Shipshape and Bristol Fashion

Lynmouth harbor at low tide

The high tidal range of the western coast of England (43 ft. at Bristol and 2nd highest in the world) is evident on this image from Lynmouth harbor just south of Bristol. Elder Cook talked about the extra strain that is put on ships as the tide goes up and down so much and compared it to life in the world today...

"...life is not easy, nor was it meant to be. It is a time of testing and trial. Like the old ships in Bristol Harbor, there will be times when the tide goes out and it seems as if everything in this world keeping us afloat disappears. We may hit the bottom and even be tipped over on our sides. Amid such trials, I promise you that living and maintaining temple-worthy lives will hold together all that really matters. The sweet blessings of peace, happiness, and joy, along with the blessings of eternal life and celestial glory with our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, will be realized."

-Elder Quinton Cook Oct. 2015

Lynmouth harbor south of Bristol on the Devon coast at low tide

I hope we will remember the great blessing of being spiritually prepared by living the commandments and following the living Prophet.

Note to grandchildren: try these soon, don’t wait until you are 60 :-)

We are experiencing new taste sensations in London! J. Paul brought over some figs and papaya for us to enjoy. Delicious! He and Alessandra invited us to try ice cream at Udderlicious, that is next on our to do list:)

A Memorable Visitor

Sister Burton and her husband greet a member after conference

Sister Linda K. Burton, General President of the Relief Society, visited our stake conference October 17 and 18. She was so gracious and kind. She just radiated love for all, especially the sisters. She gave lots of hugs and smiles to so many. Sister Kerr and Sister Griffeths showed her around the VC and she taught them about prophets and modern day revelation.

Sister Burton talks with Sister Cardall and some of the VC sisters

Sisters Griffith and Kerr give Sister Burton a tour of the chapel

Sister Burton poses with Sisters Apiyo and Hannig

As President of the Relief Society, the largest women’s organization in the world, she has stewardship for over 7 million women in the church. She spoke about the Sabbath Day and making it a delight. She bore a fervent testimony of living prophets on the earth today. Her husband shared a few brief remarks and told of Sister Burton’s call from the prophet to serve in this important calling. She and Sister Oscarson were continuing their travels to other places in Europe. We are very grateful for their humble, yet powerful examples of Christ-like love and service.

Brother and Sister Burton, President Phillips, and Elder Kearon

Pat was asked to take official pictures for Public Affairs to use in Church publications. This was a fun assignment for him.

Sister Burton answers questions in the leadership meeting

Sister Burton and Elder Kearon answer questions

Elder Kearon greets a member while Sister Kearon looks on

Sister Burton speaks at the Sunday conference session

Sister Burton greets Sister Baxter a self-reliance senior missionary

Happy Halloween!

Oranges and celery, bananas and dark chocolate chips, muffins from Sainsbury's grocery store. Happy Halloween breakfast for Saturday morning training:)

Linda and the Halloween Breakfast

Learning how to keep bananas fresh for 1.5 hrs was the trick

Sisters and Elders enjoy breakfast after training

Part of our training was at the beautiful Christus Statue at the VC

Our Knights in shining armor!

Wallace Collection

 We saw that Zac and Simon are very handsome knights for Halloween.  Elder Neeley took some pictures of armor at the Wallace Collection on at Hertford House on Manchester Square.

Wallace Collection

Wallace Collection

Lydia and Elizabeth are lovely princesses. We have visited a lot of Royal places (where princesses and queens live) here in London.

Queen Victoria Statue at Kensington Palace

Buckingham Palace from the gardens

A special young Chinese woman was baptized a few weeks ago at the Hyde Park Chapel. Yesterday, she was honored to be invited to the center of London to talk on the BBC World News about the new Chinese policy for having two children or more. There is an amazing group of Chinese members of the church here in London.

Pictures Especially For Our Precious Grandchildren

Here are some pictures especially for you, our precious grandchildren!

Christus Statue at the Hyde Park Chapel Visitors' Centre

Here is the statue of Jesus that is in the Visitors’ Centre. We love to teach people about Jesus Christ everyday when they come into the Visitors’ Centre. Jesus loves everyone in this whole world! This is why we are serving a mission here in London, England.

Children going for a walk on our street

 Many of the school children here wear uniforms. We have a school across the street from our flat. It is 5 levels tall and even some classes are in the basement. Each day we hear the children as they gather to go on walks.

Children on a field-trip

We often see school children in their colorful uniforms as they go to the Science Museum across the street from the Visitors’ Centre. Grandpa Pat took a picture of these children walking down the road as we were riding the bus.

It is fun to ride the buses in London. They are big, tall red ones. They have big numbers on the front and back telling what route the bus is taking. We take bus number 9 to High Street Kensington when we want to go shopping or to Hyde Park. Hyde Park in London is a great big park!

New style double-decker bus

Many of the buses have stairs inside that go up to a second level. We like to sit on the top level looking out the front window. Here is a picture taken from the bus...

View of a London street from the upper deck

Do the people drive on the same side of the road as in Hyde Park Utah?
Can you find the taxi cabs and all the people walking? Can you see the man on a bike?

We went to a big toy store that had lots of things made out of Legos. Do you know who these people are? Do you see the red telephone booth behind? It is made of Legos also. What do you like to make out of Legos?

Legos at Hamley's

There are three huge museums very near to the Visitors’ Centre and to our flat. The Science Museum, the Victoria & Albert Museum, and the Museum of Natural History. The Museum of Natural History has a big dinosaur in the main entrance hall and another exhibit with an animated T-rex.

Great Hall at the Natural History Museum

Animated T-Rex

There are lots of chimneys on the building all around. Most are not used any more, but they really look cool:) We see them and always think of the movie “Mary Poppins."

Chimneys out our back window

What questions do you have for us about serving a mission and living in London? We will try to answer them and send more pictures.
We love you forever, tons and googols!!! xoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxox

A Busy Place

Sister Ashby rehearses missionaries who will be singing for a baptismal service

There is always something happening at the Hyde Park Chapel! This unique building functions as a meeting house for 3 wards, a Stake Center, England London Mission headquarters, a Self-Reliance Center as well as one of the twenty or so dedicated Visitor Centers around the world. In addition to the regular meetings and activities associated with the above, the building is used for English classes, addiction recovery classes, and occasional community events such as NHS blood-draws, orchestra rehearsals, and lunch room for school children visiting the museums and Royal Albert Hall.

Young Women carved pumpkins for an activity

An orchestra rehearses in the cultural hall

President and Sister Stevens say goodbye to missionaries after their 2 year service

Current and former Sister Missionaries at Saturday morning training