England: Week 3 Preston

Saturday morning we left and made our way towards Preston, England. On our way we found Ikea (which was MASSIVE - it felt bigger than normal). We arrived at the Preston LDS temple in the afternoon and went as a family to do baptisms. It was such an awesome experience! We met a Irish couple in the temple who knew people that my dad served on his mission. Small world!

After the temple we drove around, looking for a place to eat dinner. On our way we ran across a cute little town that had a beautiful view. I, of course, fell in love with the old church and her cemetery. Everything in this town still looked like it did 100 years ago. No new buildings. Very few cars and just beautiful gardens. 

We finally found dinner at Nelson Inn. Pubs work a bit different here than American restaurants. First off, I think pub food is much better! Secondly, you just walk in, find a table to sit at, look at the menu, decide what you want and walk up to the bartender and order. They then bring you your food and will come around with a platter full of different sauces that you might want to put on your food. Third, the building you are in is usually OLD. Like older than the US. Love it!

We stayed the night at the Temple accommodations and went to church the next morning at the stake center. We walked in. Didn't recognize anyone (other than the temple president we met the day before) and sat down. Right as the meeting was about to start a familiar face walked up to the front and his family sat a few rows in front of us. Elder Wright who spoke at the YSA fireside was attending the same ward we were. It was so nice to see a familiar face. It was also nice to talk to the Wrights afterwards. Such a great family!

England: Week 3 Kelli's Birthday

July 14 - Kelli's Birthday

Was a great day! She was surprised by the Laurels in our ward with a Tea Party! We decided to head off on an adventure looking for the HUGE squirrel but all we could find was the big deer. In the evening we went on a Relief Society hike. It was AWESOME!!!! We walked by a little old church that was just so cute. One of the stained glass windows was of sheep. Go figure. We also walked past a burial site from the Normal time period!!! I love history!!

England: Week 2

Week two wasn't as eventful as week one but we had a wonderful time!

Hannah came to the visit the country. She joined our family on our adventure to Lowestoft Beach. There was a Young Single Adult activity for our stake there and we were not going to miss it. We all squished in our car and started on our 2 hour drive to Lowestoft. We walked all over that beach looking for a group that could be YSAs. A lot harder than you would think. We finally found them with help from my parents. 

What a great group of people! I was so impressed with these young single adults and as I continue to get to know them better I am even more in awe of them. They are intimidating and yet so kind!

Highlights: Volleyball, touching a jellyfish, ice cream, watching a little kid stick his face in a water fountain, learning new words, and of course meeting great people!

On Sunday we went to church. I was called on to bear my testimony. Got a calling. Met more new people. Went home and got ready for the YSA fireside that night.

We got a ride with a new friend, Joel to the church where we met Jamie. He is such a funny awesome kid investigating the church! We invited him into our car while we all waited for the Bishop to arrive (he was our ride to the stake center). The joke of the night was how Jamie got into a car with people he didn't know and went to a church activity. 

The fireside was given by Elder Wright of the 3rd quorum of the Seventy (I think). He gave a great fireside and we all got to talk to him afterwards. Some things that really struck me was how much he loves his wife. He has such a respect and love for her that is so pure and beautiful! That is something I want for myself. I want to have that love for someone and to be loved in return. I was also impressed with how I really need to slow down my life and have some "me" time. 

Over all a brilliant weekend!! Loved having Hannah around. Loved meeting new people. Loved learning :)

England: Week 1

 The past few weeks have been BUSY!!!

I'm over jet lag.
I'm moved in.
I've been all over the place.

Here are pictures from the first week we were here.

These are just pictures of the local area. Thatched roofs, old churches, town markets, cemeteries and a look at our living room.

Our first adventure was with the military support group. We went to a town called Bury St. Edmunds. They have this fantastic cathedral that is older that the US!!! There is a beautiful abbey to enjoy as well.

The next day we went to Cambridge. I LOVE THAT PLACE!!! We went on a punting tour. Viewed the market and just had a great time! I can't wait to go back.

Our week wasn't complete without a trip to London. We took a sightseeing bus around the huge city and got an overview. From that overview we are keeping track of what we want to go back and see.

England: Day 2 - Where is everyone?

Nothing quite like waking up to F15 Fighters flying over head. I woke up to the sound of the jet flying by and felt my bed shake. I thought, I know that we are close to the flight line but I didn’t think we were this close. I was a bit concerned that my bed was shaking like there was a earthquake. I then remembered that I had a sister sleeping on the top bunk of my bed who could have been moving. Turns out it was Erin moving around. Hehe. I love the sound of Fighter planes.

