Lessons Learned

25 June 2017

Well . . . if you’re still reading my emails, thank you! Thanks for putting up with me and the difficult, funny, challenging, fun, amazing, boring things I write about. If you’ve ever had enough, just cry UNCLE and I’ll understand and take you off the mailing list. I’ll be the easiest JUNK MAIL you’ve ever stopped. But, will you still write me? Because I sure look forward to every email. Last week was a good week! I heard from many. It makes for happy happy days.

So I learned a BIG lesson on Tuesday . . . the hard way! Malcolm had drafted a letter for one of the Area Seventy’s here (Mormon jargon for a higher-up person in the church) to a member of Parliament who had chosen to resign, and asked me to print it on letterhead, sign it electronically, and ‘post’ it so
that it went out that same day. No problem. I do this quite often. I noticed that there was something missing on the letter but as I am still learning ‘the British way’ of doing things, I assumed it was the way it was suppose to be. Malcolm must have realized it too and emailed me about it that evening and asked me if I had caught it before mailing it out. You know that sick feeling you get in your stomach when something is wrong? I had that. The thought crossed my mind that I could tell him yes I caught it and he would never know, because I hadn’t sent him or the Area Seventy a copy yet. But then, Elder Christofferson’s talk came to mind and the quote from last week:

“Putting one’s integrity on hold, even for seemingly small acts in seemingly small matters, places one in danger of losing the benefit and protection of conscience altogether.”

So I emailed him back and told him the truth. “Yes, I saw it, but no, I didn’t fix it. And I am so sorry.” I told him he should fire me. I was so mad at myself and sick to my stomach. I’m really good at beating myself up when I make stupid mistakes. I took a good beating. Malcolm didn’t answer back, so the beating continued. Finally, he emailed me back (probably was eating dinner during that time) and took the blame and told me we could fix it tomorrow—no worries. I felt better, but still so upset that I didn’t listen to that thought that says, “that doesn’t look right.” Next time you bet I will.

I had a difficult time falling asleep that night, and for some reason I began thinking about all of you and who I hadn’t heard from for a while. I am forever wondering about what is going on in your lives and how you are doing. Remember my friend Liz who let me know not long after we came on our mission that her mom had passed away -- my second mom as a young child? My thoughts went to Liz, and that I hadn’t heard from her since then, and I hoped she was ok, and I’ll bet her mom’s funeral was really good, and I sure wish I could have been there . . .

The next morning at work I’m still feeling bad. The mail for the day comes early, and we had two pieces of mail addressed to us personally. The first was from my sweet cousin who regularly sends me thoughts or quotes from things she has been reading along with a heartwarming note that always makes me feel good. And the second piece of mail . . .wait for it . . .was from Liz. It included a two page hand-written letter and a CD. She made a copy of her mom’s funeral and sent it to me because “I thought you might like to listen to it if you have time” she said.

We’ve had an entire week without rain! We had two days that were close to 90 degrees, but not consecutively. One day hotter than a hot potato, and the next day nice and cool. Even I am missing a little rain because the lawn in the garden is getting very dry and things are drooping outside. Despite it all, the flowers are still beautiful, and Gordon continues to water them by hand. Tomorrow starts a forecasted week of rain, and I’m sure I’ll be wishing for the heat again. Is it the weather, or is it me that is fickle?

Thursday we met with the missionaries again and fed them lunch. This time I made pulled pork and we all had pulled-pork sandwiches. That was a nice change. Our new missionary, Sister Besendorfer, is from the Boise, ID area. She was in the MTC with Sister Crandall and knows her well. Sister Crandall (from our Kaysville Ward) went with Sister Romero to Coventry (Costco area), about 15 miles from here. She will love Sister Romero.

Yesterday was our Gadfield Elm field trip with the Ward. There were about 20 of us that went. We picnicked together, then had a meeting inside the Chapel. Gadfield Elm Chapel was the first LDS Chapel in the UK, and still is the oldest existing chapel in the world. Great men like Heber C. Kimball, Wilford Woodruff, Bruce R. McConkie, Gordon B. Hinckley, and Jeffrey R. Holland have preached from the pulpit. It is dedicated ground owned by our Church, and we enjoyed learning some of the history of it from the missionary couple there, Elder and Sister Haws. Elder and Sister Haws live here and were called on an 18 month mission to be hosts at the Gadfield Elm Chapel . . . seven years ago . . . Yikes! One interesting fact that I learned is why the chapel is out in the middle of nowhere! It’s because when the Church of the United Brethren built the chapel before most converted to the Mormon Church, they were not allowed to build a place of worship within two miles of an existing Church of England or
Catholic Church. I’m sure there still is not a chapel close by, as it is pretty isolated. It’s a beautiful area, and we felt a great spirit there. Ron also talked about some of the history of the chapel, some of the great men who had stood where he was standing, and shared some personal stories. I always love to hear him speak. He did a great job. The Sunday School President who arranged the trip send Ron this email this morning:

Elder Partridge

I appreciated hearing your testimony yesterday
The great and the good have born their testimonies in that little chapel in the middle of no where and yesterday you and your testimony was added
You are a great man with an incredible testimony thank you for sharing it with us yesterday
We are blessed to have you and your wife in our ward

Thank you
God bless you both

Sidenote: I made Corn Salsa (Texas Caviar) and took it to the picnic. You know how much a recipe makes . . .a good sized bowl! The bowl was practically licked clean by the end of the picnic. It’s fun to share my American recipes with new people.

And speaking of ingredients for recipes, I have a quiz for you. Without Google or any other source, can you guess what these items in our grocery stores are? They all have a different name in the USA:

Coriander
Courgette
Aubergine
Jelly
Swede
Rocket

It’s quite interesting to try and find all the ingredients for a recipe from home I want to make. Google is our best friend at the grocery store. Ron Googles . . .I find. We’re a good team!

This afternoon, very soon, we are on our way to Chorley for a Pageant Meeting. We will stay overnight in the Temple Accommodations and be home tomorrow morning. We are excited to see our Pageant friends, but we will miss talking to most of the family today. Thankfully we have talked with Amanda and Alisha several times this week, as Alisha has been in Utah for a visit along with a conference at BYUI. And we will talk to Zack and Hilary and their boys!

I am so thankful for my many blessings, and count you as some of the most cherished blessings we have. I’m so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who let’s me know often that He is aware of me. I’m grateful for good health and enough energy to do what we need to do to fulfill our assignments. I’m thankful for the power of prayer. I’m grateful for the many good people I rub shoulders with here that are teaching me so much by example.

Have a wonderful week, and continue to make the BEST choices, always with integrity (that’s for my children and grandchildren…the rest of you don’t have to pay attention to my preaching!)

Love to all!

PS: Here’s the answers:
Coriander - Cilantro
Courgette - Zucchini
Aubergine - Eggplant
Jelly – Jello (really it’s more like flavored gelatin squares)
Swede - Turnips
Rocket – Arugula lettuce

How did you do?