We had the unique opportunity to help the USO during a special Award Ceremony were 2 silver stars and 3 Bronze Stars were awarded to a squadron.  The airman and women who received these honors were amazing and took part in an operation to help bring down drones...we were grateful to help support them and their families. 

 





We traveled to Birmingham for the Senior Couples excursion to none other than Cadbury World.  We saw the history and how the cocoa bean is processed...and yes, we purchased CHOCOLATE!



For Thanksgiving Day, we served at the DFAC for a couple of hours.  This cute airman is Sis. Canada.  She is a member of the Thetford Ward.   We had a funny experience...they brought out a cooked Turkey out to the carving board, and the airman who was there, questioned if the Turkey was done.  One of the cooks came out from the kitchen and tried to transfer the turkey onto a board to take it back, but it slipped right off and went sliding across the floor....no Turkey for you!  That Bird did not want to be ingested.   

One of the wonderful events the RAF Lakenheath and the RAF Mildenhall Chaplains office provide is an Evening of Thankfulness at the Ely Cathedral the night before Thanksgiving.  They have a service and invite all the local townships and parish Council members to attend and have a guest speaker.  This year it a Lord from House of Commons.  He gave a very patriotic and at times political speech.  We attended with Bro. and Sister Sims (he serves in the Stake Presidency) our Bishop from Mildenhall Bishop Knuth and his wife, and Bro and Sister Taylor.   They serve pie and coffee after the service.  We donated 2 pumpkin pies. It was a beautiful evening.  I met and spoke with a very nice Mayor and his council member.  It is a great way to continue to form friendships and say thank you for the local towns that support the Air Force .

yes, that is a real tree, and yes, it is COLD in there.

We also attended our first Christmas Market in England.  This was also at the Ely Cathedral.  It was packed inside, and they had tents outside.   It didn't compare to the ones in Germany, but it was a unique experience to see it all inside the Cathedral....reminded me of the money changers at the temple and Jesus kicking them out.
We went with the Cutlers (serving in Cambridge) and the Werigs (serving in Ipswich)  Love spending time with other Senior Couples. 

We said goodbye to Elder Edgar during transfers this month.  He will be missed.  I have had the opportunity to text his sweet grandmother in Idaho and I felt and instant connection to her.  


Our last excursion for the month of November was taken with Outdoor Rec.   We volunteer with the Red Cross for "Newcomers" brief in Mildenhall.    Alan is the Outdoor Rec guy with all the adventure and activities...we call him the pied piper because everyone wants to talk to Alan during our briefs.  We decided to sign up for one of their excursions.   It was a cold but nice day to head to one of the Norwich Beaches and watch the seals.  This time of the year from Nov.  to mid Feb is calving season.   More that 4,000 baby seals will be born.  Sadly, the mortality rate is only 40 percent.  Although they have no predators in this area, just for the seal to shed its fur, make its way to the water by itself, learn to swim and learn to find food all by itself, many just don't make it.   So far, this has been a good year for calving and there were a lot of seals on the beach.  

When we got to the beach, we saw that a seal pup had just been born.  I asked a lady that was standing there if she saw the birth.  She said, " I have been here since 8:30 A.M. and it was so cold, I took a break to get a warm cup of coffee, and it happened while I was away"   Isn't that how it happens sometimes --life just seems to pass us by or we "miss" what we feel were a once in a lifetime opportunity.  

I am so grateful and thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are coming up on the Christmas Season and although we are far from family, we feel our Saviors love and we love the opportunity to worship his birth.   God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine son. 

Thank you for your love and prayers,
Elder and Sister Gurr








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