We started this week with work at the London Family History Centre. Helping others with their family history is a fun way to serve a mission. The week continued with excitement as we met Velynn and Rachelle at the airport early Thursday morning. It was only 1:30 a.m. Utah time but 7:30 a.m. British time. To help them adjust to the time change we set forth to keeping them walking and involved so that they could wait until normal bed time to sleep.
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| meeting at the airport |
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| Airport transfer between terminals |
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Waiting to taste the Crepes
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We stopped at our favorite restaurant near the South Kensington underground station for Crepes. We visited Hyde Park chapel and the visitors' center. We walked to Royal Albert Hall and Kensington Palace, the home of Prince William and Kate. We then walked to Harrods. To top off the afternoon we stopped at Elder Smart's favorite Gelato place for a treat.
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| Annie loves the dolls at Harrods |
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In front of Crepe restaurant
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Friday was another fun busy day. The girls got to visit and see what Mom and Dad do at The National Archives. The boy (Paul) spent time working on a power point for our next presentation at Peckham ward on the 30th. We made a fast trip on the underground to Trafalgar Square, did a little shopping and made it home to join Paul and head to the London Temple. One more of our Temple Prep class graduates received his endowments - Bro. Lewis Smith. We thrill each time we get to share in this experience with each of our class members. We learn to love them all so much. We enjoyed having our special friend from Staines accompany us to the temple - Helen Baden. We also "stumbled across" two old time friends that we had hoped to meet in England - Anne and Phil Davey. What a treat! and to meet them in such a special place!
The ride home was a little frightening for some and frustrating for others. Our car stalled on us many times as we tried to return home. Through our faith and prayers we made it home.
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| Temple grounds |
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| More temple grounds |
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| Eating at our favorite restaurant near the Temple |
Saturday the females in our house hopped the bus to Hampton Court. Elder Smart stayed back to get the car to the repair shop.
Sunday we were off to church. Our car is still being evaluated so we were fortunate to have a loaner. We drove a little further on after church to visit Windsor Castle. It was beautiful and "awed" us all. We found out that Queen Elizabeth was at the Castle while we were there. Of course, we did not see her, but she was there because of the flag that flew above the castle.
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Windsor Castle
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At Windsor Castle
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The Queen's Guard
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Happy Birthday this week to Becky.
We have a strong testimony of the gospel. This is the time to "Hasten the Work". We all have a responsibility to share the gospel and that also includes saving our ancestors. We hear good news about all the missionary work that Aaron, Audra and family are doing.
Love you,
Grandma and Grandpa, Mom and Dad, Annie and Paul, Elder and Sister Smart
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| Annie, glad to have Velynn do her hair |
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| Annie - picture posted under PROTEST! |
stan LindaasMarch 20, 2014 at 11:03 AM
ReplyDeleteDear Elder "Paul" and Sister Smart,
Greetings from the FHL in SLC. This is Stan Lindaas. I have enjoyed reading your blog posts. My wife, Raquel, and I were in England for the first time a year ago. Mostly we were in Kent and Somerset but, we did get to the London Temple. While there we each thought that serving a mission in England is very high on our preference list. Your blog posts have only served to magnify that feeling.
I am am still busy researching for clients and teaching classes to visiting groups at the Plaza Hotel. One of the groups, Road Scholars formerly "Elder Hostel" used to conduct genealogical tours in the UK for US participants. Road Scholars has asked me to ressurect the UK tours. As you may remember, I am not a British researcher and as I stated above, last year was my first trip to the UK. So, I have been relying on the knowladge and experience of our may friends in the British Refeference Unit here at the FHL.
I am planning a trip to London in mid April to become some what familiar with the KEW and to visit with hotels and tour companies as part of planning for proposed tours.
May I visit with you while I am there. I need help understanding what may be availible in the way of collection access; instruction about the holdings and research strategies;and anything else which will inhance the tour participant's research experience.
Thank you so much for any counsel you can offer.
Kind regars,
Stan and Rocky Lindaas
stanlindaas@stanlindaas.com
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