Back to Scotland

Dearest Family and Great Friends,

We hope this letter finds you all well and happy.  We know as spring arrives in full measure, the pace of life increases for you--so we hope that life is treating you all well.  We also have so much to share this week and hope we can begin to give you a glimpse of the great week we have had.

To start the week, (Tuesday) we had a wonderful All-Ireland Zone Conference here in Dublin.  This was a first for us, and probably a first for all of the other couples as well.   We all really enjoyed getting together and being with the young Sisters and Elders and feeling the spirit of the work.   The Mission President is always a treat to hear and the young Elders do a great job too.  During the lunchtime we did a mini exit-training for one of the sisters going home soon, so we didn't get to mingle quite as much as we would have liked, but it was a good chance to help her get ready to go back to home, to school, and get work.  There is a careful concern that the young missionaries make the transition home smoothly and keep the spiritual momentum they have attained on their missions, and apply it to the temporal concerns they will resume.   Self Reliance is the perfect program to help them--and we love working with these incredible young people. 

 

The Ireland Conference lasted most of the day, which was more than we expected, so we felt a little pressure getting ready for the rest of the week ahead.  We have been really busy lately and with classes every night, we had a lot to do to get substitutes and details taken care of to leave for the Mission-wide Couples Conference in Edinburgh, Scotland, but it was really worth it!  We flew out with all the Ireland Senior Couples on Wednesday noon, were picked up at the airport, and went to the Mission Home where everyone was gathering.  We already knew all but one of the couples who serve in Ireland, but we enjoyed getting to meet all the other couples serving in Scotland and had such a wonderful time.   It was so fun to see the Mission Home and Edinburgh again.   The purpose of the conference was not so much to train us, but to give us the chance to feel the support of each other and share experiences and faith, ---and it served its purpose well!

 

Sister Donaldson had felt the value of hosting the event and did so much to make it a success. It was held at the Mission Home, but most of us stayed in a nearby hotel.  Our room by the way, was grand---bigger than our whole apartment here and much nicer!  We were so lucky because most of the rooms were not that great.  When we arrived on Wednesday afternoon we had nice snacks, then a few workshops to start.  The couple from Scotland over Self Reliance and we presented  a workshop together on SR for the purpose of having the other couples of the Mission be able to help in their areas.  They seemed quite willing and it will be a great support. 

 

Most of the "workshops" were more for fun and social interaction, but the President and Sister Donaldson also did a blend of fun and spiritual presentations that made it a wonderful time.  On Thursday we all took a river cruise on the Firth of Forth that was such a nice time.  We saw great scenery, and learned a lot of the history and facts of the area.  We sailed under 3 enormous bridges:  one a big rail bridge, another a car bridge, and third that was being built to relieve the traffic pressure, so that ultimately there will be one bridge for each direction of traffic.  These are huge, Golden Gate size structures with big ocean vessels coming and going constantly.  It was a wonderful rare sunny day ---and we were so lucky to have them pay for everything and take us. 

 

After the cruise, there were choices of activities, and we decided to go with those who went to see the Queen's Yacht, the Britannia.  It was much larger than we expected--more like the size of a smaller cruise ship, but not nearly as fancy as we expected.  It was built in 1953 and we reflected on the idea that in our lifetime, the most elegant royal ship would not be very impressive to us because of the incredible materialism that the world is now used to.  It also is an indication that although the yacht is no longer in commission, the Queen has not been overly worried about opulence.  To them it was just a good trip away from home--and we think not nearly a fun as the houseboat.  The dining room was quite impressive, and should be because they said it took 6 hours to set the table perfectly.  Could that be because the waves just kept making the dishes and crystal slide around?  We can't imagine how they could maintain a set of such precious dinnerware on the ocean!

 

By late afternoon everyone gathered again in the Mission Home and we had a nice meal again and a farewell fireside time.  Then we hurried and caught our flight back to Dublin.  We scored lucky again, because for us, this was home and for some the trip was another 2-3 hours drive, making their return as late as 3:00 am!

