Sunday and Primary, 29 Jun 2014

Okay.  I must begin with critical corrections to the post for the 24th of June.  The information under the photo of Jay on his bike ride was horribly incorrect!  If you read it before, please read it again as it has been corrected.  Thank you, Bob and Jeanna, for helping me out with this one!

I taught Sharing Time in primary today.  It was fun and I especially enjoyed being with the children.  The Junior Primary was very noisy and fidgety.  It took the teachers to keep them settled.  But, they are sweet and two little girls gave me hugs when they lined up to leave out of the room.

Senior Primary was very quiet and very little shushing needed to be done.  They participated well and seemed happy over all.  I met a Tyler and a Caleb; fine young boys who helped willingly.  Then, there was Hanna, a 13 yr old Beehive!  She actually helped me with the copy machine in the library before sharing time.  She has a soft smile and was so willing to help and explain where everything was.  She was sure to see I had what I needed.

Sacrament meeting included a special number from the High Priest Group.  Dad had been practicing with them so he got up and sang his part well.  They sang, "The Unknown Grave," by David Smith, son of Joseph Smith.  He wrote the song in recognition of when the prophet was first buried so others would not know where the body was.

They sang before the youth speaker and then there was no break between the two last speakers.  Sister Parkinson wondered why they didn't sing in the middle?  I suggested:  "Singing first would not interrupt their naps!"

We had a potluck hi and bye this evening.  I made a meatloaf and dinner rolls to take along with the raspberry curd I had bought at Dover.  Everyone brought delicious food and lots of great desserts!  It was a nice group and great conversations.  And more rain fell during the gathering.

Sister Pemberton is going home here in England.  She has been fun getting to know and going on shopping trips with.

Sister Edwards is going home to Jamaica.  She was the first missionary to greet us when we arrived.  She always has a bright smile and a beautiful accent.  I like to talk to her to just here it.  She has served missions at this temple since 2009 and plans to come back in 2015.

Elder & Sister Rogers

 The Rogers are native Brits and joined the church as adults.  They have four children of their own and spent 18 years fostering others, having up to 70 different children and parents in their home.  He began with saying he was 30 when he joined the church.

He said:  "The Lord said he would remember no more my sins when I repented.  I don't want to remember them, and you don't need to know them!"  Their children all served missions and met their spouses (other missionaries) while serving.  The first two boys went to Japan and then the third one went to Greece.  Next, their daughter was called to temple square and he was a bit nervous since there are only girls there.  But, Ben, her husband happened to be visiting temple square and they met.  After her mission she signed up as a counselor for EFY and Ben just happened to be in charge of the counselors!  Wedding bells were in the air.

Sister Ibbotson

The Ibbotsons, he was not feeling well and did not attend, are from Australia.  They were both born and raised in England and after five years of marriage moved to Australia.  It was there they met the missionaries, joined the church, and raised their family.  They recently came to England for a short time to be with their son and wife when she had a baby.  They were in the temple one day and President Johnson asked them to come be temple workers.  They submitted their papers and here they are for two years!

Sister George is from England.  She shared her conversion story.  As a young adult, the missionaries found her out through one of her friends and she began taking the lessons.  The second discussion, they presented her with a baptismal date of 20 June.  When she saw that she said:  "There is no way I will be baptized then.  I don't think I have any desire to go under the water!"  They said that was okay but asked if they could still come see her.  She said fine.  They invited her to church over the next period of time but she was unable to go for various reasons.

They then invited her to come to a regional meeting and listen to, as she says:  "Someone important in the church."  She had no clue who he was or how he fit into church government.  The timing was right and she was able to go.  She listened to the speakers at the meeting and the missionaries told her the visiting authority was Jeffery R Holland.  That didn't mean anything to her but she did like what he said.

At the end of the meeting, Elder Holland said he would be happy to shake hands with all who would want to.  The missionaries asked Sister George if she would like to, and not knowing any reason why to or not to, said:  "I guess."

As she shook his hand he asked:  "Are you a member or an investigator."
She replied:  "An investigator."
Elder Holland:   "Do you have a baptismal date?"
Sister George:  (Now remember, I said I had no interest in getting baptized.)  These words fell out of my mouth:  "June 20."
Elder Holland:  "Oh, that is wonderful.  I will come to your baptism.  Oh, wait, I do have a conflict but will check the church records after that date to see if you were baptized!"

And, Sister George was baptized.

From Home:

June 29, 2014:  Jashar is ordained a deacon by his father.  We love you Jashar!