Mission Blog #77 The Final Chapter

Mission Blog #7 - Week 3 In Dundalk

You may have previously read our blog and heard us describe a friend who has been coming to Church. Liam is a brilliant young man, with a great humor and wit, originally from Dungannon, Northern Ireland. On Tuesday night we had the privilege of teaching a lesson - The Restoration, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Of course we were nervous - when something so important is being discussed you don't want to blow it. We prayerfully prepared, then at the agreed time, we dialed Liam up - but....the technology only half worked. He could see us but we couldn't see him. Nonetheless, we had a wonderful hour or so of teaching and discussing the foundational principles of the gospel. At one point Liam remarked, "I don't know how to explain it, but every time I come to Church, and while you've been talking just now, I've had tingly feelings through my whole body. I just can't explain it." Of course, Liam is feeling the influence of the Holy Ghost, the third member of the Godhead, whose one purpose of several is to testify in our hearts and our minds, of truth. We enjoyed talking with him about this and the other fruits of the spirit. (See Galations 5:22)

Liam was at Church before we were this morning, all decked out in this awesome 3pce suit. Previously he was pretty casual but he just said today that he wanted to model what he was seeing in the Branch. He's an impressive man and I hope we continue to see him progressing and nurturing that spiritual side of him. We'll be with him every step of the way.

District Council:

Every Tuesday we head to Dublin for our council meeting - 2 Districts meeting separately to teach and train one another in gospel principles or to discuss friends and how to serve them better. This last DC was the last one prior to 'transfers' when new assignments are given out, and some learn that they're leaving the Zone or moving to a new District, or even a new country. The lunch and mingle afterwards lasted longer this week - bonds form quickly when you're working hard, praying hard, and relying upon one another. We love all of these young, dedicated missionaries. On Friday we heard the news of the transfers and many changes affect our Zone. I told the missionaries that I knew 2 missionaries who weren't being transferred...ha ha.  Up in our area of Dundalk, we are getting 2 young missionaries to work with Sister McMurray and I. We picked up the keys for their flat last week and have been receiving Amazon packages with bedding and other articles for their new place. It'll be Sister Gardiner and a brand new 'greenie' missionary coming here. Sister Gardiner is from Thousand Oaks, California and our son, Stephen, was located in her family's Ward for 9 months when he was a missionary, and he remembers the Gardiners well. She is a bright, talented missionary and will be a blessing to this Branch and to her brand new companion as a Trainer. We pick up the new missionary Tuesday morning at 8:30am at Dublin Airport and will bring them both back to Dundalk in our little Hyundai i30.

Gathering in the kitchen after District Council. Food disappears around this group.

Who Says It Always Rains in Ireland?

The Irish are said to have the most words for rain - words like 'lashing', 'bucketing'. Or phrases like, 'Don't go out in that. You'll be destroyed.' I daren't say some of the others for fear that they are too crude. In this last week we have, in fact, had 3 beautiful sunny days. And like any good local, we went and enjoyed the sunshine. Made a short 35 minute drive north up the coast to Carlingford, a beautiful seaside town, which was the filming site for our favorite movie, 'Finding You', great for the whole family and found on NetFlix. We walked around castle ruins, and through narrow medieval streets, and had a great lunch in a small place where the waitress called me 'pet'.  

The Mourne Mountains rise to about 2,500ft and are one of the pleasing views we can see in the distance from our flat. This is Carlingford Mountain or Slieve Foye.

The Mourne landscape was the inspiration for Belfast born author C.S. Lewis' magical 'Kingdom of Narnia'.

We parked the car, then walked towards the town centre and the first thing we saw was this memorial, dedicated by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney of Canada. The monument was honoring one of the fathers of Canadian Confederation who was born in Carlingford - Thomas D'Arcy McGee. Assassinated in 1868. 

The area around Carlingford Lough has been occupied for about a thousand years. Carlingford is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in all of Ireland.

The sense of history is everywhere.

The castle is on the edge of the water. We'll explore the interior another time when we can take a tour. Built in 1190 and called King John's Castle.

Ireland has so much wonderful history.


