Delayed but not Detained, Joining the Army, 100 Year Old Ice Cream, The Last Supper

When Blessings of Eternal Marriage or Children are Delayed

This last week in institute class we were able to discuss the goal of the eternal family and how we are all on the same path but at different points on the path towards this goal.  The most important messages that we came away with in this lesson were -- we are all needed in the Savior's church and that all who are faithful will eventually be blessed with an eternal family. 

Here were some of our favorite quotes from the lesson:

Elder Russel M. Ballard said: “More than half of adults in the Church today are widowed, divorced, or not yet married. Some wonder about their opportunities and place in God’s plan and in the Church. We should understand that eternal life is not simply a question of current marital status but of discipleship and being “valiant in the testimony of Jesus”… All those who accept the Savior’s gracious gift of repentance and live His commandments will receive eternal life, even though they do not attain to all its characteristics and perfections in mortality.”

Sharon Eubank, former member of the General Relief Society Presidency said: “Being single myself, I get how this  feels [being single in a church focused on family ideals]. You have no wingman; sitting at church is awkward; parties can be torture; relatives feel they can comment when no one should be saying a word. …Fitting into a Church focused on family can also be challenging. But the reality is that a majority of Church members do not live in perfect family situations. I’m not sure anyone lives in that perfect, ideal family. So why keep the emphasis? Because family is our destiny, and we are on this earth to learn the skills of strong family relationships, no matter what our own situation is.”

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said: “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.”

1 Corinthians 12

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?

17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?

21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.

26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

Joining the Army

It has been a great week for seeing our young adults seek to join the Army of the Lord, and seek to receive mission calls.  We were able to help our friend and recent convert Ben Lowerson this last week work on his mission application.  We also  just learned that Emily Wheatley submitted her mission application today.  We are so delighted to be amongst these young people who are preparing and seeking to serve the Lord. 

 

Arrighi's Ice Cream

We discovered a real treasure in our little town of Seaton Delaval.  The Arrighi family has been making and selling home made ice cream for nearly 100 years right here in Seaton Delaval.  The family has handed down the secret recipes for 5 generations.  We visited the shop this last week and were delighted with the flavors and taste.  Come visit and we will treat you to the world's best homemade ice cream. 

  

The Last Supper for Senior Missionaries

This last week was our last supper with our Mission Leaders President and Sister Clare in the mission home.  It was a delight to say 'farewell until we meet again' to the other senior couples also. Our mission leaders will continue to serve for just over another year.  We are going home in April with three other mission couples:  The Krzyminzki's from Cincinnati Ohio, The Wildings from Salem Utah, The Prigmores from Farmington Utah.  

Rearing, Millington, BuT, Beauty Is as Beauty Does, 70 MPH

Rearing Children in Love and Righteousness

It is a true joy to raise children in the Light of the Lord and to see their path mirror that of the Savior. BUT... that is not always the choice of some  children who have been raised in love and righteousness. 

We have found great comfort in the the words of our prophet and general leaders as we shared the institute lessons on Rearing Children in Love and Righteousness.  These are some of our favorite quotes from the lesson this last week. 

Elder Bradley D. Foster taught, “Our Heavenly Father wants us to succeed [as parents] because really, after all, they were His children before they were ours.”

President Susan W. Tanner, former General YW President said, “Sometimes discipline, which means “to teach,” is confused with criticism. Children—as well as people of all ages—improve behavior from love and encouragement more than from fault-finding.”

President Russell M. Nelson said, “When a child needs correction, you might ask yourself, “What can I say or do that would persuade him or her to choose a better way?” When giving necessary correction, do it quietly, privately, lovingly, and not publicly. If a rebuke is required, show an increase of love promptly so that seeds of resentment may not remain. To be persuasive, your love must be sincere and your teachings based on divine doctrine and correct principles.”

Joy P. Jones, Primary General President said, “We cannot wait for conversion to simply happen to our children. Accidental conversion is not a principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Becoming like our Savior will not happen randomly. Being intentional in loving, teaching, and testifying can help children begin at a young age to feel the influence of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is essential to our children’s testimony of and conversion to Jesus Christ; we desire them to “always remember him, that they may have his Spirit to be with them”

Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve said:  “It is hard to understand all the reasons why some people take another path. The best we can do in these circumstances is just to love and embrace them, pray for their well-being, and seek for the Lord’s help to know what to do and say. Sincerely rejoice with them in their successes; be their friends and look for the good in them. We should never give up on them but preserve our relationships. Never reject or misjudge them. Just love them! The parable of the prodigal son teaches us that when children come to themselves, they often desire to come home. If that happens with your dear ones, fill your hearts with compassion, run to them, fall on their neck, and kiss them, like the father of the prodigal son did.  Ultimately, keep living a worthy life, be a good example to them of what you believe, and draw closer to our Savior, Jesus Christ. He knows and understands our deep sorrows and pains, and He will bless your efforts and dedication to your dear ones if not in this life, in the next life."

