JnJOgden

Christmas and January Transfers

2012-01-21T06:24:00.000-08:00

CHRISTMAS CAROLING AT NEW STREET

As we gather for our Christmas party in Birmingham, the missionaries go to New Street in the center of the city to sing Christmas carols.

Its a wonderful way to share the Spirit of Christ at Christmas...

The Elders and Sisters take every opportunity to talk to people, give out copies of the Book of Mormon, and pass along cards.

Our CHRISTMAS party is the only time during the year when the whole mission comes together..

.its a wonderful occasion!

It wouldn't be Christmas without our traditional performance of the

HAKA...

Some of our Nottingham Elders entertaining us...

With the end of 2011, we look ahead to increasing our vision, our faith, and our diligence as we serve...

A great way to start...

***JANUARY TRANSFERS***

ABOVE---Our dearly departed!!!

Elder Bussell from Maine, Elder Balla from Harrogate, England, Elder Clarke-Wills from the London area, Elder Davis from Calgary, Canada, and Elder Grappi from Switzerland.

BELOW--- Our brand new missionaries...

Elder Z. Hansen (Utah), Elder Gunderson (Texas), Elder M. Hansen (Utah), Elder Lewis (Utah), Elder Eckelt (England), Elder Wilde (Scotland...brother to our Elder Garroway), Elder Schenk (Austria), Elder Frimpong (England), Elder Larsen (Utah), Elder Sutton (Utah), Elder Jones (Virginia), Elder Trimble (Utah), and Elder Vasquez (Spain...our first Spaniard!)

WELCOME TO THE EBM!!!

2011-12-14T13:08:00.000-08:00

We had an exciting month!

We enjoyed visits from the Llewellyn's,

the Bairds, and their traveling companions, the Johnsons.

A few weeks after that,

Chris Hodgson and Loann Leonard

came and spent a week with us.

Its wonderful to get caught up with our dear friends, and to be able to show

them a little of Mission life...and this beautiful country.

TRANSFERS

We only had two missionaries going home in December...Elder Bray from England, and Elder Krywult

from Austria. Both sets of parents came to pick up their sons...it was so nice to meet them.

We'll miss these Elders!

WELCOME!!!

Sister Medvescek from Slovenia

and Elder Ferrall from Denmark...

Excitement at the Rameumptom

*************************************

SPECIAL VISITORS...our Area Seventy

ELDER DONALDSON and HIS WIFE

Excited Elders and Sisters at the conference in Cardiff...

Elder and Sister Donaldson with our Assistants and Zone Leaders...

It was wonderful to have them with us!

2011-11-01T13:47:00.000-07:00

Its hard to believe that these missionaries have finished their missions and are headed home. I feel like they just got here. An unusual transfer, with more Sisters leaving than Elders. Elder Benthin (Denmark), Elder O'Brien (England), Elder Cadwallader (California), Sister Clark (California), Sister Pope (Utah), Sister Babbage (Zimbabwe and England), Sister McKelvie (England). A very powerful group...we'll miss them!

We welcomed our new missionaries on the 'Rameumptom'....

including two new couples...the Lathams (Utah), and the Fannings (Idaho).

Sister Louis from India (right) with her trainer, Sister Whitaker (Nevada)...

Elder Pauley (Germany) with his trainer, Elder Grappi (Switzerland)...

Sister Carson (Utah) on the right, with her trainer, Sister Stucki (California)...

Sister Shorters (England) on the right with her trainer, Sister Baker (Washington)....

Elder Von Brughan (South Africa) with his "International tripanionship"...Elder Hudec (Czech Republic) and Elder Anim (France). I think they speak about 7 languages between the 3 of them.

A group of missionaries who came in together a few transfers ago...Elder Barton, Elder Edwards, Elder Brewer, Elder Rainey, and Elder Harper.

Me with my girls who are headed home....all amazing women!

Elder MacArthur (Houston)...called as a Chinese speaking missionary.

Elder Pauley (Germany)...we've sent home all of our German missionaries except one, so we were glad to have Elder Pauley come to us.

Sister Louis...our first missionary from India.

Sister Shorters...she's our first missionary from Dorset, England!

Sister Carson...Lindon, Utah

Our new greenies...we're so happy to have them here. They're all off to a wonderful start!!!!!!

2011-09-27T09:28:00.000-07:00

This was a very busy and exciting month. We attended our third and last Mission President's Seminar. This year it was in Copenhagen, Denmark. Neither of us had ever been there before, and enjoyed an opportunity to see this beautiful city. Most of all, we enjoyed being instructed by our Area Presidency, as well as Elder David A. Bednar and his sweet wife. What a special experience! A few days after the Seminar, the Bednars, along with Elder Kopischke and Elder Donaldson and their wives, came to speak to our Missionaries, as well as the members in our Mission.

These are pictures I took in Copenhagen. The one above was taken from a boat while we were on a cruise around the harbor. The one below was taken from the window of a restaurant we ate in one night.

NEW ELDERS

Elder Griffith from Utah, and Elder Hudec from the Czech Republic arrived from the Provo MTC just in time for Elder Bednar's visit to Birmingham. Elder Hudec was in Provo learning English, and Elder Griffith was learning Chinese....we have a new Chinese speaker in our Mission! We're so excited, especially since Elders Guo, Leung, Wang, and Luu have left!

We were fortunate to receive a new couple to serve as missionaries in the EBM...the Pinkerton's from Oregon. They are serving in Stroud. We know they'll be a great blessing to our mission!

Time to say goodbye to one of our two Finnish missionary...Elder Andersson...

...and our little girl from Sri Lanka with the big heart...and a big name,

Sister Kottambagahagedara

Elder Morgan from Utah also came to us in August as a Chinese speaker. He was trained by Elder Luu.

SEPTEMBER TRANSFERS

....we sent home four of our leaders in the mission. They will be missed!

Elder Magpantay (Germany)...our A.P., Elder Cyron (Germany...known as 'the machine'), Elder Duke (Arkansas), and Elder Luu (Washington). What an amazing group of Elders!

The missionaries love seeing each other at transfers...Elder Clarke-Wills, Magpantay, Setu, Steed, Mathews, and Fairbourne.

AND....last but not least...our GREENIES. Elder Anim (France), Elder Diloyan (Armenia), Elder Rowe (Utah), Elder Kerr (Utah), Elder Peck (Utah), Elder Destribois (France), Elder Patch (Utah), Elder Tapia (Colorado), Elder Clarke (from the Lichfield Stake in our mission...he's just here temporarily waiting for his Visa for Australia), Elder Quilter (North Wales), Sister Wheatley (Utah), and Sister Benson (New Mexico).

We're thrilled to have them.....and already seeing great things from them. Its exciting!!!!

TRANSFERS AUGUST 3, 2011

2011-08-12T14:44:00.000-07:00

Our wonderful missionaries who went home this month: Left to right (after Pres. Ogden): Elder Schmidt (Germany), Elder Pedersen (St.George, Utah), Elder Stein (Germany), Elder Wangsgard (Ogden, Utah), Elder Anderson (Grace, Idaho), Elder Breuer (Germany), Elder Mower (West Jordan, Utah), Elder Brokatzky ( Germany), Elder Marks (Texas), Elder Shrubb (England), Sis. Nadsady (Scotland).

Gathering in the office their last day here. AP Magpantay, Sister Nadsady, Elder Breuer.

At the Mission Home for the departing testimony fireside...

A dozen out...a dozen in...."Greenie Power"

Elder Lee (Singapore), Elder Harper (West Jordan, UT.), Elder Barton (Modesto, CA.), Elder Choi (S.L.C. and Korea), Elder Bell (Holladay, Utah), Elder Greene (Orlando, FL.), Elder Edwards (West Jordan, UT.), Elder Rainey (Knoxville, TN.), Elder Frary (Virginia and Germany), Elder Brewer (Springville, UT.), Elder Muir (Pleasant Grove, UT.), Sister Brooks (Lancashire, England)

On the Rameumptom...

