I've Been to London to Visit the Queen
These days are so full, that sometimes I sit down to write and wonder where to begin. In a nutshell, today was our senior couples day, and it was amazing.
At least twice a year, all senior couples from all over the mission get together to be trained, to socialize and to eat. We did all three today, and we did it with flair. Deb put it all together (I've always thought she was incredible, but I realize now that she is off the charts.) and she was helped by Elder and Sister Hartsviggsen and two young sister missionaries.
Once again, out came all the china and crystal. The tables were set for dinner at Dave and Deb's apartment before we left this morning. We gathered with all of the senior couples at the Hyde Park Chapel. We had an opening hymn, opening prayer, recited together the mission statement, sang "Jerusalem" and then had remarks from Deb and then Dave.
We adjourned to the cultural hall, where we had some training from both office couples...training about finances, inspecting missionary apartments, interacting with the young missionaries, and what we can do to strengthen them. Much of it was led by the two APs. They are such sincere young men, and they work so hard. They helped set up everything today, then they taught us for about a half hour. They stayed with us until two when we left the building. We were gone for about 4 hours, and when we returned, they were standing in their white shirts and ties across the street from the Hyde Park Chapel, doing street contacting. Each one was earnestly engaged in conversations with what looked like young college students. Dave noted that they are both hard workers and self-starters.
After the business part of training, President Checketts got up and led a discussion about some scriptures from the Book of Mormon and then gave a very inspired message to us as senior missionaries. I think his message went straight to our hearts because I looked around and saw the same expression on several faces as what I think was on mine.
We had huge sandwiches catered from a Swedish bakery up the street....best sandwiches ever, with a small orange and a small serving of grapes. Dessert was a little marzipan tart from the same bakery which was just about as delicious a pastry as I have ever had! Seriously. Me. Who lived in Denmark for 2 years. Me. Who LOVED Danish pastry!
We played a sort of soccer game with a very large very soft ball. We, the players all remained in chairs and could not rise out of them or move the chairs but had to get the ball across the court and past the goalie. I actually assisted getting the winning goal!
We all left and met up a half hour later at Buckingham Palace...yes! The Queen's residence/office. We joined the throngs of people lined up waiting to get in. We already had tickets. We went through security where both SK and I were wanded, and then picked up headphones and wandered through that magnificent building for the next couple of hours. I think I walked though most of it with my jaw on the floor. It was truly beyond words, and further more, I was not allowed to take pictures - at all - so it is beyond pictures too.
Everything we saw was simply breathtaking. Furniture, architecture, design, colors, woodwork, floors, doorways, art, mirrors, sculpture, table settings, clothing. More than I could take in.
From the back of the castle, we walked through the royal gardens, the gift shop and cafe to the royal ice cream stand. I'm not kidding. It is made from milk given by the royal cows, who must be very happy, because they give cream that is crazy good. We of course had to stop for a cone. I had chocolate with chocolate chips and was enormously happy. SK had clotted cream with black current, which was almost as good as the chocolate.
We looked for a taxi, but by then it was rush hour, and we ended up walking the approximately one mile to Dave and Deb's flat.
When we got into the apartment the sister missionaries had gotten the evening meal ready to serve. Small plates of salad were put at each place, and a small bowl of potato leek, carrot orange, and cream of mushroom soup were served. When those dishes were cleared, we were served a plate with a helping of chicken pot pie, but not the humble little chicken pot pie you are familiar with, but a gourmet pot pie with a rich and flavorful crust (possibly flavored with fresh rosemary) that melted in my mouth. The helpings were big.
Just when we were all comfortable and comfortably full, the young sisters brought us each a small plate with a large piece of dense chocolate cake with chocolate ganache and a small helping of sour cream. I don't know how anyone else felt about that but I thought it was a stroke of genius to end the day like that.
What better way to end a royally good day than that?
p.s. If you're wondering what happened to my diet....I'll tell you. What diet?
