Christmas 2017 - Hever Castle Christmas light displays.
Monday, December 25, 2017
Christmas Eve 2017
Christmas Eve 2017
It's a quiet Sabbath day here on the London Temple Grounds. It has been a quiet week in the temple also. We have worked shorter hours throughout the week, but truly, they seemed much longer as we have not had a lot of patrons. On Friday, we had a new patron and three of us were waiting in initiatory to assist her. We would hear the temple rumors....."she's in the building .....she's with the office staff......she'd getting dressed"......We were told to take our stations because she was on her way. Then, Sister Allen, my English friend, reported that she stopped to spend a penny.
My mind goes back into American mode and I wonder what costs so little at the clothing till. Then.....like magic, I remember! She went to the restroom. Do any of you recall my English lesson from an earlier post? Well, the sweet young girl finally arrives and we attend to our duties. After our work was completed, Sister Allen came in to talk to me and Sister Kelly, another English friend. She started her conversation, "The penny dropped. Now, I know who she is".
What in the world? She spends a penny......the penny drops.....I asked her to say it again. She repeated the same phrase to me. I finally had to ask how the penny dropped. "Oh, that means that I suddenly remembered who she is". Kind of like me saying, "the light came on". Isn't that cute? I can always count on Sister Allen to add a bit of English flavor to my day. I just love her and her fun personality.
Friday was the last day the temple was open and by Saturday morning, the parking lot was cleared out. The English workers all flew the coop for the holiday. The few Americans left standing have planned a few activities to do throughout the holiday. This dark, damp weather cannot help but make it seem like Christmas. I have loved it. We attended an hour long sacrament meeting of scripture reading and carol singing today. This little Haywards Heath Ward we attend can sing! We love that. And the amazing thing about singing is that I understand every word while they are doing it. All accents are gone.
So, on this quiet Christmas Eve, I think of my dear girls and their families so far away. I pray for their safety and spiritual well being. Besides the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas is about Family. I look forward to a happy reunion someday. In the meantime, we will keep looking, listening, finding, dropping, etc pennies til we get it right over here.
ALL MY LOVE,
Sister Seaman....aka Mom and Grandma
What is a Clark?
Are you ready for this. A Clark is a clerk. You know, like the "clerk of the court." We are just back from having Christmas Dinner with the Walters. They are such a nice couple and have treated us royally. During dinner they got to talking about a certain "Clark" that lived in Bristol (which is where they are from) and I turned to Kim and ask if she knew what a "Clark" was. She said that they were talking about a guy named Clark. I informed her that they were talking about a clerk not a Clark. Go figure. Anyway, besides running into words like "Clark" every now and then things are smoothing out for us. The driving is getting easier and we are starting to understand more and more.
At dinner today, the conversation turned to Bristol and the tin mines and how old they were. Poldark is near where the Walters live. And from there, we got to talking about how the tribes of Israel got up this for. Then Brother Walters says that Joseph of Arimathea and Mary, the Mother of Jesus, are buried in Avalon, a few miles away. I said WHAT? He said that Jesus and Joseph of Arimathea came to Britain often to trade for tin. I asked how he knew that and he said through well documented histories written and discovered here in England. Apparently Joseph traded for tin for the Romans and became known as the "Minister of Mines" for the Romans. . He said that Joseph had a church built here as well. Apparently, Joseph was Mary's uncle. Joseph of Arimathea became known in England as Joseph of Glastonbury. I am getting the feeling that it was not such a small world in those days, as I had originally thought.
Anyway, Christmas has come and gone here in England. We enjoyed our schedule of engagements and will now continue to party for a couple of more days. Then it's back to work for a few days and then off again for a few days. It is great. We have missed our family but they are busy having fun and barely remember us. We know that they are blessed because we are here and that makes it all worth it.
Love you,
Elder Seaman
What is a Clark?
Are you ready for this. A Clark is a clerk. You know, like the "clerk of the court." We are just back from having Christmas Dinner with the Walters. They are such a nice couple and have treated us royally. During dinner they got to talking about a certain "Clark" that lived in Bristol (which is where they are from) and I turned to Kim and ask if she knew what a "Clark" was. She said that they were talking about a guy named Clark. I informed her that they were talking about a clerk not a Clark. Go figure. Anyway, besides running into words like "Clark" every now and then things are smoothing out for us. The driving is getting easier and we are starting to understand more and more.
At dinner today, the conversation turned to Bristol and the tin mines and how old they were. Poldark is near where the Walters live. And from there, we got to talking about how the tribes of Israel got up this for. Then Brother Walters says that Joseph of Arimathea and Mary, the Mother of Jesus, are buried in Avalon, a few miles away. I said WHAT? He said that Jesus and Joseph of Arimathea came to Britain often to trade for tin. I asked how he knew that and he said through well documented histories written and discovered here in England. Apparently Joseph traded for tin for the Romans and became known as the "Minister of Mines" for the Romans. . He said that Joseph had a church built here as well. Apparently, Joseph was Mary's uncle. Joseph of Arimathea became known in England as Joseph of Glastonbury. I am getting the feeling that it was not such a small world in those days, as I had originally thought.
Anyway, Christmas has come and gone here in England. We enjoyed our schedule of engagements and will now continue to party for a couple of more days. Then it's back to work for a few days and then off again for a few days. It is great. We have missed our family but they are busy having fun and barely remember us. We know that they are blessed because we are here and that makes it all worth it.
Love you,
Elder Seaman
Monday, December 18, 2017
A Dreary Winter Day
Are You Keeping Well?
December 17, 2017
We have been here long enough that I am becoming familiar and bonding with some of the patrons who come in the temple to do their work. I have especially admired Sister O'Callaghan-Evans. She has beautiful white hair and a gentle manner about her. Each act performed for her is always met with a gracious "Thank-You" and tears in her eyes.
I met up again with her and we had a minute. She said in her beautiful lilting voice, "Sister, are you keeping well?" This tender question had a thousand meanings in my head. Are you adjusting to being away from Home? Are you loving your time in the temple? Are you keeping well? Such a simple question asked so gently.
As we finished the work for a deceased sister born in 1683, Sister O'Callaghan-Evans thanked me and then said, "Don't you wonder what her life would have been like? It must have been hard. And now, today, we are opening doors for her. Isn't the gospel wonderful? It goes forward and backward and we can all be blessed by it." I tell you this little incident because I want to be like this dear English sister.
I met Sister Dregg from the Limerick Ireland branch this week. She was just baptized in August. She flew in with her son to do three baptisms. Her son was just there to watch. He did not want to do baptisms. As we had a little time before the session began, I showed her around the font and the nursery, which is close by the baptistery. She opened up and told me she has a huge fear of water. The only other time she has been under water was when she was baptized. I don't think I understood this until she went into the font with her son, who ended up doing the baptizing for her. She stood a long while in the water, then nodded to her son. The baptism for her mother took place. She rose out of the water visibly shaking and gasping. She stood another long while collecting herself to do it again for her grandmother. The process was completed again for her great grandmother. I believe there was a sigh of relief from all us as she got to walk up out of the font. After it was all over and she was dressed I asked her how she felt. She said she came to do what she had to do and she was proud of herself. She felt like it was a huge accomplishment. I was so happy for her.
These are just two highlights of my week. Aren't they simple? They may seem that we are leading a small life. We are, in some ways. Our biggest worry is to keep our load of white clothes washed. Isn't that something? Riding home from church today, Sister Walters, stated, "It's a dreary winter day." I couldn't agree more but, really, was surprised that a true blue English woman felt it too. I am so thankful the weather has not been an issue with me. I expected dreary. And my expectations are being met. Our job is to get up and walk a few yards to the temple - rain or shine. And to keep our selves well.
My final thoughts are of our Mauriah. Our oldest daughter will be 42 tomorrow. She was born wise. Sometimes I wondered who was the mother, her or I. I miss her this week. I pray she is keeping well.
My Love,
Sister Seaman.....aka Grams and Mom
Proper English Words:
*torch - flashlight
*We had a good Crack........I got to work in the cafeteria this week. Oh, I love those ladies. Rosa, the boss, told me to come back again soon because we had a good crack. (Irish for laugh. Yes, I know, its not English)
*nip in - sneak in is what I do when I am late for prayer meeting
*half past - 1:30, 2:30. 3:30, etc.....(The meeting, talk, etc....will begin at half past.)
Our Neighbor, Bobo
Today, Kim and I have had a good laugh about the signature on a Christmas Card that we received under our door this morning. It was in a plain white envelope, addressed to Brother and Sister Seaman, Flat # 14. As Kim opened it, the contents were revealed. There was a plain white piece of paper with the big words "Merry Christmas" printed on it by a laser printer in red ink. The other content was a crocheted white snowflake. It was very sweet. I ask Kim who it was from, and she looked at the card, she couldn't read it properly as she didn't have her glasses on, and said Bobo Peggy. It actually said Bob and Peggy. But the thought of this old temple worker being called Bobo was just too much. I think we really needed a good laugh. Just for the record, this couple have been just great, especially to us.
It was one of those experiences that makes you giggle in bed and wake your wife up. Anyway, it was a good time. I pray that neither of us ever slip up though and call him Bobo to his face.
We both spoke in our ward today, the Heathers Heath Ward, in Wivelsfield. Kim did a great job as always and I thought I did OK, even if I have to say so myself. We both spoke on "gifts," our assigned topic. As part of my talk, I told the story of the "The Stone Cutter." It is the story of John Moyle, a stone cutter, that emigrated to Utah after joining the church in 1851. He lived in Plymouth, England, a place not too far from here. If you have not seen the video or read the story, please do it and show it to your families for FHE. It is on LDS.org. You will never feel the same about making a commitment or a covenant. What an inspiration.
Well that's all for now. Got to go to bed. Good night Bobo.
Sincerely,
Elder Seaman
Sunday, December 10, 2017
December 10, 2017
Flat #14
We live in Flat #14 in The Lodge on the temple grounds. The Lodge is a two story brick building containing 22 flats. This is where the majority of the temple workers live, with the single sisters living over in The Manor House where President and Sister Otterson live. Each flat is decorated in what I call "Early Missionary"- Maple furniture, faux wood computer desks, homely lamps (read between the lines on this one), recycled desk chairs. Two pictures are assigned to each flat; one is a church picture with the other one being flowers or landscapes. The instruction books that are given to each new occupant strictly warns against pounding nails in the walls. Let me tell you about #14.
This No Nail Rule got me down right off the bat. One of my many weaknesses has always been to look at a room and imagine what I could do with it. You know - moving furniture around, a pillow here, a basket there, pictures and other paraphenelia slapped on the walls......Bare walls make my hands tingle. Fortunately, I rediscovered Power Tack. That is what it is called over here in Poundland. Isn't that cute? - Poundland....smells and sells the same kind of junk as Dollar Tree. I used Walltack all the time when I taught school. Even more magical than Tack are the Command Damage Free Hooks.
My favorite room in our little one bedroom flat is the kitchen. For some reason, this kitchen is the only one in The Lodge with a skylight. This makes the room seem bright and cheery. I love to look up and out that window to see planes flying overhead, the moon, clouds moving, and rain falling. It opens up, which we did often when we first arrived. We have a small microwave, stove and refrigerator. And I mean small. But it makes for a simple lifestyle. I have learned to love it. I will look forward to owning a garbage disposal again someday, though.
Our bathroom is very "English". The loo (toilet) is built into the wall - is that a water closet? The faucets are separate hot and cold. Hand and face washing are still tricky as the Hot is HOT. I have learned to run water into the plugged sink. It makes for a lovely wash. It reminds me of when I bathed my little baby girls in the kitchen sink. Another oddity in the toilet (English for bathroom) that I love is the wall heater. That thing can put out the heat and makes for a great towel rack. I feel kind of like a rich girl when I use my warm towel every morning.
