Week 29!

27 August 2017

Dear Family and Friends,

Twenty-nine weeks have ticked by since we went to the MTC. Twenty-nine weeks – twenty-nine letters. I’m not even sure if anyone is reading them anymore! That’s ok, it’s therapeutic for me. When I’ve had a really tough week, it forces me to count my blessings and find a silver lining.

The weather has been lovely this week, with average temperatures in the high 60’s with just enough rain in the night to keep the foliage green and beautiful. Just when I think there is a nip of fall in the air, it turns off warm again. The days are shorter, which makes sleeping a bit easier.

Kelvingrove Museum
in Glasglow

The danger of wishing people a Happy Birthday each week is that my lame brain forgets one. I can’t believe I forgot last Sunday to mention our little Quinn, turning 2 years old yesterday. We were able to FaceTime with him just after they left the Aquarium, and although he was very tired, we managed a smile or two and a few words. His speech consists of one or two word shout-outs. Yesterday we got FLIP-FLOPS and CHOCOLATE, and always, HUNTER is mentioned. Love that boy. I’m sure I’m missing someone’s Birthday this week that is not on my calendar, so I’ll just give a shout out HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you! Covered.

As we learned this week of a neighbor in Kaysville who’s daughter in-law was diagnosed with terminal cancer, a young healthy woman with three young boys, and former Centerville neighbors who were killed in that horrific boating accident in Idaho Falls, our hearts have been heavy and tears have been shed. We are reminded once again how fragile life is. I have reflected on the advice President Henry B. Eyreng’s District President gave him as a young counselor, “When you meet someone, treat them as if they were in serious trouble and you will be right more than half of the time.” So very true.

Scotland was fun! We experienced uncanny good weather, which made it even better. The Parrishes and Partridges made a pact that we would not consume any organs during the trip, so no Haggis this time.

Wonderful day in Edinburgh!

Some things you know you’ll only get to experience once in a lifetime, and Monday evening was one of those. The sole reason for going to Scotland when we did was to see The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. It did not disappoint. Held in an open area in front of the Edinburgh Castle, nearly 9,000 seats are brought in to enjoy a spectacular musical event that happens every year for three weeks. If the Scots were to host the Olympics, I picture something like this as their opening ceremony. Bands, pipers, and dancers, all decked out in their tartan kilts, skirts, capes, scarves and hats, maneuvering with the preciseness of the military, and giving us a performance complete with graphics projected on the walls of the castle, and fireworks. I loved standing with everyone as they sang “God Save the Queen”, and finishing the evening with everyone crossing their arms, holding hands with the person next to them, and shaking their hands, all while singing the old Scottish folk song, “Auld Lang Syne”. Did you know it was Scottish? I didn’t. It was spectacular, and so patriotic. There was a moment that I had to remind myself that I am not Scottish, as it felt very patriotic. Everyone felt that swelling feeling of patriotism, kindness, and brotherly love within. If you ever get the chance to go, don’t pass it up.

I am continually amazed at how our lives inner twine with past and present. Last Wednesday we had dinner with an old friend of Alisha’s from BYUI. He is British and lives about 15 miles away. Nearly twenty years ago we shared meals together around our dining table, as we did many of the kid’s friends. Any of their friends were our friends and we welcomed them in our home and were happy to share a meal. Now, the tables turn, and we are sharing a meal around his dining table in his native country. Isn’t it all so amazing! He is a physician and offered his services to us anytime if we need something. What a blessing to meet up with him again. The Lord works in mysterious ways.

Thursday we took lunch to the missionaries during their District Meeting. Again, I made Alisha’s burrito mix. This time I took more tortillas, and it’s a good thing. We needed that third package! One Elder (and I think one Sister too, only she was more discreet) ate four burritos, dessert, then one more burrito. When someone made a comment, he said, “Hey, I don’t know if I’m going to get dinner tonight!” That made me worry! We brought home an empty crockpot. #theyloveusforthefood. This week they have zone conference, so we won’t be seeing them, and next week is transfers, so who knows what will happen. So we took a picture, as Elder Holbrook (the really big eater) will be going home to Park City. Boohoo. We were just getting to know him.

