[SO Much] NEWS of the PAST WEEK

It's hard to know where to begin this week's blog report, because so much has happened.  Every day has been full.  

On Monday Elder and Sister Hawley both arrived at the office ready to complete training.  The word "complete" should be in italics, because it is still an ongoing project, and now the training comes both initiated by us and requested by the new office elders, because they are now beginning to get a real understanding of how much time and effort it really takes to get all the work in the office done, to do it well, and to do it on time!

This is a list of the items we have trained on:

The Mission Secretary is responsible for: 

To assist the mission president in his duties and calling 

The management of missionary arrivals and departures 

All types of correspondence with missionaries, parents, other missions, MTCs 

All referrals and the Referral Manager 

Email, telephone requests, visa inquiries, incoming/outgoing post 

Orientation of new missionaries 

President‟s Board Cards; maintaining current missionary files 

Mission annual history 

Filing and record-keeping 

Help with reimbursements, ordering of stationery, miscellaneous supplies  

Preparation of training materials & binders for new missionaries, trainers,  

         district leaders and zone leaders 

Mission calendar, building scheduling 

Baptism recording in Convert Data Entry system 

Travel with Global Visa Management 

Monthly Mission President‟s Report 

MOVES + Phone List + Organization Roster, Reports in iMOS 

Quarterly Mission Newsletter, Truth Will Prevail 

Mission Photography 

The Finance Secretary is responsible for: 

Payment of rents, utilities, supplies, costs of mission/missionaries 

Make and maintain accounting entries + system of records for the ELM in iMOS 

Bank deposits; receipts & financial record keeping 

Set up & maintenance of relations & accounts with landlords, property managers,  

         taxing boroughs & councils, and utility companies 

Negotiation of contracts and terms for tenancy agreements; arrangements in flats for 

missionary occupancy 

Maintenance of records for mobile phone placements, their use and maintenance,  

         Including number activation and phone inventory 

Mission budget maintenance & reports 

Represent the Mission; interact with Solihull on mission and financial matters 

Obtain, distribute, fund and maintain JCM Cards 

Following Church policies as outlined in the Mission Operating Handbook 

Act as Flat Manager and Fleet Manager when they are unavailable 

Maintain and operate the Petty Cash system for the mission office 

Aid in supply ordering, distribution and maintaining the supply inventory 

Perform all other duties as assigned by the mission president 

We had an interview with President Patch, in which we were able to report to him what training items we had covered, and that we felt that the office elders were ready to "fly on their own."  He seemed to agree.  He "instructed" us to complete our remaining items of training and to use the next 3-4 weeks here -- our last -- to go and "play."  [Weird!  It's like having a series of P-Days!  We'll have to go back into the office and help out, just so as we don't go into severe withdrawal!  Of course we will bring treats for the elders and the APs!]

Sister Hawley spent a portion of the day printing out 130 or so copies of her last TRUTH WILL PREVAIL ELM newsletter.  She has done six issues of the newsletter while we have served in London.  The original version turned out to be 16 pages long, with this issue including 4 months worth of newly arrived missionaries, departed missionaries with printing of their departing words, and a section spotlighting the senior couples and what their "jobs" entail.  With two of the couples leaving [Little's in October and Hawley's in December], their portions included their departing words as well.  The president thought this newsletter, however well done, looked quite professional, but that it was too long, so Sister Hawley printed out the 16-page version only just for the couples and for the departed missionaries who want to read their "words" and see their pictures in print.  Then the president gave 2 lines to each of the above missionaries, cut out a couple of pages, and trimmed it down to 8 [double-sided] pages, and Sister Hawley printed the largest batch of this size of newsletter, and then the APs passed out this copy at the end of each day of Zone Conference.  It was very well received.  E/S Hawley made PDF copies of all the newsletters Sister Hawley has done, and Sister Hawley has emailed some of the departed missionaries their own copies.  

Tuesday was a full day, with it being the first of two Zone Conference days.  The office elders attended on Tuesday, so we covered in the office for them, and Sister Hawley was able to gather more photos for the President's Picture Pages project -- he's asked Sister Hawley to collect photos of all missionaries who have or will depart from his first day until his last day:  1 July 2009 to 30 June 2012.  He's also asked for copies of each of the six newsletters, and Sister Hawley will include a list that will correspond with the photographs.  So far she has collected 203 photos, and she is just waiting for one last picture before putting all on a CD to give to President and Sister Patch.  

