Monday, March 31, 2014

WILLIAMS AND DESHAZER

I love taking pictures when people don't know I am taking them. This photo was taken in Firth Park. We have been there a many times and parked right here on the street. These two missionaries are awesome and wonderful to work with. We just left an appointment just up the street from where this was taken. Elder DeShazer is getting transferred to Rotherham. Let's hope he finds more Slovaks to teach there.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

EIGHT DRESSED IN WHITE

Stefan (15) Patrik (9) Margarita (50) and Rosaria (13)
This is a part member family. Milan was baptized in February. Margarita and the children came to Milan's baptism and they felt the Spirit. Because of that the mother and children decided that they wanted to follow the example of Milan and be baptized. They started coming to Church and they were fellowshipped by the members. They don't have much but they trust God that everything will be alright. 
Elder Willimas, Frahm, Grimaldi, Allen and Sister Allen


Friday, March 28, 2014

VOGLI AND GRIMALDI



We worked with the Sheffield 1 Elders today. They kept us busy visiting a lady who had cancer, a less active and a resent convert. It was great to help people when every we can. Many times we learn more from them then they learn from us.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

CHESTERFIELD MARKET DAY



Jan had the week off so she invited us to go to the Chesterfield Market day. It is every week on Thursdays. Guess who we ran into? I guess the library is down there and the Elders were on their way to got do their Mormon.org time. It was so much fun going to the market that the following week we met the Elders there and went for BBQ. Jan was able to find 1940 bloomers. She is into reenactment for a 1940's group. Everything must be common to the 1940 era. Lucky for her she found these bloomers. I was looking for Royal Albert China. I found a few plates and salt and pepper shakers. Elder Allen was along for the ride. 


Wednesday, March 26, 2014

"A Mission is Both Salty and Sweet".

A Mission is Sweet and Salty

A mission is a grand experience.
It’s a trial and a test.
A mission throws at you the worst.
Yet teaches you the best.

I’ve never been so happy.
I’ve never been so depressed.
I’ve never felt so forsaken.
I’ve never felt so blessed.

I’ve never been so confused,
Things have never been so clear.
I’ve never felt Heavenly Father so distant,
Yet He’s never been so near.

I’ve never been so discouraged.
I’ve never been so full of hope.
I feel I could go forever!
I think I’ve reached the end of my rope!
I’ve never had it quite so easy.
I’ve never had it quite so tough.
Things have never been so smooth.
Things have never been so rough.

I’ve never traveled through more valleys.
I’ve never climbed so many peaks.
I’ve never met so many nice people.
I’ve never met so many freaks.

I’ve never had so many ups.
I’ve never had so many downs.
I’ve never worn so many smiles.
I’ve never worn so many frowns.

I’ve never been so lonely
I’ve never had so many friends
Boy, I hope this is over soon
Gosh, I hope it never ends!

Here is the link- it is by elder holland

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2000/03/cast-not-away-therefore-your-confidence?lang=eng&query=Elder+Jeffrey+R+Holland+Loop+give+Nodaway+vine+confidence

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

SERVICE

Elder Allen when to help the missionaries go finding. When they were leaving to go they started to talk to their neighbors. Their neighbors needed help so the missionaries dropped everything to help them with their concrete. Everyone was happy. 

Who says there is no rest for the weary?!

They slept on the hard floor last night in York. This morning they had a early meeting with the president. Once they got in the car to go home, they were all fast asleep within 10 minutes. They woke up when it was time to eat at McDonald's.
 Who says there is no rest for the weary?! 

Monday, March 24, 2014

I'M NOT CRAZY, I'M JUST TIRED

Have you ever fell asleep, woke up and didn't know where you were? I had one of those moments. Today was preparation day for the missionaries. We drove all over the place here in Sheffield, then to Doncaster and up to York and back. When we were in Doncaster we were waiting for the missionaries while they played ball. (Common thing for missionaries to do on P-day) Both Mark and I decided to take a little snooze while we waited. I pulled my hoodie over my head and fell fast asleep. The phone rang a little while later and woke me up. It's about 4:30 in the afternoon, and as I look around, I think to myself "Where in the heck am I? Here I am in this car, on this busy street, sleeping. How did I get here and what am I doing?" As I find the phone and answer it I hear a familiar voice. "Sister Allen, this is Elder Brown..." Then it hits me. I know who I am and why I am here. I'm a missionary just trying to help people. Thank goodness I'm not crazy but just a little tried.





Sunday, March 23, 2014

SHEFFIELD STAKE CONFERENCE - ELDER AXEL H. LEIMER

Bishop Holt (Worksop Ward)
When is the last time you were really scared? Bishop Holt talked about a time in the US when he rented a car. He had to fill it up with gas before returning. When he stopped for gas he had to pay with cash. He walked around the corner to a cash machine to get what he needed. This lady started talking to him. She told him to get out of there and run back to his car as fast as he could. This was not the place to be in. He was totally scared of the boys in the hood and needed to be rescued. Like him there are families out there that need rescuing that are less active. When he was a little boy his mother was not active in the church. She felt she needed to go back to church but did not know how. People had invited her to other churches but she wanted to go to her church. Members from her ward showed up and invited her back. Bishop Holt was baptized and later served a mission. Now he is a bishop. People just need to be loved and invited back. We are never lost to the Lord. The Lord knows who were are.


Elder Axel H. Leimer of the seventy
None of us are perfect and we learn that in the Book of Mormon. We become perfect through the atonement of Christ. We follow the spirit and meet up with others and it is all planned by the Savior. Miracles do happen. A man and his mother were praying and the doorbell rang. It was the missionaries. Out of small things, things become great.



Sheffield stake conference at the Doncaster Dome.

