If Only I Could Remember This Day Forever
Between last night and today, I hardly know where to begin. It has been wonderful. It was late late when we got into London last night. I think by the time we pulled into the Hyde Park Chapel parking lot, Dave was on automatic pilot. He was tired! They both put in such very long days. And there seems to be no end in sight. Every day for them is just packed solid.
Last night with Elder Cook, The Reverend Teal, Rodney K. Smith and Stephanie Barclay was stunning. Their talks about the constitution and religious liberty were fascinating. The dinner was excellent. It was as beautifully presented as it was delicious. I was so happy that the Reverend Teal called the young elders personally to invite them, as well as the sisters. They all loved it so much. One of them took these pictures....they are much better than mine. If you look closely, you'll see Dave and Deb on the far left at the head table, and Elder Cook in the middle next to Reverend Teal.
Right in the middle of the table is Rodney Smith, who has written about James Madison, Dr. Smith is passionate about him and his impact on America and the world. I am going to check to see if it is available here. He also has written about the love story between James and his wife Dolly Madison. That sounds particularly good!
Reverend Teal was so engaging and kind, and quoted from 2 Nephi. Stephanie Barclay has at her young age already much experience with the law and religious liberty. She was very impressive.
This morning we walked over the Prince Albert Hall to marshall a small group of missionaries we had been put in charge of....only for taking the large group picture with Elder Cook. I mostly had to line everyone up with the tallest in the back and shortest in the front.
We stood in formation for nearly a half hour waiting for Elder Cook to come. After a little while everyone got restless so they began singing "There is Sunshine in My Soul" loudly and with spirit...singing out into the gray misty London morning. It is as we were singing that Elder Cook and his wife arrived, and they both commented about how thrilling it was.
I think the picture will probably be posted on Facebook and Instagram....180 England London missionaries.
After the photos were snapped, we walked back to Hyde Park Chapel, where we packed into every seat there. An opening hymn surrounded by rich young voices started off our meeting, followed by a prayer and then we stood together, repeated the mission theme and then sang "Jerusalem." You ought to hear it sung by the England London Mission....it is amazing. It was also sung in "Chariots of Fire."
Deb was the first speaker. She talked about an experience she had with Elder Cook some years back that made her realize what an inspired man he is and what a wonderful example of how the Savior ministered.
Then Dave spoke....he is a such a great speaker, and he was mesmerizing today, telling about The Twin Towers and an experience he and Deb had in 1997 standing at the top of one of them. He told about the day they both came down and the after affects, He shared an experience he had when the new tower was done and he and a few others climbed the spire up...up...up to 1600 feet off the ground, and how that view was unsurpassable.
The regional rep and his wife both spoke. They are dynamic young people (OK, its all realative. they are in their 40's.)
Sister Cook and his wife closed out the meeting. He began by telling about what an amazing man Dave is, and how his reputation precedes him. He also said, "President Checketts answers yes to every calling, every assignment." He paid tribute to Deb, what a wonderful counselor she is and how he has heard so many good things about her also.
After he spoke, and then Mary Cook spoke and also lead us in singing. She was delightful. She talked about the attributes of Christ.
Elder Cook got back up, and reminisced about his mission to England nearly 60 years ago. He and Elder Holland were companions towards the end of their missions. He said that even back then people wanted to hear Elder Holland speak because had such a winning way of expressing himself. It sounds like they have been great friends for years. Someone else told us later that they were the APs.
He never used a note. He quoted scriptures, expounded upon them and then quoted Mark Twain. He told a few stories of individuals he has known. It was powerful.
He bore a very powerful witness of Jesus Christ, and then invoked an apostolic blessing on all of us. He said to us all, "This mission isn't about you. As you serve, this mission will bless everyone you love."
When it was all over, the mission office couples handed out 180 sack lunches and admonished us all to get back to our areas. Once again, we are so grateful to the four young missionaries who serve in Oxford. They led us to the underground "tube," where we seemed to be walking in underground walkways for a mile. They helped us get tickets and then we all boarded a subway that went through the downtown area. We got off at Paddington, did some more walking and ended up in the train station, where we purchased tickets for Oxford. Once we got on the train, we happily ate our lunches as the countryside zoomed by outside our windows.
