Elder and Sister McBride are Famous!

See original article here.



Jun 26, 2010 - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Ireland will this year celebrate the 170th anniversary of the arrival of its first officially-assigned missionary. This makes the recent visit of Wendel Walton all the more poignant, as he is a direct descendant of William Black, who accompanied James McGuffie and the Apostle John Taylor on that first missionary endeavour in 1840.

Wendel Walton, a great-great-grandson of William Black, addressed local Latter-day Saints, who gathered at the Holywood Road church in Belfast, in gratitude for those early missionaries who sacrificed their time and means to share the message of the Restored
Gospel in their land.

Brother Walton is researching the William Black family and revealed some of his little-known findings. His notable ancestor was born in 1784 at 10 Castle St, Lisburn, Co. Down, and, at just 5’4” tall, he joined the army at age 16. After 21 yrs’ service, Corporal Black left the army and manufactured hosiery until the industrial revolution made home production untenable.

In 1837, William moved to Manchester, which was almost 10% Irish-born. He and his wife Jane Johnston and their four children arrived at a significant time, for Heber C Kimball and six others arrived at Liverpool on 20th July 1837, bringing the news of The Restoration to Britain.

William and Jane where converted to the gospel after meeting Elder William Clayton at a place called “Harris Cellar”. At a conference held in Manchester on the 7th July 1840 William was officially called as a missionary to Ireland and left Liverpool on the 27th July with Elder John Taylor, arriving in Warrenpoint at the head of Carlingford Lough the following day.

Elder Black and his family later immigrated to Illinois and were there in 1844 when Joseph Smith was martyred. William’s family was among the last to leave Nauvoo before embarking on the trek to the Salt Lake Basin; Jane served as a midwife on the way.
They lived in Manti and finally settled in Rockville in the St George area where William died age 89 in 1873 & Jane in 1889, 17 yrs his junior. They now have over 10,000 descendants.

Brother and Sister Walton are pictured here with Elder and Sister McBride who also left Ireland for America in the early seventies and returned this year as full-time missionaries.

Missionary Report

Dear Family and friends,

We love you all and trust you are all well, happy and enjoying summer wherever you are. It has indeed been beautiful and warm here in tropical Ireland. Another 9 or 10 days has flown past and here are a few things that we have been involved in as we fulfill this wonderful missionary service.

1. As we continue this search and rescue mission of some 500 young single adults spread throughout Northern Ireland, we are reminded of a quote we read many years ago --- " Our object is not in counting the sheep but rather in feeding them " We are enjoying identfying and finding these lost sheep, one by one, and inviting them to come unto Christ. While our work for the most part will not be in baptizing but rather in teaching the wonderful lessons found in PMG. We are finding more and more that we are teaching the fundamentals of the Gospel of Jesus Christ just as we would a new contact. The only difference might be that they had previously been baptized. We will share some stories later.

2. We have mentioned previously regarding CS LEWIS being born in good old Belfast City. We had a few hours on a Pday to take some of the missionaries on a fact finding tour around his home, school, church, etc and they also have a large file in the library that we accidently found out about, that is very interesting.

3. YSA activity last Friday --- FOOTBALL the real football, that is -- Man U style ( they play here this week !! -- can't go unfortunately ) Well, the guys thought that this old man was going to be a push over --- that is until Elder McBride scored 2 quick goals - so then they put 2 markers on him but old age and treachery won out again. Is,nt this great missionary work !!!!!!

4. Trinity College Dublin -- the old library -- did you know they have an original printing of the Book of Mormon - you need to request it in advance. When this library was build it was thought that it could contain every classic that was EVER published -- so much for advance thinking, maybe the leprechauns did not have their thinking caps on that day !! Remember the future is always ahead of us !!

