Jan 6 - Jan 25

His Way is the Path that Leads to Happiness in This Life and Eternal Life in the World to Come from the Living Christ

Each life That Touches Ours for Good from LDS Hymn 

1. 1. Each life that touches ours for good
   Reflects thine own great mercy, Lord;
   Thou sendest blessings from above
   Thru words and deeds of those who love.
2. 2. What greater gift dost thou bestow,
   What greater goodness can we know
   Than Christlike friends, whose gentle ways
   Strengthen our faith, enrich our days.
1. 3. When such a friend from us departs,
   We hold forever in our hearts
   A sweet and hallowed memory,
   Bringing us nearer, Lord, to thee.
2. 4. For worthy friends whose lives proclaim
   Devotion to the Savior's name,
   Who bless our days with peace and love,
   We praise thy goodness, Lord, above.

We continue to meet and say good-bye to many that have touched our lives for good!

Sister Jensen was a fabulous sister missionary in our district. Her and her companion were called as Mandarin speaking missionaries. They spent lots of time at the institute and taught many Chinese. Sister Jensen is from Denmark. Unfortunately, because of health issues she had to go home. She came back to speak at the baptism of one of the Chinese students she taught named Parker Chen. I was so happy to see her again and to meet her parents. She looked and acted well and happy. Her parents also said she was doing much better.  

Sister Jensen

Bexi Roberts is one of our graduates from Leeds University. She is now doing a work study program away from Leeds. Since we go home in May we won't be able to see her again. She dropped by for a surprise visit and a sweet gift and note for us. Elder Carrier fixed a special pancake breakfast for all the people from her work when she was in Leeds. She was very touched by that gesture. We love so many here and are sad to say good-bye.

Bexi Roberts

Young Adults at the York Ball

They sent us this picture. 

L-R front row; Adam Smith, Jordan Watt, Christian Hopper, Kyle Jones, Jason Mitchell, John Price, Luke Amos 2nd row; unknown, Sophie Rumboldt, unknown, Megan Kitzen, Gabbriella Haile, Joe Peacock, Meg Clayton, Georgina Corrie, Ester Hopgood, Lydia Smith, Siza Dube, Ruth Henson, Elysia Kirby, Amber Wilson, Tilly Jackson, unknown, Miss Barker, 3rd Row; Stephane Leterme, Lester Wain, Callum  Richardson, Simon Smith, John Craig, Joe Carr, AaronSmith, TomWalker, Jacob Quesne

Beautiful, the Musical about Carol King's Life

Pete is clever at finding fun things for us to do on our p-days. This musical was being performed in Hull. We loved it! It was also fun to relive the music from our era. After the show, we met up with the senior couple who are serving a mission in Hull. They fixed us a lovely dinner and we had a great time sharing young adult and missionary stories. Fun!

Beginning

Finale

Murder Mystery Party, Death by Chocolate

Pete has wanted to play the murder mystery game with the young adults. Last Friday was the perfect time. Half of the young adults were at the Smith-vention in Beverly. There were a few stragglers who couldn't do the convention. We held the murder mystery party for them. Elder Carrier and I fixed a nice meal. Pete moved furniture all around to make the dining special. It was loads of fun. At the end they all asked if we could do it again next month. Pete thought next month was a bit soon. We'll see how persuasive they are.

Everyone Dressed Their Part

Silly 

Serious

Beverly, England

The Carol King, "Beautiful" Musical was shown at the New Hull Theater. We bought tickets a few months ago. Right outside of Hull is the quaint, old, town called, Beverly. We left in plenty of time to tour the town before the play started in Hull. It's also in Beverly that a very prominant family lives. We have four of the children of this prominant family who live in Leeds and attend the institute. The family happens to be very wealthy members of the Church. The father started and owned Chem-dry as it's called now. Some of our YSA were having a mini convention at the Smith home in Beverly. We didn't run into any of the young adults but we had fun exploring the darling town. 

Hull Town Square

Shops in Beverlly

Beverly Market

A Good Place to Pose in Beverly!

Plaque that Hangs Next to the Old Door

Beverly Minster is Old & Beautiful!

