This Is It! Our Last Week, 5 - 12 April 2016

Tuesday began our last week serving in the London England Temple.  We were officiating and following on the 9 a.m. session and happy to be working together.    Paul and Ann Allen invited us for dinner along with Sister Russell as she leaves the day after us.  What a feast Ann prepared.  There was roast beef, mash, roast potatoes, gravy, green beans, carrots, broccoli, brussel sprouts, and lemon meringue pie for dessert.  It truly was a meal fit for a king and we all enjoyed it and visiting.  We will miss the Allens.  They are sincere, hard working people, and always bright and cheery.

Barbara, Susan Russell, Ann & Paul Allen, and Bob.

Wednesday was busy with our shift; we officiated and followed the 10 a.m. session.  After shift we went for the last time shopping with Sister George and out to McDonald's for a meal.  We had a great time and enjoyed one another.  We were then off to Guildford with one last visit with Professor Powell.  He said Bob's skin graft looks great, keep it lotioned for three months, and no sun on it for a year.  After that, it will be good to go.  No sun in Yuma?

When we go home I will be able to give up the ear muffs.

Bob will start wearing a hat.

On the way home, we got an email from Halie.  Baby Clark Edward Ferguson has arrived, this day, 6 April 2016!  Wow, we are so excited as he has made us really 'Great' grandparents!

Proud father and first born.

After we got home the Irwin's dropped by for a good bye visit.  We enjoy them and will greatly miss his humor and her pure sweetness.

Union Jack mugs from the Irwins.

We took care of another session on Thursday. The weather was sunny, cloudy, rainy, breezy, and then cold by evening.  Some of the trees and shrubs are starting to bud out and turn green.  We were off for haircuts, errands, and one last visit to the podiatrist after shift.  All went well and we were back in time for dinner with the Fitch's.  It was a delicious meal of pork chops, potatoes, peas, fruit salad, and brownies and ice cream for dessert.  We enjoyed getting to know them more.  We took a bag of food stuff and other miscellany to them.

Emma has been great in taking care of our feet.  We will miss her service and her friendly personality and love of talking.

Last week I was looking out our window into the back garden when I thought I wanted to catch the early morning sun shining through the trees.

Patrons were not as many in the temple on Friday.  The session we conducted was few in number.  The French are still here and that makes for plenty of children in the baptistry as well as around the temple grounds.  After shift we were to the doctor and I drug out suitcases to begin packing.  I got two loaded up, shifted the weight, and can add more.  I gave a few more things away and sorted through other stuff.  Sister Call left us a plate with two cinnamon rolls at our door!  The Crowther's took us to dinner and we had a great time with them.  In conversation we realized they know Bruce and Debbie.  They were in the same ward together back in the late 70's.  What a surprise for all of us.  We had ice cream at their flat when we got back and Bob called Bruce.  The four of us enjoyed talking with him and making all the connection.

We stopped by for a visit with Brother & Sister Plater.  We will miss them as they have been great to work with in the temple.  They come as periodic workers and bring such a great spirit with them.  He retired as a paper decorator and they served a mission in Germany.  She is fun to engage in conversation as she always has a bright smile, a twinkle in her eye, and a story to tell.

Beryl & George Plater from Leicester.

Saturday was our last day in the temple.  We officiated and followed the 9:30 a.m. session, and then were off to Natalie's wedding.  We received good byes from fellow ordinance workers and said a special one to Brother Doughty and Sister Jeeves.  We will miss the wonderful people we work with. So many wished us well; Sister Henry, Sister Butcher, Roger & Susan Matthews, Brother & Sister Williams, Tony & Josy Brooke, Brother & Sister Peel.

We attended Natalie's wedding in the Crawley Stake Center at 1 p.m.  We both had parts in the meeting and enjoyed the experience of an English LDS wedding.  It is required by law for the couple to be married civilly.  

Our time here with Natalie has been a joy.  We first met her just after we arrived, in June 2014.  We became friends, staying in touch, talking with each other on Sundays, and at one point helped her get to church each Sunday as she was suffering from severe back problems.  We made trips out for a meal with throwing her wheelchair in the back of car and braving rain, snow, and hail.  She sought our advice and counsel as she faced choices and decisions that affected her future.  She reached her year mark of membership and we pursued her having the temple preparation lessons.  It worked out that we were able to teach them to her and what a great time that was.  We went with her to the temple and she came back several times following.  Then she met Brian and the world seemed to stop for her.  They fell head over heels in love and began figuring out how they could be married.    Her question to us was:  "When do you go home?"  This date was chosen for us to be with them and we were able to get to know Brian.  He was visiting from South Africa and that would require him immigrating to England, etc.  The process began which included Natalie going there for a month to meet his family.  They both returned to England in February and continued with the paperwork and all that was required by law for them to be married in England.

