JANUARY 2023

January 01, 2023

We made it through January - the month with the least amount of sun! It feels good to see our days extended and not returning home at 4pm in total darkness. Children in Wales did not return back to school for almost three weeks after Christmas, including the university students, which slowed our ability to resume our typical missionary schedule of institute, young men/young women activities, etc. and so we focused more attention on our missionaries in the Gaerwen District and Chester Zone. They were also experiencing the same ‘waiting’ we were, and we built each other up in weekly district meetings, role plays, fixing them dinners, visiting their flats for inspections and looking for ways to encourage and motivate them. We have really enjoyed this extra time with them. They are focused, obedient, and desire to do their best. It is wonderful to see their growth as they ‘thrust in their sickles’. We are amazed at the speed at which they change when they are desirous to do their best. We have seen this again and again, but it is a miracle to witness.

Example: Elder Hyman… He arrived a few days before Christmas, straight from the Preston England MTC. He is an identical twin, and his brother is in the Provo MTC preparing to go to Portugal. He was homesick, scared, and timid. In a threesome companionship, he didn't know how to fit in or how to contribute. When the three elders would come to our flat for dinner, the other two would eat as if they had been fasting for days (typical!) and Elder Hyman just pushed his food around his plate and really didn't eat two bites.

What a miracle in just four short weeks. ‘Whom the Lord calls, He qualifies’. Elder Hyman is now fully engaged, a hard worker, genuine smiles, is progressing mightily in his teaching ability, and now eats (probably should say ‘consumes’) as much food as the others! We love seeing these transformations.

At weekly district meetings, we have added encouragement, some training, and love. We fill each other’s buckets! It is such a wondrous thing to see how much Heavenly Father loves all his children - the ones He helps us find and teach, and the ones who are the seekers and teachers.

Gaerwen District

…and then there are transfers and those we have grown to love, leave for a new area and we miss them…but sometimes when we are at the temple, we see elders and sisters that served previously in our area with us, and it is a joyous reunion

And then new missionaries arrive in our area and we begin again! It is such a blessing for us. I have really come to understand and appreciate the hard work and dedication of our grandchildren’s missionary service - Warren’s service in Brazil and Washington and Sweet Emma serving also right now in California. What a sweet blessing to be a missionary at the same time as Hermana Dudley! We have had some wonderful WhatsApp video chats with her on our ‘pdays’ and love to share our experiences with each other. We also feel grateful for the wonderful example they have set for our other 23 grandchildren.

We spent a BUSY day in the Manchester mission office helping clean out a closet that probably hadn't been cleaned for 10 years? There were boxes and boxes of Books of Mormon in over 85 languages. I truly had not heard of half of them! We sorted, organized, put them in new bins, and did this with one of our favorite senior missionary couples, the Briggs! It made for a long day, but we accomplished the requested task and drove home tired and happy.

Our favorite baptism this month? Sweet beautiful Carolyn Clark. We felt blessed to be able to witness it on zoom…such a miracle to feel like we were in Idaho with their family, while living here in Wales. An extra bonus was to see Sandra, Gwen, Laura and EllieRose who flew from their homes back east to be there. The two little girls were the witnesses for the baptism, and Jared (older brother) performed the baptism. All other family members far away were also on zoom- which made my mother heart burst with JOY as they continue to love and support each other, even in our absence.

We continue to savor our weekly gospel discussions with Damien and Denise Halligan. Damian will be baptized in one week. It's hard to put into words how we feel about them, and this miracle. We also continue weekly gospel discussions with Philippa, who now has two friends she has invited to attend. Miracles are happening here also! We had a ‘love-share-invite-serve food’ ward game night. The elders invited 2 Bangor university students, from Nigeria and the members were great ministers and made all feel welcome!