Rain, Rain, Rain, Rain, Rain and More Rain

Yes, no surprise to anyone, Manchester is nicknamed the rainy city. It is amazing how quickly the weather changes. Every night there is a lot of rain and wind blows like crazy. Other than rain, this is what has been going on this week.

One thing we are experiencing here is waiting.  This is something we are not very good at. For a couple of weeks, Reed has had a problem with his left eye. He had a similar problem a few years ago which was quickly and easily corrected by our Ophthalmologist and Neighbor, Dr Treft. We contacted our local GP here in England and she told us to go to the Eye Hospital at the U of Manchester and just wait to get in. I was pretty reluctant to drop him off at this hospital below...pretty ancient...but luckily there is a new one just behind it.

Reed waited for 7 hrs to be seen and then they weren't completely sure but after running some tests said he needed to come back for another appointment on Monday. They said because we had an appointment, it would only be a 4 hour wait this time. He saw the Doctor for about 20 min where they ran another test and said come back on Friday. You really don't have a choice; you have to go back. They have to go through all the tests before concluding anything. So on Friday, he will go back. I am amazed at Reed's patience in all this.  You just have to resign yourself that this is how it is and go with it. (This is where we are headed..people...Healthcare.Gov)  In the clinics and hospitals they don't have internet access, so he has spent a lot of time reading....with one eye.

We wandered through the Manchester Museum and found some interesting things.  

We had Jacinta Joy over for a cookie baking day and she also made lunch for us. She is great company, so smart and easy to be with. She will make a great attorney when she graduates and heads back to Singapore.

Hard at Work

Her yummy lunch of fish and pasta.

"Swig" Cookies for upcoming activity...Trying to cook ahead. 

We also had an afternoon hot chocolate run and then went on a road trip to Preston to see the temple. Jacinta had never seen a temple so we did a quick trip up the M61 so she could see it. 

It was a fun night.

As always, lots of missionary discussions in our flat this past week. Here are our Zone Leaders 

Elder Barth and Elder Bytheway.  

On Saturday Night we hosted Artist's night here at our flat.  We invited a few of the YSA's over who are artists and served them dinner and let them sketch. Fostering

friendships is something we are trying to focus on.

"Cast of Characters" for my homemade Lasagna

The Artists doodled on the paper tablecloth and then got out their sketch books. Here is a sampling of their drawings.  

 Mauro drew Elder Pew as a Ninja

Looking like Laura and George Bush by Elder Chong

We must seem very serious to Hadrian. 

Cute Allie drawings

Elder Greenland's  Happy Drawing. 

  

Once in awhile we go to visit a YSA who is sick or not doing well. We try to take something cheery with us. 

                                          

Elder Pew is helping Sam, one of our YSA's with his resume.

Our Neighborhood... University of Manchester

We had a super full day on Sunday.  We spoke in the Littleborough Ward in Rochdale. Jacinta made the road trip with us. It is always great to see the English Countryside.  I love the black faced sheep....the way sheep should be.

 Me, without my name tag, which happens more often than it should. I'm afraid Pres Preston might send me home. 

 In the afternoon we were invited to our cute Relief Society President, Leah Smith and her roommate, Sophia Berry's house for dinner. Cinthya Abod was also there and we had such a great time. They have a very cute flat and made a fantastic dinner of Eggplant Parmesan, Green Salad with Squash and beets and a cheese bread that was so yummy. Leah is a 6 year old teacher and Sophia is studying Special Education. They are fun, outspoken, and all three girls are so very "on the ball"  and we had such a fun time with them. 

Family Home Evening here at our flat. Hope Frasier does a great job of planning and executing. We talked about Charity and made Valentines...Valentine Treats of course..

Zone Meeting with our other Zone Senior Couple, the Hill's from Bountiful. Lots of role playing and 

instruction.  

Cute Sister Missionaries...so diligent and always studying. 

 It was a very cold and rainy day but we headed out for hot chocolate at Kro Bar. I had to wear two sweaters and two coats...one with a hood. (Should have listened to Amby) 

 Notice the Lemon Tart, Lori Jo!!

The Elders came to visit tonight !!

Elders Nielsen, Chaproniere, Kissell, Johnson, Bytheway and Barth

We miss and love all who are reading this blog !  We especially miss and LOVE all these people ! Happy Valentines !