groundFungus:
Here is a test sketch for an ESP8266 and Uno to illustrate software serial between the 2 and display the data sent by the ESP to the Uno on a LCD. Tested and prints the data from ESP to LCD connected to Uno. Not perfect but should work for testing the hardware and as a basis for future code. NOTE: change the LCD constructor and software serial pins as necessary.The Uno code.
#include <LiquidCrystal.h>
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
LiquidCrystal lcd(12, 11, 5, 4, 3, 2);
SoftwareSerial esp(8, 9);
char inputBuffer[17]; // one LCD line + NULL
int strIndex = 0;
void setup()
{
Serial.begin(115200);
esp.begin(38400);
lcd.begin(16, 2);
lcd.print("LCD UP");
delay(2000);
}
void loop()
{
if (esp.available())
{
char c = esp.read();
if (c != '\n')
{
Serial.print(c);
inputBuffer[strIndex] = c;
strIndex++;
inputBuffer[strIndex] = '\0';
}
else
{
Serial.println();
lcd.clear();
lcd.print(inputBuffer);
strIndex = 0;
inputBuffer[strIndex] = '\0';
}
}
}
The ESP code:void setup()
{
Serial.begin(38400);
}
void loop()
{
static unsigned long timer = 0;
unsigned long interval = 1000;
static unsigned int index = 0;
if (millis() - timer >= interval)
{
timer = millis();
Serial.print("The index ");
Serial.println(index);
index++;
}
}
The circuit: 
Tell me if i what i think is right.
So i take the esp code, i upload it while the esp is on, after that i disconnect the esp, i upload the code of the display on the arduino, then i connect the esp back ?