The young missionaries walked us home, and then went on to their flats.
Last night with Elder Cook, The Reverend Teal, Rodney K. Smith and Stephanie Barclay was stunning. Their talks about the constitution and religious liberty were fascinating. The dinner was excellent. It was as beautifully presented as it was delicious. I was so happy that the Reverend Teal called the young elders personally to invite them, as well as the sisters. They all loved it so much. One of them took these pictures....they are much better than mine. If you look closely, you'll see Dave and Deb on the far left at the head table, and Elder Cook in the middle next to Reverend Teal.
Right in the middle of the table is Rodney Smith, who has written about James Madison, Dr. Smith is passionate about him and his impact on America and the world. I am going to check to see if it is available here. He also has written about the love story between James and his wife Dolly Madison. That sounds particularly good!
Reverend Teal was so engaging and kind, and quoted from 2 Nephi. Stephanie Barclay has at her young age already much experience with the law and religious liberty. She was very impressive.
This morning we walked over the Prince Albert Hall to marshall a small group of missionaries we had been put in charge of....only for taking the large group picture with Elder Cook. I mostly had to line everyone up with the tallest in the back and shortest in the front.
 |
| Elder Cook and his wife in front of that black car. |
We stood in formation for nearly a half hour waiting for Elder Cook to come. After a little while everyone got restless so they began singing "There is Sunshine in My Soul" loudly and with spirit...singing out into the gray misty London morning. It is as we were singing that Elder Cook and his wife arrived, and they both commented about how thrilling it was.
I think the picture will probably be posted on Facebook and Instagram....180 England London missionaries.
After the photos were snapped, we walked back to Hyde Park Chapel, where we packed into every seat there. An opening hymn surrounded by rich young voices started off our meeting, followed by a prayer and then we stood together, repeated the mission theme and then sang "Jerusalem." You ought to hear it sung by the England London Mission....it is amazing. It was also sung in "Chariots of Fire."
Deb was the first speaker. She talked about an experience she had with Elder Cook some years back that made her realize what an inspired man he is and what a wonderful example of how the Savior ministered.
Then Dave spoke....he is a such a great speaker, and he was mesmerizing today, telling about The Twin Towers and an experience he and Deb had in 1997 standing at the top of one of them. He told about the day they both came down and the after affects, He shared an experience he had when the new tower was done and he and a few others climbed the spire up...up...up to 1600 feet off the ground, and how that view was unsurpassable.
The regional rep and his wife both spoke. They are dynamic young people (OK, its all realative. they are in their 40's.)
Sister Cook and his wife closed out the meeting. He began by telling about what an amazing man Dave is, and how his reputation precedes him. He also said, "President Checketts answers yes to every calling, every assignment." He paid tribute to Deb, what a wonderful counselor she is and how he has heard so many good things about her also.
After he spoke, and then Mary Cook spoke and also lead us in singing. She was delightful. She talked about the attributes of Christ.
Elder Cook got back up, and reminisced about his mission to England nearly 60 years ago. He and Elder Holland were companions towards the end of their missions. He said that even back then people wanted to hear Elder Holland speak because had such a winning way of expressing himself. It sounds like they have been great friends for years. Someone else told us later that they were the APs.
He never used a note. He quoted scriptures, expounded upon them and then quoted Mark Twain. He told a few stories of individuals he has known. It was powerful.
He bore a very powerful witness of Jesus Christ, and then invoked an apostolic blessing on all of us. He said to us all, "This mission isn't about you. As you serve, this mission will bless everyone you love."
When it was all over, the mission office couples handed out 180 sack lunches and admonished us all to get back to our areas. Once again, we are so grateful to the four young missionaries who serve in Oxford. They led us to the underground "tube," where we seemed to be walking in underground walkways for a mile. They helped us get tickets and then we all boarded a subway that went through the downtown area. We got off at Paddington, did some more walking and ended up in the train station, where we purchased tickets for Oxford. Once we got on the train, we happily ate our lunches as the countryside zoomed by outside our windows.
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| Are these missionaries cute or what? |
The young missionaries walked us home, and then went on to their flats.
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