Latest Blog from Glen and Jackie Meigs
The last 3 months have flown by! We have explored Scotland and met amazing people who are joining the Church here.
The visit in July from our son Evan and his wife Sydney has been a highlight for us. We spent nearly 2 weeks visiting some of the most beautiful places in Scotland. We went up to the Isle of Skye and hiked up to the top of The Old Man of Storr and the Needle of Quiraing, then the Fairy Glen all in the same day. We drove through Glen Coe Valley which had bright green meadows and hills everywhere you looked. We also took the "Harry Potter" steam train for Evan's birthday across the bridge used in the movie. We met an old friend we had not seen for 40+ years, Dallas Swensen, on the platform waiting for the same train to depart. (No, not Platform 9 3/4). So fun to meet up with someone across the world taking the same train! We went to Falkirk, Glasgow, Stirling, Edinburgh (4 times) and other stops and had a great time. We saw beautiful castles and palaces. In Glasgow Cathedral we heard the organ being played. it sounded incredible in the Cathedral. The man playing the organ started playing a melody from Come, Come, ye Saints, a very well know hymn of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Then he played the intro music to General Conference, then the intro music to Music and the Spoken Word. Turns out he is one of the organists for the Tabernacle choir Andrew Unsworth who was giving a concert later than night at the Cathedral. Awesome!
We went to see the world famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with other Senior Missionaries in August. Put it on your bucket list if you have never seen it. It was an amazing event.
In Scotland, the word "tattoo" refers to a ceremonial performance of military music and drill, most famously at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. This use of the word originates from the 17th-century Dutch phrase "doe den tap toe," or "turn off the taps," a signal for soldiers to return to their barracks and for inns to stop serving alcohol. The term evolved from this nightly call to a grand public display of military and cultural music and talent, especially among Scottish regiments.
The performance was wonderful with Pipe Bands, Military Bands, the Top Secret Drum Corps (our personal favorite) and dancers. Every year they build a stadium on the Edinburgh Castle grounds that seats 9,000 people.
The missionary work goes forward and is increasing rapidly. Last year the Scotland/Ireland Mission baptized over 200 people, double from the year before. This year we have already baptized 306, and the rate keeps increasing. We are likely to baptize over 400 this year. 400 of God's children who have come to Christ and changed their lives to follow Him. People are responding to the Gospel message in record numbers.
We recently heard about a man in our Zone who was studying to become a minister. When he met the missionaries and was given a Book of Mormon. He prayed, received an answer that knew it was true. He had to give up the ministry because he could not teach what he knew was not true. He wants to be baptized.
The Holy Ghost continues to be our close companion as Glen has given priesthood blessings under powerful spiritual promptings. Healing has occurred as God's will has been done on behalf of our missionaries.
We witnessed a double baptism last week of a young couple. The husband, Callum, was baptized first, confirmed at the water's edge, given the gift of the Holy Ghost, then received the Aaronic Priesthood, so he could baptize his wife Kayleigh. The Spirit was super strong!
Another baptism the next day was David who has significant physical impairment due to a stroke. He had a very difficult time getting down the stairs into the baptismal font. With assistance he finally made it but had to be baptized twice because his foot popped out of the water and he was not fully submerged. On the second try, he was successful and all the children who were sitting on the floor in the front started to applaud and cheer. It was a beautiful baptism and the Holy Ghost was evident.
We have been asked by President Randall and Sister Randall (Mission President and his wife), to head up the "My Plan" program with the Elders and Sisters that are returning home at the end of the transfer. The transfers are every 6 weeks, so we get the opportunity to work with a new set of Missionaries and help them transition to life back home. It includes making goals in several different areas of their lives, such as spiritual, education, and family goals. We have come to love these missionaries as we get to know them and help them through this program.
We have also been busy working on a "Savior of the World" devotional that will be performed in December. We're so excited to bring this wonderful, inspirational music to the Dundee Stake in Scotland.
People from all over the world are coming to Scotland and Ireland to live, go to school and work. Some come for asylum from war torn or oppressive countries, others come for an opportunity for a better life. In Ireland there is a Stake Patriarch that had given 118 patriarchal blessings in the 2 1/2 years since he's been called as Patriarch. He has declared 7 different tribes of Israel over that time. The gathering of Israel is real and is hastening.
Evan and Sydney at the Mallaig Harbor
Lunch with Evan and Sydney in Mallaig
We had the privilege to go with Evan, Sydney, President Randall and his wife, along with the outgoing missionaries to the Preston England Temple. Can anyone find Evan sleeping on the bus ride? Haha!
And yes! It was raining during our ferry tour.
Dunfermline Abbey Cemetery Evan and Sydney stand by the grave, inside Dunfermline Abbey of Evan's 20th Great Grandfather, King Robert the Bruce who was born in 1274 and died in 1329. He led Scotland during the First war of Scottish Independence against England and fought successfully during his reign to restore Scotland to an independent kingdom. He is regarded in Scotland as a
Dean's Village in Edinburgh
Military Tattoo Performance at Edinburgh Castle
At The Military Tattoo performance with our Senior Missionary friends
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