Yesterday I excused Ron to go to the office while I gave the flat a good cleaning. I do appreciate his help so much, but sometimes a girl just has to clean and feel good that she knows first hand that everything is clean. It felt good. The Hyde Park London senior missionaries went on a group outing to the movie “Dunkirk” since it’s story has significance to British History. They recommended it, so after the work was done yesterday we went to the movie. When I see movies like that I am reminded how ugly war is and to never take for granted anyone who has served his or her country. I am so grateful for the freedoms we enjoy both in American and here in Great Britain.

On the way home, the Bishop texted, “We cannot find a third speaker for Sacrament Meeting tomorrow. Sister Partridge, would you mind filling in?” I wonder what it’s like to have a week’s notice to prepare a talk? “And don’t worry, we would like both of you to speak very soon as well.” Thankfully, he asked me to speak on Public Affairs, and what we do, which was fairly easy, especially since I had the experience of the Pageant at my fingertips. Word of wisdom to my aging friends: If you’re thinking of going on a mission in the future, start preparing talks now. Have a file on your smartphone that you can call upon!

Ron is a happy missionary! Last night he was able to watch the BYU football game! Technology is a great invention! Even here I am a Saturday BYU football widow and must be careful what I plan during football season on Saturdays. Fortunately or unfortunately, most games are night games which means 3am games here, so my plans will be the same each week at that time.

Our prayers are with you and for you, especially if we know you are struggling. We are praying for Alisha’s family as they wait out Hurricane Harvey. We are crossing our fingers that your power (and A/C!) stay on and the very deep water in the streets stays in the streets. We give thanks and ask blessings to those caring for my mom, our home, and all the little things that we can’t do. Our Irish friend, John Connolly, the one who once scolded me for calling his garden a yard, signs all of his emails with the quote I will leave you with this week:

“Kindness is the essence of greatness.” Joseph B. Wirthlin

Cheers!
Ron and Marie

A Wee Bit o' Scottish in the Air!

20 August 2017

Dear Family, Friends, Loved Ones!

I’m feeling the ‘sacrifice’ of serving a mission this week with so much going on at home! Birthdays, kids activities, first day of school, class reunion, solar eclipse, quilt group fun, lunches, Pickleball . . . I could go on. Don’t get me wrong! We love hearing about them . . . but we miss you all!

Happy Birthday, my dear friend Rhonda, who has taught me more than she’ll even know and has been a beacon of righteousness and virtuousness for me. I love you! Our thoughts are also with the Allen family this week as they send their third missionary to the MTC, then on to London! A difficult week for parents, yet so bittersweet. We are excited to receive him here in the UK and will do our best to connect with him!

And a special hug to Hunter as he goes to his first day of Kindergarten this week! Another bittersweet moment for Dad and Mom. Where has the time gone?

I feel like someone has pricked a tiny hole in our Pageant balloon and we are coming down slowly from our two week high. It was an unusual but fun week for us with Ron’s parents here for a few days. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday we worked half days so we could show them some of England before they got on a cruise ship on Thursday. We went back to Gadfield Elm, Benbow Pond, and St. Michael’s Castle Frome Church. All three places were depicted in some way in the Pageant, so they seemed to have just a little more meaning this time. We experienced the Bull Market in downtown Birmingham one afternoon, and had afternoon tea in the Cotswolds. The Partridges have always been a game-playing family, so in the evenings we pulled out ‘Rummikub’ from the game basket and relaxed and had fun. Ron and I are so grateful for their good health and good spirits and so happy to have them visit us.

