My London experience got off on a bit of a rocky
start, lets be real a whole day of lugging 100 pounds of luggage all over the
tube by yourself does not sound pleasant in the slightest. I landed at 9:30 am
at Heathrow airport, and after the customs guy reminded me to drink as much as
I could while the drinking age is eighteen here, I was off to the Hostel...via
an hour and a half tube ride. Luckily, after going up and down about ten
thousand stairs I made it, and found the youth hostel was a place where I
needed to have shoes on at all times. After dropping off my bags I ventured out
on my own to find the YSA ward, determined to meet some real brits.
The Hyde
Park chapel is home to the Britannia Young Single Adult ward; a fusion of
converts and life long members from England, China, Brazil, and everything in
between. I was able to meet up with Elder and Sister Ainsworth, who were nice
enough to introduce me to some of the most amazing people I have ever met, and
fed me dinner. I met Elder Riki, a recently baptized missionary from New
Zealand, Zigi, a czech whom arrived in London to work 2 days earlier, and
Harley, the only member in his family and the son of Sting's guitarist. The
ward made me feel so blessed to have known the truth my entire life and so
lucky to have loving parents. I don't have to travel far to my ward and I am
surrounded my members all the time. I loved seeing how the church works the
same way in every country, no matter what. Absolutely amazing.
After
church and a traditional British meal, I returned to the youth hostel, which
had an impressive view of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Despite the amazing view, it
was literally the worst bed I have ever slept on. I guess that is what you get
for twenty-five pounds here. The whole night I just kept reminding myself if I
could get through this first night it would be better in the morning, which was
completely true! This adventure just gets better and better. No pics today, I looked far too ratchet.
