Mission Blog #40

 

Getting to All-Ireland Zone Conference in Dublin means a 2hr 30 minute drive. Our Senior couple friends, the Evenson's who live further away in Tralee, suggested we drive on Monday afternoon and stay overnight in the Leixslip Manor, just outside of the M50 ring-road of Dublin. So we did that, and had a more relaxing time, getting over to the Finglas chapel to start our food prep.

The manor was built in 1798 on the townland of St. Catherine's Park on the border of Kildare and Dublin. Leixslip Manor is the centrepiece of 27 acres of beautiful parkland.

Just down the tree-lined lane from the manor house is a quaint neighborhood in which there is an obvious love of gardening. We had to take a closer look - you know, stop and smell the roses.

The name 'Leixslip' comes from the Old Norse Lax Hlaup which means 'salmon leap'. This is the name given to the area by the Vikings when they established a settlement by the confluence of the river Liffey and Rye Water in the 9th century. The salmon leap was a pair of waterfalls which are now gone. 

The Evenson's are great people. When you spend more time with people, it can go one of two ways....like each other and appreciate one another more, or, not so much. In their case, the more time we're with them, the more we appreciate them. Sister Evenson is a great baker - always brings homemade desserts to Zone Conference. Elder Evenson likes small creatures - raises snails currently; at home, he is an amateur entomologist - likes to collect insects, roaches, beetles. Not my thing, but to each his/her own. 

On the gardens of Leixlip manor are an assortment of native and non-native trees, such as the Giant Redwood in this photo. We estimate it was about 120 feet tall.

Once we get to the Zone Conference venue, Finglas Chapel, we go right to the kitchen and get after the preparations. Sister McCrudden typically decides on the main, this time it was Sloppy Joes, and our Hungarian Elder Botos also made Hungarian pasta and sauce, plus we made our Caesar Salad, and some seniors brought the dessert items, cookies, bananas, oranges. About 65 or so hungry 18-23 yr olds.

We men are making sure to give these Queens of the Kitchen a wide berth, and also making sure that the tables, chairs, waters, and the food tables, are all ready to go. When it is time for lunch, we take our places in serving up the lunch as the Sisters, Elders, and leaders come through.

There are several hours of training and instruction offered at Zone Conference, but we all know shhhhhhh, that the hi-lite of the day is really the food.... LOL.

When there are only 8 cars in the entire island among 30 or so pairs of missionaries, it's a time to celebrate when Elders or Sisters get the keys to a car. This time it was the turn of Elders Truman and Schneider, who we left behind in Dundalk, who received keys to their Hyundai i30. They were sooo happy. And we were happy for them, but especially when we heard that they made it home to Dundalk safely.

The drive back from Dublin really is scenic; mountains, hills, forest, farmlands. It's all so beautiful. 

From Dublin, we drive through a few of the 16 counties of the Republic of Ireland; Kildare, La Ois, Tipperary, Kildare, and finally Cork. 

Back in Cork, we were invited to visit and enjoy dinner with Patrick and Maria Hughes at their home, about 6km's north of Cork. The NAV system took us on a route that brought us the last 1km or so, down this track.

On the way home, Maria led the way for us as she had a dance class to go to, and her preferred route had wider 2-lane roads.

It came up in conversation that I'd been a bike owner and rider - Patrick owns 3 bikes, 1976 Honda Goldwing 1000cc, 1973 Moto Guzzi, and 2005 Honda VTX 1300. He travels to rallies when he's not working, or building out a small cottage behind their home for their son.

Tina bonded instantly with Maria, and we just had a great time visiting and getting to know the Hughes. Maria is a member of the Church. Patrick is not, but he'll come to the Branch activities, and is a super friendly and helpful type of person. 

We felt like we made 2 more friends in the Hughes. 

Earlier in the week we visited with another Branch member, Claudia Hanley, who had lived in Dundalk previously. She was so nice in taking Tina out for some shopping for a few household items.

Everyone likes to feel connected and loved, so Tina and I find it satisfying to spend a fair amount of time visiting around, sharing the message of hope that the gospel of Jesus Christ gives us all.

