Senior Trip to the North

On Monday, October 10th the senior missionaries got together to celebrate Canadian-America Thanksgiving. Since we had gone south last year, we decided to celebrate in the north. Elder McBride made reservations at Kockalough Lodge and we had a wonderful Irish dinner together....with no work for us! It was great to be together...old friends and some new ones! We said good-bye to Sisters Joines and Nolan. It was their last day here in the north. We welcomed the Chamberlains who just arrived in Ireland.

Great picture of the mission tie!! Thanks Elder Card!!

Tuesday we headed (for the last time) up the Antrim Coast. First stop Ballycastle.

Scotland in the distant......

Statue representing the children of Lire........

The Chamberlains.............

Boys will be boys.............






I love these "elderly people" signs!

We stopped at the rope bridge but no one went across. Then we went to Ballytoy harbour. The tide was out and it smelled pretty fishy!!!! But it was still beautiful!

Next stop the Causeway.......

Elder Card on the Giant's boot!


We went to The Nook for dinner and then to Dunluce Castle before heading home, but my camera died......

It was sad to think it was our last time to visit some of our favorite places. But we have so many good memories and fun pictures.......We love Ireland and will miss this beautiful green country.

A Special Night

Saturday evening was a special night. Ian was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. We taught Ian when we were Portadown and we were so excited when he asked Elder Holt to baptize him. He has investigated the church for about 3 years. His wife, Clare, has been a member all of her life. Now they can start prepare for the temple! We feel so blessed to be a part of their lives!!

Visitors from Scotland

Friday night the McDowell's met us on the ferry in Scotland on our way back from the temple. Elder McDowell had some family names he wanted to find at a cemetery here in Ireland. And Saturday we found them!
It was a rainy day, but we enjoyed being with Elder and Sister McDowell again.


After the cemetery we went to Banbridge and met with some of the members of the Dundalk Branch where the McDowell's had served the first year of their mission. We enjoyed the visit but it was hard to say good-by to these wonderful saints, knowing we may never see them again.
Sunday was General Conference. During the sessions we had the Portadown FHE group, the McDowell's and the McBrides over for dinner. Later that evening the Senior Sisters joined us.


Monday we went shopping in Hillsbourgh so the McDowell's could pick up a few last minute Irish souvenirs. We also made it back to the Ferguson Linen shop and I said goodbye to Nigel...the manager there. He reassured me that he would send me anything I needed when I get home:)

We also made a visit to Loughbrickland where the first baptism in Ireland took place. Probably our last time there......

We have enjoyed knowing these wonderful people. They have become dear friends and we will miss them so much when we all go our separate ways in a few weeks.

Trip to Preston

Early Wednesday morning we boarded the Stena Line Ferry and headed to Scotland. This was the first leg on our journey to the Preston Temple with the YSA.
Everyone was there on time and we had smooth sailing across the Irish Sea.

We had a nice group go, although we wish we could have had a few more to fill the coach that picked us up in Scotland and took us to Preston....
Stopping for rest and relaxation......

We arrived at the Temple in the afternoon.
It was a fun coach (bus) ride....Brother Noble kept reminding us that a lot of the joy was in the journey!!!
We had wonderful weather while we were there. The Temple was beautiful and we were so blessed with no rain and unseasonal warm temperatures.

The grounds on the temple site are really nice. We enjoyed the short walk from the accommodation center to the temple.

We were able to have a wonderful experience together. It was the first time to the temple for two new converts. Everyone had a great time and we were all spiritually uplifted.

We were able to have two great firesides. One was held at the Preston Chapel.
This is the Mission Training Center (MTC).
Back on the bus and headed home.....we stopped and visited the Wee Big Shop!
We were tired when we arrived home. We almost missed the ferry because of traffic but we made it back to Belfast before midnight! What a great trip! Lots of good memories!!!! It's hard to believe we were in three different countries all in one day!

Holywood District

We had our last district meeting with Sister Steele. She heads home this week. We will miss her and wish her all the best as she leaves!

Happy Birthday Mena

We attended a surprise birthday party for Mena at Maloney's in Lurgan. It was fun to be with the Portadown FHE group again. Mena was really surprised that we were there.
The young elders also joined us. It was Elder Nielson's first time to try "mushy peas" a favorite of the Irish but not so for most elders!

We love Mena and we are so glad we are such good friends. We will miss her when we leave.
Happy "60th" Birthday Mena!!!!