5. We speak in different wards almost every Sunday -- there are 11 units in Northern Ireland. Our messages are directed at YSA but are prepared for every ear. Sis McBride gave a powerful message this past Sunday and we always pray that we might penetrate at least one heart. We noticed an individual leaving the meeting at the end of her talk and he approached her afterwards in tears -- it appears that her message to come unto Christ touched him deeply and the particular story she related was tailor made for his life at that time. Miracles happen in the Mission field.

6. Monday last was Elder McBrides nephews wedding and it just happened on Pday -- however we would have gone to it in any case -- it is indeed a rare occasion that one could attend a nephews wedding while serving a mission. Also we were asked to give some prayers and there were a lot of non members there, so our dear badges gave us lots of opportunity to tell others why we wore them and what we do. The wedding was a lovely affair and was held in Ballygally Castle -- yes it is an old castle and complete with a haunted room. The castle sits right beside the ocean and it was a very warm day. In fact as we got into the evening it even felt like we were in Hawaii as we strolled along the beach front. The castle grounds were magnificent with a quaint river running through and green green foliage with palm trees. The perfect end to a perfect day .

7. As part of our daily exercise, we get to walk about 4 miles a day. It can be very rushed some days, but we try to get it done. Even when we wear casual clothes, which is uncommon, we wear our badges. We try to share a smile or start a conversation with many. An older gentleman resting, noticed my BYU shirt. He said whats " Cougars " ( a great lead in ) We sat down and taught The Restoration and got a committment to visit him in his home. It's not difficult to use our dominant thought pattern and that happens to be Share the Gospel. We just love these experiences.

8. We visited this week with several less active YSA. One particular visit was out of town. She was a beautiful young lady, again extremely talented, as we find many of our young adults in Ireland. She had won many awards in horse jumping, her younger brother was the all Ireland table tennis champion. They lived in a 300 year old farmhouse up overlooking the ocean - a magnificent view over to bonnie Scotland and the Isle of Man. We enjoyed a wonderful visit and taught " The Nature of God ' from PMG - even her less active father joined us and invited us to return for dinner with the family. Returning back to Belfast we could clearly see evidence of how the Holy Ghost works through each of us. We love this work, we love the Saviour of the world, we marvel each day at another day to live on this beautiful earth that Heavenly Father in his perfect knowledge created for us. The good news of the gospel and the doctrines and principles enrich our lives. We are so happy to be alive and have membership in Christ's true church. His kingdom rolls forth and to be even just a small part of it all is a miracle and we love it.

May God bless each of you -- we think and pray for you always and would love to hear from you from time to time,

Elder and Sister McBride

Ireland / Scotland Mission.

Missionary Report

Dear Family and Friends,

We hope you are all well -- we are just coming near the completion of the holiday and marching period in dear old Ireland. It has been an eventful time in Belfast and the mission.

1. BIG NEWS -- at the top of the news hour . A baby boy born to Stephen and Tonya and we will not see him until NOV 2011. They are both healthy mom and boy, his name is Benjamin Stephen -- that is # 13 for us and we are so very happy for Stephen and Tonya. Missions are fabulous --- but you do miss out on a few special things at home.

2. The Glorious 12th July -- The missionaries - Elders and Sisters - were in lock up of almost 2 days. There were a few riots but confined to certain areas in Belfast. We were allowed to travel, especially as we are considered locals and we chose to go along the coast with Elder McBrides family and had a great day. We were caught up in one of the parades in a small town and had a spendid view of the lambeg drummers. These are huge drums used in warfare years ago ( Irish warfare of course ) -- they beat them in 2,s or 3,s and they make a lot of noise especially when in a battle coming over the hill made the enemy think there were considerably more protestant troops than Catholic ones. We could tell you more, but we have missionary work to do also !!!

