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Castles, Church, and Mother's Day: Post #4 from London

So on Friday I got to spend the day at a castle. We made it successfully to Hampton Court after a few bumps in the road (aka we missed our train), where King Henry VIII lived during his reign. We were able to take a tour of the different parts of the castle and learn all about his many wives. He got bored of them pretty easily and either had them exiled or beheaded, with the exception of the one who died in childbirth. Pretty morbid, right? My favorite part of the castle was the gardens. They were HUGE, and clearly very carefully and closely maintained. Oh and we got a complimentary cape to wear during our tour. Have I mentioned I love England?! I thought the East Coast was green until I came to England! I could have spent hours in there! Then Saturday was spent visiting markets, eating delicious street food, and listening to local bands!

Check out the pictures of this castle though:





This morning, we woke up bright and early, because we thought it would take us way longer to get to church than it actually did. There are 6 of us who were assigned to the Catford Ward (which just so happens to be the ward that my cousin Elder Frederickson attends), and two of us were assigned to Primary, two to Young Women's, and then my bunk bed mate Kate and I were assigned to Relief Society. I happened to sit next to one of the counselors in the Relief Society presidency, and she asked if I would teach next Sunday and then again in a couple weeks, on what happens to be the same Sunday I was assigned to speak in Sacrament Meeting! I'm actually really excited because I LOVE teaching! The ward is small, but the members are just so friendly and were so welcoming! I adore them already!

Finally, the many amazing women in my life have been on my mind a lot this week. I was blessed to grow up surrounded by extended family as well as teachers and youth leaders who love and care for me. They are some of my greatest examples and biggest cheerleaders and I am eternally grateful for them and their impact on my life. I am especially grateful for my amazing mom. Even though I moved across the country, and am currently living across the world, she is always there for me no matter what. She is the first person I call when I have exciting news to share, or if I've had a rough day and need some advice. She's given me the chance to spread my wings and fly as they say, but she's created a home that I can always come back to where I feel nothing but love and support. She is the kindest soul, and puts every single other person in the world before herself. I could go on all day about all of the reasons why my mom is my greatest example and how amazing she is, but I just want her and all of my blog readers to know how much I love her and how grateful I am for her every day!


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