Final Thoughts

Homecoming Talks -- May 19th, American Fork 14th Ward

Sister Betteridge:

Elder Betteridge:

Why did I serve

1 ... to express my deep love and appreciation for what the s

Savior has done  for me and to have my testimony of the Savior strengthened…. 

2 ... I wanted my grandchildren and children to receive the promised  blessings from our service ... read quote from elder Rasband 

Elder Rasband in April 2023 said to senior missionaries

 “I promise that as you serve, you will feel the love of the Lord in your life, you will know Him, He will know you, and “how great shall be your joy.”²⁹ Your dedicated service to Jesus Christ will inspire and bless your family, your grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. “Peace, and love [will] be multiplied”³⁰ in their lives for years to come. I promise. In the name of Jesus Christ”

3.... I wanted to set an example for my children and grandchildren ... they may not all serve but it want them to know that if grandma and grandpa can take on the challenge  to serve a mission that they can too.... 

Thank you all for your notes of support ... they meant a lot to us .... thank you  sincerely for sharing your thoughts about our experience ... 

I had a deep desire to change to become a new an improved person… Have I changed… ? 

Pres Clare … the most important convert you will have on your mission is you … 

That is true… I have been converted again and again.,… 

So what did I learn .... 

1.  That our Heavenly Father lives  and knows   me personally ... that the greatest joy  we can experience is feeling the love of God ... partaking of the fruit of the tree ....  I felt this most when helping the young adults we served to go to the temple.  Though we lived 3 hours from the Preston temple, We had many temple experiences

Before I share these experiences…. let me echo Elder Quinton L. Cooks words on the youth and young adults in the church… he said in essence there is a myth that youth and young adults are leaving the church in droves.  He said the opposite is true, the young adults and youth of the church as a group are growing and becoming more faithful….  

 A temple mission…. 

Temple experiences — we had many many experiences to take young adults to the temple for their first time…. this were some the greatest experience of our mission… 

a. Woodwards — saw a young adult couple, endowed and striving to live a happy life but hitting some struggles…. we were impressed to seek permission to take them to the temple and burger king… it was a simple thing but it lifted their spirits and gave us great joy to the help see the important things in life…. we are hoping that they will soon go to the temple and be sealed.

b. Mohan… a young single adult who had joined the church in India 10 years ago.  He had never seen a temple let alone go to the temple.  When he arrived and we connected with him, he begged us to take him to the temple…. we sought permission and were able to take him to the temple and burger king also.  He was overjoyed, it has become now a focus for him and he has since gone to the temple several time to do baptisms. 

c. Ben… one of the first sundays we were in england we sought to attend all the wards in the stake.  As we attended one ward, I noticed a young man sitting on the back grow all by himself.  I  believe I saw in him something in him that our Heavenly Father sees in him a young adult with great potential…A future missionary and leader.  He had just joined the church a month previous.  I sat down next to him and got to know him… he began to come to institute.  He received his patriarchal blessing, was ordained an elder and then we took him to the temple.  He is an inspiration to many now as he is preparing his papers to serve a mission.  He loves going out with the missionaries....if you are listening, I hope you have gotten your dental exam by now and have your interview time set up with your bishop. 

d.  Grace — dear young adult sister, who had been a member for about 2 years… very shy, she began to grow in so many ways, and helped with institute lessons, gathering other young adults and helping them, being a true leader to help others grow… we then had the privlege and opportunity to take her to the temple to receiver her endowments… 

As we loved these young adults and helped them along the path… we felt the love of God more in our  own lives.

2.  that the savior of the world Jesus Christ paid the price for my sins.... that he lives that he is alive and has the power  to rescue us from earths hardships and our dumb mistakes ... no matter what we have done he has the power to lift us and return us to the orbit we have always been destined for.  I saw his Face in the many miracles we witnessed, and in the beautify of his creations… everyday we saw beauty that testified of him and his love for us. When you look for Him you will see Him.  He will send you messages thru his creations that he knows you and loves you 
3.  That the lord knows our gifts and will  called us to the place where  he needs us to use our  gifts to bless his children.   That it is not so much what you say as it is being the person he wants us to be and know you can be....testimony of the power of kindness and doing good,  being an example of righteousness....   consider sharing a note or two.... tender mercies.... 3rd cousin,  relative to the stake president led to the sealing of Richard betteridge to his parents ... I felt the influence of Margaret Ann Coulson, and grandmother emily ness… served in the same congregations that my deceased brother in laws, Scott Edgley had served in over 40 years ago and met people he had found who were now active in the church…. renewing this familial connection with them bolstered their testimonies. 
4.  That we are all part of gods eternal family.        That no matter what our family circumstances are we are promised the greatest blessings god has in store for his children if we strive to keep his commandments...

