It's All About People! Let us introduce you to a few...

We have been blessed to meet and grow to love many people over the years. Our time in the United Kingdom has proven to be no exception as we have been accepted by a number of new friends! Let us introduce some of these wonderful people to you.

Elders Velasco, Ruka, Martin and Leal represent their families and the Lord from the Phillipines, Kiribati, Scotland and the USA... Idaho. We have had the opportunity to teach with these Elders as they testify of the Lord and the Restoration. How powerful it is to hear 18 and 19 year-old men with tremendous conviction bring hope and faith to those who want to know more about the gospel.

Adrian and Agnes Martin represent the "cream of the crop" as they have served missions, been in Stake leadership and will be serving at the Preston Temple for the next year. Brother and Sister Martin welcomed us to the Sheldon Ward with a marvelous roast dinner at their home. She also is a wonderful Primary chorister with Joyce being the pianist for this small group of Primary children. It seems Joyce is playing the piano a good deal more these days... We will miss them so much as they will be in Chorley beginning in August.

Pat Sheridan (coming out the door of the chapel) along her daughter, Dolly (who is in the green sweater), are stalwarts in the ward here in Sheldon. We imagine that Sister Sheridan is approaching eighty and still contributes with her great scriptural knowledge and her quick English wit. At a recent auction to raise funds for the youth to attend Youth Conference in Nottingham, Dolly bid on just about everything... eventually snapping up our Dinner and Movie tickets donation. Pat's pumpkin pie is so good that the young men were hotly bidding against each other to win the prized pie.

President Wilkinson of the Birmingham Stake represents the best of the best. It's incredible to meet some of the most outstanding people in the world faithfully helping others. We are amazed that even though they could be enjoying themselves anywhere in the world, they continue to stay "where they've been planted" to help in an area that truly needs their leadership. Paul retired as the Head of a finance firm in eleven European nations and spends nearly his full time serving in his calling as well as a volunteer auditor for the Church. In his "spare" time, President Wilkinson is helping interface with MPs in Parliament and fixing up missionary flats (apartments). Comfortable in a suit or in jeans, he is another inspirational English friend.

 

President Martin Turvey is shown being trained as a National Spokesperson in addition to his role as a Multi-Stake Chair on the National Public Affairs Council. President Turvey is the CEO of an international software firm as well as having just been released following 17 years in the Bristol Stake Presidency... the last nine as the Stake President. He spends a week each month in San Francisco, owns a home in American Fork... Yet he's needed in Bath and continues to serve here in the UK.

More of our English friends will be introduced over the next few weeks. But suffice it to say, we are impressed with the commitment of so many who represent the Lord so faithfully.