A Green and Pleasant Land

 It is nearly one in the afternoon.  At one we will meet with the young missionaries and all the people they are currently teaching. We have a handsome young man from Spain and another almost as handsome one from Portugal who are currently being taught by our young sister missionaries. I know what you are thinking.  

And I think you are right. Often our new converts are attracted to the Church by handsome young men and beautiful young women, but just as often they stay and become strong and active members. And sometimes they even marry the missionary and raise a marvelous active family.

We spoke in church today.  We are both very grateful that it is over.  I don't know why that is stressful.  I spoke about the war in Heaven and that it is ongoing today.  I stood at the pulpit with people scattered over the expanse of the chapel. Most of them were on the older side. They sat alone, wearing masks, their whole posture one of weariness.

There were a few young adults scattered throughout, and just two families. The meeting was broadcast to members who were watching from home. It occurred to me about halfway through, "I'm playing to the wrong crowd!"  This was a talk for young adults. Those individuals were too tired to think about a war. They wanted comfort.  I'm not much good at going off script, and so barreled through.

SK did a great job of his. It was well-organized and thoughtful, and excellent....but even he was playing to the wrong crowd. They didn't want to hear "Everything is a choice."

They were kind, and by now, several hours later, probably don't remember a thing we said, but I hope at some time, they felt the spirit and were happy they attended.

In the afternoon, one of our reps, Kristina came for the sacrament and we visited for an hour.  Later, Emma came by for a calligraphy hour.  Then we had dinner. And the hour turned into three. She has been alone too much. We so enjoy both these young women.

So - yesterday.  It was grand fun. We left here early, took two hours to get to Portsmouth, which is directly south of Oxford and on the ocean. As SK likes to point out, "We have never been here on a May 22!" The green is glorious. We are in awe of the trees which have leafed out in spring green and the other myriads of shades of verdant color

It all went very smoothly. We had about 20 minutes to spare before the other couples arrived from London. They arrived in a large van and a car our size.  We queued up, waited to drive onto the ferry, and set out for the Isle of Wight. One of the other sisters jokingly stated, "We're getting a cruise too!" The rest of the day as we recounted this grand outing, we added "cruise" to the wonders we experienced. It was nearly a cruise.  Deck chairs, comfortable loungers inside and a snack bar.  Everything was scrupulously clean. And the views were awesome.

After disembarking from our cruise, we drove twenty minutes to a restaurant that the sister organizer found on TripAdvisor.  It was delicious and we each enjoyed every bit of our orders.  I got a small duck salad which was wonderful.  Stan got Sea Bass, but the people who got chicken with scalloped potatoes are the ones who really won.  

SK and I have said a few times since that we need to go back and eat there again. mmmmm let's see, there is the cost of the gas, the cost of the ferry (78 pounds per car), the cost of the meal (about $25 for SK, and $13 for me).  Kind of a costly meal, but the truth is we didn't have anywhere near enough time on the island and we would love a whole day to explore.

Immediately after lunch, we went to Osborne Castle - where we toured this magnificent summer home for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and their large family. Because of COVID restrictions we were not able to go upstairs to the private rooms (that will happen sometime in June), but the dining rooms, drawing rooms, parlors etc. downstairs were all lovely.

It's the grounds though that were really the best, nestled among forested hills and overlooking the water between England and the Isle. Some walked down to the beach.  We walked through the forest. We weren't disappointed at all. The flowers in bloom, the trees, the landscaping were breathtaking. The trees around here are something to behold. 

Do you see the ocean on the horizon, with England just a line above it?

Think Emma (the Gwyneth Paltrow movie). The huge tree in the proposal scene was nearly the star. We have seen so many trees that nearly put it to shame. They grow so very tall and stately - I know now why Joyce Kilmer wrote his poem about trees.  He was an American, living in New Jersey at the time it was published. The trees in New Jersey must be amazing.