Thoughts and Wanderings . . .

Here are a few notes about Scotland:

• All desserts are referred to as "puddings." Took me a few times of refusing puddings to realize I was really missing out on dessert!
• Would you like to stay for tea, yes? Tea means supper or evening meal and almost all questions end with "yes." (most times tea is not even served)
• Everything is "a wee" bit of this or that (ie, a wee child, a wee walk, a wee car, etc.
• A "round-about" is where cars go around about in circles and fly off at different angles onto other roads. They are everywhere, even on the major highways. I will never understand them!!
• Why do the car GPS's have to have deep Scottish accents? LOL 
• When cooking with recipes we weigh everything rather than measuring. Everyone has a "food scales."
• The ovens are not in Fahrenheit, so we use charts to figure oven temps out. Hit and miss to say the least.
• Stove/oven, washing machine, and fridge/freezer are all considered "white goods."
• A cow is a "coo."
• A YIELD sign reads: "Give away"
• Leaving each town/village a sign will say: "Haste ye Back"

Good news in the missionary service--our investigator that we've been helping teach, Nicky, is going to be baptized after all. She said her life wasn't as happy and satisfying when she stopped coming to church and meeting with missionaries. She is set for October. We attended a very sweet baptism last evening, a young Chinese girl. I think I mentioned that we have a large number of Chinese members in our ward and they have a Sunday School in their language. The Chinese population in Edinburgh is very large, partly due to the UNI here (Universty of Edinburgh - a very international school)

The mission office is very busy--I don't have the most important job (all important), but I'm probably the most consistently busy out of all the staff. I'm the Housing Coordinator (probably mentioned this before), so I am either opening new flats or closing down flats that we are no longer going to use. I handle all of the utilities for these flats, sometimes even semi-furnishing them. I love the housing part of my position although at transfer time (every 6 weeks) when the mission president tells me he needs 5 new flats ASAP I panic a little. Then I remember that the Lord is at the helm of this mission I serve in and things will get done. It's pretty amazing that I can find a place, have the closest missionaries go view it and get the contract signed and returned in a matter of a few days. I'm thinking of going into the real estate market when I return home LOL. 

Today I taught the 14-16-year-old Sunday School class at church. We talked about the Blessings from Heaven and how we block them from raining down on us by putting up an umbrella. The analogy was "what are the umbrellas we have in our lives that keep the blessings from raining down on us?" My visual aid was a black umbrella up with things taped all over it that might keep the blessings of our Heavenly Father from raining down on us.

Wanderings: Saturday we left early for a 1 1/2 hr. drive to St. Andrews. For the non-golfers, that is where golf originated in the 1800's. The original course is still played on and I don't think it was my imagination that there was a feel about the grounds. OK, I'll admit it, we snuck unto the grounds at the point of the famous old bridge (always shown on tv during major tournaments) so we could take a picture of each of us on the bridge! Eat your hearts out all you golfers!! And I won't say what I bought or who for . . . but I did visit the official golf pro shop for a few purchases. We also visited the ruins of St. Andrews Cathedral which dates back to 757 AD. It was amazing. Hope my pictures post nicely. We were told that the best fish & chips in all of Scotland were to be found in St. Andrews at a restaurant called the "The Tail End." So we tried it--maybe 2nd best!

NOTE: Hello mom, how's it going with you? I hope you're doing fine and enjoying life. I also hope you don't pick up a cold as the weather starts to change. I know you usually get one humdinger every year. I don't think it is fair that we should get a cold or "bug" when we get older--do you?! I have really been busy and haven't had the chance to blog as much as I would like. Last Saturday all the senior missionaries got together and the women made candy. Actually, one of the couples showed us how to make their recipe for toffee. Reminded me of when we used to get together with you and make the hard rock candy. So yummy. Probably nobody makes it anymore. I know I haven't make it in over 20 years. The weather is starting to change here. The trees do turn and the days are getting shorter. I bought some winter boots and a heavier coat last weekend. I'm set for whatever comes my way. Give mom a giant hug for me Kay, and mom you might as well give Kay a big hug for me!! Love you bunches.

