And the Sky Is Not Cloudy All Day...

   We think Spring may have actually arrived in Manchester. We have seen the sun a little more and the rain seems to be a little less.  We still wear a coat some days and definitely a sweater but the blossoms are blooming. This is the tree just outside the new YSA Building.   The building behind is dormitory rooms for students at the two downtown universities.  

   Baptisms continue and Elder Calera and Elder Chong baptized a young student with the english name of Michael from China. We enjoy being around the young elders and sisters and we love being asked to participate with them.  At zone meeting last week, we were asked to take a few minutes and tell the missionaries why we decided to serve a mission.  We love going to the missionary meetings and being around the young elders and sisters.  Elder Pew  often goes out street tracting again with the young elders.  He loves doing this. 

We have two new missionaries in our District. Elder Cox from Logan and Elder Johnson from Las Vegas have been transferred in to the YSA Ward.  We are enjoying them, but Elder Cox goes home in 2 weeks; so we're treating them to a "good-bye" dinner next week.   Elder Cox has asked Elder Pew to accompany them in 5 investigator lessons during the past 10 days, which has been a great experience.  Elder Pew has borne his testimony plus added to the lessons with scriptures and a bit of knowledge.   

One of our YSA, Hadrian, with Elders Johnson, Cox, Chong and Nunes from Brazil

  This past week, we have spent time visiting a few of the struggling YSA's. We have taken a couple of them to lunch and dinner and just listened and talked to a few of them. We have given bags of food to a couple of them. We have visited some of them in their flats...which is always humbling to see their hard conditions and listen to some pretty hopeless stories.   Often their "flat" is one bedroom with a shared kitchen with 3-4 other roommates (who you don't know) who are renting a room as well.  The bedrooms are small, perhaps 10' by 8'.  We sit in that small bedroom and listen to them tell us about their lives.  We always encourage and try to get them to commit to come to Institute and Church. The hard thing is...they always have a testimony. It might be weak but it is there. Life is challenging for some, and getting to church via bus sometimes takes more than an hour each way and they often can't afford bus fare.  One young man was baptized 3 years ago while he lived in Crewe.  He had a good friend there who helped him but his friend is now on a mission.  He is addicted to tobacco and is struggling to quit.  He also fights a bit of mental disease and when he is down, cigarettes are his crutch.  He does not feel he has any friends in the Manchester Ward here and so does not come to church anymore.   We are praying to know how we might help him.  

   We continue to teach Institute classes such as Book of Mormon, the Bednar trilogy of books and english classes;  and when Institute director Luke Kerr is away, which is often, we substitute for him.  The Saturday English Class is going well and the 6 young men keep coming. We have also been asked to teach Temple Prep and we have 4 YSA's who are preparing for the temple. We have heard that summer will bring a huge drop in numbers so we are enjoying those who attend now. 

   Elder Pew's Bednar trilogy class is going well.  Last week, they finished Chapter 2 on knowledge (mind), understanding (heart) and intelligence (practical use of both).  We have about a dozen students attending regularly and anxiously waiting for when Elder Bednar joins the class for a video conference discussion.  This week, we begin Chapter 3 on prayer and personal revelation.  

This is Yang Ling from China. She was converted by Elder Chong several months ago in Liverpool but is now sadly heading back to China.  Her non-member husband is there and they wanted to start a life here in England but it is too hard to find work and make it here, so she is heading back to be with her husband. She left a letter with her testimony with all the members to help other Chinese in their search for truth.  She sent us an email when she arrived in China which said
"Let's endure to the end and meet in the kingdom of heaven. Keep in touch."  We emailed back saying "  We hope we will see you again, but if not, yes, we'll make it a date to see you in the Kingdom of God! "  We are coming to know that there are many that we will say goodbye to and never see again. 

This is Zhi Jie Fang. His family was converted a few years ago but then moved to London and he wanted to stay here. He is only 16 years old and did live with members but then decided to live alone.  He is  faithful and strong.  When we took a YSA to lunch, he was working there at the Red Chile Restaurant. Elder Pew helped him to move and we were very worried about his conditions but he was positive about his future and wanted to live independently.  He is such a hard worker and is doing well as a server in the restaurant.  He also attends College. (High School) 

This is Ryan and he always helps prepare the food and gets the drink mix just right. 

Joanna Borges is a 6 month convert from Portugal who lives with her Auntie and she attends the YSA ward.  She is a delight. She works and goes to school and has an incredible testimony. She asked us to be with her for her Patriarchal Blessing. We were honored to be a part of her blessing.  She also gets a lot of calls from the boys.  

We had a fun Saturday Night activity on April 12th.  President Liptrot and his wife, Stacey came and brought a popcorn machine and made different flavors of popcorn for everyone. The smoke set off the fire alarm and for about 20 minutes, there was a pretty high pitch sound.  President Liptrot finally was able to punch in the code and make it stop.  At the activity there was a getting to know you game, music, a Waffle Bar, a Foosball Tournament and of course the game...Werewolves of Miller Hollow.

Sister Stacey Liptrot is originally from Savannah Georgia. She and Pres Liptrott have six sons ! 

President Liptrot is our dynamic Stake President. 

On Sunday night we had a Fireside called "Conference- Revisited"  We had four YSA's talk about their conference highlights and then Elder Pew spoke on Elder Nelson's talk on Faith.  He used faith to discuss our divine identity and destiny.

Melody Bardsley having refreshments after the Fireside. 

Ishmael tasting the biscuits. 

Rachael Teal and Sister Pew

Brother and Sister Team of Rachael and Jacob Teal - Jacob just received his mission call to Greece! We enjoy being around both of them! 

