Week number 9. I guess we must be counting.

This has been a very full week.  We started Monday with a trip to Hampton Court Palace.  It was one impressive sight.  The palace had a mote around it and it was easy to picture it full of water and creatures to prevent enemies trying to get into the palace, although it is nothing but grass right now.  In the 1500's this palace was supposedly Henry VIII's favorite.  He was here when he was a young and handsome and a dynamic king.  He was power bound.  He and his queen worked together to conquer and rule.  He was probably a likeable man during his time at this castle. He is the perfect example of the scripture that tells us that when one gets power he usually becomes wicked.  He was one wicked and beheading man when he was at the Tower of  London.   The Hampton Court Palace was more of a huge hotel.  He liked to accommodate a large number of guests and do it in style.  The kitchen was always busy cooking lots and lots of food.  Rich meats were a favorite.  Being able to eat rich meats meant prosperity and high class.

Front entrance to Palace

Ancient Greeters - Henry VIII

Inside the Court

Family tree of King Henry VIII

More of Gardens

Beautiful Gardens were outside of Palace

King William (18th Century) used this castle also.  He set out to remodel the entire palace, but had only the funds to do about half of it. His remodel was very ornately decorated.  Murals covering everything, including the ceilings.  We saw more naked chubby babies than I thought possible in one building.  One room was decorated from top to bottom, with guns.

Ceiling mural in King Williams Palace

One section of one wall

It was fun watching the staff role play the people of this time.  They also sang and danced for us.

Dancing in the Palace Ball Room

Elder Smart with his ladies

Sister Smart with her Squire

We have been finding our way by bus to lots more places for shopping this week.  Learning how to use the bus and train system is an art we are picking up fast.  We located a bgt TESCO store that has good prices on some needed kitchen supplies.  Our biggest treasure there was some small plastic cereal bowls and small plastic cups.  Everything we had found so far was breakable thin glass.  Not too sturdy and well.....this is Annie in the kitchen.

We were able to take buses and trains and get to Costco again.  We were met there by the mission van,  two mission Elders and the Powells (the new mission couple that are going to be digitizing with us).  We stocked up on many things and were able to get the loot back to our flat with the mission van.  The biggest problem now facing us was how to store it in this tiny flat.  We live in about 570 square feet of living space.  We could only store the "loot" in weird places like under the bathroom sink, on top of the kitchen cupboards and refrigerator, and in other corners of the flat.  When there is a will there is a way!

Costco storage above frig.  Notice

unique storage above the stove "hub"

Costco shopping above sink area

We are enjoying showing the ropes to the Elder and Sister Powell from Idaho.  We had them and our senior cameraman (who came all the way from Scotland, to train the Powells and set up their cameras) over to our flat for dinner.  Entertaining is fun for both of us.  We have learned that we can share meals and enjoy company in our flat, even though we may not have a lot of niceties.

Elder Smart, Sister Powell and Elder Powell watching conference.

This is conference weekend.  We are able to get conference on our computer, live!  That means the 10:00 a.m. session is live for us at 5:00 p.m.; the 2:00 p.m. at 9:00 p.m.  The Powell's do not have internet in their flat, yet.  They came over yesterday and we enjoyed sharing food and watching conference together.  They will be over tonight, Sunday, to do the same.  We were able to hook our computer up to the tv and watch it just like at home. 

Mother swan on nest with father watching near

 One exciting thing at work has been the Swan's that all of the archive workers claim as their own, are expecting!!  The mother swan has been sitting on her nest a lot lately.  She was off of her nest one  morning when we walked by and we were delighted to see 4 or 5 eggs in the nest.  The pictures show the Swan and the eggs.  We will continue to follow the saga of the birth and hopefully get some pictures of the little ones soon.

The swan eggs

Mother swan on nest

We are finding more joy in this service the longer we are here.  Paul has had many opportunities to help the Missionaries and employees with their genealogy.  He will have another opportunity to speak at a fireside in June at the visitors center next to the London Temple. 

Congratulations to Alayna and Tanner on their birthday last week.

We are grateful to Heavenly Father for watching over Raquel.  She recently had her appendix rupture.  Some how (sure somehow - actually with the Lord's protection) the appendix was wedged against her hip bone and did not leak into her abdomen.  Velynn sent us a picture of the birth of the "lovely" appendix and we wanted you to enjoy it as much as we did.  A BIG THANKS! TO VELYNN.

Must be Bad - Appendix

Life is good and life is busy.  We love the Lord and recognize the strength that the Atonement gives to us as we move forward every day. We love you all and pray for your safety and well being.

Elder and Sister Smart, Grandma and Grandpa, Brother and Sister, Mom and Dad.