Temple Tuesday

This week we had one Elder and two Sister's receive their own endowment. It is always a sweet experience to be at the temple with the missionaries. Tuesday is one of the blessings of our week!

This is Elder Charles (on the left) and Elder Devenport his companion!

You can see Elder Charles' joy at having been to the temple today. He is from Guyana. He is a precious boy. Elder Devenport is from Payson, UT and plays the piano for our MTC Choir. They are a great team! They love each other and they are excited to be missionaries!

This is Sister Paixao (pronounce Pie-shou) from Angola.

This is Sister Washburn from Mesa, AZ and Sister Paixao.

You can't really see Sister Paixao's long, long braids but they are there. The other day she put them on top of her head in a bun. It gave her an extra 12 inches! Sister Washburn is the grand daughter of our LVNV Temple President, President Washburn. Sweet, sweet girl.

This is Sister Liu from Mainland China.

 and her companion Sister Hutchinson from Layton, UT.

Sister Liu is the only member in her family and her parents are proud of her, but not happy she is here. She meets with a small unofficial branch of the church in her hometown. She studied English for 7 years in school and is going to serve in Manchester, both English and Mandarin speaking. She is a sweetheart. Her companion likes to run. Sister Liu does it for her. The other day they went three miles, hills and all. She is my hero!

Elder Charles came without being set apart and these three are all waiting to receive their patriarchal blessings when they arrive in their missions. It is a very sweet experience for Jon to be able to set apart some of these missionaries when they arrive.

The rest of these pictures are some of the other missionaries. I will tell you a little about a couple of them. 

This is Sister Stohrer (from Stuttgart, Germany) and Sister Passey (UT).
Sister Stohrer will be serving in Manchester, Sister Passey
in the Alpine German Mission. Sister Passey's mother is from
Austria. She is bi-lingual - leaving in 3 weeks!

Elder King (Icard, NC), he has been a member 15 months. Great young man!
Elder Vogel (Leipzig, Germany) - struggles with stuttering when he speaks English. He keeps trying though, and seems to be doing better. He will serve in Alpine Germany. Elder Li (Mainland China). For some reason he went to Rexburg to start college. He met some people that first day who invited him to go to an activity. It was a discussion with the missionaries. They continued to be his friend and he continued with the missionaries. It took him awhile but he joined and so sweetly wants to share his joy with others. He has been a member less than two years. He will be speaking Mandarin and English. Elder Hodson (Folsom, CA). Great young man! Elder Hunkemeier (Hannover, Germany) going back to Germany! A great young man! Elder Fishburn (OK) is here like a native German, only his speaking abilities are lacking. He is working extra hard. Elder Malpage (Johannesburg, South Africa). I love this young man! He is so happy and he has a wonderful accent! He will be a great missionary!

From left to right: England, Switzerland, UT, Finland, England, and Star Valley (Afton), WY. 

Jon and I with the Greek Sister's. Sister Reiman and Sister Beasley.

Elder Oswald (Canada) and Elder Sengson (Phillippines).
Elder Sengson taught himself English by reading the Book of Mormon!
I am amazed!

The Greeks in the middle with their teacher on the left. She knows a member
in Greece who has sent her family file names to do in the temple. Each
of them got to do work for the dead in Greek today!

Alden's 100th Birthday

This morning before we went to the temple, I gave Elder Williams a candy bar and wished him a HAPPY BIRTHDAY. Then as I was waiting in the temple, I thought to myself, "I wonder how old dad would be today. He was born in 1917...oh my goodness, he would be 100 years old!"

My dad is an amazing man! I miss him everyday! Every missionary that has ever met me, and every Primary child in the Las Vegas Stake, has probably heard about my Father's love for the Book of Mormon and what an impact that has had on my life. I can picture him very vividly sitting in "his chair", whether that be in Las Vegas, Crow Creek or Arizona, reading and studying the Book of Mormon. Many a Sunday night conversation was had in he and Mom's home about a subject he had been pondering from his readings. He always asked what we thought about the subject or the scripture and then the conversation began. Those Sunday night visits were a highlight for me and my family. He thought we came for the mini pretzels...we came for them!

