New Record for Number of Meetings Attended!!

      Hello again dear family and friends. Well, I never thought it could be done, but we have a new record of meetings attended in one week! Wow!!! It all started last Sunday and lasted until this past Saturday. Though we were in many meetings this week, each of those meetings gave us either another opportunity to serve or to give advise/training to individuals or to large groups. We also got several chances to minister to several on our branch or to just do good. It certainly was a memorable week for us.

     So last Sunday, after our two hour church block, we were asked to join in an executive leadership meeting with our district presidency. President Roy both presided and conducted the meeting. We were all called together to hear the good news that our Limerick branch had met all the requirements to split the branch and form two branches out of one. Our meeting focused on the list of active members and possible new branch boundaries. We also discussed a timeline needed to set as our goal as we continue to move forward. 

     It is such a blessing to serve the Lord on a mission at this time, but Elder and I feel that this new development and its future long-lasting effects will be life changing for these members. Once new branches are formed, a new stake will also be formed and President Roy was told that our area presidency will then submit paperwork for this area to be put on the list for a new temple approval. Who would have known that when Elder Muirhead found out 60 years ago that he would come here to the land of his forefathers that this would be the work he has been called to do! Later that night, we attended an all mission zoom meeting, directly followed by an all mission senior couple zoom meeting with our good mission president, President McCrudden. In total, we spent almost six hours that day in church related meetings.

     On Monday, we gathered for another meeting with our young single adults for family home evening. Though this is a more informal meeting, it still is a meeting. Our YSAs decided to make this evening a game night. Four of our district elders were also able to attend. We played jenga again, as we have done before, because it is such a fun game. Here are some pictures.

Here is our regular YSA group. From left to right clockwise starting with Elder Muirhead, Elder Hardy, Elder Ana, Elder Larubia, Elder Gullen, Emma, Barbara, Isabela and Marla. They truly are a wonderful group of people who love the Lord.

This is our third try at the game. Our crazy YSAs keep removing sticks and making the tower taller and taller. Notice that Emma had to stand up to make her move. I hated it when it was my turn. This game can give me anxiety!

Ok. This was hilarious. Elder Ana tried a gutsy move and the tower begun to ever so slowly tilt over. He literally caught the tower in his hands and then exclaimed that it hadn't truly fallen. The game is not over! He looks like a new father holding those sticks like it was a infant baby. We were all crying

     Every Tuesday morning, we gather as a district mission for our weekly training meeting. Our Waterford district has a companionship of young elders and a companionship of young sisters. Elder Muirhead and I support the work in this extended area. This is my favorite meeting every week. To hear those missionaries train, teach, solve concerns and place all of their faith and trust in the Lord is such a privilege. I will never be able to put into words the loving service oriented diligence each of these disciples of Christ have. I have often just sat back in my chair and exclaimed in my heart, "wow!!!!" At the same time, the Tralee district meets in an adjacent room doing the same thing. Here is a picture after last week's training.

We love to all gather together after our training meeting with each of these missionaries. It is such a joy to call them our angels

     Tuesday night, we also had our two elders join us for dinner. Elder Larubia from Spain and Elder Hardy from Las Vegas are our district's zone leaders. They are not only superb missionaries, but take on many additional assignments by both the mission president or the branch presidencies in this part of Ireland. We LOVE these young men! I made them Mexican Delight, a favorite when my family was young, with a fancy dessert. 

Elder Larubia next to me and Elder Hardy next to his companion

     We had to kick them out of our home (which we never do!) because we had to set up for our monthly senior couple family home evening zoom. This hour is spent with all the senior couples in our mission wherever they live and serve. Sister King gave a wonderful lesson on gratitude. Many personal stories were told, allowing the spirit to work personally on each of us. After the closing prayer was said, we quickly left that meeting only to join our weekly branch presidency correlation meeting. We always give a report of what our missionary service has been during the past week and then correlate with the branch on any continuing or helping with upcoming events to serve the branch's needs. So now in three days, we have been in approximately just over 12 hours of meetings! 

     But wait! There's more!!!