Beverly Town Market

Fire Alarm

One night just after we had gotten into bed, the fire alarm went off. It's not uncommon for this to happen because we have a faulty fire alarm system. Pete jumped out of bed and ran downstairs to turn off the alarm while I checked for a fire. There was a small fire that started in our dryer. The exhaust tube was crunched and the lint started to smoke causing the alarm to sound. I found the smoke in the bathroom and yelled for Pete to come see. He ran back up the steps and pulled the dryer out from the wall. Luckily there was no real damage. When the repairman came a couple days later he said the dryer was faulty and should have been recalled. Before going back to bed I packed a small bag with essentials just in case we had a real fire and needed to leave quick. Pete laughed and said, "Come to bed. I've got it all fixed." Now we have a new dryer. It just isn't installed yet. They're also in the process of replacing the old fire alarm system with a new one. It's going to take a while. 

The Cause That Set Off the Fire Alarm

Other Events 

One of our young adults is a quadriplegic. We've been making up institute classes for her since she's been sick and is expected to go in for sugery soon. It's always fun to visit her. She is really quite amazing. She will graduate from institute this year. We're proud of this accomplishment. 

Flat inspections were part of our schedule the last couple weeks. We do them around zone conference time. We only do four flats and that has been much easier to maintain. 

Our lessons and dinners continue on a regular schedule. It's busy at the institute but we love being busy and we still find time to do some fun things too. 

We count our blessings and testify that ...

Christ's way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come.

God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son!

December 9, 2019 - January 5, 2020

When the Cats Away the Mice will Play

The institute was closed from December 20, 2019 - January 6, 2020. Brother McMorn told us to travel while the students were away. So, we decided to research the homesites, churches, and burials of many of our ancestors who once lived in England. Permission was granted from the area authority. So off we went for a fun adventure. We talked to many people and frequently talked about our mission and the Church. 

Christmas

Christmas Morning with the Missionaries

Christmas Zone Conference Party

Santa (Elder Carrier) at the Ward Christmas Party

Christmas Dinner with the Bows Taylor Family

Senior Couple Activity At Lincolnshire Castle

Beautiful Choir and Outstanding Harpist in Concert inside The Castle

Statford-upon-Avon (Shakespear's birthplace)

Statford-upon-Avon was the first town on our two week reindevous discovering historic sites and family history sites. 

Anne Hathaway's home (Shakespear's wife)

Shakespear's Home

Benbow Pond, Hill Farm

This is a Church History site where 500 of the United Brethren Church members were baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Wilford Woodruff stayed with John and Jane Benbow and baptised many converts in the farm pond. 

It was a rainy day and we tromped through mud to get to the spot. 

Climbing the Fence to get to the pond

Gadfield Elm Chapel

Today it is the oldest Church chapel in the world still standing and it is the last surviving memorial to the United Brethren. 

Bristol

Family History sites for Samuel Oborn, William Chapple & MaryAnn Oborn Chapple. My family ancestors on my maternal side. 

St. Paul Chapel where William Chapple & MaryAnn Oborn were Married

9 Owens Street where Samuel Oborn lived with his Parents (1871)

South Molton 

The town where the Chapple Family was raised. Mary Ann Chapple Warner lived here. 

1861 Home Site. Now a business (135 East Street)

Back view of 135 East Street



1871 Chapple Home 78 East Street

1881 Home  (114 East Street)

                                            View of East Street Today

                                                            South Molton Market

Lyndale

A seaside town near on the Bristol Channel

Dunster Castle

A Medieval Town with a beautiful castle.

Wild Horses Roam in this Region

Bath

Bath is one of the charming towns of England. It's famous for the Roman baths that have been preserved. It's beautiful at night.

While in Bath we were able to meet up with President and Sister Turvey at Church and then at their home for a lovely meal. They were our mission president for a month and we felt the impact of their service during that short time. We love the Turveys.

Stonehenge

The ancient rocks of Stonehenge are an amazing wonder. They form a circular formation. We visited on a very cold, windy, day. 

Burton-on-the-Water

Burton-on-the-Water is a quaint town found in the Cotswolds. Everything in the Cotswolds is charming. Lots of thatched roofs and lots of cuteness. It's sometimes called, England's Venice.

Chipping Campden

Another cute town found in the Cotswolds. Plenty of thatched roofs here. 

Broadway

This was a new Cotswold town for us to see. A shop owner in Campden told us to visit. We saw it in the evening with the gorgeous Christmas lights everywhere. Lovely!

