At Mødes og Skilles er Livsstilen

 This seems like an appropriate time to use the old Danish saying that SK is fond of quoting: "To meet and to part is the way of life." There were several goodbyes said today, but it was a sweet day nevertheless.

I went to bed last night at 2 a.m., and was up by 7:30 and I am dragging, but it was a such a lovely day that I didn't really feel too tired. I spent the last hour wrapping every cookie in plastic wrap.  It rained through the night and even when I got up this morning the forecast was 80% rain. I kept checking the weather app to see if perhaps the miracle had happened (the rain stopping so we could eat outside for our picnic.). Dave has great faith, and he works as hard as he can to make those miracles happen, but all the while trusting that the Lord will do what He will do.

Dave and Deb came over around nine and then walked to Pembroke Chapel. We followed a half hour later. The problem is that when I wear a dress, I just really can't wear heavy-duty walking shoes. Well, I could, but I can't quite bring myself to that yet. So I wore lightweight dress shoes, and put about a mile and a half on my feet today - which isn't bad. SK put at least three on his.

As it turned out, we didn't walk to Christ Church Meadow for a picnic, but the Reverend said we could eat in the courtyard outside where we met. About ten of us went out and dried off tabletops and chairs, and most of the missionaries sat out there. The weather was glorious. Perfect temperatures and slightly cloudy. But NO Rain. We got our miracle. Then we scrambled up some stairs and had our picture taken as a group. I'm guessing they will send that out to us tomorrow.

After arriving at ten, we had the traditional opening song, prayer, recital of our theme and sang our mission anthem, "Jerusalem." I actually started to tear up because it hit me that we will not be singing that song anymore or reciting that theme. That was the Checketts theme and song.

After that, we heard from Reverend Teal. He gave us a handout of the major points he covered. His training took about an hour and a half. He speaks in a gentle quiet voice and yet because of the sound system, he sounds powerful. His message was so beautiful as he taught us out of The Book of Mormon. He teaches with the spirit. He quotes ancient brethren who lived and wrote shortly after Christ lived here in mortality. He quotes from all over the scriptures including the Doctrine and Covenants and The Book of Mormon.

I could have listened much longer. He has made a huge impact on the town of Oxford and upon the missionaries of the England London Mission. He admonished us to keep a journal of our dreams - the ones that are focused on Jesus Christ. He spoke at length about Lehi's Dream. It was truly a mountaintop experience.

We broke for lunch, which was a great hit, Dave and Deb spoke and gave their good-bye talks to these, the leaders of the mission, and as you can imagine their talks were deeply spiritual and very inspiring.

After the closing prayer, we all strolled to the square in the center of town, where a good number of young missionaries, along with Dave sang for about 30 minutes. Just sang out across the square in young strong voices. They sang some of our most beloved hymns. For the most part, people walked past without skipping a step. But there were also a fair amount of people who would stand and listen for awhile.

I noticed one young man standing front and center about 40 feet away from them. So I approached him and asked what he thought of this choir. We talked for at least 20 minutes. He was kind, and he was open. He had been brought up a Christian and had fallen away once he started at the university. He told me he recently prayed - just to see if there is a God - and if he would answer him. But he didn't receive an answer. Then he looked straight at me, and said, "Maybe you are my answer."

I gave him a Book of Mormon and pointed out some of my favorite verses. He said he would try to read it even though he never had much success with the Bible. I gave him my phone number and asked if he would call. He said yes.

I hope he does. I felt something special when I was chatting with him.

In the next two days, Dave and Deb will be especially busy, but there will be a zoom call with them tomorrow night and then they will be on their way home. Can't believe it. Slow down this time!

They came over to our flat briefly before returning to London. We hugged, and both felt the odd feeling  that they are leaving and we are staying! It will be many months before we will see them again. I'm so grateful to be living in a time when it is fairly easy to get back and forth across the country.

I hurriedly made a batch of chocolate chip cookies and we went to the church, ordered pizza and had Family Home Evening with nine young adults.

It has been a beautiful day.