We celebrated with them in their union and completed the day with being their groom and bridge guide in the temple where they were sealed for time and all eternity at 6 p.m.  So, our mission began with Natalie and has come to a close with Natalie.  Brian thanked us for preparing her for him.  What a sweet memory she will always be to us.

Sunday was busy with church.  The bishop asked us to bear our testimonies and then I played the piano in Primary.  They surprised me with a thank you card and then these precious sweet children giving me hugs.  I got a little teary eyed.

After church, we stopped by Brian & Natalie's for lunch and last visit with them.  What a good time we had with promises to stay in touch.

We got back to the temple grounds in time to meet up with Janeen, our hairdresser, for time in the Visitors' Centre.  Beverly Jensen and Paula Carlson, fellow missionaries who go to her as well came. She brought her daughter Maddie and partner James along.  We were all excited to see each other and they were thoughtful about what the missionaries taught them about being children of a loving Heavenly Father, families being together for eternity, and what goes on inside the temple.  They left with thoughts of returning for a garden tour when more is in bloom and Janeen said:  "I've got to read the book!"

Barbara, Maddie, Janeen, and Bob

Our day ended with dinner and games at the Jensen's, and a visit from Sister George.

Monday came and we were busy the whole day with sorting, packing, and cleaning.  How did we ever accumulate so much?  It became a reminder of when we came!  But, we were a bit better at being on top of things today.  Bob got the new windshield put in the car and ran bags to recycle and charity shop.  Nigel Rogers and Bob swapped out recliners as they bought ours.  We distributed items to the Jensen's, Crowther's, Fitch's, and Sister George.  It seemed the more we got rid of the more there was still to deal with!  Brother and Sister Vowels stopped by and they even took bags with them.  Sister George was in and out a couple of times and helped with the process.

I had a late chiropractor appointment and then the President and Sister Irwin took us out to dinner.  We had a lovely meal and enjoyed visiting with them.  They have been wonderful examples and teachers for us.  We will miss working with them.

By bedtime we had accomplished a monumental task and were able to  relax and know the morning would go well.

Tuesday was the day and we arose, readied, finished the packing and last minute sorting.  Sister George came to help and she was wonderful.    We will miss her!

Barbara, Sister George, Bob

Others stopped by to say good bye and each one left with a bag of stuff or items in their hands!  The surprise was seeing Brother and Sister Key.  They are from the island of Jersey and had been missionaries during our mission in the temple.  They are here as patrons but heard we were leaving and came to say hello!  It was good to see them and renew our friendship.

President and Sister Irwin were on time at 10:30 a.m. to load our luggage and take us to Heathrow Airport.  We waved goodbye to our spot in England and headed out.

Sunshine and flowers in bloom.

We arrived safely, checked in, said goodbye to them at security, and we were on our way headed to another season in our lives.

Countdown Has Arrived! 29 March - 4 April 2016

We fly home in two weeks!  It is amazing to think this experience is coming to an end.  The week in the temple went well.  We were baptistry coordinators and enjoyed a session or two each day.  It is great to not be shift coordinators and just follow our rotas.  Brother and Sister Mansbridge are the new coordinators and they are doing an excellent job.

President Johnson called us into his office on Friday and gave us our letter of release,  completion certificates, and signed card from the ordinance workers.  We enjoyed our conversation with him and Sister Johnson.  They will always be in our thoughts and memories for their devoted faith and love of the gospel.

I baked a large batch of cookies and took in for both shifts and all the workers at the temple to express our gratitude for them.  We have made so many good acquaintances and friends.

I started getting serious about sorting through what we have and prepare to come home.  Bob wasn't too excited about the process but did get on board with some projects.  We gave items to other missionaries and began thinking about what we will take home and what else we will leave.  Wow, it is amazing all that we have collected!  I planned meals around what we have, which made our shopping list minimal.  Baking the cookies and then a pan of brownies is the last baking I will do.  That cleared out several food stuffs.

We wished happy birthdays to Jeff and Hayden.

