Cork 10/26/15

Things are going great here in Cork.  We have a few solid investigators. Some I feel are ready for baptism. We have been meeting and talking to a lot of people on the streets.

We went to Limerick last Tuesday to go on exchanges. I saw Elder Davis, my companion from the Mission Training Center.  That was fun. 

It was Jazz Weekend so the city was very busy. There were 10+ bands on the streets playing. The night gets scary because a lot of people go drinking at the pubs.  We have to be careful because a lot of people get mugged at night.

This week I started to break down the Book of Mormon each verse at a time. I label each topic in a different color.

Last Pday I got a NYPD Gaelic Football Jersey and its really comfortable.

To answers some questions...

How is the branch(aka congregation)?

As branch missionaries, we are trying to reactivate members.  We are trying to fellowship them by getting to know them better.

The Cork Branch is very nice. All the missionaries have to sing in the Branch choir. I try to get out of singing by Helping with the Sacrament.  We have a Halloween party for the Cork Branch this Friday and the Young Men want us to be part of their Haunted House.  

Where do you go to send emails?

We go to a internet cafe because its the cheapest place to go.

How are you handling the cold?

This week has been very rainy and cold. I am getting good use out of my Sweater.

Did you buy under armor (to keep warm) yet?

I didn't  get to buy my under armor yet because most of the shops are closed today because it is a bank holiday.

Did you get your package?

I did get my Package when I went up to Limerick. I love all the decorations and candy. I think the other elders love the masks.

How do you get around in Cork?

We don't have bikes so we usually have to take the bus or walk. It was hard for me to walk far at first but it gets easier every day.  I love walking the streets here because there are usually Street Performers on every street.

I am glad everything is going well at home.

Cork 10/19/2015

Bonjour,

It is crazy that I've been out a month already.  The weeks are flying by.

To answer some of your questions:

The Church is doing great. The members are so friendly.

We've only eaten at a member’s house twice. On Wednesday we ate at a member’s house names Kagaris. Sister Kagaris is actually from around San Antonio. We had Chicken and chips at their house. Then we went to the church to teach the Young Men on Missionary work. They made us some really good milkshakes.

On Saturday night we went to a member’s house.  His name was Paul. Paul is from Nigeria. He made us some really good pasta and chips.

We have chips (fries). My companion got so tired of calling fries chips.  We talked about all the good American food we love.

People serve us a lot of Fanta. It is different than in the U.S. It has orange juice in it. I think it tastes weird but good.

We haven’t gotten IPads yet, hopefully we get them soon because my side bag is getting heavy.

Ireland weather has been so weird. It gets so cold then can be really warm.  Right now it is really chilly. I wish I would have brought some Thermals because my arms and legs get cold.

It’s been interesting so far but I love it. On Thursday I went on exchanges with Elder Arave. We went up the highest hill in Cork just to see a member who didn’t end up being there, but the view was amazing. 

Since we don’t have bikes here we either drive into town or use the bus.

I ate another Kebab on Saturday.  It was really good.

On Sunday, we almost had to use tortilla shells for the sacrament because no one had the bread.

Elder Cook wrestles me every night. He always beats me even though he is 50 pounds lighter than me because he is a wrestler. 

Tomorrow I go to Limerick on exchanges with one of the Zone Leaders so that will be fun

Most of the people are really nice here. Most nights it is hard to stop people to talk because they are too busy going to the pub to watch rugby.

The power of prayer is so great because of what I’ve learned this week. Heavenly Father is always there and is always there to give comfort to those who need it.

I invite everyone to share their testimony when they have the chance because the spirit comes so strong when you share.

‘Hope everyone is doing well.

Love,

Elder Udy

                                          Irish Bagpipers

                                         
                                          View From The Top of Cork

Cork 10/12/15

Its been a busy week since Ive last emailed. 

Since my companion, Elder Cook is a district leader I get to go on a bunch of exchanges.

Tuesday October 6th
I went on exchanges with an Elder named, Elder Beverage. It was an OK day. We went looking for people to teach all day but didn't really find anyone.

Wednesday October 7th

I went on exchanges with Elder Jamieson.   Today we had lots of success. Its proves that with a lot of faith we can accomplish great things. We ate Subway for lunch that day. Subway is a lot cheaper here. I got a foot long, a drink and 3 cookies for about 7 euros. I think things here are somewhat cheaper.

