Christmas In England Part 1

Christmas was a little different this year as we moved to England December 12, 2017 from Guernsey. Actually I guess you could say we left Guernsey. There could be other words, but those are the ones I will use. We packed PACKED up our car and took the fast ferry to Poole. Our ferry the day before (Monday) was cancelled so we were able to get on the ferry the next day, but even that one was delayed. With the weather on Guernsey lately I guess it is good we got off at all. We had made arrangements to stay at the Premier Inn across from our flat in Havant (Portsmouth area). We got in late and went right to Institute in Hamble River for the last class of the year. It was good to see a few faces and meet a few people, because it would be weeks before we would see them again. At about 10: 30 p.m. we headed home to bed so we could meet with the Wells the next day. After a day of talking about the home, the ward, the missionaries and YSA in both Portsmouth Stake and Guernsey we ate a nice meal Sister Wells had prepared and after unpacking some of our car we again spent the night in the hotel. The next day was our Mission Christmas Meeting at the London Temple so we had to finish unpacking the car before we headed off and switched cars with the Wells, so they could load the car before we went to the conference. THAT WAS IT! We were on the mainland and starting over. Conference at the London Temple was wonderful! We had a zone picture on the steps, followed by a session in the temple. What a remember most is first of all seeing all the missionaries in white, listening to them in the temple, knowing that some of them would never live close to a temple and had not gone often before their mission. But the most remarkable, touching part of all was watching them in the Celestial Room with their heads bowed contemplating, pondering and feeling the spirit. It is my favorite Celestial Room, white, gold with touches of black. It is stunning and small and I love sitting in it, but it was especially beautiful with the missionaries there with us. We had dinner, a program with a talk from President Gubler but we had to leave early because we not only wanted to be at FHE in Hamble River, but it was a Christmas party and a potluck so we needed to bring food. I had time to get Brie cheese, puff pastry and cranberry and crackers so that is what I made and it turned out quite good. In fact I made two and that was a smart decision. Again a night late.

On Friday late, the missionaries let us know that that night (in a few hours) was the ward Christmas Party, so smart decision .... I had made two Brie wheels the night before and had one to take to the party. Dressed in as much red and white as I and Elder Hewlett had we set off.

Father Christmas. Each year it takes him at least nine
month to get his beard that way he wants it. He is a "brilliant" English Saint Nick.

Some of the ward children waiting for their

present from Santa and a chance to sit on his

lap.

The Party! Chichester Ward.

Singing "Don't Go Breaking My Heart," a great

Christmas talent show song. They were

wonderful and say they do something each year.

We loved it!

Sunday was our first church meeting and Sacrament Meeting was held, followed by a short break when they set up for a nativity that was amazing. The saints have beautiful voices and the children have even more beautiful voices. The program was amazing and a ward member, Brother Mitchell wrote some of the music. It certainly ushered in the season. Our Bishop, Nathan Bowles, is kind, sensitive and hilarious and the nativity showed all three sides of the Bishop.

Hallelujah: Let Us Sing

"Mother Mary in the stable, May we see you tiny boy? With Joseph there beside you, we share in your joy. Hallelujah: Sing with gladness, Hallelujah: Let us Sing: For the birth of the Savior, to God our praises ring. ( one verse of an original song from the program)

And ring praises they did! It is interesting that some of their Christmas Carols are the same as ours, in fact most of them, but some have different arrangements. It took us a little off guard the first time we heard it, but their versions are beautiful as well.