Hampton Court

Another Monday has come and gone. I went on another van trip with some of the other sister temple workers and Niel went----you guessed it---fishing. We both enjoyed what we did, though.  I can’t get over all the history in this country. Everywhere one looks there are buildings, parks, monuments, estates, palaces, and castles. They all have a story to tell and it’s all a part of this country’s history.

This trip took us to Hampton Court. It is located near London, right on the Thames. (Pronounced "Tems.") The place is more than huge. Several wings and extensions have been added by a succession of Kings and Queens. Henry VIII lived here with two or three of his wives. William and Mary, several King Georges, and even Elisabeth I took up resident at Hampton Court.  I thought that the best part of it would be the apartments and rooms, with all of their finery, etc. but visiting the many gardens was spectacular! I’m so glad I got to see them and experience the outdoors of the monarchy. Hope you enjoy the pictures.

Entering into the front of Hampton Court. It's so big!

Each room has it's own fantastic chandelier. This one is made of rock crystal

This is one of the reasons why Hampton Court was such a special place to visit.

They provided plenty of toilets for all the crowds.

The brickwork on the chimney is a treat to experience

The outside was what was really fab!!

More of the outside...lots of school children.

Okay, here's a picture of me...

More of the beautiful gardens

We are starting to see a little color in the trees. The weather has been wonderful, too. I keep thinking that it will soon be the rainy season and we will have to try to enjoy the rain. (Is that possible?) It is getting cooler at night. I even got out my winter jammies last night. My body is getting to be so very arthritic that I find it best to keep warm and not let the cold get to my bones. 

We are still teaching Primary. Niel thinks it’s Sunday School, so I have to remind him often that it really is Primary. Actually, this is his first experience with Primary age children and teaching them has been a great blessing for both of us. We have Ella, Myah, Jerome (investigator), Flynn, Mikey, J J, and Oliver in our class. They try to talk with American accents from time to time and it sounds horrid. (Are we really that bad?)

The temple has experienced a surge in attendance the past couple of weeks. (roughly one thousand endowments in a week) We’re not sure but think the new carpet may have influenced that a little bit. President Johnson, the temple president, is making a push for British ordinance workers with the hope the need for “black badge” temple missionaries, from around the world, will be reduced. He has received commitments from several members that will start their service shortly after we complete our mission in December of this year. We hope he is successful. We have served with many wonderful couples from this temple district including England, Wales, Ireland and France.

London Temple workers, August 2014

We are looking forward to visiting and watching General Conference with the Turner’s in Nottingham during Conference weekend. They have done so much for us. We will really miss them after we are finished here.  We hope you are all ready to listen to the Prophet and others. We surely are. It’s a great time of the year, one I really look forward to.

All is well.  

Love to all, 

Niel (Grumpa) and Carolee (Gran)

Bye

Elder and Sister Adams (West Point, Ut)--Mission Office

Elder and Sister Murdoch (Logan, Utah)--Temple missionaries