Last week in the midst of Dan & Cheryl being here, Nelson called.  They were at the San Diego Temple for Spring Break and had met a senior missionary couple on the grounds.  They are good friends with a senior couple serving in the Visitors' Centre here.  We saw each other and said hello, glad to meet each other, and they wanted us to say Hi to the Hansen's.  Bob and I walked over to the Visitors' Centre and showed the Hansen's the photo Nelson had sent of them with the Tanner's.  The Hansen's were happy to see their friends and we talked and discussed Nelson and them meeting.

Nelson & family.  Elder & Sister Tanner with Julie & Nelson.

The next day I got an email from Sister Hansen saying she and Sister Tanner had emailed back and forth about the meeting and Sister Tanner realized her dad had baptized my dad!  She is Rita Campbell, daughter of Harmon Campbell the missionary that arranged for my dad to live with his parents in Corrine, Utah, for dad to finish his senior year of high school.

This was too amazing.  When I was growing up our family was close with the Campbell's, in fact we called Rita's grandparents Grandpa and Grandma as well!  We, the children of both families all played together on numerous occasions as we visited back and forth.  Grandpa and Grandma Campbell would come and winter with us in Yuma on occasion.  I was blown away with the discovery.

Yes, Rita and I have connected via email!  We will get to meet when we go home and that will be wonderful.

Sunday found us in London with Shawn and Tanner.  They were there for the weekend for an Arsenal soccer game on Saturday.  It was good to see them and spend the day together.  Tanner is busy with mission papers and has been accepted to BYU.

We met up at their hotel, the Cumberland and took the Big Bus Tour to see the city.  It was a nice sun shiny day for the outing.

 Cumberland Hotel

Shawn & Tanner and Marbel Arch

We enjoyed the commentary on the bus and hopped on and off at various points of interest.

Horse Guard Barracks

 The Monument.

 St Paul's Cathedral

 High Rent District

 Local Architecture

Lambeth Palace has been the official London residence of the Archbishop of Canterbury for nearly800 years.

 The Red Lion Pub.  Watering hole used by MP's (Member of Parliament).

 Entrance to Regent's Park.

 Across the Thames, seeing the Queen's Walk and where we had lunch and the Shard.

Traflagar Square and Lord Horatio Nelson Monument and National Gallery in the back.

We were back to the hotel at 5 p.m. and watched the first session of General Conference.  It was time for us to head for home so off we went.  We caught a bus to Victoria Station and then on the train for home in time to watch the last session.

We were excited to hear the three new temples announced:  Quito, Ecuador; Harare, Zimbabwe; Belem, Brazil; and a second temple in Lima, Peru.  With the recent dedication of the Provo City Temple, there are currently 150 temples in operation.  Who would have ever imagined!

We made one last trip to London with a visit to Grant and Margaret Curely.  They are former missionaries from the temple and are now serving a mission at the National Archives.  They wanted to get together before we headed home.

We traveled by rail to Victoria Station and then to Kew Gardens by underground.  Margaret was waiting for us as we got off the train.  We were happy to see each other with big hugs.  We had been on several sight seeing trips with them the first year we were here and seemed to hit it off.  

We walked about 3 minutes to their flat where Grant was waiting for us.  It was a beautiful day with sunshine and not so cold temperatures.  We walked up to their two bedroom flat, took a break, and were going to head out on an excursion when Grant announced he lost his wallet.  He had been to the bank for cash and now he could not find his wallet.

We did not go anywhere as time was used in him retracing his steps and trying desperately to find it.  Many of us have been in that position and it is not a fun one to be in.  After much searching, etc., he began the process of canceling the credit cards that were in it.  This took quite some time as he was on hold on most every call he made and of course, he had to locate the phone numbers to call.

In the end, we stayed in and just visited.  Bob was not feeling well with his cold so he slept.  Margaret put together cold meets, veggies, etc for lunch.  Bob offered the blessing on the food and also asked that Grant would be able to locate his wallet.  We were enjoying the meal and visiting when the phone rang.  It was the bank saying someone had turned in his wallet!  You cannot believe the relief we all felt, especially Grant.  He and Bob walked to the bank and collected it.  We were all so very grateful for honest people.

Grant's attitude greatly improved and he was back to his old self.  We had a great time with one another.  Margaret served juice and crumpets for snack and then we caught the underground to South Kensington to have dinner.  It took a little searching as others were out to eat and some places were full with long waits.   It was time for us to return home, so we walked to the station just in time for them to catch a train going one way to their home and us catching a train going the other way to Victoria Station at the same time.  We gave quick good bye hugs and off we went.  It really had been a great day with them.