I have so many memories of my dad. We spent a lot of time together. He taught us that family was everything. He taught us to laugh and enjoy life. He taught us to love cows and horses, the outdoors, how to be frugal, and how to love your spouse. He taught us how to work hard, and play hard. How to love the Lord and serve Him with all of our might, mind and strength. He taught us how to keep going when your health started to fail. How to keep working at being independent until the very end. Because of him and his ability to love me completely, I knew I had a loving Heavenly Father. He spoiled me pretty much rotten. His life, from beginning to end, is a testament to his love of people (family and friends), his love of God, and how to have fun and be happy along the way!

I really can't talk about my dad without including my mother in all of the same memories and fun and giving and love. They belong together! They showed me what a happy marriage looks like. I truly have been born of goodly parents! Happy Birthday Dad! I LOVE YOU!

They are pretty cute together!

So handsome!

I love my family!

Daddy-daughter date!

The Lake District - Lake Windermere

Today we drove to the Lake District, about an hour and fifteen minutes from Chorley. We had a hike recommended to us by one of the MTC teachers. He sent us a link and I downloaded a GPX app and thought we were all set to go. After the first 1.5 miles, we couldn't find the right trail. We explored and climbed and traversed the mud and crap, but could never find the right path. It was still a beautiful hike and a very fun day! The weather app said it was going to start raining at about 4 and should be snowing by 5. As we were driving away, that is exactly what happened. As we came back to Chorley the sun was out and we saw some blue sky. I wondered if Jon was a little bit sad that he missed a good day for golf taking me on a hike. I hope we get another good day this week! Happy P-Day to us! 

MTC Group 22 Feb 2017

Missionaries love to take squirrelly pictures! What can I say? Sunday night Family Home Evenings are always FUN! PMG/White Handbook Chase! Whoever can find the statement the fastest gets to pick some candy. It gets very competitive...but it's pretty funny! Last night President offered the native German speakers 20 pounds if they could get one, he has a need to keep it lively! I am really enjoying Sunday in the MTC, but I miss my home cookin'.

Liverpool Stake YM and YW

Tonight we had a visit from the YM and YW in the Liverpool Stake and their Leaders. I was surprised how many people we had attend. It was a full room. We gave them a tour of the MTC, Jon shared some feelings about how they could best prepare, DC 64:33-34 "the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind", and five of our missionaries shared their experiences of how they found themselves on their missions. Jon was great and the missionaries were amazing! As they shared their stories the spirit was very strong. Here is a little that I remember from them. 

Sister Moffett is from Belfast, North Ireland. She has graduated from University and had a very good job in London. VERY GOOD. She is 24 I believe, and she shared that it took her a long time to listen to the Lord and make the commitment to come. She is beautiful and talented and expresses herself like the General YW's President. :) She shared with us that when she told her father she was going on a mission, he told her he was sick and would probably be dead before she got home. Her boyfriend, five days before she came to the MTC, asked her to marry him. She said they were deeply in love. He is the catch of the century, but she felt very strongly that she needs to serve a mission. She has no idea if he will be there when she returns. She is going to serve in the Alpine German Speaking Mission. She is finding it very difficult to speak in German and to understand. I think she is amazing.

Elder Molbek is from Denmark. He and his sister came to the MTC the same day. His sister has several emotional problems, but can share her feelings about Jesus Christ and the principles of the gospel in a very compelling way. I think Elder Molbek is one of the most humble and kind young men I have ever known. He and his sister were the only members in their high school. It wasn't popular to be different and live the standards of the church. He had a few struggles along the way, but he made the sacrifice and came on a mission. From talking to them, I think Sister Molbek (their mother) must be an amazingly strong, faithful and dedicated woman. She served a mission herself and their father has basically left the family. They have nothing that money can buy, but they have great faith and strong testimonies, and a desire to share the blessings the gospel brings with those who are prepared to hear their message. They didn't have the money to purchase the devices they needed for their missions. Elder Molbek was wearing hand me down pants and suits that were very, very short for him. He didn't share all of the stuff about his financial struggles, just that he was grateful to be worthy and serving a mission now. I love the Molbek's!

Sister Beasley is from Leicester, England. She is a go getter and a fireball of energy. There is nothing she can't do. She told us that she decided as a teenager that she was going to be a doctor and serve a full time mission. She didn't realize that there might be a conflict with both of those decisions at the time. As she became older she realized it may be hard to leave University for a mission. As she was preparing and taking college entrance exams to be a doctor, she was not sure if she should serve before she started her training. As everything worked out, she will start University 3 weeks after she returns home from her service in the Greece Athens mission. She is so cute about learning this very difficult language. Full of quick retorts, and big smiles about all of the mistakes they make trying to teach investigators in Greek. Sister Beasley is also a musician and has been my go to person for help with musical numbers and choir pieces! She is a gem!

