Dear Family,
Happy New Year! I can't believe we are now serving our last seven months of our mission! Amazing! It seems like we have been gone forever in some ways, but the experiences we have had and the people we have met, I wouldn't trade for anything!
On Thursday, we went to the office to get things organized for our training trip, as well as try to get questions answered and Expense Reports filed before the end of the year. Since we had our traveling down to a science in Russia, we were a bit worried about getting out to the airport here in Frankfurt. It seems a little crazy, but you have to make a reservation at the airport for your car, which we hadn't done since we didn't know about that rule. If you park in the non-reserved parking lots, it costs a fortune. We understand taxis are very expensive going out, but even more coming back. We were starting to get a little worried about getting to the airport for the next day. Then one of the office analysts reminded us that Sergio (who was on vacation) had a friend who had a limo service. We had forgotten about them because we had actually ridden out with them when we went to Cape Verde. We thought it was very expensive, but when we called Sergio, he gave us their number. They were very reasonable! He is a guy from Turkey, so we had lots of fun talking to him--his friend who brought us home, not so much! Hah! He didn't understand as much English and I think I got him as confused as the woman I tried to talk to in Brazil, which still makes Kevin and Cameron laugh. I think I can talk all these languages, but I have to admit--maybe I try too hard, and it would be better if I just didn't talk. Hah!
Friday, we left for Birmingham, England, on a direct flight, then caught two different trains, finally arriving in Kettering, England, where the training would take place.
We went by taxi to the hotel, which was right next to the beautiful chapel they have there. It was very cold in England--even more so than Germany because of the brisk wind.
So fun to see the familiar "green" fences you see in the UK.
We went by taxi to the hotel, which was right next to the beautiful chapel they have there. It was very cold in England--even more so than Germany because of the brisk wind.
Saturday, we just walked next door to the church where we met Brother and Sister Jarvis who opened up the church. There was no heat on and for the two hours we met, we absolutely about froze to death! I put on my big Russian coat, but George only had his suit coat on and his hands were absolutely frozen. Brother and Sister Jarvis didn't seem to mind it at all. I thought the training went so well, though, and they seem very excited for their calling. They will be in charge of different stakes--the furthest away is a seven-hour train ride!
After the training, we thought we would go out and see Warwick Castle, but it was absolutely freezing outside, the wind was so blustery, that we just decided to stay in the hotel room to try and warm up in a place that had heat. It didn't hurt at all that several bowl games would be starting a little later to keep George happy! Hah!
Sunday, we went to church at the Kettering Ward. It is huge! They get about 220 people there each Sunday, they said. It was absolutely wonderful to have everything in English--well, the real English can be difficult at times, too. Sometimes, we had to ask a couple of times what they said when we were talking to members afterwards. One girl told me how much she loved my accent! I really laughed--it was definitely her that the accent in my mind! After church, we took off on the train to Stratford-upon-Avon (on the Avon River), the birthplace of William Shakespeare, where he was raised and raised his family. That is the most quaint little town!
We loved strolling the streets, which were still lit with the Christmas lights, walking over the Avon River, and of course, visiting Shakespeare's home. There were women inside who were playing the part of people during that day, as well as actors on the outside doing portions of Shakespeare's plays. They asked which one we wanted to hear--I said, "Definitely not Romeo and Juliet. That one makes me cry every time, and I'm always hoping the ending will change!" But, one girl asked for, "The Taming of the Shrew," which they did. It was so entertaining, and they even involved Gpa George in it, which was hilarious!
We both enjoyed our time at a place that I have wanted to go to for a very long time!
Shakespeare's father was a fine glove maker--some of the skins he made them out of.
We loved strolling the streets, which were still lit with the Christmas lights, walking over the Avon River, and of course, visiting Shakespeare's home. There were women inside who were playing the part of people during that day, as well as actors on the outside doing portions of Shakespeare's plays. They asked which one we wanted to hear--I said, "Definitely not Romeo and Juliet. That one makes me cry every time, and I'm always hoping the ending will change!" But, one girl asked for, "The Taming of the Shrew," which they did. It was so entertaining, and they even involved Gpa George in it, which was hilarious!
