Small and Simple Miracles, Trip to Buckingham Palace, Leith Tower, and Enjoying the Temple Missionary Experience

I (Carolee) have been under the mistaken notion that I will be able to quickly recall all of the wonderful and interesting things that have happened to us during our time, here, in England. I no longer believe this, because I find that I can’t remember where I’m supposed to be and what I’m supposed to be doing ten minutes after I have looked at my rota (schedule).

I had something very interesting happen to me in the Baptistry last Friday, or was is Saturday, I can’t remember. See what I mean? I thought at the time that I would write about it in our blog. Thankfully, it somehow came back to me during the day today. I think that the Lord wanted me to remember it because He wants me to know that He is in charge and is very interested and involved in what I am doing, as He is involved in all our lives, even if we don’t realize it.

We were the Baptistry Coordinators last week. It is a busy and sometimes physically exhausting assignment. It is one that we love to do. Working with the young men and women is always a delight. They really seem to be excited to be at the temple and in the Baptistry. Some of them are regulars and really know the routine and others are there for the first time and are literally scared to death. They are frightened of what will take place, frightened of the water, and frightened of showing that fear to their peers. For many reasons there are those who come who only want to do confirmations. 

Wait a minute---I digress. Back to the interesting experience.

We had a brother patron who came with a whole stack of family file cards to do. We generally sort through them, removing those which have already had the baptisms and confirmations completed and those which are ready for sealings to be done. Every once in a while, there will be a blank card. This card will need to removed and thrown away as I sort through them. So, having completing this sorting process, I readied the cards for baptism and confirmation. 

Usually, the patron who brings cards to have ordinance work done will need to stay with us and help in one way or another and this is what this brother did. As he was standing in the baptistry, one of our workers came through, and recognized him as an old acquaintance. They visited for a while and then she asked him for his phone number. As he was looking for a pencil and paper to write it on, I gave him one of the blanks I threw away from his stack. He promptly wrote his number and address on it and handed it to this sister worker. She looked at it and remarked to me: “This isn’t a blank Sister Strong, it has someone to have their work done on the other side.”

Yup, a little miracle had happened. That card, which belonged to our patron, and which I was throwing away, did have one of his ancestors printed on the other side. If he and the sister worker hadn’t met and renewed their friendship and she hadn’t been prompted to ask for his phone number, I wouldn’t have given him that card back and his ancestor would have missed out on getting his work done.  Small miracles like that happen all the time in the temple! That is why being here and being a temple ordinance worker is so important for us. It is something I will do for the rest of my life.

A Royal Trip to a Royal Palace

Last week we had to opportunity to finally visit Buckingham Palace. It turned out to be quite a production. Bro. and Sis. Curley did all the arrangements, which proved to be extensive. They rented a coach (bus) to take us into London. There were some in our group who I’m sure would have rather taken the train in, because, with the train, it’s a straight shot. The bus had to weave in and out and around through the traffic and it took us a lot longer, but we stayed together as a group. 

Waiting for the coach (bus)

August is a month when everyone takes vacations, both in England and in Europe. The crowds were immense. We stood amongst them as we waited for the changing of the guard and didn’t hear a word of English spoken—anywhere or anytime. As for the changing of the guard, it was Monday and we saw very little as Thursday is the full guard change. But we were there, if only from across a busy road. Whilst standing and waiting, we were surprised to see a lot of people leaving their prime positions and that made it possible for us to move ourselves up to the side of the road (woohoo). It wasn’t until after the guard change was complete, that we realized the people who left had figured out that we weren’t close enough to really watch it, so they gave up and left. We, on the other hand, stood there like ninnies, expecting something to really happen. Tant pis. (Oh, well.)

The Palace

Holding back the crowds

The marching Guard

Crowd waiting for the Changing of the Guard

It was a magnificent tour. Of course we weren't allowed to take pictures, but here is what we saw inside...

Her Majesty's Throne

Dinner is served

Picture of the young Queen Elizabeth

But when we left the palace and visited the Queen’s tea gardens, we were able to see and take pictures of some breathe-taking scenery. 