At least twice a year, all senior couples from all over the mission get together to be trained, to socialize and to eat. We did all three today, and we did it with flair. Deb put it all together (I've always thought she was incredible, but I realize now that she is off the charts.) and she was helped by Elder and Sister Hartsviggsen and two young sister missionaries.
Once again, out came all the china and crystal. The tables were set for dinner at Dave and Deb's apartment before we left this morning. We gathered with all of the senior couples at the Hyde Park Chapel. We had an opening hymn, opening prayer, recited together the mission statement, sang "Jerusalem" and then had remarks from Deb and then Dave.
We adjourned to the cultural hall, where we had some training from both office couples...training about finances, inspecting missionary apartments, interacting with the young missionaries, and what we can do to strengthen them. Much of it was led by the two APs. They are such sincere young men, and they work so hard. They helped set up everything today, then they taught us for about a half hour. They stayed with us until two when we left the building. We were gone for about 4 hours, and when we returned, they were standing in their white shirts and ties across the street from the Hyde Park Chapel, doing street contacting. Each one was earnestly engaged in conversations with what looked like young college students. Dave noted that they are both hard workers and self-starters.
After the business part of training, President Checketts got up and led a discussion about some scriptures from the Book of Mormon and then gave a very inspired message to us as senior missionaries. I think his message went straight to our hearts because I looked around and saw the same expression on several faces as what I think was on mine.
We had huge sandwiches catered from a Swedish bakery up the street....best sandwiches ever, with a small orange and a small serving of grapes. Dessert was a little marzipan tart from the same bakery which was just about as delicious a pastry as I have ever had! Seriously. Me. Who lived in Denmark for 2 years. Me. Who LOVED Danish pastry!
We played a sort of soccer game with a very large very soft ball. We, the players all remained in chairs and could not rise out of them or move the chairs but had to get the ball across the court and past the goalie. I actually assisted getting the winning goal!
We all left and met up a half hour later at Buckingham Palace...yes! The Queen's residence/office. We joined the throngs of people lined up waiting to get in. We already had tickets. We went through security where both SK and I were wanded, and then picked up headphones and wandered through that magnificent building for the next couple of hours. I think I walked though most of it with my jaw on the floor. It was truly beyond words, and further more, I was not allowed to take pictures - at all - so it is beyond pictures too.
 |
| The back (exit) of Buckingham Palace |
Everything we saw was simply breathtaking. Furniture, architecture, design, colors, woodwork, floors, doorways, art, mirrors, sculpture, table settings, clothing. More than I could take in.
 |
| A bit of Fall |
 |
| Dave, Deb, and Us....at the Castle! |
From the back of the castle, we walked through the royal gardens, the gift shop and cafe to the royal ice cream stand. I'm not kidding. It is made from milk given by the royal cows, who must be very happy, because they give cream that is crazy good. We of course had to stop for a cone. I had chocolate with chocolate chips and was enormously happy. SK had clotted cream with black current, which was almost as good as the chocolate.
 |
| See the almost-gone Ice Cream? |
We looked for a taxi, but by then it was rush hour, and we ended up walking the approximately one mile to Dave and Deb's flat.
When we got into the apartment the sister missionaries had gotten the evening meal ready to serve. Small plates of salad were put at each place, and a small bowl of potato leek, carrot orange, and cream of mushroom soup were served. When those dishes were cleared, we were served a plate with a helping of chicken pot pie, but not the humble little chicken pot pie you are familiar with, but a gourmet pot pie with a rich and flavorful crust (possibly flavored with fresh rosemary) that melted in my mouth. The helpings were big.
Just when we were all comfortable and comfortably full, the young sisters brought us each a small plate with a large piece of dense chocolate cake with chocolate ganache and a small helping of sour cream. I don't know how anyone else felt about that but I thought it was a stroke of genius to end the day like that.
What better way to end a royally good day than that?
p.s. If you're wondering what happened to my diet....I'll tell you. What diet?
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