Dear Family and Friends,
Certainly the big news of this week is that we were in Dublin for St. Patrick's Day! We add the punctuation more because it should be exciting than that it really was such an amazing experience. We say that because the expectations for St. Patrick's Day is a really big thing here. There are so many tourist here just for the holiday and the city was bustling. To show how much anticipation for what a big event it is, the main train line decided to stage their strike on St. P's so that it could show how powerful and necessary their services are when "everyone is in the city". So we will try to share our experiences.
We had heard so much about the Dublin Parade--that it is too crazy to even go downtown for, ---and that you can't miss it! So we decided it couldn't be too dangerous in the middle of the day, and to go for it. We asked a few friends (investigators and newly baptized) if they wanted to go, but they all said they would rather avoid it. We have always driven to the city center, and it takes 20 -60 minutes, depending on the time of day. We decided that we would make it our day's exercise and walk it. We left at 10:00 for the parade at 12:00, hoping we would not be too late to get a decent place to watch. To our surprise we were there is less than 30 minutes. As we got there we found ourselves in the middle of the parade participants, but nobody was trying to get us to go anywhere else, so we enjoyed seeing things get organized. We decided it was because we had on official looking name badges!
Certainly the big news of this week is that we were in Dublin for St. Patrick's Day! We add the punctuation more because it should be exciting than that it really was such an amazing experience. We say that because the expectations for St. Patrick's Day is a really big thing here. There are so many tourist here just for the holiday and the city was bustling. To show how much anticipation for what a big event it is, the main train line decided to stage their strike on St. P's so that it could show how powerful and necessary their services are when "everyone is in the city". So we will try to share our experiences.
We had heard so much about the Dublin Parade--that it is too crazy to even go downtown for, ---and that you can't miss it! So we decided it couldn't be too dangerous in the middle of the day, and to go for it. We asked a few friends (investigators and newly baptized) if they wanted to go, but they all said they would rather avoid it. We have always driven to the city center, and it takes 20 -60 minutes, depending on the time of day. We decided that we would make it our day's exercise and walk it. We left at 10:00 for the parade at 12:00, hoping we would not be too late to get a decent place to watch. To our surprise we were there is less than 30 minutes. As we got there we found ourselves in the middle of the parade participants, but nobody was trying to get us to go anywhere else, so we enjoyed seeing things get organized. We decided it was because we had on official looking name badges!
When we got to the actual parade route street it was not busy yet at all. No blankets laid out or places saved except for the grandstands which we learned were sold out months ago at $60 seat! We stood right next to them on the front against the street barrier and were soon joined by some Americans. Most people including them wore wild green hats, socks, shirts, beads etc, but we didn't see anyone drunk or obnoxious. We visited with the Americans and learned that the lady has a terminal illness and was working on her bucket list. The Dublin St. Patrick's Day Parade was on the top of her bucket list! Afterwards they were going to Rome (and had a ticket to see the Pope) along with a lot of other great plans. We felt so lucky we had chosen to come after-all.
Not to be stuffy---but we have to say we have certainly seen better parades--and we have not even seen the "big ones". It was comical to us that these D.C.ers were more than a little "frustrated" that they came all the way to Ireland to see so many American marching bands. As the Irish would say it, "it really did their heads in". There were only about 3 marching bands that were not American--but they were fun pipe, drum, and bagpipe bands in complete kilt regalia. We anticipated seeing some Celtic dancers--but there were none, and the "floats" were far from glorious. None were automated: they were pushed, and antimated with paraders using sticks and wires. To make it even less exciting, because it was the 100 year anniversary of the Irish revolution, we expected there would be some great heritage pride, but the theme was something about "the next 100 years", and their idea of futuristic was far from Millennial glory! It seemed like the opposite, even to suggest that the great accomplishment of St. Patrick to rid Ireland of snakes, would change and the snakes would come back! We were glad we didn't have grandstand seats--and some of them left early. So in a nutshell, we were underwhelmed--but we did see the whole parade and will not need to put it on our bucket list.
After the parade we took advantage of the holiday time off and spent the some time with our friends Priscila and Carlos, (the new member) and went to Powersgate about 30 minutes away. It is an enormous estate where many dignitaries spent time about 50 years ago. It has beautiful gardens and is now very touristy. We ate lunch together and walked around ---not really away from the crowds, because it was a popular destination, but very nice. the day was sunny, and bordering on warm enough if you wore a coat and kept moving. We have been wanting to do something with them since Carlos' baptism but our weekends are usually so filled up, this was perfect.
