December 28, 2015: 'Loved skyping with you all'

Hello!! So I am typing on a little tablet and I don't have a lot of time with all the holidays our emailing is short. And its a bank holiday so we are at sister shines again to email. She is super nice!!

 So Christmas was gooood we had a huge dinner at a members house at around one and then we chilled out there until we went to sister shines house o Skype. It was pretty uneventful. The family the Redmond's gave us a bit box of gifts I got a cute wallet and scarf and then some other chocolates and little gifts from members. I forgot to mention that I absolutely loved the harry potter shirt and the little bag the boys got for me :) they are perfect! 

Anyways it was wonderful talking with you and I will be able to write more next week when I actually have a normal keyboard. Ha ha know that I am doing really well and tell the other family that it was great to see them!!! And tell the boys I say hi:) 

Love love love you!!! 

Sister McBride

December 21, 2015: 'Merry Christmas'

Hey! Things are going great but I have VERY little time here. Our President has told all missionaries to get shopping cleaning and e-mailing done in one hour! of course that is absolutely impossible (maybe if we had ipads...) but yeah basically he said to do everything as fast as possible! so anyway to answer your questions YES I got the packages (the year mark and the mexican food filled one... yeah I opened it. I couldn't wait! ) C: hehe anyways they're great but yeah dont send any packages through DHL or whatever it is. There were 2 regular sized candy canes in there that someone ate!! They punch their hand through the side of the box pulled out the candy canes un wrapped it, ate half of them and then put it back in! Luckily it didn't get on anything important but it was all melty and gross on the bottom.  Anyways, life is good and Sister Petch is awesome. A mission has really taught me how to love people and accept them for who they are and how they are a missionary. Hardly anything bothers me or gets on my nerves.

 

So yeah! life is good. I'm doing good we met some pretty cool people this week that still want to meet up with us despite the holidays so we are excited. 

SKYPING will still be at about 4. if things drastically change and you don't hear from me I'm sure Sister Christine Shine is on the SIM facebook and she will send you a message. C: 

I've got to go but I will talk to you soon!

Love you 

Sister McBride

December 14, 2015: 'Numbers are up this week!"

Dear Parents,

My goodness. So I am staying,Woot. This week was good :) our numbers are coming up because we were able to be more obedient and find more. It's amazing how the Lord blesses you when you actually do what you're supposed to. My new companion is Sister Petch, who I have heard great things about. It's just recently that I have gained a wonderful love for finding. now that I'm a year OUT! Ugh.... it's annoying. I only have 6 months left. I wish I had the love more before now!! I mean I did go finding and I did enjoy it, but now I really love it and I just wish I could have had that at the beginning of my mission. Other people seem to have gotten it. so why didn't I? it's just frustrating. I want to be an amazing missionary so that i can help others and be an example to them. When I think of other missionaries I think "wow they are so good. I want to be more like them". I want that, I want to be that help for others if that makes sense. I want to be apart of that great work! I want to leave something that inspires others to be better, not because I'm so great but just because I would love to help! I know how much it helps me and I want to give that to other people. Yeah I've served well but I haven't really accomplished what I set out to do. I want more time to serve, more time to do and now I'm nearing the end. Finding and talking to strangers was so hard for me but now I love it! I love serving!!

 

I'm so happy the ward party went great! The ward parties here are a bit different. They have little workshop tables and finger food. There's no presentation or dinners like we have. But, hey that's ok. I love them. We went to the ward party and we had to try and make elf hats out of paper for the kids and it wasn't going well because we found out about it the day of so we tried making antlers for reindeer and they looked absolutely ridiculous!! but the kids liked them so that's all that matters. haha

Sister Dias heads off today :( so I will be with Sister Wilkinson and Skousen in their area for a few days and I'm really excited! 

They live in a 4man flat. can you imagine how crazy that would be?? hence the elevator photo. haha 

December 7, 2015- "This week was hard numbers wise"

haha... I wonder what this picture was about. 'missionary work is serious!


