Temple Week #42, 23 - 29 March 2015

The temple week was very busy.  Brother Matthews, a sealer, had set up a "Fill the Temple," day over a month ago and had encouraged many people to come.  His desire came to fruition on Thursday, with large sessions and lots of activity in the temple.  We went on a session after our shift on Wednesday, as well as the 7 p.m. session on Thursday.  It was wonderful to be there with others we know and feel the spirit of unity in the Lord's work.

Twenty-three missionaries, on their way home, also added to the numbers with coming in on Tuesday.  I was in clothing/till, and serviced them with clothing.  Sister George and Sister Smith came to my aid and we quickly got them squared away.  One of the missionaries recognized my accent and asked where in America I was from.  When I said: "Arizona," he said: "I'm from Reno, Nevada."  We had a little chat about the west and what home is like.

Saturday came along and even more patrons flooded the temple with every area very busy.  I assisted seven new patron sisters and rejoiced with them as they participated in ordinances.  Later that evening we went out for a meal with the Garrett's and ran into one of the families at the restaurant.  When we recognized one another we all enjoyed hugs, kind words, and a spirit of love for the blessings of the day.  At the end of Saturday, there were more than 1,000 endowments in the temple for the week!

Dad had a bout with kidney stones on Monday, and I struggled with new exercises from the chiropractor.  I entered more photos and documents and stories in FamilyTree and helped the Garrett's with using FamilyTree and ancestry.com, and updating their iPad.  We made a trip to Costco, and went to dinner one evening at the Siam Orchid in Carshalton.  Brother Appleyard, a worker on our shift, owns the restaurant and his wife is the chef.  She is from Thailand and that is the food served there.  We enjoyed meeting Su Pin, and the food was delicious.  Their oldest son was in helping as well.  Su Pin called Brother Appleyard to say we were there and he stopped by to say hello on his way to stake meetings.  Dad had coconut rice and sweet and sour prawn.  I had pad Thai noodles and sweet and sour chicken.  We definitely plan to go back.

Sister Hale came by with another painting, this one of the Preston Temple.

We called with birthday wishes to Brynlyn and Eme.  They are busy little girls and enjoy life and learning and doing.

Brynlyn turns 3, and Eme turns 6.

We drove to Carshalton to eat at the Siam Orchid.  It is a Thai restaurant owned by Brother Appleyard, a periodic worker on our shift.  We found it with only one wrong turn and even found free parking, a rarity in this country.  The food was delicious and we enjoyed meeting his wife and oldest son.  It will definitely be a trip worth repeating.  We went home a different way because we got lost right off the bat and when the sat nav caught up with all of our wrong turns, we were on a different route.  You have to remember, in England you can't turn around and when you turn on to a side road to turn around, there is no place wide enough to turn around in, or you have wound up on a one way street!  You gotta love England for driving.

Church was a little unusual on Sunday.  The sacrament was just about finished when a brother fell off the bench having a seizure.  The missionary sitting next to him got up and headed out of the chapel with cell phone in hand.  Julzz, a first aider (we call them EMT in America), went to assist the man.  Everyone else in the chapel remained quietly in their seats.  When the sacrament was finished, the bishop asked another brother to assist Julz, which he did.  The bishop then said he would say a closing prayer and we would go to class early, ending the block 30 minutes early, and for everyone to exit the chapel.

Our primary class went okay with only half of them in attendance.  They were a bit wound up due to the situation that occurred in sacrament meeting, but they did focus on the lesson.  We were finding evidence that Jesus Christ was resurrected by reading the accounts of the empty tomb, what the angel said, and the witness of those who saw and talked with Him after His death.  We followed up with the testimony of a modern day apostle who has not seen, but knows, Elder D. Todd Chrsitofferson:  "Under the glance of His all-seeing eye, I stand myself as a witness that Jesus of Nazareth is the resurrected Redeemer, and I testify of all that follows from the fact of His Resurrection.  May you receive the conviction and comfort of that witness. . . " (April 2014)

Sunday evening, I joined other sisters here on the temple grounds and watched the women's session of general conference at the Visitors' Centre.  The theme was the importance of the family with music, videos, and talks relating to that topic.  This year marks the 100th anniversary of Family Home Evening, and the 20th anniversary of "The Family, A Proclamation To The World."  We were encouraged to be filled with light and truth to be able to withstand the forces against us.  We must live and defend our homes.  Families are God's workshop on earth and each member of a family needs to do their part.  A family will be tested, tried, and stretched.  It is in the family we learn empathy and compassion for others.  It is interesting to note the proclamation was given 20 years ago and it is what we need now to stem the tide of evil.  What man comes up with will never change God's law.

