Our dear family and friends,
Your Irish greeting for the new year ---- in English --- WITH ALL GOOD WISHES FOR THE NEW YEAR. It is a magnificent morning in the " auld sod " The sun is shining brightly, the fields are green, the birds are singing and it is very mild. Please click on the following to get your Irish blessing for the new year : -
Witness for yourselves the beautiful, captivating and mystical Emerald Isle -- makes you want to serve a mission here !!!! Try to find the leprechauns dancing merrily through the verdant valleys and the leafy glens. May each of you have a wonderful new year and may the skin o' a gooseberry cover all yer troubles.
We had snow on Christmas day which was beautiful but Boxing day it started to rain and now it is all completely gone. We attended Midnight Mass on Christmas eve with Sister McBride's sister, in the Church of Ireland. As we stood outside about 11.30 pm it was one of the most picturesque scenes we have ever witnessed in our lifetime. A scene like the most beautiful Christmas card you have ever seen,try to picture this as I write. The old church was built in 1629 and was bathed in a full moon with just a hint of Irish mist surrounding it, the church bells were pealing, calling all from the little country village and surrounding farms to come, the evening was still and mild, trees were covered with a light dusting of pure white snow and the crystals glistened from the moonlight, the stars seemed to be dancing, highlighted by a clear midnight blue sky. We stood in awe for some time before entering the church through the quaint archway.
Now the service was an experience all in itself. Church of Ireland resembles the Catholic church very closely but as you might imagine in Ireland it is keen on ensuring that the Protestant ties will always remain. The feeling inside did not reflect in any way what we had experienced outside, but did serve to strengthen our testimonies that we indeed belong to Christ's true church. The prayers were all vain repetitions or vain oblations and were read from a prayer book with sections detailing prayers that are given for certain religious occasions during the year, Christmas eve mass being one. I have often wondered why the Priest does not simply say # 5 or 2 or whatever ? Candles were everywhere and the officiant read from the Book of Luke ( International Translation ) It was entirely impersonal, without feeling and the name of Jesus Christ was mentioned but a very few times. Communion was given to those who professed faith in the Holy Catholic Church ( again, this is Ireland and therefore not to be confused with the Roman Catholic church ) Shortly thereafter the donations are collected by 2 wardens of the church and escorted to the head officiant, flanked by 4 " guards " and 2 at the front with " spears " We found this very interesting as with all the flowing robes, etc of the Priests. We are so very grateful for this restored message which we carry. The simplicity and beauty of the teachings of Christ as we know them. The true doctrines of the kingdom restored exactly as they were practised in ancient times. We have indeed everything and our hearts rejoice daily in these truths. To live in this time is a very great privilege. We could only sit and wish we could have the opportunity to share what we know of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with these sincere people, who are God's children.
17th Dec 2010 -- got a call from our President in Scotland. We were due to have an all Ireland mission conference in Dublin next day and it had been snowing very " heavy " that day and as snow is very rare here, everything was grinding to a halt and roads for the drivers here who are not accustomed to it were too hazardous to drive on, plus there was one mountain pass. As he said, " Elder McBride, you are the expert in driving on this, would you consider driving the mission transit van to Dublin " The van was packed with " move ' suitcases and valuable possessions, " all the Christmas boxes for missionaries from overseas " We got the Elders and Sisters all organized and got them on a train very early in the morning to Dublin and I seen the driving as a possible adventure, which I have always had fun with. Off we went as Elder and Sister Claus, got safely there, and presents delivered to many thankful Elders and Sisters. These are great young men and women and it really is a treat to serve with them. We had some training, but this was mostly a festive occasion where local members served a delicious turkey dinner and we were all presented with mission ties for the Elders and mission scarves for the sisters -- with the crest of the Scotland / Ireland mission on them. All arrived home safely and the snow has been long gone.
Leprechauns --- we were out on a wee country road a few days ago and noticed a wee sign --- " Please slow down, Leprechauns crossing " -- please remind me to tell you about the the little folk.
One of the greats blessings of being here is that we regularly get to visit Elder McBride's handicapped brother. His central nervous system was crushed by forceps at birth and he thinks as a 2 - 3 year old. He is full of love and it warms our hearts each time we visit. We sing primary songs to him, read the scriptures and pray.We communicate in a sign language that he and I understand and always leave him knowing that he is very close to Heavenly Father and we have greatly benefited from the visit.
Christmas time in Ireland --- we attended a lot ward events that we had been invited to and of course had incredible meals at both Elder McBrides sister and also Sister McBrides family --- also other dear friends --- frankly we have eaten enough to last us the remainder of our mission. Some people ( not members of our church !! ) were telling us they left GUINNESS and cookies out for Santa on Christmas eve --- only in Ireland !!!!!
We attended a ward event in the Holywood Rd chapel and a sister talked with Sister McBride --- she was so excited when she was explained that Sister McBride had taught her in Primary 45 years ago and she loved her and remembered her lessons.
FIRST FOOTING -- an ancient Irish / Scots tradition --- Elder McBride was asked twice to first foot this new year. A dark haired handsome man ( he does not have to be handsome, I just added that for fun ) has to be the first to cross your threshold with a lump of coal and a piece of bread in his hand -- NO ONE is allowed to enter the home until he has arrived, after midnight on the 31st Dec, and crossed the threshold. The coal is symbolic of warmth in your fire and the bread - food on your table -- during the new year. The dark haired man brings you luck -- the luck o' the Irish. Please note the mission has not turned Elder McBrides hair grey yet but the boot polish here is very good !!!!! Both of them are not members -- yet -- but we have something much more powerful than the luck o' the Irish.
We have enjoyed a very wonderful season in the mission field and have felt very blessed. The members and non members are all so very kind to us and we have enjoyed bringing the true Christmas spirit into their homes through song and sharing this powerful message that we have. Possibly in the next email we can share some experiences with you. Much of our work is " sowing seeds " and through the spirit persuading God's children to have a desire to change and embrace the Gospel fully. Please read Mosiah 18 : 8 - 11 --- they were " desirous to come into the fold of God -- their willingness to be a witness -- the desire of their heart, their determination. They clapped their hands for joy and exclaimed " This is the desire of our hearts " ------ our dear friends and our loving family, may we all be joyful, clap our hands and may our desire be great in trying to follow in the footsteps of our Saviour. May we constantly be filled with this enthusiasm because we have EVERYTHING to be joyful about.
We love each of you very much and may God's richest blessing attend you this coming year.
Elder and Sister McBride.
Scotland / Ireland Mission
