Our Inspiring Apartment View of the Temple

This view is just as beautiful at night when the temple is eluminated

Christmas Shopping Anyone?

Actually, Christmas decorations where out in the UK since October. 

No Thanksgiving to wait for here (not that we wait in the US).

Apparently grandma nearly lost it in this Christmas store. 

You know how she loves Christmas!

Anyone in the market for a $4,500 Christmas/apple tree?

Stand in Holy Places

So sorry—a week has slipped by us and we haven’t written in our blog. Our first week back in the temple was terrific and terrifying. We did have a lot of patrons come. We were super busy and really worked at remembering everything. Both Niel and I came out of it with a few battle scars, but I think we will be able to adjust and get feeling better. The work carries us along and reminds us of the importance of doing the Lord’s work. We are getting to know and love the new Temple Presidency. They are awesome.

This last week, the spiritual thoughts in our prayer meetings have been taken from a talk by Elder Boyd K. Packer, Reverence Invites Revelation (November Ensign 1991). It was very interesting to hear the thought of our fellow workers as they referenced his talk. 

This week we are studying a talk by Elder James E. Faust, Standing in Holy Places (May Ensign 2005). When President Irwin introduced this talk, he told us of an experience he had while he was a student at BYU. He was a “theater major” and was acting in a university performance of (you’ll never guess), 

Once Upon A Mattress

This is a play-DVD that our family (and some of my grandkids) have really enjoyed over the years. So I was interested in what he had to say. The BYU cast of this play had been selected to go to Hollywood to perform it. He was acting in the role of Sextimus (the mute King) and so he had a large part to play. While in Hollywood, they were wined and dined and were able to meet many famous people. They were introduced to all the workings of Hollywood. However, on the way back to Provo, he told his roommates, who were all theater majors that he needed to sign up for some education classes because he was going to become an educator. Well, they were all shocked, as they knew he had been working for a long time on his theater degree. When they questioned him, he told them what he had really learned about theater life. He felt that behind the kind and talented people they had met, he could feel an atmosphere of evil. He had witnessed a lot of immoral behavior. He said that if it were just good versus evil, he could have withstood it. But, it really frightened him that behind the kindness of their hosts, was a deceiving evilness and he could feel himself being led carefully away by it. He recognized right then and there that this theater profession would provide little opportunity for him to be able to stand in holy places. 

The Lord truly blessed him to become an educator. He and his lovely wife just recently returned from being the Mission President in the Czech Republic. He has been leading our training these past two weeks and we enjoy and appreciate his teaching abilities and personality.

Well, this week is turkey week. I want everyone to know that, yes, I’ve made the rolls and cooked the turkeys. We are having about 50 temple ordinance workers and others come on Sunday night. In fact, we just walked in the door from the feast.

Everyone helped with the food and, boy, was it ever good. I am pleased to say that I got many complements on my rolls and honey butter. The English don’t usually have hot Parker House rolls with their meals. Their bread is quite crusty, more like baguettes. So it was a treat to give them some good ole American rolls. Cooking the turkeys was a little bit trickier. There are four ovens (or cookers) in the Accommodation Center kitchen and each one cooks differently.  We cooked two turkeys at the same temperature, 275 degrees, for the same amount of time, 7 hours, and only one got completely done to the point of collapse, like I like them to be. (We ate it anyway.) The best part was that Niel actually helped me with the food, which is totally different from me cooking and him watching football, huh?

Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Let us know how the Prime Rib turns out.  And remember,                                                                 

Giving thanks (or being grateful) makes us feel good. It helps us maintain our balance.

To all we give our love and gratitude!   

Niel and Carolee

A completed Senior Missionary goal, reading the Book of Mormon (by Elder Strong)

We often hear about the “mysteries of the gospel”. If we have not experienced a spiritual event in person, and have only been told or taught about it, it may be a “mystery” of sorts in our minds. Only through the Spirit of the Holy Ghost will our hearts be touched and its true significance be made known to us. It will then no longer be a mystery. In Matt 13: 11 we read, “It is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven”. In other words, these mysteries are ours to understand, as we take the initiative to exercise our faith, read, study and pray.

Reading and studying the Book of Mormon opens the gate of spiritual knowledge and resolves many common gospel mysteries.  Many have read the opening paragraph of this book, “I Nephi, having been born of goodly parents……” but not so many have read the final verses wherein Moroni seals up his testimony of Christ and bears testimony as to how all of us can do the same. (Moroni 10:4-5)

During our break, I read The Book of Mormon cover to cover, underlining doctrine as inspired on my iPad. I testify to any and all who may read this blog that the Book of Mormon is true. It is a witness of Christ. It resolves many of the religious mysteries that stifle those who are seeking truth and light.  It is even as a bright light in the mist of worldly evils and confusion. It testifies of the Living Christ.  It confirms there is a Plan of Salvation and that we are sons and daughters of a loving Heavenly Father. It reveals the truth of our eternal nature and existence. In it we read of the heavenly potential that lies within us to become like the Father and the Son, even glorified beings, sanctified through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. 

