Missionary Report

To our lovely family and our dear, dear friends in the US may you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday and may you all enjoy your great turkey dinners. We will be in Dublin's fair city to enjoy our Irish turkey dinner with all the senior couples. We are also doing something interesting. We will be visiting that famous old university, Trinity College Dublin to see the Book of Kells, this is the original document translated in the 9th century by Irish monks, of the 4 Gospels. We had seen it before and it is fascinating --- we have also arranged to see an original copy of the Book of Mormon, housed in the old library and brought out with prior arrangement.

We understand that it is -30 degrees in Alberta and snowing, also snowing in Utah. Thought we might let you know that here in the sunny Emerald Isle -- it is beautiful this morning -- early, Elder McBride went for his power walk along the river in his Tshirt -- we know it is unfair to tell you this but any of you who may be our age and that is plenty nine, you could consider putting away your snow shovels ( the Irish do not know what snow shovels are ) and come serve and have some fun. It can be such a marvellous experience and you will not have to worry about the flurries, warming your car up in the morning, block heaters and scraping the ice off the windshields.

Pday this week we went through downtown Belfast -- it is looking very Christmassy. Sister McBride loved the Continental market place set up on the city hall grounds -- foods from all over Europe and also crafts for Christmas, etc. Many of the streets in the city have colorful lights and the city hall is spectacular dressed in lights with a huge Christmas tree and waterfall lights glittering under the dome. One thing is very noticable that made us very happy --- they do not seem to have to cater to the " political correct " and Merry Christmas displays are everywhere instead of the " happy holiday " ones that are becoming all too familiar in North America. In many of the smaller towns and villages christmas trees are erected in the town squares. There are a very large number of events being held, such as concerts, early 1900 carol singing at museums, folk parks,etc and ceremonies in each location for the turning on of the lights. We are very impressed with the effort put into remembering that Christ is the most important part of Christmas.

We are trying to be very creative in our missionary labors in holding cottage meetings, teaching family home evenings, birthday cards, hand delivered to members, teaching member/missionary stategy, teaching members how to find using their spere of influence, etc. A number of these ideas have been successful for us and this past Sunday we had 5 less actives to church. The cottage meetings are working well -- we show a short video and then teach from the scriptures, engaging them with questions and encouraging discussion. This latter part we do not prepare for and simply rely on the spirit. Mini miracles occur each time we hold these -- last night one of the sisters asked a question regarding baptism and John the Baptist -- it was no coincidence that was precisely the scripture that I had turned to minutes earlier and her answer came right from God's word. We hold these in homes and have the members invite less actives and non member friends. We prefer small gatherings where it can be very personal. Each time we testify we know the angels are rejoicing -- we love our Saviour so very much.

It is getting late and we have a very busy schedule tomorrow. We will share some more experiences in the next email.

We are so very thankful for each of you. You are all great latter day saints and we admire, respect and love each of you. God loves each of us so very much that he gave his only begotten son --- just for you and me . I love the pleading song with the words " Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling -- calling for you and for me " I learned it as a boy. We testify each day of him, that he lives and his church has indeed been reestablished upon the earth. He is at the head and we worship him. We love Heavenly Fathers tender mercies. We do have a living prophet, just as in times of old and he receives revelation directly from above for each of us. Yes, we are extremely grateful.

Sunday we speak at a fireside in Coleraine, where Elder McBride went to school and there will be several members attending from the little town where he joined the church and there were only two members then -- my sister and I. There are now about 80 active members in Coleraine, so we look forward to that visit after 45 years. Just some of the joys of going back to your native land to preach the Gospel. Sister McBride has enjoyed some rich experiences also with people she remembered from years gone by.

Until next time, stay healthy, be happy and remember life can be a " perfect brightness of hope.

Elder and Sister McBride

Scotland / Ireland Mission

Missionary Report

Our dear family and friends,

First things first and most important --- WE LOVE EACH OF YOU AND MISS YOU.

Another epistle from the Isle of Erin ( no it's not Patmos, much greener )

It has been a wonderful few weeks in the mission field. We baptized 4 new members in our little branch on Saturday evening and it was indeed great to play a little role in helping to prepare these good souls. We had the Stake YSA choir come and sing ( just a little side benefit of having worked with them for the first 5 months of our mission ) It was a spiritual feast and it had been such a long time since this little branch has seen a baptism. One of those baptized is from Portugal and spoke very little English. As I conducted the baptismal interview I had to have an interpreter with me and that was an interesting experience as this sister was less active, but I believed that would be a good experience for her also. As I explained to her, at the beginning, the great need for confidentiality, I felt the spirit whispering to her heart and it did indeed touch her very much as she explained her feelings to me afterward. Our God does indeed work in mysterious ways, his wonders to perform. We love him with all our hearts and we love his tender mercies, extended continually.