NOTE:  Hello Maxton! how are you doing? Your grandma misses you a whole bunch. I wanted you to know how handsome you looked in the picture with your dad and sisters. I loved that shirt and tie. Hope it still fits you when I come home from my mission so I can see you in it.  So, how is the soccer doing? Are you playing any particular position? Or do they move you around for the experience? What kinds of things are you studying in school this year? I'll bet if you have a science class that it is probably your favorite. I know how you like to explore with nature stuff and do experiments! I can't wait for you to come to Scotland. You will love exploring the old castle ruins and finding out the history of each of them. They all have wonderful stories about them. I've seen 10 or more castles and have many more to go. So be safe and send me a note in the mail when you have time. Love you a whole bunch, grams.

and more wanderings . . . .

Grayfriar's Bobby's gravesite

Yes the author of Harry Potter books really did write her stories here.

"Bobby"

Now here is a picture of the "Elephant House"

where the author of the Harry Potter books wrote much 

of the book's contents.

                a character from Harry Potter books

The pub behind the dog is called Greyfriar's Bobby. The dog statue is in honor of Greyfriar's dog "Bobby" there is a story behind the pub & dog, but first let me tell you that if you rub Bobby's nose you will receive all the luck you need! The story is that when Greyfriar died the dog laid on his grave every day for 14 yrs and died there. There are children's books about it. It's a true story and here is a picture of Bobby's grave. There is a church with a really old cemetary right next to the pub and Bobby is buried there. This is right in Edinburgh and many people stop by every day to get their share of good luck by rubbing his nose. The other amazing story about the cemetary is that some of the characters in the Harry Potter books were named after people's names on the really old headstones. I'll try to post a couple of pictures.

Sorry my pictures are all over the blog. . . pictures & blog not working too well together tonight. Hopefully you can match pics to the stories.

Today we visited Linlithgow Palace today which is the oldest palace ruins in Scotland. It was the summer palace and vacation place for Mary Queen of Scots. Very well preserved--pictures below. This was about 45 min. from Edinburgh. We climbed many steep winding staircases and we were happy for the exercise (too much office sitting time). The grounds were beautiful and provided a place for people to picnic and even take boats out on the lake behind the palace. We also saw Linlithgow Chapel (pictures posted). Built in the 1600's.

One of the highlights of our weekend was Friday evening when we helped teach an investigator who only speaks French. So we hooked him up through Skype with two of our French speaking missionaries and they taught most of the lesson to him. Couldn't understand a word they were saying, but it was still a spiritual experience.                                                 Thanks to all those who have sent letters--I've loved them. Goodbye for now, Sister Gifford

Old Cemetary
 how many Harry Potter names were born here?

Linlithgow Palace--and yes, we climbed all the way to the top! 

Add caption

Mary Queen of Scots

Linlithgow Palace courtyard 

NOTE: Hi mom--what's up with you? I hope you are enjoying life. Do you still listen to your books on tape? When my companion and I travel we listen to books in the car. We are starting to see wee touches of fall here--some of the trees are starting to turn, the temperature has dropped a few degrees, and the heat has come on in our flat. Today I was checking out the winter coats and boots in the store here--guess I will have to get used to my first cold winter in such a long time! I don't mind the cold weather, its the long-dark days I dread the most. It will be dark when I get to the office and dark when I leave. That's no fun!! Love you a whole bunch--consider yourself hugged.