 New ELM Zone Leaders

On Wednesday it was our turn to attend Zone Conference.  A wonderful, hardworking, and so-well organized woman from the Hyde Park Ward, Rachelle Ostler, prepared wonderful meals for both days' luncheons:  Chicken Cordon Bleu, vegetables, rolls, scalloped potatoes, and brownie/ice cream or fruit crumble/ice cream for "pudding."  [Pudding is the English generic title for most desserts.]  The meetings were inspirational.  Each day 4 of our 8 zones were in attendance in the Hyde Park Chapel.  The morning session included testimony bearing by the new missionaries, and the afternoon session included testimonies by those departing in the next few weeks.  This included us, and we were given the "honor" of being the first ones to speak!  [Lucky us!]  We approached the pulpit together holding hands, and I explained that we started our mission hand-in-hand, we walk the London streets hand-in-hand, we serve hand-in-hand, we pray hand-in-hand, we bear testimony hand-in-hand, and we will depart hand-in-hand as well.  Actually, it was a sweet experience.  We each bore testimonies that combined with the others', and we felt that in one respect this was our leave-taking, our unofficial release, sort of permission-given/thanks expressed for our service here in the England London Mission.  It was a very uplifting day to hear all of these testimonies.  These missionaries are young, but they are so very well prepared, so motivated, and have such strong testimonies of the gospel and the Savior.  It is wonderful to hear them speak with such conviction and happiness.  It is wonderful to see what missionary service does for their spiritual maturity and character.

Standing in front of the New York World's Fair [circa early 1960's] / Hyde Park Chapel Mural

Just a P.S.:  At every zone conference luncheon, Sister Patch announces the birthdays for the month and gives everyone a Snickers candy bar.  This month Sister Hawley has a birthday, and when she got up she received the loudest cheer from the whole group there in the cultural hall!  She was so surprised, and really touched.  There were so many missionaries who came up to Elder and/or Sister Hawley to say that we are going to be missed, that we have helped someone, or done such a good job.  It was quite a special time for us.

Last week we enjoyed a relaxing dinner with new friends, Cookie and John Allred, who are members of the HP Ward, and who will be living here in London for four years while John works as an international banker.  London is his "base of operations."  He travels to eastern Europe and beyond.  This week he is in Egypt and Cookie went with him.  Their stake LDS assignment is to be hosts for the Church's 12-Step Addition Recovery Program, and we have helped to substitute for them when they have needed to go out of town.  We enjoy our time with them.  [See photo below.]

On Friday of this past week we were invited to a sloppy-joe missionary dinner by Gerry and Jim Price.  They love to feed the missionaries, and they work in the Family History Centre and have "inherited" [size-wise] the "party flat" from the Inskeeps, who went home last November.

Again, it was a relaxing and fun evening that we enjoyed with Elders Potts, Tangilanu, Curgenven, and Sheppard; the Crandall's, the Harbrecht's, and the Campbell's.

The latest "party-flat" dinner group

[Sister Hawley has given her waffle maker to Sister Price, because she likes to feed the missionaries, too!]

Sister Hawley has made two shopping trips, one back to Portobello to help Sherrie Harbrecht find some sugar shakers, and then with Elder Hawley to Kensington High Street to buy another scarf or two, and to visit St. Mary Abbot's Church Kensington -- a small church set on a corner of Kensington High Street that we pass all the time and never go in to see what it's like.  So on Saturday we went visiting.  So many of the churches in England appear to have been crafted from the same architectural plans, and yet the wood-work and the gothic arches, the stained glass windows, even the pew benches, and especially the baptismal fonts with their decorative covers, seem interesting each time -- at least for Sister Hawley.  And Elder Hawley is gracious and supportive enough to go along.  Well done, U, Elder H!

Don at front entrance to St. Mary Abbots Church, Kensington High Street

Chapel, Stained Glass, Gothic-Style Arches

 Baptismal Font and Cover

Here are some concluding photographs for this week's blog:  [1] Our 18 October 2010 group of departing missionaries:  Sisters Ostler, Browning, Elders Koppe and Obradovic; [2]  Elder Sterri, an area 70 from Norway whom we enjoyed talking with--shown here with Elder Ambihipahan; [3] Elders Hales, Johnson, and Chrimes; [4]  Sisters Anderson, Muller, and Larsson; [5]  The English tea pot [we'll use it for hot chocolate] Sister Hawley found in Stratford-upon-Avon; [6]  and a picture of us with area missionaries the Green's when we went with them to see "The Mousetrap," with them -- the longest running play ever [about 50 years]

taken from a story by Agatha Christie; [7-8] Charles Dodgson, aka Lewis Carroll, who was a professor of math at Oxford's Christchurch College for many years and also, being quite shy, wrote the Alice in Wonderland stories based on his friendship with children of teachers there, in particular a daughter of the Dean of the College named Alice who requested that he publish the stories he told the children so well;   [9] the London Eye; [10] View of London from the dome of St. Paul's Cathedral; [11] the "Mission" bag that has traveled everywhere with us and that has carried everything imaginable in it [wallet, phone, umbrella, keys, scarves, gloves, camera, et al] each time we go out; [12] the Tower of London Bridge at night.

