Our Night at the Garda Station 23 April 2010

When Elder Driscoll (missionary in Dundalk) was ready to enter the MTC 16 months ago he had not yet received his Visa for the UK (United Kingdom) thus he entered the Provo MTC instead of the one in England. (All of our missionaries for Ireland go there except the senior missionaries.) When he arrived in Ireland at the Dublin Airport, immigration stamped his passport saying he was to get registered with the Garda (police) in the Republic of Ireland (South) within 30 days. He was sent directly from the Mission Home to Northern Ireland (UK) for his first area and didn't need to get it stamped or be registered at a police station up there since his UK Visa was all that was required. He spent one year in Northern Ireland.

Three months ago he was moved from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland and to the city of Cork and he forgot about registering for about a month. He went to the Garda Station to get registered and pay the fee of 150 Euros, which is about $210.00. The female officer on duty was not happy with him for not registering before going up to Northern Ireland in the first place and it made it even worse that he had been in Cork a month and had not come in to register. She said, "the Church has been doing it wrong and not following procedure for a LONG time and she wanted him to leave the country and come back in through a 'port of entry'." Meaning the Dublin airport or seaport and then get the passport stamped all over again and register correctly. He was advised by the mission office to go to the city of Limerick to see if that Garda station would register him. The people there were just as upset or worse at him when he asked because they saw the 'notation' on the computer from the Cork officer and said, "What makes you think we will give you a Garda card when Cork wouldn't?" Well, they didn't do it so for two months he has been worried that he would do something to draw attention to himself and get deported. He is a big guy, 22 years old, 6'5" and about 240 lb, But just as gentle as a teddy bear and easy going and so gentle. His home is Aberdeen, Idaho. It has really been a mess for him.

He was transferred up here to Dundalk...and we feel Heavenly Father had a hand in this as we know he knew we might be able to work it out with the officer who helped us get registered. Our mission president asked us to assist the elder and so we went to see Officer Comisky to talk with him, explain the situation and get his recommendation. He immediately recognized us and asked me, "do you have fingerprints yet?" (Mine evidently have been burned off with perm solution years ago.) He smiled, shook our hands and invited us into his office. We told him the whole story of Elder Driscoll and he clicked into the computer and looked up his name and saw what the officer in Cork had entered and he said, "she has locked him out," meaning he could NOT get registered anywhere in the Republic of Ireland. We assured him that the missionaries haven't caused problems and we were positive they could take a chance on Elder Driscoll. Officer Comisky asked that the elder bring a letter of "assignment to Dundalk" stating his address, companion's name and how long he would be in the Republic of Ireland; and of course the registration fee and his passport.

We took Elder Driscoll and his companion to the Garda(Immigration)Office at the appointed time we were given, and when we arrived we found out that EVERYONE who needs immigration assistance comes at the same time and wait in line forever. There were about 30 people ahead of us. Officer Comisky saw us and said to come back about 9pm as it was going to take quite a while to process everyone and he was sure we had other things to do. So we came back at 9:00 and then still had to wait until about 10:15 to get into the office. We were the last one's to go in. The Officer talked with the elder and went over everything with him and "unlocked" the notation in the computer by entering some statements saying the elder was regretful for what he had done....etc. It was odd really, because it was like going through the motions of something you had no control over. He finally was finished and was fingerprinted. Office Comisky even showed the two elders how bad my fingerprints are by putting one of my fingers on the machine...it was bad, just a mess of lines and wrinkles but no legible prints; very weird. We took the elders home and arrived home about 11:30pm.