We have finally seen and felt the rain and in great abundance. For the past 2 days it has come down in buckets, just a constant torrent -- we had forgotten how it can rain here and why it is always so very green. However, this morning it is back to a blue sky and it is PDAY and a welcome rest from a busy period. The fall is now in full swing but there are many leaves still on the trees --- we are reminded of President Hinckleys comment a number of years ago -- " I feel like the last leaf on the tree and the wind is blowing " How we all love and miss him, and his tremendous wit.

A week ago the branch held a little social and they called it " Cowboy Night " -- of course being from Calgary, they had us perform. It never ceases to amaze us how missionaries are expected to be able to perform, regardless of the function. So we had a campfire and the 2 young Elders, Sister McBride and I sat on the hay bales and belted out " Home, home on the Range " -- Red River Valley and a number of other fun songs. They had a guy play the banjo and then a sister led the line dancing. At least they had a laugh at Elder McBrides line dancing antics.

Are we having fun yet !!!!!!!!

A short time ago the clocks changed --- with no TV, radio or other forms of communication we had missed the change and arrived at church 1 1/2 hours early -- we were so surprized that no one was at church as we opened the building, etc !!!!! Then a young couple arrived with their children. They are Romanian. There are a lot of eastern European here and Belfast has become quite cosmopolitan, as has Dublin.

We had a fun time getting to know them and hearing their conversion story. The told us about the time change but they come from a neighboring town and had to catch trains at a certain time. We admire their devotion.

Coming along the motorway a few days ago -- the back of a passing lorry ( truck ) --- " HORSE WAGON " ----- and in small print at the bottom " and the odd donkey " --- just a wee bit o Oirish wit.

In the previous email we explained that there are 4 languages spoken here -- English, Gaelic, Ullan and Norn Iron -- the first 2 you know, the latter ( Ullan ) is the Ulster/ Scots dialect which Elder McBride can speak and understand -- Lastly Norn Iron -- now let us teach you a little bit o this dialect : -

ACH --- usually at the start of a sentence as in --- ach go on wi ye -- or ach , ye no

BOUT YE ---- a greeting, how are you -- bout ye big laddie, let's go fer a swall --( lets get a drink together )

CATCH YERSEL ON --- meaning get a hold of yourself or wise up

CRAIC --- fun, have a good time --- as in " the craics mighty, the guiness is in ( usually beer has something to do with it !!! )

DEAD ON --- decent, good, alright -- as in " I like Elder McBride, he's dead on " ( just thought I would add my name for fun. )

There are lots more if you have an interest.

Elder Ockeys email -- I enjoyed the comments on the RASTIFARIAN --- we get simliar things happening here with a lot of strange viewpoints on life, religion and culture. We feel sometimes that certain individuals swallowed the Blarney Stone rather than just kissed it. We wonder when they are going to come up for breath. " Listening " is a word that we have become very familiar with and on occasion we have been told " that we are quiet " --- Imagine that " Elder McBride quiet !!!!! " -- possibly sweet, kind, compassionate Sister McBride.

We spoke at a Stake Single Adults fireside last evening -- Sister McBride spoke on " good cheer " and I addressed " the love of God for his children and miracles in our lives " No one threw any petrol bombs at us -- just kidding -- A sister was in the congregation who was the wife of Sister McBrides first Branch President, some 46 years ago and two brethern who were the sons of a couple who sang at our wedding reception in 1969. I was telling them this afterwards and the song was " If I were the only girl in the world and you were the only boy " What wonderful experiences we are enjoying here with the saints. Some of these stalwarts have since passed on but we get to lives these great experiences thtough their spouses or children and grandchildren on occasion.

In speaking to them we wanted to give them a message of hope and we had earnestly prayed that we might touch someones heart. God always answers prayers as an older man we did not know explaned to us afterwards that he had been experiencing turmoil in his life and had met with his Bishop that very day -- he felt that what he heard had help rise him to the plateau that his Bishop spoke of.