And with this last night shot, we too shall say good night!  After all, we have days-of-play ahead, and more stories and pictures to publish to share with you our last weeks in England.

May the Lord be with and bless you, and may you find the fun and playtime in your own surroundings.  It is a beautiful world created for us to care for and enjoy.  We love it and you.

NEWS of the PAST WEEK

London's "rainy seasons" are not limited to winter months:  the weather report for the upcoming week brings us rain every day, and one day with "London fog."  We'll wait and see.  Clear days sometimes bring rain showers; reports of rain don't turn out to be true, and there are equal numbers of different types of weather to match the varieties of weather reports.  

The same is true for Elder and Sister Hawley's days in the ELM office:  some days that are supposed to be quiet bring multiple surprises; some planned-for busy days are quiet and slow.  Slow is a good word for us here:  we are given the time and opportunity to get ahead in our work, or extra time to complete an ongoing project, or even the pleasure of cleaning up "messes", organizing files, or "hunting for things to do" that usually reveals to us something very worthwhile.

Today is Fast Sunday, and we again are fasting for a senior couple who can afford to live in London and who are qualified to serve as office couple missionaries for the England London Mission.  In addition, we are fasting for a replacement couple for our friends, Elder David and Sister Denece Little, who are serving as Center For Young Adults missionaries and who will be released the end of October.  And thirdly, we are fasting and praying for a sister missionary, Sister Kristin Christensen, from Utah, a talented singer, who is having ear surgery to improve her hearing.  It is a special privilege to fast and pray for others.

We have written before about the variety of people who come to visit and/or attend the Hyde Park Ward.  Today we had Brother Spence Kinard and his wife visit London while on holiday here.

Tomorrow the mission president will finish his choices for MOVES, and Sister Hawley will be given the changes before noon to make online in iMOS.  Then Elder Hawley will make changes re finances based on the transfers in the new schedule.  Tuesday the president with conduct departing interviews with those missionaries going home.  On Wednesday about noon we will greet and orient the 8 new missionaries arriving in London from the Preston MTC.  And on Thursday 2 missionaries both from England] will be greeted and picked up by their families, while the other three newly released missionaries [all elders this time] will board their flights home to Marseille, France, New Zealand, and Scotland.

One of the challenges given to new and young elders and sisters by President Patch in the England London Mission is a 12-week study of the Atonement.  The challenge issued / offered by the mission president comes in three parts:

1.  Read and carefully study the material and scriptures on pages 51 and 52 of Preach My Gospel under the topic "The Atonement."  Discuss your thoughts, impressions and feelings daily with your companion in "Companion Study."

2.  In addition, prayerfully read, study and ponder each of the scriptural passages set forth in the red box [of PMG] titled "Helping Others Learn about Jesus Christ" on pages 47 and 48.  This will require that you read at least 3 pages of scripture each day.  Write your thoughts, insights and revelation received in your study journal.  Discuss your thoughts, impressions and feelings daily with your companion during Companion Study.

3.  Finally, on one page, write for yourself, in your own words, with a copy to the President, your personal understanding and new insights of the Atonement.  Please complete your study and submit your own page understanding to the President on the last day of the current "MOVES" period.

In large part because of seeing this challenge given to the younger missionaries, when it came time to find a Father's Day gift for Elder Hawley, Sister Hawley chose a book by an unknown-to-her author [Callister] on the Atonement. [See previous blog entries.] Studying the Atonement has broadened our minds, expanded our spirits, touched our hearts, and brought us closer to the Lord, to our Heavenly Father, and to each other.  

Here is a picture of one of our favorite sister missionaries, Sister Umurshadyan, from the State of Georgia in the Ukraine.  We got to know her well during her assignments in the Hyde Park/Britannia Ward assignments.  During a special part of each zone conference, missionaries due soon to depart/be released are given a few minutes to share some "departing words."  I was impressed by Sister U's spirit and with what she said, and some of it I've quoted below:

"As I have worked to the best of my ability I came to understand what was the best way to do it is stated in Mosiah 18:12.  Alma wanted to do the work with the holiness of heart and [with] the Spirit.  I grew to love feeling the Spirit, and to learn to listen to my Heavenly Father.  I did have times when I just wanted to go to our flat and take a nap, but I learned that if I focus on my leisure hour instead of my working hours I may be prevented from seeing much greater opportunities around me.  I learned that missionary work shouldn't be a job for me, but [should be] service [instead].

"Here is a story about attitude:  A traveler passed a stone qurry and saw three men working.  He asked each man what he was doing.  Each man's answer revealed a different attitude towards [doing] the same job.  The first man said, 'I'm cutting the stone.'  The second man replied, 'I am earning three gold pieces per day.'  The third man smiled and said, 'I'm helping to build a house of God.'

