The Pull of Home and Family - The Draw of England

 You have got to love a place that is riotously green with trees, grass and shrubs, lavishly furnished with flowers of every hue, and is 60 degrees on July 1st. Of course, 84% humidity is just ever so much of an irritant, but I think I'm getting used to it.

Today has been glorious.

As I was getting the baked spaghetti ready for our district council, I got a text from Matt.

"Morning! How're you? I've got this morning - lunchtime free if you're also free for a coffee?

I answered, "Yes that would be lovely! I am fixing lunch for several young missionaries at our church. We wouldn't be done til 1. Is that too late? At Westgate? "

Then as an afterthought I added: "Or would you like to join us for lunch?"

Additionally, I wrote, "Actually, I think we could be to Westgate by 12:30." (That would have been cutting things close, but I really thought we could make it.)

He responded "Ah no! I have a delivery at 12:45. We can always try another time?"

I said of course and suggested some other times in the next few days.

He said that would be fine and perhaps tomorrow, and I said of course.

In a few minutes he texted again: "Sorry, what's the deal with lunch? I don't eat before 1300 but am free. Wouldn't like to intrude though."

I responded with the time and the address of the church.

We had our meeting which went beautifully and then promptly at 11:30 Matt arrived. I went down and let him in, took him up to the room where we were assembled, and introduced him to the six young missionaries who were there. Every one of them were bright and happy and so cute. I introduced each to Matt and then we all visited for awhile.

As we went up the steps from the ground floor to the second story, and before we went in to the room where we met, he asked if the lunch was casual enough that he could ask questions. I said, "Absolutely!"

So for an hour and a half, he asked questions and each of the missionaries had a chance to answer, sometimes turning to the scriptures.

During the conversation, he shared the reason he stopped to listen to the missionary choir in the town square. It was the song they were singing. They were singing Jerusalem - a song we have sung at every gathering in the mission since Dave was made the mission president (that will change now, as the new president will choose a new hymn, a new motto, and many other things that will identify his mission). Matt had just attended the funeral of his cousin, where this song was sung. 

When he heard the missionaries singing it, he felt compelled to stop and listen. One of the young elders shared that they were standing as a group trying to decide what to sing, and President Checketts said, "We will sing Jerusalem."

It was a great time. He didn't eat lunch with us, but I packed up some Rolo cookies for him to take with him. He later texted, saying they were great.

Three months after the last haircut, I got mine done today. She cut a ton off, and it feels good, but most people wouldn't be able to recognize that anything had been done to it.

One of our young adults came over for dinner and then we watched Galaxy Quest. SK and I watch it at least once a year. I love that movie! Emma had never seen it and laughed heartily with us. After the movie concluded, we sat and visited for awhile before she started back to her flat. She was on a bicycle, but I asked her to text when she got home.

She did.

I got a call from Dave as they were waiting to take off. They are so excited to see all their family and get reacquainted with all their grandchildren, especially the three who have been born since they have been in England. But he is tender-hearted about leaving England. 

Emma told us tonight how much she is looking forward to being with her family again, but that it will be difficult to leave this beautiful place.

We can echo their emotions exactly. 

These beautiful flowers were in an elegant vase at the beauty salon. Do you know what the purple blossom is? It is an onion flower. It grows out of an onion and is about 18 inches tall, sometimes much taller.


Comments

Erin said…
What a fun post! Just filled with all kinds of tidbits!

That flower is extraordinary!
July 2, 2021 at 11:27 AM
Lia said…
I forgot to mention it when I Poloed but your hair looks so nice! I can't find anyone to cut my hair. :(
July 2, 2021 at 11:54 AM
melissa said…
So many fun tidbits. An onion?!? Snd Im loving hearing about Matt!
July 4, 2021 at 12:28 AM
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