Rhyl, Wales and See-You-Later Scriptures

By the sea, the beautiful sea . . .


We had another day in Wales as we opened another apartment for the missionaries.  It was a rainy and windy day, but I walked the beach anyway.  I needed it.  Elder Blain took off with the missionaries to the new place to show them around.  Leaving our present area and moving to another has left me in a rather melancholy mood and reflective of the past year's experience.  For me, there is nothing like the sea to provide solitude for meditation.  Its atmosphere uplifts my mind and helps put perspective to my existence and purpose.

There's a sign telling us where to go to the sea--I'm always so excited when  we're heading for the coast!

The tide is coming in.  It wasn't too many weeks ago when we were here and couldn't see the waves as low tide had receded so far out.  It is a gray, windy and drizzly day

Notice how quickly the tide has covered the pilings.  Just moments before I had walked at the end of those and looked for treasures.

Anyone who knows me will know there is no end to my gathering favorite rocks.  The problem is, I cannot take them all home with me with the weight restrictions on the airlines!  Here's a way for me to preserve what I feel are treasures.  I felt as if I were in heaven while sitting there with my rocks and shells (the shells aren't in the picture because they are in my pocket.  Some rocks and shells stayed in my pocket to be sorted out when I get home.  Some will go home with me because I cannot resist them.  Others, I'll look at later and wonder why I thought they were so wonderful.  The rocks always look better wet and some of the shells will have chips I didn't notice at first until they got cleaned up.

See-You Later Scriptures (not good bye)

As Elder Blain and I go around to visit some of the people who have blessed our lives while we have been in this area, we have found ourselves sharing a last scriptural message, which we share below. We didn't plan ahead as to what message we would leave, nor coordinate or agree ahead of time that this is what we would do, though missionaries are always supposed to leave a teaching, a testimony, or something spiritual for people to ponder upon.  It is just working out this way and we'll go with the flow as long as the Holy Ghost directs us.

My scripture comes from the great sermon that King Benjamin gave his people as a farewell exhortation.  He built a high tower facing the people who had pitched their tents so the doors were facing the tower.  For those who were too far away to hear, he sent out messengers who took his address to them in written form.  It seems his address went on for a matter of days as he reviewed all the gospel principles, called the people to repentance, and gave personal accountability before the people pertaining to his reign.  He must have pondered long and hard as to what needed to be said to strengthen and encourage his people to stay close to the Lord.  He loved them so much and desired to see them all again.  He wished more than anything for them to be happy.  After his speech, he asked for a personal commitment from all the people did covenant to take upon them the name of Christ and to be faithful and righteous the rest of their lives.  What joy must have been in King Benjamin's heart!

The old king, having done his best in all things, then made sure all was organized properly in the Church, appointing priests to continue to teach the people after he was gone.  He turned his reign over to his son, Mosiah, and lived just three more year.  I'm sure he died in peace knowing he would see his people when they were all reunited in great joy to live with Heavenly Father someday.  The scriptures record that his son, Mosiah, ". . . did walk in the ways of the Lord, and did observe his judgments and his statutes, and did keep his commandments in all things whatsoever he commanded him . . . that he might do according to that which his father had done in all things (Mosiah 6:6-7)."

My heart's desire feels much like King Benjamin's and this is why I chose this particular scripture.


And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God.  For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness.  O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it.  Mosiah 2:41


Elder Blain's scripture is from Doctrine and Covenants, a revelation given to Joseph Smith, the Prophet to the Church, at Kirtland

Elder Blain counsels that we need to listen, since here the Savior asks us twice, quite strongly, to pay attention--to hearken to what he has to say.

Hearken, O ye people of my church, to whom the kingdom has been given; hearken ye and give ear to him who laid the foundation of the earth, who made the heavens and all the hosts thereof, and by whom all things were made which live, and move, and have a being.  And again I say, hearken unto my voice, lest death shall overtake you; in an hour when ye think not the summer shall be past, and the harvest ended, and your souls not saved.  Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him . . .  D&C 45:1-3


More later.   Have to go to lunch with a dear person and read these scriptures (probably) and do a Young Single Adult activity tonight.

What Do You Stand For?

from mormonshare.com/lds-clipart and http://www.JennySmith.net/-Free LDS Handouts

In the scripture above, we read how Captain Moroni posted why he and his people were fighting against the unrighteous Lamanities who wanted to destroy them, the righteous Nephites.  He wanted everyone to know the moral principles, or standards, by which the people who followed God lived.  He also wanted the title of liberty to be flown across their land to remain through the generations as a reminder of what they stood for.

At a recent zone conference, we were asked to spend an hour and meditate on how we want to be known to others.  What is our title or standard?  What will we hold up to the world to declare who we are?  What are our moral principles by which we live?  Answering those questions is harder than it seems.  If we were to die tomorrow, what would our family and friends know about the things that mattered most to us and what motivated us to live as we did?


We encourage everyone to design their own standard.  Ours are a bit rough due to lack of time, but you can make a true work of art if you so desire.  The point is to put what you stand for in a form that is meaningful to you and clearly understood by others.  Have fun!

This is the Crewe District getting ready to design our own standards to share

Elder Blain's Standard or Title of which he hopes to become and by which he will strive to live to be known and remembered - Yes, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.  Alma 26:12

Thou shalt have no other gods before me.   Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:  Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them:  for I the Lord Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;  Exodus 20:3-5

Sister Blain's Standard or Title - of which I hope to become and by which I will strive to be known and remembered. 

