My How Time Flies...

Hello dear family and friends . . .the weeks are sailing by so fast! I can hardly believe it has been a week since I last wrote.

We continue to stay busy and I am sure that’s why time is flying. Monday we said good-bye to Kevin and Amanda as they rode the train back to London and then on to Paris. We had such a good time together. She even brought me sour watermelon Peeps!

Tuesday we worked the day and then drove about an hour to give a training class in the evening in Northampton. We prepared three attendees to speak with BBC radio on the 20th anniversary of a huge flood in their area. The LDS Chapel in their area was used as a command center and place of refuge for all those who lost their homes. The BBC will be broadcasting their drive-time show on April 10 from that same Chapel. It was heartwarming to hear them relive the memories of the community coming together to help one another.

Wednesday night was our Relief Society Birthday celebration. I don’t usually get to Relief Society here, but I did make a special effort last week. Every year at this time when we celebrate together the organization of the Relief Society, I think about how much it has blessed my life and I am grateful to belong to such a noble organization that embraces the motto “Charity Never Faileth”. From that statement alone I have learned so much. My testimony of the importance of serving others stems from my service in Relief Society and also watching my own mom serve. Those of you who have known me for a long time know that Relief Society literally saved my life back in 1989. The older I get, the more I enjoy and appreciate the sisterhood I feel with fellow members no matter what country I’m in on any given Sunday. I am blessed.

Thursday night we taught the same class again up in Manchester (about a two-hour drive) to a group of congregation leaders. They were a fun group and we had a lot of interaction. It makes for a long day, but we really do enjoy that part of the calling. We went up early and were able to spend about three hours at the Preston Temple prior to teaching the class. It was just the boost we needed.

Friday began the European Easter campaign on social media titled “Always There.” If you have a few moments, I would encourage you watch the short video. Whether you belong to the same church as I do or not, if you are Christian, you will love it. I promise.

Speaking of time sailing, on Friday we Skyped with the couple that have been called to replace us. I can’t even write about it without choking up a little. They are a lovely couple from St. George and we are excited for them to serve in this great country in Public Affairs. I know we are prejudiced, but we think it’s the best. We also received our release date and travel plans on Friday. . . a bittersweet day full of mixed emotions.

The good news is . . . the sun was shining this morning, it’s up to 50° today, and church was not cancelled! It was so good to be back to our ward after missing two months straight. I can’t even tell you. It was especially good to sing with the Primary children again. I’m sure they didn’t miss me as much as I missed them, but their cute faces and singing voices and warm hearts made my day. Today’s singing time included maracas, a tambourine, a triangle, and kazoos . . . J

The other good news is that Villanova is still in the tournament and my March Madness bracket is looking very good (unless they lose tonight, that is.) J Our family has fun each year with the Partridge Family Challenge. Ron chose Kansas at the overall champ, the majority of the family chose Duke, and Alisha is loyal to Texas and chose Texas Tech. Tonight’s games are BIG!

Malcolm is gone for the next two weeks to Salt Lake for Conference and PA meetings. I’ll hit the road running tomorrow morning as I received a detailed ‘to do’ list over the weekend of things to prepare for President Nelson and Elder Holland’s visit. Not on the list yet is that new outfit to purchase . . .but it will be. J We are also getting ready for another video shoot in the Netherlands soon. Never a dull moment.

That’s what is going on in our lives right now. We’d love to hear what is going on in yours too. Thank you to all those who write and keep up connected with the comings and goings and happenings of our other life. We love every email, text, photo, video, and message sent. We love and miss you all.

Cheers,
Ron and Marie

You're All Invited!

At Stratford-upon-Avon, where our Gines ancestors came from, and Shakespeare!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone! By the way, my Irish friends here tell me they have no idea why the Americans pinch someone if they are not wearing green. That apparently is not an Irish tradition. Crazy Americans . . .

We recovered from our long weekend in Scotland and got right back to work on everything we left behind, including our next video shoot in the Netherlands in three weeks. We took Friday off and drove to Preston and met Kevin and Amanda at the train station. It was good to see family again! We have had so much fun showing them church history sites in Lancashire, Warwick Castle, the Cotswold’s, and Stratford-upon-Avon, where we visited the Trinity Church where Shakespeare was christened and is also buried. We finished off our visit there with Creamed Tea (hot chocolate and scones with clotted cream), and found our way to the best fish n’ chip shop we know for dinner, two nights in a row. After dinner the Rook cards come out and we loved playing our family favorite card games.

Warwick Castle with Elder Partridge, the Warrior. It is colder than it looks!

