Less Than 90 Days Left in Ireland!

      My, my...how times flies! Yep! We are officially less than 90 days away from leaving our wonderful mission here in Ireland. It truly has been an amazing mission, with amazing sites, amazing people and we have been so very blessed because of it. We still have much to do here and this week was no different. Let me tell you some of the many ways we served this past week. 

     On Sunday, we had a marvelous fast Sunday. I was told when we first arrived back in July that I needed to bear my testimony every month. I was also told that then it was very rare to have a branch female member testify on a fast Sunday. It sounded like the men stepped it up every month to be a witness. Well, I decided that very day that I could certainly do that. After all, what do missionaries do best? You got it! Testify, testify, testify! So every month since being here, I have faithfully stood and witnessed. 

     This past testimony meeting, I witnessed the power of priesthood temple ordinances and the joy of taking family names into those sacred, holy houses. What a privilege that was for me. It brought back the deep, overwhelming feelings of joy and love that I experienced while serving my great grandparents in our recent Preston Temple trip.  Even this past Wednesday evening, I saw a picture of a baptismal font inside the Rome, Italy temple and I could hardly hold back the eyes from running down my face. To be able to feel of those grandparents gratitude afterwards is an extended tender blessing from the Lord. I love William and Ann Wills!!!! By the way, after just a couple of months of me standing up and testifying on a fast meeting, several of the branch's women also started to join me, which really pleased our branch president. 

     Monday evening was another YSA FHE. This was a special night for a couple of reasons. First, with another mission transfer happening this weekend, the zone leaders got permission to let all of this zone district's missionaries to come together one more time. We already know that there will be several changes in our zone coming up, so we, all were very excited to gather. I love that all our missionaries, both old and young, will be able to spend more time together. with each other this week. On this night, we had 8 young elders join us for FHE. The other reason why this FHE was special was because we all got permission to use the branch's cultural hall to play volleyball together. Talk about competition!!! Wow!

     So with 8 young elders, 2 young male branch members, 3 young female members and Elder and myself, we have more than enough to participate. Elder M decided that he would best serve (that sounds like a pun to me....serve/volleyball!) as our score keeper. We split into 2 groups and decided to rotate in before that person's team started a new serve. It took us all a short time to warm up, but then we all put on a pretty nice demonstration of how "it is done". I also put on a nice demonstration after making an off balance hit of how to almost catch yourself from falling....almost! Yeah, I got a nice bruise to show for it. At the end of our time that night, Elder M wisely stated that we all tied. It was a very fun night and we are planning on doing that activity again.

YSA FHE volleyball style

Bruising on the thumb side of my hand. Ouch!

     On Tuesday, the entire zone met together for an in-person district training meeting here in Limerick. It was so, so wonderful to see all of our missionaries in one place. After our training was completed, we gathered together in a large circle and sang the closing song together, which, tearfully, was "Til We Meet Again". Yeah, no dry eyes were seen with that one. After, we shared an extra hour together eating lunch. I have also included photos of the young sisters that we have supported and served while here in Limerick. This group of young sisters have really touched my heart in more than one way.

Our zone (all 20 of us) eating lunch together

Sister Blanchard

Sister Ison

Sister Lopez

Sister Bakkland

Sister Blake

     After lunch, we drove the sisters to the train station and then returned back to our flat. That night, we participated in our branch's branch presidency correlation meeting. Our president was able to instruct us related to current area changes and then correlated with each of us concerning our branch leadership responsibilities. We feel very fortunate to have the branch president and his counselors that have been called. They are caring, faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

     On Wednesday, The mission office assigned Elder and I to do 5 missionary flat inspections. The office asked that, like the transfer before, that these inspections be done in person, so I decided to do one everyday this week. I started with the still vacant flat in Limerick, which passed with flying colors. Later, the young elders, 3 Brazilian members, the 2 Bolivian sisters and Elder and I met for both a missionary lesson and the weekly English Connect class. We started first with the missionary lesson.