Everything on my standard is connected by the central focus on Jesus Christ, the hope and motivation for life, which radiates from my faith in Christ, love for Him, gratitude for His Atonement and all He has done for us.  The sure knowledge that he lives comes from a very special spiritual witness that I received as a teen when I prayed desperately and in great anguish to know if  He was there and real.  I testify that He loves us and knows us and cares about us individually.  Thus, everything I do has a foundation in trusting our Savior to keep His promises when we are diligent in following Him.  By consecrating my life to Him, I hope to follow his example and do my best to Do What Jesus Did in His life (DWJD).

And also, the voice of the Son came unto me, saying:  He that is baptized in my name, to him will the Father give the Holy Ghost, like unto me; wherefore, follow me, and do the things which ye have seen me do.  2 Nephi 31:12

To be an In Tune Instrument in God's hands, I have to keep the commandments (pray, study the scriptures, etc.).  Striving to be righteous will help me hear and feel the promptings and guidance of the Holy Ghost, which will help me know what things I need to do for Jesus Christ as an instrument in His hands meeting the needs of others through service and love. 

 Learn of me, and listen to my words; walk in the meekness of my Spirit, and you shall have peace in me.  Doctrine and Covenants 19:23

My Ultimate Goal and Whole Purpose - To help my family and others to gain Eternal Life and a fullness of JOY!

I know that which the Lord hath commanded me, and I glory in it.  I do not glory of myself, but I glory in that which the Lord hath commanded me; yea, and this is my glory, that perhaps I may be an instrument in the hands of God to bring some soul to repentance; and this is my joy.  Alma 29:9

And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!  Romans 10:15

New Place to Live--Darwen, & Four Westies and a What?

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee:  he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.  Psalm 55:22


Ha, ha, I guess we aren't too righteous since we are being moved.  I am sure King David meant the righteous wouldn't be moved from their faith, but it is a good scripture to use for our upcoming venture further north.

We prayed for help to know where we were supposed to get a new place to live when we were told we could live anywhere between the Chorley and Blackburn area.  Every avenue was exhausted as we endeavored to locate nearer to Chorley, thinking it made the most sense.  One place remained in Darwen that hadn't been taken by yesterday.  It was a spot I had felt strongly was right, but logic had us pushing for other areas.  Finally, we knew that had to be where we needed to be and we took the apartment.  What a great feeling inside to have that decision made and to feel that it is the right one.  We have no idea yet why that particular spot is the right place, but we have faith we will know before the end of our mission.

Our last few days have been hectic.  We have been dealing with getting a missionary flat closed, showing our own flat to prospective renters, getting a new car, coordinating the bike pick up so bikes can be delivered to missionaries, teas with members wishing to say good bye, signing for a new flat for the missionaries, learning a bit about our new assignment, and looking at so many properties we have lost count.  Today, I started researching properties for another missionary flat in Northern Wales.  We also need to visit many people before we move.  We shall move into the new place on 5 February.

We have a shorter address to write and it was posted on this blog, but the address was given to us wrong, and I realized when I was about to correct it that for security issues it probably shouldn't be broadcast all over the world anyway, right?  Anyone wanting the address can email me.  I will have to remember to spell Darwen differently than the Darwins we have in our family.

Below are pictures of our travels (some out of the car window, so quality is not so great):

The old church on the left and new bridge in the back in Runcorn where we had to sign for a missionary flat.  It isn't far from Liverpool as the sea flows into this area.

Cuteness overload.  Oh!  How I wished we hadn't been driving when I snapped this bunch!  Can you believe the tiny one in the middle that looks like a stuffed toy?  Is that a Yorkie?

Runcorn bridge is pretty as we are leaving to go to Chorley

The old on the left and the newer bridge

Skyline leaving Runcorn.  These are not nuclear power plants though they look like cooling towers.

This is a common sight throughout the areas we have been in where they tear down the old housing.  The piles are massive, but this one doesn't look all that big.

The guard cat is coming at me when I was looking for an address of a flat we wanted to see

This doesn't look friendly, but she wanted me to open the door to her home--meow

Young Single Adults (YSA) Family Home Evening with the medical missionaries who also do YSA.  We will receive their assignment when they leave in February.

The man on the right teaches prospective engineers in high school.  Elder Blain looks distressed as he is eating ice cream, which can be a no no for his goofy stomach.  He didn't get sick because it was only a small amount.

 We stayed overnight here so we'd be close to the area to continue looking for flats.  The one in the middle is the doctor and the others are eating banana splits after our Family Home Evening.

A newly married young couple who loves still being with YSA

This man is seen going out of Darwen heading towards Chorley, so I will get a better picture later and find out what he stands for.

Mosques are everywhere in England in certain towns, usually in the central parts.  Blackburn has a huge population of Muslims.  This mosque is across the street from the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) chapel in Blackburn.  It is about a 15 minute drive to the church from Darwen where we will be living.  We didn't see Muslims in Darwen or Chorley.  Many Muslims do not like the Mormons, but there are individuals Muslims who are very kind to Christians when they get to know them and are educated enough to know they are not as evil as they've been taught from their youth.  The same can be said of Christians who get to know Muslims.  

The first thing I noticed going into Darwen was this extremely tall tower dominating the landscape.  I took the picture while moving, so I will have to get a better picture and history later.  We ate lunch (called dinner here) in a pub while waiting to secure the property.  The picture below was on the wall with no explanation for what it is called or the significance it has played in the town's history.

India Tower

This is all I could see of the LDS chapel.  It was gated and down in a hole.  It looks like a fairly small building.

As we left the street the church is on, I saw some English spelling.