 

We were grateful we didn't have to be that tired because the rest of the weekend was pretty tightly scheduled.  We spent Friday making sure we had all the "pieces in place" for the eight presentations we had ahead on Saturday and Sunday.  Early Saturday morning we drove to Limerick for a District Conference.  Mom spoke at the Relief Society Conference and later met with all the RS Presidents.  It was a special time to be able to just share with the women and discuss how SR applies to them.  Dad met and spoke with the Priesthood, and afterwards with the Branch Presidents.   

 

Following Limerick we drove to Galway, 2 hours away and met with a returning missionary there for a few hours, then took them to get a quick dinner before they had to go teach again.  They had just had 6 mission leaders come to help them "find" for a day.  The result was over 70 appointments for them to follow up on.   Some of the investigators of course don't show up, but we learned the next day that this one was "golden". 

 

We, on the other hand, went to get a quiet meal and a hotel.  We really felt a tender mercy when we tried the recommended hotel and found its summer rates were in effect and the going price was now $230!   We told them we didn't want to pay that much and could they suggest another hotel, so they showed us a room for $100.  LUCKY again, because our other efforts were not even finding a room within 50 miles!  They even offered the expensive breakfast at no charge!  On top of that we got the last table at the restaurant we went to.  The people right after us were turned away.   Galway is a nice little resort city and it was so busy because the weather had been beautiful for two days. 

 

On Sunday we spoke in Sacrament Meeting, and  helped with a branch council training, then had to leave to drive 2 hours to Mullingar for a Devotional.  When we got in Mullingar we learned that the meeting had been postponed for a week--but we didn't mind because we still had our Sunday night class in the Dublin area.  We got home in time to get a bite to eat before we went and were much more ready to carry on.  After our class we stayed for a nice Priesthood Restoration Fireside and were able to visit more with the great saints in this excellent ward.  We met some investigators at the Clondalkin Ward who are staying in a refugee "camp" nearby - actually a converted hostel that is more like a detention home.  We have been thinking of ways to help them, and may be able to do some self-reliance teaching there.

 

This letter may seem a little disjointed because it is so late, but it is Monday night, which means English class in our home.  Tonight the class consisted of 6 Brazilians with a wide range of English proficiency.  Never a dull moment around here.

 

We are loving this Work, and are so grateful for the blessings we have that allow us to be here.  We recognize the hand of the Lord so many times each day in the "small" miracles that we witness continually.  We have decided that the so-called "small" miracles let us know that the Lord is involved in our lives almost more than the bigger, more dramatic, ones.  Either way, we are grateful for our testimonies and for the opportunity to witness the Lord's love for all of His children, including us.  Among our greatest blessings are our friends and family.  We can say honestly that we could not be serving this mission without the support and love of each of you.

 

May the Lord bless you in every way.

 

Love,

Grandma and Grandpa, Mother and Dad, Lynne and Lanette 

 

 Senior Couples at the long table for dinner in the Mission Home. 

 Looking out the window of our hotel at tennis and lawn bowling fields

 

 Our hotel room in Edinburgh was bigger and far nicer than our whole flat in Dublin! Luxury fun. 

Beautiful plaster work in the ceilings of our hotel room

 

Again looking out the window of our hotel room.  Edinburgh is a very clean and pretty city.

 The railway bridge over the Firth of Forth.  A short story about this bridge:  In WWII a big ship was coming in from the sea up the river and needed directions.  The message was to come under the Forth Bridge and turn right.  The ship came under the bridge and counted it "one" but could not find the next three bridges and ran aground with several fatalities. 

 

 Our cute Mission President Donaldson on our river cruise.

 A awrm day for seal sunning.

 This island was used defensively by building structures on the island that made it look like a naval battleship.

 A small island where we turned around.  The ancient Abbey is now there to explore.

 Closer view of the ancient Abbey.

 Sister Donaldson prepared to be on the outside deck for the river cruise.

 hard to see, but one little island that had several little gnomes on the rock ledges

 The rail bridge (front) and the motorway bridge behind.

 A view of the three bridges:   the rail, the motorway, and the second motor bridge in construction.

 When the second motor bridge is complete, traffic will be one direction on each bridge.