Another FAMILY PORTRAIT...

Elder Cadwallader (2nd from right) trained Elder Jaquish (far right) and Elder Siegel (tall guy).

Elder Siegel is now training Elder Harper, so Elder Harper is Elder Cadwallader's grandson, and Elder Jaquish's nephew....get it????

I took this shot of Elder Howe and Elder Beus...Elder Howe asked me to put it on the blog, and since he's my 'home boy', how could I say no??!!!

GADFIELD ELM

2011-07-24T14:18:00.000-07:00

FINALLY...the long awaited time for our Church History Zone Conferences arrived...

The missionaries of the Cardiff/Merthyr Zone, Cheltenham Zone, and Lichfield Zone...

The Missionaries of the Nottingham/Leicester Zone, and the Birmingham/Coventry Zone...

The wonderful, dedicated and beautiful Sister missionaries of the EBM...

(I don't know if Elders Setu and Tonga are trying to get in the picture...or out!)

And our Senior couples...such a vital and important part of our mission!

The Tufts

The Skiles and the Henry's

The Johnson's

Our four tallest missionaries...I think they are all above 6'7"...

(We had to put Elder Guo in the picture to give it some perspective.)

Besides Gadfield Elm, we climbed the mountain at British Camp...the Elders made sure Sister Mee didn't get to hang out at the bottom!

President Ogden was quite in demand for pictures as we visited Benbow Farm and Pond.

...here he is with Sister Kottambagahagadera and Sister Rose.

It was a very exciting day!!!

2011-06-25T15:41:00.000-07:00

This past six weeks has been an exciting time.....

Two new little grandsons have

joined our family.

Cooper Roy Adcock was born to Megan and Chris on May 15th

in Irvine, California.

He was a big baby,

weighing in at 9 lb. 9 oz.

Jett Dayley Cameron was born

to Alisa and David on

June 5th. He was much smaller than his cousin...

6 lb. 3 oz.

Both little boys are reported to be very sweet and contented babies.

This transfer, we sent home what I fondly refer to as our 'first borns'. This was the group that came to serve in the England Birmingham Mission at the same time that we did. (Well, with the exception of Elder Leung in the middle...he started when we did, but spent a few months in the MTC learning English.)

From left to right they are: Elder Smith (Wyoming), Elder Schreiner (Utah), Elder Leung (Hong Kong), Elder Stokes (Texas), and Elder Marston (England).

I feel like we grew up together! We love each of them and will miss them so much.

Our wonderful new group of missionaries.

From left to right: Elder Van Kerckhoven (a Belgian...Our first!), Elder Ockey (Utah), Elder Lewis (Utah),

Elder Lyman (Utah), and Sister Matapo (England and Zimbabwe).

Standing with them on the Rameumptom are two missionaries who came to our mission mid transfer...

Elder Hopkinson from Leeds, England, and Elder Blackwood from Reading, England.

Also coming in mid transfer were Elder and Sister Johnson from northern Arizona. They are serving as the leaders of the Center for Young Adults in the Lichfield Stake. The YSA is such a marvelous program, and we're so excited to have these wonderful people to oversee it!

And my sister, Christine, came to visit us...so fun!!! We had a great time and she loved England. Here we found our perfect hangout...if you can't read the sign, it says "Scholar's Lounge". It was in the beautiful Lower Slaughter.

McGARVEY AND SPENCE

2011-06-25T14:56:00.000-07:00

Last month, we had the wonderful experience of attending the wedding of two of our former missionaries in the Preston England Temple...

Elder Spence

and

Sister McGarvey

Now to be known as

Mr. and Mrs.

Bridger Spence

He is from Utah, and she is from Scotland...

He looked very handsome in the

traditional Scottish kilt...

what a guy!

And she, of course, was an incredibly beautiful bride.

What a choice experience to witness their sealing.

2011-05-14T14:19:00.000-07:00

An exciting month, with special visitors...Elder Patrick Kearon and his wife, Jennifer. Elder Kearon presided at our Zone Conferences this quarter. He and Sister Kearon gave powerful, inspiring messages to us and to our missionaries.

I wasn't smart enough to have a picture taken with us and the Kearons, but here they are with two of our Sisters...Sister Clark and Sister Hedemark. Sister Clark and Sister Kearon discovered that they are related.

This was taken at the Zone Conference down in Cardiff. Elder and Sister Crandall will be leaving us in a few short weeks. They have accomplished much in their 18 months here...we'll sure miss them.

With them are missionaries who were serving in the district with them...Elders Taylor, Brokatsky, Durfee, Sister Nadsady, Sister Perera, Elder Siegel, and Elder Mansfield.

May Transfers

These Elders arrived the transfer before we did, so I say we 'adopted' them as newborns. A few of this group had to leave last transfer due to expiring Visas. The Sisters, of course, came 18 months ago. They are:

Elder Smith from London, Elder Rapana from Australia, Elder Jensen from Utah, Elder Love from Utah, Sister Morgan from Blackwood, Wales, and Sister Nemec from Croatia (she was just baptized herself 3 years ago!)

GREENIE POWER!!!!

It's been three transfers since we got any greenies...we're so excited to have this amazing group.

They are: (L. to R. front row) Mucke (Germany), Kunz (Idaho), Cloward (Utah), Sims (Utah), Dalton (Utah), Whitehead (Utah), Sister Baker (Washington, Russia, China...etc.), Sister Stucki (California), Sister Filichia (Arizona)

(L. to R. back row:) Cole (Arizona), Wilkey (England), Callen (Idaho), Hutchings (Utah), Rogers (Texas), Johnson (Utah)

This is Elder Querubin (r.) with his trainer, Elder Dahl. Elder Querubin came to us last week...he was held up because of his Visa. We're so excited to finally get him here!

A FEW RANDOM SHOTS FROM TRANSFER DAY...

This is what we call a "Family Group" shot. Elder Luu trained Elder Clark (far left) Elder Roberts (center) and Elder MacGill (far right)....so they are referred to as his sons. Now Elder Clark is training Elder Kunz, so he will be Elder Luu's grandson. We have sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles...and on and on.

This is Sister and Elder Skiles...our new office couple....standing on the Rameumptom. They arrived the day before the mission tour, and the week before transfers. I'm not sure they know what hit them, but I'm pretty positive they haven't had a chance to catch their breath. We're excited to have them here!

Elder Guo...one of our Elders from China. He's a character!

Behind him you see Elder Von Brughan...our Elder who made such a miraculous recovery from a bike accident. He's a constant reminder to me of the power of the Priesthood, prayer and fasting.

CATCHING UP....AGAIN

2011-04-14T13:40:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful, terrible, joyful, busy, and miraculous transfer.

It all started February 22nd when we had a departing dinner for Sister Layton and Sister Strein. It was a bittersweet evening, because we also had to say goodbye to Elder Lowry. His asthma had gotten progressively worse and we couldn't keep him here anymore without jeopardizing his health. These are three very wonderful missionaries...we'll miss them so much!

After the dinner that evening, at about 10 o'clock, we got a call from Elder Von Brugan's companion Elder Von Brughan had taken a bad fall from his bike and had hit his head. He was being taken by ambulance to a hospital. We hurried out there. When we arrived, he was sedated and intubated. They thought they might have to do surgery to relieve the pressure on his brain. Fortunately, that didn't become necessary. At the transfer meeting the next morning, President Ogden asked all of the missionaries to join us in fasting and prayer for this Elder. We also learned that the Brethren in SLC were praying for him in the Temple. After a few days, he was on the road to recovery, and we were able to keep him here...truly a miracle.

Megan, Chris and their girls were here at that time....so they witnessed all of the drama. But we still had a wonderful time being with them again. We went to a farm, the Cotswolds, the church historical sites, Cardiff, the Museum of Welsh Life...all of the usual places we take our kids. We really enjoyed spending time with each of them, and seeing how much Emma and Taylor had grown.

(Taylor likes to do exactly the same thing that Emma does!)

