Mission Blog #76 - Last Week

Final Countdown

Eighteen months ago we were in our last days of preparations to begin our mission service. We were thrilled to have been called to serve in the Scotland-Ireland Mission. Tina and I left our familiar things and our family and dear friends - primarily because we felt in our hearts that this was the best way for us to show our gratitude to our Father in Heaven, and our Saviour Jesus Christ, for the gifts and blessings we have received in our lives. To wear those missionary badges that have both our name and the name of Jesus Christ, has been one of the greatest blessings of our lives.

With unknowns and uncertainties ahead of us, we went forward, with full commitment and faith. And here we are now, with only a few days remaining, and feeling somewhat reflective and nostalgic. We're doing the same things we were doing back in early September, 2022 - purging things we don't need, giving away a few things, making our travel arrangements, seeing a few sights, and saying goodbyes. Timetable - we're released by our Stake President, Brad Stevens, on Thursday, March 7. We rent a car and head to England March 8, and will be in England until flying out of Heathrow on March 18 direct to Calgary.

Last Visit By Family

One of Tina's brothers, James, and his wife Lorraine were with us for a few days. Prior to their Monday evening flight, we made a nice loop drive; Paisley to Greenock, to Wemyss Bay, and then stopped at Largs on the shores of the Firth of Clyde in North Ayrshire, about 33 miles from Glasgow, then returned via Kilmarnock and to the Glasgow Airport. 

The times we have been able to spend with them - here in Paisley, and Dundalk Republic of Ireland, and Belfast, Northern Ireland are moments we have cherished - priceless.

In 1263 this was the sight of the Battle of Largs, between the Vikings and the Scottish armies. An annual festival (and this giant Viking statue) serves to recall those times.

We had a wonderful time during their visit - toured around a bit, played some games, and had a few great meals. 

Thanks James & Lorraine for making the effort when we know you have many other things that you could have been doing.

Pollock House and Pollock Country Park

We're trying to experience more of Scotland. It seems, getting a photo with a highland coo is one of those things to do... while we had tried previously in our travels north, to get up close to these sturdy and shaggy cattle, it was only this week that we learned of a herd that is just 6 miles from our flat. So, off we went to Pollock Country Park. And after walking a few minutes after parking the car, we found them. 

This award winning fold of Highland cattle is the most accessible of this species for the majority of Scots.

The park hosts a lawn bowling club, a horse riding school, rugby ground, mountain biking routes, police mounted and dog-handling divisions, and public sporting grounds and two golf courses that are on the perimeter of the park. We only just discovered its existence or we would have come previously and often.

Pollock Country Park is Glasgow's largest park, with 361 acres. It was named Britain's best park in 2007, and in 2008 it was the Best Park in Europe. 

Crocuses, daffodils, and snow drop flowers are already up and the dormant trees and shrubs are just beginning to show a little green.

The stone arch bridge leading to the house over the White Cart Water was constructed in 1757.

A flower boat in the walled garden. 

The flowers will all be blooming soon, including a collection of over 1000 species of rhododendrons. 

There were many different garden areas, and in a few weeks when spring has fully sprung, it will be spectacular.

Pollock House is closed for a two year conservation effort, but is one of Glasgow's best-preserved grand estates. It was home to the Maxwell family from 1752.

In 1966 Mrs Anne Maxwell Macdonald gifted the estate to Glasgow Corporation, with condition that it remained a public park.

Farewell to Our Paisley Zone

Paisley Stake President Dewey (top left), is very connected to missionary efforts within the Paisley Stake, which includes Ward or Branch congregations from Straenraer, Ayr, Kilmarnock, Paisley, Greenock, Irvine and Pollock. Each 'transfer' (about 6 weeks) he gathers the missionaries for a Zoom call and review of the Zone Plan. It was our last time to participate. We'll miss President Dewey and other leaders in the Paisley Stake who we have become friends with - and, of course, our fellow full-time missionaries in the Zone.

