Monday, January 30, 2017

Elders, etc.

The 10th of January, Elder Hart - after serving 10 months on Guernsey - was transferred to Bideford; his replacement is Elder Hernandez from Mexico, who speaks really good English, and just has 3 months left in his mission.


When the regular and Tri-Zone Meetings take place at the Stake Center in Poole England, our Elders watch via the church's Cisco System.  Sometimes the sound cuts out, or the picture fades away, and occasionally it stops all together...then they have to call in on a FaceTime connection.  But generally there is great teachings and helps for the work from these meetings.


                                                          Preparation Day hair cuts :)



Flowers now blooming in our front hedge  - in January :)

Buses, Christmas, Zone Leaders, etc.

Guernsey has a fairly good bus system that makes stops along the major streets around the island. We are amazed at the bus drivers, as they maneuver their bus around tight corners and down the narrow streets.  Often times, they have to "mount the pavement" (drive onto the sidewalk) in order to pass by oncoming traffic.  On the most narrow streets, even cars have to do the same to avoid crashing side mirrors.                            This is a picture of a bus on a wider main street.


On Christmas Day, in the evening, our doorbell rang; there stood Manuel - with a black plastic bag over his shoulder, his smile wider than ever - and he shouted "Merry Christmas."  He came in, and proceeded to reach into his bag and bring out a box of cereal for each of the Elders.
He's such a fun man; he is from Madeira, and speaks his own kind of  Portuguese English :)
His sweet wife is from Thailand, and her English is unique also.  They both have the biggest, brightest smiles, and are so kind to everyone.  The branch members love them a bunch.

Christmas Dinner with Elder Aguiar (Canada), Elder Hardy (St.George,UT),
Elder Albacite (Belgium), Elder Hart (Salt Lake City)


The Zone Leaders came to visit the 2nd weekend in January.  They trained and did splits with our Elders.   Sunday dinner was fun, getting to know them.  The tall Elder on the far right is 24 years old; joined the church a year before his mission.  He's an amazing leader.     


This is a couple we're working with; Mark is a member, and his partner Tina is being taught the gospel by the Elders.   We took them out to dinner on her birthday.   They both were born and raised in Guernsey.  They like Elvis Presley music, and a few years ago took a trip to America to visit Memphis and see museums, etc. of the history of his music and life.
Mark works in a wood manufacturing plant.   They are lovely, sweet folks.