Our windows in our flat face out to a grass clearing with the trees and shrubs all around it. We have loved watching the season change to fall and now, to winter through our windows. One of my favorite things has been to go walk in those woods and find greenery and branches to help give this little place a homey feel. And finally, when we vacuum, I feel like I could shut my eyes and be back at the Show Low Stake Center vacuuming the halls on a Saturday morning. We are proud users of a church owned vacuum. You know the kind - heavy and solid. I often wonder who the lucky company is that sells those things to the church.
When we open our door we literally are looking out at the temple about 300 steps away. Now, who gets to do that? We can walk down our hall or the one below and smell exactly what Brother and Sister So and So are having for dinner. The Lodge is full of couples just like us, doing exactly what we are doing everyday. There is a feeling of comraderie and unity that is hard to beat. The Lodge is a grand place to call Home for eighteen months.
Meanwhile, I met my first Angel in the temple this week. He is literally named Angel from Spain. He has been here over a year and works as a night custodian. I was so happy to meet him and kept yapping about him being my first angel in the temple. Poor guy. I don't think he was near as happy about it as I was, although he was a good sport.
Oh, MY LOVE,
Sister Seaman.....Mom and Grandma
YOUR ENGLISH LESSON:
*drove me Crackers - drove me crazy
*going for the High Jump - This means you are in Big Trouble
*Sideboard - credenza
*Dotty - confused
Health and Strength
One of the things I have worried about in coming to England on a mission is the medical issues. I was reminded today about it again. Today was Stake Conference here in the Crawley Stake. Elder Johnson of the Seventy was the visiting General Authority. He is the Area President of the Europe Area. Just previous to Elder Johnson's talk, President Frost, the Stake President, was speaking and we noticed that an elderly man in the choir seats was in trouble and a small crowd gathered. The Stake President went on not knowing what was happening behind him. Eventually he was told, but continued on until he finished. Then Elder Johnson began speaking, all the time, there is this event going on in the choir seats behind him. They put three guys standing up in front of the guy in trouble with their backs to us so we couldn't see what was going on. At one point, Elder Johnson stops for a few minutes and then continues until he is finished. The closing song is dispensed with and a prayer is given and it is over. We never knew what was wrong and they never took the guy out until it was over.
England has socialized medicine. It is called the National Health Service (NHS for short.) Let me describe to you a little of how it works. First off, the English people will tell you that it is free, which is something they are really proud of. The English government taxes everything and they are running a deficit from year to year. If this sounds free to you, we need to have a talk.
If you are an English citizen, you can register for health care. If you want to see a doctor, you call for an appointment and then wait three to four months for your visit. If you have an emergency, you call 444 and they send a paramedic to see you. If you then require transport to a hospital they call 111 for an ambulance. The ambulance comes and you are loaded in, whereupon they begin treatment in the ambulance. Once you are stabilized, then you are transported. I believe that the congestion on all the roads may be one reason for this procedure. You are not required to pull over for emergency vehicles in England. There is generally no place to pull over to.
If you need surgery, you wait another several months. The actual care that they are getting seems good. In theory, everybody may now slowly become a hypochondriac. It is free, you know. They go to the doctor for everything. Another interesting fact is that some of the drugs that require a prescription is the USA are sold over the counter here.
We are trained in the temple that when someone has an emergency in the temple (even in the dark,) we do nothing but call 444. We leave the person in place and continue on as if nothing has happened. It is a little disconcerting to me, as a little CPR could save someone's life, but that is not the English way of it.
Only time will tell if this system will really effectively serve the people. It doesn't look good to me, but I have been spoiled by the first class medical care we receive in the USA.
My thoughts have been, don't get sick, don't get hurt, and hope you make it for 18 months!
Sincerely,
Elder Seaman
We live in Flat #14 in The Lodge on the temple grounds. The Lodge is a two story brick building containing 22 flats. This is where the majority of the temple workers live, with the single sisters living over in The Manor House where President and Sister Otterson live. Each flat is decorated in what I call "Early Missionary"- Maple furniture, faux wood computer desks, homely lamps (read between the lines on this one), recycled desk chairs. Two pictures are assigned to each flat; one is a church picture with the other one being flowers or landscapes. The instruction books that are given to each new occupant strictly warns against pounding nails in the walls. Let me tell you about #14.
This No Nail Rule got me down right off the bat. One of my many weaknesses has always been to look at a room and imagine what I could do with it. You know - moving furniture around, a pillow here, a basket there, pictures and other paraphenelia slapped on the walls......Bare walls make my hands tingle. Fortunately, I rediscovered Power Tack. That is what it is called over here in Poundland. Isn't that cute? - Poundland....smells and sells the same kind of junk as Dollar Tree. I used Walltack all the time when I taught school. Even more magical than Tack are the Command Damage Free Hooks.
My favorite room in our little one bedroom flat is the kitchen. For some reason, this kitchen is the only one in The Lodge with a skylight. This makes the room seem bright and cheery. I love to look up and out that window to see planes flying overhead, the moon, clouds moving, and rain falling. It opens up, which we did often when we first arrived. We have a small microwave, stove and refrigerator. And I mean small. But it makes for a simple lifestyle. I have learned to love it. I will look forward to owning a garbage disposal again someday, though.
Our bathroom is very "English". The loo (toilet) is built into the wall - is that a water closet? The faucets are separate hot and cold. Hand and face washing are still tricky as the Hot is HOT. I have learned to run water into the plugged sink. It makes for a lovely wash. It reminds me of when I bathed my little baby girls in the kitchen sink. Another oddity in the toilet (English for bathroom) that I love is the wall heater. That thing can put out the heat and makes for a great towel rack. I feel kind of like a rich girl when I use my warm towel every morning.
Our windows in our flat face out to a grass clearing with the trees and shrubs all around it. We have loved watching the season change to fall and now, to winter through our windows. One of my favorite things has been to go walk in those woods and find greenery and branches to help give this little place a homey feel. And finally, when we vacuum, I feel like I could shut my eyes and be back at the Show Low Stake Center vacuuming the halls on a Saturday morning. We are proud users of a church owned vacuum. You know the kind - heavy and solid. I often wonder who the lucky company is that sells those things to the church.
When we open our door we literally are looking out at the temple about 300 steps away. Now, who gets to do that? We can walk down our hall or the one below and smell exactly what Brother and Sister So and So are having for dinner. The Lodge is full of couples just like us, doing exactly what we are doing everyday. There is a feeling of comraderie and unity that is hard to beat. The Lodge is a grand place to call Home for eighteen months.
Meanwhile, I met my first Angel in the temple this week. He is literally named Angel from Spain. He has been here over a year and works as a night custodian. I was so happy to meet him and kept yapping about him being my first angel in the temple. Poor guy. I don't think he was near as happy about it as I was, although he was a good sport.
Oh, MY LOVE,
Sister Seaman.....Mom and Grandma
YOUR ENGLISH LESSON:
*drove me Crackers - drove me crazy
*going for the High Jump - This means you are in Big Trouble
*Sideboard - credenza
*Dotty - confused
Health and Strength
One of the things I have worried about in coming to England on a mission is the medical issues. I was reminded today about it again. Today was Stake Conference here in the Crawley Stake. Elder Johnson of the Seventy was the visiting General Authority. He is the Area President of the Europe Area. Just previous to Elder Johnson's talk, President Frost, the Stake President, was speaking and we noticed that an elderly man in the choir seats was in trouble and a small crowd gathered. The Stake President went on not knowing what was happening behind him. Eventually he was told, but continued on until he finished. Then Elder Johnson began speaking, all the time, there is this event going on in the choir seats behind him. They put three guys standing up in front of the guy in trouble with their backs to us so we couldn't see what was going on. At one point, Elder Johnson stops for a few minutes and then continues until he is finished. The closing song is dispensed with and a prayer is given and it is over. We never knew what was wrong and they never took the guy out until it was over.
England has socialized medicine. It is called the National Health Service (NHS for short.) Let me describe to you a little of how it works. First off, the English people will tell you that it is free, which is something they are really proud of. The English government taxes everything and they are running a deficit from year to year. If this sounds free to you, we need to have a talk.
If you are an English citizen, you can register for health care. If you want to see a doctor, you call for an appointment and then wait three to four months for your visit. If you have an emergency, you call 444 and they send a paramedic to see you. If you then require transport to a hospital they call 111 for an ambulance. The ambulance comes and you are loaded in, whereupon they begin treatment in the ambulance. Once you are stabilized, then you are transported. I believe that the congestion on all the roads may be one reason for this procedure. You are not required to pull over for emergency vehicles in England. There is generally no place to pull over to.
If you need surgery, you wait another several months. The actual care that they are getting seems good. In theory, everybody may now slowly become a hypochondriac. It is free, you know. They go to the doctor for everything. Another interesting fact is that some of the drugs that require a prescription is the USA are sold over the counter here.
We are trained in the temple that when someone has an emergency in the temple (even in the dark,) we do nothing but call 444. We leave the person in place and continue on as if nothing has happened. It is a little disconcerting to me, as a little CPR could save someone's life, but that is not the English way of it.
Only time will tell if this system will really effectively serve the people. It doesn't look good to me, but I have been spoiled by the first class medical care we receive in the USA.
My thoughts have been, don't get sick, don't get hurt, and hope you make it for 18 months!
Sincerely,
Elder Seaman
Wednesday, December 6, 2017
Monday, December 4, 2017
DECEMBER
DECEMBER
December 3, 2017
December is upon us. There is a feel of Christmas everywhere. The land seems dreary and the days grow shorter, It is dark by 4:00 pm. It is just as I pictured an old fashioned Christmas in England. We have just returned from our Break-the-Fast meal that is held with all the temple missionaries each month. So far, there has been a variety of delicious food each month, mostly potatoes. We are learning to love the missionaries we serve with.
We have been serving in the baptistery for the past two weeks. Now, that has meant we served down there only on Friday nights and Saturdays. That is when people typically schedule. We are seeing that this temple is located "out"; meaning it is difficult for saints to just get in their cars and drive to do a session. It's a big deal to get here. As a result, I so admire the youth and their leaders who give up a lot to get here.
Our first stake on Saturday came from central London. I have forgotten the stake's name. But not the kids or the leaders. One of my assignments is to get name slips prepared for each participant that is on a list which was sent in earlier. Now, can I list some of the names? Brothers Shatimehin, Aidoo-Antwi, Ford, Iguasnia, Onyeme-Campbell.....The young sisters sported the same type of names. Now, picture all these youth filing into the little reception room where I sit at this big desk. I pride myself on being pretty sharp on phonograms since I taught them so many years. So, here I go ......"Brother Onyeme-Campbell?" No one replies. I repeat it. Someone might pipe up and point to a boy and say, "That is you". I jump in questioning the youth. I get a puzzled look, so I ask him what his name is. He replies, "Mutter, mutter, mutter". I am stumped. So, now what? Trying to act like I have a bit of authority, I ask him to spell it. After he spells it two or three times, I find his blue name slip that, all the while, has been sitting right in front of me. It was exactly like playing The Match Game where one of my grandkids turn over cards until a match is found. After more quizzing, sweating, and almost playing charades, I finally felt confident that each youth had been identified and sent them on their way to get clothing.
President Otterson, our temple president, wanted to observe in the baptistry that morning. He was up by the font helping out. As the boys were baptized, it became apparent that there were only three boys left with four name cards left. President called the three boys over and asked them to identify who they were as he pointed to the cards. He finally figured out who three of the names belonged to. So, here he is, one extra card - no live body to claim it. Finally, one youth spoke up and, pointing to the name, told a boy that is was "him". He nodded that ,yes it was him, so President questioned him who the other named belonged to. It was his, he replied. So......to make a rambling story shorter.....We discovered that Brother Adoo-Antwi is also known as Brother Kojo Adjie.
