Trials Underway, Watch out Cricket, Flying Saucers, T&T, Sister Holland's Influence

Trials are part of the Plan

We were reminded this week of the beautiful plan we are living.  Yes, we all have trials, but when you put them in perspective you begin to appreciate more what you learn from them.   In the moment of the trial it is difficult to show any appreciation for it, but we can at least acknowledge they are part of the plan for our growth and development and we can be grateful for the plan.  We ought to ask ourselves as we encounter these challenges-- "What am I to learn from this?"  Michelle D. Craig, 1st Counselor in the YW general presidency said:

"When hard times come, I try to remember that I chose to follow Christ before I came to earth and that challenges to my faith, my health and my endurance are all part of the reason I'm here. ...Trials do not mean that the plan is failing; they are part of the plan meant to help me seek God."

Party Time

This last week we chose to have an institute class party instead of a lesson.  It was a well-received break for all.  In Ashington we played 9-square and Cricket and in Gateshead we plaid 9-square and disc golf.  Sister Betteridge's pasta salad was excellent!

 

Sauria and Thomas love coming to institute -- they are both seeking asylum in the UK from political unrest in their countries.  Both are being taught about Jesus Christ.  When Sauria learned that he was a child of God, he paused and thought about it and then joyfully exclaimed, "I am a child of God!"  He had never been taught this before and it was the most profound revelation to him.

 

Ben joined the church 7 months ago and is planning to serve a mission in January.  He is an amazing example of someone who has changed his life and is following the Savior.  He loves our institute classes. 

Transfer Day

On Friday we helped transport sister missionaries to their new areas.  Not everyone gets a new area, but every 6 weeks or so the mission leaders for our mission, David and Jayne Clare, seek revelation on where each of the Elders and Sisters should serve for the next 6 weeks.  We took Sister McCommus and Sister Frampton from North Shields down to Leeds (2 hour drive) and then went to the mission home in Leeds, taking Sister Hilton there with us where we had chinese take-out for dinner with the Clares and two new missionaries fresh from the states, Elder Clay and Sister Ashton (who knows the Wheelocks in Puyallup).   The Assistants and the Office Elders also joined us.  We then took Sister Hilton and Sister Ashton back to Newcastle with us.  We arrived home about 9:30 pm. 

While we were at the Clares' home we enjoyed the postings on their refrigerator.  

The Temple Trip

Saturday we hopped in the car and went to the temple in Preston (3 hour drive) for our Young Adult temple trip.  It was an awesome time, several of the brethren were first time baptizers and confirmers.  We enjoyed fish and chips on the way home. Visiting the temple is always an uplifting experience and an opportunity to slow down and enjoy the Spirit of the Lord in His house. 

Sister Holland

We were saddened to hear of Sister Hollands passing this week.  The Hollands are some of our favorite leaders in the church.  As we reviewed her life and some of her talks we wanted to highlight one of our favorite quotes she shared. 

 

At a worldwide devotional for young adults earlier this year — broadcast from her native St. George, Utah —  Sister Holland offered young adults a simple approach to the religious life: “Please have faith in God, hope that He will help you, and receive the charity that enables Him to work through you to accomplish what only you can do.”

“You can’t get these blessings by chasing them,” she concluded. “Please stop running to the point of exhaustion. Be quiet. Be still. Simplify. Be meek and lowly of heart and pray. I testify that miracles will come when we slow down, when we calm down and when we kneel down. All that the Father has can one day be yours. What a truly hopeful way to face your future.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of The Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife Sister Patricia Holland toured the Benbow family farm in Castle Frome, England on Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021. Elder Holland’s 4th great-grand parents owned the farm and converted to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in 1840 through Wilford Woodruff.