As members of the church we are to be defenders of the Lord's plan by recognizing marriage between a man and a woman, elevating the divine roles of fathers and mothers, and the sanctity of the home..  The doctrine of the family is our benchmark for judging the philosophies of the world.  We are to aim for the ideal family and plan for contingencies.

President Eyring concluded with following the Savior in emulating His compassion.  We become like Him when we give succor to others, just liked we promised at baptism.  He told of meeting a mother with a bouncing babe in arms who had come to the funeral of a five year old to mourn with the family   and give succor in a time of need.  He learned that she, herself had lost a young child.  He asked her what the baby's name was and she said:  "Joy.  Joy always comes after the sorrow."

Back To Work! 17 - 22 March 2015

We were back to the temple after the two week maintenance closure.  We enjoyed our time off and were ready to enjoy the changes made in the temple and being back to assisting patrons.  The lift had been overhauled, wallpaper replaced in areas, other items of repair, and new lighting put up in both the brother worker and sister worker locker rooms.  I was surprised when I walked into the locker room and it was so bright!  I hadn't realized how dim it had been before.  Each day it was a wonderful experience to walk into the light.

On a sad note, Brother and Sister Cooper received word their daughter-in-law unexpectedly passed away.  She had been ill for some time but no one thought to this point.  She passed away in her sleep.  They put things together and flew home to Colorado to be with the family for ten days.  Our prayers and thoughts have been with them.

Sister Hale has painted us another picture.  This is Jane Austen's home in Chawton.  She lived here the last eight years of her life and wrote three novels.

We were on the late shift and baptistry coordinators.  We did not have sessions every day, but the ones we did have were neat.  A Sister Reinlo and Sister Lynn came in to do 9 family file.  Sister Lynn was the proxy and one of the names was Sister Reinlo's close friend.  She passed away a year ago and had asked that Sister Reinlo do her work for her.  Brother Allen came to assist and he had his mother's card, which Sister Lynn was baptized for.  It was a tender time for him and Sister Reinlo as the spirit was felt with this sacred work being done for loved ones.

Saturday was busy with two full sessions, one of youth, and the other of YSA, and a new member family.  Again, they had family cards and all who participated felt the spirit of the work being done.

During the week, I spent time entering information into FamilyTree, and adding photos, documents, and stories to some of the family.  This is exciting and now I know where I can easily share these things with all of the family as well as all of the world.  I also practiced music for the upcoming devotional.

Dad and I each had the spiritual thought for one of the weekly preparation meetings.  Our study material was chapter 15:  We Should Be a Reverent People, in the Teachings of Presidents of the Church:  Spencer W. Kimball.

Dad shared the importance of reverence in the temple with keeping noise to a minimum.  He likened it to the building of Solomon's temple.  1 Kings 6:7:  "And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither; so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building."  It is important to make ourselves ready to enter the temple with preparation to reduce the need for noise in any way.

My thought was how in Primary on Sunday, as I played, "Reverently, Quietly," while the children entered, they ended their laughter and conversations when they recognized the tune, and began quietly singing as they made their way to their seats.  President Kimball has counseled us to be a reverent people each day in our thoughts and actions, and show the highest level of reverence for His holy house.  During the dedicatory prayer for the London temple, President McKay said:  "Therefore may all who enter this holy temple come with clean hands and pure hearts that Thy Holy Spirit may ever be present to comfort, to inspire, and to bless."  Reverence is more than just quietly sitting; but, quietly sitting can invite a reverent feeling.  Reverence is simple; reverence is humble, and reverence is pure.

