It Doesn't Get Much Better Than This...

Here I am taking photos of the temple grounds again this spring. It just doesn't get much more beautiful than this! There is something so majestic about walking the grounds at the London Temple, no matter what time of year it is, but our weather right now is fabulous. It's in the mid-60's and there isn't a drop of rain in the forecast for the next TEN days (can it really be true??). We're appreciating every minute of sun -- from sunrise just before 5 a.m. to sunset just after 9 p.m.

We also have three beautiful new sister missionaries on the temple grounds. Sisters Stewart, Walmsley and Watt arrived last Wednesday. We are so glad to have them here! They are fresh from two weeks of training at the Provo MTC and have already infused us with their love for the gospel  and enthusiasm for missionary work!

Sister Cardona (France) and Sister Stewart (Arizona)

Sister Walmsley (New Zealand) and Sister Maughan (England)

Sister Watt (Utah) and Sister Berati (Albania)

Meanwhile, last weekend Don and I celebrated our 46th anniversary with a trip into London. I had a doctors appointment on Harley Street, so we took advantage of the day and did some walking and exploring.

Don on Harley Street - a typical London residential street
that now houses hundreds of doctors offices near clinics and hospitals.

We happened to walk past the home of Lionel Logue - King George VI 's speech therapist
(the story recently told in The Kings Speech).

We walked through Kensington Gardens on the way to see Kensington Palace.

We also visited St. Paul's Cathedral at last - something we've been wanting to do since we got here. I must say, of all the cathedrals I've even been in, I think it's my favorite. Sir Christopher Wren created a timeless masterpiece of architecture and art. 

St. Paul's Cathedral in London

Since visitors are not allowed to take photos inside, if you would like to see it, check out the National Geographic documentary link below:
http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/places/culture-places/buildings-landmarks/uk_stpaulscathedral/

We also celebrated our anniversary by taking in a Chamber Orchestra concert at St. Martin in the Fields on Saturday night. Handel and Vivaldi by Candlelight - incredible.

Inside St. Martin in the Fields

St. Martin in the Fields at Trafalgar Square

On Sunday, we had a wonderful fireside by President Arnold Jones and his wife, June. He is a past president of the Preston, England Temple.  They brought such a gentle spirit to our Visitors' Centre and taught us about the experiences they've had in their lives that have proved the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

President and Sister Jones (on the left) with Elder and Sister Horsley
who knew the Jones when they served their missions in England before they were married.

Monday (yesterday) we joined all our sister missionaries and the senior couples for a PDay hike through Balcombe and the surrounding area. What a day! The wildflowers were in bloom, the weather was perfect and we had a great time exploring the countryside together. 

And we're off.

Southern England has miles and miles of public footpaths
over hill and dale, through fields and forests.

Picnic!

Sisters Cardona and Maughan climbing one of several gates we encountered.

We saw several cottages along the way.

A bridge over a creek.

Walking through a field of buttercups

The sheep have already been shorn.

We love tree tunnels!

'Nuf said :)

Sister Watt

The barley is already waist-high.

Walking back to the car along a narrow, winding road. Good thing
British drivers are so darn courteous.

It's Tuesday now and we are all back at work in the Visitors' Centre. We had our weekly training meeting this morning and the Centre has been busy today. We're looking forward to another good week.

The missionary staff at the London Temple Visitors' Centre
June 2013