Ring the Bell!

Ring the Bell!
September 19, 2018

     I came in to Banner Gateway Hospital for the day. Mikie told me his white blood cell counts were up. From 0.3 to 1.6. We knew he needed to be at 1.5 before he could be sent home. We knew this number could appear anytime from Day 11- Day 14. It was Day 11 yesterday when I walked in the door. Soon after I got there, the cancer doctor appeared with his entourage on his daily rounds. And guess what he said, "I'm sending you home". He has been telling Mike this week that he is one of the smoothest transplant patients to have come through the program.
     Jessica and I had been planning on taking our little Kenz to the airport. Kenz is heading to Denmark for the next 8 months to nanny. Isn't that something? She is so brave. So, that is what we did. It was a bittersweet farewell. I hurried back to get Mike's  affairs in order  so we could get out of there.
    When it was finally time to leave, the nursing staff gathered around the Bell. This is a tradition for any cancer survivor, probably anywhere in the world, to do before they exit their place of treatment. My Mikie was emotional to see all the staff who had given him such excellent care gathered around for a final good-bye.
    Now, this is our "dilemma". It has been a solid five months since Mike was diagnosed in England, we came home, bought a house, moved, and began intense treatment leading up to this stem cell transplant. How can it be only 5 months? It seems like a lifetime ago. Our service time in England
seems as if it was a dream. We have been reliving our first days in England this week as it was a year ago when we arrived there.  We realize now that Mike went to England with cancer. But today, it is truly hard for us to believe Mike is "cured" of  that same cancer.
    Does ringing the bell mean he is truly free to live his life as before? Will he get strong enough to do that very thing? When can we truly feel at ease that this adventure is over? Are we demonstrating a lack of faith? We both still feel as if we are crossing a minefield. He is still frail and neutropenic. We have to stay down here in the valley for 30 more days. We can do it! Look how far he has come. He has a new immune system. We just have to guard it and him for the next year. Then what? Will that bell be ringing in our ears as a reminder that, because of the Lord's tender care, he is still here? We are counting on that. Isn't the Lord so very kind? We so hope he forgives us for questioning Mike's recovery.

   

Mike's Transplant Day

DAY ZERO - Transplant Day

DAY ZERO - Transplant Day

Sept 7, 2018

     Transplant  Day has happened! Day Zero was the start of a new life for Mike. That means it's 
also the start of a new life for me. His frozen cells are now making themselves at Home in his depleted body. Hopefully, real soon, they will start finding their way around and decide where the best spot will be for them to live and get to work. The medical community cannot explain it any clearer than this to a girl like me. But, I believe them. I am counting on it. 
     After all the hoopla, fatigue, chemo, nausea, fevers, etc. the transplant itself is anticlimactic. His precious cells are wheeled down the hall in a little "ice chest". When they are opened up the dry ice lets loose. This adds a bit of magic to the whole process. Numbers and ID are read out loud and checked by two witnesses throughout the three hour process. Each bag was brought in and hung and witnessed by two nurses throughout the morning. 
      When the cells were out of the bag and in Mike's body, the nurses came in to sing "Happy Birthday" and present Mike with a gift. It is hard to really take in that today he is a new man. Our Jessica and Addie were here for the process. 
     It has been a ride. We have received  so many little blessings along the way. Someday, we will both look back and recognize what a miraculous thing has just happened. But for now, Mike's job is to get well and my job is to make sure he gets well.

After The Harvest

After The Harvest

August 26, 2018

     Mike's Harvest Day has come and gone. We have been home in Show Low for over a week now. We arrived on a wet, cool night. It had been raining all day. It seems that we have been given the gift of cool, wet days ever since then! It has been wonderful to be home, in order for him to rebuild and prepare for his transplant. We return in four days to begin the process.
      Our emotions continue to be all over the map. We feel good about his success, yet we despise the long process to get there. We feel so thankful for modern medicine, yet somedays we still want to be in England. In short, we are a mess on most days. I am embarrassed to write this, but it is what we are up to. I try my best to look outside my world and see what other people are going through. I would always be on the lookout at the hospital for an opportunity to meet caregivers of other patients. This is hard to do as all doors are closed and most caregivers spend 90% of the day in the rooms of the patients. I want to dig; to know their story; to know how they are coping. So often, I hear sad stories and feel that Mike and I are so much better off. He has a chance. Some of these folks I have met don't.
      I feel guilty that I am so restless, so anxious to get this behind us. It makes me feel ungrateful for all our blessings. I just read today a quote:

            "What a wonderful life I've had! I only wish I'd known it sooner".....anon

Am I always looking beyond? Somedays I think I am. I want to learn to live in the moment and remember that Heavenly Father truly is in charge. I want to turn this over to him every minute of everyday. I don't want to look back and think I squandered this growing time because I couldn't handle the growing pains.  So, for now, that's my rant. Do I feel better? Well, maybe.

Harvesting Day

Stem cells are life for my Mikie and today is his harvesting day.
This fancy machine's job is to collect 8,000,000 stem cells over
a 6-8 hour period today. And after that - HOME to Show Low
for a 2 week rest before his actual transplant.

