So let it be written...

Dear Family and Friends,

To the Utahans – we hope you had a wonderful 24^th of July.  We loved seeing the many photos on Facebook of your celebrations and must admit, we were a wee bit jealous.

There is so much to learn in this position, and we were determined to teach the Colemans all we could so they ‘would be prepared and would not fear’.  I do love checklists:

ü  Finances for the whole of Great Britain Public Affairs

ü  How to manage the Church’s Opinion Leader Data Base for the UK

ü  How to quickly have new event photos ready for Mormon Newsroom; ie, receiving, re-sizing, captioning

ü  How to write stories for Newsroom and the local pages of the Ensign

ü  How to set up a video shoot in another country, request edits, get priesthood approval

ü  Clipping services

ü  Media training

ü  Day to day, week to week, month to month office duties

ü  An overview of the Great Britain Public Affairs National Council 

ü  Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, how to make Tables and Labels

ü  How to use the Church Directory of Leaders

ü  History of the Church in the UK

ü  How to drive on the other side of the road 

ü  How to travel by car, train, and plane throughout Western Europe

ü  British spelling of words vs. American spellings

ü  What is a brollie, and a trolley, and what are they really asking when they say, “you alright?”

And the list goes on . . . 

With President Hughes

Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were more training days.  We took a break on Monday to meet with the new Mission President, President Hughes.  He took us to a very nice lunch, welcomed the Colemans, and bid us farewell.  Tuesday we were invited to dinner by the videographer that we have worked closely with on filming.   He has become a dear friend.  On Wednesday afternoon I went home early while Ron stayed to train, and I began the packing process.  With all the things I had given away, I thought it would be a breeze.  No breeze felt.  I pray our bags are not overweight.

Thursday evening we had a media training assignment in the Chester Stake, very near to Northern Wales.  It was the perfect opportunity for the Colemans to participate as students of the class while also watching the training process.  Peter Trebilcock, past Pageant President and newly called Assistant Director of PA in the UK, showed up to be supportive and to bid us farewell.  Some we have met have become lifelong friends, and he is one.  We love him dearly.  It was a difficult good-bye.

Good-bye to our beautiful flat, our home, that we have loved so much!

Malcolm encouraged us to add a little fun with our training to the Colemans.  After our class in Chester (a good two hours away) we stayed the night and were thrilled to cross into Northern Wales Friday and visit Snowdon, a popular area (and on our Bucket List).   We took an hour ride up the hill on an old steam train.  From there, it is a short walk to the peak, where on a clear day you can see all the beauty of Northern Wales; however, we could barely see ten feet.  It was the cloudiest (and coldest) it had been for weeks.  Just our luck.  Nevertheless, we had a wonderful day.

When we arrived back in Solihull, the Colemans took over the flat and we moved into the hotel . . .the same one we began this journey in nearly 18 months ago.  The circle of mission life . . . 

Saturday . . . more training.  Saturday night we joined a group of 20 from the ward at yet another outstanding Indian restaurant for dinner as a farewell to us.  Gifts, cards, kind words . . . my cup runneth o’er.  

Today.  Today was a rough one.  We spoke in church.  When I opened the program and saw the Opening Song, “I’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go, Dear Lord” and the intermediate hymn, sung just before it was my turn, “Called to Serve”, I knew I was in trouble.  But with a tissue handy and a silent quick prayer, I pulled through.  I shared my testimony in Primary to end singing time.  Bless those sweet children.  Many hugs, cards, and kind words, right down to one of the oldest yet most faithful women in the ward who said, “We love you so much.  You’re just so  . . . normal, and believe me, some are not.”  From her, I’ll consider it a compliment.  

My favourite card received from 9-year-old Emma. 
I especially love the cross on the cover!

I have been reminiscing this week, trying to prepare to leave.  I have thought about blessings, experiences, more blessings, interacting with such wonderful people, all I have learned, and even more blessings.  I have thought so much about all the people at home who have supported us; those taking care of our personal affairs, our home, and friends and family who have kept in touch.  I have thought about the support I received when my mother passed away.  Ron and I have knelt together many times in thanks for this awesome experience and the opportunity to serve.  And, as excited as I am to be back in my homeland, and see those I love the most, I still haven’t figured out how to leave those that I have grown to love so much here.   I will leave a piece of my heart in England . . . #noonetoldmeitwouldbethisdifficult

Our last cultural day up Snowdon Mountain in 

Northern Wales with Elder & Sister Coleman

I was recently reminded of a 
scripture by a friend  . . .

“Know ye not that there are more nations than one?  Know ye not that I, the Lord your God, have created all men, and that I remember those who are upon the isles of the sea; and that I rule in the heavens and above and in the earth beneath; and I bring forth my word unto the children of men, yea, even upon all the nations of the earth?”  2 Nephi 29:7

I know even more now that I did 18 months ago that Jesus is the Christ and stands at the head of the Church.  I have been a first-hand witness to the miraculous ‘divine designing’ that takes place . . .too many so-called ‘coincidences’ to deny the work of a higher power.  I know that living the gospel of Jesus Christ is the true road to eternal happiness.  I love it and am so grateful for it.  I thank my pioneer ancestors for having the faith and courage to accept it and be baptized.  Because they did, I have been so blessed.  

We love each of you and cannot begin to express our depth of gratitude for the love  and support we have seen and felt from you.    It’s always nice to know that you have your own personal cheering section in the stands.  You have been just that for us.

And finally, today, our prayers are answered . . . it is raining!  The Lord heard our prayers.

For the last time, cheers from across the pond,

Elder and Sister Partridge

‘So let it be written, so let it be done.’