Buckingham Palace

Buckingham Palace Guard

Catherine, Barbara, and Yeoman Warder

Catherine, David, and Barbara at Bond Street Station

River Ribble

Satan House

April/May

April/May Blog 2013

It seems so long since I have written and time is running out…

I’ll share one last British linguistic lesson – I’ve shared so many and hear so many more, I’ll just finish with these:

Ending pronouns at end of sentences e.g.  What a dreadful day this !!

Stroller =  Push chair

Ferris wheel  =  Eye

Listing for accommodations (like a bed and breakfast) that we saw on a building:    “Flats and bed sits”

Freeway stop (disabled cars, etc. )  = Lay-by

Don’t get involved = Don’t muck in it

You look “fetching” today – (Said by an old man to a clerk in a store – she wasn’t too happy J)

Patent = Prounced “pay tent”

Mistakes = Cock ups

Knock on doors = Knock up J

I  need a “sit down” and a “read”  = someone explaining about being tired

I’ll never tire of their way of talking and expressing themselves even though we have to try to figure out what they are saying

There is so much to share with missionary work here.  Some of the highlights the last few months:

… Our Slovakian group was recently made an official branch.  In the several weeks it has been organized, we have seen a different feel at Church and with the members.  The day of the branch organization photographers were there filming (this will be featured on the world wide news broadcast that will run between next October Conference morning and afternoon session on TV).  I will just share a link with you that one of the photographers put a little of it on You Tube.  The link is youtu.be/Rp3woxsdv00 – That seems a little weird so if you are interested and can’t link to it, e-mail me and I will send the link to you.

…Our new branch president is Slovakian – he is already amazing in how he is performing his responsibilities – His 1^st counselor (a British member is basically shadowing him and helping him know what to do but you can sense the mantel he carries has fallen on him – He’s great!!

…A Relief Society President and Primary President have been called who are also Slovakian.  I work with the Primary President.  The language barrier is very apparent but she is doing her best to learn her responsibilities – The children can understand things so much better because she speaks to them in their language – not Slovakian – but gypsy and she has their attention so much better.

…One experience we had in Primary about a month ago – The missionaries are tracting in a densely populated neighborhood at the present.  A week or so after being there the sister missionaries proceeded to walk with 17 Primary age children and a few adults down the streets from where they live to our meeting place (about a 30-45 minute walk)  We did not know they were coming and when 17 Primary children walked in never having been to Church before and speaking only a little English I thought we would die – but….they were so quiet, respectful and sat through Primary and Sunday School with no disturbance at all.  We never know what to expect from week to week

…We had a great time taking some of our youth to do baptisms for the dead about a month ago – our first time to go inside the Preston England Temple.  Next week we will go again to take about 10 adult members – their first trip to the temple.  It is their first step to someday being able to receive their endowments and be sealed to their families.  We are excited to go with them.

We are adding many more missionaries each transfer – by the end of the year our mission will double in size as I believe most missions in the Church will.  Two new sister missionaries right from the MTC are now in our Slovakian branch.  They are great and were very surprised at their first assignments – Instead of lush green countryside with British members, they are in downtown Darnall (gray and dirty) trying to learn Slovakian – but it’s an experience every missionary here should have once.  Our new Elder from West Jordan Utah (been out about 9 months but just transferred here) told me today at Church he is so happy to have this experience even for one transfer if that is all he gets – There’s really no way to explain this experience without having “experienced” it!!  In our district we now have Elders from Czech Republic, Utah and Romania; sisters from Denmark, Arizona, Alabama and Utah.

So many missionaries in our mission are coming from all over Europe as well as the U.S.  Two new Elders came from Russia (the Slovakians can understand Russian somewhat so I won’t be surprised if one of them will be transferred here sometime)

Missionaries from Portugal, Italy, Albania, Kiribati, Brazil, New Zealand, Denmark, Spain to name a few countries have joined us recently.  

To say this is an exciting time to be in the mission field is an understatement.  It’s like “catching the wave” as Elder Nelson described in last General Conference.  The hastening and majesty of the Lord’s work at this time can really not be described.  We have witnessed the miracle that is taking place in this corner of the world and it  has been our privilege and blessing to have been a part of it.

We occasionally go with the Elders and Sisters  to their teaching appointments.  The Slovakians are very Joseph Smith-like at their confusion with so many churches.  They ask the missionaries questions such as:   Do you follow the Pope?  Do you cross yourselves?  How do you baptize?  Do you allow pictures of Jesus in your home?  The last question surprises me.  The main Church in Darnall (who opposes us and is not truthful to their people about us) does not allow any picture of Jesus because it breaks the 2^nd commandment of  having “graven images.”  The Slovakian investigators  do not like any of the above and are quick to find out whether we are like all the other churches.  They are so interested in a new message and want to learn so much – They struggle with their cultural  vs. Gospel ways, the Word of Wisdom,  etc. which prevents many of them to continue their path to baptism, but those that do are so happy to have found what they have been searching for.