     Every Wednesday, Elder and I go to the church to join the elders in the local English Connect class. This is a free class that the elders teach each week to help anyone from a foreign country learn to speak English. We were ask to come one Wednesday night months ago, as the only branch priesthood representative who had been coming got a new job and would not be able to assist any longer. Elder Muirhead was asked to come and sit in every Wednesday for the class and the rest is history. This past week we had the largest class to date. Nine visitors were present for that night's lesson. It was so awesome to be a part of that self-reliance class to help others in need become more self-reliant.

     Mid Thursday afternoon, we got a phone call from a branch member, Brother Byrne. He told us that his wife, who has several health issues, had been admitted to the hospital here in Limerick the night before. Brother Byrne stated that he hadn't had the chance to give his wife a blessing before she was admitted and was going to the hospital later that day to do so. Elder Muirhead offered to assist him. The Byrne family was the first Limerick branch family to invite us over for dinner last August. On that summer evening, the four of us hit it right off. When Bother Byrne walked in the hospital later that afternoon, the Muirhead's were already there, ready and willing to serve. It is always such a privilege to see the Priesthood of God in action.

    This past Friday ended up being another busy day for us. A few weeks ago, as Elder was backing our church vehicle out of a driveway, an under panel got scratched. Elder got permission to fix it if possible. That sweet man, laid on the hard tar driveway for hours and sanded, then painted the area that was affected. Look at the pictures below to see the amazing job that he did. Even the mission office wanted to know what his secret was! He had such a great sense of achievement afterwards. That evening, I spent time making a desert from scratch for a upcoming branch party.

Many driveways here are not level and can cause car damage. Elder was backing up probably 2 miles per hour and scratched the car this much!

Here is the after picture. Now you see it, now you don't!!! He is so good when it comes to car anything!

     Friday mornings are typically my day to do final preparations of the branch's Book of Mormon class that I have been asked to teach. The branch also planned to have their Halloween party right after the my class. It does take me many hours to develop a good lesson plan that I always am eager to discuss with those in attendance. Unfortunately, no one came for the class that night, so I turned my energy into helping decorate the gym for the party. By the way, my first batch of cookies baked in Ireland with Irish ingredients and in an Irish oven turned out well. By the end of the night, the cookies were all gone! Here are some pictures of the party.

The young women decorating the gym

The table for the pumpkin carving event

We had about half the branch come to celebrate. We played several fun games, carved pumpkins, and ate some wonderful treats

This is Emma doing face painting for both the children and the adults. I was very impressed with her talents

My freshly baked cookies. This ended up being quite the challenge for me, but I won!

     One thing that we did not do which we normally do every Friday, was to visit the single sister from our branch. Just days ago, her teenage son turned a year older which stopped some government assistance for her. This was bad timing. She has just started school and won't be able to get the career job of her dreams until her education is completed. She has been working on seeking answers and resolves to this concern without any help. She spent the whole day before and that Friday searching again. She asked us to pray for her, which we did. After having another challenging day, her prayers were finally answered! Without explaining in more detail, believe me....this was a miracle! Yay for a loving God and His tender mercies!

     On Saturday, Elder and I went back to the hospital to see Sister Byrne. She, too, had a miracle given to her. An infection that she had been fighting for months somehow totally resolved after her husband and Elder Muirhead had given her the blessing days before. The doctor could not even explain what happened. We know though!

     So after a good week of many meetings, service and prayerful considerations, another week here has ended in great success. We truly are so very blessed every day. We love studying the scriptures, ministering, praying, teaching and training. One thing that I will always be grateful for during this mission is the daily knowledge that the Lord has placed us exactly where we are needed to be at this time. He truly knows who we are, our talents and our willing heart as we strive to be an instrument in His hands. This mission teaches us everyday that Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, lives and loves us. That is how we get through all our daily Irish challenges, and in reality, how we all get through any personal challenges. Jesus is THE answer. The gospel is true and continues to move forward here in Ireland. May God bless each of you this coming week. Much love!

