London is such a fun place to run into visitors, or to have visitors come to you. Even though, this could happen year-round, it definitely happens more often in the summer months!
Chris’s Aunt Peggy, and her two friends, kicked off the summer by coming to stay with us during their travels. It was great to get to meet Jane and her daughter, Gretchen. Those ladies toured hard and we were thrilled that we got to sit with them to visit when they hobbled in from a long day of walking.
Jane, Gretchen, & Aunt Peggy on the Bus
Spending Time with Aunt Peggy
A week later, as our Stake Conference meeting finished up at church, I heard “Sis. Stephenson, there is someone who wants to see you!” I turned around scanning the crowd, and who did I see coming towards me – Dr. Don Peterson from my BYU marching band days! What a surprise!
Dr. Don & Me
Dr. Don’s son was in our ward for almost a year. It did take us a little while to make the connection that we were in marching band together at BYU and who his dad was, but it was a fun connection and neat to find that Dr. Don remembered me (the lowly French horn player who caused problems her freshman year by coming down with mono during band camp).
Suzen & Becca
Just before leaving London for the states for our own summer, our good friend Suzen Bria, came through London touring with her mom and niece. We were able to meet up one of her days in town to walk around the Science Museum. It was a great couple hours to catch up on New Jersey and the state of affairs in our beloved branch there. I have to say this is the third time that Suzen has visited us in London since we’ve moved here – once a year! Suzen – you have a record to uphold – we’ll see you next year, right?!
Visitors aren’t always close acquaintances or family members, but we do have many come to our Hyde Park Ward, as it is the most central ward in London. This summer we had Jimmer Fredette, of BYU/Sacramento Kings fame, attend with his family. While he stayed in London for the week, he asked to use our chapel’s gym to play some basketball. Chris was able to help arrange some workout sessions for him with the missionaries. The missionaries were thrilled!
However, the biggest surprise happened just this week! Chris had just finished up his leadership meetings before church when there was a knock at the door. He was surprised to find Elder Quentin L. Cook (a member of the 12 apostles for our church) standing there with his wife. They were on holiday in London and wondered if they could join our church services that day. Chris and Elder Cook were able to visit for about 20 minutes before going down to Sacrament meeting, to the surprise of all those attending. After the usual testimonies given on Fast & Testimony Sunday (the first Sunday of every month), Elder Cook stood and shared his own testimony. Following the meeting, Elder Cook asked Chris to show him around the new Visitors’ Centre, and then he and his wife left. What an amazing Sunday! Chris was so thankful to be back in London for that amazing Sunday!
You just never know who will walk into our ward on any given Sunday . . . or who will show up on the streets of London, especially in summer-time! It’s the best time of year in London!
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