a glimpse of some of the things we are doing. We shall see how it works. I do hope to blog some other things as well when I can think of something especially interesting. Remember, you can click on the photo to enlarge it if the writing is too small for you to read.

New Year's Resolution from Cardiff, Wales

1.  Do better.  

That's all.  Just do better.  

Christmas Parties

I apologize that everything on this post is in reverse order with the most recent event on top.

 This is the top of the lighthouse at Roath Park.

Roath Park is a place I found on the Internet before we came here and I have wanted to see it ever since. Imagine my surprise when our little Christmas walk took us exactly there. I loved it.

And there sits Nanny McPhee on the bench with her walking stick (a gift from President Parry) and her long black coat. Ben gave me the name but was at least kind enough to say I was prettier than Nanny McPhee who had big warts and awful teeth. But she is magical!

Meg, Lisa, Jocelyn and Peter (on his cell phone) below.  Elder Cable and Ben on the right.  We all walked to Roath Park after dinner and after Brother Parry passed out all the gifts and they were opened and appreciated.  It was a beautiful day and I think the walk was my favorite part of Christmas. 

Peter and Lisa Hammond

Lisa is the Parry's daughter, she has three children. The food was fabulous and the company delightful. President Parry was the main cook:

Turkey, Yorkshire pudding, chestnut dressing, steamed vegetables, roasted potatoes and Christmas pudding with a fabulous sauce, among other things. Nummy!

President & Sister Derek and Sue Parry invited us to their home for Christmas dinner and sharing in family time together.  It was wonderful, relaxing, and most pleasant.

Our missionaries:  Elder Adams (Florida), Elder Alex Bearnson (Providence, UT), Sister Morris (California) and Sister Martinec (Las Vegas) and our new convert, Jack Kirby at the Christmas Eve party at Lisa & Peter Hammond's home.  They make me happy.                                                                 

On Monday the 22nd of December we went to downtown Cardiff to sign a lease renewal for a flat in Roath and saw the above church with a vegetable market right by it.  Sadly, the church is now a discount store inside.

The older gentleman, Jack Kirby was baptized on 13 December 2008

amid much vicious opposition from his pastor and family.

He has a lot of courage and says he is "happy" with what he has done.

The gentleman on the right is our bishop, Jamie Holcombe, 

a policeman and a great person.

These ladies are fun friends: Gillie Grant and Linn.

Pam Fitzpatrick went to Canada for the holidays.

The above photo taken at Derek Parry's 70th Birthday Party

is of Margaret, Ann Dearden, Gil (say  Jill)Davison,

and on the floor Melissa, and Louise Dearden with

their dad, Andrew Dearden, our Stake President who

is a very prominent physician in the U.K.

Sorry, but I like the following video of a spur-of-the moment-dance so much I want to see if I can post it on my Blog.  It was taken at our mission Christmas party and the white guy is Elder Adams with Elder Brobbey joining in. Elder Adams is a convert from Florida and is in our ward here.  He and Elder Bearnson are our Zone Leaders. Elder Brobbey is a life-long member from London. Later in the talent show, Elder Brobbey also did a mean Gladys Knight with lots of spur-of-the-moment missionaries joining in as "Pips". Loved it! But that video is too long for my Blog.  

The last shall be first, especially on my Blog. The top of this post is the most recent of our happenings.  All in all Christmas was nice - but ohhhh how we missed home. 

Merry Christmas

With wond'ring awe the wise men saw

The star in heaven springing,

And with delight, in peaceful night,

They heard the angels singing:

By light of star they traveled far

To seek the lowly manger,

A humble bed wherein was laid

The wondrous little Stranger.

And still is found, the world around,

The old and hallowed story,

And still is sung in ev'ry tongue

The angels' song of glory:

The heav'nly star its rays afar

On ev'ry land is throwing,

And shall not cease till holy peace

In all the earth is growing.

Hosanna, hosanna, hosanna to his name!

We wish you all the peace and beauty of a meaningful Christmas season. He is the meaning.

Our Merry Christmas tree made by Kim's Beehive class, I am sure with love. It makes us happy every day. We also have received many cards from home and from members here. That's nice.

Wales Countryside in Winter

We recently had to go to Newport to inspect missionary flats and took some photos along the way.  It was a misty-moisty day, as many of them are.  The little white specks on the countryside are sheep.  There are millions of sheep in Wales and we have had some delicious lamb dinners. Shepherds Pie is the best! 

Mission Zone Christmas Party

Our President and Sister Moffat made sure we were all well fed, had time for lots of fun, watched the talent of the missionaries, had a rousing competition with "Preach My Gospel" Jeopardy (which our zone won, of course), saw the movie, "Errand of Angels", sang carols, popped English crackers, celebrated Wayne and Elder Bearnson's birthday and were each given gifts from the mission as well as Christmas letters for all the young Elders and Sisters from family.  We can't figure out how they did that because the envelopes were addressed by their families, but there were no stamps on them.  All Sister Moffat would say was Santa Claus brought them.  The party lasted 10 hours and it was great - every minute of it.  I absolutely love these missionaries.