Entire group at NDPA Conference in Manchester, England
Rex and Vicky with Elder Gorts, an Area Seventy from Germany
Post Office in Downham, England
Rex and Vicky beside one of the homes in Downham.
Another home in Downham, England.
Jane Holzer by the River Ribble (first baptism site in England)
Vicky and Rex walking beside River Ribble.
"First Latter-day Saints" plaque in Preston, England.
Rex walking where the Apostles walked.
Our group walking where the Apostles walked in Preston, England.
Vicky and Rex in front of the Preston England Temple.
Jesper Paulsen of Denmark, Leif Mattsson of Sweden, Sidsel and Espen Amundsen of Norway, Vicky and Rex, Ville-Matti Karumo of Finland (us with the NDPA's in the Nordic countries)
Rex by ruins in Fell Foot Park in Newby Bridge
Countryside in The Lakes District of England.
Beside William Wadsworth home.
In front of Dove Cottage, home of William Wadsworth.
Beautiful countryside with slate fences along road near Kendal, England.
Castlerigg Stone Circle near Keswick.
Waterfalls near Honister Pass.
Honister Slate Mine.
3,000 foot pass above Windermere.
Oldest breed of sheep in England -- herdswick!
Keswick Town Square.
Overlooking Derwentwater.
Overlooking Friar's Crag.
On our way to the waterfalls.
Rex in front of waterfall known as Aira Force.
Bed and Breakfast in Windermere called Briardene where we stayed.
What a spiritual lift we received as we attended our Stockholm Zone Conference today. One of the elders spoke about our responsibilities and stewardships. He said that the Lord will ask us one day, “What have you done with your little part of the garden that I have given you to tend?” Sister Anderson quoted one of the general authorities who said, “Each of us should hope to say at the end of our lives: ‘Glad I did, not wish I had’”. President Anderson told us that the Holy Ghost likes lists and maps, then he can help us with what we pray about. The Spirit doesn’t tell us what we can figure out for ourselves. After we have worked and studied, then the Spirit whispers to our heart what is right.. You cannot teach by the spirit until you plan what you are going to teach. President Anderson asked Rex and me to take a few minutes and share what is happening in our Public Affairs mission right now and bear our testimonies. Elder Per Malm emailed us tonight that we are doing an excellent job and he knows it couldn’t have been done without our expert help. It made us feel very good and worthwhile. Daily we are fielding emails from the 5 Nordic Countries into Ed Blaser and Per Malm.
Rex by ruins in Fell Foot Park in Newby Bridge
Countryside in The Lakes District of England.
Beside William Wadsworth home.
In front of Dove Cottage, home of William Wadsworth.
Beautiful countryside with slate fences along road near Kendal, England.
Castlerigg Stone Circle near Keswick.
Waterfalls near Honister Pass.
Honister Slate Mine.
3,000 foot pass above Windermere.
Oldest breed of sheep in England -- herdswick!
Keswick Town Square.
Overlooking Derwentwater.
Overlooking Friar's Crag.
On our way to the waterfalls.
Rex in front of waterfall known as Aira Force.
Bed and Breakfast in Windermere called Briardene where we stayed.What a spiritual lift we received as we attended our Stockholm Zone Conference today. One of the elders spoke about our responsibilities and stewardships. He said that the Lord will ask us one day, “What have you done with your little part of the garden that I have given you to tend?” Sister Anderson quoted one of the general authorities who said, “Each of us should hope to say at the end of our lives: ‘Glad I did, not wish I had’”. President Anderson told us that the Holy Ghost likes lists and maps, then he can help us with what we pray about. The Spirit doesn’t tell us what we can figure out for ourselves. After we have worked and studied, then the Spirit whispers to our heart what is right.. You cannot teach by the spirit until you plan what you are going to teach. President Anderson asked Rex and me to take a few minutes and share what is happening in our Public Affairs mission right now and bear our testimonies. Elder Per Malm emailed us tonight that we are doing an excellent job and he knows it couldn’t have been done without our expert help. It made us feel very good and worthwhile. Daily we are fielding emails from the 5 Nordic Countries into Ed Blaser and Per Malm.
Kyle emailed us tonight that after the ultrasound today they are having twin girls. He said he is preparing for a lot of estrogen around their home.
