The Adventures of a Grandmother Young at Heart

Our Mode of Transportation in London

2011-06-06T11:05:00.000-07:00

We traveled by bus, car, taxi and bicycle to get around this massive city. Lots of fun and we had to do little walking which was good for Elder Crandall.

It's So Hard To Say Goodbye

2011-06-06T11:01:00.000-07:00

The script for this picture is found later among the farewell party pictures where their picture didn't show up. When I get home I will get help from an expert blogger to move the picture where it belongs.

Elder Crandall's Pick of Company for Dinner

2011-06-06T10:39:00.000-07:00

Elder Crandall picked the restaurant that we ate at for dinner one night and it was The Rain Forest. We had quite the company for dinner that night and the meal was very good.

Changing of the Guard

2011-06-06T10:30:00.001-07:00

We were able to see the Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace among the thousands of other people there. I finally asked a little boy who was sitting on top of his father's shoulders to stick my camera through the bars and take a picture for me. It worked!!! Hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Beautiful Architecture in London

2011-06-06T10:24:00.000-07:00

Look at these beautiful buildings that are everywhere in London!! What a city full of amazing history!! We had a wonderful time in the short while we visited this famous city. We were amazed at all of the languages we heard being spoken everywhere we went and we were told that 60 - 70 % of the people we saw were tourists from other countries. We felt that was true as we attended church in Hyde Park on Sunday and we think every nationality was represented there that day. We were honored to be asked to give the opening and closing prayers in Sacrament Meeting.

Famous Buildings in London

2011-06-06T10:12:00.000-07:00

Here are pictures we took in London of one of the oldest churches in London and the one the Queen attends, St Paul's Cathedral, Admiralty Arch and Westminster Abby. We felt like we were right in the middle of amazing history and we were!!

Impressive Buildings in London

2011-06-06T09:33:00.000-07:00

Here are pictures of Big Ben, The Tower of London and The Palace of Westminster or House of Parliament. Very Impressive buildings!!!

The Tower Bridge on the River Thames

2011-06-06T09:27:00.001-07:00

We crossed the Tower Bridge in a bus and then cruised down the Thames River. You get a great view of the buildings along the river as you cruise but the river is very dirty and brown looking. What a beautiful bridge however. A beautiful London Bridge also is in Lake Havasu in Arizona and of course I have seen and been on that bridge.

Trafalgar Square

2011-06-06T09:20:00.000-07:00

This is basically the center of London and where you find a statue of Lord Nelson who won for the British a great battle in the Napoleonic War. There are four large lions which represent the power of the British Empire then covering the four corners of the world. The ship represents Lord Nelson's ship.

We Love the Theatre

2011-06-06T08:58:00.000-07:00

We took advantage of the great shows playing in London and saw Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies, Lion King and Les Miserables. They all were amazing!! We had to be careful so Elder Crandall didn't get to tired and these shows were just perfect!! And they were perfect for me also being the Theatre lover that I am!!!

Our Pound Sale

2011-06-06T08:28:00.000-07:00

Here is Cami cooking American Pancakes for everyone who came to our pound sale. She was such a trouper and her parents were there also. It was so much fun with an amazing turn out and some last minute hugs and goodbyes. In addition to the fun we also made about 270 pounds that will go into the Carmarthen Youth Fund!!!

A Few Minutes With Dan and Mavis

2011-06-06T08:21:00.000-07:00

Dan Griffith has been very ill recently and we have stopped by nearly every week to check on he and Mavis. They are lovely friends and we enjoy our visits and meals together. Dan was so weak the last time we were there just before we left Wales, that he could hardly talk nor get out of bed so Mavis just joined him. We appreciate the great lives you both have lived and your testimonies of the gospel!! Thanks for loving us!!!!!

Merthyr Tydfil Stake Presidency

2011-06-06T08:16:00.000-07:00

We had Stake Conference the last Sunday that we were in Wales and we were able to take a picture of the Merthyr Tydfil Stake Presidency. They all are amazing men and some of the best speakers we have ever heard. Thanks for being so good to us while we served in your beautiful country.

