Being in the Light & Bringing Light

And thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow, and also of rejoicing--sorrow because of death and destruction among men, and joy because of the light of Christ unto life.  Alma 28:14

Daffodils have brought sunshine to the Preston Temple grounds!

One last note on Japan:  We senior missionaries have followed the drama in Japan and prayed for those good people, all children of God.  Though a sorrowful time, there is also hope and joy in knowing all will rise again and gain immortal bodies.  The joy the gospel brings is assurance that death is not the end and all of us may be united through our Savior Jesus Christ.  That is why there is such urgency in the message missionaries take to the people of the world.  Everyone needs the opportunity to receive the blessing of the restored gospel and to receive His light in their lives.

The living among the dead--more daffodils in a cemetery near our home.

 Because Jesus Christ promised that everyone on earth would be able to learn of Him and of the great Plan of Salvation, the missionaries seem to have an extra measure of protection as they labor in his mission fields (vineyards).  We are grateful for the miracle of all missionaries being found safe in Japan.  People may now be  even more interested in the message they have to share.  Tragedy often softens the hearts and opens minds to spiritual things.

Let there be more light . . .
Now that daylight savings time has begun in the United States, there is more light in the evening in that part of the world.  England will spring the clocks forward this Sunday and we will also seemingly have our days extended with light.  Since days have been shorter here due to our latitude, we look forward to more light because more people are out and we can work longer in the evening finding them.  Daylight Savings Time is a way of giving light where we need it most during the months we love to be outdoors.
. . . and lambs!

The first Jacob lambs of the season!  I didn't want to upset mama too much, so I had to quickly grab this picture and get back into the car.  Right after this, she nudged the newly born sleepy one and got him onto his wobbly feet.  When we came back down the road, she was feeding them both.

I am celebrating spring by rejoicing over all the hundreds of lambs springing up in the green fields.  Daffodils are popping up everywhere.  England is covered in them.  The bright contrast of yellow against the green is absolutely one of the most beautiful sights this time of year.  Simple yellow flowers bring sunshine and light to everyone who delights in them.  The gospel in a similar manner brings sunshine and light to our souls if we choose to delight in it.
and flowers . . .

At the mission home.  Sister Bullock's table decorated for a farewell dinner to a fabulously successful, faithful senior couple (Allens) who served 23 months on the Isle of Man.

and the lovely lights (missionaries) performing service . . .

Elder Z. was transferred into the same zone as we are in when we got transferred here.  He is STILL always carrying everything for us!  We love him and his wonderful, humble attitude of always giving service even to his fellow missionaries.  This stuff is all for our activity night for Young Single Adults.  Zone conference was all day here on the temple grounds in the stake building.  We had to prepare for the activity immediately after zone conference.

Elder Blain is looking short next to these two elders.  This is the kitchen where we do a lot of our work.

Lots of sunshine in Darwen for several weeks now!

The angle on these roofs in Darwen show how steep the hill is as we look towards where we live.  India Tower is the main landmark here.

Overlooking all of Darwen, we can see our apartment from up here.  We were looking for a way to get to Darwen Tower, which is on top of the highest mountain overlooking Darwen.  Our place is the highest at the edge of the houses before the moors.   It is a tiny reddish dot on the right of the straight road going up the hill, which is on the right of the radio tower (or whatever it is) that is at the top and middle of this photo.  We placed a Book of Mormon with a crusty older man while up here!

A wall in Hoddleton where I walk often.  At the end of this road on the left is where I fell into the ditch.  Bruises are still with me, but I may be able to kneel for prayer in a week or so.  In this case, don't walk into the light at the end of the road.

The ivy is becoming more vividly alive with spring.

You can see our apartment really well in this picture.  The red roof  is sticking up just right of the steel tower that is up by the tree line.

We went by this last barn on the way to the top of the highest hill overlooking Darwen.

 We placed three Books of Mormon while searching the top of the hills for the Darwen Tower!  Got one solid appointment to teach!

The Darwen Tower marker at the trail head.  We placed a Book of Mormon with a young woman who was petting her cat while sitting on a fence up here.