I really do feel we worked with Officer Comisky in December and built a rapport with him for the reason of being able to help this elder. It really was amazing because the officer didn't have to do what he did. He could have easily said, NO you need to abide by the law and leave the country and come back the right way. But he helped instead. He had a good heart and we are grateful. To top it all off...they don't take CASH at the station but Officer Comisky actually took Elder Driscoll's cash and some from Elder mcDowell to make up the difference and then took his OWN credit card out and used it in the machine, gave him a paid receipt and put the cash in his own wallet. (He said it saved him from having to go to the bank to get money for his rugby game in England that weekend.) Now he didn't have to do that...by all rights he should have sent the elder home and said come back another time and bring a card. He was so kind to us all. It was a blessing from our Heavenly Father.

SIDE NOTE:
In our conversation with Officer Comisky the week before we took Elder Driscoll to see him, we also told him about the Ireland Mission consolidating in July with Scotland and asked what his recommendations would be for missionaries coming from the mission home in Edinburgh? He told us what would need to be done and how, and we then typed up all the notes and took them to President Creer in Dublin the next week at District Meeting. He said the information was very timely with the change coming in the mission, as all of this needs to be worked out between missions before July 1st. He thanked us for our help.

Since we are serving in a foreign country it is so important that we abide by the laws of the land and respect the authority here. It is good to have these things worked out before someone was deported. We are very thankful for our blessings.

(I have found out since this experience that Elder Driscoll's grandmother went to the same high school as me and we knew each other. She was ahead of me by two years. What another example of "it is a small world" in the Church.

Catching Up With the New Year....

The month of January continued with unprecedented cold temperatures here in Ireland and our water pipes outside under the sidewalk even froze. They were only about 12 inches below the surface as the building codes here are different than at home. And the temperatures had not been that cold for such a continuous length of time in over 50 years. Of course it would be our welcome to Ireland. Ha

A very blessed event took place on 12 January 2010.....the birth of our first Great Grandchild. A beautiful granddaughter, Peyton LaNae Harpel was born to Jessica and Blake in Rexburg, Madison County, Idaho where her father is finishing his bachelor's degree at BYU-I. We were able to see her on Skype a few days later with all the family. She is darling and growing so fast. It is fun to see her cute pictures and see the changes taking place almost daily. We are so grateful for the good health of both Jessica and Peyton. What a beautiful family they are and a blessing to all of us.

I have helped in Relief Society with a few events we have hosted in the branch. First was a "Food Storage/Emergency Preparedness Workshop" which was very timely with the "freeze" that was taking place at the time. There were many people without water and it was a real "eye Opener" to many. We were given a wonderful presentation by a sister in the Dublin Stake who was experiencing first hand the blessings of being prepared for times of disaster because of her diligence in being ready.

In February the Relief Society held a Visiting Teaching Convention, "Love One Another". Our presidency knew I loved Visiting Teaching and as a result, I was asked to give a presentation. I had fun putting things together for each of our sisters. I had wonderful help from my good friend, Barbara, as my files were no longer accessible to me at home. She scanned numerous items she thought I might need and emailed them to me. She became our "resource specialist" for the Dundalk Branch. Everyone knows about Barbara. The event was a great success and the sisters felt motivated to do the best they can in fulfilling their responsibilities in their calling as a Visiting Teacher.

A sister in our branch, Alice Doyle, was called as a branch missionary. This has been great for me, as President McDowell is busy with leadership meetings etc. on Tuesday evenings, so Alice and I attend the weekly Missionary Correlation Meeting and then afterward visit the less-actives and other sisters we feel need a visit. We have had a great time and since she has been a member here for many years it has enabled me to meet so many more of the sisters that are not attending.

March brought our Relief Society Birthday celebration and it was superb. Wonderful food, table settings, decorations and inspiring presentation by 2nd Counselor, Claire Quigley. We had such a fun time. The past presidents were recognized with a pink rose and each of the sisters present received a bookmark and other handouts regarding their value as a woman and Relief Society sister.
We were blessed with Stake Conference in March held at the Dublin Stake Center. Our visiting authority was Elder Teixeira of the Quorum of the Seventy. He was wonderful and we were richly blessed by his counsel.

