Things we have seen

Looking off Hay Bluff in the Black Mountains just into
Wales.  They say you can see 6 counties from here on a
clear day.








This is a grove (Orchard) of evergreen trees not far from
Hay Bluff.

This is the road we followed across the Black Mountains.
It was one lane all the way.  about 18 miles.  Lots of farms
all along the way and frequently there was traffic.  Someone
had to back up and pull into a small passing area.

Typical sign all through Wales.  In Welsh first and then in English.  The pronunciation is worse than the spelling.  For example LL is a cl sound.  DD is th. 

 

On the longest day of the year it was light from 4 AM until 10 PM .  The Birds would wake us up at 4.  It was light so it was hard to get back to sleep.  This picture was taken at 10 PM.

Benbow Pond where Wilford Woodruff baptised all but 1 of the 800 members of the United Brethren Church.  It was covered with green gunk this time when we visited.  This was a trip for half of the mission.  We ended up at Gadfield Elm for a meeting.  Wonderful Day

Benbow's Hill Top Farm.  This is the Preaching Barn.  Wilford Woodruff preached his first Sermon in England in this Barn.  The Lady in the middle is the present owner of the Hill Top Farm.  She is an expert on the History of the church in this area.  She is not a member of the Church but she has taken a real interest in the history because her farm played such a part in it.

This is called British Camp and it is a National Historical Site.  In the Iron Age people who lived at the bottom of the hill would come up on the top when Romans or others came to raid them.  They could repel the attacks from behind the dirt walls.  Wilford Woodruff like to come here to contemplate.  He would walk 8 miles or more to get here.  Brigham Young and Wilford and one other met here to decide how to organise the church in England.  They also decided to print the Book of Mormon in England so that they would have copies to hand out. 

We then went to Gadfield Elm for lunch and a meeting.  This is Pres. Ogden talking to us.  There were 9 Missionaries there who were going home soon.  They all bore their testimony.  A great meeting in a great place.  See previous Blog for history of Gadfield Elm. 

Baptist Chapel in Ledbury.  Brigham Young preached here and baptised several of the congregation.

It was a great day.  Half of the mission was there with us and the other half went the next day.  All of this is within 10 miles of our area.  We had seen it all but British Camp before.  There is also a church we pass on the way to Gloucester and Cheltenham in a little town called Dymock.  Brigham Young preached in that church and was asked by a lady to heal her.  She had been crippled and unable to walk since birth.  He healed her and she walked away.  Again a number were converted.  A total of 1,800 people were converted in the area in 9 months.  Wilford Woodruff then went up to Preston and began his work there.

We have not had the same level of success as Wilford had but we are seeing some.  Ann Cheshire whom we have been visiting almost from the start has been attending every week for a 8 months or so.  She told us this week she is going to start paying tithing and if anyone asks her she will go get her Patriarchal Blessing.  She said she would not be drug to the Temple YET.  She has commented that something is going on in her life and she does not feel in control and she does not like to not be in control. 

The first Counselor in the Bishopric and the Young Women's President got married yesterday.  They were both divorced long before they started dating.  It was real nice.  The ward all pulled together to put it on.  All the non-members who were there were very impressed. 

Well this is enough for today.  Enjoy!!!!