A few days after the Adcock's left, our house was burglarized. We came down in the morning and first noticed that our laptop was gone. As we looked around the house, we noticed that my purse and Chuck's briefcase and scriptures were gone. Then we looked out the window. The driveway was EMPTY...they had taken our car. As they drove it out of the driveway, they had hit a big brick pillar. I realized then that I had heard the crash before I went to sleep...meaning I had been awake through the whole robbery.

Not a happy thought! Chuck was more heartbroken about his scriptures (that he has been reading and marking for 15 years) than anything else.

A week later, Brett's family came to visit us. Another wonderful time. We got to see little Chelsea for the first time. What a delightful baby girl! We enjoyed being reunited with all of them...it really didn't seem possible that it had been over a year and a half since we had seen them. Thank heaven for SKYPE!

Two days after they left, we had transfers again. As with the previous time, we had missionaries leaving but none coming. We're looking forward to welcoming some 'greenies' next transfer. Since none were coming this time, we had our departing missionaries stand on the 'Rameumptom' and tell where they've been serving, where they're going (in other words...where's home) and if they have a new companion waiting for them. We heard everything from 'mom and dad' and 'Megan Fox', to the Holy Spirit. A few were more honest and mentioned the name of a real girl!!!

Elder La Vita (South Africa), Elder Griffiths (Utah), Elder Williams (Utah), another Elder Williams (Utah), Elder Davies (England), Elder Christensen (Utah), Elder Broekman (Holland and Australia), Elder Sinclair (England), Sister Bioleome (Camaroon and Germany)

What a wonderful group!!!!

THE RAMEUMTOM

P.S. To all of our former missionaries...WE LOVE YOU...keep in touch!!!

2011-02-20T13:51:00.000-08:00

The beginning of the year...our halfway mark...brought many changes to our mission. Elder and Sister Long, who have served in our office, completed their mission. They were here before we came, and kept things running smoothly and efficiently... finances, cars, and flats, to name a few of their many tasks.

We wish them well in all they do in the future.

The next week, we said goodbye to another dozen of our valiant missionaries.

(Front row, l.to.r.: Elder Seale (Utah), Elder Piredda (Italy), Elder Larsen (Arizona), Elder Worthington (Utah), Elder Halaufia (Florida). Back row, l to r.: Elder Moffett (Idaho), Elder Nylund (Sweden), Elder Nygaard (Washington), Elder Hummer (Utah), Elder Wangsgard (not leaving yet!), Elder Ackerman (California), Elder Zito (Italy).

We also said goodbye to Sister Van Eeden, going home to the Netherlands.

Bright and early the next morning, we received 11 new missionaries from the Preston MTC....

Elder Bradley (England), Elder Weihing---pronounced Wine (Utah), Elder Weichers...pronounced Wickers (California), Elder Setu (Australia), Elder Nasman (Finland), Elder MacGill (Colorado), Elder Fairbourn (Utah), Elder Blatter...pronounced Blotter (California), Elder Boehme...pronounced Bay-me (Arizona), Elder Schiller (Utah), Sister Toleafoa (Utah).

We also had Sister Mee come to us from Manchester to work in our office...what an amazing woman!!!

And Elder and Sister Tufts came to run the Center for Young Adults. They are going to be such a blessing to the Young Adults in the Birmingham area. This is truly an inspired program if ever there was one!!!

We will miss our missionaries who have gone home...we feel privileged to have worked beside them. We welcome the wonderful new missionaries who are already hard at work and having great experiences. What a wonderful experience this is for us.

HOLIDAYS 2010

2011-01-07T13:29:00.000-08:00

What an exciting Holiday Season! Alisa's family arrived the day before Thanksgiving. We broke with tradition a little... but did eat our Thanksgiving dinner at a 'traditional' English carvery. The food's not quite as good as homemade...but it sure is a lot easier, and cheaper as well.

It was icy cold the whole time they were here, but these Arizona kids enjoyed playing in the snow.

We took them to St. Fagan's Museum of Welsh Life (above), Warwick Castle, Cardiff, and the Church historical sites within our mission. Here they are at Benbow Pond....

They were excited to be here for our December Transfers. No one was going home at this time, and we welcomed just three new missionaries...Sister Whitaker from Nevada, and Elders Tulip and Roberts from England. They are a great additon to the EBM. Elder Tulip's uncle was a past president of this mission...President Munday...so he was no stranger to the Mission Offices or Mission Home.

Here they are on the Rameumptom....joined by Elder Brooke from England on the far left (he came mid transfer), and Elder Larsen from Arizona in the middle. Elder Larsen goes home this next transfer, but told us that since he had come in between transfers, he never got to stand on the Rameumptom....... it was his last chance!

Our other Arizona kids...Jacy's family... came on December 15th. This was the first time Papa had seen little Kendall...now 17 months old. How wonderful to have them with us for Christmas.

This picture was taken in one of my favorite villages in the Cotswolds...Bourton on the Water. Even the name of the town oozes with charm.

We've heard this has been the coldest winter in England in more than 30 years...I believe it!!! But these kids enjoyed the novelty of snow as well.

How do you like their President and Sister Ogden snowmen???

It was fun for them to be here for our annual EBM Christmas Party. (They were also a HUGE help to me.)

The most entertaining part of the day is the Talent show. I wish I could put up a video of the whole show...it was a fabulous variety of talent...amazing, crazy, funny, and beautiful!

Elder Walton and Seale did a great job as Emcees. Our "Islanders" did the Haka dance. Elder and Sister Henry showed us talents we didn't know they had! We had vocal, violin, double bass, piano, guitar, and harmonica solos...one Elder even played the harmonica through his nose! We had beat boxing, break dancing and ballet dancing (I use that term loosely!). We even had a magic act. What a talented and creative goup of missionaries. They are so much fun!!!

The only unfortunate thing was that, along with all of the missionaries, we had lots of unwanted guests. Germs of all kinds spreading through the crowd. Sunday and Monday after Christmas, my phone was ringing non-stop with calls from sick missionaries. I think in the end, we had more than half the mission out sick. The good thing was that most of them recovered quickly, and at this time, we're pretty much back to a full complement of healthy missionaries...all ready to make 2011 the best year ever in the ENGLAND BIRMINGHAM MISSION!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF OUR DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS...

2010-11-12T05:17:00.000-08:00

The third week in October, we had our annual Mission Presidents Seminar in Dresden, Germany. Because it ran from a Tuesday through Friday, and fell on our Transfer week, we received our new missionaries on Monday, Oct. 17th. The previous evening, we had our three departing Elders for dinner and a testimony meeting.

Elder Leeper went home to Basingstoke, England, Elder Clancy to Dundee, Scotland, and Elder Westwood was alone as he flew back to his home in Salt Lake City, Utah. We really miss these three fine Elders.

On Monday, we were so happy to receive into our mission (L. to R.) Elder Anderton from Norfolk, England, Elder Burgess from Utah, Sister Hedemark from Sweden, and Sister Rose from Iowa (and Utah),

In addition, a week before they came, we finally got Sis. Lauritzen here. She was supposed to come in June, but injured her knee in the MTC. She had surgery, and has been undergoing rehab. We were so thrilled to get the call that she was finally able to come. She comes from my home state of California.

(Sister Pope and Sister Lauritzen are reunited. They were companions in the MTC.)

The new Elders and Sisters stand on the "Rameumptom" for a rousing welcome. To the far left is Elder Holland. He arrived in our mission between transfers. I don't know where to say he is from...he's lived in 17 different places!

The next day, we were off to Germany. We got a VERY early start...in other words, had to get up in the middle of the night to get to the airport in time. A pleasant flight, then we arrived in the beautiful and historic city of Dresden.

We stayed in the lovely Steigenberger Hotel in the middle of a cobbled plaza. We were surrounded by the history of the Reformation...including a statue of Martin Luther.

Of course, we're never any farther from our missionaries than the telephone! Our Assistants did a good job of diverting as many calls as they could, but I don't think Pres. Ogden would know what to do if he had a day without ANY calls!