  

Beautiful Palace Gardens

 Palace Garden scene

Visiting Leith Hill and Leith Tower

The following week, it was such a beautiful day on Monday, with blue skies and big billowy clouds and temperatures to die for, we decided to go and visit a spot, located close to us in Surrey County. We have to remind ourselves that time is slipping through our fingers like sand at the sea shore. So we took our day off to go the countryside and visit a place called Leith Tower.  It is located on top of a hill and is the highest point in all of southeast England, approximately 960 feet. It was built by a man by the name of Richard Hull, who, by the way, had himself buried underneath it, when he died. It all happened a long time ago, but I can’t find out when. Anyway, on a clear day, you can (almost) see forever from the tower and the hill. We could see London, and Heathrow Airport and almost to the Channel in the other direction. The walk up the gentle slope of the hill was more than beautiful. Always, when people in England go tramping around to these spots, they bring their dogs with them. We met a lot of dogs along the way. They were all very nice and friendly. We hope you enjoy some of the pictures we took. 

Walking to Leith Tower in the forest

On a clear day you can see North to London and South to the Channel

Leith Tower. Stands on the highest point in South England at approx 1,000 ft

The French from the Lille Stake are here again. The Lille Stake is the only French Stake in our temple boundary. Other French stakes are in The Hague temple district or Frankfurt temple district. Once again, no English is spoken in the hallways of the Accommodation Center. They sure are a loud and happy bunch. So, au revoir for now.

In one baptistry session, we had members from Holland, Germany, America and France. The youth we are meeting are simply outstanding. Beautiful smiles and very interested in the work they are doing. An American brother, who lives in Ireland, had brought his family for baptisms. He served his mission in France and spoke very good French. He baptized not only his own children, but all of the French youth that spoke NO English. Sometimes communication can become very difficult but somehow it gets worked out.

Enjoying the Temple Missionary Experience

Rarely does a week go by that I (Niel) don’t have an experience that I will cherish for a long time. I worked with a brother from Budapest, Hungary this week. He was in the temple for the first time. Just a wonderful humble man. One of my most enjoyable experiences in the temple is helping brethren who have come to receive their endowment. As I escort them through the various temple areas, I am preparing and teaching them basic elements of the endowment process. I left this brother from Hungary alone after completing one of the steps along his temple journey. I had given him a card in the Hungarian language so he could review what had been repeated to him in English. In solitude, he read the card. I could hear him weep, from a distance. I wept too.

It is such a wonderful experience to help young men preparing for missions or marriage come to the temple and become endowed members of the Church. Many times their eyes are big as a crown or their heart beat is almost audible. In the end they usually have a smile and a thank you for helping.

Not long ago, I helped a brother who was coming to the temple for the first time and was also going to be sealed to his wife. He was nearly eighty years old. He and his wife had been married for nearly fifty years. His wife had waited thirty years for him to join the church and become temple worthy. He had a personality to die for and I really enjoyed working with him. As he escorted his wife into an important area, preceding their temple sealing, they embraced and kissed like they probably did fifty years ago. I was deeply touched as I helped him through this process. His health was not that good. I’m hoping he can make it back to the temple a few more times before he leaves this life. 

I have been involved in every area of the temple endowment, baptistry and sealing experience many many times. This I can tell you. Attending the temple is like reading the scriptures, each time you do it, you learn something. Those who are too busy or not inclined, are missing out on some wonderful spiritual experiences. Yes, things are the same in many respects. But they are also different because we are each a different person each day of our lives. I am grateful to work in the Lord’s House each day during our mission.

BRING ON AUGUST

I’m having a much needed “pity party” this week. It’s something that I have been holding in and I need to get it out and DEAL with it, okay? I shouldn’t feel this way—but, I feel so bad that no one ever asks me to play the piano anymore.

Hey—I’ve been playing and accompanying all my life. I must have ‘turned a corner’ and it all came to an end. The temple missionary choir did use me once and that was wonderful. I did play the organ in the Crawley Ward once and that was interesting. I have been waited to play the hymns when we hold our Hi’s and Bye’s and Firesides until Janet Christensen left, then, someone else just stepped in and took over. Well, it all came to a head last night at the Hi we attended and I just kinda caved in over it all. So, right then and there, I decided to deal with it and I leaned over to my hubby and grumbled a little. Men—they have no idea what to say. He gave me the only advice he could, which wasn’t much, but I wanted someone to know how bad I felt. I mean, this has been an important part of my life. It is almost who I am—the accompanist. My self-esteem and worth are wrapped up in this, too. The only thing I could do is have a “pity party” for a while until I felt better. This morning, early, when I was doing laundry, a little voice came to me and said: “Let it go, you have done enough, let others have the opportunity.”  That’s it.  Now I’ve come to terms with it and will do something else, like crochet altar cloths for the temple. Heck, I might even TAT an altar cloth, too.

