The Beginning of Spring

It has been reported on the news that this has been the coldest spring in over 100 years but we are finally starting to see indications that spring is almost here. We have included some of the gardens around the Temple grounds that are starting to take shape. Elder Kiddle is still suffering from sciatica but feels the end of this affliction is almost here. He went to the Temple to work today April 16, 2013, his 71st birthday. It felt good to be back after resting for two weeks.

Since our last Blog we had the privilege of watching General Conference on April 6th and 7th. It was an amazing conference. We felt that some of the talks were addressed to non-members of the Church, making some of the talks useful for members and missionaries to use in doing missionary work among their non-member friends. President Monson  taught that obedience is the first law of heaven and the Lord requires a willing mind and an obedient heart. He also said that he that keepeth God's Commandments receiveth truth and light until he is glorified in truth and light. We love our Prophet and hope we can always follow his guidance.

We had a lovely surprise visit from Hera Toutai from the Calgary 13th Ward. It was good to see her and and spend some time with her.

We attended the East Grinstead Ward this past Sunday.

Our grandson, Reggie Lybbert, returned home from his mission  to Argentina,Resistencia on Sat. April 13th and we were able to visit with him on skype.

 Daffodils in bloom

 a garden of heather at the Temple

 a visit from Sister Toutai

 Sister Kiddle in front of the East Grinstead Chapel

Waiting for a bus in East Grinstead

Visit from Beverley

Just before Beverley's visit, Elder Kiddle became afflicted with sciatica and so we haven't done any new blog posts for four weeks. It was great that Rosalie and Beverley were able to visit some attractions during the temple closure. They went to London twice to see two shows: Top Hat and the Royal Ballet performing Alice in Wonderland. Fabulous dancing in both shows which the two sisters (retired Dance Teachers) absolutely loved. They also visited Brighton and Windsor Castle and had many "shopping" trips. They spent many hours on Family History. Beverley also spent five days with Aunt Joyce and Aunt Valerie in Bournemouth. She spent the last two days of her holiday in the London Temple. It was a wonderful visit. We were happy to have had her here.

Tuesday, March 19th, was back to the Temple after the closing for cleaning. It was great to be there again. This past week we have been the veil co-ordinators, always a special place to be. On Easter Saturday Elder Kiddle suffered a fall, which set his sciatica back in the healing process. The doctor has told him he has to rest this week, but we are confident he will be serving in the Temple again soon.

We have received the news that our 2nd grandson, Gilbert Lybbert has been called to the Romania, Moldova Mission (Russian speaking). He reports to the Provo Missionary Training Centre in July. Congratulations Gilbert!  We are excited for him.
Our eldest grandson , Elder Reggie Lybbert returns home this month from his mission to Argentina, Resistencia. We hope to be able to listen to his homecoming talk.

 Changing of Guard at Windsor Castle

 The two sisters and Big Ben

 The London Eye

 Beverley, Valerie and Joyce in Bournemouth

St. George's Chapel at Windsor, note the blue sky!!

We hope you have all had a great Easter. We are looking forward to General Conference this weekend.

Love from Elder and Sister Kiddle

Temple closes for 2 week cleaning break

Monday, March 4th was a sunny blue sky day. Sister Kiddle's sister, Beverley from Mexico was due to arrive about 7:00 PM. She surprised us with an early arrival at 5:00 PM. It was a joyous reunion. Elder Kiddle had spent the day helping clean in the Temple but was home when she arrived. Today Sister Kiddle and her sister Beverley went on an outing in the Temple Van to Pevensey Castle, Battle Abbey, and Hastings on the British Channel. It was another beautiful spring-like day and for the first time everyone was over dressed for the warmer than usual weather .  We have several day trips planned during Beverley's stay here.

 Ruins of Pevensey Castle

 Outside Battle Abbey

 A flower box blooming on main street, Battle

Cable car ride to top of cliffs in Hastings

Old church in middle of Hastings

A bird outside our Manor House window

We hope spring comes soon to Canada also.

Love Elder and Sister Kiddle

This past week we completed our training as Veil Co-ordinators. We have now been trained in all Co-ordinator positions. We had a very busy Saturday (Feb. 23rd) which helped us in our training. It was a wonderful day at the Temple. This next week there will be a large group coming from France. It should also be very busy, which is the way we like it. It still amazes us on how fast time passes. We have almost been here 5 months now. Every day at the Temple is a spiritual experience.

Hampton Court Palace & Gardens

Today (Feb. 25) the Temple van and one car took 14 missionaries to Hampton Court Palace. It was one of the residences of Henry VIII. surrounded by beautiful gardens. It was also the home of King William III. It was very cold and the only heat in the Palace was in the gift shops and the cafeteria. By the time we finished looking we were quite cold, however, the  Palace was amazing inside so even though it was cold we enjoyed what we saw. There was also a group of actors depicting Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn and others moving around the palace and acting out scenes from the life of Henry VIII. They were excellent actors and we enjoyed their story.
Here are 6 of the over 200 pictures we took.