Jeanna sent us a package of items we had asked her to send and we were so excited when it arrived.  It was almost like Christmas and such fun to see things from America.  We cannot buy some things here that we are familiar with and the things you can buy are different.  The ingredients are not the same.  Thank goodness for the mail system!

 Socks, white hair combs, Abreva, black pepper, liquid Benadryl, alcohol, and lecithin.  She included a bag of peanut M&M's and cashews for fun.

We called and sang happy birthday twice this week.  On the 17th, Henry turned 5 years old.  He was bright and happy and all smiles during the conversation and it was fun to see him so happy.

And then, Jared turned 40, on the 22nd.  His siblings surprised him with a party.

Bob, Nelson, Tyler, Jared, Juliann, & Katie.

Sunday was busy with picking up Natalie, teaching our class, and then attending the devotional.

You are cordially invited to attend

London Temple Workers Annual Devotional

Crawley Stake Centre, Old Horsham Road, Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 8PD

Sunday 22^nd March 2015 at 5pm

Light refreshments will be served following the meeting.

This gathering provides an opportunity to rejoice and reflect on the remarkable privilege to serve in the House of The Lord.

We had been rehearsing the music for weeks and now was the time to perform.  We left at 4 p.m. with Sister Smith and the Mulholland's going with us.  The choir members met in the Primary room for a run through and then it was time.  I started prelude music 15 minutes before it started and the choir was seated on the stand.  People began to fill the chapel and it was quiet.  Dad thought we were in the winter visitor branch.  There were black badge missionary temple workers, missionary temple workers, periodic temple workers, people from the recorder's office, engineers, security, gardeners, kitchen and laundry staff, accommodation/reception staff, and custodians.

The program proceeded as follows:

Opening Hymn:  Oh, Holy Words of Truth and Love

Invocation:

President Stuart Crossland

Sister Jan Crossland

Musical Item:  Let Us Oft Speak Kind Words

Sister Lyn Irwin

President David Irwin

Intermediate Hymn:  How Beautiful They Temples, Lord

Sister Pamela Johnson, Temple Matron

Musical Item:  Quartet:  The Lord Is My Shepherd

President Kenneth Johnson, Temple President

Closing Hymn:  Lord, I Would Follow Thee

The talks were inspirational and motivating to be more attentive to our duties in the temple and to function in a spirit of reverence and respect.  The patron is to be the center in all we do that their experience may be one of joy and gladness.  Sister Mulholland directed the choir and they did an outstanding job.  She also conducted the congregation.  The quartet was made up of her, Sister Smith, Brother Craggs, and Brother Mulholland, and they did a wonderful job.

President Crossland:  The temple is high profile for the church.  It is the highest level of worship we as members can participate in and is seen and visited by the community.  It requires all who work therein and on the outside to perform at their highest level that the temple may always be in keeping with what the Lord would expect.

Sister Crossland:  She related our focus on the temple to the time of King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon, when the members came as families and erected their tents with the door facing the temple.  Are we facing the temple and are we focused on the saving ordinances therein, or do our minds wonder.   She challenged us to be attentive when watching/listening to General Conference in two weeks.  When we view it with interest and thought, the spirit has the opportunity to impress us to make changes where changes are needed.

Sister Irwin:  Serving in the temple can bring change to our lives, especially if we have come for long periods of time.  Just as Brigham Young and Heber C Kimball left families and the cares of the world to come to England on missions, so do we leave families and cares of the world behind to come serve in the temple.  President Utchdorf has said that when serving as we are, is a sacred time of change.  We are to do our part that each patron experience in the temple is sacred and holy in their lives.

President Irwin:  In Plymouth, there are steps where the pilgrims set sail on the Mayflower in 1620.  They were headed into a new adventure, seeking a better way.  As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are seeking a better way as we come to serve in the temple.  As a young boy attending school, each morning we sang a song to begin our day of studies.

To Be A Pilgrim

He who would valiant be

'Gainst all disaster

Let him in constancy

Follow the Master.

