Settling In

England London South Missionaries with Elder & Sister Christofferson June 17, 2017
Can you find Elder & Sister Parker?

We are currently living in a studio apartment at the Bridgestock estate.  It is the old West Park estate that used to be a farm of hundreds of acres that included the current London Temple property that is about two miles from where we are staying.  The Bridgestock’s are members of our ward.  They bought the home 12 years ago when it was very dilapidated, and have converted it into a very nice estate for their family.  They have three of their families currently living there - Mum and Dad, and two of their daughters’ families (Emma and Sarah).  The flat we live in is away from the main house in what was once considered the stables.

It has been very bright, sunny, and unseasonably warm here in Southern England.  We have only had one short thunder storm, and we were inside when that came.  The estate and temple grounds are in the path of giant jets landing at Gatwick Airport, so we are getting used to the sound of the jets overhead.  Sometimes it sounds like thunder rolling in the distance.

We attend church in a nice ward in East Grinstead, one of the largest cities close by.  It is about 10 minutes away by car.  The driving on the left side of the road is now becoming more normal to Dad.  Mom has yet to try her hand at it.  We are in the country with narrow, winding, roads, trimmed with large hedges and trees.   It is very beautiful.

The Temple is also beautiful and peaceful.  The property covers 40 areas which include the temple, visitors center, temple workers housing lodge, guest accommodations building, mission office, old gatehouse, and old manor house (where the temple president lives).

The learning curve for both of us is very steep!  We have been exhausted when we get home at night, and it reminds us of when we first took over the management of Aspen Grove.  There is much to learn to understand and do on a daily basis.  We are feeling a dependence on the Lord to accomplish what will be required of us.  We recognize that this is His work and know that He will help us shoulder the load. 

With President and Sister Gubler

Bridgestock Estate- Office Elders Dye and Mee with David and Leslie Bridgestock and their daughter Emma
Our flat far left by car..  Dog is Biscuit (which is Cookie in English.)

Below is our temporary studio apartment at the Bridgestock Estate.  We will move to temple patron housing when Elder and Sister Record leave in a few weeks.

Looking forward to living on the temple grounds...

Office missionaries at a pub close to the temple.  Sisters Parker and Harkness,  Elder and Sister Record, whom we are replacing, Sister DeArden, Elder and Sister Corbet.  Elder Parker is seen in the mirror behind the group!

Elder Parker's first fish and chips in England.

This is Elder Parker in a Spitfire fighter at the Hever Castle.  What a shot!

Hever Castle is about 20 minutes from the office and was the home of Anne Boleyn, 2nd wife of King Henry VIII.

We know that God is in control of our lives and is true to the promises He has made to us and concerning our family at home.  The gospel of Jesus Christ is true, the restored gospel of Jesus Christ is rolling forth to fill the earth, and it is exciting to be a part of that here in England.