NOTE: Hi there Rylee Jane--how are you my little sweetheart? I suppose you are in school now for at least a week or two and your life has become very busy. Are you doing any sports? I loved your first day of school picture. You and Michael both look so grown-up. What grade are you in now? I should remember, but you know how it is when you get older--the memory doesn't always perform like it should LOL! I'm sure you don't have that problem. My mission is going very well, and it's hard to believe that I have been in Scotland almost 5 months. My plan is to visit all my grandchildren when my mission ends, I'm going to stay a week with each family whether they want me or not LOL! I'll work my way from New York down to my home in North Carolina, visiting one set of grandkids after another. That includes great-grandchildren too. I sure hope you have a great school year. Write me a letter if you have time. Michael too. Love you lots. gramma G

Oh my aching back & MORE WANDERINGS:

Thursday night I woke up in the night not feeling so good--Friday morning I had the ache in my back they said to me, "oh no, another kidney stone!" I didn't say anything to my companion, just got ready and went to the office. I had several prayers asking Heavenly Father to lift this pain and let the whole thing go away. After each prayer, I was able to be pain-free and continue my duties. For hours this worked and then all of a sudden I was in too much pain and very upset to my stomach. I told my companion what was going on and that I was going to request a priesthood blessing from the AP's (assistants to the President). What happened next is the only reason I'm sharing this "kidney stone mumble jumble." The  AP's Elder Gibb & Peacock live at the mission home, so they were right there when I needed them. They are both just 19-year-olds, but already such fine young men. They gave me the most beautiful blessing. In it, they said the pain would subside and I would be able to continue to do the Lord's work. As they laid their hands upon my head I just felt the warmth spread through my whole body. The pain was gone and I continued to work a busy day in the office. Right at the end of the day, the pain & nausea came back with a vengeance and I went home crawled into bed and slept until I passed the stone at 9 pm. The next morning I was just fine so we did a little wandering. I just wanted to share that story so everyone could benefit from the story of my priesthood blessing.

First place we went was Craigmillar Castle. The castle is in Edinburgh and was one of my favorites.

For the first 250 years the castle served as a comfortable fortified residence for the Prestons, a prominent Edinburgh family in late medieval times.

CRAIGMILLAR CASTLE RUINS

Our 2nd wandering was to the Butterfly Garden-- so this is for my younger grandchildren and my great-grandchildren.

The Big Hungary Caterpillar

These are CACOONS

Branches with lots of CACOONS hanging from them

THE OWL BUTTERFLY

THE BLUE MORPHO

WHAT KIND OF BUTTERFLY IS THIS??!!

BIG OWL BUTTERFLIES EATING THEIR FRESH FRUIT 

NOTE: Hey mom how you doing? Don't let my kidney stone episode worry you. I've had enough of these darn things! That one probably won't be the last. We have been having a lot of fun visiting the castles--I love them all. My driving is coming along pretty good. I haven't had any fender-benders yet. The car we have right now sits very low and I can hardly see over the steering wheel. I got the nicest pictures of Zachary in his new room at college (Can you believe he is in college!?) Also a picture of Michael and Rylee Jane their first day of school. They are all such cuties and such nice kids. I love them to pieces. Hope things are well with you and I just want you to know that I think you're pretty special! Love you lots, Sister Gifford

NOTE:  Hi Alayna--how are you doing? Congratulations on your great soccer season. Oh how I wish I could have seen your games. I have soccer fields across the street from my flat and I am going to go over and watch a game someday. I'm pretty amazed at how you have grown up. WOW! You are really a young woman now. By the time I get back to the US you will be almost in high school and almost 14 (I think). Life is very good here. I do miss everyone (especially on Sundays) but I try to just keep busy and not dwell on missing all of you. I'm very busy at the office. I love what I'm doing, which is mostly finding flats for missionaries to live in and closing flats where they are moving out and no new ones will be moving in. It's kinda fun and the young missionaries have to help me by going to see the flats and let me know if they are o.k. So we sort of form a bond and that's pretty cool. They have never picked out a flat before so they get pretty excited about it. Our weather is like early fall and it rains a lot. I'm used to the rain now and used to my hair always being flat from wearing a hood up. Hope the family is doing well. Love you to the moon and back. Grams

A Wee Bit of Excitement & Wandering . . .