I don't know the elders. Sister McBride and sister Dias

Dear Mommy,
Oh my goodness you are the most amazing, wonderful, dedicated, hard-working, loving person with the best intentions that I know! Don't worry about the package. I'm sorry the company gave you such problems. Don't cry Mommy :'( It makes me sad. I hope you know that I'm not upset that it came late. I know it would have made your heart happy for it to be to me by my year mark, but please don't stress about it. I pray that your heart song will feel better. (mom here: I was using the service DHL and had many problems with them trying to deliver the package to her. -it was my first time using the service and I didn't know certain criteria, I will never use them again- It was a package to celebrate her one year mark and a Christmas scripture advent calendar it took a month for her to get it but she got it just before Christmas, and I wasn't THAT stressed and sad haha... she is so cute. Isn't she the sweetest, so worried about her momma. I was more irritated than anything)

WOW what a flippin' awesome ward party! mom Dang.  (mom here: we had a polar express pancake breakfast and had made a little train out of cardboard boxes and had a fellow church member bring his small barrel train for the kids to take a little ride.  We decorated it pretty awesomely I might add...it was a lot of work but lots of fun) I don't think I realized until I came out here how 'all-or nothing' americans are.  My goodness what wonderful things you do. Just remember president Uchtdorfs advice about a good sacrifice "Staying up for a little bit with a child who is scared is a good sacrifice. However, staying up all night and risking your health to make the perfect accessory for your daughters Sunday outfit may not be a good sacrifice." I think you are amazing for doing all this just don't risk your health and stress yourself out. Ok? I love you too much for you to feel depressed and overly stressed about a Christmas party! ;) (mom here: she's just the cutest! I did do a lot and she was wise in telling me this. I do tend to go overboard a bit! she knows me well... haha..)

Daddy, Wow my goodness sounds so busy. We work pretty closely with the Bishops (mom here: her dad is the bishop and is extra busy during that time with tithing settlement and other things) and I think I admire more now what you do every Sunday and all the time. I hope you don't feel that I expect things from you. I hope you know that you are a wonderful example by simply who you are and how much you try to do better. I think something that I have learned is that yes people do expect a lot of us, but they don't expect us to be perfect right away or all the time. The thing people admire most is that we a re trying to be better. So I'm sure you feel people expect things and you can't deliver. I feel the same! Especially with the goal our mission president has set for every companionship to baptize in December and it kind of feels like we are the only ones with out a person with a date!! Anyway I love you a lot and hope you get some good rest.

Where do I start? This week was hard numbers wise. I love my companion so much and she is an amazing missionary. But it has been difficult this week. As she prepares to go home she is stressed and anxious about all the things she has to do and has been trying to do things in preparation on a normal day when they can easily be done on p-day.  It has been hard because we have not been as obedient as we can be and I know that this is why our numbers are falling. So all in all this week was hard for that very reason. I feel the end approaching and I feel the fear of something amazing coming to an end but I cant seem to get my mind a body to work with my heart. Its so windy and cold over here that it is hard to go out for hours and hours, but it has to be done and my body is dragging along with how tired I am. (Before you worry, yes I am getting good sleep and eating healthy things) The Lord will bless me for my obedience but we haven't been very obedient!!

Anyway don't worry about it, it will pass I think this week will be better and we will do more work and finding and more every thing and I won't feel so bad! haha anyways I really am doing fine just a little stressed, but thats ok! C:

SIster Dias goes home the 14th and I don't find out my new companion until moves call on Sunday. I'm sad to see her go. I've loved sister Dias. 

Love you all so much!

sister McBride

November 30, 2015- "Thanksgiving"

Well, our water heater is working great C: haha it's ok You can laugh it was pretty funny. Well... until the end there. Then it was frustrating! haha This week we decided we needed new mattresses as well. I mean you sleep on some pretty bad mattresses on the mission but We decided it was a little too bad when during the night and trying to get in a comfortable spot by laying on my side, two springs dug into my ribs haha. My bed is also about the squeakiest, creakiest bed of ever. There is no quite sleeping on that thing haha. Anyway! Other then that our flat is good :)

I don't remember much about this week weather wise other then yes we did get some strong winds because apparently we are getting the tail end of about 3 hurricanes that are come through over here. So nothing too drastic, just lots of wind and mist. You cant call it rain because there are no actual drops most of the time. The air is just... wet. 

