Dear family and friends,
As I ponder the events of this week, I feel amazed, humbled, and a little teary! I’m not sure I can put into words all that I felt and I’m sure I won’t give it justice.
Anytime a member of the Quorum of the Twelve travels, there are a lot of moving parts. But when the Prophet of our Church travels, the moving parts increase exponentially. As you know from our latest letters, the last two weeks our top priority has been the World Ministry Tour of President and Sister Nelson and Elder and Sister Holland. We were responsible for working with media, and also responsible for working with the Stakes in finding individuals and families for media to interview that met the criteria of who they were looking for.
We arrived straight from the Netherlands to London Monday night. Tuesday morning we began merging all the moving parts we were responsible for with the many other people who also had assignments; ecclesiastical leaders, media, church photographers and videographers, facility managers, security, etc. in order to make sure Thursday went off without a hitch. I have to say that we worked with some of the finest people I have ever met. I fell in love with London all over again, not for the sights this time, but for the people.
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| Found a friend in London today! And we get to work with her all week! |
I especially loved working with the media. I felt like I was back in the saddle again from my time with Primary Children’s Hospital. It was even some of the same people we were working with which was really fun. There was one moment that I felt a strong deja vu moment, and I thought to myself, ”Which came first? The chicken or the egg?” I was so thankful I had been ‘prepped’ by the Lord several years ago for important things yet to come without even knowing. I hate to overuse the phrase, but I am convinced it was once again, divine design.
President and Sister Nelson and Elder and Sister Holland were scheduled to arrive at the Hyde Park Visitors Centre/Chapel at 1pm, have interviews, a meet and greet with six families, a photo with the London England Mission, a handshake to the missionaries, all before the 2pm meeting with the missionaries. (Only the London Mission attended the meeting, the rest of the missions watched it via satellite.) This all happened as scheduled which was a miracle. Our responsibility at that time was to facilitate the meet and greet, so although it all took place in the same area, we did not have the opportunity to stand in line to shake their hands along with the other missionaries. We were the only ones who didn’t. But after it was over, President Nelson saw us, walked over with Sister Nelson at his side, read our badges, said our names, looked us in the eye, and shook our hands. We were able to tell him what a privilege it was to meet them both. I felt like a warm blanket had just been placed around my shoulders. Elder and Sister Holland had already been whisked away for another interview. Too bad, we wouldn’t get to meet them and shake their hands (or so we thought at the time).
It was a privilege to be in the missionary meeting. Elder Holland told the missionaries how life changing his own mission to England was, and how he has thought about it and loved it almost every day since 1962. He advised every missionary there to do the same. He said to not only focus on the conversion of others, but the conversion of our self. His message was powerful.
Before speaking, President Nelson introduced everyone traveling with him, from his personal secretary to his security detail. When he introduced one of his security team members, Brother Parker, he invited him to the pulpit. He said, “Brother Parker has a daughter serving in the Leeds Mission under President Turvey right now. Brother Parker, stand here at the microphone and talk to your daughter (who was watching via satellite.) This big, tough, burley security guy stood at the pulpit and melted. When he finally regained his composure, he said. “To all the missionaries listening, I am speaking for your dads also. If they were all here, I know this is what they would say to you.” He then addressed his daughter, calling her by name. “Jessie, I love you. I miss you. It’s hard having you away from our family so long, so far away. It’s even harder being this close to you and not seeing you. But I wouldn’t want it any other way. I wouldn’t want you anywhere else.” Oh boy . . . out came the tissues.
President Nelson spoke to the missionaries as if they were in a circle chatting. He invited participation and had them stand up and give answers to the question, “How do you gain inspiration when teaching the Gospel?” A missionary would stand up and give an answer, and then President Nelson would expound on it. He ended the meeting pronouncing and apostolic blessing on all the missionaries of joy, strength, good health, that our families would draw closer to the Lord because of our service, especially the little ones. He blessed us with safety in travel, and a blessing of healing for our loved ones. This blessing meant a great deal to Ron and I. It was an answer to a prayer.
The meeting was over too fast.
