Second Week - January 13th to the 20th 2020

This was our second week serving in the London Temple and we worked the morning shift everyday. We have continued our training but for the most part basic training is over and we are on our own. They will now start training us to coordinate different areas of  the Temple. We will do baptistery all next week.

We spent Monday getting more driving experience by going to register at the “surgery” or doctor’s office in Lingfield and then for groceries in East Grinstead. We had a fun Family Home Evening with members of our shift in the common room across the hall from us.

We left the Temple early on Tuesday, literally in hurricane like conditions, to take our car for a required inspection called an MOT. We made it there to find that they had cancelled our appointment because we had not prepaid online. Out into the darkness and storm again and a very kindly gentleman in a very run down MOT garage agreed to fit us in. He returned with the sad news that our left front tire did not pass inspection and needed to be replaced. Out into the storm once again to locate a tire shop before closing. Found one shop that would do it and once done, we then raced back to our little fellow to pass our MOT inspection and  be given our certificate. Exhausted and just happy to get home safely that night. The Temple grounds had branches down and part of one big tree down the next day as a result of the storm.

After our adventure on Tuesday evening we were given a lovely dinner, hosted by the Brother and Sister Day, who live across the hall from us and are white badge missionaries. They also invited Brother and Sister MacFarlane and Sister Beck. They served us a feast produced in one of our tiny kitchens - a miracle beyond our current abilities. The white badge missionaries are remarkable and work extremely hard. The Days return home on the weekends to care for her aging mother and serve in their callings as Stake Relief Society president and Stake Executive secretary. We are continually impressed by the dedication of these English members and impressed with their devotion to the gospel.

On Sunday, we ventured to drive to our assigned ward, Tumbridge Wells, with the Muellers in the car directing us. It is about a 45 minute drive and we even drove on the Motorway or Freeway, as we would say. The ward and the chapel are both very small but again we were impressed with the members and their devotion to the gospel. We stayed, afterward,  for the baptism of Elise Hogg, a little girl in the ward. The baptismal service was very nice and they served everyone a lovely lunch afterward.

Sunday evening we had a “Hi/Bye” meeting with all the missionaries where new missionaries tell about themselves and missionaries that are returning home say goodbye. It was a very special meeting and you could feel the spirit and power of both these fifty some odd missionaries and the Temple presidency.

Sellars, Sandy Beck, Kerry Farr, Karen Larson, Us, Carol and Clive Sharland

Today we took the train into London with the Davenports, our coordinators, and had a lovely day exploring that wonderful city. The architecture and the history so beautifully cared for are remarkable. We visited Hyde Park Chapel, Hyde Park, Kensington Palace, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. What a wonderful day spent with wonderful guides.

London Telephone Booth

Gates of Kensington Palace

Each day provides us with something new to learn, experience and see. We feel very blessed.