What a Week!

24 September 2017

Dear family and friends,

We hope this letter finds you well and happy! Some of you are having incredible challenges right now, and we love and continue to pray for you. We are happy to hear of the safe arrival of Elder Matthew Allen to the London Mission on Wednesday. We sure hope the opportunity comes soon for us to see him. We will vigilantly look for an opportunity!

What a week it has been! A couple of months ago we asked special permission from the Europe Area Director of PA (Malcolm’s boss) to go to Paris last week and attend the temple and be there when Joyce, Tricia, and Payton visited (my sister, her daughter and granddaughter). Permission granted! So we have been anticipating the trip for quite awhile. We began the trip with a temple session. We once again admired the simple elegance of the beautiful Paris Temple. It is so beautifully decorated with French fleur de lis. The stained glass throughout it a work of art, the most beautiful I’ve seen by Tom Holdman. There is a peaceful spirit there also. I wore headphones for translation, but only on one ear, as I wanted to hear the beautiful French language as well. It was a wonderful way to begin the trip.

It was so good see family and see more of Paris with them, this time the Louvre and Versailles among others. We walked and walked and walked, over 20 miles in the two days, and built our muscles schlepping our luggage up and down steps at the train station. We ate yummy food and drank more pumpkin-spiced hot chocolate. We laughed, reminisced, and counted our many blessings together. It was so good to be with family.

I was so glad to be with Joyce when we received a call from Rex that Mom had fallen and fractured her hip. She had immediate surgery, a partial hip replacement, and yesterday was moved to a rehab care center. These are the times when it’s really hard to be away, and I am so grateful to my two brothers (and other family members) who have taken good care of her, despite her confusion, repetitiveness, and sometimes foul mood. I ask for your prayers also that Mom will heal quickly, have minimal pain, and feel love and peace.

Friday was a busy day at the office, catching up on emails and such, and also preparing for Saturday, where we attended the Birmingham Multi-Stake Council Meeting and gave two presentations. The nice thing was that this one was in our own chapel, so just a few miles from our flat . . . no long car ride, hopping on a train, or catching a plane. Everything went well, and I always learn much more from everyone in attendance than I know they do from our presentations. It’s just so fun to be with such wonderful, dedicated people, make new friends, and feel of their good spirit. Attending council meetings and offering training is one of the main assignments we have throughout our mission, and we love it.

Church was nice . . . Primary . . . difficult. Most of the children were there today, which is always good for singing, except when a certain family is there it all seems to a go awry. I came out with only half my hair. I pulled the other half out. I do love the calling, and pray for more patience and strength. We were invited today after church to “Autumn in the Shires” with the Adcock Family. In other words, we were invited to Malcolm’s home for Sunday dinner and to finally meet his family. Elder and Sister Parrish from London were also there. We had such a lovely time. They live more in the country than the city, so the drive there was beautiful and definitely showing the fall colours. They live about an hour away from us, a commute I’m glad we don’t have every day. We tried not to talk shop, but a little here and there slipped in. We had a beautiful Sabbath afternoon.

We are looking forward to staying home this week, and especially looking forward to General Conference next weekend. We are truly blessed and grateful for the opportunity to serve. Ron taught Sunday School today, and received this email this afternoon from the Sunday School President, a friend who struggles through life:

Elder Partridge
I came to your class today to observe you teaching, I go into the gospel doctrine class 4 times a year, once a quarter to offer support, support and guidance.
I must say I was captivated by your lesson, it was a master class on how to teach!
You involved the class with so many interesting questions trying to engage them in the lesson. You provided so many personal fascinating insights about church history.
We are blessed as a ward to have you as a teacher, the Lord knows of your passion for church history and it is not by chance that we have studied it this year! The Lord called you to teach us and for you to provide the wonderful knowledge that you have gained over so many years of study. I thank God that you were called on a mission.
May God continue to bless you.

Through the hard days and trials, this makes it all worth it. (Ron is a little embarrassed that I’m sharing this!)

“And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!” D&C 18:15

May you feel the love and peace of our Heavenly Father this week through your joys and your trials. Thank you for your love and continued support!

