A Busy November

We have had some rewarding experiences at the Employment Centre. We have had positive feedback from several who have come to the centre to get help with CVs (résumés) and interviewing skill. They say, and we can see, that it gives them hope, confidence, and encouragement as they search for jobs. We presented our first career workshop one Saturday. We also attended three meetings introducing a new mentoring program for young single adults to connect young people with successful people in the workforce to counsel with them in career decisions. Two of these meetings involved travel to nearby stakes, involving the underground, trains, and taxis or friendly local church leaders. One such trip to the St Albans Stake this past week took us through Kings Cross Station, where Lynn tried get through Platform 9 ¾ of Harry Potter fame.

On another trip, the station we went to was having electrical problems, so we think we got there and  back on the last train in each direction, finally getting back to our flat at 11 pm.

One p-day we were doing some errands and stopped at Debenhams on Oxford Street for an Afternoon Tea for Two. It was delicious and a lot of fun.

Our proper British afternoon tea included chamomile tea with finger sandwiches on the lower rack (smoked salmon and cream cheese, ham and cheese, and fig chutney with cream cheese, all with a little rocket lettuce sprig). The second tier had scones with raisins served with clotted cream (looked like soft pale butter but tasted like cream) and strawberry jam. The top layer had four little filled cookies and four tarts. We were entirely full when we finished and it was lovely!

The senior missionaries went together to a "Classical Spectacular" at the Royal Albert Hall, featuring the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Band of the Welsh Guards, and the Royal Choral Society. The concert was spectacular. The hall was truly amazing, built in the round with perfect acoustics. The concert was accompanied by a laser show.

The concert ended with the 1812 Overture, featuring fireworks--yes, right inside the building--and the cannons and muskets of the Moscow Militia. It was over the top!

Another p-day we went to Camden Town and visited the markets there. The most impressive was the Stables Market. It has existed since the 1850's; old stalls were converted into shops and amazing statuary was added.

Thanksgiving Day we spent working our regular shift in the centre. We did take turkey sandwiches with cranberry jelly for lunch, and we got to Skype with Brad and Brian and their families that evening. We also got to Skype with Alisse's family on Evan's birthday earlier in the month.

We were happy to receive a copy of Kristen's new book, Desperate Measures. It is really fun; we highly recommend it. That's Kristen McKendry, you know.

We just bought a new bathroom scale, but when we got it home we discovered it measures weight in stones and kilograms! So we'll be using our math to figure out what we weigh.

Saturday, Nov 30, we went with the Hyde Park Second Ward to the London Temple. They rented a bus and we drove for 75 minutes to get to the temple, which is only about 25 miles south of London proper. It is situated in the lovely countryside and occupies maybe 40 acres of beautiful grounds. We've never seen a more lovely setting; it is like a park. It was wonderful to attend the session and feel the sweet spirit there. We loved being reminded of the "big picture" and how central Christ is in Heavenly Father's plan for us. It is a fairly small temple, simple and beautiful.