Jousting and Two Baptisms

 We arrived back in London the day before a special event. Oddly, when I was set apart for my mission, the Stake Pres. spoke about the importance of my interactions with both the senior and younger missionaries. I was surprised that was a thing...(I may have said that before.)

Well, we do a lot of interactions with the young missionaries, helping with teaching, assisting with new member support, as well as inspecting apartments and giving emotional support with each transfer. We also have monthly FHE and a Saturday out with the Senior missionaries so we see them about every other week. There's about 10 senior missionary couples in our mission so it's a good number of people. Oh, AND we all go to Zone conferences so like three times a month.

SO... all the seniors were heading to Arundel Castle to watch an international jousting tournament at this castle that has been actively occupied for almost a thousand years. It was remarkable!

Now, I couldn't drink in enough of the wonderful architecture, beautiful paintings, and artisan furniture. There was an entire room of china made specifically for the Duke of Gloucester who is responsible for funerals and coronations. In contrast, halfway through our tour of the castle, my sweet husband was done.

I hadn't been worried about him because we were with other senior missionaries but I suddenly looked ahead and saw him making a beeline for the exit which was not close. I hurried after Greg to see what was wrong when I heard one of the guards say to the other guard beside him, "You know I'm related to Joseph Smith."

I assumed he'd seen Elder Thackeray's white shirt, tie and name badge. I could have walked forward but I didn't. I turned and smiled at him. "Oh, are you a member of the church of Jesus Christ?" I asked.

He said no but he had done some family history and was related to the prophet. We had a nice conversation about family history and then I was back to hurrying to catch up with Greg.

He was ready to go so we said our farewells to the fancy life and began the ride home. Still, it was wonderful, like going back in time. One of the other missionary couples that are from northern England felt about the same way about the trip as Greg. The sister thought it was nothing more than a history lesson but enjoyed interacting with the other missionaries.

Back in our area, the sisters had committed a new member to baptism. We were so excited for Sydney. I also invited her to help me cook for institute on Wednesdays so we could spend more time together. Sydney worked so hard to prepare for her baptism. It was beautiful to participate in her making this beginning covenant and to be there for her. How we love her.

On her first Sunday, Sydney went to the bishop's office and got her temple recommend. We were impressed. We had taken Sydney to the temple before she was baptized and she was excited to go inside. Just 8 days after her baptism, Sydney went to the temple to do proxy baptisms. Although that was a miracle, the real miracle was what she is wearing.

The day before we went to the temple, I asked Sydney what she was planning to wear. She had bought a new dress for her baptism but she lives in supervised care and the dress had disappeared. Probably stolen by another flatmate. She was worried that nothing else she owned would be appropriate.

We didn't have much time before we had to be at the church to set up the meal for institute but rushed across the street to find a dress. There are three thrift shops and I hoped we could pick something up that wouldn't be too expensive and complete our mission in less than half an hour when we had to leave.

Well, we didn't even make it to the thrift shop. A small boutique had 70% off signs in the window. We ducked in and on the first discount rack found this dress just her size, the only one. We bought it and were back in my flat within ten minutes. I've spent hours looking for a dress but this one was waiting for Sydney and a miracle!

Doing the baptisms was lovely. There was a family from Utah on vacation that had made the appointment she joined. A young priest was baptizing the others for the first time. Although Sydney doesn't like water, this young man was so careful because he was as nervous as she was. Rather than thinking of herself, Sydney was focused on helping the young man doing the baptisms. It was perfect.

The Lord is watching out for us. He doesn't only have expectations for us, but often tenderly creates experiences that lift and adjust for our fears and weaknesses. How He loves us!