Five Months (week 23)

We arrived in England on February 5th and since July 5th just passed, we figure that we've been serving in the country for five months.  It really has been a fast five months and we are really enjoying the service.

We often feel like we're back at work, getting up at an early hour and arriving at work at 8 and leaving about 4:30 or 5.  Annie says that we are not on the clock so it really doesn't matter when we leave.  As we've mentioned in the past, we sometimes stay on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 7 pm.  However, we are not digitizing.  We are working on family history at the family history center doing research.  That's the late night opening and the time for us to do a little genealogy.

Concert with the Badens

This week's other activities have included a Friday evening dinner and Jazz Concert.  We had dinner with the Baden's and then went to a band concert with them.  It was a great night and they are becoming good friends. 





On Saturday we were invited to a genealogy conference in Reading, Berkshire.  Since Paul's brother Alan had served in the Reading area and since it was a family history event we thought we would venture out.  It's about 50 miles from where we live to Reading.  Took some pictures of the chapel (mostly for Alan).  It was a good experience and we really enjoyed seeing a little more of the countryside from the perspective of being train riders.

Reading Chapel -again (good picture)

Reading Chapel



Reading Chapel Commemoration Display
 

July 4th Celebration!  (Check out hot dog)

Did we forget to mention our fourth of July celebration (or lack thereof)?  We went to work as usual.  On the way home, we stopped at a grocery store and found some German frankfurters.  We bought some buns and some Pringles chips (crisps in the Queen's language).  We opened a can of A&W Rootbeer (made in Indonesia and actually called Sarsaparilla) and then we stuck our miniature American flag in the paper towels.  We also bought a rhubarb cobbler for desert with some ice cream.  About 10 pm that night we heard two or three minute fireworks.  We suspect that we have some Americans that live nearby but by the time we got out of our chairs, it was over and we could not tell where it actually came from.

We continue to enjoy our Sunday meetings.  It is such a great time to recharge our spiritual batteries.  Seems like the gospel has never meant more to us than it does now.  We love our temple preparation class that we teach and particularly love and appreciate the members of the class.  They are all pretty special. 


Speaking of special Church blessings -- we are particularly happy to recognize our grandson, Bryton, on his being baptized this past Saturday.  Of course we missed being there, but we are so proud of Bryton and his family.

Love you all so much,

Grandma and grandpa, Mom & Dad, Elder and Sister Smart, Annie & Paul










ps  Wanted to give you an idea of what we see on our way home from where we work. Pictures are somewhat in order.  We hope that you all enjoy your walk home with us.