On the serious side

We have enjoyed some wonderful times with the Young Single Adults in our stake.  Last weekend we went into Birmingham for a Regional Dance.  Institute classes and activities are held weekly.  This evening we had a YSA fireside with Elder Boom, our Area Seventy Authority.  I felt moved by his stories of heartfelt prayer, and the choices in his life that were made possible by answers to his prayers.  His faith and cheer touched my heart. What a blessing to be here, but I look forward to skype time with family. 

Limited edition basketball

Signs that gave me the giggles...

I still do a double take when I see a TO LET sign. If these were at home, some people would have great fun putting the letter I between the O and the L. 

Another place TO LET.

The hairy lemon.  What a creative name for a restaurant!

Hmm  is this a salon for infants?

I have not seen a sign for Old Road yet, but several New Road signs

Guess who liked this sign the most?

I bet you guessed it!

I have seen signs that read "Speed Kills." but this is new to me!

Magical kitchens? I want one if  they clean themselves!

Translation to American English:  EXIT

This is the Way Out at the Tamworth Castle

I wish I had gone in the shop.  I have never been to a Silly Sale before!

Is this a buffet?  I don't know

Another great example of vocabulary differences here in the UK!  Perhaps this sign should be used at ball games.

New Zebras are special enough to get their own crossings!

Humped puffins too!

But humped zebras are the best!  They are striped speed bumps that serve as crosswalks.

A barber in downtown Lichfield.

Anyone for a shave?

Allen laughed and laughed at this door and sign.  It took me awhile to figure out what was so funny.

Yep,  this is a street sign.  The building in the background is a medical practice.

The ultimate in negativity.  Just choose what you want to ban.

Walsall Ward

Our first Sunday in our new Walsall Ward was the day of their Annual Celebration of Hymns, held that evening. (It was their 24th annual Celebration.)  It was a wonderful hymn sing, with many congregational hymns and 4 solos, and refreshments during an intermission.  Bishop Baker mentioned after that it was "no accident" that our first Sunday here was the day of that celebration. Yesterday I was sustained as the Ward Music Chairman and Music Director.  

In our ward, an 18-year old girl was baptized this weekend.  Her story is interesting.  She was wondering about religion and typed in a question on Google.  On a sidebar, a mormon.org (UK site) came up and she looked at it.  Every time she typed in a question, she saw something about the church.  She had never heard of Mormons, but was impressed by what she saw. She researched the church for three months online and then got up her nerve and  requested a visit from the missionaries.

One our our YSAs (Young Single Adults) asked if I could teach him piano, and he has had two brief lessons.  He is quite gifted musically, and has had some lessons.  After church yesterday, others in the ward asked if I would teach them also.  I am thankful that they asked, and hope I can be a blessing to them.

We invited the YSA's from our ward to our flat for dinner last week before Institute, and enjoyed getting to know them.  We have invited a different ward this week.  Maybe I will remember to take photos then!

Allen's favorite Field of Flowers

We went on Saturday to the Cars in the Park, a classic car show that the Lichfield St. Chad Rotary Club does for their annual fundraising.  We met several Rotarians, and are invited to their club meeting this week! 

Fields of Flowers

At the National Arboretum, this is a field of flowers on the banks of the river Tame.

At an roundabout here in Lichfield, there is a field of what looks like purple Loostrife.  We see it on the way to church.

Also at the National Arboretum.

A

 Looking at Lichfield, with our car in the foreground.  You are seeing fields of daisies, yellow mustard, and red poppies.  Every time we are in the roundabout by this field, there are cars stopped and people out taking photos.

 This is the same field in the evening.  If you look carefully above the trees on the right, you can see three spires.  That is the Lichfield Cathedral, which has three spires, symbolizing God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost.

Forgetfulness

I have no photos of the important things!  I have been reluctant to pull out a camera at the most special events, and forget at the busy events.  So you will only see photos of Allen and me when we are on errands.

Where we live.

 I feel especially blessed to have a nice modern flat.  Here are a few photos. Our kitchen has a large refrigerator by UK standards (most are under counter size). The laundry is also in the kitchen,  a single unit washer/dryer that I am very thankful to have  It is taking me awhile to get accustomed to the machine.  The hob (stovetop) works very well and heats up quickly.  The oven is small but works well when I get the right conversion from Fahrenheit to Centigrade.  The dishwasher is the best of all.  You can see him sitting on the chair in the first photo: