Missionary Journal

England (July Wk 4 - August Wks 1-2 2009)

July Week 4
Wednesday was Zone Conference. As usual it was a spiritual feast. We got some really good quotes out of the conference that are guideposts to live by (or to take very seriously as missionaries):

Joan of Lorraine

In Act 3 of Maxwell Anderson's play Joan of Lorraine, just before her execution, Joan says to Cauchon: “Each must believe for himself. Each soul chooses for itself. No other can chose for it; in all the world there is no authority for anyone save his own soul. […] Yes, you did choose [your faith]. You choose to keep it. As I choose to keep mine. And, if I give my life for that choice, I know this too now: Every man gives his life for what he believes. Every woman gives her life for what she believes. Sometimes people believe in little or nothing: One life is all we have, and we live it as we believe in living it, and then it’s gone. But to surrender what you are, and live without belief—that’s more terrible than dying—more terrible than dying young.”

Obedience

“Joseph Smith commented on this matter of obedience in seemingly small matters: ‘The object with me is to obey and teach others to obey God in just what He tells us to do. It mattereth not whether the principle is popular or unpopular, I will also maintain a true principle, even if I stand alone in it.’ We show our faith and trust in God when we obey him without knowing why, and he rewards us with blessings and happiness” (Victor L. Ludlow, Principles and Practices of the Restored Gospel).

The Paradox of Our Age
By Dr. Bob Moorehead

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, yet more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom. We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; big men and small character; steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce; fancier houses but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete.

Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember to say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember to say "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.
Give time to love, give time to speak, and give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER: Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

We have been busy and blessed. As we finished off July, Walt and I are still falling a little short of our goal to contact every member in Weymouth Branch monthly. We asked the Elders to contact three of the four we missed. They are all young men: one is 18, one is 17, and the last is 10. The last family we should have gotten to, but ran out of time since they were on holiday part of the month. The Lord has been very good to us. We only wish the Visiting Teaching and Home Teaching in the branch were better.

It is interesting that six months or so seems to be the time when things start happening with the less actives (we heard confirmation of that at the Zone Conference). It took us that long to get three of our less-active members (all sisters) out to church. We were so happy for them! Then the sisters rallied around them with love. My heart swelled with love for everyone. One of the three is being brought to church each week by her home teacher. I found a quote that expresses my thoughts clearly. Elder M Russell Ballard said: “Without a true and effective partnership between leaders, members, and stake and full-time missionaries, growth will be a function of who the missionaries can find by themselves and who by themselves are able to remain active and faithful. Experience shows, brothers and sisters, that when missionaries find and baptize converts without member support and involvement, such converts usually struggle mightily to maintain their tender faith and to become integrated into the community of Saints.” I really want the branch to understand this commitment to reach outward and know what it can do to help them realize their goal for 2012 of being a ward.

August Week 1
We had a slow “P” day this week (laundry and working on lessons) and Tuesday was District Meeting. When we got home from that meeting, I wasn’t feeling too well and took a nap. By Wednesday morning I knew I was in trouble. I woke up feeling tired, achy, headachy, coughing, and just not feeling well (general malaise). This went on all week. I didn’t go to Zone Meeting (Thursday) or Church on Sunday. Just slept and ate and slept and ate (even though I had a slightly queasy stomach, eating was good - Walt made me homemade vegetable beef and chicken noodle soup).

At church on Sunday, it was announced that Brother Webb (the 1st counselor in the branch presidency) has been given just a few months to live as the result of a reoccurrence of cancer (originally bowel, but now in the liver and lungs). He has not been feeling well the last few weeks and was hoping the issue was a hernia caused by scar tissue from the bowel surgery earlier. He went to the doctor on Friday and announced the diagnosis during a talk at church. I am so sorry! Brother Webb is a good man who has plenty of church leadership experience (branch president twice and bishop twice). This will be a big blow to the Weymouth Branch. I am including two pictures of Brother Webb: the top one is from Christmas (he is so outgoing and such a tease) and the one to the right is just a month or so ago when we were helping out at the local Methodist Church.

August Week 2
Finally on Wednesday I started turning the corner on this sickness. Wednesday, Walt decided to take me for a walk (I have gotten so little exercise that I get extremely tired whenever I get up and do anything), so we went to the store. I was so exhausted that we didn’t even go out on Thursday.

Friday, Walt put me in the car and we went to Nothe Fort (pronounced with a long “o”). It sits on the coast to guard Weymouth Harbor where the English and Americans were shipping out during WWII.

Here is a picture of the inside of the fort.

We strolled along the harbor front and watched the young boys and sometimes girls catching crabs. The crabs were only about 3” so they would catch them, put them in a bucket, and then release them at the end of the day. There are people sitting on the parapet all along the harbor front.

After our stroll, we headed over to Brewer’s Quay for some lunch.

We ate at the Red Lion Pub. Food was good and the day was hazy and breezy but comfortable. I think that was the day I really turned the corner.

On Saturday, we had a branch BBQ at Chesil Cove Beach. The weather was lovely and warm in the late afternoon.

Brother Walker brought his propane grill and cooked most of the meat. That’s his daughter, Rosie, standing next to him.

This is Dave Levi (2nd Counselor in the branch presidency) who brought his charcoal BBQ and was determined to do it the “American” way (he’s originally from Detroit). It took a very, very long time for his charcoal to be ready for meat to cook. I took this picture as insurance so people couldn’t say he never had meat on the grill.

Here is Elder Allred as he was called to eat. You can tell he is enthusiastic.

This is Elder Arrington coming down off the wall – not as enthusiastic but effective.

This next picture is of Brother Graeme Hutchings (our branch Mission Leader) and his daughter, Rachael.

More members.

It was a nice BBQ and all I had to do was sit and eat. This is my idea of a good time.

Sunday, I was back to normal(?). I taught Gospel Doctrine but didn’t do Primary Sharing Time. I wasn’t sure I could handle being on stage for two hours in a row. One was enough. I knew I would need a nap when we got home. We had stake visitors today: President Martin (Poole Stake President), Brother Humphreys [High Councilor], and the Stake Relief Society President, and every one of them and their wives wanted to make sure I was feeling better. I hadn’t realized anyone from the stake had any idea I’d been sick.

All seems to be back on track and I’m looking forward to the Senior Couples’ Temple Conference at the end of the month. I’m also hoping we can get back on track for meeting our goals for visits.

Love you all, Jackie