This week found us stretching our wings just a little bit more. We both need to get more comfortable driving here, so we need to practice, practice, PRACTICE! And that is what we did! We drove more miles this week that any other week since we got here. Since the beginning of our arrival, we still don't have our permanent SIM card which makes it hard for us to drive places, but that should change hopefully this coming week.
On Monday, we drove our to get some motor oil for our car. It should have been a short drive, but between our GPS and the hundreds of different road signs here, our trip was much longer. We at least figured out that if we don't know where we are going in a roundabout, that we can stay there until we get things figured out. We only made ourselves dizzy once! Ok, maybe twice!!
After putting a bottle of motor oil in our engine, we drove south about 30 minutes to the cutest little Irish town you could ever see. Even all the tour guides said it was a must to see, and they weren't fooling. It is called Adare. Little did I know that just before we got to Adare's main street, that we would pass both a medieval friary and the ruins of the Adare castle. The friary was a photographer's delight. I can't tell you how much I am loving all the ancient sites they have here, especially castles and churches. After putting some new amazing photos on my camera, we drove onto main street! And wow!!!!
The first thing in our view was Adare's famous thatched roof cottages. You may not know this, but I love thatched roof cottages (I think it's a fairy tale thing for me). I could have stood there all day, but when I turned around, I found the cutest little main street ever. It was so crowded with people by the time we got there, that we could not find a parking space, so we turned around and will return another day.
On Tuesday, we went back to St Mary's cathedral to listen to a free concert. Rachel Talbot, a soprano soloist and her accompaniment, Mr. O"Shea, thoroughly delighted us with a hour of music. I'm telling you, when Ms. Talbot hit an incredible high note, her voice echoed all around that medieval cathedral. I have only heard something that amazing once before in life while I was in Jerusalem. And Mr. O'Shea, wow! He was so passionate about his piano playing. I don't think he even hit one wrong note. He was fantastic. It was so cool, both the sound and the site.
On the way home, we ran into the Limerick elders. They were waiting for a friend to met them so they could teach him a gospel lesson. The missionaries said that their friend was already 30 minutes late. They were afraid that the friend wouldn't come. They looked discouraged. We talked to the elders a few more minutes then left. We walked a few steps further, crossed the street and then we stopped to asked God to send their friend right over to the elders. We never heard the ending of that story that day.
On Wednesday, we got up super early to drive to Dublin on our own (I know, pretty scary, right?). We had a miracle happen to us as we drove. You might think that the two miracles I will tell you about are coincidences, but I know better! Both were answers to specific prayers at the very time that they were needed. Back to Wednesday. That very morning, knowing that we still needed all the help we could get driving, we specifically prayed that every needed road sign and every marker would be clearly placed in our view. Believe it or not, we drove straight into Dublin without even one problem or one wrong turn!
We were asked to drive to Dublin to join our good mission president, his wife, 2 other senior couples and 45 young sisters and elders assigned by the church to the Republic of Ireland. I'm not kidding, those young missionaries were absolutely amazing. Strong, faithful, true, devoted and dedicated to bringing all unto to Christ. I stood all amazed. We are truly so very, very blessed to be here at this time. Our zone conference was incredible. We all were greatly uplifted and blessed. The instruction given was timeless and the training was exactly what we needed.
Near the end of the conference, our own Limerick elders were asked to present. They gave a wonderful lesson. Just before they finished, Elder Hardy told us all about a recent experience they had. He said that the day before, they were waiting for a friend to show up so they could teach him a gospel lesson. He said after waiting quite some time and not having the friend show up, that they prayed and ask God to help the friend come right away. Minutes later, the friend came and Elder Hardy said that they had one of the best lessons together ever!! Coincidence??? I don't think so.
As we were saying good-bye after zone conference, we had a young elder approach us and personally tell us that the mission, including he and his companion, had been praying for a senior couple to come to southern Ireland for the last 9 months. With tears in his eyes, he expressed over and over again his gratitude for our sacrifice and willingness to serve. at this time. He said more than once, that we WERE the couple that they had been praying for. Remembering that we have been the only senior couple called to Limerick in recent times, made me teary-eyed too. We have had so many opportunities, both at home before we left and while here, to know that this is the mission the Lord needs us to do. That knowledge alone is priceless to us!
While sitting in our car, getting ready to travel back, we decided that since we were in Dublin (knowing that we may not be there again for a long time) and that it was dinner time, that it would be great to find a nice restaurant and enjoy a good Irish meal. Well, it was also rush hour, with ten thousand tour buses in the city, 6.3 million people on the streets, hundreds of crazy bicycle riders who thought they deserved the road more than we did and, of course, no parking spaces!!! Dublin, at that time, reminded me of downtown Cairo or, even worse, Hong Kong! It didn't take long to remember that Dorothy from the Wizard of OZ really was right, "there is NO place like home"! One hour and a half later, we were finally through the city proper and on the motorway to Limerick. CRAZY!!!!!!
On Thursday, we visited the Hunt Museum in Limerick. Mr Hunt and his wife were involved with several archaeological digs during their life together and the museum displays many of their findings. It was very well done. The museum also had Limerick's famous Arthur's Chalice, dating back to 1625. This chalice, used by Bishop Arthur of Limerick, was housed in St Mary's Cathedral for hundreds of years and was then moved to the Hunt for better security. The museum houses artifacts as old as from the Egyptians, stone-age Ireland, up to more modern times. I'm loving Irish history and culture.
On Saturday, we had the Limerick elders over for dinner. They had been driving home from Trilley, a small area north-west of Limerick and got stuck in traffic for hours due to construction. Those poor young men! Dinner must have been good, as seen by both elders finished their plates in no time. I'm not sure if they tasted it though. Oh, well!
I want to end this week by again bearing my testimony. Because I have been given much, I feel so very blessed to share my knowledge of Jesus Christ with those around me. He truly is my everything! Week by week, my testimony grows, bringing me so much joy and peace. Growing a testimony is simple: pray, read the scriptures, go to church and serve your neighbors. There is nothing else more important to do. God will bless you for your efforts. I see and feel that truthfulness every day. I invite you to also join in. Say a prayer, help a neighbor, go to church. You can do it! I promise that you will see God's hand in your life as you come unto Him.
I loved your message! Thanks for sharing your testimony and some of the sweet experiences you and Elder Muirhead were able to be a part of. I also loved your pictures!
ReplyDeleteDearest Kathy
ReplyDeleteWe loved your blog!
You are so close to the Spirit! We love you !
❤ Rosemary and Bill