Two More Days!
I am not wishing the time away - really. I am still treasuring every moment - kind of.
But the last three days of England's heat wave have been trying. It is a little after 11 p.m. right now and the temperature is 72 with 73% humidity. There is no breeze and we have all the blinds and windows shut against the heat of the early evening. It won't be cool enough to warrant opening them for a few hours.
By morning, the humidity will be in the high 80's - and the temperature for the next two days will be 84 and 83 respectively, with lows in the low 60's.
You probably don't care about all that, and I understand. It is boring, but it is also my life right now, sitting around in the lightest weight clothing I own and feeling damp. We have 2 1/2 fans that are spinning furiously.
But - two more days and we will be back to high temperatures of 72 and lows of 53. That is my idea of summer.
My migraine was worse this morning....I once again tried to sleep it off. Finally, I took an Imitrex which has given some relief for the afternoon and evening, but it feels like it is still there off-stage, waiting to make an entrance. I don't know what is causing it, but it has to be the weather.
I spent the afternoon putting the finishing touches on the books we have for the outgoing missionaries and writing cards to them. That takes a fair amount of time! It's kind of a thing of the past, yet the young missionaries have something of an idea of it. They each carry a blank book around with them, and have missionaries that they serve with write in them. Missionaries will usually write a page or so, pointing out positive characteristics and sharing a favorite scripture or something like that. They treasure those books!
I also worked on the last lesson for Pathway Institute. The Lord was kind this evening. All technology worked. The Powerpoint went off without a hitch. Zoom worked beautifully. Since the class ended I have been recording grades and reading assignments and sending comments.
I love those dear individuals in the class. They were amazing, and their faith is incredible. We had one woman get baptized, and one woman who has not been active in the church for many years come back into activity. She was - understandably bitter about some things that had happened and has come to grips with it. We had a forty-something stake president who always shared his gentle and yet powerful testimony of the Savior in the most humble of way, with a wonderful French accent. I am going to share three comments from people. I want you to see how faith-filled they are:
I have been blessed to participate in this group studying the Life of Jesus Christ. I have learnt much and really appreciate the gatherings and testimonies shared with the meetings. I know that Jesus is the Son of God and the Savior and Redeemer of the world. I love him for what he did for me. I have a personal testimony of his atonement and sacrifice. I hope that I can be faithful to my covenants and follow His example. I hope that I could come to Him some day with my loved ones. I will try to add action to my hope and faith and speak up when necessary to bring the Light of Christ to others. Thank you for those 14 weeks spent together. Aside from the doctrinal teachings, what I have learnt is more about the personal experiences shared by each of the participants who were willing to edify and uplift our conversations and gave me a broader view of the marvelous work and the wonder of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The light was shining on me when my friend in the USA introduced me to Pathwayconnect. I was coming out of a deep darkness phase and the Savior has always been in my heart even when I've been inactive in the church. The unconditional support and love of my family and friends who have Christlike attributes that are part of the church or not members are messengers. I also believe that through they, and my fellow new classmates I have the great honor to participate these last 14 weeks bring hope, love to help me. Each and everyone of my fellow people in this class has brought a beam of light in action as Laurant shared. Sister Madsen, I absolutely love you and your gentleness. You are a beautiful and truly wonderful person! I am so grateful the Savior is always with me and those that surround me bring continuing light even when at times things feel dim in my life I know there is a brighter light to help guide me to improve. Continuing to develop my christlike attribues helps me but also there is a hope I can pass onto my kids to seek and lead it also.
(I included the comment about me, because it makes me feel like perhaps I wasn't a complete failure.)
When I read about the Christlike attributes which we were invited to work on during the semester,I was excited as well as nervous. I have seen in my life that every time I tried to develope Christ like attribute or study more about it I would face with very stretching experiences that would allow me understand a certain quality and work on developing it. For example, if I chose to be more patient,my family members would definitely present me with many opportunities to practice it, more than usually or to the extent that I would want to give up and say "stop, i am not working on it anymore". But with pain comes growth.
While I was teaching, SK was chauffeuring the sister missionaries around town. It is too hot to walk. He will leave early in the morning to deliver Sister Jones to Hyde Park Chapel, and pick up Sister Ashworth to serve with Sister Heder here in Oxford (Sister Heder will ride along both ways). I will stay here because I don't think I can handle getting up so early if my head is hurting, and because they will need every nook and cranny in the car to transport luggage.
Now, I'll try to sleep, and hope the temperature drops down in the 60's soon.
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