Visiting Downham Village

As part of our church history tour with the kids we took them up to Downham, Lord and Lady Clitheroe’s village. I just love it there. We love to take everyone we can to our favorite lunch place, Greendale. We’ve made friends with the owners. They recognize us when we come in and we love to support their little business. After our ‘to die for’ soup and sandwiches, we ordered a dessert to share. We went wild and didn’t order chocolate! Instead, this time we ordered the special of the day, Ginger Toffee Cake. Oh . . .my . . GOODNESS! It was the best cake I have EVER eaten hands down. I went to Trevor, who made it, and told him I would make him famous in America and name the cake after him if he would share his recipe and how to make it with me . . .and he did! I won’t attempt it here in England, as my oven and I don’t get along well, and I’m sure I’ll have to make it a few times to get it down, but when I get home I would like to invite all of you over to our home for TREVOR’S BEST GINGER CAKE WITH TOFFEE SAUCE. My mouth is watering just writing about it. My next mission is to get the guy at our favorite Indian restaurant in London to sell me some of his secret spice mix . . .

My favourtie tree in England!

The weather has been coooold! Snow flurries danced about all day yesterday with the help of a bitter cold breeze most of the day. Nevertheless, we Utahn’s toughed it out. This morning we woke up to a blanket of snow once again. “The Beast from the East” is back, so they say, and I believe them. I’m ready for Spring! Church was cancelled once again. I do love a family time day, but I’m sad though that Kevin and Amanda won’t experience our little ‘mission field’ ward with us today and meet our dear ward members. Between my trip to Utah, then being sick, our travel schedule, and the weather, I haven’t been in Primary since the third week of January, and I’m missing my Primary children.

Stow-on-the-Wold, Costswolds

It won’t be easy saying good-bye to the kids in the morning when we put them on the train to head back to London and then Paris. I have to say that I do love having adult children that we can just be friends and laugh and have fun together. It’s the fun without the stress. I know I have been blessed with great children, and they have all chosen great spouses.

Congratulations to all my Festival friends for their total record-breaking earnings of over $2.7 last year at Festival of Trees. That money not only helps children but also represents a lot of hard work from the dedicated board members. I’m so proud to know and love you!

Our hearts have been with the Stromness family. Richard did pass away last week after a 20-year battle with Leukemia. They honored him with a Memorial and ice cream social Friday. We so wish we could have been there. He donated his body to science. It was all so fitting for Richard. We have known him for nearly 40 years and have many good memories with their family as a Woods Cross ‘tighter than an English corset’ neighborhood. It warms my heart when I picture in my mind the great reunion he must have had with other neighbors of ours that were taken too young . . . Scot, Steve, Marie J, Eileen, Jim Ashauer, and our Nathan.

My heart is full of gratitude for my testimony of life after death, eternal families, eternal friends, and a peace I feel inside that death is not the end, but a new beginning. I know this to be true as it motivates me each day to try to overcome weaknesses and flaws and be worthy someday to see all those I love that cross from this life to the next before I do.

Stay warm and we’ll do the same! Love to all,

Ron and Marie

Better Late than Never?

Despite the wind, rain, and freezing weather,
Brother Jimmie Nicholson agreed to be the piper for
our videos.  He was ‘amazin’ as the Scots say.

I am a “wee” bit late this week as you can see! We were in Bonny Scotland Friday-Monday on a filming project, working long long hours. Sunday was a 15-hour day from the time we left our hotel at 7:20 am and returned at 10:30pm. There was no time to write and not very strong Internet to send. Although a “wee” bit wet, we have had a wonderful experience filming the beautiful Scottish people and their country. Ron has an itch to go north to the Highlands. You know what happens when he gets an itch . . .

We were fortunate to listen all weekend to people share testimonials of how Jesus Christ has helped them through difficult trials such as drug and alcohol addiction, depression, drug-addicted parents, as well as the peace they feel through the gospel of Jesus Christ. We met YSA’s who knew Elder Kevin Farnsworth when he was serving his mission . . .again, small world. On Sunday I was treated with a “wee” gift of a fresh single red rose and chocolate at church, as it was Mothering Day here in England. We arrived home exhausted last night physically, but our spirits were buoyed as we remembered how we felt as we heard story after story of faith and perseverance.

While in Scotland we were also tasked with gathering some historical records that faithful Scots had compiled about the history of their wards, stakes, and branches. We brought them back and delivered them to Elder and Sister Wills. Later today Jeannie came in to our office and said, “Do you know anyone who served a mission in Scotland in the 1960’s?” Indeed we did! Brian Barlow (for my WX friends). Together we looked through the scrapbook of past missionaries, and sure enough, there was Elder Barlow’s business card, which back in the day were cards with a picture of the temple, their names, mission address, and home address. There are also some photos of an Elder Barlow, but we’re not sure if it’s him. I’ll send them to Kathi to verify. It is just so fun to make those connections.

