The Holiday Tree

 Call it "Post Christmas" or even bizarre,  but the Christmas Tree that was in my office has inadvertently evolved into a seasonal tree......

I'm not sure how it happened, but for whatever reason it developed into an expectation.....and so Christmas went from Valentines to....

 St. Patrick's Day to.....

 Easter to......

 The Queen's Diamond Jubilee to....

 the Olympics.....and will probably be followed by Autumn leaves, then Halloween, then Thanksgiving and back to Christmas unless anyone out there has other ideas.  I am open

Just an add on -- this gardener really knows how to decorate for the Jubilee!

Meet some missionaries...

In every group there are those with unusual stories and backgrounds.  This group was not an exception.  Elder Wilkosz is from Poland.  He is a convert to the church and when he joined his parents virtually disowned him and he has no contact with them.  He has asked that we do not communicate with them but rather with his mission president, who has tutored him and helped him prepare for a mission.  He is an outstanding young man who will be serving in the London South Mission.  I marvel at the courage and faith of these young men.  They put many of us to shame.  I have no doubt that the Lord has some great things in store for this young man.  Yesterday he had his patriarchal blessing and was simply speechless when it was over.  We have no idea what was said but whatever it was left him deeply humbled. 

Sister Pallekonda (on the left) is from India.  She is stunningly beautiful with thick black hair that looks like silk!  Her family came into the church in stages.  In 2005 her brother joined the church and then in 2007 her Hindu mother was converted.  In 2009 she was baptized and that left her father who finally joined in 2011.  Her decision to serve a mission came rather quickly after she joined the church but there were circumstances that prevented it.  Her father did not wish her to go but wanted her to get an education, which she did, with a degree in Information Technology.  After she received her call she would often awake in the morning and find her father sitting by her bed holding her hand and wiping the tears that were falling from his eyes.  She was "daddy's little girl" and he was having a hard time saying goodbye.  But she came and has never looked back. She has never been homesick, but rather rejoices in the privilege of serving.  She is the first missionary to come from her branch and what a fabulous young woman she is.  She is also going to London South.

These are our 4 sister missionaries.  Far left is Sister King from Brisbane, Australia going to London, Sister Lau from England going to Hong Kong (where she has many non member relatives), Sister Ball who is right off an Idaho farm, and Sister Pallenkonda. Four sisters from four different parts of the world, brought together under one umbrella and love each other as if they had been born together.  One of the many miracles the gospel brings!!!

And Elder Patten (on the right with his eyes closed) from Wales who grew up as only child and with a single mother.  He never knew his father and has no contact with him.  He was a pretty rough kid in his younger years and did not believe in God. But at some point he began to seek a better life and eventually became a Born Again Christian.  He was devout in his religious pursuits and then met the missionaries and gained a testimony.  He joined the church 2 years ago and at age 25 decided to serve a mission.  He is so thrilled to be here and is doing all he can to prepare himself for what he considers will be the greatest experience of his yet young life!  (and he is right!)

Also Elder Grachev on the left who is from Moscow, Russia.  He is 22 years old and has a degree in Finance and Credit from a Moscow University.  His mother and brother are members  but not his father.  His brother is currently serving in Tacoma, Washington.  It is easy to see how the gospel is being spread across the earth!

Each missionary is here for a different reason.  Many of them have struggled, repented, and made big changes in their lives.  Others have always kept the steady course which has quite naturally brought them to this time.  But each of them is here trying their best and investing all their heart, might, mind and strength into becoming what the Lord wants them to become.

And we love them all!

The story of our lives.........

It rained and rained and rained and rained.

The average fall was well maintained

And when the tracks were simply bogs

It started raining cats and dogs

After a drought of about half an hour

We had a most refreshing shower

And then, the most curious thing of all

A gentle rain began to fall.

Next day was really fairly dry

Except for a deluge from the sky

Which wetted the party to the skin

And after that, the rain set in!!

Author Unknown

Crusin' Down the River......

Since Day 1 we have wanted to take a boat trip along one of the many canals that meander through the country and last week we had that chance.  A local man invited us to spend a Preparation Day on a 12 mile segment of the Leeds Liverpool Canal. 

The day was overcast (so what else is new?) but the rain held until we returned.

These Canal Boats are sometimes recreational vehicles and sometimes are permanent homes.  They are used like we use motor homes.   People live on the canals or will often spend 6 months of the year floating through the country, stepping off and exploring whenever they feel inclined.  They average about 3 mph so you can't be in a hurry if you choose to travel this way.  We met a couple that had been on the canal for 2 months and had come from Cambridge (about 3-4 hours by car). Many people find them relaxing but frankly 6 hours was enough for us.  It was great but would get old after two months!

The scenery was pastoral.  The thick green folage and intermittent sprays of flaming bushes added to the spectacular beauty of it all.

It was a lazy way to spend a day.

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee

I love pagentry, productions, parties, and patriotism and this week-end we had it all.  The celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee is probably the biggest thing to hit the UK in many many years. (even greater than the Royal Wedding)  Even those who are not royalists caught the spirit of it all. (but who wouldn't when you get a 4 day holiday!)

