New, Old and Beautiful!!

District

Something happened to the writing when we posted this so here we go again. These are a few pictures we have taken as we have traveled around. We came across the tree as we drove through a farming area. The Castle walls are on the top of the hill in Abergavenny. The story is that it was built by the Welch to protect themselfs as the English tried to take over. The cars are the ones provided for us by the Mission. Sure they are, Ha Ha!!! The group picture is our district with President Ogden just before transfers. We lost four of our Elders. Sorry about the two pictures which are the same. My expertise showing. The group in green is the district after the football (Soccer) game at Mission Football Day.

Just in case you think that all we do is sight see let me tell you about a few of the people we are visiting.

Ann Cheshire: An older single woman. She has been a member for a long time. She was very active for many years but somehow has drifted away. We have visited her several times and she loves to have us come. We really believe we can do some good with her. She loves to serve us tea (non-caffiene) and crumpets when come.

Mathew Gregory: Only member of his family. He joined almost 2 years ago and was doing real well. Then he ran into something he has trouble accepting and stopped attending. We have visited with him and he wants to discuss the things with us. A very sharp guy.

Hope Early: A single mother with two children. The Elders were teaching her but decided they needed to back off so we took over. We have visited several times and she has had all of the first discussion. She has no background in religion so we will have to go slow. She did say the prayer on the food when she had us over for dinner. Very simple but nice prayer. It was very hard for her, but we were proud of her for doing it.

We have visited several others as well and have hopes to make head way with some of them.

Input from Sister Henry: I am making Christmas stockings for all the elders that we do flat inspections for. We usually take them a treat when we inspect their flats. I had a hard time finding Christmas fabric--especially anything very cute or novelty to it. Finally found some at a little shop that has teddy bears and snowmen on it. I am having fun making them. The mission home gave me a sewing machine to use when we got here (a nice one that works well) and it has been put to good use several times mending the elders pants, etc.

We had an interview with the Stake President Sunday and he is calling us to work with the Young Single Adults in the Stake. They have just opened a YSA Center in Cheltenham, which is about an hour from Hereford. We will go there one day a week and help them in any way we can. Just mentoring, advising, doing some cooking, and some music stuff, and teaching an occasional Institute class. We are excited and looking forward to this calling. Should be fun.

Sister Henry is of course playing the piano. She accompanied the women at Ward Conference Sunday. She will play for the Primary Program this Sunday and fills in for the ward Organist frequently. I have gone with the Elders to several appointments so we are staying busy.

Well that is enough for today. Tune in latter for the next exciting edition from Across the Pond.

Elder and Sister Henry