Early the morning of September 19 we flew to Manchester, England for an NDPA seminar (National Director of Public Affairs). We had 20 European countries represented with their NDPA as we met together for 3 days. When we arrived on Friday, we boarded a bus for a tour of the Church History sites in Preston, England in 1837. We visited the site of the first sermon preached in England in Preston, which was the first ward organized in Europe and the oldest still operating church unit in the world. We saw the place on the River Ribble where the first baptisms were performed July 30, 1837 and walked the ground where the Apostles walked. The mission to England was so successful that, at one point, there were more members in England than in the US (about 1849). All members were encouraged to immigrate to strengthen the Church in America – which most of them did. We saw several other small towns in the Ribble Valley area, and walked the streets of Downham, a small village that has been kept as it was in the 1800s (see picture below). We were read a very moving account from Wilford Woodruff’s Journal about saying good-bye to the saints in this town, and both he and they weeping at the parting. The whole area is lovely – like out of a storybook or travel poster. We felt the Spirit of the Lord as we heard Elder Woodruff’s words.
Then we drove to the Preston Temple and attended an endowment session. It is a lovely temple with wonderful people attending to our needs, and some of the most beautiful landscaping that I have seen anywhere.
Early the morning of September 19 we flew to Manchester, England for an NDPA seminar (National Director of Public Affairs). We had 20 European countries represented with their NDPA as we met together for 3 days. When we arrived on Friday, we boarded a bus for a tour of the Church History sites in Preston, England in 1837. We visited the site of the first sermon preached in England in Preston, which was the first ward organized in Europe and the oldest still operating church unit in the world. We saw the place on the River Ribble where the first baptisms were performed July 30, 1837 and walked the ground where the Apostles walked. The mission to England was so successful that, at one point, there were more members in England than in the US (about 1849). All members were encouraged to immigrate to strengthen the Church in America – which most of them did. We saw several other small towns in the Ribble Valley area, and walked the streets of Downham, a small village that has been kept as it was in the 1800s (see picture below). We were read a very moving account from Wilford Woodruff’s Journal about saying good-bye to the saints in this town, and both he and they weeping at the parting. The whole area is lovely – like out of a storybook or travel poster. We felt the Spirit of the Lord as we heard Elder Woodruff’s words.
Then we drove to the Preston Temple and attended an endowment session. It is a lovely temple with wonderful people attending to our needs, and some of the most beautiful landscaping that I have seen anywhere.
Saturday our meetings started. We had an address by Elder Frerich Gorts, an Area Seventy. There was a presentation by Michael Smart (BYU Public Information Director) that was excellent. He does several of these a year for national business firms – it was most helpful. We discussed Mormon Helping Hands – which is used here as a Public Relations effort – doing community service, often across the country, and sometimes in building the image of the Church.
Saturday evening we rode in a bus to see the Blackpool Illumination – an annual event in the city of Blackpool right along the beach. It reminded us of Las Vegas. We had traditional Fish and Chips, wrapped in paper, but were late getting to the restaurant due to traffic, so we stood outside to eat. While standing there, a young man in his early 20’s decided to pull down his pants and streak through our group. His buddies on the opposite side of the street thought it was very funny. Let’s just say -- the evening was an experience! It was midnight when we got back to the hotel.
Sunday we had our own Sacrament Meeting under the direction of Elder Gorts of the Seventy. He directed the music with such enthusiasm and vigor as we sang a’cappella. You could tell he loved to sing. I felt the spirit so strongly in this sacrament meeting in the Radisson Hotel. The sacrament was passed and four of the NDPA’s were asked to bear their testimonies. The food and people were great. What a blessing to serve among such dedicated, spiritual, uplifting people who are trying to serve the Lord with all their hearts, might, and mind.
We checked out of the hotel about 3 p.m. and rented a car to drive to Northern England and visit The Lakes District. This in itself was an experience. Rex has never driven in England and the steering wheel is on the right hand side of the car, you drive on the left hand side of the road, and shift gears with your left hand. These were all foreign to Rex and me, but I wasn’t driving, thank goodness. I was a nervous wreck by the time we arrived in Windermere at 5:00 p.m. because Rex had run over the curb 3 times and I was afraid he was going to hit something. We found a Bed and Breakfast to stay in that was 30 pounds per night per person. For the two nights we were there, it cost us $240, which isn’t bad for England. The B&B was called Briardene. We parked the car and walked to the town centre where we enjoyed seeing the unique buildings, most made of slate. I checked out possible tours so Rex didn’t have to drive, which was a great idea.
