Pettit's Highland Highlights: Wrapping Up Ireland

Dear Family and Friends:

     This week's letter might be a little shorter because things are getting crazy around here as our move approaches on Thursday. We feel rushed to get everyone visited that we would like to, as well as wrap up some last-minute Self-Reliance details. We really don't mind the rush, though, as we have had so many wonderful experiences this week with our friends here.
     After the Monday trip to Galway to visit with our friends the Currans (the branch Self Reliance specialists), we held our last English class.  So many students have already gone home for Christmas, so we only had 3 in attendance, but we had a relaxed, fun time with them. We realized how fun this English class has been over the months, and hope that it will be a means of bring some of the wonderful young people we have met into the Church.
      Tuesday morning found us in District Meeting, and it was such a wonderful thing to watch these young Elders and Sisters show their love and concern for their investigators. The meeting was centered around finding ways to move investigators toward baptism, so each set of missionaries listed their current investigators on the board and the group discussed ways that we might help each of them. It was very touching to see how the missionaries really cared about each investigator and how much they wanted them to enjoy the blessings of the Gospel. To see such charity from these missionaries truly affected us. The meeting ended with one of the sister missionaries suggesting that we all fast together the next day for these people. We feel very strongly about the power of united fasting and prayer, and we are confident that many of those we discussed will be baptized. The mission is well on its way to reaching its goal of 360 baptisms this year, which is a miracle in itself. We are grateful for the opportunity to be a small part of what is happening.
      Tuesday evening was our YSA Job Search class (no institute tonight.)  The class started off on shaky ground with very few people, but they started coming in late, and we had a very nice group about halfway into the class time. What is most important, however, is that they started to catch the vision of how they can work together as a group and how the material can really bless their lives.  Sarah is the newly-returned missionary who is facilitating the class, and she made the extra effort to come in spite of being in the middle of moving. Her sacrifice is a real example to the others, and we feel very good about leaving the class in her hands. If this class could work, we feel that it would be a great blessing to the YSA. After class, Sarah had a meeting with the Stake Presidency and was called as the Stake YSA Leader. She will do an absolutely wonderful job, and we are excited about it, especially because of her feelings about Self Reliance.
     Wednesday morning we got up early and drove to Nick's (Romanian perpetual investigator!) so we could put some birthday decorations (and cake) in his apartment while he was at work. The landlady let us in, and we had fun doing something so that he wouldn't feel forgotten on his birthday. When he got home from work he was so surprised and called us right away. He was so appreciative, and told us over and over again how much it meant to him. We asked him again how soon he felt he could be baptized, and he replies that he wasn't ready yet.
      In the afternoon we drove to Limerick, with a visit along the way to the house of the former Self Reliance Specialist, with whom we worked when we first got to Ireland. His house is way out in the country over some narrow roads, but we really wanted to see the new addition he just put on his house. He was so proud of it and so excited to have us see it that we were glad we went out of our way. They seemed to really appreciate our visit and fed us lunch. We feel like it was meaningful to them that we would be interested enough in their project to take the time to come see it, and express our appreciation for what they did to help us as we were first getting started.
     From there we drove that last 45 minutes to the Limerick chapel to hold a Career Night for the Young Men/Young Women. We were surprised at how many came (14), and we feel like the presentation went well. It was the first time we have given this presentation that was developed by our boss specifically for the Youth. It consisted of a fun career-choice activity and some instruction, and they seemed interested. If we have a chance to give it again in Sweden, we will refine it and hopefully it will be meaningful for the youth, who have to make school/career choices so early here in Europe. Because it was so late when we got through, and we were so tired, we just stayed at a hotel in Limerick and drove home in the morning, which is something we haven't done very often.