Now on to the TATOO . . . . Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2017
Started in the early 1950's the Tatoo is a spectacular show. Thousands of people attend every year from all over the world. The tickets have to be purchased months in advance. We attended with a large group of senior missionaries from Scotland & Ireland. It takes place in front of the Edinburgh Castle. I think one of the most exciting parts was just walking from our taxi to the castle. The streets lined with beautiful old buildings, a zillion people and ahead you could see the castle lit up by fire burning torches. What a sight to behold. The pictures I'll post just can't do the show justice. Military bands and performers from any country that had played a role in Scotland history. My favorite was all the bagpipes and the Highland dancers. We sat through almost 2 hours without rain and then right at the end--it poured!

It didn't stop the show, but by the time we walked to our taxi pickup we were all drenched!

Light shows displayed on the castle.

It's very interesting in Scotland--the cab system. Cabs and buses are the mode of transportation. They have cabs for up to 12 people and they really are not expensive. So you walk, cab & bus pretty much everywhere. But you do have to get to know the bus system, which I'm still working on. I tried out 3 buses the other day until I found the right one. Each one cost me 2 pounds. So that was an expensive bus ride. I just kept hopping on and off. LOL  We have such a great bunch of senior missionaries in Scotland & Ireland. Lots of fun to go places together.


NOTE: Hello Mom, how aare you? I don't know if you like bagpipes or not, but this a fantastic show.
When the show ended they had a solitary bagpiper play as they gradually turned down the lights that lit up the field where they performed. When he was done we were sitting in almost darkness and then the fireworks started right over the top of the castle. Wish you could have been there. I've been thinking about you this week and wondering how you are feeling. Hope you are happy and remembering to pray for me--you're in my prayers every day. Love and hugs to you.

NOTE: Hi Zachary, how are you? You are probably getting ready to head off to college--hard for me even to say that "heading off to college" WOW where have the years gone! Did you go on your big
expedition trip? How did it go? Hopefully, your mom can post some pictures. How was the weather and did you meet some new friends that will help to ease you into a new home away from home.
Today we got 16 new missionaries into our mission boundaries. They are usually 18, 19 & a few 20-year-olds. They are a little bit nervous and a little bit excited, but they are here to serve the Lord and each of them will grow up a lot while they serve their two-year missions. It was really fun meeting all of them. Most of them are away from home for the 1st time and suddenly they in a different county with a companion they have never met before. Much like you're going to be doing. I wish you all the luck in the world. Love you a whole bunch. Grams

mo

A Weekend of Spirituality & Wanderings

Was Scotland, Ireland and England all on my bucket list of things to do--well no, but as of yesterday I've traveled all three countries! Did I ever in my wildest dreams think it possible? No, not really!

Saturday our church ward took a bus to Preston, England to the temple and to see the pageant that is put on by the church. The bus was really nice and it was only a 3- hour trip.  The bus ride gave us time to get-to-know some of the ward members better. We can only go to the temple once on our mission and we choose this trip because it included the pageant. The pageant is called "Truth Will Prevail."  It is a musical about the Book of Mormon and the Church being introduced to the people of Preston England. Those people who joined the church and then journeyed to America at the request of the prophet, Joseph Smith, became the backbone of the church in America. 20,000 + eventually migrated to America from England at that time. Preston has an MTC (missionary training center). As missionaries, my companion and I were asked to take with us either an investigator or less-active member. We invited two sisters, but only one showed up--mine. A sweet person with a very heavy brogue and a startling personality!! That I won't go into, but I had a 3rd-degree migraine when I arrived home LOL Not really. She didn't come to church today, so I must have worn her out! The pageant was really good--open to the community, free of charge and an all volunteer cast & crew of around 700 members from as far away as Zimbaway Africa. Before the pageant, those that were able to attend the temple enjoyed so much the privilege of doing the Lord's work for a couple of hours in His house. I'm grateful to my daughter, Cobit, who keeps updated with family names to take to the temple for ordinance work. I personally knew one of the names this time--my father's Aunt Viola Donley. Thanks, Cobi for your dedicated genealogy research. Keep up the good work! That's me in front of the temple and that is the Angel Moroni on top! I'm in good company!

