Walking in the Rain - or - Walking in London - Same Thing
We were up late last night - nothing unusual about that, but we were up very early this morning - and that is unusual. Normally, 7:30 to 8:30 is the time we get up and get moving. Today it was 5:45 - which is almost the time I go to bed sometimes! (just kidding) But it felt like we had just gotten to sleep.
What moved us to awaken at that indecent hour? A trip to London to meet with the entire mission and be trained by Elder Patrick Kearon of the Presidency of the Seventy. Everyone was excited to attend.
SK got a break today; we took the train. With the whole mission there (well over 200 missionaries) there would have been no place to park the car. When SK and I first took the train into London, about five months ago, we went into the station on the day we wanted to go, and to our dismay, had to pay nearly a hundred dollars to ride, and that was with the senior discount!
We have been somewhat reluctant to ride the train since, although other people have been helpful with advice. We purchased a railcard called a "Two Together" pass. It certifies that you will always be together when you travel (or at least when you are using the pass). It cost 30 pounds or roughly $40, and is good for a year's discount. We were also told that you should never buy them at the station, you should always go online.
Having done both those things, I think we have discovered a marvelous way to travel! For two round trips to London we paid about 25 pounds, and that included taxes. So it cost us each about 6 pounds per one way ticket. And it is so comfortable! The trains are clean and timely and no stress.
The only thing is that you have to get on the train you say you will or you forfeit the ticket. It was great first thing this morning...we walked through the darkened streets to get to the station and got right on the train to London. It couldn't have been an easier process. The young elders went with us. Once in London, we took a cab for the mile and a half to the Hyde Park Chapel (because it was raining like crazy).
Once to the church, we met in the cultural hall, and then all walked to Prince Albert Hall, where a professional photographer took our picture. We all stood on the steps with hoods covering our heads and umbrellas covering everything else. The photographer stood on a ladder giving directions. At his command, everyone put their hoods down and collapsed their umbrellas! We were all pretty wet by the time we walked back to the church and into the chapel for the conference. (We will probably be receiving a copy of that mission photo, and I will post it then.)
It was a beautiful conference. I'm sure every missionary there was grateful to be there, to feel the warmth of Elder Kearon and his wife, who both gave dynamic training talks. Elder Kearon was walking past Hyde Park Chapel 30 some odd years ago, and was stopped by two young sister missionaries. At first he thought, "Oh no...I don't want to talk to them today!" But then there was something about them in the way their faces shone with joy that made him stop and listen. The rest is history (that saying truly applies here).
Dave and Deb each spoke also and were awesome. I don't know how often they give talks, but I know it is probably at least once a week. Elder Kearon likened being a mission president to running to catch a very fast-moving train and flinging yourself into it, and then having to go through the train taking care of any and all problems. He added that at the end of the mission, it will be that same breathless kind of thing....jumping off while it is going ahead full-steam.
Later, SK and I went up to Dave and Deb's flat and ate with them and the Kearons. It was a lovely experience. They are delightful to talk with and put everyone at ease.
We walked nearly 6 miles today, and most of that was in the rain. I love walking in the rain and there was more than enough to please. In fact, on the way back to Paddington Station at the end of our day in London, it hailed! And 10 minutes later, as we walked the full sun came out. Gorgeous.
We ended up waiting into the station nearly two hours to get our train out. It was so cold! But it was kind of fun to watch the endless array of people passing through that station - must have been thousands.
A short walk home seemed like a very long walk, because we were tired and damp and cold. It is so lovely to have a warm and inviting place to come back to.
What moved us to awaken at that indecent hour? A trip to London to meet with the entire mission and be trained by Elder Patrick Kearon of the Presidency of the Seventy. Everyone was excited to attend.
SK got a break today; we took the train. With the whole mission there (well over 200 missionaries) there would have been no place to park the car. When SK and I first took the train into London, about five months ago, we went into the station on the day we wanted to go, and to our dismay, had to pay nearly a hundred dollars to ride, and that was with the senior discount!
We have been somewhat reluctant to ride the train since, although other people have been helpful with advice. We purchased a railcard called a "Two Together" pass. It certifies that you will always be together when you travel (or at least when you are using the pass). It cost 30 pounds or roughly $40, and is good for a year's discount. We were also told that you should never buy them at the station, you should always go online.
Having done both those things, I think we have discovered a marvelous way to travel! For two round trips to London we paid about 25 pounds, and that included taxes. So it cost us each about 6 pounds per one way ticket. And it is so comfortable! The trains are clean and timely and no stress.
The only thing is that you have to get on the train you say you will or you forfeit the ticket. It was great first thing this morning...we walked through the darkened streets to get to the station and got right on the train to London. It couldn't have been an easier process. The young elders went with us. Once in London, we took a cab for the mile and a half to the Hyde Park Chapel (because it was raining like crazy).
Once to the church, we met in the cultural hall, and then all walked to Prince Albert Hall, where a professional photographer took our picture. We all stood on the steps with hoods covering our heads and umbrellas covering everything else. The photographer stood on a ladder giving directions. At his command, everyone put their hoods down and collapsed their umbrellas! We were all pretty wet by the time we walked back to the church and into the chapel for the conference. (We will probably be receiving a copy of that mission photo, and I will post it then.)
It was a beautiful conference. I'm sure every missionary there was grateful to be there, to feel the warmth of Elder Kearon and his wife, who both gave dynamic training talks. Elder Kearon was walking past Hyde Park Chapel 30 some odd years ago, and was stopped by two young sister missionaries. At first he thought, "Oh no...I don't want to talk to them today!" But then there was something about them in the way their faces shone with joy that made him stop and listen. The rest is history (that saying truly applies here).
Dave and Deb each spoke also and were awesome. I don't know how often they give talks, but I know it is probably at least once a week. Elder Kearon likened being a mission president to running to catch a very fast-moving train and flinging yourself into it, and then having to go through the train taking care of any and all problems. He added that at the end of the mission, it will be that same breathless kind of thing....jumping off while it is going ahead full-steam.
Later, SK and I went up to Dave and Deb's flat and ate with them and the Kearons. It was a lovely experience. They are delightful to talk with and put everyone at ease.
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| These were the placemats Deb used. I thought of Lia! |
We walked nearly 6 miles today, and most of that was in the rain. I love walking in the rain and there was more than enough to please. In fact, on the way back to Paddington Station at the end of our day in London, it hailed! And 10 minutes later, as we walked the full sun came out. Gorgeous.
We ended up waiting into the station nearly two hours to get our train out. It was so cold! But it was kind of fun to watch the endless array of people passing through that station - must have been thousands.
A short walk home seemed like a very long walk, because we were tired and damp and cold. It is so lovely to have a warm and inviting place to come back to.
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