 The massive work being done to construct the bridge--is right over the open water and so high up!

 Hard to see in the photo, a lego model of the Queen's yacht, Britannia.  1953-1996

 Some of the Senior Couples after the river cruise.

 The Queen's bedroom on the yacht.  We though it would be so much more elaborate.

 The yacht's formal sitting room for receptions, opens into the dining room.

 Workers sleeping quarters--is very much military austere.

 The Yacht's dining room--the most impressive of all.

 They said it took 6 hours to set the table because every piece of dinner service had to be at precision distances.

A memorial to one of  Britannia's sailing crew.

Mother's Day Joy

Dear Family and Friends,
We open our thoughts this week feeling the blessings that we received for Mother's Day.  Mother's Day in Ireland is officially in March, but of course we didn't celebrate it then, except to buy Grandma's card in March--which said "Happy Mum's Day".  (We thought Grandma would especially enjoy this since they spent their first mission in England where we think  Mom is also "Mum").  So without commercial hints, we didn't have much update on when American Mother's Day was.  We thought it was more mid-month, but when the Elders and Sisters started getting excited to call home, we realized it was near.  It is sweet how important that semi-annual phone call home is anticipated.  We, on the other hand, are extra blessed as senior missionaries that we can call more often than that--in fact whenever we need to.

It was a joy to be able to talk to my Mother (Grandma) on Saturday.  She is always full of enthusiasm for all that is happening--and we are grateful that she gets special treatment and honor, for she truly is a wonderful Mother.  It would b tempting to be jealous for all those who got to give her a hug, but we are trying to avoid thinking too much of sweet family times.  We did have great visits with some of our children and grandchildren and the Mother's Day montage from Chelise's family is continuing to decorate our little living room area.  To "put the cherry on top" we had the very best weather day since we have been in Ireland.  It was sunny, 70 degrees and felt a little bit tropical!  I think Heaven knew that this Mother would love that! 

Looking back on events of this past week, we feel we have been blessed in many ways.  We are very grateful when we can be busy and  are trying to use our time well. so rather than feeling tired, we feel happy.  One day was especially blessed.  We don't get to run every day, but this day we did start with our run, then we were the "moving van" for a YSA young man from Brazil.  We took a little rest when we got home before we took off for an appointment in Mullingar, an hour's drive away.  In Mullingar we did a missionary flat check, then met with the Self Reliance specialist for an hour arranging for their ward to get started on classes. (We were very excited that he is willing to make such a big effort to bring the program to his ward.  We had the materials printed and ready for him, and will go out to do a Devotional (start-up program) this Sunday and make another trip when they start classes two days later,--- but he will be teaching two nights a weeks for 12 weeks for the two classes he has arranged to start!  We are so impressed with his devotion.)  After we returned to Dublin, we still had to grocery shop, do paperwork, bake cookies for the evening, meet a man who needs job support, teach our Job Class, take students home who couldn't get a bus, grocery shop again for a breakfast meeting the next morning---that we arranged later in the day.  In all, it was a good, long day from 6:00 to 10:30 without much time to even eat, except in the car. 

 

Of course not all days are as action packed, but most weeks we have something we have to do almost every night of the week.  Monday, English Class, Tuesday YSA, Wednesday Job Class, Thursday Finance Class, Friday and Saturday nights are a mixture of YSA  activities, workshops,  conferences, etc. and Sundays we seem to be busy all of the time.  We speak and present in wards almost every week and "Sunday nights we are teaching a Foundations Course and doing firesides.   When we get in late we are tempted to sleep-in the next day, but that is never a good option since we are the "visitor's center" for the church property and people come calling quite early on most mornings.  The day times are less predictable than evenings, but usually well filled with variety. 