We found out that morning that this stake has 128 dialects among its members. I believe they brought at least that many dialects to the temple on Saturday morning. The leaders were so kind and helpful as I kept apologizing to them over my ignorance. I was in awe of these sisters and brothers that came with these kids. Some of them were new converts, just as the youth were. Some had been members for years, migrating to London from countries in Africa or even, South America. We are seeing the fulfilling of Joseph Smith's prophecy that the Standard of Truth has been erected and will sweep every country and sound in every ear. It has been a humbling experience to see so many different nationalities come to do work in this temple.
So, My AZ Family, know that the Lord's work is truly throughout the world. He knows and loves each one of us. I believe that with all my heart. It is a typical day in the temple, when three workers are from England, Spain, and America and the patrons are holding a French or even German card. It is becoming a joy to have even a tiny, tiny role serving people and pronouncing promises from the Lord on their heads. How did a little girl from Show Low, AZ get to be here?
Sending all my Love,
Sister Seaman......Mom, Grams
YOUR ENGLISH LESSON:
centre - as in "leisure centre". Could this be a recreation center? All their "er" words are spelled "re".
This one has not been clearly explained to me.
fayre- I am going to the county Fair or craft Fair. Again, I have no clear answer for the "ai" missing
in the middle of words, with "ay" replacing it.
The "phone went". - The phone rang. (Isn't this phrase cute? Can you picture a phone walking off?)
SETTLED IN
People keep asking us if we have settled in. We have settled in. We are here and we are staying. I guess we still look a little lost or maybe we are supposed to still look a little lost. Either way, the honeymoon is over.
We are getting around a little better in the Temple and out on the roads. Kim gets to go anywhere she wants. We do have to go around the round-about more than once occasionally to get straightened out, but we get there. The roads are even looking a little wider than they did. We buy what we want to eat and now have several good choices. The routine is becoming clearer by the day.
I will say that we are exhausted by the week's end. We both sleep about 8 or 9 hours a night. I sleep more than that if you count my naps (I had 2 yesterday.) By the way, there is only 21 sleeps left until Christmas. In the states, we would say, there is only 21 days left until Christmas. The same thing but from a different perspective.
We have arrived officially in winter here. It has been cold and dark. It feels real cold but it hasn't frozen real hard yet. I suppose it is the humidity that gives the cold it's bite. The leaves have mostly fallen but the grass is still green (they say that the grass will stay green all year long), so weird.
Life here is actually becoming good. We are happy working in the Temple and being around a lot of very good people. We can even understand what they are saying now, some of the time. I noticed in church yesterday, for the first time, that I was hearing what sounded natural to me, which surprised me because they were speaking with the same accents they always have.
On a different subject, guns are an interesting subject here. The English, especially the women, are very anti-gun. They believe that they are right in not letting their citizens own guns. They have a hard time with the fact that we can openly carry a gun with us all the time. They are scared of them.
But then they have socialized medicine here too, and it doesn't appear to work that well. They wait for several months for a free appointment with a doctor and about the same for a surgery. It kills me that they call it free. They are taxed to death over here.
Well, I'll be glad to get back to writing about something good or funny one of these days, but it may not happen. Be good.
Sincerely,
Elder Seaman
SETTLED IN
People keep asking us if we have settled in. We have settled in. We are here and we are staying. I guess we still look a little lost or maybe we are supposed to still look a little lost. Either way, the honeymoon is over.
We are getting around a little better in the Temple and out on the roads. Kim gets to go anywhere she wants. We do have to go around the round-about more than once occasionally to get straightened out, but we get there. The roads are even looking a little wider than they did. We buy what we want to eat and now have several good choices. The routine is becoming clearer by the day.
I will say that we are exhausted by the week's end. We both sleep about 8 or 9 hours a night. I sleep more than that if you count my naps (I had 2 yesterday.) By the way, there is only 21 sleeps left until Christmas. In the states, we would say, there is only 21 days left until Christmas. The same thing but from a different perspective.
We have arrived officially in winter here. It has been cold and dark. It feels real cold but it hasn't frozen real hard yet. I suppose it is the humidity that gives the cold it's bite. The leaves have mostly fallen but the grass is still green (they say that the grass will stay green all year long), so weird.
Life here is actually becoming good. We are happy working in the Temple and being around a lot of very good people. We can even understand what they are saying now, some of the time. I noticed in church yesterday, for the first time, that I was hearing what sounded natural to me, which surprised me because they were speaking with the same accents they always have.
On a different subject, guns are an interesting subject here. The English, especially the women, are very anti-gun. They believe that they are right in not letting their citizens own guns. They have a hard time with the fact that we can openly carry a gun with us all the time. They are scared of them.
But then they have socialized medicine here too, and it doesn't appear to work that well. They wait for several months for a free appointment with a doctor and about the same for a surgery. It kills me that they call it free. They are taxed to death over here.
Well, I'll be glad to get back to writing about something good or funny one of these days, but it may not happen. Be good.
Sincerely,
Elder Seaman
.
Monday, November 27, 2017
Our First Thanksgiving Week in the UK
Our First Thanksgiving in the UK
November 26, 2017
I am so thankful this week that we served a mission in Independence, MO a few years ago. It was easier for me to manage our first Thanksgiving out of the states. I was reminded that this is a temporary assignment to be away from Home for 18 months. We will return. We will have a big Thanksgiving meal with our dear girls and their families again. My life is not over. So, in the meantime, we celebrated Thanksgiving here last Monday, the day the temple is closed.
We fed 60 senior missionaries in the downstairs dining room in the accommodation building. The meal seemed better than ever, since it was made in our typical rich American fashion. Mikie's To-Die-For Yams, Brother Lamoreaux's dressing, the Ludlow's mashed potatoes. Well, you can picture it. You all just had the same meal a few days ago in the comfort of your own country, I mean Home. I have felt so thankful for America and temples throughout the earth that bind us All together to our Eternal Home.
Les and Linda, my Mikie's brother, popped in for a two day visit while they are on a whirlwind tour of the United Kingdom. It was so good to have our first company from Home! As time was very tight, due to our work schedule in the temple, we took two quick trips close to the temple. Our first visit was to Chartwell, Winston Churchill's home. The next morning we drove down to Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. I'm telling you now - both places were worth seeing for different reasons. Add them to your Bucket List when you hit England. Both stories involved love, with one ending tragically, due to choices made.
It was a quiet, calm, overcast morning when we got to Chartwell. I can see why Winston and Clementine Churchill loved that place. The setting and surrounding countryside was as lovely as any spot I have ever seen. His art studio opened out to such a view. He loved to paint, but not as much as he loved his Clementine. Their love story is often ignored, yet she was his emotional rock and most trusted confidante. From his own words, the Second World War would have been "impossible without her". On occasion he referred to her as "She-whose-commands-must-be-obeyed". Such a dear story of true love.
On the other hand, the love story that came out of Hever Castle, could truly be classified as a "Head Over Heels" adventure that ended in literally Anne of a Thousand Days losing her head at the bequest of her husband, Henry the Eighth. After banishing his first wife, Catherine and her daughter, he took up with beautiful Anne thinking she would surely be his answer for a male progenitor. When Anne finally married him and promptly gave birth to another daughter, she instantly lost her charm. Now, how to get rid of her? Henry is the king so what Henry says, goes. A conspiracy was hatched to prove her infidelity in their marriage and then - it's all over but the crying. The only gift he gave her was to take off her head with a sword, which was considered more polite, than with an axe.
There are lots of lessons to be learned from these two love stories. I am just so thankful that my love story with my Mikie is my own and it is eternal. Our lives may never be as exciting as kings and queens and prime ministers, but oh, it is so much richer. Thanks be to our ancestors who heard the message of the gospel, and through choices of theirs, we are blessed today.
My Love,
Sister Seaman......Mom and Grandma
English Lesson:
swimmingly - Things are going swimmingly (great)
gubbins - equipment; tools
docket - packed lunch
mardle - talk on and on.....My Mikie thinks I mardle about our family.
Turning Point
I am a getting a little bit tired and bored of talking about England and how different and dangerous it is. So this post will take a different twist.
There comes a time when you have to make a big decision. It will wait no longer. For most of us, that time is forced on us by our procrastination and/or fear. I bet if you think about it, you can remember some of those times and decisions. You can probably also remember the outcomes of those decisions. For instance, who you decided to marry or when you bought your first house, or if you should join the Mormon Church and give up family and friends, a job even, and a way of life. These are big decisions with far reaching and wide ranging outcomes. For the sake of this post, I am calling these decisions Turning Points.
I have reached one of these turning points in my life just lately. After years of procrastination, I have made the decision. I have always been a member of the Mormon Church and have been active in it. I have served in some form of leadership for at least 30 years of the 57 years I have been a baptized member. I tell you this, not to brag but to make this point. After all that time, you would have thought I was all in. I was not.
In the last few years, since we have started to serve missions, and especially now, serving full time, 5 days a week in the London Temple, I am finally starting to see that I have not been all in. I guess I thought I could keep just one small part of me domiciled in the world and that would be OK because the rest of me was in. I was wrong. I can see that it has been holding me back. I have been afraid to commit all because I thought I would miss out on something good and worldly.
This is my turning point. I am all in. I hope I am not too late. I don't think so, in fact I know that I am not too late. To my kids and grandkids, make the decision now, don't needlessly drag the weight of the world around with you. Let it go now and save yourselves and your families in the process.
Sincerely,
Elder Seaman
November 26, 2017
I am so thankful this week that we served a mission in Independence, MO a few years ago. It was easier for me to manage our first Thanksgiving out of the states. I was reminded that this is a temporary assignment to be away from Home for 18 months. We will return. We will have a big Thanksgiving meal with our dear girls and their families again. My life is not over. So, in the meantime, we celebrated Thanksgiving here last Monday, the day the temple is closed.
We fed 60 senior missionaries in the downstairs dining room in the accommodation building. The meal seemed better than ever, since it was made in our typical rich American fashion. Mikie's To-Die-For Yams, Brother Lamoreaux's dressing, the Ludlow's mashed potatoes. Well, you can picture it. You all just had the same meal a few days ago in the comfort of your own country, I mean Home. I have felt so thankful for America and temples throughout the earth that bind us All together to our Eternal Home.
Les and Linda, my Mikie's brother, popped in for a two day visit while they are on a whirlwind tour of the United Kingdom. It was so good to have our first company from Home! As time was very tight, due to our work schedule in the temple, we took two quick trips close to the temple. Our first visit was to Chartwell, Winston Churchill's home. The next morning we drove down to Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. I'm telling you now - both places were worth seeing for different reasons. Add them to your Bucket List when you hit England. Both stories involved love, with one ending tragically, due to choices made.
It was a quiet, calm, overcast morning when we got to Chartwell. I can see why Winston and Clementine Churchill loved that place. The setting and surrounding countryside was as lovely as any spot I have ever seen. His art studio opened out to such a view. He loved to paint, but not as much as he loved his Clementine. Their love story is often ignored, yet she was his emotional rock and most trusted confidante. From his own words, the Second World War would have been "impossible without her". On occasion he referred to her as "She-whose-commands-must-be-obeyed". Such a dear story of true love.
On the other hand, the love story that came out of Hever Castle, could truly be classified as a "Head Over Heels" adventure that ended in literally Anne of a Thousand Days losing her head at the bequest of her husband, Henry the Eighth. After banishing his first wife, Catherine and her daughter, he took up with beautiful Anne thinking she would surely be his answer for a male progenitor. When Anne finally married him and promptly gave birth to another daughter, she instantly lost her charm. Now, how to get rid of her? Henry is the king so what Henry says, goes. A conspiracy was hatched to prove her infidelity in their marriage and then - it's all over but the crying. The only gift he gave her was to take off her head with a sword, which was considered more polite, than with an axe.