3. On the 11th night before the 12th -- that is where the troubles begin - that is why the missionaries are confined. There are huge bonfires built all over Northern Ireland -- some are 40ft tall and they place tricolors on top before lighting the bonfire. The tricolor is the republican flag representing fianianism -- look the word up, its all part of Irish history. I seen one fire with hugh boards surrounding the bonfire, all painted in green, white and gold, the' finian " flag. Yes, passions come to the fore at this time of year throughout the north and somtimes when driving you can see the results of unrest the night before. Sister Copithorne, no need to worry about your son, he is in a safe area and we see him regularly. Now why the bonfires ? They have been built for centuries -- they were started in about 1690 and they were on fire all over the north to herald the arrival of Prince William of Orange - a protestant loyalist who was brought in to fight King James - he had retreated from the throne of England and came to Ireland for refuge -- he was a Catholic and believe it or not it was the pope of Rome who with his Swiss Guard outed hime from the throne ( the prods ignore that part of history !! ) William defeated James at The Battle of The Boyne in 1690 and took the throne of England -- thereafter the Orange Order was formed and that is where the 12th July is a big celebration --- That is it in a nutshell and maybe they are all nuts !!!!

4. Missionary teaching experience -- a number to tell you but will share one only. We were teaching in a home and the lady's brother in law came in ---- he was Church of God ( a fundamental Pentecostal group very strong here ) They do not like our church and we thought -- well lets have some fun with it. You see we can get off with a little being locals you know !!!! In part of the discussion he told us his son was a pastor and in another one of their churches in Ballymoney ( well that just happened to be Elder McBrides hometown ) they had ordained a woman pastor. I asked him how he felt about that and he really disagreed. Now here is the fun part what he did not know is my father when I was a boy was church of God and not only did I know the original founders but I remembered much of their dogma. Now we do not have time to tell you the whole story but it was very interesting and it was a pleasant meeting , with an invitation to visit with him again. We do get a few opportunities like this when we are not working with the YSA. and the past 2 weeks many of them have been gone.

5. We are presently working in the centre with a number of ideas --- a talent showcase of all the very talented YSA we have. -- university work, street boarding with an invite to the centre, special fast meetings once per month in the centre, we are trying to get SP approval, etc, etc.

6. We are corganizing a temple trip in Oct to Preston England and we get to go also -- that will be great.

7. A Pday past we went to Ladt Dixon Rose Festival -- it is a very large park in Belfast with thousands of the most beautiful roses you have ever seen -- many simply grow wild here. The day we visited there was a harpist playing Irish music in the gazebo beside one of the huge rose beds --- we sat down and absorbed !!!!! We thought literally we had died and gone to heaven.

8. We speak in wards for the next 4 weeks or so and also some firesides. No one has thrown rotten eggs or rocks so far ----- tis the luck o the Orish !!!!

9. Part of our work on a regular basis involves mentoring the young Elders and Sisters as the mission Pres. is now in bonnie Scotland. It is fun being mom and dad to these wonderful young men and woman. We feel so privileged to serve with them. We took one whose birthday it was, and his companion on the open top buses -- that was even an experience for us seeing all the sectarian murals in the loyalist and nationalist ares of Belfast -- very fascinating stuff and they loved it. The birthday boy goes home soon and we got him a nice pictorial Irish book to take home. What treasured relationships are formed in the mission field.

10. Ask me next time to share with you --- where in Ireland, yes Ireland !!! -- where there is an original copy of The Book of Mormon -- interesting stuff !!!!

We love you all --- This is the work of the Lord, The gospel has indeed been restored. We do have a living Prophet who still receives revelation. What a privilege it is to be a missionary and wear the name tag, it gets lots of stares. We love studying the scripures together, it is one of the great parts of each day. Stay true to the faith always.

Elder and Sister McBride

219 Saintfield Road -- flat 6

Belfast

BT8 7HQ

Northern Ireland.

Mom's Girlhood Community

Missionary Report 2

Dear Family members,

We hope you are all well and happy. Today was PDAY and Mom and I did something different. In all these years we have never taken a tour of Belfast city hall -- we have been in there, but never took a tour and it is very interesting as you get into rooms that are closed off to the public. Mom used to walk on the walls outside and play on the grass as a little girl -- ask her about that ?

