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.

Burns Supper

Robert Burns, the national poet of Scotland, was born on January 25, 1759 in the Alloway, Scotland.  He lead a hard life as a lad, but through the experiences gained a love of the people and of the land.  He used those experiences to write poetry.  He pen over 500 poems and lyrics to songs.  Many of his published works traveled the oceans aboard ships and came into circulations in such countries as India, Russia, parts of South America and the United States.  He brought the Scottish language to the world and people loved it.

To celebrate his birth, each year various groups of people host a Supper in his honor.  The format for the Supper has become somewhat standardized, so we'd like to share with you pictures and impressions of the two suppers we attended this year.  The first was in Falkirk on Wednesday, January 25.  The second occurred in Livingston on Friday, January 27.

Each event has a Chairman that takes charge of the event and keeps the program moving right along.

The first event is usually a prayer.  Following the "typical" LDS prayer someone offers the Selkirk Grace.

Some have meat and cannot eat,

Some can not eat that want it

But we have meat and we can eat,

Sae let the Lord be thankit.

To hear it read with the Scottish accent, click the link below:
Burns grace at Kirkcudbright/

The next event is the presentation of he haggis.  This consists of the chef bringing a haggis in on a platter and parading it around the room so all of the guests may see it.

Then a member of the head table will share one of Robert Burns poem entitled, To A Haggis.  You'll definitely want to click the link to read the poem and hear it in Scottish. To a haggis

Here is the English translation:
Fair is your honest happy face
Great chieftain of the pudding race
Above them all you take your place
Stomach, tripe or guts
Well are you worthy of a grace
As long as my arm

The groaning platter there you fill
Your buttocks like a distant hill
Your skewer would help to repair a mill
In time of need
While through your pores the juices emerge
Like amber beads

His knife having seen hard labour wipes
And cuts you up with great skill
Digging into your gushing insides bright
Like any ditch
And then oh what a glorious sight
Warm steaming, rich

Then spoon for spoon
They stretch and strive
Devil take the last man, on they drive
Until all their well swollen bellies
Are bent like drums
Then, the old gent most likely to rift (burp)
Be thanked, mumbles

Is there that over his French Ragout
Or olio that would sicken a pig
Or fricassee would make her vomit
With perfect disgust
Looks down with a sneering scornful opinion
On such a dinner

Poor devil, see him over his trash
As week as a withered rush (reed)
His spindle-shank a good whiplash
His clenched fist.the size of a nut.
Through a bloody flood and battle field to dash
Oh how unfit

But take note of the strong haggis fed Scot
The trembling earth resounds his tread
Clasped in his large fist a blade
He'll make it whistle
And legs and arms and heads he will cut off
Like the tops of thistles

You powers who make mankind your care
And dish them out their meals
Old Scotland wants no watery food
That splashes in dishes
But if you wish her grateful prayer
Give her a haggis!

After that the meal is served.  There are three courses. 

First the soup--typically a broth with barley.

Then the main course--haggis with neeps and tatties.  Neeps are turnips, and tatties are potatoes.  Do not fear the haggis.  Bill has had it four times, and each one tastes a little different.  It all depends on the spices.  One night it looked like a hamburger pattie.  The other night it reminded us of meat loaf.

And finally a desert.

After the meal comes the entertainment.  Perhaps it will be a recitation of poetry.

My Luve is like a Red Red Rose

O my Luve's like a red, red rose,

That's newly sprung in June:

O my Luve's like the melodie,

That's sweetly play'd in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonie lass,

So deep in luve am I;

And I will luve thee still, my dear,

Till a' the seas gang dry.

Till a' the seas gang dry , my dear,

And the rocks melt wi' the sun;

And I will luve thee still, my dear,

While the sands o' life shall run.

And fare-thee-weel, my only Luve !

And fare-thee-weel, a while!

And I will come again, my Luve,

Tho' 'twere ten thousand mile!