We had a little time for sightseeing...fortunately there was much to see right around our hotel.

(Wouldn't you know I'd have a McDonald's cup in my hand...)

We were also able to go to the Freiberg Temple. Since many of our missions don't have Temples within their boundaries, they always plan these seminars near a Temple, so we can at least go once a year. There was a wonderful surprise for us when we arrived at the Temple. Our Elder Brokatzky's parents came to meet us and brought us a lovely gift...a traditional German Christmas decoration.

The best part of the Seminar was the wonderful instruction by our Area Presidency...Elder Kopischke, Elder Causse, Elder Texeira, and also Elder Kevin Pearson of the Seventy. We were so inspired and uplifted...so much insight to share with our missionaries. It was wonderful as well to spend time with the other mission presidents...especially the ones we came out with.

A busy---wonderful---week!

EBM FOOTBALLERS

2010-10-15T05:18:00.000-07:00

Our semi annual football tournament was September 27th...what a fun day!

At the north end of the Mission...we had:

TEAM NOTTINGHAM

TEAM COVENTRY

TEAM LEICESTER

TEAM BIRMINGHAM

AND THE WINNER---TEAM LICHFIELD!!!

And in the south, we had...

TEAM MERTHYR TYDFIL

TEAM CHELTENHAM

And the winner....TEAM CARDIFF
(But we're missing two of the star players...Elder Ruesch and Elder Garroway...where are you???)

The beautiful Sisters of the EBM...

One 'naughty' Elder...(I don't know who is the naughtiest...Elder Williams with his 'tattoo', or Elder Rapana for his artwork!!!

AND...the one and only casualty! (Its dangerous sitting on those sidelines...)

SEPTEMBER TRANSFERS...ALREADY!!!!

2010-09-19T12:12:00.000-07:00

The 'dearly departed'...Elder Amuah ( England), Elder Gerber (Utah), Elder Beatson (Canada), Elder McNichol (Australia), Elder Stevenson (Scotland), Elder Ezard (England).

We had a wonderful evening with them before they left...they each bore incredible testimonies in our closing fireside. We are anxious to see what is in store for them as they begin a new adventure...

OUR NEW MISSIONARIES

Sister Perera (Sri Lanka), Elder Gama (Swaziland), Elder Collins (South Carolina), Elder Tibbitts (Idaho--my 2nd cousin once removed?), Elder Jean (Hawaii), Elder Jacquish (North Carolina), Elder Grudzien (South Carolina), Elder Mansfiels (Utah).

WELCOME...WE'RE SO HAPPY TO HAVE YOU HERE!!!

We were also pleased to welcome Elder and Sister Henry from Utah. They are working diligently to help strengthen the wards here in our mission...

TRAINING

2010-09-19T11:21:00.000-07:00

We've had a SUPER busy month. Along with our usual schedule, we were also sent some new training from SLC...training that supports Preach My Gospel, and is designed to help the missionaries teach with the Spirit, and teach people, not lessons! It was well received, and gave some exciting ways to refine our teaching. We've met with several groups of missionaries so far, and eventually will present the training to all of them. Next May, the missionaries in the MTC will receive begin to receive this training, then when they arrive, we'll all be on the same page.

This training also gave us a reason to have all of the sisters come in together. They don't very often get a chance to be in one place and share ideas and experiences...as well as friendship and testimonies. It was wonderful to spend a few days with them. Left to right: Sister Strein, Layton, Pope, Kottambagahagedara, Babbage, Perera, McKelvie, Nadsady, Bioleome, Van Eeden, Clark, Morgan, and Nemec. They come from the US and the UK...also from the Netherlands, Croatia, Germany,and our two sisters from Sri Lanka.

JULY 28TH TRANSFERS

2010-08-29T12:14:00.000-07:00

On the 28th of July, twelve of our faithful Elders returned home...WITH HONOR!!!

Left to right: Elder Bedford (Utah and Australia), Elder Hull (England), Elder Duckworth (Utah), Elder Hooper (Utah), Elder Heller (Germany), Elder Clawson (Utah), Elder Sasser (Kentucky), Elder Kennett (Canada), Elder Davidson (Utah), Elder Perry (Utah), Elder Richter (Germany), Elder Jette (Canada).

The "Passing of the Keys"....Assistant Jette to Assistant Stevenson

We love all of these Elders so much, and wish them well in all of their new adventures!!! (At least one of them is already engaged....I'm not saying who!)

Just a few short hours later...we received this great group...

Front Row: Elder McGregor (Utah), Elder Roberts (Utah), Elder Olsen (Washington), Elder Leavitt (Idaho), Elder Pulsipher (Utah), and Elder Sowell (Utah)

Back Row: Elder Taylor (Utah), Elder Elgan (Utah), Elder Keddington (Utah), Elder Merrell (Pennsylvania), Elder Zundel (Utah), Elder Mecham (Utah), Elder Hulet (Pennsylvania)

They all came ready and excited to go to work!!! We're so happy to have them.

New Training Curriculum

We've received wonderful new training materials from SLC....helping us to refine our teaching, mainly by listening to the Spirit and by teaching people, not lessons. The Elders who have received this training so far are very excited to implement it. We did one session in Cardiff, and another in Sutton Coldfield.

Participants from northern half of mission...

Participants from southern half of mission...

We're so excited to see how these new methods bless our mission!

OTHER VIEWS

2010-07-24T12:12:00.000-07:00

While President Ogden does interviews with each individual missionary, the Assistants to the President and I enjoy spending time with the other missionaries. They receive training, share ideas, socialize, and EAT!!!

We've just finished interviews for this transfer. I love the opportunity of getting to know all of the missionaries better.

THE LAST MONTH OF OUR FIRST YEAR

2010-06-24T10:24:00.000-07:00

For our interview meetings this transfer,

Elder Jette and Elder Stevenson demonstrated for the missionaries the GOOD (and not so good!), the BETTER, and the BEST way to conduct
themselves at dinner appointments.

They are always interesting, informative...and amusing!

The Elders in the Nottingham

Zone wanted pictures of their
Districts. All cameras were
set on auto, and ready to
GO...

The picture to the left is the Derby District, and the one below is the Lincoln District...

These Elders are not only diligent and hard working... but they're a lot of fun as well!

TRANSFERS

On June 16th we had Transfers. We said goodbye to 9 Elders, and 2 Sisters. We had a wonderful meeting with them their last night here. Heard beautiful testimonies, and regretfully said goodbye. What a great group!!!

Elder Hickman (Arizona), Elder McKay (Utah), Elder Hutchinson (Idaho), Elder Olsen (Utah), Elder Newbury (Utah), Elder Wood (Utah), Elder Atchley (Iowa), Elder Mackay (Utah), Elder Pearce (UK), Sister Kawakami (Utah), Sister Costagliola (Italy).

OUR GREENIES

This time of year (summer), we

seem to get large groups in...and they're mainly from the U.S. I guess that has to do with the University schedule in the States.

Elder Jenkins (Idaho), Elder Lowry (Canada), Elder Baxter (Louisiana), Elder Christiansen (Utah), Elder Walton (California), Elder Clark (Idaho), Elder Garroway (Scotland), Elder Tonga (New Zealand), Elder Pavan (Canada), Elder Von Brughan (South Africa), Elder Morrissey (Idaho), Elder Hanks (Utah), Elder Siegel (Utah), Elder Wright (Arizona), and Elder Yaskell (Alaska).

We've already seen great things from these Elders!!!

FRACTURED TRANSFERS...

2010-05-23T12:49:00.000-07:00

Due toVisas expiring early, and volcanos spewing forth...our transfer schedule was quite complicated this past month.

Elder Patterson (from Vancouver Island) had to leave a week ahead of his group. Once in a while, we have a situation where a Visa expires a little too

early.

We enjoyed spending an evening with him before he left...a wonderful young man!

The following week, the rest of the group got ready

for their departure. We had our traditional dinner

in the Mission Home, followed by a wonderful

Fireside Testimony Meeting.

