Sunday, February 26, 2017

I Believe

My Testimony Of Jesus Christ 
Spring is starting to pop through the
 ground everywhere
"Snow drops"
and His Restored Gospel
This week as I have pondered my testimony and the many truths that I hold dear, I want to express them and write them down.  I have been blessed to have a knowledge of my Heavenly Father since I was first taught to pray by my earthly mother and father.  I have never questioned that fact because I KNOW He is near and watches over us.  I know that I am a daughter of a Heavenly Father and I know we are all children of our Heavenly Parents.

I was also taught about Jesus Christ, but that knowledge is an ever growing process that I probably will never comprehend.  This much I do know, that he is aware of my life, my struggles and my joys and he assists and pours out tender mercies in my behalf and on my family’s behalf.  I see those tender mercies and I am grateful for them.  I know from life’s experience’s that our problems and struggles are not always going to go away but if we have faith in our Savior he will bless us with the strength to endure them and will be by our side, lift us up and give us peace.  Even if that peace comes and goes.  I BELIEVE in his words, that we will be able to live with our Father again because of Christ's atonement and we will also be able to become who we need to be in this life as we pray for guidance and help to overcome our weaknesses through His Grace.

I have a testimony of the power of the Holy Ghost and I am so grateful for the spirit’s influence in my life when I listen and obey the promptings I receive.  I realize the Holy Ghost is a special gift that can enlighten us and guide us as we seek and listen to the promptings.  I testify that His spirit is real and present in our lives because I have felt those promptings come and have seen the blessings that have come from his promptings. I have many special memories of His influence and guidance throughout my life.  I hold those experiences sacred.

I am so blessed to have the Restored Gospel in my life.  I realize that I was truly blessed to have this knowledge all my life.  I am realizing how few people in this world have that knowledge and are not even aware of the reality of a kind Heavenly Father, of a Savior, Jesus Christ and of the influence and power of the Holy Ghost.  I cannot even imagine life without this knowledge.  Brother Dowling, in our ward, shared an article about a young woman who joined the church when she was ten.  Her father invited the missionaries into their home for a laugh, but she felt the spirit and joined the church. She was a daughter of a drug addict mother and father and despite all the struggles she had, she found the gospel and became a remarkable young women who knows WHO she is.  She is preparing to go on a mission and share that knowledge with others.  Her story is inspiring and confirms that through our Savior, we can overcome anything in this life and become who He wants us to be.

I am grateful for prophets, both modern and ancient who have taught and testify of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I am grateful for the guidance I receive from our prophets now and I know they are representatives of our Savior.  I love to listen to and read their words, both in scriptures and by modern media.

I Love the Temple and all it represents.  As we have lived away from the temple for the last six months, I have missed being able to attend the temple and feeling that special spirit and peace in that Holy Place.  I love the promises of the Temple and I love my family and I am grateful for the blessing of having my family sealed to us forever.  They are my greatest possession in this life - they are what is important to me and the Gospel is what helps us return to our Heavenly Father together.  That is The Plan.  

I feel so blessed.  I know that the knowledge and truths I have are priceless and Heavenly Father wants all his children to enjoy these blessings.  My greatest desire is that all of our Father's children, including by children and grandchildren come to KNOW their Savior, that is the way they will have the greatest joy in this life and in the eternities.  I love this Gospel, I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ.   
Amen

*************************************************************************************************
   Heavenly Father has blessed my life in many ways.  I know that Joseph Smith was a Prophet.  He was guided by Heavenly Father and taught by many Prophets and Apostles
of old to restore the Church in the latter days.  He went though many trials to polish him.  That is why we have trials is to polish us and smooth out the rough edges.  The Book of Mormon is true, and I am grateful to be serving where so many converts came from, then went to follow Joseph Smith's call to come to America.  The Church needed the skills and hard working people from England to build Heavenly Fathers kingdom in western United States.  The Mission has blessed our lives in so many ways, being around the missionaries for one.  I love serving here.  We are invited to a testimony meeting of the missionaries going home and often hear some of their success stories.  We can all grow if we keep the commandments and live the gospel.  Great Blessings will come and we will grow closer to our Savior.  
   Have Faith, Have Hope, Live like His Son, Help Others on our Way.
Elder Willmore




12 New Arrivals this week from the Preston MTC
February 21, 2017


February Arrivals














Banbury and the Cotswolds
This Friday afternoon we drove to Banbury to put together a bed for one of the sisters.  Sister Veater and I enjoyed our lovely visit with them while Elder Willmore and Elder Veater put together the bed.  Sister Harrigfeld is from Ashton, Idaho and Sister Mwoyosvi is from South Africa. We loved to hear about their experiences in finding people to teach and loved their experience in finding a lady that was walking to the store to find a new book about religion - they just so happened to have a wonderful book to give her.  She is loving her lessons with them and has a baptism date set.  Another testimony of who is in charge of this amazing work and His tender mercies.