The Church began a media blitz in the United Kingdom the last of March coinciding with the play  “The Book of Mormon” in London – Many interviews have been given to local and national press here – advertisements are up in London on buses, in the tube (subway), a new LDS website just for the UK was recently established.  It all seems more positive than negative.  Our Area Presidency has told us that the surge of missionary work in Europe will begin in the United Kingdom.  This is all part of putting a face to the Church in all the media here.

A British Pageant is being produced and performed the last  week of July which will tell the story of the early Church missionaries who came here in the latter 1800’s.  It will be performed  in Preston England on the Temple grounds (or nearby) not sure – It is patterned after the Nauvoo Pageant.  Many members are a part of it and many General Authorities will be here for the performances.

As to our personal time, Dave and I have had a pretty eventful few months.  We visited my ancestors’ home in Willenhall England about 1 ½ hours south of us – I had addresses of where they lived many years ago and was able to find the streets although homes had been torn down in place of warehouses, businesses, etc.  But we saw the town square which hadn’t changed (except for the businesses), the churches and cemeteries where they attended and were buried, and the general feel of the city and its landscape.  My Grandma Peck’s family came from here so we were able to send pictures home to my mom of her great-grandparents and their homeland.

A few weeks ago we were able to have our first visit to London – Catherine and Russell were there.  It was great to be with them and have a whirlwind tour of London and beyond—We took a tour bus throughout the city – saw all the major tourist sites – rode every form of transportation except a plane J and then visited an hour or so away from London Stonehenge, Windsor Castle, and Bath (home of the ancient Roman baths)  Our last day was in Cambridge about an hour from London.  I really enjoyed walking the old cobblestone streets and seeing the many colleges that make up Cambridge University – most were built and housed students as early as the 1400 and 1500’s – probably even earlier than that.  We left the day before Catherine and Russell left.  Catherine stayed for Russell’s last meetings – while sightseeing that last day she was by the Cambridge train station.  Who should pull in with tons of security on a special bus but Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.  The Queen was there to dedicate a hospital – Catherine said she was about 10-20 ft away from them when they got off the bus.  I guess that’s a pretty amazing experience to have when you come to England!!

Last week we had our final senior couples training before we leave. Our mission president arranged for us to have a Church History tour  of the neighborhoods, churches and places the earliest missionaries served when first coming to England – Brigham Young, Heber C Kimball, JohnTaylor,  James Fielding and others when thousands of converts joined the Church and then emigrated to America.  We saw the house where President Hinckley wrote his father and told him he was coming home because he was wasting his time and his father’s money – His father wrote to him and told him to “forget himself and go to work”  The rest of course is history.  One story our tour guide told us that when President Hinckley came back to England to dedicate the Preston Temple he went back to the house to show Sister Hinckley.  He asked the owners if he could come in and show her the bedroom where he had read his father’s letter.  Coming out of the house tears were streaming down his face as he said the decision he made to stay changed the rest of his life.

We then visited the Liverpool docks where the emigrants all left to come to America.  So many of our ancestors left from there and that was quite a moving site to picture what it must have been for them to leave their homelands more than likely never to return.

So, we have had quite the experiences and memories to take home these last few months.  Oh, we also saw the BYU Ballroom Dancers in concert at Sheffield City Center last night – a wonderful production while they are touring Europe.

We are starting to open suitcases and wondering how we will pack everything up again.  It seems very surreal to be doing that.  Many times we wondered if this time would come and here it is nearly upon us.  We may be able to see another child here before we leave if plane ticket prices cooperate. That would be a wonderful finish.

We will appreciate the nice warm weather of the U.S.  Looking at the general weather forecast for the next month or so,  we will be in the 60’s – good for England - but we are looking for some nice hot weather awaiting us.

May your summer months be relaxing, filled with vacation plans with family, holidays to celebrate.  We look forward to seeing many of you in the coming months and enjoying being back in wonderful America!!

Love to you all – Dave and Barbara

 

    

Feb/Mar

FEBRUARY/MARCH

It’s a good Sunday to write the February/March blog:

Of course, a little English lingo to start off:

“There’s time for everything mind you…”

 “I’m not that bothered” = I’m not that interested

 “Have a think” = think about it

“Mind people” (meaning watch out for people) –“ you are so naughty”

A lady said that to her little girl who was standing in front

of me in a post office que (line) – They really reprimand their

 children quite loudly and quite often

Rubbing alcohol = surgical spirits  (many times found in a hardware store)

Drawing pins = thumb tacks

Paper fasteners = brads

Hamburger buns = baps

Pegs = clothespins

Here’s some funny ones from our Czech Elder.  One day he said he needed to wash his hands because his hands were “candy” – meaning his hands were sticky – another time we were talking about animal sounds (don’t remember whyJ) and he said that frogs were “frogging” – I told him maybe that’s what they did in the Czech Republic but in America frogs “croaked”

Enough….Actually, we’ve been here long enough now that things are sounding normal to me…and I actually find myself repeating what they say like I’m a native…oh my!!