On Thursday Ron drove the parents down to Southampton to board their cruise ship and also made a stop at our PA office in London for a few matters of business. This was an all-day event. I went to work by myself! It felt very VERY weird to be there without my companion, but I have to say that I accomplished much, and we accomplished a great deal together on Friday as well, so we feel like by this Friday we may have our heads above water again! Reports on the Pageant have to be written, data collected, pictures captioned and sent to appropriate VIPs and others, feedback compiled, files stored . . . etc. Not done yet, but getting there!

Yesterday we began a four-day trip to Scotland, a little down time after several weeks without a day off. We rode the train up to Glasgow, and the Parrishes from London met us at the station also. I don’t know what it is about the four of us getting together, but it seems to bring on the rain and cold. Just like in Paris, it’s cold and wet here . . .well, then it’s not . . .then it is . . . fickle weather. Yesterday we walked around the city centre of Glasgow and also drove out to out of the city to find some neighborhoods to see what homes are like here.

Again, the experiences we have attending church are some of our favourite as we travel. Today we attended church at the Springboig Ward in Glasgow. It was fun because we ran into some of our Pageant friends who live up there. That was a bonus! We love meeting the missionaries everywhere we go. There are two sets of Elders and two sets of Sister Missionaries in the ward, and they are busy working with the Chinese students at University. There were two confirmations today after two baptisms yesterday. Hurrah for Israel in Scotland and China! Although proselyting missionaries are not allowed in China, t he church continues to grow there because of baptisms in Scotland. It’s pretty amazing how the Lord works.

There were three talks given today at church. I want to share with you just one. It was given by a Filipino woman who wasn’t five feet tall. We could hardly see her over the pulpit. She talked about when she was younger and her children were 7, 5, and 2 years old. They were very poor and knew something needed to change in order to give their children a fair chance at life. She and her husband decided that she would go work as a nurse in Saudi Arabia. She left her family and went to work there for four years, only coming home for a visit every six months. She felt so guilty for leaving, and every day she would pray that her husband would be ok with the children, and that someday her children would forgive her for leaving them. Her heart was full of sorrow. Years later, when her daughter was married and had children of her own, she told her mum that she not only forgave her but knew how courageous she had been to leave her children. Because of her bravery, the children were able to be educated at good schools and were living happy, productive lives. As she told this story, she shed tears of sadness and happiness as she recalled her journey. When she said “Amen” and sat down, I thought to myself, “I complain about some of the stupidest things.”

After church we took a drive to a nearby town, Ayr, on the coast. We came back in time to talk with our family, a highlight of our week. Today was much warmer than yesterday, at 62 degrees and no rain, and we are praying it will last through the Tattoo Festival tomorrow night. But just in case, I brought my winter coat, hat, scarf and gloves! I do not fear! (By the way, the Tattoo Festival is a big outdoor music Festival with lots of bagpipes and kilts, the reason for our trip to Scotland, and we won’t be getting tattoos )

We love you, we miss you, and I promise I will write back to you if you write now that things are a little more normal. Thank you for your patience, and your letters, and your love and prayers. We love you all and continue to pray for you. We see the Lord’s hand in the work of Public Affairs in the UK constantly and are grateful to be His servants for a time. Please continue to keep us posted on all that is happening in your lives as well!

Love to all,
Ron and Marie

Mixed Emotions

13 August 2017

Dear one and all,

Aug 7th: Slower day today, no performance tonight.
 Took a drive to the Lake District. Visited the Beatrix
Potter attraction long enough to purchase a
Peter Rabbit book. Walked out, two doors down
there was a bookstore. Same book 3 gbp less. Go figure.

We are home again to our little flat in Solihull and so grateful to be here. We are exhausted and our feet still ache, but our hearts are full of love and gratitude for the wonderful experience we have had. I feel like I’ve been through Festival of Trees x 2 weeks, which began to feel a little like the movie “Groundhog Day”. We already miss our Pageant friends, which also makes us think of our family and friends at home we miss also. Our cups runneth over this week, and over, and over and over. We entertained Muslims, Hindu’s, vicars and priests, a West End star, an Osmond, mayors, councillors, and a few people that just crashed the VIP reception. All in a day’s work. We heard so many stories of life changing experiences people had as they watched the Pageant. Many were moved to tears. I know I was.