Uplands House Bed and Breakfast


Cottage in the village of Wroxton

We then went to The Cotswolds and stayed over night in a Bed and Breakfast then spent our Pday driving around to several villages. We had a wonderful visit with the couple that owned the bed and breakfast and another couple that were staying the night there.  We had dinner and breakfast with them and even talked about politics (both US and Britain) and religion.  Very interesting!
Cottage in the Cotswolds



Upton Manor House
Reminds me of Downtown Abbey House


We toured Upton Manor House that was used as a Bank during World War II.  The bank owner moved the operations there to keep it safe during the war.  The manor house was given to the National Trust when the depression hit and the owners could not afford to keep the large houses anymore.






Sunday, February 19, 2017

Transfers and Departures on Valentines Day





Valentines Day was celebrated with our missionaries coming in for transfers - They filled our office and parking lot with LOVE...














And LAUGHTER...












And HUGS...










And Friendly and Familiar Faces....
(Sister Jones from Rigby, Idaho with Sister Veater)





Front, Sister Infanger, Grant, Beazer, Johnson and Berrett
Elder Hatch, Hellyer, Gosturani, Jarvis, Tsai
Elder Rygaard, Lam, JamJam,Wilson
Pres and Sister Leppard

Then they left...

Except our departing missionaries -  One of our favorite parts of our mission is to attend testimony meeting and hear these young Elders and Sister bear testimony of their wonderful experiences, hardships and joys they had as they served their missions.  Sister Leppard hosted us at the mission home for a wonderful dinner together.
Sister Johnson is from Pocatello, Idaho and knows my niece, Jenaya.

We also had Sister Duncanson leave on Wednesday as an early
because of medical reasons.

We love them all and wish them blessings
as they return home.

Elder Tsai returning to Taiwan


A Trip to the Birmingham Airport

Since there were four trips to the airport on Wednesday - Elder Willmore and myself took one trip with Elder Tsai who is going home to Taiwan.  We enjoyed the time talking to him and hearing about his family.  We wondered if Bishop Johnson and Rachel know his family. He will go home to Taiwan and then go to BYU in a few months.
It was pouring rain at the airport!

February 14 - Arrival of a new Senior Couple who will be working in Public Affairs
Elder and Sister Partridge from Kaysville, Utah





Elder and Sister Jones Departed this week - they were serving temporarily until the Partridges arrived to take the Creer's place.



Putting together furniture








On Saturday - (our Pday) we traveled to
Great Glen, near Leicester to help Elder and Sister Veater set up a new flat so it is ready for new missionaries arriving this Tuesday.  We are always ready for an adventure on our Pday.  The Veaters have opened up six new flats since they arrived in October - a lot of work!












Taking a lunch break at the Pug and Greyhound











Picture of our Primary class

We have a new primary class since January -
Cayden, Charolette and Marshall.
Cayden is being taught by the missionaries and is planning to be baptized in March.
Such sweet children!



I received news Friday that my Uncle Kay Olsen from Ovid, Idaho has passed away - I have such wonderful memories of times spent at their home.   I always remember his smile, laughter and teasing.  We always felt welcome in his home.  Our thoughts and prayers are with their family.

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Oo-de-lally, Oo-de-lally, Golly, what a day

Ridin' through the country - Derby and Nottin'ham
Derby is one of the area’s that Eric served in.  It is always fun to see the places that he served- We have now been to see Newport, Tamworth, Gloucester and Derby and of course the mission office, places that Eric served on his mission July 2005-2007.  
Saturday on our pday we stopped by a flat to check out Sister DeCapite and Koivisto’s electricity meter in Derby and then went through Nottingham on our way to Leicester to check out a meter at one of the elder’s flats.  Since it was dinner time – we took them out to dinner and had a great time getting to know Elder Mordue from Farmington, Utah and Elder Odgaard from Denmark.

