Week Fourteen (14) December 29, 2013 through January 4, 2014

Week 14

December 29, 2013 (Sunday)

We had an interesting meeting in the Glasgow Ward. Two of the three speakers didn't show, so the Bishop turned the meeting into a testimony meeting.

In the Springboig Ward, the third hour, which was a combined meeting with the Priesthood Brethren, the Relief Society Sister, and Youth (YM & YW), the Bishop gave a good family history presentation introducing a new family history booklet called, "My Family, Stories that Bring us Together." 

President Monson said, "We discover something about ourselves when we learn about our ancestors." 

We look forward to the booklet coming to the area, so we can use it when visiting less-active YSA to put something in their hands rather than just a "howdy" visit.

 

December 30, 2013 (Monday)

We took the Sister Missionaries grocery shopping. On our way home we drove by Tony's; so Sister Browning could get a haircut; but, alas, they were closed.

Rather than cancel Home Evening, we held it at our flat, so we could downsize a large pot of stew. Mairi came as did Carlos. We also made a couple of the blankets for the assisted living facility. Carlos is an engineering major at Glasgow University, so he became very precise in his measurements. 

We were all impressed with how uniform Carlos cut the material. It made the process of tying a lot easier. After we finished the two quilts, we ended up taking both Carlos and Mairi home in the car - something we can't do on a regular basis, but it was cold and dark; and we were concerned about their safety.

December 31, 2013 (Tuesday)

We did some Yoga and calendaring in the morning and then Sister Browning started making some  caramels. Elder Browning revised a letter he’s planning on sending to Presidents' Wark and Hale, who are the stake presidency councilors to the YSA in their respective stakes. We want/need their direction on and how we can work together to "rescue" the less active YSA.

Kris in his kilt

YSA guys

YSA girls

Cameron in his kilt with a girl friend

YSA girls

YSA guys

The Stake Hogmanay Party, which is a Ceilidh, began at 10 PM; and when we arrived about 10:20, the parking lot was already full. We learned that families show up and stake a claim on a table and everyone is responsible for their own refreshments. Because we are new missionaries in the area, people were happy to share with us what they had.

The night was a lot of fun. Families with children of all ages attended and all participated in the dancing. It went until 1pm.

Steven and someone in their kilt...

Philip and Elder Browning

We pretty much spent the whole night dancing and our bodies in the morning were really feeling the effects of the Yoga and the Ceilidh. 

To help our egos, we had several people compliment us on our dancing. 

Oh, a number of men wore their kilts - way cool. It was truly a fun night. At 1AM in the morning it ended with everyone singing Auld Lang Syne. However, their rendition gets rather physical as at one point they rush to the middle of the floor and collide with each other - rather interesting way to welcome in the New Year. 

Jimmie on the right with his twin brother and his wife

Live band - They were great!

This group was soooooooooooo hot, they went outside the building to cool off

Elder & Sister Browning

Came home and called all the family to wish them a Happy New Year around 2AM our time. We crashed in the bed about 2:30AM. As much fun as we had we’re glad Hogmanay comes around only once a year.

Video of Ceilidh (hope you can see and hear it)

January 1, 2014 (Wednesday)

Slept in until 8:30 am - still way tired.

We picked up Elders Hutchings and Carter to be with the other district missionaries at the stake center where we watched Toy Story 3 and Shrek 3. While watching the movie we worked on making another blanket for the assisted living center.

After taking the sister missionaries home, we came back to the flat and called the Reynolds in Ames, Iowa. They are coming to Scotland in March - sooner if possible. A mutual friend brought us together, and we have been their contact for what to bring and what to expect. We ended up talking almost two hours on magicJack.  

January 2, 2014 (Thursday)

We met Mark, the owner of the Dumbarton Road flat, to see how the remodeling was going. The flat is looking sooooo much better with paint throughout, laminated wood flooring in the living room and the hallway, and a makeover to the bathroom. The kitchen got new dishes but the refrigerator/freezer and stove need upgrading (which isn't going to happen). At our suggestion to upgrade the refrigerator/freezer, Mark pointed to the name, "Whirlpool," on the refrigerator/freezer as if to prove the old unit, and quite small refrigerator, did not need to be replaced. Our point is that a new unit would be more functional and, probably, more efficient. Moving may still be an option for the Clydebank Elders.

We joined the Sister Missionaries for dinner at Janette's home. She recently updated her kitchen with IKEA cabinets, etc. It’s a darling kitchen. If you go to IKEA and note the size of the kitchens they use as a model for an apartment, that’s similar to what Janette did with her kitchen. 

The meal was great; and since she and her brother, Sandy, have been around a long time and know a lot of the Glasgow church history, we learned a lot about the church in the area .

After dinner we took the Sisters to an appointment in the Drumchapel area. They were going to take the bus. However, the appointment was at 7 PM, and they were already late. We don't know what they were thinking as it took us 20 minutes to drive to the area, and we can't believe that taking the bus plus walking would get them there any sooner. Crazy what these young missionaries are thinking sometimes.

January 3, 2014 (Friday)

Old photo at Central Station of an old engine

We had a doctor appointment in City Center at BUPA, so we could have some prescriptions refilled. The appointment was set up by our Aetna contact in Great Britain ("GB"). We took the bus to town and found the BUPA clinic. 

After the appointment, we walked to Central Station where there was a Boots Pharmacy, so that we could get our prescriptions filled. Unfortunately, they didn't have our prescriptions in stock, so they couldn't fill them all. Thus, we will pick them up tomorrow.

Large Christmas Tree

Lost of trains

Interesting Building

 Central Station was soooooooo interesting. There was a lot of activity and lots to see.

People coming and going...

Mosaic picture

Glass Ceiling

Lots of bikes parked at the station

Platforms 9 and 10. We didn't see Platform 9 and 3/4!!!

We hurried home to our flat, because the letting agent brought in a carpet cleaner to see if by cleaning the carpet it might get rid of the stench (that we thought was tied to the carpet being soaked in the "flood"). He cleaned the living room carpet, but the order persisted. 

We had another contractor speculate that there was water collecting in the washing machine, which is stagnate. That may be, but it just doesn't compute in our minds.

January 4, 2013 (Saturday)

Today we had Zone interviews and Zone Training. This is a time when President Brown comes into the area and interviews all the young missionaries while the Zone Leaders plan training. 

Sister Brown accompanied her husband and gave a presentation. She quoted John 13:4-7 (this is where Jesus washed the feet of the Apostles.) He, who is greatest amongst them, served them.

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/nt/john/13?lang=eng

Sister Brown encouraged us to serve our companions, to serve one another, and to show kindness to our companions. We need to be unified and have more love for them. 

They talked about setting goals. See Preach My Gospel, page 146. 

https://www.lds.org/manual/preach-my-gospel-a-guide-to-missionary-service/how-do-i-use-time-wisely?lang=eng

The whole meeting was wonderful. It was a good experience.

After the meeting Elders Farnsworth and Carter asked us to go with them to Helen’s flat to meet with her.

After the appointment we dropped the missionaries off at their flat and went into town to pick up the rest of our prescriptions. Sister Browning was dropped off while Elder Browning drove around. Somehow it all worked out and, lo and behold, we luckily connected with each other. (We only have one phone, so there was no way to call each other...)

We then drove out to the Clydebank flat to check out the progress of the remodel and to deal with the wet towels used to defrost the refrigerator/freezer.

Sure do luv ya,

Cheerio the nou!