Sister Reiman is from Finland. She is a little quieter than Sister Beasley, but I think she is a genius and is picking up Greek a little faster than the other two Greek missionaries. She was sitting in Seminary one day and her teacher asked who wanted to serve a mission, and she found her hand going up, and it surprised her! Things in her life continued to work out and she got her mission call. Her mother has a sister who lives in Cyprus who has not been active in the Church in forever. She is so excited that she will be serving there and is hopeful that she can help her aunt and her family come back. She is amazing!

Elder Goodwin is from Northampton, England. He will also be serving in the Greece Athens mission. He shared that he wasn't prepared to serve his mission a couple of years ago when he turned 18. He got himself together and got all of the money earned that he would need in order to serve and then submitted his papers. He mentioned that the process was taking from six to nine months for many of his friends, and he didn't have money to live for six months before he came out. He said he prayed that he would be able to leave quickly. Within six weeks he was in the MTC. His faith is strong and he is very prepared to serve. He is grateful for the extra couple of years, because he feels like he is ready now, and this is the right time for him. He said most days he feels like a child again...learning a new alphabet and trying to speak this crazy language, but they are doing great! I love Elder Goodwin!

As they all finished sharing their stories, one of the leaders from Liverpool asked them a question. He said, "Knowing what you know today, what would you tell your fourteen year old self?"

Sister Moffett said, "Be PRESENT. When you are at church, really be there. Pay attention and acknowledge what you are feeling."

Elder Molbek said, "Don't be ashamed about being a member of Jesus Christ's Church."

Sister Beasley said, "Three things: 1. Study Preach My Gospel  2. Learn from Seminary and 3. Do not go up to the edge of the cliff, that is no where for a daughter (or son) of God to be."

Sister Reiman said, "Listen and learn in Seminary."

Elder Goodwin said, "Read the Book of Mormon."

Jon said today that being here to help these wonderful missionaries makes the sacrifice worth it. I agree with him 100%.

WIPE OUT!

It had been two days since I was able to get outside and run, and even though it was raining and windy, I didn't care. I needed some time out of doors! Everyone who saw me leaving the MTC was like, "Are you CRAZY?" Apparently I am. I shockingly had made it most of the way and I was almost home when the path turns to dirt and is next to a wall of vines. As I was trying to miss the mud and puddles, my foot got caught in one of the vines and I went down...hard. All the way to my face! I knew I had mud all over my cheek, gloves, pants, you name it! I was a soaking, muddy mess. I forced myself to run on home and I tried to sneak in without anyone noticing me. I undressed in front of the washing machine and noticed I had blood on my pants from my knees. So I washed that out and headed in for the shower when I saw I had blood on my shirt as well. I didn't even know I had hurt my chin. What a loser. If only I could have a video of that fall we could all have a good laugh! I was running very close to the road, people had to have seen me. 

Jon came home from the gym and tried to fix me up. Then he lovingly called me a dumb a--! Only one of my missionaries said, "Sister Bunker is your chin OK?"

London and London South

Due to circumstances that I probably shouldn't explain, because it makes me a little mad, the missionaries going to London and London South can not depart the MTC on Tuesday with the rest of the missionaries. They stay until Wednesday morning and then the staff has two hours to prepare the MTC to receive the new missionaries coming in that day. Just trust me...it is ridiculous!

These missionaries are headed to London. The elder on the left is Elder Yamada. He knew very little English when he arrived and yet he was assigned to a district that was fluent in English. He is from Japan. He worked very hard to be able to speak, and he had the choice whether or not he should stay and receive additional tutoring or leave with his district. He chose to go with his people. As President gave him a big hug, he just started bawling. He was so embarrassed by his emotions, but everyone understood. He has received a lot of support and love here at the MTC. We are praying for him! Sister Muller is next to the really tall Elder. She is the one who wrote us such a sweet thank you note and drew the temple on the envelope! I will miss her.

