FAMILY HISTORY FAIR - ELSECAR - CHESTERFIELD OPEN HOUSE

Our day started out by going to the Family History Fair in Hillsborough. We could only stay for about an hour. While looking at the booths we ran into a lady that asked why we did not have a booth there at the Fair. She had seen our name tags and knew we were from the church. Last year they had a booth for us and no one showed up. We ran into Sister Smith our new Family History Missionary. They are going to take care of it so next year they will have a booth. 

 Outside the Family History Fair.

 Next we went to Elsecar Heritage Center. There is a two story building there with lots of china. This was not a good thing. Elder Allen became the founder of the Grumpy Old Mens Club after that. 

 Both Sister Wilson and I found more china to take home. Really not a good day for our husbands. 

Our next stop was down in Chesterfield where the ward was having an open house. It was fun to see their new building and visit with the missionaries. I love this statue out by the street of a young family. It shows that we love families.

Driving to Chesterfield we say this sign in a town called "Harley". Our new granddaughter is going to be born this week and her name is going to be Harley. What a cute sign.

 Then we drive by a Harley Inn and Restaurant. It must be a sign that Harley will be born today. 

The baptismal font has this beautiful window that over looks the city of Chesterfield. I hope they never build anything next to the church and block their view.

 Sister Cunningham is from Scotland. She is always so happy and I love to hear her talk. 

Opposition in all things. With everything good there is something bad. Today at the open house we had people show up with signs against our church. Can you see the yellow and blue signs. No big deal.

 This is Charlotte one of the young women from Chesterfield ward. We have become good friends on FB.

 On our way home we stopped for a bit to eat, We drive by the Belfry all the time and say some day we will stop and eat here. Today was the day.

 When we drive by we always look to see if this table is taken because we call it our table. Silly, I know. 

We enjoyed talking to a lovely couple outside the Belfry. They had a little girl who showed us how to ride a scooter. She was six and an only child. Her parents said they were going to be getting married next year. I asked them what they were waiting for? Destination wedding was their answer and they want to do it right. I understood that. 

DELPHINE

This is my friend Delphine. I helped her with her family history. Delphine's aunt past away while their were on vacation in Scotland last month. Her aunt lived in a 200 year old family home that Delphine has to sort out. In her cleaning she has come across all sorts of old photos and a family bible. They are all very interesting to look at. We hope to get some names ready for the temple. 

ELDER BROWN'S BIRTHDAY

Today was Elder Brown's birthday and he turned 19. Thank goodness for the age change for missionaries. If it had not changed he would just be leaving for his mission but instead he has been out 10 months. We celebrated his birthday was a caterpillar cake.

He also taught a great district meeting today. His grandmother sent him this quote. We are not sure of the author but we do know it was given by an elder in Africa. 

Convinced, converted and consecrated

"In the gospel, many times we see members or missionaries who are convinced, those who are converted, and those who are consecrated. Those who are convinced give what they can when it's convenient for them, those who are converted have a strong testimony and always do what they're asked, but those who are consecrated understand the ways of The Lord sufficient to do many good things of their own free will. They understand what the Lords wants them to do without being told, they give of their time, talents, mind, heart, strength, everything because they love The Lord and his church. They are those who always are obedient to the small and simple things that help us remain faithful in life, and help those around them to do the same as well"

Elder in Africa

9 But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul. (Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi, Chapter 32)

1. Identifying - what you need to work on.

Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established. (Old Testament, Proverbs, Chapter 16:3)

2. Jumping in - starting doing them.

3. Staying there - keep doing them. Give him everything.

CATS

We went over to Arnie's house to help fellowship her and her kids. This week there has been no school so her daughter was home. Sophie, her daughter has two cats that had kittens. The elder's like having the cats hang on their ties. We tried to teaching Sophie about the prayer of prayer. It is hard to keep her attention long enough to teach a concept. I'm afraid she was more interested in the cats, 

BANK HOLIDAY WITH MICHAEL AND JAN

Bank holidays in England mean a three-day weekend with the opportunity to relax at home, or travel a bit further than usual to a tourist attraction or to see friends and relatives. So there’s always a strong hope for good weather and uncongested roads. We went with Michael and Jan to go to Chesterfield to the market. 

 Here is the a hat I found that looked like a Sherlock Holmes cap.  

Everyone wears these BRIGHT colored jackets to work in, play it and run in. I would not be found died in them. but they sure light them.

 Jan looking at plant for her garden. The plants were one pound each which I thought was a good price. 

 I also bought more Royal Albert china. Elder Allen says I am done with that. We shall see. 

HOW TO TIE A TIE

Many of the members of the branch are new to the church. Very few have ever owned suits or tied a tie. Elder Allen was help Peter so he could help with the Sacrament today. Just look how proud Peter is. I just love these people.

SCARBOROUGH CASTLE

Scarborough Castle is built on a cliff between two bays. There are sheer drops to the sea and only a narrow landward approach up to the castle. Special construction viewing platforms on the battlements offered a panoramic view to the sea. Long before the castle was built the land fortress was favored by prehistoric settlers, and later house the Romans.

I found it interesting that the first settlements to Scarborough was about 800 B.C. I try to put things into terms I can relate to. 600 B.C. is when Lehi left Jerusalem which means the first settlement happened here 200 years before.  

This is looking out toward the North Sea. A church was built here and there are many graves. 

Looking back toward the castle. I had my hood on because it was misty and wet. 

I guess plants can grow anywhere here in England. Even right out of a brick wall.

These fellows are part of a re-enactment group which made the whole day worthwhile. 

I got us hot choc and a scone with clotted cream and jam. I thought the scone was going to be hard and dry. It turned out to be so moist and tasted so good. What is clotted cream? It looks a little like butter but tasted sweeter than butter. It taste like thick cream.Wikipedia says, "Clotted cream is a thick cream made by indirectly heating full-cream cow's milk using steam or a water bath and then leaving it in shallow pans to cool slowly. During this time, the cream content rises to the surface and forms "clots" or "clouts." It forms an essential part of a cream tea." It is so good!

We watch these games going on, on the field. There were four team of Red, Blue, Green and Yellow or Gold. Each team had a knight with a horse on his head. The object is to knock off the horse off the knight's head. I found it interesting and fun to watch. The Blue Northern team won, of course.

 Anne Bronte, novelist and poet  is buried here. 

 The drive back to Sheffield was breath taking after the rain. The cloud were low in the sky and very fluffy. 

 These flower bushes are everywhere. It is so different from the desert back in Arizona. 

BRIDLINGTON - COUPLES OUTING

Bridlington is a seaside market town. Being by the coast of the North Sea it rains a lot. As it turned out it rained bucket most of today so the market vendors were few. We walked through the town and down to the pier. Rain or shine the sea air smelled good. 

Gibb's, Smith's Iverson's, Wilson's and Allen's

We stopped for Fish and Chips. They always look and smell good but afterwards we have to ask ourselves "Why did we eat them?" I guess it is because we are in England.

 This is as close as I got to the ice cream

Look, we are starting a new business here in Bridlington.