Our special guests: Jay & Karen Osmond

Yesterday, as I was helping the videographer with the last video for the Pageant, a saw and elderly couple wandering. I felt like I should approach them (and I’ve told you how this badge I wear compels me to do so), so I went to them and introduced myself, not as a missionary but as a volunteer. “Where can we purchase tickets for tonight’s performance?” they wanted to know. I told them there was no charge, but the tickets were all gone, but if they would come, I was sure we could find them a seat. Then she told me why they were compelled themselves to walk over and check things out. They have a 48-year-old son with special needs. Over they years, they had some extremely difficult times with him, and when they were at their wits end, they would bring him to the temple grounds and push him around in his wheelchair. It would calm him down. The women said, “Sometimes I would come over by myself, and just pray to God for help. I always felt something special here and knew if God was going to hear my prayers, it would be here.” They asked me where I was from, and when I said “near Salt Lake City in Utah”, the man said, “We visited the Mormon temple there too, and felt the same feeling.” I sure hope they came back, and pray they felt the spirit again. If they were at the performance last night, I know they did.

Left: Our great boss, Malcolm Adcock
Middle: Our pageant social media guru, Lorraine Lamb
Right: Cast member Rachael Pratt and Hon Ralph Assheton of Downham. Son of Lord and Lady Clitheroe.

Left: Wardies at the pageant!
Right: Our very Scottish friend Ben Hunter who plays Alexander Baird in the Pageant! I could listen to him speak all day long!

One of the most fun things we were able to do is participate in the missionary tradition of the Pageant. At the end of each Pageant, the young (and a few old) missionaries march down the stairs onto the stage singing “Called to Serve” with the cast. We then sing a new verse to “Oh, Say What is Truth” written for the Pageant that goes like this:

Oh say what is truth

Tis the gospel’s flame

Which enlightens the minds of all men

Lord grant us the power to serve in thy name

That thy lands may be blessed by thy glorious reign

May be blessed by thy glorious reign.

We all end the Pageant by singing “Redeemer of Israel”. It was a glorious rendition as I felt the Spirit rise within me each time I sang. A friend snapped a picture of us on Thursday night!

Savannah Stevenson West End actress and
Mary in Bible Videos

I’ve shared lots of pictures on Facebook this week, so I won’t bore you with more. We will sleep well tonight. Many people said, “I’ll bet you’re glad Monday is P-Day!” to which we just smile. No P-day’s for us. We have so much wrap-up and catch-up work to do this week, we will be busy! Plus, we brought Ron’s parents home with us, so we have to hurry and get our work done each day so we can play a little too!

Our thoughts and prayers this week will be with those of you we know are going through difficult trials. We also want to wish our daughter, Alisha, a Happy Birthday on Friday! Our family would be dull and boring without her. She is a great mum, and so loving, kind and thoughtful to others. We love her so much! And Happy Birthday also to Abbie who’s birthday is also Friday! She loves to talk to us each Sunday and tell us all about her week, and we can’t wait to hear all about it. We love her!

Until next week, where we will say hello from Scotland!

Cheers!
Ron and Marie

(PS - The missionary standing next to me in the picture is from Kaysville)

Truth Will Prevail!

6 August 2017

Dear Family and Friends –

We hope you have had a wonderful week and have counted your many blessings along the way! We love you and love hearing from you and all you are doing. We keep up with many of you on Facebook and love seeing pictures of our wonderful and happy family and friends.

Happy Anniversary tomorrow to Zack and Hilary! Eight years and two beautiful boys that we can’t imagine life without . . .we feel so blessed to have your family in our family!

