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09/23/2006
Dear Friends,
I just looked at the Clydera.com post and decided it was time to contribute to the things that have been said regarding the reunion in Chorley.
Those who were present, noticed that I was still writing furiously to take down as much as I could of what was said and done. I will refer to my notes, however, I cannot insure that even with the notes I will be able to remember all that was said or done.
We flew into Manchester, rented an auto, and headed for Chorley. I managed to get lost on the first roundabout. With Sister Clyde?s invaluable assistance, we were able to get back on the motorway to Chorley and arrived there without further incident. We did see Nathan and Anna Headington at the accommodation center in the afternoon. Thanks to Nathan, we had a cell phone that we could use for the balance of our trip.
Friday morning, we met James and Portia Edwards and their family and Nathan and Anna and their children. We proceeded to Asda and made purchases for the next two days, so that we could have a nice buffet each night. Sister Clyde and I were a little apprehensive until we saw how the four of them went to work. As a group (with the additional help of Nathan and Portia?s parents) we prepared the food for the buffet and stored it in the cooler until evening. People started arriving throughout the day. Excitement was building.
James Edwards called us all to order and asked that everyone give an introduction and explain where they were located and what they were doing. That broke the ice and brought us all closer together. Then, he turned the time to Sister Clyde and me. We both had some things to say by way of appreciation for all that all of you had done for us and for the SEM. We tried to make it somewhat like a Zone Conference with doctrinal teaching and challenges to missionaries. It was wonderful to be with missionaries again. What I noticed most was that they still looked like missionaries; they still acted like missionaries; they still talked like missionaries; and in fact, they still were missionaries. What a marvelous group! I must repent of my pride, however, I was proud of everyone!
Then we visited together, to the point that we were locked in the Temple Compound and had to send for security to come and let us out of the gate, when the meeting ended.
Saturday morning we met at a little before 10:00 a.m. We proceeded to Preston under the direction of Peter Fagg, where he conducted a walking tour through Preston to see all of the Church History sites of importance. He enlightened our minds and provided pictures as well. It was a golden opportunity to learn more and appreciate much more the trials and tribulations of our early missionaries in the UK.
Then it was back to the temple for a session together. That proved to be another spiritual highlight. We all know how everything we do points converts to the temple. It was a grand experience to be together in the House of the Lord.
Then is was time for a wee break before our final time together.
When we gathered to the Accommodation Center Lounge, James call us together and set the tone and spirit that we so desired. He told of meeting his music teacher after some 15 years. He thanked her for her interest and attention as she taught him how to play the piano. Then he likened the experience to our meeting together again after our missionary experience in Scotland. His powerful testimony of the restored gospel going forth into all the world awakened in us the spirit of testimony.
Nathan Headington spoke about being a District Leader in Aberdeen and calling to ask if the District could attend the production of ?Annie.? He said that I told him that they could go, but that I wanted him to call me when they were back in their flats. I asked him, when he called, ?Elder, what did you learn?? His response was, ?The sun will come up tomorrow?.? Imagine the laughing roar that followed. Then he proceeded to liken how the light of the Gospel and Our Savior Jesus Christ had become the sunshine of his life.
John Deacon told of asking if his District could go to see ?Star Wars.? He said, ?President didn?t say yes and he didn?t say no.? He just said, ?What do you think you should do?? My silent recollection was, ?He made the right choice!? John concluded with the thought that he always feels a need to report in spirit to his mission president. He still makes a difference as he leads by example.
Nathan Liddicott mentioned how his mission has helped him learn to recognize and follow the prompting of the Holy Ghost. Then he shared an experience to knowing by the power of the Spirit how a young man was suffering at the hands of Satan He taught him the basics of prayer and was a blessing in his life.
Peter Mulligan spoke about a driving accident on slick roads as he was coming to a meeting. When reporting about the accident, he said that my first words were, ?Are you both all right?? He said, ?President and Sister Clyde were always more interested in us than anything else. Then he concluded, ?Our purpose is to be there for those whom the Lord has placed in our care!?
John Fullwood spoke about his father?s blessing as he left his home and family for the mission. Then he recalled the feelings he had when he received a father?s blessing at the hands of the President. He concluded with his testimony of how the Lord blesses and protects us when we keep His commandments and labor diligently to do His work.
Alisha told of the great blessings of her life: her husband; her children and her mission.
David Cave said that his blessing had much to do about marriage and his future wife. His comments were about the beauty of life?s experiences. His mission was one of those profound experiences. He thinks often of the doctrines that were taught by the Clydes. Another touching experience was reading the Book of Mormon with Michael McKay y?s mother in 1998.
