Week of November 7 to 12, 2011

Bill went out with the missionaries a couple of times during the week.  I was asked to stay home as there were too many people going for their small homes and it would be overwhelming for the people to have that many.  It didn’t hurt my feelings.  It gave me a chance to make cinnamon rolls that I had been craving for several weeks but never stayed home long enough to make.

Bill shot over 10,000 images and I checked around 45 volumes of Deeds of Records.  We got an "all clear" from Salt Lake for the work from the week before.  That was good because they were cemetery records that were more challenging to image and more valuable for family history.  Now we can return those records and hopefully get another batch to do this week.

We also got to come to our flat on Tuesday and listen to a regional telephone conference for an hour and a half on Family History.     I served popcorn, candy and drinks to make the call more enjoyable.  There is a chance we may have one every two weeks but they think they will be able to have them at work the next time. 

On Thursday night we received a phone call from our mission president, President Griffiths, asking if we would be willing to go to the Falkirk Branch and be part of that branch.  They just had a change of leadership last week and he felt the Lord was calling us to go there.  It is about a thirty five minute drive from our home to the chapel.  We were delighted with the call and to feel like we will be a part of a branch. 

As a result of that call our plans on Saturday were to drive out there and find the chapel so we would know where we were going,  We set the GPS for the postal code and off we went.  We travel down M9 which is equivalent  to our freeway.  We drove straight to the building which is located on the outskirts of the city tucked back in a neighborhood on a dead end street.  There is a six foot fence around a beautiful, larger than expected building. 

We then set off to explore the city.   The city center is delightful with lots of small shops set along a meandering street.  We found all kinds of shops from pound (dollar) stores, to shops selling fabric, clothing, and toys.  In the middle of the block was an entrance to a mall that has as many stores as our malls.  There were some of the same stores like Claires.  We also saw a MacDonald's and Burger King.  The local Church  of Scotland was sponsored a craft show where they were selling all kinds of homemade items, and had displays from local charities and there was even one on  Family History.  It was a lot like what we see at home this time of year.

Instead of visiting a castle this week we visited the Callendar House, which has been turned in to a  museum.

Callendar House, Falkirk

 The museum had displays focusing on the history of the area.  Did you know the Roman Empire extended this far north?  They actually built a wall to keep out that barbarous Scot's.  The wall was about 39 miles long and 10 feet high.  Sections of the wall are still visible today.  Oh, and by the way the wall was built in AD 142.  How's that for old?

The House also features a Georgian kitchen.  The guide explained the workings of the kitchen and we could actually try and lift some of the cooking pots.  No wonder the cooks were big.

Any guesses what this item might be?

Keep guessing, we'll let you know next week.

The house is located in the middle of a park, with a wonderful walking path, a crazy miniature golf course, and a Par three golf course.  It was a wonderful place that I am sure we will visit again many times.  I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t try and find some golf clubs to rent or borrow and try out the course next summer on some sunny day.

We had lunch at the West End Bistro which had received the vote from the townspeople as one of the best places to eat in 2011.  We had carrot coriander soup and  tomato, cheese, and chutney sandwich for me and a type of Chicken sandwich for Bill.  It was as good as they said it was.

Today was Remembrance Day at Church.  We actually stood for a moment of silence at 11 a.m.  The talks were all about remembering those that died to protect our freedoms.  It was a very special meeting.  After church we drove to the local war memorial and laid a wreath.