We both enjoyed our time at a place that I have wanted to go to for a very long time!
Walking down the streets of Birmingham, where we stayed the last night.
Monday, we flew home and there was our driver from Turkey to pick us up in a beautiful, black Mercedes! It was marvelous! And, as I say, at a much reduced price that it would have cost us in a taxi! We felt like royalty! Upon getting home about 5:00, we were pretty tired and although we thought we might join some of the other Seniors in downtown Frankfurt for a New Year's Eve party and then watching a fireworks, which we heard is a "must-see," we heard the fireworks last for FOUR HOURS! What? We definitely knew we couldn't do that! So, we just opted to stay home and watch the fireworks out on our own balcony in our little town--which there actually were quite a few, and enjoyed just being back in our own little apartment, talking to some of you on the phone.
Tuesday, New Year's Day - We are going to join some Seniors this afternoon for some games and treats. We will go to that, for sure.
Well, that's a wrap for the few days since I wrote last week. I wanted to congratulate so many of you for reading the entire Book of Mormon this year! If you haven't read Kade's letter on his blog this week, I would advise you to do so. He told of how much he loved reading the entire Book of Mormon and his testimony of it. Go to elderkadecopeland.blogspot.com It was really beautiful. I wanted to tell you something that really struck me in a talk given by a woman in the Kettering Ward. This was a great lesson out of the Book of Mormon. She pointed out that after King Benjamin gave his address that the people were so inspired and were willing to covenant with God to do his will, and to be obedient to his commandments in all things that he shall command us, all the remainder of our days, that we may not bring upon ourselves a never-ending torment, as has been spoken by the angel, that we may not drink out of the cup of the wrath of God." (Mosiah 5: 5) King Benjamin told them because of the covenant which they made they would be called the "children of Christ, his sons and daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you . . ." (vs. 7) All people except the little children made this covenant. Then we jump over to Mosiah 26, and sadly, we find that "many of the rising generation could not understand the words of king Benjamin, being little children at the time he spake unto his people; and they did not believe the tradition of their fathers." "And they would hot be baptized; neither would they join the church." (Mosiah 26:3-4) The woman gave the question, "Why didn't they believe or understand?" She suggested that they hadn't been taught in their homes from parents who had heard and made such wonderful covenants at the time they heard King Benjamin. The new, "Come Follow Me" program that will be starting this Sunday gives the parents a better opportunity to make sure their children are taught, can feel the Spirit in their home, and hear their parents bear their testimonies. What a powerful impact this is upon our families! Gpa George and I will never forget when we heard both our mother and father bear their testimonies in our Family Nights, as it was called then. We knew when we heard them talk about the church and heard their prayers that there was no doubt in their minds that they knew the Church was true and they were close to the Savior. As we all know, children make their own decisions--not always the way we would want them to. But, we can all do our part in teaching and not be held accountable for not allowing our children to hear about the Word of God. Then, it is up to the child to choose. I just thought this was a great example of how we can really utilize our Sunday times with our families. Gpa George and I want to encourage all of you to continue to follow the Prophet by instigating this new program in your homes and to continue reading the Book of Mormon.
I'll close now. I am so thankful for the gospel and for all of you! We love you and pray for all of you every morning and night!
Love, Gma Laura
PS Tomorrow, January 2nd, is my sister, Beverly's birthday. Oh, my goodness--I have such love and respect for her! She has been amazing as she has faced the passing of her husband, Larry, taken much too soon in all of our minds, and has carried on with such a positive attitude and love for her family. She has certainly been a guiding light for all of us, and I LOVE her dearly!
Also, on Saturday, January 5th, is our wonderful granddaughter-in-law, Taryn's birthday! We have absolutely LOVED having her join the Copeland family! What a beautiful--inside and out--woman she is. You never see her without that beautiful smile and a heart that always wants to make others happy. Happy Birthday, Taryn!
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