A Day At The Gower With Cathy, Christian, and Victoria

2011-06-06T08:08:00.001-07:00

We were privileged to spend a half a day with Cathy Rees, Christian and Victoria at the Gower and it was breathtaking!! We had yummy scones and hot chocolate--look at that whipped cream!!! Cathy has taken us to many fun places while we have served here in Wales and we love her for it and for our special visits. We will miss you so much!!

A Delightful Surprise

2011-06-06T07:57:00.000-07:00

Our very dear Branch President, President Williams presented us with a beautiful book with Carmarthen memories, pictures and thoughts from the members. WHAT A TREASURE!!! As you can see it brought many tears to our eyes and later that evening in the quiet of our home, Elder Crandall and I both wept from the joy this book has brought to us. Our special Martha was right there with us. What will we ever do without her?????

Goodbye Good Friends

2011-06-06T07:48:00.000-07:00

Charles Goodford and his son, John came to say goodbye to us at our farewell party and we so appreciated it. We recently attended Charles's Welsh Choir performance in Ammonford and it was delightful. Thanks for being such good friends.

One of the Greatest Moments!!

2011-06-06T07:38:00.000-07:00

At our Farewell Party, one of the greatest moments was when Bethan Strangward told us she was going to be baptized!!! She has been taking lessons from Elder Pulsipher and Elder Stein and has been attending our Institute class every week. We have gotten to know and love her and are sorry to miss her baptism but are so excited for her correct decision to "Come Unto Christ".

Our Lovely Stake RS Leaders

2011-06-06T07:26:00.000-07:00

It meant so much to us to have Sister Jones and Sister Harris come to our farewell party. Sister Harris is the Stake Relief Society President and Sister Jones is her counselor. I have felt such a bond with these two special ladies and have enjoyed speaking at their RS conference and at other Relief Societies throughout the stake. Thanks so much for loving us!!

It Is So Hard To Say Goodbye

2011-06-06T07:09:00.002-07:00

Here we are at our farewell party and how do we say goodbye? It is so hard. We would like to put you all in our suitcases and take you to America with us. We are with the lovely Shambrook family in the upper left picture. Lisa, how do I thank you for the amazing book you put together for us???? Thank you, thank you!! And Bekah, that picture you gave me is amazing--I will one day say I have a piece of your famous art work and people will be in awe. It has been my privilige to teach each of the Shambook children. What can I say about the wonderful Greenhalgh family???? You have been a part of our lives from day one on our mission and we love you, love you!! Lorna and Adam how we love you both and enjoy your love for music. Dear, dear Holes. We love your son and so appreciate your leadership in the Llanelli ward. You are amazing.

Never Say Goodbye Just See You Later

2011-06-06T06:43:00.000-07:00

Here we are with dear, dear friends the Pomfrets!! We will always remember them helping us check out of our flat and sweeping away the cobwebs!!! They have done so very much for us and we love them for it. Also we are pictured with Ian and Jared Govier. We have enjoyed working with Brother Govier in the Addiction Recovery Program and with Jared in Institute. So excited about you receiving your mission call, Jared. Let us know!! In the last picture are dear friends, Victoria Garlick and Kaye Evans. We are so proud of you both. Enjoyed the Gower with you, Victoria!! Love you all!!

How Your Lives Have Touched Ours

2011-06-06T06:35:00.000-07:00

We are here with Sister Davis, Sister Cartright, & Sister Richards from Llanelli. How we love these grand ladies!! Also we are with Catherine Rees and her granddaughter Jeanna who have been very dear to us. Last but certainly not least we are with the wonderful Allen family. It has been my privilege to go visiting teaching with Sister Allen and teach two of her awesome children in Sunday School class!! Thanks for touching our lives for good!!

Our Amazing Chinese Friends

2011-06-06T06:27:00.000-07:00

Here are Yali with her two children, Isabelle and Ethan. We love this great, devoted family!!! Yali is working towards going to the temple and Ethan was just baptized a couple of weeks ago and I had the privilege of speaking at his baptism. I will miss your great Chinese food, Yali but more than that I will miss our spiritual discussions.

Special Elders at our Farewell Party

2011-06-06T06:21:00.000-07:00

We had Elder Taylor, Elder Mansfield, Elder Wangsgard, Elder Beus, Elder Stein and Elder Pulsipher at our farewell party and that meant a lot to us because we have worked one day a week for a long time with Elder Taylor and Mansfield and Elder Stein is our District Leader and Elder Wangsgard and Elder Beus are our Zone Leaders. Elder Pulsipher is a great friend. A big thanks to Elder Taylor and Elder Mansfield for taking most of the pictures for us!!! We love you all!!!!

