HEVER CASTLE

This past week we continued to have unique temple experiences in the Baptistry, Initiatory and Endowment sessions. It is especially uplifting when a patron comes with their own family file to do. One such experience was when Elder Kiddle helped a couple do baptisms for their family names and then was in the Initiatory when the Brother brought the same names for receiving the initiatory ordinances. With one name the spirit was very strong. After doing that name the brother explained, without being asked, that the relative they were doing the work for was a young 19 year old boy who died as a soldier in the 1st World War. It is so special to work in the Temple.

Yesterday we didn't have any exciting outings but a few weeks ago (December 17th) we went to Hever Castle. We didn't report this outing at that time, instead we reported on some spiritual activities related to Christmas. This was the most exciting of the old castles we have visited because it was very old and was the home where Anne Boleyn grew up. She was the second wife of King Henry the 8th and the castle also had rooms dedicated to him as he lived there sometimes. We weren't allowed to take any pictures in the Castle but the rooms were full of exquisite woodwork. To think they had such wonderful craftsman that long ago is incredible. Another unique feature that we enjoyed was that it is still heated by huge stone fireplaces in almost every room. It has never been upgraded to modern central hot water heating as most of the old buildings we previously visited. We will be going back to it in the summer as it has beautiful gardens that will be alive with thousands of blooms then. The castle also has a proper moat and drawbridge.

Here are a few pictures from our visit there.