The rainy, cold weather we had been used to in the Northwest has collided with the Utah snow weather, which we just left, to bring us rainy cold snow in Newcastle. Though it is damp and cold and now a little bit white, our spirits are bright and happy to be serving these saints in the Sunderland stake. (Our flat is in Newcastle and we attend the Newcastle ward but the stake center is in Sunderland, just 45 minutes away).
Snow on our car, looking out our kitchen window.
While we were shoveling snow off our car this last week, our dear children, Chris Archibald and Jordan Betteridge were shoveling snow off our mini-cabin in the mountains west of Park City.
Time is flying by and so are a few squirrels. These squirrels entertain us every morning as we look out our kitchen window while we eat breakfast. They chase each other jumping/flying from one tree to the next.
Our district council was on Wednesday at the Sunderland Stake Center. We are so impressed with our district of Elders and Sisters. We meet for two hours and review Preach My Gospel sections, friends who are learning about the Gospel and how to be better missionaries.
Our district from left to right in photo above. Standing in back: Sister Zhang from China, Sister Giannini from Italy, both serving in the Mandarin speaking branch, Elder Winters (ZL), Elder Hineman (DL) Elder Aneca, Elder Gilbert (ZL) Sister and Elder Betteridge, front row kneeling: Elder Bailey and Elder Schneider.
Heather practicing the organ in Sunderland Stake Center (built by members many years ago).
We taught institute again last Thursday and discussed a lesson on Following Jesus Christ's Example of Submission which included a section from President Nelson's talk on letting God prevail in our lives. We become the Lord's people when we willingly choose to let God prevail in our lives. We talked about the Sacrament prayer on the bread and the use of the word "willing". Willingness emerges from desire and knocks at the door of Faith as we take action and move our covenant feet forward on our covenant path.
Midweek we had a wonderful little celebration of Heather's birthday at a Crepe shop just a few blocks away from our flat.
P-day on Saturday involved a short 30 minute drive to Belsay Hall, Rock Quarry Gardens, and Castle. The Castle was built in the 1300's. The historic site was owned by the Middleton family and also includes a greek revival-style home and a Jacobean addition to the medieval castle.
We had a YSA Chinese New Years eve party Saturday evening and another Chinese New Years day celebration with the Mandarin branch on Sunday Eve. President Wang coached basketball in China and then 20 years ago came to Newcastle to get more schooling and met his wife after being introduced to her by the missionaries. They both joined the church as young adults and have lived here since and now have 2 wonderful children. These pioneers are an inspiration to us. Their goal is to attract Chinese students here at the 4 universities to join in our fellowshipping activities, teach them the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ and then send them out into the world to participate in the Gathering of Israel amongst their cultural peers wherever they may be.
We also joined the stake choir and practiced with them Sunday eve as we prepare for stake conference the first week in March. Elder Betteridge is sitting next to Bishop Wakenshaw, convert of 5 years, and bishop of the North Shields Ward in the stake. His wife is the choir director at the piano, and of course, they met at a YSA event shortly after he had been introduced to the church, a good example of the eternal significance of our service in getting the YSA saints together.
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