I say to one and all, especially my children, grandchildren and on, I know this book is true. Treasure it. Read, study and pray over it daily. You will be happier. Your marriages and families will be stronger. You will be blessed beyond measure. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

    Love Dad and Grand Dad

Spreading the Word and Honoring our Veterans

Spreading the Word (A thought from Niel)

As we have traveled about with visiting family members and fellow temple missionaries, opportunities have come to “Spread the Word”.  

For example while waiting for a Euro Rail departure, I approached an older English gentleman about the church. As usual, I inquired about his reason for being where he was at the time. He looked like a retired English Barrister. In fact, he was a retired English University Scholar who was in Paris to study Art History. Our discussion finally turned to why I was in the train station. I obviously had a foreign accent. I told him about our eighteen month mission in the London Surrey Temple. He knew very little, if anything about the church, and quickly turned the conversation to Americans coming to the aid of the Brits during the war, but I tried.

I sat by a beautiful young Japanese girl in Her Majesty’s Royal Theatre during the stage play Phantom of the Opera. She was only in the UK for a few weeks studying English. She was very receptive to the pass along card I handed her and I explained she might enjoy the church website at LDS.org or Mormon.org. Later, after I had finished my rather one sided conversation, Carolee told me she had probably not understood a word I had said. Who knows where that card will end up? I just wanted to plant that seed of opportunity with her.
While standing in line to see the Crown Jewels, I approached a mother and her two adult daughters. Found out they were from the Netherlands and in England just for a holiday. None were familiar with the church. But once again, my hope is they will refer to the pass along card and find an interest in the referenced web sites.

Opportunities are all around us to plant seeds and further the work we have been called to do. The grocery store checkout line has been a good one. Restaurants, merchants and the opportunities go on and on.

As a young missionary in England many years ago, it was a challenge for me to approach others about the gospel message we carry.  Now I find it satisfying and much easier. In fact, I have found a sense of urgency in this process of spreading the good word. One never knows what the end result will be of planting a thought from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have already missed opportunities because we forgot our pass along cards.  I pray these opportunities will continue and most of all that I will be prepared and take the opportunity to share.  We are all missionaries, Love Dad and Granddad 


Hello to all! (Another word from Carolee)

Honoring our Veterans

We are anxiously awaiting our return to temple work this Tuesday. This will truly be an interesting week. Hope we live through it. We have our assignments and are ready to fill them. 

We have experienced something, here in England, that we have never experienced before in the states. At home, we celebrate Thanksgiving through the whole month of November, but here, they have no Thanksgiving, but they honor and celebrate their veterans ALL MONTH. Everyone wears poppies, sold by veterans and many volunteers who want to contribute and help. I remember buying poppies to wear in America from the veterans and I wonder if they do it anymore. It is really a big thing here. 

In our Sacrament Meeting, last Sunday, the Crawley Ward gave a salute to the veterans. The whole meeting was impressive. 

Here is a poem, read by Sis. Alison Hunt. It touched me, because I’m a mom.

"With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children,
England mourns for her dead across the sea.
Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of spirit, 
Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal
Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres.
There is music in the midst of desolation
 And a glory that shines upon our tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
 Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
 Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. 
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them. They mingle not with laughing comrades again;
 They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
 They sleep beyond England's foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known
As the stars are known to the Night; As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust, 
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
 As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain."                                                                                                                                                                      
                                    Robert Laurence Binyon

We sang Onward Christian Soldiers, God Save the Queen and God Be With You ‘Til We Meet Again, among other hymns, some of which weren’t in our hymn book, but still, everyone knew them, even the children.  Many scriptures from the standard works were read and more poems.  

Jerusalem

And did those feet in ancient time.
 Walk upon England’s mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God,
 On England’s pleasant pastures seen?

 And did the Countenance Divine,
Shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here, 
Among these dark Satanic Mills?

 Bring me my Bow of burning gold;
 Bring me my Arrows of desire:
 Bring me my Spear: O clouds unfold!
 Bring me my Chariot of fire!

I will not cease from Mental Fight,
 Nor shall my Sword sleep in my hand:
Till we have built Jerusalem,
 In England’s green & pleasant Land
(William Blake)


(Sis. Danielle Pilgrim, a sister temple worker, told us in Relief Society that Flanders Field is located in Belgium, where she is from.) Now you know why we were poppies for Veteran’s Day.

The Sacrament Meeting finished with the bishop, who very ably brought in and taught us a gospel message. We finished with 2 full minutes of silence. It was very touching and we were honored to show our appreciation for all those who have fought for our freedoms.  I think the reason why the English are more involved with this celebration is because of the price they paid during the wars with all the bombings and destruction to their country. They experienced more than we as American can even imagine. 

