TheSecondTimeAroundEngland

I made my carrot cake, and I think because I didn't have a good grater, it was somewhat dense...in fact very dense.  I have a box grater, and I had absolutely everything I needed so I barreled ahead.  The grater has 4 sides:  one large grate, one fine grate, one extra fine grate and one slicer.  The fine grate essentially turned the carrots into mush.  If I had been smart, I would have trooped over to the mall and picked up a good fine grater.  Since I was not smart today, I made the carrot cake with mushy carrots.  SK loved it, but it could have been much better. We drove to the outskirts of Oxford in the evening....outskirts basically meaning what Gilbert is to Phoenix.  We went to a little village called Carterton.  It was a lovely neighborhood, and the couple whose home was the destination were so very welcoming and cute.  Coming from Gilbert, where our ward is so walkable, it is hard to believe that we drove to a ward member's h...

We had a sweet experience this morning.  The two young sister missionaries brought a young man here who is interested in the gospel.  They taught him a lesson they had planned out and we all sat at the table, while they had a very nice discussion.  They asked questions, he asked questions, they bore testimony, he did too.  We read cogent scriptures and talked about what they mean in our world today.  He will be baptized at the end of the month.  As far as I can tell, we walked nearly four miles today, mostly in search of elusive ingredients for dinner tomorrow evening.  We have been invited by a ward member to come to dinner tomorrow evening, but not just dinner.  It will be an early "Thanksgiving feast."  Our Bishop has been invited and another family from the states who are visiting.  It sounds like a lot of fun. They asked us to bring our Thanksgiving dish.  Wellllll.....jello cannot be obtained around here, so I will not eve...

We got to Reading in excellent time this morning.  Traffic was a breeze, and we had the GPS on - and it was working.  We pulled into the Reading Stake Center with plenty of time to spare.  It turned out perfectly though, because only one set of missionaries was there.  As we sat waiting for everyone else to show up, we visited with the young missionaries as they came in. There were 20 young missionaries in attendance, 2 old missionaries (SK and me) and President Checketts.  Sixteen of them were the missionaries whose apartments we will be inspecting in about 2 weeks.  The other four are the Assistants to the President and The Sister Trainers (They are as much "Assistants" to both the President and Sister Checketts but their titles doesn't sound like it.  They travel the mission and train, but they also help with every major event happening in London --- and that is a lot!) Once Dave got there and got set up, he started the meeting.  I am so ve...

We are still trying to figure out our schedule.  Most missionaries have what is called a P Day, or Preparation Day, when they do laundry, clean their flat, do the necessary shopping for the week and all other things relating to being ready for the week to come. After 51 years of marriage, it is easy to lapse into doing all of that as you go, so the idea of a P Day is almost foreign to me.  However, today was a grand day for preparing.  I did 5 loads of laundry!  Five!  Since each load takes well over an hour - even on "express" wash, that is marvelous.  The machine holds only small loads, so that even five loads didn't get all of it done.  I also did all the ironing. I cleaned the oven, scrubbed the inside of the three crock pots, cleaned out a couple of drawers that have been collecting junk ever since this became a senior missionary flat, cleaned the bathrooms, and got some good study time in.  I also sat down and lettered a small quote for ...

We had our study time after rising this morning, and then with single-minded focus, we set out to a large grocery store on the edge of town.  I had a serious list, all intended for use for the dinner this evening.  We made one stop at a restaurant supply company where we were able to get a few items at a reasonable price, before getting to the large store. We had most of the items we needed in our basket and I left SK to go in search of one last item.  As I rounded a corner to return to him, I noticed that all of the people in the meat and deli sections were outside of the counter and standing silently and still in front of it, facing towards the entrance of the store.  I looked at SK and he put his hand to his mouth to signal me to be quiet.  I looked at him and then looked down the aisle.  Every direction I turned, there were people standing completely still and quiet. It was then I realized that there was music playing very softly.  I recognized...

Yesterday morning, we set out for parts unknown - Cambridge!  This is a twice-yearly occasion when the YSAs from Cambridge and Oxford get together.  November is the weekend for Cambridge to play host.  Oxford refers to Cambridge as "The Other Place." SK maneuvered the car magnificently through about a hundred roundabouts as well as all of the little two lane highways.  He is definitely getting more comfortable behind the wheel.  But there is a certain amount of bumbling that we just have to expect.  If you miss a turn, it can sometimes cost you a half hour or more before you get on course again. We reached Cambridge around noon, and helped get lunch on for the group of YSAs who began trickling in around 1.  The Calls, the couple who serve in Cambridge had done a magnificent job of planning and preparing everything were gracious hosts. Their apartment is a beautiful little flat nestled among others and overgrown with tall trees, vines and flowers....

It was nearly freezing when we awoke this morning.  The low temperatures all week are hovering in the low 30's with highs in the 40's.  I'm loving it.  We went out today in search of several items for dinner on Monday.  We went today because we will not be here tomorrow and Sunday, and I want to be prepared.  We stopped in to possibly 7 or 8 places.  We were efficient in getting from one point to another.  It is so lovely to begin to get my bearings here.  Our view out of our windows is due north. Are you tired of seeing views from our windows?  I love the bright light after a day of rain.  Everything looks so clean. On our walk this morning, we encountered this amazing tree.  I don't know how old it is or who might have trained it in this fashion, but we stood in wonder at it. After getting our shopping done, we went to a local open market, where there were stalls with antiques, junk, some crafts and then about 20 e...