More Cookies, Memories and March Winds

 The wind has been blustering all around Oxford today.  I hear it now as I type.

In District Council this morning, Elder Bricknell wished us goodbye, since this will be the last missionary meeting that he will attend before his release next Tuesday morning.  We will probably see him a few more times on Zoom.  He spoke of each of the other 9 of us, sharing a memory.  

He remembered when SK went to pick him up in London to bring him back to Oxford to serve out the last 6 weeks of his mission.  He thinks SK is funny.  Imagine that.

He remembered "all the cookies and food that we took him."  He recalled a couple of things we had said during his time serving with us.  Then he did the same with everyone else.  I thought it was such a gentle and kind way to bid farewell.

After our meeting, he and his companion drove to the London Temple.  Yes, it is finally open for all ordinances, but the hours and number of ordinances are limited.  Missionaries can go to the temple if they are accompanying a new member who is going for the first time.  The elders were ecstatic about being able to go.  For Elder Bricknell, it must have been especially beautiful, knowing he may not be back this way again.

Interesting news today....As America has states throwing off all restrictions, we are told that the big news today is that as of March 29, the legal requirements to stay at home will be dropped in favor of "stay local."  There is some speculation that "local" means within 10 miles.  And at that point, we are still told that we cannot be away from home overnight.  That will happen April 12.  Also  on March 29, we will see the relaxing of outdoor gatherings from two to six.

Leaving the country for "holiday" will happen as of May 17 - at the earliest.  Holidays here in England will happen as of April 12.

If you show up at Heathrow without documentation proving that you are leaving for an essential reason, you will not be allowed to travel out of the country.  You must take a COVID test 72 hours before you travel. 

Coming into England?  Before arriving you must fill in a Passenger Locator Form before arriving and then you must self-isolate at home for ten days, taking a COVID test on the second and eight days, costing 210 pounds.  People who don't, face thousands of pounds in fines.

This was posted by someone online with the question: "During this time of COVID, which one are you?"

I made a batch of cookies again today and we delivered to three ward members (not young adults).  It was a sweet experience.  We delivered the first plate to Sister Evans, a 95-year-old woman who when standing up straight is possibly 4 feet 8 inches.  Last year, I heard her bear her testimony several times.  We could barely see her over the pulpit!  Her testimony is powerful.  I love to hear her Scottish accent as she talks about how much she loves the gospel and the Lord.

She is a widow and lives alone - very alone.  She has been in isolation for nearly a year now.  For her own safety, she hasn't had company, and she hasn't left her home.  Ward members take groceries in or a meal from time to time.  They do like we did today.  I deposited the container on her doorstep and backed away about 10 feet.  When she came to the door, we stood and visited, but I was concerned because it was cold and windy today and she didn't have anything on warmer than a sweater.  I loved visiting with her.

I wish I had snapped a picture when I was closer - this was taken from the inside the car.  She stood and waved at us until we were out of sight.

Next was a discouraged mother of several little ones.  She thanked us profusely for thinking of her.  Last was the wife of a student at Oxford who has just found out that she is expecting twins.  She is also tiny....she said she is 4'9" and they have a rambunctious 1-year-old.  

We attended Institute this evening which focused on D&C 25, the section about Emma Smith, who was a truly remarkable person.  It was a great class and well-attended.

One more note:  my telephone listed "Release Day" on the calendar for yesterday.  That was the original date for us to be winging our way home after serving in England for eighteen months.

We had no idea what an interesting and unusual mission this would be.