 Front Entrance

 One of the Stained Glass Windows showing Henry VIII

 Actors 

 one of the gardens

 One of the Tapestries

One of the Inner Courts showing unique window frames

We are looking forward to spring.

Love from Elder & Sister Kiddle

Baptistry, Valentine's Day and Sister Kiddle's Birthday

This past week we had a very busy week in the temple as we were Baptistry Co-ordinators. We had a very large group from Cardiff that kept us busy for two days. Brother and Sister Spencer's son was a chaperone with the group and helped in performing the ordinances. He was very helpful to us and we enjoyed visiting with him. His parents can be very proud of the example he is setting for the youth in Cardiff. His group did over 600 baptisms and confirmations. On Saturday we were nearly run off our feet co-ordinating three large groups of youth and young adults who did over 600 baptisms and confirmations. We love it when we are kept busy.

Thursday was Valentine's Day and our day to go grocery shopping so we picked up some roses for Sister Kiddle.

Yesterday was Sister Kiddle's Birthday. She really enjoyed all of the cards, letters, e-mails and phone calls she received. To mention 2 of cards, both the Relief Society from the Canyon Creek Ward and the 13th Ward sent cards. Over 40 sisters signed the card from the 13th Ward. Thank you everyone.

Flowers for Sister Kiddle

Valentine & Birthday Cards for Sister Kiddle

Love and best wishes

Elder and Sister Kiddle

Family Visitors

Last Thursday, February 7th, Cameron and Amber visited with us at the Temple and participated in completing some sealing's of Family Ancestors. It was wonderful. After the sealing session we showed them around the Temple. They were impressed with the Celestial Room and the Baptistry.

On the following day we travelled into London and tried to keep up with them as we visited St. Paul's Cathedral and the Tower of London. England's history continues to amaze us. In the late afternoon we went to St. Martin's in the Field Church and rested our feet while listening to a practice in preparation for a Bach Concert. The musicians consisted of 3 violinists, one Cellist, one Oboist and a pianist. The music was beautiful. After that we had supper at a local Italian restaurant (Prezzo)  across the street from Her Majesty's Theatre where we ended the day by enjoying the production of Phantom of the Opera. Cam and Amber treated us to the performance. We then caught the subway back to Victoria Station where we parted company and we returned to Lingfield by train and they returned to their hotel near St Pancras.

On Saturday we were privileged to have Aunt Joyce and Aunt Valerie come on their Stake Temple Bus for the eleven o'clock session on which Sister Kiddle was the follower. We then enjoyed lunch with them and Sister Kiddle took them to see our flat before they left on their bus at 3:00 PM. It was an exciting 3 days.

This evening we attended a Family History Fireside at the Visitor's Centre. This week we will be serving in the Temple Baptistry.

 St. Paul's Cathedral

Big Ben & Houses of Parliament

 The Tower of London

 Tower Bridge

 Trafalgar Square

 Her Majesty's Theatre

Love Elder & Sister Kiddle

Brighton Pavilion

This past Monday we went with a Van full of Temple Missionaries to Brighton which is only a half hour drive from the Temple to visit another of England's historic sites, "The Brighton Pavilion" which was built by King George IV. The structure of the building is of East Indian design but the interior of the building is Chinese in design. It was very beautiful.

We then had fish and chips at Harry Ramsdens Restaurant which is famous for its fish and chips and is across the street from the Brighton Pier.

After a walk along the pier we visited an old 12th century church " St Nicolas of Myra". One of the Temple Missionaries, "Elder Anderson", had ancestors who attended church there. He was excited as he was able to find one gravestone with the same surname as his ancestors who lived there hundreds of years ago. Most of the gravestones are now unreadable or have been destroyed.

 Brighton Pavilion

 Having fish & chips at Harry Ramsdens

 Elder Anderson in front of an American Hot Dog Stand on Brighton Pier

 Elder & Sister Kiddle standing on Brighton Pier

St Nicholas of Myra Church built about 1100 A.D.

In closing this week we wish to leave a religious message.

Elder Kiddle has started reading the book "Doctrinal Discourses of Brigham Young" and made the following notes after reading the first discourse.

1) The path to Eternal Life is paved with righteous decisions.
2) When we make an unrighteous decision (sin) we leave the path to Eternal Life.
3) When we repent of the unrighteous decision we are back on the path to Eternal Life.
4) God wants all of his children to gain Eternal Life (life with him) and is patient and long suffering towards us and gives us every opportunity to repent and even will give us help through inspiration when we are sincere in our desire to repent.
5) Each of our days should be full of righteous decisions and repentance.
6) When we stand in Holy Places it is much easier to make righteous decisions and we are less likely to sin.
7) It is not an easy goal but if we approach it one day at a time and have the Lord's help we can achieve it.

Each day as we go to work in the Temple we are hopeful that we will make righteous decisions every day and are working one day at a time to reach this goal in our lives. Also the love we feel for our family and friends helps give us the strength and courage to try harder each day to follow the path to Eternal Life.

Love Elder and Sister Kiddle