Just Another Day in Oxford

 Somehow the title expresses the security we feel.  We can face each new day as "just another day" because we know we have close to 170 of them ahead of us yet.  There is still time to do the things we want to do for all these amazing young people.  And COVID numbers are going down, so the lockdown should be easing up by month's end.  But there are still dire warnings that we can't let our guard down.

It will get down to 25 degrees tonight.  And I can't seem to get warm.  I contacted the sisters to see if they got their heater fixed.  At last night's meeting with the stake president, they were both bundled up in their coats.  Fortunately, it is working.  Today on our walk of 2 miles, we never did warm up, and I held onto SK like my life depended on it.  He gave a little protection from the wind!  We passed our castle moat, which was still flowing rapidly, but with ice encrusted banks and icicles hanging from the bridges.

We went to the post office, otherwise known as the Royal Mail.  Don't you love it?  It just feels like such a privilege to receive something from the Royal Mail.  There is something so very charming about names here.  We went on a drive to deliver something to one of our young adults.  We passed the town of Littlemore, and there is a Farmore.  I have shown pictures of some of the delightful road signs.  Others you may not have seen are Magpie Lane, Old Road, Tidmarsh Lane, Canterbury Road, Castle Road, Blue Boar Street, and of course the ever-popular King Edward Street.

One of our elders is from Nottingham and our Institute Director is the stake president in Canterbury.  And of course, I still haven't gotten over the awe of living in Oxford. OXFORD ENGLAND!  I mentioned to a Brit that I grew up thinking the Union Jack flag was the flag of the enemy (Revolutionary War) but I have come to love this flag, as well as the flag of England (which oddly enough is closely related to the Danish flag in design and color).




We took dinner to the elders - I had prepared everything yesterday, so all they had to do was heat up the white chicken chili.  I sent all the proper toppings home with them and brownies for desert.  Look at this thanks.  No wonder I love them!  They make us feel like we are wonderful. My brother Dan told me years ago that as a businessman he has discovered the value of a note of thanks.  I know it is true.

At sunset, we drove to a nearby suburb to deliver a Liahona (the newest name for The Ensign) and a little goodie to a young woman whom we haven't seen in a month or more.  This is her first year at uni, so it is her first year to be away from home.  Her mother has not been well, the class load is heavy, her computer time for lectures and homework is great, she is prone to anxiety and worry. and then there is the isolation issue.  This lockdown is so very difficult for so many, and I think anxiety, especially among younger people is running rampant.

We stood outside the car, just the two of us visiting for about 20 to 30 minutes and the wind was whipping around us, stirring up our hair and whistling through our coats.  I loved talking to her, and my heart ached for her.  She told me she would call if she gets feeling down again, and I will go over and we can take a walk together and talk.

As we drove home, the sun was setting on the horizon, peeking through the bare branches of trees.  It wasn't as spectacular as the many shots I've seen of the Gilbert sunset from a few nights ago, but it filled my heart with peace and awe for our Heavenly Father's creations.    



The miracles of this past week alone have been magnificent blessings, and each little indication of His love for all of us strengthens our faith and hope for the future.  

Comments

melissa said…
Despite the chill, it sounds like it was a beautiful and fulfilling day!
February 12, 2021 at 10:00 PM
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