Birmingham

This town was another ancestral stop for us and we were pleasantly surprised. It's a big, industrial, town. My Freeth & Smallwood family was married here in the church called,St. Martin in the Bull Ring. (Job Freeth & Nancy Smallwood)

Halesowen

Mary Ann Freeth was Christened in the St. John's Church in 1799. An Ancestor on my maternal side. 

                                                                      Ancient Baptistry

Bedworth

This is the birth place of some of Pete's ancestors (John & Samuel Vale, John Darlison, & John Atkins). 

                                                                     All Saints Church 

Nuneaton

Samuel Atkins, Pete's Ancestor, was christened in the St. Nicolas Parish

London

Pete and I had never been to the London temple so we took a detour to visit. The accomodations for visitors are lovely and we spent 3 nights there. There was only one morning that it was open due to the holidays. We took advantage of the one morning and did some temple work. It was a great experience. 

Also in London we saw the musical performance of A Christmas Carol. It was magical with snow, and food and wonderful performances.  We sat next to a delightful couple, their grandson, and son. It was their second visit seeing the performance and they were sitting in the exact same seat.  We were actually on the stage.  Pete and I loved every minute of the performance.....such fun! 

Before the play we walked across the bridge covering the Thames River to my ancestors, Mary Ann Freeth & Samuel Oborne, who were married in the Parish of St Martin in the Fields. It was beautiful and right across from Trafalga Square.  We bought food at the Christmas market there and took pictures. Then, enjoyed our walk back to the theater. 

Temple Housing

Views while crossing London Bridge

St. Martin in the Field 

Marriage Place of Mary Ann Freeth and Samuel Oborn

Trafalga Square

The Old Vic Playhouse showing A Christmas Carol

The play, A Christmas Carol

We drove to a car park to leave the car. Then, we took the train into the city of London and out of the city of London.

Chichester

Chichester was the birth place of Nicholas John Nash in 1788. Another quaint little village with a gorgeous old cathedra called Chichester Cathedral and the Church where Nicholas was cristened was called, St. Pacreas Church..

Chichester Cathedral

Arundel

Arundel is where the duke of Norwich lives. It's a very "posch" town as they say in England. My ancestor, Ann Gumbrell, was born in this town. I'm not positive, but believe she was christened in the Saint Nicholas Church of Arundel. We had fun exploring the old, unique, and interesting town. 

The castle of Arundel where the duke of Norwich lives


Arundel Homes


Pete Having Fun

Coastal Cities-Littlehampton, Brighton, Seven Sisters, Hasting, & White Cliffs of Dover

Pete loves coastal cities so we went pretty far south to experience the beauty of these cities. The weather was clear but cold. They were all different but equally nice. 

LITTLEHAMPTON

                                               Rocky beaches with lots of little houses for rent.

My ancestor, Mary Page who married George Nash lived in Littlehampton. She was christened in the St. Mary of Littlehampton church. 

 

BRIGHTON

Brighton has a busy pier with lots of people. We were there in the evening with many lights along the walk. It was beautiful. 

                             The town of Brighton where we ate dinner. The lighted pier.

SEVEN SISTERS

This was an interesting coastal view. The white cliffs are called, the seven sisters. We talked to some people here who knew a little about the Church. Some brave swimmers asked us to take their picture while they swam in the freezing cold water.  

HASTINGS

Hastings is a very old fishing village. We loved it. 

                                         The tall buildings are where they hung their nets

                                                          Nice Beach

                                           Nice looking guy in the gray coat!

WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER

It was quite windy when we arrived here. There is a large port where people drive their cars aboard a ship for France. Unforunately, Dover Castle was closed. We did hike the mountainside to get a good view of the cliffs of Dover. 

                                              Overcast View of Dover Castle

                                                             Black beaches of Rock

                                                    Ships to France are on the Left

Lyminster

This was another ancestral site from my maternal line. John Nash married Ann Gumbrell here at St. Mary Magdalene Parish in 1788.

Salsbury

Pete's ancestor Frank Albert Jones was christened here. 

Baptistry

Newbury

My ancestor John Nash, was married in Newbury to Charlotte Burkett. Charlotte Burkett's mother was christened in 1805 in Newbury. Her name was Martha Hopson Burkett.  The church was called, St. Nicholas Church. 