The smallest actual LDS chapel I have ever seen located in Galashiels, Scotland. The Galashiels Branch had a good Sunday last week, as there were 11 people in attendance including the two sister missionaries. There is just one family of 3 with a 4-year-old daughter, the only Primary aged child in the Branch. No youth. Branch President, one counselor, both single men. They are strong, strong Saints! Don’t we have it easy . . .

Here at home in England, our weather cleared up quickly after we were snowed in and we were back to typical rainy spring weather and a bit on the chilly side all week. We finally had our window sort of fixed on Wednesday night, so there isn’t a cold draft coming through anymore, but it is difficult now to open and close. We are told the window is coming off it’s hinges and now needs to be replaced. Fun fun.

We are fortunate to receive weekly emails from several missionaries serving here (cc’d on the letters they write home to friends and family). I tell you, I am once again reminded that adversity brings blessings. One word you would not use to describe the Birmingham mission president is ‘softy’. He believes in hard work, no matter the weather or sickness for the missionaries (or so it seems to me). Despite the snow 10 days ago with nearly the entire Midlands hunkered down inside, our missionaries were out knocking on doors and trying to find ways to serve. Bless their hearts! I was so touched by two different experiences that our sister missionaries had. If you have a minute, I think you will appreciate them.

First, from a sister who is a trainer, so they have a car:

“Once upon a time, England got some funny weather. If you haven't heard of storm Emma look it up! Stamford had been getting snow for about two days and the wind was really picking up so after an appointment, we decided to head home and do a little bit of work in Stamford instead of the villages we had planned. As we were driving home, our trusty SatNav kept trying to send us down some roads that Sister B. didn't really feel comfortable driving down. We were doing our best to try to reroute ourselves until we came to a fork in the road with a bad option and a slightly less bad option. We made it about 3 minutes down this farm road in the middle of nowhere with little to no vision because of drifting snow when we came across a car that was abandoned and at this point Sister Brown decided to turn around a try to go a different way. No here comes the fun part.... all the snow that drifted behind us meant we were stuck. S.T.U.C.K. Two rocky mountain girls from either side of the border found themselves in a pickle of sorts even though we tried just about everything we knew how to do to get out of a pile of snow, it just wasn't happening for us. Prayers were said for help, but after about 40 minutes of trying to push us out, I decided it was about time to call our mission president. He laughed a little and then told us that we were pretty unwise for going down that road. True. After making a few more phone calls for help, there didn't seem to be much hope. We were about to eat the raw bacon in the back seat of the car for survival and we were preparing a video for those who found us to know what happened to us. Yes, I do know that this is dramatic, but it was either laugh at the situation and be a little silly, or we probably would have just cried. We chose to laugh! So we were making our video, and I looked up and saw a bright light coming towards us..... It wasn't the light at the end of the tunnel . . ., but an actual light.... FROM A TRACTOR WITH A SNOWPLOW! God sent us a tractor, and another man in a truck that helped us get out and then proceeded to plough the road for us to get back to the main road. I know that God answers prayers!”

Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it." Enos 1:15

I just can’t help but think that sometime in the future lives of these two faithful sisters, they will go through a trial as we all do, and they will recall a time in their lives when God knew who they were, that they needed His help, and He was there to help them.

And second, from a Sister that some of you know and love:

“Friday was so long, and I was feeling cold and discouraged. We stopped by Iris and Jack, the sweetest older couple. They aren't able to make it out to church anymore, and they are pretty lonely. After sharing some Book of Mormon scriptures with them, Iris told us that the missionaries used to sing hymns with them. On cue, Jack got up and came back with a stack of old hymn books. Because of a stroke, he has difficulty talking, and he told us he can't sing anymore. But as we sang, Jack began to quietly sing along. In this moment I received such a sweet confirmation that I am exactly where I'm supposed to be right now. I saw the faces of Iris and Jack light up as we worshiped the Saviour with our shaky, out of tune voices. Jack shook our hands as we left, and for a brief second, I saw him smile a little. In that moment my heart just about burst.”

“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.” Alma 37:6

For these two sisters, it’s the same. Another day when they are cold and discouraged, the sound of Jack singing the hymns in his shaky voice will ring in their minds, and they will remember why they chose to leave the comforts of their happy life to serve the Lord in a foreign land. And by sharing these stories with others like me, I am lifted and blessed also.

It occurs to me that the times when we are weathering storms, albeit rain and snow, thunder and lightning, or the storms of life that we face periodically, we are blessed by the experience. We would never ask for them, and usually pray that they will go away, and when they fix themselves, or when time heals the wounds, we are so grateful to have them behind us. Yet, at some point further down the road, something we have learned will pop randomly in our minds when we need it, and it will help us get through another tough storm. I think that is what is meant when we are told to be grateful for our trials.

