Missionary Journal
England (September Weeks 3-4 and October Weeks 1-2 2009)
September Week 3
This week was spent primarily working toward our monthly goal of getting to all the members (active and less-active) in the Weymouth Branch. However, on Saturday we went to the First Annual Weymouth Victorian Military Tattoo. For some unfathomable reason I have this very positive idea that I have already written about this subject: the pictures are resized and retitled and I know I have researched “Tattoo”, but I can’t find a write up anywhere. Oh well, very senior moment.
Looking at Wikipedia I found: “The original meaning of military tattoo is a military drum performance, but nowadays it sometimes means army displays more generally. It dates from the seventeenth century when the British Army was fighting in the Low Countries (Belgium and The Netherlands). Drummers from the garrison were sent out into the towns at 21:30 hrs (9:30 pm) each evening to inform the soldiers that it was time to return to barracks. The process was known as doe den tap toe (old-Dutch for "turn off the tap"), an instruction to innkeepers to stop serving beer and send the soldiers home for the night. The drummers continued to play until the curfew at 22:00 hrs (10:00 pm).
“Over the years, the process became more of a show and often included the playing of the first post at 21:30 hrs and the last post at 22:00. Bands and displays were included and shows were often conducted by floodlight or searchlight. Tattoos were commonplace in the late 1800s with most military and garrison towns putting on some kind of show or entertainment during the summer months. Between the First World War and the Second World War elaborate tattoos were held in many towns, with the largest in Aldershot.”
Of course, the best known is the Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle in Scotland. There are also other English Military Tattoos held in Birmingham, at Windsor Castle, and the Royal Military Tattoo in London.
Canada has the Quebec City Military Tattoo as part of the Quebec City International Festival of Military Bands. I didn’t know we had Tattoos in the States, but the largest tattoo in the United States is the Virginia International Tattoo, held every year in Norfolk, Virginia where over 850 performers play traditional music and many international acts join every branch of the Armed Forces. One of the newer tattoos in North America is the Heartland International Tattoo in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, near Chicago. The United States Air Force holds tattoos for many different events and celebrations, like base openings and closers, and special events like the 21st Annual Langley Tattoo. The Air Force's largest tattoo is held each year at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
Now we have the Victorian Military Tattoo in Weymouth. We didn’t see the parade from downtown Weymouth because we were too busy finding a parking place (very few to be had anywhere near the Nothe Fort where the Tattoo was held). This was an event in support of “Help for Heroes”; the charity giving aid to wounded service men and women injured in current conflicts.
The Weymouth Victorian Military Tattoo is billed as “a full living history event including the Garrisoning of one of Britain’s finest Victorian Fortresses.” The five Regiments: (1) The Green Howards; (2) The 24th Foot of Zulu War fame; (3) The Middlesex Regiment - Diehard Company; (4) the 11th Hussars; and (5) The Royal Artillery who were stationed inside the Fort since they were hosting the Garrison. The crew, along with the Drum Corps and Royalty, came to over 100 re-enactors.
As we walked up to the fort, the first things we saw were the horses, then the people tenting in the gardens at the fort.
And to show that woman’s work is never done, here is a picture proving it… Here she is fixing a tear in the tent.
Inside the tents are bed rolls but no sleeping bags or other things I could see that would take away from the “historical experience” for both the participant and the spectator. I’m glad it’s them and not me – I’m way too old to sleep on the ground
.
.Notice the kilt on the guy in brown.
First of all, a goodly portion of the garrison came marching into the fort, headed by the Drum Corps.
The 11th Hussars followed.
Then came the remainder of the regiments.
After all the regiments arrived, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert arrived by carriage.
Here is Queen Victoria with the Commanding Officer reviewing the troops.
This is the reviewing stand set up for the Victoria, Albert, the 3 princesses, and all the “hangers-on” (i.e., the ladies-in-waiting, etc.).
Sitting on the reviewing stand we have the following (left to right): Front Row: The Princess Royal, the princesses Louise and Alice, Prince Albert, Queen Victoria, Colonel Grenadier Corps; Back Row (sorry you can’t see them, but I have separate pictures): The Somersets (she is the Queen’s Lady-in-Waiting), the Gladstones (he is the Prime Minister) and two more ladies-in-waiting.
