Sent this as a letter in September, just adding it to the Blog now.
September has been fun. We are really into the swing of things. I guess the best way to describe what I mean by” really into the swing of things” is that we are finally doing all the things we originally thought we would be doing when we got our call. Things like: meeting new university student members, cooking meals for Institute, and teaching young adult investigators in person with the younger missionaries.
The new university semester, called UNI. by the Brits, has started. We had 5 new freshmen “UNI” students show up at church with their families, who were in town to drop off their babies. They and probably even more their parents, were happy to meet us and find out about Institute and YA activities.
This is Mom: Dad wrangled me into doing the rest of the letter. Said he’d vacuum if I finished up. Anyway, some good news for the Birmingham YA - Our stake physical facilities guy moved jobs last week, but before he went, his LAST job was to rebuild part of the stake center into a YA all-purpose room. Now they have a place to meet and hang out. We plan to stock it with nosh and have an honestly box.
Before we got back in the saddle with the YA and pathway, we volunteered to inspect the missionary flats in …. THE COTSWOLDS. Beautiful!!!! We went to a few old villages, particularly the village where War Horse was filmed. Rolling hills, ancient churches, sheep grazing, green so green it hurts your eyes, you know, all while listening to classical music on BBC radio 4. We went to Burton-on-water, Chipping Campden, etc. Good news: it’s less than an hour from our flat. Bad news: all the roads are twisty and windy, small lanes.
Quick, funny story about using the term, ‘flat’. The lady who cut my hair last time asked me where our apartment is. I said that she was the first person we’d heard using the word, ‘apartment’. She said that she likes to say apartment, she thinks she sounds ‘booshie’. (Have no idea how you spell that). Anyway, I guess Birmingham is off the beaten track of US tourists. We get noticed, maybe the badge, maybe the accent, maybe both.
Now this is both Mom and Dad.
We went to a place called, The Black Country Living History Town. It was truly like going back in time. Old busses going around the streets, and people in costume telling us about the old days when it was a mining town. It is used as the set for the show, Peaky Blinders. Mom wanted to Dad to buy the hat, but he refused. The best part was going to class at the old school room. The School Master was hilarious. He called different people up to the front of class and read them the riot act for offenses such as: tattoos ,which he said was drawing on their arms during class, a pregnant young looking women, which he said was disgusting and no student of his could be allowed in school pregnant. A couple of the missionaries got called up, a sister for giggling, and an elder for talking. They both got Caned! It was fun. We will attach pics.
The lord has really been blessing the YA work here. Litchfield Institute has gone from 7-8 girls to 24 with just about an even split of boys and girls. We honestly didn’t see that happening. Two of what we call “our lost boys” one from Slovakia and one from Hong Kong have really started to see changes in their lives. They both have degrees, but were working at McDonalds and Aldi’s grocery store. Now they have both found great jobs in their fields. One of the great things about being a missionary is getting to see the change in people’s lives. Right Joel :)
This week has probably been the most special of our mission. Three wonderful people that we helped the missionaries teach, got baptized this week. Just to be around them and feel their excitement and love for the gospel has been special.
We love the gospel, and are very grateful for everything our Savior has done for us. Hope you are all well and enjoying life. Thanks for always calling and zooming with us.
Mom and Dad