There are lots of lessons to be learned from these two love stories. I am just so thankful that my love story with my Mikie is my own and it is eternal. Our lives may never be as exciting as kings and queens and prime ministers, but oh, it is so much richer. Thanks be to our ancestors who heard the message of the gospel, and through choices of theirs, we are blessed today.
My Love,
Sister Seaman......Mom and Grandma
English Lesson:
swimmingly - Things are going swimmingly (great)
gubbins - equipment; tools
docket - packed lunch
mardle - talk on and on.....My Mikie thinks I mardle about our family.
Turning Point
I am a getting a little bit tired and bored of talking about England and how different and dangerous it is. So this post will take a different twist.
There comes a time when you have to make a big decision. It will wait no longer. For most of us, that time is forced on us by our procrastination and/or fear. I bet if you think about it, you can remember some of those times and decisions. You can probably also remember the outcomes of those decisions. For instance, who you decided to marry or when you bought your first house, or if you should join the Mormon Church and give up family and friends, a job even, and a way of life. These are big decisions with far reaching and wide ranging outcomes. For the sake of this post, I am calling these decisions Turning Points.
I have reached one of these turning points in my life just lately. After years of procrastination, I have made the decision. I have always been a member of the Mormon Church and have been active in it. I have served in some form of leadership for at least 30 years of the 57 years I have been a baptized member. I tell you this, not to brag but to make this point. After all that time, you would have thought I was all in. I was not.
In the last few years, since we have started to serve missions, and especially now, serving full time, 5 days a week in the London Temple, I am finally starting to see that I have not been all in. I guess I thought I could keep just one small part of me domiciled in the world and that would be OK because the rest of me was in. I was wrong. I can see that it has been holding me back. I have been afraid to commit all because I thought I would miss out on something good and worldly.
This is my turning point. I am all in. I hope I am not too late. I don't think so, in fact I know that I am not too late. To my kids and grandkids, make the decision now, don't needlessly drag the weight of the world around with you. Let it go now and save yourselves and your families in the process.
Sincerely,
Elder Seaman
Sunday, November 19, 2017
The Real Peanut Butter is on top
Take a close look at this stuff. See if you can figure out what
it is. For instance, Trex is shortening. Sugar for butter cream is
Powdered Sugar and so on.
Make That a Peanut Butter Sandwich
Make That a Peanut Butter Sandwich
November 19, 2017
We've had two different encounters with Peanut Butter this week. We were walking home from the temple and passed a group of young missionaries coming out of their district meeting. Sister Nielsen, from UT, was carrying a huge jar of Skippy peanut butter. We asked about it and they told us that for their meeting they had Krusteze buttermilk pancakes smeared with peanut butter. The best thing they've had since they got to England.
My elder and I were doing sharing time in the Haywards Heath Ward Primary today - for a total of six children. Yes, that's the whole Primary for the day. We were doing a role play and I mentioned inviting a friend over to share a peanut butter sandwich. You should have heard the groans and moans. No one in England invites friends (or enemies) over for PBJ's. Isn't that something? All afternoon I have tried to visualize an English schoolchild's lunchbox. What is in that thing if there isn't an occasional PBJ?
The history of peanut butter has been dismal over here. As far as we can tell, Skippy is the only brand that took the plunge and is sold over here in Costco. That is where our sister missionary friends got their big jar. We were gifted a small jar of Skippy from a couple that had completed their mission and were going home to the states. Now, before we received our treasured gift, we had bought English peanut butter that we had found sort of hidden on the shelves of the local market. It doesn't compare to Skippy. I assume that is why these English Primary children do not like PBJ's. They haven't tasted the real deal.
The English diet has been an adventure and somewhat of a mystery since we got here. We have spent hundreds of pounds on products that look like they might be a bit tasty only to throw them away after we have given the product enough time to grow mold in our little frig. And that doesn't take long over here. Bacon (streaked rashers) HAS to be cooked the first day or that stuff goes bad. We have all but given up on bacon with eggs. Milk curdles quickly. Fresh vegetables are not fresh for long. There are crisps, biscuits, fairy cakes, bread pudding, Yorkshire puddings.......the list goes on and on. I am still not clear on what a cookie around this place is really called, As for us, we still call a cookie a cookie. Not a biscuit.
Mikie and I are in charge of the traditional Thanksgiving meal for the Senior missionaries. We are holding it tomorrow, Monday, November 20. That is our P-day and besides that, not one English man or woman cares a bit about Thanksgiving over here. It is our American holiday. Looking for a turkey has been a real trick. All the markets told us to come back at Christmas - that's when a proper turkey is perched on their shelves. So, we resorted to frozen turkey crowns (breast.) As for cranberry sauce - our friend, Sister Long will be making it. This will be the day when the Americans can eat all the fruit salad they want along with their regular meal. And, even better, pumpkin pie will be served without any English person turning up their nose. English eat their fruit for dessert. As a whole, pumpkin served in any form, is looked down upon. It will be a day of glorious feasting!
I will let my Mikie carry on now because I think I will go make a peanut butter sandwich.
All my Love,
Sister Seaman
Proper English Words:
gobsmacked - shocked, surprised
shirty - "He got a bit shirty". (cross, mad)
Naughty - We know what this means BUT some of our friends use it all the time in place of Rude.
vitamins - Not Really vitamins as we know them. It's vit, rhyming with hit, sit, mitt....a short vowel I.
Thai Food
We had one of our best meals the other night. We were invited to go eat at a Thai Restaurant in Lingfield. Lingfield is just up the road a couple of miles. Thai Food is apparently Thai Food wherever you are. Thank Heavens.
As you can tell, one of the biggest frustrations we have had in England has been the food. The beef is totally grass fed and tastes a little gamey. The bacon stinks rotten even fresh from the store. None of their food is salted, peppered or even seasoned. It is very blah. They eat pastry bread with everything and call it pie. Minced beef is hamburger. The best hamburgers are chicken because they don't get the beef right. It will be good to get an American hamburger again someday. The English eat some kind of potato with every meal. Jacket potatoes are baked potatoes, French fries are called crisps. Don't even try to get spicy food unless it is Thai food. I don't think they understand the concept of spicy.
You would think that we would be losing weight, but no, we eat everything in sight trying to get it to taste good.
They do have a couple of good food items we like. The cheese is real good. As are the custards, creams, double creams, ice cream, milk (it doesn't last long), and breads. The eggs are always real fresh and are sold un-refrigerated (it was a little spooky at first.) The strawberry jam is real good. We can buy Old El Paso Mexican food products over here (figure that one out.) They sell tomato sauce for salsa though. We love refried bean burros with cheese and cook them for lunch often. They make a little soufflé with spinach that we like, but it is a little on the airy side, but great for lunch.
If you ever read this, you may wonder why we are writing about food. We are writing stuff like this so that we will remember how it was here in England years from now. It has truly been an adventure.
For those of you who care, I am doing better at driving. I only had one incident this week where I turned right (instead of left) into on-coming traffic on a divided highway. I immediately drove the car upon the sidewalk, which was, miracle of miracles, wide enough for the go-cart we drive, and waited for the traffic to go by and then made a U-turn. We had two old ladies with us in the back, both of which, swear it was a miracle. They still even talk to me.
Anyway, Bon Apatite!
Sincerely,
Elder Seaman
November 19, 2017
We've had two different encounters with Peanut Butter this week. We were walking home from the temple and passed a group of young missionaries coming out of their district meeting. Sister Nielsen, from UT, was carrying a huge jar of Skippy peanut butter. We asked about it and they told us that for their meeting they had Krusteze buttermilk pancakes smeared with peanut butter. The best thing they've had since they got to England.
My elder and I were doing sharing time in the Haywards Heath Ward Primary today - for a total of six children. Yes, that's the whole Primary for the day. We were doing a role play and I mentioned inviting a friend over to share a peanut butter sandwich. You should have heard the groans and moans. No one in England invites friends (or enemies) over for PBJ's. Isn't that something? All afternoon I have tried to visualize an English schoolchild's lunchbox. What is in that thing if there isn't an occasional PBJ?
The history of peanut butter has been dismal over here. As far as we can tell, Skippy is the only brand that took the plunge and is sold over here in Costco. That is where our sister missionary friends got their big jar. We were gifted a small jar of Skippy from a couple that had completed their mission and were going home to the states. Now, before we received our treasured gift, we had bought English peanut butter that we had found sort of hidden on the shelves of the local market. It doesn't compare to Skippy. I assume that is why these English Primary children do not like PBJ's. They haven't tasted the real deal.
The English diet has been an adventure and somewhat of a mystery since we got here. We have spent hundreds of pounds on products that look like they might be a bit tasty only to throw them away after we have given the product enough time to grow mold in our little frig. And that doesn't take long over here. Bacon (streaked rashers) HAS to be cooked the first day or that stuff goes bad. We have all but given up on bacon with eggs. Milk curdles quickly. Fresh vegetables are not fresh for long. There are crisps, biscuits, fairy cakes, bread pudding, Yorkshire puddings.......the list goes on and on. I am still not clear on what a cookie around this place is really called, As for us, we still call a cookie a cookie. Not a biscuit.
Mikie and I are in charge of the traditional Thanksgiving meal for the Senior missionaries. We are holding it tomorrow, Monday, November 20. That is our P-day and besides that, not one English man or woman cares a bit about Thanksgiving over here. It is our American holiday. Looking for a turkey has been a real trick. All the markets told us to come back at Christmas - that's when a proper turkey is perched on their shelves. So, we resorted to frozen turkey crowns (breast.) As for cranberry sauce - our friend, Sister Long will be making it. This will be the day when the Americans can eat all the fruit salad they want along with their regular meal. And, even better, pumpkin pie will be served without any English person turning up their nose. English eat their fruit for dessert. As a whole, pumpkin served in any form, is looked down upon. It will be a day of glorious feasting!
I will let my Mikie carry on now because I think I will go make a peanut butter sandwich.
All my Love,
Sister Seaman
Proper English Words:
gobsmacked - shocked, surprised
shirty - "He got a bit shirty". (cross, mad)
Naughty - We know what this means BUT some of our friends use it all the time in place of Rude.
vitamins - Not Really vitamins as we know them. It's vit, rhyming with hit, sit, mitt....a short vowel I.
Thai Food
We had one of our best meals the other night. We were invited to go eat at a Thai Restaurant in Lingfield. Lingfield is just up the road a couple of miles. Thai Food is apparently Thai Food wherever you are. Thank Heavens.
As you can tell, one of the biggest frustrations we have had in England has been the food. The beef is totally grass fed and tastes a little gamey. The bacon stinks rotten even fresh from the store. None of their food is salted, peppered or even seasoned. It is very blah. They eat pastry bread with everything and call it pie. Minced beef is hamburger. The best hamburgers are chicken because they don't get the beef right. It will be good to get an American hamburger again someday. The English eat some kind of potato with every meal. Jacket potatoes are baked potatoes, French fries are called crisps. Don't even try to get spicy food unless it is Thai food. I don't think they understand the concept of spicy.
You would think that we would be losing weight, but no, we eat everything in sight trying to get it to taste good.
They do have a couple of good food items we like. The cheese is real good. As are the custards, creams, double creams, ice cream, milk (it doesn't last long), and breads. The eggs are always real fresh and are sold un-refrigerated (it was a little spooky at first.) The strawberry jam is real good. We can buy Old El Paso Mexican food products over here (figure that one out.) They sell tomato sauce for salsa though. We love refried bean burros with cheese and cook them for lunch often. They make a little soufflé with spinach that we like, but it is a little on the airy side, but great for lunch.
If you ever read this, you may wonder why we are writing about food. We are writing stuff like this so that we will remember how it was here in England years from now. It has truly been an adventure.