This is a close-up picture of the three Princesses (left to right): Princess Alice, the Princess Royal, and Princess Louise. I’ll bet those two little ones had a great time re-enacting this tattoo.
These are the Somersets.
And here are the Gladstones (remember, he is the current Prime Minister).
Here is the wife (Lady VonTutsburg) of the German Ambassador with Prince Albert.
This picture is my favorite. I went back and took a picture of real honest soldiers while I was at it. There were about a half dozen in uniform during the tattoo. I didn’t ask why they were there, but they are currently serving in the British Army. These two guys here were the best; they told me they were brothers. I said, “Sure!”
Anyway, the Drum Corps were great (probably not as good as the tattoo at Edinburgh), but we enjoyed them and their music.
Anyway, the Drum Corps were great (probably not as good as the tattoo at Edinburgh), but we enjoyed them and their music.
As we were leaving the fort and walking back to our car, we passed this sign:
There they are right in Weymouth (as opposed to Farnborough) for those of you who spent part of your life working with them as a sub on FCS.
There they are right in Weymouth (as opposed to Farnborough) for those of you who spent part of your life working with them as a sub on FCS.
September Week 4
This week was pretty low key as we continued working on our goal for the month and visiting as many members as possible. On Tuesday we had lunch with the Mullens (we try to get to them out to lunch at least once a quarter or more). He was at one time Branch President (remember Weymouth has been a branch for 40 years). We always have a lovely time with them but can’t get them out to church often.
Wednesday evening, Walt had an interview with a member of the Stake Presidency and was called into the Branch Presidency as Second Counselor. This isn’t going to be an easy calling: (1) The First Counselor has cancer; (2) Walt wasn’t released from his other callings as Clerk and Sunday School President; and (3) we are still full-time missionaries. But we love the branch and are happy to serve in any and all capacities.
Saturday evening I spent with two sisters I work with in Primary. They were making home-made cards (boy, do they have the supplies to make cards) and I was critiquing. Since Sunday was Fast Sunday we didn’t have refreshments (that’s hard when 3 Mormon women get together).
Sunday was low key with Walt being sustained and set apart and me teaching Gospel Doctrine (I am really enjoying teaching a deep-down look at Church history and how it applies to our lives today).
Sunday evening we had the Elders over for dinner (left to right: Elder Allred and Elder Marchione giving us a spiritual message). The lump on the far left of the picture is Elder Reimers.
This week was pretty low key as we continued working on our goal for the month and visiting as many members as possible. On Tuesday we had lunch with the Mullens (we try to get to them out to lunch at least once a quarter or more). He was at one time Branch President (remember Weymouth has been a branch for 40 years). We always have a lovely time with them but can’t get them out to church often.
Wednesday evening, Walt had an interview with a member of the Stake Presidency and was called into the Branch Presidency as Second Counselor. This isn’t going to be an easy calling: (1) The First Counselor has cancer; (2) Walt wasn’t released from his other callings as Clerk and Sunday School President; and (3) we are still full-time missionaries. But we love the branch and are happy to serve in any and all capacities.
Saturday evening I spent with two sisters I work with in Primary. They were making home-made cards (boy, do they have the supplies to make cards) and I was critiquing. Since Sunday was Fast Sunday we didn’t have refreshments (that’s hard when 3 Mormon women get together).
Sunday was low key with Walt being sustained and set apart and me teaching Gospel Doctrine (I am really enjoying teaching a deep-down look at Church history and how it applies to our lives today).
Sunday evening we had the Elders over for dinner (left to right: Elder Allred and Elder Marchione giving us a spiritual message). The lump on the far left of the picture is Elder Reimers.
