Visitors and more wt anderings . . .

Millennial clock - every part moves as it starts
from the bottom layer and works its way up.

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Matt & Jennifer in Scotland - Note Edinburgh Castle in the background

My son and daughter-in-law were my NO. 3 company from the states. First Julia & Brad (granddaughter & husband) then my daughter, Lorre, Matt & Jennifer, and coming in June, my son Andy, his wife Heather & the three grandchildren; Max, Jocey & Alayna. I've been so blessed to have family visit. Fun times were had by all. While Matt & Jennifer were in Scotland they enjoyed the Highlands with hiking and exploring the Isle of Sky. We spent hours on a cold, rainy day touring the Edinburgh Zoo and many hours at the National Museum of Scotland. My favorite at the zoo was the panda bear and at the museum, the Millennial clock.

The following pictures are of a small village named Culross about an hour from Edinburgh. Its claim to fame is that it was where Christianity was first formed in Scotland. We found a photographer there who is just a delight and my companion and I both bought 6 of his framed photos of places in Scotland that we have been to. There is a small Castle there, but unfortunately, it was closed.

The first yellow castle we've seen. I had to wonder if that was the original color.

                                             

Photographer's studio - lovely old building

Well, things are going great with my mission.  New arrivals every 6-8 weeks seem to roll around very quickly. We had 7 missionaries return home and 9 arrivals this time. Our mission has had 37 baptisms thus far in March. Our current mission president and wife will be released in July--that will be a sad time for all of us. They are loved by all and the interaction between the young missionaries and President Donaldson is so special. He truly loves each one of them and takes such good care of them. But like a parent, if discipline is needed they get it, but in a loving way. My companion will leave in September and my release date is November 8. I already know who my new companion will be for about two months. Seems very odd and sad to think I'm getting that close to my release date. I just love Scotland and especially love the views of rooftops throughout the country. They all have a very "Mary Poppins"
look with the chimneys, turrets, and unusual architecture. Pictures could

never capture the true beauty.

We hiked up the trail to see Bauar Falls

                                                                                                        

This was a very simple hike compared to some we have done, the Lord has blessed me with such good health since I've been here and I'm able to keep up with my companion who is 20 years younger than me. I don't know if I ever mentioned the Pux Glenn hike--boy that was a dilly! Straight up from the beginning and muddy so you can imagine what it was like coming down. I'm telling you those "clunky missionary shoes" have served me well. They have better grips than my boots and sneakers.

We are beginning to see signs of spring here in Scotland. Trees are starting to bud and temperatures have changed enough that I'm thinking about getting a lighter jacket. I remember last spring and summer I could wear a sweater most days, even at the mission home. We have lots of places to wander as the weather gets warmer, especially the Highlands. We already have a tour booked for April to go to the Isle of Sky. So, friends and family that's it for now. Love to all, Sister Gifford

NOTE:  Well hi there mom--how you doing? I was thinking about you while I was eating a real meat, vegetable & potato pastie for supper. You can buy them everywhere here and they are so good! Do you and Kay still get one every once in a while? I sure had a good time with Matt & Jennifer while they were here in Scotland. I think they really enjoyed their trip and sure did pack a lot into the days they had here. Did I tell you that Julia and Holly are both expecting and both having boys. That will make me 8 great-grandchildren. I will have lots of visiting to do when I return from my mission so I can catch up on the lives of all my grandchildren and great-grandchildren. It's hard to believe that Easter is this Sunday--our church General Conference is also on Easter so it will be a full-day. I think we'll get together with some of the senior missionaries for dinner. I hope to make potato salad, but that's not a big favorite in Scotland so I may do something else.
I sure hope you are feeling good and are in good spirits (although I can't imagine you not being in good spirits). Stay Happy--I love you!

Hi Jocey:  I'm dedicating this blog to you in honor of your birthday! It sounds like you had a wonderful time. I like the idea of the escape room party. I saw the picture of you and Max with the spelling bee awards--that's awesome. I'm so glad you enjoy so many different things (including cooking). I know you don't ever sit around wondering what you can do :-). My life is very busy too and I love that part of serving a mission. I also never have to wonder what I'm going to do next. I think you would really enjoy drawing some of the architectural ruins I see--the castles and monasteries are just phenomenal. To see parts of structures that date back to the 1200's and many even earlier is just very exciting. I hope you like my blogs. I sure miss you and think of you all often, Love grams

Scotland Snow . . . and more wanderings!