We were sad about Leanne dropping us but hopefully we will be able to get back on our feet and find someone to teach. It's a bit hard going over here for some reason all of our people have fallen through or cant meet. Also this e-mail might be a bit short since I lost about 20 min on these ridiculous library computers. You only have about 58min or less for each sign in that you do and mine was freaking out so I had to log off and it restarted, long story short you can only book a computer for 1 hour twice so yeah I lost about 20 min :C

Loved the package!! Thank you! We actually ended up cooking that stuff for Thursday night. Some members (off handedly) invited us out to eat with the Elders but they told us the day of that it would be around 8:15 that they would eat! It was going to be packed with all the sales going on near by and we wouldn't have been able to get to our flat on time. so we had to cancel, but we went to a members home on Friday he served his mission in America and his wife lived there for a while so they adopted the tradition and she makes pumpkin pie out of actual pumpkin! It was so good! I'll have to tell you about it next time C: They are so nice, it was a good quiet homey meal that I really enjoyed.

Plans for Christmas so far are going to the Redmonds who have 2 sons out on the mission right now, though I'm not sure if we will Skype there since they will be skyping their own kids... then the Relief Society presidents house, Sister Shine for the evening. It surprisingly has not snowed yet even though it's absolutely freezing! :) Unfortunately they are not doing the big singing mission tour like they did last year but we are doing it together as a zone so we will all sing in Dublin city center at some point this month, so that will be cool.

Elder Watson! haha he's from the AZ! We were right next to a place called Star Pizza (delicious pizza and chips with a drink for €5!!) But it was really busy inside so we sat outside. It was pretty cold but there were a bunch of us because it was just after Elder Ballard.

I have to get going! The gospel is true!!

Love Sister McBride

November 22, 2015- "The most spiciest thing I have ever had in my life!"

This week was.... quite the week. First off Monday morning our water was cold! We thought maybe we had used it all with the washer going and then washing the dishes but when we got home in the evening it was still freezing! So through a series of events and calling 4 different people-because everyone else said it wasn't their responsibility for that part of the flat- we finally got someone in on Thursday to fix it but only after our landlord person was able to get back into the country! Needless to say I had not showered still... I had washed my hair... twice. Once in the freezing water and that's only because I was already wet from being rained on and the other time I heated up the kettle and washed it in a big tubberware thing. After the plumber man left Thursday night it was still cold the next morning! Blah! so we called again and they said sent him in again on Friday night. So here I am panicking because I want to be CLEAN for meeting Elder Ballard and I haven't had a proper shower in like a week! My goodness so it was finally working (but not too well. It needs an hour or more to heat up) So I took the quickest shower of my life because only the hot water knob was turned and after about 5 minuets it was cold again! But The Lord provides and I was clean and groomed for Saturday.

Also we decorated the tree thats in our flat!! SO FUN!

Sunday we did a district fast and it was good. We went to this very nice african lady's house and she fed us. Only the food was THE MOST SPICIEST THING I HAVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE. It was yummy but spicy!  It this sauce with mushrooms, fish (with the teeny bones in it), and some vegetables. Even The Rice. Was Spicy! Oh my goodness. My mouth was in utter pain! It didn't help that I was trying to find these teeny fish bones and get them out before I swallowed them so the burning food stayed in my mouth until I got all the bones out.... anyway,  I was ok but My comp had some pretty bad heart burn after that... poor girl. Africans like spicy food. and I mean spicy. I can handle any salsa after that! Even Jesus's (spanish name 'Hey-sue's) at El Mesquite! They were really nice and I was grateful they feed us.

