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
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