Wow! Where do I begin? It has been an incredible week at the Pageant. I feel like it is a combination of Festival of Trees and Youth Conference or EFY. We work hard all day with so many wonderful, kind, generous people, and by the time we are done for the evening we are totally exhausted. Staying at the Temple Accommodations is just like a dormitory, and it is certainly filled with youth! They stay up way too late and have a hard time getting up for rehearsal in the morning. Their chatter outside our window and doors can be heard until early morning . . . it’s all just brilliant! It is such a great group of young men and women. The weather this week has been typical of England, and especially Chorley . . . wet, and more wet . . . they had to move some of the outdoor activities inside the Stake Centre because of soggy ground, but it seems to be the ‘norm’ around here, and no one is affected by it.

The best things about today......missionaries everywhere! If you know them, tag them! At least one is from Kaysville, two from Bountiful.

Robert Allen came all the way from the United States
to play Heber C Kimball, the first missionary on British soil
in modern times. “Its such an amazing experience and
humbling to portray such a willing servant. He was nervous
to come to a place with so much history to share the truth.
And likewise, I feel my own weakness but overjoyed to
share the truth that has blessed me and my family.”

Remember all the VIP invites I sent out for the Pageant? Many others sent invitations out as well, and we have had great success. Every evening prior to each performance there is a VIP reception for those special invited guests at the home of the Temple President. One of our responsibilities every day is to make sure the VIP Receptions run smoothly. Ron is outside at the entrance of the grounds to greet and direct VIPs when they arrive, someone is escorting them to the VIP carpark, and I am there to greet them inside the home and escort them into the Great Hall where several hosts are there to welcome them. The first two nights went fine, and we were able to iron out all the wrinkles so we were prepared for the third night.

The Pageant is magnificent! Not only is it entertaining, it is also historically informing and spiritually moving. We were able to attend the first three nights, and we felt like we were seeing three new Pageants as we noticed different things from where we were sitting. The MTC missionaries come on stage at the end and sing ‘Called to Serve’ and ‘Oh Say What is Truth’. We haven’t gone out with them yet, but we will before it’s over. It’s chilling to the bone! I know you all won’t be able to get to England, but I hope you can get to Nauvoo sometime to see it there. It is well worth the trip.

Left: The Hancocks. Gracie, in the purple, will help me by presenting a gift to a special visitor tomorrow night.
Right: Ben Hancock plays three parts. One is young Joseph Smith. My favourite is his Scottish character, the funny Brother Baird. Two days after he returns home from the Pageant he leaves on a mission to Singapore/Malaysia. 

Left: Main character Robin Dick aka Arthur Ashton. I met his mum today. She's one proud mum!
Right: This is Nic. He plays three different parts. When I first met all the men, none had beards. They grew them for the Pageant.

Left: Next to me is William Tyndall, Brigham Young (they're both American) and cute Lucy who is a dancer and helps us with social media.
Right: And this is my Maddie, who plays Ellie Ashton. The story I wrote about her has been printed in the local paper and online in Sheffield. The local radio station will interview her tomorrow for their Sunday morning religious show. I'd like to bring her home!

August 3 was our BIG day, as we had a visit from Elder Ballard to the Pageant. Elder Kearon, who as of August 1, is in the Presidency of the Quorum of the Seventy, Elder and Sister Johnson, new President of the Europe Area, Elder and Sister Hallstrom and Elder Nielson, Quorum of the Seventy, and Elder and Sister Baxter, emeritus Seventy, along with several Area Seventies. Because Elder Ballard was coming, we also had our Europe Area Director and Publishing Services for filming. So many people! And as I have gone through this learning process, I have learned just how precise everything needs to be when visited by a member of the Quorum of the Twelve. I’m thankful we had two days to practice before the big day. I can say that everything went off without a glitch and everyone was happy. It was a great day. I’ll share just a few highlights.

Elder Patrick Kearon speaks to a film crew
about the British Pageant

Once Elder Ballard arrived here on the grounds, his first scheduled meeting was with the Manchester Mission missionaries and the MTC missionaries. Although as Public Affairs missionaries we can pretty much justify going to any meeting, we would never presume that we could go just because we could and wanted to. About an hour before the meeting, our new Area Seventy, Elder Phillips, who we have come to know and love, invited us into the meeting. We were able to stand in the line along with all the young missionaries and shake hands with all the General Authorities.