There's no discouragement

Shall make him once relent

His first avowed intent

To be a pilgrim.

To be a pilgrim, valiant, would be as Nephi said: to "...press forward with a steadfastness in Christ..."  Endure to the end by being a strength to others.  Our determination to follow the Master requires our obedience to his ordinances as stated in D&C 52:15-16:  "Wherefore he that prayeth, whose spirit is contrite, the same is accepted of me if he obey mine ordinances.  He that speaketh, whose spirit is contrite, whose language is meek and edifieth, the same is of God if he obey mine ordinances."  Elder Holland says obedience is the first law of everything.  We can cleanse the inner vessel by eliminating pride.

We need not allow the adversary to cause us to be discouraged.  We can change our attitude and serving in the temple is the perfect antidote to discouragement.

Sister Johnson:  The temple is holy.  It is where the blessings are.  How do I enter the temple?  Psalm 24:3-5:  "Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord?  or who shall stand in his holy place?  He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, note sworn deceitfully.  He shall receive the blessing from the Lord..."

She said that as a child, even before the London temple was dedicated, her parents taught her and her siblings the following hymn and to live worthy to marry in the temple one day:

The hymn if from the 1908 hymnal Songs of Zion, by George Manwaring.

In the dedicatory prayer of the rededication of the London Temple, President Hinckley asked that those who work in this holy house will always speak and act with reverence.  Sister Johnson attended both the first dedication in 1958 and the rededication in 1992.

President Johnson:  Service is the key to happiness, as it was with Ammon in his missionary work:  "Now the joy of Ammon was so great even that he was full; yea, he was swallowed up in the joy of his God...."  (Alma 27:17)  

He told the story of a man and his companion who had to hike across the mountains of Tibet.  The weather was very cold, windy, and deep in snow.  Slowly they began their journey and as the hours passed, it became evident they would have to keep moving to keep from collapsing and freezing to death.  The air was so cold it burned their lungs as they breather it in.  They came upon a figure in the snow and as they neared it they could tell it was a man.  They checked for a pulse and he was alive.  The first man lifted him up and placed him upon his back and continued their journey.  His companion chided him for picking up the man as it would take all of his energy to just get himself down the mountain.  On they trudged and soon the companion said he was going on ahead and get to warmth and comfort as soon as he could.

The man continued his journey, slowly taking one step after another until he could see the village in sight and knew he was almost there.  Before he knew it though, there was another figure face down in the snow.  He stopped to check for a pulse and when he rolled the body over, he saw it was him companion and he was dead.  His heart was broken as he stared into the cold motionless face of his dear friend.

The man continued on the path and arrived in the village safe and the injured man received care and recovered.  The man had been saved by serving another.  The warmth of the two bodies together kept them warm and provided the energy needed to complete the task.

So it is with us - when we are serving others we will have the strength to complete the task.  Service is where we find true joy, lasting joy, and enduring joy.

Our neighbors, the Rogers.

President & Sister Johnson.  The note came with Cadbury chocolate!  Yum!

The Rest of Break, 12 -16 March 2015

We enjoyed another delicious breakfast, this time with an older English couple who had come in last night.  Their daughter just moved to the village and they are here to visit.  They were delightful in conversation and sharing what they know about the area.

We packed up and decided we would head home.  We were going to stop at the Goodrich castle, but it was closed until the first of April.  The journey was safe.  We unpacked and followed up on plans for our lesson on Sunday.  The lesson is on prayer, so we want to give the children prayer rocks.  There are none here at the temple and if there are some along the roads, well you can't stop to pick them up.  We went to Haskins.  They have them in large bags and we only need ten.  Dad called Steve Vowels and he said he could get us some.

Friday was busy with errands.  I had a chiropractor appointment, we picked up clothes from the cleaners and meds from Boots.  We went to Crawley to go to the walk in clinic so I could be seen.  I was treated for thrush and we went to Burger King for lunch.  Look what we found!

Yes! Free refills with all the ice you want!