We got into the great hall, the political chambers and it is very interesting how all the parties based on their religous leanings sit in all the different sections --- eg -- the Nationlists sit off to the left side, those Catholics who support an all Ireland --- everything is based on Religion -- only in Ireland you might say. Mom got to sit on the Mayors chair --- he would be called the " YOUR WORSHIP, THE RIGHT HONORABLE, LORD MAYOR ( so and so )

Now think about that !!!!!!!

1. WORSHIP a politician --- me, never -----

2. HONORABLE ---- by definition --- the highest form of the science of double crossing !!

3. LORD -- there can only be one Lord and that certainly is not a politician.

In any case mom enjoyed her time in the chair.

We also seen all the Belfast missionaries in downtown Belfast --- as my letter said -- many are in the big move on Wednesday.

We hope you enjoy our missionary report and Mitzi if you would be kind enough to keep a folder or binder of these, that would be very much appreciated as we only have a laptop. We did not hear back from some of you if you received our last one just over a week ago ---- now who have we not heard from ( could be a boy named GL ------- ? )

The weather is still fantastic here -- a great start to our mission.

Hope you are all enjoying a great July 4th weekend -- the missionaries celebrated at the conference but I had to complain that no mention was made of Canada Day !!!!!!!

We look forward to hearing the news this week of a new grandchild and are praying for Stephen and Tonya.

We love you all very much,

Mom and Dad.

Missionary Report

Our dear family and friends,

We trust and pray that each of you are well and happy. We miss you all, but do not have much time to even think here. These young single adults keep us hopping. We are quickly gaining their hearts and they certainly have ours. It seems each have remarkable stories to tell and they are teachable, moldable and lovable. The young woman easily get attached to Sister McBride and let's face it --- who would'nt. Our days finish very late while at the centre, rarely do we get home before midnight -- it's ok for YSA as they seem to sleep in later in the morning, same as all over the world -- but the difference is we start early also. Nevertheless we are loving it and Heavenly Father blesses abundantly. Here are some of the things we have been involved in : -

( no particular order - just random happenings both for you and our journal.

It is presently the MARCHING season and signs of it are very evident especially in protestant areas. The big celebration is on the 12th July and already there have been a few ugly incidents with rioters and law enforcement. We were returning a few nights ago from an appointment and just happened to turn the corner into an bad area between the 2 parties - for a few minutes we ended up in the middle of rock and bottle throwing - so it was the matter of putting the foot to the floor and hoping for the best -- we had 2 elders in the car and they were enjoying themselves !!! We have not forgotten those years.

We have been given the task of flat ( apartment ) inspections as we travel Northern Ireland and try to make it fun, but get the task done also. For Bishop and Sis. Copithorne -- you will be happy to know that you good son passed. They did a very good job and we enjoyed talking with them. We usually give them a little treat when they have done particularly well. Elder Covey is in our area -- that is Seans son and Dr. Stephen Covey's grandson. When we joined the church here many years ago Stephen was the Irish Mission President -- it has been fun getting to know Elder Covey -- is'nt it a very small world in the church. I told Elder Covey I would give him a pass if he would get his dad and grandad to come over and speak with our YSA !!!!

We are beginning to realize the tremendous benefit and potential of our name tags --- they sure get attention and can open many a conversation. Also when we have some spare hours we are trying to visit some of the old stalwarts in the church here and it has been wonderful getting to know them again. One such dear sister had lost her husband not long ago. He had been the Bishop of the Cavehill Ward, the one we were members of when we lived here over 40 years ago. Someone said of her husband " a smile from Ronnie is like a hug from God " -- is'nt that beautiful and it was also lovely hearing their conversion story and leaving a message of hope. We visit different wards and branches each Sunday, speaking in church and holding firesides for YSA. -- we try to visit several less actives as we visit those units and involve the active YSA when doing so. That is the most effective way. A few days ago we visited one of our beautiful young woman who had recently lost her husband of just a few months, in Afganistan. Her grandfather who we knew very well thought our visit could only do her good. It was a difficult challenge but we trust the Holy Ghost carried our message deep into her heart. We are indeed having unique experiences every day and could share much more. but ----- missionary work is beckoning,