The English class we are presently teaching on Monday nights  is really fun because the students are seriously smart and eager.  We had 8 students here who are mostly Brazilians (and mostly investigators) with big plans for their future, so they are learning English to help their plans go forward.  They are taking classes here, but love getting together for more help.  Among other activities, we have been playing improvised Balderdash with them, and working on context clue sentences.  We realize more and more that much of the world would feel so lucky to live in America, and to add having the gospel on top of that makes our grandchildren so lucky we hardly dare think of it.  We are grateful that each of you grandchildren are not taking your blessings and opportunities for granted.  We love hearing how many great things you are doing with your time.  We are so proud of your parents for giving each of you such wonderful opportunities to develop your talents and to help you be smart in school.   We feel strongly that you are definitely among the "elect" of heavenly Father's children  ---and that these students are also among the elect and have been led here to find the gospel.   The gathering of all the elect is a great work.   It is missionary work, but it is also a work of becoming examples to the world of good,  righteous and ambitious goals for life.  

 

Not everyone we meet and work with though, are at the top of the ladder.  Some are working so hard just to have a bed at night--and some don't always have that.  We try to help them get better job finding skills, but it is an upward battle.  What we do see that is consistent is a willingness to work and quite a lot of faith.  We are thrilled with their deep belief that God will help them, that He already has helped them, and that coincidences are really blessings.  We wish we could begin to share the stories of lives being blessed by the gospel--and by Self Reliance.

 

We are grateful for your prayers for us, and we imagine that you are mostly praying for our safety and health.  We have been safe, and are healthy again, but we want to request that you also really pray for us to have the Spirit to help us in our work.  Since we are quite busy as we represent the Self Reliance Program, we meet many people --both members of the Church and investigators.  For investigators OR members we can either be a stepping stone or a stumbling  block that affects their view of Self Reliance and more importantly the Gospel. Self Reliance is such an important new program,  a tool to really help members to become strong, capable, and happy in their temporal and spiritual lives.   Investigators are welcome to participate in Self Reliance classes and services, so we extra hope we can bring the Sprit in all that we do.  The foundation for all the courses is faith based, and we feel the challenge to always make that clear and important.  We feel that the "field is truly white, all ready to harvest,"  and that we must be so careful to not let pride, discouragement, or any personal weaknesses stand in the way of being able to share true principles.  So please pray for us to be good representatives of the Lord's work. 

 

This week ahead is very busy.  Tomorrow we have all Ireland Zone Conference.   Wednesday and Thursday we will be in Scotland for a Couples Conference.  We are doing a SR workshop there with the Scotland SR couple.  (we have been arranging for substitutes for classes here.)    Then we will be home on Friday to prepare for a lot of involvement in District meetings in Limerick Saturday, and presentations in Galway, Mullingar, and Clondalkin Sunday--all of which are 1-2 hours apart.   We are grateful to be able to present in all these events this week, but we hope we can be significantly blessed to make a difference. 

 

One last thought:  We were showing a video of people in Africa working together to dig wells.  It was evident that there was great joy in the work being accomplished.  It struck us that Dad, Grandpa, had said he wanted to be called to Africa to help dig wells, because he knew then that the work would make a difference.  And now we are here in Ireland, digging a different kind of well.  The wells we hope that are making a difference are the wells of personal resources being discovered.  As people reach down inside themselves and discover their talents, potential, and find hope in the future, they are just as blessed as if they were wells of water.  The results of finding personal resources can bless families and communities now and in the future.  Just today we worked with an investigator, who is a very capable immigrant, but in some ways a refugee, from Zimbabwe to help him find new opportunities.  The parallels of purpose are not so difficult to see, and we feel our circle of prayers for good people becoming wider and wider.

 

As our love for others spreads wider, our love for you and our Savior deepens.  We love each of you so much!  Again, we are thankful to have been in contact with you and feel your support and love.    We hope you will continue to live the gospel with strength and faith and keep the  family important.   

 

Hugs and Kisses,

Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma, Lynne and Lanette

 

 This is a glamour picture of us one morning running.  Don't ask WHY we would want this photo--just to show you that the day was pretty and we are really here!

 This bridge is part of our run and dates back to the 15th century.  It is in a nice parkway along a river that is now running clean and healthy.  For some years after industry came into the area it got polluted and all the wildlife and fish left.  Now even Salmon are occasionally returning.

 Along this river is a nice pond with several kinds of ducks and best of all beautiful swans.  The Mother is on a small island sitting on the nest every time we come, and the father keeps a constant guard swimming around.  It is so tranquil. 