The Lord's Lost Sheep and a Visit to Blacksnape Village in England

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.  John 10:27-29

For what shepherd is there among you having many sheep doth not watch over them, that the wolves enter not and devour his flock?  And behold, if a wolf enter his flock doth he not drive him out?  Yea, and at the last, if he can, he will destroy him.  And now I say unto you that the good shepherd doth call after you; and if you will hearken unto his voice he will bring you into his fold, and ye are his sheep; and h commandeth you that ye suffer no ravenous wolf to enter among you, that ye may be destroyed.  Alma 5:59-60

And he gathereth his children from the four quarters of the earth; and he numbereth his sheep, and they know him, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd; and he shall feed his sheep, and in him they shall find pasture.  1 Nephi 22:25

What is it with all the sheep and shepherd scriptures?  These were the scriptures I was prompted to use today when we visited a woman who has had the worst life imaginable.  Everything bad that could happen to her has, yet her faith has stayed strong.  She loves the Savior.  As missionaries (and member missionaries), we realize the Lord has commanded us to help Him find his lost sheep and bring them back to His fold.  In this lady's case, she was crying out for someone to come help her find her way back.  There was a beautiful spirit there as we listened to her story and brought what the Lord revealed to us to say to meet her needs and let her know she is loved and needed.   Often, it is just to listen and testify of His love for each individual, for the worth of a soul is great in His sight.

In an Ensign article this past month, there was a story about a lamb that was found on the wrong side of the fence by a busy highway.  The people who tried to help it had to chase it all over to catch it as it resisted being helped.  Then, they were kicked as the lamp struggled to free itself when the people tried to lift it over the fence.  In most cases, that is how it is finding the lost sheep of the wards.  Most are resistant to returning to church because they cannot see it is the place they need to be for safety and care.  They don't realize that being on the wrong side of the fence is dangerous for their eternal welfare.  It is a tough job to get the lost sheep to want to follow the Good Shepherd.  He promises so much . . .

Before we went to visit the lady today, I took a walk in the sunshine (yes--sunshine again in Darwen--miracle!!)  This time, I followed my obsession with the sinister name of "Blacksnape," and went to the village itself, which is about a fifteen minute walk up the road.

Walking into BLACKSNAPE!  Hum, it looks open and friendly.

This plaque was seen over the door on the cottage in the next picture below.  It looks like it reads, "Built by subscription through the exertion of John Harwood 1825."  I'll have to go back to see if I can read the writing above it.

 

 Can this place really be that old?

It looks too modern to be an old cottage.  I'll have to check this out later and see what the deal is.

The roof on these cottages, across the street from the one above, makes it look like they could be that old.  Stone doesn't age much over 176 years or so.

I walked down from Blacksnape on a public footpath through the playing fields and to our apartment just down from here.

No! Those Daffodils Need to Wait! (All Roads Don't Lead to Rome Either)

For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass.  The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:  But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.  And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.  1 Peter 1:24-25

The daffodils are looking like this almost everywhere we go now.  Their pretty little heads are getting ready to bloom.  They need to wait until our family members get here the first week in April!  We want them to see the beautiful daffodils that will be everywhere in England (like we enjoyed last year).  I want to go tie them all shut so they'll wait just a little longer . . .

No!  You cannot bloom quite yet (I don't think they will listen).  Maybe I can talk them into hanging around until April 6th at least?

About the Roman Road and some other history of the village that is down from our place about half a mile (Hoddlesten, where I took my spill).  When discussing my obsession with the Roman Road, I stated how fantastic the road system was that the Romans built and said that is probably where the saying, "All roads lead to Rome," came from.  Elder Blain said, "I can assure you that all roads in England could not have lead to Rome because of the English Channel."  Now, we see here the Roman road that runs above our place linked Manchester and Ribchester.  There sure are a lot of "chesters" in England.  I just mention that to divert your attention from the fact I didn't think about the water . . . I told you I keep forgetting we're on an island!

What is a sanitary pipe maker?

Pipes and town are all gone now.  Some stove pipes are still standing in Darwen, but I think they are from the cotton mills.

These cottages look like the ones they have all over England.  Nothing much has changed.  I wonder about the name?  More research . . .

Here's the little village post office I discovered that will serve nicely where we don't have to fight traffic and try to find a place to park.  I accidentally called the place a "town" and the post mistress quickly corrected me with "it's a village."

Alright already--I see spring is on its way!

Another reminder the spring is almost here . . . (this isn't the same one I posted the other day, I just happen to love these delicate little flowers and how they hang down with the dark tips on them.

There is a public footpath to this monument, so I tromp over the muddy field to it, trying not to do another faceplant, and the plaque is blank--faded with time, I guess.  A least these trees are minding their own business and having nothing to do with spring yet.

On the way home I saw a huge pig.  You're asking why I get excited about this.  Musta been the spill . . .

I also saw some normal English chickens that lays brown eggs.  I know you're really excited about this.

And to top it all off, this is the sign that announces what I call "the park" at the top of our hill.  Someone corrected me with, "It is the playing fields."  I'm always being "educated."