January 8, 2017
*Let us relish Life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love."
*Unless we lose ourselves in service to others, there is little purpose to our own lives."
*Don't save something only for a special occasion. Every day in your life is a special occasion".
*Whether it is the best of times or the worst of times, He is with us. He has promised that this will never change".
This whole post could and should be covered with quotes from President Monson. I, like so many of you, feel that an old friend has died. It has been a bittersweet week. But mostly, sweet - thinking of the grand reunion he has had with his wife. I am so happy for both of them and feel a great peace that the Lord's work will carry on. We will all learn to honor, love, and revere our next prophet. There is such beauty and order in this gospel. Before we heard the news about President Monson's passing, we had had on the American news. It was rich with announcements about the mental instability of our president from one side. The other side was actively slamming all the liars and cheats that were still crying in their milk about the outcome of the 2016 election. It's enough to make my head spin. What a morning of contrasts as I felt a peace and happiness for our dear prophet.
We were able to facetime our whole family on New Year's Day as they were all together for a celebration. To see them all at one time reminds us that not a lot has changed at Home. Yet lots has changed as those grandkids continue to grow up while we watch from afar. Teeth have been lost, driver's license tests have been passed,......the list goes on. We continue to have faith that our serving this mission is and will bless our dear family's lives.
We were able to facetime our whole family on New Year's Day as they were all together for a celebration. To see them all at one time reminds us that not a lot has changed at Home. Yet lots has changed as those grandkids continue to grow up while we watch from afar. Teeth have been lost, driver's license tests have been passed,......the list goes on. We continue to have faith that our serving this mission is and will bless our dear family's lives.
Besides the passing of President Monson, it has been a quiet week. I was home for three days with a cold and cough. It seems that all of England has a cough or illness of some kind. And everyone has their remedy to get well. As for me, it was to lay low, drink Emergen-C and ponder the meaning of life.
MY LOVE,
Sister Seaman...aka Mom and Grams
Proper English Lesson:
*colour - color
*zed - in the alphabet "z" is pronounced "zed"
*a misery - a pain........(have I told you this one?)
*feeling like an oily rag - Feeling like I just don't fit
Henry the VIII
We visited one of the Palaces of King Henry the VIII today. It is called Hampton Court. As we toured this giant mansion and grounds, the thoughts of how the very rich and powerful have lived through the years of history have become more in focus for me. England, of all places, has been the seat of some of the most powerful rulers in history. And one family, in particular, has had that power. How does a monarch rise to power and his family remain in power through generations of time? It is a serious question to me and one that amazes me. Just because you are born into a certain family does not mean you are fit to rule. Sometimes this was evident and a weak King would inherit the throne, which caused a lot of problems.
King Henry was not a weak King, but he was a little crazy. He was a doer and a shaker. He was also a very smart politician. There was a little mental illness in the line of succession which didn't help matters.
King Henry did hire a few bright men to design and build Hampton Court. It is awesome and must have been really awesome several hundred years ago. It is located a few miles southwest of London on the Thames River. It was not built as a castle or a fortress but a palace for entertaining. (See pictures)
The English people are very proud of their kings and monarchs. It amazes me a little. Our tour guide today was an English Temple worker. He and his wife were kind enough to drive the van and tell us all about the palace (he is very knowledgeable about all things English.) One of the sisters in our group ask him if he had spent anytime in the USA and he said about 4 weeks total. She ask him if he would consider living in the USA and he said no. She was shocked. She said that she didn't understand, surely if he had been in the states that long he would want to stay. He said that he was glad to wake up every morning and look in the mirror and see a proper Englishman. He is also a lot of fun. I haven't laughed like that for a long time. His name is Jim Whitehouse. I will remember him as I think of the English people and their history.
Sincerely,
Elder Seaman
MY LOVE,
Sister Seaman...aka Mom and Grams
Proper English Lesson:
*colour - color
*zed - in the alphabet "z" is pronounced "zed"
*a misery - a pain........(have I told you this one?)
*feeling like an oily rag - Feeling like I just don't fit
Henry the VIII
We visited one of the Palaces of King Henry the VIII today. It is called Hampton Court. As we toured this giant mansion and grounds, the thoughts of how the very rich and powerful have lived through the years of history have become more in focus for me. England, of all places, has been the seat of some of the most powerful rulers in history. And one family, in particular, has had that power. How does a monarch rise to power and his family remain in power through generations of time? It is a serious question to me and one that amazes me. Just because you are born into a certain family does not mean you are fit to rule. Sometimes this was evident and a weak King would inherit the throne, which caused a lot of problems.
King Henry was not a weak King, but he was a little crazy. He was a doer and a shaker. He was also a very smart politician. There was a little mental illness in the line of succession which didn't help matters.
King Henry did hire a few bright men to design and build Hampton Court. It is awesome and must have been really awesome several hundred years ago. It is located a few miles southwest of London on the Thames River. It was not built as a castle or a fortress but a palace for entertaining. (See pictures)
The English people are very proud of their kings and monarchs. It amazes me a little. Our tour guide today was an English Temple worker. He and his wife were kind enough to drive the van and tell us all about the palace (he is very knowledgeable about all things English.) One of the sisters in our group ask him if he had spent anytime in the USA and he said about 4 weeks total. She ask him if he would consider living in the USA and he said no. She was shocked. She said that she didn't understand, surely if he had been in the states that long he would want to stay. He said that he was glad to wake up every morning and look in the mirror and see a proper Englishman. He is also a lot of fun. I haven't laughed like that for a long time. His name is Jim Whitehouse. I will remember him as I think of the English people and their history.
Sincerely,
Elder Seaman
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