Thursday October 8th 

I got to attend my first Zone Conference. The zone conference was in Limerick so it was about a 2 hour drive from Cork. We got there early so we ate McDonald's. The one thing I'm not sure i like about Ireland is that there are no public bathrooms, so i ether have to go to the branch building or pay 20 cents to use some nasty ones in the middle of the city. During the conference we all had interviews with our mission president, President Donaldson. I enjoyed meeting with him. I told him how amazing this first week has been. For lunch we ate KFC. They brought tons of chicken to the church building. I didn't eat that much because I didn't want to get sick but Sister Donaldson insisted. After we ate we had some more instruction. Elder Davis is in my zone so i got see him there, so that was great. It was an enjoyable day.

Friday October 9th 

We taught a few investigators in the morning. We went finding most of the day. I stopped this one guy from the University and asked him about some of his interests.   He said he liked street preforming. He sang Rocky Raccoon by the Beatles in the middle of the city for us. It was great!. To end the day we had something really interesting happen. We started talking to a guy by the Library. He ended up being a bible preacher so he started to bash with Elder Cook and I. He was really rude to us.   He tried to cast a demon out of Elder Cook.  

Saturday October 10th 

It was a really cold day, we taught a couple of lessons at the library. We didn't find many people to teach because of the weather. We did have some good hot chocolate. We were suppose to teach a drug addiction class at the church but no one showed up.

Sunday October 11th

We attended Branch Council early that morning. It was interesting because it was my first time at such a meeting.   I got to pass the sacrament, so that was fun. Most of our investigators came to church so that was good. After our weekly planning, we went looking for people to teach around our flat.   A lot of people were drunk because Ireland won that night, so it was very productive night.

Monday October 12th

We went grocery shopping in the morning. At noon we took a bus into town to go shopping. There is a store called Penney's. Its basically a cheep version of of JCPenneys. I bought some gloves there because my hands get cold when we are outside. All The Elders and Sisters went to a place called Rockin Joes for lunch. It is  basically all American food. I had chicken fingers for lunch and a Kit Kat shake. 

For food we have a lot of Pasta and burritos. I

I went suit shopping today but i didn't find any that I liked so we have to keep looking.
Thanks for all the letters.  I miss you guys!

                                                          At my flat

                                                           Elder Cook and I

From England to Scotland and then on to Cork, Ireland

So I left the MTC on Wednesday the 30th. Elder Davis and I and some others traveled up to the Mission Home in Edinburgh. When we got there we were greeted by the president. We went hiking up pratts hill after that. 

Later that day, we were assigned our trainers. My trainer is Elder Cook. He is from Idaho.

During the evening. we went street finding in Edinburgh. It was interesting. It was my first time, since I didn't get to go in the MTC because i had to pick up my brp.

We stayed at the mission home that night so we could travel the next day.

I was assigned to serve in The Cork, Ireland District with Elder Cook.

My companion and I left Edinburgh, Scotland and on bus to catch a ferry to Belfast Ireland.

The Ferry was fun. I ate some good fish and chips and some Irn Bru.

When we arrived we took a bus from Belfast to Dublin.

In Dublin we got some good Pizza.

Since my trainer is a district leader. we picked up his car and drove 3 hours to our Flat in Cork.

We share a flat with two other elders. Elder Arvey and Elder Hansen.

The whole weekend (Friday and Saturday) we went Finding around the college (UCC).

I got a couple of peoples numbers myself.

On saturday we went teaching with a member named Brian. He loves protein powder and lifting weights. So we went shopping for protein powder with him. Dallin would probably like him.

Sunday we watched general conference all day. All the Talks were so good.

Today we went to go apply for my Ireland Visa. We stood in line for 3 hours but they closed so i have to go back.

In the Scotland/Ireland Mission, it is tradition for the Missionaries to get Kabaptized. The elder or sister has to eat Donner Kebab (baptism) then after drink a Coke (Holy Ghost). So all the Elders and sisters in the area got together to watch me eat one. It was actually pretty good. Even though its slaughtered lamb.

Anyways, everything is going well. There is so many miracles I've seen that I can't wait to share.

                                                           The Ferry to Belfast Ireland

                                                              Eating Donner Kebab

                                          Gordon B Hinkleys Flat when his was on his mission

                                                              "Pratt's Hill"