Royal wedding postscript

We are told that Americans were more into the royal wedding than the British. Hard to believe given the all day, continuous news coverage here.

But it was a fun day. Here are a few glimpses.

More this and that.....

Ginger is the flavor of choice.....

Ginger cookies, ginger cakes, ginger chocolate, ginger tea, ginger soda, ginger licorace, ginger chicken, ginger applesauce, ginger candy, ginger shortbread, ginger potatoes.......you name it, they've got it!

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Hats are the fashion statement of choice. You might have noticed the hats on the heads of those who attended the royal wedding.......a hat was required and they had them of all kinds, shapes, colors including hats with do dads hanging from them. Some had brims so big they hid their face, others looked like antlers springing from their heads. The English women love hats and spend big pounds on them. They will save all year for a new hat for a special occasion. The shops are full of them and the women know their brands. The designer hats all have their knock offs and you can spend thousands or a few pounds. I frankly love hats and if I come home sporting a few you will know why.

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Florescent pink and orange are the hair color of choice! Just couldn't bare a pix. It is so shocking. We have a lot of bizarre and extreme hair styles and colors at home but this new hot color seems to be the rage here. I wonder when they look in the mirror each morning, if they think they look pretty. But then, I have always believed the beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

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Charity Shops are the shop of choice for the English middle class. Every city has them. They are all run by charitable organizations and are packed full of used or overrun clothing and bric a brac. You can walk down a street where the shops are mostly empty but step inside a Charity Shop and you will most likely find it buzzing with people. We have become quite a fan of them ourselves and have bought a few DVD's and other little odds and ends.

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Second to the Charity Shops are the street markets. The vendors move through the villages and each village has its Market Day. The Chorley Market (where we live) is every Tuesday. It is such fun. Sister Williams and I have had a great time buying what we call "disposable clothing". When you only pay £2-£3 for a sweater, or skirt, or blouse, or even a coat, you don't feel bad if it doesn't last. And it does provide a change once in a while.

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Have I convinced you yet that this is a great place to live!

This and That

I am beginning to think that YELLOW is the color of choice in England.

Fields of YELLOW flowered crops that eventually become Canola Oil.....


YELLOW dandelions that line the streets. Perhaps they fertilize them. They look so pretty -- Why do we kill them?

Even I have to don YELLOW now and then......

YELLOW tulips fill the gardens......

And of course.......YELLOW daffodils in abundance!

royal wedding continued......

Today during the royal ceremony, the Arch Bishop of London made the statement, "Every wedding is a royal wedding." I thought of my own parents.....Today is the 74th anniversary of their wedding. (thoughtful of Will and Kate to pick this date in their honor.)

The royal wedding is a national holiday. Communities are having neighborhood parties. There will be 3 big formal parties that the couple will attend, 22 caterers, mulititudes of dignitaries, and international coverage all at a cost of £20 million.

I can't help but contrast this with that wedding 74 years ago. On April 29, 1937 my royal couple went to the temple and there, in a quiet, unassuming, unnoteworthy event, they were married. No money, no reception, a borrowed dress and a quick honeymoon to Zion National Park! But what a life!!! More than any royal couple will ever know!

THE ROYAL WEDDING!

We have been waiting for our invitation to the Royal Wedding. But for some reason, it has been lost in the Royal Post! So we have had to resort to second best and on Friday we are having a royal wedding celebration.

As you all know, it is a national holiday here and neighborhoods are being encouraged to have neighborhood parties and family fun. The missionaries have lamented that in fact they are right here in England and will not see anything! Even their families and friends at home are feeling sorry for them.

Not to worry. We have adjusted our schedule and are having our own little celebration. We have printed up an invitation that we will give to them tonight. We will gather them in one of our large classrooms and stream it from the internet onto a big screen. We are going to give them a quick overview of British history and then let them watch the pomp and ceremony surrounding the wedding.

Following the wedding we will have a royal lunch in the cafeteria where the chefs are decorating and fixing tea sandwiches, chicken legs,and other fancy, English finger food including delicate English pasteries. Later that evening they will serve crumpets and juice.

All of these missionaries will be serving in various missions in England and it won't hurt them one bit to have a little knowledge about English history as it relates to the monarchy.