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. 

MORE WANDERINGS & FAMILY TIME

My granddaughter, Julia, her husband, Brad
& the Kelties

Hello Everyone,

What a fun weekend, Julia & Brad flew into Edinburgh on Friday the 23rd and took a taxi to the mission office. I was so excited all morning it was hard getting anything done! Our mission president, President Donaldson greeted them warmly and was surprised that my granddaughter was a grown-up! They met most of the office staff and then my companion dropped us off on the Royal Mile in Old Town Edinburgh and we walked and walked and walked. The Royal Mile is one street that extends from the Edinburgh Castle downhill to the Holywood Castle. The Holywood Castle is still used by the Queen of England and when she is there for a month every summer a special flag flies. I will post pictures. The Edinburgh Castle is a ruin. There are wonderful stores, restaurants, and gift shops. And there you find all the "cashmere" shops, truly one on every corner. We ended our excursion by going on a guided tour called "Mary's Close."  The word close refers to underground housing that was where the really poor in the 1800's lived. They are like caves where up to 12 people could be living in one small dugout type of room with rock walls--of course no plumbing or running water. Actually, the tour was a little scary, they had very real looking wax people who were suffering in all kinds of ways; the plague, influenza, etc. Not for the faint of heart. These "closes" were 3 & 4 high so we were way underground. When we finished I told them I would like to take them to one of my favorite restaurants, Zizzis, but I didn't know how to get there from where we were. Julia said, look grandma and pointed to a sign behind me that said Zizzis with an arrow--just happens that there are two Zizzis and one was just a few steps behind us. We took a taxi back to the B&B and then my companion picked me up.

Saturday we toured Kraigmiller Castle and went back to our favorite Castle, Greystone, so Julia & Brad could see it. We found the Keltie horses, which I have to research to find out their significance. They are really big and entirely made of metal. We finished the night off with a late dinner at our favorite Indian restaurant, Jajones. We drove through many Scotland villages and drove on many twisted, narrow roads. We gave our company a true look at Scotland's beauty. Sunday we went to church, then Julia & Brad took a bus to their B&B to change clothes so they could climb Pratt's Hill (or Arthur's Seat as the world knows it). Unfortunately, they got rained out and were soaking wet in 5 min. They changed again and came back to the mission office. We had a nice visit with the President's wife, Sister Donaldson and then came back to our flat for lunch. We then drove completely around Arthur's Seat (tallest spot in Scotland--a medium mountain), went to see another castle and then came back to the flat and played NERDS, a card game. Of course the next morning they were off on the train to London.

Thursday Sister Call & I are driving another new car to Ireland missionaries & will bring the old one back. We are heading to the Shetland Islands by car ferry. Shetland horses came from there. We will be gone 4 days and plan to stop at many castles and other gems on the way & back.  Senior couple missionaries who live on the island will be our tour guides.

NOTE: Hello mom! Been missing you and my siblings. Hope they are all doing well. How are you doing? Have you been going outside in the garden there? It's been fairly cool here and rainy as usual. I wear a light jacket almost every day. I have gotten used to the rain--you just live with it here. It's like hood up--hood down most all the time. Sure had a good time with Julia & Brad. Hope you are feeling well and are happy as usual. I've become quite fond of Scottish Shortbread cookies--bad habit I need to break!! Love you to the moon & back.

NOTE:  Hello Holly! I sure do love seeing the facebook postings of little Norah. What a cutie she is and boy does she look like her daddy. Are you back to work at COSTCO? Who takes care of Norah?
Send me a message on my blog I'd love to hear how you are all doing. Please say hi to your mom & grandma for me. Love you a whole bunch!

1st Christian settlement in Scotland.

     Witches Prison - now an art studio

Greystone Castle

Me and my handsome Dude!!

Scottish man folding his "kilt" - it takes 5 yards of tartan plaid.

Another Castle in Edinburgh - Kraigmiller