God Sent Us a Miracle!

      For months, Elder Muirhead and I have been fasting and praying that our visas would come before our scheduled flight to Ireland on June 21, 2002.  We asked the Lord if He would be merciful and send them to us by June 20th. We also asked both family and friends to fast and pray with us to help. As the time got closer and no visas in sight, on June 15, we were notified by the church that we would be put "on hold" until our visas arrived and then we would move forward with our plans. We accepted that advice.

     On the morning of Monday June 20 (a national holiday), I opened an email that simply stated "Granted". When it was fully opened, it contained two letters from Ireland with both of our approvals to now travel. I couldn't believe what I was looking at!! It was not the normal looking visa that I have seen before, but contained all the information needed. Talk about miracles or what! We literally asked for our visas to come by the 20th AND THEY DID! This is not a coincidence! It truly is a miracle and a literal tender mercy from God!

     Though we had to still reschedule our flight to Dublin because our passports were still in holding, we will finally be leaving home and family to start our adventure on July 6, 2022. Now, we will be able to spend a little more time with family and be better prepared to leave America. And this year, more than ever, I will stay tall with tears running down my face as I watch my beloved American flag pass by me during the July 4th celebration.

     There is NO doubt in my mind that God and His Son, Jesus Christ lives AND answers personal prayers if it be according to His will. I also know better today than ever, that we ARE to serve in Ireland and love and support the leaders, the young missionaries and the ward or branch members that we will be working with. It is so exciting to think that we are only eleven days away from standing on Irish soil!

I can't believe I will be there soon!

MTC Training Completed!

      Yesterday, Elder Muirhead and I finished our two week Missionary Training Center (MTC) training to start the beginning of our mission. Our training was such a blessing to us and we were able to cover so many important subjects like working with young adults, how to set and run a zoom meeting, using FamilySearch, etc, etc, etc. We also received an emailed this past Wednesday from church offices notifying us that due to visa delays, that our flight to Dublin (scheduled for June 21) will be cancelled until the needed paperwork arrives. We have been reassigned temporarily to the Provo Utah Mission while we wait. Being reassigned here in our own town will allow us to live at home and still serve others. We are so excited to be so needed at this time. We still look forward to our visas to come through quickly, so we can be off to Ireland as quickly as possible. We know that we are truly needed there too. Please keep us in your prayers. Thanks!

Our MTC Class where we meet many new amazing friends

Our new temporary mission assignment

A lesson to remember and embrace!

Our Mission Training Has Begun!

   On June 6, 2022, Elder Muirhead and I started our Ireland mission training at the Provo, Utah LDS Mission Training Center (MTC). Being there once before, I was so excited to go there again. That sacred campus is so filled with the Spirit of God and every where you go, there are kind helpers to assist you with any of your needs. The most exciting part our first day happen as we were checking in. At the first table we approached, a volunteer helper found our name on the official list and after checking us off, she handed me my missionary name tag. For those of you who don't know, after wearing this tag everyday throughout your entire mission, you become very attached to it and it has great meaning in your life for evermore. After returning from our last mission, when I was asked to remove my name tag, I cried like a baby. I am so happy to wear the name Jesus Christ over my heart once again!

   We had a wonderful first week at the MTC. We met many new amazing senior friends, heard a choir of younger missionaries sing like angels, had incredible daily training lessons that just filled our souls and that was just a few of our happenings that week. This week, we continue our training to further prepare us for our service in Ireland. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World. How grateful I am to know this fact!

Standing out front of the Provo MTC

My treasured nametag. I love to wear the name of Jesus Christ over my heart every day!

This is were we will be going very soon. So exciting!!!

This is our total purpose

Our first week's class at the MTC. What an amazing group of friends

Our Setting Apart

 This afternoon, Elder Muirhead and myself were set apart and blessed through priesthood authority by our stake president as full-time missionaries of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to the Scotland/Ireland Mission. Our son, Michael, was able to stand in the circle to help bless us. In my blessing, I was blessed to use the talents and skills already given to me as I go and serve. It was also confirmed that I did truly receive this missionary calling from my Heavenly Father. I was also blessed that I would be able to proclaim the gospel and, along with my husband, that we would be able to grow closer together as a couple. I was blessed that my family would be protected in my absence, that the Lord is happy with my sacrifice and will bless me accordingly. I will love the people I serve and will gain greater knowledge through my service. In Elder Muirhead's blessing, he was told that he, too, would be a blessing to the people of Ireland. He was also blessed that he would be able to teach in word and deed and by example. He was told that he will have specific assignments there given him personally from the Lord and that he will have the strength to complete what will be asked of him. Lastly, he was blessed that as he communicates to family while we are away, that they will also be blessed. Tomorrow morning we will start our missionary training at the Missionary Training Center in Provo, UT.