September Last Week or October First Week
Monday was “P” day and neither of us felt much like doing anything (just laundry and working on lessons). Tuesday I wasn’t feeling well again – I’m getting really tired of this. However, on Wednesday (the very last day of the month) after praying mightly to the Lord, I got up, baked the cookie dough (snickerdoodles) Walt had prepared, and we went out and visited the remaining 7 folks we hadn’t yet seen for September. Phew, we got it all done! Below is the weekly report I sent out to our Mission President:
Dear President Shamo – After feeling so miserable on Tuesday and praying to feel good enough to go out and contact the remainder of the folks in the branch, Wednesday morning we had our little miracle and I woke up feeling good, helped my husband bake cookies, and we went out to visit. We had an absolutely lovely time, making visits to these last seven people.
The visit I especially enjoyed was at the home of a young man (mid-twenties) who had finally gotten his wish and had been accepted by the Merchant Marines. We visited with his mother who was in a really good place in her life that day: Wednesday was her last day at work as she was retiring and there was a party in the evening. We spoke about her son and his aspirations and how happy she was for him that he seemed to be getting his life turned around. Elder Reimers asked her if she had ever thought about joining the Church, and she told us that she was COFE (Church of England), a lay pastor, and a street pastor. I’d never heard of a street pastor. It seems that they go out four nights a week from midnight to 4:00 am on the streets of Weymouth in a group of four to help those that are in no position to help themselves due to drink or drugs to get home safely. She told me that Jesus worked with the downtrodden and needy, and she felt she couldn’t do less. We will keep in contact with her – what an addition she would be to Weymouth Branch.
On Sunday evening we had a house full of people, including the Elders and branch members who didn’t have the resources to make it to Yeovil or Poole, to watch General Conference over the internet. We borrowed the projector from the branch and showed it on the wall. I made dinner and we watched three sessions of conference (Saturday AM, Sunday AM and PM until my husband had to take the Elders back to their flat to make it at 10:30 pm. My favorite was Elder Holland and his testimony of the Book of Mormon.
All in all, a wonderful week. Love, Elder and Sister Reimers
This really put the week in a nutshell. No marvelous places to visit, but just quiet contentment at a “job well done.”
October Week 2
Another great week as we have been out with our cookies to visit (this week it was oatmeal current cookies). We met with Sister Joyce Nash (who is 86, less active and has congenital heart disease) and spoke with her about obedience and reminded her that the Lord loves her. She hadn’t been feeling well when we called for an appointment, but Elder Reimers said he had some cookies for her and she perked right up. We visited that afternoon as we called on the members in Portesham, Burton Bradstock, and Bridport and had trouble getting out of her flat. She is so lonely and needs uplifting conversation and answers to questions. I keep telling the members of the Branch Council we need to love these less-active members back to Church.
The next day we received a call from her as she raved about the cookies and how she has never had anyone just bring her cookies (or anything like them); said it wasn’t done in England. She also said she loved our visits.
A second small miracle happened as we visited with another sister (less active). With this sister we just showed up and offered cookies. We chatted outside with her shortly and again told her that we knew Heavenly Father loved her and that we missed her sweet spirit in Church. On Saturday we received a letter from her that just screamed “HELP!” She told us she smoked and stayed away from other members because she smoked and felt she had let everybody down. She wrote: “I want you to know I believe in the Mormon religion and I want to be able to serve our Heavenly Father, but I keep losing the battle with smoking. I do read my Bible and all the books and leaflets I have got, I constantly pray and ask Heavenly Father to help me be what he wants me to be.” I am trying to find out if Poole has an Addiction Prevention Program (Margo and Al – wish you were here), and we will visit her next week to tell her again how much Heavenly Father loves her and wants her back in the fold. I’m hoping that if we can get her back in church it will help her with her desire to become closer to the Spirit so she can stop smoking.
We love being able to serve and, hopefully, positively impact the lives of those around us. What more can you ask from retirement?
Saturday evening we had Road Show at the Poole Stake Center. Only 4 of the 6 units participated. The 2 that didn’t participate are big wards and that didn’t make a lot of sense to me. Weymouth, of course, was superb. Our activities director is a commercial artist and amateur actor. The theme was “The Words We Speak.”