This little experience is especially for my son Matt – One of our members brought his mother to Church who was visiting from Slovakia.  There she sat in our congregation (I sit at the piano and can look over the people there)  She looked just like a “babushka” from a village in Russia that Matt would talk about or you see in pictures – her little handkerchief scarf tied over her hair, peasant dress and a big lady – but how much I loved it when she looked up at me and gave me a wonderful smile – I hope she returns again!!

Since we have now been here over a year, we have had to go to the doctor’s to get a renewal of our prescriptions (we could only bring one year’s supply from America).  It’s quite the process getting an appointment, then another appointment having to get blood work done, then another to go back to the doctor who will write you a prescription.

It’s interesting, though,  going to the pharmacy (chemist) to get the prescriptions filled—walk in,  give them your prescription, walk out with the medicine—no money exchanged, free of charge – of course, we knew this when we came and even though we are not citizens of the country, you still get the medicine free.  You can understand in some way why people from the European Union immigrate here along with all the other benefits they receive – but, the downsides we’ll explain when we get home….there are many!!

One day at the hairdressers, I heard a woman in a beauty shop talking about fixing Pigeon Shepherd’s Pie and Rabbit Shepherd’s Pie – Usually shepherd’s pie is made with beef or lamb  She then said how she goes out with her husband pigeon and rabbit hunting and learned to use a gun in college – Hmm… How would that play out in America!!  Also, not sure about pigeon and rabbit pie J

Our first snowstorm this winter came 14 January – The winter has been cold but not a lot of snow – a few inches now and then but overall snow hasn’t been a problem here.  I think we are pretty well past any really bad weather now.  It has been quite cold and rainy – a few days were dreadful— bone chilling cold, windy, and gloomy – It felt like some of the days in the East – humid cold is different from dry cold in Utah.

If you have read any Bronte novels, our weather looked and felt like the weather described in their books. They lived their lives in the moors of England and spent years walking through them regardless of the weather.   After visiting the Bronte Museum a while back, there was a whole section dedicated to the weather described in their novels – sounds a little boring,  I know,  but it actually was quite interesting

We had one of those days last week.  We were in a copy shop and the lady helping us said the weather was “just rubbish”  repeating herself twice. Dave said he will remember that when we are home – a fitting description of something that you don’t like – He’ll never be able to say it like the English say it though J

We found a store in our shopping mall called “Meadowhall” that specializes in selling American candy and other American products.  In their window was a box of Twinkies – Now,  I know that Twinkies have died in America and you can’t find them in England for sure – but the box of eight Twinkies was selling for 15 pounds – meaning about $22 – and their other products were nearly as outrageous – boxes of Fruit Loops, candy bars, etc.  unbelievable prices – I’ll wait ‘till I get home!!

We have gotten used to the animals that roam our neighborhood – cats always on the loose – dogs always on a leash – I’ve mentioned that everyone here has a dog or dogs – many walk three or four on leashes every day.  One neighbor has a boxer and I see him walking him all the time.  He told me he walks the dog three times a day and he is so proud of how healthy and well his dog looks .  As I have said before, they are like their own children to them.  We also have a neighborhood fox that we see on occasion – he just walks right up your driveway and around your yard .  Dave thinks it’s cool but I think it is creepy.  I don’t want to meet that fox in our driveway in the dark for sure.

Last week we were able to go one day outside of our mission boundaries to a city called Heanor in Derbyshire.  Some ancestors came from there.  I always think it will look like a little village still existing in the 1800’s; that has never been the case though.  It’s a little hard to imagine what it was like when my ancestors lived there when there our cars, stores, pubs lining the streets.  At the bottom of the hill  (Tag Hill) where the Bircumshaws lived is a Tesco supermarket (kind of like Wal Mart)J

However, the parish church was still there where I assume my ancestors attended.  We stopped at the local library to try to find the streets I was looking for.  I found a book about the village published in 1895.  It listed the names of the people who lived there and their occupation among other things.  Two of my ancestors’ names were listed and their business; one a shopkeeper and the other a tailor.  It was exciting for me to find the street after we left the library and to drive past the addresses that were listed in the book – they are private residences now, but would have probably been the original row of houses that were there back then.

Our next adventure I hope will be in April (when it gets a little warmer) to my Grandma Peck’s line in Willenhall England!!

Missionary life is going well.  I never will stop being homesick for family and America but it is an incredibly exciting time to serve a mission.  As you are most likely aware, the Church has lowered the ages of guys and girls to serve missions and have just added 58 new missions as of now.