God loves you all very much, with him nothing is impossible. Miracles do happen today and they happen to each of us, almost on a daily basis. Please read MATTHEW 17 : 20 AND 21. We love the Gospel of Jesus Christ, he is the master, the SON of GOD , he lives, we know it and this is his church. We love our prophet and the constant flow of revelation that comes through him. It is all true and we are so very thankful to have received this message, so many years ago in this land, from faithful missionaries. We bless their names.

Keep the faith, we love each of you and may God bless you abundantly,

Elder and Sister McBride.

( Mom and Dad to our lovely children and Bill and Carol

Missionary Report Oct. 30th- Part 2

Our dear Family and Friends,

Sorry we had to run away -- here is part 2 of what we started earlier. We were reporting on some of our experiences. As follows are a few more in random order. Some comical, some sad and some spiritual : -

We were speaking with some good friends who had recently been forced to close their thriving little greengrocery business. There are many small communities that historically thrive within large European cities. Where we reside, for example, not far from the city centre, there are numerous businesses that form a small town within a town and there may be 20 of these within a 2 mile radius. We had noticed that in each of these inner city communities they are many stores simply shuttered up for good. Our friends tell us that the paramilitary when the troubles ended simply turned to collecting protection monies illegally from each store owner. Our friends were forced to pay over 8000 thousand dollars per year, just to open their doors for business or face the consequences of being burned or bombed out. They and many others simply close shop and walk away.

We have also noticed a large difference in society over 40 years. While it is wonderful that the majority of the fighting has stopped -- that warfare has changed the people to some degree. Prior to 1970 the Irish were great church goers - it appeared that most went to a church of some sort ---- now a very large part of the population do not believe in God, let alone attend a church. Alcohol , tobacco and other drug use is widespread and we are finding as missionaries that many of the less actives are having great difficulty, especially with alcohol. It is so accessible with pubs everywhere -- one little village of 500 people, for example, boasts no fewer than 21 pubs. We, sadly, are working with some that say they love the church but cannot leave the bottle. It is such a terrible and terrifying disease. The governments answer appears to be, keep taxing the purchase cost. We are also seeing many young single mothers with very young infants and no husbands. As marriage has not been promoted by the government but large sums of money in terms of benefits are given to these young women, including free housing, day care, free food, baby needs, etc. This is another scourge in society and unfortunately too many of the less active young women in the church are in this category. Candidly, these are some of the challenges we have been working through, however there are also many stalwarts in the church here that are indeed the salt of the earth. One such sister is one of our branch missionaries. Maxine is over 80 years young and would think nothing of walking several miles to attend church. She is always the first to volunteer to help someone needy and knows everyone intimately, in the branch. She is a tremendous source of information to us and a fantastic example of all that is good.

We visited with a less active sister -- Lily and her sister Maddy ( the latter so rightly named as she is indeed a nutter, in Irish that means a little off the rocker ) Maddy will openly tell you that during the troubles she would go out and throw rocks at the police. They thought she was insane and picked her up, taking her to the local asylum. There she would have a " holiday " for a few days and would be sent home with a great and free benefit package that would last for another 6 months or until the next riot she could get involved in. Yes, a true story right from Maddy's lips. We could do nothing but laugh !!! -- only in Ireland. We have many of these tales to tell.

We went to find some lost sheep a few days ago - what a journey. The older couple had built a lovely home at the top of the mountain. What magnificent scenery as we drove on an extremely narrow road fit only for one very small car as it wound up the mountain side. The wife had serious challenges with health, both physical and emotional. In the course of our visit she had confided in us that she was suicidal and had attempted to take her life and would not fail next time. Her husband, a quiet man, but loved the church and his wife was trying to find some positive hope for his companion. We met for some time and were calling inwardly for divine help -- it came, as it almost always does. In the course of our communication she had mentioned one granddaughter that had been helpful to her. Although she had lost all hope for living, we went to work with this one thread and the scriptures that were unfolded before our eyes. We thank God each day for this great gift that has been given to all members of Christ's church, that of the Holy Ghost. We believe that she has grasped the concept that the entire sum of existence may be the magic of being needed by just one person. But in her case she has at least two -- her husband and her granddaughter. They want us to visit again and we intend to build on this and on the love of the Savior of the world and the miracle of the atonement.