April brought Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and it was on the same weekend as L.D.S. General Conference held in Salt Lake City and broadcast all over the world. We were fortunate to watch some sessions at the Dublin Stake Center and some on the internet at home. We saw it all. We loved all of the talks but of course there are always a few that standout; ones by Elders Ballard, Holland, Packer, Bednar, Martino and Foster. And of course our Presidency, Monson, Eyring and Uchtdorf. I took notes and I wrote something to myself: "It is never too late to do better. Tomorrow is a new day ---and we can always start anew." "Love your children and grandchildren. Never give up on them-teach them about Jesus and to 'follow Him'." I was so inspired by the messages. I have always loved watching conference ever since I was a small child. My mother taught me to appreciate conference and the privilege of being able to view it as she set the example for me. Thank you Mom.

Every week we have the opportunity to drive to Dublin to District Meeting, Zone Conference or numerous Stake meetings Ron has responsibility to attend. We have at least an hour each way in the car and sometimes more so we have downloaded and burned some cd's of talks given by General Authorities of years gone by. One we have enjoyed several times is by LeGrand Richards who was an apostle and is now deceased, titled "Missionary Experiences". We just love his presentation, humor and testimony. We get these talks on either BYU Radio or the Mormon Channel both online. They have been a great uplift and motivation.

We have been invited to several of the members homes for dinner and it has been a real blessing to be in their homes. The food has been fabulous and their sweet spirits even better. We have been greatly blessed by their acceptance of us.

We have really enjoyed watching "Spring" come to Ireland. First it was the Crocus that bloomed, then the daffodils and now it has been the tulips, hyacinths and numerous other beautiful flowers. The gardens (yards) here are so green and manicured. The hedges are so tightly grown you could never get through them. They are very nicely groomed. We admire the rock and stone work here for walls (like fences) around the properties. They are masters at stonework. In the fields are miles of old rock walls with hedges that keep the livestock in their own boundaries. It is green rolling hills, trees, sheep, cattle, horses and lovely houses dotting the landscape. It is a "grand" site!

The Elders (missionaries) assigned to the Dundalk Branch work so hard to get appointments to share the gospel. The Irish people typically are either Catholic or Protestant and very steeped in tradition. They say "I was born a "Catholic and I will die a Catholic even if I don't agree with the teachings." Very sad for them as they are so stubborn! We love them all though and enjoy visiting with them everywhere we go, grocery store, bank, post office or on the street. For the most part, they are very kind and gracious.

Time has a way of slipping by.....

Time has a way of slipping by and we can't believe it is now the month of May. To catch you up quickly on what we have been doing I will briefly give you an overview and then post some pictures. Probably not all at the same time as I have a meeting to attend shortly. Ha Nothing has changed...we are busy.

Ron has been spending most of his time re-organizing some of the auxillaries in the Dundalk Branch and training leaders etc. We have some wonderful people here and we love them. I have the privilege of visiting less-actives with a sister in our branch who is a branch missionary. We have had a great time and it has been fun getting to know a lot more of the members. I also have the opportunity of serving as 1st Counselor in Relief Society with 3 wonderful sisters. Ron and I, together, have also visited "different" less-actives than the ones I mentioned above. We are having some success in getting some families and individuals back to Church. One of the reasons for not coming is distance. We have members in 16 different communities with driving time to church up to 1 1/2 hours or more just one way. The branch received permission to have a Break the Fast/Munch and Mingle on each Fast and Testimony Sunday and our first one was this past Sunday. It was well attended and enjoyed by all. This activity helped the members connect with one another and also let them break the fast before the long drive home.

In February we had a ALL MISSION CONFERENCE and were told that the Ireland Dublin Mission would be combining with the Scotland Mission the 1st of July. It will be called the Scotland/Ireland Mission with headquarters in Edinburgh, Scotland. We don't know what that will entail for us but since Ron served his first mission in Scotland he would be most exited to return sometime during our mission. There have been many changes already getting things adjusted for the switch. It is sad and yet exciting at the same time.