It was so amazing to have Elder Ballard he is so nice! He is a very sweet man but you can also hear the power in his words. He told us to "be great, be great teachers, be believing, don't doubt the power of God in you!" and my favorite: "Why do you need to be so great? Because you can't get out of missionary work by dying! If you can't get out of it by passing through the veil then why not get good at it??" haha he's awesome and I loved being able to see another apostle of the Lord! How awesome!

Unfortunately our friend Leanne no longer wants to continue  the lessons. She father who was her only supporter has now said that it would really upset him. Her dad is the person she lives with so she really doesn't want to do anything that will upset him :( we haven't even heard form her since then. But we hope and pray that she will continue to treasure the things that she has learned in her heart and when she is ready and a bit more independent she will see the missionaries again. So our week was crazy and full of zeros! Which is never fun, but we have a great district and things are going to go well! 

gotta run! hope your week is great

Love, Sister McBride

November 16, 2015 - "We have a batism"

This week was a bit cold! I put on my second layer of my coat this week! all the leaves have fallen and the long winter is settling in but people are already inviting us over for Christmas so that's nice. 

We *might go ice skating today! the ZL's have to ask if it's ok so we will see! C: 

 it is so good to see someone progressing in the Gospel! Our friend Leanne is doing great! Though young, she has a high maturity about her and has been truly studying the scriptures. When she has had a concern or question that might shake her faith or her desire to keep learning she has (of her own accord) looked onto the LDS site and looked at the scriptures referenced there and has come to the conclusion herself of its truthfulness without even needing to ask us! It is truly amazing how much a person can grow in their own faith when they do things of their own accord. :) We are so excited for her! Her date is for the 28th along with another girl Kriaztina from Hungary! :) 

We fasted as a district for our new investigator friends we hope to find that will be baptized in December. As I said the prayer to close that fast I prayed for this person that we might find them and baptize them this transfer and I wondered, why have I not prayed and fasted for this for every transfer?? Where has my brain been? I have fasted for finding new investigators in general but I have not, unfortunately, fasted at the beginning of the transfer/month specifically for someone to be baptized. I think all this time I feared that if I prayed&fasted to find and baptize someone that I wouldn't accomplish it and would therefore feel like a failure by not doing what I had set out to do. This is a fear I have struggled with all my life that I would not be enough or do enough to find that person. But I think I have finally connected the pieces! Miracles do happen! We can baptize every month, why not? If we pray for it and we work and as long as that is in line with the Lord there is nothing that has or will be holding me back other then my own worries of inadequacy... So, I determined then to improve and have more faith in myself, the Savior and His work. Our mission president has set a high goal for every companionship to have a baptism in December. The work is truly hastening. I feel it in my heart and soul and I see it in the world.

I hope you know how much I love you all! It's weird to say that I have been out 11 months! I never thought I would get here but here I am and I am loving every minute of my mission. I am feeling that anxiety that comes with the end of something amazing approaching and I am worried that I will get to the end and will feel that I never did enough, never worked hard enough... but my mission president said something to me that helped me with that. He said out best will be different every day and your best is always enough. I testify that that is true. I know in my heart I have made mistakes and have let people pass me by and I feel godly sorry for that. But I also know that I am not here to be perfect. I am here to begin my path to perfection by helping others and I think now I have truly seen what an amazing blessing that is. I just wish it didn't take my brain so long to process it ;)

Here is dublin city at night everyone! have a great week!

 

 

 

 

 

November 9, 2015 - "I'm staying here with Sister Dias!"

(picture of her district)

I am staying here with Sister Dias! Woot! She's awesome, but she is actually going home this transfer so it will be a bit different knowing that I'm getting a new companion haha.

Also sorry I didnt tell you happy birthday last week through e-mail but you should get a letter in the mail from me soon! I hope it made it safe!

This week was good although our friend Diane dropped us :( she text us saying she didn't want to learn anymore and we were pretty sad. but that night the Lord blessed us with 2 people who actually stopped and talked with us! we were able to exchange numbers and are going to call them later.