Sister Muirhead

     

     

     

     

Cliffs and Moher! (that's a play on words for Cliffs of Moher)

      Yeah, so I was trying to be funny with my blog title. Sometimes the hardest part of having a weekly blog is giving it a title, especially when you basically do the same thing every week. This week we were able to travel just a little, including returning to the famous Cliffs of Moher. I like the little traveling that we get to do at times to break up our week of service and meetings. We are working on a future trip to Northern Ireland to give a fireside and visit one of the Muirhead family homelands. We have also asked if we could travel out to Tralee to give a sacrament talk or two. They have less than 20 active members in their branch, so without additional help from other branches, they each have to give a sacrament talk every other month, if not more often! We would love to relieve them of that burden if possible.

A recent picture of King John's castle 

     We started this last week off with a wonderful sacrament meeting and a very engaged discussion in our gospel doctrine class. We also got word that our kind mission president gave our district, including 4 young elders and 2 young sisters and us, permission to take time out of our P day to travel as a district to the Cliffs of Moher. Several of the younger missionaries had never been there before. They were so excited. The 4 young elders drove in one car and the young sisters drove with us. 

     

     When we got to the cliffs, a huge posted bright yellow sign warned each of us that it was a very windy day and to be very careful as we walked the trails. And windy it was!!! We walked up the trail to the cliffs themselves first, taking lots of pictures. Then we walked over to the other side opposite the cliffs for a different view. It was so fun to spend good quality time with these totally amazing young and faithful missionaries. It was also great to take a day off to see the beauty of nature and to relax. We had a very successful 6 hours together and were able to travel, hike and enjoy each other safely and within mission rules. Here are some pictures.

These are the young missionaries in my district. From left to right: Elder Siebke from Sweden, Elder Hardy from Nevada, Sister Hayman from Texas, Sister Blanchard from Washington state, Elder Larubia from Spain and Elder Petrovey from England

Watch out!!!!

The Cliffs of Moher that beautiful afternoon

The mighty winds allowing the waves below to crash into the vertical walls of the cliffs

The walking trail up to the Cliffs

I love this picture. I love these awesome disciples of Jesus Christ.

     We got home in time to have FHE with our YSA group. Because we have several YSAs that are trying to learn English as a second language, we played Book of Mormon hangman. Each YSA had to pick a verse, then find a word in that verse and challenge us to see if we could figure out what the word was. After, they had to tell why they picked that verse and what it meant to them. It was so fun and, no kidding, quite hard! We ended the night by enjoying treats and saying our good-byes until we would meet again.

     Tuesday, the district met to be trained and counsel with each other. We have been making it a practice to write all of the names of either the new friends that have been found or the returning members that the missionaries are working with on a white board. Last week there were so many names! That it was very exciting to see. As we trained and counseled, we took each name and tried to plan around their needs. I'm telling you, this district is right on!!! We spent the next evening supporting the branch's English Connect course where we help others how to speak in English. 

     Thursday was a sunnier day, so Elder and I drove out to Coole Park in Galway. This large park was once owed by Lady Gregory of Coole. After her husband died, Lady Gregory invited many famous Irish authors and artists to her estate where they would enjoy time together talking about literary subjects or art. While many of these famous people where visiting, she had them carve their initials into what is now known as the "autograph tree". Authors like W. B. Yeats, George Bernard Shaw, Sean O'Casey and artists like Theodore Simpson participated. The park is in pristine condition and presented many beautiful fall colors just about everywhere I looked. It was good to be there.

Stepping into the park proper, we were greeted by the famous red deer of Ireland

This is the autograph tree. It is a copper birch tree and when in full color, has copper colored leaves.

This is a small section of the autographs found on the tree. The initials near the number one were carved by Theodore S. Simpson, a famous sculptor. The number two is where George Bernard Shaw left his initials.

Beautiful fall colors contrasted by amazing hues of green

A walk along the Lady's woodland space

A stone almost hidden by ivory and fallen colored leaves

A massive tree trunk decorated by nature itself

So pretty, so comforting!

Colors in full explosion! Amazing!

     My Book of Mormon class occurs every Friday evening. This week we developed a zoom link to invite more gospel students to join our class. It looks like the zoom link will take time for faraway branch members to join, but I am so excited to provide that option for them. Class went great. We talked about 1 Nephi 5 and 6. One of my favorite verses in 1 Nephi 5 is verse 9. 

