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