We had our historic mission conference on Saturday. The mission is now officially the Scotland/ Ireland Mission. Our new President and his wife are wonderful spiritual people and we had a tremendous day together. He tells us the Scotland mission has been a teaching mission supported very well by the members and the Irish mission has been a tracting mission getting most of the new members by street meetings in larger cities and at the door. It will be an interesting combination and many of our Elders and Sisters are going to Bonnie Scotland and theres are on their way here.

For any of you golf fans ---- just wanted to remind you that Graham McDowell from Portrush, Northern Ireland, won the US OPEN. Yes, he plays on the same course that Elder McBride used to sneak on early on a Saturday morning and get about 3 or 4 holes, before being chased off the course. Such were my wonderful boyhood days by the sea !!!!! When on the subject of sports -- THE WORLD CUP and ENGLAND LOSING -- yes it made the Irish fans happy !!! One of our young YSA football fans said it best --- " I support Northern Ireland and anyone who is playing England " Elder McBride cannot comment any further as he is a missionary !!

Our good friend in our Mission Presidency, Pres. Lowry has now been released with the change over in Presidencies. Raymond and us go a long way back with his conversion to the church being about the same time as ours. He is a wonderful individual and a great stalwart in Ireland. He and Irene were called by President Uctdorf to be the London Temple President and Matron and will leave Ireland in November for 3 years. Any of you going to London, please say hello to him.

Elder and Sister McBride are to have their pictures in the ENSIGN in the next few months. Brother Walton and his wife visited Ireland and held a special fireside. He is the great great grandson of the very first Irish convert and missionary to return here with Pres.Taylor. Someone in public affairs thought it would be a good idea to have our pictures taken with the Waltons for the ENSIGN as it would appear that we are the first senior missionary couple to return as missionaries to Ireland, after having been born here. It might be noted that we may also be the last as the 2 missions have now been consolidated. So my face did not break the camera and it would appear they got their pic !!!

We love our work. It is certainly very different than we imagined but indeed very rewarding as we recognize that we are working with tomorrow and that these young single adults are the future of the church here. What a responsibilty we have as we invite those to come unto Christ. During the mission conference held Saturday last we needed to attend a special fast with the YSA in the centre. We dashed from the conf. to the centre, had lunch with them as we started the fast and then back quickly to Holywood Road. We all fasted for a specific part of missionary work -- that of illuminating the souls of those who had drifted, with the light of the everlasting word. As Elder McBride shared some thoughts with them and read the great words of ALMA 5. it filled our souls with gratitude that we have the light of the everlasting Gospel, that we are on the pathway and that our Redeemer, Jesus Christ paid the ultimate price in giving his precious life that we might be saved. This mighty change can be in all of our hearts as we listen, love and apply. We are so very blessed that it happened in ours and this wonderful message of the restoration was given to us by wonderful dedicated missionaries. To a llwho read this please know that we love our Saviour, this church bears his name, he is risen and sits with the father directing the affairs of his kingdom though a prophet, Pres. Thomas S. Monson. We love it with all our hearts and feel so very priviliged.

May God bless each of you and hold you in the palm of his hand.

Elder and Sister McBride.

Scotland / Ireland Mission.