Dan & Cheryl And Adventure, 22 - 28 March 2016

Our temple week started off with a visit from Dan & Cheryl.  We were in the temple to get the shift started and then had permission to go for the day.  We picked Dan & Cheryl up at Gatwick and were off for a day in London.

We made it on the train and Danny ran out of energy.  Our goal for the day was to help them learn how to use the train, subway, and bus system.  We had a great time experiencing the different modes of travel and seeing a few sights as well.

 Entrance to Westminster Abbey.  The statues of 10 Christian martyrs of the 20th century above the Great West Door of the Abbey.  Elder Christopherson mentioned one of them, in his talk in April 2015 Conference.  Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a brilliant German theologian, was born in 1906.  He was imprisoned for his active opposition of the Nazi dictatorship and eventually executed in a concentration camp.  Bonhoeffer was a prolific writer, and sympathetic guards helped him smuggle some of them out.  Elder Christopherson quotes one to his niece before her wedding, quoting significant insights on marriage.

Danny brought family file cards with them so they took in a session at the temple on Wednesday before heading back into London.  We arranged for other missionaries to take them to the train on Wednesday and Thursday while we were at work.  They enjoyed the outings and then in the evening we planned the following day.

On Friday and Saturday they did two sessions in the temple while we worked and then we played when we were all home.  Friday, we went to Brighton and they were amazed at the 'pebble' beach and the sights of the town.  We rode the wheel for a bird's eye view of the coastline and the English Channel.

 We had fish and chips at Harry Ramsden's.  Bob chose a burger and chips.

The wind was cold so we were very happy to be seated in the warm restaurant.  I had a cup of hot chocolate with a massive dollop of cream on top.

Saturday was our day of adventure.  The weather was rainy and very windy.  We finished up in the temple and then made our way to London to see Wicked.  We got to Lingfield train station to find the office closed but a ticket machine outside.

Bob paid for parking and then he and Dan tried to figure out the ticket machine.  During this time we watched the schedule board and it showed no trains were going to Victoria but to London Bridge.  Bob wasn’t going to have that, so we loaded up in the car and headed to Three Bridges Station, catching a few curbs on the way.  While in the car, I looked the station up on the Internet and saw that no trains were going from there to Victoria.  Bob decided since we had already paid for parking we would turn around and go back to Lingfield.

The issue with the ticket machine started all over again as it would not take any of the credit/debit cards any of us had.  We were unable to get a concession or group rate as well.  We pooled our cash together and got the tickets purchased and went to the platform.

Who should we see when we walked around the corner, but Sister Nelson, a periodic worked on our shift.  We greeted one another and she said she was headed home and would get off at Clapham Junction to catch another train from there.  Brother Searle, a periodic worker,  had brought her to the station.  She got on the train without a ticket because she did not realize there was a ticket machine!

We plotted out our course in that we would catch the underground from London Bridge to get to Victoria Station.  The Theatre was just across the street.  While discussing what we would do, Danny noticed that Clapham Junction was not one of the stops the train was making.  He pointed it out to Sister Nelson and she said:  "Oh my, I guess I will have to figure out something else."  In the end she decided she would get off at East Croydon and catch another train from there.  So merrily we all went!

We arrived at London Bridge, checked for the last train home for the night (11:23 p.m.), caught the underground to Westminster and then for Victoria.  We arrived in time to find dinner and make it to the play.  We were all very happy we had decided to leave for London right after shift.  We ate at Franky & Benny's, where we enjoyed a family meal for four that included pizza, pasta, and all the salad we wanted.  We could not  believe all the food they served us.

We arrived at the Apollo Victoria Theatre, picked up our tickets and went in.  We purchased popcorn and water and waited until we could go to our seats.  We were seated in the circle, front and left of its center.  Bob and I found it a different experience from the first time.  We preferred the seats in the stalls and Savannah's understudy was playing Glinda.  

The play was over after 10 p.m. and we headed out just as it ended.  We wanted to be ahead of the crowds.  In Victoria Station Bob thought we should go west and Danny said East.  West won out at first until we realized it was the wrong way.  We asked for directions and then went up and down stairs going the other way.