Our mission president has been sharing with us information he receives from meetings he attends with the Area Presidency for this area.  I’ll share some of his thoughts:

The mantra expressed all the time now is “The Lord is hastening his work” – so true – 

The Area Presidency has said that the UK will lead Europe in this “hastening”  - what happens in England will be indicative of what will take place throughout the European countries.  I believe as difficult it is for the UK to house and provide for all the immigrants streaming in, this is where they will hear the Gospel and then be able to share it with friends and family from their respective countries…and grow young missionaries here who will be able to return to their native lands as missionaries when they reach that age. 

We have missionaries here in our mission from all over the world as I have said before.  What an inspiration they are to meet them and hear their testimonies and faith in the Lord.  We were on a teaching assignment with Elder Sindylek (Czech Republic) who was on an exchange with Elder LeGay from Paris France.  Listening to them teach the Gospel and tell their conversion stories is incredible.  That example is multiplied so many times over.   We just recently have had join us Elders and Sisters from Leipzig, Germany; Ayrshire, Scotland; Birmingham, England; London, England; Soweto, South Africa, Tonga (via California); Hungary, and Samoa!!

President Lindley recently told us our missionary complement has been increased by 98 missionaries in the next several months (double what we have now) 22 sisters, 70 elders, 4 Chinese speakers, 2 Polish and (he said he has requested ADDITIONAL Slovakian Elders...the mission’s 2013 baptismal goal is 450 with 100% retention…200 converts are to come from the Sheffield area where we serve.

Elder Christofferson said in the Area Conference meeting that the Lord is preparing more people who want to hear the Gospel than there are missionaries to teach them.

Elder Bednar also has explained the word “commotion” as used in the scriptures as the movement of people throughout the world; i.e. the immigrants seeking asylum and better living conditions and coming to

areas where they will hear the Gospel.

President Lindley held a foreign language specialized training meeting recently and told of the formation and growth of the Church in the countries of Poland, Slovakia and China (these are where so many immigrants and students in the English Leeds Mission have come from and shared with us what I have written above.

There is no question in my mind that “the work is hastening” and it is definitely a privilege to be just a “minute” part of it.

In our little corner of the world wonderful things have been happening.  The Church has now given permission for our little Slovakian group to be formed into a branch on March 24.  We wonder sometimes how this will all play out – today, for instance, at Church instead of the 50-75 members we have, only about 30 were there.  We know some of the members were called into work, but only one teenager came when we usually have 10-15.  The stake will be over this little branch and have called three “seasoned” couples in the stake to begin attending our branch and to provide shadow leadership and support to them.  The men have either been stake presidents and/or bishops.  We will soon find out what our input will be and if it will change or not.

One experience we have had to give you a sense of what is happening here.  When we first arrived one the investigators the missionaries were teaching nicknamed “Trinity Tebor” because his name is Tebor and because he would argue and argue about his belief in the Trinity and that Heavenly Father and Jesus and the Holy Ghost could not possibly be separate beings.  He also would never even read a page of the Book of Mormon.  He even told the missionaries his wife had the authority to baptize him in his home just sprinkling water on him from the kitchen sink (Truly, he was seriousJ)He is a relative of some of the members of our group and on and off he comes to Church.  He also would go on teaching assignments with the missionaries because he speaks English fairly well and could translate for them.  His wife was very adamant in her feelings about the Church.  She belongs to our “infamous” Hallejuhah Church who never stops trying to stop people from coming to and joining the Church.  She would be so angry when she heard some people had come to Church or listened to the discussions, she would go to their homes and scream at them.

Last week, we sat in on a discussion at their home.  The woman’s parents who live with them have joined the Church and a sister and her soon-to-be husband our planning to be baptized.  There I watched in amazement as “Trinity Tebor” opened the Book of Mormon, read from it, helped his wife understand what it was saying, and she sat there listening to the discussion, asking questions and even has attended another teaching discussion with the missionaries in her friends home.

Don’t tell me the Lord isn’t over this work – babysteps they are taking, but steps nonetheless. 

Another change in our little group/branch is the government is pulling all funding from the Don Valley Stadium where we meet and it will be torn down in September.  The Stake President has told the Facilities Management people to find a place for us to meet in the same area and that we need it quickly.  He wants a place where we have complete access to a building seven days a week where Church, youth activities, teaching classes can go on all week long--just another step in the growth here.

There will still be a lot of opposition, people falling away I am sure, but nothing will bring the work to a halt here with our Don Valley group.

Our mission office called us last week as they begin their preparations for our departure.  Yes, it has seemed like a long time in many ways, but when I realize how much we have experienced here and to be a part of  the hastening of the Lord’s work, I find it a little hard to imagine it will be a part of our memories before too much longer.  So much to remember and so much to share.

