Our First Days In Cork

5 August 2010
Cork, Ireland (Corcaigh, Erin – in Gailic)


Dear Family


I know that it has been a while since we have had communication and it might be a week or two before we can get the internet/email thing going again. It has been really frustrating to try to deal with the Irish government to get into the country, to let (rent) a flat (place to live, etc), to open a bank account, to sign up with the electric company, to make sure that we check in with the Garda (police) to have our papers stamped and see if we can really stay in the country for longer than a month, etc. We were told by the “letting office” (renting) that we had to register with the Irish government and get a PPS number (that is equivalent to our social security number) before our letting contract could be approved. We told them that we were missionaries, that we were self-sustaining, we would not need nor could we accept any government help. Didn’t matter, before we can let a house we have to have a PPS number. I am calling the Scotland Mission office tomorrow and putting the ball in their court.

We had to stay in a Bed & Breakfast for the first few days. That was fun and quite good, also it was about $100.00 a day. We did finally take occupancy of the flat and ran to a store and bought bedding and a quart of milk to get by on. We got to bed about 1:00am this morning. So we are dragging today, big-time! The PPS number thing is still not resolved so that is a continuing battle.

We do not have internet access since we moved from the B&B. We will try to write every few days to keep you informed but please be patient with us. We will write in Word and then take our laptop over to another Senior missionary couple’s flat and use their internet access to send en email with a letter as an attachment. We love you and think of each of you every day and even shed a tear or two. Yes, we are a little homesick right now.

We have had some great experiences with the young single adults already. There are about 6 to 10 that have been coming out and 2 or 3 of them are not members and 3 or 4 are coming back from inactivity. One of the young girls, Annemarie Jones, is a new member of about 2 months and is traveling to SLC to see the headquarters of the Church. She may call one if you. We gave some numbers if she gets in pinch. She might like a trip up Big or Little Cottonwood canyon. Just a thought.

Got to go to bed. Love all. Dad


PS. Please do me a favor. Get on your knees and thank your Heavenly Father for the United States of America. Don’t be proud or hoddy, just be thankful for what we have.



HELP I am a prisoner in a foreign land! I have been through all of the feelings and fears the last five days. It is to the point that I just laugh and cry a little. Sometimes I cry a lot and sometimes I can’t quit laughing. I will be okay. I have the best companion in the world. He laughs and cries a lot also. I love the missionaries. The bad news is that next week two of them are going home and they are not replacing them. The other couple are just wonderful and they will be leaving at the same time. That concerns me just a little. We have run nonstop since we got here and we have to slow down and take a breath. I keep wondering why all the opposition. Someone doesn’t want us here. We will be okay. Don’t worry about us. We will tell it just like it is to you and you pray for the people of Cork and the missionaries. I love you all and I look at my pictures every day. We pray for all of you and especially each of your challenges. We are doing something fun tomorrow. The Nields (missionary couple} invited us to go to Waterford for the day to meet up with another missionary couple. We are really excited to see Waterford and also to get out of here for a day . The mission Pres. Called and informed us that he will be in Cork this Sunday to meet with all of us. Dad and I have been asked to talk in sacrament meeting. He and his wife actually will b e here Saturday and asked to take us to ice cream. Hope they know where ice cream is because we don’t. We only know our way to Tesco { like a Wal Mart only really not} I love you all .I need to go find the candle we bought so we can see. I tried to change the light bulb in the hall and blew the fuse. Maybe I will just find my way to bed. I love, love. Having my own pillow here from home. Talk to you soon. Mom.