This is the largest group we've ever had leave at the same time. The first row: Elder Covington (Orem, Utah), Elder Wright (Boise, Idaho), Elder Williams (Las Vegas, Nevada), Sister Martinec (Las Vegas, Nevada), Sister Winn (Ephraim, Utah), Elder Largesse (Las Vegas, Nevada), Elder Jagoda (Oroville, Calif.), Elder Busch (Peoria, Arizona), Elder Anderson (Tulsa, Oklahoma) Second Row: Elder Jameson (Payson, Utah), Elder Haslem (Neola, Utah), Elder White (Logan, Utah), Elder Blackwood (Reading, England), Elder Hill (Idaho Falls, Idaho), Elder Chamberlain (Lehi, Utah), Elder Spence (Oak City, Utah), Elder Ott (West Valley City, Utah), Elder Wilkins (Colorado and Utah), Elder Brooksby (Glenville, N.Y.) What a wonderful group! As you can imagine, losing so many missionaries at one time caused a huge change in our mission. We miss them, but we're excited for all of the wonderful experiences they have in store for them 'as they move forward'. (President Ogden's catch phrase!)

These are the three new missionaries who were able to get to the Preston MTC (and on to us) on schedule...Elder Mathie, Sister McKelvie, and Sister Babbage. It was easy for the Sisters, since they are both from England. Elder Mathie flew here all the way from New Zealand. We still haven't figured out how he managed to get here on time amidst cancelled flights, and airports being shut down! They were supposed to be part of a group of 13 new missionaries coming to our mission.

Elder Anderson, one of our departing missionaries, was actually supposed to leave in June. He, too, had Visa issues. He left sometime in the middle of all of this...I'm so confused now, I really can't remember exactly when...

The next week, we received the rest of the greenies (well almost...Sister Lauritzen injured her knee in the Provo MTC...hopefully, we'll see her next transfer!) When these missionaries were unable to fly to the UK, they entered the MTC in Provo where they received their training. But this set them back a week.

Sister Clark from California arrived first. She had actually entered the MTC ahead of the rest, and was sent to work in Colorado Springs until her Visa came through. She was there a whole week! She was scheduled to arrive at the same time as the other eight, but unfortunately, their flight was delayed for several hours.

Finally, a group of travel weary Elders-and one Sister-arrived at the Birmingham Airport.

We were so happy to welcome them all to the England Birmingham Mission.

Elder Dahl (Gilbert, Az.-- nephew of our friends, John and Mylie Dahl), Elder Card (Lehi, Utah), Elder Reed (Clearfield, Utah), Elder Powell (Gunnison, Utah), Elder Leyba (Blackfoot, Idaho), Elder Brown (Alberta, Canada), Elder Ruesch (St. George, Utah), and Sister Pope (Logan, Utah).

So, now...all of our trainers have their babies. Everyone is back to work, and our greenies have experienced their first Zone Conference.

I don't know how long the Assistants will be able to keep coming up with new ways to immortalize the "passing of the keys"...every transfer they come up with something!

(Elder Blackwood and Elder Jette)

President Ogden

2010-05-03T08:40:00.000-07:00

Post by Todd Ogden -

What a great trip to England! Thanks to all the missionaries for setting an amazing example for my kids. I just wanted to post this one picture from British Camp. What a beautiful country.

SEASONS

2010-04-27T02:37:00.000-07:00

SPRING...

Our tree is covered with blossoms, and beautiful flowers are blooming everywhere...

And best of all...

The new baby lambs...

******************************************************

On a sadder note...

The Byers are leaving us... ...heading home to Oregon. Wonderful people, who...like our other Senior couples...use this SEASON of their lives to make such an important contribution! We will miss them so much...

*****************************************************

And the SEASON for MISSION FOOTBALL is here again...

The three southern zones played in Cardiff...

Sisters of the Cheltenham and Merthyr Zones...

CHELTENHAM

Zone

In PINK because they lost last time...

(There may be a reason for this!!! )

(What sport are we playing?)

CARDIFF
Zone
AND...the WINNER for the South end of the Mission...

MERTHYR TYDFIL

Meanwhile, on a field up in COVENTRY...

another tournament is taking place.

A group of missionaries from the UK...

A picture of all of our German missionaries who serve in the Northern half of the Mission...

(only Elder Magpantay and Elder Heller were missing...)

The Sisters of Coventry, Lichfield, Birmingham, and Leicester...

LEICESTER
Zone

LICHFIELD

Zone

COVENTRY

Zone

NOTTINGHAM
Zone

And the WINNER of the northern zones...

BIRMINGHAM!!!

HAPPY SPRING FROM THE ENGLAND BIRMINGHAM MISSION...

CATCHING UP

2010-04-07T12:10:00.000-07:00

MARCH

We had our own version of March Madness in the EBM. At Interviews, the AP's tried to stir up competition between the districts...

They whispered to the opposing district leaders things such as "Elder Olsen said you couldn't give away a Book of Mormon if it had twenty quid strapped to it"...or "Elder Spence said you couldn't stop 90 year old lady on crutches!"

"I don't know...that's just what I heard!"

TRANSFERS

Here are the missionaries who left us last week...

Elder Brandenberg (The Netherlands), Elder Burri (Switzerland), Elder D'Ottavio (Italy), Elder Wark (Scotland), Elder Koyle (Idaho), Elder Nimer (Utah), Elder Rudd (Utah), Elder Grover (Washington), Sister King (Utah), Sister Zechmann (Austria)

Elder Wark passes the keys of the Assistants to Elder Blackwood.

Elder Langner (below) was part of this group, but had to leave a week earlier to get home for his brother's wedding.

Our brand new Elders and Sister...the biggest group we've ever had come in!!!

Front row: Elder Price (England), Elder Salmans (Utah), Elder Durfee (Oregon), Sister Kottambagahagedara (Sri Lanka), Elder Stoddard (Idaho), Elder Steed (Utah), Elder Hinkle (Arizona), Elder Howe (Arizona), Elder Cauffman (Wyoming)

Back row: Elder Knecht (Utah), Elder Lindstrom (Utah), Elder Ercanbrack (Utah), Elder Beus (Utah), Elder Brewer (New Mexico) , Elder Habicht (Germany), Elder Mathews (Arizona), Elder Haider (Utah), Elder Prestwich (Oregon).

(Hope I got them right...its hard to see those faces!!!)

Being introduced to everyone.

Elder Hill trying to find a buyer for his bike.

Another special event this month was having Todd's family come for a visit. This picture of them was taken from on top the Cardiff Castle.

I was especially happy to have them here on the morning of transfers. Todd made pancakes for all the the greenies. Everyone agreed, they were the best pancakes ever. Max and Cassidy are really growing up. Since we missed their 12th birthday in February, and Max's ordination to the Priesthood, he and Chuck passed the sacrament together in our Wylde Green Ward on Sunday.

FEBRUARY TRANSFERS

2010-03-26T14:41:00.000-07:00

Each transfer passes by with lightening speed now. We've said goodbye to some really wonderful missionaries...WE MISS THEM ALL SO MUCH!!!!

Elder Hallows (our AP---from Bountiful, Utah),
Elder Walker (Leeds, England), Elder Weeks (Roy, Utah),
Elder Patterson (Ogden, Utah), Elder Wright (Howell, Utah),
Elder Leber (Glendale, Arizona!), Elder Callister (La Quinta, California),
Sister Kochet (Ukraine), and Elder and Sister Cable (Bountiful, Utah)

(I told Elder Leber...whose home is very close to where my daughters live... that if he ever sees two beautiful young moms at Arrowhead Mall, with 8 of the cutest kids he's ever seen, to go say hello to them for us!!!)

We'll sure miss the Cables. They were CES missionaries down in Cardiff, Wales. They helped us with flat checks, and were so kind and nurturing to our missionaries in that area.

THE NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK:

Elder Dudley (Calgary, Canada), Elder Balla (Harrogate, England),
Elder Clarke-Wills (London, England), Elder Davis (Calgary, Canada),
Elder Grappi (Bern, Switzerland), and Sister Nadsady (Scotland)

We also welcomed Elder Blackwood into the office as our new Assistant.

