----------------------------------------- NULLIG HUNA GWITH -----------------------------------------
------------------------------------------ MERRY CHRISTMAS ------------------------------------------
NULLIG HUNA GWITH ---- Merry Christmas in IRISH --- the ancient Gaelic tongue. We wrote it as it sounds and if you are trying, you need to pronounce the last word with an " ugh " --- NULLIG = Christmas / HUNA = best wishes and GWITH = the verb, with you.
Our dear family and friends, we do indeed wish you all a lovely Christmas and of course we will be looking forward to hearing from our family on Christmas day. If the weather forecasts can be relied upon, the prediction is that we will be having a white Christmas in the beautiful green Emerald Isle. We have never been to Ireland at Christmas time since we left Erin's lovely shores and that has been over 40 years. Before that time we do not ever recall having a white Christmas, so this will be very unique for us. However today we had some business in Belfast's city centre and it was so mild that we had a bit of barnbrack at a sidewalk cafe near city hall -- we sat outside and enjoyed the festive spirit and a few free giveaways at the bakery.
We go carol singing, with our district tomorrow and have persuaded one of the less active sisters we are working with to bring her keyboard --- you see the branch needs an organist and slowly but surely we hope to get her active enough, so that the Branch President can extend a call. We look forward to going house to house bringing the true spirit of Christmas and also having some musical backing. We also have a little family from Romania we have been working with -- the 2 little children are so lovely -- they have so very little of material posessions and live in such humble circumstances -- the area they live in is rough and a few weeks ago a gang jumped him coming home from work and wanted him to purchase alcohol, he refused and they beat him. His young wife is so talented with her hands and we have had her make special Romanian hats for our grandchildren. -- we hope to brighten their day and have worked on a few ideas to accomplish this. We do love this part of the work.
We have attended so many events during this wonderful season and it has been fun associating with many dear friends -- a highlight was the Christmas devotional by the First Presidency and the Tabernacle choir. We have always loved that and found that it is the ideal way to begin the Christmas season. This Saturday we have an all Ireland missionary dinner and meetings in Dublins fair city and we will be with Sister McBrides family Christmas Eve -- a special midnight service ( Church of Ireland ) and then a Christmas day " feast " at Elder McBrides sisters home, in the cottage by the sea. It will, as always, be a traditional Irish feast with turkey fresh from their farm. It has been fun to be invited to a number of wards events, Sister McBride is so popular and I just tag along. Remember I was just a wee country boy and she sung in the Stranmillis quartet who accompanied and were trained by the Mormonaries, way back in the 60,s.
Just a few observations --- approx 40% of Irish Christmas cards have Robins on them. The Robin here is a tiny bird with a bright red breast -- it is said that is a symbol of Christs crucifixion and the blood he spilt. We were out walking a few days ago by the river and there were scores of them along the river side in the holly bushes. There are quite tame and will come right into your hands when you crumble up a little bread. A real Christmas sight and we got some good pics. The Robin in North America is much larger.
We spoke in Omagh last Sunday and fortunately no one threw petrol bombs at us !!! They are a great little branch with a great Branch President ( President Brophy ) who has a fast Irish wit. We had dinner at their home with all the family and the stories started. Of course, everyone started and they assumed, as most people do, that we are American -- so Elder McBride commenced making up a few of his own and was able to tag them along for quite some time, with a straight face of course until one of the sons said " Hey, where are you from ? " ----- to that son I finished it off with, " I never forget a face, but in you're case I'll make an exception " ---- the game was up and the craic was good ( craic = good natured Irish banter )
Went to visit one of our less actives in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. Sister Law was going through brain surgery and it was my privilige to use my Priesthood to give her a blessing. It is a huge hospital and is situated between bitter protestant and Catholic communities. The doctors were telling us that it is the leading medical institution in the world for gunshot wounds !!!! -- not surprizing. Sister Law's surgery was so successful that she has already been released and we recognize the great power of God through his Holy Preisthood. I was asked by the President to interview a young man for baptism -- he had a very " colorful " background with paramilitary organizations, the travellors ( gypsies ) petty crime, serious crime, etc . It was a rather extensive interview and we have come to rely so very heavily on the great influence and power of the Holy Ghost. He is now ready and has a great desire to change and embrace God's commandments. It is wonderful to realize that we are indeed offspring of deity and the greatness of God's love for his children -- also the miracle of the atonement and how it can work in each of our lives. As we met the words kept repeating in my mind " though thy sins be as scarlet, they can be as white as snow " Yes, 7 times 70 is figurative and we know of a surety that our Saviour continues to love us and invites us constantly to " come follow me " We love him and know he lives.
Now for a wee bit o' humor --- there always has to be a wee bit to keep us all sane !!
We were meeting with a Bishopic here and you need to understand " football " here is a religion. I seen that the Bishop and one of his counsellors were wearing Liverpool ties and being a Man. U. fan ( their great rival ) since I toddled -- I could not resist a few juicy little comments -- pretending of course that as I am a " foreigner " that I just would not know -- so I said brethern, " I see that you support that wee prod amatuer club Linfield Football Club -- ( now those are fighting words and the Irish know about fighting ) So back they came with a few cute remarks and I must admit I was able as a " foreigner " to lead them along for some time, until ---- I mentioned my affection for Man. U ----- then the fun really started. Well, we did manage to leave on good terms as I invited them to follow a good team - so next will require a wee bit more creativity !!!!! Relief Society in our little branch were having a Christmas party a few nights ago and I had another meeting to attend in the building. I went in at the end ( really, to see if there was any refreshments left !! ) and we had one of our less actives attending. Sister McBride and I have been doing some service for her in preparing and wallpapering her living room. All the sisters were standing around when she said, " Elder McBride is coming over tomorrow to strip for me !!!! " Well, everyone stopped talking very quickly and laughing heartily ---- the poor sister turned a dozen shades of red as she realized what she had said, when she should have said " strip the old wallpaper " Well everyone, including Sister Gittons have that great Irish sense of humor and a good laugh was had by all --- but there were no refreshments left !!!!!!
We are loving this mission ---- it is really not ours, it is the Lords and we are on his errand. The work is varied and both full of challenges and joy. We testify of his love for all his children and his tender mercies extended to all. We love him with all our hearts. Jesus Christ is at the head of this church. We love the Christmas story and will indeed miss the warm feeling we had experienced with our family each Christmas eve and we met in family home evening and read from Luke --- that beautiful account of the Saviours birth that warms all our hearts. He did come to earth and showed the way, culminating in giving his precious life -- THAT WE MIGHT LIVE. We try hard to follow him and recognize that as hard as we might try we have to rely on his grace and love for us to become the advocate with our father. What a miracle this is to each of us. Each day we breathe it is a miracle. Thank you for your goodness and example.
May each of you have a wonderful Christmas. May you feel your Heavenly Fathers love and the presence of the Saviour close by. May you be moved by the Holy Ghost to greater heights and may your days be filled with joy. We love each of you very much and pray for you always,
Elder and Sister McBride
( Bill and Carol - Mom and Dad. )
Scotland / Ireland Mission
# 6 - 216 Saintfield Drive
Belfast BT8 7HQ
Northern Ireland
UK.
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