Our thoughts are with the Stromness family this week, as our dear friend Richard will pass from this life any minute. He has fought a good fight. There are family members we are praying for, that the peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit will be ever with them. There are others as well that we are specifically remembering by name in our prayers. I know He hears and answers our prayers, and He knows each of us by name.

We are looking forward to Friday when Kevin and Amanda join us for three days!

We love and miss you all!

Ta,
Ron and Marie

In Like a Lion...

Dear Family and Friends,

Our thoughts have been with so many this week as we learn of your struggles with health, loss, and every day trials. We extend our love to Tony and Joyce with the passing of Tony’s sister Polly. We hope you found peace and comfort as you attended the funeral this past week.

I’m sure this week will be the craziest weather week of our mission. If the UK has the same folklore as the USA when it comes to the first and last day of March, we should see very pleasant weather at the end of the month. We were warned to prepare for “The Beast from the East” (dubbed appropriately!) as it was set to move across the entire UK this past week, causing freezing temperatures. And freezing it was! Then on top of it came “Emma”, the storm from the Southwest. They were set to collide this weekend sometime. And so they did. It wasn’t that there was so much snow if you’re used to it, but England just isn’t used to it. Beginning Thursday night the snow and wind came as well as the freezing temperatures. The roads were icy and unsafe. Schools closed, as did our office. And everyone just hunkered down. Ron and I kept the heat up a little higher than normal in case we lost power at some point, put on a pot of Sue’s Minestrone Soup, and snuggled in with some reading, a Downton Abbey Marathon, and continued the process of sorting through our hundreds of mission photos. We were scheduled to leave for Ireland on Saturday, but airports were shut down and we were forced to postpone our project. I have to admit, I wasn’t sad. I’d much rather go when it’s warmer.

We have been having trouble with the latch on one of our front windows, and of course it finally gave out completely Thursday night. Every time a gust of wind came along it would fly open and let a burst of cold air into our cozy flat. Ron tied it shut with all we had which was some thin wire. Our landlord was good to get a repairman here for us, but it will take more to fix than he thought, so we’re still with the wire. It still lets in some cool air, so we choose not to sit on the couch by the window for now. Burrrrrrrrr. A+ for bad timing.

Saturday morning was treacherous outside, but things began to calm down in the afternoon and warm up just a bit, although still too cold for me. Many were outside “sledging” down the hill in the snow on their “sledges” (a new one I hadn’t heard yet) and having a good time. We had a message Saturday night that Church was on for Sunday, so we prepared. Sunday morning we woke up to “No Church today”. Freezing rain caused the carpark to be treacherous. Now, it’s up to 45° and still raining a bit, but I think we will get back to normal tomorrow and go to work. I really have loved and appreciated the down time, but enough is enough and now it’s time to get back to work.

We did manage to have a very cold outing on Wednesday. We had previously arranged to meet Fred and Carol Kaatz, our housesitting friends from home at Blenheim Palace. We didn’t spend time in the gardens at all, and the temperatures and snow was freezing, but we very much enjoyed the palace and learning about Churchill’s birthplace. Some of the fun things we learned were that Churchill was born there while his parents were attending a social gathering there at the family palace. His mother labored prematurely and he was born in the room that was being used as the cloak room that evening. He was not the heir to the palace, but his cousin and best friend was. Their grandmother took quite a shining to these two grandsons and had them spend a lot of time with her at the palace, which was a good thing because his parents didn't pay a lot of attention to him. Imagine having a palace as your favorite sleepover place and play yard!

Winston Spencer Churchill had many famous quotes. Two I really like and picked up on this week:

"Courage is the first of human qualities because it guarantees all others."

"Courage is what it takes to know when to stand up and speak and when to sit down and listen."

Blenheim Palace - Birthplace of Winston Churchill

Did you know that the Spencer in his name is the same Spencer family as Princess Diana? I love to visit places like this because I can walk away with new knowledge and something new to strive for.

I can’t say that we saw miracles this week, or even had special spiritual experiences, yet it has been a week of counting blessings for a warm place to live, food in the kitchen, and each other for company. We feel blessings each day we are here for so many things, too numerous to list. In light of my favorite Churchill quotes this week, I am thankful for the “courage” I had to leave the comforts of our home, our family, our friends, and the good life we have at home to serve the Lord for this period of time. This week will mark 13 months of being here. It has changed me forever.

Thank you for your continued love and prayers. Thank you for your letters, texts, emails, Face time chats, and sharing your lives with us although we are far away. We love and treasure our relationship with each of you.

Much love,
Ron and Marie