Onward, Ever Onward

This last week is almost a blur.  We did travel to Cornwall and Bristol for zone conferences.  We stayed in a unique bed and breakfast in St Austell, Cornwall.  It was called the Water Wheel.  It was an old mill, with three foot thick stone walls. It was quite pleasant. Two more zone conferences on Thursday  and Friday.  We went into London on the train and undergroud to go to the Moorefields Eye Hospital.  That was an interesting experience. Quite different getting around by trains and the subway.  Reminded me of when we were here with Andy and Suzy.  Andy had a green frog (stuffed) that he would slide down the long escalators in the undergound stations.
     On our way to Cornwall we stop in Winchester to see the cathedral.  It was built in the 600s about when Moroni was finishing up the Book of Mormon.  Gives new meaning to Old.  Will try to send some pictures>
    It seems the phone is always there. Calls to Germany, USA, Portugal, Spain, just to sort out problems with missionaries, parents, and the work.  It is always interesting and a bit challenging. Sunday we attended Church at the Clapham Commons ward.  The stake president was there,both he and the Bishop are Black and a large portion of the congregation are British but of African or Jamaican decent. They are beautiful and loving people.  We stayed for a "munch and mingle" after church with some interesting and spicy foods. It is almost hard to believe we are really doing this.  We love it.  This work is the Lords work and we can see his hand in it every day. We love all of you.   President and Sister Millar

We are happy thank you

The week seems to glide past so rapidly, I wonder where the time goes.  We had our Zone leaders council this past Wednesday. We had 22 Elders here at the mission home for breakfast, training and lunch.  Sister Millar was busy in the kitchen. We finally made it to the Doctors office to get some prescriptions filled.  It turned out that customs or someone took most of Val's medicines out of our luggage, but we are on top of it now.  Next, I need to get an eye appointment in London.. We are getting quite good at this travel business.  Today we attended church in Farnborough ( about 35 miles away), packed our lunch of two sandwiches and warm water, ate them on the road since we had do run down to Salsbury. (another 60 miles) to pick up a missionary that needed to come back to the office.  Oh , our driving miles is now over 4200 miles.  Tomorrow we are headed down to St Austell  in  Cornwall, (250 miles) for a zone conference in the morning
Tuesday then drive three hour to Bristol for another zone conference in the afternoon, then on home to bed, after dark.
     Slowly we are getting the hang of it. Thats when we will find out what we have been missing.  Oh well, ignorance is bliss.  Honestly we are healthy, little gimpy in the legs due to senior mileage, but seem to make it up most mornings with a smile.  It has been very hot, (only in the 80s) but very humid.  With no air conditioning it is a little muggy at bedtime. The days are quickly getting shorter with dark coming earlier.
     We love you all.  Jodi could you check to see if JoAnn is getting the blog, and would she make sure Bryce, Ruth, and Sybil know how to find us.   Happy Birthday to everyone with birthdays the past two months. Good night and God Bless..

Transfers complete

Well all seemed to go OK.  It is quite amazing to see the quality of the missionaries entering the field this time.  It is quite a miracle to see how the personalities fit and where they were assigned,  The Lord's hand is truely manifest in the work.  There are always challenges:  I've been weighed down with some belated confessions and struggle with what will be best for the missionary and still protect the sanctity and reputaion of the Lord and his servants. I don't always get things right the first time.  Thank goodness for repentance even for mission presidents.
  There is always more things to do than the time available, so we are always choosing what is the best and most important,  the rest sort of takes care of itself.           Hopefully early to be bed with better sleep and less worries about a few!!
    Thanks again for your emails, We do love to hear from you.  How are things ar DRMC, Paul? Tell the OR family hello for us.  We Love you all and pray for you..  DAD and VAl (President and Sister Millar)

First transfer

Dear Family and friends,
     The first transfer for a mission president is a milestone.  The first set of Elders (9) and Sisters (1) going home on Tues and 10 new Elders coming in on Wednesday.  This necessitates many changes in leadership and finding ten new trainers for the new Elders.  Also I called a new assistant to the president, and Elder Alberchtson from Providence ,Utah. (Cache Valley). It has been taxing.  I have felt l had to have interviewed all the missionaries prior to asking the Lord's help in where they should serve.  These decisions affect many lives and some of them are crucial to put missionaries where they are meant to be so they can find those prepared for them.  It is all finished at present. But the final assignments for new trainers won't be made until I have personally interviewed the new Elders on Wednesday.  I'm a peace with what is happening..
     Next week will w busy with the transfers, then Fri and Sat we fly to Frankfurt ,Germany for an area conference for the 15 new mission presidents in the Europe Area and to meet our new Area Presidency:  Pres Tiexiera, Keron, and Richards.  Then home next Saturday night.  I just hope all is well while we are gone. We went to the Welling ward today, about 45 miles away.  Very nice meeting, about  one third black with beautiful English accents, ten percent spanish speakers and about 150-200 in attendance.  It is amazing to feel the spirit in the church where ever we are.   Must run to a fireside,, by for now.   Pres Millar and Sister Millar