Christmas 2012

Christmas in Scotland was most different this year. First Julia had been sick for several days so she really wasn't in the mood to celebrate.  Second, the weather was more spring-like than winter. 

Here is the view looking out our front window!  Looks pretty green to me!

We did put up a Christmas tree, in fact, we put up two trees.  One in the living room,

And our "Eternal Family" tree in the bedroom.

 

This tree featured pictures of all of our children and grandchildren, with a ribbon that went around the tree with the words "Our Eternal Family".  It also features Jesus Christ in a star at the top of the tree.

And just in case you were wondering, yes we did receive presents...a lot more than we needed.

Week ending 20 January 2013

January is 2/3s over and it seems like it just started.  They say time flies when you are having fun. We must be having lots of fun then.

This was a super busy week.  President and Sister Brown and the Assistants were gone all week and we were left the part of meeting and greeting Senior couples coming and going.  We had a new couple (Wilsons) from Canada that arrived Tuesday morning and another couple (Hamblin’s) moving from Ireland to Galashiels, Scotland to finish their last 6 months of their mission. We (the sisters and Bill and I) fixed dinner for them and visited.   We got home a little after 8:00. 

The next morning we sent the Hamblin’s off to Galashiels to find out from the Stapleton’s what they had been doing there.  Then in the afternoon the Stapleton’s came to the mission home and we again fixed a meal for the 8 of us and visited.  The next morning both couples took off for Ireland which was home for the Stapleton’s and where the Wilsons will be serving in the Hamblin’s place.  This was another 12 hour day.

So now for the miracle.  In the first part on December I gave notice of our closing the flat the Stapleton’s were living in because they were finishing their mission and going home.  A few days later President Brown came to me and said they had decided to send the Hamblin’s from Ireland to Scotland to finish their mission and we would need to keep the flat in Galashiels. I called the letting agent as quickly as I could and asked if it would still be available.  She said it would be.  I then proceeded to ask her if we could use the same lease and continue it on a month to month basis.  That was a “no” since the couple had signed their own lease.  Since that time we have all the leases read by me and I try to get the letting agent to make any changes that I think our legal advisor would like.  Then I send the lease to our legal advisor in Solihull, England.  The lease must have the tenant as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Our legal advisor reads it and lets me know of other changes that are needed or gives them to the one signing our leases there. They then send them back to me to finish getting them in place and the missionaries moved in.

Karen who was the letting agent for this company said she didn’t do company leases, but could draw up one like the Stapleton’s had signed.  I called our legal advisor and told him the situation.  He got Karen’s phone number and said he would visit with her on how much better it would be having it in the Church’s name. A few days later he informed me that he had sent her a copy of a lease the church likes to use and Karen was taking it to her legal advisor.  It was getting closer and closer the Christmas time when the one who signs our lease would be away for the holidays until the 7^th of January.

The answer came back that the landlady had been advised not to go with the company lease.  NOW WHAT WAS I GOING TO DO!  Time was passing quickly.  Christmas came and went and I still didn’t have a place for the Hamblin’s to live.

Elder Turley (our legal advisor) then talked to the landlady, for he could see no reason why they would not go with our lease.  More days passed.  She still said no. On Friday the 11^th after I had gone home, Elder Turley sent a message that if I really liked the flat and the letting agent, for this one time only we could go with the couple signing their own lease like it had been done in the past, but he wanted to read the lease before they signed it.  Monday I came back to this message and immediately contacted Karen and told her.  She said she would go to work on it and send me and Elder Turley a copy of it before the day was through.  This was two days before the Hamblin’s were to move in. Tuesday morning she sent it to Elder Turley who told her what needed changed.  Tuesday night a copy was sent to me to have the Hamblin’s read before going to sign it the next morning at 10:30.

 Wednesday at 10:30 they met with Karen and signed the lease.  It was a six month lease signed on the 16^th of January and goes to the 16^th of July which is the day the Hamblin’s have at this time as their release date.  Six months is the shortest lease available.  Heavenly Father answered my prayers that day.

