I had to bring my temple shoes home
today so that I could take a picture of their condition. I’m sure that many
missionaries have worn bigger holes in the soles of their shoes than mine, as
they have walked the streets, looking for a golden contact. But, I never
thought that working in the temple each day could bring about the same effect.
I’m going to make them last to the end, though. It can’t be said that we just
sit around in the temple.
We have been doing a lot of training
the past two weeks. I, personally, have been training two darling sisters from
Wales. Their accents are a cross between Irish and something from somewhere
else completely. They are sometimes hard to understand, but I wouldn’t change
how they speak, ever. I have grown to love these people. They are very humble
and gracious. They travel many miles to serve here at the temple. One of them, Sister Bustamonte (that’s
Spanish) has been comin’ (Welsh never pronounce the g.) along nicely. She had
been a less active church member for many years, having only attended an
endowment session twice in her life, many years ago. She came to a point in her
life where she needed to return to the testimony she always had and her bishop
sent her on a temple mission. Well—it was touch and go for a bit, since she
couldn’t remember any of what went on in the temple. So, we started from
scratch. She has worked extremely hard to learn and memorize all that was
needed. She is a delight! The other sister, who is also from Wales, has also
worked hard. She comes when she can get accommodations in the A/C, so it isn’t
all the time. She has reached a point in her temple worker journey where
memorizing is just out of her reach. She does keeps trying. She is a dear
sister.
We have received our travel papers!
I won’t let myself think about it
because it will be a very bitter-sweet experience to leave this beautiful land
and all the people we’ve grown to love. On the other hand, it will be sweet to
see our family and friends again. The sacrifice of serving a mission has been
number one on my “bucket list”. I am so thankful that we could both come and
serve. (And live through it with all the challenges)
We were able to travel up to Nottingham
during the conference break and stay with Ian and Maggie Turner. They had the
whole family there with us too. When it got wild, with the grandkids, we were
reminded that we needed to get used to how it was going to be at home. (SO
TRUE)
This week, we are excited to have two
of our granddaughters come to visit. Ashley and Allie Lancaster will fly in on
Friday. WooHoo!! They will be coming during “French” week, though. However, it
will be good for them to experience what it is like when the French (from
Lille) take over the temple. So while the French Lille Stake members are here,
our granddaughters will make a quick trip to Paris. Look forward to some cute
pictures from a couple of darlin’ girls!
Allie (Allison) Lancaster
Ashley Lancaster
Wednesday: In the temple, a special
endowment session was held for a good brother who is celebrating his 100
birthday. He and most all of his family, who are members of the church, and,
many of whom have come from America, will be together. We have been making
special arrangements for him to be able to do this session. What a great way to
celebrate your 100 birthday!
(Niel)
Our recent study sessions have centered
on the Great Apostasy. In 100 AD, the “Old World” was nearly devoid of Apostles
and Prophets. Only John the Revelator continued his mortal journey. In the “New
World” the prophets had also become nearly extinct, after the death of Moroni,
leaving only the Three Nephites to sojourn in mortality. The sacred ordinances became
altered. Idolatry was promoted in its “most seductive and pernicious forms” (Talmage)
There were restrictions imposed on scripture study. Not until John Wickliffe of
Oxford University, did the world receive the first Holy Bible in English, which
event caused him to lose his life. “Their professed love of God and devotion to
Christ’s service were chiefly signalized by the sword, the ax, and the stake”.
(Talmage)
The prophet Amos prophesied, “Behold,
the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a
famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord:
And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east,
they shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it”
(Amos 8: 11-12)
James Talmage wrote, “It was not meet
that the precious seed of the restored gospel be thrown upon unplowed soil, hardened
by intolerance, and fit to produce only serfdom. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is
the embodiment of liberty; it is the truth that shall make free every man and
every nation who will accept and obey its precepts”.
I testify that the Church of Jesus Christ
has been restored in its fullness. We are living in a marvelous day and age
when we can receive a fullness of the gospel. Priesthood Authority has been
restored by those ancients holding Priesthood Keys, and were restored untainted
by years of apostasy. This thought alone adds greatly to my testimony of the
restoration.
Thankful to be a member of
Christ’s Church in the latter days.
Hi to Mike and Angela Key, Isle of Jersey
Bye to Colin and Vivian Prentice, Assistant Recorders
Hi to Roger and Moira Head, England
Hi to Brother and sister Crocker, England