Ben Pratt was excited as he remembered his mission and the grand people with whom he was privileged to work. He told how the lessons on dress and grooming and personal conduct have been so important to him. The Clydes brought us stability. He is now serving on the high council and has been assigned to focus on Missionary work.
Michael Rudd told of injuring his knee and wondering if it would be the end of his mission. He stayed at the mission home for a time. Then, as the knee improved, he was sent to Pollok and given a bicycle. His knee continued to improve and he completed his mission. He related how the President acquired the name, ?Stormin? Norman.? He thought for sure that the pulpit in the Paisley Chapel was broken.
Catherine Moss Turner described he first Zone Conference in Edinburgh. ?I still feel the love of the Clydes.? They helped me to complete a successful mission. They helped me to know that the Savior was really with me. I love the feeling of the Spirit within me. My son Reuben is now 5 and can?t decide whether he should be a missionary like daddy and serve in France, or be a missionary like mommy and serve in Scotland.
David Wharrad said that he had more time with the Clydes and got to know them the best. He stated that the mission brought him his family, and became his family. He witnessed that people were touched by the Book of Mormon and the Spirit.
James Brooks told of being so intent on learning to sew on a button, that he sewed it to his trouser leg. People look to the Book of Mormon and to the Temple as points of reference in their lives. He spoke of the passing of his Mother just before his mission. He stated that the Clydes became his surrogate parents and helped him to face life and listen to the Holy Ghost.
Tanya Futter Harrison told of not wanting to leave home and that the mission would be the end of her life. She did not want to serve in Scotland. On a moves night, she handed the phone to Sister Barbizon. After a few words, the phone was given back to her. She heard the words, ?You are going to the Shetlands.? She fell to her knees. She became ill. She went to Edinburgh to for conference. She received a blessing, and was made well. Her attitude changed toward the Shetlands and she went back with eagerness to serve. The mission became a marvelous experience.
Michael Wilsher was trained by Elder Edwards and has great fondness for the mission. He was met by the Clydes and fell in love with them and those whom he served. He described how he wrote furiously to capture the Spirit of Teaching from the Scriptues. He learned how to use his testimony in missionary work and in life. He stated emphatically, ?This is the Lord?s Church.?
Craig Wood told how the amazing sharing of testimonies this evening has revived his mission experiences. The mission changed my whole life. I have felt the Spirit and felt peace in service.
Please understand this has been only a feeble attempt to catch the Spirit of things which were shared. To us, the experience and the Spirit were overwhelming. We love being with the wonderful missionaries of the Clydera.
And so it is that we look forward now to another reunion in our mountain home with the finest of the Lord?s sons and daughters. Know that you are all welcome in our home. Only call to make certain that we will be there to greet you.
We love you all,
Pres. and Sister Clyde
P.S.
There were many who came to be with us on Friday evening, whom I forgot to mention. That is a problem with naming names. It is so easy to overlook someone unintentionally.
I need to mention Brother and Sister Murray, from Dundee, who were working at the temple, saw us and then came to meet with the missionaries. They have always been the best of supporters. Also, our personal friends Mike and Susan McKay, knew we were coming and they drove down from Edinburgh just for the chance to see all of the missionaries and to greet us. One cannot find truer friends anywhere. Also, while at the temple, President and Sister Maxwell sought us out and expressed their support for our reunion. Sister Maxwell is as bubbly as ever and Pres. Maxwell shows the quiet dignity of a Temple President.
Also, it was wonderful to visit with Stephen Barnett, although he is just a shadow of his former self (He is slim and trim as can be.). James Joyce came Friday and we had a nice visit. He had other obligations on Saturday evening, however, he led us through the temple session and conducted the Sacrament Service on Sunday. Lisa Deighton brought her son, Eben, with her. He is a handsome lad. Clare Dreves Simion was there. She is still her lovely, gentle self. Aaron and Ruth Nicholson Mulligan came. They, too, had other responsibilities on Saturday and had to return home. Bob Everitt had just returned to the UK. Actually, he had stopped by and visited us in our mountain home. It was still grand to see him again.
Now, I have probably still missed someone. If so, please forgive me. Know that we do love everyone and would not intentionally slight anyone.
Let me also say how pleased we were to meet spouses. We felt like all of you were a special part of the mission and that we had known you for a long time..
Lastly, credit must be given to James and Portia Edwards for all they did to make the arrangements for the reunion and to see that it went off like clockwork. Also, Nathan and Anna Headington gave much assistance as well. To all of you, THANKS for coming. We hope we can do this again sometime.
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