Missionaries
Our district meeting was held this morning. It was the first meeting we have had since Elder Hill was transferred to Reading - about and hour away. He is a wonderful young missionary and we will miss him. His replacement Elder Hathaway looks like he will be wonderful too - in his own way.
Elder Hathaway texted around 9 to ask if it was OK if the zone leaders came today. The zone leaders are Elder Hill and his new companion Elder Hozman. Of course I said yes!!! We were happy to see Elder Hill again, and we have visited Elder Hozman a couple of times now when we have made the rounds to inspect missionary apartments.
I made white chicken chili....and when we found out there were going to be two more, SK hotfooted it over to the mall to get more chicken and more lettuce for green salad and two large baguettes. As it turned out we had plenty of food, but not much left over. I love the way those young people eat with such relish.
I mentioned that our Oxford missionaries had three appointments on Christmas day, because the families here are anxious that they have somewhere to go on that special day. I asked Elder Hill how his Christmas was in Reading. He was enthusiastic and said it was wonderful. I'm sure it was, but it wasn't what it would have been here where he is so loved. They ate dinner with one family from a country which celebrates differently, and with food that is much different that what most young Americans are accustomed to. But Elder Hill was so happy for it. He is cute.
During the meeting, Sister Marinello gave us a short lesson on how to find interested contacts on Facebook. I was so impressed with her know-how as well as her powerful testimony. I don't think I ever would have come up with the idea that Facebook is a good place to find people. She said that the Rome Mission is exclusively an online mission for finding contacts. They do not proselyte on the streets, and they do not ever go door to door. They rely on the internet and then visit them in person.
After the meeting and after lunch, the sister missionaries stayed and practiced piano on our keyboard. They will be playing in Church Sunday and needed to run through the music. As Sister Marinello practiced, Sister Porter and I talked. I was touched by what she shared.
When it was time for her to leave on her mission, she reluctantly packed away her treasured violin. She has reached a level of excellence that sometimes took her as many as 6 to 7 hours a day of practicing. She loves playing, and told me that sometimes when she was blue, she would go to her room, take out her violin and play til she felt better.
The handbook says that missionaries are not to bring instruments to their missions. So Sister Porter, wanting to be obedient, put hers away and asked the Lord to take care of her for the next 18 months. A week after she arrived in England, she and her companion were teaching a family. The family never joined the church, but said they had an extra violin that Sister Porter could borrow.
She called London and received permission to have the violin. A few weeks later this family moved, and told Sister Porter she could have the violin permanently. Sister Porter finished the story by saying, "The Lord is so good to me."
It does seem miraculous. And it certainly does seem like the Lord - recognizing the sacrifice Sister Porter was making, provided her with the instrument. And she has blessed the lives of many every since. I have heard her play at baptisms, in church meetings and at missionary meetings. She plays very beautifully.
Later in the day, we went for another foray into the city. It was hopping. Busy. Lots of people out going to the big sales. Lots of people eating in the cafes and restaurants. SK is good to follow me around the stores, but he has little patience for shopping for clothes. I wished I could look at some of the 50% off clothing sales, but it was not to be! That's when I wish one of my daughters could be here to go shopping with me.
Really, the point of our walk was to get out of the apartment and get moving. I am going to try to do that every day when possible, and it is so pleasant to do that out and about with the crowds of people. I enjoy that immensely. We often talk to individuals - clerks - other people waiting. If they are interested, we share why we are here in England.
Not as effective as young Sister Marinello, but for some, it may be an introduction to the church.
Elder Hathaway texted around 9 to ask if it was OK if the zone leaders came today. The zone leaders are Elder Hill and his new companion Elder Hozman. Of course I said yes!!! We were happy to see Elder Hill again, and we have visited Elder Hozman a couple of times now when we have made the rounds to inspect missionary apartments.
I made white chicken chili....and when we found out there were going to be two more, SK hotfooted it over to the mall to get more chicken and more lettuce for green salad and two large baguettes. As it turned out we had plenty of food, but not much left over. I love the way those young people eat with such relish.
I mentioned that our Oxford missionaries had three appointments on Christmas day, because the families here are anxious that they have somewhere to go on that special day. I asked Elder Hill how his Christmas was in Reading. He was enthusiastic and said it was wonderful. I'm sure it was, but it wasn't what it would have been here where he is so loved. They ate dinner with one family from a country which celebrates differently, and with food that is much different that what most young Americans are accustomed to. But Elder Hill was so happy for it. He is cute.
During the meeting, Sister Marinello gave us a short lesson on how to find interested contacts on Facebook. I was so impressed with her know-how as well as her powerful testimony. I don't think I ever would have come up with the idea that Facebook is a good place to find people. She said that the Rome Mission is exclusively an online mission for finding contacts. They do not proselyte on the streets, and they do not ever go door to door. They rely on the internet and then visit them in person.
After the meeting and after lunch, the sister missionaries stayed and practiced piano on our keyboard. They will be playing in Church Sunday and needed to run through the music. As Sister Marinello practiced, Sister Porter and I talked. I was touched by what she shared.
When it was time for her to leave on her mission, she reluctantly packed away her treasured violin. She has reached a level of excellence that sometimes took her as many as 6 to 7 hours a day of practicing. She loves playing, and told me that sometimes when she was blue, she would go to her room, take out her violin and play til she felt better.
The handbook says that missionaries are not to bring instruments to their missions. So Sister Porter, wanting to be obedient, put hers away and asked the Lord to take care of her for the next 18 months. A week after she arrived in England, she and her companion were teaching a family. The family never joined the church, but said they had an extra violin that Sister Porter could borrow.
She called London and received permission to have the violin. A few weeks later this family moved, and told Sister Porter she could have the violin permanently. Sister Porter finished the story by saying, "The Lord is so good to me."
It does seem miraculous. And it certainly does seem like the Lord - recognizing the sacrifice Sister Porter was making, provided her with the instrument. And she has blessed the lives of many every since. I have heard her play at baptisms, in church meetings and at missionary meetings. She plays very beautifully.
Later in the day, we went for another foray into the city. It was hopping. Busy. Lots of people out going to the big sales. Lots of people eating in the cafes and restaurants. SK is good to follow me around the stores, but he has little patience for shopping for clothes. I wished I could look at some of the 50% off clothing sales, but it was not to be! That's when I wish one of my daughters could be here to go shopping with me.
Really, the point of our walk was to get out of the apartment and get moving. I am going to try to do that every day when possible, and it is so pleasant to do that out and about with the crowds of people. I enjoy that immensely. We often talk to individuals - clerks - other people waiting. If they are interested, we share why we are here in England.
Not as effective as young Sister Marinello, but for some, it may be an introduction to the church.
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These pictures of Oxford's covered market don't show the charm of the place. It is a jumble of little shops that run from fresh produce to a key-maker. There is a roof of sorts, but it is still cold in here. |
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| Look at this little Amaryllis! It was drastically reduced in price because it was escaping its box. It was trying to grow there on the interior shelf of this little grocery store. Every since we brought it home and properly potted it, it is going crazy! |
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