    In weeks past, the older Bolivian sister, Alexandra, has hardly spoken  a word and hasn't given any open expressions of understanding to the gospel. Her younger sister, Adda, has often smiled or nodded her head while she has been taught. Well, tonight was so different. Alexandra was totally interacting with the Brazilian members. She was asking questions and getting answers! In fact, the lesson lasted so long, that we never even had the English class that night. It felt like a huge break through. We missionaries are very excited. Before we all left the chapel, we gave Elder Jakka a going away party! He was very surprised!

One last "good-bye" wave from an excellent elder

     We got up bright (actually it was still very dark here) and early the next day to drive to Galway to help the sisters clean their old flat. To our surprise, it was snowing here in Limerick. We checked the weather only to find out that it would snow most of the morning and we could see outside that the streets were slick. To make matters worst, the weather reported that Galway was getting much more snow that even we were. So we postponed our trip that morning. Instead, I decided to spread joy and cheer and, later,  we were asked to help teach a wonderful female friend, named Colette. Colette is from the French Conga and is very religious. She is a little older, maybe in her 50's or 60's. 

This was my Thursday morning missionary service project. Isn't he cute???

But, like they say, "Here today and gone tomorrow!"

     Colette and I hit it off right from the start!!! We had a great lesson introducing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and she not only understood it, but she liked what she had heard. She was invited to come to church the next Sunday and that the missionaries would contact her to make another teaching appointment. After her lesson, the zone leaders and us drove to the zone leader's flat to inspection their place. After finishing that inspection, Elder and I came back to our flat where I was able to complete that flat inspection paperwork and submit it to the mission office. By 6:30 that evening, we joined the zone leaders at a branch member family's home to share a meal with them. We had a tasty Indian meal with a small dessert. After, we all gathered in their living room to have a spiritual thought and a blessing on that sweet family. 

     Friday was busy also! We had another teaching opportunity with a new friend, Susanne. Susanne is Irish and a very devote Catholic. We also had a wonderful lesson with her. We are not sure if Susanne has a learning disability or may be a little illiterate, but we slowed our lesson down just for her and even explained words that she had never heard before. The missionaries are hoping that all of us can meet with her again soon. After I had a quick meeting with my relief society president, we drove to the zone leaders flat to pick them up. Elder Jakka has completed his mission and he (and Elder Petrovey) needed a ride to the train station to get Elder Jakka on his way home. With Friday night after work traffic, we just barely made it to the station.

     After depositing the elders were they needed to be, Elder and I drove over to the church for our weekly Book of Mormon class, which went very well. After class, Elder and I needed to go straight back to our flat so I could do a virtual flat inspection with the Sligo sisters. They, too, past with flying colors! After I finished that zoom, I had to open another zoom for our bi-weekly "Come Follow Me" All Mission zoom. The 2 young elders assigned to teach us focused on one to the Savior's miracles and gave us all better understanding and insight.

     Well, with one more flat inspection left on my list, we traveled 2 plus hours away to Waterford to meet with the district leaders of our zone on Saturday. By the time we got there, both of these fine elders had just received transfer calls, which made the flat inspection a little more detailed to give the next elders coming in a much cleaner flat than expected. The district leaders totally understood and took an extra hour to deep clean their flat a little more for the new elders arriving early next week. While we were there in Waterford and because it is such a long drive, Elder and I spent a couple of hours in 2 Waterford museums that we had not seen yet, namely the Bishop's Palace and the Museum of Time. 

     Just as a reminder, Waterford was the first major village and community established in Ireland over 1,000 years ago. The Palace, which was built in 1741, has housed several famous families, and today displays many treasures of Ireland from both the Georgian and Victorian eras of Waterford. Many of the treasures seen inside date back 250 years and more. The main floor and the upper floor are furnished as a very elegant 18th century townhome, with beautiful crystal glass, silver, furniture and paintings. The oldest known Waterford crystal piece in the world-the Penrose decanter- is found inside. It was like stepping back in time. Here are a few photos from the Palace.