Friday we spent getting another flat closed by going back and removing furniture we had moved in to accommodate the 2 elders, and planned on cleaning it better.  We had the 2 elders with us to help.  We surprised the Landlady who was there cleaning and said we didn’t need to clean, they would just deduct it from our deposit.  We said we could remove the extra bed and chair for her and move the other furniture back to where it belonged and she agreed with that.  She hardly spoke to us and when we left we felt that we would lose the deposit.  About an hour later the letting agent emailed and said the landlady had called and felt that we should get our whole deposit back--another miracle!  Had we called and told them we were going over they would have told us no and we would have lost the deposit.  We spent most of the day out of the office with details with flats like going over the inventory on the new flat, buying a new stove, chair cushions, and finding a home for the furniture we had removed.  It was really quite a fun day. Not what you think you would be doing on a mission is it?

We have had more snow the last few days than we have had all the rest of the time we have been here and yet right now we only have about an inch to an inch and a half on the ground.  We live across the street from a golf course that is very hilly.  We have had the golf course covered with people of all age’s sleigh riding the last two days. We wouldn’t think we had enough snow to do it, but they are sure having lots of fun. 

 

 

One of our neighbors was clever and created this small animal out of snow.

 

And this picture is taken from our bedroom window looking out to the parking lot.

 

 

Week ending 13 January 2013

As the time goes on there seems like there is less and less to talk about. It is not that the work gets any less, but how many times can I tell you about leases. Instead of getting less to work with, the number grows and I have more on my desk to deal with. This week I have one tomorrow to get opened and elders moved in here in Edinburgh. So some time tomorrow I will have to go to the letting company and get the keys and get the elders moved out of their old flat and into their new flat. We get to do all of this moving in our little Toyota. It should be interesting to see how many trips it takes to move all of their stuff.

Tuesday, we have the Wilsons from Canada arriving to begin their mission. The Hamblin’s will be moving from Ireland to Scotland to serve since they do not want to spend the money and energy studying for the Driving test for the half of year they have left. They will both come to the mission home to stay and we will prepare something for them to eat since the Mission President and Sister Brown will be gone. Then on Wednesday the Hamblin’s will travel to Galashields and the couple there will spend a few hours orienting them to the area and then The Stapleton’s will come here to spend the night. We will provide the meal for them and the Wilsons. Then the Stapleton’s who are finishing their mission and going home to Ireland will lead the Wilsons to their area in Ireland and continue on to their home.

So it will be another busy week working with Senior Couples in addition to our other work. That offers us a change of pace from the normal week.

Saturday, we sent the other Senior Couples in the van over to Ayr to visit Robert Burns’ home and museum. He is the National Poet of Scotland and it is his birthday this month. We have Robert Burns’ celebrations in the country, wards, and branches around the 25^th of the month where we eat haggis, nips, and tators. Bill and I have been there last month and since the van only has eight seat belts, we stayed behind.

We went to see the Britannia which was the Queen’s Royal Yacht until it was decommissioned in 1997 and is now just a museum where you can see how they lived as they made State visits around the globe and as they used the ship for their holiday home in August of each year.

It was very interesting and I would love it if I could just be me and use it as a holiday cruise. I would not like all the pomp and ceremony that she has. It took the help three hours just to set the royal table for ninety people. They had to use a ruler to make sure that each utensil was in the right place and there were probably 8-10 pieces for each person. People on board working may have to change their attire 8-10 times a day and had 26 uniforms on board each.

I will know more about the Royal life when I return having been on the same field as the Queen at the Highland Games and seeing the different palaces and castles they have lived in. After viewing all of these places and reading about what she has to do, I know it is not the life for me.

We went for an American hamburger, onion rings, and a milk shake after the Yacht experience. It is the first hamburger I have had over here and it was good. The onion rings were cold which wasn't too good, and the milkshake was like cold flavored milk consistency and way overpriced.

Bill had a High Priest meeting last night and I stayed home and prepared my primary lesson. I also got to visit with many family members between yesterday and today which was wonderful.

I still have a devotional to prepare for tomorrow and primary sharing time and lesson to read through for next week to put it in my mind. So I better close for this week.

Week ending December 2 1012

It has been a wonderful week. We have accomplished much in the office and had fun also. 
 
We went to the pantomime Cinderella on Thursday night with the Sisters and three other couples.  We met for dinner before the show at Wagamamas ( a Japanese Restaurant) that was very good. We then went to the show.  Pantomimes usually involve audience participation like our melodramas at home and are at Christmas time as a show for the family.  We found this one very different than the one last year of Beauty and the Beast.  This was one more like a musical.  It is very different than the story we are used to.  The evil mom was very evil.  The step sisters were very "modern" in their dress and language, and Prince Charming was more in love with himself than anyone else


But the moral of the story was love wins over evil.  The sspecial effects were very good and it was very well orchestrated.  It was a fun evening.

