Yesterday dawned clear and sunny so we took the opportunity to wash our sheets and hang them on the line outside.
Bourne Court--home sweet home!
After the usual morning routine of breakfast and scripture reading, we took a bus to Woodingdean which borders part of the South Downs, a national park. To me, the South Downs are just rolling green hills. There’s nothing special that would merit being a national park except that they have been preserved from development and make a lovely backdrop to Brighton and the other cities along the coast.
The path was pleasant to walk on since it was not muddy, being composed of the local rocks made of chalk and flint. (remember to click on photos to make them larger)
Woodingdean is the highest part of Brighton and has views of the sea to the south and views of the downs to the north. And Brighton, of course.
We think the crops being raised are turnips to be used for cattle feed. This is about where I lost my glove. But I found it on the way back. :-)
As we were walking back we saw traffic stopped to let a flock of sheep cross. Soon we could see that they were in the area we needed to cross.
It was fun to see the sheep dogs doing their job. Before long the herd was on it’s way and we continued back to where we could catch the bus.
Every Monday is the YSA Family Home Evening held at the centre which we attend as their surrogate grandparents or whatever we are. Since the sun goes down at 4:30 this time of year we travel in the dark. Bill waits at the bus stop across from our building.
Getting to the church is a two bus process. This is where we catch the second one.
My courteous husband opens the door of the church for me.
Everyone donates £1 for the meal that is served. The YSA council do a good job of the cooking. Tonight it was chili con carne on rice. The smaller pot holds the vegetarian version. We have a fair number of vegetarians in England, especially in Brighton.
Afterwards the activity was “Choc and Chat” which when they were first planning it I thought they were saying chalk not choc as in chocolate. It’s an activity they copied from the Relief Society and it turned out to be the best FHE we’ve attended yet.
We gathered in the centre, all of us with our hot chocolate and one by one shared an inspirational story, scripture or music. One returned missionary shared a song that was written by a companion featuring the words of Elder Wirthlin’s talk, “Come What May and Love It.” A young man who has been one to push boundaries played some lovely music from Dexter called “Astor’s Birthday Party.” I don’t see it on iTunes, oh well.
Elder Parrett quoted a poem that he had memorized called “The Hammer” by Carl Sandburg.
I have seen
The old gods go
And the new gods come.
Day by day
And year by year
The idols fall
And the idols rise.
Today
I worship the hammer.
His point being to watch what “gods” we allow into our lives.
Sharlene caught me taking her photo.
Sister Parrett shared a quote from President Kimball: “...if all the sick were healed, if all the righteous were protected and the wicked destroyed, the whole program of the Father would be annulled and the basic principle of the gospel, free agency, would be ended. Should all prayers be immediately answered according to our selfish desires and our limited understanding, then there would be little or no suffering, sorrow, disappointment, or even death, and if these were not, there would also be no joy, success, resurrection, nor eternal life and godhood.”
There was a wonderful spirit present and it seemed nobody wanted to leave when it was over.