May we finish with a funny story -- in visiting today with a family in Ballymena -- Doreen took us out for dinner. She has the greatest sense of humor with her Irish / Scots brogue -- Sister McBride had difficulty understanding it but I loved every minute of it. When she did not understand I would interpret. Doreen was using words that I have not heard for almost 50 years. She told this story of visiting America to see the missionary who taught her the Gospel. She was a dyed in the world loyalist and she insisted that her friends meet her at SLC airport, waving the Union Jacks. What she did not know is they had bought a bunch of TRICOLORS ( that is the flag of the Republic ) and the loyalists do NOT like that flag. Well they sewed them together and made a bedspead to cover her bed with them. So she ripped them off and the air was blue -- but they couldn't understand her in any case -- so as she says, " no harm done ' Then one time she fell out with her branch Pres. and asked him if he had ever seem the devil !!!! He said " absolutely not and was annoyed " Then she said " well I,m looking at him " Now how is that for some of the people we are working with --- it is never a dull moment, we can assure you.

We love the Saviour of the world. This is the church of Jesus Christ. God lives and we love his tender mercies. We love each of you and trust that you are all well and healthy. Keep the faith and continue to draw upon the powers of Heaven.

Elder and Sister McBride.

Scotland / Ireland Mission

Missionary Report Oct. 30th

Dear Family and friends,

It has been another beautiful day in the mission field in dear old Ireland. We have noticed with amusement regarding Elder Ockey's emails and the flooding in the Bahamas. I am pleased to say to all the couples " Come to the beautiful Emerald Isle " --- where it NEVER rains !!!!

I think since we have been here you could count on one hand the real rainy days -- however that is most unusual but we like to think the luck o' the Oirish is working for us !!!! We have reached the 6 month mark in the mission and with lots of experiences - some very interesting and some really quiet incredible, as we will explain later. We received our first transfer to the town of Antrim, still in the North - or as the loyalists like to say -- the prod side of the island !! Antrim is a very small branch and we have the charge of trying to build it up. The kids at the YSA centre held a farewell party for us and it was sad as we had developed a strong rapport with them and they with us. They gave us some gifts which made it all the more difficult, but hopefully we accomplished what we set out to do and that was to bless their lives. We also had the opportunity to reactivate several and that became a real blessing to us.

Elder McBride got his first ticket ------ ah, caught you --- it was not for speeding, although I must admit to driving , maybe a wee bit speedy on some of the fun narrow twisty roads. It was a parking ticket and I talked my way out of it anyhow by the reverse procedure that I use at home. Here, Elder McBride is a Canadian and that works very well, just like being an Irishman in Calgary, plus I am just a poor missionary !!

We celebrated Canadian Thanksgiving in Dublins fair city. We had 9 senior missionary couples there with 2 couples being Canadian ( Elder and Sister Hancock from Raymond and ourselves ) Also Elder Card is from Cardston. We had turkey with all the trimmings, pumpkin pie, etc -- the younger of us played basketball , etc --- it was a great day and we shared lots of Alberta stories with all our great American couples. They will have an opportunity to do likewise as we will get together again on US thanksgiving.

We spoke in Coleraine last week -- Elder McBrides old stomping grounds -- where he went to grammar school, seen movies such as the Beatles - HELP and " Its a mad mad mad world " --- and it still is. I told a story from the dedicatory service of the lovely little chapel when I was visiting there a number of years ago and some of the members remembered that. One sister came up to Sister McBride and told her she went to Primary school with me in Ballymoney. I asked her if I was the menace who pulled her hair !! That was indeed a trip down memory lane and we felt very much at home with the members there.

Yes, with the extended travelling and into little towns where nothing runs in blocks, nor Belfast for that matter, we finally spurlged on a SAT/NAV ( thats GPS ) and it is bailing us out of a lot of extra driving and with petrol at about 3 - 4 times what it is in Calgary -- that can be considerable. Now its fun to land at the very door with the input of merely a postal code. Only problem is that the girl has an English accent --- fortunately it can be changed to a lovely Dublin one !!!!

We have decided to stay in our flat ( apt. ) in Belfast -- our landlord likes us and will extend it do us on a monthly basis instead of long term. There may be some other changes that will require that type of flexibility and the commute is not too long. In addition we have been able to get another senior couple into the same complex as they will be in a nearby building and area. There are only 2 senior couples in the North, so that will be very good as we can help each other better this way.

We attended a Halloween party in Elder McBrides sisters ward. She makes a crazy witch in supertitious Ireland. It becomes a lot of fun when we can get a small break away from the work and we are very thankful for that. They are allowed fireworks here in Northern Ireland again after 40 years of a complete ban because of the civil strife. We still see traces of that period everywhere we go and there are still pockets of resistance with riots breaking out from time to time. We usually know where to go and where to stay out of, especially at nighttime.