To hear this poem read by the Prince of Wales click on this link: Prince of Wales

 At some point in the program there will be a Toast to the Lassies, a rather humorous tribute to the ladies of the group. 

But ladies will have their revenge, for they too get to offer a Toast to the Laddies.

All in all, they were wonderful events and we look forward to next year.

Week ending January 21, 2012

We had a routine week with no new material to write about until Saturday. 

Saturday was missionary flat inspection time on the west side of the country in Irvine and Ayr. 

Notice Ayr near the bottom on the left.  Irvin is about 12 miles north of Ayr.

We decided to get up the normal time and get them done early so we could have time to explore.  That started out a disaster .  I spoke to Amy too long on the phone and so we were rushing.  Bill forgot his glasses and phone and so that took two additional trips back in the flat.  With all of that we were still only thirteen minutes behind schedule.  But you don’t speed here in Scotland because they give out speeding tickets through the mail using the information recorded on cameras. 

Last month we were able to drive right to the flats by using the GPS unit.  This time Gabby, that's what we call the GPS unit, was being temperamental.  We lost ten minutes trying to find the first flat.  When we put in the address for the second flat we ended up on a golf course when she said we had arrived and so we were late also for the second flat.  Gabby finally got her act together and we got to the third flat the first try.  We enjoy doing flat inspections.  They are usually ready for us and we enjoy visiting with the missionaries.

It is Burn’s Week this next week.  Robert Burns is Scotland’s National Poet.  They celebrate him with a Burn’s Supper  (haggis, taters and nips) and reading of his poetry and songs. 

He was born in Alloway a short distance from Ayr.  So we went to visit the home where he was born which is still standing and in wonderful shape considering it was built before 1759, the year Robert was born there.   

It started as a two room building with the family living in one room and the animals the other.  The animals helped heat the building.  There were two others rooms added on a little later and the animal room became a school room where William (Robert’s father)  had a tutor come in and teach his children and those who lived nearby.  The next room then became the storage room/ cheese and butter making and selling room and the other the animal room.

Robert lived in this home until he was seven years old.  He was already showing signs of creativity at that young age.  He used both Scottish and English words in his writing.

From the home we walked to the Museum they have created to pay tribute to him. Our guide in the cottage encouraged us to look for the moose on our walk to the museum.  She said there was a big bronze statue of a moose that the school children that visit love to have their picture taken with.  We hurried down the path anxiously looking for a large statue of a moose with antlers.  We were surprised to discover that the "moose" was actually a mouse.  Once again the Scottish brogue stumped us.

 In the museum they have his whole life portrayed in pictures, books, songs,  and cinematic  experiences.  It was a good experience and now I know a little more about the man and why we celebrate January 25^th with a Burn’s Supper in the Branch.

Bill took pictures of the grounds at the cottage to show you what January this year looks like. Roses are starting to leaf out,  the grass is green and  it is in the thirties and forties this week with rain, sun and wind.  Not a bad winter at all.  We feel very fortunate.

While we were in the museum we received a call from Sister Connelly  inviting us to the Chinese New Year Celebration at 6:00 at the Stake Center.  So we hurried back for that.  It is about a two hour trip from the west coast back home.

The celebration was wonderful .  They had  decorated the cultural hall with Chinese decorations imported from China.  They began by serving a Chinese New Year dinner with about ten to fifteen different varieties of food for us to sample.  They had been cooking all afternoon and I bet there were about three hundred people there. 

Then they had a program sharing their culture with us in song, dance,  exercise, games,and slides of their homeland and culture.  Youth from Glasgow and Aberdeen were there taking part also. 

Sorry about the poor quality of the picture.  My camera didn't like shooting action shots in the dark.

It was a very delightful evening.

Week Ending January 15, 2012

This was a busy week but nothing too exciting.  We had the missionaries over Monday evening for breakfast since that was what I planned on fixing when they called and asked if we would go out on a teaching appointment with them.  So after we ate we went out teaching.  Then we went to Costco to buy pancake mix and syrup for the elders in Falkirk.

