When a stranger calls

Elder Smith and Elder Rowley and a new friend

The Saturday before Mother's Day we received a phone call from Zack's landlady, who was arranging times for the missionaries to call. She was delightful--speaking with both Shane and me and telling us how wonderful Elder Rowley. One of my favorite parts of our conversation was when she told me how he plays their piano early in the morning. I asked her if he woke her up and she admitted that sometimes he does, but she doesn't mind. He plays from the Children's songbook and she thought it was a great way to start her day. What a wonderfully kind woman. I'm sure there is a special place in heaven for those who look after our missionaries!


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On Mother's Day we enjoyed a 50-min. phone call (he was supposed to have an hour--but they had to make the bus for an appointment). It was great to hear his voice, but my favorite part of the conversation went a little like this:

Elder Rowley: They call me Scruffy

Me: Why would they call you Scruffy?

Elder Rowley: Because my clothes are a little beat up.

Me (wondering why his brand new almost-a-year-old suits weren't holding up): How so?

Elder Rowley: I only had one suit so this missionary who was going home gave me his and it has holes in it.

Me (wondering how it was he only had one suit left--we sent him out with two brand-spanking new excellent quality two-pants suits): Well, there was this guy who got baptised and he didn't have anything to wear to church...

Yes--that's our Zack. He gave a new convert the suit off his back. I love that kid!



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So late Wednesday night, under the direction of Shane, I listened to our voicemail. A perfect stranger called to tell us he'd been in Leeds this past week and had met with Elder Rowley on Sunday and that he was doing great--he looked great, was really happy and all was well. He wanted to send us a few pictures.

Such a thoughtful gesture that means so much to the family half a world away.

Leeds 4 chapel


Leeds country as seen from a train


Leeds downtown a week ago Friday

Zack spotting

A friend of mine recently moved to the U.K. (Her husband is in the military.) They had an opportunity to go off base for the weekend and decided to go check out the Christmas market in Leeds. She asked me what Zack liked and put together a few goodies for him and decided to drop it off their flat if they couldn't find the missionaries at the church. Here is her report:

Zack was good. I found where the Leeds 4 chapel was, and since you had mentioned a baptism, we decided to drive by and see if anyone was there. Perfect timing. We got there just as the bishop was welcoming the new member to the ward. After the closing prayer, I peeked into the chapel and saw him standing right next to the door. He glanced at me, but having no idea who in the world I was, kept chatting with his companion. I stepped towards him, put my hand on his shoulder, and asked if he was Elder Rowley. His said "yes" kind of questioningly (is that even a word?). So I went on with, "I'm a friend of your mom's." --big eyes from Zack-- me, "Dalene?" --huge eyes from Zack-- So I spilled the story of who I was, why we were there, blah blah blah. He was completely flabbergasted. (Pretty sure I have never used that word) He said that "this is the most surreal thing that has happened on my mission."

So we took a quick picture, gave him his bag of treats, wished him well, and said goodbye.

Oh, his companion glanced into the bag, and while reaching for the bag..."are those American Cocoa Puffs?" Zack had to move quick to get the bag out of Elder Jensen's reach. :)