Mission Blog #51

And Then They Leave.....

Sister Kaitlyn Waltman, one of the young missionaries we've come to know and love, completed her 18 month mission two weeks ago. Her mother and brother came over to pick her up and do a 10 day tour around the mission before going home to Idaho. We were thrilled that they would take some time and meet up with us for a few minutes.

After saying goodbye to the Waltman's, we began our drive to Dublin to attend what turns out to be, our last All-Ireland Zone Conference (I'll explain later).

We stopped in Portlaoise (pronounced Port-Leesh), for a late lunch at one of the many eateries in the heart of the ancient town.

Leaving Portlaoise, we were detoured around the site of one of the many music festivals we've heard about in Ireland - the Electric Picnic - and it took us up a narrow road with this gem just nestled against the oaks, furs and chestnut trees. An old relic reminding us of the grand and ancient history of this land.

Rather than stay overnight in Dublin we have enjoyed staying at the Leixslip Manor House and Gardens in the little village of Leixslip just west of the perimeter motorway, the M50. The setting is pretty awesome - a restored manor house from 1798 with 27 acres of grounds and gardens - so much more inviting and relaxing than a boxy hotel in the city.

We drove the Elders in to Clondalkin before we checked in so they could stay over with Elders Nelson and Williams. That brought us unfortunately into the afternoon traffic. And on the warmest day of the year 26C + 70% humidity, there was no AC in our room....yipes.  Maybe the city hotel would have been a better option on this particular day. Oh well, we enjoyed the gardens and a nice walk before dinner.

All-Ireland Zone Conference

All the missionaries in both Northern Ireland, and the Republic of Ireland attend the All-Ireland Zone Conference held in Dublin at the Finglas Stake Center, 11 The Willows. The Conferences follow a week after 'transfers', so there are new missionaries, new companionships - but it is always wonderful for all 70 of us to be together. Whether it's the Senior Sisters visiting and talking in the kitchen while they prepare the lunch, or the young missionaries reacquainting with old companions who have become great friends, Zone Conference is special. 

As Mission President, President McCrudden presides but all the mission leaders participate in the day's agenda. Our newest Assistant to the President, Elder Aina, conducted this Zone Conference. 20 years old, but there he stood, with some nervous tension, but taking on the assignment given to him and doing wonderfully. After an opening song, and opening prayer, we were then led in standing and reciting our mission scripture: "Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of Him, to declare His word, among His people, that they might have everlasting life." 3 Nephi 5:13.

President gave some welcoming remarks then passed it over to Sister McCrudden. She always has the missionaries who have had birthdays in the past month or current month, to come forward while we all sing the 'Happy Birthday Song' which is found in the Children's Song Book. I was one of the birthday people this time - and the oldest one of the group by more than a bit. 

'Happy, happy birthday missionaries dear; Happy days will come to you all year. If I had one wish, then it would be, A happy happy birthday to you from me.'  - Mildred McNees

After training sessions given by Zone Leaders, Sister Training Leaders, Assistants to the President, and Elder Weitzeil our Mission Finance Seretary (left in this photo), it was definitely a full day. 

Once Conference was finished, the visiting continued - and some flirting - come on, they're 18-23 yrs old...

Elder Kutil, left, from Czekia, Elder Martin from Australia/New Zealand, and Elder Caswell of Utah compare notes.

 

Lunch is always a hi-lite. Alot of preparation goes into it by many; namely Sister McCrudden who prepared a wonderful Italian chicken and rice main; Tina who prepared the Caesar salad; and other senior couples who made or purchased the desserts. The Assistants to the President arrive the night before and do all of the table and chair set up. Everyone pitches in on the clean-up before a group photo is taken.

One of the most memorable days for any missionary serving in the Scotland-Ireland Mission, is the day that they receive keys to a car. This day came Tuesday at Zone Conference for Elder Durham and his brand new missionary companion, Elder Keil from Germany.

There are only about 6 cars in the Republic of Ireland. For those without cars, they are left to walking or using public transportation for covering very large areas - in all weather conditions.

Elder Durham first forgot to put on his seat belt, then forgot to release the handbrake before trying to back up. His first driving included the 1 hour it took to get from the Finglas church to beyond the M50 perimeter motorway and then finally on to Waterford. They did make it safely!

But, on Wednesday, Elder Durham tested positive for Covid.

On Friday, after not feeling well on Thursday, I too tested positive. Symptoms have included - severe headache, body aches, sore throat, a persistent cough, fever, loss of taste. 

This morning, Tina tested positive. I suppose it's our turn. Since leaving home last September this is the first time that we have had even a runny nose. 

President McCrudden called this morning to express his regret that we're experiencing Covid. His manner has become so much more relaxed since we first met him and we love it. He said to me, 'Just take time to relax and not worry about anything. Watch some cartoons and just rest.'