Couldn't Do Without You!!!

2011-06-06T06:01:00.001-07:00

At the farewell party for us we took many pictures and here are pictures of friends it will be hard to do without as we return to America. We have spent many hours with the Pomfrets and the Hardings and they are like family to us. Bishop Ridler from Llanelli has been a great support in our missionary work in his area and we are excited to see Kaye Evans here at our party also along with other Llanelli friends.

Close as Family

2011-06-06T05:54:00.000-07:00

Natalie has become so dear to us as we have met at Institute and enjoyed each other and shared our testimonies of the gospel. Her aunt, Sister Priory is a wonderful lady and has brought Natalie to Institute the many miles several times.

Special Institute Friends

2011-06-06T05:41:00.000-07:00

Here we are with special friends from institute at our party. They are Ashley, James, Charley, and Andy. They are simply remarkable and it has been a joy teaching them each week.

Oh How We Will Miss You!!

2011-06-06T05:37:00.001-07:00

How we love these friends who have come to mean so much to us!! Here we are saying goodbye to Natalie, Martin Walters, Lee Davis and Martha Williams. We have spent a great deal of time with them all.

Llaneli and Milford Haven Friends

2011-06-06T05:31:00.001-07:00

How we love these dear friends from Milford and Llanelli who came to our farewell party. We are here with the Donahuges, Grandma Taylor and Sarah Goram, Alan and Joan Phillips, Eileen, and Yali and her darling children Isabelle and Ethan. How we will miss them all!!

Our Awesome Institute Class

2011-06-05T09:47:00.000-07:00

We had our farewell party after Institute on May 26Th and here is a picture of most of the students. Teaching them has been sheer pleasure!!! We are so proud of their very good lives and their testimonies of the gospel.

We love those Institute Students

2011-06-05T09:44:00.000-07:00

Pictures of Special Friends at our Farewell Party

2011-06-05T09:40:00.000-07:00

Here are more pictures of special friends at our farewell party. In the upper left are Mike and Luke Dower from Milford Haven, in the lower left is Jared Hull from our Institute class with us, and in the upper right are Mike, Irena, Cami and Jamie Rasmussen from Swansea, and in the lower right are Gareth Mathais and Nigel Davis from Llanelli. They all helped make this an amazing evening for us both!!

Our Last District Meeting

2011-06-05T09:27:00.000-07:00

We have loved serving with these great Elders and Sisters and will miss their great diligence and enthusiasm for the gospel and for missionary work!!

You Better Meet Your Goals!!!

2011-06-05T09:19:00.000-07:00

Our new District Leader, Elder Stein has a new way of stimulating compliance to our District Goals!!! Sister Ogden was the best shot of us all. Elder Pulsipher was the willing target. Needless to say our district meeting were not boring.

Farewell Time with the Martins

2011-06-05T09:12:00.000-07:00

President and Sister Martin and their twins had us over for a lovely farewell dinner and we not only enjoyed the food and their wonderful company but the beauties of Broadhaven. These scenes are in their back yard!! Unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!

A Joyous Day!!

2011-05-23T11:28:00.000-07:00

Sunday Ethan was baptized and I am here with Yali, his mother and his little sister, Isabelle. How we love this family. I was privileged to speak on the Holy Ghost at the baptism. Ethan will be a giant in the church!! His mother is amazing in the way she is teaching her children about the gospel and in the way she is so graciously serving in the Ward!!! How we will miss them.

Ethan's Baptism

2011-05-23T11:22:00.000-07:00

Here we are at Ethan's baptism. He is with his mother Yali and Elder Mansfield and Elder Taylor. Elder Taylor baptized him and Elder Mansfield confirmed him. It was a joyous day!!!

Never say Goodbye

2011-05-23T11:17:00.000-07:00

On May 22, we attended our last Sunday in Carmarthen Branch and said goodbye to our dear friends and Brothers and Sisters in the gospel!! The Williams are one special family that we cannot say goodbye to, just see you later. They have been so very good to us and are a part of our hearts as are the other members of Carmarthen Branch. The following pictures will show you other dear friends who will remain in our hearts and in our thoughts forever!!! We can never say goodbye to any of them--just see you later!!! We love you Carmarthen Branch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You have changed our lives forever!!

