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???