When It Rains...

    This last week we attended our 4th Baptism...all Chinese members.  The sisters found Ethan singing on the street.  He is a very sweet boy and has spent quite a bit of time at our home.

Sister Merrill, Ethan and Sister Jordan

Ethan in his new shirt and tie.  Elder Pew is conferring the Aaronic Priesthood on him on Sunday.

  Sabrina said "Everyone will be disappointed if we don't have a party for my birthday!"  So, we had a party at Institute with the YSA...

Quarry Bank Mill

We visited the Quarry Bank Mill  with other Senior Missionaries.  It was a very cold day (even though the pictures look quite Spring-like) We did get to see how a Cotton Mill in England operated, including the river which made it operate.  A very long process to get from a cotton ball to fabric.  

 Cotton Fashion

Sunday Dress

Child's dress... Children worked and lived at the Mill in some pretty horrible conditions. When we toured the children's quarters I started to sing "It's A Hard Knock Life".  Only their  situation was much more severe.
They did wear these cute dresses. 

Water Fall=Water Power

We finally met the Meese's from Layton, Utah. 

Don't let this deceive....it was freezing cold...

The Bank Quarry Mill

A few things I like:

Loving this delicious addition "CUSTARD"to cobblers, pie and crumbles.
Unfortunately, VERY calorie laden 

These are yummy treats! Grandchildren may like them. 

Surprise Night!!

 Friday night, the Elder's Quorum President called to ask if a few could come and
play Werewolves of Millers Hollow. We asked how many and he said 8-9 people; one text led to
 another and about an hour
into the event 23 people were here from all over Manchester.
It was a lot of fun!

The World is Small

Turns out Luke Kerr's wife's family was baptized in the '60's by a friend of ours from Bountiful, Clark Jenkins.  (Brother in law of Greg Turman) Emma Garrett Kerr is the wife of Luke who is the Director of Institute and Seminaries here and in parts of Europe. He is our boss here in England.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

 Saturday night we hosted Chinese-American food night   It was organized by Elder Chong who a month ago promised to cook Sweet and Sour Chicken for us.  Somehow it turned into Jacinta Joy and Sister Pew fixing a ton of food for 14 people.

Jacinta cooked delicious Chicken and I was her prep chef.

Munch and Mingle  Sunday

60 Potatoes are ready for Munch and Mingle after church on Sunday....
Baked Potato Bar !!

Munch and Mingle

Solange at the Potato Bar! 

Family Home Evening

Ryan Hoyle came for Family Home Evening and cooked Pulled pork for everyone. Then he gave a lesson on our Hero's in our lives and tied it to the qualities of the Savior. 

One of the things we love about England is how much everyone loves music and sings so loud and enthusiastically. Everyone is a musician here !  They often sing all the verses including the ones at the bottom of the hymn. 

Pierre and Solange leaving Family Home Evening. 

Temple Trip

We had a YSA temple trip. Carpooling was arranged and we had a great turn out. Sabrina  rode with us and it was her first trip to the temple.  She was so excited that she couldn't contain herself.  This is Ally and her first trip to the Preston Temple.

This is my trip to the store this week.... 

Always, really pretty flowers. 

The English have a huge aisle  of "Crisps" in all flavors

I also purchased this very cute and fancy Orla Kiely re-usable grocery bag.
(Thanks to my daughters and Vicki O'Brien, I recognized the name 

 

Temple Conference

We attended the Zone Temple Conference at the Preston Temple. The theme of the conference was the Nine Christlike Qualities We Should Strive For

(Obedience, Virtue, Faith, Knowledge, Humility, Charily/Love, Hope, Patience, Diligence)

We attended the temple, had a great lunch of roast beef and potatoes and heard from President Preston. Great Day!

Elder Evans from Brigham City who knows and
loves Katherine and Mike Timothy

Elder Pjetri from Albania. I always tell him my nephew Ty Johnston served in Albania.

Sister Dushku is from Bountiful and worked at All Tucked In,
one of my favorite stores.

Building Open House March 3-9

Our Building will finally open this next week. There will be a week of open house events and activities..(Pancake Day, Family History Evening, a Dance, a Fireside and a special Sacrament Meeting Sunday the 9th) ...more to come on this. Elder Pew has worked very hard getting things ready for the missionary effort and tours. We were told that after the open house, we will be there everyday and we don't have anyone to relieve us, as of yet.  The building will be open from 11:00 am til 10:00 pm. We aren't sure how we feel about this. We will see how all this works out. Here are some photos:

Nice New Kitchen

View from the Kitchen

Activity Room

Balcony...that could have been a bit bigger... The balcony (or Terrace as it is called) is off-limits
and must be locked at all times. The railing isn't tall enough and there is a serious fear of jumpers.

My favorite piece of art in the building called Worth of a Soul.

Mammogram Trailer

I went to get my Mammogram on Friday in this trailer. Luckily, even though they told me I would wait 3-4 hours, I only waited 15 minutes. It was quite an efficient system.

 Friday Night YSA Dance

Chaperoning 

DJin with Rianne and Hannah

Street Contacting with Sister Merrill and Brogan and Melody

Sister Merrill stops EVERYONE and they actually stop and talk to her. She has a saying she calls "2 no's and a go."  She waits until she gets two no's from someone and then she gives up.  I watched her even jog along with someone, talking to them.  She never gives up.  She is so good at
this and she has so many investigating because...Who wouldn't WANT to stop and talk to her?

We turn over Another Busy Month in our calendar

Phrases learned:

"Sort it out"-  Figure it out 

"You all Right?"  - We were thinking that everyone thought we weren't alright, but they say 

this like we might say.."How Are You?"