I think it will be an event they will remember. I tell them that someday when William becomes the king, they will tell their children and grandchildren that they were in the MTC in England when they were married. I hate to admit it, but I remember the day Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles were married and I remember even more vividly the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth. I was so caught up in all of it........I lamented to my mother that I wanted to grow up to be a Queen! Her perfect response, "You are a Queen". I later gave a little talk about being a queen! And in many ways, that dream has come true.

Cheers to the future King and Queen!

Another Sweet Sabbath

Each Sunday the missionaries are given a topic and asked to all prepare a 5 minute talk that they can give in Sacrament Meeting. They don't know ahead of time who will be called on but the preparation is an important part of the assignment. This was our third and last Sunday with this group of missionaries. Their assignment was "The Atonement and What it Means in my Life." If they have not been called on in the previous weeks, they can be pretty sure their number will be pulled. Nevertheless, they all prepare and occasionally someone is called on twice. This is a difficult topic and by now the emotions are running high. They are preparing to leave for their mission fields on Wednesday. They have had 2 plus weeks of intense training and preparation. And the spirit has born witness to them on many occasions. There is a sense of intimacy that has developed between them and they have come to love and trust and support each other. The combination of these things brings forth a pouring out of the soul and they recognize how far they have come in two short weeks. Yesterday was no different. One by one they stood and spoke powerful and sincere testimonies of the Savior. One young man, in a reflective mood said that the first 2 days he was here, he kept looking at the doors and planning his escape. The problem was.....he couldn't figure out how he could swim across that great big pond that stood between him and home! (thank goodness!) Others told of extreme homesickness that took them to the president's office and then kept them on their knees a good part of the night. But each testified of the remarkable and quick recovery and how intensely grateful they were that they stuck it out. These handsome, husky strong elders stand and weep and say, "If it weren't for the Atonement, I wouldn't be here today". "The only time you'll ever see me cry is when I am listening to tesitmonies". "When I decided to go on a mission, my dad started going back to church. Now I pray my brothers will do the same thing." "When I remember my past, I weep! But I have changed. Christ is my big brother. I wish I could give Him a hug and tell Him Thank You for what he has done for me". We have one sister from Georgia who speaks only Georgian and very little English. But yesterday she told us that the Book Of Mormon is not translated in Georgian so she first read it with the missionaries translating for her. She could also read a little of it in Russian. This young woman has just been a member for 16 months. But she bears a strong testimony of the Book of Mormon and has a great desire to share it as a missionary. She is the only member in her family and I simply marvel that her conversion came from reading that marvelous book in two different and foreign languages. One more evidence that it is the spirit that converts. We are just the instruments........ This church is in good hands. These young men and women are on fire and full of great faith. They are so sensitive to the spirit and are learning how to recognize it's promptings. Is it any wonder we love them so.......

Beatrix Potter

Life is a collection of small segments brought about by circumstance, interests, experiences and places. Collectively they contribute to the sum total of who we are, what we know and what we do.

Many years ago, there was a little spot of time in my life that was devoted to Beatrix Potter. With 3 young girls, we were into fantasy. We read many of her little books i.e. The Tale of Peter Rabbit, Mrs. Tittlemouse, Jemima Puddle-Duck, etc. We even had some little Peter Rabbit dishes.

But that was years ago and I frankly have since not given much thought to Beatrix Potter until earlier this week, when we spent a day in Beatrix Potter country.

She was an interesting woman -- born in London to very accomplished parents. She and her brother were expected to marry up or to remain at home and take care of them in their old age.

They would spend their summers in the Lake District, in Northern England. It was during this time, that Beatrix fell in love with this beautiful countryside.

When she was nearing 40, she fell in love and was engaged to be married. but shortly thereafter her fiance died.

She was already a recognized author and illustrator and with the money she earned from her book sales she bought a home and property in the Lake District.

Over the next many years, she expanded her property holdings, ran a farm, grew beautiful gardens, did philanthropic work in her community, finally married again and lived in a happy state.

Her writings include 26 small books -- all beautifully illustrated . They still look the same -- small in size with little white jackets.

For me it was a quick step back in time.

Today she is BIG business. The shops are full of her books, and anything else they can attach her name to. And I must admit, I added just a little bit to the local economy.

PARIS

Ahhh, Paree! Always and forever, adorned with charm, fashion, sophistication and history. Welcome to Versailles. A tidy little mansion built on the outskirts of Paris. It actually was a city in and of itself - first built by Louis XIII as a hunting lodge. (really!?!) In 1682 Louis XIV made Versailles his royal seat and transformed the lodge into a palace with extensive gardens. The quarters were enlarged and occupied by Louis XV, better known as the husband of Marie Antoinette.

