THE BEAUTIFUL COTSWOLDS

There has been a quote that keeps coming to my mind lately. I recorded it in one of my “quote” books, which I keep close by. It goes like this:

“Of the gospel, she said, ‘It has been my very breath, my mantle of protection against temptation, my consolation in sorrow, my joy and glory throughout all my days, and my hope of eternal life.’”

Ruth May Fox, who wrote the hymn “Carry On”

I hope that all who may read this will find out just how true it is, and may it be sooner than later. 

This last Monday took us on a delightful trip to a place that is one of my very favorites in all the world. The Cotswolds. We almost didn’t go, but decided to make it into a one day trip. I know that it was a difficult thing for Niel, driving around the countryside, shifting gears, squeezing by cars, trucks and huge tractors on skinny, almost two lane roads, but am I glad we did it. The weather totally cooperated. We even put the top down on the car for a while until the sun got the better of us and we needed a little A/C. 

Oh, the comforts of the 20^th and 21^st centuries. Looking through the pictures, I don’t think we took enough. Really, I could never get enough of the Cotswolds. Let me give you a little background.

“The Cotswold Hills, a 25-by-90 mile chunk of Gloucestershire, are dotted with enchanting villages. As with many fairy-tale regions of Europe, the present-day beauty of the Cotswolds’ was the result of an economic disaster. Wool was a huge industry in medieval England, and Cotswold sheep grew the best wool. Wool money built fine towns and houses. Local “wool” churches are called “cathedrals” for their scale and wealth.  With the rise of cotton and the Industrial Revolution, the woolen industry collapsed. Ba-a-ad news. 

The sheep are long gone

The wealthy Cotswold towns fell into a depressed time warp. Cotswold could come from the Saxon phrase meaning “hills of sheep’s cotes (shelter for sheep). Or it could mean shelter (cot-like cottage) on the open upland (wold).”

So, this wonderful area was pretty much abandoned and left alone for a couple of hundred years and, because no one came in and leveled everything and developed the land, it has stayed in almost pristine condition. Thankfully. 

We travelled through many of the towns, but not all of them. Sadly, we found out that one of the hamlets, called Stanway, has a fine Jacobean house, and with mason work done by a fellow whose name was Timothy Strong. He also worked with Sir Christopher Wren on St. Paul’s Cathedral. Sorry we missed it. Names of the towns are indeed intriguing: Stow-on-the-Wold, Moreton-in-Marsh, Chipping Campden (our favorite), Snowshill, Bourton-on-the-Water, and Bibury (pronounced: ByBree). You ought to see my spell check, it is going crazy. 

Bibury

Bibury Bridge

Bibury Fishery

Bibury Weavers Cottages

Chipping Campden

Cotswold Hills in Chipping Campden

Thatched roof in Chipping Campden

Quaint Hamlet

Grandpa in Stow on the wold

Interesting doors!

Beautiful laces in Stow on the wold

Mom looking for laces in Stow on the wold. If it's there, she'll find it!

Sister missionaries among the hydrangeas and hollyhocks

Mom at Stow on the Wold

Coming back to the temple was an adventure too because for some reason our “sat nav” or TomTom decided to take us on every back road in the south of England. And all along we were paralleling the big motor ways. (M4, M25 etc.) We were rewarded with beautiful scenery on our journey home.

Fields of lavender in the country side

Beautiful countryside

This week at the temple, we are training a wonderful couple to be coordinators in a part of the temple where they were very desirous to serve. We were surprised they asked for the assignment. They are very quiet people, she is almost shy, but she said she was willing to do this and it would make their temple mission complete. They are originally from India, Punjab. She has over-come a lot of trials to come on this mission and has worked extremely hard to learn everything. She had to quit school at 14 to be wed in an arranged marriage, so, her schooling wasn’t great. Overcoming simple things in their culture like women always looking down while they speak with others, or a women never turning her back on a man are some of the cultural changes they have dealt with, especially Purkosho. Somewhere along the way, they were introduced to the gospel which rang a bell with Yaqub because he was familiar with a similar Christian culture in India. (I think we have mentioned them in our blog previously, with a picture.) Their names are Yaqub and Purkasho Masih (pronounced Jacob & Purkasho Massey). We were a bit apprehensive at first, but it looks like they are going to do a fine job. Happy day!  

We have lost another couple who have finished their mission. Mack and Janet Christensen will be sorely missed. 

However, another couple has been assigned to our shift. The Vowels. They are from Crawley (which is close-by) and will be serving for 2 years. He has been a sealer and she, an occasional worker, and they served as shift coordinators in the past so they come with a lot of experience. 

The weather had been brutal. The temp isn’t too bad, but the humidity is killing us. The new “climate control” system in the temple has gone bust and we are feeling the effects of it. I wish I had brought only cotton clothing because it helps with the humidity. Also, every time I think about wearing my corduroy pants or denim jeans, I start to sweat, I mean perspire. We are looking forward to August and less humidity.

To end with, there are many things that have kept us going on this mission. The example we want to set for our children, the blessings which have come to our family because we are here, perseverance, love, and gratitude, even Do Terra oils, but the most important thing has to do with the quote above. 

I testify that it is true.  

Love to all, 

Grumpa aka. Niel and Gran aka. Carolee