THE ROCK

THE ROCK
April 2018

     I collect rocks. Isn't that silly? I figure they are cheap souveniers of places we have been. It is easy to write on the back of the rock where I found it. Then, I can look at it later and have the memories flow. When we took our first walk on the London Temple grounds on September 16, 2017, I told Mikie that there would be no Rock Picking on this spot. The grounds were perfectly manicured with greenery in every available corner. Nevertheless, for the next seven months, I kept my eyes peeled to the ground. Looking, always looking - just in case.
     On our final full day in England I snuck over to the temple to drop off a Thank You card and little offering to the members of our shift, I went when I knew they would be in prayer meeting. Our last days were hard for us to see people we loved. There were too many tears and repeating of the same old story over and over. As I was leaving the dressing room, I received a phone call from Sister Docherty, a sister we had come to love who worked on our shift. Knowing she had been experiencing quite challenging health issues, I really wanted to talk to her. I returned her call when I got out of the temple. She seemed surprised to hear from me. She didn't think she called me. After a tearful conversation explaining our situation to her and a tender farewell, we hung up.
     A short while later, as we were continuing our packing process at home, the doorbell rang. There was Sister Docherty standing at our door with a small heart-shaped white rock.  She sheepishly explained that she had found this rock on her way to the temple. She thought we may want it as a memento of our time in the London Temple.
    Now, Sister Docherty had no idea I collected rocks. She had no idea that I had been praying for tender mercies from the Lord the last four days when we knew we were being sent home to fight My Mikie's cancer. She had no idea that I had been keeping an eye out for A Rock for seven months. Call it what you want - a sweet story, a coincidence. I call it a tender message from the Lord that He loved Mike and Kim Seaman. He was aware of our sadness, our longings, our feelings of leaving our mission too soon. I give Thanks to Sister Docherty for acting on her prompting to pick that little rock up and make the walk over to Flat #14 in The Lodge. I give Thanks to a loving Heavenly Father who knows and loves us. Some day, all will be made known to us. I will hold that little heartshaped rock and remember a sweet time serving in the London England Temple with my companion and dearest friend.

My Love,
Sister Seaman......aka Mom and Grandma

Good friends from the London Temple.  Launa and Reese Murdoch from
Utah.



The flower beds and temple in the back ground. Beautiful spring.



This is not a good selfie.  But look at that green grass at the end
of March.



Our good friends the Wallace's.  They worked in the mission office
doing what we did on our first mission.



This is President and Sister Otterson.  The London Temple President and
Matron.  They were so kind to us. Both English by birth and then
called to Utah for many years to serve as the Church's Public Relations
Director.  So they will be moving back to Utah after their term, as their family
is mostly there.



Kim took this one when I wasn't looking.  It makes me appear
to be lonely.  I am not lonely.  But it was our last temple walk.

The Long-Short Good-Bye

The Long-Short Good-Bye

April 18, 2018

     We have been released from our service in the London Temple. It has been such a long-short good-bye since last Saturday when we found out from President Otterson that we were truly being sent home. 

      On Friday, April 13, we went into Spires-Gatwick Hospital to get the report from Mr. Kapoor about My Mikie’s surgery. He was so kind and gracious. But kind and gracious can’t really cover up the fact that My boy has Mantle Cell Lymphoma. This was not the cancer we expected to fight. After gentle words about knowing we have a loving support group in our church family, we may consider returning to the United States to have family support. He referred us to meet with a highly respected oncologist on Monday afternoon and wished us well. He ended by giving us his personal phone number so we could ever call if we feel the need. 

     After returning to the temple and doing a long, busy, wonderful shift we went home to notify the girls and then, research this cancer. Mr. Kapoor had mentioned that some patients’ like to know what they are fighting. Some did not. We chose the first option. 

     We went back to the Temple on Saturday morning knowing that we would have to speak to President Otterson and the mission medical doctor.  We were notified of our release that afternoon. 

      Since then, it has been a series of many tearful good-byes. We knew we had fallen in love with the London Temple, those we serve with, and the faithful patrons who come to perform services of love for those beyond the veil. 

     Other things I know:

     This work is alive and well for those beyond the veil. They are more alive and well than we are! Can I give an example? On April 7, a young sister named Ella came into Initiatory to perform that ordinance for four of her deceased ancestors. I was the Coordinator that day, so typically I sit at the desk, smile, pat people, and direct traffic. I did not have enough workers, as the Temple is always very busy on Saturdays, so I was able to help with this ordinance. I had prayed that morning for a witness that this week was indeed appreciated on the other side of the veil.  I read Emma’s name out loud. Ella nodded and smiled at me and away we went. Suddenly, the little booth got crowded. This young sister’s eyes filled with tears. I could barely speak the sacred words to her.  We both knew Emma accepted this work. Many tears were shed.    