Saying Goodbye is Impossible to Do

2011-05-23T11:07:00.001-07:00

Here we are saying Goodbye to dear friends in the branch, Jennifer Dart, Brother Roberts and Catlin and Daniel Shambrook. We will miss you all terribly!!

Future Leaders of the Church

2011-05-23T11:02:00.000-07:00

It is most hard to say goodbye to the special Primary friends that we have made here. On the left are the twins, Benjamin and Leon Martin with Ammon Greenhalgh. The two beautiful girls are Catlin Shambrook and Martha Williams. The woman who is half asleep is your one and only--ME!! These young children are amazing and are the future leaders for sure in this area of God's kingdom!!!

How Can We Say Goodbye

2011-05-23T10:46:00.000-07:00

Here are good, good friends saying goodbye on Sunday. On the left are Sister Samuels (I think she is singing her goodbye to us), in the middle is dear friend Angela, and on the right Sister Martin. In the left hand picture are the Roberts and the Shambrooks. We so enjoyed FHE recently with both of these great friends and families.

How We Will Miss Them

2011-05-23T10:40:00.000-07:00

We are here with great friends, the Pomfrets and the Gilmours. We have had many wonderful times with Bev, Lienna, and TJ. Sister Gilmour and I have enjoyed being visiting teaching partners and I have loved getting to know her and her wonderful personality. We also enjoy her great husband and wished we could have been here when he sang in his Welsh choir.

More Carmarthen Friends

2011-05-23T10:34:00.000-07:00

Here I am stooping so I will not hide the Holmans, the Hardings, the Willetts, and Sarah. The cute young couple are the Makings. We sure do love these great Carmarthen members!!!

Dear Friends from Milford Haven

2011-05-23T10:29:00.001-07:00

We couldn't believe that the Milford Haven's Branch President's wife, Vanessa would come so far with her twin boys to say goodbye to us on Sunday!!! I have always felt a special bond with her and loved attending their branch and working in their area with their less active members.

More Goodbyes on Sunday

2011-05-23T10:19:00.000-07:00

Here we are on the left with Sarah Gaskell, Allissia and Eric. We pick them up every Sunday for church and have enjoyed getting to know and love them The other family here are the Greenhalghs and they have been a most important part of our lives here in Carmarthen since we arrived and are like family to us.

More Goodbyes

2011-05-23T10:06:00.001-07:00

Here I am with Delyth and Glyn Thomas on the left and Simon and Joanne Willett on the right. They came to church today to especially say goodbye to us. We have visited with Delyth and Glyn ever since we arrived in Carmarthen and I have been Joanne's visiting teacher since we arrived. Simon always comes in off the ranch and listens to our message even though he is not a member of our church. How we love these dear friends!!

Fun, Fun Carmarthen Young Women

2011-05-23T09:59:00.000-07:00

They all wanted to say goodbye in this manner!!! They are so much fun and are simply amazing. How I will miss them!!!

A Night with Charles

2011-05-23T09:49:00.001-07:00

Charles Goodford, the Elder's Quorum President and good friend from LLanelli, invited us to come hear him sing in his Welsh choir. It was a delightful evening and the choir was wonderful. We were especially impressed as they sang the National Anthem of Wales. It was very moving. We love this beautiful country and especially the people here.

A Friend of ours in a Bagpipe Band

2011-05-15T08:58:00.000-07:00

Brother Chapman and his wife from Llanelli Ward have invited us several times to come and hear him play in his Bagpipe Band and so we were able to go recently and enjoyed it immensely. What a fun talent!!! They have been good friends and so supportive and nice to us.

Two Special Occasions

2011-05-15T08:49:00.000-07:00

Today after church, Ross was ordained a deacon and Gareth, a teacher. It was very special for us to be there and very emotional for me. We love these two very fine young men and their wonderful family. To think of leaving them really hit me today as you can probably tell from the tears in my eyes. Their grandparents were there also and we admire and love them. Also you see pictures of the Aaronic Priesthood in the branch with their two great leaders. They are small in numbers but powerful in testimony!! We have become close to each of these young men and their leaders and they all are so GOOD and OBEDIENT!!!

