November 7-12, 2019
The Preston, England Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the home temple to the members in Scotland, Ireland and Northern England. Because of the great distance these saints travel to attend, there is an accommodation center that is available for patrons to stay while attending the temple.
The temple is located just a short 20 minute train ride from Manchester, England and easy to get to with public transportation. The cost is amazingly low at $11/day. Each room has a small kitchen area, a desk/study area and a sleeping space and as you can see, it is pristine.
Although I was in a 4 bunk room, I had the space all to my self during the week I was there. Additionally, on the main floor of the accommodation center, there is a large kitchen with 4 sinks, stoves, ovens and counter top preparation areas. There are refrigerators and freezers and a large dining area for guests to eat together. The temple itself has a cafeteria that is open each day for lunch.
The Temple complex includes 15 acres and is the home to the temple, a stake center, the Missionary Training Center, Senior Missionary residences, a Family History Center and a distribution center.
How wonderful it was to be with people of my own faith! My stay here provided the spiritual nourishment I needed and a chance to rest and unpack for a week. Such a luxury! I was also grateful to have the room to myself after so many nights in hostel accommodations. I took full advantage of the kitchen area and prepared healthy meals with vegetables that my body has been craving.
However, the real blessing was in the time I spent each day in the temple. I awoke early each morning and attended a session. I was able to be a witness in the sealing sessions – my first opportunity since the recent changes occurred while I was away from home.
Although I live just minutes from my home temple in Louisville, Kentucky and serve as an ordinance worker there, I have never had the opportunity to attend sessions back to back for a week at a time. This one thing has been profound for me. I noticed that the learning and understanding I acquired while participating just kept compounding day after day. Because I was living in the bubble of the temple complex, I was able to really retreat from the world and enjoy the benefits of the temple to the fullest. For those of you who have never considered participating in this way, let me suggest that you take this opportunity if it is ever presented to you. You will be so glad you did.
I met wonderful people during my stay here as well. A delightful missionary couple from Canada, Barry and Carol befriended me and immediately invited me into their home and included me in their activities.
I was able to attend Family Home Evening with the full-time missionary couples, where we had a presentation on the night sky and the symbolism in the zodiac signs and how everything points to Christ. I was invited to the weekly craft night where I was able to make a little more progress on my quilting square that I started during my stay in Scotland. And I was finally able to attend Sunday services and partake of the sacrament. I even crashed the Young Single Adults (YSA) Institute class where a very skilled teacher from Ireland taught with the humor of John Bytheway and the skill of Ryan Quinn. This was the closest to home I had felt in months.
Barry and Carol and I took an afternoon to explore the lock systems that run throughout the Preston area. I learned that Lancashire has the longest lock-free stretch of canals in the country. Lancashire’s canal network spans across most of the county and residents can enjoy a leisurely cruise and gaze upon the scenery or if you lack a canal boat, you can take a more active approach and cycle or walk along the towpaths like we did. Since living and serving in Preston, Barry has educated himself and explored many of the canals and locks that are part of the history of this area. It was fascinating and I learned so much.
As my time at the Preston Temple drew to a close, I felt rested, strengthened, and ready to tackle my next adventure. I was headed to Prague in the Czech Republic. I would be encountering a new language, new form of currency and a whole new culture. I was excited and a bit nervous to once again step out into the unknown to discover the adventure that awaits me.
Living All In 