The whole experience of shaking Elder Ballard’s hand and have him look you in the eye and say, “Thank you for your service” reminded me of 3 Nephi Chapter 17 when Christ was teaching the people. When He was finished, He said: “My bowels are filled with compassion towards you. Have ye any sick (or possibly exhausted and tired from working at the Pageant all week?) Bring them hither and I will [shake their hand and] heal them . . . for I see that your faith is sufficient that I should heal you (and give you the strength to continue for another week).” I felt like the handshake from Elder Ballard gave me the strength I needed to continue. It was such a blessing and tender mercy. My favourite quote from Elder Ballard in his talk: “If you’re worried about your families while you are serving, I’ll pray for them, and you get out there and get the work done, and everything will be alright.”

We again had the opportunity to hear Elder Ballard speak in a devotional for all the Pageant volunteers. The fun thing we had the privilege of doing for that meeting was lining up eight small children in costumes to present gifts to the Brethren. Those darling children are so funny and unpredictable! One kept dropping the breakable gift, one had to go to the ‘loo’ and couldn’t wait, one was scared and ran to his mummy . . . but it just added to the sweetness of it all. Can I just say that I LOVE my job!

We had two Members of Parliament at our
Pageant VIP Reception tonight Rt Hon Lindsay Hoyle
and Stephen Kerr.

Without letting the cat out of the bag of who was coming, we tried to steer opinion leaders to attend that night as well so they could meet Elder Ballard. In attendance had MPs (Members of Parliament), Mayors, a Rabbi, Church of England representatives, and other influential people there. It will be our largest and certainly most stressful reception of the two weeks, and things went well. We were all relieved to have it over with. (Sharon, they loved their VIP folders, thanks for the help!) Tuesday we will have another big night, a couple of singing Mormons from Utah . . . I’ll try to post a picture!

On the same evening all the VIPs from Salt Lake came, so did our friends from Manchester. We were so anxious to share the Pageant and a little about our religion with them. They loved it, and we loved having them there. We took them around to meet many of the cast members and crew, and have pictures taken with them. The cast members were so gracious and treated them like celebrities. It was just soooooo fun!

Our friends from Manchester came with us to the Pageant tonight! Thank you Collin and Judith Gibson! We introduced them to some of the cast.

About the time the Pageant was to begin on Friday evening, all the information for the press release, the photos, and the filming of Elder Ballard’s visit the day before came in, so we skipped the Pageant and worked several hours to fill in quotes, choose pictures to use (out of 900 pictures), caption the pictures, and get it ready for Mormon Newsroom, Deseret News, and the Church News. It was so fun to wake up Saturday morning and see what we had worked so hard on. Here’s the link:
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org.uk/article/elder-m-russell-ballard-attends-british-pageant

And yesterday, not only was there an evening performance, but also a matinee, both sold out to more than capacity, so we did not attend so that others might. We did stand outside for a bit and welcomed our own ward members from Solihull as they came on the coach to the performance. During the performance we went back to our room, opened the window, and listened to the music of the Pageant, by now picturing exactly what was going on as we heard the music from each song. Still, my favourite song is ‘Jerusalem’, with ‘Called to Serve’ running a close second.

Today we held Sacrament Meeting in the theatre just for Pageant participants. It was nice just to sit there and enjoy the meeting without any strings or responsibilities. When we sang the songs . . .I swear the heavens opened. It was glorious. I’ll never forget it.

This evening we are invited to the Gibsons (same ones that came to the Pageant with us, the couple we met on our South American cruise last year) for Sunday dinner, and we are looking forward to it. Tomorrow we will have a little down time, then start up again Tuesday for another week. How blessed we have felt with enough energy to sustain us through our busy days. I know your prayers for us are being heard, and we hope our prayers for you are also.

I think we have the BEST mission in the world . . .

Hugs to all,
Ron and Marie