Henry B. Eyring of the First Presidency said: “For some, … eternal joy may seem a faint or even a fading hope. Parents, children, brothers, and sisters may have made choices that seem to disqualify them from eternal life. …A prophet of God once offered me counsel that gives me peace. I was worried that the choices of others might make it impossible for our family to be together forever. He said, “You are worrying about the wrong problem. You just live worthy of the celestial kingdom, and the family arrangements will be more wonderful than you can imagine.”

Hazel Millington Artist

Hazel Millington is a member of the North Shields ward and is an accomplished artist.  She has used a variety of mediums including oils, acrylics and water colors. Her artwork is mostly of the English landscape around her.  She has been commissioned to paint one of our favorite views along Whitley Bay where we typically walk most mornings. 

Teaching in Berwick upon Tweed

For the last 3 weeks we have taught an elderly (over 80) sweet woman called Natasha.  Berwick is about 1 hour 15 minutes from our flat and is the furthest north town in our mission.  We teach with the young elders, Elders Daniels and Keith from Alnwick.  The lessons are going very well.  Natasha has almost read the entire Book of Mormon.  Pray for her to receive a testimony of its truthfulness.  We will keep you posted on her progress. 

Relief Society Birthday

Today was the Relief Society Birthday celebration. All women in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are members of this organization.  The purpose of the Relief Society is to save souls and relieve suffering, taught Joseph Smith.  This includes serving others, building unity, and to learn and live doctrine.  The Society is 182 years old-- as far as we know the oldest women's organization on Earth.  Heather was called upon to speak in Sacrament meeting on how the Relief Society has blessed her life over the last 48 years.  Beautiful Heather did a Beautiful job.  What a blessing it has been!

70 Miles an Hour

If a mile were a year and an hour were a lifetime, I would be at my speed limit.  It is hard for me to believe but I just hit 70 miles an hour, for which I am very very grateful. 

Mothering, Conferencing, The Onslaught, Abel did it, What is important to the Hughes family ?

Mothering

This last week we taught a pair of institute lessons on the Sacred Responsibilities of Mothers and the Sacred Responsibilities of Fathers.  It was the week preceding the UK celebration of 'Mothering Sunday' (2nd Sunday in March) which we often call Mother's Day in the US (2nd Sunday in May). 

We love how the British call this special day "Mothering Sunday" because it recognizes all women and their innate gifts and doesn't only focus on those who have born children.  

Heavenly Father has blessed His daughters “with an innate capacity to love and nurture,” which can help women fulfill this influential and sacred responsibility of being a mother.  President Nelson taught that “every woman is a mother by virtue of her eternal divine destiny”.  

Sheri L. Dew, former counselor in the general relief society presidency said: "While we tend to equate motherhood solely with maternity, in the Lord’s language, the word mother has layers of meaning. Of all the words they could have chosen to define her role and her essence, both God the Father and Adam called Eve “the mother of all living” —and they did so before she ever bore a child. … Motherhood is more than bearing children, though it is certainly that. It is the essence of who we are as women. It defines our very identity, our divine stature and nature, and the unique traits our Father gave us. …As daughters of our Heavenly Father, and as daughters of Eve, we are all mothers and we have always been mothers."

We honor all women this day and their God-given gift to nurture and mother the family of God.

Stake Conference

This last weekend was also stake conference for the Sunderland Stake.  

Our Saturday Evening session was conducted by Debbie Deacon, a counselor in the Stake Relief Society Presidency and featured all women speakers and their faith journey as mothers.  Sister Clare, wife of President Clare, our Mission Leader, was the concluding speaker and talked about how her parents taught her three simple important truths to help her through life's challenges:  

1.  Focus on the Savior, 2.  Seek to worship in the Temple, and 3.  Listen to the Lord's Prophets.  What great, simple truths to help us succeed in life.

Our Sunday General Session featured the testimonies of the full-time missionaries who have gone out from the stake-- Jacob Clutten (Australia), Joshua Hansens (Australia), Adam Hughes (Australia), and Jake Spencer (Brazil) as well as recently called sister Erin Power (Canada); all have left since we have been here.  Following their video testimonies each of the mothers of these missionaries spoke about their experience mothering them, helping them to build testimonies and how their child's mission has blessed their family. 

We played a role in the music of conference -- Sister Betteridge played the piano for three choir numbers, performed a piano duet for a musical 'item' (British call musical numbers 'items'), accompanied Sister Moss, full-time young sister missionary in the North Shields ward, who sang a solo, and led the congregational singing for the Saturday Evening session.  AND Elder Betteridge sang in the choir. It was a joy to see Sister Betteridge's talents serving the saints here. 