For those of you who care, I am doing better at driving. I only had one incident this week where I turned right (instead of left) into on-coming traffic on a divided highway. I immediately drove the car upon the sidewalk, which was, miracle of miracles, wide enough for the go-cart we drive, and waited for the traffic to go by and then made a U-turn. We had two old ladies with us in the back, both of which, swear it was a miracle. They still even talk to me.
Anyway, Bon Apatite!
Sincerely,
Elder Seaman
Monday, November 13, 2017
Certain Women
Certain Women
November 13, 2017
Girls,
This one is for you. So read along, please. You all know how much I adore and miss my mom. This December it will be 36 years since she graduated back Home. For some reason, I have felt closer to her over here in England than ever before in these past many years. Just as I think of you each day while we are in the temple, I think of her. What is she so busy doing in the Spirit World? Does she know what I am busy doing here in England? I have faith enough to believe that she surely does know My Mikie and I made the jump over the ocean to serve here. Wasn't it Joseph Smith who said,
"The spirits of the just are exalted to a greater and more glorious work;
hence they are blessed in their departure to the world of the spirits.
Enveloped in flaming fire, they are not far from us, and know and
understand our thoughts, feelings, and motions, and are often pained
therewith,"
My mom is certainly one of those Certain Women that Sister Burton spoke about last Spring at the Women's Conference. Just as all six of you are Certain Women to me, your dad, and your family.
I feel like I have had grand experiences with many wonderful Women this past week and I want to tell you about a few of them.
*Alexia is a 24 year old returned missionary from Moscow, Russia. She was out "traveling" and wanted to make sure the London Temple was on her itinerary. Now, picture a beautiful, blonde, fairskinned woman with a heavy Russian accent traveling alone. Her family joined the church in Russia when she was eight. She writes textbooks for teachers who teach English. She also really encouraged me to visit her country of Russia. It is beautiful, she says, and I would love it. I told her I grew up in the Cold War era and still believe the KGB would be after me like bees on honey if I went there. Alexia giggled and shook her head. She told me there are at least eight wards in her big city of Moscow. She was a Certain Woman from Russia.
*Eighteen Irish women flew down on Wednesday to spend three days in the temple. It was their ward's Relief Society activity. Picture fairskinned women with reddish hair and beautiful accents. There you have them. I made eye contact with many of them during their first session so when they came down the stairs afterwards, we were immediately drawn to each other. Emily brought her mother, Mary, over to look at my hair because her mom wants my haircut. Ha! I told them my hairdresser, for now, is your father. But really, all she had to do was mess hers up and it would look just like mine. As the week continued on and I chatted with them whenever we met. I found out Mary and Emily are not just Mom and Daughter, but dear friends. I told them all about the six of you. They got teary eyed for me. How could I ever leave you all behind for eighteen months? I teared up also and told them I was still learning how to do it gracefully. After their last session on Saturday, we shared hugs and well-wishes. Emily prays I will have a Happy Life. I felt like I was sending Friends off. Certain Women from Ireland.
*Karen Smart is the 82 year old Nursery teacher in the Haywards Heath Ward. I got to help her on Sunday when I volunteered. She loves those four little darlings and they love her. She cannot count the number of times she has been called to serve in Primary and Nursery in her long life . She has a schedule she keeps to and the children were well trained to follow along. There is no sitting on the chair for her. Singing, dancing, chalkboard, lesson, snacks (from their own lunch-bags brought from home!), and games. I really want to grow up to be like this Certain Woman!
So Girls, can you see that your mom is learning and growing over here? I am appreciating our simple lifestyle more and more back Home in AZ. I still miss it like crazy but I am truly seeing this world is full of good women trying to live the gospel. When it is all said and done and I get to graduate to Home, I feel my mom will meet me with open arms and then, in our conversation, she will bring up that time when Mikie and I were serving in the London Temple. It will validate my feelings of today.
My fondest Love to Each of you,
Mom....aka Sister Seaman and Grandma
Language for the Week:
*stodgy - heavy on your stomach. (That was a stodgy meal)
*Make a Meal of it - Blow it; make a mess of things
*Spotted Dick - a custardy pudding
*jiving - dancing
Remembrance Day
In my little naïve world, I did not know that other countries celebrated, what we, in the States, call Veterans Day. In England, Remembrance Day is celebrated on the 2nd Sunday of November, specifically at 11:00AM (which was yesterday.) Literally every adult I have seen for the past several days has been wearing a "poppy" on their lapel or dress. In the states, the Veterans sell poppies, at the 4th of July and Veterans Day.
Yesterday, Sunday, Kim and I drove our own car to church along with another brave couple who has been taking us to church for several weeks now. (I only ran up onto to the curb once. The roads are so damn narrow.) When we get to church there is a table set up in the foyer with poppies for anyone who forgot to wear theirs. When the Bishop announces the program for sacrament meeting it is a Remembrance Day program. I thought to my self "Oh Boy" here comes the apostasy. Was I ever wrong. Our Temple President and his wife were most of the program. She read a famous Remembrance Day poem and he gave a great talk on Remembering. He read 7 names out loud. They were his ancestors who had been killed during the wars. The last being his own father. He told a little bit about them all and then talked about how he felt about them. At exactly 11:00 he finished and we were invited to stand for 2 minutes of silence. We understand that all of the United Kingdom was doing the same thing wherever they were. The Queen was pictured in the headlines with a tear in her eye.
It was a very moving experience for me. I remembered my Uncle John Seaman who was killed in the Battle of Bulge over here in France (France is about 50 miles from here.). I never knew him but my Dad was sure proud of him. I think it is part of the reason he flew the flag so often. I am so thankful for this Remembrance Day as I remembered. I also remembered what the Lord has given for me.
My anxiety levels have been very high of late. The "driving thing" is causing me to have nervous ticks and I have sores on my head. Kim wants to go everywhere and I lay in bed sweating in the wee hours of the morning planning how to stay on the left side of the road, entering and exiting the round-about and NOT exceeding the speed limit because they have cameras everywhere. We only got lost a few times today because we exited the round-about on the wrong road. There are no stop signs here. Our car is a 2005 Renault with 128,000+ miles. It runs good and only has a few scratches on it from close calls on the left side, which is the side that rests directly against the curb or hedge as you are traveling down very narrow roads, because the lories (semi-tractor trailers) are blasting down the road on the other side at breakneck speeds and taking ALL of their lane and a few inches of mine which I need so much. Help me.
Oh well, thanks for all your prayers, I need them.
Sincerely,
Elder Seaman
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
Windsor Castle trip
I always thought these guys weren't suppose to move, but when I walked up, his eyes were on me like flies on a dead horse. Must be a security thing.
This is the Queen's sister sitting in the sunshine outside the Windsor castle. She is 90 something. (JK she is not the Queen's sister, but she sure looked like it to us)
Monday, November 6, 2017
THURSDAYS
THURSDAYS
Well, we made it all the way to Windsor Castle today. It is about 40 miles from here and directly west of London right at the end of the Heathrow airport. It took us about 2 hours to get there as the M25 ( the 5-lane freeway that circles London) was backed up as always. The Queen was in, as indicated by her flag flying from the tallest and largest turret. Had she not been there, it would have been the Union Jack flying. We tried for a picture, but it was a long ways off and can barely be seen in one of our pictures. The castle and estate of the Royal Family is huge. The castle alone dominates the sky line. It is a fancy place. It was built in the 1500's and is in pristine condition. It must cost a small fortune to operate on a daily basis. She has 120 full-time servants and butlers and others that work there. The Queen lives in the private quarters section of the whole thing, but she uses parts of the rest of it to host visiting dignitaries and shows off the possessions and so forth. It blows the mind to think of the cost to maintain the building and grounds. At 500 years old, it is not showing its age.
When I think about the long line of royal ancestors this family comes from and some of the crazy things that happened along the way (like wars, insanity, disease, etc.), and the amassed fortune that they have, due mostly to the plundering and pillaging by the old kings. I believe that it is one of the craziest stories ever. It is a story about white privilege. About which a white man could win all the marbles.
It was one of the unusually clear days today in England. The sun was all the way out, but it was cold in the shade. From the windows in the Queen's apartment, I am sure she could see a large part of her kingdom. I could see a long ways from my view. Her private garden runs 5 miles towards the north. They say you can sometimes see her walking the dog with a scarf wrapped around her head and a long coat on. They say she looks like any other 80+ year-old woman. Her husband was reportedly out driving a horse and buggy this morning.
The thought for the week is this. All the Queen's money and all the Queen's men can not save her in the celestial kingdom. When she dies, she will become like all who have gone before her. I would like to think that she might sometime accept the Savior and his teachings, which will be somewhat different than she thought. They say she is a good, God-fearing woman and does things for the poor. That may count in her favor.
If you are ever here, near London, Windsor Castle is worth the 40 pounds it cost us today.
Sincerely,
Elder Seaman
November 5, 2107
Can I say that I have developed a Love-Hate relationship for Thursdays here on the London Temple grounds? Mainly, it is a day to look forward to. Yet, it can be very stressful for me. It is our van shopping day. Depending on the time our shift is working, the Earlies or the Lates, we meet at the accommodations center for our weekly van drive into East Grinstead. Our driver for our shift is Brother Allen and his wife sits up by him giving him orders along the way. Only English drivers are allowed to drive the temple van. They are wonderful people who give up a lot of their personal time each week to haul around a vanload of approximately eight temple workers, (mostly single sisters). The numbers vary each week. My Mikie and I have held up the van on occasion when one of us has to run back to the flat for our shopping bags. They are a must to shop in England. Otherwise, the stores nail you to purchase a bag from their store. We are learning it's a pretty good idea because we really don't have room to wad up all those plastic bags we typically got from Walmart or Safeway at home.
The first stop is always at Aldi's. Missouri had an Aldi's but we didn't ever shop there. We have made it a habit to jump out at the Aldi's parking lot and hightail it down to High Street. Each English town has a High Street, what we consider a Main street. There are little shops up and down the street and we are finding that we are starting to make sense of all of it. One of our stops is often the phone store to "top off" our phone card. There are charity shops dotting the street. Now, this is where it gets a little dicey for me. A charity shop is like a thrift shop at home. It's in my blood to want to nose around and see if I can pick up a few finds. It's in my Mikie's blood to NEVER shop. ANYWHERE. I try to give him "assignments" to pick up this or that along the way while I please, please just look around. I am proud to say I have found a few little items in these fun stores.
The other stress is knowing we are on the clock. That van leaves at the given time and I dread holding up the whole show. Can't find eye liner? placemats? Give it up til next week and get in that van! By the time we reach the appointed spot and climb back in the van I feel as if we have run a race collecting and gathering.
After we leave High Street, the van makes one last stop at the big market, Sainsbury. This store reminds me of our Safeway at home. A big nice market, but what in the world do we buy to eat? We grad a trolley (shopping cart - isn't that cute?) and start down the aisles. Milk and eggs are sold off the shelf. Laundry soap doesn't smell like Home, a huge source of woe for me. Washing up Liquid is sold instead of dishsoap. Cans of green chilis are unheard of. The one brand of salsa we have found tastes a bit like tomato sauce. On the other hand, the cheese is wonderful. Custard is to die for. Little mince pies are quite tasty. All the while, the clock is ticking. We are burning daylight. We race to the checkout line where the checkers all sit on chairs to service customers. I think Walmart and Safeway should follow suit. The money is kept in the" till" which is literally like a metal tin box. So quaint.
This week, on our way home, it was dark by 5:30 pm. Rain was splattering the windows. The radio was on. Brother Allen tends to listen to classical. One sister in the back asked for something more upbeat. Sister Allen took over radio duties. The songs were from the Olivia Newton John era. Now, who doesn't remember her? On the chorus', Sister Allen belts out, "Sing it, Sisters!" Now, who can sit quietly when you are ordered to sing? Even my Mikie hummed along. It was a good time.
