Lessons Learned in London

I have been home for two days and I already miss London and all the friends I've made. 

What an experience it was being in London for the past seven weeks. I am so very grateful for the opportunity I had to go on this study abroad. 

I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on some lessons I've learned while in London. 

1. Sometimes you've got to just roll with the punches.

There were a lot of times that things did not go exactly how I envisioned or they didn't run as smoothly as I would have liked. However, I definitely learned of the importance of being flexible. When plans go awry, you just have to laugh it off and keep moving forward. We would get lost, would be pressed for time, or have something go wrong, and during all these times we just tried to make the most of the situation we were in. We would laugh about it, have a positive attitude about finding an alternative solution, and enjoy the moments we did have. 

2. You cannot judge a book by its cover. 

As cliche as this sounds, I definitely saw this truth become evident over the past few weeks. Whether it was with the girls I met on the program, people in my ward, or even the food I tried, you have to give every one and every thing the benefit of the doubt. Everyone has something wonderful to offer and sometimes you have to dig a bit to find what it is. As I came to genuinely get to know each of the girls on my program, I saw what wonderful insight and things they shared with me. I learned from each and every one of them and truly feel that they blessed my life in an individual and unique way. 

3. Heavenly Father loves each and every one of His children. 

I was so blessed to be able to attend the ward I was assigned to because it was an eye-opening experience. I saw these wonderful, humble Saints and I felt of the love that Heavenly Father had for each of them. I also know that He is mindful of each and every one of us. I bear my witness to you that He lives, He loves us, and is involved in the details of our lives. 

I am so grateful for the time I had in London. 

xoxo,

Mallory

Day 49: Heading Home

Today I woke up at 6 am, left on the tube at 7:30, and went to the airport. I flew 9 hours to Atlanta, then another 2 to Houston, and arrived safely at home! It was great to see my family again and be home for the first time since Christmas!

xoxo,

Mallory

Day 48: Finals and our Final Day in London

Today was our last day in London! It was a very bittersweet day. In some ways I am excited to go home for the first time since Christmas, but in other ways I just want to stay here in London forever! 

We took our finals today. They went very well in my opinion! That afternoon Rachel and I went to the Churchill War Rooms. This was an AMAZING experience! We learned so much about Winston Churchill’s life and legacy and we got to see firsthand the underground tunnels and rooms where he and his advisers all worked during the Second World War. It was amazing because everything was perfectly intact—they looked exactly how they did back then.

We went to the Hyde Park Visitors Centre and got to visit with some missionaries and walked home through Kensington Gardens to say goodbye to our favorite sites there. 

Hyde Park Chapel

Saying goodbye to Physical Energy

We ended the evening with dinner and some shopping. After that…we packed until the wee hours of the morning. 

I can't believe tomorrow morning I'm flying back home!

xoxo,

Mallory

Day 47: Last Sunday

Today was our last day at church in London. It was quite an adventure to get to church today… we normally take the tube to a train station which then takes us to church. We left at 9 AM like we always do, to catch a 9:40 train to our church that starts at 10:30 AM. However, when at the train station, we realized that due to torrential downpour and signaling problems, none of the trains were calling at the station closest to our church building. After trying to figure out what to do, we took a train to a nearby station and then walked to the bus stop to catch a bus to church. We were walking through the rain which was beating down on us. We were running late and Madeline and I were stressed because we both had to give talks! When on the bus, we actually met a woman who was going to our church building as well! It was a tender mercy because she was then able to guide us to the bhulding. What a blessing! We arrived at 11 just as the Sacrament was ending. Madeline and I went up to the stand, wet (even though we had all our rain gear), and the Bishop just asked us to bear our testimonies due to a problem with scheduling talks---he had scheduled too many.  It was quite the ordeal!

But what a bittersweet day it was. I truly have grown to love everyone in the Clapham Common ward. I am going to miss my primary kids so much and all the sweet members there. They have changed my life. A very kind Nigerian sister in our ward even bought each of us these beautiful dresses like the ones she wears so we can remember her. These amazing members have accepted us into the ward with open arms and so much kindness. I cannot express my love and gratitude for each and every one of them.

Selfie on the rainy train! 

Selfie in the rain

With our primary leaders

Me and cute Sharon

With the missionaries 

Outside the chapel

A lovely lady in our ward gave us these beautiful African dresses!

That evening, we had dinner and then we had a little “testimony”/expression of our thoughts about London meeting with the whole program. I have grown to love these girls so very much and it is going to be very hard to leave them. I am grateful for what they’ve taught me through their great examples and the friendship and kindness they've each offered. 

xoxo,

Mallory

Day 46: Portobello and a Night on the Town

We started off our last Saturday in London with a trip to Portobello Market in the morning, which was so fun. That afternoon we worked on studying for finals and doing our final homework.

That evening, Madeline, Rachel, and I went out for Thai food and then we walked around the city! It was so, so fun. We had an interesting encounter with some drunk guys trying to hit on us… and we respectfully ran away as quickly as we could haha. None the less, it was still a fun evening to be out looking at the city all lit up for the last time! 

xoxo,

Mallory

Day 45: Last day of classes

Friday was our last day of classes! That was really happy! 

Nothing super exciting happened... we just finished some of our papers and spent some time studying for finals. I think this just proves that I actually did do some studying on this study abroad haha. 

xoxo,

Mallory

Day 44: Portsmouth and Hampton Court

Today was the second day of our south trip. We started off the morning with a few hours in Portsmouth, a historical port. We had the opportunity to tour the HMS Warrior and HMS Victory (Horatio Nelson’s ship during the Battle of Trafalgar).

We then went to Hampton Court! This was a lovely place and we got to see some beautiful gardens. 

We made it to the centre of the maze!

xoxo,

Mallory

Day 43: Bodiam Castle and Brighton

Today was the first day of our little trip to the South! We went to Bodiam castle which was really cool. It was exactly how you would picture a castle… complete with towers and a moat.

Madeline, me, and Lauren on top of the tower

Madeline and I in front 

Afterwards, we went to Hastings where we learned about the Battle of Hastings and saw the actual battle field! It was definitely a sobering experience.

Michelle, me, and Annalise

Madeline and I

Brooke and I

We found the Shire haha

That afternoon we went to Brighton. We started with a tour of the Royal Pavillion which was amazing! We weren’t allowed to take any pictures inside but it was really cool!

We then had the rest of the time to explore Brighton on our own. I absolutely LOVED it there! Brooke, Austen, Madeline, and I went to an amazing Italian restaurant for dinner.

Then we went and walked along the beach. Funny story… so Madeline and I had just finished taking pictures and were just trying to feel the water with our hands because it was too cold to go swimming. So as we did, this giant wave came and engulfed us! My jeans got completely soaked and the current from where we were standing was so strong that Madeline actually lost her sandal! It was quite humorous actually. After changing my pants and her shoes, we went and walked through the city, then ended the evening by walking along the pier. It was so perfect—relaxing and enjoyable.

Sierra, Brooke, me, Madeline, Annalise, and Rachel outside the Royal Pavilion 

At dinner!

Our delicious Italian feast

The beach

My delicious ice cream

xoxo,

Mallory