     In this verse, after Lehi and Sariah rejoiced after the safe return of their sons, who had been gone for just over a month with no communication, Lehi performs his priesthood duty to God in ordinance work. In this verse, Nephi writes that Lehi offered sacrifices and burnt offerings. Lehi's sacrifice would have been a peace offering, used for moments of thanksgiving. It is interesting that Lehi also performs burnt offerings, used only for atonement and never for thanksgiving. How did Joseph Smith, unlearned, know about ancient Hebrew sacrifices and which ones to use at the right time. Well, he didn't, but Lehi did! Lehi used the right offerings for the right situations.

     It was very proper for Lehi to used burnt offerings after his sons returned with the brass plates for two reasons. First, Lehi is told how the older brothers harmed their younger brothers because of their faith. A second reason he offered burnt offerings, maybe even more important, was because of the death of Laban. Lehi obviously did not want any chances that he and his family's relationship with God was in jeopardy. In that instance, the burnt offerings performed was exactly the right thing to do. It is for being atoned or reconciled. This evidence of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon gives me greater faith and greater love for God.

     I also spent time with my friend, Gitana, who we visit every Friday. She is the branch member that Elder and I are helping with renewing her temple commitments. We had a great discussion on what our favorite part of the temple experience is for each of us. It was so wonderful to hear her explain how special the temple was to her and how excited she is to go back again. I was also able to watch the new Book of Mormon 3 Nephi video that was released on Friday. I am really loving them!!! 

     On Saturday, branch members gathered at the church to watch an old, but a wonderful missionary movie made by the church called, "How Rare a Possession". This movie dates back to 1988. At the October 1988 general conference, President Benson gave his totally awesome  talk about flooding the earth with the Book of Mormon. In that talk, he stated that in the first weeks after this move was released, that the church got requests for tens of thousands of Books of Mormon to be distributed. That's amazing!!! One of our branch missionary goals before this year ends is to give out 250 books. That, too, would be amazing!!

     Now to tell you more about how the work to is going here in the Ireland Waterford District of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we met today with our district presidency. We have this type of presidency because we don't have any stakes here yet. Our district president gathered all the branch's executive leaders, including us, after church to update our progress in becoming a new Ireland ward and stake. He told us that we are very much on track to being moved up to a ward and stake status by the end of December or the first of January. We were all so excited to here that news. He has asked us to keeping doing what we are doing and to pray to become a ward. 

     My dear earthly angels, can I invite you to also pray for this area to meet the requirements needed and to graduate into a ward status? I know that God hears and answers prayers of his faithful, which each and every one of you are certainly consider to be in my heart. It would mean so very much to Elder and I to have had a small part in this future change, but it would mean even more to the many wonderful and faithful members here in Ireland, as they would then be closer to being considered for a temple also. Next week is Fast Sunday. If you can, please remember us here as you fast and ask our Great God in Heaven to bless this land and its people. I know that in God's time and in His own way, that they will be blessed to have their hearts desire to participate with greater availability in temple ordinance work on this island. May the Lord bless us all as we do His work! Love ya! See you next week!

     

     

     

Dublin and More-Part 3

      This blog will finish our trip to Dublin. I have to admit that it has been so fun to relive these moments like they were yesterday. So thanks for letting me share them with you. Once again, I am so very grateful for your support. You not only make me feel so loved and needed, but your support encourages me to keep doing what I love, mainly sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and taking pictures.

     In this part 3, we will visit 2 last places of interest, the Dublin Castle and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Let's start at the castle. Do any of you know where the name Dublin comes from? From the internet it reads, "the name Dublin comes from Dubh Linn or the "black pool". The black pool in question is the junction where the River Liffey and its tributary the Poddle meet. Because that area of the junction always swirls around, the water appeared black because of the river sediment. The Poddle now runs beneath Dublin as it has been covered by development and can no longer be seen in the city centre." Interesting, huh?