(Elder Wark from Scotland, and Elder Blackwood from Reading, Engand... the Assistants to the President.)

You might have noticed that none of those new missionaries were from the USA. However, Elder Bussell from Maine came from the Provo MTC about a week later. He had been held up by his Visa.

A NEW YEAR....A NEW CHALLENGE

2010-01-23T11:45:00.000-08:00

Transfers

Elder McOmber turns over the 'Keys of the Assistants' to Elder Hallows in preparation for his departure.

The ones we lost...Elder Peteru (Australia), Elder Briggs (Utah), Elder Carroll (Wisconsin/Arizona), Elder Israelson (Utah), Elder McOmber (Idaho), Elder Gee (England.

Each of them made a wonderful contribution to this mission...we're so thankful to have known them. We're excited to see what great things they'll accomplish as they move ahead.

The weather here was so bad, their flight was delayed a day.

In January, we were pleased to welcome back Elder Wangsgard who had been home for a while for medical reasons. We're so happy they sent him back to EBM...he had a reputation as a great missionary.

Zone Conference

This past week, we've had our first Zone Conferences for 2010. The leadership of the Mission shared a vision for the coming year of maintaining the high rate of baptisms we've had (720 in 2009), but improving on keeping them as active members of the Church. This will take a lot of diligence and hard work...we have about 25% fewer missionaries now than were in the mission at the beginning of 2009. But we know they can do it. It is wonderful to work with such choice young men and women.

Elder Callister and Elder Zito training the Lichfield Zone.

Elder D'Ottavio and Elder Richter doing training with the Cardiff Zone.

Elders Blackwood and Westwood of the Coventry Zone...

Elder Stevenson and Jette had a unique approach in teaching their Zone. Elder Olson and Elder Duke have 'angels around them'. (Elder Stevenson remarked, "You should have seen the strange looks we got in 'Claire's' yesterday!")

President does a role play with Sister Kawakami and Sister Kochet.

Zone Leaders of Leicester...Elder Davidson and Elder Perry (far right) with Elders Atchley and Haslem.

Shortly after Zone Conferences, we welcomed two new missionaries. They are Elder Bray from England, and Elder Krywult from Austria.

INTERVIEWS

For the past few weeks, we've been visiting the eight zones so that President Ogden could conduct interviews. Elder Hallows and Elder Wark (our new Assistant) used a wonderful object lesson in showing the importance of making the first time at church a positive experience for our investigators. They gave each companionship an egg (which represented someone they had invited to church), and asked how the visitors might enjoy it if they were just 'dropped in'. (They demonstrated this by dropping an egg into a trash can which represented the church.) Then they gave the missionaries a few supplies consisting of small amounts of paper, plastic cups, and tape (these things represented a ride, someone to greet them and sit with them, an introduction to the Bishop, etc)....and let them see if their visitor was 'cushioned' enough to enjoy the experience! Creative ideas were flowing...

Unfortunately, so were alot of egg yolks!!!

Transfers, Thanksgiving, Mission Tour, Interviews, Parties, Christmas...and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

2009-12-21T12:15:00.000-08:00

BUSY, BUSY MONTH!!!

First...TRANSFERS...

Our departing missionaries...

Sister Russell (Nevada), Elder Baham (Utah), Elder Skidmore (Idaho), Elder Booth (England), Elder Kolste (Utah), Elder Bohn (Arizona), Elder Rawlings (Utah), Elder Berg (Utah), and Elder Tincher (Utah) left us. We love them and miss them already!
Our new missionaries are Elder Whillans (England), Elder Benthin (Denmark), Sister Morgan (Wales), and Elder O'Brien (England). They're already hard at work, teaching, and even baptizing.

The day after Transfers was Thanksgiving...

with our wonderful couple missionaries...the Longs (office), Karrens (CES), and Cables (CES)...

...the Fells (Church History missionaries) and the Byers (proselyting missionaries).

Wonderful, dedicated, self-sacrificing people!!!

The second week in December, we were privileged to have Elder Texeira (a member of our Area Presidency) come for a mission tour. His instruction to us and to our missionaries was so wonderful, and very helpful. I know all of the missionaries loved being instructed and uplifted by him.

The next week, we had another small group of new missionaries come in. This intermediate transfer was due to the holidays. We received a new couple, the Crandall's from Mesa, and three other missionaries. Elder Cadwallater from California, Sister Nemec from Croatia, and Elder Luu from Washington.

Elder Luu , Elder Cadwallader, Sister Nemec, and the Crandalls from Mesa, Arizona!!!

Any spare minute I've had this month has been spent on planning a Christmas celebration for our missionaries. It was a lot of fun...I hope it helped to make being away from home a littler easier for them.

First...MISSION JEOPARDY with Elder McOmber and Elder Hallows...

Then...a YUMMY DINNER...

...A TALENT SHOW...

Elder Clancy as Emcee

(I had some pipe chimes made so we could continue our family's Christmas Eve tradition.)

What fun and talented young men and women! We finished the evening with a presentation of the Nativity in song and scripture. It was a wonderful time!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE ENGLAND BIRMINGHAM MISSION!!!!!!!

FUTBOL

2009-11-20T10:57:00.000-08:00

This past week, we had our semi-annual football/soccer games.

Our five northern zones played in Leamington Spa, and our three southern zones played in Cardiff---in the shadow of the Cardiff Castle. Since we were in Wales the day before doing interviews, we stayed there and watched the Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil and Cheltenham Zones play each other. We've decided that next time, we'll do them on different days, so we can see all of the teams (Zones) play. It was a lot of fun...but it was so cold, I felt like a block of ice by the time it was over.

CHELTENHAM ZONE

CARDIFF ZONE

(The loser from the previous tournament wears pink!)

MERTHYR TYDFIL (The Victor!!!)

The Sisters of Cheltenham, Cardiff, and Merthyr Tydfil

In the North end of the mission, the following teams competed:

NOTTINGHAM ZONE

BIRMINGHAM ZONE

LEICESTER ZONE

(Leicester won the 'fashion award'!)

Sadly, no one took a picture of the Coventry or Lichfield Zones all together...and Lichfield was the WINNER!!!
We heard that Elder Pearce (in the tutu) was a big part of the reason that Lichfield won the tournament in the North...apparently they lost last year!

A few pictures of the Coventry players...

This is such a funny picture, because it looks like an Elder has his arm around Sister King. But if you look closely, you can see Sister McGarvey between she and the Elder...Sis. McGarvey has the plain grey hat...the Elder next to her has a patterned hat.

I spent the whole day trying to keep warm!!!

It was a fun day...the missionaries loved a chance to compete in a totally non-competetive way!

(We're not supposed to be competetive in the Mission!!!)

P.S. Elder Wilkins mom emailed me this picture of the WINNING TEAM--Lichfield Zone!!!

FALL

2009-10-31T12:58:00.000-07:00

It's so nice to live in a place that actually has seasons. (Well, I'm not sure they have summer...but I don't mind sacrificing that particular season!) We've really been enjoying the changing colors and cool, clear days.

We spent the last week in Zone Conferences. After we went to Cardiff to meet with the Cardiff, Merthyr Tydfil, and Cheltenham Zones, we drove way out to the coast to spend a night in Aberwythswyth. We were speaking to the M.T. Stake Youth Conference. I'd never been to that part of Wales before...its very beautiful.

At Zone Conferences, the Assistants did a great object lesson for the missionaries.

President Ogden may have the keys to the mission...he may steer it...

..but the missionaries determine how "fast" it will go...

We need everyone!

Aberwythswyth, Wales

Two weeks ago, our Wylde Green Ward had a Talent Show as a ward/missionary activity. The Missionaries in the Lichfield Zone provided about half of the musical numbers. We have so many talented missionaries in this mission. It was so much fun to see them perform the beautiful hymns of our church.