 Friday night we attend the annual Edinburgh Stake Ceilidh, which is like a great big square dance, or country dance.  It was amazing to watch the people dance all of these dance steps.  Apparently they are taught them in primary or grade school, so they've had time to learn them.  They do provide instruction for us beginners, but it can still be pretty intimidating with a room full of people moving around a dance floor. Here's a picture of Sister Vance on the left and Sister Price on the right.

 

Saturday, we (Meaning Edinburgh Ward and Mission) were invited to sing in the outdoor Christmas festival being held by St. Mary’s Cathedral.  We had quite a good turnout and we sang for about an hour all the songs of Christmas we are familiar with and ended with “I Am a Child of God.”  We had a number stop and listen to us and hopefully they enjoyed it.  Then we handed out Joy to the World DVD’s afterward.

 

We have our tree up and our home decorated for Christmas and it looks like Christmas.  It is a wonderful time of the year.  We love working with the missionaries.  We have quite a few in on Monday and Tuesdays with it being their P-day and then District Meeting on Tuesday.

 It was wonderful hearing your Thanksgiving stories.  It sounds like all had a wonderful time where ever you were.  It sounds like tree hunting was not hard with little snow to contend with.  It was a great holiday shared with family for all of you.  We do have so much to be thankful for, being members of the Church and knowing our Savior Jesus Christ and what He has done for us so we can return to Him and our Heavenly Parents and be an Eternal Family being the greatest blessing.

May you all have a wonderful week.  We love you so much and pray for you daily.

Love,

Julia and Bill

Week ending November 18 2012

I can’t believe it is the week of Thanksgiving.  Being this early makes it seem like it arrived very quickly.  We are having our dinner on Saturday with all the couples in Scotland.  We will all bring part of the dinner and so it is just a fun time together.  I have the turkey this year.  Yes, we can find turkey and like last year I will probably go for a butterfly turkey breast and give up my dark meat because the whole turkey is small and expensive.  The breast is actually larger, less expensive, and has no bones and so is easier to carve.

 It is arrival and departure week with our smallest group yet.  We have one going home and three coming in.  Still busy though because we have lots of transfers. 

 We had mutual Tuesday night but were home the rest of the week.  We had the sisters and the Hambelton’s for dinner Friday night and played games. 

 

Then on Saturday the sisters wanted to stay in town and so the Hambelton’s and us went to Glasgow to see the huge, oldest remaining  Catholic Cathedral in Scotland. During the reformation most Catholic Church's were desecrated or destroyed.  This one was defended by the merchants of the city and so remained.

 

The inside is huge and there are many wonderful stained glass windows.

 

 

 

 

Then we went to the School Museum to learn about school through the ages.  That was fun too and brought about memories of our growing up days.  How glad I am that I did not have to practice gas mask drill and evacuation every day at school.

 

Grandpa got in trouble at school so he had to wear the dunce cap for a while.

 

 We will be thinking of you all this week:  Happy Birthday Bruce and Amy;  Happy Thanksgiving to all of you.  May you find the most beautiful trees and have a wonderful dinner and time together with whomever you are spending the holiday with.  Next year I will be part of it again.

 Can you believe that we actually got to watch Max in action live playing basketball yesterday in Alaska.  He scored the first points.  We watched one quarter and then talked with him at the end of the game.  Isn’t technology wonderful.  Thanks John for including us in the event.  We hope the swim and skiing meets were as successful as Max’s team won all their games in the tournament.  Now he is on to swimming come Monday.

 Amy we hope that your trip to Canada has gone well, and that your dinner last night was wonderful  and the rest of the week goes well.

 Brittanie I am glad you got to go to the temple dedication.  What an experience!  One that I have never had.

 Glad to hear about gymnastics for Hallie and Brynn and Teigen is enjoying soccer.  Nathan also loves soccer and Brittanie just had her piano recital.  Peyton is golfing, Ethan is playing basketball, and Caleb is trying out lots of sports.  It is hard to remember when one season ends and others begin.  You are all growing up so fast.  Do you think we will know you when we get home?  I hope so.  Until next week.

Week ending 11 November 2012

It has been a good week. I have had work to do but it has not been overwhelming.  President and Sister Brown were there the first three days and then left for Ireland for the next four.  I have finished opening two flats and closed two flats this week and have others that I am just expecting the security deposit or utilities deposit back on and then they will be closed.  I am still looking for one or two flats at the moment. 