Elder Yoon Hwan Choi of the Seventy taught about the difference our choices can make for our eternal family: “All of us are in the middle of an eternal family. Our role can be a turning point at which significant changes can occur in positive or negative ways. … There are generations before us and after us depending on us to follow Christ so that we can be an eternal family of God. (“Don’t Look Around, Look Up!,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2017, 91, 92)

Elder Russel M. Ballard: “Brothers and sisters, the most important cause of our lifetime is our families. If we will devote ourselves to this cause, we will improve every other aspect of our lives and will become, as a people and as a church, an example and a beacon for all peoples of the earth.” (“That the Lost May Be Found,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2012, 98)

Elder Holland:  “Some blessings come soon, some come late, and some don’t come until heaven; but for those who embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ, they come. Of that I personally attest.”

I have come back with eternal friendships of missionaries in the Leeds mission and members in this great Sunderland stake... And... many sacred experiences with our beloved Savior that He knows me that He loves me in a personal way... that his great atoning sacrifice  was for me personally ... I will never be the same again I have changed... my invitation to you is seek to understand and feel the saviors love for you personally.  

1. I went out with a favorite Scriptures: 3 Ne 5:13 --13 Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.
2. i came back with a new fav scripture... D&C 68:6 6 Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come.

Testimony….. 

From Stake RS President who was present at homecoming talk and HC mission report:

Hi Sister Betteridge, it’s Emi Willing. I had the pleasure of hearing and feeling your testimony this past Sunday in Stake Council. Thank you so much for serving your mission and for sharing your heart on Sunday. I can’t tell you how much it meant to me.

In my patriarchal blessing, I’m told that “the Lord would have you be a a missionary always…you will teach the gospel at home and abroad.” 

I’ve been pondering about that lately what it means for me. And I’ve wondered how the Lord feels about me in that calling. And then you testified that “The Lord LOVES His missionaries.” And that “Mission calls are from the Lord.” And your words pierced my soul. Thank you for your testimony. It was exactly what I needed ❤️🥹 

Sorry for the long texts, just wanted to express my love and gratitude for you all. Thank you for serving. Im excited to serve now and looking forward to serving with my husband in a senior couple mission(s) too.

Below are a few of the many thank you notes from the Saints and Elders/Sisters we served with (we couldn't find the rest - but they were read, appreciated and filed somewhere...) we also added a family note which came to us with many laminated bookmarks from a Ridge activity -- very special family support was felt throughout our mission.  Thank you dear family!  We love you so much !!!  

Conversion Story of Sue Arkley who Elder Scott Edgley found in 1977 on his service in the Leeds Mission, Newcastle upon Tyne Area.  We enjoyed meeting her and serving her while we were in the North Shields Ward.  She was very grateful to discover our connection with Scott Edgley, it really boosted her testimony that God loves her and is aware of her.

Half the Sunderland Stake Institute at Graduation on May 24th

Good Bye Dear Friends 

 

Hope for All, Farewell to Natasha, Welcome Chloe, J&E Appear, Hello Dolly, The First Resurrection, Home Again

Feeling Hope for Building an Eternal Family

Our concluding lesson in institute was "Feeling Hope for Building an Eternal Family".  We absolutely love this lesson!  All of us have been and are part of God's Eternal Family.  All of us can have hope that we can build our eternal family, whatever our family circumstances have been.

Elder Yoon Hwan Choi of the Seventy taught about the difference our choices can make for our eternal family:

"All of us are in the middle of an eternal family. Our role can be a turning point at which significant changes can occur in positive or negative ways… There are generations before us and after us depending on us to follow Christ so that we can be an eternal family of God."

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles testified:

"To children whose family situation is troubled, we say, you yourself are no less for that. Challenges are at times an indication of the Lord’s trust in you. He can help you, directly and through others, to deal with what you face. You can become the generation, perhaps the first in your family, where the divine patterns that God has ordained for families truly take shape and bless all the generations after you."

Elder David A. Bednar also of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

"With the help of the Lord, you can create an eternal family, even if you did not come from the kind of Latter-day Saint home that sometimes is featured on the covers of the [Church] magazines. Please always remember: it begins with you!

You and I are not trapped in our past experiences. We are not wholly and totally victims of our present circumstances or captives of our environment. The Holy Ghost will teach us all things that we should do, including patterns of family righteousness in which we have not previously participated. It begins with you! And with the Lord’s help, you can do it.

Some of you have had your hearts broken by family members or respected leaders who have not honored sacred marriage covenants. You may ask yourself, “If my parents or other couples I have known were sealed in the temple and their marriages did not succeed, what hope can I have that my marriage will last forever?”

To you who have experienced the heartache of a divorce in your family or felt the agony of violated trust, please remember it begins again with you! One link in the chain of your generations may have been broken, but the other righteous links and what remains of the chain are nonetheless eternally important. You can add strength to your chain and perhaps even help to restore the broken links. That work will be accomplished one by one."

The late M. Russell Ballard, president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said:

"Brothers and sisters, the most important cause of our lifetime is our families. If we will devote ourselves to this cause, we will improve every other aspect of our lives and will become, as a people and as a church, an example and a beacon for all peoples of the earth."