On Friday we did a few more "flat checks', worked on our preparation projects and that night, we had a celebration with the YSA group that turned out to be really fun. We fixed food for an Irish Potato bar (actually they don't do potato bars at all--but it was Irish Potatoes) with shamrock cookies and lime floats. We had a St. P Quiz game and Celtic Dancing. It was great fun. We helped a lot! ----by making everyone feel very graceful as we tried our best to keep up! Sometimes we really DO feel old, but we try to ignore it.
Also we have been doing a lot this week to help everyone who can, get registered for the All-Ireland YSA Conference in Belfast this coming week. We have made a "jillion" calls, texts, and general errands to help because the logistics between two stakes, two countries, and lots of concerns have not been smooth. We think the conference will be valuable and fun. The need for the YSA to get together with others from around the area is pretty essential for the young adults to find friendships and marriage possibilities.
We have also been asked to be presenters for the YSA conference, so we have been working hard to create a presentation that will be worthwhile specifically for them Keep us in your prayers for this one--because we feel the need for the young people to see their careers as one of the most important decisions and preparations they make--and we need to be convincing. We make presentations every Sunday, at least, but we felt our "routines" would not meet the needs for the YSA, so we have been approaching this in a totally different way. We have felt the Lord's hand in guiding us with experiences and people sharing their insights that have met a lot of our needs for this preparation. Still we feel a little unsure if we are covering all we should and making it powerful enough--and fun. We are needing to get it ready ahead of time because we leave Monday for a Self Reliance Conference in London and don't get back until Thursday afternoon,--- then teach the Finance Course that night and leave for the YSA Conference the next afternoon.
And as for the traditional missionary work, we have not seen as much progress as we would love, but we are staying involved with a few. Even when they want to, and try hard, making changes to have enough faith is a big deal. We love them for their efforts and always pray for them--sometimes even stay awake at night thinking about how to help them. Tonight we got home form Belfast and went over to the church for a quick errand and got involved in a new investigator discussion that was really incredible. It is so powerful to hear people try to describe the feelings they are having when they feel they are led to the missionaries. Our testimonies are strong, but they grow even more through seeing what others feel when they first encounter the gospel. They really struggle to know what to call those feelings. This great guy, Veoel, whose is strong and yet very sensitive said, "ooohh, the hair on my arms is feeling so....I can't describe it!" He then told us about an amazing dream he had only a few weeks ago. In his dream the Savior came to him, and called him by name. He said he was surprised and said, "you know my name!?" And the Lord said, " yes, I know you." Then as he stroked his head because this man was feeling such trouble and need, He said, "Everything will be ok." So Veoel said, "then in two weeks time I meet two sets of missionaries with this nametag I recognize, and I feel such a wonderful feeling here in this building. I have been to many churches, but they are not like this. They are cold and dark feeling. They don't have any feeling. I feel something here," he repeated probably 6 times. And the funny part was as the young missionaries were trying to get the details in order to teach this man and his girlfriend, the man kept acting so surprised that he could really come back and be taught!
We have been told to pray for the Lord to send the people who are already prepared to receive the gospel, because there needs to be a hastening of the work. This is such a clear fulfillment of that effort. We see that many of these are people from other countries, so we can't help but feel it is the gathering of the tribes of Israel, but we really hope for the people of Ireland to begin to respond to the gospel too. They are good people, but have become quite disenchanted with religion for a lot of good reasons--but when their hearts are hardened it is harder for them to want it. We hope we can see that change in the time we are here.
Ireland IS beginning to experience spring. --Irish Spring soap bar :) --- The hedges are a little greener and daffodils grow in thick clusters all along the motorways. More and more doors and windows are left open, and more and more clothes are being hung out to dry. We have NOT been seeing rain every day, and we can walk a short distance without a coat on. So we are going to make it through the winter
Finally, we have been feeling the miracle of Heavenly Father's love as we gratefully realize how blessed we are that Chelise is still doing well. We are sad that she has been suffering such pain, and our prayers had been offered for her relief, but we had no idea that it would be such a serious condition, and that such a miracle was given to preserve her life. We thank you for your added faith and prayers--and of course we will continue to extend our faith through the next three months, that she can have complete healing and return to full activity. She is a brave and faithful mother and steward in her ward, so it is hard for her to slow down even a little but we hope she will use all caution to stay our of danger. We hope you know that although we may not know all your challenges, we constantly pray for each of you and your safety and good health. We love you all so much--and miss you. When really good, or really funny, or really unusual things happen, we think of you and hope we can know how to share them.
We encourage you all to continue in all the great things you do! Our lives as children of Heavenly Father are important--and you are important to us!
We send basketsful of love--Easter Wishes, and chocolate egg wishes! from...
Grandma and Grandpa, Dad and Mom, Elder and Sister Pettit
Celtic dancing.
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