Our little B&B was great! We woke up and had our choice of breakfasts, then called to schedule our tour of the many lakes and surrounding area. The tour bus picked us up at the B&B and we, along with 9 Japanese and Taiwanese people, headed out for the day. The driver talked non-stop and zoomed through the countryside barely missing cars and fences along the way. We say many different breeds of sheep, cattle, slate fences and buildings, took a ride on one of the lakes, saw William Wadsworth’s home “Dove Cottage,” Ashness Bridge (the most photographed and famous bridge in England), ate lunch in Keswick, and even had time to shop and found a winter coat on sale for Rex. The lush hillside is covered with slate fences in various patterns with numerous trees and lakes, waterfalls, etc. We ascended a high mountain pass over 2500 feet (this is high for England) where we toured the Honister Slate Mine. When we returned back to the B&B at 6 p.m., we felt our day was a huge success!
We checked out of the B&B and ventured on with Rex at the wheel. We had no map so really didn’t know where we were going. The roads are so narrow you have to stop at various points to let people pass you. The roads are built for mini coopers, not even a small European car. The roads are lined on both sides with tall slate fences, which can do a world of damage, if hit. We did make our way to Newby Bridge, Fell Foot Park, and a few other attractions. We gave up on finding the Castle as the GPS system tried to have us turn where there was no road. I was trying a third time to direct Rex according to the road signs, but he missed the turn again, so we gave up.
On our way back to the airport, we stopped again at the Preston Temple for some more pictures and to visit the MTC there on the temple grounds. They have 37 missionaries this session, with 62 coming in a few weeks. The capacity is 108 missionaries. We visited with 4 elders we saw and they were just excited to get on to their assigned areas.
We arrived home about 12:30 a.m. to our apartment, but were unable to get in. The landlord had hired a carpenter to replace our kitchen floor, resurface some hardwood floors in the entry and kitchen table area, and replace some cupboard doors, etc. He had locked the top lock and we didn’t have a key to get in. I hesitatingly called our landlord, who happened to be in Portugal. He said he would call his wife to let us in. She arrived about 15 minutes later on her bike at 1:00 a.m. to let us. I know we got her out of bed, but we didn’t have much choice if we didn’t want to sleep on the floor by our apartment door. I immediately started cleaning as there was sawdust everywhere in all the rooms. It was after 2:30 a.m. when I got to bed. However, I could hardly go to sleep as it was past my normal sleep time.
When we woke up and tried to go out our door, we found the latch broken and we could not go out. Rex climbed out the little kitchen window and walked around to the door to open it. We had to tape a piece of paper over the place where the door closes so we could get out again. I called our landlord again and within 3 hours, he had the carpenter back who fixed the door. He told us this had happened to him. Why didn’t he fix it them, we asked ourselves? He knew it would be the same for us. I’m not sure how Swede’s think!
I was just helping Rex with the door when Sister Anderson, the mission president’s wife, called me to see if we could come to Vasterhaninge at 2 p.m. to prepare the food and serve 40 missionaries for a reception. We have 20 Russian missionaries living in temple housing trying to get their Visa’s renewed. I’m sure you have heard of the situation in Russia. It was a privilege to help and serve where needed. By the time we had everything prepared, served, and cleaned up, it was 6:30 p.m. We arrived back at our apartment about 7:30 p.m. ready to put our feet up for a few hours.
The couple from Russian who are accompanying the missionaries asked us if we would do a fireside for the Russian missionaries Friday night, so we graciously accepted. I am excited to spend time with the missionaries any time at all.
Saturday we are going to a SA conference about 1 ½ hours away to take pictures and write an article for the country website. Sunday we are speaking in the Marsta Branch, and so the weeks go.
Saturday evening we rode in a bus to see the Blackpool Illumination – an annual event in the city of Blackpool right along the beach. It reminded us of Las Vegas. We had traditional Fish and Chips, wrapped in paper, but were late getting to the restaurant due to traffic, so we stood outside to eat. While standing there, a young man in his early 20’s decided to pull down his pants and streak through our group. His buddies on the opposite side of the street thought it was very funny. Let’s just say -- the evening was an experience! It was midnight when we got back to the hotel.
Sunday we had our own Sacrament Meeting under the direction of Elder Gorts of the Seventy. He directed the music with such enthusiasm and vigor as we sang a’cappella. You could tell he loved to sing. I felt the spirit so strongly in this sacrament meeting in the Radisson Hotel. The sacrament was passed and four of the NDPA’s were asked to bear their testimonies. The food and people were great. What a blessing to serve among such dedicated, spiritual, uplifting people who are trying to serve the Lord with all their hearts, might, and mind.