I will post this now and add more later.

Merry Christmas, Dec. 21st 2009

Greetings from Dundalk, Ireland. Although we do have symptoms of being “homesick” during this first Christmas away from home we know that our reason for being here will make the Season more meaningful.
We are adjusting well to the low temperatures (even snow yesterday), driving on the “other side” of the roadway and lack of street signs. We haven’t gotten lost yet. It is much harder accepting new ways of paying bills, making lodgments (deposits), preparing meals and finding familiar personal and food products.
The Irish people are wonderful and their comments are always “brilliant” or “lovely”. They have been very kind and welcoming and we are blessed to be in such a loving branch of the Church. We have a safe place to call home and new callings in the Church. Elder McDowell is the Dundalk Branch President and Sister McDowell is First Counselor in the Relief Society in conjunction with our Missionary activities.
We are thankful for welcoming new friends, helpful full-time missionaries, Church members, faithful long time friends, our wonderful family and of course each other. We are so thankful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the blessing it is in our lives. May we all remember the Savior this Christmas Season and throughout the coming year.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR

Love, Elder Ron and Sister Lynette McDowell

First Letter Dec. 13th 2009

Sunday, 13 December 2009

Dear Family

Most parents drop their sons or daughters off at the MTC but the tables were turned and we had the wonderful experience of Michael, Tamra and Suzanne dropping us off. That was a little overwhelming and emotional for “mom” but we made it. Our room was SMALL but accommodating. We were so busy we weren't there much anyway. It seemed we ate, went to meetings and classes, ate, went to more training and ate again. I am sure we gained 10 lbs a piece already. We met about 25 wonderful couples who also were going off to places in the US and also overseas. Two older sisters are going to separate mission office assignments as well. It was a wonderful experience and very humbling. It was funny how the Church made the world so small as we acquainted ourselves with people who either knew friends or family we knew. We loved it.
We instantly bonded with a couple from Minnesota, Elder and Sister Holt, who were also going to Ireland Dublin Mission. They were just easy to be friends with and we are sure we will be seeing more of them. (They are in Portadown, North Ireland.)


On Friday, 4 Dec 2009 we were able to spend the night with Eric and Suzanne and girls before flying out from SLC the next morning. What a blessing to see family again. Suzanne's mom, ikki, spent the night with the girls so Eric and Suzanne could take us to the airport as our plane left at 8:30am. We flew to Atlanta, waited 4 hours and flew to Dublin another 6 1/2 hrs and arrived 6:00am Ireland time. It was an hour early so we sat on the tarmac for 30 min so the plane could go to the gate.

President and Sister Creer were waiting for us and they were so helpful and friendly. They normally take the couples to their home for 24 hours to sleep and get caught up but, since the couple we were replacing ( Elder and Sister Tolman from Orem, UT) were leaving on Wednesday morning, they wanted us to get right to Dundalk to the church meetings and meet the members of the branch. The Tolman’s opened their home to us. (We are assuming the lease on the home.) They had already packed and moved out of the master bedroom so we freshened up and left for the Church. I was in the same clothes I put on Saturday morning and Dad, Elder McDowell, had time to change. Lucky him! The members were warm and friendly and made us feel very welcome. Fifty some people were in attendance.

Monday brought fast and furious instructions and directions from the Tolman’s. We went to the bank, property management place, of course Subway’s for lunch, and drove us all over giving us tips. It is all a blur!!!! They tried. Many hours of instructions for Elder McDowell by Elder Tolman regarding mission and Church related material. Sister Tolman and I had a wonderful time talking about what else, FAMILY!!!!! They are a lovely couple, and I am sure we will see them again in the U.S.

