A Royal Farewell

Happiest of Birthdays to two of my favorite men, Rex (brother) and Bret (oldest nephew).  I love them both!

 

Another busy week, and another hot one too, although we have had a couple of cooler days, but still no rain.  This evergreen country is looking pretty droopy and the happiness of the sunshine and warmth is being replaced with worry and sadness.  We continue to pray for rain . . . hopefully this week.

 

We have been in a radical clean-out mode both at the office and at home.  Not as radical at home, but the office for sure!  The new couple will come and settle in just in time to move flats, then move offices, on top of learning all the responsibilities, and adjusting to a foreign country . . .we feel for them.  We are trying to clean out as much as we can before they get here, which, is Tuesday!  The training schedule is set and we’re ready for them . . .or at least we will be by Tuesday at 1pm when they arrive.

 

We left work a little early on Monday and went to visit our sweet ward member, Tonia, and her husband Richard.  Tonia is on hospice (although that isn’t a term they use here) with ovarian cancer, and they are saying weeks now, not months.  I’m not sure how old she is, but I don’t think she is 40 yet.  She was in good spirits, which made it easier, but oh . . .  so hard to know what to say.  Her husband is struggling . . . he has asked Ron several times for help.  We can only pray for them also.  

 

Monday night we went with Chris and Jeannie to a new Indian restaurant recommended by an Indian family in our ward.  It was almost as good as Durbar in London, but the good news is it’s only 15 minutes from here.  The bad news is . . . we may only get there one more time.  L  We totally blew our diet that night.

 

Tuesday we cleaned the church . . . I think we will be missed at least for that!

 

Children are on their summer holiday beginning tomorrow in some areas until the first of September.  It’s a big holiday time for families.  Since there are some going on holiday at the office, the office gang surprised us with a ‘Farewell Royal Tea’ on Wednesday afternoon.  I’m so happy to have had it early, and happy to have it over with, as the good-byes are only getting more difficult.  I will miss them all.  Malcolm is on holiday now for two weeks, which leaves Ron and I to greet the new couple and train and entertain them until he gets back. 

Back L to R:  Malcolm, Jeannie, Chris, Luke, Anna

Front L to R:  Craig, Marie, Sue, Pauline 

Thursday we experienced something new!  We were invited to be interviewed for a Podcast that our Belgium friend, David, produces called “A Latter Day in Europe.”  He asked us to speak about serving a mission as a senior couple.  It was really quite fun!  It took me back again to my media days with Festival of Trees.  Our hope is that it will help other couples like us decide to serve a mission if it right for them.  They are so needed all over the world.  He also covered things like how we met, were we raised Mormon, how do we deal with our differences, how is it being together 24/7, and has our marriage been strengthened by serving together!  Again, it gave us a reason to ponder our blessings.  There are too many to name.

 

Yesterday Ron made a trip to South London to pick up a pool car that was used by Elder and Sister Holland while on holiday here.  It is the car the Colemans will drive, so it needed to be back here this week.  It gave me a day to myself here at the flat (a rare day) and I cleaned.  What else?

 

ü  Furniture moved and vacuumed under

ü  Baseboards washed

ü  Closets cleaned out

ü  Kitchen cleaned (today's job)

ü  Piles made of my clothes that have been spoken for by ward members J

ü  Books, excess kitchen items, etc etc taken to charity shops 

 

I do love check marks!  They give me a high.  Who needs drugs?

 

Church today was fun.  We took a lot of books, CD’s, DVD’s, paper, envelopes, etc. and set them out in the foyer for the taking (part of our cleaning out project at the office).   Someone even dubbed us Elder and Sister Christmas!  At the end, only one DVD was left on the table.  Little do they know, we’ll be back next week with more!  Church was also fun because it was cooler today and the children were in a much better singing mood.  Several people commented to me how beautiful they sounded as they sang, “If the Savior Stood Beside Me” and “Families Can Be Together Forever.”  I had to agree.  There is nothing like Primary children singing about Christ and eternal principles to bring the spirit in.  

 

We took dinner to the Bishop and his wife this evening.  They purchased “an American dinner from the Partridges delivered to your home” at the auction fundraiser.  Ron made Yakisoba, and we also took pita bread and hummus, fresh fruit, and brownies.  The only thing really American is that most was purchased at Costco, but oh well.  They were very appreciative! 

 

The days are going fast . . . we are down to 18.  Thank you for reaching out to us and for your many kind words.  We are looking forward to reuniting with family and friends soon.  And just think, after today, you only have to endure two more weeklies from us!  

 

Much love to you all,

 

Ron and Marie