Robin Hood and Little John
Eld’r ‘n’ Sist’r Willmore
Ridin’ through the country
Laughin' back and forth

At what the other'ne has to say

Reminiscin', This-'n'-thattin'
Havin' such a good time
Oo-de-lally, Oo-de-lally
Golly, what a day

Disney produced "Robin Hood" in 1973 from the tales in England.  The year Elder & Sister Willmore were married.



Nottingham Castle


Stopped by Nottingham Castle - Home of Maid Marian in the 1100s.  











Robin Hood




Tales of Robin Hood spread throughout medieval Britain in the 1200's.  












Village at base of castle



The village was built along the base of the stone hill.  











Elder Willmore and the Lion




1194 King Richard, the lionheart, returns and reclaims his castle back from his brother Prince John


Overlooking Nottingham from the Castle
















At the office:
This week we had Mission Leadership Council, Mid Trainers Meeting and a Self Reliance Meeting for the missionaries returning home in July.  We feed them while they were here – that is what makes them happy.  Also preparing for next week's transfers and departures.  We had an adventure to go see Hinckley on Thursday morning - we took a fridge to one of the flats that the Veaters are setting up for the missionaries.  It felt wonderful to have a morning away from the office and see new country.
The highlight of our weeks are the emails, pictures and face timing with our children and grandchildren, and dear friends.  We love to hear what you are doing and appreciate all you do to keep us informed of the events in your lives.  We pray for you each day by name - you are always in our thoughts.  We love you all.
Happy Valentines Day

Some of the grandchildren having a sleepover at Grandma's house WITHOUT GRANDMA.  Love them!





Colby in suit in 2017


Conley in suit in 1969




Colby found grandpa's nehru collar suit - and wears it 48 years later.













Sunday, February 5, 2017

Our Adventure to New Town Row

Our Adventure to New Town Row in Birmingham


This week begins our adventure to find out where Conley's ancestors lived.  George and Elizabeth Willmore were born and raised in Birmingham - in fact there parents and grandparents were also from the Birmingham area.  We found this building as we were driving and compared it to a building from the late 1800's.  This is what New Town Street looked like back then.



George and Elizabeth had ten children and his history describes their life in Birmingham quite detailed.  (A great Family Home Evening for our Grandchildren!)  Look under George Willmore and click on memories for his history.
He was a tailor in England and they sailed for America 17 October 1877 aboard the Steamship Idaho.



This area that we visited is about 4 miles from where they said their children attended St Ann's church/school so we think they lived farther south than this area.  It is going to be like a puzzle to figure out exactly where they lived, but it will be an adventure for our pday.


The office
January 31st - A new arrival - Sister Ianni.
Pres Leppard, Sister Ianni, Sister Leppard

This week the office was full of missionaries because we had Mission Leadership Traning for all the Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders and also a Self Reliance Meeting for those missionaries who will be departing in July.  This meeting helps them think about what they would like to do when they return home.  Of course, we had to feed these wonderful young missionaries so there was quite a bit of shopping and preparing a meal for them.  Nothing too fancy, but they don't care as long as they get food.  Lots of hugs and handshakes from our missionaries - our favorite part.

We also had a new young man visit to see if he would like to serve in the mission as an office elder. We will be loosing Elder Cohen the end of March and we need a new companion for Elder Ashwell.

This week has also been busy getting meter readings from all the missionaries for their electricity and gas.  They are becoming more familiar with how to do it so it will be easier and easier as each month comes.

Brother and Sister Fell
Taking time out for a visit with Brother and Sister Fell - an amazing couple who know how to serve their Heavenly Father - They served in the History Library for 18 months in Salt Lake City and were the first Senior Couple to serve from outside the United States.  They then went back to England and served for another 12 years doing a History of England and it's church membership.  After they were released from that, they have served 3 years as flat inspectors.  They not only inspect the flats of the missionaries but they do repairs and love the missionaries.  They are so wonderful to talk to about their life experiences - I told about them earlier in my blog.  Love them!

Other News:

This week Elder Willmore and I both had a quick bout of the flu.  Another blessing that it came and went fast and we did not have to miss any time at the office.

Our walks are pretty muddy these days - we have had a lot of rain and everything is saturated. Saturday there were so many people out with their families and of course - their dogs.  Everyone has a dog in England.

Quote I heard and loved:
"Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not be bent out of shape."  (Elder Bednar)  



Where's Harris??? 

Lauren wondered where Harris has been - we have failed to send pictures of him lately.  Sharing a piece of Costco apple pie with Sister Willmore - delicious!!!

Yes I need a haircut - my question is
Where's Shanel???