Monday was “P” day and neither of us felt much like doing anything (just laundry and working on lessons). Tuesday I wasn’t feeling well again – I’m getting really tired of this. However, on Wednesday (the very last day of the month) after praying mightly to the Lord, I got up, baked the cookie dough (snickerdoodles) Walt had prepared, and we went out and visited the remaining 7 folks we hadn’t yet seen for September. Phew, we got it all done! Below is the weekly report I sent out to our Mission President:
Dear President Shamo – After feeling so miserable on Tuesday and praying to feel good enough to go out and contact the remainder of the folks in the branch, Wednesday morning we had our little miracle and I woke up feeling good, helped my husband bake cookies, and we went out to visit. We had an absolutely lovely time, making visits to these last seven people.
The visit I especially enjoyed was at the home of a young man (mid-twenties) who had finally gotten his wish and had been accepted by the Merchant Marines. We visited with his mother who was in a really good place in her life that day: Wednesday was her last day at work as she was retiring and there was a party in the evening. We spoke about her son and his aspirations and how happy she was for him that he seemed to be getting his life turned around. Elder Reimers asked her if she had ever thought about joining the Church, and she told us that she was COFE (Church of England), a lay pastor, and a street pastor. I’d never heard of a street pastor. It seems that they go out four nights a week from midnight to 4:00 am on the streets of Weymouth in a group of four to help those that are in no position to help themselves due to drink or drugs to get home safely. She told me that Jesus worked with the downtrodden and needy, and she felt she couldn’t do less. We will keep in contact with her – what an addition she would be to Weymouth Branch.
On Sunday evening we had a house full of people, including the Elders and branch members who didn’t have the resources to make it to Yeovil or Poole, to watch General Conference over the internet. We borrowed the projector from the branch and showed it on the wall. I made dinner and we watched three sessions of conference (Saturday AM, Sunday AM and PM until my husband had to take the Elders back to their flat to make it at 10:30 pm. My favorite was Elder Holland and his testimony of the Book of Mormon.
All in all, a wonderful week. Love, Elder and Sister Reimers
This really put the week in a nutshell. No marvelous places to visit, but just quiet contentment at a “job well done.”
October Week 2
Another great week as we have been out with our cookies to visit (this week it was oatmeal current cookies). We met with Sister Joyce Nash (who is 86, less active and has congenital heart disease) and spoke with her about obedience and reminded her that the Lord loves her. She hadn’t been feeling well when we called for an appointment, but Elder Reimers said he had some cookies for her and she perked right up. We visited that afternoon as we called on the members in Portesham, Burton Bradstock, and Bridport and had trouble getting out of her flat. She is so lonely and needs uplifting conversation and answers to questions. I keep telling the members of the Branch Council we need to love these less-active members back to Church.
The next day we received a call from her as she raved about the cookies and how she has never had anyone just bring her cookies (or anything like them); said it wasn’t done in England. She also said she loved our visits.
A second small miracle happened as we visited with another sister (less active). With this sister we just showed up and offered cookies. We chatted outside with her shortly and again told her that we knew Heavenly Father loved her and that we missed her sweet spirit in Church. On Saturday we received a letter from her that just screamed “HELP!” She told us she smoked and stayed away from other members because she smoked and felt she had let everybody down. She wrote: “I want you to know I believe in the Mormon religion and I want to be able to serve our Heavenly Father, but I keep losing the battle with smoking. I do read my Bible and all the books and leaflets I have got, I constantly pray and ask Heavenly Father to help me be what he wants me to be.” I am trying to find out if Poole has an Addiction Prevention Program (Margo and Al – wish you were here), and we will visit her next week to tell her again how much Heavenly Father loves her and wants her back in the fold. I’m hoping that if we can get her back in church it will help her with her desire to become closer to the Spirit so she can stop smoking.
We love being able to serve and, hopefully, positively impact the lives of those around us. What more can you ask from retirement?
Saturday evening we had Road Show at the Poole Stake Center. Only 4 of the 6 units participated. The 2 that didn’t participate are big wards and that didn’t make a lot of sense to me. Weymouth, of course, was superb. Our activities director is a commercial artist and amateur actor. The theme was “The Words We Speak.”