Dinner with Mandy, Brandon & Lance

2011-05-15T08:31:00.000-07:00

Saturday we went to Pembrokeshire to say some more goodbyes. We had dinner with Mandy, Brandon and Lance. Also pictured is Skippy, their dog who also loved my cookies. They have really fixed up the place and the back yard looks wonderful, thanks to Lance's hard work. We had a great meal and visit together. In the one picture, I am pretending to wring Brandon's neck because he has an ear ring which he is very proud of and of course which I do not approve of. We had many fun Family Home Evenings with this family and great memories with the young missionaries there in their home.

Goodbye to part of our District

2011-05-06T10:18:00.000-07:00

Next week is transfers and we tried to take a District picture. We were able to capture most of the District at zone conference. We have had a lot of fun as a District and will really miss those who are transferred, well at least for the next month, since we too will be transferred home at that time.

Goodbyes to Special Friends and Missionaries

2011-05-06T10:12:00.000-07:00

We said our goodbyes this week to many missionaries at the Zone Conference. Here with us are Sister Perera from Sri lanka, Elder Brokatzky from Germany, Elder Guo from China, and Elder Perry who is a counselor in the Mission Presidency and is from Wales. We love them all and will miss them terribly!!!

More Goodbyes at Zone Conference

2011-05-06T10:01:00.000-07:00

We had a marvelous Zone Conference in Cardiff this past Thursday and said some goodbyes to some favorite missionaries. We are with Elder Grappi, Elder Roberts, Elder Stokes, and Elder Magpantay. We love them and will miss them very much!!!

More Fun Flat Inspections

2011-05-06T09:50:00.002-07:00

Hulet
We are here with Elder Krywult from Austria, and Elder Hulet from Penn. doing their flat inspection. There flat was very clean and we enjoyed a breakfast with them both after the inspection. They are in Blackwood and are very dedicated elders!!!

My Favorite Waitress

2011-04-30T13:55:00.000-07:00

We often go to "Frankie's and Benny's" with the missionaries and this lovely waitress waits on us all of the time and has become my friend. I had left a pair of reading glasses there once and she knew we would be back. She told me that one night she had a dream that I would be at the restaurant that day. She had taken the glasses I had left home with her. And sure enough we showed up that day at the restaurant and she shared her story as she gave me the glasses. Of course I gave her a pass along card and we pray she follows up with it. We have met the most lovely people here in Wales.

Missionary Pictures at Nigel's Baptism

2011-04-30T13:49:00.000-07:00

Here are pictures of some of our favorite missionaries and of Nigel and Gareth at Nigel's baptism today. The missionaries are Elder Pulsipher, Elder Knecht, Elder Taylor, and Elder Mansfield. They are amazing missionaries!!

Double Baptisms

2011-04-30T13:43:00.000-07:00

It doesn't get any better than this!!! Two baptisms in the same day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Our dear, dear Martha was baptized in Newcastle Emlyn and Nigel, a new convert in Llanelli. I had the privilege of speaking about the Holy Ghost at both baptisms and felt most honored. We are so excited about the new beginnings for both of these special people. Martha has been so excited for her baptism for months and had planned every detail. She is an extra special little girl with a strong testimony of the gospel. Nigel has made major changes in his life and has accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ with all of his heart. His good friend Gareth had the opportunity of baptizing him and has been most instrumental in helping convert Nigel. We are so proud of them both!!

A Double Your Pleasure Birthday

2011-04-30T13:34:00.000-07:00

Two of our favorite people had birthdays on the same day. They were big birthdays too, with President Williams turning 40 and Martha turning 8!!! We had a lovely evening with them. We hadn't been able to watch the Royal Wedding because we were doing missionary work, so they taped it for us and we watched the highlights that night at their home. They are always doing thoughtful things like that for everyone!!

A Special Evening with the Williams

2011-04-30T13:28:00.000-07:00

We had the privilege once again to hear President Williams perform in the Tenby Male Choir in a beautiful Church of Wales in Tenby. Theresa's parents were here and we got to meet and love them and our special Martha got to come with us also. The choir was amazing and the evening even better spent with the dearest of friends!!!

