Forced to Defend, Let's Get Social, Black Light Matters, Chukkan Towards 26, Tea Time, House Rules

Defending the Sister Missionaries

Here is our miracle today. Francesca Sherit was originally a member of the Church of England but didn’t enjoy hearing about how God was "angry and hated her" (her words). Well, she had some unfortunate experiences in her church that made her leave and know that it wasn't right for her. She studied some religions in school but never came across the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).  She said that God however had other plans in the form of a quiet voice in the back of her mind asking "Are you ready to return?" (but how and where?).  Each time she said No and refused because she wasn’t ready. Then she moved to North Shields right by one of our churches but feared it because she had read some outlandish and crazy things on-line about the church.  Well one of her neighbors sent two young missionaries over to her house and she became interested. She has been investigating and coming to church and all activities for over a year.   Several times she wondered if she should consider joining the church, but had not received a confirming feeling.  Then two weeks ago she received her answer.  As she was attending an open house at the church with the sister missionaries,  two people came into the church and began to profane and belittle the sister missionaries.  Francesca could not stand for it and began to vigorously defend the sisters and the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ they taught.  At that moment, the Spirit confirmed to her that the Church of Jesus Christ was true.  She wanted to be baptized right away. Her baptism was held today, September 23, 2023.  She is spiritually strong and faithful (also very fearful of submersion in water -- but she had the strength to go through with the baptism of immersion because of her strong desire to be a member of Christ's church).

We are constantly amazed at how the small and simple things can lead to great things. One of our favorite scriptures from the Book of Mormon is Alma 37:6 --

"... behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass..."

This last week Elder Pentz, one of our Zone Leaders and a great cowboy wrote the following: 

"Good morning Elders and Sisters as I've been studying and pondering the new mission standards we received at Zone Conference this question came to mind: if I can't do the small and simple things how can I expect great things to be brought to pass? It made me wonder if the Lord can trust me to do his work or if there's a few things I can work on or repent of." 

"Repentance is the key to avoiding misery inflicted by traps of the adversary. The Lord does not expect perfection from us at this point in our eternal progression. But He does expect us to become increasingly pure. Daily repentance is the pathway to purity, and purity brings power. Personal purity can make us powerful tools in the hands of God. Our repentance—our purity—will empower us to help in the gathering of Israel." Russell M. Nelson

Here is the song we shared at our Fall Institute kick-off social on Thursday.  Small Things by Leah Campbell:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixiU9Q4qBBE

Institute 2023-2024 Opening Social

We were delighted to have over 40 young adults attend our institute opening social.  (This was a combined group of students from the Ashington Institute with students from the Gateshead institute). It was fun for Elder Betteridge to make our 9-square game black-light responsive.  All loved it and the giggles and laughter filled our hearts with joy.  

Mohan Chukka turns 25

We have written about Mohan who is from India and is studying business in England. We had written about him in the past when we took him to the temple in March of this year.  He invited us over for some VERY SPICEY Indian food.  He brought Sister Betteridge and me a sweetened yogurt drink to take the edge off the hot taste in our mouths.  It was a fun time as we gathered with his friends to celebrate.  He is pictured below in the red sweat shirt. 

Tea Time with Norm and Jayne

In England dinner is often called "Tea".  We enjoyed a lovely dinner with the Johnsons this last week in their home.  They are great friends and stalwart members of the church in this area.  Even with only 1 leg, on a third round of battling caner and continuous chemo therapy for the remainder of her life, Jayne serves joyfully as the North Shields Ward Relief Society President and Norm serves on the stake high council and as Stake Young Men's President.

Adoption of House Rules

We visited the Crepery Cafe just around the corner and have now officially adopted their house rules as our own.  

A Balancing Act, Flowers, New Ward, 5 Missionaries, Twin Discovered, ZC

Review of Emotional resilience Principles 

This last week we finished the Emotional Resilience lessons with a review night where everyone selected some of their favorite quotes from the 10 weeks of lessons. Here is one of our most favorite quotes from the entire 10 weeks of lessons.  It is from Dieter F. Uchtdorf and the lesson on Understanding Sadness and Depression (foundational principle -- Live a Balanced Life). 

"Isn’t it true that we often get so busy? And, sad to say, we even wear our busyness as a badge of honor, as though being busy, by itself, was an accomplishment or sign of a superior life.

Is it?

I think of our Lord and Exemplar, Jesus Christ, and His short life among the people of Galilee and Jerusalem. I have tried to imagine Him bustling between meetings or multitasking to get a list of urgent things accomplished.

I can’t see it.

Instead I see the compassionate and caring Son of God purposefully living each day. When He interacted with those around Him, they felt important and loved. He knew the infinite value of the people He met. He blessed them, ministered to them. He lifted them up, healed them. He gave them the precious gift of His time."

Flowers One of Earth's Greatest Gifts

Why do flowers bring us such comfort and peaceful, calm feelings?  They are given lovingly from mother Earth and are a gift from God and His Son, the Creators of this wonderful world.  When we are frequently surrounded by confusion and strife, flowers bring hope and love, and remind us that God is in charge and peace is possible.  An institute student gave Sister Betteridge beautiful roses after our last lesson.

