Member Support, Making New Friends
May Matthews is a wonderful lady - lives in the home she has owned for 50 years or so. This is her back patio and garden. In the very back you can see a small cottage that she had built for a daughter to live in to have her own space.
May's main home which is not large, was split and made to accommodate another daughter. They are beautiful spaces.
Her daughter Karen was the decorator/interior designer. She is also a professional musician and is in Spain performing for a month.
May suffered the loss of her husband, Gerry, a professional singer of some renown, about 2 years ago. She wasn't getting out much. Didn't attend church often. We began visiting her a few months ago when her son, Brian, (now living in Calgary), was staying with her.
We've grown very close and enjoy every moment that we're together. Her fun-loving personality is on display each visit - after a brief spiritual message or lesson, she absolutely loves teasing and joking with me. Always has me sit in a certain chair (that Gerry used to sit in), then snuggles with Tina while she jokes at me.
For 25 years she ran a Christmas charity in the community - collecting clothing and other needed items for the poor. Business woman, taxi driver, mother of 4, grandmother, 82 years young.
We love May and her family who we've met.
All-Ireland Zone Conference
It's a special time when all of us missionaries in Ireland can all be together; from Antrim to Tralee and points in between - Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland.
There was hope for an all-Mission get together but we haven't heard anything about that lately. In total we have about 160 missionaries in the mission.
Some of the finest young men I know right here; Elders Aina, Truman, Schneider, Caswell.
Male missionaries bear the title of 'Elder' - a title acknowledging that they hold the Priesthood. Female missionaries are respected with the title, 'Sister'.
We all are proud to set aside use of our given names, and to wear His name and represent Him.
One of the hi-lites of our Conference came after it was officially finished. President McCrudden asked us all to remain in our seats in the chapel - and then we heard the pipes. Elder Kitchen marched into the chapel wearing his Irish kilt and played a moving tune on the bagpipes. He and Sister Kitchen are a few weeks from completing their 18 month mission and will be going back to North Carolina.
Elder Kitchen was born in Belfast between Antrim Road and Shore Road. When he was 7 his family moved to America - although he has a brother who lives here still. It meant a great deal for him to come back home and serve the people of Northern Ireland.
At age 50 Elder Kitchen heard bagpipes played at a business conference and he became interested in learning to play. He approached someone in the pipe group and he began a course of weekly lessons. Eventually he became proficient. I'm glad he did, as his playing for us, giving his farewell, and providing his tribute to his Irish heritage, moved me deeply.
After playing in the chapel for one tune (where photography is not allowed), he came into the gymnasium and continued to play for awhile.
We'll miss Elder & Sister Kitchen, alot. And so will the many, many people they have served in Belfast. They were wonderful missionaries and now we can add them to the list of great friends we've made here.
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens
Knowing that this could be a last opportunity to spend with our friends, the Kitchens, we agreed to meet them at Hillsborough Castle, a 45 minute drive north of Dundalk. Although it was foggy on our drive, some bright yellow and orange object appeared in the sky - and the day turned out to be the most beautiful sunny day, about 20C.
Sister Kitchen was heard to say, 'I think this is the first day that I have sweat since we've been in Ireland.'
This home was built as a townhome, not a large country home. They wanted it to be in the town among the people. The main home was built in 1750 or so.
Wills Hill, as Secretary of State, welcomed Benjamin Franklin to Hillsborough in 1770.
In 1920 Hillsborough became Government House for Northern Ireland and therefore was the official residence of the royal family in Ireland.
Although it is no longer Government House (since 1972), it is still the official residence (since last Saturday) of King Charles III in Ireland. Members of the royal family visit several times each year; garden parties and several formal events, and a concert. Several U.S. Presidents have stayed here.
Many flowering plants made the 100 acre grounds easy on the eyes.
Admissions are booked on-line and they only allow so many on the site for any given period. That meant we didn't encounter any maddening throngs or lines, which was very nice.
As we were looking at some flowers and discussing what they could be, the gentle woman in yellow, stopped and helped us out. We introduced ourselves, then the woman in pink told us that the woman we've been speaking with is 'Lady Hillsborough'. She is now 87 years old but still sharp, and amazing to visit with. She no longer lives on the property but retains a title.
She was on BBC television last week. A wonderful unofficial ambassador for this Historic Royal Palace.
Originally, one of the town's streets passed adjacent to the terrace where gardens are now. But, one of the homeowners that followed, moved all the local residents to an area further away, building them all new homes. He then added the gardens so they had more privacy and less noise.
Lady Alice's Temple, created by her brother, the 5th Marquess of Downshire in 1867 for her wedding. Made of cast iron, it has been a space for solace and contemplation for many residents of Hillsborough.
The Ice House, built in 1770. It used ice from local sources and filled a 12 foot deep hole just inside this door. In the 19th century it was filled with ice shipped from Scandinavia. Wow, sounds like alot of work. Must have needed a couple guards posted here 24-7 to prevent raids by teenage sons.
The stream has meandered through this property for centuries.
We were told upon leaving that we should come back in a couple months when the flowers are really blooming...looks pretty awesome right now. The roses will be out in July.
My Queen and I at the end of our wonderful day at Royal Hillsborough. Lots of flowers, sunshine, great company. It's great to stop and smell the flowers once in awhile - to regenerate, to count our blessings. I'm grateful for Tina for being my amazing partner for all these years. She has exhibited the wonderful traits we associate with great wives, and mothers - Mothers Day being celebrated today back in Canada. I am grateful to my mother, Loretta, who as I bring to mind her selfless dedication to me and my siblings, humbles me. Thank you mom, and to all the mothers who give of themselves for their children. God really knew what He was doing when He gave us mothers!
And also, Happy Birthday to our 10 year old granddaughter, Desi. We love you and miss you.
Have a wonderful week everyone.
Elder & Sister McMurray
Scotland-Ireland Mission
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