Our dear friends and family,
It is the end of a lovely autumn day in the beautiful Emerald Isle. We managed to get a few minutes to go for a walk along the lovely Lagan -- for those who wish to view the scenery go to www.laganvalley.co.uk --- the leaves are just changing here now and a few are starting to fall. Because we came in early May we have now been able to witness 3 beautiful seasons. There are beds of soft leaves as we stroll through the leafy glen. Also stating to fall are the chestnuts and it is reminding Elder McBride of his boyhood days when the wee laddies played chessers or conkers. It was always a wee lads dream to become the conker champion -- anyone interested, I will tell you in the next email. Yes, can you believe it, we are out almost 6 months and we have received our first transfer. Usually senior couples get moved about every 6 months if they are on an 18 month mission -- a little longer if a 2 year mission -- most of the couples here are 18 months.
We will be in the small struggling branch of Antrim and we are sure we will have a host of things to do such as getting the records a little more accurate to begin with ---- we made a number of visits yesterday and among the first 5 visited -- a sister had passed away a number of months ago --- welcome to the mission field where many strange happenings occur !!! Antrim takes in a large area but struggles with a lot of inactivity and some internal conflicts -- yes, that's the Irish, they just love to fight -- it would definitly not be Ireland if everything was peaceful and calm !! We will also be taking in another area so things will be interesting and creative in trying to serve several different areas. We will keep you posted on our new exciting venture. The very interesting part of this is that it takes in the little town where Elder McBride was born and raised --- so directly back to the roots -- wonder if they will remember the snotty nosed, cheeky wean, frae the Rodding Foot, when hae wis running roon the toon !!!! Ah, it's the ancient ULLAN language -- an it's all comin beck tome -- dae ye ken !!!!
On our last PDAY we took my sister down to the old homeland -- we were on the graveyard shift -- that is we were seaching graveyards for our family history -- one of the perks of coming back to your homeland on a mission. Now this is typically the Isle of Erin -- it was a great day but suddenly a big black cloud comes out of nowhere and it just bucked right over us - nowhere else. Now, Ireland is the only place in the world where it rains sideways !! -- yes, we have a brolly over us and our head and upper is dry but the rain comes at us from the side and you're lower half gets soaked -- only in Ireland !! However, we hit the jackpot and got a lot of info and ---- the cloud just took off again leaving the day lovely again !!!
General Conf. was last week and because of time change between the US and Ireland --- most sessions are covered in one day -- Sunday. We watched 14 hours of conference in one day and it was great listening to the Prophets -- yes, the church is true all over the world. We finished at 11.00pm and went home very tired but happy.
Sister McBrides father passed away on Friday 24th Sept -- he had been in a coma for approx. 2 weeks prior. It was sad for her and challenging. She has been a great help to her older sister and it is wonderful helps the knowledge of the Gospel answers many questions and is such a strength at times such as this. We are so very thankful for you, our wonderful children in your phone calls and writing to your mother. It was a great source of comfort.
We had several visitors over the past few weeks and they were all great. We got to go to along the coast on several PDAYS. First was Knut and we laughed a lot -- it was good to see Saurkrout - as Edna says. Then it was Dan and Linda's turn and they got to visit not only the coast, but attend church with us and a feast at my sisters on Islandmagee -- also around the sights of Belfast city. Last was Shawn MacDonald and what a surprize -- we had just returned home after 9.30pm and a very long days work when our intercom rang -- " PIZZA delivery !!! " -- Sister McBride answered -- no we did not order pizza ( I said -- take it as we had not eaten all day !!! ) Then he said " PIZZA for missionaries " in an Eastern Indian accent !! --- we thought it was some of our crazy YSA kids so we let them into the building. Then he stood at our door with Jerrot and I opened the door -- what a shock !!!! He did not tell us he was coming. ---- well there is lots more -- I think they enjoyed there day here and the bridge -- and the Flash in the Pan chippie. They stayed overnight --- so the past month has been a lot of fun ---- anymore want to come !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I do need to go to bed soon as it is way past missionary hours and we have a busy schedule tomorrow ( or later today now ) Just a few more items. We were invited to a YSA party tonight to say goodbye -- to us. That was difficult as we have grown so close to many of them and they found it difficult also. We not only grew close to the active but also have been blessed with activating a number of those less active, who were there tonight. Our first priority was to bless the lives of the YSA and we believe we have done that. We did not want to leave them, but we are in the mission field however and our president is a very spiritual leader and needs us to work in another part of Lords vineyard. They bought us this lovely little Beleek China Irish cottage, which we will treasure as long as we live. We are invited back to challenge the ping pong and fooseball champions and also for them to enjoy Sister McBrides home baking, especially the sponge buns with icing and pastille topping.
We have had some wonderful missionary experience in our new area already and will explain in more detail in another email. It is indeed an exciting experience to constantly testify of the reality of the restoration and especially of the Saviour of the world. We are very blessed when we bear testimony as it is recorded in Heaven for the angels to look upon. Please remember that the angels rejoice over each of us as we declare what we know to be true. ( please refer to Doctrine and Covenants 62 v 3 ) We love the work we are involved in, it is true. We try hard to love these people and try to see them as God's children regardless of their challenges in life and their lack of following God's commandments. Jesus lives and this is his church -- that we know of a surety. We feel the great influence of the Holy Ghost in all ours dealings with Heavenly Fathers children and we are so very grateful to feel his presence nearby always.
We love you all and miss you. We pray always for you and thank you for your faithful prayers in our behalf.
Elder and Sister McBride.
Scotland / Ireland Mission.
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