Better Late than Never?

Despite the wind, rain, and freezing weather,
Brother Jimmie Nicholson agreed to be the piper for
our videos.  He was ‘amazin’ as the Scots say.

I am a “wee” bit late this week as you can see! We were in Bonny Scotland Friday-Monday on a filming project, working long long hours. Sunday was a 15-hour day from the time we left our hotel at 7:20 am and returned at 10:30pm. There was no time to write and not very strong Internet to send. Although a “wee” bit wet, we have had a wonderful experience filming the beautiful Scottish people and their country. Ron has an itch to go north to the Highlands. You know what happens when he gets an itch . . .

We were fortunate to listen all weekend to people share testimonials of how Jesus Christ has helped them through difficult trials such as drug and alcohol addiction, depression, drug-addicted parents, as well as the peace they feel through the gospel of Jesus Christ. We met YSA’s who knew Elder Kevin Farnsworth when he was serving his mission . . .again, small world. On Sunday I was treated with a “wee” gift of a fresh single red rose and chocolate at church, as it was Mothering Day here in England. We arrived home exhausted last night physically, but our spirits were buoyed as we remembered how we felt as we heard story after story of faith and perseverance.

While in Scotland we were also tasked with gathering some historical records that faithful Scots had compiled about the history of their wards, stakes, and branches. We brought them back and delivered them to Elder and Sister Wills. Later today Jeannie came in to our office and said, “Do you know anyone who served a mission in Scotland in the 1960’s?” Indeed we did! Brian Barlow (for my WX friends). Together we looked through the scrapbook of past missionaries, and sure enough, there was Elder Barlow’s business card, which back in the day were cards with a picture of the temple, their names, mission address, and home address. There are also some photos of an Elder Barlow, but we’re not sure if it’s him. I’ll send them to Kathi to verify. It is just so fun to make those connections.

The smallest actual LDS chapel I have ever seen located in Galashiels, Scotland. The Galashiels Branch had a good Sunday last week, as there were 11 people in attendance including the two sister missionaries. There is just one family of 3 with a 4-year-old daughter, the only Primary aged child in the Branch. No youth. Branch President, one counselor, both single men. They are strong, strong Saints! Don’t we have it easy . . .

Here at home in England, our weather cleared up quickly after we were snowed in and we were back to typical rainy spring weather and a bit on the chilly side all week. We finally had our window sort of fixed on Wednesday night, so there isn’t a cold draft coming through anymore, but it is difficult now to open and close. We are told the window is coming off it’s hinges and now needs to be replaced. Fun fun.

We are fortunate to receive weekly emails from several missionaries serving here (cc’d on the letters they write home to friends and family). I tell you, I am once again reminded that adversity brings blessings. One word you would not use to describe the Birmingham mission president is ‘softy’. He believes in hard work, no matter the weather or sickness for the missionaries (or so it seems to me). Despite the snow 10 days ago with nearly the entire Midlands hunkered down inside, our missionaries were out knocking on doors and trying to find ways to serve. Bless their hearts! I was so touched by two different experiences that our sister missionaries had. If you have a minute, I think you will appreciate them.

First, from a sister who is a trainer, so they have a car:

“Once upon a time, England got some funny weather. If you haven't heard of storm Emma look it up! Stamford had been getting snow for about two days and the wind was really picking up so after an appointment, we decided to head home and do a little bit of work in Stamford instead of the villages we had planned. As we were driving home, our trusty SatNav kept trying to send us down some roads that Sister B. didn't really feel comfortable driving down. We were doing our best to try to reroute ourselves until we came to a fork in the road with a bad option and a slightly less bad option. We made it about 3 minutes down this farm road in the middle of nowhere with little to no vision because of drifting snow when we came across a car that was abandoned and at this point Sister Brown decided to turn around a try to go a different way. No here comes the fun part.... all the snow that drifted behind us meant we were stuck. S.T.U.C.K. Two rocky mountain girls from either side of the border found themselves in a pickle of sorts even though we tried just about everything we knew how to do to get out of a pile of snow, it just wasn't happening for us. Prayers were said for help, but after about 40 minutes of trying to push us out, I decided it was about time to call our mission president. He laughed a little and then told us that we were pretty unwise for going down that road. True. After making a few more phone calls for help, there didn't seem to be much hope. We were about to eat the raw bacon in the back seat of the car for survival and we were preparing a video for those who found us to know what happened to us. Yes, I do know that this is dramatic, but it was either laugh at the situation and be a little silly, or we probably would have just cried. We chose to laugh! So we were making our video, and I looked up and saw a bright light coming towards us..... It wasn't the light at the end of the tunnel . . ., but an actual light.... FROM A TRACTOR WITH A SNOWPLOW! God sent us a tractor, and another man in a truck that helped us get out and then proceeded to plough the road for us to get back to the main road. I know that God answers prayers!”

Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it." Enos 1:15

I just can’t help but think that sometime in the future lives of these two faithful sisters, they will go through a trial as we all do, and they will recall a time in their lives when God knew who they were, that they needed His help, and He was there to help them.

And second, from a Sister that some of you know and love:

“Friday was so long, and I was feeling cold and discouraged. We stopped by Iris and Jack, the sweetest older couple. They aren't able to make it out to church anymore, and they are pretty lonely. After sharing some Book of Mormon scriptures with them, Iris told us that the missionaries used to sing hymns with them. On cue, Jack got up and came back with a stack of old hymn books. Because of a stroke, he has difficulty talking, and he told us he can't sing anymore. But as we sang, Jack began to quietly sing along. In this moment I received such a sweet confirmation that I am exactly where I'm supposed to be right now. I saw the faces of Iris and Jack light up as we worshiped the Saviour with our shaky, out of tune voices. Jack shook our hands as we left, and for a brief second, I saw him smile a little. In that moment my heart just about burst.”

“By small and simple things are great things brought to pass.” Alma 37:6

For these two sisters, it’s the same. Another day when they are cold and discouraged, the sound of Jack singing the hymns in his shaky voice will ring in their minds, and they will remember why they chose to leave the comforts of their happy life to serve the Lord in a foreign land. And by sharing these stories with others like me, I am lifted and blessed also.

It occurs to me that the times when we are weathering storms, albeit rain and snow, thunder and lightning, or the storms of life that we face periodically, we are blessed by the experience. We would never ask for them, and usually pray that they will go away, and when they fix themselves, or when time heals the wounds, we are so grateful to have them behind us. Yet, at some point further down the road, something we have learned will pop randomly in our minds when we need it, and it will help us get through another tough storm. I think that is what is meant when we are told to be grateful for our trials.

Our thoughts are with the Stromness family this week, as our dear friend Richard will pass from this life any minute. He has fought a good fight. There are family members we are praying for, that the peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit will be ever with them. There are others as well that we are specifically remembering by name in our prayers. I know He hears and answers our prayers, and He knows each of us by name.

We are looking forward to Friday when Kevin and Amanda join us for three days!

We love and miss you all!

Ta,
Ron and Marie