This is the palace's grand staircase

This is the parlor which contained some awesome treasures, including a beautiful harp

This functional table from the 1800's is for all of you that love to sew.

 

When the table top is lifted, an amazing sewing case is displayed below with lots of storage spaces, including four dressmaker straight pin cushions

This pianoforte, dating into the late 18th century, belonged to one of the palace's most famous inhabitant, Letitia Bonaparte-Wyse. She was Napoleon Bonaparte's daughter. Very cool!

In a case next to the pianoforte, laid this lock of hair belonging the Napoleon, himself. I thought that that was even cooler!!!

Another treasure that I loved was this large rocking horse that dates in the 19th century.  This, my friends is not an ordinary rocking horse. This is a training horse used by young men and young women at that time. The 2 pegs that stick straight up at the top of the saddle were used when training young women to ride side saddle

This is the palace's dining room complete with Waterford crystal steward and chandelier

A polyphon from the late 19th century that still played. You should have heard the music it played! Unbelievable!!

The oldest known piece of Waterford crystal in the world!

Miniature Waterford crystal. Waterford Crystal owns a Guiness Book of Records record for the smallest piece of crystal with over 200 cut edges!

An antique baby carriage. I have always loved items like this

This was cool. It was a very large display, made by young maidens at the turn of the century, out of all types of seashells to past their time away during the summer months. There were literally thousands of shells carefully placed in a specific design!

     That really was a fun museum. Both Elder and I enjoyed it so much! After, we strolled down the street to the second museum we visited, called the Museum of Time. This museum is not limited to just Ireland, but has time pieces from all over the world. The oldest piece it has is a clock from William Clement, from London, made in 1663. This clock is the earliest example in the world of his innovative mechanism which made time keeping accurate. So amazing! Now this museum was the kind that Elder M loves! Here are some pictures from there.

Walking into the display room, this was one of the first clocks that you came across. I also love sundials. I wish I know more about this sundial's history

This clock made in 1870 naturally caught my eye. I love the church building motif. It brought to my mind that we should always have time for God!

This timepiece reminded me of a time years ago while I was in Paris, France. Beautiful clocks like this today are rare. I loved it!

This was such an awesome clock. It was made in 1770! Without its shell, I loved that I could see the very deepest parts which were so needed to allow this clock to "tick". This clock also had a unique bell system that, when rung, played a musical melody. So amazing that this existed hundreds of years ago

I love the wood inlay on this older grandfather clock. It was made up of so many different types and colors of wood. Absolutely beautiful!!

This is Mr Clement's clock made in 1663. This is the earliest clock that mechanically allowed all clocks from then on to be more accurate

     The Time Museum also had several staff members that could answer your questions or tell you some amazing stories. Like I said, Elder really liked this museum. So now, I'd like to take the time (no pun intended) to extend to each of you an invitation to make time for the Lord. I testify that He always has time for you, that He is never too busy and never late. He loves you and wants you to spend your time with Him. Time is one of our most valuable resources. It DOES truly matter what we do with our time here on earth. Our future, our very destiny, will be balanced as to the earthly things we spent our time doing. 

                                   Time flies on wings of lightning;

                                   We cannot call it back.

                                   It comes, then passes forward

                                   Along its onward track.

                                   And if we are not mindful,

                                   The chance will fade away,

                                   For life is quick in passing.

                                ’   Tis as a single day.

                                   (“Improve the Shining Moments,” Hymns, no. 226)

I know that He lives! I testify that as we use our time wisely, that God will bless and magnify us to serve Him better. He will give us the strength, the talents and the energy to do what is required of us. Even President Nelson recently said, "He will lead and guide you in your personal life if you will make time for Him in your life—each and every day". My prayer tonight is that in time, that we might prove to be true and faithful and endure in our faith in Christ. I know that we can!