Tuesday after a day of work we headed to Falkirk to take those elders out to eat and give them their pancake mix. We tried a Spanish restaurant called La Banca.  The food was quite good and since it was a Tuesday night we seemed to be the only ones there.  I think the Elders enjoyed the change in their diet.

Then it was Mutual.  It was our planning meeting and we have a lot to teaching to do about the purpose of Mutual.  They were good at coming up with activities to do for fun but it was very much all fun and no learning.

Wednesday was spent preparing the talk I gave in Sacrament Meeting today on baptism.  Thursday night was spent on preparing the lesson I taught in Young Women’s today.

Friday we just stayed home and relaxed and watched a Disney movie on the BBC.

Saturday we got up late, talked about what we were going to teach for Teacher Development class we have been asked to teach for six weeks during Sunday School, then we rode the bus into the city center. Our first stop was the Poundland Store (the Scottish version of the dollar store). 

Then we visited the Museum of Childhood. The Museum is full of toys from all eras, but seems to have focused on toys from the 1950's to today.

Our last stop was the bank.  Yes, banks are open on Saturday.   Someday we hope we can take you there.  This bank has no tellers, just machines to do everything—make deposits, withdrawals, check your balance, all very “high tech”.  Fortunately there are customer service representatives there to answer your questions.   I am not sure how you would rob the bank here. 

Our last stop was the National Art Museum to see some of the National Art collection.  Some of the paintings and sculpture was very impressive.  We’ve got to go back and spend more time there.

We came home early so we could paint some stools that I found that we converted into end tables.

Then we picked up the Flynn’s and went to Bathgate to President Patterson’s home to enjoy the evening listening to and clapping and singing with  Scotland’s No. 1 Folk Singer Davy Holt. It was an enjoyable evening.  We have CD’s we are bringing home so you can enjoy him also.

Today I felt the talk, Sunday school lesson, and mutual class all went well and so the day and week were a success.

On a down note, our colleagues husband is still in a coma and they have not seen much improvement in him.  He has been moved to a neurology ward and out of ICU and so I guess that is a step forward.  His mom from India was to have arrived Friday night. 

I am expecting word of the birth of a grandson anytime and I am excited about that. I learned I am going to have another granddaughter in May, which will be wonderful.  That will make two grandsons and two granddaughters born while we are serving our mission.

Week ending January 7 2012

What an interesting week this has been.  We started the week still on holiday by going to the  concert of the  “Messiah” in Usher Hall with two couples from the mission.  It was a wonderful production.  It was fun reliving Ricks College days when I was in choir and we put on the Messiah.  I wanted to sing along with the choir on some of the songs and then some of them I had never heard.  I  guess the complete score is at least four and a half hours long and so I have never heard all of it.  They had four soloists. I enjoyed three of them but I do not enjoy men singing the high part.

The most unusual thing about the  concert was  the extended intermission. The choir and orchestra left and the audience pulled out their long stemmed glassware, bottles of refreshment, picnic baskets with some of them being very elaborate.  They then enjoyed a picnic lunch right there in the concert hall with sandwiches, crackers and cheese, fruit, etc., with their drink.  We were one of the few who had not brought our lunch and so Bill went out and bought our usual ice cream that we have enjoyed before at plays and concerts.  Ice cream and drink had been a part of all the events we have attended so that was not unusual.

Tuesday’s plans changed again and again. We were to go to the mission home and help Sister Griffiths do a visual tour of the mission home with background information the New President and his wife might enjoy knowing before they arrive in July.  That got cancelled because of their being out of town. So then we thought of going in to the Museum again and see another section.  We decided not to go when the wind was again blowing so hard.  We didn’t realize how hard until mutual was cancelled because of potential  damage to the roof.  When we went to work on Wednesday we learned the winds were well over a 100 M.P.H. and had taken off a big portion of the Archive roof and did a lot of damage to the building.