Farewell to Our Paisley Stake

The twice annual Paisley Stake Conference was today, here in Paisley. The choir from Ayr was brilliant and they really brought the spirit to the meeting. The medley, 'Sisters of Zion, and Army of Helaman', always gets to my tear ducts. I really enjoyed all of the talks, but the one by President Mackie (Preston Temple President) was impactful. President Mackie stands about 6ft 8" so it's hard not to notice him. He spoke about how when he was about 18 years old, he first handled a rugby ball. He felt awkward with the game at first but he listened and observed those with more experience but still wondered, 'Am I good enough.' He learned to enjoy it, and he became good at it. Within a couple years, he was approached by the Scottish Rugby Union to play for Scotland, and there began a wonderful career that he loved. Around the age of 20 he met the missionaries and was taught the gospel of Jesus Christ. He felt a desire to join the Church, but wondered - 'Am I good enough?' He listened and observed others with more experience and was baptised. He later was called to be a Bishop in the church. He wondered again, 'Am I good enough?' He took counsel from those with more experience and wisdom. He worked hard at it, learned to like it and became more confident. Same when he was called into a Stake Presidency. And then when an apostle called him and his wife to serve as Preston England Temple President and Matron, he wondered, 'Am I good enough?' He was told, 'Whom the Lord calls, the Lord qualifies.' And he has listened and observed, and learned to be good at it, and to love it.

Tina and I would say this too. In pondering a mission, we wondered, 'Am I good enough?' We spoke with trusted friends, some with alot more experience and wisdom, who gave us confidence to just do it. We worked at it, and we love it.

Other talks were equally inspiring. All 18 of us full-time missionaries (4 senior and 14 junior) were asked by President Dewey to stand, then he asked that every family invite us into their homes and allow us to teach and testify to them. And, he mentioned that we were leaving the mission on Friday (which means we can't hide out and extend our time here)... the cat's out of the bag.

Mary O'Donell has been one of the kind, generous church members in Paisley that we have come to know and will miss. About every second week, she'll approach us and hand us two chocolate candie bars, and two Irn Bru sodas. This weekend she gave us beautiful gifts - me, a leather wallet, including a 1 pound stirling coin (for good luck), and Tina, a beautiful necklace. We had other nice gifts from the Hammonds who are about to have their first baby; and the Ward Relief Society, and Evelyn McGheehan. Bless them all for their kindness.

It was nice to gather in a full building. This is the view towards the back, from our seats in the second row, shortly after the end of the meeting. 

When we first arrived in Paisley last September 27th, I soon connected with this great man, Alan Lauchlan. Alan is one of those very dedicated people, a Bishop in Paisley for a dozen years or so, and also a Branch President in Beith. I first met with him to see what he could tell us about the 620 people listed on the Paisley church member list. Whatever he could tell us (without breaching confidence), could really help us as we planned to reach out and extend invitations to the many on the list who no longer attended church. 

Today, I heard his full name read out along with others, for them to be sustained as members of the Stake High Council. His name was read as, 'Alan MacKenzie Lauchlan'.  Well, I made the mental note, then after the meeting I bee-lined for him and told him about my MacKenzie heritage. (See Blog #74 showing our journey to Gairloch where my MacKenzie roots go deep). Alan confirmed he is of the Gairloch MacKenzies - so, here we stand, cousins without knowing it after over 5 months living in the same Ward. We are committed to exchange information and stay in touch. He loved seeing the photos I'd taken recently in Gairloch. He has never been there.

The Stake Relief Society President, Margaret Bryce, is wonderful, as are her two counselors - we'll always consider them dear friends. 

The Ward Relief Society President, Cynthia, and a counselor, Jocelyn, planted a couple of wet kisses on Tina and thanked her/us for her service.

Sarah is going to miss Tina alot. She playfully says that I can go, but Tina has to stay. She is one of the sweetest, kindest (and cheekiest) friends we've met in our mission, and we love her. 

Final words for the last Sunday of our Scotland-Ireland Mission... someone remarked this week about the slogan attached to the coat of arms of the University of Glasgow established in 1451. The words are: "Via, Veritas, Vita" - The Way, The Truth, The Life, taken from John 14:6. We couldn't agree more of what the Savior means to us, to all of us. He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life.

God bless,

Elder Eric & Sister Tina McMurray

Member and Leader Support Missionaries

Scotland-Ireland Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

www.churchofjesuschrist.org