This post did not get sent.  It is from a couple of weeks ago.

Sorry for the lapse in postings, our time has started to get away from me and I have let too much time pass since I last posted.  Apparently we have a follower of our blog by one of Lorene's college room- mates who sent an email encouraging us to post more regularly.  I will try to be more diligent in the future.

We are still in training, but I think as I have said before, it is something we will probably be doing as long as we are serving here.  We have done some training on research in England, Scotland, and Ireland and have much more to learn.  We take turns in getting stressed over our training, but thank goodness it doesn't happen on the same day.  We now have separate trainers and that has been more helpful to Lorene than me.  I am relying a little too much on Lorene and another missionary who has only been here a few more weeks than we have, so I need to repent and work harder on my own. Lorene has been able to shadow with other missionaries often and has provided some excellent help in addition to the help that they have given the guests.  I have had some limited success.  We are also going to start taking some classes regarding our assigned countries and that should be fun.

We and others here in the mission have been having some struggles.  Our adopted mom (we adopted her at the MTC) has recently discovered that she has breast cancer, but she does not plan on letting it get her down for too much time.  She may have surgery, but does not want chemo or radiation.  As determined as she is, she will be fine.  Also, President Larson, the Second Counselor in the Mission Presidency, has been out of commission trying to pass a kidney stone.  The Mission President accused him of waiting to deliver a baby named Stone Larson. We understand that he has now passed it and is doing fine.  Our neighbor's father passed away recently and we went to the funeral as a sign of our concern and our friendship for Elder and Sister Reed. Also, my half brother died a week ago as a result of dementia. One thing we have learned is that life does not stop even for Missionaries, and we so love being Missionaries.

As we continue to serve we understand more and more the need to keep our commitment to study the scriptures on a daily basis, to support one another and to set a good example.  With two granddaughters wanting to go on missions, we also know and feel the obligation to set a good example.  I need to remember the example part more often, especially when I am ready to pull my hair out (kind of an irony wouldn't you say) or when I am ready to ask to work in a different zone or go hide in a corner somewhere.

Well it's almost time for Church, and then in a few more hours time to start another week in the British Zone.  TTFN