Being Welcomed

July 21, 2013

(Niel) We have now served in the temple for a little over a month. It has been a most rewarding experience and we have been welcomed by our fellow temple workers. Each shift has approximately seven or eight full time couples who work every day including couples from America, India, England, Wales and Ireland and one couple from Canada. In addition, there are other English workers who rotate in their service. They come to serve for a week every other month or some other schedule they have worked out with the temple recorder. So we see a lot of new faces and just as we get to know them, they are gone and will not return for a month or two. Quite a schedule to keep up with, especially when they cannot make it because of health or family issues. But the full time temple workers take it in stride and all goes well if everyone is willing to “bend” a little and not be irritated at last minute changes. (Or should I say last second changes)

My knee continues to gain strength and stability. I am riding a stationary bike every day which has helped build the thigh muscles. 

My companion (Cal Christensen) and I ran into this old windmill 
47 years ago while riding our bikes from Redhill to the London 
Temple. Looks like the years have taken a toll. 
Two of the four blades are almost gone. 

Outwood Antique Windmill

(Carolee) Last Saturday, which was an extremely busy day, I happened to meet several patrons, who were attending the temple. I was introduced to the first sister, a sister from Trinidad. Well, I immediately thought of Mike and Karma Farrer. They served in the West Indies and were located in Trinidad at one time. I asked her if she knew Elder and Sister Farrer and she said that she knew them well. Bro. Farrer had even given her and her husband Patriarchal Blessings.  She said her last name was Mason (she said like the bricks). Her husband was the branch president and they have ten children. She was a very beautiful lady and very gracious. A little later, three patrons came through a certain area of the temple. They really stood out, being tall, blond and gorgeous. When we were doing our laundry later that night, I ran into them again because they were staying in the accommodation center right across the hall from us. They introduced themselves to us and said they were from Zimbabwe. Then, I thought of Tafton Weight, Tad and Tylynn Weight’s son who serve on a mission there. They were very familiar with him also. The one who knew him best’s name was Reeve.  It turns out that they are professional golfers. A couple of years ago, when Tylynn Weight was our Relief Society President, we all helped to contribute to a humanitarian project, wherein we filled a large shipping container with goods etc to send to Zimbabwe. These girls got their golf sponsor, a large shipping company, to ship these containers for free if we could fill them.  So there you go, it is truly a small world. (I am sick that I didn’t get to take their pictures, tho.) They were here to play in a golf tournament on Monday. 

Ironmongery (or Hardware as we know it) Isle at Home Depot

Brad and Lezlee and their family have moved into our home. We hope they can feel at home while they are there. Their home closes on July 24^th. We are hoping Brad can find an opportunity to stay in Utah to practice dentistry. It would require some hard work and financial sacrifice but at least he would be close to family, friends and BYU Sports. 

It has been very hot here. Even up into the 90’s. This is not the England I remember. We have not had a good rain storm since we arrived. And the Temple lawn and landscape is very dry and turning brown. The English say it is not normal but they seem to enjoy the sunshine.

We love you all and hope you will stay in touch with us by email. See the email link at the right side of the blog.

Much love and appreciation

Mom and Dad - Elder and Sister Strong