 We don't see the heron often, but it is fun when we do.  This day he was very intent on fishing behind the big rock and did not move even when we got closer.  In places the banks are lined with big boulders. 
The big leaf plant in the foreground looks like rhubarb but in fact it is rather poisonous.  Mom felt the affects of pulling a leaf to see if it was rhubarb, on her hands for two days.  They do however  sell rhubarb in the store--so we bought some. 

Legend, LIGHT, and Love

Dear Family and Friends,
May has arrived and we begin this letter thinking of what it must be like now at home.  You grandchildren are just entering your last month of school and the days are getting quite sunny and pleasant.  Many of you probably have been working a bit in your yards and gardens and looking forward to summer.  Here in Ireland we are also looking forward to  summer, but we hear so many people tell us to not get our hopes up too high for beautiful warm days--so today we decided to take a real p-day and go for a trip up north to the Giant's Causeway, good weather or not.    We began the day with jogging--in the rain, but we ran anyway because we had to miss more than we liked last week.   By the time we started driving, the day had turned into a quite nice day. We took two young church members--college girls from America and Brazil with us, so the day was set for fun.    We got about half way in the three hour drive each way, when we hit a heavy rainstorm, but were so glad it was over by the time we arrived at the Causeway.  It was windy and we were glad we had gloves and coats, but the sky was blue.

Some local YSA people told us that if you park  your car on the road instead of in the Car Park, you don't have to pay an entrance fee.  We asked the  attendant at the entrance, and he told us that it was right and showed us where to go park.  We planned on doing that but found a better option; park in the little old school restaurant lot, get a light lunch and let the car stay there.  It was a perfect idea because the lunch was less expensive than the tickets--and so fun. 

So we finished eating, (same windy weather) and walked along the coastal path to the Giant's Causeway.  It was a about a 20 minute walk with photo stops, and when we arrived we were welcomed with the hardest rain blast of the day! --probably because it was along the coast --or maybe it was the Giant's wrath.  Even though the temperatures were not that low, we really felt the cold right through our coats!--but we toughed it out and still hiked up the little hill and out onto the peninsula of the Causeway.  We heard that Scotland was visible from that point--but not likely in the weather we were experiencing!  We thought we had really met with some bad luck, but the park officials told us that it rains hard there about every hour.  We suppose they wanted to have an "Old Faithful" feature too.  However we think we got an extra strong wind and rain because on the way back out, there was a road block  on the very road we had been walking on less than an hour before.  There on the road was a huge boulder that had been blown off the cliff above.  It was remarkable that nobody was injured because there were a constant stream of tourists.  Those who were coming into the area were telling us that the rock had fallen less than an hour before, and we knew that better than they did!  We figured it ust have come down less than 10 minutes after we were there!  We felt really blessed.

Before we came to Ireland we learned the Legend behind the Giant's Causeway.  It is not well known here, but we think it is great:  Many years ago both Ireland and Scotland were home to giants.  The giants knew of each other, but had never met.  The Irish giant decided to build a roadway (causeway across the ocean) to Scotland and invite the Scottish giant to come and visit.  He build it with nicely shaped paving stones and sent the invitation.  The Scottish giant accepted and started across the pathway, but when the Irish giant saw him, he realized that the Scott was larger than himself and he got really afraid.  He hurried to his home and told his wife to hide him.  (How do you hide a giant?!!)  His wife had an idea.  She dressed him up like a baby and when the giant from Scotland arrived and asked to meet her husband she calmly said he was gone and would be back soon, but he could just sit and wait with her and her baby.  When the Scottish giant saw the baby he realized how big the father must be and hurried and left.  As he raced across the paved road he tore up the road as much as he could so that the Irish Giant could not come over to Scotland.  So the causeway now only goes a short way out into the ocean.

We also drove to a nearby rope bridge that spans from the mainland cliff to a rocky island cliff, that then goes farther out where the fishermen liked to get to.  We had a few reasons to not go on the bridge: (which ones do you think are true?)   We didn't have enough time with the long waiting que, the wind was blowing too hard for it to be safe, it cost too much to be worth it, Grandpa doesn't like heights!.  