New Ward Assignment

When we arrived here last December we were assigned to the Newcastle Ward but frequently attended the other 8 wards and branches in the Sunderland Stake.  Last week President Jonathan Gill, Sunderland Stake President, and President David Clare, Leeds England Mission Leader had a conversation and felt the inspiration to reassign us to the North Shields Ward, another ward in the stake, where help is needed.  We have a special connection with President Gill--  his 13th great grandmother is Elyn Betteridge.  We feel we are related and we told him we 'have your back.'  He has 3 young children and is 41 years old.   The Bishop of the North Shields ward is Shane Wakenshaw, he is 29 years old and has been married 6 years and was baptized in 2016. We have been their choir buddies for the past 8 months.   These leaders and their families are so dedicated in their service to the Savior.  Any love and support we can give them in their callings we are grateful and happy to provide.  At this point, as far as we know, we will be functioning as ward mission leaders and a counselor to the elders quorum presidency.    Shane and Sandi Wakenshaw pictured below.

Jonathan and Caroline Gill pictured below.

5 Full-time Missionaries

We were so pleased to see grandson Dylan Betteridge enter the Provo MTC this last week as he prepares for the Canada, Winnipeg mission.  We are so proud of him!  He joins the ranks of our two other grandchildren who are serving full-time missions as well;  Mary Ericksen serving in the Utah, Ogden mission and Cameron Betteridge serving in the Chile, Vina Del Mar mission.  We feel so humbled to be full-time missionaries with them as we serve here in the England Leeds mission.  

Heather found a 20-year old Twin

We were shocked when we arrived at institute last week, to discover Heather's 20 year old twin, who is also serving a mission here in England, Sister Taelor Thompson, from Pingree, Idaho.  What do you think ?

Zone Conference

Last Tuesday we had a wonderful zone conference and served TACO soup to 50 missionaries.  It was a wonderful time together-- the mission is focusing on finding through teaching and bearing testimony of Jesus Christ as often as possible with people we meet. Sister Betteridge and I were pleased to be asked to share our testimonies of the Savior. Also, Elders Fong and Ferrell asked Elder and Sister Betteridge to help them with a musical item.  They were planning to sing How Firm a Foundation at the conference and asked sister Betteridge to accompany them on the piano.  Then, at the last minute they asked Elder Betteridge to sing with them.  Most of the family know that solos or small group numbers are not things that Elder Betteridge is comfortable with... BUT, because the missionaries were so sincere and earnest, how could Elder Betteridge refuse them ?  So yes he joined them and sang in a trio! (He is still not planning on making this a regular offering, as some of you know, given a choice there are other things he would opt to do instead of sing a solo ! )

Forward, Struggling Servants, A New Ebenezer, Golden Plates Made of Brass, Chocolate Milk, Marked

Moving Forward with Faith

This last week we taught our last Emotional Resilience lesson entitled, Moving Forward with Faith.  As we started our preparation for this lesson we were delighted with the foundational principle: Receive Temple Ordinances.   The presence of this principle in this lesson hit us like a ton of bricks, it filled our hearts with love and gratitude for the Savior and the blessings that flow from the ordinances of the temple.  There is nothing more powerful to help us get through the struggles of this life and to move forward with faith than receiving the ordinances of the temple.  A struggling group pictured here in front of the Preston Temple.   

Our dear prophet, President Russell M. Nelson said:

“The end for which each of us strives is to be endowed with power in a house of the Lord, sealed as families, faithful to covenants made in a temple that qualify us for the greatest gift of God—that of eternal life. The ordinances of the temple and the covenants you make there are key to strengthening your life, your marriage and family, and your ability to resist the attacks of the adversary. Your worship in the temple and your service there for your ancestors will bless you with increased personal revelation and peace and will fortify your commitment to stay on the covenant path” (Russell M. Nelson, Ensign,Apr. 2018, 7).

In our lesson we talked about the great blessings of receiving these ordinances and worshipping in the temple.  Here are a few of our favorite quotes that enumerate these blessings (these excerpts are from the dedicatory prayer of the Kirkland Temple).

“And [bless those who worship here] that they may grow up in thee, and receive a fulness of the Holy Ghost, … And when thy people transgress, any of them, they may speedily repent and return unto thee, and find favor in thy sight, and be restored to the blessings which thou hast ordained to be poured out upon those who shall reverence thee in thy house … And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them … We ask thee, Holy Father, … that no weapon formed against them shall prosper” (Doctrine and Covenants 109:15, 21-22, 24–25).

Our Ebenezer

On our mission midpoint day of September 5th, we planted an Ebenezer in the Paddy Freeman Park, where we frequently walk / jog.  An Ebenezer is a  “stone of help.” The reference comes from I Samuel 7. After defeating the Philistines, Samuel raises his Ebenezer, declaring that on this spot God defeated the enemy.  Ebenezer moments are times when you know without a doubt that God has intervened in your life. You realize that only God could have allowed the outcomes you have experienced. His help has brought you through. So we reverence this experience we are going through and express deep gratitude to our Heavenly Father for this opportunity to grow closer to Him. 

