I have the greatest family and friends! Monday–Thursday this week I continued to receive birthday cards and even a package in the mail. It was so fun to come to work in the mornings, look in the mail slot, and there would be a pretty colored envelope, and it had my name on it! When you are far far away and feel like you are missing out on so many things, it’s just so darn nice to be remembered. So thank you from the bottom of my heart! Truly!
Before sharing more about our week, may I give a shout out to all my Festival friends and tell you that my heart will be with you this week. All last week I was imagining every day what you would be doing in preparation for this week. May you feel the love of our Savior as you work so diligently to bless the lives of His children. I hope you have the BEST YEAR EVER!
Monday morning we arrived at the office and I looked at the calendar and said to Ron, “Is it true? Are we really scheduled be in town all week this week?” It was true, and it was so nice to work hard during the day, then go home and relax a little before beginning a new workday instead of driving somewhere to teach a class or stay overnight in a hotel. Don’t get me wrong! Not complaining, just a nice teeny-weeny little break.
As Thanksgiving Day was approaching, I was a little sad that we weren’t home to share it with our family, but I really thought I was ok. Then Thursday morning I woke up to a picture Alisha had sent of her Thanksgiving table set with my mom’s china that she had recently received. About a half hour later, as we were getting ready for the day, I bit Ron’s head off over who knows what, and then burst into tears. “I’m sorry, I think I’m just a little homesick today!” He hugged me and forgave me quickly. We did miss being with our family that day.
More than a week ago the Wills’ showed us a Thanksgiving special Ed’s Easy Diner in Birmingham was offering for Thanksgiving. A special burger made with a sausage patty, brie cheese, turkey breast, and cranberry, chips (aka French fries) and a soda that could be upgraded to a thick PUMPKIN (yuuup) shake, all for £10.99. “That’s it!” I said, “That’s where we are going to dinner on Thanksgiving. Nothing appealed to me except the price and the pumpkin, but it was enough. So the four of us made a plan. As it turned out, American missionaries get ½ day off for Thanksgiving, which we only found out on Tuesday, so we changed our plans to an English dinner (afternoon, because they call evening meal tea), and hopped the train to Birmingham. We were so hungry and sooooo excited!
Once I took the sausage patty off, the burger was delicious and hit the spot, and I imagined my chips as mashed potatoes. When the waiter came back to ask us if we were ready for our shakes, he said, “I’m sorry but we are out of pumpkin.” WHAT? NOOOOOOOOoooooo. I just smiled. I knew he was teasing me. It was only 2:30 in the afternoon! “You’re kidding me, right?” “No, I’m sorry.” Still smiling that missionary smile, because I did have my badge on, “I’ve come all the way from America for your pumpkin shake!” The poor waiter didn’t know what to say. “Let me check to see if there is anything we can do,” he said. He really just wanted to run away from me. But no, no pumpkin. “How about Gingerbread! It’s close.” NOT CLOSE! They share a spice or two, but that’s as close as it gets. So thus went our Thanksgiving dinner. A bust. (I did have a gingerbread shake, and it was ok.)
After dinner we did have fun wandering through Selfridge’s Department store (very posh) and the German outdoor Christmas market. All in all, it was a fun day. I just have to whine a little about the no pumpkin on Thanksgiving Day. And Ron was whining a little too because his Detroit Lions lost.
Saturday we were invited along with the American Elders to a nice young American couple’s flat for a proper Thanksgiving Dinner, and it was yummy. I made an apple and a pumpkin pie and also a fruit salad to add to the dinner. I thought it was so sweet for the young couple to invite the old people to dinner. We loved it. There was suppose to also be a baptism in the evening that day, but dear sweet elderly Julia, who is a little forgetful at times, lost her keys, blamed the Elders, and said she didn’t want to see them again nor would she get baptized until she found them. The Bishop found them . . . in his car. They had fallen out of her purse when he picked her up for Church. But still, no baptism. Sweet Julia. Poor Elders. They were so disappointed.
We had our Primary program finally today . . .and I say with all humility and gratitude that a miracle happened. We had one family with three children all out with the flu. One boy that had major speaking parts and was accompanying one song didn’t show up until last minute. One family with two children came but announced they couldn’t stay because they had a party to go to. But the children that were there . . .all 13 of them . . . sang their little hearts out and spoke clearly into the microphone whilst giving their speaking parts. The Spirit touched the hearts of everyone there, and the Stake Primary President said, “It was the best one yet.” Hallelujah, and thank you for prayers answered. I had a confirmation during the Sacrament that “all will be well,” and it was. Heavenly Father loves his little children. Whew! My shoulders feel lighter. Now on to the Christmas program songs!
We mourn this week at the passing of a dear friend and past Bishop, Jay Lowe, who was 90 years old, but in great health until a recent fall. He was a great scholar of the Gospel and taught us many things over the past 38 years we’ve known him. We love the Lowe family, and are once again relieved that we took the time for a visit before leaving. We also mourn with our dear friend, Nancy, whose mother passed away the same day as Jay. We love you and pray for you, Nancy and family. What a beautiful mom you have.
Tonight we are on our way to another YSA activity where we will introduce them all to the proper way to pass white elephants! I’ve also made soup for dinner, which soup isn’t dinner here, it’s just a starter (appetizer) and my soup is not pureed, which most soup is pureed here, so I may come back with a whole crockpot full . . . we shall see (plus my soup actually has flavor).
https://www.mormon.org.uk/
If you search around, you can find the downloadable calendar that has ideas of how to “Light the World” in 25 days, not just the scriptures. We have decided as a family to connect this Christmas by participating in it together and sharing our experiences on our family Facebook page. We invite you to join us and share it as families as well.
Thank you for the blessing you are in our lives! As we approach the Christmas season, may we each “Light the World” by blessing the lives of others. If so, I know we will all have the best Christmas ever!
Cheers!
Ron and Marie
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