We went to the craft store for fabric for Carter's two year old quilt and stopped at Sainsburys for groceries.  It was 4 p.m. by the time we had gotten home.  Our few errands turned into all day.

We went to the Vowels for dinner and to pick up the cobbles, as they call them.  Steve's friend works by the beach and today he picked some up for us.  We had bangers (sausage) and mash (mashed potatoes) for dinner along with carrots and peas.  Our plates were served and waiting for us when we arrived.  All the children were at their places.  We enjoyed the meal and then ended it with a dessert of ginger cake and custard.  Adam is learning the piano and performed for us.  We enjoyed visiting with one another and saying hi to JJ and Mark who are both in our class.

We were back off to Crawley on Saturday morning as Dad took the theory part of the driving test.  It was to last an hour, but he was quick, remembered what he had studied, and was finished before the time was up and, he passed!  Now to schedule the driving part of the test with an instructor in the car.

While he was taking the test, I was shopping at the mall.  At home, we did laundry and prepared for the lesson tomorrow.  We went to movie night and watched "The Life of Pi."  We learned that today is Pi day, and this year it is special because it falls on 3.1415.  The one that beats this one is 3.141592.  We didn't know there was such a thing as "Pi" day, but our primary class did!  We enjoyed a phone conversation with Jeanna.

We did not pick up Natalie for church on Sunday as she was resting from a procedure she had done on her back on Friday.  Brother and Sister Mulholland and Sister Smith rode with us to church.   Today is Mother's Day in England and the sacrament meeting talks centered on mothers.  There was no mention of all women being mothers in some way or another, just stories about mothers that made a difference in someone's life.  I played for the primary to sing a song for the mothers and then the children passed out these cards they made on Saturday:

Our lesson went well and the children enjoyed playing prayer language bingo and the prayer rocks we had for them.  They were more excited than usual and I figured it out that it was because of the holiday.    Ella Hunt was the youth speaker for sacrament meeting and she gave a wonderful talk about her mother and all that she does for her and what she teaches her.  She said that at times she tells her things she doesn't agree with but she knows it is best.  I commented on what she said in class and she replied:  "My Dad had me put that in.  He practically wrote my talk."

New converts from Brighton presented the fireside at the Visitors Centre.  Toeson and Jessie, both at university, were the speakers and were brilliant in sharing their testimonies.  Jessie talked about how the atonement has helped her.  She said that while growing up she was always mean to the people who loved her because she felt that if someone loved you they would put up with you.  She was in middle school and had a very close friend.  One day in class, he said something to her that hurt her and she decided she had to have revenge.  When he was away from his desk she wrote some very bad and unkind things on his homework paper inside the folder.  Later, he read it and was shocked.  She sat there watching him and saw his expression and tears falling down his cheeks.  She could not figure out why he was crying.  He was very hurt, closed the book, and never talked to her again.  

Jessie said that she has realized her behavior then was wrong and that the atonement has helped to make right those actions and will continue to bless her life.  

Monday was busy with cleaning, errands here on the temple grounds, preparing food, wrapping presents to mail, blogging, and general stuff.  Tomorrow we are back to work and the days will not be so free.  No sun for the last four days.  I figured out to use the sun lamp and it really does make a difference for me.

Church History in Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire, 11 March 2015

We had a restful night and woke up to the smells of a warm breakfast.  Marilyn prepared Dad a full English breakfast and she made two perfectly poached eggs with white toast and milk for me.  The breakfast room was warm and friendly with a beautiful view of the garden.  In spite of winter temperatures, various plants and vines were green and in bloom.  Another traveler had come in after we had retired to our room last night and was at breakfast with us.  She is a young working lady, taking days off from work so as not to loose them.  She is newly married and has family not too far from here.  She is an actuary for a company and enjoys her work.  She was very friendly and we enjoyed conversation.  She pointed out a few places around the area we may be interested in visiting.

With coats on and the sat nav programed, we headed out on this day's adventure which would take us to places that involved Wilford Woodruff and his mission to England in 1840.

We headed off through the hedgerows.

 Across the hedgerow we spotted a dairy farm and other country homes amid the fields.