 

The dropped pin marks the spot, near the waterfall overlook

Sunderland Stake Women's Conference

We taught a workshop on preparing for a mission to the sisters in the Sunderland Stake (not that we are experts, but it was fun to assemble our thoughts and comments from our fellow servants).  We displayed the scale model of the Book of Mormon plates made by Robin Hancock's father.  (Robin is Heather's sister Cheri's husband; don't worry if you didn't follow that -- they are amazing and beloved family members).  

The Senior Missionaries Gather at the Mission Home

We introduced the senior missionaries to the world's best chocolate milk, the Belgian Chocolate Milk from M&S.  They all loved it!  It seems the older you get the more important chocolate milk becomes.  We found the best here in England! 

Pictured above right to left going around circle: Elder and Sister Bradley, Elder and Sister Conway, President Clare (Sister Clare taking pictures), Sister Hughes, Elder and Sister Betteridge, Sister Frost, Elder and Sister Prigmore, Elder and Sister Wilding, Sister Barker (not pictured Elder and Sister Krzyminski)

 Love of Family Carries Us Through Our Challenges

This last week we were so surprised to receive a memorial gift from our family.  Each year we have "Ridge Week"  where our family goes to our mountain property near Park City in Utah.  There we camp for a week and enjoy each other.  Of course we were unable to go this year, but we received a beautiful array of book marks with pressed mountain flowers and quotes from our dear children and grandchildren (if you don't see the one you made here, we gave one to the Clares, our mission president and his wife).  We love this beautiful artwork from our family - an Ebenezer for sure.

  

  

As we close this blog post, we express our deep love and gratitude for the Savior, His teachings, His love and ultimate sacrifice for us.

“In the Savior’s final week of mortality, He said, ‘In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world’ [John 16:33]. Because the Savior performed His Atonement, there is no external force or event or person—no sin or death or divorce—that can prevent us from achieving exaltation [to live with Him again], provided we keep God’s commandments. With that knowledge, we can press forward with good cheer and absolute assurance that God is with us in this heavenly quest” (Tad R. Callister,  Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 87).

Strengthening Others, Treasure Hunt, Tired of Traveling, 320 Million Years Old, Loving Dogs More Than People ?

Providing Strength to Others

This last week we led the discussion on "Providing Strength to Others" from the Self Reliance manual.  The foundational principle for this module is "Become One, Serve Together."  By rallying around those in need we feel unity while providing a significant lift to those who have suffered from disappointments, ill-health, accidents or whatever earthly malady that has hit them.  We loved the leading scripture in this section from the Book of Mormon. 

"And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God".  (Mosiah 2:17) 

In Luke 9:24 we read, "For whosoever will save his life must be willing to lose it for my sake; and whosoever will be willing to lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it."

If we feel lost or tossed about by the storms of life, we can find an anchor in and unity with the Savior by serving others and begin to feel the love that He has for us by doing what He would do for others.  Elder Uchtdorf said:

"By becoming the answer to someone else's prayer, we often find the answer to our own prayers."

One of the most important principles in serving others in need is to listen to them and validate their feelings.  Sister Reyna Aburto, once a member of the General Relief Society Presidency taught, 

"Even if we do not know how to relate to what others are going through, validating that their pain is real can be an important first step in finding understanding and healing." 

To validate people's feelings means to first accept their feelings and then to understand them by listening intently to their plight.  Only then can our service to them begin to touch the pure love of Christ.  Here is a process that will lead us to Christ-centered service for those in need:   

1. Listen
2. Try to Understand
3. Accept the Person's Feelings
4. Express Compassion
5. Show Love

We also love this quote by President Monson, former President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-days Saints:

Treasure Hunt in Stanhope

We had a delightful morning in Stanhope with Peter and Pauline Kennedy, from the Newcastle Upon Tyne ward.  They took us on a treasure hunt through the village and we solved a mystery.  

During the adventurous and mind tickling time we discovered some cool things.  The sandstone cast of a very old tree (lived 320 million years ago - so they say) and the reason why so many people in England love their dogs !  Our adventure ended at St. Thomas, The Apostle Church in the town center (Church of England), built in the 12th century.  We were impressed with the words on a 1770 gravestone by the door to the church which reads:

"Tired with traveling through this world of sin, at length am come to nature's common inn.  In this dark place here for to rest a night; In hopes to rise that Christ may give me light." 

Last South Shields District Council before Transfers

Left to right: Elder Andrew Keck DL from Utah; Elder Jacopo Trotta from Verese, Italy; Elder Karter Pentz from Morgan, Utah; Elder Stanton Bedwell, from Acworth, Georgia;  Sister Mary Ashton from Puyallup, Washington; Annemarie Hilton from Provo, Utah;  Sister and Elder Betteridge from who knows where. 

Institute class in Ashington

We are delighted to be serving Jesus Christ by serving these wonderful young adults in the Sunderland stake, in England.