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
In case you can't tell, a cold wind is blowing.
This flower is everywhere! Pretty, but the bushes are really thorny!
No comments:
Post a Comment