Sixty-three Weeks and Still Going Strong!!

This week started out much like many of the others -- family history centre work, home teaching, visiting teaching and other work as we tried to get ready for a big weekend.

Annie didn't feel well for most of the week.  She couldn't eat a lot, but that was probably because not much was coming out on the other end.  Paul finally convinced her to see the doctor, which she did on Friday.  He gave her a prescription that fixed her plumbing and now both ends are doing much better.

Paul spent a lot of the week getting ready to make a couple of presentations for the GOONS.  We think we explained who they are last week.  It's always a challenge to gear a presentation for a specific group and to create a handout for those that attend.  Paul is so finicky that it seems to take forever to get a presentation ready.  He has to have the right look, the right colors, the proper sequence of slides, etc., etc.  Anyway, he worked for most of two or three full days getting things in order.

We have also been struggling to get our taxes completed, but with some good help from home, we signed and finalized everything this past week.  Guess we shouldn't have sold the Tooele home last year.  It really hurt us, at least tax wise. To Annie's credit, she did most of the work getting things ready.

The big day came for the presentation we mentioned earlier.  We left Saturday morning for Ashford, Kent -- about 80 miles from our London home.  We got there in nice time and we are pleased to say that the car didn't act up.  We had a nice room, good meals and all the equipment worked.  Paul made one presentation on Saturday afternoon and one on Sunday morning.  People were complimentary and seemed to enjoy what was presented.  We worried a little about Church and were nearly prepared to attend a non-denominational service at the hotel.  However we checked lds.org and found that there was a ward in Ashford.  Better still, we found that it was just around the corner from the hotel.  So, Paul made his presentation and immediately following it, we drove to the Church and got there just in time for Sacrament Meeting.  Following sacrament meeting, we arrived back at the hotel just in time for lunch.  After a few good byes, we were finished about 2:30 pm.

Paul (before haircut) Presentation

Paul (after haircut) Presentation

Annie @ Conference Banquet -- Will Mission Pres. Approve Beverages
Is She Excited About These Or What -- Check Out Her Expression

We discovered that we were not too far from Dover.  It held some historical interest for both of us.  We decided to see it.  So, we drove about another half hour east.  Upon descending into the city, we immediate saw the famous white cliffs of Dover and drove around.  We drove through some very beautiful country with lots of green fields and sheep and lots of spring blooms everywhere.  As with many places here in England, we saw a big castle on the hill and stopped and took a few pictures.  Then it was a two hour drive back home.

White Cliffs of Dover

Dover Castle

Kathie share a picture of some of the work of our granddaughter, Harlie.  She has learned a lot this year from working in a greenhouse and loves working with plants.  Her whole family has got interested and is looking forward to having a nice garden -- mostly because of a developed talent and interest from Harlie. Way to go Harlie!

Harlie's Plant in Window

On another note, we are saddened to learn of Paul's sister's surgery.  Donna had her shoulder operated on this week and is in some serious pain.  Our faith and prayers go out to Donna for a quick and successful recovery.

As is usual, we would like you all to know that we love the Lord and are pleased to be in His service.  We love working with the members and nonmembers here in England.  The Lord has been good to us and we hope to express our love to Him by doing our little part here to help.  We are excited that this next week is Easter.  We recognize what the Lord did for us as we celebrate the Easter season.  It is particularly lovely at this time of year here in England.  May you all be blessed to appreciate all that took place many years ago by our Lord and Savior.

Love,

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