The memorial ride for Joe Roy, who passed away 2 years ago, was held on Saturday in Ballymacoda, about 45 minutes east of Cork. We wanted to show support, even though we are not allowed to ride bicycle in this mission. We took the nice drive out to Jacqueline Roy's home where the ride began - mostly family, plus the Branch President and family, and us. 

So, about 10 ft from the start, Joseph Peters had his chain go off the rails.... a life metaphor here. In life, we can have the best of intentions, but if we haven't ensured that our daily habits of spiritual preparation are in place, we can be 'de-railed' and thrown off course and we may lose sight of the true end goal, everlasting life with our families in the presence of our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. But, through the atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ, we can make the adjustments, or repairs, and get back on the path that will lead us home. 

While the cyclists went off on their 22km route, the rest of us visited, held babies, and made preparations for the barbecue when the riders returned.

The cyclists and we non-riders met at the cemetary where Joe is laid to rest. While we waited, I asked Jacqueline to tell me about Joe as we never knew him.

What a life he led; yes, an avid cyclist, but prior to that, an accomplished footballer, marathoner, ultra-marathoner, leader in business - from South Africa, lived in Bahrain for 5 yrs, then came to Ireland; a solid man in the Church too being a respected leader, and great family man.

Learning about Joe just made us want to meet him, but seeing his children and grandchildren and how amazing they all are, really showed us who he was/is.

Jacqueline's family taking a moment to reflect. Her son, David is in the far left. He is the District President covering the west of the Republic of Ireland, from Sligo, Galway, Limerick, Tralee, Cork. Following in his father's footsteps in being a great leader and example to many.

Loren Smemoe, and Jacqueline Roy, back home for the barbecue. Loren is the Branch President. He is California born and has lived in Utah and Texas. His employment with Apple brought him to Ireland. He is in that peak busy time of life, a demanding job, raising 5 children, plus being the 'father' of the Branch. We think he is doing an amazing job and tomorrow night when we visit with he and his family, we plan on telling him that.

He's always smiling. What a great man.

Some ask us how the missionary work is going in Ireland. On an almost daily basis, individuals of various ages, and backgrounds, are being taught the gospel, and are accepting the invitation to be baptised.

The two missionaries shown are Mandarin speaking, and taught Scott Xu, and his baptism was today in Scotland.

This young man, whose parents are church members, made the decision to be baptised as well. We do not baptise anyone younger than 8 yrs old. Baptism is an important ordinance, in which we take upon us the name of Jesus Christ, commit to follow Him and keep His commandments and always remember Him. Young people are amazing. They can and do understand the simple principles of the gospel, and want to follow their Savior's example, to be baptised as he was.

I think it's pretty evident, these Sister missionaries absolutely love and support Carla Soliz who was baptised this week. 

Robert John Fraser, of Cumbernauld Scotland, (might be a cousin as we have Fraser in our Tree), came to accept the gospel later in life, but it's not too late....

One of our former Dundalk missionaries, Elder Morgan, is realising the fruits of his own labors, and faith, in seeing Robert enter the waters of baptism.

All baptisms throughout the mission are posted on a mission-wide Whats App chat. It gives us a chance to express congratulations, and to remember the purpose of our missionary efforts, to bring souls unto Christ.

This week, we'll be heading to Limerick for District Council, and we'll continue to visit and do our best to lift members of the Cork Branch. What a great Branch - about 125 attending Church today. We met the Spears - a senior couple who live in Bantry, about 1hr 40 minutes drive from Cork. Now that is faith and dedication. We asked them if we can do anything for them - their reply, 'find us a cottage close to Cork so we can be closer to Church'. We will do what we can.

In about 10 days we start our English Class. We have Bolivians, Brazilians, Russians, Mongolians, and others in this Branch, or friends of church members who need to improve their English skills, and we are expecting to come. We haven't done this before, but we do have good Instructor resources, and Learner resources for the students, and we have faith. It'll be great fun.

Have a great week everyone! Thank you for your interest, and support.

   

Elder Eric & Sister Tina McMurray

   Scotland-Ireland Mission