Journal Update

Our dear family and friends,

We love you all very much and recognize you have been very patient in waiting for another email. We hope to do this now on a regular basis and it will serve to keep you informed as to our progress and also a journal update for us and our dear lovely family who we miss very much and of course our dear friends also. We are finally getting into some sort of routine but nothing about this mission is routine. Let us explain a little and you will see. As mentioned in an earlier email when we left the MTC ( seems like a very long time ago ) The volcanic ash was causing havoc all over the UK and Ireland -- our flight was one of the only ones taking off - now that's the luck o' the oirish !! We arrived in Dublins fair city and were greeted by the President and his good wife, went to the mission office, met the staff, got oriented, had lunch and received our first assignment. That's where everything went sideways !! You see the President indicated to us in an earlier email while we were in Calgary that we would probably be in some small town like Tralee or Galway in the Republic and would proclaim the gospel and Elder McBride would probably be the branch president with Sister McBride working in RS, etc. Well that idea changed very fast -- on the morning of our arrival he received a prompting and the inspiration to take us to Belfast City to coordinate the affairs of the YSA Centre. We would have no certain area and would instead cover all of Northern Ireland attending all of the wards and branches and also have the responsability for almost 500 young single adults, including a host of other activities and of course institute. WHAT A SURPRIZE and going right into the centre of Belfast City where so many of the old stalwart members of the church knew us as newly weds, etc. We ae now working with many of their grandchildren and We can tell you it is indeed a wonderful treat. Sister McBride is establishing a fabulous rapport with many of these young woman and is being a tremendous help to them in many ways. We will explain some of our activities later and I think I could easily convince many of you that are our age to come on a mission and receive the blessings we enjoying.

Making our way out of Dublin before we even got on the motorway, Pres. Creer sprung his 2nd surprize on us " We have just one little snag ---- we have nowhere for you to live !!! " --- welcome to the mission field ( in this case, I think the Irish fields are green and ready to harvest ) Fortunately Elder McBride has a dear lovely sister outside Belfast and so we made a quick phone call and of course she was delighted to have us. Now, Elder McBride's sister lives in a 200 year old cottage near the ocean and I can tell getting our suitcases up to a small upper loft room with stairs that are only 18 inches wide is a story all in itself. We were ablt to stay there until we found a lovely apartment near the centre.

The Pres. and his wife, got the Elders to bring a car, he left us at the centre, gave us some instruction, a set of guidelines for the Europe area YSA centres, the keys to the building and said, " God bless " We said our goodbyes, and then looked at each other saying " NOW WHAT !! " --- welcome to the mission field. We started that morning at 4.30 am and were finally crawling into bed at Elder McBrides sister's at 2.00am the next day -- welcome to the mission field. The weather in Ireland has been incredible since we arrived -- everyday we can truly sing, " There is sunshine in my soul today " It has only rained one day in 6 weeks and that was only the famous Irish mist. While at Zetta's we could start early each day, before studies, with a walk along the promenade by the beautiful ocean, to the lighthouse -- Elder McBride would climb the 166 steps to the top and also another 6 or so steep inclines and would recommend it for a great start to a day of service. The gentle waves lapping into shore, the green slopes running down to the sea, and the birds singing merrily are a real tonic ---- no wonder the great Irish writer, George Bernard Shaw said " Ireland sir, for good or evil is like no other place on earth " Zetta really spoiled her missionaries, as she has always done and we are indebted to her, but it was challenging as we had to go to the centre each day and it was a good hours drive and through Belfast City traffic often. So we found a very nice apartment near the centre as we had been requested to do. We are only a few minutes from the city centre, very close to the YSA centre ( the only one in all of Europe as a free standing building owned by the church ) and of course nearby are several colleges and Queens University -- where a number of our YSA go to school. From each window of our apartment we look out into luscious green foliage, it is like living in a park and yet it is very close to downtown. Hope we are painting a picture for you of how green Ireland really is. Our days are filled with a myriad of differring responsibilities, including challenges. This certainly is so unlike the mission we had a vision of ---- BUT WE ARE LOVING IT. Also an interesting little note that one might call a coincidence but really it is one of those mini miracles that Pres. Monson speaks of : - as a young man of 19 Elder McBride worked on the building of this structure -- then it was an inner city chapel, only the 2nd in Northern Ireland.