I learned a great deal of the importance of carrying a water bottle! Not only did 2 missionaries got pooped on by a bird during our combined finding day in Dublin city (one being sister Dias) and they used my water bottle. the other was when we got off the bus and the trash bin next to the stop was smoking! Smoke was coming out of the hole and when we peered inside it was on fire!! (someone must have put their cigarette in there when it was still hot) The flam was small but was getting bigger. Fortunately with the last water left in my water bottle poured over it, we put it out and saved the day haha... It was pretty crazy!

But things are good and life is awesome in the work of the Lord! Our friend Leanne is excited for baptism especially after seeing the baptism of Afia that happened in our ward by the Elders. So hopefully things go well she is a wonderful person but is still pretty young only being 18 so hopefully we will be able to help her through to the waters! C: 

Thank you , thank you , thank you for all the pictures. I really wish I could be there at the wedding but I'm glad they actaully got a head cut out of me! Sa-weet!

Just so you know I don't want a lot for Christmas. What I could really do with, is that fall colored scarf the goldish one that I love that I didn't bring with me.... i mean if you don't use it... i would love that. Also some of those refried beans and salsa! and My backpack. the floral one.  (we can have them here! and my shoulder is killing me with this side bag!)  Lets be honest, there is no feeling of the quiet Comforter when you have just spent hours focusing on worldly, materialistic things. The whole point of gifts is to symbolize that Christ was the greatest gift we could ever have. Heavenly Father didn't give us a billion things to give us eternal joy. He gave us Christ and the Holy Spirit to testify of His love and Eternal truths. I'm sad I missed this last Christmas and will continue to miss another. It will be hard to be honest especially Since Conner will probably have his mission call and maybe be out by next year. But you know I have learned a lot about the law of sacrifice. I was thinking this to myself the other day about why did I have to miss Conner's graduation, 2 Christmases and 2 mothers days (I feel like and Elder) I said a silent prayer Lord, why do I have to give up the only things I wanted to be there for? (Christmas and Conner's graduation) I have sacrificed everything else, do I really have to sacrifice that too?? The gentle 'yes' filled my heart. and I slowly began to realize more about our Savior. He suffered and sacrificed all. He did more then I could ever imagine and here I am standing in His place saying "I'll sacrifice all, except for the things that I want"?? Not only did I understand more about the Savior but I also realized that the blessings that will come from this sacrifice and service is far better then I could imagine. Everything is made fair through the atonement of Christ and I will be able to live with you all in eternity, so 2 Christmases is not even a small dot in the time that we will have after this life.

 Sister Dias.

Sister McBride and sister Dias dressed the same and changed name tags as their Halloween costume. 

 I"m not sure who this is.

 sister Broughton works in the office and is from Arizona. We love her!

Nov. 2 , 2015: " Long time... no email"

Hey everyone! Sorry it has taken me forever to e-amil you all so here's what happened in case you didn't know... (also I don't remember what any of my last e-mails said...)

I'm in Dublin! Woot! well just outside of Dublin in a small place called clonsilla in blanchards town so it takes us about an hour to get to city centre.I'm headed to the beach today! yay! Which also means limited time. there is a cute senior couple, Brother and Sister Exon who aren't actually missionaries but do the work like they are. They're from Oregon or Washington or something and Brother Exon had too many health problems for them to be officially called as missionaries, so they decided to call themselves! So they're living in Dublin and they go out with the missionaries all the time and they are always asking when we can do something with them. They've been wanting to take us out to dinner for ages. They are like the sweetest people ever! 

 To be honest not much happened this week. We weren't able to see a lot of our investigators due to us having to be in our flat by 6 on Halloween night and our people were either sick, didn't get back to us, or not in town.... so it was kind of lame but hopefully this week will be better. They are all doing great! This place is truly blessed and prepared!

I am so grateful for a mission and all that it has taught me. I would truly be a different person with our it. Ultimately I love that I am able to invite others to come to Christ and that Christs trusts me with this sacred work of being his representative! Thank you all for supporting me and encouraging me. I know that as we search of our savior we will find lasting happiness and truest joy. 

Love you all. SO, so much

Sister McBride 


(She send some pictures. Some were taken the day of transfers in Dundee, Scotland and a few when she got into Ireland. 

