Here is a note from Dad. They also went to Buckingham Palace last week - you can't take pictures of the inside but Mom assures us that it was amazing and that all the centerpieces looked great. I think she is secretly getting inspiration from it all for when she comes home. Oh, and Dad's back is still a little sore from lifting too many heavy boxes during the office move but he is slowly mending.
We are sorry for all of you suffering from heat and drought. We remember only too well how long the summer is in Texas, and obviously this one has been and continues to be particularly rough. Maybe it is a good thing we still have property in Bear Lake. If Global Warming is a reality, we may need to head further north. Hopefully the weather will get in better balance, and we can still enjoy Texas.
Friday we drove up to Birmingham, about two and a half hours north, for a days training. We stayed the night there, and then drove back about 45 minutes to Warwick Castle; one of the best preserved old castles in all of England. (You don't pronounce the second w in England so it is Warick. The English drop a lot of letters in their words.) It was the real thing with a dungeon, towers, drawbridge, etc. We spent the day there and really enjoyed it. The first castle or defense building on the ground goes back to 1068 - almost 1,000 years ago, and the present castle started taking form 500 years ago. In addition to touring all parts of the castle, we watched an archer demonstrate how the longbow was used. He told us that it took so much strength to use it that over a life-time of pulling on the bow string it would change the bone structure of the archer. They can look at the bones of someone dead for 300 hundred years and tell if they were an archer. The bones in their right arm will be larger, their chest bones may be fused together incorrectly, and they may even have a twisted spine. The longbow as a fearsome weapon. It could shoot an arrow through armor. It ended the ability of knights on horse back to win a battle. Having seen the bows and the huge old arrows I can believe the stories about them shooting down horses and knights. A good archer could shoot as many as 13 arrows a minute so they were really deadly. We also saw a demonstration of hunting birds - raptors. The trainer worked with four large birds. He started with a full size 10 year old American Eagle. It was beautiful and kept flying right over our heads, and I do mean right over. He was so close to one man on the other side of the small demonstration area that he almost creased his bald head. Maybe he mistook it for a large egg - who knows. Then he used a young American Eagle. It hadn't yet developed the white head, but was all brown like a small golden eagle. Because it was young, it really hadn't figured out how to get the best use of its wings and the heat thermals so it flapped a lot more than its 10 year old father; and we were warned that it could accidentally hit into us though it didn't. The other two birds were smaller but still very impressive. They would always come back to the handler for a treat. The treats were not anything any of us would want - dead rats, pieces of chicken, or maybe a small fish though one of them liked vegetables too. A bit odd, I can't quite picture a hawk out their digging in my garden looking for a really good carrot or swooping down to carry off a small squash.
It is now Sunday afternoon here and we just finished listening to the Woman's broadcast. Great talks. The sisters are always wonderful teachers with great illustrations. While we are listening I was also reading in an old conference report from April 1985. It includes Elder McConkie's final talk and testimony. I can still remember listening to it. We all knew he was horrible sick and on his last legs. In fact he had willed himself to be there to give his final testimony of the Savior. What a great talk and a great ending for such a spiritual and intellectual giant.
Joyce is mastering English driving including the round-abouts which are a step away from witch craft. Go left and take the fourth exit or third or whatever, then try to count them with any accuracy. The Tom Tom is great but not always as totally clear as we would like. It is also complicated by being wonderfully jerky at slow speeds or when it shifts gears. Still Joyce has it down very well.
It is interesting to be able to help those who need a bit of guidance and encouragement. There are so many that have good talents and experience but lack the confidence to sell themselves. That is the one thing we both enjoy; helping people to see themselves a bit more clearly. It is amazing to see people come in with a lot of fears and walk back out seeing themselves in a totally different light. All those years I spent writing policy and procedures are paying off as I have the opportunity to help people writhe their CV's and cover letters. We may not be the perfect twosome for this, but we can help; and really that is what a mission is all about, just helping.
Love you all, take care of each other.
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
9.9.2011
Well we have begun our gypsy traveling. We are now in three buildings and have our centres set-up. The locations are in outlaying areas of London where the need seems to be great for job assistance. We have already had clients come into each of our centres and ask for help in doing their CV's and they have signed up for workshops. Sometimes in the US I think that we don't realize how the economy is just as difficult in other countries--we think that our financial circumstances are the result of our just our economy, but we have learned that it is a world wide condition. The unemployment rate here is higher than the US. The interesting thing is that the UK gov has a job-seekers allowance that doesn't end--someone may stay on the allowance forever as long as they show that they have applied for a job during a two week period--doesn't matter what type of job or if they are qualified--they just need to apply.
It has been rather enjoyable to get to the travel around so much. We an handle getting anywhere as long as we have a tube and train map. This week we have been helping the Family History Centre missionaries get moved into their temp location at the National Archives--so we leave at 8:00 am travel there on the tube work for 5 hours then walk to the train and go to Richmond then change trains and travel to Clapham Junction then change trains and travel to Wandsworth Commons then walk to the chapel. It is amazing that we can do the journey in 45 minutes because the trains run so frequently. Coming home all we have to do is walk to the train and travel to Victoria Station and then change to the tube and travel to Gloucester then walk to our flat. I think the walking would amount to walking to Rox and Greg's then to HEB then home carrying the groceries. I doubt that we will do the same in upon our return.
