This week we attended a senior couples conference in Dublin that was attended by all of the senior missionary couples in the mission. It was an enjoyable event, it is always great to get together with the other couples serving here in our mission and be able to talk about our experiences. We had some social events on the Thursday and held some round table discussions the Friday. We drove down to Dublin on Thursday and met the others who had travelled up from Dublin at Newgrange. It is an ancient burial site, one of many that are located in this area. To visit the site you meet at a visitors centre, and then walk across the river and take a bus to the site where a guide gives you a tour. We couldn't believe how big it was and also that it was in such great condition given that it was about 5000 to 6000 years old. The stonework and designs etched on the stones were incredible. The actual burial chamber on the inside was small given the size of the outside structure. We had a beautiful day to visit it, it was cool but sunny. After we visited there and the visitors centre, we drove to the stake centre in Dublin for lunch. After lunch, we went on a bus tour of Dublin. It is a huge city and it was nice to see some of the landmarks. The only downside was that we were pressed for time so we couldn't stop to see the sights and then keep going on the next bus. But we enjoyed seeing the city. We could not believe how big it was, a huge place. We stayed overnight at a nice hotel out by the airport so the Scotland couples would have easy access to the airport. The best part of the hotel was it had a great shower and the breakfast in the morning was fantastic, everything you could want. On Friday we had a series of round table discussions about what we could do as senior couples to help the missionaries and our branches. It was very worthwhile and we got some good ideas. It was just nice to be able to talk about what we are doing with other couples and get their ideas on things we are having trouble with. The meals were great both days. On Saturday night we went to a concert at the Strule Arts Centre here in Omagh called Great Bands of Ulster. It was a nice evening of music with a bit of a Remembrance Day theme thrown in which was nice. They talked a lot about the "troubles" in the 70's and 80's from the Protestant perspective. It was good to hear about some of the local history. There was an accordion band, not our favorite, two flute and drum bands and the highlight for me was the Thiepval Memorial Pipe Band. The are a grade two band from not far from here and they were outstanding. It was such a treat to listen to them as they played so well. It was a nice evening. There was a transfer this week and Elder Watson left us for Cork. Elder Wayment is going to be training a new Elder and he has only been out for three months himself. We met Elder Palmer on Sunday for the first time, he is from Cardston and a grandson to Milo and Nadine Barfuss. It is nice to have someone from so close to home and it will be nice to get to know him the next few months.
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AuthorThis is the blog of Elder Tom and Sister Maurene Wilson of our mission to the Scotland/Ireland Mission. Archives
October 2016
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