Mission Blog #54

An Emotional Week - Leaving Ireland, Arriving in Scotland

With our goodbyes said to the Cork Branch, Republic of Ireland, we hurriedly, and with the help of these two amazing young missionaries, packed up our little Toyota. We cleaned out the apartment, and did a video to record what we did. Then we drove to the property management's office and dropped off the keys. It was all in the rearview mirror by about 12:30pm (although we couldn't really see anything with that mirror because of how much we had packed into the car). We leave behind fond memories and dear friends.

We made one pit stop on our way up to Belfast, at Alice Gernon's in Dundalk. The drive is about 3 hrs 30 minutes. We had a wee sandwich and a great visit with a true friend. 

It is said that if you have one good friend, then you are very fortunate. We feel so blessed to have friends many in the Republic of Ireland.

We stayed in Belfast for a couple of nights, with Tina's generous family - brother James and sister-in-law, Lorraine. 

I loved watching football with James, Liverpool winning after giving up the first goal. But I also enjoyed answering his queries about what our mission has meant to us - these first 12 months. Was it what we expected? Yes, and more. What did we learn? That we can do hard things...that our young missionaries are incredibly dedicated...that we love serving in any way we're needed... We've also learned more about each other (Tina and I), that we are different but can work well as a team. We each have strengths and can succeed together when we use those strengths rather than dwell on our weaknesses - that we each have. And we've learned more deeply about the things that matter most in life.

Tina's niece, Julie, works in a hospital and with Lorraine and James recovering from Covid, she and Tina's great niece, Cara, did a 'drive-by' visit, waving at naan who was peeking out the window..

We drove our last few miles to the docks in Belfast on Wednesday morning, a short 20 minute drive, and boarded at 10:45 am. The storm Agnes was chasing us from the southwest so we were somewhat worried whether we'd be able to sail. But, we left port at 11:20 am 'on time' and sailed for 2 hrs 15 minutes on smooth waters. 

The ferries are very comfortable, with cafeterias, play areas for children, video game room, and luxury lounges. 

Our first sight of Scotland through the driving rain.  I looked to there, a land with so much of my own Scottish family history, and I stopped to ponder how we'll be able to find the time to explore those roots.

There were probably about 120 vehicles, cars, buses, lorries on our Stena Line ferry. We arrived at the port of Cairnryan and drove straight past the security checkpoint, which selected every 10th vehicle or so for closer examination.  We were one of the lucky ones who drove right through, and on we went heading north. I failed to realize that I had 'roaming' off on the phone so my maps naturally did not work. However, I had looked previously at maps and knew that we'd be going through Ayr, then Kilmarnock, and then up to Paisley. But, I'd have to pay alot of attention.

A thatch-roofed building in Kirkoswold. 

It was about 1 hr 40 minutes to get to our destination of Paisley, situated just west of Glasgow, Scotland's largest city. Before we can go to our apartment we had to first go to the property letting office to collect the keys. I knew I could get to our flat without GPS maps, but the letting office was more challenging. When I knew we were close, I was able to roll down the window and ask a nice teenager with a phone, to point me the last 50 metres. She was so sweet, walking with me the last bit right to their door. There are so many nice people in the world. 

Our New Flat

We received the keys, then on we went the last 300 metres to our new home, Anchor Mills apartments, our new home for the next 6 months...

Our parking is the lowest level. The carpet-covered poles are some indication of how narrow the spaces are; but we're getting more comfortable each time we come and go. 

Five young missionaries, and Cameron Keir, councilor in the Elders Quorum, were all the help we needed. 

I'm not going to lie - I think we may have the nicest Senior Missionary flat in the Church. It certainly exceeded our expectations.

The views out the massive 4th floor arched windows is worth a long look. We have expressed our appreciation to our Mission Housing Coordinator for all of her work, and other senior Sister missionaries who also helped to get our flat prepared for occupancy. The flat was empty when leased so there had to be a complete furnishing and set up. It was no small feat to get it ready for us.

We have a mezzanine level containing our master bedroom which is very spacious. This is our view coming down the stairs.

The White Cart Water, a tributary of the River Clyde, lies just below us, with the Paisley Abbey established in the12th century, beyond. The sound of the rushing waters of the falls provide a wonderful background. 

Paisley is a town of 77,000 in Renfrewshire, and is known as the 'largest town in Scotland'. By the 19th century, Paisley was a centre in the weaving industry. Under the leadership of Thomas Coats, Paisley became the world centre for thread making. Various events reduced the importance of weavers.

The most famous product of the weavers was the shawl, which bore the Paisley Pattern, made fashionable after being worn by a young Queen Victoria.

At the height of Paisley thread manufacture in the 1930's, there were 28,000 people employed in the Anchor (our apartment building) and Ferguslie mills of J & P Coats, the largest of their kind in the world. 

Did I say that Tina's brother and sister-in-law are some of the most thoughtful people we know. James and Lorraine have sent us flowers at each of the 3 apartments that we have lived, and it is like a welcome hug. In the first hours after arriving and missing friends and familiar things in our previous area, it really makes a difference. Thanks James and Lorraine. 

