Two Weeks of Work, Moving Flats,Cleaning Out, and Miracles

These last two weeks have been very busy as Elder and Sister Record are now gone and we are on our own.  We moved into their small flat in the temple accommodations.  We also moved wards, and are now assigned to attend the Worthing Ward on the south coast of England, west of Brighton.  Last Sunday we finished out our assignments in East Grinstead Ward helping with primary music and teaching a primary class.  Worthing is about an hour's drive south through beautiful rolling country. They call it the retirement center of England as it has a bit warmer climate by the sea.
The members were very welcoming, and we are happy to serve there.

Last walk around the grounds of the Bridgestock estate.

Scenes from the Old West Park Farm...

New flat at the temple accommodations - studio apartment

Mom's desk on left and Dad's on the right.

Elder Parker's first pot-roast crockpot meal ever.  I have never cooked a meal like this before.  It was wonderful.  Mom thought it was wonderful, too, since she didn't have to cook it.  I did manage to burn the french bread that was to go with it though, I am just very thankful that it didn't set off the fire alarm.  (Though the smoke in the hall did bring the fire inspectors!)

First night walk around the London Temple

Our bedroom window.

Old Manor House - Temple Presidency lives here

We're working long hours, but happy to be serving!

Cleaning out the storage so Sister Parker can find books and pamphlets requested in the field:

Midway cleaning - the "before" was much worse!

After

Books of Mormon and pamphlets in many many different languages that are used to teach in our mission.

View from our bedroom window

Our chapel in Worthing, England

Our favorite fish and chip restaurant in East Grinstead, England

Small round-about near the fish and chips restaurant

Let me tell you a story of the miracle of this work and the little red keypad...

I know God is in control. I have been blessed to know that all of my life.  I have been a witness to His goodness and care for me as an individual and for our family.  Why do I have pictures of a little keypad and computer?   Let me tell you the story.  

This keypad gives a code that opens our mission bank account via computer.  Very important!  I was trained that if you miss inputting the code right, after the third time it closes. One time it took the former administrator a great deal of time and effort (weeks) to get it working again.  Last week I entered our password and "Fail 1" came up instead of the numbers I needed.  I thought, "this can't be good."

I cleared it and tried again, with the same "Fail 1" response. This was all I could get for over two hours, though I knew I was inputting the code correctly.  I tried calling the bank in America for assistance, but they wanted the name of the previous administrator and various authentications of who he was.  I couldn't prove that I was the new administrator, so could get no help concerning the keypad.  

Mom would say at this point that this is a "long story,"  so I will cut to the end.  I was very humbled, closed the door to my office, and said a heartfelt prayer.  I had so much to do! I let God know I was trying my best and needed His help. I needed access to this account now in order to run the finances of the mission.

When I had finished praying, I went again to the keypad.  "Fail 1" came up again, this time I entered the correct passcode even though it only showed "Fail 1". When I hit the last number button for the code it still showed "Fail 1", I hit the green enter key, it opened and gave me the access code I needed.  

I know that God is in the detail of our lives if we will but ask Him in humility.  This is His work, and we are but His servants. We love being the Lord's servants.