This is just plain ridiculous. I’m beginning to wonder if we are going to float away or become water-logged swamp rats. Where does all this water come from? In our lives, it has been common for us to pray for rain or more snow, but we’ve got a whole other problem here. Right now, it is past my bedtime and I can’t sleep because the wind and the RAIN won’t stop. From what we hear from the local Saints, January of 2014 has officially broken all and any records in the history of England for the amount of rainfall that has taken place. We are the Baptistry Coordinators tomorrow and I’m pretty sure that the temple basement will be flooded---again. I’ve lost count of how many times we have experienced flooding in the temple and in the Accommodation Centre. I just checked my toes to see if they are starting to web. Duck Dynasty here we come.
-Next Day-
Yup, the women’s dressing room in the Baptistry was flooded and unusable. We had to use the children’s nursery room for their dressing room. No mirrors, toilets, or hair dryers etc. The patrons still came, but not at the time they were scheduled, they came in a stream. It was like being in Victoria Station (Jill and Steven Lancaster know what that is like). Both Niel and I ran around in circles the whole time. It was a mess in some ways, but, you know what, we got it done. Everyone who came to be baptized and confirmed were able to do it. Then---we staggered to our apartment!
However, tomorrow will come and we will persevere. All will be well. Even if the temple is flooded, I couldn’t think of a better place to be. Have we told you lately how blessed and happy we are to serve the Lord’s House? Every day, we drag ourselves out of bed, straighten out all the creaks and bends, stagger into the bathroom, where the mirror does absolutely nothing for our morale and hopes, fumble to put on clothes, eat the same porridge, and reel to and fro as we descend three flights of stairs, put up an already water-soaked brolly (umbrella) and shuffle into the temple. And then the miracle happens. We become as good as new, ready to work and serve and so very happy to be there. With God, everything is possible!
Niel has been taking fly-fishing classes during the last week. One of our temple co-workers is an expert fly fisherman and guide. (See http://breakingrods.blogspot.co.uk )He has very generously offered to help anyone who might be interested. Niel is hoping to do a little fishing, here, from time to time and a whole lot when he gets back home. Fishing in the UK is rather expensive. You are always fishing on privately owned land and can expect to pay L25 to L50 pounds ($40 to $80) for the privilege. There is also a fee for each fish caught. You cannot catch and release these Rainbow Trout. Against the rules for some reason. These would be trout ponds or streams. Carp, Catfish and other non-edible fish are found in public ponds and I don’t know if there is a fee to fish. But of course I would rather fly fish while I’m here.
On our days off we look for little charity shops on the high streets of small villages. People and estates clean out their “stuff” and give it to these shops. We have found beautiful furniture, display cabinets, tables and chairs, paintings, jewelry, books, crystal and clothing. Some of the stuff is to die for it is in such good shape, fashionable and very well built. Well worth the asking price and I have even made 50% offers on some paintings which they have accepted to my surprise. No, I (Niel) didn’t purchase because we have no way to bring it home. Good thing I guess.
By the way, Niel takes the UK driving theory test on February 12th. He is confident he will pass. Then comes the driving test. His driving skills have improved tremendously. We need to be legal by the time we have been here for one year. If not, we will be in violation and could end up in the local constable’s office.
I have been working on a crocheted alter cloth for the temple. It’s something I have wanted to do for a long time. I’m about ¾ done. It’s a pattern that I down-loaded from the internet and figured out. I’ve looked and tried a lot of other patterns, but always had trouble interpreting the directions etc. This one worked great for me.
On Monday, (P Day) we ventured to a town called Horsham. It is one of the few villages in England to retain its Saxon name. (410AD to 1066AD – following Roman Rule) It is close by so it wasn’t a long journey. The town was a wonderful surprise. It was quaint and different, with lots of darling shops and quite a few charity stores to peruse in. We had a very expensive (but not too good) Italian lunch and wandered around until the cold wind drove us back to the car and home. Now is the time to vacuum, mop and do the ironing, for tomorrow is the start of another week in the temple. Next Sunday, Niel and I will be speaking in the Crawley Ward. We are speaking on the Godhead. I’m speaking on the role of Jesus Christ and Niel is speaking on the role of Heavenly Father in the Godhead. Wish us luck.
We enjoy seeing your posts on face-book, etc. and would love to receive e-mails when you can jnielstrong@gmail.com Let me end by saying we are doing well. Our aches and pains are manageable and not keeping us from serving faithfully.
Love to all, Carolee and Niel aka Granny and Grumpa
p.s. Here is a great quote I heard this week: “God whispers to us in our pleasure: speaks to us in our conscience; and shouts to us in our pain. It is His megaphone to arouse a deaf world.” C S Lewis
This is a painting that hangs in the Accomodation Centre.
It is by a friend and client, David Lindsley
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