In order to keep busy--Dad I am sure now is hyper-active--we are handling the missionary flat inspections for the Mission Office and volunteering at the Family History Centre then doing our Employment assignment from 3pm - 8 pm. It is fun to be busy and maybe if we do enough in the Family History Centre we will get some of our work done. The Centre has thousands of films and in addition the Archives have the records and journals and etc from the 1200's--all of the royal notes and letters and land records. I know that the church has these but it is fun to see where the originals are kept. We will try to get some help--our friends have promised to help us as we help them. One expert said rather than trying to follow direct lines--where there is a lot of errors and duplicate work--to follow the surrounding families--called the low-laying fruit--brothers, sisters, cousins, etc. I know that the Hards (my Dad's maternal line are from England--in fact one record shows them to be from Nottinghill--which is just 3 blocks from our flat. Also Grandmas line comes from Scotland through Ireland or visa-versa. Should be fun to see what we can find.
Dad is moving gingerly because in all of the moving he carried too much and just moved wrong. He has been careful the last week but I still watch him move very carefully trying to avoid the muscles going into spasm. Today we get our car. Dad is hesitant to drive because of his back or perhaps because he doesn't like my driving assistance so I will be the designated driver. Should be interesting. We did get a TomTom with the current London directions. My theory is that if the missionaries can come here and drive surely I can catch on without too much trauma--perhaps. Going to Stains today which is a small village we will experiment.
Perhaps when we come home we will not be as computer challenged as we have been. As we go to each location every day we have to set up the computers and printers--in one location we have to use Dongles--because there is not wi-fi. We have been given two lap-tops to use in addition to the regular systems. Always fun because the wi-fi systems that are in one of our buildings has been very weak. The computers we have are not the newest or fastest so we just do what we can and hope that the printer will work. Many of the clients because of their economic situations don't have computer skills so we try to work with them as we assist them.
There was an interesting bit on the CBS News this morning (last nights broadcast that we watch the morning after). With the power outage in California, Nevada and where ever, the official speaking said that because it was going to be out for a few days the citizens should use their storage of water and food and other necessities until the power is restored. Interesting how following the Lord's advice comes in handy. Sorry that the Texans are experiencing so much heat and fires. Shouldn't mention it, but here it is 68 with rain predicted for the week end. We are staying busy and enjoying London activities. Saturday we are going to see if there are any last minute tickets to a Shakespeare production that is suppose to be great and on Monday we are going to visit the Queen--touring Buckingham. Just a tourist thing but the tours are only available while she is in Scotland for the Summer months.
Take care one and all. We are fine and busy. You are all in our prayers and thoughts always.
Love Mom
It has been rather enjoyable to get to the travel around so much. We an handle getting anywhere as long as we have a tube and train map. This week we have been helping the Family History Centre missionaries get moved into their temp location at the National Archives--so we leave at 8:00 am travel there on the tube work for 5 hours then walk to the train and go to Richmond then change trains and travel to Clapham Junction then change trains and travel to Wandsworth Commons then walk to the chapel. It is amazing that we can do the journey in 45 minutes because the trains run so frequently. Coming home all we have to do is walk to the train and travel to Victoria Station and then change to the tube and travel to Gloucester then walk to our flat. I think the walking would amount to walking to Rox and Greg's then to HEB then home carrying the groceries. I doubt that we will do the same in upon our return.
In order to keep busy--Dad I am sure now is hyper-active--we are handling the missionary flat inspections for the Mission Office and volunteering at the Family History Centre then doing our Employment assignment from 3pm - 8 pm. It is fun to be busy and maybe if we do enough in the Family History Centre we will get some of our work done. The Centre has thousands of films and in addition the Archives have the records and journals and etc from the 1200's--all of the royal notes and letters and land records. I know that the church has these but it is fun to see where the originals are kept. We will try to get some help--our friends have promised to help us as we help them. One expert said rather than trying to follow direct lines--where there is a lot of errors and duplicate work--to follow the surrounding families--called the low-laying fruit--brothers, sisters, cousins, etc. I know that the Hards (my Dad's maternal line are from England--in fact one record shows them to be from Nottinghill--which is just 3 blocks from our flat. Also Grandmas line comes from Scotland through Ireland or visa-versa. Should be fun to see what we can find.
Dad is moving gingerly because in all of the moving he carried too much and just moved wrong. He has been careful the last week but I still watch him move very carefully trying to avoid the muscles going into spasm. Today we get our car. Dad is hesitant to drive because of his back or perhaps because he doesn't like my driving assistance so I will be the designated driver. Should be interesting. We did get a TomTom with the current London directions. My theory is that if the missionaries can come here and drive surely I can catch on without too much trauma--perhaps. Going to Stains today which is a small village we will experiment.