The Onslaught

We were advancing along the Rock-solid pier fighting the waves which were huge and terrible, crashing against us row after row as if Satan were throwing a repeated barrage of temptations at our position but we were not effected because we were standing on the Rock …the Rock was immovable  and boldly repelled back every advance… creating great tumult and confusion in the adversary's ranks... the deflection of forceful waves back into the on-coming waves  caused a great tumultuous upheaval and confusion in his ranks. 

David Abel

David is from Nigeria, a student at Durham University, studying conflict prevention and resolution.  He was a Christian looking for a church to go to while he is living in England and going to school. He found an online ad from the church about meeting with other believers in Christ. He was contacted by the missionaries pictured below, (Elder Jolliffe and Elder Page), but at first he wasn't interested. They reached out again after a couple days, hoping he would have a change of heart.  His heart had changed and he said he was ready to learn more. At one of his first lessons at a member's home he was shown a picture of the temple-- it touched him. He was drawn to it and had a deep desire to learn more about temples.  He then set his goal to go to the temple to learn more about the Savior ! He has taken the first step on this path and was baptized on Saturday.  

What is important to the Hughes family?

The Andrew and Helen Hughes Family-- President Hughes is 1st counselor in the stake presidency and the one with whom we work to minister to the YA in the Sunderland stake, his wife Helen has been the Stake Primary President.  Their oldest son Adam just left for his mission to Australia in August last year.  Before he left we worked with him and invited him to come to institute.  He finally did for a month or so before he left and became a great contributor in class.  Here is what he wrote in a note to us-- since he has been on his mission -- this brought us great joy.

"Hey Elder Betteridge, I am watching conference and feel inspired to give you a message of thanks. Thank you for making me feel comfortable in serving and for inspiring me to go out and do the work of the lord. Thank you for your sacrifice and for your dilligence and warm nature as you inspire the YA of the stake. You and your wife inspire so many people and you're doing an amazing job. Everyone appreciates you and your efforts so thank you. Thank you for taking the time to go on a mission and to bless so many people. Keep doing your incredible work and thank you so much. Have a great week! Elder Adam Hughes

The Hughes family motto is at the bottom of the "What is Important Tree" below --

What we do in life echoes in eternity!

Parents Take Note, The Race is On, The Gathering, Don't Forget

Parents to Provide

This last week we taught an institute lesson on the responsibility of parents to provide for their family.  This sometimes may seem like a daunting task but as we look back over our life, we recognize the Hand of the Lord in blessing us all along the way as we strove to provide for them. We are grateful for the commandments of God.  It has only been by following the Lord's commandments and receiving the associated blessings that made it possible  for us to provide for them. 

Through Latter-day prophets, the Lord has reaffirmed that “parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness [and] to provide for their physical and spiritual needs” (“The Family: A Proclamation to the World”).  To fulfill this duty to provide for their children’s physical needs, parents must learn to be self-reliant. Self-reliance is a fundamental principle of the gospel. 

Elder Robert E. Hales said:

Self-reliance is taking responsibility for our own spiritual and temporal welfare and for those whom Heavenly Father has entrusted to our care. Only when we are self-reliant can we truly emulate the Savior in serving and blessing others.  It is important to understand that self-reliance is a means to an end. Our ultimate goal is to become like the Savior, and that goal is enhanced by our unselfish service to others. Our ability to serve is increased or diminished by the level of our self-reliance. (“A Gospel Vision of Welfare:  Faith in Action” in Basic Principles of Welfare and Self-Reliance, worldwide leadership training meeting, 2009).

The Race of Life

Every Saturday morning at 9:00 AM the Whitley Bay park run begins.  We often find ourselves in the middle of it as we do a walk/run along the Whitley Bay boardwalk every Saturday at about the same time. It is easy to observe how fast they are running and ask ourselves, wow, can I run that fast or where would I be in the pack if I were in this race?  

 

We then remember King Benjamin’s counsel: “And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength” (Mosiah 4:27).

Clearly every pace is different.  It is not wise to compare our run path or pace through life to that of others.  We need to say to ourselves...  Just keep moving forward... Focus on the Savior guiding you, coaching you, preparing the way, building the bridges for you to cross, carrying you across the streams you must ford... and be grateful for the opportunity to be on the path.

The Gatherings

Both institute classes this last week were very full.  We had over 20 on Wednesday night in North Shields and also over 20 in Gateshead.  The institute nights are successful because of 4 things: 

1. Food,   

2. Activity/Games,  

3. A Good Gospel Message, and 

4. Associating with the young full-time missionaries.

 

Remembering

Remembering those who have passed on, seems to be very important to the English people.  Remembering those who have fought for and defended freedom is a big event in the Fall each year, but also there are many shrines that people establish for their loved ones.  So we have found many paths with dedicated and decorated park benches.  Let us all remember those who have gone before-- we stand on the shoulders of their teachings and influence in our lives.  Most of all let us remember our dear Savior who has made Salvation possible for each one of us.  We love Him and seek to remember Him each day of our lives.