On Facebook, someone shared a photo with “When I stop struggling, I float. It is the law.” And may I add to that, my own motto: “If you can’t fight and you can’t flight, then you float.”  I have come to the conclusion that I’m at that “floating” part of my life. So I will crochet and float!

We hope you enjoyed a little bit of the Cotswold’s. I could go back there over and over. I am planning to go on the “Van trip” with others from the temple in September to Blenheim Palace. It is on the eastern edge of the Cotswold’s and a very beautiful place. It is where the Duke of Marlborough and his wife live and is the only edifice, which isn’t part of the royal family’s that is called a palace in all of England. (Niel will go fishing.) 

We have been practicing for our next musical fireside. It is coming up on August 10^th. For this performance, the temple choir is doing a “flash mob” with primary songs. Boy, will they be surprised. Niel and several of the more distinguished men in the choir are singing, In the Leafy Treetops as their part of the mob (with choreography). Something to look forward to.

This Monday took us to a place previously visited, Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters. We wanted to visit there just one last time. The past winter was particularly damaging on the southern coasts of England and these chalk cliffs were hit hard. 

Grandpa looking for rocks on the beach

You can see that some of it has sloughed off

Look, no fences! People can go right up the the edge! (this picture is from Wikipedia)

We thought it was interesting that people could walk right up to the edge of the cliff. No fences or barriers, but, as we were getting into the car to leave, we noticed this van, parked in the car park. 

Here is their effort to reduce the deaths

The suicides there have been and will be a constant problem. Good intervention is always needed.

We are looking forward to serving in the temple during August. The weather is a bit cooler and less humid. That is good for us, but things are getting quite dry outside on the grounds. We have finished training the couple from India. They are a lovely and humble couple. I have to admit that I was worried about one little thing with them. Since they are from India, they eat a lot differently than the rest of us and sometimes the smell of Indian cuisine can be a bit over-whelming. We were together for two weeks. It turned out okay. Except, one day he said he wasn’t feeling well and decided he needed to drink some celery juice. They came smelling like stalks of celery and it wasn’t from drinking the juice, it was because they decided to wash themselves with it too. We all do our own thing, huh?

Niel spent some time fly fish at a pond near Nutley. The weather early on was perfect but then it started to rain – buckets. That lasted for an hour while his group huddled in the fishing shed provided for anglers. Once the rain stopped the fishing continued, but there were no fish to be caught that day. They were obviously there, but not interested in the flies presented for their dinner. So he has a new fishing idea. Fish for Carp. There are dozens of ponds for Carp fishing here. They are big, but not much fight to them. 

Just a Thought, by Niel

In previous blogs, we have commented on the diverse countries and cultures that live in this land and attend this temple. Today I noticed a strikingly handsome young man, obviously of Indian descent, coming to the temple for the first time. He was probably born and raised in England. As people immigrate into this country, many will stay close to their families and customs, which I think is wonderful. I understand there is a Ward in London proper that is mostly Chinese. Other ward congregations are largely from Africa. Just like America, England is a melting pot but it is even more obvious because this country is so much smaller than the USA. Church leaders here come from all ethnic groups

So what is my point?  I have come to realize more than ever before, that we are all God’s children. He loves us and, through our agency, has provided us every blessing necessary for our ultimate joy.  Obviously my life, to this point, has been sheltered in many ways. 

In Alma 26:37 we read: “……we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; (or from) yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth…..”

My eyes have been opened. I am happy with my own heritage, culture and especially, my family whom I hold near and dear. I know that our Heavenly Father loves all of this children.

Looking forward to a busy week in the temple. The time is literally going too fast.

Hi to Brother and Sister Vowels, Crawley Stake

Hi to Brother and Sister Blake, Crawley Stake

Hi to Sister Clark (L) from England 

and Sister Bustamante (R) from Wales

Everyone, 

We love you.   

As always: Grumpa and Gran (Niel and Carolee)