      When Ella was finished with her work for all her ancestors, she asked if could get the work recorded quickly so she could go through an endowment session for one of them. “Of course, I replied, “and which one do you need?” With a smile she said ”Emma”.  Of course she wanted to do more of Emma’s work! I told her she had a cheerleader on the other side now. A few hours later, Ella popped her head into Initiatory to thank me and tell me that “Emma was very happy with the endowment session”. She also told me she was the only member in her family and now she knows she has a fourth generation great grandmother who knows and loves her. She will never feel alone in the church again. Can I deny that this sacred work is real and those beyond the veil are waiting and accepting it? No. Not ever. 

     Heavenly Father knows and loves Mike and Kim Seaman. We have felt his love and calming influence since we first learned Mike was fighting some form of cancer a few weeks 

ago.  We do not know the end from the beginning but we know enough. We are committed to remembering these feelings as we cross the land mines of cancer.  We have already experienced high highs and low-lows these past few days as we’ve tried to work out doctor appointments and insurance issues on the phone.  We believe these experiences helped us feel the “need to go home”. We truly “hate to leave, yet need to go”. 

     The Lord loves his missionaries. We have felt that as Dr. Peterson in England and Elder Yost in Germany have facilitated our return to AZ. We realized that this is the way the Lord wants it. He expects the church leaders to take care of His missionaries. Any and all missionaries who may have any type of issues.  Our Temple presidency, Presidents’ Otterson, Peel, and Freeman, and their wives have been especially kind and caring.
     I have a stronger sense of my eternal ties and love for my Savior and Heavenly Father. Could I have gained that at home? Maybe. But it came at a price of homesickness, a crash course in London Temple procedures, dark sunless days, days of fighting “mundane” work that I did over and over again. I knew from the get-go that I wanted to get in line. I wanted to be a help. I feel the Lord and the Savior have accepted my feeble offerings. 

       I am writing this on the plane. We have another six hours to Dallas, and then, after a 4 hour layover there, two hours to Phoenix. So, Walkers, Flake’s, Fuentes’, Baum’s, Gaylord’s, and Hatch’s - don’t forget to pick us up. We need a ride Home.  By the way, will one of you change sheets on a bed so we have somewhere to sleep until we see where the Lord takes us on our next journey. 

My Love, 

Sister Seaman

April on the Temple Grounds

April on the Temple Grounds

April 8, 2018

     The frog eggs are floating in the pond. The bigger frogs are easier to spot. The daffodils are in full bloom. It is looking greener and greener every day over here! I especially love to walk the grounds and listen to birds everywhere! This is such a beautiful spot.

    Friday morning, in the temple, I was heading to prayer meeting when I saw two sisters at the lower door waiting to get in. I recognized them as two of the Belgium sisters that have been here for the week. We have had quite a big group. They come to this temple every year the week after Easter. One sister explained it to me that their Hague Temple is so small and short of workers that when they go in to do work on days they are not working, they are asked to help out. As a result, they attend session after session, do sealings, baptisms, and initiatories and try to get as much work done as they can over here. 

    One sister at the door asked if I could take her friend up to get ready because she would need help. I quickly realized this was one of the sisters who did not speak English. After trial and error on my part, we got the lift (elevator)  to work. I pride myself on never using those things. As a result, I don't know how to operate them.  We stood around in that little space and took a ride up and down. She didn't seem to mind.

    When we got to her locker, she said, "I'm old". I asked how old. "92", she replied. As I helped her, I couldn't help but notice her dress and petticoat (slip) They were both delicately stitched. The slip had a beautiful lace on it. She had made these clothes. I was humbled by her handwork. I think delicate handwork of any kind is Art. Her handwork was a sign of how much she loves the temple.

She was left alone to raise 8 children when her husband passed away at age 49. I learned all this from her broken English. That sister from Belgium is how I want to be. There is a beauty in older women that make the temple a priority in their lives. These experiences with the patrons are one of the things I loved most about this mission. I wish I could take a picture of Sister Fettles by her locker so you can see her. Shut your eyes and think of a little plump lady with white "dollhair". Oh, give her rosy cheeks, too. 

     "Our message to the world is simple and sincere: we invite all of God's children

      on both sides of the veil to come unto their Savior, receive the blessings of the

      holy temple, have enduring joy, and qualify for eternal life". 