Wednesday we also learned of one of our colleagues husband having meningitis and being in a coma.  She and her family are from India and they have been in Scotland since 2005.  She quality checks the pictures of the other group that work with us in the room on different records.  Her brother, sister-in-law, and daughter had come up from London to spend the holidays with them.  On the 25^Th they had been celebrating and dancing and on the 26^Th he was delirious and they had admitted him to the hospital.  He has been in a coma since the 26^Th.  She asked us to pray for him.  To make a long story short, she gave me her address, phone number, the room number where her husband is, and desired that Bill and Michael give her husband a Priesthood blessing on Friday after work.  They are not members of the church and I am not sure how much she even knows about us, but she knew we were Christians and desired that we also added our prayers to theirs.   She has taken our phone number and agreed to call us if she needs any help at all.  She doesn’t drive, and her husband was the one who took care of all the financial matters.  Her husbands only living family member is a mother that lives in India.  He is an only child and his father died when he was young.  Hopefully we can continue to be a support to herand help her through this difficult time.  Her daughter is in her third year of dental school and will have to return to London next weekend.

Saturday night we enjoyed having a couple from the branch over for dinner.  They had us to their place a few weeks ago.  It was wonderful getting to know them better and sharing the evening with them.

We love being here and are finding you do share the gospel just by your example.

Week ending January 1 2012

What a wonderful week we had and it is going to be hard to get up early again because we have been sleeping in this week.  Monday we did the usual Boxing Day activity.  But instead of boxing up gifts we didn’t want to exchange for gifts we wanted, we just went to the Mall and looked at what they had on sale.  We went through the whole mall and came out with nothing.  From there we went to Testco’s.  I tried on 2 shirts but came away with only some food items we needed.  Bill got himself a shirt.

I tried to get Brenda to bring her husband and son over for dinner and to play games but she turned me down.  She is the friend from work that asks me questions about the church “just to know more about us” and I think she was afraid we would try to teach her the gospel or didn’t think her family would want to come.  I will keep trying.

Tuesday and Wednesday we decided to try riding the bus into the City Center from home.  Parking is so hard to find there.  We went and explored the National Museum of Scotland and it is huge.  It would take at least a week to see most of it.  It covers a little of everything. 

Tuesday night we also went to Falkirk to start planning for mutual next year.  The YM were all there, but we didn’t get any of the YW to come and so for us it wasn’t real successful.

Thursday we went in to work on Family History at the Center in the morning.  I found a few wrong dates on the information I have and so I felt successful.  From there we went back to Holyrood Palace to see it decorated for Christmas.  We can go all year this year for free and so it was a good chance to go back.

Friday we took Elder and Sister Hambelton from Meridian to Sterling Castle.  It is one of our favorite to take people to because they just reopened it after spending lots of money redoing it to its former splendor.  We had a wonderful day with them.

Saturday we went in to the Connelly’s along with five other couples to have our New Year Celebration.  We each brought part of the meal and we ate and visited.  We were there from about 12:00 until 5:15.  The President had asked us to be back in our flats by 6:00 and so we were for a quiet night at home.  We were actually in bed by 9:30 and so the New Year came in with us sleeping.  New Year is probably as big or bigger a celebration than Christmas.  All of the stores close by 6:00 after being totally swamped all day with people buying food and drink for Saturday night and all day Sunday.  They eat, drink, dance, set off fireworks etc. to bring the year in just like you see on television.

As a result of it being New Year’s Eve yesterday and also because this next week the children are also out of school, the attendance at Church today was very small.  We ended up with only one young women and Bill had one young man.

Bill and I were also called into the Branch President’s office and he called us to be the teachers of the Teacher Development Class.  They want to start the class in two weeks.  Life is getting busier each week but this is something Bill has done before and so he will know how to make it work. 

We have two more days to do things before the National Archives opens again.

It was fun talking with so many this week and sharing Christmas with you.  I am glad family traditions are still going on without us so when we come home we will be involved again in them.  We love you all so much.  We wish you all a Happy New Year and may Christ and the Book of Mormon be in your agenda daily.