When our daughter Summer was set apart for her mission and all our family was at my home I thought "This must be Heaven." We were all sitting around talking and just enjoying each other's company. The Spirit was so strong and I totally at peace and enjoyed the spirit. It was magical. It was not long after that, that we too became missionaries in this great place called Sheffield.


Today I had that same magical feeling while greeting people for Stake Conference. We have our Slovak friends who came on the coach. There was about 45 of them in all. There were many new converts and some that have been members for a few years among the Slovaks. They loved having their picture taken and to me they were like royalty. 

When we left Sheffield about 8 a.m. we had Jan and Michael follow us in their car to the Doncaster Dome. This was their first stake conference and they've only been members for about a month. They were able to bring Robert and Sharon. Sharon is a less active member but her husband was being made High Priest today. Then there was Anna who had only been baptized only a week ago. She rode with Delphine and she also brought her daughter Sophie who's five. Delphene is a recently reactivated member. Sitting on the stand was Paul and Nikki. They have been members for about six or seven months and this was their first opportunity to speaking in the stake conference. Adriana was given the opening prayer. She is the branch presidents wife from the Slovak branch. She gave the prayer in English which is a miracle. It was truly an amazing magical feeling of the spirit and to feel the Love that our Heavenly Father has for us.




President Dundon

Listen to the spirit. It is a great feeling to see the saints gathered today. When he was called he had never had a stake calling before. He was able to look around and see us as one. Alma 31

34 O Lord, wilt thou grant unto us that we may have success in bringing them again unto thee in Christ.
35 Behold, O Lord, their souls are precious, and many of them are our brethren; therefore, give unto us, O Lord, power and wisdom that we may bring these, our brethren, again unto thee. (Book of Mormon, Alma, Chapter 31)
Come unto Christ
Your souls are precious
It is hard to express this. He has experience miracles. The spirit is real. Please have a pray in your heart.



Stake Patriarch Rennie Bell

Three are in the team that help sort the Patriarchal blessings. He gets all sores of people getting blessings.


Joshua Chew - Barnley Branch

3 For of him unto whom much is given much is required; and he who sins against the greater light shall receive the greater condemnation. (Doctrine and Covenants, Doctrine and Covenants, Section 82)
Missionary work bright his mother to the gospel 13 years ago. He is excited to serve The Lord. Papers are going in the end of the month.











Elder Alex H. Leimer

There are miracles all around us. Family History work can bless our young people. The Stephenson teach their family the gospel.

8 I came unto mine own, and mine own received me not; but unto as many as received me gave I power to do many miracles, and to become the sons of God; and even unto them that believed on my name gave I power to obtain eternal life. (Doctrine and Covenants, Doctrine and Covenants, Section 45)
The miracle is change in ourselves. Patriarchal blessings are special to you only. To the youth-Do you something's feel that your parents do not understand? They don't. They were raised a long time ago. Parents - are you involved with your children.
6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. (Old Testament, Malachi, Chapter 4)
All activities are directed to the family. It is an aid to help parents.
Richard G Scott - be protected by evil influences by seeking your ancestors. .



9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life— (Book of Mormon, Mosiah, Chapter 18)

Saturday, March 22, 2014

TYLER MONTEZ BAPTISM


Three weeks ago I got a message from Heather my cousin telling my her step-son Tyler was getting baptized. Just over two years ago a miracle happened when I met Heather. I had been doing Family History work and met Heather who is distant cousin through my dads side of the family. She was interested in finding out about our common "Merrill" ancestors. I sent her all the fabulous stories about our family crossing the plains and the faith it took to go to Utah. Their stories touched her heart and she was baptized in February 2012. Last year she went to the Mesa Temple for the first time. Mesa Temple is where our great grandmother worked for over 30 years. Heather was the only one in her family to join at that time. 


Tyler attended with her as often as he could. Something changed with Tyler and he went into his bishops office one Sunday and said he wanted to be baptized. I so wanted to be there for this wonderful day. I asked my family to FaceTime the baptism for me. It had been done before in this mission so why not try it in Arizona. It was perhaps the high light of my mission. To see my whole family there was truly amazing. I am so proud of Tyler and look forward to someday seeing him serve a mission. Miracles happen when you serve a mission.





 We are so happy for you Tyler. 

Monday, March 17, 2014

CITY OF SHEFFIELD

Elder DeShazer mom Jeanne sent me this about Sheffield. This is Sheffield

Sunday, March 16, 2014

MONGOLIAN DINNER

The sisters cooked us a Mongolian dinner.

Elder Allen did the dishes. (Sexy men do dishes) Three hours later the elders ate the leftovers. This was a perfect Sunday evening.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE





Anna got baptized on Saturday night. She is in an English ward. Of course it was amazing. Then we went teaching with Elder Krylborn and Elder Sindylek Saturday night. We were tired and didn't really want to do it but we did. It turned out to be a wonderful spiritual night. We went to two families of Slovaks. One family said that they had been praying that we would come there and we did. I am telling you the Slovak people are so humble and truly amazing people. It is some times like magical and sure real working with them. This family said they would walk the three miles to church on Sunday and they did. It was a Beautiful sunny day to walk to church today. The last family we went with will be baptized in on the 28th. The Father got baptized a month ago but we are waiting now for mom and three children. He played for us on his guitar and then we had a great conversation with his family. Both families showed up to church which is wonderful. 

CHICKENPOX - NEED I SAY MORE


Elder Brown, one of the Slovak speaking missionaries came down with chickenpox's. We spent Saturday afternoon watching movies with him so the others could go working. I suppose that's how we will spend P-day tomorrow also. He can't leave his flat and the only other place he can go is to our home. We spoil these missionaries so much. Elder Allen stopped by McDonald's on the way back to our flat to buy him lunch.