Friday's Flashback: To Scotland we go!

To be more specific, we went far enough into Scotland to be able to say we've been to Scotland, but not too much more than that.  When planning our trip we had to save some places for another time, and the depths and beauties of Scotland were those places.  But KJ had one stop he really wanted to make, and since it wasn't too far over the border, and we were in the north of England, we were able to make it.

We drove up to the town of Torthorwald and were directed by an elderly gentleman in the direction of the kirk where missionary John G. Paton attended.  If you like reading adventure stories and hearing about the mighty works of God in a manner akin to the Old Testament, you would be remiss not to read his autobiography.  I read myself hoarse once reading it aloud to KJ while we drove home from Louisville once.  I just couldn't stop reading!

It was bitter cold, and the rain came and went during our visit.  These signs were on the front gates.

 This was a really special stop for KJ. 

 I've said it before, and I'll say it again:  the UK has the BEST GRASS EVER.  I really think it's the abundant rain.

We had never seen tombstones so big.  Since then we watched a movie that showed equally big tombstones in Scotland, so maybe it's a Scottish thing?

The church was locked, and after walking around and fearing we wouldn't be able to find the Paton family grave amongst all the others, we finally came upon it.  He is buried in Melbourne, but most of the members of his family are here.  His was a very godly family, and we thanked God for them that day.

Here's a link to Paton's autobiography.  You might enjoy reading about a man with the courage to take the gospel to an island of cannibals.