Out and About in Oxford

 Nearly five miles today!  Although it was enjoyable, it was not quite as easy to walk so much as along a river path.  We walked to the center of town to take care of several things.  We went to our bank, where our account is still open (but we had both forgotten our pin numbers!).  We went to the post office, We went to the sister missionary's apartment to check their electric meter, and then we walked to the place where it can be replenished.  We walked to the pharmacy to see if we can get flu shots (we can - end of October is the earliest appointment), we walked through the mall and purchased a light raincoat for SK, and we went to one of our favorite grocery stores and bought a few items.

I think that pretty well covered our travels....why does shopping always make us more tired, and walking rejuvenates us?  Who knows.  But it was a beautiful day.  It was foggy when we awakened...58 degrees an 95% humidity.  It was gloriously beautiful and we left our flat with jackets on.  By the time we got home it was sunny and 73 degrees.  Too warm for a jacket!  I absolutely adore walking to all these places.  Doesn't it seem more friendly?  Just to stroll over to the little shop where you wish to do business?  

Among other things today, we found a little shelf of abandoned Christmas decorations at 70% off.  Look at this lovely little tree for the chest in our entryway!

Besides the lily we purchased Saturday, we have to have a new basil plant for the kitchen window sill.  SK begrudgingly aided and abetted me in purchasing them - and getting them home.  

We spent some time this evening talking with our Bishop's wife trying to determine how to best arrange gatherings for our YSAs.  She thinks it is a law - hard and fast - that 6 is the limit.  That would mean no more than four guests here in our flat.  We talked about having several groups of four throughout the week...maybe four nights a week.  I will fix a pot of soup or something, and they can gather for a few hours.  But that will have to be approved by the stake and mission presidents.  We will also need to try to work out Institute, which is one night a week.  That may be something we can do at the church, and have up to 20 there (socially distancing of course and wearing masks).

There is still so much uncertainty.  There is talk of another shutdown.  If COVID spikes again, the government may cut down even more on gatherings and then we'll have to go from there.  For now, we are grateful for what we can do.  

Tomorrow, we have names and phone numbers of several YSAs we would like to contact.  We have nothing yet that we can invite them to, but we can let them know we are here and are willing to help them if needed. Isn't this a fascinating time to try to do missionary work?  People are feeling more isolated of course, and these young people especially need a connection to other people.  We are trying to figure out how best to give them that sense - and still be obedient to government regulations.

In the meantime, I have two lovely little houseplants that need a little to grace this little flat.