Cork 12/28/2105

Hello

It was so good to talk to my family on Christmas! It took a little while to adjust back but I loved it.

In Ireland, there is a lot of drinking around the holidays.  For instance, they celebrate the “Twelve Pubs of Christmas”.  During Christmas and New Years, we received permission from the Mission President to watch “U” rated movies because it is difficult to have teaching appointments.

After Skyping we ate Christmas dinner at the Branch President’s house . We had ham, turkey, fried potatoes and mashed potatoes. After that, we went to the Kagari’s house.  They are another family in the Cork Branch. 

The day after Christmas, Ronan was baptized by Brother Quirke. It was so great. I got really emotional because Ronan has made a wonderful choice in following Jesus Christ! The rest of the day we spent at the Stapleton's (Branch President’s House). We spent the day watching 3 movies that you could probably guess..The Star Wars Original Trilogy. It was so awesome! I hope the other missionaries didn't get annoyed because I quoted a lot of lines during the movies!

On Sunday, Ronan was confirmed a member of the church and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost during Sacrament Meeting, you could feel the spirit so strong!

I have to say this Christmas was so amazing and one of my favorites!

It’s so good to hear from you and all the support, because that really helps!

Hope you have a great week!!

Love,

Elder Joseph Udy

                                              Me / Ronan / Brother Quirke / Elder Olsen 

Cork 12/21/2015

We had a Branch Christmas party and it was so fun. We organized a service project to collect toiletries for woman in crisis and their children. It was a great success.

On Saturday I will witness my first Baptism!! We have been teaching Ronan, who is getting baptized.  He is so awesome. HE already seems like a member already!! This is going to be an awesome first Christmas as a Missionary!!

Anyways Christmas is coming up. I hope you all have a safe wonderful Christmas! Remember the real meaning of Christmas because Jesus Christ is truly the best Christmas gift ever!

                                                          Cork Branch Christmas Party

Cork 12/14/2015

So my wish came true, I'm staying in Cork for Christmas!!

This week has been really weird.   I was sick for most of the week. I stayed in the flat for almost 2 days and I'm still sick. I'm glad I brought medicine from home because the medicine here is very weak.

On Wednesday, we had our ALL IRELAND Conference. Elder Kearon of the Seventy taught us most of the day. He told us that we should attack everything we do. We should attack our mornings, so that we can have a really good and positive day. I took his advice and have been trying to do that. My mornings have been getting better!

On Saturday, the Sister Missionaries in Cork had a baptism for their Investigator Hannah.  We went to the baptism and it was so amazing. Afterwards we went to the Kagari's for some tacos. I can’t lie, the tacos were really good.

One of the Sisters Missionaries, Sister Skagen is from Scranton PA (A.K.A the Office). We talk a lot about Wegmans because they have Wegmans there!

On Sunday, all of the Missionaries put on a music Fireside. I was the tech guy, of course, I was in charge of the computer and videos. One of the videos we watched was the Piano Guys Christmas Video.  I really liked the songs they performed in it.

I can’t wait to Skype you all on Christmas, I know it will be a very special Christmas!

I hope everyone is able to have their own missionary experiences. You don't have to be a missionary to share the gospel. Just open your mouth!!

Hope you all have a great week!

I love and Miss you all!

Love,

Elder Joseph Udy

 A Cork Christmas The photo- (Left to right) Me, Elder Olsen, our investigator Gunhui, Elder Christiansen, and Elder Van Staden

Cork 12/7/2015

Hello:

We have had a ton of rain in Cork. We have some bad storms coming in.

On Saturday, we had a “Meet the Mormons” event for all investigators in Cork. It was a success and the Branch President even said it was fun! Later that night we went to the Kagari's House for a Thanksgiving dinner. It was really good!

Currently, we have two of our investigators with a Baptismal date. One is Bethan, who is 16 and from Wales. She can feel the spirit so strong. She is set to be baptized in early January.

The other person is a man named Gunhui, who is from South Korea. He is super solid and wants to baptized!

This Wednesday we are having an All-Ireland conference with Elder Kearon, of the Quorum of the Seventy.

This Sunday we get our transfer calls so it will be interesting! 

I'm so happy to hear from you it makes my week a lot better!

                                                                       

                                               Cork Missionaries at the Blarney Castle