Elder Hawley had quite a hectic week, with many items "hitting the fan" all at once. Thursday was especially difficult. He sought help from Heavenly Father, and on Friday help was provided in surprising ways that was just what he needed to solve a couple of potentially difficult situations. It was quite humbling to see how close Heaven really is, when we need Heavenly Help.
Last week was full of Zone Conferences: Tuesday in Colchester for Norwich, Ipswich and Romford zones. Wednesday it was in Hyde Park, for the Hyde Park and Canterbury zones, and we left the office "on its own" to attend. On Thursday, the APs and President/Sister Patch were in Milton Keynes [Bletchley] for the zone conference for Northampton, St. Albans, and Watford zones. It is a busy week when there are 3 conferences that benefit all 8 mission zones. Sister Hawley had the "Truth Will Prevail" newsletter ready to go with the APs on Monday -- all copies were printed out, and THEN the toner was empty, thus shutting down our large copy machine/printer. Sister Hawley hurriedly made a last minute format change on the birthdays page, only to realize with some chagrin that she'd forgotten to correct one mistake due to someone interrupting her with another job. Oh, well. "Truth Will Prevail" will be published every other transfer, so she'll have lots of opportunities to "get it completely correct."
There is one benefit for those of us in the office during zone conference week, and that is the quietness of the office itself. The office elders and the office couple can both play catchup, or they can tackle extra tasks, or even get a little bit ahead for next transfers. This was the case for Sister Hawley and the office elders, and a lot was accomplished. By Friday afternoon Sister Hawley had completed her project for Sister Patch [who was delighted with the results], and she also was able to "clear her desk" of those projects that she'd had to push aside in previous weeks. She was also able to get prepared ahead of time for the next incoming missionaries -- 9 elders and sisters, and get things ready for their orientation. This coming week she has time now to prepared the President's end - of - month baptism report and gather the orientation materials for these new missionaries. The ELM has had a couple of small shifts in arriving missionaries -- one who was sent from the Preston MTC to the Provo MTC when it was discovered that he needed to learn to speak English; another who is still at this moment waiting to see if space on any airplane can be procured from Armenia to England; another elder who is coming under a different name [so all records must be adjusted], and a fourth elder who is coming later as a complete surprise. Last we heard he hadn't received an official call but the family was thrilled and his setting apart appointment with his stake president was for Sunday night! The thing that makes this elder unusual, or rather his call unusual, is that he lives in Watford, which is located WITHIN the England London Mission boundaries, so the president will make sure that he is never assigned to his home town. Also interesting will be watching this elder grow in this calling, and watching to see if we can discover why he has been assigned here -- the Lord called him and so the Lord has His plan for him; it is for us to discover why the Lord wants him in his home-town mission. Fascinating!
On Friday we had our bi-monthly administration meeting with the president, and we were able to accomplish a lot and solve several challenges, and make plans for several new companionships and new districts that will be opened by new companionships in 2 weeks. We'll wait now to see which missionaries are placed where. When the changes are given to the APs, Sister Hawley will get online into iMOS and adjust the mission assignments, as well as notify those concerned about these changes; and Elder Hawley is already working on finding new flats in the new areas. When changes occur, and this includes new callings, such as district leader, trainer, zone leader, etc., there are many people to notify, and more letters to write, have signed, and be mailed. Thank goodness for computers that make these types of tasks so much easier than they used to be.
So in one way the week was a difficult and challenging week; in another, we were touched and humbled, and taught anew by a loving Father about His knowledge of us and the blessings He wants to give us so quickly and so readily. And the highlight of the week was our ward temple trip to the London Temple located south of us in Surrey. We left early in the morning from the Hyde Park Chapel and rode in two XL vans. It took our breath away to be there, to see this wonderful ediface and beautiful gardens. We spent the morning inside doing ordinance work. There was such a sweet and sacred feeling there. It was a busy day for the workers there; Sister Hawley learned that many had not yet shown up for their shifts! Oh, was she empathetic -- she had such a desire to put on her ordinance-worker name tag and go to work with them! The temple would be considered, by today's standards, one of the smaller ones. And yet there are many levels, and many flights of stairs, making it available for larger groups so that much work can be accomplished. It was delightful to hear accents from all over the world there. The CR was at the top of a flight of stairs, just like going up to Heaven might be imagined. Just exquisite! The grounds were equally lovely and well manucured, and after a delicious lunch by their world-renowned chef [who also served us huge portions!], we walked around the gardens. It was such a happy and peaceful and blessed place to be.
Because of General Conference next week, it was [for us] Fast Sunday today. We spent a rather quiet Sunday afternoon. We look forward to hearing the words of our prophet and general Church authorities next weekend, which we can see tape-delayed at the chapel, including the General RS Meeting, or which we can listen two via the internet, all except Priesthood Meeting. Our hearts are full, as we have been greatly blessed in this land of our Fathers. May you all be so richly blessed as we have been. We send you our love and remember you in our prayers. Elder and Sister Hawley, Blessings on your heads . . . from London.
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