Out in Oxford Once Again

 We forced ourselves to get outside today and walk.  We didn't walk far, about a mile. It is the first time we have walked in nearly two weeks.  We just felt so awful last week, and this week we are slowly getting back among the living.  So we visited a cemetery!!! We visited our little St. Thomas Church at the end of the street with its decaying headstones and a forest-is-reclaiming-me look. It was cool (50 degrees, which is almost a heat wave) and overcast, and drizzled something closer to mist than rain throughout the day.

We examined the headstones a little more closely than we have before.  I don't know why cemeteries are so fascinating and so very peaceful.





We delivered some mail to the new family.  They have actually been here for a couple of months, but have listed our flat as their address until they get settle.  I think they are settled now, and very little comes here anymore for them.  Their fifteen-year-old boy answered the door and stood talking to me for about 15 minutes.  I have noticed lately that most people are happy to talk, because they get so little of it otherwise.  I have had wonderful conversations with quite a few people who were just so grateful to be communicating with another person.  I have found myself doing it.  You find yourself sharing all kinds of things and talking way too much and too quickly.

The photo doesn't convey the charm of this narrow little street at dusk.  Walking along on the sidewalks just wide enough for one, I found it easy to imagine it without the power wires and without the paved road.  The small irregular buildings with shared walls house apartments as well as small businesses.


This young man is very personable.  He is finishing up high school in Utah online.  He has been attending zoom young men's meetings, but he is the only young man in our ward.  There actually may be more but I'm certain it is a far cry from Utah, where you might have 20 young men in a quorum.

We attended Institute this evening.  It was the first meeting of a new semester.  We started the meeting with introductions, and I was elated that our new young man from Ghana and another brand new member from India attended.  Michael is here studying at Oxford for a Masters, as is Norbert from Ghana.  I hope they will continue.  It is so worthwhile.  

There is no getting around the fact that a small gathering in a flat with refreshments and socializing after is better, but this lessons are wonderful and I know they will get so much out of it by being "In" attendance.

But I'm learning that there are some wonderful things about online meetings.  You can still be inspired and feel the spirit, and you don't have to wear a bra.

Comments

melissa said…
Haha! Yes, there are definitely perks to online meetings, no pun intended. 😂
January 17, 2021 at 6:41 PM
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