Thank you all for your love, friendship and support – Until April/May

Dave and Barbara

Looking up Tag Hill

Top of Tag Hill

Ray Street, Heanor, Bircumshaw families lived here

St Lawrence Parish, Heanor, Derbyshire

Elder Bond and Vladamir

Eva & Marcella

First Relief Society

Front Chatsworth House

Jan & Janna

Jan & Janna's Six Boys

Josef & Veronika

Kandrac Family Baptism

Shipley Church, Charles & Sarah Wilkinson

Sister Bond, Vladamir & Others

Dec/Jan Blog Post

Dec/Jan Blog:

We hope all of you had a wonderful Holiday season J

 As I begin a new entry for 2013, many thoughts emerge—the year we will be coming home, wanting to finish the last 1/3 of our mission doing all we were meant to do here, realizing that many of the experiences we have had and things we have done have become pretty routine to us – but, as my brother reminds me, it is not routine to those of you out there, so still write of daily occurences he says…so here goes for 2013J

Ready for some more British vocabulary?

Rutabaga  =  Swede

Smashing =  Great; wonderful

Cheers; Hello Luv – Men and women greet each other all the time this way (doesn’t matter if you’re a man or woman )  Cheers I’ve noticed is also used by men to say goodbye or thank you

Dr’s Office = Surgery

Drug Store/Pharmacy  =  Chemist

RevelAtory – CONtribute – Way they pronounce these words with the emphasis on the capital letter

Abnormal load =  Wide load (Passing a big truck on the motorway)

Packets =  Sachets -  For cooking, a packet of Koolaid; etc. would be a sachet of Koolaid (which they don’t have here)

Baubles=  Ornaments – as in Christmas tree ornaments – always called baubles I recently discovered

Pop over – Drop in; visit,  etc.

Murgatroyd -  as in “heavens to murgatroyd – Don’t know if you have ever heard that saying in America, but I found doing some genealogy that it is a real last name here.

Well, I’ll talk about missionary work for a bit!!

 I think we’ve had two transfers since I last wrote – From our Don Valley unit, Sister Harrop left after being here six months and Sister Bendsten was here for just three weeks (there was a mid-transfer at Christmas time so several missionaries could be home for Christmas) – That resulted in a few areas having missionaries for only three weeks.  From our zone Elder Barnett (our missionary that Angie’s parents know) and our zone leader Elder Taylor (from Logandale Nevada) were transferred.

In our most recent transfer our Don Valley Unit stayed put but Sister McKay who was in our zone a few transfers ago became part of a threesome with Sisters Melander and Brown here in Don Valley – The sisters love the threesome because if helps them with all the contacts they have to make and in teaching lessons (it becomes quite stressful they say to try to communicate in their Slovakian attempts and fill in with English)  Having three to share the load makes it easier – I must say, however, some of our English missionaries have really picked up Czech/Slovakian quite rapidly!!

Another six new missionaries were transferred into our zone, but we don’t see them too often in our district meetings and so don’t get to know them that well – but we will be visiting their flats during January for another inspection which came around quickly since last October

Our fairly recent housing/vehicle coordinator has the missionaries really stepping up in keeping things clean and orderly – I think he is tired of getting calls from landlords about problems that occurJ

Two Elders in our zone had a great experience that certainly doesn’t happen I’m sure that often – The district was at a Sheffield Chapel for P-Day playing basketball, etc. and a man and woman walked into the Church -  They were asking if anyone could teach them about the Church because they were pretty sure they wanted to be baptized.  Elders Barnett and Brewerton lived in the area where this couple lived so they got the chance to teach them – Apparently the couple have been very dissatisfied with the Churches they had been attending but knew they wanted religion in their lives – They found out about the Church on the Internet and had spent a lot of time researching it – Happy with what they were reading, they went in search of a Church building—hence their meeting the missionaries on P-Day when the building was open – not a happenstance I’m sure.  They recently were baptized along with a friend who joined the discussions – Elder Barnett was transferred right before the baptism.  I’m sure he would have wanted to be there – but such is mission life!!

There have been several baptisms in the Don Valley unit the last few months – Nearly every Saturday it seems – The missionaries really work hard finding and teaching.  Many of the recent converts are family members or friends of members which makes it easier for them – We are seeing a lot of teenagers interested or joining the Church recently.  A big influx are coming to Church, going to ward/stake activities, and joining with the missionaries one night a week for a “youth night” where the missionaries teach a gospel lesson and then play games, have refreshments, etc. They are really enjoying doing that – the Slovakians are up for any party, get together, or whatever brings them together – They are quite a social bunch!!

The Hallejujah Church has been at it again – They found a very old You-Tube video put out  by ex or anti Mormons about our temple ceremonies – It was about  30-years old;  very disturbing to them because it was so false and dark and vicious.  Our Bishop had to meet with several investigators and members to put them at ease and teach the truth to them.  We loved one scenario that happened – One of our teenage members who has been pretty inactive recently but had gone to do baptisms for the dead commented to the families about it .  He said that isn’t what it looks like in the temple; that’s not what happens there; I’ve been there.  He was defending the Church regardless of his activity at the moment.

Our holidays were quite eventful even though it’s hard not to be home with family and in America. 