Wilford and John Taylor arrived in Liverpool,  11 January 1840, and traveled to Preston.  From there, they parted ways with Taylor going back to Liverpool and Woodruff going south into the Staffordshire area.  

Woodruff was successful in the area and within a few days had baptized a goodly number of saints.  He felt he would be staying in that area for some time and was puzzled when he got the impression he needed to move on.  William Benbow, recently baptized, suggested he come with him to his brother's home in Herefordshire.  The next day they began their journey to the home of John and Jane Benbow, at Hill Farm, near Castle Frome.

The original house at Hill Farm.  

Hill Farm is a working farm.  These sheep are in the field we walked through to the pond.

John and Jane were members of a group who had left the Primitive Methodist Church and organized their own religious group called the United Brethren.  They held their meetings in the hall on John's farm.  Wilford shared his message with John and Jane and others who had gathered to listen, and two days after he arrived, he baptized John and Jane and three of their friends in the pond on Benbow's farm.  John spent most of a day digging out the pond for the baptisms.   Nearly all of the United Brethren were baptized into the church and immigrated to America, helping build up the church the, cross the plains, and settle Salt Lake City and other areas as assigned.

We crossed a style to get to the pond.

From the pond looking back to the house.

Wilford Woodruff was at Hill Farm the early part of March.  Here we were around the same time of year standing at the pond and looking into it.  I thought about how cold it must have been and those converts willingly going in to be baptized. 

Our next stop was in Ledbury.  Ledbury was the market town for the farms and villages that surrounded it in 1840.  This became a base for the missionaries such as Brigham Young and Willard Richards who came to visit Elder Woodruff and join him in his proselytizing.  One day Elder Woodruff was visiting in Ledbury when he was approached by the minister of the Baptist Church there.  Upon receiving an invitation to preach in the chapel, Elder Woodruff did so and baptized several members of the congregation in the font within the chapel.  

I wonder what my Grandpa Croslin would think of a Baptist preacher allowing a Mormon to preach in his church?

The Baptist Church in Ledbury where Wilford Woodruff was invited to preach.  It still is a Baptist Church.

Our tummies were telling us it was lunch time, so we stopped at Tesco and bought sandwich makings and made our way on to Malvern Hills.  We parked in the car park at Herefordshire Beacon and enjoyed lunch.  The weather was overcast and light rain every now and then.  We saw people come and go off the hill and saw signs posted here and there.  We finished the meal and I got out to read the signs.  One was a warning against Sheep Worrying.  It is against the law to let your dog "worry" the sheep.  Bob saw the warden and spoke to him.  He said either trail leads to the same place and takes about an hour.  We decided to make the hike in spite of the high wind, rain, and cold temperature.  (When such choices confront us, we say:  "We better do it because we won't be back here in this life.")

We started out on the path and decided it wouldn't be so bad after all.

The path curved around out of the shelter of the side of the hill and we came to these steps.  And yes, they look like they go forever!  We could feel the wind and we pulled our collars closer.

The path continued up.

Dad decided enough was enough and he would wait for me here.  I continued to climb, bracing the wind.

Onward and upward the trail went.  There were other groups and people hiking it as well.  They passed us like a breeze and were headed down before we got to the top.

 Dad decided to come on up, and so he came.

 The view was wonderful.  We just wished it could have been a clear day.  It was not only cloudy, but there was smoke in the air from burns going on here and there.

The wind about blew us over, but we held our ground and took in the view.  It gave me the feeling of wonder and awe at God's creations.

It was atop Herefordshire Beacon that Wilford Woodruff came often to meditate and gain inspiration.  From its 340 foot advantage point, he could see the villages he had preached in, along with Hereford, Gloucester, and Worcester.   It was here where he, Brigham Young, and Willard Richards were inspired to complete the work of getting the Book of Mormon published in England, and to publish a hymnal for the British Saints.  Wilford also came to this spot on his own to meditate and seek inspiration.