     Thursday evening we were able to join the Sister Missionaries in teaching Valerie, who is a golden investigator from Mexico. She asks the most searching questions, and really wants to know about the Gospel, but she is reluctant to get baptized for a very interesting reason: she is worried that having to go to church on Sunday will take away from the time she can spend with her extended family. She is very close to her family (especially her grandmother) and Sunday is the only day she can spend with them. How would you help her through that problem? We would be interested in your answers.
     Thursday night was a YSA Family Home Evening with treats and games on the Wii. Not overly well-attended, but it was nice to be with them one last time.
     Friday morning we were up early to clean the church. The cleaning closet was in such bad shape that we bought some new supplies and really gave it a good cleaning. We felt like we contributed at least a little to making the building look better. There is lots more we could do, but not enough time.
     Friday night we invited our good friends the Keoghs and the Coles over for dinner, and we had such a fun night eating, talking, and playing games. Mom taught them "9's", Fruit Basket, and Speed Scrabble. It was interesting to be involved in a political discussion after we introduced the concept of a "Trump" card! Oh boy! We exchanged gifts and hugs. We are going to miss these wonderful people!
     Saturday morning found us on the road to Portadown in Northern Ireland where we put up a display for SR for a ward anniversary open house. We were very happy to have it shared there and there seemed to be good interest. This is one area that is just getting ready to start SR--but we have trained the senior couple there and they are excited to bring it to the saints in that area. We had some meetings with the leaders and in all it felt like a success.
       As quickly as we could, we got on the road back to the Dublin Stake to attend a ward Christmas party where Grandpa was able to be Santa's helper. It was so fun to see how excited the Children were to see Santa. Grandpa did a few minutes of sharing the important symbolism of Santa as a reminder of the Savior and it made it all even more special. We really love Santa--and he does bring us closer to the real meaning of Christmas if we think about it. We hope you will al think about it.
       Our last Sunday in Ireland was spent in another small branch on the West coast of Ireland where we were able to do a graduation presentation for those who had just finished a course. We have spent a lot of time with this group, so again we were blessed with special feelings for them. We also spoke in Church---with the Mission President since we were all (surprise) there at the same time.
         After we got back to Dublin, we visited our friend Nick who was having some serious back pain. We were able to bring the missionaries with us and gave him a blessing--which we feel was a tender mercy path for him to connect with them before we go.   And later we were lucky to have our good friends Carlos and Priscila (Carlos the first baptism we had in Ireland) come and visit us. We had hoped to be with them when they go through the temple in February, but we were just grateful for them and the way they have grown so much in the gospel since Carlos was baptized.   Looking back on these people as blessings in or lives is sweet--but makes it harder to leave them.
         Now we roll around to Monday again---today. We are making our last trip out of Dublin to visit one last small branch family and their group who has also just finished their course. We will do another graduation evening and then spend the night at their home. (They insist and we don't have the heart to decline.)   In all, we will feel like w have completed some circles, not just around the island, but with the completion of groups that had a hard time getting started, but have finished with victory and blessings.
           We reflect so often on the many times on the many ways the Lord blesses us. Things don't always turn out perfectly---not everyone gets baptized and not every ward or branch has magnificent success, but we are seeing the Lord's work prosper and bless many lives--including our own. We really hope you can feel our love for the Lord, for the people of Ireland, and for you our dear family and friends!   Love is what matters, and like a beautiful gift that was given us says, "The heart that loves is always young"----we know that in truth, it is the key to Eternal Life!
           Finally speaking of Eternal Love, we want to recognize the Anniversary of Great Grandpa and Grandma Godfrey--Their 70th!!!!   It is another event we wish we could attend, but we joyfully celebrate with them in our hearts.   They have been a wonderful example of teamwork and love. They have shared their unity with all the family and continue to be an inspiration to us. We honor them for all they are--together.
          We leave for Sweden in 3 days.---much to do until then!
           We hope your days are full of Christmastime joys. Hugs to ALL!!
Grandpa and Grandma,
Dad and Mom
Elder and Sister Pettit
Lynne and Lanette