the Blunck Family

Monday, April 06, 2015

Skills Workshop

We attended the Skills Workshop in Chorley with all half of the missionaries in Manchester Mission. There are so many missionaries we have divide the mission in half and have it on two separate days. We have lunch from Subway which is always good. We have way too much food when we get together.

These are three Sisters from China. They are so cute and we have a lot of fun together. They have decided that they want to marry dad because he is a gentleman. I told them that he was already married - sorry!

This is Elder Mongie and Elder Jin. They are our Chinese speaking Elders here in Preston. We have got to discussions with them and it is so interesting to hear them teach the gospel in Chinese. We testify of the truthfulness of the things they teach and the investigators usually can understand our English. It is a wonderful experience!

This is our group of missionaries from our half of the mission. We do not have a full group picture but I have requested one from Sister Ulrich. I hope that some day soon I can post a group picture of us all. The EMM is the best!

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Mothering Day

Mother's Day here in England is sweet and simple. They call it Mothering Day. I received flowers from two of the YSA girls, a card from all the Elders and Sisters serving here in Preston and a card from all the YSA. Sister Collins also gave me a necklace she made of the Tree of Life. In Sacrament Meeting they gave all the mothers chocolates and candy. It was a sweet day. Dad also confirmed Lucille a member of the Church on this day. Then later when things quieted down a little we were able to talk to our family. Dad and I love you all and know that we are blessed with the best family ever! We thank Heavenly Father every day for letting us be your parents, grandparents and family. Families are eternal!

Friday, March 20, 2015

Shap Abbey

We found this neat old Abbey that was built in the 1500's in the town of Shap. It is located at the top of England not far from Scotland. We had a fun time exploring this wonderful piece of England and learning about it's history.

Preston and Carlisle District Meetings

This is the Preston District. They are so much fun and we truly love these Elders and Sisters. Elder Nelson is the District Leader with Elder Sorenson as his companion. Elder Jin (from China) and Elder Mongie are our Chinese speaking missionaries. Sister Amichia and Sister Fewou are both from France.

These are the missionaries that serve in the Carlisle District. We love them all! Elder Hammond is the District Leader and his companion is Elder Singh. Sister Esau and Sister Arias serve in Kendal and Sister Bevans and Sister Leiter serve in Workington.

We love serving with such amazing missionaries!

Lucille's Baptism

Lucille was baptized by her fiance David on Saturday March 14, 2015. This was a very special day! We love them both. Elder Blunck was able to confirm her a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints the next day in Sacrament meeting.

David and Lucille just before her baptism.

President and Sister Ulrich came for her baptism. Proud moment for all of us.

This is Lucille's family, They came to her baptism to love and support her. They did not know a thing about the church and Elder Blunck took the opportunity to show them a video about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Their grandchildren have since started reading the Book of Mormon with their granddad.

Blackpool District Meeting

Dad and I travel to all the different District Meetings in our Zone and visit and support the missionaries there. We hope we are doing some good.

Dad made the brownies for this District Meeting. Elder Williams is the District Leader. He is companions with Elder Rongo. Elder Klaver and Elder Fransom are from South Ribble and the South Ribble Sisters also attend this District but they were sick on this day.

Family Home Evening Food

At FHE we always eat a lot of food. I am sick of makeing it and have decided to buy fruits and vegetables or packaged cookies etc so that we don't have it around our house. It is making us fat!

Night Walks and Signs

Dad and I love to walk at night. We walk three miles and look for things to have our picture taken by. This is the best we could do on this night. We are just happy to have some nice weather once in a while so we can get out and walk. We feel so much better when we walk.

We live on Conway Drive so of course I had to have my picture taken by it. We always start out cold and then get hot. Exercise is good for us right? So I take my coat off and carry it the rest of the way.

Friday, March 06, 2015

Motorway Bridge

This is a bridge that goes over the motorway between Lancaster and Preston. Dad wants to stop every time we drive by it and we finally had a moment to explore this strange building and bridge.