Tuesday morning we went for our actual interview and meeting with Pres. Creer as it didn’t happen on Sunday as normally planned. He is a wonderful man. We then went with him to drop in on our “District” Meeting and meet the other missionaries and from there went to the Mission Home to have the annual Seniors Christmas Luncheon and program. We met all of the missionaries in our mission and they were great and friendly. One of the CES missionary couples was from somewhere close to Snohomish, WA and I asked her if she knew Susan Siddoway Cedargreen, and she said, “Why YES, we are good friends. What a small world. After the event we were handed the keys to the car and wished good luck on driving back to Dundalk in the dark. Let’s say it took us longer than it should have…..we turned left when we should have turned right and missed the M1 which is like our freeways. So we went the back roads home. We just kept going north and I knew we would get there eventually!!!! We were tired but fine when we arrived safely. The signs here are placed just before you are to turn and then most of it is in Gaelic with some in English. Very challenging indeed.

Wednesday, I was not feeling well as I was trying not to get Dad’s (Elder McDowell’s) cold he had had in the MTC. He actually received two blessings, one at the MTC and one just after we arrived here at the Tolman’s place last Sunday. They sure helped him survive as well as FLY with sinuses plugged etc. Well, I stayed in bed until noon and I have felt almost perfect since then. Just overly tired I am sure. Elder McDowell also went to visit two households that afternoon, some investigators.

Thursday we got up early and practiced driving all over the town. The roads are crazy, one ways, roundabouts etc. Very confusing to say the least. But, we finally found out how to get to the church and back as the maps don’t make sense either. We practiced again Friday and Saturday and did some grocery shopping etc. We have been so blessed as the Tolman’s left an iron, ironing board, sheets, towels, mattress heating pad, HP printer, Crockpot, Brita water pitcher, dishes, decorator pillows, office supplies, food, cleaning supplies, shoe polish, two wool blankets, and too many other items to mention. This place is furnished but all of those things would have been really missed or purchased by us. The mission also provided us with pillows, duvet and covers for all. This was also much appreciated.

We went visiting with the Elders to see a newly baptized sister on Friday. She is around 50 and is very sweet. She has such a strong testimony and feels truly blessed by her membership in the Church. I am sure we will be very busy in this branch.

We had a meeting with the Dublin Stake President, O’Farrell, this morning and he interviewed us both separately. Well…..Elder McDowell (Dad) is the new Branch President and was sustained in sacrament meeting. He has one counselor at the moment, Oliver Nesbitt from Newry, Ireland. The challenges of the branch of course are many but one being the distance from where they live to the church building location in Dundalk. It means so much traveling for the members to come in to this town. He (Elder McDowell) is overwhelmed but excited and ready for the challenge. He will have my help of course! Along with so many wonderful Dundalk Branch members. Please remember us all in your prayers.

We are going to Dublin tomorrow for Zone Conference and then to an appointment for Family Home Evening at Claire’s, relatively new member, home in the evening. We will be busy.

We send our greetings and love to you all.

Dad and Mom

Elder Ronald J. McDowell
Sister Lynette McDowell
37 Ard na Mul
Lis Na Dara Estate
Dundalk, Co. LOUTH
Ireland

Pictures from MTC

Saying Goodbye at the MTC

Mom, Dad, Mike and Tamra (MTC Room)

Mom, Dad and Suz in the MTC Room

I have been asked when we are speaking at Church....it will be Sunday, November 22 - 11:00am.

Open House at Bishop Skinner's home - 6:00pm - 8:00pm

Not that we expect you to be there...it is just for your information.

We will be leaving for Eric and Suzanne's in Santaquin, UT the next morning, November 23. Our entire family will be there that week for Thanksgiving.....children, 19 grandchildren and our newest addition, Taylor Smith, Andrew's fiance. There will be 35 of us. We are so excited.
The family will also be meeting and welcoming 3 grandchildren who are being adopted by Tamra and Ray. We are so very blessed.

We will keep you updated the best we can. Especially with Tamra's help.
Thanks, Tam.

Love you. Ron and Lynette