Mission Blog #15

 HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023!

During the Christmas weekend, as well as New Year weekend, we were given opportunity to rest from the usual routines - could watch PG rated shows, play games - much like we would do at home. We had the young Sister missionaries (Judd and Gardiner) for New Years Eve yesterday, eating, enjoying Bluey, Brave, and Cinderella, then toasting to the New Year with a faux countdown (at about 9pm) with Shloer, a nice fruity fizzy beverage. We enjoyed the time to celebrate the passing of 2022 into 2023 together. We then made contact with family. 

These missionaries work hard - hi-light of the week being when Ose accepted the invitation to be baptized. She will be going home to Nigeria for a one month vacation, and will be baptized there by a family member. It'll be a wonderful time for she and her family, especially her little girl who is there being raised by her grandparents.

Teodoras Valys has become a great young friend here in the Dundalk Branch - from Lithuania, he came to Ireland for a change; to find himself. He's 24 years old, was going to College, and working in Drogheda. He decided it was time to return to Lithuania so we went to his workplace and said our goodbyes. He sent me a note afterwards, part of which I include here:

Thank you so much! Truly appreciate all the words of wisdom you are willing to share - lots of lost young people, including me searching for lots of answers, who are looking for guidance and mentorship - sharing your experience and giving guidance is the best way to help people navigate in this life full of challenges.

We are so impressed with Teo's humility and willingness to learn from us old folks, and the young Sister missionaries.

On the red balloon, Teo had written a quote by one of the great prophets of this dispensation:

"There is no obstacle too great, no challenge too difficult that we cannot meet with faith." - Gordon B. Hinckley

We couldn't agree more.

All the best to Teo!

More Coincidences, Tender Mercies....

A few weeks ago, Tina's brother James' mother-in-law, Ina, passed on. In the days that followed, we were asked if we knew of anyone who might be able to use Ina's small refrigerator. Tina sent a quick WhatsApp note to the Dundalk Branch Relief Society President, Ana. In less than 10 minutes she had responded that there were two people in need. As we contemplated and weighed their circumstances, we felt that the woman who recently became widowed, and moved back to Ireland from England, is the one we should offer it to. This was just before Christmas - phone numbers were given and it was confirmed that the woman, Elaine, would meet Julie or other family to pick up the fridge in a couple days after Christmas, which she did.

Meet Elaine! I taught Sunday School this morning and the whole time I could see this bright, familiar-looking woman sitting next to Tina, looking back. I thought it might be someone in the Branch who had not been coming out for awhile. Turns out, Elaine came to church with Ana, the Relief Society President. This is the widow, Elaine, who needed the refrigerator. We didn't know we'd ever meet her but there she was. She told us of her circumstance, how she could not afford a refrigerator and was considering going into debt to buy one on time, and then a random call came from her friend Ana, passing on the news of one being offered by family of someone who had passed. Elaine said to us what a timely blessing and Christmas miracle this was, and how thankful she was to Lorraine, James, Julie, David and family for their generosity, and to heaven for this blessing.

Oh, and Elaine is from England - knows some of the people that were/are important in Tina's life (Peter Trebilcock and his wife. Peter was one of Tina's young adult friends back in Liverpool days - and architect for the Preston England Temple), and others. And my weird connection: Elaine's brother was married for 10 years or so to Bernie Orr's (of Fort MacLeod Orrs) sister, Norma Jean (who I dated way back in 1981 in Fort MacLeod)...what??  Yup! Norma's son is Elaine's nephew.  It's a small world.

No photo but we had another visitor today, Brian Matthews, a former member of the Branch here but who has lived in Calgary for many years. We believe he attends Chestermere 1st Ward. He'll be with us for 2 more Sundays and we look forward to visiting more with him.

Old Irish New Years Traditions

As in any culture, over time some traditions may change or die out. Here are a couple of old Irish traditions that I dug up. New Years in Irish is given as "La Coille"

The first person up on New Years makes three circuits of the house. On the first two rounds he stops at the door and says, "The Blessings of God in here." On the final circuit he enters the house dispensing blessings to all inside who respond appropriately.

Many parts of the country have an old tradition regarding the first visitor to the house on New Year's Day. They say that if the visitor is male and dark haired there will be good luck in the house for the entire year. If the first visitor is female however there will be no luck during the year.   (I can see why this has mostly died out.)

In Kilmurry they say that water must never be drawn from the well on New Year's Eve. It will turn to wine at 12 o'clock and anyone who stays up to watch the transformation will disappear.

In Donegal old people never threw anything out on New Years Day.

Some said that you should never part with money on New Years Day...apparently associated with a wish to have a year of plenty and actions carried out on New Years Day would continue throughout the year. (This tradition resonated with me but I apply it throughout the year - as my family can attest....)

Donegal cows and horses were given an extra sheaf of corn on the day to make them work harder and produce more milk in the coming year.

First-footing - can include a tradition of bringing some coal, a few coins, and some food as one visits neighbors, friends, and family. Coal to ensure the home is always warm, coins so all their needs are met, and food so no one is hungry.

As we look back on 2022 we feel grateful for the blessings of: a wonderful family, blessings of many amazing friends (we shared with each other the names of each one of you today and about how you each have enriched our lives), blessings of the unselfish and charitable examples of all of our Church leaders who sacrifice so much because they know this is what true disciples do, blessings of all who have sent us an encouraging note, cards, gifts; blessings of health and relative prosperity; and the blessing of knowing that we are children of loving heavenly parents, and that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and through faith in Him and repentance we are granted the greatest blessing, of being clean and worthy to return and live with them again one day.

Thank you all for you support in 2022. May you and your loved ones receive the blessings you need in 2023 is our hope and prayer.

Sincerely,

  Elder & Sister McMurray