Dundee just before I left for  Ireland

Dundee waiting for our ferry on transferes

My new companion sister Dias. (she said she her sister Dias took her out for lunch for her birthday) 

IRELAND! The trees are turning fall colors. It's so beautiful

Consilla Dublin! Best district EVA!!  haha... I love my district. 

October 19, 2015- IRELAND

Sorry I don't have much time to write just now, but no worries I'll e-mail again later (hopefully) so when you come to Ireland you have to get this things called a 'garda card'. Garda is the Irish word for police.. I have no idea what this card is for so.. don't ask. all i know is that I need it but no one told us about it!! So the STL's (sister wilkinson and solum) called us at 5:45 and said hey! no one told you, but you need a guarda card and were 30minutes from your flat to come pick you up! So right now I just got through the RIDICULOUSLY long line that wrapped almost all the way around the building. They gave me a ticket that said 101 and told me to come back in 2hours! So I'm at an internet cafe in Dublin City! Fun stuff. This week was fantastic! exchanges with sister solum where we discovered that she might have hypo glycemia like me because she has all of the same symptoms haha. It was nice to talk to someone who knew how I felt.. people don't believe you when you say yeah... i just fall asleep but I can't help it.... she understands though so I don't feel as lame anymore! haha. basically we had so many miracles this week with meeting new investigators Leanne and Diane who have both committed to baptism! :D (Fabio dropped of the face of the earth and we haven't been in contact with him for 2weeks...) but we really saw the Lords blessings this week and I know it's because I have been striving to be more obedient and that this area is ready to have things happen and I was put here to help those things happen! I am excited and both anxious to try and do my best :)

Anyways-I have to go!

Love

Sister McBride

October 12, 2015- "Zone interview training"

this week was good with Zone Interview Training as well as Stake Conference. So far I know about 5members haha since we haven't had a regular Sunday in 2 weeks. I received a lot of help as well as revelation this week. I have felt the Spirit testify to me that this is the time of hastening! The Lord is performing his great work and we need to be right there with Him. It was a bit crazy getting to the church on our Zone Interview Training though. We had to take a bus from CLonsilla into Dublin city centre and then another form there to the church. Only problem was there was a TON of traffic. We were on one bus for about and hour and 20min! SO we got off early and ran through town to catch the other one and made it just in time for the start of the meeting (they like you to be there 30 min early in the room studying your scriptures but we missed that bit) When we rushed into the building president was there to greet us... oh no... Was what I thought. But he simply said "so glad you made it Sisters, now stop worrying and take a breath." haha. I wondered how he knew we were coming since he was in the sacrament meeting room with everyone and then I realized when we went in and sat down that there are windows and probably everyone saw us running along side the building... awk!

 We are teaching a Brazilian named fabio! He's awesome and is totally prepared for the gospel and has a baptismal date for the 7th of november!  but he's also really busy and we haven't been able to get a hold of him. And we're teaching a guy named John. Not sure where he is from? maybe nigeria? but hopefully we will be able to set him with a baptismal date! Thats about it. Our teaching pool is faily small we have a LOT of recent converst that we are working with! One of them named James. He's been a member for about 2months and he is so great he knows so much about the gospel already and he has really turned his life around from the drugs and smoking and is sharing the gospel with everyone at his work! He is so cool!


The gospel is True!! tell someone! C:

love sister McBride

Oct. 5, 2015- "IREALND IS GREAT!"

IRELAND IS GREAT! (she was moved to a place called Clonsilla a suburb of Dublin)

 Ok I will do my best to remember everything cuz this library is weird and you have to log on for an hour and then log off and get up and go re-log in and you could possibly not get the same computer! Blah but other then that Ireland has been AMAZING!