Always,
Ron and Marie

Keep Calm & Carry On!

17 September 2017

Dear family and friends,

Fall is in the air in Great Britain, as the raincoats, umbrellas, and wellies came out this past week, as well as the heat in our flat turned on. I do love the change in seasons, but I am not looking forward to the “W” word that comes after the beautiful fall. Happy Birthday last week to our niece, Kim, and this week to our nephew Jason! 

We mourn this week the passing of Merl Perkins, the Bishop in WX that Ron served under as counselor. I only say mourn because it just doesn’t seem right to say that we are excited for him to go. His wife, LeRae, passed away less than two months ago. Together again. We had the opportunity to visit with them both before leaving for our mission. We are so grateful. They seemed happy and healthy. Our thoughts and prayers have also been with our dear ward member, Rosalie, with the passing of her husband, Jim. Life is so precious and fragile. It is a good reminder to forgive quickly, and say “I love you” often.

WHAT A CRAZY WEEK IT HAS BEEN! Last Sunday when I wrote we were in Frankfurt, Germany. After a meeting on Monday morning, Gabi (PA Area Director) gave all the missionaries the day off to have fun together and see some sites. The Germany missionaries chose to take us to Heidelberg to see the beautiful castle there. We had a fun day together. Some of the time we had our sunglasses on, and other times we were huddled under our umbrellas wondering if our clothes would ever dry out. Oh, and I’ve added something new to the bucket list. Go very very VERY fast on the Autobahn (no speed limit!). Check. Over 120 mph.

While touring the castle I had a text from a friend making sure we were ok. Why? Because there had been what was believed as a tear gas incident at the Frankfurt airport and they were taking people to the hospital. Terminal 1 (which we were flying out of that evening) was closed. Thankfully, we weren’t there yet, and it was re-opened by the time we arrived for our flight home.

Dinner with Sister Crandall and Sister Baker!

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were office days. Wednesday after work we went to Coventry and met Sister Crandall (from our home ward) and her new companion, Sister Baker, for dinner. Sister Crandall’s battery in her camera had died and she needed a converter to charge it. ‘Two birds with one stone’ as they say. Just the excuse we needed to see Sister Crandall again and be able to report to her mother that all is well. After all, we just couldn’t have her go two weeks without pictures!

Friday we had an assignment in London with Elder and Sister Parrish. We left our flat at 7:30 am to catch the 8:35 am train. Whilst on the train, an alert came on my phone from the US Embassy. “American Citizens should avoid trains near London today.” Yikes! There had been a terrorist attack with a bomb on another line. We said a silent prayer for safety and carried on.

We knew we had an upcoming assignment in London and were hoping to go this week on Wednesday, as our nephew, Elder Matthew Allen, will be arriving that day from the Provo MTC. Sadly, we are not available to go this Wednesday, so we told all the missionaries we talked with to watch out for Elder Allen and take good care of him when he arrives. We wish him the best and will hopefully be able to see him soon!

We were back at the train station by 4:30 pm, thinking we would be home in plenty of time to get a good night’s sleep before our flight to Dublin early the next morning. When we arrived, everyone was standing around the large marquee watching the train schedule as each train came up DELAYED, and then eventually CANCELLED. Yikes again! We were saddened to learn that there had been an incident on one of the lines earlier . . . of the worst kind . . . and they were cleaning up. How can you be impatient when something like that happens? So, we found a table at Starbucks, ordered hot chocolate (mine had a little pumpkin in it – first of the season!) and waited it out. We arrived home about 11 pm.

We woke up early Saturday morning to be ready for Uber to gather us at 6:15 am. While getting ready, another alert came in “US CITIZENS SHOULD AVOID TRAVEL TODAY IN THE UK IF POSSIBLE.” Really? Again? So, we looked at each other and said, “What do we do?” We said our morning prayers, ask for guidance and protection while on HIS errands, and off we went to the airport.

The weather in Dublin was the same as it was in May when we were there; cold, rainy, gloomy. There was no heat on at the church we met in, as apparently the controls are locked up tight as a drum. But, despite it all, we were glad we went. I just love the Irish Saints and their devotion to the gospel in a place where the Church has a very small presence. Ron and I both did presentations at the meeting that were received very well. We walked away feeling grateful we had come. We learned and felt far more than we gave, as usual.

