Dear Family and Friends,
Today is another beautiful Irish Spring day--complete with lots and lots of liquid sunshine! It seems like the temperatures are warming a bit, but we are pretty sure that the good news is that we are just getting acclimated! On occasion we are now not even frustrated when we are feeling that the building is warm enough for us, and inevitably someone wants to open windows or doors. Yesterday we were visiting a nearby small branch council and we were happy we had worn our wool coats--- over our suits--but we were not "freezing'. We were surprised though that the branch president (not us) was complaining that the heat had not turned on yet. But you have to take into consideration that the Branch President pointed out that he was Asian, Philippino, and as long as he had lived here, he had still not adjusted to cold church buildings. So yes, it is mid April and we are wearing our warmest sweaters--but still smiling.
Along with the weather, this morning we saw a very traditional Irish funeral. We were coming home from a late morning jog--because we had to pick up transferring Sisters very early and get them to the bus to go north,--- so we were off schedule but in time to see "the real thing". The sky was completely overcast, with a misty almost drizzle and we heard bagpipes. We stopped a moment to see a single full uniformed bagpiper standing by the big stone arch and mourners quietly passing by. We hurried to go get the camera, but we were too late, so we hope you enjoy the "word snapshot".
Since we mentioned the transfer, we might add that we have been quite involved lately with getting missionaries where they need to be when transfers come up. It gives us new appreciation for how hard the Zone and District leaders work to get all the logistics taken care of. For some reason there has been a car shortage, too early of schedules for regular bus routes, and a some sickness that has had us as the emergency back-up. The very early schedules aren't fun for anyone, but the worst was when we were in Cork training the returning-home Elders and Sisters and became the best options for getting some Sisters transferred. Sister Skagen needed to get all the way from southern Ireland (Cork) to Northern Scotland and her companion, Sister Buhler, was very sick. The plan became for us to take both her and her vomiting companion to Limerick almost 2 hours drive away to have the sick Sister stay with a senior couple for a few days because she couldn't make the transfer trip to Dublin on a bus as originally planned. Such courage on everyone's part--because there were no other options than to have her take a container with a lid and a few necessities and her big quilt and get in the car. With all the presentation materials and cooking equipment we had taken (we feed the training group lunch) and all the luggage of a Sister going home, our little car was a sardine can!--with a Sister being sick every few minutes.
We hated leaving her "alone" in Limerick, but the plan carried through. We had left that morning at 6 am and didn't get back until 10 pm, so we were tired! Still we had one of those early morning bus deliveries the next morning--but we are doing ok. It was a little bit of a worry because we had both finally given in and taken one of or Z-pack antibiotics for a flu bug we couldn't get over, and we didn't want to have a relapse, but we are being blessed and doing well again.
Well enough of the dreary--because it really isn't. This week we have had some fun missionary things happen and some good progress with Self Reliance too. On Saturday we had a double baptism in the ward--both of them YSA age. Rosemeria from Brazil is such a great convert that we have come to love, and Jackie from China is a good guy too. Rosemeria followed the instructions of a niece to look up the church in Ireland, but really didn't feel happy with her visit. She decided to leave and an older handicapped sister in the ward stopped her and said, "don't go, let me introduce you to some friends" (missionaries) It is such a sweet testimony that we are ALL missionaries--because then she did stay--- and she was baptized in just 5 weeks! And the other great thing is, our friend Carlos,( also Brazilian) that Dad baptized just 5 weeks ago, performed the baptism for Rosemeria! It was a great event for us, ---and to top it off there were 12 investigators in attendance! Afterwards we had a nice social time and got to visit with the investigators and they are genuinely interested.
Today is another beautiful Irish Spring day--complete with lots and lots of liquid sunshine! It seems like the temperatures are warming a bit, but we are pretty sure that the good news is that we are just getting acclimated! On occasion we are now not even frustrated when we are feeling that the building is warm enough for us, and inevitably someone wants to open windows or doors. Yesterday we were visiting a nearby small branch council and we were happy we had worn our wool coats--- over our suits--but we were not "freezing'. We were surprised though that the branch president (not us) was complaining that the heat had not turned on yet. But you have to take into consideration that the Branch President pointed out that he was Asian, Philippino, and as long as he had lived here, he had still not adjusted to cold church buildings. So yes, it is mid April and we are wearing our warmest sweaters--but still smiling.
Along with the weather, this morning we saw a very traditional Irish funeral. We were coming home from a late morning jog--because we had to pick up transferring Sisters very early and get them to the bus to go north,--- so we were off schedule but in time to see "the real thing". The sky was completely overcast, with a misty almost drizzle and we heard bagpipes. We stopped a moment to see a single full uniformed bagpiper standing by the big stone arch and mourners quietly passing by. We hurried to go get the camera, but we were too late, so we hope you enjoy the "word snapshot".