     Dublin was originally founded by the Gaels in the 7th century and then the Viking took over. It is said that Dublin served as one of the best Viking settlements in that part of the world. The castle itself was built under the orders of King John, the same king whose smaller castle resides right here in Limerick just down the street from me. In the late 17th-early 18th century, the castle was changed from a battlement into a palace fit for kings and queens.

If you enter through the right gate, this might be the first looks that you would get of the castle. There is only the one castle tower still standing today. The original castle was destroyed by time and by fire. The elongated building attached to the castle tower is the Royal Chapel

Here is a close up. I love the antiquity of the older historic buildings of Ireland

This is where the original courtyard of the castle laid once upon a time. The castle tower and Royal Chapel would be behind you at this point. Seen in this courtyard is the state apartments, administration buildings and buildings for legal courtrooms and such

 

This clocktower still works and, in this picture, is accompanied by a statue depicting justice

     The castle today is still considered one of the most important buildings in Ireland. For more than 700  years, the castle was the seat of British rule, which ended in 1922. Today, it is used for mostly administration, but can also serve in other capacities as required. Our tour started in the underground of the castle where it all started over 1,000 years ago. Here we go!

This is Viking stone foundation. So amazing!! It took my breath away when I saw it in person. It still is amazing to me to think that I have even been to places like this in my life

Ok! This is cool. This is part of the original mote! It was filled during the Vikings and early castle days with the black pool of water. Today it is fed by an underground spring

I loved this. It is one of the original sections of the castle and these stone stairs would have been used to allow soldiers to move quickly from one part of the castle when under siege to another part. I could almost see them in my mind's eye dashing up and down in full battle garb 

     After completing the underground portion of the tour, we walked over to the castle's chapel. The first chapel built for the castle proper was in 1242. The chapel today was finished in 1814 at a great expense. The chapel is known as the Royal Chapel and was the official chapel for the Church of Ireland. The chapel today has not been used for worship since 1983.

The chapel proper

A stained glass window

The organ up overhead

These are name plaques for the many Viscounts who have served their congregations over the years until the chapel closed. You can see the date they started their service above their family crest and their last name under the crest

Such a gorgeous ceiling!!

I mean really!!!! What a labor of love! Pretty nice photograph, too, if I don't say!

     The last part of our tour took us into what's known as the state apartments. Many kings, queens and other famous people have also walked the same halls that we walked that day, including Benjamin Franklin, Queen Victoria, Charles Dickens, Nelson Mandela, John F Kennedy and Pope Francis to name a few. 

The battle-ax staircase entry into the state apartments

The state corridor

The Apollo room

The Apollo ceiling

The drawing room. This room was used to match young beautiful single women to a handsome, rich young male counterpart

A close-up of the drawing room

Marble statues and amazing paintings were everywhere

The throne of Ireland!

Looking across the throne room from the throne

The banquet hall and its ceiling

I think this is the BEST way to get around historic Dublin, right??

     After visiting the Dublin Castle, we stopped to get a lunch at a restaurant that served homemade pizzas. We also had some fantastic minestrone soup with some brown Irish soda bread. After lunch, we walked down to our last place to visit, namely St. Patrick's Cathedral. Like Christ's Church, this cathedral was just as incredible. So if you liked Christ's Church, you will also love St. Patrick's. I had so much fun finding National Geographic like photographs in every corner and down every aisle of this cathedral. I was very happy....very happy!

     This cathedral gets its name because it is said that St Patrick (the main saint of Ireland) used a nearby well to baptize converts into Christianity in the 4th century. This cathedral dates back to 1220 and has survived wars, revolutions, and reformations. This cathedral acts as the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland. This cathedral has also been one of the most important sites of development and changes in Christianity in Ireland. Many treasures of Ireland can be found within its sacred walls.

The outside front of St Patrick's Cathedral

The crest of St Patrick's Cathedral

The flying buttresses of St Patrick's Cathedral

One more photo of this magnificent building

This is the cathedral's garden area. Many singles and families come here for relaxation and peace.