Tis good to be queen!!!!

Versailles is the place where the "Treaty of Versailles" was signed that ended WW I. Rather significant.

What would Paris be without the Eiffel Tower........................

....or the Arc de Triomphe!

Now this is a Ripley's "Believe it or Not"...

This Cafe Procope claims to be the oldest restuarant in the world. Really now, how would you know. However they claim that this place was a favorite of Benjamin Franklin and there hangs on the wall a handwritten note by Marie Antoinette.

It was enough to impress us!!!

As always.....Paris has it's River....this one the River Seine. There is something about lazy, winding rivers and the bridges that arch over them that enhance a city landscape.

Paris will always be Paris. The French language rolls off their tongues.

The people stroll down the Champs Eleyess.

The horns blow.

and people dine on French Cuisine in French Cafes.

Sorry to say, none of it works for us. Our french consists of "Oui!"

We trot down the Champs Eleyess in an effort to see it all.

We stay clear of the blowing horns and our French cuisine consists of Cafe McDonalds. But we loved every minute of it.

Sundays

We love Sundays in the MTC. This is the day that we have the missionaries to ourselves!

Every other day of the week they are in class with the instructors

but on Sunday the instructors are not here

and they are all OURS!

We have Sacrament Meeting

Relief Society/Priesthood

Choir Practice

Activity

Fireside

Devotional

and time to listen and have a little fun.

Just like a Sunday at home with a BIG family!

This is the day we really get inside their souls.

They hear from us and we hear from them.

Last Sunday.....

a wonderful elder from Romania shared this.....

He is a convert - joined with his mother and sister. Father did not join but is very supportive.

They were taught the law of tithing but

His mother had lost her job and things were very tight financially.

Tithing for the mother was not possible because she was not earning anything.

But soon after baptism, she got a new job! And she began to pay tithing.

And then, this sweet elder said, "And after that we always had food on our table!"

I looked at this fine young man

-- dressed in a crisp white shirt, a well cut suit and a shine on his new shoes

and thought "The windows of heaven have surely opened and poured blessings out on

this family.

The gospel is raising them from poverty.

This young man will return from his mission, go to engineering school

and will be lifted from a once hopeless existence

to a life full of promise and temporal blessings.

Wow! This gospel does remarkable things for those who are faithful.!

Kirby Lonsdale

If this is the lone and dreary world, I can't imagine what the Garden of Eden must have looked like! Maybe the great creator through in a few "Kirby Lonsdales" just to remind us what heaven will look like. And it's just one of many enchanted English villages that is tucked away around every bend in the road.

Same little stone row houses --all inhabited by real people who have real jobs and live real lives. The flower boxes are beginning to appear.........

spring is coming.........

as evidenced by the new baby lambs. Everywhere you go, even along the motorways you see green rolling hills dotted with lambs........................

This rather large home had a little box in front filled with freshly baked cakes and homemade jam. Just take what you want and leave some money in the box -- whatever you think it is worth!

OK, you lawn mowers.....don't get any bright ideas! However, if you

are tired of fertilizing, mowing, trimming, weed eating and everything else that goes along with lawn care, just stick a sign in the grass. Suddenly your lawn becomes a conservation area and green weeds become something to be desired.

Now, according to the travel books and brochures, this is supposed to be the most scenic spot in England. The River Lune winds through rolling green hills dotted with trees all laid out on a backdrop of mountains. The area is associated with John Ruskin. He lived here, painted and wrote here and was inspired by the magnificance of the landscape.

and now once more to the daffodils! At every turn of the road they wave their brillant heads. Clusters of them dot the landscape.

Perhaps William Wordsworth said it best:

I wander'd lonely as a cloud

That floats on high o'er vales and hills,

When all at once I saw a crowd,

A host, of golden daffodils;

Beside the lake, beneath the trees

Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

Continuous as the stars that shine

And twinkle on the Milky Way,

They stretch'd in never-ending line

Along the margin of a bay:

Ten thousand saw I at a glance,

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.

