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 ! )