This is Sunday afternoon. A cold and blustery day. It was snowing when we left church. Now, just wet and windy. Today was Ward Conference so we got to meet our Stake Presidency. Our stake president is David Pickup. He told me he had a missionary companion named Elder Ford (a mission president with a sense of humor). We met a young family from Hungary visiting today. They are being taught by Sister Allan and Sister Jones.
Yesterday, we decided to start exploring the area. We started, of course, at Costco. I thought we were going for 2 items; but managed to fill a “trolley” to overflowing.
When one is traveling abroad and sees this, one knows how immigrants to America feel when they come into the New York Harbor and sees the Statue of Liberty.
We took off for Knutford (about 60 miles to the south). We visited Tatton Park. It is huge and we were on foot, so we didn’t see a great deal. Cold, as it was, it was beautiful. We saw herds of deer numbering in the 100’s. They are a much larger deer than we see in the States–more like small elks. Here are some pictures:
Mummy is found in Tatton Park
Ground is covered with mole holes
We walked through the little town of Knutsford. Quite a few medieval buildings; but more WW II history. We found we were parked next to a building that housed the 3rd Army under the command of General Patton as preparations were made for D-day. Interestingly, the plaque said, “When America saved Europe.” We had dinner in a nice Italian restaurant. We were there at about 6:30 p.m. and were the only ones there. They told us they had no room if we did not have reservations. I glanced around with a puzzled look on my face and the lady said that in 45 minutes, there would not be an empty chair. I told her we could be done in 45 minutes and she gave us a seat. We finished on time; and the place was packed. As we left, I suggested they should pay us to eat there every night.
I am getting more comfortable with the driving. I still rely on Garmin except for repeated paths to the temple or to work. I am becoming the master of the U-turn. I wish repentance were so easy.
We have been impressed with the strength of the church in Chorley. There are four ward meeting in our building and they just started a large addition to the building this week. Today was ward conference, so we got acquainted with the Stake Presidency. The Stake President is David Pickup. He told me he had a companion on his mission named Elder Ford (his mission president had a sense of humor). He is a judge and former barrister. He claims to be the first LDS barrister in England; however there is a sister in Germany who claims the same honor.
We had a young family from Hungary visiting today. They are taking lessons from the sisters. We are looking forward to getting better acquainted. Mom is threatening cinnamon rolls as we speak. Many of the newer members are from other countries. I don’t think I understood what when the EU was formed, all members became very much one. Citizens are free to live in any of the EU countries–and they do. On our walk yesterday, we spent a couple of miles talking to two families. The husband in one (from So. France)and the wife in the other (from Denmark) both work for an international company and will be here for about 3 years. We spoke to them at some length about the church. Both had heard of it and had positive feelings. Hopefully, we moved that along.
I hope I speak for us both when I say that we are very happy to be here and feel we are making a contribution. We hope to be able to assist more with teaching, but, better, with finding.
That’s all for now.
P.S. Ryan, take the handles of two large bags in each hand out in front of you and capture the 5th bag in between and in front of them (obviously, they must all be “rollers”). Then pray you do not hit any bumps or uneven surfaces.