The Big City and Joy in the Work

Last time I reported we were getting ready for a trip into the big city. I have had several people ask for a report, but before we go there just want to record the end of last week.

On Thursday at our YSA activity we did Indexing. There is a neat reason for the specific project the Stake Young Single Adults are working on. The YSA in our whole region are Indexing WW I records as a gift to the Queen for her Diamond Jubilee. I guess they even wrote her a letter about it. The evening was great, we were able to learn how and actually Index 10 names. There is a lot of information to go through. The great part about it is that as these young adults do this they gain a greater appreciation for the sacrifices that have been made for their freedom!

On Friday we decided that we needed to finish up our Flat inspections for last month. We drove into Bath to visit the adorable Sisters there and over to Chippenham to inspect the Zone Leaders dwelling. The Sisters are such good sports, they live in a pretty old apartment, seems like it could date back to the time when Austen was writing her books; but the location is great and so are the views from their windows. The Elders on the other hand have a brand new place that is quite comfy. They work very hard doing missionary work and keeping track of the Zone so they deserve some perks.

We had quite an experience after we made our inspections of the Elder’s flat. They asked if we had some time because they had set up an appointment with a young woman they previously met on the street and wanted us to come with them in case they got invited in. We found out firsthand what rejection feels like! It was not quite a ‘door slam’ but almost! We really respect these young missionaries! We took them to dinner and then drove home in a full on down pour and lots of traffic!

I was talking to Lindsey on SKYPE just before I went to bed Friday, telling her how tired I was and how I was sad because it was going to be cold and rainy the next day for our 'Grand Day' and such and such. She said, “Mom what are you complaining about? You get to go to London tomorrow!” Well Stated!

So Saturday morning we got up very early and headed off across the Downs to catch the bus! We caught it fine and arrived in plenty of time to make the train. We left Bristol with bright sunshine and arrived in London to drizzling rain. Of course we forgot our Oyster Cards that we had from former trips with rides still available, never mind we still took the Underground from Paddington to Victoria Station.

Temple Meads, Bristol Railroad Station

Elder Preece is so good in London, he is almost like a homing Pigeon! We found the restaurant without any trouble. Right away we noticed all these seniors dressed up like missionaries. That made it easier to find them but guess what? We were dressed in our civvies like P-day. Fortunately the Boones that came out with, were also dressed down so we were not alone. We had a nice lunch and were able to meet and visit with many other Senior Missionaries. We had traveled almost the farthest distance. The couple in Plymouth however came from even farther. It was expensive but what are you going to do. Since we have heard of the “megabus” that is supposed to be dirt cheap even though it takes longer, maybe next time.

Fun Day

The Palace of course was magnificent! And before you ask, little granddaughters, the Queen was not home. We toured the State Rooms and the Gardens. We could not take pictures inside but were could when we got to the Gardens.

Buckingham Palace

From the Garden



We had a very lovely time the rest of the day with Elder and Sister Boone. This is the couple that we traveled with from the MTC. We walked down to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament and then took a bus up White Hall to Trafalgar Square. All kinds of excitement was happening in the Square because it was the finish of an International Triathlon. We were standing there visiting when we realized that The Star Spangled Banner was sounding over the loud speakers. It is not every day that US citizens can stand at attention with their hands over their hearts paying respects to their own national anthem in the middle of London!!

We crossed the street to St Martin’s-In-the-Fields chapel and descended the stairs to have some refreshment in the Crypt! It was really enjoyable! The Boones were able to catch a bus to their Train from Waterloo Station and we got back on the Underground for Paddington Station.

The Crypt 

The 7:00 to Bristol was just about to pull away so we ran, jumped on the train in one of the first cars and had to walk through the entire train to find the car where our reserved seats were only to find someone sitting in them. We moved back to take empty ones and not make a fuss only to actually look at our tickets and discover they were for the 7:30 train. Not to worry they were still valid. We got back, caught the bus and made it back to our flat at 9:30 PM. We did however decide not to walk through the middle of the park in the dark so it took just a tad longer.

Sunday was a very busy day. We attended a Ward Council meeting for the Downend Ward, went to their meeting block, got home with only an hour for lunch and then headed to the stake center for a Regional YSA meeting. We met wonderful leaders and YSA council members from our stake, Cheltenham (England), Cardiff Wales and Merthyre Tydfil Wales Stakes. This is a quarterly meeting so it lasted 2 hours. Sunday Evening was the rebroadcast of Elder Nelson’s CES Devotional for all 4 stakes and Institute registration also for all 4 stakes. It was a long day but we met some wonderful people. It was a good feeling, for me I am finally starting to really feel like a missionary!

Actual Adman Sets in Window at the mall

Monday we were very tired! We got some laundry done, shopping and reports sent in.

 Mondays we had FHE with the Elders and any investigators they invite. This time we did dinner, luckily we had leftovers from the events of the night before. About a  half hour before the appointed time the Elders rang up to tell us that one of their investigators had missed the bus and needed to be picked up. After a telephone call placed on speaker and using maps at both ends the place to meet her was pin pointed. Of course all of you know that driving new places around here has been a challenge for us. We did not have a complete postal code and had only met this Chinese ‘sister’ a couple of times. As we were getting ready to leave I expressed my concern that we may find it difficult to locate and recognize her, perhaps we needed a prayer. Elder Preece said he already had quite a profound moment. As he was having the same fears the face of this sweet young woman, Hannah, came as clear as can be into his mind. Needless to say we were able to find her without any problems and return in time to let the others in and have dinner on time. This is not the end of this experience. 

Both investigators were female students from China, one Taiwan and one Shanghai. After dinner we had a little lesson again and the Elders played a short video about the Plan of Salvation. They then asked each one what she got out of it. Hannah grasped quite remarkably the message of the short video; she turned and explained it to the other girl. Echo then expressed that she wondered how she could go to God and ask for help during a difficult time. This is when my sweet companion bore his testimony to both of them of the very experience he had before we left to find Hannah that evening. There was a strong spirit there, I could tell they were both touched and grateful that we cared.

This is an ongoing story because last evening after YSA dinner we were able to again help teach Hannah who is having trouble trying to reconcile accepting the gospel and her family’s faith of Taoism. After a Mormon Message and sweet discussion and a Priesthood Blessing, she started crying. She said she felt her head felt warm and had such a strong feeling in her chest. We helped her understand that is the feeling that comes from the Holy Ghost. Tomorrow she is coming over for another lesson.

We are learning soooo much. Wednesday evening at YSA dinner we met a sister who joined the church 58 years ago and has lived in this stake ever since. She had some great stories to tell. We told her she should write a book! She has just been diagnosed with cancer so we are all worried.

Thank you to friends and family who have sent us messages of love and support! Every day we are able to be more helpful. Maybe we will never feel like we do enough, I think that is the nature of the job. How wonderful it is to feel the love that Heavenly Father and the Savior feel for the saints and investigators here in the UK.

 Be happy! Elder Holland says: “This is the Church of the Happy Endings! We know how it ends….It is the Good News! There is nothing more hopeful in all Eternity!”