Sunbury-on-Thames

Another Nash family ancestor, Nicholas John Nash lived in Sunbury on Thames.The address of the street was 80 Thames Street right across from the lovely old church, called St. Mary's Church. He lived here in 1851 and I'm assuming he probably attended the only church in the small town.  The lovely part of the church was the canal across the street. We saw lots of birds....swans and ducks of many varieties.

Street where Nicholas John Nash would have lived. John Nash, Nicholas' son was born in this town.

Nicholas John Nash was a Cord Wainer. I'm not sure what that means but his house sat right on the 

canal. 

Rye

Rye was listed as one of the most scenic sites in England. We decided it was worth a stop for us. It did not disappoint.  Rye was frozen in time as silt built up and the sea retreated in the 16th & 17th centuries leaving only a skinny waterway to remind it of better days. 

                                   A picture as we left the city with the castle in the left back.

 

  Mermaid street is the most famous street in town....lots of old old buildings on cobblestone roads.

                                                   Our lovely B&B in Rye

                                                       Entrance to Rye City

Another view of Mermaid Street

Pete found a horn for his train in Paris, Idaho. It was for sale in a small antique store.

Blean, Hernhill, Broughton Under Blean, & Challock

 All these towns were ancestoral sites for Pete. Robert Goodwin  and Stephen Butcher came from Blean. Thomas Fisher and Thomas Filmer were from Hernhill. William Smith was from Broughton Under Blean. Steven Butcher also lived in Challock. They were all born in the late 1780's and then immigrated to America. They come from the Croshaw line. 

HERNHILL

BROUGHTON UNDER BLEAN

CHALLOCK

Canterbury

We spent the night in Canterbury staying in another lovely B&B. It's one of England's most important religious destinations.  It's known for the grand cathedral which we forgot to get a picture. We didn't have much time to site see here. 

Our B&B gardens outside the room.

Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle is privately owned and quite expensive to enter. We had bargain tickets so decided to take the tour. It's beautiful and rennovated in a somewhat 1950's decorations. There is a huge mote around the castle and the gardens were beautiful.  It's 911 years old.  Construction started in 1119. Amazing old stuff in England. 

Hallaton, Glooston, & Burton Overy 

These are ancestoral sites for Vickie. The families that lived in these towns were, Job & Thomas Goodman, Keziah Miles Goodman, & Joseph Miles & William Miles. We loved all of these towns. They were all kind of close together and planted in the middle of some beautiful countryside. When we landed upon each town we both oohed and ahhed at the nice little villages that had appeared. Lovely, lovely, lovely! 

HALLATON

                                                            Hallaton Parish

We found these gravestones by chance. Don't know if they're related but Warner is a family name.

The Church door which was locked entered into the Parish where Kezekiah Miles Goodman was Christened.

The street where Job Goodman & Ann Miles lived.

A home in Hallaton

Street in Hallaton

GLOOSTON

William Anderston Warner was born in Glooston. He was christened in 1826 in the Parish of Glooston. William Warner was born, lived, & died in Glooston. He lived on 81 Market Street in 1851. There graves were supposed to be on the Church grounds but we couldn't find them. They were too worn to be visable. 

 This small church was a bit hidden. We asked an older couple about the church and they said it had been around for a long time. 

Homes in Glooston

The couple we talked with in Glooston told us the city center once resided in this huge field. 

BURTON OVERY

Robert Warner was married to Annn Jaques in Burton Overy. She was christened , married, and died in the town. 

                                   Burton Overy's St. Andrews Church

Baptistry

                                                      Beautiful little village with large homes.

THE END!!!

A very long tribute to our very fun trip to many areas in England. Now you can maybe understand what I meant when I said, 

When the cats away the mice will play!

Yes, we did a lot of playing while all the students and directors were away on holiday. We're so grateful they invited us to travel and learn about their country. We certainly did.

Now, we're grateful to be busily engaged with the YSA at the Leeds Institute of Religion. They'll all be here Monday night and we can't wait. 

Today, after Church they asked us to take a walk through the moors with them. We eagerly agreed. We ended up in a place called, Cow and Calf. It's a small mountain hike over rocks. It was much more than a walk.  Here's the last picture of our adventure in Cow and Calf. It's quite famous here. 

A few of our dear single adults (WE LOVE THEM!)