Week 56.....the work moves forward

We have been going, going and going this week   We worked most of the previous week together on an outline of what we both felt should be presented at the missionary zone conferences.  We tried to listen to spiritual direction so that we could spend the 1/2 hour that we were allotted most effectively covering what we felt was of most importance.  Monday, Elder Smart spent most of the day finalizing the power point while Sister Smart took care of the duties around the flat.  Tuesday we set off early to Poole, Dorset for our first Zone conference presentation.

The trip there was a little nerve racking.  We were on unknown roads and the rain kept coming down.  The car was acting up and actually stalled twice on us on the way there.  We arrived only 4 minutes before the conference was supposed to start.  The office managers were very relieved when we arrived because we were the first assigned speakers.  It would not have been such a concern to them except that the Mission President and his wife had not yet arrived and they knew we could start while everyone waited for them.  It all turned out ok, since our leaders arrived just on time and were able to start the meeting themselves.

Zone Conference in Poole

Conference was wonderful. The spirit was strong and all our concerns about if we were teaching what the Lord wanted us to present were calmed. All of the speakers were definitely directed from the same source on high.  It was as if we had all worked together to plan our presentations.  It was obvious that the real organizer of the conference was the Lord.

Poole Chapel

 Birthday song to birthday missionaries

4 Staines friends united in Poole

Same friends in Staines 3 months ago.

   Notice Halo over Elder Smart






We spent the night in Poole and arose for an English breakfast served at the Blue Shutter B & B.  We were waiting at the door of the Dorset Family History Society, The Tree Tops for it to open.  We looked at marriage and death indexes.  We learned from some of their local history books that Robert Major was a city council member and had a business with the city mayor and other prominent men. We learned  about the

The Tree Tops (Dorset Family History Society)

Presbyterian Church on Hill Street, where the Major's attended Church.  We learned that there was a disagreement of doctrine and  another congregation split off from the Hill Street Church.  We don't think that had an impact on the Hill Street Major's.  We learned that there was a gap in records of the Hill Street Church probably due to the lack of a church appointed clergy during this time.  Members of the congregation had to step forward to keep the church going.  These missing records are at the time that Elder Smart's Major ancestors would have been there.

Maps in Poole History Centre

We then went to the Poole History Centre, another repository in the Poole area. We found maps that pinpointed the area that Robert Major had probably had his rope works business. Clues were found that we will follow up on to possibly learn more.

Quaint street in downtown Poole

Boat Dock at Poole

Short People's Door on old Poole Building

 We then traveled to Winchester and the Hampshire Record Office. Time was spent searching wills, marriages and deaths.  For all of the old Beatles fans we visited the Winchester Cathedral. 

Winchester Cathedral

Side View of Winchester Cathedral

Close-up - Side of "old" Cathedral

We made it safely home and Elder Smart set right into preparing power points for the "Who Do You Think You Are Conference."  He was informed on Monday what topics he was to speak about at the conference and had not had any time to prepare the power points.  The conference is one of the biggest family history conferences in Europe. It took place in downtown London on Thursday, Friday and Saturday.  We spent all day on Thursday there.  Both of us helped people find their ancestors on the computers and helped teach the attendees about FamilySearch.  Elder Smart gave two class presentations and of course impressed everyone.

Elder Smart Teaches

Friday we started early for the Zone Conference in Staines.  Once again it was a very uplifting conference and Elder Smart did his presentation with Sister Smart adding her testimony.  We left early to be back to the Who Do You Think You Are Conference in London.  We spent the afternoon there; Elder Smart presenting 2 classes again and both of us working with patrons on the computers.

Saturday came and we left early again for the WDYTYA conference.  It was busy.  Elder Smart taught 3 classes and Sister Smart spent the entire day teaching patrons on the computer.  A year ago, Sister Smart was unable to do any more than work as a  greeter at the  reception desk of this same conference.  This year she was much more confident and skilled in her rendering help.  We are both amazed at her growth in her genealogical research skills.  She was able to help just like a professional this year!

FamilySearch booth - Annie at computer

At the end of the Conference we had to catch the bus and train home and quickly drive back to help transport computers and other items from the conference to The London Family History Centre at The National Archives.  It was late before we got home.  We were both exhausted.







Sunday, we once again, enjoyed attending our Staines Ward and teaching the Temple Preparation class.

We love serving the Lord and we love being here in England.  We also love and miss all of you very much.  Our prayers are with you and hope you will keep us in your prayers.

Love you,


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

ps Thought we might share a couple of pictures sent to us by one of the kids:

ppss  Did we mention how much we love pictures of the kids???