 All of the UK was decorated -- bunting, flags, hats, streamers, signs.  Red, white and blue every where you turned.  The decor was much more resplendant than we saw at Christmas.  It was as if the entire country was ablaze in color. 

The festivities began on Sunday with the sailing of 1000 ships of all sizes and shapes down the Thames River in London.  Unfortunately the weather was soggy and overcast but it did not dampen the spirit of the event.  The royal family stood on the royal yacht for 4 1/2 hours viewing the parade, listening to the bands play and waving to the crowds gathered on the banks. 

We allowed the missionaries to watch the festivities for about an hour that afternoon -- long enough to see the queen and catch the feel for the pagentry of it all.

......and Kate......beautiful even with her eyes closed!

Boats of all sizes, shapes and kinds made their way through the London fog......

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have infused new life into the Royal Family.  Their seemingly unpretentous approach has endeared them to the people and of course her beauty helps!
In this picture they are attending the service of Thanksgiving at St. Paul's Cathedral.

The culminating event took place just outside Buckingham Palace with a concert staged around Queen Victoria's statue.  The Queen and 70,000 of her best friends listened to entertainers like Stevie Wonder, Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, Elton John, Renee Fleming, Paul McCartney and others sang and danced to music that I can only assume did not fit the Queen's taste, nevertheless, the staging, the lighting and the fireworks were worth the evening. 
The English are not generally quite stoic, not give to much laughter or frivolity, but even Prince Charles endeared himself that night be refering to Her Royal Majesty as Mummy!  Quite cute!

Monday was a day for service and parties.   The missionaries began the day by cleaning the both sides of the street that runs adjacent to the MTC and Temple. 
It was also a day when neighbors and families gathered together for Garden parties.  And the three wards that meet in the our stake center joined in for a jubilee carnival held in the large soccor field across the road from the MTC.  It was a great success with many non members joining in the fun.  The missionaries had a great time mingling and feeling the sense of comraderie that comes at such times.

.......and Elder Grimaldi made a balloon flower just for me!

The festivities continued here through the evening with fish and chips, and festive dress - red, white and blue and all the trimmings.  Don't they look ready to take on the entire United Kingdom!!!

We made flower head bands for the Sister missionaries -- in keeping with the English style of head wear -- and the elders added to the festivities with some mini bowler hats--

.....and in the middle of it all......we celebrated President Walker's birthday with a cake and a heart attack, designed and pasted on our door the night before by the missionaries.  Forty nine love notes....for the man who has everything!

Someone commented that the monarchy is the only thing that sets England apart from the rest of the world.  Without it, it would just be another Island -- and it wouldn't be known for it's balmy weather.

We received a copy of a letter written to:

The Private Secretary to Her Majesty The Queen

Buckingham Palace

London

England

Dear Sir,

     

       On behalf of the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we extend our best wishes to Her Majesty The Queen on the occasion of her Diamond Jubilee.

       We rejoice with Her Majesty's people throughout the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth on the occasion of this historic celebration and commend her for her love of God, her acts of charity, and her sublime example of service and duty.

       May Her Majesty's long life of service be blessed with good health and happiness, and may Heaven's blessings attend her.

(signed by the First Presidency)

Made me feel good because I am one of those members!

As far as I am concerned she is a queen in every sense of the word.....she is lovely, gracious, dignified and loyal to the core.  She is a gentle mother and grandmother and all reports indicate that her greatest sorrows have been associated with the divorces of 3 of her 4 children and her only sister.  It has been amazing to watch her over the past days as she has attended all the ceremonial events, standing, waving, walking without assistance, and looking stunning for a woman of 86.  Prince Philip, who is always at her side, was hospitalized Sunday evening, but she never missed a beat...just carried on without him.   The English tend to be stoic and are not given to much laughter or demonstrative behavior, but there has been a sense of genuine warmth even outward friendliness during this festive time.  Prince Charles endeared himself by referring to her as "Mummy" during the Monday evening concert outside Buckingham Palace.

People tease us by saying that Americans get more excited about the royality than the English, but this week-end that was NOT true.  Everyone was celebrating and for us and for these missionaries it will always be a once in forever experience with great historic significance.  One more reason we love being here!!!!

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!

The Olympic Torch Run

The Olympic Torch is making it's way across the United Kingdom on it's way to London and on Friday, June 1, it came through Chorley.....and guess who was there to see it?!*

It was 7:20 in the morning but no matter.  We went early enough to get a front row place on the curb.  There were morning festivites that included a band, and vehicles carrying dignitaries and lots ofriends and neighbors.

 For me it was 'de je veu' and very exciting.  It brought back so many memories of the moment that stood still in time when I held my torch and floated down the street amid the cheering crowds. 

 We know nothing about the young man that carried it through our little town but we know that it was for him it was a 'once in a lifetime' experience. 

 I have often chuckled thinking of all the pictures that were taken the day that I ran --  I could hear them then and I can hear them now saying, "I wonder who in the world that woman was but what does it matter, because the torch was beautiful!"

         Honestly I can only say that it was all so exciting -- and such fun.  Let's face it!  I love hype!!!

And policemen on horses!  How British!