Visitors from the Missionary Department

This week we were visited by the Managing Director of the International MTC's, Kelly Mills and his number two man, Lane Steinagel. They gave us perfect scores on everything we do here at the England Missionary Training Centre. hahahaha We enjoyed a nice dinner at the Red Cat (our favorite restaurant) before they left ,with some members of our staff.

from left to right: Mike and Brow Miller, Jon, Stephen Barnett, Chris and Rachel Pattenden, Kelly and Kayla Mills (his daughter) and Lane Steinagel.

So, this is happening again...

All of the water fowls in England have laid eggs, and kept them warm until they hatched. Now, in the canal there are mommas and daddies and babies all over.

Here at the MTC, our momma goose has been laying on her fake eggs, in her nest for a good two months. When she made her nest, the ground was bare. Now the weeds have grown in all around her, and I can barely see her head. As I went outside to document it, the daddy goose came swimming over to protect his lady and babies from me. It is pretty disturbing to those of us that live here. We don't tell the missionaries what is going on, they would be crushed. I am not sure about this method of animal population control. I hope she gives up soon and moves on with her life. It breaks my mother heart.

#runningaroundchorley

These are some photos I have taken this week while running. These white flowers are in bloom all over the place! We have had sunny days, and everyone is feeling good. A little sunshine makes everyone feel better.

Hello Horito's!

Bob and Joann came to England and took a train north to say hello! It was a very pleasant, unexpected visit. It was so nice to visit with them and catch up on life! Thanks for breaking us out of the MTC for an afternoon!

MTC Devotional

Tonight for our devotional we listened to Elder Rasband who spoke to the Provo MTC in person, just the night before. I felt inspired by his teachings to us. He was quoting our Prophet, Russell M. Nelson from April General Conference. He invited the missionaries to review President Nelson's most recent messages, particularly those that included invitations.

Elder Rasband talked of the signs of the last days. That there will be calamities in the world. Mens hearts will fail them. There will be many difficult things to happen in the days to come. Then he shared this statement from the Prophet...

"Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again."

These are our days! I love living in these days. I will share the entire quote...

"I am optimistic about the future. It will be filled with opportunities for each of us to progress, contribute, and take the gospel to every corner of the earth. But I am also not naive about the days ahead. We live in a world that is complex and increasingly contentious...Our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ, will perform some of His mightiest works between now and when He comes again. We will see miraculous indications that God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, preside over this Church in majesty and glory. But in the coming days, it will not be possible to survive spiritually without the guiding, directing, comforting, and constant influence of the Holy Ghost." - President Nelson "Revelation for the Church, Revelation for Our Lives"

I am so grateful for a living Prophet.

A Couple of My Favorites...

These two Sisters are from Italy. Sister Battezzato is going to Temple Square and Sister Ranieri is going to Washington DC North. Sister Ranieri will work at the temple visitor center as well as proselyte. They were with us in the MTC for ten weeks learning English. They were amazing. They have positive attitudes, "I can do this" feelings, and everyday they were working hard to understand and communicate. By the time they left, they were going out with the Sisters serving in Chorley, contacting people and teaching. They returned to Italy to go to the consulate so they could get their Visa. They are headed to America today. I am so excited for them! We love them. I don't ever want to forget them. 

MTC Group 16 May 2018

Numbers are still down at the MTC. We have twelve going to Manchester, three going to Leeds, three going to Scotland/Ireland, one going to Zimbabwe, one going to Berlin, two going to Alpine German Speaking and a senior couple going to the Adriatic South Mission. Sister Aifokiru (front row, second from the right) is the first missionary I have met from Ethiopia. She is a sweetheart.

A Visit From Sister Wu

Sister Wu and her companion brought some recent converts to the temple and stopped by to show them the MTC. It was so fun to see her again. Her English is so good! She is teaching a lot of Chinese speaking people in Leeds.

Happy Mother's Day!

I got these beautiful flowers today from two of my all time favorite sisters. They are serving in Birmingham. Sister Iuhimciuc from Moldova and Sister Katelin Johnson. They were beautiful and cheery on my desk for two weeks. I am so blessed!

New Photos On The MTC Walls!

The MTC wall pictures have had a makeover. I love all of the new canvas photos and the missionaries that are in them. Especially the top right photo of the Bolivia La Paz Mission where President Bunker is with his fellow Aymara Missionaries in front of his house. #hearteyes Also, the bottom middle picture of Elder Bunker and Elder Bowman. The walls look GREAT! 

#runningaroundchorley

What crop is this BDS?

Today I took an hour off to go to Manchester to visit my favorite store in England, Cath Kidston. As I was driving on the M61, this huge field full of yellow flowers caught my eye. So on my way home, I got off the exit and turned around so I could get a picture of the field. I always wonder what people think when they drive past me, stopped on the side of the motorway, taking a picture. I don't really care as long as I don't get a ticket. :) It was an amazing view!

Running with the Missionaries

One of my least favorite things to do is run with the young sisters. I am slow and steady and I don't like the pressure. Plus, they exercise in the afternoon and I like to go in the morning. Sister Loader couldn't find anyone that would run with her consistently. I really felt like I needed to give her the opportunity to get out and run, so we became partners. She would run ahead of me and then come back, she was a sweetheart. I hope she gets companions that will go out with her. I understand the mental/coping strength she feels when she can get out and run. :)

Saying Goodbye to Thomas Davies

Tonight we had to say goodbye to the BEST MTC Assistant of all time. Tom has special organizational skills, he works hard, and late if he needs to to get his work done. He has had his hands in almost every aspect of the MTC and has helped it be more efficient and precise. You can only imagine how much Jonathon Wayne has loved his presence. It has felt like a big happy working family!

Mike and Bronwyn Miller, Tom and Rosa Linda Davies (almost) and Chris and Rachel Pattenden.

Jon and Susan, Tom and Linda, Rachel and Chris, Holly and Richard.

Temple Grounds

These are some of my favorite sights on the spring temple grounds. It is so beautiful right now!