Mission Blog #30

Transfer Time

Last meal in Dundalk for Elder Caswell (left), and first meal in the new flat. We helped with moving the Elders - a short distance of 300 metres or so. Elder Schneider made us pancakes.

We took Elder Caswell to the train station and off he went to Dublin. 

Back to the train station at 4:15pm to pick up Elder Grant Truman. We have known Elder Truman since he arrived in Ireland in November - he has served in our Dublin Zone, Mullingar and Dublin, so he is well-known to us. A bright, energetic, fun-loving young man with a huge heart, and a love for his Savior.

Branch Temple Trip

To get from Dundalk (or Drogheda) in the case of Jonas, it took a one hour bus trip to the Dublin Airport; a one hour flight to Manchester Airport (40 minutes in the air); a 15 minute walk to the airport train station, then a one hour train trip to Chorley; then a brief walk to catch a cab, then a 10 minute taxi to the Temple. 9600 steps on Day 1. Left at 10:15am, arrived in Chorley at about 6:30pm.

The commitment and dedication of all of the church members in Ireland to travel to the nearest temple in Chorley, England, is quite remarkable. 

Whether it's from Belfast, Cork, Galway, Monaghan, Dublin, Dundalk; it requires alot and we are remarkably impressed. We pray daily for a temple to be built in Ireland.

All along the way, we had the best time. 

On the bus, Tina and I sat with two ladies on their way to a sun vacation. One had lived in Vancouver for 20 years. Had a great visit, and were able to talk about our mission and why we're here.

Jonas Amador Funez, Ita Hardesty, Tina, Mary Kenny, Alice Gernon

Jonas and I walked around the beautiful temple grounds, and took some photos our first evening while the others went grocery shopping. Jonas is from Honduras. 

His family are back there and he is working in Ireland to help provide a better life for them. In Honduras, Jonas was a Bishop, a very dedicated servant of the Lord. In Ireland, his difficulties with English create barriers and it is hard for him to integrate with the locals. In our little Branch of the church in Dundalk, we just embrace him, and include him in every aspect, including our Temple trip. He has become like a family member.

No matter what is happening Jonas just smiles. He exudes such love and positivity. He absolutely loves the Temple - we sat outside and he phoned home excitedly to his wife and children in Honduras, no doubt describing the flowers, the lighting, the architecture, and the spirit of the Temple. 

The Preston Temple is stunning, the largest in Europe; dedicated in 1998 by church president, Gordon B. Hinckley. Architect - Peter Trebilcock, an old friend of Tina's. 

Tender mercies abounded throughout our 3 days in the Temple; Tina meeting people who knew many friends of hers in her young days in Liverpool; me finding that Sister Boyd who helped run the baptistry, has McMurray ancestors from Glasgow, 1840. She is going to check more into it and let me know more as she finds it out.

The lawn is absolutely perfect - my father, who was a great lawn man, would love this, as I did.

Alice had just said, 'make sure you include the flowers', and I saw that as an opening and replied with much sincerity, 'you are the flowers'...awwww. 

The Davis's in the back left of the photo, had served a mission in Dundalk, Ireland a couple years ago. Lived in our same home. They previously served a mission in Spain - and knew another senior couple there that we also know - Andy and Jane Kennett of Sherwood Park. 

They had invited Dundalk Branch members to come meet them at the Temple, as a family member, Margaret in the back right, was going to the temple for her first time. It was an enjoyable evening to meet them over some food, and in other settings throughout the 3 days we were there together.

Gary and Pat Madison, friends of Tina's from 1977, and who she hadn't seen since 1991, took us for a great meal and to reacquaint. They rolled back the clock and re-visited some great times in their lives in Liverpool, as courageous young adults trying their utmost to live the gospel of Jesus Christ in some trying circumstances.

Over the years I have met several of these wonderful friends of Tina's - wow, what an amazing group they are, and I now can call them my friends.

The Madison's are the sweetest people - they live just a short walk from the Temple, in Chorley. Gary is a retired school teacher, and Pat still works as a nurse. She remembered Tina as 'popular, thin, athletic, pretty, and a good singer'...Gary called her 'T' as he did back in the day.

Feeling Blessed

This last week has been remarkable. I can't include all the tender mercies we experienced, the wonderful people we met, the impact of their faith, the examples of their service and love. Being in the Lord's house, His holy temple, was extra wonderful because we could experience it with dear friends - and could perform saving ordinances for our loved ones who have passed on.

As our prophet recently declared, "Jesus Christ is the reason we build temples. Each is His holy house. Making covenants and receiving essential ordinances in the temple, as well as seeking to draw closer to Him there, will bless your life in ways no other kind of worship can."

I am attaching a video link produced after major renovations were completed on the Washington, DC Temple. It describes why temples are so important to us, and gives interior views of the temple renovations - a tour if you will.

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/media/video/2022-05-0020-welcome-to-the-washington-dc-temple?lang=eng&alang=eng

May you feel the Lord's tender mercies in your life. Thank you for your love and support. 

   Elder Eric and Sister Tina McMurray