Rain or Shine...I'll Be Fine!

   The Days are marching on quickly and we have only 4 Weeks left on this mission. How will we EVER say goodbye to so many that we have met; Young Single Adults, Missionaries and others who have made our mission enjoyable and fulfilling.  We aren't going to think about it now...but we keep on moving forward until the very last day we are here.  Tonight we are going to the Preston temple with YSA to do baptisms.  Last night Elder Pew taught 13 in the Principles of Leadership class.  There is only 2 more weeks of that class.   He has enjoyed teaching it.  This weekend, after what seems like an eternity of waiting, all the Elders and Sisters will get their ipads.   

Here is some Manchester News:  

Several Lasts

Our last Endowment Session Temple Trip. Here are a few of our YSA who we love
going to the temple with each month.
Pictured are: Isamael, Hadrian, Anatole, Jordan, Matt, Cinthya, Sister Pew, Helen,
Ann-Kristin, and Emily.   Elder Pew is the photographer.

The Beautiful Preston Temple Grounds...in bloom.

We were asked by the YSA Ward to create and teach an Introduction to the Temple Class in
Sunday School.   It was a 2 week course designed to assist new converts and others who are going to do baptisms for the dead the first time. 8 of these students attended the Baptism Trip this week.  This is our last class: 

Pillar (Chile), Sam (China), Javi (Chile), Keya (India) and Ali (Iran)

Amy (England), Amanda (Brazil - non member), Brogan (England), Katarina (USA) and Alma (China)
quite the multi-cultural group, don't you think?

Emily Olsen, Chanice Nobel and Javi Rameriz at the Temple
Baptism Trip.  

This is our LAST trip to Costco for Munch and Mingle  and
here is our load to prove it.  We served Pulled Pork Sandwiches
with side dishes from the YSA. 

Our LAST YSA Dance....Elder Pew wears his ear plugs.

We told our first Mission President Goodbye. We dropped in
to the Preston MTC where President and Sister Preston are now
serving as MTC President and told them goodbye. We will see
them in 2017 in Salt Lake.

YSA

Manchester Stake Conference was this month.  Emily Olsen from
Salt Lake spoke at the Saturday evening session and Ella and Ryan were some of the YSA who came
to support. Emily and Ella both serve in the Relief Society and
often dress in "Relief Society Unity"

Helen Smith is getting married in July and we celebrated by 

honoring her at a luncheon at Tatton Park with a few of her friends

Here is (left)  Sister Pew, Emily Olsen, Anna Ykhlef, Rhianne Hoyle, Helen, Kelsey Branch
Rachel Teal, Jenny Nudd and Katie Magee

Tried their best to all jump at the same time

Lunch at Gardener's Cottage at Tatton Park

The Lindt Chocolate Rabbit was also there

We had a double-date with Keya and Joe at an Indian Restaurant
called Essence.  It was very good and also good that Keya could
guide us through the menu. 

Oh....Manchester

Manchester has lots of underground walkways (with lots of graffiti) and often
we use them for shortcuts. (These walkways are called subways) We weren't sure what we were seeing here but
it was just a blanket. It did scare us for a minute. 

Elder Pew..surveying the scene. 

Our view out our window of Hulme on a beautiful morning.

From the top of the YSA Building...there's a fire out there somewhere. 

The weather has been so glorious that we opened the small terrace on top of the building (5th floor) to enjoy
the sunshine for a brief time.  It drives Church physical facilities people nuts when we do this, as it is against policy - but heck, why did they build it then?

Tried to get a tan...but cloud cover came quickly.


We did hold Lunch and Learn out on the terrace. 

Missionaries from the top of the YSA Building...  uh oh, facilities better not read this!

We Love Our Missionaries

Elder Ahlstrom from Sweden teaching us how to say "IKEA".  hint - you pronounce all the letters.

Elder Pew took Elder Grant from Salt Lake City and Elder Judd from Coalville to
Whitefield Golf Club to play 9 holes.

Our YSA District Missionaries...(top) Elder Gordon and Elder Johnson,
Sister Lee and Sister Leung, Elder Mongie and Elder Ding.

The Zone Leaders are hungry.  Always.

Elder Peterson played American football with the Elders and went into the asphalt end zone for a long pass.  5 Stiches on the elbow.  He is tough.  The important thing is that he caught the pass.  

Elder Oakey, from Omaha,  came on exchange and we had smoothies. 

Elder Peterson and Oakey get ready to go out on Oxford Road.   Riding the Ox, they call it here.  

This is the "Happy Dance". A good day for Elder Peterson and
and Elder Maughan because an investigator said "yes" to baptism.

Elder Peterson bonds with Elder Pew.   

Daily Selfies...

Other Bits and Bobs

Sister Reed designed these "I Rode the Ox" Tee shirts for all
the missionaries who have served in the YSA.
When our missionaries go out to find investigators on Oxford Road, they say
"Let's go ride the OX."  Elder Pew has definitely ridden the Ox, so he deserves a
Tee Shirt.