We spent time with the Connollys’ in their home before going to the airport for our 9:55 pm flight home. We arrived home about 12:30 am. Thank goodness church wasn’t until 10 am or I don’t think I would have made it! I was completely exhausted.

I am so grateful to take the time each Sunday to reflect on the past week as I write. We have felt the Lord’s blessings and protection as we have travelled this week. We have not taken it for granted. Many times we have counted our many blessings. I know He is ever mindful of us, as we are of Him. I am grateful for prayer, for promptings, and guidance.

Have a wonderful week, our dear family and friends, where e’er it takes you. May you and your families be blessed abundantly for your good works!

Love to all,

Ron and Marie

Short and Sweet

10 September 2017

‘Guten tag’ dear family and friends! We greet you from Frankfurt, Germany, where we have just finished our annual training seminar at the Europe Area offices. May I just say once again, “my cup runneth o’er” to everything learned and felt for the last three days.

Cottams & Orlowskis take us out for Greek food!

Cottams’ and Orlowskis’ take us out for Greek food! Our seminar was for Europe Area National Director of Public Affairs. It was humbling, to say the least, to sit in a room with 17 European countries represented, all absolutely outstanding, who speak freely of their love of the gospel and love of Jesus Christ. I could never have that same experience anywhere else. I made new friends from places like Hungary, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Sweden, and Finland. Their jobs are not easy, as the Mormon Church is not very well known in those countries, but they have the fire in them to “lift up your voices unto this people; speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts . . .” D&C 100:5. We had the privilege of Rick Turley, Managing Director of Public Affairs in SLC with us. He is a great speaker and definitely the one to lead our church into being “Global.” In the past he was Managing Director of Family History. It was under his leadership that the Internet became something more at the church offices than the “I” word, a
bad, evil, influence, to launching Family Search. He and Ron were in the “LTM” together learning Japanese before their missions, so it was fun for them to reconnect a little. We ate Greek food, Italian food, and of course, Schnitzel. It was all so good!

Ron, Sweden NDPA, Daryl Watson, UK,
Rick Turley, Dag Anison, Norway - Schnitzel!

We held the last of our meetings this morning, then ended with our own personal Sacrament Meeting presided over by the Europe Area President, President Johnson. Songs were sung in English but with many different accents, prayers were given in native languages, the Sacrament was passed, and testimonies shared. The spirit was strong in that small room filled with about 30 people, and I didn’t want it to end.

After Church Elder and Sister Cottam took us to see Bad Homburg, a small district town that has an old palace. We walked the streets and enjoyed the beauty. Tomorrow morning we will join the Frankfurt PA team for their devotional, have a team re-cap meeting, then have a day of sight-seeing with the other two PA missionary couples, the Cottams’ and the Orlowskis’. Our flight home is late tomorrow night.

Locks of Love on walking bridge in Frankfurt

As I sit through these types of meetings, I am learning about how to do the work we have been called to do more effectively, but more than that, I learn things about myself. I know that when we humble ourselves and open our hearts and minds, the Spirit can teach us many things beyond the words we are hearing. I am blessed to have experienced that also this weekend.

Short and sweet this week, but yet my heart is overflowing with appreciation for the opportunity to serve the Lord in this way. We appreciate all of you and the wonderful examples of goodness you are to us. We feel so blessed to have you in our lives. We hope you have a wonderful week this week filled with many miracles and blessings! They are there every day if we just take the time to look.

Palace in Bad Homburg

Much love,
Ron and Marie

Sept 4th - Any chance to be with the Missionaries is a great day!

The wise man built his house upon a rock

3 September 2017

Dear Family and Friends,

I must have sounded pathetic last week, and I really didn’t mean to, but thanks for all the emails that reassured me that you are reading our weekly adventures! I have the best family and friends on earth. Seriously, I am so blessed!