OCTOBER TRANSFERS

2009-10-17T12:51:00.001-07:00

The TRANSFER of the KEYS...

(Elder Brower to Elder McOmber)

The TRANSFER-ing OUT of our six departing missionaries...

(Pres. and Sis. Ogden, Elders Forbes, Davis, Brower, Rose, and Walker...and Sis. Bannister)

The TRANSFER-ing IN of our seven new missionaries...

Pres. Ogden, Elder Duke (Arkansas), Elder Cyron (Germany), Elder Magpanty (Phillipines and Germany), Sister Bioleome (Africa and Germany), Elder Andersson (Finland), Elder Wang (China), Elder Leung (China), and Sister Ogden.

We always say goodbye to our departing missionaries with a little bit of sadness (well, maybe more than a little bit). We're so proud of them...and happy for their families to have them back...but we will miss them. They're a great group. They've accomplished so much, and have been worthy examples to the younger missionaries.

We're excited to welcome our new missionaries. They're enthusiastic and excited, and all are off to a good start. As you can see, we have a very International group this time!!! Its wonderful!

I have to show off my "girls"...all fifteen of them in the same place.

Sister missionaries from Utah, Nevada, Colorado, Alaska, Holland, Italy, Scotland, Australia, Austria, Africa, Germany, and the Ukraine.

They are AMAZING women!!!

ZONE CONFERENCE AT GADFIELD ELM

2009-09-27T13:57:00.000-07:00

For our Zone Conference this transfer, we divided the missionaries in half, and took them on two separate days to Gadfield Elm Chapel--- by way of Benbow Farm and Pond, and Beacon Hill (or British Camp). It was a fun change of pace...I think the missionaries really enjoyed it. Some had been there before, for others it was their first opportunity to be in these places of significance in the history of our church.

Above are the missionaries from the Birmingham, Cheltenham, Cardiff and Merthyr Tydfil Zones. Below are the missionaries from the Lichfield, Coventry, Leicester, and Nottingham Zones. They are standing in front of the Gadfield Elm Chapel, which was a chapel of the United Brethren in the 1830's. They turned it over to the LDS church when all of them had converted. Its the oldest chapel owned by church.

We hiked to the top of Beacon's Hill...some at a little faster pace than others! The view is incredible. This is where an historic meeting took place between Wilford Woodruff, Brigham Young, and Joseph Fielding.

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Our assistants did a very interesting object lesson, and may I say, we women were all very proud of Sister Stillman.

We recognized birthdays, clean flats, strangest ailments. Discussed personable accountability. Learned more about the early Welsh and English saints who made the growth of the church possible, both here and in the United States. Ate a picnic lunch, and did lots of socializing and picture taking. It was a full and wonderful day!!!

VISITORS

2009-09-19T13:22:00.000-07:00

We had a fun week last week with some special visitors. Bree came to spend a month with us, and one of our Sister missionaries who went home to Sweden a few weeks ago, came back with her parents and sister to visit.

Our missionary is the 2nd from the left...her name is Hanna Blomberg. We enjoyed her parents and her sister, Emily, so much. Fun, delightful people.

Sis. Blomberg (Hanna), Bree, and Emily

Two missionaries who needed to go home mid-transfer to get into school also came to the Mission Home for a farewell dinner...Sister Mitte from Germany, and Elder Dal Pozzo from Italy. We loved having a little time with them before they left. They were both wonderful missionaries!

TRANSFERS---ROUND TWO

2009-09-04T08:15:00.000-07:00

This week was our second 'Transfers' experience. A little bigger and a little more involved than last time....this time there were 17 departing missionaries (last time there were 12), and 11 missionaries arriving (last time there were 6). Lots of excitement, lots of fun, lots of cooking for me, lots of prayer, interviews, and contemplation for President Ogden, and lots and lots of organization and just plain old hard work for our office couple, the Longs, and our Assistants, Elder Brower and Elder McOmber.

Our missionaries who have completed their 2 year service, and headed for home, are:

Sister Blomberg (Sweden), Sister Mitte (Germany), Sister Morris (California), Sister Cunha ( California)

Elder Sahlin (Sweden), Elder Larsen (Idaho), Elder Schilling (Germany), Elder Riggs (Utah), Elder Young (Nevada) , Elder Toolson (California), Elder Dixon (Arizona), Elder Batty (England), Elder Kunz (Idaho), Elder Napier (England), Elder Bodily (Utah), Elder Bearnson (Utah)

They are such a wonderful group of missionaries...we're really going to miss them. We know they all have such great potential, and should go on to many wonderful acheivements and adventures. We love them all, wish them much happiness, and thank them for their dedicated service.

Our new missionaries.....

...Sister Layton (Anchorage, Alaska), Elder Anderson (Grace, Idaho), Elder Breuer (Bremen, Germany), Elder Shrubb (Devonshire, England), Elder Pederson (St. George, Utah), Elder Brokatzky (Germany), Elder Mower (South Jordan, Utah), Elder Marks (Amarillo, Texas), Elder Stein (Ludswigburg, Germany), Elder Schmidt (Dresden, East Germany), Sister Strein (Ft. Collins, Colorado)Standing on "the wall" being welcomed by all of our missionaries who came in for Transfers.

After the grand welcome, cars, bikes, phones, flats, and companions are sorted out. Then they are ready to head out in the field. Some only travel a few miles to their areas, some an hour or two, and some go all the way down to Wales. But by that evening, they will all be having their first experience finding people to teach, or actually teaching people who are already investigating the church.

All of them... those arriving and those departing.... amaze us with their faith, dedication, and especially with their willingness to sacrifice this time in their lives to share the Gospel with the people of England and Wales.

AN AMAZING EXPERIENCE

2009-08-28T12:20:00.000-07:00

Last week, from Wednesday til Saturday, we had the privilege of meeting in Preston, England, with our Area Presidency...as well as Elder L. Tom Perry and Elder Ronald Rasband. It was a Mission President Conference for all of the Mission Presidents in the Europe Area Missions. The days were full. We were instructed in many aspects of our callings. I think all of the wives particularly enjoyed the session the Area Presidency's wives, along with Sister Rasband and Sister Perry, presented to us. Many questions were answered, many ideas shared, and our spirits were buoyed up. We also spent one afternoon doing a walking tour of Church historical sites in Preston, and took the bus to the charming village of Downham...preserved to look nearly as it did in 1838 when Heber C. Kimball taught the Gospel to the people living there. The next morning we were able to go to the Preston Temple. For those of us who don't have a Temple in the boundaries of our Missions, this was a real treat....especially being in a session with an Apostle.

Pres. Clark Hinckley, Mission President of the Spain Barcelona Mission, shared an experience of his father's, outside the flat his father lived in when he served his mission in England.

On the streets of Preston, we ran into one of the missionaries who will be coming to our mission next week from the Preston MTC.

The River Ribble in Preston....site of many early baptisms.

The bus in front of us....taking us through the narrow lanes to the village of Downham.

Downham

The Preston Temple

We are so blessed to be in this beautiful country, engaged in this wonderful work.

INTERVIEWS

2009-08-23T10:52:00.000-07:00

Our interview days are long and tiring, but its the time when we get to know our missionaries on a more personal level. We typically get to two Zones each day...one from 9 til 1, and one from 2 til 6...if all goes well! President Ogden gives a spiritual thought, then he starts individual interviews. While he's interviewing, I do some kind of teaching, then the AP's do training. When they're done, we have a snack and visit a little, then the missionaries who have had their interviews start leaving. When the last interview is done, we zip to the next Zone...hoping to have time for lunch along the way!

This time, I took a picture of each Zone. Sadly, I forgot at Nottingham...but Sister Kawakami and Sister Styles told me they'd get me a picture of their zone.

They are, from top to bottom...

Lichfield Zone, Birmingham Zone, Leicester Zone, Coventry Zone, Cardiff Zone, Merthyr Tydfil Zone, and Cheltenham Zone.

Aren't they wonderful looking missionaries!?! They come from Italy, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Africa, the Netherlands, Russia, Austria, Australia, Scotland, England, Canada, and the United States. What a privilege it is to work with them!

