BritishSmarts: Working Hard but Winding Down -- Week 75

Guess we’re writing one of our last few blogs. We spent Monday recovering from our weekend trip to Norfolk. We went shopping and just wound down. We did make several calls pertaining to our returning to America. Things on our minds are doctor appointments, buying a car, getting an internet connection, getting all the “junk” we’ve acquired home, and it goes on and on.

We settled down a little just before evening. One of the great families that we have learned to love, the Tandangs had invited us to dinner. They operate a combined restaurant/grocery store. So we went to their business to have dinner with them. They are very special and very kind. They need and want to sell their business so that the Church can have a more prominent part of their lives. We had the privilege of having them in our temple preparation class. Did we already say – fantastic family!?

Tandang Family

Tuesday through Thursday were spent at the Family History Centre. We spent time with the staff and helping patrons, etc. In between times, Annie is “obsessed with her own family history”. She continues to document and update her “Family Tree” with information she finds. This week she has focused a lot on information sent from a distant cousin she found in Ormskirk, Lancashire. This cousin is actually secretary of the Ormskirk Family History Society and has spent considerable time herself working on the Windows/Windus and Morris family.

Wednesday we received a phone call that caused a lot of excitement. It was a young prospective missionary from our Staines Ward. James Russell was calling asking Paul to be his “escort” when he took out his endowments prior to leaving for his mission. He had previously been in our temple preparation class. He was going through on Friday evening and it just fit into our convenient schedule. James is such a well prepared young man and will do a fantastic job in the mission field. He leaves a week before us for the Columbia Bogata South Mission.

Russell's @ London Temple

We spent Friday getting ready for a fair that we were to attend in Maidstone on Saturday. When we got there we found out that Paul was to give a key note address to open the conference. So, obviously, there was some last minute preparation and a powerpoint was quickly put together. We spent the rest of the day helping people with their genealogy problems at the family history centre in Maidstone.

Helping Patrons @ Maidstone

Before going on, we need to mention what a special day Friday was. We were to use most of the day getting ready for the conference. However, Annie had previously learned that one of her Windows ancestors was a fairly well known painter. His art was on display at several galleries, but one such gallery was here in London, the Tate Gallery. We made our way there and took a picture of one of his works. Then we did a little souvenir shopping and then got home so we could head for the temple. We hadn’t been there too long before the Russells showed up. Paul was to escort James, but James’ father also came. Paul was able to arrange for James’ father to also serve as an escort. It made the whole experience more special.

William L Windus Painting

Sample of Artwork - Wondered if Matt, Spencer & Eli
Could Compete with this Artist

We’ll close again with Sunday, today. It was a wonderful experience to be with our Staines ward again. Paul had to teach the younger youth class and enjoyed teaching them about ordinances and more specifically, the sacrament. The bishop and several of the ward members talked about missing us. They are so kind. Following the meeting we had the privilege of having dinner with the Maytham’s. They are a wonderful family and Brother Maytham is 1^st Counselor in the Bishopric.

Maytham Family

Guess that about does it for now. Our mission is such a wonderful experience and we have grown so much. It is really difficult to find words to express our love for these people. Although we are thoroughly looking forward to seeing our family and friends back in the USA, we will equally miss the wonderful people here in Britain and especially our Ward members.

May the Lord continue to bless you all and He has us,

Love to you all,

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