Devotional - Elder Gary E. Stevenson of Quorum of 12 Apostles

Yesterday afternoon in Edinburgh, Scotland, our mission received a visit by a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Elder Gary Stevenson. He was accompanied by his wife, as well as Elder Whiting, Counselor in the Europe North Area Presidency and his wife, and Elder Stewart, Area Seventy.

This would be the second visit by a member of the Twelve in just a few months. This time, Scotland hosted and we were connected by Zoom here in Ireland. Tina and I were given the link so we could watch it from home while being quarantined and unable to join our Zone in Limerick to watch it together. On a beautiful, warm late summer day, it was very hot in the Edinburgh Stake Center and Elder Stevenson began by saying, "Aloha". He then gave all the missionaries permission to remove their jackets (which he did as well). His message, testimony, and apostolic blessing were wonderful. 

Elder Stevenson is a real student of Church history and he went through the timeline of events that ushered in the Restoration of the Gospel beginning with the First Vision in 1820 when Joseph Smith was just 14, visits to Joseph by the angel Moroni in 1823, 1824, 1825, 1826, and finally in 1827 Moroni giving Joseph the plates from which he later translated the Book of Mormon, 1829 John the Baptist appearing to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery to restore the Aaronic Priesthood, 1829 Peter, James, and John return to 24 yr old Joseph and Oliver to confer the Melchizidek Priesthood, 1830 Joseph is instructed by the Savior to organize the Church of Jesus Christ,..... it was a wonderful summary of events. He commented - by realizing how young the prophet Joseph was when these marvelous events occurred, 'can you not see how much the Lord loves you young adults?'

The testimony offered by an apostle is always very special. You can feel the sincerity, and the love for the Savior, and the witness he offered that He lives and guides and directs this, His restored Church. He left his apostolic blessing on all of us, 'for any thing that you may need at this time'. Late last night I had reported to our children that my symptoms were: headache 6 out of 10, body aches 6 out of 10, stuffy head 6 out of 10, sore throat 5 out of 10. I didn't mention that I had not really slept in a couple days due to coughing. I went to bed at 11:30 last night, slept until 1:30am until I awoke coughing, but with 2 straight hours of sleep. I took some medicine and then fell asleep again on the couch. Didn't awaken until 6:30. The most sleep I've had in 3 days. I awoke feeling renewed, and with 0 headache, 0 sore throat, 0 body aches. And I had tears as I felt the blessing of an apostle of Jesus Christ in a very personal way. I still have a cough but we'll deal with it and just be very thankful for the rest.

The Hard Part - Again

In June we were asked by President McCrudden, to leave our first home in Dundalk and transfer to Cork. It was very hard to leave our friends, but we followed his inspiration. We have in this short time made many more wonderful friends. President told us in June that it would only be a short time and that he wanted us over in Scotland. If it sounds unusual, that's because it is. Most senior couples are assigned to an area and that is where they remain for their entire mission. In rare occasions they may move once. For whatever the reason, we are given our third assignment area in the mission to finish our last 6 months.

I began the UK Visa application process a few weeks ago and this morning I received the confirmation email that I am 'approved'. President confirmed to me at Zone Conference that we'll be assigned to Paisley, just west of Glasgow. I suspect that we won't really be fit to travel for at least another week giving us some time to heal and to say goodbyes, again. We hope it isn't goodbye, but rather, until we meet again.

When Trials Seem Lighter

When we remember that this mortal life on earth was part of our Heavenly Father's plan, offered to us in the councils of heaven, out of pure love, and for a divine purpose - to gain a physical body, to experience pain and joy, sorrow, and to develop faith in Jesus Christ...

When we remember that this mortal life on earth is but a small moment in the eternal picture - as one young missionary described it as like a button (representing mortal life on earth) hanging on the middle of a string from the corner of a room to the far corner across the room....

When we remember that one of the greatest gifts of God to His children is agency, the freedom to choose, and so we should always choose the right, choose love, choose to serve others, choose God and His Son.

When we remember to be grateful, to count our many blessings, especially in the difficult times. Find the tender mercies through the fog.

When we remember that central to Heavenly Father's Plan of Happiness, is His beloved son, our Savior Jesus Christ....that through the atonement of Jesus Christ all sin (on condition of repentance), all pains, all injustices, all wrongs, all sorrows - all are overcome...as an apostle recently said, 'we know the final score. We just need to decide whose team we want to be on.'

This week I've gotten a bit wordier than usual. Apologies. But I hope you can see how much this mission experience means to us. I'll close with a favorite scripture of mine, the prophet Helaman speaking to his sons.

12. And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

(Book of Mormon, Helaman 5:12)

God bless.

Elder Eric & Sister Tina McMurray

Scotland-Ireland Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints