12-13-2015

Hello to the Everyone,
 
We are really here and settled in Ireland.  The mission office has been so nice to us.  We were met at the Edinburgh, Scotland airport and taken to the mission home, which is a really beautiful old estate.  The mission Pres. and wife, from England and a former area 70, are so nice and so fun.  They sent us to an apartment first to get a nice long nap and then we were taken back for a great interview with the Pres. and later a lovely dinner.  We stayed overnight with another office couple and the next morning toured a little of Edinburgh--the castle and Royal Mile.  They have some really quaint shops etc. that were fun to see, but it was quite cold so we weren't having quite as much fun as ideal.  As we had been told, the temperature is not too bad, but the rain and wind made it seem nasty.  Even local people make lots of jabs at the weather here!  
 
That afternoon we caught a plane to Dublin, Ireland, with the Mission counselor and his wife, the Thompsons from England, who had been in Edinburgh for area conferences, but lives in Ireland to take care of this part of the Mission.    We had a few glitches at the immigration because apparently we don't have enough paperwork for this long of a stay---we didn't know to play dumb as to how long we were to stay--but it will not be too hard to get the change made ---we think.  It may be pretty expensive we hear, so we will cross our fingers.  Maybe someway an angel can help us. 
 
 We are not entirely joking  when we say that about angels.  We think  it was a little more than good luck that all 4 big luggage pieces weighed exactly 50 lbs.;  that our luggage that got quite wet from the pouring rain we arrived to--but that when we opened it, the only things that were wet were two pair of my socks and Lynne's sweatshirt--but they were VERY wet;  and we made it through immigration without the right paperwork since our assignment had changed from SLC's original plan; that our house has a little fireplace and we can stay nicely warm,; and who knows what else ?  We really are feeling very blessed!    
 
The Thompsons had a car at the airport and with some tricky management we got all the luggage into the car.  They drove us here about 3:30 p.m.  but with this latitude it is quite dark by then--so it seemed like night.  After we unloaded the luggage because we could hardly breathe in the small car, they took us to the grocery store to shop a little--so we are set at least for a few days.  
 
We live in the gated property of the church.  Our house is called "the bungalow" but it is just a small part of the Stake offices and next to the church.   Our place is really great.  The Mission Pres. was very apologetic that  "it is so small you can hardly turn around", and said if we can't make it work, they will find us something better, but we think it is great.  It is small, but really clean and adequate space.  They have just painted it and cleaned the carpets, and if guests want to stay on our hide-a -bed, it is possible.  We only have one bathroom, and the shower is 2X2 but good hot water etc.  The best part is it is warm inside.  The heaters are good and we have a small electric "fireplace"  which we have used.  The bed is comfy--not big, but good enough and the kitchen is really stocked well.  The only thing I see missing is a waffle iron.  Not bad!
 
Last night the Stake Pres. and his wife came to visit.  I looked a wreck after so much rain, but we had a good visit for about an hour.  They are wonderful people and on top of some great goals.  This morning, the Bishop stopped by and we weren't ready for church yet because we slept late after staying up until 2:00.  We wanted to get all moved in and the time change had us in crazy zone, so we did it.  I think the Bishop was a little worried we wouldn't make church on time but since we don't have far to drive,(understatement--30 second walk)  we were not late.    Church was so fun.   We were warned we might not be able to understand everyone, but we did.  They definitely have accents, but in context we could stay with it.  The people were friendly and welcoming.  It also  seemed like a potpourri of nationalities.  There were 3 sets of missionaries beside us, but even beyond those (Mexican, Taiwan, Belgium, American,)  there were lots of different European countries, Americans and Asia who are united in a very friendly ward. (There  is also  a Philippian group of ladies who work in the health care  industry, but they don't meet with us.)
 
So besides being well taken care of so far, our Self Reliance Manager from Manchester England, that we will work with, is coming over tomorrow to take us around Ireland for the rest of the week to meet the Stake Presidents and get us oriented to what is happening here.  We will go down and back to Southern Ireland, Limerick, then  North  to Belfast and surrounds for a few days.  He will drive those days, then leave us his car and fly back.  We hope we have the feel of the road by then because even local  people say driving here is hard.   Our stake President offered to take our Garmin to program in as many places as he thought we might need and we will get the SRS manager to do the same because Ireland doesn't have zip codes and evidently it makes GPS travel still nuts until things are programmed in.  
 
As for being lonely, we will miss you all, but we feel blessed already that the holidays will be fine.  We were invited for Christmas dinner by the Thompsons, then again by ward members--We will  go to the ward members to build those needed ties.  We have invited the 3 sets of missionaries in this ward-- and the Thompsons--- for Christmas Eve   (It should be cozy!)  We are glad we can stay in touch with calls and facetime, and will make sure everything is set by then with the technology changes.   
We love you all so much and appreciate your support more than you can know.  
Have a great week!
Mom and Dad,--- Grandma and Grandpa