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