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)