Another Week, 26 - 31 May 2015

Summer has taken a turn and the weather is cloudy, windy, rainy, and cold again.  We braved the rain going to and from the temple each day.  Sometimes it rained while we entered and other times when we left.  I just carried my "brolley" with me each day.

We were on the afternoon shift and did all of our errands in the morning.  We had a group of saints in from Iceland.  Using the Icelandic language card was new for me.  They were here the whole week and were faithful in coming every day to participate in the temple.

Dad ran some errands in East Grinstead on Thursday.  It was raining and a cold wind was blowing.  He went off without a coat and stopped at a charity shop and found himself a denim jacket for £6.  It was quite a bargain and he likes the jacket because it has deep inside pockets in each side.  He also bought cherries from the produce man in the tunnel.  It is a little early in the season for them, but they were very tasty.

Look what he saw as he pulled into the temple grounds when he came back.  Looks like a fun ride.

We had Stake Conference this weekend with the Saturday night session beginning at 8 p.m.  The late hour made for a very long day, but the talks and music were worth it.  Natalie spoke and told her conversion story.  Another new member, Simon, spoke and told his story.  Both of them were met by missionaries on the street and found joy  in the gospel.

We learned a new phrase - "Mormon Month."  Simon said that after he had the lessons, he was finding it hard to live the gospel.  He took a break but kept in regular contact with the missionaries.  One day he decided to do a "Mormon Month," and keep the Word of Wisdom, read the scriptures daily, pray daily, and attend church.  After the month, he was committed and it has been the best decision he has ever made.

Elder and Sister Leppard told about their call to be mission president of the Birmingham England Mission.  She said they were on a call with Elder Bednar via a web site and he asked them lots and lots of questions.  Then he asked her husband if he had ever been arrested.  Before he could reply, she said:  "We haven't had time!"  She said it caught Elder Bednar a little off guard and then chuckled.  They are empty nesters and since they prepared and sent their boys on missions, they figure it must be time for them to go on one.

The talks on Sunday were just as inspiring and uplifting.  Samuel King shared experiences while on his mission in Australia.  He said his companions were either Australian or from the "factory," being Utah.  That was another new phrase for us.

Jonathan Stoker shared how as a youth he always had a popular hero he wanted to look like and be like.  When he was introduced to the gospel, he then knew his hero was Joseph Smith.  He restored the gospel and made it possible for him to receive it and enjoy the blessings of living it.  He is excited about serving a mission and looks forward to sharing what he has with others.

The British saints like to sing Jerusalem, a short poem written by William Blake in 1804.  We have sung it along with them on several occasions.

We ended Sunday with a fireside with Emeritus 70, Rex D Pinegar.  He is the uncle of Elder Pinegar, the director of the Visitors' Centre here.  He spoke about missionary work and shared experiences while serving as a missionary, as a mission president, and then various experiences with President Kimball and President Benson.  He loves missionary work and challenged us to "knock one more door," as we share the gospel with others.

Elder L. Tom Perry, a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, passed away today at age 92.  We have memories of him as an apostle.  Two years ago he spoke in conference and showed his serviceman's Gospel Principles book he had while serving in the military during World War II.  As he held it up during his talk, I remembered my own father's copy of the very same book.  Other memories include the time he came to Yuma for Stake Conference in the 1970's and then when we were in the elevator with him in the church office building in 1980, the day the Ballard children were sealed as a family.  He was a towering of a man in the elevator with all the children looking way up to see his face.  He warmly greeted them and expressed joy in seeing them.  He certainly made us feel at ease in his presence.

L Tom Perry, 1922-2015

On Sunday, 31 May, marked the passing of my dad, 35 years ago.  The time has gone by but the memories still remain.  I continue to miss him, his happy smile, hugs, and stories and adventures.  He enjoyed his grandchildren and I loved the times he would come to the house and talk with me and then play with them.

 Clyde Jackson Farar, 20 July 1924 - 31 May 1980

This same day also denotes the birth of my maternal grandmother, Ona Mae Caulkins Croslin.  Grandpa and Grandma would come visit us and she was always kind and loving.  When going to her home, I remember the small spittoon by her chair, as she dipped snuff.  She had knick knacks around her home and always had a hankie in her hand.

Ona Mae Caulkins Croslin, 31 May 1904 - 2 July 1978.