The waves beside them danced; but they

Out-did the sparkling waves n glee:

A poet could not but be gay

in such a jocund company:I gazed -- and gazed-- but little thought

What wealth the show to me had brought:

For oft, when on my couch I lieIn vacant or in pensive mood,

They flash upon that inward eye

Which is the bless of solitude;

And then my heart with pleasure fills,

And dances with the daffodils.

Someday, when I am old and confined to my couch I suspect that my heart will still dance with the daffodils!

How do they know that yellow has always been my favorite color!

New Missionaries

We received our latest group of missionaries last Friday. I can describe them in one word.......

OUTSTANDING!

They just keep getting better and better. Bravo to parents, YM & YW leaders, bishops and branch presidents, missionaries, friends who are preparing these wonderful young leaders.

This group is small but has a few unusual elements.

We have one elder from Romania, one from Germany the rest of the elders are from the US. Such outstanding young men -- school leaders, athletes, musicians, and strong testimonies.

We have two rather unusual situations.

We have our first couple with us.

They are a great duo from Northern Ireland, going to Greece. They are just with us for one week and then they leave. I guess the brethren feel that age and experience counts for something and they go with less training than the young missionaries.

We also had just one sister arrive. She is from Georgia (Armenia Yerevan Stake). She speaks Georgian and her English is improving.

She received her call last August and has been waiting all these many months for a visa.

She finally arrived, with a big grin on her face, and soon found she is the only sisterhere and had no companion. We appealed to the Scotland/Ireland President (where she is going) and he just happened to have a sister who is laid up with what they thought was a bad case of tendenitous in her leg and could not walk. So......the long and short.......they have sent her here to recouperate and be a companion to our lone sister.

And......wouldn't you know it, she is now under the care of Dr. Williams, who serves as our counselor. He will get her x-rayed and tend to her physical recovery.....really the best thing that could have happened to her -- to finally get the care she needs.

This Lord is mindful of each of us. Amazing!!!!

There is more than one way to earn a living..........

People across the world scrape out a living --unless, of course, you are a mission president, and then your pay comes in blessings and an occastional P Day when you can don your casual clothes and act like a tourist. (Hinckley's in Barcelona) But.....most of the time it is a dark suit and tie and heels and hose! (Staheli's in Paris)

Being a guard at the Tower of London, at least keeps you out of the rain!

Of course if you are brilliantly talented, you don't wait for an agent. You just take to the subway or the streets. Either way you collect coins from those who think you are really good or think you are really bad --

These human statues take the cake. How long do you think it takes him to get dressed each morning and how long do you think it takes him to dismantle himself and wash off that nasty make-up. And how many coins could you collect to make it all worth while. And in the meantime, what do you do when you have to scratch!! Makes my skin crawl to think of it!

Now these smart entrepreneurs only have to put on costumes and wigs. Ok, on a pleasant day it might be bearable, but what about rain, and heat, to say nothing of boredom!!!!

My conclusion: Get a real job, one that has a pay check attached to it. It may be boring, but it could not be this bad!

BARCELONA IS.........Antonio Gaudi

Welcome to the world of Antonio Gaudi, a unique archtectect that has left his stamp on Barcelona.

It feels to me like Gaudi is to architecture as Picasso is to painting. I believe they were contemporaries. These pix capture only a small portion of his work.

This one is of a park that was originally designed as a housing development but when no one bought the lots, it became a park and today looks just like Dr. Suess's "Whoville" Honestly, you expect The Grinch to leap out at any moment.

The Sagrada Familia is perhaps his most famous work. It is a cathedral that was started in 1883 and is not yet finished. Gaudi died in 1936 and construction continues today on this most unusual edifice. The interior is representative of trees growing and has many variations of a natural theme. It is quite unlike most cathedrals in the world. Very modern, very bright, lots of natural light.

Again, the exterior looks like Whoville.

A typical bench on the street with Gaudi tile designs.

And this house! At least you would never get it confused with any other on the street.

But you wouldn't be alone because this house would be next door!!!!

Let's face it. Gaudi was gaudy. Just looking at it makes me want to drape it in cobwebs and play spooky music

Looks to me like a perfect Halloween haunted house.

Gaudi is considered a great architect with a talent not compared with other architects. He did not draw plans, only build models of his work. The construction that continues today follows these models and his written instructions.

His use of colored tiles is everywhere. Even the tiles in the sidewalk are Gaudi designs.

Today it makes for interesting sightseeing and adds a great deal of charm to the already beautiful city of Barcelona!