We will get our car this week. That means we can go shopping on our own, at our own pace. We can go where we want to. It will be wonderful. But, sometimes, we might jump in the van just because we have learned to love the missionaries who ride it regularly each week. I love the conversation of sisters who found this or that bargain. I love Sister St. John, who immigrated here from Grenada. She regularly buys a little treat and shares it with us. I have developed a taste for custard, persimmons, mince pies, and R. White lemonade because she was willing to share. There is a comraderie in the van. This week there were missionaries from Thailand, Canada, Grenada, Wales, England, and the US. What better place is there to get crash courses on food and customs of the world?
I just read this rambly post and decided I better shut it down and get in bed. That's because the shopping van will turn into the travel van tomorrow morning at 9:00 as it heads out to Windsor Castle. I need a good night's sleep so we can be there early for a good seat. First come. First served.
MY LOVE, MY CHILDREN.
Sister Seaman aka Mom and Grandma
Your Proper English Lesson: *****
*keen - Alfred was keen to say the prayer in Primary today. (The kid really wanted to do it)
*trousers - boys wear these, instead of pants (pants are underwear)
*pantaloons - girls wear these, instead of panties or underwear
*If your shoes squeak over here, they must not be paid for.
******Language Disclaimer - If I repeat words from week to week, get over it. This may be due to poor record keeping on my part.
Windsor CastleAfter we leave High Street, the van makes one last stop at the big market, Sainsbury. This store reminds me of our Safeway at home. A big nice market, but what in the world do we buy to eat? We grad a trolley (shopping cart - isn't that cute?) and start down the aisles. Milk and eggs are sold off the shelf. Laundry soap doesn't smell like Home, a huge source of woe for me. Washing up Liquid is sold instead of dishsoap. Cans of green chilis are unheard of. The one brand of salsa we have found tastes a bit like tomato sauce. On the other hand, the cheese is wonderful. Custard is to die for. Little mince pies are quite tasty. All the while, the clock is ticking. We are burning daylight. We race to the checkout line where the checkers all sit on chairs to service customers. I think Walmart and Safeway should follow suit. The money is kept in the" till" which is literally like a metal tin box. So quaint.
This week, on our way home, it was dark by 5:30 pm. Rain was splattering the windows. The radio was on. Brother Allen tends to listen to classical. One sister in the back asked for something more upbeat. Sister Allen took over radio duties. The songs were from the Olivia Newton John era. Now, who doesn't remember her? On the chorus', Sister Allen belts out, "Sing it, Sisters!" Now, who can sit quietly when you are ordered to sing? Even my Mikie hummed along. It was a good time.
We will get our car this week. That means we can go shopping on our own, at our own pace. We can go where we want to. It will be wonderful. But, sometimes, we might jump in the van just because we have learned to love the missionaries who ride it regularly each week. I love the conversation of sisters who found this or that bargain. I love Sister St. John, who immigrated here from Grenada. She regularly buys a little treat and shares it with us. I have developed a taste for custard, persimmons, mince pies, and R. White lemonade because she was willing to share. There is a comraderie in the van. This week there were missionaries from Thailand, Canada, Grenada, Wales, England, and the US. What better place is there to get crash courses on food and customs of the world?
I just read this rambly post and decided I better shut it down and get in bed. That's because the shopping van will turn into the travel van tomorrow morning at 9:00 as it heads out to Windsor Castle. I need a good night's sleep so we can be there early for a good seat. First come. First served.
MY LOVE, MY CHILDREN.
Sister Seaman aka Mom and Grandma
Your Proper English Lesson: *****
*keen - Alfred was keen to say the prayer in Primary today. (The kid really wanted to do it)
*trousers - boys wear these, instead of pants (pants are underwear)
*pantaloons - girls wear these, instead of panties or underwear
*If your shoes squeak over here, they must not be paid for.
******Language Disclaimer - If I repeat words from week to week, get over it. This may be due to poor record keeping on my part.
Well, we made it all the way to Windsor Castle today. It is about 40 miles from here and directly west of London right at the end of the Heathrow airport. It took us about 2 hours to get there as the M25 ( the 5-lane freeway that circles London) was backed up as always. The Queen was in, as indicated by her flag flying from the tallest and largest turret. Had she not been there, it would have been the Union Jack flying. We tried for a picture, but it was a long ways off and can barely be seen in one of our pictures. The castle and estate of the Royal Family is huge. The castle alone dominates the sky line. It is a fancy place. It was built in the 1500's and is in pristine condition. It must cost a small fortune to operate on a daily basis. She has 120 full-time servants and butlers and others that work there. The Queen lives in the private quarters section of the whole thing, but she uses parts of the rest of it to host visiting dignitaries and shows off the possessions and so forth. It blows the mind to think of the cost to maintain the building and grounds. At 500 years old, it is not showing its age.
When I think about the long line of royal ancestors this family comes from and some of the crazy things that happened along the way (like wars, insanity, disease, etc.), and the amassed fortune that they have, due mostly to the plundering and pillaging by the old kings. I believe that it is one of the craziest stories ever. It is a story about white privilege. About which a white man could win all the marbles.
It was one of the unusually clear days today in England. The sun was all the way out, but it was cold in the shade. From the windows in the Queen's apartment, I am sure she could see a large part of her kingdom. I could see a long ways from my view. Her private garden runs 5 miles towards the north. They say you can sometimes see her walking the dog with a scarf wrapped around her head and a long coat on. They say she looks like any other 80+ year-old woman. Her husband was reportedly out driving a horse and buggy this morning.
The thought for the week is this. All the Queen's money and all the Queen's men can not save her in the celestial kingdom. When she dies, she will become like all who have gone before her. I would like to think that she might sometime accept the Savior and his teachings, which will be somewhat different than she thought. They say she is a good, God-fearing woman and does things for the poor. That may count in her favor.
If you are ever here, near London, Windsor Castle is worth the 40 pounds it cost us today.
Sincerely,
Elder Seaman
Monday, October 30, 2017
Eb Lewis was a Legend
Eb Lewis was a Legend
October 29, 2017
I was in the Baptistry for the first time yesterday on a busy Saturday afternoon. A group was finishing up while another ward had just arrived. A man noticed my tag and asked me a question. I responded that I was new and would have to ask Sister Kelly, who was training me. He asked where I was from and I responded, "Arizona." His face beamed and he replied, "Aw, Arizona.....I served my mission there........in the White Mountains for a year." I told him I was from the White Mountains. He immediately jumped in, "Show Low?"
I wanted to cry. But I didn't. Elder Winkworth served mainly with Elder Moon over the time period of 1989/90. He recognized our name, thinking My Mike was the stake president then. Well, he wasn't-But it was as if Brother Winkworth had found gold. He couldn't get over the fact I was from Show Low. His two sons were standing by him and he asked them to assure me that he talked about Show Low all the time. They both nodded and replied that he sure did. He immediately began asking me about people. Floyd Gilmore was the ward mission leader and he always wore "these ties" (motioning to where Floyd's tie would have been) Now, I've seen Floyd many times in a tie. They look pretty normal to me but it sure made an impression on a young English elder. The more he talked I realized he had probably served in the second ward area. He knew the Turley's. He asked about Leroy and Mary Lou DeWitt. I told him they had served a couple of missions and were growing old together. Such good people. He replied with, "Of course. They were the salt of the earth"
He wanted to know about Eb Lewis. I told him that Eb was my dad. He could not get over it. "Eb Lewis was a Legend", he stated, "he took me in his little shop and helped me make a turquoise bola tie."
We had to break up our conversation then, but, as we passed each other while we both did our duties, he would ask about wards or just shake his head in awe that I truly came from Show Low, AZ. In the final bit of conversation we had, he said, "Here is my lasting impression of Show Low.....everyone heated their homes with these pot belly stoves. They all burned alligator juniper. When I am outdoors and I smell smoke it immediately takes me back to Show Low. It has always been my dream to return there and show my family". I understand his analogy. The gardeners on the temple ground have a burn spot that is often burning in the evenings and when I smell it, I am taken Home to campfires, cookouts, and winter evenings.
Now, you all may say that this was sure a happy coincidence. I say it was a miracle. The Lord blessed both him and me with this sweet experience. Brother Winkworth loves Show Low as much as I do. Even after almost 30 years of his leaving the area. His memories took me back to a simpler time and the best people on the earth. I could hardly think of another thing after this experience. All I wanted to do was find My Mikie and tell him what happened.
At the day's end, we met in the foyer of the temple. I immediately teared up when I saw him. He immediately teared up when I told him of my encounter with this elder. We both had a hard time controlling our emotions.
I can't quit thinking of this encounter. It may well be the highlight of this mission for me. It may be what I need to carry on when I have a "blue" day. I was born to a legend. And might I add, my dearest mother is my hero too. I think of them every, everyday when I am in the temple. I think of my dearest daughters and their families. I think of all those people I love from our dearest Show Low. And I bet money that my new friend, Elder Winkworth, hasn't quit thinking of our experience either.
My most tender feelings,
Sister Seaman - aka Mom and Grams
Your English Lesson:
"Have a go at it" - Give it a try
"Are we winning?" - Is everything working out ok?
bits and bobs - a little of this; a little of that
Grit - When it freezes, grit is thrown on the roads. We throw cinders.
Kerfluffle - a mess or difficulty. Maybe a bit like, "Don't get your panties in a wrinkle (kerfluffle).
Lunch
October 29, 2017
I was in the Baptistry for the first time yesterday on a busy Saturday afternoon. A group was finishing up while another ward had just arrived. A man noticed my tag and asked me a question. I responded that I was new and would have to ask Sister Kelly, who was training me. He asked where I was from and I responded, "Arizona." His face beamed and he replied, "Aw, Arizona.....I served my mission there........in the White Mountains for a year." I told him I was from the White Mountains. He immediately jumped in, "Show Low?"
I wanted to cry. But I didn't. Elder Winkworth served mainly with Elder Moon over the time period of 1989/90. He recognized our name, thinking My Mike was the stake president then. Well, he wasn't-But it was as if Brother Winkworth had found gold. He couldn't get over the fact I was from Show Low. His two sons were standing by him and he asked them to assure me that he talked about Show Low all the time. They both nodded and replied that he sure did. He immediately began asking me about people. Floyd Gilmore was the ward mission leader and he always wore "these ties" (motioning to where Floyd's tie would have been) Now, I've seen Floyd many times in a tie. They look pretty normal to me but it sure made an impression on a young English elder. The more he talked I realized he had probably served in the second ward area. He knew the Turley's. He asked about Leroy and Mary Lou DeWitt. I told him they had served a couple of missions and were growing old together. Such good people. He replied with, "Of course. They were the salt of the earth"
He wanted to know about Eb Lewis. I told him that Eb was my dad. He could not get over it. "Eb Lewis was a Legend", he stated, "he took me in his little shop and helped me make a turquoise bola tie."
We had to break up our conversation then, but, as we passed each other while we both did our duties, he would ask about wards or just shake his head in awe that I truly came from Show Low, AZ. In the final bit of conversation we had, he said, "Here is my lasting impression of Show Low.....everyone heated their homes with these pot belly stoves. They all burned alligator juniper. When I am outdoors and I smell smoke it immediately takes me back to Show Low. It has always been my dream to return there and show my family". I understand his analogy. The gardeners on the temple ground have a burn spot that is often burning in the evenings and when I smell it, I am taken Home to campfires, cookouts, and winter evenings.
Now, you all may say that this was sure a happy coincidence. I say it was a miracle. The Lord blessed both him and me with this sweet experience. Brother Winkworth loves Show Low as much as I do. Even after almost 30 years of his leaving the area. His memories took me back to a simpler time and the best people on the earth. I could hardly think of another thing after this experience. All I wanted to do was find My Mikie and tell him what happened.