 I seem to make Rice Krispie Treats often.  I have found many variations of this treat and make them up so easily.  I'm glad they have Rice Krispies here but I do have to go to Costco to buy a large package of Marshmallows. 

This is Leah Smith, the Ward Relief Society President.  I enjoy her so much. We spent a morning together putting a  Memory Book for the new building together and then out to lunch. She is a vegetarian so we went for salad.  She asked me to teach Relief Society for her and chose the tricky topic of Modest Dress and Appropriate Sunday Dress. With many investigators visiting, I had to carefully navigate, but with the help of words from President Monson, Julie B Beck, Sister Bednar and Elder Holland, I think I handled this pretty well.

The YSA building seems to have a lot of "guys"  hanging out.  Missionaries and male YSA members are often there. This day I was definitely outnumbered.   Here we are in the "Institute offices" portion of the building on the ground floor.  

Tuesday April 15th was a beautiful, sunny day and we headed to York, about an hour and a half to the Northeast away.  York is another walled city and as we were told, it is like Chester on Steroids.  The city was founded by Romans in 71 AD and later because a wool trading center. In the 19th Century it became a hub of the railway network and a confectionery manufacturing centre.  (In UK they spell Center-Centre) We found York to be completely charming and a fun place to wander about. This would be a great Girl Trip!

The Famous Betty's Tea Room where Elder Pew counted 8 men.

We decided to take a little boat cruise in the River Ouse to see some of the sites. 

We found a deal on fudge at Fudge Kitchen and bought 6 lbs.  

York Minster is quite magnificent. 

York Minster is a cathedral in York and is the largest in Northern Europe.  

Elder Pew learning a thing or two from Constantine the Great about the philosophies of men.  He dared not ask where the plain and precious parts went.

   We have had many FIRST experiences here.  We attended our first English Wedding this past week. Two of the ward YSA's were married on Friday April 18th. Sebastian Turner and Melissa Caffrey were married and asked us to help set up and clean up at their wedding.  Sebastian, who works at the Apple Store,  helped us out greatly as we tried to get our iPhone and other Apple products synced here when we arrived.  We organized a team of YSA's to help us.  It was quite an event. Because England doesn't recognize the temple sealing as a legal marriage, they were married first in the Stake Center Chapel.  It was a regular "walk down the aisle wedding" with bridesmaides etc. President Fletcher of the Ashton Stake performed the civil ceremony. There were talks and musical items much like a religious service.  After the ceremony there were toasts and dancing and cake was served in the cultural hall.  The family and close friends then left for the Preston Temple where they were sealed and then a family dinner was held that evening. 

Cake Buffet set up by Helen and Rhianne. 

Program

Drink Station...Notice the Coke and Diet Coke !

Four of the YSA's... Jacob Teal, Joe Walsh, Lukas Heumos and Garth

The bride, Melissa and her sister Becky.

Lots of sparkle at this wedding

Simon with a glass of Shloer...a popular sparking juice drink here.  

Rhianne, Rachel, Katy and Hannah

Katie and her mom, Debbie Magee

President Fletcher's wife and daughter, Lucy. The Fletcher's had their first grandchild, a little girl, a few days before. Coincidentally, they are naming her Macy. 

More fancy shoes...

Saturday was an empty day at the YSA building so we decided to close the YSA building early on Saturday. We went out to dinner and to see Spider Man.  Who did we run in to?  Five YSA's  !  It was fun to meet up with Leon, Hope, Hannah, Joe and Rhianne. I'm glad it was an appropriate movie for all of us.

Easter didn't feel like Easter without our family and all the fun traditions that we have. I did look forward to going to Ashton to do Primary Sharing time for one of our YSA's , Hannah Mee.  Hannah just turned 20 and is the Primary President. We are seeing this a lot here. Several of our YSA's serve in Presidencies in their wards. One Young Man is the Acting YM President and the Ward Executive Secretary.  On the way to Hannah's ward, I got a flat tire, and was an hour late but still helped her with her sharing time   We later hosted the Sister Missionaries for Easter Dinner. 

Getting Ready for Primary. 

I did get a flat tire on the way to Ashton and Elder Pew had to sit with the car until the RAC service came to change it.  The Young Zone Leaders came and chauffeured me to Ashton. 

Table is set for Easter Dinner

Sister Jordan and Sister Merrill for Easter Dinner

Attempt at Schaum Torte...Family Recipe.

Most days we walk to the YSA building and this is what we see on our walk...

Buses

An old beat up building that they are going to refurbish...Hmmm ! (looks like it should be torn down)

University of Manchester

Royal Northern College of Music

The Manchester Aquatics Centre

Manchester Met University

This is just across the street from the YSA building and we use it frequently to make copies and help us with things.  I't's like our Kinkos and is owned by an Arab who loves us and always helps us. Sometimes he doesn't even charge us. 

My friend, Marce, noticed that I was always wearing a sweater in all my pictures (probably the same one) and sent me a package with this cute new one...How nice !


We took a morning and drove to Stoke-On Trent, home of the Pottery Industry. We did a quick visit this time but will have to return here.




In 1973, I chose this Blue Calico Pattern of Staffordshire China for my everyday china.  It is made here in Stoke. I found tables and tables of it here at the factory.  Everyone told me that I would be so sick of it in a few years, but I still love this pattern and plan to ship a box of items home. We bought some placemats, towels and an apron to use in our flat while we are here.

This is Macy's Wedgwood India pattern.  I wonder if she needs any more of this ?

English Placemats are small but these Blue Calico look cute on our Missionary Flat table.



We took a little trip to the Sports Store to pick up some football jerseys for our Grandchildren... 11 Jerseys !!

Another month is passing by....


A phrase learned is "round the corner" ...  If someone tells you something is "Round the Corner", they might mean in a different town, across town or just a few blocks away..