Mission Blog #25

 

We Are All Connected

Lucy, Tim, Abby (just released as full-time missionary), Kristi, Craig (Gardiner) from Orem, Utah; and I and Tina, then Noeleen O'Rourke, and Brendan Mooney. We all enjoyed an evening out in Dundalk for a meal altogether, and hearing about the Gardiner adventures as they've traveled in Scotland and Northern Ireland after picking up Abby upon completing her 18 month mission.

Wait, the connections with the Gardiners don't stop - 15 yrs ago they were living in Thousand Oaks and hosted our son and his missionary companion many times during his mission, and we have done likewise with their daughter, Abby while she served here, but, there's more. 

After last week's blog post, my sister Valerie, serving with her husband Scott in the Vancouver Canada Mission, sent me the below photograph of their granddaughter (my great niece) Addy, and her bestie at the time, Lucy Gardiner. Are you kidding me? Wow.

Thanks Valerie for adding to the intrigue. When I showed this photo to Lucy at dinner on Thursday night, you should have seen her jaw drop. Priceless!

We Made a Trade

At transfer time, our Elder Morgan (from Norway) was transferred to Tralee and Elder Connor Caswell from Springville Utah was transferred from Tralee to Dundalk. We had a great time at a member's home on Monday night - transfer was Tuesday, to help send Morgan off.

Elder Schneider, Morgan, Alice Gernon, Anne McCartney, Tina

At Dundalk Train Station saying our goodbyes to Elder Morgan.

In the afternoon we went back to the train station to collect Elder Caswell. It was a long travel day for many missionaries; some going from Ireland to Scotland, or new missionaries arriving in Edinburgh and their training missionary travelling to Edinburgh from Cork or elsewhere to pick them up. One new missionary arrival is Sister Olsen from Fort McMurray, Alberta. Her first area is in Scotland we believe - in last evening's All-Mission Devotional she and all the other brand new missionaries introduced themselves and shared their testimony. Welcome to the Scotland-Ireland Mission Sister Olsen.

Saint Patrick's Day, in Ireland

Otherwise known as the Feast of Saint Patrick, it is a religious and cultural holiday held on March 17, the traditional death date of Saint Patrick (c. 385 - 461), the foremost patron saint of Ireland. It commemorates the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, as well as celebrating Irish heritage and culture. The larger towns and cities will host parades, with Dublin likely being the largest, but Cork, Belfast, and Derry hold large parades as well and people from around the world fly in and join the party. It is a national holiday!

Interesting facts: 

Saint Patrick didn't wear green.

Saint Patrick was British.

As a boy, Saint Patrick was captured from either Wales or Scotland and sent to Slemish Mountain in County Antrim as a slave. He tended sheep before escaping home, where he had a vision telling him to return to Ireland and spread the message of Christianity.

Tina and I got down to the Square in Dundalk early to stake out a spot to view the parade. The Irish sunshine forced many to use umbrellas so the views weren't as grand, but nothing could stifle the energy and mood of celebration. It was wonderful.

The Irish military were represented.

And the first responders.

Children's fiddle and tin flute groups...

Coastal search and rescue...

Sports teams...

Irish pipe bands...

Inside for some hot cocoa. Met a nice young man, David, from El Salvador (seated next to me but camera shy). We got to know him a little bit; found out it was his 32nd birthday. He is here for 1 year to attend school and improve his English speaking skills and is a long way from his family. Before we parted, we sang him 'Happy Birthday' which he really appreciated!

Bouncy castles, mazes, and many other ways for children to be injured (I still see things through a risk manager's eyes sometimes), added to the atmosphere. Fun times.

They even brought a little bit of the Calgary Stampede to the Dundalk celebrations with the bull ride challenge. We left before the ambulances were needed!

In the evening we drove 1 hour down to the Dublin Stake Multicultural Night. Ireland is truly becoming a melting pot for people from all over the world.

The artwork in the auditorium represented many of the countries whose native sons and daughters have come to Ireland to work, or attend school, or in our case, to serve a mission.

Blarney Castle - we have it on our bucket list to go there and kiss the 'blarney' stone.

The harp is the official symbol of Ireland, and brand logo for its most famous export (Guiness)...

We were there early and had alot of time to meet some of the evening's performers, and friends. From 7-9:30pm it was a packed house appreciating the cultures of many countries: through verse, Irish comedy, dance, song.

Latvia, U.S., England, South Africa, Philipines, Ireland, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Mexico, El Salvador, Norway, Sweden, and others were featured in performances or in the playing of their national anthems.

Sister (Abby) Gardiner, you were one of the finest missionaries who has served. Not only were you effective in bearing testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, but you loved your companions, always looked for the good in everyone, and freely shared your talents. Thank you and we will see you again.

We'll look forward to seeing our new friends, Craig and Kristi Gardiner again some time in Orem, Utah or Canada.

Happy Mothers Day - UK & Europe

Tina's brother, James and sister-in-law invited us to have dinner in Belfast with the whole family today, to celebrate Mother's Day together. 

James and son-in-law, Cliff - handy and helpful around the kitchen. Always pitching in where needed!

The meal, a nice Sunday roast, really hit the spot - including the trifle dessert. Thank you Julie and Lorraine for the amazing meal.

Tina, Tess, Julie, and Lorraine - where would we be without our mums? I know I love mine, and the mother of my children. We'll look forward to celebrating the Canadian Mothers Day in May. Thanks to all the mothers and future mothers out there. You're amazing!

It has been 6 months since we were 'set-apart' as missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in Calgary, Canada. We then began our training in Provo, Utah, then took an interim assignment ('visa waiting') in Salt Lake City in the Utah Salt Lake City Headquarters Mission - from where we had some wonderful experiences beginning with being able to attend General Conference in person; and then landed in Dublin on the morning of October 19, 2022. If anyone is keeping track, we have been in 4 countries in that time; Canada, U.S., Republic of Ireland, and Northern Ireland. This week we venture to the Preston England Temple which will take us by ferry from Dublin to Wales, then by our car to the Preston, England Temple; making 6 countries that our mission has taken us to. What an adventure. 

When we look back on this short time, it's hard to not feel extremely blessed, for the friends we've made and the places and things we've seen. 

We are grateful for each other, our amazing family, and for the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and for our Savior, Jesus Christ and His atoning sacrifice.

Thank you all for your interest and support.

   Elder Eric and Sister Tina McMurray