A little bonus of serving in this part of the world....We stopped for a little picnic dinner in Ross-on-Wye, sitting on the grassy banks of the Wye River...not bad!

OUR MISSIONARIES

2009-08-18T09:10:00.000-07:00

During the last two and a half weeks, we've had Zone Conferences and Interviews. Its been a very busy time. We have eight Zones...they are divided into three days of Zone Conferences. Through the day, they hear from President and Sister Ogden, are trained by the Assistants, and hear testimonies from the missionaries who will go home next transfer day. We also have beautiful musical numbers from our very talented Elders and Sisters, recognize birthdays, and give awards for the cleanest flats in each Zone. In the middle of the day, we have lunch...Subway sandwiches...a favorite in our mission.

DAY ONE

BIRMINGHAM ZONE

COVENTRY ZONE

LICHFIELD ZONE

DAY TWO

LEICESTER ZONE

NOTTINGHAM ZONE

DAY THREE

CHELTENHAM ZONE

CARDIFF ZONE

MERTHYR TYDFIL

Well...I'm blogged out for now. I'll have the next installment...Zone Interviews...in a few days!

2009-08-02T13:07:00.000-07:00

This past week has been a full one...but not as full as next week will be! We're about to start our week of Zone Conferences. We're so excited to see all of our missionaries during the week.

Last Saturday, we decided to visit some of our favorite places in the Cotswolds on our way to a baptism in Cheltenham. We went to Chipping Campden (whenever there is Chipping in front of the name of a town, it signifies that it was once a market town)...Upper and Lower Slaughter...Stratford upon Avon. It was much more crowded than when we were here ten years ago...it was Fall then, rather than Summer...but still a very enjoyable day.

The two pictures above are of Chipping Campden....President Ogden is standing in the market stall.

This is a picture of the stream in beautiful Lower Slaughter....(or was it Upper Slaughter???)

This is the home and garden of Shakespeare's wife, Anne Hathaway, in Stratford-upon-Avon.

The baptism that night was wonderful, as all of them are. The sister that Elder Ott and Elder Heller baptized was SO excited...especially because her teenaged daughter was being baptized with her. It was a great occasion.

On Monday, President Ogden, the Assistants (Elders Brower and McOmber), and the 16 Zone Leaders met in Zone Council Meeting. They all came to the Mission Home for lunch. I had made machaca beef for them to assemble into burritos, salads, etc. When I looked at that cooked meat, I just knew it wasn't going to be anywhere near enough. But, somehow we came out just right...I now refer to it as "the miracle of the machaca". But believe me, I was sweating bullets as they piled it on their plates.

The picture above is of our two Assistants...Elder McOmber on the left, and Elder Brower on the right. Elder Dixon from Scottsdale, Az., is between them.

This Saturday, we took a P Day with the Senior Missionaries in our Mission. We began in Ledbury, a town where Brigham Young preached the Gospel. From there, we went to the Benbow Farm and Pond. (While there, we met a gentleman who shares a hobby with my dad.) We ended at the Gadfield Elm Chapel...you should all google this important site in Church History. It rained almost the entire day, but we didn't let it stop us. Especially Elder Green...our tour guide for the day...who barbequed hamburgers and cooked potatoes in a dutch oven for all of us. It was YUMMY! (My hubby later admitted to me that he had 3 helpings of the potatoes.)

The Cables on the streets of Ledbury.

A motorcycle enthusiast who rents a small shop on Benbow Farm.

Gadfield Elm Chapel

As is our privilege every Saturday night, we chose a Baptism in one of our areas to attend. This night, we went to Rugby in our Coventry Zone.

Happy Elders...Sinclair and Israelson...happy mom and daughter!

Just another week in the life of President and Sister Ogden. Love to you all!!!

TRANSFERS

2009-07-22T12:53:00.000-07:00

The past two days have been transfer days. Twelve of our missionaries have completed their service and left for home this morning. Most of them come from the States...primarily Utah...but all are going home with an English accent. (Elder McCrudden might not have an English accent, but he's from Ireland, so I really can't differentiate yet!) They've all served well and faithfully, and are taking home a great treasure...a firm testimony in the gospel of Jesus Christ, the power of prayer, the gift of the Spirit, and the joy of service. They will be deeply missed in the EBM...we wish them continued success and joy in all of their endeavors. We only knew them a few weeks, but we love them already.

This morning, we received six new missionaries from the Preston MTC...five Elders and one Sister. They come from Texas, Wyoming, Utah, England, and the Netherlands. All of the missionaries...including us...were so excited to meet them.

The mission tradition is to have all of the 'greenies' stand on a wall and tell who they are, where they're from, and what part of the mission they'll be serving in. This is followed by a very loud welcome from one and all.

Assistant Bearnson is going back into the field so he can 'get wet' again....he loves teaching the Gospel. We'll miss him in the office...he's an incredible force of energy. We're very happy to have Elder McOmber as our new Assistant. He's jumped right in ready to go, and brings a wonderful spirit with him.President Ogden with Elder Brower and Elder Bearnson.

He's off to baptize the world!!!

(I don't have a picture of Elder McOmber yet...but I will soon!!!)

Transfer days are amazing...it was so wonderful to see the love between the missionaries. We know that wherever they serve, they'll be doing it with diligence and enthusiasm. We wish all of our greenies good luck...we'll be praying for you!

OUR FIRST TWO WEEKS....

2009-07-15T13:18:00.000-07:00

I keep promising my children I'll put up a new post. I haven't taken very many pictures...everywhere we go, we're so busy I forget to take any. But I'll post a few, and I promise to be better.

The following picture is of President Ogden and the two men who changed his life forever...Elders Bangerter and Beckstrom. They are the missionaries who converted him 47 years ago. They came to visit us in the MTC...the first time he'd seen them since his family left Florida 6 months after he was baptized.

This is a picture of us with the two young men who have smoothed the way for us ever since we took over the mission...our Assistants, Elder Brower and Elder Bearnson. I don't think you could find better AP's than these two. We're so grateful!

We are so fortunate to not only be in a very successful and obedient mission, with amazing Elders and Sisters, but also a beautiful country with such a rich past of missionary work. This is the Benbow Farm pond, where Wilford Woodruff baptized hundreds of early converts to the church.

The past week was filled with interviews with all of our missionaries...180 of them! While the President did formal interviews with them, I just had a little 'getting to know you' talk with their companions. What a great group! I'm so excited to get to know them all.

We love the Mission Home...its very nice, very comfortable, and very English. The nicest thing about it is that it is right across the street from the mission offices. That saves President Ogden so much time, and it is very convenient for me as well. Our church building is right next to it, another bonus.

(Our living room, looking out the front window.)

We miss our family and dear friends, but feel so grateful for this opportunity and blessing. This past week, I've visited at least two of the towns where my ancestors lived in the 1800's... and beyond. What a thrill that was for me...like stepping back in time.

BAINBRIDGE DAYS...

2009-06-14T22:07:00.000-07:00

Wakeboarding...

Tubing...

Riding Great-Papa T.'s Indian...

Trips to the Park...

Beachcombing...

Croquet...

Bainbridge Aquatic Center...

In addition...there were so many trips to the BonBon Candy Store, the Blackbird Bakery, Winslow Drug, and Town and Country market...we fear for the economy of our little town once we're gone.

There have also been many tearful goodbyes....we didn't think this through very well. It would have been better to make a clean break than to have a family leave every few days!!!

HOWEVER...we're going to make it...we're excited, nervous, (currently exhausted), and soon will be ready to embark on our new adventure!

CALLED TO SERVE....

2009-02-11T20:31:00.000-08:00

Reasons it's hard to go...

Reasons we'll go anyway...

To share the Gospel of Jesus Christ...

...the teachings of the Book of Mormon...

...and the blessings of the Temple.

And because we know our family will be watched over while we are gone.

The icing on the cake...

We have been called to the England Birmingham Mission.