A beautiful fluffy 6" of snow covered Edinburgh today and shut the city down. City transit, schools, businesses, Parliament, everything except for the baptism tonight. Two young adults were baptized and it was very special. The turn out was huge, especially for a blustery, winter night. What a joy it is to attend so many baptisms, part of our mission statement is "that we are a baptizing mission." I've been here 10 months and there have only been 2 weeks where there were no baptisms--that's pretty extraordinary. Almost always two in a week, and as many as five in one night. We have eight full-time missionaries in Edinburgh and 8 Senior missionaries. The Scotland/Ireland Mission has 175 missionaries total. We just got two new missionaries this past week; one from China and one from Utah. Another new senior couple just joined us & they will be serving in Glasgow as Young Single Adult missionaries helping to plan and carry out programs for the young singles. Of course, my job was to find them a place to live in Glasgow. So here's how it went--President Donaldson says, sister Gifford I need you to start looking for housing in Glasgow area for a senior couple but don't make any commitments because we are still not sure where they will be located. So I go online, talk to letting agents and start feeling the market. This is a Monday, so I find 4 places I feel are worth looking at (still can't make a commitment), send a senior missionary couple to Glasgow for the day on Wednesday to look at flats. 3 out of 4 are keepers, but one was a "10" out of 10. I speak with the letting agent and ask how soon we could get in and offer them 6 months rent in advance if they can speed the process up. O course I still haven't gotten the final word from President Donaldson. On Friday I get the go-ahead and Friday night the landlord agreed to our offer. Tuesday they moved into a beautiful, completely furnished flat! I see no way any of this works without the Lord's help. I do this all the time and I'm amazed that people sometimes let missionaries move in before the money is even transferred into their accounts. So that's just a little snippet of how exciting my days are. I hope it didn't bore you 😊

It's the end of the week now and we have had 12" of snow. The city does not have the resources to clear the snow except for the main streets and highways. It has been 3-years since the last significant snowfall. Our car has gotten around fairly well in the snow, but we had a flat tire that needed to be fixed. Fortunately, it went flat while in the mission parking lot. Also, our handy, dandy wash machine broke down this week. Our landlord told us to get it fixed or buy a new one and take it off the rent. Of course, we chose to buy a new one! But in the meantime .  . . so inconvenient to lug our laundry to the mission home.  Oh well, can't let those things interfere with the spirituality of our missions. Everyday is Christ-centered and that is a marvelous feeling. Sometimes it is hard to remember what I did with my time before my mission.

I'm having trouble importing my snow pictures, so they may have to be in the next blog. My best wishes to you all and lots of love.

NOTE: Hi mom--I know you love listening to my blog. I'm so glad you enjoy them. I know you have a great love for the Saviour that you depend on Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ for the strength to carry you on each day. During a song in sacrament meeting last Sunday I had the strongest feeling that I sure bare my testimony to you . . . so here goes. Mom, I want you to know that I know our Saviour lives and he is our advocate with the Father. Just like picking a telephone up and calling someone we can we can communicate with our Heavenly Father through the Saviour. I know how much we are loved by them and I'm so grateful for the atoning sacrifice made on our behalf by the Saviour. I know the Book of Mormon is true and is another testament of Jesus Christ to stand with the Bible. I know The Church of Jesus Christ was restored by the Prophet, Joseph Smith, and remains as the only true church on the face of the earth. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to serve a mission and to help teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I pray for you each night that you might have peace fill your heart and mind. I love you.

NOTE:  So, Hi Emily. How are you doing? just wanted to tell you how much you're loved and I think you are a top-notch mother! Avery is such a special little person. I hope he can serve a mission someday. I can picture him with his missionary badge preaching the Gospel in Scotland/Ireland. Yup, he'll say, just following in my great-grandma's footsteps. I'm so proud of your accomplishments and so very happy that you have chosen a career that provides such continual service to others. I hope you will someday be able to work toward your registered nursing degree--I know

you can do it when the time is right. Take care of yourself and stay joyful. grams

OK, everytime I drive by this guy I say "what?!!!"
He is at the end of the drive to enter the Modern Art Museum in Edinburgh.
What do you think about this artwork, Jocey??