Since we mentioned the transfer, we might add that we have been quite involved lately with getting missionaries where they need to be when transfers come up. It gives us new appreciation for how hard the Zone and District leaders work to get all the logistics taken care of. For some reason there has been a car shortage, too early of schedules for regular bus routes, and a some sickness that has had us as the emergency back-up. The very early schedules aren't fun for anyone, but the worst was when we were in Cork training the returning-home Elders and Sisters and became the best options for getting some Sisters transferred. Sister Skagen needed to get all the way from southern Ireland (Cork) to Northern Scotland and her companion, Sister Buhler, was very sick. The plan became for us to take both her and her vomiting companion to Limerick almost 2 hours drive away to have the sick Sister stay with a senior couple for a few days because she couldn't make the transfer trip to Dublin on a bus as originally planned. Such courage on everyone's part--because there were no other options than to have her take a container with a lid and a few necessities and her big quilt and get in the car. With all the presentation materials and cooking equipment we had taken (we feed the training group lunch) and all the luggage of a Sister going home, our little car was a sardine can!--with a Sister being sick every few minutes.
We hated leaving her "alone" in Limerick, but the plan carried through. We had left that morning at 6 am and didn't get back until 10 pm, so we were tired! Still we had one of those early morning bus deliveries the next morning--but we are doing ok. It was a little bit of a worry because we had both finally given in and taken one of or Z-pack antibiotics for a flu bug we couldn't get over, and we didn't want to have a relapse, but we are being blessed and doing well again.
Well enough of the dreary--because it really isn't. This week we have had some fun missionary things happen and some good progress with Self Reliance too. On Saturday we had a double baptism in the ward--both of them YSA age. Rosemeria from Brazil is such a great convert that we have come to love, and Jackie from China is a good guy too. Rosemeria followed the instructions of a niece to look up the church in Ireland, but really didn't feel happy with her visit. She decided to leave and an older handicapped sister in the ward stopped her and said, "don't go, let me introduce you to some friends" (missionaries) It is such a sweet testimony that we are ALL missionaries--because then she did stay--- and she was baptized in just 5 weeks! And the other great thing is, our friend Carlos,( also Brazilian) that Dad baptized just 5 weeks ago, performed the baptism for Rosemeria! It was a great event for us, ---and to top it off there were 12 investigators in attendance! Afterwards we had a nice social time and got to visit with the investigators and they are genuinely interested.
Two more things about the baptisms: The last two baptisms we made rocks with the baptism dates printed on them for the person being baptized, to represent that it is upon the Rock of our Savior that we build our testimony and faith. We decided we should continue the "tradition" but we couldn't find anymore good rocks in our yard. We had been pretty busy with our assignments, and then suddenly busy with some last minute requests, so in the last hour before the baptisms we had to go out looking for rocks! Funny how hard that can be in the city--when you are in a rush. But we found a vacant lot and grabbed a few, came home and washed and hair dryer-ed them and did a careful, but quick dating job. We made it on time--and it is great that they seem to think they are a good gift. (No Deseret Book options here)
Second, was that after the baptism, the Elders and a Sister came to the door with the bag of wet clothes wondering if we could launder them. We cheerfully agreed to do it, but as they handed us the bag they said, "Be really careful,---this is quite dangerous!"
Second, was that after the baptism, the Elders and a Sister came to the door with the bag of wet clothes wondering if we could launder them. We cheerfully agreed to do it, but as they handed us the bag they said, "Be really careful,---this is quite dangerous!"
Of course we were puzzled and asked how could it be dangerous? "They are full of SINS! " they smiled. They got us on that one!
A few of those investigators at the baptism had attended our "jobs" class earlier In the week and really liked it, and are asking if we can also teach an English class. The trick is finding a time that they can come when we are free too. We hope we can find a morning that will work because evenings are a premium. They seem to be so sincere about the gospel and are thrilled at the bonus benefits. This Sunday we also started a new group in a Dublin ward that seems like will be a success. We had 16 people there--some new members, some less actives, and supported by the Bishop, RS Pres. and Self Reliance Specialist! Dedication!!
Love and prayers,
Grandma and Grandpa
Mom and Dad
Lynne and Lanette
Dublin District. What a good-looking group! I can't see any "senior" missionaries. Can you?
This is our good friend Carlos, a member of only 5 weeks. Rosemeria (from Brazil) asked that he baptize her. What a special moment!
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