Changing of the Guard & Temple Trip

We went to London one day to do all our Christmas shopping in a day.  We found out when they would be having the changing of the guard and had it all planned to go there first and then shopping.  It worked out pretty much as we read on line and we got a pretty good spot, but next time I want to be standing right in front of the light pole on the left so I could see the palace in the back ground.

We got all but a couple presents that day and was able to have everything mailed within a couple of days.  We mailed them surface and was told that it would take 52 days for them to get to the families but we started hearing that they had arrived 7 days later.  I guess the slow boat wasn't so slow :) 

2012 10-4 28 The changing of the guard
 before going Christmas Shopping

We enjoyed a day in Greenwich with our friends from the MTC, the Bradfords.  The day was chilly but we only had a little rain while we were in the museum so it really turned out to be a wonderful time.

Greenwich is pretty close to the boarder of our ward and in the ward where the Bradfords are serving.

2012 10-15 02 Charlene & Dave straddling the
 Prime Meridian Alt azimuth Marker
where all time zones are measured from

2012 10-15 05  View from the Prime Meridian Alt azimuth Marker
They are tearing down this stadium that was used for the Olympics
because they voted that they wanted their park back

2012 10-15 22 Elder & Sister Ottley in front of the
Cutty Sark a famous ship on display

We are back in London with Holly Baker.  We had the Bakers over for dinner a few weeks back and they wanted to pay us back by showing us London on a dime.  Brother Baker had to much homework to grade so he didn't make.

2012 10-20 08  The London Wall

2012 10-20 17 Holly said everyone has their picture taken here
 with the phone booth and Big Ben all in one

2012 10-20 19 Westminster Abbey

2012 10-20 20 Big Ben from Westminster Abbey

2012 10-20 25 Dave has wanted a picture with a policeman since we got here so he got his wish

2012 10-20 27 This is a picture of very wealthy peoples
 housing on our way to Kensington Palace

2012 10-20 29 Gardens at Kensington Palace

2012 10-20 30 Sister Ottley & Holly by the statue of Queen Elisabeth
 that her daughter sculpted and placed at Kensington Palace.
This is also where William and Kate live.

2012 10-20 33 This is Tower Bridge from London Bridge

2012 10-27 04 Elders Mafebelu, Mansilla, Von Allmen, Ottley, Curran & Fawson
 Transfer Breakfast and all in their jumpers (sweaters USA)

2012 10-27 03 Elders Ottley, Fawson, Curran,
 Mafebelu, Mansilla, & von Allmen Transfer Breakfast

Notice Elder Curran back left and in front of him is a jug.  Well he being an Englander is not use to having American pancakes and so he doesn't know what syrup is.  I have to make home made syrup and this is the only container I could find to put it in.  Well he thought it was apple juice and so he poured himself a big glass and took a drink.  All of a sudden he is coughing and gasping as he says "What is that?"  Everyone had a good laugh and went on to enjoy eating. 

2012 10-27 06 Sister Ottley with her step children
Elders Mafebelu, Mansilla, Von Allmen,
Curran & Fawson Transfer Breakfast

2012 11-1 Elder Mafubelu, Marion Brown holding Naomi, Joshua Wessey (investigators) & Elder Aragones

2012 11-1 Mary Conteh and her children Alima &  Akeem (new members)

Add 2012 11-1 Segun Alakiu & Elder Curran (investigator)

2012 11-3 01 Christmas in a box  service project 

2012 11-3 03 Elder Fawson, Isabel Bangura, Elder Curran & Isabels daughter Gabbie

2012 11-3 04 Mary Conteh cousin to Isabel and new convert,  Elder Fawson, Isabel Bangura, Elder Curran & Mary's daughter Aleema Conteh, also a new member.

2012 11-3 05 Elder Fawson, & Isabels daughter Gabbie

2012 11-3 06 Christian (just baptized) & Citi Gnadenberger, Elders von Allmen & Benedetti

2012 11-4 The floor in our closet we are trying to get dried out. (1)