      Pres. Nelson

      April 2018

My Love to You,

Sister Seaman ......aka Mom and Grandma

PROPER ENGLISH:
*straight away-----right away!
*up to scratch ------up to snuff,,,,,standards (etc)
*sorted out------ALL English say this. I wrote it once already, straightened out


Spring

     Everything is poised to blossom in the next few days.  It will be glorious. I cannot believe what a little rain will do. (A lot of rain.) The temple grounds have been prepared for spring and will be so beautiful.  With the coming of spring my outlook is also coming in to bloom.  It was a long winter.
     The month we had off in March was so therapeutic.  We were in France twice and London once.  We got to ride the Eurostar train to France.  That is a high speed train.  London to Paris in 2 1/2 hours.  Incredible! Got to work in the temple garden for a week or so.  Very nice.
     I had a mass taken out of my nose and one off the base of my tongue this week.  I can breathe again.  Such a blessing.  Couldn't breathe through my nose at all.  The Surgeon sent the samples off for testing and we should know something about them next Friday.  Surgeon is fairly confident it is some form of cancer but he also said it is curable.  My throat is very sore,  maybe I'll lose some weight.
     The temple work is going on now as it was before the break.  It is becoming familiar and I like it more and more.
      Conference was the best.  So many big changes and announcements.  We are certainly living in the last days.  To my children and grandchildren, I say pay attention!  Do what they ask us to do. Now!  I so love you.

Sincerely,
Elder Seaman

                                                                                                 

9,603 graves are in the American Cemetery with over 1500 names on the Missing in Action Wall.
It was so sobering, yet peaceful and beautiful as it overlooked the British Channel.


These German built turrets were what the Allies were facing as they came closer to Normandie.
Notice the thickness of the concrete.

We stood and listened at the day's end to the Star Spangled Banner
and then the taps as the flag was lowered. We were both so
thankful for these men and all those who lost their lives fighting for
freedom and goodness in the world.

A Memorable Weekend

A Memorable Weekend

April 3, 2018

     It has been a memorable weekend for all of us! We sustained our 17th prophet, President Russell M. Nelson. I love how he is so old, yet seems so young. We are looking forward to hearing him over here in England on April 12. Who does that at 93 - touring the world and stopping for church meetings along the way? I loved Elder Stevenson quoting David B. Haight about how we can feel about sustaining prophets: "We can rejoice, even shout Hosannah! that the Lord's mouthpiece is in place and that the Lord is pleased that HIs work is being done".
     My boy and I were also able to spend some time with Ted and Candace in France. Our highlight was visiting two of the five beaches in Normandie, Gold and Omaha. Here D-Day began. Yet, the work was in place in England for over a year with construction of harbors that were then secreted over the channel to France. It was an amazing feat, even for today's standards. We are dumbfounded that this could really be kept a secret for that long, considering the heavy construction that took place. Artificial fog machines were in place to aid in its secrecy.
     On June 6, 1944, the Allies began their launch. Before the landing was over there had been over 130,000 participating. Even with the huge surprise it was to the Germans, there was a loss of over 9,000 Americans and 1,557 missing in action. We felt a huge sense of pride, yet sorrow for these "boys". It is estimated that the average age of the Americans was 22 or 23 years old.
     We were able to visit the sacred grounds of the American Burial Cemetery. We were there at flag lowering time at the end of the day. It was an eerie, sad, yet proud moment when we heard the loud speaker playing the Star Spangled Banner and then the taps. The sky was overcast as we stood among the white markers looking out over the ocean, The cliffs were close by where some were assigned to rappel, if they made their way across the beach, Our minds cannot comprehend the horror and carnage that took place. It was an honor to be there.
    On another note, we took Mike in for a procedure today to help with his breathing. He has been fighting  what we thought was allergies since we arrived in England almost seven months ago.  We initially met with a specialist that we really liked, a Mr. Kapoor. In England, surgeons go by Mr. This is a higher designation than Dr. Isn't that interesting? We won't have the final diagnosis for at least another week, but we are expecting there will be further treatment, such as radiation. Mr. Kapoor was more optimistic after the procedure that this is a form of cancer BUT it isn't as bad as he first expected.  At this time, we are both confident and at peace that all will  be well. Our dear stake president blessed us both with health and strength. He also blessed us with angels to attend us. We believe Mr. Kapoor may be our angel in England. My Mikie is sleeping now, which is a good thing because he sure has a sore throat.

Our Love,
The Seaman's in England