(Mom here: on moves day I woke up about 2 am feeling anxious and the need that I need to pray for her. I also had her on my mind most of the next two days. which is a bit unusual for me I often never really have a anxious feeling other than missing her. Her dad also expressed to me some feelings of the same. Then her grandparents texted me saying the same and a few others so it was interesting I had told her this and this is was her reply that is why she starts out like this) 

 So what happened was, we went to the Corstorohen (place near Edinburgh) to stay with the Sisters there on Tuesday night (their flat is seriously NICE!) anyway, bright and early on Wednesday mornin' at 6 o'clock the Edinburgh ZL's picked us and some other missionaries up in a big van and took us over to the bus station, which then took us to the ferry. (The only bad thing about those suitcases is that since it's 2big ones it takes up a lot of space and the Elders are always like.. man how are we going to fit anything else in here.... so yeah probs should have come out with a big one and then a medium one but that's ok! Because the plus side is that once i get rid of all the things I don't ever use I will only have 2 cases while everyone else has 3... sometimes more even smaller ones. haha so there's that. Anyway the ferry was soooooo cool I felt so posh! they had this neat sitting room and then a place where you could buy food and a little wee store. It was nice. A ferry is a lot bigger then I thought. It was really fun, despite the slight fog in the distance it was an otherwise lovely day.

I would imagine that the time you were praying for us was when things went a bitty wrong... So after we got off the ferry in Belfast what we were ment to do was take a bus that would take us to another bus station where we would get the X1 bus to Dublin. However all of us being pretty confused (as well as lazy and not checking our plans like we should have... Guilty!) we though we were getting a bus straight to Dublin. So we missed the bus to the bus station! And didn't know for about 40min or more until we asked the receptionist. Long story short Elders in Dublin brought their car and shoved all (most of) mine Sister Wilkinsons and our other traveling companion Sister Butters luggage and us in the car! lets just say it was way cramped! but we all had seat belts! They took us to the bus station where we had an hour to wait for the next X1 and they were going to try and get all of the other6Elders and their stuff back there.... in an hour. it didn't work so us sisters were some hoe left with an Elder Taylors luggage (no idea who or where he was). Basically the X1 came and no one was there to get Elder Taylors luggage and we had no idea if we were to take it with us. So we left it with the bus attendant people and then heaved our luggage onto the back of this bus which for some reason had the bottom of the compartment level with my chin. So it was exciting! Luckily Sister Wilkinson has hauled hay! and then we Made it to Dublin at 9 instead of 5 and we stayed with some sisters in the city and traveled to our area the next morning.

So Sister Dias is awesome! She is so nice! and fun! She took me out to Eddie Rockets for my B-day (aka Johnny Rockets? I think it's basically the same thing as that in america) I love her but I got a burger with some 'special' sauce on it and their 'special' sauce is gross. blah. It was a greenish color.... but it was ok anyway the meat was good :) She was way excited to be my comp. She loved her last companion but I guess she suffers from a lot of things that made it hard to work so I think we're both excited to have a normal missionary schedule. haha. Her English is pretty good! though sometimes she says "how do say..?" or "I love him so bad!" She uses bad in place of much haha she's so cute! It's hard though because we are teaching a couple of Portuguese speaking people and I have no clue what they say to each other. Also the other sisters in our area are both from Mexico and Spanish and Portuguese are very similar so they speak to each other and I'm just kind of left out... but that's ok. :) they're nice anyway. 

So yeah I had a TON of people wish me happy birthday! People from the ward as well as Sister Wilkinson and her comp called me at 6:30 am to sing happy birthday, The ZL's sang, and my district leader and his comps (who is my old ZL Elder Wells! Crazy!) and Sis Ferguson sang to me as well!  And then yesterday Babs fed all the sisters at GC and she brought a cake and candles and they sang to me as well! So I had a really great birthday. and yes there is a post strike.. sorry just remembered that.

Anyway it's been good I'm excited to be here. It's interesting, Ireland feels like where I'm supposed to be! Would it be cheesy to say it feels like home?? because it does! The leaves are falling and you would love it here mom C:

I loved Pres. Uchtdorfs and Elder Hollands talks WOW! I only get to see the Saturday sessions and the Sunday morning one. We have to watch Sunday afternoon on our own time because of the way it's broadcasted it's to late for us missionaries to watch.

LOVE YOU ALL!