Remember, Remember the 5th of November...

   Trip to Leeds

     We received special permission to travel to Leeds last Saturday (Nov 8) to attend the baptism of Michelle Mac, a Manchester YSA (going to college in Leeds) that we helped teach and became friends with. She  came to the building with her old school mate, Tan, and began lessons with the missionaries.  Michelle was home for the summer but returned to Leeds for school in September.  There, she followed up with missionaries, attended institute and her conversion deepened. While here in Manchester for the summer she met Hadrian Reamon, a great young man who's family immigrated from the Philippines.  He served a mission to Australia and attends University studying Art and Design.  They started dating and she chose him to baptize her so we drove him up to Leeds. While there we were able to visit the Leeds Institute and meet the Vingoes, the Missionary Couple there.   We saw their very "homey" institute building and discussed the BYU-I Pathway program with them.   It was a great Saturday. 

We spoke in the YSA Ward today, as it was high council Sunday and Elder Pew was assigned to that ward.   Sister Pew spoke on hearts - and the need to have soft hearts.  Elder Pew took his message from last 8 chapters of John and talked about how imperative it is to be consistent and constant in loving the Lord and doing his work - for the rest time and eternity.   

Michelle and Hadrian  (doubt their children will play basketball)

Leeds Institute Building, which is an old home close to the University of Leeds. 

Our counterparts, the Vingoes, with us at the baptism.

Leeds Institute Pool Table.

Elder and Sister Vingoe will oversee the BYU-Idaho  Pathway program here in Leeds.  We were able to share ideas and learn from each other.  

Teaching Continues

Elder Pew's Thursday Night Book of Mormon Class is relaxed and casual.  Some might even sleep!

Sister Pew continues to add to her soup recipes for Lunch and Learn

Three of our students in the Gospel Path's Class
Mauro from Portugal, Marius from Paris and Mario from Brazil  -  ya gotta keep the names straight around here

YSA Events...

Quiz Night

 Institute Activity was a great success as Sam Hodkin prepared a Quiz night for the YSA.  Sam has appeared on several British quiz shows but recently was a winner on the British show, Fifteen to One.  He hosted the YSA night with a combination of Quiz Show Activities...

The Winning Team:  Katie, Ella, Sara, Jay, Host Sam with his Trophy, Rhianne, Rachel and Joe.

After Institute, Mario taught the Samba and other Latin Dances  in a class.

We tried our VERY best...

We took a group of YSA to the Preston temple on Friday, November 14th.  Traffic was so backed-up that only one car load made it to the session. The other's did sealings.  Nandos followed... Here are 10 of the 13 who attended.  

 Christmas Season Has Begun Here

    Without Thanksgiving, Christmas Season has been in full force for several weeks.  Here is the Cath Kidston Department at Selfridges.  

"Selfie Telescope "  to take those perfect "Selfies" 

Love the Personalized Nutalla ! 

Darling Gingerbread Houses.

Guy Fawkes Night...November 5th

We celebrated Guy Fawkes Day which is Bonfire Night here in Manchester.  There are bonfires and fireworks throughout the week.  We were able to see fireworks from our balcony window. 

Guy Fawkes Day is an annual commemoration observed on November 5th.  It's history begins in 1605 when Guy Fawkes, a member of the Gunpowder Plot is arrested for guarding explosives outside the House of Lords. It celebrates the fact that King James 1 had survived the attempt on his life and is an annual public day of thanksgiving of the plots failure.  It is common to burn effigies of Guy Fawkes.

Officially a UK Driver

We were thrilled and relieved to pass the Driver's Test.  This has been quite an experience and Elder Pew has worked harder than we could have ever imagined. The Pass Rate is less than 50%.  (Elder Pew says that is because the laws here are dumb - of course anything he does not agree with is dumb)

We celebrated with Eggs Benedict at Home Sweet Home. 

Gayathri's Birthday Party !

    Gayathri's mother planned a fun surprise party for her up in the Whitefield Ward.  Gayathri is a fantastic young lady with plans to serve a mission next fall. She turned 21 and many were there to celebrate with her.  

Gayathri, Chantel, Hannah, Frankie, Katie  and Rachel

Cart with Sweets !  

 Remembrance Day... Poppies on Every Lapel

We spent Rememberance Day in the Oldham Ward where we met with prospective Pathway students and were invited to the Mayall's for a lovely Roast Turkey Dinner.

At our granddaughter's school in Salt Lake they made a lovely Poppy Wall of remembrance.

  

Ashton Proudly showing her Poppy !

Eventful and Surprising Monday

Luke Kerr gave Emma the afternoon off to spend with Sister Pew and go to a "posh" restaurant, Australasia. He and Elder Pew took their two little girls, ages 15 months and 6 months to Subway. 

We received a surprise call to meet Ally Zhu at the Town Hall for an "Activity"  We were unsure what we were going to but she and her boyfriend, Brad, met us, ready for a "Secret Wedding."  Elder Pew baptized Ally in February and Sister Pew has been her visiting teacher.  Ally will graduate with a Master's in Business in December and has two job offers here.  Brad (not a member, yet, we hope) works here in Manchester at Media Com.  Neither set of parents were there.  Ally's parents are in China and could not attend.  Brad is from Manchester but said his family couldn't come.  So Elder and Sister Pew were there. 

The signing of the documents is an official ceremony in England. Sister Pew was a witness and also served as Maid of Honor for Ally. 

The wedding attendees.

These are Ally's work friends and Sam Zang who introduced the church to her.

The Happy Couple

Outside the Town Hall. 

Missionaries...Celebrating

Celebrating Sister Riley's birthday with the YSA Missionaries at Nando's.  (We are now part of the Rewards Program at Nando's...and we should be since we eat so many meals there) 

Sister Chu from Canada and Sister Riley from Austrailia

Elder Carlson From Pleasant Grove

Elder Curtis from Logan and Elder Webb from Draper - good move by Elder Webb, you can ruin a lot of ties eating over here

Other Bits and Bobs

Carter McClean is dressed and ready to head off to Leeds to take part in a Medical Study that will pay him 5,000 GBP.  Carter holds down several jobs and is leaving for Utah in January to attend school there.  (The study is trying to see if Acupuncture works for lungs - lol)

Loads of Pound Stores in England.  Not sure if the Pound Store or the
Dollar Store came first. 

Amazing...Flowers still in bloom here. 

We found this sign advertising Camel Milk in our Apartment Building - that's not a brand, its the producing animal.  Elder Pew has a friend in the building who always invites him for Coffee and after declining dozens of times..He has now invited him for Camel Milk.

Sign at Home Sweet Home Cafe

Sign in the cupboard at the YSA Building.  Sister Chu is 4'8" and Elder Swallow is 6' 8"

We are glad that Eli loved his birthday present back home.  The London Train set was a hit...for sure.

Words:

Crikey- My Goodness

Collecting their children- Picking them up

Push Chair- Stroller