Czech Family Moving

Joy to the world, the Lord is come; let earth receive her King!  Let every heart prepare him room, and Saints and angels sing, and saints and angels sing, and Saints, and Saints and angels sing.

Nativity at Preston Temple in Chorley.

Yea, ths saith the Spirit; Repent all ye ends of the earth, for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand; yea, the Son of God cometh in his glory, in his might,majesty, power, and dominion.  Yea, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, that the Sp; Behold the glory of the King of all the earth; and also the King of heaven shall very soon shine forth among all the children of men.  Alma 5:50 (speaking about 83 B.C.)

The donkey in the manger scene at the Preston Temple.

Our Sunday today was one of beautiful Christmas music and ward members handing out Christmas cards and gifts to everyone.  They even have alphabetical pockets for people in which to put the cards.  These people are also very generous with donating to the needy even when they themselves don't have much as a speaker reported people had donated enough quality toys to the Salvation Army that there were several car loads full.   There was such a spirit of love at Church that it fairly glowed.

The only damper on the day was hearing the family we have been helping with English will have to move soon.  We are keeping our fingers crossed they will keep their baptismal date for Thursday.  This lovely family has had all the missionary lessons and embraced the gospel fully, attending church every Sunday and trying to understand what is being said.  There are three more members of this family who also want to be baptized.  When they move, they will be out of our mission, so that is sad for us.  The happy news is they can continue their preparation for baptism and be embraced by the members in their new area. The husband found work in another town and there is a children's hospital close where the little boy with the holes in his heart can get help, so this is an answer to their prayers.  The Stoke Ward needs new members, so that part is disappointing but we are still glad for them and the new ward that will get them.

These people are heroes to us as they are just as much pioneers from their country as the early saints who had to move from place to place to find a good home where they could be free and safe.  Many early pioneers had to learn English and were the stalwarts of the Church as they served faithfully throughout trials and tribulations suffering greatly due to persecution because of their religion.

The Lord helps people overcome language barriers.  It has been a miracle to see the progress of this family.  They have learned very quickly and are doing a decent job of communicating in just a few weeks time.  The little boys have taken to English like ducks to water.  It has been amazing to watch and a testimony to us that the Lord helps those who honestly seek to know of Him and keep His commandments.

I mentioned this before, but it is still the most fantastic thing of all that the two Elders who found and taught them also had to learn English and one is still struggling greatly to master it.  The only reason this combination worked is the Lord helped everyone understand one another through the Holy Ghost.  Such marvelous things happen on missions.