Elder Rasmussen Returns

2011-04-30T13:24:00.000-07:00

We were invited to the homecoming of Elder Rasmussen. We didn't know him but know and love his family. His father is the Bishop in Swansea Ward and Camie, his sister is in our Institute class. Ian Govier, his uncle and the High Counselor we work closely with in the Addiction Recovery Program, is shown here singing a special song he created as a welcome home treat!! And a treat it was. Wow he is talented!!

Lienna and TJ's Birthday Party

2011-04-30T13:17:00.000-07:00

We were invited to a very fun evening with the Pomfrets and their many friends in order to celebrate Lienna and TJ's birthdays. It was a super fun evening with lots of dancing and even more food. Of course Elder Crandall and I didn't dance but it was hard not to. They are special friends!!

More Fun Flat Inspections

2011-04-30T04:50:00.000-07:00

Here are more pictures of our fun flat inspections. Here we get to know the missionaries and enjoy their personalities and their testimonies. We will miss these choice associations!!

District Meetings and Flat Inspections

2011-04-20T08:40:00.002-07:00

We continue to have the privilege of having District Meeting at our home nearly every week and we always have a meal afterwards. We went to Newport and Cardiff this week for flat inspections and had lunch with Elder Steed from Utah and Elder Guo from China and Elder Hanks from Utah and Elder Roberts from England. These Elders become are kids away from home. How we enjoy their great spirits!!!

The Three Teams at Mission Football

2011-04-20T08:32:00.002-07:00

Can you believe the hot pink team (Cheltenham Zone) won the championship game at mission football with the blue in second place (Merthyr Zone) and in third place was Cardiff Zone, those in red. The missionaries all have so much fun on these Mission Football days!! I made lots of goodies for them and most of all just enjoyed their great company!!!

Special Friends at Mission Football

2011-04-20T08:28:00.002-07:00

A few of the elders decided to especially pose for us at Mission football. What a fun day!!!

A beautiful park in Cardiff

2011-04-20T08:23:00.002-07:00

This is the park we went to in Cardiff for Mission Football. It was beautiful but the day was very cold and wet and windy. We had a lot of fun however with all of the missionaries.

Spring in Wales

2011-04-20T08:19:00.001-07:00

We are so blessed to be able to spend our second spring in Wales. All of the fruit trees are in bloom and the flowers are gorgeous and the trees are all green now!!!

Playing a game at FHE

2011-04-09T00:38:00.002-07:00

We are having FHE with all of the Camathen members before we go home and challenging them to be great missionaries. We end the evening talking about the agency we have to make either righteous choices or unrighteous choices. We draw an analogy to the "Chutes and Ladders" game or as it is called in the UK, "Snakes and Ladders", where we advance in the game on the ladders (righteous choices) or go downhill on the chutes (bad choices). Of course a righteous choice is TO DO OUR MISSIONARY WORK!!! Here we are with the great Pomfret family. Elder Crandall had never played this game before but he beat us all by arriving at the picture of Jesus first. Beginners luck or is he just plain more righteous? He is a very good man,that's for sure!!

Inspecting the Sisters's Flat

2011-04-09T00:29:00.003-07:00

It was such a lovely day on Friday and we were inspecting Sister Nadsady's (from Scotland) and Sister Perera's (from Sri Lanka) flat. Because we wanted to enjoy the "Rare" warmth and sun we sat outside on the balcony of the restaurant we treated them at. It was such a wonderful day and we topped it off with our scripture study group at our home that night. How we love this great work!!!

Inspiring Handouts at our Missionary Preparation Activity

2011-04-09T00:22:00.002-07:00

We had the most fun activity at our home this week--fun because our favorite topic was discussed, "Sharing the Gospel" and because of who was there. Here is a picture of our handouts--all of the church pamphlets regarding the missionary discussions, and a large candy bar with a unique wrapping encouraging Sharing the Gospel and how to do it!!

The Wonderful Pomfrets

2011-04-09T00:14:00.003-07:00

Bev and TJ helped make our YW and YM Missionary Preparation Evening a success by furnishing their chocolate fountain and operating it. They both are always so eager to serve others and we love them for this great quality. We drew analogies between the sweetness of the gospel and the chocolate fountain and the items we dipped in it. It turned out to be a very fun evening!! How could it not be with chocolate involved???