At the day's end, we met in the foyer of the temple. I immediately teared up when I saw him. He immediately teared up when I told him of my encounter with this elder. We both had a hard time controlling our emotions.
I can't quit thinking of this encounter. It may well be the highlight of this mission for me. It may be what I need to carry on when I have a "blue" day. I was born to a legend. And might I add, my dearest mother is my hero too. I think of them every, everyday when I am in the temple. I think of my dearest daughters and their families. I think of all those people I love from our dearest Show Low. And I bet money that my new friend, Elder Winkworth, hasn't quit thinking of our experience either.
My most tender feelings,
Sister Seaman - aka Mom and Grams
Your English Lesson:
"Have a go at it" - Give it a try
"Are we winning?" - Is everything working out ok?
bits and bobs - a little of this; a little of that
Grit - When it freezes, grit is thrown on the roads. We throw cinders.
Kerfluffle - a mess or difficulty. Maybe a bit like, "Don't get your panties in a wrinkle (kerfluffle).
Lunch
The late shift is kicking our tails. We go in at 2:30 and home by 9:00. They are are long weeks and we feel like all we do is spend our day in the temple. We go straight to bed but can't go to sleep and then sleep late. I am excited to go to "earlies" this week. Hooray!
England changed time Sunday morning from day-savings to regular. The sun now comes up at around 7:00am and it is dark right now at 4:45pm. This could be a long dark winter. On the map, our longitude appears to be about the same as the lower part of the Hudson Bay up in Canada. No wonder right?
The bright spot this week occurred at our lunch break a couple of days ago. We were sitting, eating and talking to the other "English" workers there. I had made a batch of Hawaiian baked beans and had some for lunch. They weren't that good as I had only found the very cheapest of the baked beans over here and had no spices in it.
As I was eating them, one of the workers asked what I was eating. I think it was an unusual site to see somebody actually eating beans. He asked what it was, and I told him that I had made my famous baked beans but was disappointed in the turn out. I told him it was due to the poor quality of the beans and that I could not find any hot sausage to go in it. Sausage in England is almost inedible.
The guy at the next table pipes up and said that he used "cooley beans" and went on talking about how spicy they were. I said, "Cooley beans, what's that?" "Ya, ya." he says, "Cooley beans, that's what I said." I said, "Did you say cooley beans? I don't think I am understanding what you are saying." He says, with great emphasis, "COOLEY BEANS." By that time, his wife had entered the conversation and is laughing to the point of tears ( as is everyone else, except me and this guy.) She says, " He is saying "curry beans." Didn't sound like "curry beans" to me. I looked at Kim and she is shaking her head, laughing and crying, trying to be polite and unable to decide what to say. I know she was hearing cooley beans too. So I say to him, "Say it one more time, I can't get curry out of whatever it is you are saying." He says no and is indignant that I, the dumb American, can't understand him. Anyway, if you are ever in England and somebody offers you cooley beans just say no thanks. I have included a picture a can of "cooley beans" that was given to me today as a gift from our neighbors who were included in the above conversation.
Well, so much for speaking the King's English. I hope I get better at it. I love and miss you all, especially after Kim's experience this week. Pray for us and we will pray for you.
Sincerely,
Elder Seaman
Monday, October 23, 2017
Temple Work
Temple Work
October 21, 2017
October 21, 2017
Contrary to the pictures we have posted on this blog since we arrived in England, we are really serving a mission here. This may be one of the few missions where we cannot take pictures of our actual assignments or the people we serve with. It is a crying shame that we cannot show you all pictures of people we meet while we are in the temple. By the time our shift is over, people have scattered to their homes or various other assignments in the temple. Girls, picture those temple workers in our dear Snowflake Temple and that will work.
Have you ever been some place and seen someone who reminds you of someone you already know? I love to study people. I think we are all so fascinating. What makes us all tick? What is the
story of each one of us? When I am in the temple, I love to study everyone in the session with me. I was pretty sure Henry B. Eyring was sitting on the third row this week - until the lights came on. Also this week, I had a sweet experience studying a beautiful dark-haired young woman who reminded me so very much of our Addie that it initially took my breath away.
Let me tell you of one sister I have been enthralled with since we came here. The first morning we were walking into the temple there was a little tiny old woman standing outside the doors. She spoke so softly in her English accent telling us that her daughter forgot to put her suitcase on the train so she didn't have a dress on to go in the temple. Little did we know that she was going in to work for the whole week. And she is 96 years old. She rides on two trains to come in to work every three weeks. Sister Catherine Rodriguez didn't have a dress to wear into the doors of the temple but she sure did have her magnifying glass. She keeps that big thing under her left sleeve of her temple dress so she can see the names. At one time in her life she was the head mistress of a girls' school. She was back again this past week. She told me she just loves this work and cannot afford to retire. She needs the blessings. I told her I want to be like her when I grow up. She just smiled and in her soft, soft voice said, "Oh you can be. Just always trust in the Lord."
We attended the Hayward Heath Ward for the second time this week. Their building is much smaller than any of ours back in AZ. We have been told that all blocks begin over here at 10:00 am since there is only one ward in each building. The chapel does not have pews - just individual chairs. For two weeks now, I have sat looking out the window where the sun comes shining through and lights up the sacrament table. Mind you, it hasn't stayed that way long. The skies here have typically been cloudy and overcast, so to me, the sun shining in has been especially beautiful. The first Sunday we were there was the Primary Program. There were 12 children in that program. But those 12 could sure sing! The whole ward can sing! Lots of gusto in that small chapel. I taught the Relief Society lesson this week and the sisters were so kind to me. I had asked each one to tell me one thing about them that they felt like was one of their divine assignments. A sister on the back row told me her assignment was to learn English so she could talk to her grandchildren. She has been here for three months from Denmark. After Relief Society I visited with her. She was so matter of fact that she had to do this. This was her new Home but, oh, she missed Denmark. Oh Hilda, I can relate!
I remember our setting apart blessing from President Williams and think of it often. Are angels protecting and lifting you, our children and grandchildren, while we are here? We are counting on it. We are trusting in the Lord. We are making this be our Home for now. But can I say, I miss our dear Show Low. Take good care of it until we return.
My Love,
Sister Seaman.....aka Mom and Grandma
Your English Lesson:
*mad - Used often, in a good way, to describe someone's crazy, zany friend
*tin - Our fruits and vegetables come in cans. These people buy them in tins.
*Bartering - joking or messing with someone
*Chinese Whispers - I played "Telephone" with my kids at school while we were standing in line.
The British folks play Chinese Whispers. I'm not sure this could be done in the U.S. I think the
ACLU would be all over it.
Drawing a Blank
I am sitting here at the computer drawing a complete blank. I do not know what to talk about. It has been a regular old week with nothing out of the ordinary happening. Kim says I should talk about the castle we saw today. But it was just an old castle ruin. It was very pretty though. The gardens and estate were magnificent. (See pictures.) The Old Timers must have had some money to build and plant and grow and trim to get what we saw today and it is several hundred years old.
England has a charm about it. I think it has to do with age (everything being very old) and keeping traditions. The people are very proud of who they are and where they have come from. The older folks are also very frugal (tight.) I was putting the last names of the men working around me on little post-it notes and then throwing them away as they finished their work. An older man, in his 90's, was watching me and he said to me, "You must be an American." I said I was but wanted to know how he knew. He said that if I were English, I would have used the rubber (eraser) and used the notes again and again. There you have it.
I also had a short discussion with a 90 year-old lady in the temple yesterday about England. I ask her if the English people really liked the royalty still. She said, "Oh yes, we do like our kings and queens." I told her that from my perspective (an American perspective,) they shouldn't spend the money on them and their way of life anymore (it must be unbelievably expensive.) From her perspective, what I said was sacrilege. She said that even though the monarch does not have any power in the government, she still signs all official documents, such as bills passed in parliament, attends all ceremonial events and so on. She said the Queen is very busy. By the looks of things around Buckingham Palace the English people are very interested in having the Royals continue. There is a certain sense of sternness and being proper and saying all your vowels, and whatever you do, you better "carry on." It makes no sense to me, but I can feel the love they have for all things English. So, at least, for the immediate future, the queen gets to stay.
Well as Porky the Pig used to say, "That's all folks!" Maybe next week.
Sincerely,
Elder Seaman
story of each one of us? When I am in the temple, I love to study everyone in the session with me. I was pretty sure Henry B. Eyring was sitting on the third row this week - until the lights came on. Also this week, I had a sweet experience studying a beautiful dark-haired young woman who reminded me so very much of our Addie that it initially took my breath away.
Let me tell you of one sister I have been enthralled with since we came here. The first morning we were walking into the temple there was a little tiny old woman standing outside the doors. She spoke so softly in her English accent telling us that her daughter forgot to put her suitcase on the train so she didn't have a dress on to go in the temple. Little did we know that she was going in to work for the whole week. And she is 96 years old. She rides on two trains to come in to work every three weeks. Sister Catherine Rodriguez didn't have a dress to wear into the doors of the temple but she sure did have her magnifying glass. She keeps that big thing under her left sleeve of her temple dress so she can see the names. At one time in her life she was the head mistress of a girls' school. She was back again this past week. She told me she just loves this work and cannot afford to retire. She needs the blessings. I told her I want to be like her when I grow up. She just smiled and in her soft, soft voice said, "Oh you can be. Just always trust in the Lord."
We attended the Hayward Heath Ward for the second time this week. Their building is much smaller than any of ours back in AZ. We have been told that all blocks begin over here at 10:00 am since there is only one ward in each building. The chapel does not have pews - just individual chairs. For two weeks now, I have sat looking out the window where the sun comes shining through and lights up the sacrament table. Mind you, it hasn't stayed that way long. The skies here have typically been cloudy and overcast, so to me, the sun shining in has been especially beautiful. The first Sunday we were there was the Primary Program. There were 12 children in that program. But those 12 could sure sing! The whole ward can sing! Lots of gusto in that small chapel. I taught the Relief Society lesson this week and the sisters were so kind to me. I had asked each one to tell me one thing about them that they felt like was one of their divine assignments. A sister on the back row told me her assignment was to learn English so she could talk to her grandchildren. She has been here for three months from Denmark. After Relief Society I visited with her. She was so matter of fact that she had to do this. This was her new Home but, oh, she missed Denmark. Oh Hilda, I can relate!
I remember our setting apart blessing from President Williams and think of it often. Are angels protecting and lifting you, our children and grandchildren, while we are here? We are counting on it. We are trusting in the Lord. We are making this be our Home for now. But can I say, I miss our dear Show Low. Take good care of it until we return.
My Love,
Sister Seaman.....aka Mom and Grandma
Your English Lesson:
*mad - Used often, in a good way, to describe someone's crazy, zany friend
*tin - Our fruits and vegetables come in cans. These people buy them in tins.
*Bartering - joking or messing with someone
*Chinese Whispers - I played "Telephone" with my kids at school while we were standing in line.
The British folks play Chinese Whispers. I'm not sure this could be done in the U.S. I think the
ACLU would be all over it.
Drawing a Blank
I am sitting here at the computer drawing a complete blank. I do not know what to talk about. It has been a regular old week with nothing out of the ordinary happening. Kim says I should talk about the castle we saw today. But it was just an old castle ruin. It was very pretty though. The gardens and estate were magnificent. (See pictures.) The Old Timers must have had some money to build and plant and grow and trim to get what we saw today and it is several hundred years old.
England has a charm about it. I think it has to do with age (everything being very old) and keeping traditions. The people are very proud of who they are and where they have come from. The older folks are also very frugal (tight.) I was putting the last names of the men working around me on little post-it notes and then throwing them away as they finished their work. An older man, in his 90's, was watching me and he said to me, "You must be an American." I said I was but wanted to know how he knew. He said that if I were English, I would have used the rubber (eraser) and used the notes again and again. There you have it.
