December 7, 2017

Our blog has gotten bogged down it seems. As anyone can tell we haven’t made an entry for quite some time. We are still on our mission and there has definitely been plenty to write about. We’ve just had no time to write.

On September 19^th Elder and Sister Keller completed their mission as a senior couple in the visitors’ center. Their replacements, Elder and Sister Hertz, didn’t arrive until October 13^th. That meant that we had us and one other senior couple, the Mullen’s, to cover the VC shifts from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. seven days a week. Then the Mullen’s completed their mission on November 8^th and their replacements won’t arrive until December 14^th. So the past month we have been operating the VC with just our young sisters and one other senior couple who are still pretty new.

Since September 19^th we have not had many days off and since November 8^th we have not had any days off. We are not complaining because we love what we do and where we are but the schedule doesn’t allow much time for us to do some optional things like write a blog entry.

Through all the busyness we continue to have great experiences. The miracles we see continue almost every day. We have welcomed Sister Leppenan from Finland who arrived on September 20^th. On October 24^th we welcomed Sister Gomez from Spain. And on December 5^th we welcomed Sister Chiang from Taiwan. Our international staff that we are privileged to work with is just amazing.

While working a lot at the VC we also have been working with the Missionary Department regarding the online work that our sisters do. In consultation with our mission president the Missionary Department has asked that we expand the online work in the Hyde Park Chapel to be done by non-VC missionaries. The Missionary Department and our mission president asked us if we would oversee the new Digital Proselyting Center and train the additional missionaries assigned to assist with this work. We are glad to help but this has added to the workload that we have already carried, again leaving little time for much else. The online work of responding to requests through Mormon.org is increasing. The church is planning to release a significant social media campaign in the beginning of next year and we are to handle the increase requests coming in.

On December 1^st we started our live nativity in front of the chapel. This is the 3^rd year in a row for the visitors’ center to put on the live nativity. Local members and some of our missionaries put on period costumes and represent Joseph and Mary using a life-like doll for Baby Jesus. They sit in a stable built by the Missionary Department that is constructed over a raised planter box that provides a great “stage” for all on Exhibition Road to be able to see. We will do this nightly through December 23^rd. We have had hundreds of people stop for a look and to take a photo. It is a great way to share the Christmas spirit with thousands of people here in London.

December 18, 2017

We never got the above entry published and since then our lives have changed yet again. The senior couple scheduled to arrive on December 14^th never made it and have been released from their mission. We got that word early on December 14^th and have been scrambling to figure out what to do. Our concern isn’t so much for us (although this just means we will be crazy busy the rest of our mission) but for the new director and his wife who will be arriving on January 13^th. Our mission president and the Missionary Department have been working hard to find us a replacement couple quickly. It has been interesting to see the Lord’s hand in this situation. Once a solution is found we will try and update you on the miracles and tender mercies that happened.

We want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We are so grateful for our knowledge of a Savior. We are honored to be in His full-time service. We will not be sending any cards or letters to all of our friends and loved ones this Christmas. So those of you who read this blog please tell others about it so that they can get updated on our lives and learn of our Christmas greeting.

Happy Christmas to all as they say here in England!