Missionary Report

Dear Family and Friends,

TOP O THE MORNIN ---- It is a brilliant day in the beautiful Emerald Isle. It has been dry and warm for the past 3 weeks and now they are talking drought -- yes, in dear old Ireland, could you believe it. However the temperatures are not quite that of the Bahamas, but very close, and just to remind you, some of the best golf courses are here in Erin's green Isle and 2 of the worlds best golfers in Graham McDowell and Rory McIlroy.

For any prospective senior couples could we entice you with the idea that during your lunch break, between teaching appointments, you could take a casual stroll by the sea shore. One of our areas is minutes from a number of beautiful soft pristine white sand beaches and the call of the waves lapping gently on the sea shore is indeed a tonic during a few minutes break on a busy day. Have we made the great missionary work sound exciting ---- IT IS -- and we love it --- now who could not love the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ. The light of Christ fills the immensity of space and burns brightly in our hearts.

Another side of Northern Ireland since the peace accord was signed over 10 years years ago and a 40 year conflict concluded -- is that a stubborn dissident minority element still remains. Easter Sunday the members of our little branch in Antrim had church cancelled for the day. A bomb had been planted by the IRA at a nearby pub and several blocks were cordoned off . We had been scheduled to speak that Sunday and possibly they heard that Elder McBride likes firework displays !!!! No need to worry, the song goes " don't worry, be happy " --- all is well, the bomb was either a hoax or diffused and our building is back in use.

Easter is a 5 day holiday here and of course we have the " small item " of a royal wedding here on Friday with a bank holiday tacked on Monday 2nd May -- meaning that most have taken a two week break --- yes, the Irish know how to party !! As Friday is a holiday, Sister McBride and I have been invited to the Royal Wedding -- ( not quite ) Many are all ready to party with streets being blocked off, tables erected in the middle of thoroughfares, dancing, big screens erected, bunting everywhere and lots of food and of course the ever constant drink. Several of the wards are having events ( without the drink, of course ) and we have been invited to attend the breakfast, big screen wedding and festivities after. As for the wedding and Elder McBride ( better not to make a comment -- after all I am a missionary !!! ) ---- but the CRAIC will be good and the company unbeatable.

Now a few wee notes from the " SEANACHIE " ( that is pronounced shawn a key ) The seanachie is an Irish story teller --- perhaps Elder McBride qualifies !! In this rare case they are all true -- as you know with the Irish, you never know !!

1. We called at the home of a less active member. Her 20 year old son was sitting at the front door in the sunshine. We could tell immediately that he was a handicapped boy, much like my brother. He could communicate quite well and we were having a wonderful conversation with him, much as we would with my brother, although in sign language in the latter case. We simply talked about the things that interested him, the football team that he supported, his mom, etc. When his mothers partner came to the door he was very rude and abrupt with us -- perhaps he thought we as missionaries were " corrupting " this innocent boy. It was clear he did not want us there, so we left a pass along card for Nancy with our tel #. etc -- thinking that she might not ever get it, we called a few days later. As we thought about the contrast of both conversations we could not help drawing a comparison -- both individuals are children of God --- one innocent, pure and clean as the very day he was born -- the other spotted from the things of this world and in need of change. One with the light of Christ, the other not recognizing that powerful influence. One trusting, kind and accepting --- the other miserable, ignorant and judgemental. But Heavenly Father loves them both equally and the atonement of the Saviour of the world is for ALL mankind and not for a select few. A week later we were permitted a visit with Nancy and determined that she still has a testimony and will welcome further visits. Nancy also has a serious medical condition that she just found out about one day prior to our visit and she needs spiritual guidance. There are no coincidences in God's kingdom -- of a surety we were guided to that home and had to work through some adversity to get to visit this dear Sister that needs us, especially at this time.

2. Maggie and Toni are a young couple with one lovely little girl, " frae the toon ", where Elder McBride was raised. They have been less active for some years when we visited. Maggie speaks Ulster / Scots and seems to be happy to have found a Mormon Missionary that understands her. We have been visiting for 8 weeks now and on our first lesson we challenged them to attend church with us. They did so and are happy to be there each Sunday. They had been to the Temple for their own endowments some years ago, but never got sealed , that we do not understand. We decided that needed to change and with the branch presidents approval are teaching them lessons each week in preparation to return to the temple and in keeping their covenants. On our 2nd lesson we challenged them to be ready to go in 7 months -- that number mystified them - you see at that time we leave the mission field ( it is now down to 6 ) They accepted the challenge and have been making great progress. Please pray with us for Maggie and Tony.

3. John and Sylvia live in a lovely old farmhouse, surrounded by fertile pasture and green, green fields with lots of well groomed horses. Sylvia is a great member of the church and her husband John is not a member ( at least not yet ) In the past a senior missionary couple had visited and put some pressure on John, unfortunately before a relationship of trust was built. He made it very clear at the outset that he admired the church and all that it stood for but , " would never join our church ". Sister McBride and I pretended we did not hear the comment and just continued to develop the friendship. In the course of our communication John and Elder McBride determined that we were " old scouters " and attended some of the same schools. Also had some interests that were similar, etc. We said we would like to do some work with him on this old farmhouse and he accepted. It was Will Rogers who said, " A stranger is a friend I have not met ". We have now met John and he is a friend, we will let Heavenly Father lead the way and put our complete trust in him, after all, he already knows when John will accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is up to us to listen and obey.