Reece Lewis Tenney has arrived!

The Waiting Game

The Waiting Game

July 23, 2018

     It seems our whole family is playing a waiting game of some kind today. I sit quietly here in the waiting room of the MDAnderson waiting for my Mike to finish his fluid injection. Our Graddaughter, Kortney and Cody, are waiting in the Flagstaff Hospital for their new baby to arrive. Her parents and all the rest of the Seaman clan are waiting by their phones for his arrival also. Heaven feels so close! I so wish I could have a peek in the spirit world and witness all the good-byes going on about now for our new baby boy! 

      My Mikie has been is the hospital for the last ten days. His kidneys DID NOT like his last go-round of chemo. It is still a waiting game to get him straightened out so he can begin the next round. I have to record how mind numbing these past days have been.  A big part of fighting this cancer is the mind game. It has been such a blessing for me to leave every night and sleep at Jessica and Jordy’s house. Their boys have been so kind to give up their bed and room to us. 

      As a young child I remember my Grandad Lester Ozment sitting in the chair doing the daily crossword puzzle from the newspaper. My mom used to sit on the couch and do them occasionally also. I have thought so much of them as I have worked several crossword puzzles while waiting in the hospital with my Mikie. Crosswords, embroidering, simple crocheting, reading, walking, and typing my dad’s journal have been my sanity. Today, I was reminded that TV became the rage up in Show Low at Christmas time 1958. My dad wrote that he sold two sets on the entry day of Dec 23. 

     So, for now, I continue to wait. This little adventure has been a blessing for both of us. We both realize over and over that we will wait for each other. Anytime. Anywhere. 

“I Like Mike” night

Moving Forward

MOVING FORWARD
July 14, 2018

      The month of June passed as if we were in a dream. Mike took his chemo well. His biggest complaint was the fatigue. He slept most of his month away. It seemed that while he napped I would paint trim. He would jump up and put a few more pieces everyday. He really wanted to get our house as "settled" as he could before we headed down to the valley for his further cancer treatment.
     It is July 14. My dad's birthday. He would have been 86. Isn't that amazing? We are spending his birthday here in the Banner MDAnderson hospital in Gilbert. We are waiting for Mike's kidney numbers to cooperate. His counts have been high and there is a concern as to why. It may be because of his multiple myeloma and the heavy chemo drugs not getting along. If his numbers do not look better by Monday, a kidney biopsy will be ordered. I still have great faith that all will be well. He has been so strong and done so well.
     Before we left Show Low to come down here for a long haul our girls threw us a "I Like Mike" party. The week before the get together, we were both almost sick about it. Who would come? Why would they come? We so hoped someone would show up since the girls put so much work into it. Yet, we hoped no one would. Isn't that just silly? It seemed a long week to both of us. Friday night came and the party was wonderful! All I could compare it to was Heaven. We saw so many friends we had not seen for a long while. We have continually thought of that fun evening and will be forever grateful for our girls and all their work.

Hair cut Day

He woke up this day with clumps of hair falling out. What do
we do? Call the best hairdresser on the mt. to help us out.
One more milestone - good or bad. Still part of the game.

Day ONE of his treatment in Show Low

Looking out our back window on a beautiful May evening. We missed AZ skies when we were in England. These elk were part of the neighborhood when we moved in. They could be seen grazing
the green in the mornings and evenings. Nothing seemed to bother them. Sadly, both of them were killed in separate incidences on the highway this summer.

Hair Cut Day

Hair Cut Day

June 5, 2018

    We were waiting in line at Walgreen's yesterday to pick up a prescription for my Mikie. He ran his fingers through his hair and held out his hand. It was full of his beautiful almost all white hair. What a surprise! It came a week earlier than I had anticipated. We drove straight to Caitlin's house so she could buzz the rest of it off. Cancer be damned.
    Really, when I think about this whole Cancer adventure, it has all been a surprise. When did this nasty stuff have its beginning? Why did it appear at this time when we are supposed to be serving the Lord in the London Temple? Is the chemo that kills his hair follicles also killing the cancer? The questions could go on and on.
     I believe all of those questions will be answered in time. If not in this life, surely in the next. The one big surprise that we both have to keep foremost in our minds is that the Lord has truly guided our steps since we got his diagnosis. His hands led us to the correct doctors both in England and here at home. He opened doors for us to buy this home. He filled Norliss McKay's mind with words of peace and encouragement in the blessing he gave Mike. He has inspired our family to reach out and do ordinary and not-so-ordinary things to help us make the transition to our new home.
    Mike has one more round of chemo here in Show Low at the Cancer Center before he goes down to MDAnderson in Gilbert. I am confident that round will finish off his body hair. I am also confident that he will be able to manage it. That nasty stuff knocked his socks off the first time around. I would find him sleeping away and then, he would jump up and put up a few pieces of trim or do a little touch-up painting somewhere. I hope and pray he can continue this routine when the next round happens. I don't care one bit about his hair. That stuff is replaceable. He can be a husband, dad, pops, and friend with or without his hair. Who knows - he may find he likes a clean head after all.

