I never would have thought that I would be able to celebrate a birthday in a country like Ireland! Really! Never!! And because of the extraordinary circumstances of just being here, I think I have done a very extraordinary made-to-order birthday celebration. Intertwined with all the partying and fun, has been the greatest opportunity of mine this year to be a missionary for my Savior, Jesus Christ, to teach the gospel and bring others closer to Him. That last statement alone is worth a huge celebration inviting both heaven and earth.
To continue the celebration, on Tuesday, we decided to take a double decker bus to the University of Limerick. I was surprised how large the university is, including its 16,000 student enrollment. It is one of the better known universities in the country. And though there were no students on campus that day, the World LaCrosse Tournament, with 21 countries from all over the world, were there to compete. The energy was so high!!! The Japanese team were so cute to stop and gather so I could take a picture of them!! They all couldn't get into the picture quick enough! They made me giggle. The university has an almost kilometer long "living bridge" over the River Shannon. It was very peaceful to stroll on the bridge and watch the swans do their thing. I also learned that the university has one of the best live theaters in all of Ireland. When I looked through what would be playing this coming school year, Elder and I will go see one of my favorite plays in December and we will also go see one of Elder's favorite ballets in March 2023.
On Wednesday, Elder and I had time to visit the inside of King John's castle. Of all the castles we have visited, King John's in Limerick has the best presentation for tourists, including interactive displays, a workable courtyard with musicians and jugglers and an archeological exposure of some of the original stones used to build the castle. It was very informative and interesting. I also had a great conversation with one of the staff members and will present him with a Book of Mormon next week when he returns to work.
Thursday, we got permission from our mission president to visit the Cliffs of Moher on the western edge where Ireland touches the Atlantic Ocean. I think I have looked at over a hundred different photographs of those cliffs, admiring their beauty for what seemed like for years. Now, on that very day, I would actually stand on top of them!!! Wow! And they were more than incredible! I had only 90 minutes to basically wog (walk/jog) as fast as I could up one narrow path to the top of the south cliffs and then beeline it back the other way up the path to the other northern cliffs. By the time that day was done, I had measured 19,236 steps! A new accomplishment for me! After, we stopped off for lunch right on the coast. I had a delicious chowder soup, like straight out of the ocean. It was accompanied by a dark brown lovely soda bread. We finished that day by visiting what is known as the baby cliffs. It was a great ending to a great day!
After the village closed and most patrons left for the night, about 80 of us with staff stayed to have a medieval banquet including wonderful medieval entertainment. The night was amazing! In the large banquet room by the light of candles, we were served a four course meal without silverware. Being one of the first in line for the banquet, I told the matron that I was there for a birthday celebration and asked if Elder and I could be the honored Lord and Lady for the evening. You're right! We were automatically chosen. After being crowned (with real brass crowns), we led the way down the circular stone staircase into the banquet room. MeLord was seated on a large wooden throne and meLady was seated to his right side. MeLord was asked throughout the evening to make some very important decisions, which he did quite well.
At one point, a young male visitor was caught making eyes at a young lady. He was captured and, by orders of MeLord, he was taken down into the dungeon. The head butler pled with MeLord for mercy and by the grace of his majesty, the young man would be freed if he........sang a song! Of all the choices MeLord had, he could only come up with sing a song? Are you kidding me??? All the visitors were crying with laughter! That poor young man, totally besides himself on a stage, started to sing, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"! The crowd roared with laughter and then we, all, joined in for a hearty version of Twinkle, Twinkle! It was so funny!!!
After dinner, the serving staff, which included a violinist, a harpist, the butler and 5 maidens, entertained us. They performed some traditional Irish songs and some silly Irish melodies. Just before the evening was finished, the butler announced to the crowd that MeLady (me!) was celebrating a birthday. After a deafening roar of awhhhs and applaud, as a total surprise, the 5 staff maidens, with the lights turned down low to only allow the candles to glow, dedicated to me "Oh Danny Boy" sang in a cappella. Of course I cried!!!!! Wouldn't you?? I totally lost it and in front of all those strangers. How embarrassing, but oh, so beautiful. Til the day I die, I will never forget that very moment of feeling so overwhelmed with the song's enduring power to comfort and its ability to uplift one's heart. In typing that here and now, I started streams of tears to fall again. Some memories will never faded with time.
On Saturday, we went for our morning walk and then picked up a few groceries. By the afternoon, we drove about one hour away to one of our branch member's home and enjoyed a wonderful homemade shepherd's pie. Elder had not been able to find the real deal since coming here. Brother and Sister Byrnes have a lovely cottage overlooking a sea of green fields with rolling hills. It was just what we both needed. Sister Byrnes is an excellent cook. Elder had several platefuls. She also served steamed carrots and pea pods that, too, were so delicious. After, we all sat around and enjoyed our evening chat. When it was time to go, the Byrnes invited us to come back again soon. I think we will be able to accommodate that request.
Now, as always, I want to end with a summary with our mission events of this past week. This past week, the youth of Limerick went to England for FSY (For the Strength of Youth). conference. Many of the young single adults and parents/leaders also went to participate as leaders and counselors. This past week, we prepared a Book of Mormon to give away, visited with the Byrne family and met their YSA age daughter, Ruth, we called and made an appointment to visit with Sister Smirnoff and also supported and participated in our weekly district missionary meeting, our weekly branch president counsel, and our branch's missionary correlation meeting. Elder and I have recently been asked to start an evening branch Book of Mormon class, that we are trying to get clearance to start the first Wednesday of September. For FHE this coming week, Elder and I will surprise the YSAs who come to my "better-late-than-never" birthday party. We will all spend the evening celebrating life, enjoying one another and making a birthday cake and ice cream disappear.
As we love, support and serve those here in Limerick, our hearts continue to soften and love through listening and understanding the many members here that bring so much culture into our lives. We see the blessings of the Lord. We really do! We bask in the success of our young elders who will baptize a young man this coming week. We are so honored to serve here. We are so grateful for each of you and for your love and prayers that we certainly feel from so far away. I continue my certainty that I know that God is our Heavenly Father. Oh, how I love Him! I know His Son, Jesus, and want to daily repent so I can become more like Him. The Book of Mormon, in its plainness and clarity, testifies of the Christ and of His plan of happiness. The book is a blessing to millions. May we ever go forward and endure to the end. May God bless us all!!! Amen.
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