Sunday, September 25, 2016

SEALINGS, SPEAKING, AND WALKS

Sealings.  Here in the UK, and I believe throughout Europe, the government does not acknowledge weddings performed in the Temple, so LDS couples have to get married civilly, then come to the temple to be sealed.  In this temple district, unless a couple lives in Ireland or Northern Scotland, they must get sealed the same day they are married.  Most couples have traditional, large weddings, then travel up to 3 hours to the temple in the evening (as late as 9:00 p.m.) to get sealed.  Sometimes they have a group of family and friends, sometimes it's just them.  Craig and I have been asked to stay late, or come back, on Saturday evenings and assist with the  sealings for those who were married that day.  This certainly can make for a HECTIC wedding day, but one benefit is that couples with part-member families don't have the dilemma of their family members not being able to attend the wedding.  But sadly, the sealing can feel like an afterthought to the day instead of the main event.

Speaking.  Craig and I were asked to speak last Sunday in a beautiful little town called Kendal.  President Hinckley talked about celebrating a Fourth of July there when he was on his mission - it is so picturesque.  Sadly, there were only 22 attending the Branch that day. I sometimes feel guilty knowing that these communities had large congregations of converts at one point, who went to the US to build up the Church there.

Cameras just can't capture the full beauty, but it gives you an idea...  Notice the rock fences out in the fields!

The rock fences aren't just in the fields, they line the streets as well.

Walks. On days that we don't need to walk into town for groceries, Craig and I walk in the beautiful areas that are all around the temple.  This week our good friend, Sister Rigby, who is one of the Assistants to the Matron, took us on a walk that included a park that is just 1.5 miles away.  The British parks include a HUGE area of open grass, and often a house that was a large Estate back in the day.

Sister Rigby and me across the pond from the Astley Estate House
Those goals are for full-sized soccer fields, and this shows just half of the park!
In the wooded area of the park - you can walk in these woods for an hour,  and this is in the middle of our town!

3 comments:

  1. I didn't know about the sealings, that is so interesting! I'm glad you two get to be a part of such a neat experience.
    Those rock walls are so dreamy!
    Do people in England love your O'Brien reunion shirt with the crest? Ryan wore that shirt a few times when we were in Nauvoo and our English friends would always comment on it.
    Love you and can't wait to join you in under three months!

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    Replies
    1. I'm not sure why it says unknown. This is Becky, your daughter.

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  2. So crazy about the sealings! Sad that it is sometimes felt to be an afterthought to the main wedding event! It looks so gorgeous there!

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