Our Last Zone Conference ) : --Accelerate the Work! ( :

Behold, I say unto you that it is my will that you should go forth and not tarry, neither be idle but labor with your might--Lifting up your voices as with the sound of a trump, proclaiming the truth according to the revelations and commandments which I have given you.  Doctrine and Covenants 75:3-4

I read a quote the other day that gave us a great laugh (can't remember who said it):  "In the world we send the elderly to nursing homes to die.  In the Church we send them on missions and work them to death."

We don't feel worked to death, only filled to the brim with the experience of beautiful, miraculous events and feelings, with more to come before we go home.  Only a few more weeks left on this mission and we go home already wanting to serve another.  A mission is highly addictive in a good way.  Yet, the time is drawing near to reconnect with our loving family.  Family is another important mission in life that must be tended to as well.

I thought I could make it through our last meeting with the missionaries in Ashton and Chorley zone, but then everyone stood up to sing, "Called to Serve . . . "

Yes, today was a day of see-you-laters to many we will never see again in this lifetime.  They are all the finest caliber of people--the young missionaries and senior missionaries.  We have a new mission president and his wife, and they are the cream of the crop amongst members in the Church because that is who the Lord calls to be over missions.  We have now had four different mission presidents (and wives) on two missions and they all are individuals who are the wisest among the wise, most experienced in gospel understanding, full of great faith, multi-talented, and enormously dedicated to God and loving others.  The training we receive from them is the most extensive and effective "corporate" training in the world.  Nothing but the scriptures themselves compare to the inspired and motivational enlightenment we receive from mission presidents and their wives.

Our new mission president and his wife shaking hands with all of the missionaries.  The second missionary in line here has a mother faithfully searching the blogs for something about her son.  There's more for you at the end of this blog, Sister B. ( :

We are truly blessed to have learned from all the leaders who have taught us while here in England.  Being in the association of so many great missionaries with strong and faithful spirits is a unique and faith promoting experience.  There are no words to describe a mission experience.  No explanation can do it justice.  Just know that it is worth anything to be able to serve a mission.  We are so grateful our children have supported us in this endeavor.  The prayers of friends and family have sustained us.

Today, our new mission president challenged us to finish the race at full speed--to gather up that last bit of energy and burst forth with all we have to end on a high level of commitment to share the gospel with as many as we can these last few days and weeks.  Can do!

A question of the day from our new mission president:  "What will you remember when you've forgotten everything else?"  I think we will always remember the people, that God loves each one.  We won't remember in a few years a lot of what we think we'll never forget, but we will not forget certain experiences with individuals and miracles connected with them.  We won't forget the urgency to share the gospel with everyone who will listen, to help them feel the love of our Savior.  Those things are burned indelibly into our minds and hearts, impossible to erase by any means.

Memories of the day are captured below, but mostly for Sister B's benefit so she can see her son. 

View of the nice Chorley Stake Centre.  Missionaries standing in line to meet the new mission president and his wife at the end of zone conference.

Sorry, Mom B. but your son wouldn't stand still for a shot.  He's wondering why in the world this senior sister missionary is stalking him for photos.

At least Elder B's companion likes his picture taken.  Maybe his mom will see him here.

Talking with the president

Finally standing still enough for a photo!

How many missionary companions do you know with matching ties?  They said two identical ties came in a box.

A great missionary from Bulgaria.  He speaks English well.

These two missionaries serve with us in Blackburn Ward.  We give them rides to meetings.  How could anyone resist these smiles when they open the door?  Elder P., on the left, goes home in a week.  He has a twin brother returning from the Leeds mission on the same day.  They will be on the plane together.  Imagine the reunion!

We have served in several areas with this great missionary, who has been a top leader in the mission.  This is his last zone conference as well.

Newly arrived, awesome senior missionaries serving in a small branch up north not far from the borders of Scotland.

This lucky senior couple is serving in Carlisle where Blain ancestors are from (Elder Blain's grandfather).  Guess it was never meant to be for us serving in that area.  We were moved to Blackburn Ward and called to the YSA when they were asked to move and serve in Carlisle.  We know this is where we are supposed to be, but there had been a slight hope to get to serve in Carlisle.  We do plan to go up there and visit the graveyards and check out ancestor's headstones.

  Elder H. inspects the cars too.  We got a "looks lived in" note on our car (which was quite dirty) the last time he inspected it.  We knew we hadn't kept it as clean as we should have, so this time we washed it up really nice and asked him if we got a good review today.  He said he didn't check vehicles today because he'd just checked them at special farewell zone conference we'd had a short while back.  The next time he sees the car is when we turn it in at the end of our mission.  It'll be clean again for sure.