Monday, December 17, 2012

Monday, November 26, 2012


Tell Kade to hurry up!!! I had a dream last night that he was born and so I was really excited to get on and see pictures of a new little one!! Oh well, in due time. He can be born on my birthday, that's okay with me.

So it's been an adventurous week this week. And I just wrote you on Wednesday! Already new stories to tell.

So I don't know if the American news has been talking about it at all or if you've heard much, but Wales has been badly flooded the last few days. Bridges collapsed. Highways become rivers. And all in our area. :)

Let's start at the beginning. So Thursday we had arranged to go over to the Quilters for Thanksgiving. We had decided to drive out there around 11:30 or 12 ish (it takes about an hour to drive out there) do a few hours of service and then have Thanksgiving dinner at 3 and then leave after dinner. Well, we woke up Thursday morning and it was really eerie. As we were studying we saw the sun rising and there was an eerie purple glow to things and the wind and rain picked up and looking out our window there were leaves and all sorts of things flying through the air. We didn't think much of it since it is Wales and it rains quite a bit here as does it have bad wind since we're on the sea. So we stopped by the petrol station on the way out of town and the wind was blowing so hard we had to hold our skirts down. Then we headed on the long drive out of town to the Quilters (who live out by Mt. Snowdon area- Just beyond Betws-Y-Coed if you look at a map). On the way out there we were driving down the curvy mountain lanes and were just getting pelted by sheet after sheet of rain. We got stopped at a construction traffic signal and we just saw this huge gust of wind coming at us as it knocked down sign after sign as it came towards us and I gripped the steering wheel tight as the wind shook the car heavily. Still thinking just a spot of bad weather, we pushed on driving through puddles on the old highway. We reached the Quilters safely and had a wonderful afternoon cooking, eating, all of that wonderful stuff. Had a wonderful Thanksgiving meal with turkey, stuffing, pies, the whole 9 yards. It was after dinner as we were sitting in the living room that bishop phoned (Bishop being Sister Quilters brother). He was informing their parents (Brother and Sister Gill, who also came for dinner) that the A5 (the old highway) through Bethesda was closed due to flooding. Making the main route home impassible by flooding. Sister Quilter did a bit of research and discovered that not only the A5 was closed, but the A55 (main highway into and around Bangor-where we live-was completely flooded waist high). As well, Llanberis was flooded waist high as well, another route that we could have taken home, but no. So we called Sister Preston and asked her what to do and she just said to stay at the members for a while longer and maybe the flooding would subside, but "don't do anything silly." So we got to stay at the Quilters for a while longer. We couldn't do much tracting their neighborhood or anything because no one lives near them, they're out in the woods. Then President called because he had heard the A55 was flooded and wanted to know what was happening with us. We told him and he said to not risk anything and "don't do anything silly." I was like what is with this don't do anything silly thing? Do I just seem the type that is just going to go do something stupid? So it came to be about 8 PM and we were still seeing image after image of flooding in our area. Cars being swept away on the main highway. Bad stuff. So then it came down to, do we stay the night? Sister Smith and I both thought we could get home as we had been told that there was one route clear to get home, we did have a meeting that we had to be at Friday in Manchester by 10 AM. Then everyone was telling us how dangerous it would be and that it's a really dark road and it's along a cliff and the winds were being reported to be 110 MPH... on and on... So then they all looked to me being senior companion to make the decision. Most stressful situation of my life. In the end I decided we better not risk anything. So we decided to stay. Good thing the Quilters own a hostel and they have lots of extra beds. So that's what the picture is of that is attached. Us, in our borrowed pajamas, in the hostel rooms at the Quilters, staying the night because we got flooded in. In the morning it was clear enough to get us home and then on to Manchester, but we did grab an overnight back just in case we got stranded somewhere else. A fair bit of damage from what I hear though. Now if only we had a bunch of Priesthood around we could have literally baptised everyone in our area! Haha just kidding. That'd be a bit blasphemous. But it's raining again and we're supposed to get another dosage of flooding tonight or tomorrow. Or snow. depending on how cold it gets. Everyone keeps telling us that they've predicted this to be the coldest winter in 100 years or something. I hope they're lying. But definitely an adventure this last Thursday with flooding! I am so grateful for the hospitality and love of the Quilters. I don't think we can ever repay them for what they were willing to do for us on Thanksgiving. We did clean the kitchen for Sister Quilter that night. She told us not to, but we did.

Then Friday and Saturday Sister Smith and I were both ill. Yesterday was church and it rained a lot again, some minor flooding. Now here we are writing as it rains outside again.

Yup, adventures you can only experience in the wilds of Wales.

I haven't gotten my boots yet, tomorrow we have our meeting where we get post. Probably too soon to get make-up though. we'll see.

Did Kimber get my card?

I hope, Hailey, you're doing well. Super pregnant and all. Is Kade still causing some pains with kicking and whatnot? Hope he settles down. You're going to have 3 active kids to keep you fit! Everyone talks about their kids and nieces and nephews loving to just sit and cuddle. I am always like, you should meet my Niece and nephew! They take power naps while running! :) Sure do miss and love your family!

Mom, thanks for the recipe for the apple bars. The Quilters want us over again for Christmas so I'll make apple bars for them then.

Well, I don't know much else to say! I hope you are all enjoying each others' company! Remember me and give cuddles to one another for me!!

I love you all very much and thank you for all that you do and have done for me!

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