Tiptoes... through the tulips...

Oh my goodness what a week!

With the time difference, the last session of Conference last Sunday began at 9:00 pm for us. We had caught wind through an email that a BIG change was going to be announced last session, so we stayed up and watched. And what a change! The new catch phrase . . .Ministering. I just love it. Doesn’t that describe what so many do perfectly? And who knew that Shakespeare had it figured out way back when he wrote the play Hamlet, and said, “A ministering angel shall my sister be.” So true. It’s in the DNA. So . . . after that big announcement, we decided to turn in for the night and watch the rest for FHE the next night. Monday morning we woke up and immediately saw the announcement of new temples! Wohoo! We jumped out of bed and watched the next hour right then. Although I had watched the announcement on Facebook, it brought tears to my eyes as I watched President Nelson announce it again. My heart leaped again when Layton, Utah, was announced, not to mention Nicaragua, Russia . . . and India! Double WOW.

Tuesday morning (because Monday was a bank holiday) the water cooler talk in the office was, of course, Conference and everything that took place. When the subject moved to new temples, someone asked me, “Why was there so much excitement from the audience when the Layton, Utah, temple was announced?” I felt terribly uncomfortable and extremely spoiled explaining why we were excited to travel only 7 minutes instead of 20 minutes to get to the temple, when here they sacrifice so much more to travel much greater distances. Nevertheless, Ron and I feel like a temple even nearer to us will be such a blessing. Three cheers for our new prophet!

On the way to the Eurostar to Netherlands,
we stopped at 9-3/4.

Many of you saw on Facebook that we spent our bank holiday on Monday touring Highclere Castle, aka Downton Abbey. It was a bucket list item for sure . . .CHECK! I wanted to take photos of EVERY SINGLE ROOM! From the time we left the carpark, signs were posted “NO PHOTOGRAPHY INSIDE THE CASTLE.” What? I had promised pictures to certain lovers of Downton. I turned to Ron after we saw the first sign and said, “I might have to be a rule breaker today . . .” His answer to me . . . “Then you had better take your badge off, Sister Partridge.” Curses. Foiled again. So, fun selfies were taken outside with the abbey in the background, but none inside. You’ll have to take my word for it that the rooms are just like in the show. Lord Grantham’s desk, the big red sofas, the large dining table . . . they had poster-sized photos in many of the rooms showing scenes from the TV series. It’s on the top of my list of favorite things we’ve toured while here. If you’re a Downton Abbey fan and ever in England, I highly recommend it.

At the office on Wednesday I made final preparations for our video shoot this weekend in the Netherlands, and also worked on President Nelson and Elder Holland’s visit to London next week. Malcolm told us we were needed in London tomorrow instead of arriving on Wednesday, so we packed our bags for and 8-day trip, heading to the Netherlands first, then tomorrow, instead of riding the train from the Netherlands to London then home to Solihull, we will stay in London until Friday.

Two bucket list items this week, the second being a tour through Anne Frank’s house in Amsterdam on Thursday. It was interesting, fascinating, and sobering all at the same time. I only found out a couple of weeks ago that Corrie ten Boom’s house is a museum also in the Netherlands. I surely would have planned to visit it as well. I am so grateful for their examples of courageousness, love, forgiveness, and unselfishness. If you haven’t read her book “The Hiding Place”, it’s a must read.

Saturday and Sunday were spent filming testimonies of faithful saints in Zoetermeer, a province of South Holland. It was my favorite video shoot so far. First of all, it was 70+ degrees both day, and most of the videoing took place in beautiful countryside. Regardless of whether we were on a bridge next to The Hague Temple or in the middle of a field with a windmill in the background, there were people on bicycles passing by. I want to move to the Netherlands for one whole summer and cycle everywhere with the rest of the country. They bike in the winter too, in 15° weather. Not for me, but yes, I’ll take the summer. Before jumping in a car, their first thought of transportation is their bicycle. The fit and thin Dutch have it right.

The De Jong Family

The missionaries, YSA’s and families we videoed were exceptional. We met the De Jong family. They were delightful! Their sons, Reuben and Own taught me how Pokemon Go works!   One man is a refugee from Iran. He lived in Iran in the time of the Shah of Iran and came by foot to the Netherlands. He made the trek after being shot in the leg. He had a special witness of Jesus Christ. The missionaries from Morgan, Tooele, Herriman, and Spokane were delightful. The YSA’s were inspiring. My testimony was strengthened today.

Even more than the tulips, I love the bicycles. I think there are just as many.

Another connection . . . as we were leaving the Church today to go to the windmills to film, an American couple stopped us in the parking lot. “Do you know where the Relief Society Room is in the building? We are trying to find someone our son baptised while he was here serving a mission. She just had a baby and we HAVE to see the baby! We are very short on time.” “No,” we said. “But the building is small, so if she is in there, I’m sure you’ll find her. Where are you from?” “Utah.” “So are we! Where in Utah?” “Kaysville.” “So are we! Where in Kaysville?” “West Kaysville, just off Angel.” “We live West of Flint Street and Barnes Park.” “Anywhere near the Potters?” “Yes! Bishop Potter lives across the street from us. He’s our Bishop!” Their last name is Yocum.

Sometimes I just have to pinch myself to make sure this is all real . . . .

Thanks to those who continue to reach out to us from time to time. After 14 months of my jibber jabber, thank you for sticking with me. We love hearing from you. We are grateful for our many blessings, and the blessing of serving this mission. We are grateful for you, our dear family and friends, and pray for you. You are always in our hearts. Blessings upon your head.

Much love,
Ron and Marie