Why can’t every day be like this?

Woke up refreshed and ready for the day. Especially since it was our day to enjoy the ministry with a local Pollokshaws congregation. So since we were working with the locals, we dressed like the locals:

Yes - this is our official Scottish outfit, and the friends LOVED it. In fact, one of the local friends thought I was a local sister - fooled them. Maybe they will let us stay!

We met our travel group in the hotel lobby and then walked a few blocks to catch the train to the Kingdom Hall. Riding public transportation is always a highlight of our European experience - takes me back to my Chicago days - so efficient and it allowed us to get to know more of the friends while we moved. Not sure how soon we can get this going in Rocky Mount and Tarboro, but I’m all for it!

When we arrived at the Kingdom Hall, the friends were lined up to greet us. As we were walking through, random sisters just grabbed me and we hugged and kissed cheeks (some kissed both cheeks) and the tears started soon after. What an amazing reception.

 

The brothers got us all paired up for service and we were off for service. I worked with 3 sisters - one from Romania who is currently serving in Turkey and two local sisters. My partner just got baptized in March and she let me take most of the doors because she “liked the way I talked” - lol. She said I didn’t sound like I was from North Carolina so it made sense when I told her I grew up in Chicago. And she hates taking pictures so we had to do something distracting for this one:

Back at the Kingdom Hall, we had lunch and then the local congregation put on a little show for us. There were interviews of some of the local friends. They shared stories of how they came into the truth and some interesting stories about the area. Here’s one: The year was 1942. Sister Kilgore’s mother was contacted in the door-to-door ministry by a sister with a gramophone. Her mom said she was not interested. The sister thanked her for her time and said that she was finished for the day and the gramophone was heavy. So she asked the householder if she could leave it with her and pick it up in the morning. When her dad and sister returned home, curiosity got the best of them, they listened to the message, and her started studying soon thereafter.

Did you know? The first information march (with the walking placards) was in Glasgow (pronounced Glas-go). The sister interviewed said that she really didn’t want to do it. So when she got her boards, she quickly maneuvered herself to be at the rear of the line. But when the group turned around, guess who was in the front!

Then there was a fun game show about the funny way people in Scotland talk. And the grand finale was music - a small band of brothers and a special medley of 12 different nationalities represented in the congregation. 

And so many sweet treats

  

The local drink of choice (pronounced Iron Brew) looked like Fanta and tasted like cream soda.

Cutest little napkin with a colorful map of Scotland sights