We checked out of the hotel about 3 p.m. and rented a car to drive to Northern England and visit The Lakes District. This in itself was an experience. Rex has never driven in England and the steering wheel is on the right hand side of the car, you drive on the left hand side of the road, and shift gears with your left hand. These were all foreign to Rex and me, but I wasn’t driving, thank goodness. I was a nervous wreck by the time we arrived in Windermere at 5:00 p.m. because Rex had run over the curb 3 times and I was afraid he was going to hit something. We found a Bed and Breakfast to stay in that was 30 pounds per night per person. For the two nights we were there, it cost us $240, which isn’t bad for England. The B&B was called Briardene. We parked the car and walked to the town centre where we enjoyed seeing the unique buildings, most made of slate. I checked out possible tours so Rex didn’t have to drive, which was a great idea.
Our little B&B was great! We woke up and had our choice of breakfasts, then called to schedule our tour of the many lakes and surrounding area. The tour bus picked us up at the B&B and we, along with 9 Japanese and Taiwanese people, headed out for the day. The driver talked non-stop and zoomed through the countryside barely missing cars and fences along the way. We say many different breeds of sheep, cattle, slate fences and buildings, took a ride on one of the lakes, saw William Wadsworth’s home “Dove Cottage,” Ashness Bridge (the most photographed and famous bridge in England), ate lunch in Keswick, and even had time to shop and found a winter coat on sale for Rex. The lush hillside is covered with slate fences in various patterns with numerous trees and lakes, waterfalls, etc. We ascended a high mountain pass over 2500 feet (this is high for England) where we toured the Honister Slate Mine. When we returned back to the B&B at 6 p.m., we felt our day was a huge success!
We checked out of the B&B and ventured on with Rex at the wheel. We had no map so really didn’t know where we were going. The roads are so narrow you have to stop at various points to let people pass you. The roads are built for mini coopers, not even a small European car. The roads are lined on both sides with tall slate fences, which can do a world of damage, if hit. We did make our way to Newby Bridge, Fell Foot Park, and a few other attractions. We gave up on finding the Castle as the GPS system tried to have us turn where there was no road. I was trying a third time to direct Rex according to the road signs, but he missed the turn again, so we gave up.
On our way back to the airport, we stopped again at the Preston Temple for some more pictures and to visit the MTC there on the temple grounds. They have 37 missionaries this session, with 62 coming in a few weeks. The capacity is 108 missionaries. We visited with 4 elders we saw and they were just excited to get on to their assigned areas.
We arrived home about 12:30 a.m. to our apartment, but were unable to get in. The landlord had hired a carpenter to replace our kitchen floor, resurface some hardwood floors in the entry and kitchen table area, and replace some cupboard doors, etc. He had locked the top lock and we didn’t have a key to get in. I hesitatingly called our landlord, who happened to be in Portugal. He said he would call his wife to let us in. She arrived about 15 minutes later on her bike at 1:00 a.m. to let us. I know we got her out of bed, but we didn’t have much choice if we didn’t want to sleep on the floor by our apartment door. I immediately started cleaning as there was sawdust everywhere in all the rooms. It was after 2:30 a.m. when I got to bed. However, I could hardly go to sleep as it was past my normal sleep time.
When we woke up and tried to go out our door, we found the latch broken and we could not go out. Rex climbed out the little kitchen window and walked around to the door to open it. We had to tape a piece of paper over the place where the door closes so we could get out again. I called our landlord again and within 3 hours, he had the carpenter back who fixed the door. He told us this had happened to him. Why didn’t he fix it them, we asked ourselves? He knew it would be the same for us. I’m not sure how Swede’s think!
I was just helping Rex with the door when Sister Anderson, the mission president’s wife, called me to see if we could come to Vasterhaninge at 2 p.m. to prepare the food and serve 40 missionaries for a reception. We have 20 Russian missionaries living in temple housing trying to get their Visa’s renewed. I’m sure you have heard of the situation in Russia. It was a privilege to help and serve where needed. By the time we had everything prepared, served, and cleaned up, it was 6:30 p.m. We arrived back at our apartment about 7:30 p.m. ready to put our feet up for a few hours.
The couple from Russian who are accompanying the missionaries asked us if we would do a fireside for the Russian missionaries Friday night, so we graciously accepted. I am excited to spend time with the missionaries any time at all.
Saturday we are going to a SA conference about 1 ½ hours away to take pictures and write an article for the country website. Sunday we are speaking in the Marsta Branch, and so the weeks go.