We were careful on our way down the trail as it was a bit steep in some places and we did not want to slip or fall.  When we got to the bottom, one of the groups that had started up after us and were already back down, gave us a cheer that we had made it.  That was a neat feeling as I realized Dad and I were the oldest ones on the hill for the afternoon and we did what the young'ns did!

We were both very happy to be back to the car.  We turned the heater on and relished in its warmth.  We continued our journey on to Gadfield Elm.  The United Brethren owned forty-five homes licensed for preaching but only one chapel, at Gadfield Elm, to which John Benbow held title.  When nearly the entire membership of the United Brethren were converted to the LDS Church, Brother Benbow gave the title to Elder Woodruff, making this chapel the first LDS chapel owned by the Church in the British Isles, and the oldest LDS meetinghouse still standing anywhere in the world.

The lizard and I at Gadfield Elm Chapel.

When Brigham Young visited Wilford Woodruff, a special conference was held in the chapel at which time twelve branches of the Church were organized from former units of the United Brethren.

 Beautiful flowers were in bloom around the church.

 There was no one at the chapel when we arrived.  We called the available phone number and the brother gave instructions for using the code to get into the chapel.  We did and were successful in entering.  I opened a Book of Mormon on the lectern and Dad caught the photo.

The day was moving on and Dad wanted to make one more stop before heading back to the room.  We went to the town of Worcester and toured Worcester Cathedral.

Wilford was so impressed with Worcester Cathedral that he and Brigham both toured the building and attended an afternoon service here.  Brigham was captivated by the architecture of this and other British buildings, and years later sent the Salt Lake Temple architect, Truman Angell, on a mission to England to study these find buildings.

Worcester Cathedral is an English medieval cathedral and building was begun by King John in 1084. 

Wilford recorded the following about their visit here:  "We visited the ancient noted splendor of the Worcester Cathedral which surpasses anything for splendor and architecture mine eyes ever beheld....Almost everything about this cathedral from top to bottom is carried out in solid marble...The whole concept is superior to the architecture of the present generation."

 Ceiling

Norman Crypt

Baptismal Font.

The day was coning to an end so we made our way back to the car and then on to our room.  We were wanting more than a sandwich for supper so we checked out the towns we traveled through.  When we thought all was lost, we came upon Beefeater by a hotel at a round about.  We went around and  back the way we came to get to it.  We were pleasantly surprised as it was set up like an American restaurant.  It was busy as well which was an indication the food was good.  We were seated and we placed our order.  Dad enjoyed a steak and I had a jacket potato.

We made our way on back to the room and enjoyed a quiet evening of resting and planning for the next day.

The Weekend & A Trip, 7 - 10 March 2015

We enjoyed Saturday with the sun shining and temperatures around 15ºC.  A sweater was all that was needed and we had windows open some to clear out the old air and we even turned the heater down a notch.  At home, we did laundry, blogging, and preparing the primary lesson.

Sister Hale and Sister Smith joined us in a trip to Staples to make copies for the class.  They visited other stores in the strip mall and then we took them to a cash point.  They were excited to get out for a little while.  Sister Hale’s knee continues to recover and she is very happy about that.  I went over to practice the piano and Sister Crocker came by for a visit.

Sunday was busy with taking Sister Freeman and Sister Hale to church and picking up Natalie.  After meetings, Dad took Natalie home and then the other two to the bus stop.  They were going to Brighton on holiday.  I rehearsed music with others at the church while he made the run.  It was ward conference and the music and talks were wonderful with the Bishop and the Stake President speaking.  Bishop Graham challenged us to do three things in supporting the stake goals:  1 - bring a friend, 2 - be self reliant, both temporally and spiritually, 3 - find a name to take to the temple.  We can support one another as we focus on these goals and then do as John instructed the apostles when they wondered where Jesus was - Come and See - that is the first step.

President Frost reminded us of the stake goals that come from the word, rejoice.  "Rejoice and be filled with love towards God and all men."  We can do this by taking the letters in rejoice, and use them as reminders of our commitment to keeping the commandments.  R-rely on Jesus Christ.  E-Energetically serve.  J-Just love all people.  O-Ordinance focused.  I-Invite others.  C-Complete self reliance, both spiritually and temporally.  E-Enjoy the journey!  He told the story of Paratrooper Joshua Leakey who is England's first living person to receive the Victorian Cross, the nation's highest decoration for valour.