Our nice British ward member (the Nettleships) invited all the missionaries over for an American Thanksgiving dinner (no Thanksgiving holiday in EnglandJ)  She cooked a turkey with all the trimmings and even made pumpkin pies, which doesn’t exist here.  Canned pumpkin is not available so at Halloween she baked a pumpkin which they sell for the Halloween season, then scooped out the insides to make the pies.

She also had us all over on Christmas evening for a buffet – We felt very well taken care of –

On Christmas Eve our Czech elders asked us to come to one of the members homes (who is Czech) for a typical Christmas Eve dinner – Actually in the Czech Republic Christmas is celebrated on December 24 – a big dinner is had that night – the children go upstairs for a while until “Baby Jesus” delivers the presents  (no Santa Claus there) then they come down and open presents in the evening – Christmas Day they just visit and relax. 

The Christmas Eve dinner consists basically of side dishes and a big fish – Carp - - which has been resting in a bathtub for three days and then is brought out on Christmas Eve by the father of the family – killed – and then baked – The Elders couldn’t use a live carp so they bought a frozen one which they thawed and prepared.

A few missionaries didn’t think they could eat it – I did try a piece (it is filled with bones) and has to be eaten very slowly – not sure why it is such a delicacy for the CzechsJs

It was an interesting evening, but we left early to start Skyping family members!!

Christmas morning was spent with the Don Valley missionaries coming here for breakfast – The sister missionaries opened their packages from home – the Elders had already opened theirs Christmas Eve – it was great to see their excitement and enthusiasm even though they are so far from home!!  They watched The Lion King (which one Elder had never seen) and then headed out to visit Slovakian families (we had taken our Christmas gift to them the Sunday before) so we were able to enjoy a few quiet hours Skyping and calling all we could reach!!

Forgot to mention that the Elders Skyped from our home on Christmas Eve – we were able to visit with their families in the Czech Republic.  The sisters Skyped here on Christmas night – Boy were they having a great time talking to their families.

Also forgot to mention the mission Christmas Party on Dec 18 in Harrogate at a US/British Air Force Base -  It was great to see all the missionaries together for games, dinner, program, etc. which lasted all day – They need that break and time together.  We met with all the senior couples and enjoyed seeing many missionaries who had left our area over the past year.

Wow!!  Also need to mention the Slovakian Christmas Party we had – The Slovakians enjoy their food and dancing and after much preparation of cooking, buying the food, bringing it to the Don Valley Stadium, the party began.  Before the night finished the children had visited with Santa (the Bishop), received a gift from him and everyone spent the rest of the night eating and dancing – President and Sister Lindly joined us for about an hour.  A member of the Sheffield 1 ward brought his DJ equipment, sound system and all, which put the Slovakians in a very festive mood – Everyone danced to about 4 songs (all the Slovakians wanted to have played)  There were about 75-100 there – I think it was the highlight of their Christmas season.

The Slovakians celebrate Christmas pretty simply as you can imagine – I believe most homes finally put up a Christmas tree and decorate their homes very simply.

Church members had collected many toys for the children which the missionaries delivered anonymously on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  It was good for the children to be excited and enjoy their day – Most members Skype their families in Slovakian and get together for eating, etc.

So our Holidays ended well and we began a New Year!!

We are now awaiting the announcements of a Slovakian Branch in the New Year – We just hear rumors as of now, but we have heard by the end of February it will be established.  It has taken a very long time – and still may not happen – but we are anxious to see how it will transpire and what changes will take place – It would be a nice addition to our last months here.  We’ll let you know next writing what happens.

Nothing new to report in our adventures to see England – Still looking forward to the visits President Lindley has approved – There is a possibility Catherine and Russel will be visiting again in February while Russell has a business trip here – that would be great.  Karen and Clint would like to come but it may not happen until summer.  They have a Chadwick family reunion in July, but are hoping they can celebrate this summer if (and it is looking pretty good) that Clint will receive tenure at the university which they have been looking forward to for a long time!!

Sandra wanted to come perhaps with Karen, but lucky for us baby #3 will be born just before we arrive home – so no traveling for her it appears.

I read online about a school in Utah who has banned leggings as pants to wear to school.  I don’t know if that is the rage in Utah, but we have seen that since we’ve been here in England – just leggings with a top is the attire – for young and old!!

Interesting.

The barber told Dave the other day that people who had been coming in have read this winter in England is to be the worst in 100 years – We are now in the second week of January with temperatures in the 40’s and 50’s – Hope it isn’t true!!  Of course, we still have a few months to get through!!

That’s about it for now – we hope you all enjoy a blessed and happy 2013!!

Love.

