first sunday

Today we went to church at the Mitcham Ward in the Wandsworth Stake. Wow it was quite an adventure, and it didn’t seem like a good one for a while. First off, last night we had a terrible time trying to figure out our route. Several of the tube lines are closed on Sunday so we planned on not being able to take the route that would take us most directly to where we needed to be for church. We had to take the tube (underground), the train and a tram to get there. We planned for two hours, just in case. Well we needed that time, and more. Some of the tube lines that we supposed to be open ended up being closed and then a train broke down, and we had to sit and wait on our train, until it moved out of the way. It was a mess of going from line to line and paying over six pounds, which we didn’t really want to be doing every Sunday. So we got to church as Sacrament Meeting ended.

It was great when we arrived, though. Everyone was so excited to have us there. Megan, Hannah, Anna and I are in the ward together and immediately everyone was introducing themselves and the Young Women and Primary leaders were trying to talk the first counselor into letting them have us in their respective classes. The Mitcham ward is primary made up of people from different parts of Africa, some are the first generation to move to Britain, and others’ parents came here. Also, we were told, “they always give the worst directions to you guys. They give you the most round-about way to get here.” A couple people explained to us a more direct route, and it only took an hour to get home, and four pounds each week.

Anna and I were sent to Primary, and the other two went off to help in Young Women’s. I was so excited; I was put in with the Sunbeams. With one of the companionships of missionaries, we attempted to keep the eight four-year-olds somewhat calm. These kids are so crazy and fun—I love them already. They just have so much energy, I’m glad the missionaries will be there “to keep them calm” while I teach the next few months. I also played the keyboard for their singing time, and later the first counselor asked us to come early, and if I would play some prelude for Sacrament Meeting.

The members asked us to stay for a little linger longer type thing, kind of a going-away party for a couple that is moving. We stayed and ate some delicious food they made, sandwiches, sausages, melon and some pastry ball things that were really good. I really like our ward and I’m really excited to be in it. It’s really small, and everyone is so kind and excited that it makes it even more fun for us.

Today we also had a fireside with the presidents of the two stakes we occupy, and they mainly just gave us a little background on themselves. It was nice to hear from them. Normally we’ll have our religion class on Sundays, so that will be good.