June Already? Scout/Zone Camp.Conference

We've been gone for a good part of the week to a wonderful retreat with both zones in the mission.  We had the privilege of being there to assist President and Sister B. with behind-the-scenes food support and clean up.  Being able to hear everything twice was a bonus because of the spirituality of these meetings and the excellent talks and program.  We didn't even notice we only had four hours of sleep each night.  The mission president and his wife are on the go ALL the time and get very little sleep--amazing, dedicated, and very capable leaders--inspiring!

The country was beautiful beyond the singing of it (one of my favorite quotes that I forgot from whence it came--I think Cry the Beloved Country).  We managed a photo shoot for some of the activities and while driving on the way home from the camp.  See if you can find Elder Blain in the sports shots.  Athletic men never lose the touch and it doesn't take much to get them in gear when a game is on, but it may be a little harder to move the day after.  Ha, ha!

It rained like crazy the day before our zone retreat, but you'd guess 150 people or so (mostly missionaries were praying for nice weather).

 Sooooo, what did we get all three days we were there?  Yup.  The Lord could not deny his faithful missionaries.  Better yet, this weather was the nicest we have had since being in England.  A cool breeze came if it got too warm, but it was calm and perfectly mild--not too hot and not too cold.  There weren't even mosquitoes except for Thursday night at campfire (I musta been a bad girl that day).

 

Find Elder Blain in the pictures.  Hint:  he has on a red England ball cap that he purchased for a whole pound at the pound store (equal to about $1.50)

He sure can (still) run!

Guess what I was going during the sports events?  The Bluebell season is about over.  Most of them are gone

in Newcastle area, so I was surprised to see these.  It is cooler as you head north, so these are still hangin' in there.

Actually, the bush and tree blossom "season" is about over also.

Here we are.

Gathered in the meadow to hear words of wisdom and inspiration.  Seeking the pathway to promise.  I could have sworn (but missionaries don't, right?) there was a glow over the heads of this group.

President B. and Sister B. leading the way.

Our own sacred grove.  Cool.

Looking up to the sky.

Listening intently but relaxed.

Do you see the perfect "O" in this giant? . . . or is it a one-eyed Goliath?

This is his backside (no bun intended).  Him a bit hollow. 

Buttercups cover the ground everywhere!

 

What a sight in the morning with all the missionaries studying their scriptures while waiting for breakfast.  This

was 7 a.m.

 Here's looking over Manchester from near the scout camp.

 

Do you get the idea I sorta like stone walls and buildings?  Good thing, since there's so many stone buildings in England--especially in this fantastic area!

 

 Obviously, I like purple flowers too!

A culvert or something?

 

The new ward in Congelton.

I tried to zoom in on this, so the quality isn't that great, but you can see this bell tower in the field in one of the pictures above.  The bells rang out at 10 p.m. each night we were at campfire.

Guess what?  It started raining about an hour ago (9:30 p.m.) now that the camp is over and everyone is home and saying their bedtime prayers (if they are being obedient).  Speaking of obedience, a Sister said she was a rebellious person who hated rules before her mission.  Then she was called to what she England Manchester mission, which she said has the reputation for being the "most obedient mission in the Church."  Now she said she loves rules.  That is funny.  Well, if I am to be obedient (ha!), I have to head off to bed in three minutes.  Elder Blain is already sound asleep.  He's the smart one because he knows we have an early teaching appointment tomorrow.