Dave and Barbara

October/November

October/November Blog:

Just making a list here:

            Cardi – Cardigan

            Boots and bonnets – Hoods and trunks (of cars)

            Courgettes ( pronounced with a soft “g”) – Zucchini

            Aubergine – Eggplant

            Nappies – Diapers

            Joiner/Joinery – Carpenters/Remodeling company

            Coppers – Policemen

            Holiday – Vacation

            Garage – Same as garage except pronounced Gar pronounced “air” with a  

                            hard “G”

            Windscreen  - Windshield

            Sultanas – Raisins

            Building blocks (Legos) – Bricks

           Idle meal – One that makes you want to take a rest after having eaten

            Words and Phrases:

            Get it sorted

            Cheers

            Luv

            I’m a bit concerned

            Make my own way

            Knocked back        

            Bit annoying

            Feeling poorly

           It were like

           “Me job; me family”

            I’ll fetch it for you

            I’ll chance my luck

            Splendid

OK – You’re English lesson for another month J

Slovakian Members

We now have witnessed two Slovakian weddings.  Our latest was Veronica and Jozefs – I had to speak at that one J  Quite a few people attended this one – about 30 – I hope I stressed enough why it was important to be married – Hopefully, some took notice!!  Pictures were taken outside the chapel – Children only stayed outdoors for a few minutes – then wanted to come in to eat the wedding cake – We had to keep them at bay for another 20 minutes or so until the bride and groom came in – Not an easy task – Jozef, by the way, was just ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood today at Church now that he is married.

We were very surprised to see our Holub family (the one with 12 children come to Church a few weeks ago)  This is the family that would not come any more because the Bishop was not providing them with enough things that they wanted – These are the children who are so adorable – dark curly hair and big brown eyes (I will get a picture of them some day) – We were all excited they were there – but then the next week Brother Holub told Elder Juran – now I want you to come to my Church!!  Oh, well, maybe someday they’ll return for the right reasons.

One member talked to a man in the streets of Darnall who had no food or money; he gave his family’s weekly government allotment to him leaving his family of six children with not much food for a week.  Another has taken in a Polish homeless man and found a job for him.  Human nature—very interesting!!

One of our members has discovered a mouse/mice/rat in their home.  They are beside themselves – They finally bought a cat but after having it a week the cat caused so much mischief they gave it away.  The wife and kids are so scared, they don’t like to be anywhere in the house alone—we told them we would bring peanut butter for the traps (since that has worked for us) but they didn’t know what peanut butter was.  Hopefully it will get rid of their rodent problem!!

Church

We have been having about 75 attendance at Church the last month or so; it was very difficult to handle the children there one week – One investigator said he didn’t think he would come back – but he has and he and his family (wife and 5 children) will be joining the Church (after they are married J) One of his children has been a real handful in Primary so I don’t know why they were complaining at Church.  Then, today, I found out she is autistic – I’ll think much kindlier of her now.

We just changed our meeting schedule today for the first time.  They will now have a short RS/Priesthood meeting before Sunday school begins.  That makes Primary ½ hour longer – but Sister Powell-Pepper, our Primary coordinator, wants to feed them breakfast during that half hour – She doesn’t think they get fed in the mornings; I’m pretty sure that isn’t true – but the kids loved the juice, fruit and biscuits (cookies) this morning.  Actually Sister Pepper was so concerned about what they ate – she was worried about what afflictions they may have (ADD/ADHD, diabetes, etc) and what she could feed them.  We tried to convince her they would be fine – They worry about so many things here in Britain!!  We hope all this change is getting them closer to making this little unit a branch – a Bishopric member visiting today told us that was the plan – We’ll let you know if and when it happens.

Missionaries

The Elders and sisters have gone to the shopping area of Darnall (where we meet for Church).  They stand next to the stores where the Slovakians shop and sing hymns for about an hour – They finally convinced Dad and I to join them which we did – Slovakian Church members have stopped and joined us; English people just walk by; others are curious – we haven’t done it for several weeks – we go on Saturday mornings and other things have been going on – I think weather permitting and not too cold they will start again with Christmas carols.

It’s interesting to talk to our Czech/Slovakian elders – One said his parents were very much against the gypsies in Slovakia (he used the word racist) and the other said his parents weren’t against them but would very much hesitate visiting with them.  Cultural traditions play such a part in our human society!!

Since Dad hasn’t been able to do much lifting or using his shoulder because of the rotar cuff tear, our nice missionaries came over last week and mowed our lawn – I think  it will not have to be mowed again until next spring.

Our changes in missionaries that occured this transfer:   Elder Sandor finished his 3 month stay with us and returned to the Manchester mission.  He finishes his mission in about two weeks.  Our new elder is from theCzech Republic (Elder Sindylek)
and is Elder Juran’s childhood friend – I wondered how that might work out but they are doing beautifully together – It really has helped missionary work to have the language barrier broken down by these elders.. 

Our sister missionaries are doing great – We had a threesome for about three weeks.  One of the sisters in our zone came to be with the Don Valley sisters– Her companion decided  to return home after only being out for about a month – I don’t know why.  She was from some European country.  One of our sisters has been here six months – it’s very possible she will transfer – she is quite sad – but perhaps she will stay – we will see.

