New ADDITION to the Flat

Now I feel at home. The owner gave permission to put the flower hanger in the wood. I told her I would leave the hanger there when I left. She said no problem. So, the flowers welcome us home and anyone who happens by, usually the Elders and Sisters. I planted daffodils and hyacinths yesterday outside and have put 4 daffodils in the fridge to force their blooms come Feb. Will send you pictures.

It Was Only a Matter of Time!

Everyone knows I have to have something green . I purchased this at the Botanic Gardens in Glasgow. It is from the cactus family.

This is looking down the fence at our back door on the right. Notice the weeds.

I forgot to take a picture on the left BEFORE weeding. But you can tell where I weeded and planted some pansies. They should last through the winter. I see the flowers every time we come and go. They make me happy.

Scotland/Ireland Mission Home

Scotland/Ireland Mission Home built 1866

 The beautiful intricate detail is hard to describe.

President David O. McKay 1873-1970
President McKay was born in 1873. His mother was Welsh and his father was Scottish. They were both immigrants.
David was called on a mission to Scotland and was feeling homesick after being in the mission for just a short time and spent a few hours sightseeing at nearby Stirling Castle. When he and his companion returned from visiting the castle, they passed a building where the stone above the door had a carved inscription of a quotation usually attributed to Shakespeare, which read: What E're Thou Art, Act Well Thy Part.

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This marker stands in the garden at the mission home.

Recalling this experience in a talk given in 1957, President McKay explained: “I said to myself, or the Spirit within me, ‘You are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. More than that, you are here as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. You accepted the responsibility as a representative of the Church.’ Then I thought [about] what we had done that forenoon. We had been sightseeing, we had gained historical instruction and information, it is true, and I was thrilled with it. … However, that was not missionary work. … I accepted the message given to me on that stone, and from that moment we tried to do our part as missionaries in Scotland.” ¹

This message—What E’er Thou Art, Act Well Thy Part—was so important and had such an impact on Elder McKay that he used it for inspiration for the rest of his life. He determined that whatever responsibility he had, he would do his very best.

Perfect End to a Perfect Day--a Baptism

Farrah was baptized after Stake Conference. We were blessed to be able to meet her. She is attending school in Glasgow and will be going home to Hong Kong in about 3-4 months.

Preston, England Temple

The Preston England Temple is the 52nd operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The LDS Church took root in Preston, Lancashire, when the first Mormon missionaries arrived in 1837.The Preston England Temple is located in the town of Chorley, 10 miles (16 km) south of Preston, in Lancashire. It is the centrepiece of a 15-acre (6 hectare) complex that includes a stake centre, a missionary training centre, a family history facility, a distribution centre, temple patron housing, temple missionary accommodations and a grounds building. The temple itself has a modern, single-spire design and an exterior finish of Olympia white granite from Sardinia. The white granite exterior and zinc roof have caused it to be described as reminiscent of England's old churches.

The Hong Kong China Temple was built in 1996. It is the 48th operating temple. When it was completed it served as headquarter of the LDS Church in Hong Kong, as well as a meetinghouse for a local congregation. The offices of the China Hong Kong Mission were also located in the building, as were living quarters for the temple president, mission president, and others. In 2005, with the completion of the new Church Administration Building in Wan Chai, the headquarters for the church moved there. In June 2010, with the completion of a new chapel across the street (street address: 18 Dorset Crescent), the meetinghouse and offices for the China Hong Kong Mission were relocated to this new building. The living quarters for the temple president, mission president, and six missionaries are still located in the temple building.

Hong Kong Temple

A Special Stake Conference

Elder Jose Reina, from the Canary Islands, was our visiting Area 70 at the Glasgow Stake Conference. We had a wonderful time with him on Saturday and Sunday. The couple on the left is Elder and Sister Browning, YSA Missionary couple.

Elder Reina was a wonderful teacher. He invited people to open their mouths and share the gospel: D&C 123:12 “For there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men. Whereby they lie in wait to deceive and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it.”

"Christ said to go and baptize-so go and act, visit people. Share the gospel. Maybe you will be afraid. You overcome your fears as you do the work of the Lord. You have many opportunities to tell people about the gospel. If you only have 10-30 seconds say:

1.       We are Christians and we believe in Jesus Christ.

2.       We belong to the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

3.       I love my family. It makes me happy. I live my religion"

He encourage all of us to be full tithe payers: Malachi 3:8,10 "Will a  man rob God? Yet he have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. . .Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."

"We have this law at home: JOY.

 J stands for Jesus    

O stands for Others   

Y stands for Yourself   

JOY in that order.

If  loving yourself comes first, then others, then Jesus, it  just doesn’t make sense.    Y   O   J

Glasgow

 GLASGOW
The city was founded in the 7th century and started life in early medieval times as a small religious community grouped round a cathedral.

In the 17th and 18th centuries it became a city of trade, dealing with the American colonies in tobacco and cotton which made many people very rich. It saved 20 days by sailing from Scotland rather than London.

In the 19th century it became a city of industry with shipyards and heavy engineering works. Now it relies mostly on tourism.

Glasglow University was founded in 1451.

Sites around Glasgow. The city has 3 universities with a total enrollment of 60,000 and 2 colleges. with an additional enrollment of 90,000.

The oldest church in Glasgow was built in 1500's and survived the reformation.

 There were 114 cinemas in
Glasgow in 1939.When 1950's brought TV, many of the cinemas closed.

 Old cemetery on top of hill

Merchants would climb on the tallest building to see ships coming in to the River Clyde and then hurry off to their shops.

 This is the museum for Modern Art. It seems to be out of place for me.

Interesting bridge to cross. Look at the supporting white wires off the arch.

Glasgow is the second most popular shopping city in Europe. Second only to London. Where are my pounds, Elder?

Falkirk Wheel and the KELPIES

Falkirk Wheel

The Falkirk Wheel is Scotland's most exciting example of 21st century engineering. The wheel is the World's first and only rotating boat lift and eye catching working sculpture which links the Forth and Clyde Canal with the Union Canal. It raises the boats 79 feet to the upper canal. Every 5 cycles the rotation reverses.

It boasts a visitor's center to the left, boat trips, play areas and over 100 acres of woodlands plus regular events and activities to keep you coming back.

Missionaries: Ladles, Sisters Kirkpatrick & Jones and , Elders Austin & Livingston, with the small Kelpies at the Falkirk Wheel.

Notice the beautiful swan with 6 signets to the left.

The real KELPIES in the background.

The KELPIES stand 30 meters tall (one meter is 40") and are the world's largest equine sculptures. They tower over the Forth and Clyde canal, and form a grand entrance on the East Coast of Scotland. They weigh 300 tons each. It took 8 years to fabricate the stainless steel and 4 months to construct on site. There are 34,000 different and unique pieces. Google Kelpies Falkirk to find out more and see wonderful night time pictures.