S.E.M. Podcast - Scotland, Edinburgh Mission

Joe McLean served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from January of 2006 through January of 2008. Joe comes on and talks about some incredible mission experiences, including fainting multiple times during medical procedures, eating too spicy Indian food, and bookending his mission in the same ward in Irvine. He loved his companions and all those that he taught. Joe also shares about how his missi...

Jade McGowan served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from December of 2003 through July of 2005. She is joined in this episode by her trainer, Catherine McConkie Larson, and they share some of their fondest memories of serving together. Jade shares about her challenges in the mission, including always feeling cold. She talks about times where they were held against their will, narrowly avoiding...

Andrew Bonin served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from June of 2008 through June of 2010. Andrew was thrilled to learn that he was called to Scotland, as it checked all his wishlist items. As a particularly picky eater growing up, Andrew had a good number of fun food stories to share with us. Andrew was in the mission during the transition from President and Sister Fredrick to President and S...

Brock Wilke served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from July of 2004 through July of 2006. Brock comes on and shares about his experiences with his incredible companion group. He talks about visiting the town of Campbeltown, and likely being one of the only missionaries to ever visit this area of Scotland. Brock also shares his experiences fights wasps with a fly swatter, waking up at 2:00 am t...

Michael Chambers served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from December of 2005 through December of 2007. Michael, also know by many as "Phil", shares some of his favorite memories of the mission, including exploring castles on non P-Day, as well as convincing alcohol shops to close their doors. He also talks about the times he found the spirit was guiding him to the things he needed to do or whe...

It has been nearly one year since Jack Bryce & Zack Hewlett came up with the idea of what is now the S.E.M. podcast. In this episode, Jack & Zack reflect back on where this year has taken us. The joy discovered through having conversations with incredible people that we served along with in Scotland, as well as those before and after our times there, has been amazing! Since our first publi...

Richard McConkie served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from June of 2005 through June of 2007. He comes on and shares about his experiences and the people from all the areas he served in Scotland. Richard gives his thoughts about Hammer Time and how he saw the true transition of the S.E.M. He loved serving in Scotland and all the good that happened during his time in the mission. Richard curre...

Matt Fisler served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from January of 2007 through December 31st 2008, which he shares about. Matt comes on and talks about his experiences as the mission shifted in the Fredrick's leadership. He talk about endless adventures in Inverness, then losing his hair due to stress in Glasgow, and a few times where death was at the doors. Matt also shares an incredible pers...

Anthony Stoddard served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from July of 2006 through July of 2008. Early in his mission he speaks about struggles with working at a slower pace and he considered going home. However, Anthony saw the mission through and loved his 5 areas in the central and southern zones of Scotland. His most unique experiences were finding a "Platinum Investigator" and proving himse...

Lauren Sammis served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from February of 2004 through July of 2005. She shares the incredible relationships she built with her companions. Lauren talks about telling her trainer that she would serve in the Orkney Islands, and how that came true, along with discussing all the moments where she has seen the Lord guide her through her life.   Lauren currently lives in...

Richard Dunn served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from October of 2002 through October of 2004. He comes on and shares the love he has for the time serving in Scotland, along with the impact it has had on his life to this point.    Richard currently lives in Sandy, Utah, with his wife and their 4 children.   Recorded November 15, 2022

Lizzy Kenny & Merron Roberts served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from February of 2005 through September of 2006. They both entered the MTC in Preston, England, at the same time and they enjoyed amazing experiences in Scotland during exact parallel timelines. Merron & Lizzy share incredible stories from their missions, including digging up dead dogs (almost), getting stuck in a chimn...

Alek Gilmore served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from June of 2002 through June of 2004. He shares about his unique experience of deciding to serve a mission. Alek talks about his amazing companions, the areas he serve in, and the incredible people he enjoyed being around in the mission. He also shares some fun memories, including punching his greenie in the face and pranking President Vrien...

Brady Hess served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from December of 2005 through December of 2007. Brady comes on and shares his areas and the amazing lineup of companions. He served in areas throughout Scotland, but spent a majority of his mission in the two wards in Dundee! Brady loved his experiences and is so grateful for all those that contributed to his mission! Brady currently lives in St...

Jonathan Dippold served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from June fo 2005 through June of 2007. He shares with us his incredible full circle experiences that brought him to Scotland, amidst stops at the United States Air Force Academy and moving to many places growing up. Jonathan was an integral contributor in the transition from President & Sister Vriens leaving the mission, to President...

Tobias Halford served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from August of 2006 through August of 2008. He shares with us all about his companions and how much he learned from each of them. Tobias shares about how much he enjoys the proximity of his mission has been since being home and being able to run into familiar faces often.  Tobias currently lives in Billingham, near Middlesbrough, in England,...

Dan Nay served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from March of 2006 through March of 2008. He comes on and shares his favorite memories of serving with great companions and in areas from top to bottom of Scotland. He even negotiated extra driving miles in one area because the bus route conveniently had a stop in England. Dan loved his time in Scotland! Dan currently lives in Spanish Fork, Utah, w...

Spencer Hagger served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from December of 2002 through December of 2004. During his time in Scotland, Spencer loved the people he served with all his heart. He recalls many wonderful people's names and shares his memories of those that meant so much to him whilst serving. Spencer was very excited to serve the people of Scotland and we are grateful for the great reca...

Glen Parmenter served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from February of 2004 through February of 2006. He comes on and has a one-on-one conversation with Jack Bryce, whom was part of Glen's MTC group and they were companions for the last 5 months of their time together in Scotland. Glen recollects his experiences serving the people in Shetland and throughout mainland Scotland, but most important...

Chris Harlow served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from January of 2006 through January of 2008. He shares all about his decision to serve and the unique nature of his trainer (Dan Conway). Chris, Alberto, and Zack talk a great deal about our time serving together in Aberdeen. He shares all about his amazing companions and their incredible and special circumstances, especially whitewashing are...

Justin Wong served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from August of 2006 through August of 2008. Originally called as an English speaking missionary, Justin learned very quickly that his unique experience in Scotland would be shaped by his heritage and his ability to speak Mandarin Chinese. Justin served his entire 2 years in Edinburgh, focussed on meeting and teaching the people there who were i...

Nuno Candido served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from June of 2002 through June of 2004. He comes on and shares his experiences about serving from the top (Thurso) to the bottom (Dumfries) of Scotland. Nuno loves his mission, his companions, and the people of Scotland that he served. He talks about overcoming shyness from not knowing English (or Scottish) and finding his best ways to find jo...

Chad Baucom served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from June of 2007 through June of 2009. During his time in Scotland, the mission underwent an extreme makeover and the adoption of member-missionary work was in full affect. Chad shares how he learned to love the people and to boldly ask them to make and keep commitments. He shares his favorite memories of the people who were great influences a...

Derek Cooley served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from January of 2002 through January of 2004. He came on and shared about how much he loved his mission, including the great companions that taught him to work hard and enjoy the work along the way. Derek also talks about his unique experiences, including walking a stranger's dog and his companions running from door-to-door. Most of all, he lo...

Cameron Loggenberg served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from January 2005 through January of 2007. He served in areas throughout the mission and his love of his companions and the people of each area he was in. Cameron shares his fondest memories, both humorous and spiritual. He loves that his mission is so close so that he can see those he served around often. Cameron now lives in Groomsport...