Hannah Macfarlane served in the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission from March of 2006 through September of 2007. Hannah shares about how she came to serve a mission and how one of her brothers played a nasty prank on her when she received her call. She came into the mission and trained many new sister missionaries, while experiencing many miracles and tender mercies. Hannah loved serving in Scotland and told us it was the best mission for her.  

Hannah currently lives in Sheffield, England, with her husband and their 5 children.  

Recorded January 16, 2022.

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 mission taught him about urgency in the gospel.   

Joe currently lives in Tucson, Arizona, with his wife and their 3 sons (with a little girl on the way). 

Recorded January 15, 2022

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 being murdered, and getting stuck in a phone booth. Jade shares he unique relationship with President Vriens and how much she loved serving with him as her mission president.  

Jade currently lives in Brisbane, Australia, with her husband.  

Recorded January 11, 2023

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 Sister Griffiths. He also told us that 6 weeks after he returned home, the Scotland, Edinburgh Mission combined with Ireland to become what it is today, as the Scotland, Ireland Mission.

Andrew currently lives in Danville, California, with his wife and their 3 sons.

Recorded January 8, 2023

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 to catch a phone call from a potential investigator, and going on double-dates on the way to dinner appointments.

Brock currently lives in Henderson, Nevada, near Las Vegas, with his wife and their daughter.

Recorded January 5, 2023

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 where to be and how that has been a constant in his life. 

Michael currently lives in Merced, California, with his wife and their 4 children.

Recorded January 4, 2023.

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 published episode in early July, we have been able to reconnect with so many people that mean so much to each of us! We appreciate all of those that have followed our journey and we are just getting started. We will be back with more amazing friends from Scotland in the first weeks of January!  

Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you'd like to schedule your date to come on and speak with us!  

Recorded December 5, 2022

A Merry Christmas to all of you and a Happy New Year as well! 

Auld Lang Syne 

“Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind? 

Should auld acquaintance be forgot and the days of auld lang syne?  

For auld lang syne, my dear for auld lang syne 

We'll drink a cup of kindness yet for the sake of auld lang syne”

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 personal experience he had with then President Thomas S. Monson after his mission, so be sure to listen to that.

Matt currently lives in Vineyard (West Orem), Utah, with his wife and their 4 children. 

Recorded December 4, 2022

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 himself as the Master of Tri-Training Companionships.  

Anthony currently lives in West Jordan, Utah, with his wife and their 3 children.

Recorded December 1, 2022