 

These missionaries are headed to London South. The Elders are solid citizens...and so are a few of the sisters! I have been praying for all of their trainers! I'm sure they will make great strides once they get started! They have needed some extra love and attention from their MTC mom! :)

In about two hours we will be receiving 40 new missionaries. Today will be a very long day for everyone arriving! I'm glad it's not me this time! :)

Leeds, Birmingham and Netherlands

These are the Elders and Sisters that left this morning for the mission field. Departure day from the MTC is exciting and a little bit tiny heartbreaking for President and I. We fall in love with these missionaries and they go off and leave us to serve in their missions. We are so excited for them, and we know this is our calling now, but we miss them when they are gone!

Elder Amos (on the right) is headed to Leeds. What is it with these British people
and their refusal to make a normal smile in photos. I don't get it!

These are the Birmingham missionaries! What a diverse group! I will miss
Elder Bosco from Waddy, Kentucky and Sister Alayon from Hong Kong most.
Though I have grown to love them all!

This is Elder Kyson Boehning from Pasco, WA.
He is the only other person I have met with the first name of Kyson!
He is a good boy and will be an awesome missionary! I love him!

This is Elder Adema from the Netherlands, going back to the Netherlands.

Pleasington Golf Club, Blackburn

Jon finally got to play his first round of golf! 

This was his comment when he sent out the photo.

"I went golfing yesterday and this was one of the homes

off one of the fairways. I think William Wallace used

to live in this house - so much history!"

When I went to pick him up, I could tell the time out of doors 

had been very good for him. Even though as I was driving there

it was raining and cold. He didn't complain for a second.

He is an outdoors guy!!!

Speeding Ticket

Picture #1. I took these pictures while I was out running this week, mostly so I could tell this story. I like this first picture for many reasons. You can see the green of the winter grass, you can see the beautiful wooden gate, and you can see the 30 mile an hour speed limit sign. True to form, President Bunker got a speeding ticket the first week we were here. We had no idea. Ten days later the staff came in laughing that we had gotten a ticket when we were on our way to Costco the week before. This was not funny news...

Picture #2. Notice the 40 mile an hour speed limit sign and the sign underneath. That is a camera sign. Here in the UK they warn you that they are going to be taking a picture of you as you are driving so don't speed. Unfortunately, we had no idea what this sign was, or what it meant until after we got our ticket.

Picture #3. Notice the car parked on the left side of the road. This happens all over and most streets are not this wide, so when you have parked cars on the side, two cars can barely pass each other on the road.

Picture #4. Notice the white horizontal lines on the road and the yellow box on the right hand side of the picture. The white lines tell you they are taking a photo and the camera is in the yellow box. How does anyone get a speeding ticket here? Now that we have learned this I am constantly saying, "camera. 40." or "camera. 30." or camera, camera, camera. Jon is afraid he is going to lose his privilege to drive if he gets another speeding ticket, not to mention it cost a lot of money. DANG! Now you know why he stresses while he is driving. Sometimes there are camera signs and no white horizontal lines and we never see a camera box. Other times we see all three. It is tricky learning the rules and signs of the road in a foreign land.

Liverpool

For P-Day this week we went to Liverpool. It is a little over an hour drive from here, if you don't get lost. :) I was trying to figure out how to use our TomTom GPS system, and Jon missed a couple of turns while I was distracted. Anyway, once we got there it was really fun! Just to be somewhere new, exploring the downtown area, looking at the architecture, visiting a couple of museums, feeling the sun on our faces for 10 minutes...it was glorious. (The joke here in England is, if the weather is beautiful, wait ten minutes, it will probably be raining.) We even went to the train station and hung out for a minute to rest our legs. There is a very large shopping area, outdoor, where no cars can drive and you can just wander from place to place without a care in the world. Too bad neither of us need anything. We always manage to be on the lookout for a new tie. When that is the big variation in your wardrobe, it becomes a very exciting accessory! We had our very first steak since coming to the UK. It was mighty tasty indeed. All in all we are fans of Liverpool! I'm sure we will be returning.

I feel like this is pretty typical European architecture from my Study Abroad days!

This one too. I get a little excited when I see it!

The Liverpool Parish Church (1257) next to the newer buildings.

The church gardens. Probably prettier in the spring and summer.

The docks. Where lots of Mormons left from to come to America.

Do people do this lock thing everywhere now?

A beautiful sunset, right before dinner.