Number Sixty-Five and Moving Ahead

One more week has come and gone.  They seem to go so fast.  Actually we are feeling a little relieved today.

We had a stake (London Wandsworth) come to us and ask us to teach all their leadership about family history.  They we willing to call all the Bishops, High Priest Group Leaders, Elder's Quorum Presidencies, Relief Society Presidencies, youth leaders, mission leaders, etc., etc. and have them come to a two hour training on a Saturday morning.  We stewed and fretted and practiced and continued to revise our presentation until the last minute.

Worker in the Archives

Worker - Making Copies

We called the member of the stake presidency that we had been working with and asked if he had some equipment for us to use.  We also asked if he could produce a few handouts for the attendees.  In the process of his agreeing, we asked how many he thought would be there -- he said maybe 20 or 30. Members don't show up, he said, to meetings like this. We had almost 50 and every ward in the stake was represented except the Spanish speaking branch.  We felt pretty good about our presentations and it took us all of the two hours that we were allotted.  We had worked pretty hard on putting a massive powerpoint together and had tried to get all the latest information from the Church to share.  There will be lots of followup to do and several more opportunities to teach and train.

Instructor of Stake Leaders

Wandsworth Stake Leaders

Monday was part of the Easter holiday and there wasn't a lot of things open around here.  Most of the rest of the week was spent with the usual -- helping in the family history centre, tutoring the centre staff, shopping cleaning, etc.  Powerpoint was the key word for the week.  Wednesday and Saturday were the big days.

Wednesday was probably our busiest day.  Elder Smart did a daytime presentation to a group of 21 from U3A (University of the Third Age), kind of a learning opportunity for oldies.  In the evening we had two appointments -- a conference call with family history leaders and a home teaching/baby visit to the Goodlets whose new born baby was introduced to us.  Cute; cute; cute.  Jonas Goodlet.

Goodletts & Son

Missionary - Goodlet Baby

Thursday and Friday were both powerpoint days along with other miscellaneous activities.

Of course, the best day is still Sunday.  We get to meet with the members and enjoy their spirit.  We probably said it before, but we sure do love our ward and the members are wonderful (in the Queen's English -- "BRILLIANT")

Have we said before that we also have a "Brilliant" family. We miss you all so much and are starting to get a little more excited about returning home.  We get excited about accomplishments of our kids and grandkids. We get excited about family successes.  We get excited about opportunities to teach and share.

Until our next time of writing we bear witness that the work of the Lord is moving ahead and that we are so happy to be here in His service.

Love to you all,

Mom and Dad, Grandma and Grandpa, Annie and Paul, Sister and Elder Smart

Ugly Archive Bird