It Takes Effort to Make a Home

There was a short list of repairs/adjustments that were needed; leaky taps, twisted blinds, heat & water system training. And deliveries to receive: fire extinguisher, iron, bed frame, and others.

Farouk and his helper were busy for parts of two days and were very nice, faithful men - left to attend prayers in the afternoon to give honor to God. We totally respect and admire any who are dedicated in their faith.

With backs already achy, we took on the project of assembling the second bedroom's bed frame. I laid out the pieces and hardware, and was the boss's assistant. Tina did most of the labor on this one, taking mercy on my sciatica.

We have 2 Ikea dressers to assemble in the coming days.

We did giggle a bit at receipt of a delivery of this crock pot as part of the new apartment kitchen supplies. When you are planning a roast dinner for five, including three young and hungry Elders, you know this won't cut the mustard. It'll work for a side dish though.

We were advised by the missionaries that there would be a baptism today (Saturday), and we saw it as a great opportunity to see where the church building was, meet some of the Ward members, and congratulate the newest member of the church here in Paisley......(pssst, this is not Tina's first occasion to come to this church building. Some previous beau lived here back in the day).

The baptism of eight year old, Amber Stewart, went well, and her grandpa McMAnus (left) did a fine job of speaking on the topic of 'the Gift of the Holy Ghost' which is given during the confirmation by laying on of hands, after the baptism.

The sister on the right, Fiona Gilmour, sang beautifully to help with the spirit of the service. And, many of the members contributed to the food afterwards. Similar to Cork Branch, the Paisley Ward has members of 20 different nationalities. Bishop Dorma is from Uganda, a convert to the church of just a few years.

Georgina Lundi, or granny Lundi as the children and others know her, gave the other brief talk on the ordinance of baptism. Both she and Brother McManus did a wonderful job of delivering their remarks, directed to and expressed with love to Amber on her level. I'm sure she'll remember this day all her life as I do of my baptismal day of about 58 years ago. She and Tina introduced themselves to each other with some warm hugs.

We met about 30 of the Ward members  at the baptism and they all seem to be fun and full of life. We really look forward to serving them for the next 6 months.

General Conference Is A Special Time

Twice a year members of the Church gather to listen to general officers and leaders provide uplifting messages and instruction. A year ago we were in the Conference Center to take it in while temporarily assigned to the Salt Lake City Headquarters Mission, but this time we enjoyed it from the comfort of our new home. We invited the young missionaries to join us for a meal and watch a session live via YouTube. 

I loved many of the messages, but the talk by Elder Ronald A Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve, brought a big smile. He pleaded for more Senior Missionary couples. If you felt something during that talk, prayerfully consider joining us in this great work. 

Saturday evening, Tina prepared tacos. Sunday, it was a roast beef dinner.

We had been given an internet/wi-fi router on Thursday but we were getting no internet connection. Thirty minutes before the start of Conference, the missionaries arrived, bringing another router. It worked beautifully - it felt like Christmas. These three missionaries include our Zone Leaders, Elder Guillen and Larubia (both of Spain) and Elder Tewes (from Germany). The reason there are 3 is that Elder Tewes companion went home a few weeks early due to his grandmother's passing away. He and his family made the decision that he would return home so he could support his family, and honor his grandmother at her memorial service.

This afternoon we had a Zoom video meeting with the Paisley Stake President, Andrew Dewey. He provided some excellent background on when he first spoke with Mission President McCrudden on the need for a senior couple in Paisley Stake. We are convinced that we are here because there are some lost sheep to find, and invite to return to the fold. President Dewey is a fine man, dedicated in leading the 5 Wards and 2 Branches in this Stake. He asked about our family and applauded us for our consecration, in leaving home and family to come and dedicate this time to be in the Lord's service to gather Israel. We felt his sincerity deeply, and we felt the faith that he has in us. (Side note: President Dewey asked if we noticed Elder Gary Stevenson's tie with the paisley pattern as he spoke yesterday in Conference. When Elder Stevenson was here two weeks ago, President Dewey gifted him the tie on behalf of the Paisley Stake members, and he wore it yesterday. Cool.)

The Paisley Elder's Quorum President called us today as well, and we conveyed to him the conversation we had with President Dewey and the focus that we will have, in reaching out to members who have drifted away and are not participating as they had in the past. Another call came from Brother and Sister Broadfoot who have Stake High Council and Stake Relief Society responsibilities over missionary work. They are coming to Ward Council on Wednesday to follow up on a Stake program of reading 'Preach My Gospel' by all Stake members. They are kind, sincere people and we look forward to working with them.

We have had a busy week, an emotional week, but a blessed week. We have seen and felt the tender mercies from a loving Father in Heaven. Little miracles that assure us we are where we're supposed to be, and that there is a great work for us to do here. We did pause to remember special friends who lost loved ones in the past week or two. You remain in our prayers Rob and Shelley.

Bless you all in the good you do - in your homes and community.

Sincerely,

Elder Eric & Sister Tina McMurray

Member & Leader Support Missionaries

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints