Saturday Full of the Green and Pleasant Land & Sunday Full of Testimonies

". . . and we will make an earth whereon these may dwell . . ."  Abraham 3:24

Saturday, Elder Blain decided we needed to go out to this area to find a lady and see the highest village in England.

There was a ford through this area and these are the falls that make it necessary

From here, looking at Flash (the highest village) we were disappointed not to see a quaint little village

The ivy can qualify as typical "quaintness" in England, right?

Looking towards what is called the Roaches--some rocky cliffs up by the highest village

A good old fashioned cattle guard in England (I know, they look the same in the U.S., but . . . )

Obviously, this little flock is gathered, so we moved on

Here is heather everywhere and people climbing some of the rocks at the Roaches

Hard to believe the green of England

Beautiful!

Looking down from the highest village

More rock work like everywhere else we went in this area

A whole 1,518 feet above sea level

Church below originally built in 1714

Old and respectable for a little village church, but not as spectacular as some of the churches we've seen in the cities.  Some of this church was rebuilt in the 1900's.  As you can see, Flash did have some redeeming quaintness as we got into the village.

Old windows

I couldn't see what was written on the side, but these windows have to be the original ones of the 1700's

1791 tomb stone that is readable

Elder Blain is thinking of rolling the booze barrels down the hill.  The pub is old and proud of being in the village of Flash at the top of England.

This is the old schoolhouse, but the picture didn't pick up the 1700's date

Approaching the church

An interesting garage in Flash

Elder Blain walking up through the heather 

He found the Mad Hatter's hat!

People are climbing up on the other side with climbing gear

Elder Blain is getting quite cooperative posing for shots when I ask him to move into a certain spot, but he said this shot better not make it look like he is taking a squat--but he is--squatting.  Ha, ha!  I wanted him to sit on the rock but he didn't want to get his pants, er--trousers(!) dirty.  "Pants" are undies here.  You just don't say that unless you are an ignorant American.

Elder Blain is walking down the hill and stepped into a hole about two seconds after this shot, which landed him on his back in the heather.  No harm done, other than a small stain on the back of his shirt.  Out to the center is a red dot that is a tent in a campground (caravan park) over by the rest of the Roaches.

Part of the Roaches--a well known landmark.  There were climbers and hikers all over the rocks and hills and through the pastures

Elder Blain insisted on taking a picture because he said the kids would want to see me by the heather in my purple

If you look carefully, you'll find Elder Blain in his favorite take away.  He was very hungry after our fun day (we DID find the lady and she was very nice--she want us to come back!)

While waiting across the street for Elder Blain to get his food, I noticed a serious, "Keep-out-of-our-private-space" barrier.  Many people hide their homes behind tall fences or hedges all around.  With some homes very close together, or attached, the English are quite adept at making their area seem secluded in the forest or a lovely country garden.

Elder Blain is ready to eat his take away meal to die for (not literally, hopefully, but he had been craving it.  This happens to be what they call it Kebab and chips made with some meat called doner.  The mission president's wife said to NEVER eat any.  She says she has no idea what is in that meat and it is probably best we don't don't find out.  I don't plan on eating any because I am totally obedient ( I also can't stand to eat something I'm not sure what it is).

This cow is finishing her dessert.  We shall leave the travel log of Saturday now and move on to Sunday.

SUNDAY - September 5, 2010

Peter's testimony:  "And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.  To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins."  Acts 10:42-43

Every prophet and apostle in the Bible and the Book of Mormon bore testimonies of Christ, and there are apostles going about the world doing the same thing today.  See and hear them testify on lds.org.

Below are some highlights of the Sabbath that really touched my heart:

A big, strong man, who looks like a wrestler or a tough American cowboy, shared something that strengthened his faith this week.  He was in a rather down-and-out mood on Monday and was sitting outside when this bedraggled pigeon landed next to him.  He said it was in the worst shape of any bird he'd ever seen. The pigeon looked up at him as if to say, "You think you've got problems?"  The man stretched forth his hand and stroked the pigeon on its head.  As soon as he touched it, this miraculous warmth spread up his arm and filled his whole body.  It is hard to explain how it made him feel.  The pigeon then took wing and vanished.  He said it did not just fly away, it disappeared into the air.  This man says, "Don't tell me that God doesn't have a sense of humor!"  Sending a silly looking pigeon to give some comfort . . .

Another man said, "I've not been attending church for many years, but God had me experience the world so I can appreciate being here in church still in the world but not of it."  He said,  "God doesn't expect us to be perfect before we come to church.  He loves us as we are and wants us to just be there on Sunday.  When we take one step closer to Him, He takes two steps towards us.  Peace will come to your soul as you repent daily.  Come unto Him."

A woman said, "Joy is not the absence of pain, it is the presence of God."  -Deanna Edwards, songwriter

A young woman leaving for university said, "Scientific proof is what college teaches is necessary.  You must prove something enough times and get the same results to know it is correct."  She said that she has read the Book of Mormon and always feels the Spirit.  She said that every time she attends a church meeting, no matter where it is, she always feels the Spirit.  That is all the "proof" she needs that these things are true and correct.

Another man said, in order to become a member of the Church, he had to give up 30 pints of beer a night and cigarettes.  He found he couldn't do it, but when he prayed and asked God to help him, he was able to quit.
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Note:  To be strictly obedience, we should have been in bed an hour ago!  Good thing we are senior missionaries and have some flexibility to be stupid and not get some rest when we need it.