Couple's Conference

Dear Friends and Family,

This month we had the opportunity to attend a couple's conference in Edinburgh. When we arrived we were told there was a surprise for that evening. We couldn't imagine what it could be. They did say we would be going to the Bridge Inn at Ratho. When everyone finally arrived, we were escorted through the restaurant in a circuitous route and then out the back door. We thought how strange. The hostess led us down two flights of steps to the banks of the Union Canal. There waiting for us was a large restaurant barge. We were  escorted on board and entered a lovely dinning room the length of the boat. What a surprise! We enjoyed a lovely evening on board visiting, dinning and cruising the canal. Sister Brown made all the arrangement and kept it a secret even from the office staff. She was so proud of herself.

This is Sister Wager and Sister Fergeson. They are part of the mission office staff. Sister Wager is responsible for apartments in the entire mission. Both of them came and stayed with us for a week in November and we took them to inspect all the apartments in our District. They are such neat ladies!

Gary and I, and Brent and Sandra Hale stayed the night at the mission home. It is a beautiful old mansion. We stayed in what was once the maid's room. Next to the ceiling was a bell, which at one time summoned the maid. The room also had its own stairway down to the kitchen. The Hales stayed in the Elder's dorm room. It has 4 sets of bunks 3 high. They use it for incoming and departing missionaries. There is a similar room for the Sisters.

The next morning we had our conference at the chapel next to the mission home. Gary and I were asked to give a 40 min presentation pertaining to senior missionaries. The best part is having an opportunity to visit with other couples and talk about needs, challenges and successes they've had. Here we are enjoying our   lunch between sessions.

 Sister Brown planned this lovely meal and is actually taking time to sit down and enjoy lunch with Brother and Sister May. The May's are serving in Tralee close the the Dingle Peninsula in the Limerick District. They are getting ready to leave for home in a couple of weeks.

This is a large formal dinning room in the mission home.

This is a rare moment for President Brown when he can relax and socialize. He seems to be enjoying himself.

This monument stands in front of the mission home. It has a well known 

statement on it, "What ere thou art, Act well thy part." This is the story behind it. 

President David O. McKay (1873–1970) often related an account that occurred while he was a missionary serving in Scotland. He was feeling homesick after being in the mission for just a short time and spent a few hours sightseeing at nearby Stirling Castle. When he and his companion returned from visiting the castle, they passed a building where the stone above the door had a carved inscription of a quotation, usually attributed to Shakespeare, that read, “What-E’er Thou Art, Act Well Thy Part.”

Recalling this experience, President McKay explained: “I said to myself, or the Spirit within me, ‘You are a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. More than that, you are here as a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. You accepted the responsibility as a representative of the Church.’ Then I thought [about] what we had done that forenoon. We had been sightseeing; we had gained historical instruction and information, it is true, and I was thrilled with it. … However, that was not missionary work. … I accepted the message given to me on that stone, and from that moment we tried to do our part as missionaries in Scotland.”¹ This message was so important and had such an impact on him that President McKay used it as inspiration for the rest of his life. He determined that whatever responsibility he had, he would do his very best.

With Our Love
Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma, Gary and Karen Weber