Elder Juran has been our district leader for about six weeks now.  What an amazing change has taken place in him – so much more confident and grasping the work with gusto!!  He is now concentrating on keeping the members we have active and not seeking too many new investigators at present – I think it is a good decision – The new members seems to be attending Church a lot and connecting with the other members.

One of the new missionaries in our zone is from Romania. We visited him and his companion for flat inspection.  It was amazing to hear him speak – really speaks the English language well.  Apparently Romania is a romance language related to Italian, French, Spanish, etc.  He said he understood our speaking better than he does the British.  Many Romanian immigrants here and after having only been transferred for a couple of weeks he had 10 investigators scheduled for baptism.

Mission Life

(1)

We went to a teaching appointment with the sister missionaries.  There were grandparents, a mom, and two little boys ages 5 and 6 .  When dad sat down the little boys looked at him at said “are you a king?”

The sisters put on a DVD of President Monson’s conference talk – then the little boys said “are you a prophet?” – One little boy was looking at pictures in an Ensign – saw the General Authority chart and thought dad was one of them – The gray hair and being Caucasian must cause the reaction– I’m not sure how being a king relates J

 One interesting comment the grandpa made (he has lived in England for 12 years so speaks a little English) –He tried to communicate with us how good America is for all the help they gave to Europe after WWII.

While in the appointment, we heard people yelling from outside.  The sisters found out their car was rolling down the hill!!  When it got to the bottom instead of rolling right through an intersection and into a house, it just stopped.  The sisters ran outside as fast as they could, but the car had stopped before they got there.  Apparently they didn’t know about putting their car in gear (had it in neutral) – The Lord watches out for his missionaries and for his cars J

(2)

We completed our flat (apartment) inspections of the 9 missionary flats in our zone.  I must say they were mostly in tidy condition – except for 1 or 2 .

While visiting one apartment in Chesterfield (where my Hudson and Bircumshaw family had resided) we toured the Church of England cathedral in the city – The tower at the top is twisted and looks like it is falling over – but the people say it is very sturdy – just looks funny for sure.  While in the cathedral a man came in – I guess one of the parishoners – He stood at the pulpit and started reading from the Bible – Problem was there was no one in there except us wandering around – Maybe that is his job at that particular hour whether anybody is there or not.

(3)

They just celebrated Guy Fawkes day in England– Nov 2 – Check Wikipedia to read up on Guy Fawkes – I didn’t know about his place in British history.  Anyway, they shoot off fireworks all over England and light bonfires.  Now, when I say fireworks this just isn’t in the city park or plaza – this is in all the neighborhoods – We watched a spectacular fireworks display from our bedroom window – A neighbor a few houses away kept them going for about an hour – There was so much smoke and noise – I wondered how the city/country who are so health and safety conscious lets that happen – I thought for sure our house or car would catch on fire as cinders kept falling from the sky.  The other amazing thing is this went on for four days – We even heard some fireworks last night – maybe people getting rid of what they didn’t use or buying them on sale after the celebration – So there’s Guy Fawkes for youJ

Miscellaneous

(1)

President Lindley showed us a video at a zone conference called “Treasure in Heaven” It’s the story of John Tanner joining the Church in early Church history and his coming West – It was very good and when I found out it was on You Tube, I hope you will check it out.

(2)

We just had another zone conference last week – The missionaries love to get together for the day and revisit prior companions.  President Lindley decided to speak about his experiences in his profession as Director of Security for the Church. He has traveled to over 60 countries with prophets and general authorities.  It was very interesting hearing about some of the experiences with Presidents Kimball, Hunter, Benson, Hinckley and a little President Monson.  He related the experiences to the personality traits of the Prophets and how missionaries could incorporate those same values. 

We have not done much sightseeing the last few months, but President Lindley has given us permission to leave the mission boundaries to go on P-day to the Preston Temple (in the Manchester mission) and to Derbyshire and Stafforfdshire counties which are only about 1 to 1 ½ hours away from us – We could do that in one day and that is where more of my many English ancestors originated.  He also gave us permission to visit London – perhaps this will be our Christmas gift to each other.  We can go for about 3 days but probably would not leave until sometime in January.  I guess a few other senior couples have done this with family, so we will see.

(3)

For those who know us well, you will know of our reaction to the Presidential elections.  I have many thoughts and comments, but unlike so many Facebook friends, I must save these comments until we return home or done privately.  Missionary time is not the place, I don’t believe, to express them.

(4)

We wish you all a wonderful holiday season – The senior couples will have a Thanksgiving dinner together the day after Thanksgiving.  The whole mission will celebrate Christmas a week before at the Air Force Base in Harrogate.  The Slovakians will share their Christmas culture with us thanks to the generosity of the Sheffield 1 Ward who has reserved part of the stadium where we meet and given funds for the celebration.  We’re looking forward to that

You are always in our thoughts and prayers – We miss family and friends a lot but are now over half way through our mission – we look forward to seeing so many of you next summer!!

E-mail us often!!  We love it!!

Dave and Barbara