Scrabo Tower, was erected in 1857 and is visible from many miles away. It is replica of one of the many Scottish watch-towers. On the top stood a great cairn of stones surrounded by an earth and stone rampart, which would appear to have been the dwelling place of some long forgotten chieftain of the Ards. As they shoveled through the stone, they found what would appear to be his burial chamber - with cinerary urns, charred bones and an Irish-Danish coin dated about the 12th century. The Tower was built by local people as a monument to Charles William Stewart, 3rd Marquess of Londonderry. The marquis was a local landowner and nobleman with a distinguished military and diplomatic career.
Kababtized - It's a tradition in this mission to be "kababtized." What this means is that the "more seasoned" missionaries will take the "greener" missionaries to a Kabab shop/take away restaurant and kababtise them by having them try one for the first time. This happened to us this week. The sister missionaries took us to Pharaoh's, a local Kabab shop and . . . long story short. We're hooked! Loved them so much we went back the next day, and then again three days after that. They are GREAT! Peta type bread stuffed with savory chicken, beef, shrimp, cabbage, and Kabab sauce. Yum!
Pinch Me! On the way home from one of our ventures, we went home the long way (my companion selects these routes by randomly ignoring the GPS) we went round about on winding, hilly, narrow country roads. The sun was at such an angle that it made these lush green fields appear to glow. It is so green here and the color of green is just indescribable. Once again I just really needed to be pinched. Are we really here? Even after 5 months I'm still amazed that we're actually in this amazing country with a most incredible people! It's so dreamlike at times. It's so beautiful now, we can't even imagine how it will be in the spring when the trees leaf out and the flowers are in full bloom!
I was blessed to bear my testimony five days in a row! First to a Muslim man about Jesus Christ being more than a prophet, he is the Son of God and our Redeemer. Then about the Prophet Joseph Smith being a true prophet. Then to two cousins (one is very studious and serious about searching out the church). I bore testimony to them about the Book of Mormon and my conversion to the Church. Then we went to the baptism of two ladies in their late 20's/early 30's. While we were waiting for these ladies to change clothes after they were baptized, a member of the bishopric got up and bore his testimony and then opened it up to anybody in the congregation who wanted to to bear theirs as well. Elder Blick nudged me . . . A few minutes later I found myself up at the pulpit bearing my testimony yet again. Sunday was Fast &Testimony Meeting. We headed up to the town of Londonderry to meet with the wonderful people up there. I bore my testimony to the sweet sisters in Relief Society about the truthfulness of the Gospel and importance of missionary work. Now you might be thinking, yeah Sister B. but isn't that what missionaries are suppose to do? Well, yes this is true, but we spend most of our our time with members; we don't proselyte much. So this has been a big deal for me. :o) When I went out "finding" with the sisters, we knocked on a door and chatted with this cute little Scottish lady. After we talked to her for awhile we introduced ourselves and she asked me where I was from, then added that I had "a strong accent." I've been having fun trying to figure out what she meant. Texas? Utah? California? Heber City?
We look forward to the end of every day when our phone signals to us that there have been some "success stories" that have taken place during the day. The missionaries phone in exciting news of new investigators, or baptisms or experiences that happened during the day. It's quite inspiring to listen to their enthusiasm with the work they are doing. They are "brilliant!"
I'm totally convinced that right here on the waters around this beautiful island is where Pirate lingo came from - Over here we've got your "Aye," "mate," "ach . . ."
We love you all.
Keep well,
Sister Blick
xxxxx
What about ya? How are you doing?
You're doin' my head in! You're annoying me!
slag - someone who teases, who winds you up
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