I also had a short discussion with a 90 year-old lady in the temple yesterday about England. I ask her if the English people really liked the royalty still. She said, "Oh yes, we do like our kings and queens." I told her that from my perspective (an American perspective,) they shouldn't spend the money on them and their way of life anymore (it must be unbelievably expensive.) From her perspective, what I said was sacrilege. She said that even though the monarch does not have any power in the government, she still signs all official documents, such as bills passed in parliament, attends all ceremonial events and so on. She said the Queen is very busy. By the looks of things around Buckingham Palace the English people are very interested in having the Royals continue. There is a certain sense of sternness and being proper and saying all your vowels, and whatever you do, you better "carry on." It makes no sense to me, but I can feel the love they have for all things English. So, at least, for the immediate future, the queen gets to stay.
Well as Porky the Pig used to say, "That's all folks!" Maybe next week.
Sincerely,
Elder Seaman
Monday, October 16, 2017
Moving On
October 16, 2017
Moving On
We took a trip with our English friends, Graham and Jean Walters, down to Sandwich and then, a stop at Dover Castle. Graham buzzes down the motorway. He passes all the big lorries (trucks) going what seems to me to be at least 90 mph. Occasionally, he breaks into song. We would pass all the lay-bys (rest stops) with my eyes darting all over the place trying to take it all in. The Walters are dear people. He is a sealer and when they finish their mission in May, they will have served for three and a half years. I love to drill Jean on her past life in England and she is very happy to tell me lots of stories. Girls, the words I am learning over here!
The Reader's Digest version of Sandwich goes something like this: the street plan has not changed since the 1000's. That's the ten hundreds. Public buildings date back to the 13th century. It is so quaint! We ate lunch in the "George and Dragon" that dated back to the 1400's. I especially loved the old churches. From the main church, the bells would (and still do) toll at 8:00p signaling a curfew time. At that time, the townspeople would let out their pigs and geese to wander the streets and clean up all refuge that people would throw out their doors. At 5:00am the bells rang again, signaling all citizens to get their animals off the streets and in their pens. Some kind of waste management right there. Now, I didn't see one pigpen or one goose today, so I believe the city now picks up residents' trash.
Dover Castle is truly situated on the White Cliffs of Dover. France can be seen on a clear day, being only 21 miles away. We took a tour of the Underground Hospital used in WWll. It began with 10 wards and eventually dwindled down to two wards with the wounded being slapped together enough to be taken to larger hospitals, That little spot was only a fraction of the history of that place. We also walked in the Underground tunnels which were built between 1179 and 1256. There were cannon replicas and slits for other guns or bows and arrows. It boggles my mind. England is truly rich with history as they have been invaded over and over again by so many countries.
Our temple experience here is also a reminder of all the people of the world who come to England to live. This week, I watched as a fair skinned true Englishman with ruddy cheeks stood clasping hands with the darkest, wrinkled hand I had ever seen. This made such an impression on my mind as their hands were up against a stark,white curtain, if you will. Oh, the gospel of Jesus Christ is for all mankind! I have since seen this worker and learned he is from somewhere in Africa. I have held cards to assist patrons from Portugal, Thailand (that one was fancy writing!), Spanish, and Even English cards for those learning English. I met a friend from Brazil named Ana Claudia who is here on a visa. She is desperate to learn English so when she has to return to Brazil, she can get into a doctorate program. What better spot for her to be than living in accommodations on the temple grounds for 13 pounds a night? She works in the Laundry during the day and attends the temple each night. She is so humble and sensitive to the spirit. She hugged me and sobbed and sobbed one evening all the while thanking me for helping her in initiatory. Who does that?
So, our lives are moving on. My Mikie is my dearest companion on this grand adventure. I run into him throughout the day while we are fulfilling our various duties. I make eyes at him and still have my stomach do a flip-flop when he smiles back at me. We come home dead-tired from lots of standing around, climb in bed, and wake up ready to do it all again.
My Love to my Darlings at Home,
Grams, Mom, ,,,aka Sister Seaman
My English Lesson for the Week:
"Are you keeping ok?" ....same as "How are you?' ,,,,,but prettier, don't you think?
"You must have blue eyes."........Meaning that you are the favorite or got the best deal
And finally,,,,,,back to "Spend a Penny"......I found out why older people say this when they need to "wee" (very common saying also), Years ago, public restrooms cost a penny to use. My friends tell of holding the door so their mates could use it after them. Today, we actually paid 20 pence to use the cutest little toilet in Sandwich. It even had geraniums growing near the window above the sink.
Would you like Ham in your Sandwich
The English version of how the sandwich got its name is as follows:
The Earl of Sandwich ask for a bite to eat while he was fighting the enemy and said just put something between two pieces of bread and give it to me quick. Thus the name sandwich was born. I think I have heard a slightly different version before, somewhere. I am not sure where the village of Sandwich got it name. (By the way, this sounds like "samich" when our guide says it. In fact, I thought our outing today was driving to "samich.") Sandwich is located about 11 miles east of Dover. You know, the Dover in the war movies. Dover has tall white cliffs that run vertically down into the sea and can be seen for miles out on the ocean. I'm sure the WWII airplanes returning to England would watch for them.
Sandwich is a lovely, very old, quaint village with very narrow streets and sidewalks. The downtown is covered with shops located in the old buildings that look like they should fall down at any moment. The doorways are all about 5' 6" tall and have very old door-knockers and bell-pulls on them, and they are located not two feet from the street. There are mileage and direction signs chiseled into large blocks of stone that are now part of some building corner. There is a river that runs through it and we got to see the bridge turn at 90 degrees and let the boats go through on their way back from the ocean about 11 miles away. There is an old toll booth that guards the bridge and collects the tolls. It is so cool.
We got to go to Crawley last night and see a live European Broadcast of a fireside where Elder Ballard talked to us and all of Europe. Among other things he said that we live in a day of miracles and should expect them when needed. He recounted his experience in Ethiopia back in the 80's when they were having a deadly drought there and President Benson sent him to see what the church could do to help. (The Church members world-wide contributed $ 6 million dollars the week before for the country of Ethiopia.) He said when he got there, and organized a sacrament meeting with the only member of record in all the country, he ask the three people in attendance to bear their testimonies. He was the last one to do so, and in his testimony he felt a strong impression to bless the country of Ethiopia and call for an end to the drought. He said he remembers saying " let it rain." He said when he got back to his room that night, he prayed that he had done the right thing as he had felt so strongly impressed and that he felt like the drought needed to end. He said that that very night he heard a clap of thunder and it started raining and rained every day that he was there.
Do not forget who you are and what you can do. You can do this. You must do this. There is too much at stake. You are the best I know. Keep up the good work and stay strong.
Sincerely,
Elder Seaman
Monday, October 9, 2017
ROTA or a ROTER?
October 8, 2017
I am thinking I have become hard of hearing since we arrived in England. I hardly trust myself repeating back to people what I truly hear. We are heading into our fourth week of serving in the temple. At the beginning of each week, I am given my schedule of duties. I have just discovered that schedule is called a ROTA, not a ROTER. Here, I've been packing around a Roter - which would mean I had a big ol' Belch or Burp.
I also have to admit that my Proper English lessons may be a sham. But, will you all just go with it? The reason my lessons may not be accurate is that we are finding that there are such strong dialects for different areas of the country. As a result, there are many different sayings - depending on where the person may hale from. I shouldn't be so floored by this. The United States prides itself on different dialects also.
Back to my Rota. I spent my first day of this week (Tuesday) in the Initiatory. I am seeing that this may be common. I walked out after our shift Braindead. I blinked back tears and told my Mikie that I couldn't do it. I would surely die. He was comforting but had no answer. I came home and told Heavenly Father the same thing. Don't I sound like a Bum?? I am embarrassed to even write this. But I have to do it, so I will always remember it. That night I read Elder Hallstrom's talk about Miracles. One line stood out to me - The Lord is not concerned with our comfort as much as he is about our growth. Well, I needed that. By the next morning I was ready to go back and be the best worker I could possibly be.
I am beginning to feel more at Home in this temple. I have mapped out in my head what routes to take on my short walks when I get five minute breaks. The two sets of stairs are Killers. I kind of Love-Hate them. I have made a vow to myself to never ride a lift here in the temple. I'll let you know how that works out for me. Many of the patrons come with a stick. That's a Cane to me. I have been asked to hold several of them as these good sisters do their work. I like to quietly practice different positions on them. And the thing about SO MANY of these patrons - young and old. They NEVER seem to do one session. They spend at least a DAY in and out of sessions. I am humbled by them.
We were able to do a session on Friday afternoon with Mark and Laraine Eddington and their friends, the Brook's, before Mark and Laraine flew home to AZ. As we were leaving, Laraine gave me an AZ necklace. She told me she would surely see Lindsay soon since the Baum's are in her mom's ward so she would give her a hug. Well, this whole exchange had me blubbering like a Baby. This mission life is just grand - as long as I don't dwell on thoughts of my dearest families at Home. Facetiming is saving my bacon this time around. But, I beg of any of you who read this - do not let a Seaman grandchild ever pass by you without giving them a big ol' hug.
YOUR PROPER ENGLISH LESSON FOR THE WEEK:
*"Drop a penny" - When Sister St. John whispers this to me and walks into the Toilet, I figure it out on my own. (#1 this week)
"Sort it out" - everything gets sorted out, eventually
"Dapper" - my Mikie and I were told we looked dapper as we headed out the door to church today.
"Rubbish" - used all the time - (in place of junk, crum, or messy things)
and then, there was this.......
This morning from the pulpit the bishop announced that a bracelet and brooch had been found in the toilet and if it was anyone's, come claim it. If you recall a former English lesson, the toilet is the bathroom, not the actual toilet. Haha, we both looked at each other and giggled.
Oh, I love you all!
Sister Seaman
The Welsh
The language in the UK is suppose to be English. But the UK is a melting pot of languages probably due to loose immigration policies of past administrations. It is certainly tighter now. There is hardly a day goes by that there are people from Spain, France, Portugal, Croatia and more that come to the temple. Most speak some English, as English is fast becoming the business language of the world, and most countries have it taught in the schools and universities. We try to help them but it is difficult at best, if they don't speak English, as most of the temple workers only speak English, which is surprising.
There are some languages that profess to be English but cannot be understood by Americans. One of those languages is "Welsh." There are several couples here who are from Wales. Their English is very difficult to understand. Another thing about the welsh males is their height. They are short. Of the ones we know, they are all about 5' tall, They have a very happy disposition and will break into song at the top of their lungs at the drop of a hat and have a little bit of a devil in them. At church yesterday, Kim and I were sitting by two welsh couples. At the opening hymn, they started belting it out, and a guy in front of them got up and moved out of range.
There is one welsh temple worker, in particular, that likes to talk to Kim and I. He is very short and very difficult to understand. He likes that the Americans can't understand him and talks faster and faster. Kim just looks at him and nods her head, not understanding a word, and then she will say, "what did you say?" He will repeat it again and again with a straight face. It is pretty funny. The crazy thing is that his name is Bobby Gabb. He says he has the gift of gab.
The welsh claim to have over 6000 words of the pure Adamic language still in their vocabulary. I don't know how they prove it but they are sure proud of it. They are an exceptionally proud people. They like who they are and where they came from. It is easy to see how they could be called Leprechauns. They don't like being called English though. It offends them. It pretty funny to watch, as Kim doesn't even know that she is doing it.
Well, we are off to London today. Steve Fotheringham is showing us the ropes of riding the train, busses and tube in London. I am staying off the bridges as much as possible.
Sincerely,
Elder Seaman
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)