Home, at last

Last Saturday and Monday we moved into the more comfy flat across the street just vacated by the folks we were to replace in the England Manchester Mission office.  We also got their car and the use of their Vonage connection for about four days which was heavenly.  This flat is more modern, warmer, more secure, and has a much better stocked and equipped kitchen than the previous flat.  The previous owners also left cozy bathrobes, a fully decorated Christmas tree, and some recipes--all of these are true treasures. 



Here is my favorite feature of our first flat: the towel warming/drying bar in the bathroom.  What a joy to wrap up in a warm towel in that chilly bathroom which had no other heat source!




The only bright spot in my kitchen in the first flat was the wall with the cute and functional measuring cups Ade gave me just before we left.  The blue one was the exact blue of the tiles on the wall.. They always made me smile when I came home in the cold and darkness.  Thanks, Ade. 

 You may remember that an English couple stepped forward to volunteer to be primary office couple, so that, although SL has us listed as official office couple, they are doing all the work--nice arrangement, huh!They are kind, patient, resourceful, and full of fun, and I could listen to her talk of how we will "sort it" tomorrow when things go wrong and that I should just "put it in the bin" when she doesn't want to save something and how I should just go down the "tick list" (checklist) --all great expressions--all day long. 

This week the weather has been lovely for England in March--three consecutive days of no precip and a fourth almost without.  As it happened they were days we were on the road, twice to Telford in Shropshire (doesn't that sound glorious) and once to Liverpool, also not too shabby. We didn't actually get to do must oogling, especially Elder Hinton who has to keep his eyes glued to the road anticipating those roundabouts, some of which have six exits and can have you going around anything from a cobbled rise about ten feet in diameter to a grassy spot fifty yards across.  We were on official business, but driving across Shropshire with those beautiful bright green hillside farms and quaint farmhouses was deeelightful for me. 

In Liverpool we had some zone training.  These young missionaries are truly amazing.  It is a joy to hear their family stories, their mission miracles, their testimonies, and their thoughts about the scriptures.  Some of them have the most beautiful accents as they speak English they have learned throughout Europe.  Some from Eastern Europe, and Asia have a more difficult time communicating,, but it doesn't stop them from trying.  We role play teaching and committing investigators with them and they are complimentary of us, but they are the real pros.  We learn from them whenever we are together. 

The office received some orders for foreign language Books of Mormon Thursday, and as I placed them on the shelves, I was amazed at the variety of Books we have.  I found a couple in Igbo, one of which I will take to a less active sister in our ward so that she can read scriptures with her faithful and devout husband.  I hope it will be a blessing to them.  The father comes almost every Sunday with the three young boys, but he receives no support from his wife who joined with him in Nigeria  about 14 years ago but has reverted to her Catholic background while they have been in England.  Life here is hard for her, but her eyes lighted up when I mentioned I thought I could get her a Book of Mormon in Igbo. 

We attend church with a diverse group of wonderful members.  Also serving in our ward are an Italian and an Armenian elders.  We have interesting times trying to get anywhere all together.  Poor Elder Hinton would just as soon turn directions over to our GPS, but the elders with their biking experience and I with my maps on my lap are always trying to get in on the action, and we have done a fair amount of turning around in dark alleys trying to find our way.  You cannot simply "go around the block" here to get back on the right road.  There is no such thing as a square block!!  If you don't turn around immediately, you will be hopelessly lost. 



This photo takes us back to February 9 when we first arrived in Manchester after a day of travel.  Glad you can't see the toothpicks holding our eyelids open.  Pres. and Sister Bullock look great though.  This pic is taken in front of the mission home.  They are a most gracious couple.  We are blessed to serve under their tutelage.   

 The snowdrops and crocuses are in full bloom, and the daffodils are not far behind. Then it's poppies and one flower after another until fall.  We are so blessed to be in such a beautiful country and in an especially lovely part of it.  We are still adjusting, but life is good in the Lord's service.