I installed the cedar slats that formed the feature wall in the chapel that remains there to this very day -- there were other parts I labored on and each has a story. Elder McBride had the opportunity to speak with a large group of YSA in this centre recently and they seemed to be very interested those stories. It never seems to amaze us how our Heavenly Father knows everything, every little detail of our individual lives from the very beginning and orchestrates those happenings in our lives.

Here are some of the activities we are involved with. It would make you head spin and it does ours, sometimes : -

Institute -- summer presently, but we have approx 45 attending and come September that will swell to approx. 70.

Servive work -- we took the entire group to Belfast City Cemetary -- ( that's in the dead cebtre of Belfast -- only joking !! ) It was fascinating -- remind us to tell you the stories. Very famous names such as CS LEWIS family are buried there -- also the infamous such as IRA and PROVO terrorists. Our Y SA loved it --- we have vests for them with LDS all over them and MORMON HELPING HANDS that bring recognition to the church.

We are working toward a YSA ward and presently have special block Sunday meetings from time in the centre that take a lot of preparing for and then a number of meetings during the week including our work with the YSA PRESIDENCY.

We travel and speak in different wards each Sunday, meet with YSA and also go with young adults on Search and rescue -- the less active and the great missionary work that we take to that age group including the universities. Do you think we are busy !! We have 2 full time Elders assigned to the centre and we train them in the use of the centre and in working with YSA -- there is much more.

We have some famous members in our YSA. If you have not heard of the name JASON SMYTH --- you soon will. Jason is a great young man with a slight vision impairment. He won the gold medals in 100m and 200m in the Bejing PARA Olympics in 2008. He has been in the Ensign and is constantly being written up in papers all over Europe. He trains in the winter with the US OLYMPIC team and then comes home to Ireland in the summer, running in many big events throughout Europe. The media call him the USIAN BOLT of the para olympics. Jason is presently preparing for the OLYMPICS IN LONDON 2012 and if he stays injury free he will the first ever competitor to run in both the OLYMPICS and the Para Olympics in the same year. He just broke the Irish track and field record last week -- the record was his own. He is a fantastic young man and extremely humble. Elder McBride asked him where his gold medals are ---- he said, " ah, my mom keeps them somewhere " Look out for his name , he will be a famous Mormon and we have him in our YSA.

The young people we work with are extremely gifted -- for such a small island to have all of this talent -- we have a concert pianist, kids that can make a guitar sing, a clarinet musician in the Belfast orchestra, professional footballers, etc. We are now working on a concert to showcase all their talents -- we will put it on at the centre and invite the whole stake. We need Kristy Jenkins here urgently !!!

Next email we need to tell you about our historic mission conference in Dublin --- the mission will change on the 1st of July to the Scotland / Ireland Mission and we have another Mission conference held in Belfast on the 3rd July which we will inform you of. At the conference in Dublin, it happened to fall on our 41st wedding anniversary and all the missionaries sang to us and gave us a nice IRISH chocolate bar.

Our days are long but filled with great things. We love these young people dearly. They have accepted us with open arms and we are building lasting relationships as we invite them to come unto Christ, get involved with us in this great missionary service and in mentoring them to become productive in community service and a host of other things in their lives. They do great work and it is wonderful to watch. We love the Gospel with all our hearts. We are alive in Christ and we love him and testify that he lives, he is the only begotten of the father, the Son Of God, our redeemer. We love our work, although challenging at times and are witnessing the great blessings coming to fruition that Pres. Spackman pronouned upon our heads at our setting apart.

May the sun shine warm upon yer face, the rains fall soft upon yer fields and until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of his hands,

Please feel free to send this on to all our other friends that may not be listed above. Our laptop is not bringing up all our friends addresses. We will try to solve that.

Elder and Sister McBride.

PS ---- We will forward our new mission address as soon as we know it --- it will be Edinburgh Scotland ----- ( yes, bonnie wee Scotland --- oh ye''ll tak the hi road and a'll tak the low road, but a'll be in Scotland afore ye )