Anyway, we want all of our family and loved ones to know how much has been given and sacrificed for them and their futures. That is why we need to fight for what is right and true about the country God gave to us as a chosen land, choice above all others.  


Till we meet again, yours with love: 

Mom, Carolee and Dad, Niel

Visiting with the Kids

We have been looking forward to our first visit with some of our children, no, that’s grown-up children. Steven and Jill Lancaster spent the last week with us, and it has been more than wonderful. It’s amazing just how much one can cram into a week if it needs to be done. We picked them up at the Heathrow Airport on Saturday morning. They stayed with us for the “Linger-Longer” weekend and tried to cope with a good case of jet-lag. You should have seen them at Sacrament Meeting on Sunday. They were truly glassy eyed. But, on Monday morning, despite rain and winds at hurricane speed on Sunday night, we hopped in the car and travelled up to Nottingham, pronounced Notting’m, where we visited with the Turners. The huge storm had left us without power, so it was the answer to where we needed to go first. They were gracious and generous in every way, as usual. Many thanks to them for all they have done for us too! 

"Linger-Longer"

Enjoying a real English supper at the Linger-Longer

Pictures taken on the London Temple grounds after church on Sunday

Jill and Maggie at Bella Mia's for a wonderful Italian meal

Returning on Tuesday, we prepared for a one day trip to Paris. Yes, it can be done, but you have to start at 2:30 am to catch the train to St. Pancras Station to board the Bullitt (Eurostar) train through the Chunnel and into Paris. Steven was the only one who stayed awake to experience going into the Chunnel etc. The train travels up to 200 mph in the French countryside. It was a very quick look at the scenery going into Paris. 

National Academy of Music

Beautiful Parisian archetecture

May I say that we were all very impressed with Paris. I, myself, had heard that it was a dirty old city and that the Parisians were unfriendly, but that is not what we found. It was a charming city and beautiful beyond words, the pictures don’t do it justice. If you ever visit there, be sure to buy a crepe (my mouth is watering, even now) from one of the street vendors at the beginning and another one as you leave. You won’t regret it!

This Parisian woman was probably one of the nicest people we encountered in Paris, and the crepes she made us (Nutella crepes) were DELICIOUS!!

Our first glimps of the Eiffle Tour 

Could we have picked a more beautiful day to see the Eiffle Tour? 

Happy to be together! Paris was just a "cherry on top"

Truly spectacular!

Much more beautiful than we expected!

LONG lines to go up to the top

Another spectacular sighting, L'Arc de Triumph. 

Lots of famous stores

A two story tour bus is the only way to see everything there is in one day 

(if you look up from your phone)

Eating our Croque Monsieur and Madame's in a sidewalk cafe

French Onion Soup? Yes, please!

Notre Dame. Looked for Quasimodo, but he wasn't to be found!

Both banks of the Siene

Beautiful bridge crossing the Siene

The next day, Thursday, which was Halloween, we took the train into London, but that was only when we could get Niel and Steven up and running. Honestly, they couldn’t keep up with the likes of two women who wanted to see and experience the history, beauty and shopping of London. 

Westminster Abbey

Beautiful front doors of Westminster Abbey

Big Ben

Spectacular view of some of the highlights of London

Dad and Jill riding on the Underground

And what a better way to celebrate Halloween than to see The Phantom of the Opera. WOW! We loved it. Niel and Steven were a little crunched in their seats, but it was totally worth it. 

Friday, was another day in London, seeing the Tower of London, the Crown Jewels and many of the landmarks via Big Bus. 

No photography allowed inside. 

Queen Elizabeth

St Edward's Crown

The Crown Jewels have been held in the Tower of London since 1303

The Imperial State Crown

The Sceptre Diamond (just over 530 carrots)

They've been celebrating Christmas in London for at least 2 months already now. 

Here we are by a Christmas tree at Harrod's Department store

We also visited the Victoria and Albert museum in London. What a place!! 

This photo was taken just outside of the V & A museum

V & A museum

Interesting sacrament tray

With the jaw bone of an ass

Thetis, unsuccessfully attempting to make her son Achilles immortal 

by dipping him into the river Styx 

Jill's favorite by Aimes-jules Dalou

We returned back to the temple tired and happy. Sadly, we didn’t get to see everything there was to see. That would take several weeks and a lot of driving, but we covered enough to keep us happy. I hope Jill and Steven think so too.

We are looking forward to a meeting with the new temple presidency this week. Finally, we will be able to fulfill our callings and mission. Hallelujah! We will be doing some of the cleaning up after the construction too this week. Then all will be well when November 12^th comes and we can start full-time work. We need more workers more than ever and are planning to be extremely busy. But that’s okay with us. 

To all our family and friends, have a good and safe week. 

We love you all!  

Love, Carolee, Granny and Mom

p.s. Happy Birthday and have a wonderful baptism, Autumn. We love you so much!