Mission Blog #41

 Blog #10 - Mission Life Is Great

The Dundalk Branch boundary, outlined in blue. Dundalk is on the northeast coast and clusters of members are located in Dundalk, Drogheda in the south east, then up to Monaghan in the north west. Some members live across into Northern Ireland (above the blue line in the north). Some in Newry, and one as far north as north of Armagh.

We sometimes just change lightbulbs.

Sometimes we are called to be exterminators. By the way, these spiders are huge.

We visit members of the branch. We traveled to Carrickmacross and had a great visit with a young man, a member for 1 year. He showed us his family Bible, about 150 yrs old, and inside it were handwritten family history records of about 6 generations. We plan to help Daniel get these properly documented into an online tool such as FamilySearch/Family Tree. His home where he lives with his mother looks out on a beautiful valley. It was an exciting drive back home in the dark on those narrow country roads.

Eamon's castle.

Interesting collection of signs and other cool stuff on Eamon's property.

Sister Gardiner & Judd. Our tree above.

Tina made an amazing U.S. Thanksgiving Dinner for our American sister missionaries. It was terrific and the sisters loved it too.

We've begun, like many, to add the Christmas decorations around our flat. 

Sister Gardiner's mother sent her a couple of packages to ensure they had a tree and ornaments to bring that Christmas spirit. 

We're thinking about the Light The World initiative, and what little things we can do through the month of December, to bring a little Christmas, and the hope and love of our Savior, to our neighbors and friends here in Ireland.

In this past week, we have been to the homes of several members in Dundalk, Dungannon, Carrickmacross; and have taught a wonderful young man more about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We taught him how to pray, and he offered his own prayer at the end of the lesson, and it was simple, heartfelt and beautiful. When we have that path of communication with Father in Heaven, we can receive the personal revelation we need in our lives. It's exciting to witness this happening with Liam. 

We met a young man (Oisin) in a local retailer, and it turned out that he is Dutchborn, in Scheveningen. I was able to convey that I lived in the Netherlands for 2 years during my first mission service as a young man which he thought was pretty great. He remembers that years ago as he grew up here in Dundalk, that his mother would have the young missionaries over and that she loved their message. When the missionaries were transferred out of town, they gave them a big send-off. We hope that we'll have more opportunities to rekindle those moments.

A new friend, a member of the Church a short time, and just now returning to activity (and who feeds us every 2nd Wednesday), spoke in Church today on the topic of 'Faith in Jesus Christ' - did a marvelous job. We are inspired with the growth that we are seeing in many people and we love helping to be their guides and cheerleaders on their personal journeys of faith. 

We feel blessed in many ways - especially in being able to stay in communication with our family, to see that they are moving forward in their lives. Thank you all for your love and support.

This is the work of our Savior, we testify in His name.

   Elder & Sister McMurray