Week Ending Februrary 12, 2012

It is getting harder and harder to come up with something new to write about, but I will try.  We taught Teacher Preparation class today.  I was one of the presenters and my topic was teaching techniques for different age groups.  I only had 10 minutes, and that was the hard part.  But I guess it went O.K..  Then I was supposed to teach Young Women’s about “Being a Homemaker”.  The Branch President came in and said he needed to speak to the Young Women and so he moved my lesson until next week--one more week to prepare, which is just fine for me.

We went for our usual walk after we got home.  Spring is showing signs of its arrival.  It is 49 degrees, the sun was shining and we saw Lilly of the Valley and other yellow and purple flowers all over the place.  The grass has stayed partly green all the time but looks brighter now.  We have had a mild winter.

Yesterday we walked out to start on our Saturday adventure only to find a flat tire.  So we spent the first hour and a half changing it and taking to a tire shop.  At the shop they discovered the side of the tire had a large hole in it and so we needed a new tire.  Since we had to be back and to the Stake Center by 7 p.m. for the Worldwide Leadership Training, we cancelled our plans for the day and went to plan “B”. 

Bill humored me and took me second hand store shopping.  I had specific items in mind and we knew that Dunfermline had lots of stores in just a few blocks.  I found everything on my list but the ceramic birdie that goes in the Steak pie.  I wanted three doilies about a foot in diameter--we walked in one place and that was the first thing I saw.  Three exactly alike, look brand new, and for one price for all three.  I found a couple of blouses and skirts.  I got a picture frame I wanted.  It was a miraculous shopping trip.

We helped set up a visit for our colleague with the Hambeltons, the Employment Specialists,  to prepare her job application.  They spent 2 1/2 hours with her.  Hopefully it will lead to an interview and then a full time job.  She is getting exposure to the church a little at a time in an unusual way.

That is about all I can think of for this week.  Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you!  I love you so much and pray for you.  May God continue to bless you.

Week ending February 4, 2012

Not much new happened this week so this should be short.  We went in to the mission home on Thursday night and a sister from one of the branches taught us how to make steak pie which is a Scottish  dish I really like.  It is a pie with no bottom crust,  filled with beef in gravy and then a flaky puff pastry crust.  She tells us to buy the puff pastry to make it with because it is so much easier.  She made one that way and then made one with pastry from scratch.  They were delicious. 

Friday we decided to do our shopping after work because they were predicting a cold, snowy Saturday.  We thought we might just like to stay home if it was.  While we were in the car on our way to Costcos. we had a call from the A.P.s asking if they could come see us as Elder Martin is being transferred this week.  I told them we were on our way to Costco but would be home later.  He said it didn’t have to be then but would sometime Saturday work.  I said yes and asked what time would be good for them.  They had appointments in the afternoon and evening but would have some time around 5 or 6, so of course I invited them to have dinner with us.  We have enjoyed them and will miss seeing Elder Martin and so were glad they called and basically picked the dinner hour to be available.  Did any of you ever use that technique to get invited to dinner?  If not you should have—it works. 

So the storm never came in and it wasn’t  really that cold, but we only went shopping for a few minutes and spent the rest of the day at home cleaning and cooking.  I even baked two loaves of bread and made a carrot cake from scratch.  It was a good day.

I am working on New Beginnings for YW.  We are having it on the 21^st of February. Thanks for the suggestion Natalie.  I am using the sandwich idea.

Love hearing from all of you.  Thanks for your love and support.  We love the work, the country of Scotland, and especially serving on a mission for Jesus Christ.  Hope you all have a wonderful week.