Gabriel Might as Well be an Angel

"And that he manifesteth himself unto all those who believe in him, by the power of the Holy Ghost; yea, unto every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, working mighty miracles, signs, and wonders, among the children of men according to their faith."  2 Nephi 26:13

September 7th was a day for miracles.  I woke up very excited to have a busy proselyting day placing at least seven Books of Mormon.  We were going out to find less-active members, but I planned to present the Book of Mormon as the greatest gift I could think of to give on my birthday.

The only book with a promise that we can know it is true

The first place we went was the Newcastle Town Centre where I placed one Book of Mormon in the library, since they didn't have one on the shelf.  Then, we gave Books of Mormon to two women we had visited with quite often in a couple stores we frequent.  It was exhilarating to be out in the rain, which alternated with sunshine throughout the day and I was hyped having placed the three books.

As we drove to the various homes, we met a young man from Zimbabwe, who just got back from four years at medical school and was continuing his education in England.  He was at the home of a member we hoped to find.  We had a nice chat and he was interested in having a Book of Mormon.

Later on in the day, I jumped out of the car to see if a member still lived at an address (the street had no parking so Elder Blain went looking).  No one answered the door, so I was working my way to other doors and talked to a lady who wasn't interested in religion.  Then, I saw a man's head peek out from the door I had first visited.  I walked back and asked if the lady we were trying to locate still lived there and he didn't think so, but he was interested when I gave him my special birthday message.  When he asked me to come in, I signaled to Elder Blain to find a place to park, since he was still trying to find a spot while all of this was going on.  Normally, we park and go to the door together.

I talked at the door for a while and explained who we were and why we were in England.  Elder Blain finally found a place to park and joined me to teach the wonderful young man from India named Gabriel.  His family has all passed away and he came to England all by himself to go to school.  He finished an MBA eight months ago and had just found a job that was beginning the next day.  Since his new employment is a two-hour drive away, he will be moving in a couple weeks, but he wanted us to teach him about the Restoration.

We had a very spiritual experience with teaching him and he accepted a date to be baptized.  He was so glad to meet us and he felt like we were a sign for the direction for his new life.  He is following through with his commitments by reading the Book of Mormon and praying.  He said he had not prayed to God.  Instead, he had prayed to his parents and they helped him.  Obviously, he was very interested in our belief that family can be together forever.

Gabriel agreed to be taught the rest of the lessons by the Elders in his new home as soon as he is settled.  We hope to get permission to attend his baptism in a few weeks.  As we were leaving for our next teaching appointment, Gabriel told me, "Happy Birthday!"  Indeed it was!!  He knew how much being able to teach him meant to me.

There is nothing like a birthday wish coming true in the form of a miracle by finding someone just waiting to have the gospel in his life!  Pray for Gabriel to find happiness through membership in the Church.  He will certainly have a new family to take him in and love him.

P.S.  I did place six Books of Mormon and left a "free" one in the foyer of our apartment building, but the next day it was still there.  That one I cheated on anyway, so it didn't count.  It still needs to find its home!

"Be thou humble; and the Lord thy God shall lead thee by the hand, and give thee answer to thy prayers."  Doctrine and Covenants 112:1-13

"Therefore . . . I would that ye should do that which is good . . ."  Helaman 5:8

Family and friends have been generous with their goodness even more so this week on my behalf.  I am grateful for all of the thoughtful birthday wishes, cards, gifts, calls, love, and a surprise party!  The best gift anyone can get is to know you are loved and I certainly feel I am.  Lucky me to have all of you in my life.  Thank you!!

Mr. Taybarn, I think.  Our English family went to a buffet for Family Night to celebrate my birthday a day early.

Here we are--over eating like we're supposed to at a buffet--fun at first and misery later when you can't breathe

She still had room for a lime, or is that her lipstick?

We thought we were going to a teaching appointment on my birthday evening.  My surprise!  The candles are blown out and I get my wish.  Can anyone guess what it is?  What does a missionary wish for more than anything?

There's my birthday cakes!  How many people get 12 birthday cakes?  Only special ones like me--hee, hee

Here's the fam, minus one black kitty who took off somewhere.  You can guess how much Elder Blain loves the cat members of our English family, but you cat lovers can enjoy that I can get my cat fix here.

My lovely birthday sign.  They spoil me so much.  You can see why we love them!  They are SO fun!

There's not many things more exciting to a missionary than mail (other than baptisms and getting to teach people).  I had two packages waiting for me today at the door when we got back this afternoon.  Presents!!  I even took pictures of them.

Teri must have spent an hour on the stamps

Pretty stuff for the tables and kitchen makes our flat more enjoyable, from Teri and Jim

Pretty and practical stuff from Karalee & Arian--I couldn't find any gum or calcium citrate here.  The doctor says they don't use it.  The little blue flashlight is from University of Colorado at Denver, where Karalee and Arian do research.

This lemon curd stuff is what I keep on hand at all times.  It tastes like the filling in lemon meringue pie--my favorite!

A birthday treat made up of a crumpet (which I'd never tasted until our English family introduced them).  Peanut butter and lemon curd top it off.  YUM!

Since I was eating peanut butter, Elder Blain had to leave for a walk.  He hates the smell of it, but he eats peanuts--go figure.

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.