The 7pm Devotional was attended by members of the two London Stakes. There were not enough tickets for everyone. Each Bishop had the difficult task of deciding whom their allotment of tickets should go to. About 750 tickets were issued. Even though they had tickets in hand, members cued in a line for up to four hours outside to get a good seat. Many felt this would be a life-changing experience for them. We were so grateful to be given tickets to attend. We were on the very back bench in the Chapel with media, as we were one of the last to slip in. Members all over the UK watched the broadcast via satellite in church buildings.
Sister Holland talked about the wonderful people the Nelsons are and told personal stories about them.
Elder Holland talked about this past General Conference and the significance of modern revelation. He reminded us that we are all entitled to our own personal revelation. As always, his words pierced my heart, as he seemed to know just what I needed to hear.
Sister Nelson’s talk was amazing. She is a great speaker. She talked about how she had witnessed the personal revelation her husband had received since being called as our new prophet. She spoke very openly and very organic. I love her already. President Nelson reminded me so much of President Hinckley. Everything he said just made you feel so good about yourself . . . that you’re doing ok, and yes, you want to do better. He closed that meeting also with an apostolic blessing to all of kindness and consideration to others, safety in travels, fidelity in families, and of healing and health.
We closed the meeting by singing “We Thank Thee, oh God, for a Prophet” and the spirit was tangible. Many were overcome with emotion.
The Brethren exited the chapel down the aisle we were sitting, stopping to shake the hands of as many as he could. One little Filipino woman jumped right out into the aisle and threw her arms around President Nelson. Before Security could even react, President Nelson had enveloped her in his arms just like a father or grandfather would. It was so touching. Another young sister began to cry when Elder Holland touched her hand, and then he put his hand gently on her face. It was so sweet to witness these acts of meekness and humility. We were so blessed to be sitting where we also had the privilege of shaking Elder and Sister Holland’s hand (and having a bit of a conversation with Sister Holland) and then again with President and Sister Nelson. And because we were sitting so close to the media, we are fortunate enough to have photos of the greetings. In the photo, you can see he is saying something to us. Because it was the second time that day he had greeted us I think, he said, "Sister Partridge, now all we need is a pear tree, and we'll have it made." He's just so real.
My favorite quote from President Nelson this week, “The Lord’s message is for everyone. This is a global work. Whenever I am comfortably situated in my home, I am in the wrong place. I need to be where the people are. We need to bring them the message of the Savior.” I have pondered these words for three days now, asking myself how this applies to me, even after we return home from our mission.
We were on stand-by until noon on Friday for any further help needed for media, and then we boarded the train for Solihull. Once in Solihull we went to the office and worked for a couple of hours on photos from the event for Mormon Newsroom UK.
Saturday, I went for my first walk of the year! No kidding! The weather has been so cold and rainy this spring thus far, but yesterday was beautiful. It was nearly 60° and sunny most of the day. The water in the nearby rivers is at the very top with some even overflowing. It will be a while before the British worry about a drought for sure.
We were happy to get back to church in our own ward today with our own ward family. Ron taught both teacher training classes, and I was with my Primary children. After church Sisters Gee and Brown came over for dinner. They are such a delight. (Rhonda, Sister Brown is from Cardston, and she knows lots of Gibbs! I think she mentioned a Max Gibb?)
We’ve been so busy this past week. My apologies to all those who wrote and I have not had a chance to write back. I loved every email! When we arrived back at the office Friday, our mail slot had several envelopes in it from a special group of friends. Thank you so much! I love you for thinking of us!
Happy Birthday today to our girl Carly who is 16 years old! She is beautiful, confident, and feisty all rolled together. We sure love you Carly! Happy Birthday tomorrow to our son-in-law, Sam. We are so grateful Alisha chose you! We are also grateful that tax season is over for you on Tuesday. You deserve a rest.
I am so grateful for the blessing this week of shaking the hand of our new Prophet. I am grateful we were in the right place at the right time to make this happen. It was such a tender mercy . . . I’ll never forget it. Have a wonderful week, and to our children and grandchildren . . . always make the ‘best’ choices.
Love to all,
Ron and Marie
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