This monument lies near the real well where St Patrick baptized many and sits outside in the cathedral's garden

This heavy stone monument originally marked a spot thought to be near St Patrick's well in the outside garden. Its sheer weight made this monument begin to sink into the always moist ground and was replaced with the marker seen above. This stone marker now lies inside the cathedral on its medieval tiles

The main aisle of the cathedral

Medieval flags related to the knights of St Patrick can still be seen today. These knights were founded by King George III in 1783

The cathedral had so many entrances and exits that lead you to more and more

I love this picture of the vaulted doorways and its many angles

I could have stayed here forever taking pictures just like this one!

The beautiful altar behind the main altar, Believe me, this picture does not do this justice!!! 

A Christian symbol posed to draw the eye to chapel beauty

I think these flags are so cool. Notice the knight's helmets under the flags

This is an original copy of Handel's Messiah as sang by a choir member for the oratorio's debut. St Patrick's still has the oldest and most famous choir school in Ireland

This is Jonathan Swift's (author of Gulliver's Travels) grave marker. He was one of the dean's of this very cathedral and loved by all. He is buried under the floor where is marker lies

This spiral staircase leads one up the the cathedral's organ used today

The Door of Reconciliation

     The Door of reconciliation has an interesting story. In 1492, two Irish families, the Butlers of Ormonde and the FitzGeralds of Kildare, were involved in a bitter feud. This disagreement centred around the position of Lord Deputy. Both families wanted one of their own to hold the position. In 1492 this tension broke into outright warfare. The Butlers, realising that the fighting was getting out of control, took refuge in the Chapter House of Saint Patrick’s Cathedral. The FitzGeralds followed them into the Cathedral and asked them to come out and make peace. The Butlers, afraid that if they did so they would be slaughtered, refused. 

     As a gesture of good faith the head of the Kildare family, Gerald FitzGerald, ordered that a hole be cut in the door. He then thrust his arm through the door and offered his hand in peace to those on the other side.  Upon seeing that FitzGerald was willing to risk his arm by putting it through the door, the Butlers reasoned that he was serious in his intention. They shook hands through the door, the Butlers emerged from the Chapter House and the two families made peace.
     Well that's the end of our wonderful memorable time in Dublin. Before I end this week's post,  I'd like to share just a few more photos and bring you all up to date with our activities for this past week. Our wonderful grandson, Daniel, gave a sacrament talk last Sunday. He did so well as he discussed the subjects love and charity. After church, he awarded himself with this amazing treat!

Way to go, Daniel boy!!!! I still wonder how he got that thing into his mouth!

     We also attended all our meetings this past week and participated as asked. We even had a self-reliance fireside on Tuesday. We learned on Wednesday that every car in our whole mission will be getting a new driver safety device that will help alert us when needed. That device will be a great help to us.

     This area of the vineyard has some of the finest members on the earth. I love meeting with them and supporting and loving them. They make my job very easy. Today at church I was asked to be on this year's branch Halloween party committee. Bring it on!!!! So I'll be a little more busy for the next couple of weeks. Last night, I even joined with the Relief Society for an activity and made a wreath for our flat. It was so fun to just be a branch member and enjoy talking and laughing with them.

          I also would love to have you continue to pray for the Limerick branch. They are one branch away from becoming a ward and a stake. We just need a few more members and then we can split. The excellent young elders have been harvesting up a storm here. They recently met a young woman who was a golden friend for them. She was on date to be baptized yesterday, October 15th. Last minute she has chose otherwise. Though we were all saddened, believe it or not, a miracle occurred.

     Last night in the middle of the morning, the elders got a call from a young man who has been desperately looking for the truth. The elders called him again this morning and he stated that he was already on his way to the church. He stayed both hours and loved what he heard and saw. When one door closes, another one opens!!! Pray that he will accept the truth and desire to join the Kingdom of God!

     I am so grateful for all my many blessings, including each of you! I am so grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ. What a honor to wear His name over my heart each and every day. I'm grateful for my loving and supportive family. We are the luckiest parents in the world. Our children help us in so many ways that we will never be able to properly thank them. I have also been blessed to continue to strengthen my testimony of Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. I don't know where I would be today without the church. I really don't. I am truly blessed. Again, may God bless you. May you find peace and happiness as you stay on the covenant path. 

Until next week. I love you!!!