On first was the Christchurch Ward who did a fairy tale including Shrek, Tweety Bird, the Muffin Man, Cruella Deville, Red Riding Hood, Snow White, the 3 fairy godmothers, etc. The best was their scenery. If you can see the scenery in the back it was a book of fables and they were in Fableland. There was a little girl (about 8 I think) dressed like a princess and who slept right in front of the book until she turned the pages in the book as the scenery changed (about 4 changes). It was hysterical as she had to huff and puff to get the pages moved. They didn’t get the award for best scenery, but I thought it was great. Only issue was that they didn’t sing their music but used CD music with voices.
Next up was Bournemouth (a big, big ward with lots and lots of people). Their play was futuristic. They actually had a band with a keyboard, two guitars, and drums. The music was futuristic and not exactly what I like but I’m sure the youth did (a lot of discordant notes). The captain (on the left in the epaulets) had a good voice and the ladies in the right sang backup.
Just before Weymouth was the Salisbury Branch. I thoroughly enjoyed this presentation. It was obvious that the group had someone who knew Polynesian dancing (hint: the big guy in the middle of the picture and his wife). The plot centered around two islands (one where the women lived since they had banished the men to another island due to not ever doing anything – such as fishing, cleaning, etc.).
The best part was the ocean scene where they paddled across from one island to another. They walked the ocean across the stage and then held it on each side. It was great!!
Then Weymouth was up, and our plot was about a cute Mormon family (Molly and Norman Mormon and their 3 girls) that move into a haunted house inhabited by zombies. In this picture you see the entire Mormon family along with their home teachers (who save the day at least in the beginning) in the guise of Ghostbusters.
On the left are the zombies who have speaking parts.
The scenery was fabulous! As you look at the picture on the right, you will see 3 of the 4 zombies looking out of the pictures whereas in the picture above it there are other pictures showing; i.e., castle, etc.
There was one scene change (from the drawing room to the cemetery). You can see our director in the picture to the left has already moved two panels to the cemetery.
The highlight of the change of scenery and almost the whole play was a skeleton dance (by two of our primary boys) doing the cha-cha with a “Dancing with the Stars”-type scoring. The great part about it was they actually did a pretty decent cha-cha dressed in black costumes with fluorescent bones.
All in all, I was very impressed.
All in all, I was very impressed.
After the road show was over and while the judges were judging, one of our zombies (the non-member husband of one of our members) sat down and played the piano. I arranged a small grouping and took a picture. On the left is our director and activities committee chairman, center is our non-member zombie (he is a mechanical engineer by education, a teacher by trade, and an accomplished musician), and on the right is one of our young men, Joe Walker, who played one of the two home teachers.
Sunday was the Reimers show (kind of). Walt was the only member of the Branch Presidency in attendance and this was his first week to conduct. The First Counselor is in the hospital battling cancer and pneumonia, and President is away on family business. So, Walt conducted and conducted branch business, I sat on the stand with him, then I spoke, and he was the concluding speaker.
After the meetings were over we had our fourth monthly “munch and mingle” and it was great. Everybody brought a little something to share (Walt always makes a soup: beans, chili, stew, etc.) and we didn’t get home from church until after 3:00 pm. That’s 2 hours for munching and mingling. It is so wonderful to have a time to just one Sunday a month and an hour or so to just sit and talk without worrying about teaching or a program or really anything.
Then at 8:00 pm (after doing their Sunday evening finding) we had the Elders for a dinner of Chili, Corn Bread, and Raspberry and Blackberry crumble with custard.
Bye for now. Love you all. Jackie
After the meetings were over we had our fourth monthly “munch and mingle” and it was great. Everybody brought a little something to share (Walt always makes a soup: beans, chili, stew, etc.) and we didn’t get home from church until after 3:00 pm. That’s 2 hours for munching and mingling. It is so wonderful to have a time to just one Sunday a month and an hour or so to just sit and talk without worrying about teaching or a program or really anything.
Then at 8:00 pm (after doing their Sunday evening finding) we had the Elders for a dinner of Chili, Corn Bread, and Raspberry and Blackberry crumble with custard.
Bye for now. Love you all. Jackie