We are experiencing some rich spiritual experiences with wonderful members in this little branch and also some " very different " ones. Let us tell you a few that you might find incredible -- but true.

The records of the branch are in pathetic shape ( that is our first item of business to get those cleared up ) Two priesthood brethren went home teaching to a home where no one had hometaught ( obviously ) for a very long time. They knocked at the door and asked for the sister by name. Now you need to understand that in Ireland they have these things called " wakes " -- that is when someone passes away the body is often kept in the parlour - front room - in the coffin and many people come to pay respects, a bit of a party and have a wee nip o' old Bushmills whisky.

Now ---- the sister had passed away and no one in the church knew it, so the 2 brethern were ushered into the parlour, offered a wee drink --- to their great surprise seen the sister --- however they could not share their message with her !!!!!! Only in Ireland !!

Sorry --- have another commitment to take care of ---- will finish this shortly,

Love you all and we love the Gospel,

Elder and Sister McBride.

Missionary Report Oct. 15th

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.

Missionary Report

Dear family and Friends,

We love you all very much and want you to know that we have a great love for the Gospel and Christs true church.

We have been negligent in getting an email off sooner. It seems every day in the mission field is so very packed with a myriad of interesting things and if you leave it as we have on this occasion it just keeps building. We will touch on a few of these over the past 3 weeks.

1. had a very wonderful all Ireland conference in Dublin with Elder Koprischke of the Seventy and President of the Europe Area Presidency. It lasted a full 6 hours with only one 10 min break in between. You might think how on earth could we sit for that long and keep interest. Well we all did and it was fascinating. We were taught a new method of teaching that is being taught to all missionaries throughout the world presently and it embodies the use of the Holy Ghost in all our teaching and very effective ways to committ to baptism in the first lesson, no matter how short that lesson may be. We were also taught some fascinating ways to answer all of lifes challenges using the scriptures and how to believe and engage the vision ( some of my very favorite topics ) At the end it was indeed hard to believe that 6 hours had transpired and also need to tell you that we did not eat during that conference --- but there were a lot of starving young men who went straight to a Burger King at the conclusion. These new methods still engage PMG and more fully than ever before. If you are not already doing so may we suggest you study and ponder PMG in all your meetings, both church and family -- using it constantly with the scriptures.

2. The world pipe band championships were held here in Belfast and we took our first date night since we have been on our mission - 4 months now - and went to a ceile' --- a fantastic Irish concert in the Europa Hotel in downtown Belfast City. The Europa Hotel has the distinction of the most bombed hotel in the world -- 27 times and it still stands tall !! Fortunately for us, it was not bombed that night !! A CEILE' is a traditional Irish music and dance and this night they played with the Ullean pipes, fiddles, bongos, bohranes, bagpipes, flutes, etc -- it started one hour late ( Irish time ) but it was a super night and the toes were tapping. We sat beside one of the champion pipe players and of course the subject of missionaries ( accidentally came up ) and we got to discuss the church among our table -- so opportunties come from many angles.

3. Coming back through Ireland from one of our distant travels -- passed thru the little village of Eden and noticed a wee cul de sac with the name -- guess what ? ---- yes, THE GARDEN OF EDEN --- lots of foliage around each small home and flowers in full bloom --- catchy is'nt it ?

4. Climbed to the top of the cavehill away above Belfast Castle with a group of YSA --- one of the young woman with us has her boyfriend leaving on a mission soon to Ventura, Calif --- she has been considering going too for sometime -- think we have solidified her thinking -- much of our work is in mentoring these wonderful young people and we have been very blessed to have been able to establish a good rapport with all of them. We are just their 2nd moms and dads in many occasions and somtimes their moms and dads as their parents are not members of the church. At the top of the Cavehill is a magnificent view right over Belfast and out to the ocean with a look at bonnie Scotland on a clear day.

5. We do flat inspections across Northern Ireland and teach nutrition at the same time -- it is amazing what these Elders eat for breakfast sometimes - we are trying to change that and Sister McBride can be tough on cleanliness but we do give them advance warning so they do not have much excuse. It's hard to believe but the zone leaders can be the worst offenders -- a recent visit to them yielded a pot of boiling water on their stove, with a can of ? in it as they were trying to make a special dessert. They forgot about it and the can blew up spreading its contents all over the kitchen - what a mess !!!! We went to do one in Derry ( originally Londonderry ) note London removed - too much like English rule !! -- now called FREE DERRY after the end of the troubles. We travelled with another senior missionary couple as we had to deliver a letter to a missionary who was being sent home -- there are challenging days in the mission field also and this was not a pleasant experience.
Later that day we were able to walk Derry's walls --- early that morning before we arrived a 200lb bomb exploded at a police station quite close to where we were going -- that was a nice welcome to Derry for us -- for the other couple who are from the US it caused some concern but we have seen it all before. However for the most part it is quite peaceful now, just a few little rumblings now and again, serves to keep us all awake !!
Derrys walls - a fortification of the city of Derry going back to a battle in 1655. The apprentice boys of Derry keeping out the forces of King James, a catholic, who was ousted off the throne of England.