Baptisms at the Preston Temple

Sister Yewdall and Brother Shallicker, our first baptism, were able to come and join us at the Temple on Saturday. It was their first time coming to the Temple. They felt so happy and blessed to be in the Temple. We had a wonderful time sharing our missionary day with them. President Ulrich gave us special permission to invite them.

This is just a small group of missionaries that we spent the day with doing baptisms. Most of them had already gone home by the time we finished. We had three groups in each session. One morning session and one afternoon session. We wish every day could be like this day. After this life it will be but we will have our family with us always!

Dad's Birthday

Preston and South Ribble YSA. They are awesome!

The YSA did a surprise birthday party for Dad. They brought a cake and food as well as decorations. This is our friend Jordan. He is an amazing young man. Here is his stroy: He was reading a blog online about a family who sent their son on a mission and he saw the love and joy they had because of it. So he looked up the LDS website to learn more. He decided to get a Book of Mormon and read it. He looked up where our churches were located in this area and saw there was one in Chorley but he knew he could not afford to take the bus to get there. He was talking to his friends and they mentioned that there was one in Preston which was just around the corner. He came by our church four times but the gates were always locked. He thought the church was abandoned. His last ditch effort was to go on a Sunday morning. He came and found the South Ribble Ward there. I saw him standing by the door and went over to him and asked him his name. He had a huge smile and I asked him why he was so happy and he said, "Because I am here". He has been reading the Book of Mormon and having the discussions. He wants to go on a mission but we remind him that he has to get baptized first after he finishes the discussions. It takes time but he is ready. He was ready for baptism the day he came through those doors at church. He can find scriptures in the Book of Mormon quicker then any of us. He was prepared by our Heavenly Father before he ever set foot in the church. We love being around him and love him. He glows with the spirit of truth. He will be baptized on the same day as Lucille. It will be an amazing experience for him and for all who know him. His parents are not supportive of him and it breaks our hearts. They kick him out of the house at 8 am and tell him to not come back till 5 pm. He has many trials but his spirit is strong and gentle. He is a chosen and special young man.

Birthday cake and food. Thanks YSA! We love you!

Lancaster Castle

On P-day Dad and I went on a tour of the Lancaster Castle with Brother Holden and the Missionaries serving in Lancaster. Ken also came along who is a newly baptized Chinese member.

This is the castle. We didn't have a lot of time so we did not go inside but we hope to do that at another time.

This is the front door to the Church of England located by the castle and has many relics and artifacts going back to the Gothic period. It is all so beautiful!

Gargoyles!

We loved the stained glass windows.

These are the seats the priests would sit or stand in. They began their prayers at 2:30 in the morning and would stand for hours in these boxes praying. They are very uncomfortable.

Our group of missionaries from Lancaster. Sister Chu and Sister Zhu are both Chinese. Elder Hollingsworth and Elder Green are our zone leaders. Ken is from China.

Manchester Fireside

Dad and I took Joseph Blake with us to the Manchester New Convert Fireside. At this fireside all the recently baptized members come to share their conversion stories and to bear their testimonies. It is a very special evening filled with amazing miracles and life stories. Joseph is 83. The other man is from Africa and has a very shocking story of violence and turmoil with the gospel restoring peace and calm to his life. His bore a strong and courageous testimony and helped us all to appreciate the many gifts we have been given by a loving Heavenly Father.

Rosie's Baptism

This is David and Lucille. Dad and I have been teaching them since November. Lucille will be baptized next Saturday. We love them so much and are grateful for their friendship and love of the gospel.

This is Rosie who was baptized by Chris. They are from the Kendal Branch, Sister Carroll, Sister Esau and Sister Arias have been teaching her. We love these Sisters!

Dad and I went to the Preston Train Station to pick up the Sister Carroll who had recently been transferred to Manchester so she could come to Rosie's baptism. The train and bus service here is pretty amazing.Both of these Sisters are from Australia as well as Sister Esau. Sister Arias is from Columbia

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Thankful for Facetime and Skype!

Dad and I are so grateful that we can talk to all of you through facetime and skype. It buoys us up and gives us the strength to continue on even when we miss you all so much. We love serving our mission and appreciate your support while we are away. We think of all of you all the time and miss you. We love you all!