These are our Fearless Leaders

2011-04-09T00:08:00.002-07:00

I think we exhausted our great YW President and our Bishopric member at our Missionary Preparation Activity at our home this past Wednesday evening. They are the greatest leaders and we were so happy to have them and their youth with us that night. There are some great future missionaries among the group

Learning Missionary Skills

2011-04-09T00:02:00.002-07:00

At the YW YM Activity held at our home this week we taught many missionary skills. One of which was sewing on a button Look at those faces, some pained, and some quite pleased with themselves!! It was sooooooooooooo much fun.

Missionary YW YM Activity

2011-04-08T23:55:00.002-07:00

We used a chocolate fountain as an analogy of the sweetness of the gospel and the youth really got into it, literally!!! Such a fun night. I know why the Lord has called me so many times to work with the youth--CAUSE I LOVE THEM!!!! They are the BEST!

I Love my Sweetheart

2011-04-03T15:04:00.002-07:00

It has been a great experience serving our mission in Wales and we have grown closer and more understanding and appreciative of each other. We are grateful to the Lord for this great blessing in our lives!!!

Beverly's Birthday Dinner

2011-04-03T14:47:00.005-07:00

We had a wonderful time with the Pomfrets as we celebrated Beverly's birthday!!! They have been such good friends to us and have made us feel like a part of their family. Thanks so much for your friendship and love. We will miss you all!!!

The Fasinating Willett Farm

2011-04-03T14:47:00.002-07:00

I visit teach Joanne Willett and her lovely family always joins us in our visit. This time we got a tour of the lambing area!! Fascinating. In the lower right hand picture the ewe is about to deliver, and in the left hand lower picture, that ewe has just delivered twins. In the upper right hand picture, those are lambs that have been rejected by their mothers and are being bottle fed, poor babies!!! There must be a gospel message here but we just enjoyed the visit.

The Roads are Lined with Daffodils

2011-04-03T14:42:00.002-07:00

Spring is here and the roads are lined with beautiful yellow and white Daffodils!! It is always a delightful sign that spring is on its way!!! We are so delighted to enjoy two springs in this beautiful country.

Beautiful Cherry Blossoms

2011-04-03T14:35:00.002-07:00

Spring is here and we are delighted. We still have the rain but not the bitter cold!!! Hooray!!! We tell everyone here we are from the "Valley of the Sun" and they say welcome to the "Valley of the Rain"!! No kidding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! But that is why it is so beautiful and green!!

Our Fun District Before Transfers

2011-04-03T14:30:00.003-07:00

We always have fun pictures with our district before transfers. How we love this group of missionaries--they are so much fun and very devoted!!!

Melissa's Wedding Photos

2011-03-18T11:12:00.001-07:00

Melissa and Joseph's Wedding Photos can be found on facebook under Melissa Crandall and Wedding Photos. There are many lovely pictures you will enjoy.

My Ward Friends and our Lunch Together

2011-03-18T11:01:00.002-07:00

Some of my friends from the ward took me out to lunch. Several were missing because it was spring break and they were out of town but we had such a great time with those that were there. We are blessed with the best ward and best friends in the church!!!

My Favorite Picture of Melissa's Wedding

2011-03-18T10:38:00.003-07:00

This is my favorite picture of the wedding and as I watched Melissa and her Dad dance, I wept for joy. I am so grateful for the love they share, for their great family and for the gospel that teaches "Families are Forever!!" They are ours FOREVER!!!!!

Beautiful Sisters

2011-03-18T10:31:00.002-07:00

Here are two of Melissa's five sisters, Camille and Kathryn. Aren't they beautiful??? I think we will have a few more lovely weddings down the road.

Our Fun, Fun Rhett at the Reception

2011-03-18T10:23:00.002-07:00

Rhett is always in the middle of all of the fun. Being Melissa's only brother, he gets special treatment. It doesn't hurt that he has such a darling personality either!! How I love and miss that little boy. He reminds me a lot of his Dad when he was a little boy. When I asked him if I looked any older, he said, "well just a little". Thank heavens it wasn't, "yes, a lot!"

Our Great Extended Family

2011-03-18T10:18:00.001-07:00

Here we are with my two brothers and their lovely families at the wedding reception. It is so wonderful to have their love and support!!

