Time just keeps speeding by.
We are enjoying our mission so much.
We love serving in the beautiful holy London Temple.
The temple has been very busy as we are approaching the closure.
Temples are usually closed for 2 weeks twice a year for repairs and maintenance.
This time, the temple will be closed for 6 weeks as repairs are made.
It has been fun to serve those coming for the first time, those to be sealed, those that know they cannot come for the next 6 weeks, 42 young missionaries preparing to go home...
We were able to be the bride and groom guide for a couple and it was the sweetest experience.
Truly the crowning jewel of temple experiences.
They were so happy to be at the temple and we were happy to share with them this sacred experience.
It is one that we will never forget.
It is one that we will never forget.
The memories of days like this are mounting. We meet people from all over,
today we even met a couple that own the DQ in Showlow, AZ!
We survived the record setting heat of 2019. On July 25 a new record was set for the hottest day ever in UK at 101*. That is nothing compared to Arizona standards, but here it is more humid and there is not really any air conditioning anywhere. The temple was a cool place to be that week. We were happy to be on the late shift in the temple from 2 - 8:30pm so that was helpful. Our apartment was pretty hot, but we did survive! The next day it cooled right down. The locals say that is the blessing of being on an island, the heat does not stay, it usually blows off right away.
The Saturday movie was Pride & Prejudice. Once again, enjoyable because it was
filmed around here at some of the beautiful historic properties.
On July 28th is was back to the East Grinstead Ward. This is their building.
Then after church we were back on the train headed to London to celebrate Joan's 60th birthday.
After checking into our hotel we headed out to get a bite to eat.
After dinner we walked through St James Park and by St James Park Lake.
Next to the park is the Duke of York Column. Built in 1824 for the Duke of York,
second son of George III.
second son of George III.
He is famous for the old nursery rhyme (although it might be older than he is)
"Grand Old Duke of York"
'Oh, the grand old Duke of York,
He had ten thousand men;
He marched them up to the top of the hill,
And he marched them down again.
And when they were up, they were up,
And when they were down, they were down,
And when they were only half-way up,
They were neither up nor down.'
We walked through Admiralty Arch. It provides access between The Mall and Trafalgar Square.
Trafalgar Square commemorates the Battle of Trafalgar, a British naval victory in the Napoleonic Wars over France and Spain in 1805.
St Martin in the Fields Church, an English Anglican church.
Apparently there has been a church on this site since the medieval period.
More lions.
After walking about 5 miles we caught the bus back to the hotel. We like the tube, but we also enjoy sitting atop a double decker bus and having a view while we travel.
Before we got to the hotel we stopped and had a Bleecker Burger.
At the hotel we ordered some late night room service. When it was delivered Matt mentioned that it was Joan's birthday. About 20 minutes later a tray of chocolates, chocolate covered strawberries and some drinks arrived at our door! That was so nice!! The Park Plaza Victoria Station is awesome.
On Monday, we took the tube to Westminster and started walking again.
We happened upon this statue of William Tyndale in a lovely garden.
He was the first translator of the New Testament from Greek into English.
In 1611, the 47 scholars who produced the King James Bible drew significantly from
Tyndale's work. One estimate suggests that the New Testament in the King James Version
is 83% Tyndale's and the Old Testament 76%. Tyndale was placed at #26 in the BBC's
poll of the 100 Greatest Britons.
The last words of William Tyndale were "Lord, open the King of England's eyes."
Within a year a bible was placed in every parish church by the King's command.
He died a martyr in 1536.
Then it was up this street. The Opera House is up at the top of this picture, but we were
headed to see Bond in Motion 007 exhibit.
The London Film Museum has a large collection of vehicles used in James Bond movies.
We had a blast here.
Bond, James Bond.
After we left the museum we walked through Covent Garden with all it's shops and restaurants.
Hopped on a bus and headed back to Victoria Station.
We had some snacks at Greenwood at Sir Milton Square...some squid, wings and nachos. Yummy!
When we got home we were welcomed with some birthday wishes left at our door.
The Matron and her assistants had all left cards,
a candle and beautiful flowers!
London was a great place to turn 60!
Now the break begins. We are headed to Sicily to see Valerie and her family,
the Rome Temple, the Swiss Temple, the Paris Temple, and points in between.