I was amazed at how the sounds and smells of this house we are living in reminds me so much of our home we lived in 10 years ago. We lived here at the same base (in a different house). The memories just flooded back. The constant sound of planes flying over head. The layout of the house. The smell of these townhouses. They are all so familiar. 

We spent the day unpacking and helping mom organize the house. Afterwards, we went for a walk. We found our way to the hospital and decided to visit Dad. We had no idea where in the hospital he worked so we asked for help. They had no idea where he worked either so we were a bit down about that. As we started out who would come walking up but my dad. His office is right next to the front door. We all decided to leave at the same time and head home. Now, mind you that there is my big dad with three pretty girls surrounding him. We walked out the front door right into a group of enlisted men and women preparing to lower the flag. Apparently they are all brand new recruits (because flag duty is their job). Someone yelled “a-ten-hun” and they all stood at attention and my dad saluted back. Oh my heck! So much fun! I’m such a girl.

We came back and worked again for a bit. We went to taco bell for dinner on Mendenhall base and then drove around. We saw where we used to live (on and off base). It was fun.

This is where we live. It is a 4plex and we are on the end. There is tons of construction outside our house right now.

Some little house I saw while we were driving.

As we drove around the base here at Lakenheath I realize more and more that it doesn't feel like anyone lives here. I don't see people out and about. There aren't very many cars driving around. We haven't seen very many of our neighbors doing anything (including coming or going). I hope we find people soon or else I might start finding invisible friends.

Oh! I have decided, pigeons are annoying.

England: Day 1 - LONG DAY

Monday
14:30 MST - said goodbye to Grandma and friends at Boise Airport
16:40 MST - boarded flight from Boise to Denver
18:00 MST - arrived in Denver
20:15 MST - boarded flight from Denver to Heathrow
Tuesday
4:45 MST (11:45 London time) arrived at Heathrow, met Dad and drove home
8:00 MST (15:00 London time) Arrived at home.

It is now 18:00 London time and I am still awake. I only have had about 4 hours of sleep in the past 28 ish hours. For some reason, I am still going strong.

It is so surreal being here. It really doesn't feel like I am here. We drove past the town of Eriswell which is so quaint and cute! I couldn't believe it. I vaguely remember seeing this place as a child when we lived here before. I am excited to explore some more (after I get some sleep).

Small World

Friday I drove to Provo in my dad's truck and had a few more adventures than expected on that well known drive.

First off, there is construction EVERYWHERE between Meridian, Idaho and Provo, Utah. Not fun.

My usual gas stop in Burley went with very little issues. However, when I went to use the bathroom there was a line (which isn't usual for girls bathrooms) but here is the story... I was standing in line and a girl came in behind me. She was about my age and I welcomed her to the bathroom line. She then asked, "Do you go to BYU?" Turns out she was one of the students that came into the family history lab. We started chatting while we waited. I just couldn't believe how small the world was.

I continued on my drive only to be detoured off the freeway in the middle of nowhere. I found some interesting things as I tried to find my way back. BYU has a farm out in the middle of nowhere. I drove through Malta. And I experienced Idahome.

It was quite the adventure compared to the usual dull drive.

A Proposal

I am currently swimming in my boxes and boxes of genealogy trying to organize it and protect it while I am frolicking in England. I came across this letter from my great grandfather James Bush to his dear friend Inez Whiting. James died 5 years after they were married.

Apparently proposing through mail is a bit of a family tradition. My grandfather proposed to my grandma through a letter as well.

-----------

Pleasant Grove, Utah
Feb 24, 1920

Dear Friend Inez,

I will answer your most welcome letter I received last week. I am pleased to get a letter from you. I arrived home Sunday night alright, I am feeling fine today and I do hope you are well, don't work too hard for those people, for you are not as strong as you were before the flu. Inez you said it was very lonesome down there when all the family was away. I think that those three weeks that I was unable to get over to Springville was the longest three weeks of all my life. I was sick myself. And I was thinking of you day and night hoping that all would be well with you. Inez I am living in hopes that someday you and I may live happy together in my home. And I don't know of any other girl in all the world that I love better. Than I do you. I will have to close so that this will get in the mail. If you will be home let me know by return mail. One week is as long as I can go without seeing you dear Inez. I will close for this time hoping to hear from you soon.

With love from
Jim