Mother's Day in America

Mother's Day in America

May 13, 2018

     It's Mother's Day. We have been celebrating with our girls. That has been the main highlight of being home. To see our girls and their families. We've been home three weeks now. Much has changed in our lives. Highlights we want and ought to remember. They will come in handy through the next months when My Mikie is sick and down.

*We bought a house on our second full day of being home. It was the first house we looked at and we knew it had potential. We could make it our own. Ten minutes after our daughter, Lindsay, made the verbal offer to the realtor, he called back with somewhat of an amazed "Yes".  He told her that first, he was amazed the owner answered on the first ring as she is very hard to get ahold of. He also told her that he knew he could get more out of the house this summer. We took it as a sign that the Lord was aware of us and our situation. How long can old grandparents live in their daughter's basement? We were in the house in nine days. That's right - nine days.

*It is now May 20 - a week later. After a series of many appointments and tests, my Mikie begins his chemo treatments this week. It is a week of dread, yet a week that we are so glad is finally here. We (he) have frantically been working on this house to get it on order. We don't know what to expect. We are hoping his first series of treatments bring only tiredness - not nausea. We are expecting hairloss during this first six weeks of treatment. That is a minor issue if it saves his life. After his first series of six weeks of treatment, we will be in the valley with him staying in MDAnderson hospital.  He has to be closely monitored as this chemo will be heavy duty. After that will come his stem cell transplant. Doesn't that sound painful, yet wonderful at the same time?

*When we met with Dr. Ulrichson in Gilbert and he was going over the process, Mike asked, "I feel good right now. Why would I want to make myself sick?" He replied with, "If you don't make your self sick, you will be dead in a year or a year and a half". That got our attention. He will do this and I will be his best cheerleader. The Lord has been so very kind to us since Mike was diagnosed with this. We have been led to good care - starting with Dr. Thakkar here in the White Mountains. We had big plans to go to MDAnderson in Houston when we began this adventure. We tried and tried to get our ducks in a row but it always seemed there was one glitch after another. Finally, in desperation, we knew we had to start somewhere, so we started here at home. It was a tender blessing when we walked into Dr. Thakkar's office and met with him.

*Mike asked Norliss McKay for a blessing when we returned from England. Mike has always loved and respected Norliss as a boss and friend. As is typical of Norliss, he fasted and prayed for the Lord to put words in his mouth that would be a comfort and a guide for MIke and I at this time. As we walked into the McKay's simple, immaculate home, it radiated with peace and love. There was such a calming spirit there. As he began the blessing, we knew the Lord was aware of both of us. We were given sacred words of wisdom and led to know that this experience is designed for further growth for Mike in his spiritual journey back to Home.  We were told to enjoy this time. When it is put like that, I am determined to help Mike all I can. Our girls and their families were also blessed as they watch their dad go through this. We honor and revere Brother McKay for his willingness and worthiness to do this for us - yet again.

*Our girls and their families have been our angels since we got home. They have all in their own way done things for us that we could not have possibly done alone. Helping us buy houses;  acquiring cars; remodeling walls, closets, and floors....the list goes on and on. We will be forever indebted to all of them.

So for now, I say, let the journey begin. The Lord is in charge. He knows and loves my boy. I fully trust in Him and His Son. There is no where else we need to turn at this time.

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

Picking up sticks on the Temple grounds so the gardeners can
start mowing.



The Reflecting Pool is drained and cleaned once a year. It has fish
but we had never seen them until now.



The help these days.



The temple sits right under the flight path of the landing jets at
Gatwick Airport.  In this picture, is hard to gauge the size of that jet.
It is a monster Dreamliner.  It makes the windows shake.

The Party is Over

The Party is Over

March 26, 2018

      All good things must end. We know we didn’t come on this mission to party so we are truly ready to get back to work after a four week shutdown of the Temple. We have loved our time of service in the “garden” and dusting chandeliers and “skirt boards”.  (Baseboards for all us Americans)  

      Our final day of physical work was on Friday and we, again, were outside. It began as beautiful Jacket Day Weather.  There is such a sense of peace and beauty on these grounds. We collected branches so the mowing of the grounds can begin the week. Spring is just around the bend! 

      We both commented throughout this break that hard physical work instills in us more of a sense of pride and ownership in this Temple.  I am so thankful for the time I’ve had to work and reflect and talk to myself while being outdoors. 

      This last Saturday, we helped our good friends, the Allens, move down the road to a small Council House flat. After theee years of service, they are leaving the Temple. We  were so happy to end our week with this project. It helped us (me) not feel so distraught about missing our little, beautiful Ellie Fuentes’ baptism. We are so happy for her! 

My love from jolly ol’ England, 

Sister Seaman....aka Mom and Grams

PROPER ENGLISH LESSON:
*ta mah to -------tomato
*pram ------buggy or stroller
*queu -------line