"Sometimes I did feel 'down.'  But I learned that if I am helpless, He is not; if I am lost, He is not.  If I didn't know what to do next, He knew.

"I would like to read a sentence from Elder Robertson's favorite chapter in Preach My Gospel on page 22:  'Ask yourself:  How should I change as a result of what I have learned?  Set Goals!'

"I learned to love The Book of Mormon as I read it over and over again, which I hadn't done before.  I learned that The Book of Mormon is not on trial . . . WE are.  

"And the list goes on forever . . . [of things I have learned on my mission....].  I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for this opportunity.  Here is a quote from President David O. McKay:  'Let us realize that the Privilege to Work is a Gift; that the Power to Work is a Blessing; [and] that Love of Work is Success.' "

Here is a photo of Sister Joan Groves, a senior sister missionary assigned to serve in the LDS Employment office.  She shared with Sister Hawley the story of how she went about applying to serve a mission.

"As I prepared for a mission, I desired to come to England.  I pondered and prayed as to whether I should indicate a preference.  After reading the story of the brother of Jared in the Book of Ether, I made my decision.  The brother of Jared, after building vessels to cross the sea, prayed to the Lord [so] that they might have light in the barges as they crossed the great waters.  And the Lord said, 'What do ye desire?'  The brother of Jared 'did molton out of rock 16 small stones' and asked the Lord to touch them and bring forth light.  I felt after reading this story, the Lord would listen to my desires.  I turned in my mission papers in the second week of November and received my call two weeks later.  Little did I know that the England London missionaries had been praying for three months for a single sister to fill the position in the Employment Centre and also to be a companion to Sister Linda Field [see below], the senior sister missionary called to be the Hyde Park Music Director.  [Sister Hawley can support these events, as she was involved in emails back and forth with the Senior Missionary Department in Salt Lake.]  Unless it was the will of the Lord, there would have been no place for me in England.  Of 650 missionaries in England, only six are single senior sister missionaries.  I am grateful for my call and feel I am here to do the Lord's work."

In Sister Groves' farewell talk in Sacrament Meeting from her home ward in Utah, she said:  "I am happy to share this podium with Ryan Anderson.  I have often said, 'I feel like an old car.'  It takes more upkeep to keep me going.'  If I were to write an ad, it would sound something like this:  


"For Ryan--Sleek new sports model with turbo engine...500 horsepower, loaded with extras, 6-speed automatic transmission, low miles, fuel efficient, delivers high performance, fully equipped with power-operated features, stylish body work, shock absorbers that automatically adjust to road conditions, good in snow, most technologically advanced vehicle on the planet, comes with lifetime warranty.


"For Me--Completely restored full-size auto with a few dents and scratches, has had recent paint job, comes with spare parts, inefficient parts have been removed, high mileage, whitewalls stained with varicose veins, 5-speed manual shift, headlights out of focus, needs additives to run smoothly, not dependable on slick roads, good for work, clean title, has passed inspection, no warranty.


"The one thing we have in common is our value, because I could be considered an antique and thus be just as valuable as a new model.  For the Lord does not look on the outward appearance, but into the heart.  He loves everyone.  With that in mind, I am willing to serve the Lord with all my might, mind, and strength."


What a wonderful attitude Sister Groves has.  And what she says is true.  The Lord is not concerned with outward looks, amount of money, position, perfection or prestege.  He loves all of His children, and will extend to all His mercy, love, light, peace, with special blessings to those who try to be obedient and faithful.  Some of us can serve out of the U.S.; others are called and able to serve in one of our 50 states.  Still others can serve from their homes in their home states.  There are calls and needs from all around the world for worthy and willing senior missionaries.  Elder and Sister Hawley are so grateful to the Lord for their opportunity and the multiplicity of blessings from service as senior missionaries.  The more we serve, the more the quality of our service improves.  And the more we serve, the more grateful we are.  We can never give back enough to equal the Lord's blessings, but we will spend our lives trying.  Our love and gratitude for our Savior grows commenserate with our efforts.  How blessed indeed we are.

One last P.S. story.  Several months ago a sister in our Hyde Park Ward came to Sister Hawley with a request:  She had just celebrated her 80th birthday in her homeland of Germany, and had been able to unite her whole family [non-members] for this wonderful celebration.  Upon her return she asked Sister Hawley to forward a referral to the missionaries in her German home town for them to call upon one of her nephews.  Sister Hawley didn't hear 'the rest of the story' until today, when this sister bore her testimony: in  sacrament meeting:  her nephew asked her for a copy of The Book of Mormon, the missionaries are teaching him, and baptism / membership in the Church is in his future.  The Lord is loving and merciful to us all.  We just have to do our part, and wait upon Him, and put ourselves, or our requests and/or concerns in His hands.  It is wonderful to watch Him work!