Melissa's Grandparents and Great Grandfather

2011-03-18T10:11:00.002-07:00

Melissa is surrounded by the love of several grandparents with Grandma and Grandpa Webb and Grandma and Grandpa Crandall. It was extra special for her to have her 92 year old Great Grandpa Larsen there also!!!

What a Special Family

2011-03-18T10:06:00.002-07:00

I love these pictures with Melissa's parents showing how proud they are of their daughter. Then Melissa with her siblings is extra special.

Pictures of Melissa and Joseph's Families

2011-03-18T10:01:00.002-07:00

There are pictures of the bride and the groom with their families and then with both of Melissa's grandparents. I love the picture with Rich and Patrice both kissing their Melissa.

Beautiful Decorations at Melissa's Reception

2011-03-18T09:54:00.002-07:00

The reception was outstanding with lovely decorations and a fantastic turn out. It was so fun to be with family and greet so many friends.

At the Head Table

2011-03-18T09:49:00.001-07:00

At the luncheon, our honored guests were at the head table. Here we are with Melissa and Joseph and both of their parents. Handsome group!!

Pictures with some of our Grandchildren

2011-03-18T09:22:00.002-07:00

Here we are with some of our grandchildren at a track meet, at home and at the reception. Elder Crandall is holding our newest grandson, born while we have been in Wales. Isn't he adorable!!! I wish I had been more careful to get all of our grandchildren in a picture. They just don't hold still long enough and so much was going on.

Our Wonderful Children at the Airport

2011-03-18T09:10:00.002-07:00

As we arrived home on the 9th of March for Melissa's wedding, all of our children and our grandchildren that live in Arizona greeted us at the airport. Wow what an emotional experience that was. I wish I could have taken a picture of the grandchildren running to us as be came up the ramp. We will never forget the emotions we felt at this time. How we love our great family and appreciate their support of us while on our mission.

Check out this tiny car"!!!

2011-03-03T15:34:00.002-07:00

Today while with the elders in Llanelli, we went to see Robert and Margaret Smith and they showed us their "TINY" new car!! It fits just two people and get great gas mileage. I think it is adorable.

In Llanelli with the Elders

2011-03-03T15:27:00.002-07:00

Here is a beautiful area in Burry Port with Elder Taylor and Elder Mansfield, both who are serving in the Llanelli area. We spend a day a week serving with them in this area teaching the less active members and returning members. It is a most rewarding experience and these elders are amazing!!

Happy Birthday Elder Taylor

2011-03-02T09:49:00.002-07:00

At our District Meeting this week, we served tacos and also had a birthday cake for Elder Taylor. He has become a very good friend as we work together every week in Llanelli. He has a very kind and loving approach that reaches many of the returning members we are working with. You are awesome Elder Taylor and we love the rest of the missionaries in our district also.

On the way to Cardigan

2011-03-02T09:40:00.002-07:00

This week we had the opportunity to go to Cardigan and spend some time with the sister missionaries, Sister Babbage and Sister Perera. You follow this river the entire way and this is just a very pretty spot, especially in the spring. We will come back in the spring and take another "green picture" of the same spot. We love this beautiful drive. It was a special day filled with the spirit of the Lord.

A Special Luncheon with Extra Special Friends

2011-03-02T09:26:00.002-07:00

Sister Strein was leaving this week to go home to Colorado and we took her and her companion, Sister Lauritzen out to eat with the Elders from Merthyr Tydfil, Elders Smith and Siegel. They are great missionaries and have become our special friends. We will miss Sister Strein!!! She was a devoted missionary. Best of luck at home.

A Fun Afternoon at the Theatre

2011-03-02T09:17:00.003-07:00

Our mission president's wife has encouraged us to enjoy the culture here in Wales. On Saturday there was playing "Half A Sixpence" which was put on by the Carmarthen Youth Opera. It is a musical rendition of early England. Elder Crandall and I decided to attend and it was delightful.

Our Beautiful Granddaughter

2011-03-02T09:09:00.002-07:00

Here are Melissa and Joseph in their wedding announcement picture. Melissa is so beautiful and Joseph so handsome!! But more importantly they both love their Savior first and foremost. We are so excited to be going home next week for their temple wedding. It just can't get any better than having your entire family with you in the temple.