6. We reveived our first mail today and we were thrilled with fabulous paintings from our grandchildren - Karens children -- they now brighten the walls of our flat and we love them -- they lift our spirits every day.

7. Finally trained in Europe YSA --- Trainers from the area office in Germany came and spent the day with us. We had all the guidlines previously and were very familar with them. So the training helped answer a number of questions, address some challenges we had identified and produced a lot of good ideas that we could try in our centre. This is definitely very different missionary work and is extremely varied.

8. Just thought we might tell you a member owns a bakery here not far from us and the missionaries get free baked goods --- Irish pastry is hard to beat and especially when it is free it can taste absolutely fantastic - even heavenly -- we cannot go there very often or we would become blimps and when we do we put a few extra miles on the power walk next morning.

9. We spoke in Dundalk -- bandit country - in the Republic of Ireland last Sunday - we had a grand day with the members there - just a little branch where there are about 70 members and the branch president is Elder McDowel - a missionary couple we have a great relationship with. The couples in the mission field almost always have a great time together and eternal bonds are built. We stayed with this couple overnight and attended a concert and dance showcasing Brian Matthews sister who is a wonderful singer in a show band. We had such a great time with his family. Now bandit country - what is that. Well Dundalk is on the border and during the troubles, where it was almost civil war, the IRA would come into the north, bomb buildings, committ atrocities, terrorize and all sorts of evil things ( just like the Gadianton robbers ) then slip back over the border again to a safe haven. All of that ended with the peace process.

10. Thirty missionaries left last week and only 7 came in so many areas have been closed but this will be good for the local members. Among those leaving was Elder Copithorne to bonnie Scotland. He has grown a lot and gave an exceptional talk in my sisters ward last Sunday. We seen him off at the ferry and he will probably complete his mission in Scotland. He has gone to the Glasgow area.

11. Some closing experiences. We went to visit some less active YSA this week. Thomas had been involved in 2 serious accidents that almost claimed his life twice. He had not been to church for a very long time. We had a wonderful visit with him and the spirit very strong as we invited him to come unto Christ. We taught him a lesson on the nature of God and committed him. He received it warmly and shook our hands " on the deal " to attend church. He kept his committment and we will meet each week as we teach him the Gospel all over again. He is 22 and we think we can begin soon talking to him about missionary service. We know it will be a process and so we start right away. We told him we could not greet him at his ward last Sunday as we were speaking at another but got another committment from him to attend this Sunday when we can be there - we want to keep the pattern. What a great young man and he is going to make it. He has a strong family and his dad is so very pleased.

I knew a man when I lived in Ballymoney over 45 years ago. He was a television personality and had joined the church in a neighboring town. We had heard he had moved to Belfast just recently and were out in that neighborhood and were prompted by the spirit to make an effort to find him and visit. We did and he answered to door to a very great surprize. He was moving that very day and we may not have found him again -- it is truly amazing how the spirit works - such myterious ways his wonders to perform. We had a great talk -- he kept saying " You look so American " -- don't know where that came from but what we do know, we were directed to his door that day and time, for a few minutes later he would have been gone. We now have his new address, contact number, etc and ---- he did tell us to wants to change his life, he is ready to do that and wants us to visit and teach -- we love this work, can it get better !!!
Well --- we think it can, if you think that is possible --- we will share another story with you next email that might just top that.

It is a very special privilege to serve. We love our Saviour, he lives, we know he lives. He is the only begotten of the father, the Son of God. He gave his life that we might live in that eternal world of peace and joy forever. The church bears his name and it is true. We know it. A prophet stands at it's head, he talks with God --- what a great message this is -- that a prophet speaks with God -- TODAY -- in our time. We know Presidsent Monson is that Prophet. May God bless each of you abundantly. We love each of you, our friends and our dear family we love you so very dearly - parents could not be blessed with better children. Thank you all for the examples you set.

Elder and Sister McBride.

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.