WANDERINGS to the Outer Hebrides

Well, we were supposed to take a car to missionaries in Ireland last weekend, but we ended up on the Isle of Lewis in Stornoway. We took the sister missionaries a new car and picked up their old one. This was another "pinch me this can't be real" experience. The Isle of Lewis is off the northern coast of Scotland and is the top island in a string of islands called the Outer Hebrides. We drove 3 hours to the car ferry and then 3 hours on the ferry to get there. We were supposed to meet the Markers (senior missionary couple) and the sister's Fisher & Hebbert when we got off the ferry--we were thinking "how's that going to work" when we saw them lined up on the sidewalk across from the ferry exit all waving wildly at us. Turns out the church building is just down the street right on the water. We toured the church, checked into hotel (very nice & actually had an elevator, which is rare in Scotland). Then we went shopping. I found cashmere sweaters at a good price, bought a Harris Tweed bag for my scriptures, and a hand-knit sweater. The Isle of Harris is the next island down from Lewis and that's where Harris Tweed is from. So you do get some good prices on trademark Harris Tweed, which is 100% wool, on the islands. Family may find "tweed" goodies in their surprise boxes :-). But here comes one of those "pinch me" experiences. That evening we went to a community entertainment night. Anyone can come and sing, play an instrument, do whatever. It's free and very well attended. Did I tell you they speak primarily Gaelic (pronounced ga lic like you're going to say garlic, but leave out the r. So I thought the Scottish accent was hard to understand . . . well this language is impossible. Fortunately, everything is in both English and Gaelic. Well, we lucked out it was a treasure of musicians and singers with tunes that kept your toes a tappin! Banjos, fiddles, guitars, everything you can think of. All older folks just there for the fun of entertaining others. One woman just danced all night by herself. I think she may have had a wee bit--if you know what I mean! It was so awesome. We were welcomed like we were old friends just dropping by. We even got hugs. The Marker's, missionaries & my companion, Sister Call, all sang Love One Another (I didn't sing & anyone that knows my voice knows why LOL! Elder Marker accompanied anyone that wanted him to on the keyboard. Very talented. I can't tell you everything we did in 2 1/2 days on the island, but I will share one more experience that touched my heart--we were driving the island when the Marker's pulled into a typical stucco old Scottish home and it was named the Blue Pig. Turns out they had met this woman at an island function and became good friends. Her name was Jane & she had a comfy home with a roaring fire--she hustled and put a kettle of herbal tea on (just for us) fussed over us like we were family and served a potpourri of sweet delights. She is an artist and her home is her studio and her work lined the walls. Outstanding work and I wished I had bought a painting. Customers came in and so did her family and Jane just dotted over all of us. What a special, very unique lady. Lots of what we saw on the island will be in the pictures I post.

The church in Stornoway is a small branch; on a good day, maybe 25 people attend. They have no youth and only 1 Primary child (a three yr old). I was impressed with the fact that they have a full Primary Presidency for that 1 child and they were planning their Primary program. That's what I call caring for the "one." Elder & Sister Marker play the piano for all the meetings, Elder Marker is in the Bishopric and Sister Marker in the Primary presidency. The Sisters Fisher & Hebbert taught Relief Society and talked in Sacrament. The four of them really participate in that small branch. My companion and I were asked to give a 5 min. talk, which we did. I'm getting used to being called on impromptu in different wards. Just part of being a missionary. Lucky for me I like to talk LOL.

NOTE: Well hello mom--how's it going there for you. As you can tell from my blog, I'm just a happy camper! My mission is going very well and I look forward to every day. Then I really look forward to bedtime every night! We walk everywhere and that is really good for me, but I can't make myself stay up past 9 pm. Did I tell you that it doesn't get dark here until way after 11 pm in the summer, so it is still very light out when I go to bed. In the winter it gets dark about 3 pm and stays dark until around 8 am. So I will be going to the office in the dark and coming home in the dark. I'll probably get used to it--maybe not!! Lot's of love to you--hope you are doing well. Miss you.

NOTE: Hi there Reese. I hope I haven't missed you. So you are in the Navy now!!?? That was a big surprise. Although I did remember you saying something about joining when you were at my farewell. I just didn't think you were serious. So I just want you to know how special I think you are and that you have such great potential. So I expect you to do great things in the Navy. Please continue to read my blog and drop me a text whenever you can. I don't want to lose touch with you. Love you a whole bunch, grams.

A big ram at Jane's house--look at those curly horns
that means he is old!

These are called "black houses" that have been preserved
 from the Viking Period. They were still being lived in
until 1964.

Sheep & more sheep all the Scottish land is covered with them
and they often stop traffic as they cross the street to new pastures.

These stones are very famous - called the Calanais, they date back to 2900 BC
There are fifty of them comprising a circle and there is a burial site in the middle.
Stones run east, west, south & north from the circle

These are remains of a Viking dwelling dating from the early
 1200's - remarkable that they are preserved to this extent.

Just a beautiful cove on the west side of the island - North Atlantic ocean
Beaches are not usually sandy like this one nor is the water usually this green/blue.

This is Heather growing in the highlands.

Last, but not least--this is where Donald Trump's mother lived until she was sixteen.