In Young Women’s we worked on filling out a family group sheet on Tuesday night and it made me realize how much I need to work on my own.  I have tried to figure if I can take a couple of hours off in Tuesday or Wednesday to go over to the church and work on it during the day.

Thursday evening we had Barbara and Stewart over for dinner from the Falkirk Branch and had a wonderful evening with them. 

Friday we had the sisters over for dinner and games and shopping.  It was fun as usual. 

 

We went to Stirling and Campbell Castle on Saturday. 

 

 

Flat Stanley arrived on Thursday and so we had to take Stanley to the Castle that we think might be the family castle from relatives so long ago.  We had never been there before and Saturday was a great day to go.  We got there just as members of the wedding party we starting to arrive to set up for a wedding and so we got to see the castle being prepared for the wedding.  They had hired a man to play the bagpipes and so we got to hear him play and even got in our request for the Scottish song with the tune of Praise to the Man.  Stanley loved all of it. 

 

 

 

Stirling Castle is always one we love to go to and the sisters have not been yet and so that was our next stop.  Stanley loved seeing it again also. 

 

 

Today is Remembrance Day as it is known over here, in the US we call it Veteran’s Day.  We all wear red poppies to church.  Then all the speakers spoke on some part of that.  We also had two minutes of silence at 11:00.  Afterward they take a red poppy wreath and place on the statue commemorating those who have given their lives for their country.  Stanley took part in that also.  I am so glad we live in the land of the free and for family member and other who have been in the armed services for our country.

 

We haven’t heard from many this last week.  We haven’t found many on line when we have been on Skype.  We hope to hear from more of you this week.  We are well and happy.  We think of you, pray for you, and miss you.  Have a great week.

 

Love,

Grandma and Grandpa

Week ending 4 November 2012

Another week has flown by and I have worked on two more leases.  One is finished and the other could be finished by tomorrow or sometime this week I hope.  I have closed one flat and am in the middle of closing two others.  I may be looking for one other flat this week. 

We have not sent anyone home with a broken bone since the 30 of October.

Tuesday we had a Halloween party for the missionaries serving here in the area.  That was 20 of us and some had never carved a pumpkin and so it was lots of fun.  We also served them lunch of potato soup and chilli, rolls, and pies.  I made seven pies.  We had pumpkin, banana cream, coconut cream, chocolate, apple, and pecan.  My oven wanted to burn them and so some of them were on the dark side but they still ate them.

Tuesday night we had our Halloween Party at the branch and Elder Rasmussen and I were in charge of the pumpkin carving there also and also judging the jack o lanterns.  It was a fun night but also a late one.

Thursday we had a couple stay with us.  Elder Hick’s mother died and they were going home to the funeral on Friday morning.  They are from Springville.  They volunteered to take a box back with them and Julie picked it up at the airport.  It means one less box to bring home when we come.  Thanks Julie for the late night to pick it up for us. Elder Rasmussen took them to the airport early Friday morning.  

 We also took part in a conference call for the leaders in our stake working with the youth in Sunday School, Young Men/Women regarding the new program.  Elder Rasmussen and I are working with the ones in our branch for four Sundays to learn about how the new program will work.  I should actually say Elder Rasmussen is as I mostly sit and learn also.

Friday night we went to the Hambeltons for dinner.  We also shared with them what we do in the office to see if that is what they would like to try for in there next mission.  And we played a game of Rummikub.  It was a fun evening.

Saturday we went with the Sisters and the McKenzies to the Royal Mile.  We got to see the parade they were having with the soldiers that were just returning home from Afghanistan .  Then we went and saw Holyrood Palace which is where the Royal Family stay when they come to Edinburgh.  The queen usually comes the last of June-1^st part of July for a week.  We ate lunch at a Mexican restaurant and it was good.  We found a nativity set just a few doors up from there that looks kind of Celtic and so we will be bringing home one more nativity to add to our collection.  It is already up for Christmas in our flat.

Sunday we had our meetings in Falkirk of which Sunday School and Young Men/Women time was spent with the leaders discussing the new program.  Then we had six over for Family Home Evening, dinner, activity, and visiting.  So I am writing the letter today at work while waiting for my lease to get back to me.

We are healthy, happy, and busy.  What more would you ask for.  Hope you all had a great week also.  We love you so much. We love hearing from you and enjoy the pictures. Have a great week.