We made it back to London Bridge Station and boarded the 10:53 p.m. train, ahead of schedule and happy to be on our way.  We broke out the cards and played Hearts.  The journey went well until at one stop there was an announcement from the engineer that if there were any problems from the passengers that just boarded, the train would not go until it was dealt with.

We continued on until the next stop.  The engineer was good to his word and announced the train would not go any further until the situation was taken care of.  A security agent boarded and it was about twenty minutes later a group of loud young people came walking through our car and we guess they got off the train because it wasn't long before it started moving again.

We arrived safely at Lingfield in time to be back home before midnight.  As the train pulled into the station, Dan and Cheryl got up and moved to the door.  I made a move to get up to put on my coat. Bob, who was sitting ahead of me, said there was no hurry the train had not stopped yet.  He waited until it had completely stopped before he got up.  I got out of the seat and put my coat on. As I got to the door it started closing.  I pushed the 'Open' button and nothing happened.  I continued to push it all the while watching the it close.  I could not get off the train!  I sat back down and called Bob to inform him he would have to come to East Grinstead to pick me up.

I sat there looking at the other passengers on the train and thought:  "I am all alone in the world."  When Dan was walking across the bridge he saw Bob on his cell phone and wondered:  "Who would be calling him this time of night?"  When Cheryl caught up with them and asked where I was she was shocked to hear I was still on the train as she watched it pulling out of the station.

The train was faster than the car and I got off in East Grinstead in the pouring rain.  It was good I had my rain coat with hood to stay dry until they got there.  We all had a good laugh on the way home about the whole situation and that we did not make it home before midnight!

We went to church  on Sunday and Dan and Cheryl enjoyed meeting some of the British Saints and participating in the meetings.  We had a meal when we got home and prepared to go to Stratford Upon Avon after the Hi & Bye.  We also walked the temple grounds and took pictures.

 Dan & Cheryl, Barbara & Bob

 16th Century Manor House.  Home to the temple presidency and single sister temple missionaries.

 Watching an airplane fly overhead.

The Hi & Bye was for us.  Sister Russell leaves the day after us so she spoke also and then the Fitch's told about themselves as new missionaries.  There were many missionaries present and we will miss them.  Our time here is coming to an end and it has truly been an amazing experience.  I never could have imagined this opportunity in my life.

Elder & Sister Brown, going home to Yuma, Arizona.   Sister Russell, going home to Morgan, Utah. Elder & Sister Fitch coming from Vancouver, Washington.

We headed out on our trip and had a safe journey in spite of the wind and rain.  We learned the next morning it was Storm Katie and had felled trees causing damage in some of the towns in our area.  At the temple it blew down a huge limb off a tree.  The gardeners were on it come Tuesday and were able to clear it and all the debris by the end of the day.

We enjoyed being together and we wound up stopping at the same Welcome Break we had been to with Halie and Jason.  We took them to Stratford Upon Avon when they were here so many of the places we went were reminders of their visit.  We stayed in the same Holiday Inn as well.

Monday morning was windy and rainy.  After a delicious breakfast we went to Shakespeare's birthplace.  We took the tour and learned more about him.  It was interesting to be in the 15th century home and imagine life as it was then.

We enjoyed a walk through the gift shop and then out onto the street and all the shops there.  Cheryl was having fun going in one shop and then another.  The Christmas shop was fun, again!  I love it each time I go in.

It was nearing 1 p.m. and our parking ticket was running out so off we went, headed for Windsor Castle.  The sky started cleaning and we had sunshine for the afternoon.  It made for a nice drive and then a great time to be at the castle.

Monday was a bank holiday so the streets and sidewalks were packed with tourists, families, and others with a day off.  Bob dropped the three of us at 

the castle and went in search of a place to park.  it 

took him half an hour to find and then met up 

with us in the castle as we were coming out.  

 Waiting in line.  It wrapped around the wall for some distance and took about half an hour to get in.

 A perfect day for picture-taking.

 The old with the new.

 Stunning architecture.

 St George Gate.  Cheryl is leaving on the left.

 Norman Gate.  Cheryl is in the tan coat to the right taking a picture.

 After we came out we caught sight of the horse-drawn carriage.

The day was coming to a close as we headed to the car.  The rain began to fall again and we were so happy the afternoon had been sunny.  We headed to the airport and stopped at Toby Carvery  (Another place we took Halie and Jason) for an English meal.  

We arrived at Gatwick, parked, and walked Dan and Cheryl to their ticket desk.  It had been a fun week and a great time being together.  We were so happy they had come.