Perhaps when we come home we will not be as computer challenged as we have been. As we go to each location every day we have to set up the computers and printers--in one location we have to use Dongles--because there is not wi-fi. We have been given two lap-tops to use in addition to the regular systems. Always fun because the wi-fi systems that are in one of our buildings has been very weak. The computers we have are not the newest or fastest so we just do what we can and hope that the printer will work. Many of the clients because of their economic situations don't have computer skills so we try to work with them as we assist them.
There was an interesting bit on the CBS News this morning (last nights broadcast that we watch the morning after). With the power outage in California, Nevada and where ever, the official speaking said that because it was going to be out for a few days the citizens should use their storage of water and food and other necessities until the power is restored. Interesting how following the Lord's advice comes in handy. Sorry that the Texans are experiencing so much heat and fires. Shouldn't mention it, but here it is 68 with rain predicted for the week end. We are staying busy and enjoying London activities. Saturday we are going to see if there are any last minute tickets to a Shakespeare production that is suppose to be great and on Monday we are going to visit the Queen--touring Buckingham. Just a tourist thing but the tours are only available while she is in Scotland for the Summer months.
Take care one and all. We are fine and busy. You are all in our prayers and thoughts always.
Love Mom
Sunday, September 4, 2011
9.2.2011
Things are fine here--moving offices setting new ones up--it will be interesting to see how things go at these different locations. Saturday we are doing flat inspections--I know that the missionaries think that they are a joke. The problem is when the landlords see what bad condition some of the flats are in they kick the missionaries out and the mission has to pay the deposit plus cleaning charges that are as high as 4500.00 pounds--very expensive when it is happening frequently. In this moist climate mold and mildew are a given so cleaning is not optional--but a lot of missionaries think that it is. Dad is interesting--he just can't believe that people can live with clutter, dirt and unclean bathrooms. When he tells the missionaries that they need to scrub the toilets and get rid of the lime and rust stains I am sure that they think he is from another planet. But I assure you our bathroom and toilet are without stain. Usually by the time I get up he has already put in a load of laundry, cleaned the bathroom, mopped the floor and wiped out the fridge.
Take care--Don't let Burgess get his tongue stuck in the fan.
Love M
Take care--Don't let Burgess get his tongue stuck in the fan.
Love M
Another College and more Randomness
Another College we visited from the 1300s. The nicest dorm rooms go to those with the highest grades and all students must live on campus.
Door to the Secret Garden.
Bridge of Sighs
A door older than the USA.
This bridge looks like an insect when it's light up at night.
The Tube.
We proudly admit our AARP status here. It allows us to ride all the tubes, buses and public transportation for free. Here is a normal Tube experience.
The Down escalator
It feels like it never ends
Dad trying to find his way at the Tube...it's a maze of which line and which train to get on.
Mind the gap.
8.28.11
As noted on an earlier email to some of you, Joyce and I spoke in Church today. Joyce's was wonderfully tender so I was taking care of nose and eyes before standing up. I spoke on the second principles and ordinances of the gospel versus the first that we all know from the fourth A of F. Next week everything changes. We move to 9:00 and only have two hours of meetings. Some of you would love that, but it is a shame to miss the only class where everyone is together to discuss the gospel. We will probably become Sunday road warriors with this change. We need to let the people get to know us so they will come in and seek our help when it is needed. I think I told you that we were in one ward last week where the Bishop told me not over 6 of the adult men in the ward have a full time job. Clearly there are those that could use the Centre's help.
The heat in Texas is incredible; if this is part of global warming we better get ready to move North. Glad to hear of individual successes and events. Pleas continue to keep us posted on all things. I assure you we are interested. Love, Dad
I am sending this and will follow it with pictures from some of our adventures. I need to load them first so with do this in two parts. Being technically challenged it is best that I do it this way as to not delete the above words.
The heat in Texas is incredible; if this is part of global warming we better get ready to move North. Glad to hear of individual successes and events. Pleas continue to keep us posted on all things. I assure you we are interested. Love, Dad
I am sending this and will follow it with pictures from some of our adventures. I need to load them first so with do this in two parts. Being technically challenged it is best that I do it this way as to not delete the above words.
Cambridge
Cambridge was of course gorgeous. Huge grounds, wonderful old buildings and great looking Chapels.
The Quad
The Dorms
One of the many chapels.
Wish I could send everyone in Texas the lush, green grass.
Amazing detail
Another Chapel - the stained glass was gorgeous, but what stained glass isn't?
Randomness
River Thames
Sign for a local pub. Even the signs are art.
UFO or Sculpture?
Is this how you are going to bury Dad and I?
Yes, Cars and people go down crazy small streets like this. I think I could drive it just fine, Larry is glad that we aren't. Apparently my Mario Andretti skills are for USA use only.
Canary Warf
We went to Canary Warf, the Wall Street of London.
Contrast of the old buildings amongst the new buildings of Canary Warf
Restaurant on the river. I'm amazed by the flowers here.
Display of Clocks
Some of the cobblestone paths - I think it's crazy that the women walk on
these with ease in their spiked heals.
House of Holmes. Sherlock Holmes.
We went to Sherlock Holmes house today for our adventure. Everyone dressed up in period clothes but unfortunately the house was not well kept up so it looked it's age. Still, it was fun to go to and another thing we can cross of the list of "Things to See."
Larry with Dr. Watson
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