We have one other thing to share about our trip.  We used our satellite navigation to guide us and got nearly there when we came to a road block.  The Guarda (police) told us we had to turn around.  When he saw our disappointment, he asked us where we were going, then gave us some direction and told us that it would be easy and well marked.  We did as he said and so did the next car, but then the next car seemed to be so impatient behind us, flashing lights etc.  Finally the car pulled up beside us (still going) and apologized for seeming rude.  The lady said she wanted to lead us to the Causeway because we would never find it on the back roads.  She then drove ahead of us for at least 20 minutes until we arrived at the site.  We were amazed she would do that, because the road was narrow and difficult and she had two children with her which meant in all she had driven an extra 40 minutes just to help us!  We got out to thank her and she was so sweet.  Grandpa wanted to give her some money for her help but she insisted not, so he gave her one of our "business cards" in case she is ever in Dublin and we could help her.  Of course it shows us as missionaries of the Church.  We have to say that Irish people are incredibly kind---and that the Lord helps us with the details of our lives--even it is for fun. 

As for our week's work, it seems we are doing much the same.  We went to Limerick again on Saturday to cover for a class there and we are always amazed as we get to know new people what incredible stories they have.  As we showed the SR video the lady from Africa really related to the story of the young boy who bicycled bananas everyday to earn money for his mission.  She said,      "I  used to do that too."  Now she is here as a single mother, trying to get an education and a job--and live the gospel.   Her life has changed for the good and will yet change much more as she stays faithful.

And another young lady's story is incredible too, but miraculously not unique--in fact her story is almost the same as the young lady who came to Church here for the first time yesterday and then came to our English class tonight.  Amanda, in Limerick, came to Ireland in December as a troubled young adult.  She met the missionaries in the first few days and joined the Church within the month.   She is now such a happy, beautiful, ambitious young lady, with goals and the light of Christ visible in her appearance.  Maryanna, came to Ireland last week.  Just before she came she decided to stop smoking.  She said it was really hard, but she is so glad she did.  She still has a nose ring---(Amanda had a chin jewel--but the scar is healing pretty well)---but Maryanna is visibly even happier today than yesterday.  Yesterday she came to church, then stayed there all day so she could come to the YSA fireside, which was fabulous.  Grandma sat by her and they started a friendship.  Tonight she came back for a missionary lesson and then came for English class.  We don't really talk religion at the class, but the two non members who came are such great young people and we already feel close to them. It is a great experience to see the light of truth come into their lives and change them so quickly. 

Our work with Self Reliance is growing pretty well, but we have much more to do.  Some wards are taking this with such enthusiasm and realizing how much it can do for their wards/branches, while others are letting it sit.  We suppose it is much like individual lives and growth.  It takes real effort and commitment to make changes that are significant, but the growth and blessings are miraculous.  The Lord is behind His work, and we can choose how seriously we want to be a part of the progress.  It make us realize, even as missionaries how we need to act in faith in all that we do.  We know this is an inspired part of the gospel and we need to be diligent to help others to see that too. 

We love hearing from you and thank you for your support.   We hope things are going well in your lives and in your families.  Please remember how much we love you--and how much Heavenly Father loves you--and how much we both (Heavenly Father and we)) want eternal blessings for our family.  Stay healthy, stay happy, stay holy!

Hugs and Kisses from Ireland.
Dad and Mom, Gramps and Gran, Lynne and Lanette

                                           On the trail to Giant's Causeway.  Irish Sea.

                                         With one of the YSA girls that went with us.

                                         This is part of the rock formation at Giant's Causeway.

                                                  More of Giant's Causeway.

                                         On top of Giant's Causeway.  Grandma is waving.

In case you can't tell, a cold wind is blowing.

 

                                           The very  end of Giant's Causeway.

                                                      Grandma is cold!

                                          The two YSA girls who went with us.

                                         This rock came down just after we had passed this point on the hike!

                                         Let's see if we can smile with a cold, hard wind coming at us.

This flower is everywhere!  Pretty, but the bushes are really thorny!