Week 62 " busy work" week

This week has been filled with all kinds of "busy work".   We have sent out many emails to stake leaders in the 4 stakes we have been assigned to.  We have outlined goals and messages that we have been sharing with these stakes.  Our taxes have been finalized this week, (hallelujah!)  The end of the month (March) paper work that our new calling required, was completed.  We started the week with a whole page list of "busy work".  We have been crossing it off one item at a time as we have completed each item. 

Sister Smart tried to do as much of the "busy work" as possible, because Elder Smart was busy trying to research and put together a presentation he is making this week for the GOONS (Guild of One Name Studies).  This is a unique genealogy group that studies names instead of ancestral lines of genealogy. 

We spent 2 days this week working at the LFHC with Elder Smart mentoring the staff again and Sister Smart taking their place on the floor helping patrons.  We then spent 2 more days at the LFHC trying to get everything on the "to do" list accomplished.  We needed to have both of us on a computer with a printer to accomplish all that we had to do, so we went to the center to work.  It works well for Annie, but not for Paul.  Anytime the staff sees him at the center they continually ask for his help on a genealogy question.  He did not get to spend the time he needed on the power point presentation.  Next time we try it, he will probably go to the far end of the archive computers (to hide) and then only go to the LFHC when he is ready to print.  There are definitely some disadvantages to having so much ability with genealogy research.  Annie has learned so much from him, that many of the requests for research assistance, Paul turns over to her. 

It has been much like Spring this week.  Nature is starting its cycle all over again.  Our TNA swans have laid eggs and we are watching and waiting for things to happen.  We only caught the mother off her nest once last week and 3 eggs were present.  Last year she laid 10 and so it is probable that there are a lot more eggs there now, but we have yet to get a view of them -- she's always on the nest.

Swan sitting on her nest

Conference on television just like at home is so much fun for us.  We look forward to each session.  Watching them live is great.  Morning sessions come on at 5:00 p.m and afternoon sessions we watch starting at 9:00 p.m.

We enjoyed having Rebecca and Mentor over for lunch yesterday.  They are a couple who used to live in our Staines Ward that recently married and moved to Liverpool.  They are returning to their home lands (Australia and Nigeria) and are leaving the UK this week.

We have a strong testimony of the gospel and enjoy sharing it when we can.  We have 3 home teaching families that allow us to share with them.  Annie also has 6 ladies to Visit Teach each month (4 households).  Life is still very busy, but different than it was at the first of our mission when we were digitizing each day.  We pray that we can serve as the Lord would have us do.

We send our love to all of you.  We miss you all.

Love,

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

Do we look like tourists or what?
Windsor Castle - Three Guards