Feeling a Bit Redundant

In Britain, when you are laid off from work, they have a very nice phrase, that goes something like this: "He was made redundant." Almost takes the sting out of a terrible situation, doesn’t it? That's how I feel right now - Redundant.

2 March, Tuesday afternoon, Sister Price and I had our final interview with President Patch. Then, we went to their flat and enjoyed our farewell dinner with he and Sister Patch. We really enjoyed being with them, and we’ll really miss their love and leadership. 

Sharon Hintze, the London Family History Centre’s director, declared that Wednesday, 2 March, would be the last official day in the Centre for Elder and Sister Price. Not being ones to argue with Sister Hintze, we bowed to her desires, and Wednesday afternoon, we quietly walked away. That was somewhat surreal. I mean, where’s the brass band, bagpipes, and gold watch?! Of course, that’s not the last time we’ll see our friends. We’ll have one last Senior Missionary Family Home Evening on the 21st, and a farewell dinner with the Family History Centre missionaries on the 18th.

3 March, Thursday afternoon, our nephew and his wife – Lea and Shanna Hunt, arrived for a ten day visit. Since then, we’ve re-visited lots of sites, plus a few new things, like the London Eye. Each capsule holds about 25 people, and the ride lasts 30 minutes. At the top, (443 feet), it’s taller than any of the London buildings, so the view is quite wonderful.

 

A view of Parliament and Big Ben from mid Westminster Bridge.

Shanna is a Nurse Practitioner, and she really wanted to visit the Florence Nightingale Museum – a Nursing Mecca for her. I’m glad we went, because I had forgotten about Florence’s fantastic contribution to nursing and humanity.

During the Crimean War, she greatly improved hygiene, sanitation, and the survival rate. To the soldiers, she was an angel. We all owe her a great debt of gratitude.

< Shanna Hunt and Florence

 

 

 

 

 

We visited Westminster Abbey, where the coronations of Kings and Queens have been been held since 1066. (King Harold and William the Conqueror). It’s also the burial place for Kings, Queens, poets, authors, musicians (Handel), and scientists (Newton).

 

 

 

The Cabinet War Rooms – Underground headquarters from 1939 through 1945. It’s always a fascinating visit. It’s also the  Churchill Museum.

During Churchill’s meetings with the military staff, if someone said something that he didn’t agree with, he’d pretend that his hearing was bad, and ask someone to explain it all over again.

Saturday, 5 March. Although the London Temple is closed for scheduled maintenance, Lea and Shanna wanted to visit the grounds. I’m always up for a train trip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the ground breaking ceremony for the London Temple in 1955, President David O. McKay spotted a very large oak on the property. He said that he felt it was special, and that the workers were to work around it. On our walk, Lee and Shanna were able to find the tree called the “David O. McKay Oak”.

 

 

 

The David O. McKay Oak was alive in 1492, when Columbus discovered the “new world”.

 

 

After retuning from the London Temple, we visited the Tower of London. Begun in 1066 (William the Conqueror), it’s still a royal palace, and the Crown Jewels are kept there.

Yeoman Warders, also known as Beef Eaters, lead entertaining one hour tours of the tower. Funny guys. These guys love to tease the Americans and test them on Kings and Queens of British history. Actually, our group did pretty good.

Sunday morning, we took Lea and Shanna to the London North Ward. They now fully appreciate the time and distance that we travel to and from church. Lea commented that while on his mission in Portugal, he never traveled an hour and half to and from church. Like Sister Price and I, they loved the ward and the members.