We cannot ask the sunbeams to lengthen out their stay…

Already it is Thursday! Another week past. On Friday we went to Kew Gardens with the senior couples. The day was beautiful when we woke up to here in Bristol but over cast and damp when we got to London. We took the train and then had to take the Underground the rest of the way. Lunch was at the Pavilion Restaurant near the Lion’s gate. Let me tell you about Kew Gardens, it is a beautiful and huge park, the queens royal gardens with exotic  displays of plants from all over the world dispersed in several huge hot houses and exhibition halls over many acres! After lunch and a nice visit with the other couples we headed on foot to see Kew Palace which we have not visited before.

The palace was quite small, it is the place where King George III (of American Revolution times), grew up. The place also where he went at the end of his life when he suffered from mental illness and where is dear wife Charlotte died.

After a lot of walking decided to visit the Princess of Wales hall. It has a wonderful exhibit of cactus and desert plants. We just sat in there for a while and enjoyed feeling at home!

While we there we ran into 3 girls who are currently enjoying BYU abroad. They stopped us because of Bill’s BYU cap. That was very fun. Later when we were back in London a set of Sisters stopped us and a cute young LDS couple also stopped us because they saw our badges. They were from Texas and living over here in a study abroad program also!

We had an early meal and since we had a little time before we needed to catch our train we decided to take the bus to Paddington so we could do some London site seeing. As we are driving along enjoying the city the bus stops and the driver tells us we all have to get off because there is a demonstration in front of the Israeli Embassy ahead. Everything was stopped dead still so we decided to get out and walk. The next bus stop we needed was just up ahead a few blocks and around the corner. Unfortunately we found ourselves right in the middle of a huge crowd of very irritated Palestinians and Palestinian sympathizers. It was scary going for a while but we wedged our way through and got past. We did put our badges away as we listened to the shouting and saw all the angry faces. What an adventure, not one I care to repeat anytime soon!  

While we were having our ‘grand day out’ we were also messaging our daughter in Arizona back and forth because our little 6 year old grandson was in the hospital. He is fine now and home and getting better. Sometimes faith and prayers are the best tools we have available to us while we are so far away.

The weekend gave us time to SKYPE family and get ready for Sunday. Sunday was great as usual. The High Council speaker Brother Eastwood from the Taunton Ward is the father of a missionary who is serving in Scott and Robin’s mission of Sierra Leon Africa. He and his wife gave very good talks. Guess what family? He told the Eagle story! It was good to hear that story that has meant so much to our family.  We loved it!

Monday we caught up on tons of laundry and ran some errands. We also met the missionaries and Alex at our favorite Pan American buffet called Cosmo. Alex is heading to Texas at the end of the week to stay with the LDS family that she is a nanny for. They are the ones that introduced her to the church last summer. She has been at home in Salisbury since school got out so it was very good to see her and touch base with her.

Elder Wheatley, Elder Darcy, Alex, me, Elder Marot and Elder Simpson 

Tuesday evening Elder Marot, Elder Darcy and Fran came over. Elder Marot’s last night in Bristol. Transfers were the next day. We really had a nice discussion. We really have grown to love all three of them so much! Fran is heading home too because school is out. Have fun at home Francine!

Wednesday: Transfers! There were about 150 missionaries at Stains chapel because of so many changes. We transported Sister Erasmus and Sister Nenadovic. Sister N is being transferred after being here in Bristol at the Downend Ward for 6 months. It was hard for her to go! Every time they get transferred it is so hard to say good bye.

We saw so many missionaries that have served here in Bristol and then moved on. It is fun to have been here long enough have been privileged to get to know so many of these great young warriors! I was very excited to see Sister McKay. We spent a lot of time with her when she was in Taunton. She is doing so well and is so happy! Elder Moore who used to be here in Southmead is going to be a trainer and so is Elder Darcy. I feel as proud as if they were mine! We saw many others! Lucky me I got a lot of great hugs from the sisters!

We are very excited because Elder Kirk from Blanding Utah is now one of our Zone leaders! Emily and Matthew live in Blanding and in Elder Kirk’s family’s ward. We had met him just after her received his call and we knew we would be in the same mission. Again I feel so proud of him! Even though I can't take credit for anything.

Us with the Zone Leaders, Elder Davies on the left and Elder Kirk on the right

Our neighborhood feels like a war zone almost. I have shared that they have been tearing up the street for weeks replacing water pipes. Now in the middle of it they decided to resurface the street at the side of our building. They left a big sign yesterday and gave notices to all residents along the street. This morning there were many cars still out there so they just towed them all away. Some people are going to be very upset when they come home this evening!

On Thursday this week there is a Stake Priesthood meeting for all of the brethren so I have been asked to teach Institute to the sisters. I am a little nervous but grateful for the opportunity. I am using as a text the article in the July Ensign by Elder Nelson called: “The Book of Mormon, the Gathering of Israel and The Second Coming.” I love the emphasis on understanding these three things from the perspective or our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. I am using the Sesame Street blurb “that’s about the size, where you put your eyes, that’s about the size of it!” I think there is great meaning in that little jungle. I was excited to find the clip to show. We should have a great discussion!

http://youtu.be/2ABxl46Ovv8

Well we are on ‘baby watch’. This is always a very exciting time for me. It is complicated this grandchild however with the fact that I am about 5,000 miles away and cannot be there to hold that little girl in my arms. Thank goodness for SKYPE! Love you Caitie, hang in there we pray for you every day!

Love to all of you! Even as time flies here as we quickly check off the days, it sometimes feels like a very long time since we saw you all and kissed those wonderful kid cheeks! We are so very appreciative for you constant prayers and encouraging words. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true church of the restoration! Always abide by its teachings and strive each day to become closer to the Savior!!! You will always be able to find happiness in life if you do!

*(if you highlight the link above and right click then click go to you can watch it.)