Farewell dear Natasha Zinovieff

Natasha was found by the missionaries who were planting gospel seeds in Berwick upon Tweed.  We were invited to teach her about Jesus Christ with the young Elders.  We have so enjoyed our time testifying and teaching her.  She is in her mid-eighties and has almost completed reading the Book of Mormon.  We will keep in touch with her as she continues her journey to learn of her eternal destiny.

Welcome Chloe Cooper

Chloe had been searching for truth and saw a facebook ad from the church in our area and decided to pursue her impression to investigate further.  She showed up at the Newcastle Chapel one Sunday and began attending church, meeting with the missionaries and learning more about the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ.   She loves institute and 9-Square and was baptized the 20th of April just before we left.  (Interestingly, she drives a mini-cooper).  Welcome Chloe!

Jordan and Estefi Visit

We were delighted with a visit from our son Jordan and his wife Estefi.  It was so fun to visit Edinburgh, Scotland and many other family history sites in the area as well as Scarborough, England the home of Jordan's great grandmother Emily Ness.  

The cannon fires from the Edinburgh castle every day at pricesely 1:00 PM, providing Edinburgh residents throughout time a standard time to set their time pieces to.  

Hello Dolly

We were able to visit the first ever cloned animal "Dolly" in the museum of Scotland.  She is quite good looking and enjoyed our visit !

The Morning of the First Resurrection

During our visit to the ruins of the Saint Andrews Cathedral in St. Andrew Scotland we were presented with a thought provoking image of what the morning of the First Resurrection might reveal.

We say farewell to our wonderful Leeds England Mission office Elders.  From Left to right, Elder Bartlett, Elder Oldham, Elder Keisebach and Elder Riggs.

We travel home with two other amazing senior couples (left to right) Diane and Larry Prigmore and Val and Beth Wilding.

Home again into the wonderful arms of our family !

We cannot begin to enumerate the many small miracles we have experienced on our mission and the wonderful dedicated members. Suffice it to say 'by small and simple means, great thing are brought to pass'. We are so very grateful for the privilege we have had to serve the Lord.  We express our deep appreciation to our mission Leaders, President David Clare and His Wife Jayne Clare for their inspiration and guidance while we served and especially thank each one of our children who helped us time and time again with things at home, even moving our belongings and cleaning out our house.  We believe in eternal families; we love each and every member of our family so very much!

Our favorite scripture when we embarked on this mission journey was:

3 Nephi 5:13 

"Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life."

As we conclude this mission our favorite scripture is:

Doctrine and Covenants 68:6

"Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come."

We so testify that He was, that He lives today and that He will come again, our Savior and Redeemer, even Jesus Christ the Son of the living God.  In His Holy name, we conclude this mission with gratitude for his Great Sacrifice for us and the many tender mercies we have been extended by Him and our dear Heavenly Father.   

Defend, (TT)x2, It's Over, Our Word Cloud

Defending the Family

In institute class this last week we talked about how we can defend the family organization in a changing and chaotic world.  The family is the most fundamental unit of our society.  We have an obligation to provide an environment for children and spouses to be nurtured and cared-for in a loving home.  The "Proclamation on the Family" released in 1995 by Gordon B. Hinckley, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints concludes with these words: 

"We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society."

We love our family and want each and every one of them to have all the blessings possible from being raised in a safe and loving environment.  

Temple Time with Grace Cadle

One of our institute students, Grace, has been on a faith journey for the last three years which culminated in a trip with us to the Preston temple this last week to receive the Endowment Ordinance.  The word endowment means "a gift." The temple Endowment Ordinance  is literally a gift from God whereby He bestows sacred blessings upon us.  The Endowment can only be received in the Lord's holy temples.  Some of the gifts one receives through the temple endowment include:

1.  Greater knowledge of the Lord’s purposes and teachings.

2.  Power to do all that God wants us to do.

3.  Divine direction and protection as we serve the Lord, our families, and others.

4.  Increased hope, comfort, and peace.

5.  Promised blessings now and forever.

It was a glorious day to be with Grace.  Because she is the only member of the Church in her family, this was an especially tender time for her and we felt privileged to be with her.  She is one of the most resilient & optimistic individuals we know. 

A stop for the world's best chocolate milk was a a fun treat for us, the sister missionaries (Sagers and Moss), and Grace.

Temple Time with Emily Wheatley

We also had a wonderful adventure with Emily Wheatley to receive her Endowment, just 2 days after our trip with Grace to the Temple.  Emily has grown up in the church and also attends our Institute class.  She has submitted her mission papers and expects to be called on a mission shortly.  She is pictured here with us, her parents and her grandparents (her grandfather is Bishop Adlington of the South Shields Ward).  She has the sweetest smile and most pleasant disposition.  

It's Over Celebration

We had a humbling and delightful gathering at the Newcastle Chapel for Sunderland Stake members who wanted to wish us a farewell.  Mixed feelings for us--  leaving now after having met so many incredible people here, yet missing so desperately our family back home. 

They presented us with a word cloud gift, based on input from the YA who attended our classes.