4. We were teaching in the town of Ballymoney. Neville is a less active member, had not been to church in 10 years ( perhaps we are able to visit a number of homes because of a local attachment ) Brother Neville's wife is not a member. As we taught we invited her to join us and she did. During this time I came to realize that I knew this lady from somewhere and at an appropriate moment made a comment --- you are not from Ballymoney ? She confirmed that she was not and how did I know that. She said she was from Dunaghy, a wee village outside the town. I then said " you must then be a McCombs or a Cameron " ( my mother was a Cameron ) She confirmed that she was a Cameron and yes, it so happens, we are related. It is indeed amazing to us how Heavenly Father brings all of these situations together and opens doors for wonderful teaching experiences.

5. We will finish these accounts for now, but they are numerous and varied. Last one -------

Sister Kennedy has been less active for many years. She lives in a bitter rough protestant housing estate. The home is not clean and that is being kind, dogs are everywhere and the pall of smoke hangs everywhere, making it very difficult to breathe --- not the kind of place you could feel comfortable in. Sister McBride presented a wonderful lesson on the Atonement and as I sat there the spirit was very strong and bore sweet testimony that Sister Kennedy's rough shell was breaking down and we found a tender heart that certainly surprised me. I began repenting for my own unkind, uncharitable thoughts to my Heavenly Father as Sister Kennedy opened her heart to us. I do love the tender nature of my dear companion, she is the very best as she discusses our Saviour and bears testimony. We extended an invite to Sister Kennedy to come unto Christ and attend church with us on Sunday. We believe she will come and as it is Fast and Testimony meeting it could well be a spiritual feast for her.

Now, let's learn some more Ulster / Scots : -

PAIRTS O THE BOADIE

Ulster Scots English

Heid - head

Neb - nose

lugs- ears

mooth - mouth

thrapple - throat

shoullers - shoulders

kist - chest

shanks - legs

fit - foot

oxter - armpit

How did you do ---- I hope you are all improving, as we only have 6 months left !! When you feel comfortable enough with this we will start on the Gaelic !!!!

Here is an easy wee exercise for each o ye : -

Use the words to fill in the blanks.

fadge ( potato bread ), Scraich ( day break ) Hoose ( house ) Een ( eyes ), Wheen ( several ) , Fernenst ( opposite ), Licht ( light ) , Flaff ( flap )

I awoke at the ( ) of dawn one morning and rubbed the sleep from my ( ) . The ( ) was very warm so I opened a window and noticed a ( ) shower had begun to fall. Although I had to go out, I didn't get into a ( ) . I waited a ( ) of minutes before leaving to go to the shop ( ) our home to buy some ( ) . It was going to be another cloudy day.

Alright are you now conversant enough to serve a mission in the wee toon !! Da ye ken.

We had a few days break and absolutely loved the visit from our great daughter Karen, husband Tim, fabulous grandchildren ( 4 ) and Karens inlaws. Our president encourages the senior missionaries to spend some time with their families if they should visit and we are very thankful for that. We did a lot in a few days and had a wonderful bonding time. The weather was fantastic, the craic good, the sights superb, the food delicious and the kids, very tired and happy at the end of every day.

Look for the name JASON SMYTH --- Jason is a fantastic young man, one of the great YSA that we worked with the first 6 months of our mission. Jason won 2 gold medals in the one hundred and two hundred mitres at the Bejing Para Olympics a few years ago. He is presently training in Florida with the fastest man in the US -- Tyson Gay. Jason needs to shave the tiniest amount to qualify for both the Para Olympics and the Olympic Games in London 2012. If he makes it he will also make history as the first athlete in the world to qualify for both games. He is such a modest guy -- you may remember I asked him where he keeps his Gold Medals -- he shrugs his shoulders and says " oh me ma has them somewhere " -- he is a good church member, comes from Derry, sets a great example and he is lightning fast.

We love each of you and miss you. Time is going fast here and we love the variety of the work we are doing. We work with many humble people and some of our work is very challenging. Just yesterday one of the members we have been working with for some months had a relapse and must check into rehab. She was making excellent progress and we were so pleased with her. Success is not in ever falling , but in rising every time you fall. The Saviour of the world spent time with the publicans and sinners , saying the whole need not a physician. So we stay with her and help her to rise again, she needs to understand that her Heavenly Father loves her always and she will need to simply rise one more time than she falls, to gain the victory.

We try hard to share the testimony of Jesus and challenge God's children to experience the great blessings of the atonement in their lives. We pray constantly to have the great desire to bring salvation to those we work with, so that none perish -- see Mosiah 28 : 3. We have a deep and abiding love of the Saviour and the ultimate sacrifice he made for each of us. We love the Gospel, it is the good news to all mankind. We love the doctrines, they change us daily. We love the testaments of Christ and treasure the time we have to feast upon the word. May God's richest blessings be poured out upon you and thank you for your support in thought and prayer.

Elder and Sister McBride --- mom and dad.

Scotland / Ireland Mission.