One of the aspects of our service is to make personal visits.  Driving out to see Eamon was a rich experience; narrow country roads, beautiful Irish countryside, and meeting Eamon in his country home. Just a coal fire to heat his house, and it was grand.

Eamon's property was tricky to find. An old friend of his arrived same time we did. Listening to them talk to each other in their Northern Ireland accents was pretty great. 

The countryside is stunning, and one has to stay focused on the road. 80kmh on roads just big enough for 2 cars - no shoulders, and maybe a tractor coming towards you makes for an exciting journey.

Armagh is an ancient city dating to 445AD - Ireland's oldest city; it was Saint Patrick who founded it. It is considered the ecclesiastical center of Ireland, and has both a Catholic cathedral and Church of Ireland (protestant) cathedral, both called St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Eamon Patrick Donnelly lives a little south of Dungannon in Northern Ireland about an hour's drive for us. He was twice injured by bombs during the 'troubles'; once in a church, and the other time in a pub. It's not often you meet people who were blown up, twice. He joked me once. "Do you know your Bible?" he says. "Of course. Been studying it since I was 8 or so," I responded. "Okay, tell me who Judas Iscariat's mother is then if you know so much?" Pausing, I regretfully reply that I don't know. Then with a big grin and a laugh he says, "Mrs Iscariat!"  He also tried to get me to discuss, 'Why are some people so ugly and others so good looking?' If I'd known him a bit better I might have said, 'Who're you calling ugly?' Anyway, we thoroughly enjoyed visiting Eamon. Knowing we missionaries were coming to see him, he put on a tie and his white shirt. He's waiting for double knee surgery and is in alot of pain. It was an honor to provide him a Priesthood Blessing while we were there.

Another great visit was to the Poznanski's in Duleek, to vist the Poznanski's, and Laura Garza and her daughter who are going through a tough time presently. Laura helped Sinead and Sister McMurray make some Bread of the Dead, as part of the Mexican tradition of Day of The Dead. We learned alot about these traditions! And the bread was good too. Laura is one of the kindest, sweetest people you could ever want to meet. She loved that we had been to her Mexico and that we love it there.

Baptism in Dublin - Highlight of the Week

There were some pretty big smiles last night in Dublin at the Terenure Chapel. After many years of hesitation, Maria Torres Bonilla took the plunge - pun intended. She was baptized (by immersion) and is now a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We drove there to enjoy this event with our Zone member sisters, Sister Miles and Sister Cruz, who taught Maria and prepared her for this important step in her life.

We met Maria outside as we drove up to the building - she was just bubbling over in saying that she was the one being baptized, as we introduced ourselves. Her husband, Dayvid, gave a very nice talk in the service prior to the baptism. He was beyond ecstatic.

In the back L to R, Elder Schneider, Elder Kutil, Elder Nelson, Elder Gibbs; in front - Elder & Sister McMurray, Sister Cruz, Sister Miles, Maria, and the one not showing teeth is Elder Roy (just got all 4 wisdom teeth pulled so he was still a wee bit sore). How could you not love these wonderful people. From France, Czeck Republic, England, Spain, U.S., and Canada - who paused their lives to go to a foreign land to love and serve others and bring them to Christ.

In this photo are ourselves, the Dempseys, and Bishop and Sister Keogh - of the Terenure 1st Ward, enjoying the food & refreshments after Maria's baptism. All joined the church between 1979 and 1982. Baptized in this same Dublin church - modern pioneers. 

They also knew/know the Mulhall's and Ramsays back in Calgary who come from Dublin. Brother Dempsey told me to tell the Mulhall's and Ramsays hello, but in his special way. "We're happy they're there and we're here!"  Gotta love the sense of humor here. 

What a Week!

We are loving what we are doing - whatever we can to provide a lift, to leaders, new members, friends of the Church coming to learn about their Savior, and total strangers. We feel truly blessed to serve in this way. We cannot count all of the tender mercies/miracles that we've experienced. May you all feel in your hearts, some of those tingly feelings....that will affirm important truths that Father in Heaven would have you know at this time. Hear Him! We testify He is real and that He sent His son for our sakes.

Love always, until the next time.

  Elder & Sister McMurray