Happy Birthday this week to our son-in-law Kevin, the do-it-all, fix-it-all, the-energizer-bunny-has-nothing-on-him kind of man. We love and appreciate not only all you fix for us, but also the great addition to our family you and your girls are. We are grateful for you! Happy Birthday also to my dear friend Wendy Gibbs on Thursday. You make 40+ look so good! J And speaking of 40, happy 40th anniversary to my companion on Friday the 8th . That one I have a difficult time writing, because I find myself pausing. . . reflecting on where the time has gone and all we have been through and experienced. I can’t imagine anyone else by my side. If we were home we’d be throwing a party! But instead we will be celebrating in Frankfurt at our Europe Area National Council of Public Affairs annual training seminar. It will be our first trip to Germany, so I guess that is worth celebrating also.

Monday was a bank holiday, which we usually use as a catch-up day at work, but since there wasn’t much to catch up on we actually took the day off. Luke, one of our 9-year-old grandsons, was most anxious for us to go see the jawbone of a MEGALOSOURUS dinosaur, which he learned in a book, was on display at the Oxford Natural History Museum, so because we love him, that’s what we did. We had wanted to see Oxford anyway. We made him happy, so it was one of the best days.

This week was filled with accomplishing all those things we put off until we had time “after the Pageant.” Ron is very anal retentive about keeping his ‘Inbox’ cleaned out, and strongly encourages me to do the same. He just about died when he asked me one day how many emails were in my inbox. I shrank behind my computer when I told him 1,586. He buried his head in his hands and shook his head . . .but at least I didn’t get a lecture. J So this week . . . delete, delete, delete, save, save, delete . . . .every day, until Friday when I left the office I had 4! He’s a happy camper. When he’s happy, I’m happy.

Windsor Castle with Laura & Bob Kemper

My good friend, Laura Lewis (now Kemper) from North Carolina and her new husband, Bob Kemper, were coming to London for a few days on their way to a European cruise for their honeymoon and wanted to meet up. So we all met yesterday at Windsor Castle, toured the castle, ate lunch, caught up with each other, and got to know Bob. It’s a pretty good friend who will invite you to join her honeymoon! We had such a good time. In our PA missionary training we were told that it was up to us whether we wore our badges or not when we were out doing things on our own time. We rarely don’t because we have found that they attract people to us, particularly Mormons from Utah! Yesterday was no exception. We had two different groups stop us; one from West and South Jordan, and one group from Holladay. It’s fun to chat with them, find out why they are visiting, they want to know what a PA missionary does, and we can usually find a connection! We did today with the group from West Jordan. They know my good friend Karen Robinson! The common denominator was Festival of Trees. It is amazing how our experiences in life continue to bless us in so many ways . . . so many places.

Today we had the Elders over for dinner and said our good-byes to Elder Holbrook as he returns home to Park City this week. There will be big changes in our ward with transfers and new missionaries. . . I have to look on the bright side of it all . . .new missionaries to meet and love! If I don’t stay positive, I get very sad. L

With deepest gratitude may I say THANK YOU to all those who were concerned for our Alisha and her family in Houston. Many prayers were offered in their behalf, and we know those prayers were heard. Somehow, some way, both her family and her in-laws (the greatest people in the world) managed to only have the water at their doors, but not inside. After a harried week of their own, they are now sporting yellow “Helping Hands” t-shirts as they go out and help “muck” the homes of those who were flooded. (Mucking is a very technical term J for removing everything from the house, ripping up flooring, ripping out 2-4’ of drywall, and removing wet insulation.) And back in Utah, Amanda organized her home as a drop-off point for the donation of needed items to the Houston area, then took everything to a pod in Layton where it would be shipped for free. I am truly blessed to be my children’s mom. The roles have reversed. They teach me now far more than I teach them. Over and over in my mind I keep hearing words to the song “The wise man built his house upon a rock.” The rains came down, the floods certainly came up, and their house, built on faith in Jesus Christ, stood still.

So many things we do each week brings thoughts of our family and friends at home. Whether it is a social media post, something we are reading, a recipe I’m making, or any number of other things, you are in our hearts and mind. Thanks for you examples, love and support.

Love,
Ron and Marie