In Afghanstan, August 2013, Leakey's patrol of British soldiers and US Marines was attacked by the Taliban south of Nawzad.  Their position was highly compromised and the enemy had the advantage.  In the ensuing firefight Leakey manned a machine-gun with insurgent bullets ricocheting off its frame.   A wounded US captain, who was shot in the shoulder, was down just beyond their position.  Leakey made more than one trip out to offer first aid and continued to fire the machine-gun in defending the patrol's position.  When he was presented the cross it was noted:  "He epitomised valour with his actions on that hillside in Helmand."

President Frost said this is how we as disciples of Jesus Christ should be - focused on our mission and render any service that may be required.  His prescribed formula is like a prescription and when we use it, it will bring relief and healing.  When we trust in the Lord we can do all things.

Our class went well with the topic being The Sermon On The Mount, with emphasis on The Beatitudes.  The handouts worked well and we began with the Bible video of the same.  We are spending time in the scriptures and helping the children learn how to use them and follow the footnotes.  They come up with good questions and we find the answers in the scriptures.

When we got home from church, I noticed my stomach was hurting and I thought it was just from being hungry, but even after dinner it continued to get worse.  Dad planned out a trip we would take on Tuesday and we both felt confident I would be well by then.  I was not good on Monday either.  Dad took laundry to the cleaners, renewed a prescription, and bought cream of asparagus soup and bananas for me.

Tuesday came and I was still not well.  We picked up some meds, went to my chiropractor appointment, came home and packed, and headed out.  I loaded up with things that would make the trip easier for me.  We stopped at rest services quite often, which made the travel easier.and that kept things in control somewhat.  I read the Ensign while traveling, which kept my mind off the discomfort.

Our destination was church history sites in Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, and Worcestershire counties.  The sat nav lost its gps signal for some time and we needed to know which way to go on the upcoming rotary.  We got Dad's phone out and typed in the post code and it took over.  Just about that time, the sat nav started talking to us as well and they were giving different directions.  Dad decided to rely on the phone and before we knew it, we were crossing the Severn, entering into Chepstow, Wales.

 Ready to pay the toll.

 Looking East.

 Looking west.

 Straight ahead.

The country roads curved and turned, went in and out, and with all of that, we came upon this bridge. We continued driving and before we new it again, we were back in England!  We were having quite the adventure.  We weren't counting on a drive in Wales, but that is what we got.

 The closer we got to our destination, the narrower the roads became until we were reduced to one lane with hedgerows on either side.  There were places here and there where cars had scrunched to the side for another car to pass.  We caught on quickly that when you see an advancing car, you pull over in the next available "scrunch" space for them to pass.  And, you always wave to each other as a thank you.

It wasn't much longer until we arrived at Thatch Close Bed and Breakfast, around 3:30 p.m.  It was a bit of a jig to find it.  The room was nice and cozy with a good sized bathroom.  The view is lovely out over the rolling hills.  Marilyn showed us in and gave instructions for breakfast, etc.  She loaned us some maps to plan our day for tomorrow.

I really wasn't expecting a pink building as we hardly see color here.  Made me think of Mexico.

 The buildings date to the 1700's, but not the color.

Edward and the dogs.  The dogs came in and out and were pretty much considered family, even at breakfast time.

Our view over the countryside.

 Along the hedgerow was this opening.  I was curious as to where it went and found it led to a gate that opened into a field.  It was pretty cool walking through it.

 We unpacked, took a break, and then were off in search in dinner.  We found a place but it did not open for 45 more minutes.  We turned around and went the other way and drove into Ross-on-Wye.  We found an Aldi grocery store where I bought roast chicken, rolls, milk, and cookies.  Dad got a sandwich at a convenience store and with his soda in the car, we had dinner..  We went back to our room and the evening was quiet.  I did family history and Dad planned the next day's outing.  Before we went to bed, we surprised Jason with a birthday call.