There can be no deep disappointment where there is not deep love. Martin Luther King Jr.
" . . . Am I my brother's keeper?" Genesis 4:9
It does seem that when I have extra time, I have time to complain. On our missionary preparation day (called "P" day still even though we've been asked not to call it that), I did just that--find something that bugs me so I'll unload on this blog.
Wouldn't you know whilst out connecting with my inner earth upon the West Pennine Moors outside our doorstep, I discover things to photograph and it was the one time the camera was left home! That rarely happens with me. Next time, I shall take snapshots of the tiny, fat ponies with l-o-n-g manes and pot bellies, the huge brown and white Cobs (with equally long manes and tails), and the beautiful yellow lab that visited me in exuberant style (almost knocked me down--that's a Labrador for you).
BUT, you know there is more to come . . . how can I pass up the opportunity for sharing a bit of my mind's wanderings and observations?
The moors here in England are what we call wet, soggy, muddy pasture lands in the United States. I've dubbed the moors near our flat the "poop fields." Everyone and their dog (obviously), and horse, and manure spreader traipes across the landscape.
It seems in life we encounter obstacles we need to watch out for and avoid or we pay unpleasant circumstances. Choosing our path wisely will ensure the least amount of needless *trials in the great adventure we call earth life. *(sometimes called something starting with a "c" that I cannot mention in this blog but is the same word as used above for the fields)
As I walked along the evergreen tree line at the top of the hill today, there were a few small branches that had been knocked to the ground. I picked one up and took it home to put it into some water so it might be enjoyed a little longer. There were also some pieces of slate from an old crumbling fence that I felt the need to carry home and enjoy. The earth provides things to anchor (or literally ground) us, I believe. Doesn't it seem we need to touch things of the earth for a sense of well being? Perhaps it is because we are all made of the same thing (of the "dust" or fine matter of the earth). Though we all need to connect with Mother Earth, it is interesting how different people treat her and other surroundings.
The earth gave me treasures, yet some people don't even see those things. Some people, with ungrateful disregard, desecrate the ground with their garbage. They can't seem to use and leave the area as they found it. I suppose their homes and life aren't much different--selfish, cluttered, and even ugly.
I often wonder who these people think cleans up after them? Do they think they are entitled to free clean up service or do they need to provide the responsible citizens (their servants) something to do with their time? Surprisingly, it isn't just the general public that does this sort of thing. One wouldn't expect Church members to be like this, but some are. Many of the kitchens at the meetinghouses are left a mess! People come in and mess the place up and leave without consideration for anyone coming after them. We find ourselves cleaning out the microwave (which we haven't even used), mopping the floor so we can walk without sticking to it, washing the dirty dishes and clearing the counters so we can work, and emptying the Sacrament cups that someone dumped into the sink instead of the bin. The trash has to be emptied because it is full; a nice woman at the building the other night was wondering why no one ever puts the plastic liner in if they do empty the trash, and the list goes on . . .
The sign in the kitchen and in many of the rooms says, "Remember, this is the Lord's House. Please leave things clean and items returned the way they were found." If only . . . what a tidy world this would be!
A meetinghouse in this area just got two new stoves installed. The others were a disaster with not being cleaned after every use over the years. I venture to guess these new stoves will look like twins to the old ones by the time we leave in a few months. Sad but true. Maybe we can clean them three times a week while we use the kitchen and some kind soul will do the same when we're gone. I'm going to post a sign that says how fun it would be to keep the stoves looking brand new.
It isn't any different anywhere in the world. There are those who are responsible for others' welfare and those who care less. The few can ruin much for the many. I'd prefer they take another path than mine--somewhere in the far north forty in Antarctica. They'd freeze before they could do much damage.
Fortunately, it is a majority of people who DO care to leave their environment and homes and churches in lovely condition. To those I say, THANK YOU!!
" . . . Am I my brother's keeper?" Genesis 4:9
Wouldn't you know whilst out connecting with my inner earth upon the West Pennine Moors outside our doorstep, I discover things to photograph and it was the one time the camera was left home! That rarely happens with me. Next time, I shall take snapshots of the tiny, fat ponies with l-o-n-g manes and pot bellies, the huge brown and white Cobs (with equally long manes and tails), and the beautiful yellow lab that visited me in exuberant style (almost knocked me down--that's a Labrador for you).
BUT, you know there is more to come . . . how can I pass up the opportunity for sharing a bit of my mind's wanderings and observations?
The moors here in England are what we call wet, soggy, muddy pasture lands in the United States. I've dubbed the moors near our flat the "poop fields." Everyone and their dog (obviously), and horse, and manure spreader traipes across the landscape.
It seems in life we encounter obstacles we need to watch out for and avoid or we pay unpleasant circumstances. Choosing our path wisely will ensure the least amount of needless *trials in the great adventure we call earth life. *(sometimes called something starting with a "c" that I cannot mention in this blog but is the same word as used above for the fields)
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The sign in the kitchen and in many of the rooms says, "Remember, this is the Lord's House. Please leave things clean and items returned the way they were found." If only . . . what a tidy world this would be!
A meetinghouse in this area just got two new stoves installed. The others were a disaster with not being cleaned after every use over the years. I venture to guess these new stoves will look like twins to the old ones by the time we leave in a few months. Sad but true. Maybe we can clean them three times a week while we use the kitchen and some kind soul will do the same when we're gone. I'm going to post a sign that says how fun it would be to keep the stoves looking brand new.
It isn't any different anywhere in the world. There are those who are responsible for others' welfare and those who care less. The few can ruin much for the many. I'd prefer they take another path than mine--somewhere in the far north forty in Antarctica. They'd freeze before they could do much damage.
Fortunately, it is a majority of people who DO care to leave their environment and homes and churches in lovely condition. To those I say, THANK YOU!!
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I got home in time to grab my camera and snap this through the window! HA! You thought I was going to provide you a picture of all the garbage, huh? NO WAY will I clutter up this blog with that mess. Gotta go clean it up as I wander about (community service project--Mormon helping hands--LOL)
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You are getting some of the most amazing photos of England! What a great way to share with your friends, families and "the curious". I think you guys are lucky to have been sent to serve in such a beautiful country with so many interesting things to see. :-)
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