Elder Thompson had a very enjoyable Father's Day last week. He was able to talk to both
Val and Jeff. England celebrates Father's Day on the same day as in America. There was a
bicycle race from London to Brighton on Sunday, so because the roads were being
diverted for the race, we went to church in East Grinstead. All the men received a couple
pieces of chocolate (seems to be England's favorite treat). It was a good sabbath.
Sunday evening we had a fireside with Chenille Saunders!! She used to live in Carthage
and we were able to hear her sing many times, especially with Brother Marshall while we
served in Nauvoo. She recognized us and it was so good to see her. She is so talented
and it was an uplifting evening of inspiring music. This picture is with her and the
Davenports and Muellers who also served in Nauvoo while she lived there.
Saturday night was movie night in the welcome center.
Enjoyable with popcorn and M&M's.
On Monday the Davenport's invited us to go to Polesden Lacey with them. It was a
beautiful day and is a beautiful place. It was great to see blue skies after some very rainy days.
Polesden Lacey was the country estate of Maggie Greville.
She entertained royalty and celebrities on the weekends here. The home had a staff of 70 people, but was only used for her weekend parties.
She said of Polesday Lacey, "This is a delicous house..." Maggie Greville never had any
children of her own, but considered Queen Elizabeth to be the daughter she never had.
She was originally going to leave the estate to the king and queen, but she
ended up leaving it to the National Trust.
She did however leave most of her jewelry to the royals. Millions of dollars of jewels.
Princess Eugenie recently wore a Greville tiara at her wedding and Camilla
often wears a honecomb designed tiara that is a Greville tiara.
She was originally going to leave the estate to the king and queen, but she
ended up leaving it to the National Trust.
She did however leave most of her jewelry to the royals. Millions of dollars of jewels.
Princess Eugenie recently wore a Greville tiara at her wedding and Camilla
often wears a honecomb designed tiara that is a Greville tiara.
This is William McEwan, Maggie's father. He was a Scottish politician and brewer. He founded Fountain Brewery in 1856. This brewery is where all the family wealth came from.
This is Maggie Greville.
This rooms walls are covered in 24 karat leaf.
The house is filled with artwork and Chinese porcelain and all the fine things of the day.
When Maggie liked something, she bought it.
Matt and Dave playing a little old fashioned air hockey.
There are 1,400 acres of beautiful grounds to enjoy.
Can't you just picture them going out on a fox hunt on horses through those hills?
Of course there is a beautiful garden. And we were here right in the middle of the rose festival.
The garden cottage.
June 21 was summer solstice. I'm sure we would like to have some of this day-light in the winter.
Sunrise was 4:44 AM and sunset was 9:20 PM. That's a lot of daylight.
We were on early shift this week in the temple and for the past two weeks we were able to work together on our assignment. It was fairly busy during the week, but Saturday was really busy.
We go home exhausted from working hard. But we love it.
We are blessed to work with this great temple presidency. We have learned much from them.
We love and learn much from those who work here and those who sacrifice so much to come here.
For instance, the Chivers came and stayed the week in the accommodation center.
They are elderly and Sis Chivers has many physical challenges, but everyday they
did three sessions back to back. That's 15 sessions in a week when looking at them you
would think they would have every excuse to not attend at all. They have that great British
sense of humor. Brother Chivers said he comes to stay out of trouble, but Sister Chivers
chimed in to say that it doesn't work!
Our study of the Come Follow Me program continues to deepen our conversion, testimony and faith in Jesus Christ. We want to become like Him. We testify that He lives, that he atoned for our sins and sorrows and pains. He taught us how we can return to live with God. We love Him.