Shut Down

Every year they close the MTC for two weeks for cleaning and refurbishing. They asked us to please leave. So we did. Following are some of the highlights of our "Holiday." I admit some days we looked at each other and said: "We are on a mission, right?"

A good many of Jim's ancestors come from England, Wales and Guernsey in the Channel Islands. We flew first to Guernsey and enjoyed the beautiful green landscape, ocean views. And we were able to connect with some of his Tayler second cousins after 45 years.

From here we took a ferry to St. Malo, France, rented a car, and toured the D-Day Battlefields and American Cemetery. Our first Bed and Breakfast was originally an old barn right in the middle of the drop area for the first paratroopers. It was next to the Meredet River Bridge which the allies wanted to occupy and save and very close to Ste. Mere Eglise which was a good starting place for the day.

We drove all the way up the coast of Normandy from Utah Beach to Ouistreham and were awed by the great courage and perserverance of the young men who landed and pushed their way inland. We have just finished reading the book D-Day and have come to understand and appreciate all the millions of people, innumerable resources, unbelievable planning and Divine Help that went into making it a success. We cried at the American Cemetery as we stood among the rows and rows of white markers. I'm certainly grateful for the Plan of Salvation that assures they will all have a chance to enjoy the same eternal blessings as those who survived.

On our way back, we spent a night at Mont St. Michel, an abby from the Middle Ages, built on a small rock island about a mile off the coast of France. When the tide comes in, it is completely cut off from land. However, they have now built a causeway and there is always a road and a few dry parking places. Two-thirds of the day-parking gets flooded as the tide rushes in at 17 feet per minute! We happened to be there for the highest-tide of the year. It really was an amazing phenomenon to watch.

We returned to Guernsey and took a ferry out to the smallest of the Channel Island, Sark. It is 3 miles by 1 1/2 miles. There are no automobiles. We rented bikes for the day and rode from one end to the other including over La Coupee to Little Sark. Walking home from the restaurant at night was an unforgettable experience. There was no artificial lights, but the stars were like plugged in light bulbs. Fortunately the couple of people we met on the way had flashlights or we would have walked into them.

We left Sark in the morning and arrived back at the MTC having traveled by tractor-pulled wagon, boat, bus, airplane, train and taxi. I think we only missed a horse as a means of transportation. Sure enough, they really didn't want us in their way. So off we went again.

Jim's family also has origins in Southern Wales and Southern England which was our next destination. Southern Wales is lush and green with lots of sheep. We drove through all of Jim's ancestor's towns including Llanelli, Llangennech, Pembroke, Blackwell, Bedwellty,and our treasured find: Mynddyslwyn, It was a small church that a woman in a store happened to mention. It was on Jim's geneology sheet, but he could never locate it. It is at the top of a small mountain and was a special find.

As you may have noted, Welsh is a unique language, spare on vowels and tricky to speak. But the people were delightful and so helpful. Actually we found people everywhere so kind and helpful. We were pleasantly surprised in France. Even those we asked directions from on the street were so willing to assist. If they couldn't speak English we either worked it out by sign language or found a third person tp help.

We spent our last couple of days in Southern England, from Axminister up to the Salisbury Plain. So many charming, picturesque towns, lovely old churches, and beautiful green vistas. Of course we had to stop at Stonehenge which was almost next door to our Bed and Breakfast in Great Wishford.

Speaking of Bed and Breakfasts,we think they are the only way to go and we were very fortunate and had chosen well. Finding them is a little like throwing a dart, but they all turned out to be excellent. We loved the pastry, bread and fruit breakfasts in France. Welsh and English breakfasts include ham, sausage, eggs, beans, mushrooms and a cooked tomato! You can imagine we didn't have to eat until dinner.

We are now back at the MTC and very happy to be working. Our present group had 14, but our senior couple left, after their week of training, for Cypress. We have a sister from the country of Georgia who has had her mission call since late summer and just got her visa. We also have two elders from Germany. One's father was very upset he was coming on a mission and for two months tried to talk him our of it. He said they argued constantly. On the last night he went into his father at 2 in the morning and explained again how much a mission meant. The Spirit was there and the father broke into tears and gave his blessing. We have an excellent group. Serious, calm and really working hard.

The church is true and we are so pleased to be out serving. Spring has come, the daffodils have been spectacular. It couldn't get better.