Going on 8 Months in Lisburn.

Transfer #5.

"I am still here in my first area and by the end on this transfer it will be like 8 months, like dad. He said he served 8 months in his first area so it will be the same haha. Elder O'Rourke has moved to the Limerick Zone once more, where he served the first 10 and 1/2 months of his mission. I am excited to serve with my new companion and see what he is like and get to know him more. But it is quite sad that Elder O'Rourke left but I will see him again, we got on really well... I liked him. Oh well we have to move on and get other companions.. it will be another friend I can keep in touch with and be friends with forever.

So my new companion is Elder White, who seems to be a really good, obedient missionary. I am excited to get to know him more and add him to my friends list haha, someone to go visit after my mission. He has been on his mission 5 months so less than me. He is from Riverton, Utah just next to Herriman where the Cranes live. He likes the outdoors like horse riding, boating, fishing. I am excited to get to know him more. I will send a photo of us to show you what he looks like."

All in all, I am happy I am still in Lisburn. This transfer will be a bit longer, it will be 8 weeks so I will be with Elder White for about 2 months. This is because in the next transfer all the new, younger missionaries come. The ones who have decided to come early since the age change for missions. So that should be good! I think we have 12 sisters coming into our mission and there are a lot going home as well I think. So I wonder what is going to happen next transfer with me. But I will have to wait and see where the lord wants me."

Best Christmas Present Ever.

So, Christmas Day for Elder Meyer. He didn't have too much to say but this is what we heard.

"It has been a good Christmas here in Ireland. We went to 3 member families throughout the day. They were the Currans, the Jacksons and the Quirkes. It was interesting, we got to talk to the Jackon's son who is also on a mission. But the best christmas present would definitely have been talking to you all on Skype. That was fun!"

So at around 9pm (Australian time) on Christmas Day, which was 10am in Lisburn, we set up the Skype on the big screen at our end while Elder Meyer used the technology available to him in the members home he was at for the morning. The connection was a little delayed and shaky, so we decided to keep the video of Skype but mute the sound and use the phone for better sound. But with these little difficulties, it was so amazing to have such incredible technology to do this. It was like he was sitting with us in the living room.

To be honest, coming away from the call, we didn't really know anything more about Elder Meyer and his experiences in the mission field, but it was just reassuring to see him happy and having fun (as you can see in the photos). We can tell he is loving his time overseas just being himself with those new faces he gets to meet and spend his time with. 

The Christmas Rap.

Over the past few weeks, the missionaries in Belfast and Lisburn have been given an early curfew at night because of the protests and riots happening in the area at the moment. So, we questioned what the boys have been up to in all their spare time and this is what we heard back.

It is a christmas rap sung and played on the guitar by Elder O'Rourke to the Meyer clan. You may need to listen a few times to really hear the words, but the lyrics will be below.

Note: It make take a little to load. If you are unable to hear it, please leave a comment to let me know.

Yo, Christmas in Northern Ireland.
Attempt number six, yo.
Attempt number six, ahh-hh.
Attempt number six, yo. Uh huh uhuh. Yeahh

It feels like Christmas ah around me,
though some people I love are across the sea.
And some things I wish for,
just can't be.
Still feels like Christmas,
and Ireland's so good to me.

Yo, yo.
And there's the Christmas market down in Belfast city
where they hung all the lights and it looks so pretty, yo.
Merry Christmas to Northern Ireland
from the men in black, from the holy men.
We got name tags yo and these fresh suits too.
We got fitted white tops, sturdy soled shoes
that we walk on, ah running these streets everyday.
Then some people shout and some others they say,
"Hey, hey, what are you doing with those suits and those backpacks?"
"We're preaching for God my soul brother. Can you get with that?"
Ahh hhaha. Yeaah.

It still feels like Christmas ah around me,
though some people I love are across the sea.
And some things I wish for,
just can't be.
Still feels like Christmas,
and Ireland's so good to me.

Yo, aa-yo.
We're gunna list some wishes of the Meyer clan,
and we'll start with Sarah, and she wants a man ahuh.
"Santa, make them black if you possibly can.
I like the real dark skin, a Hopoate tan"
"A rugby star, well that's a real tall order.
I'll see what I can do but he might be white and shorter."

And yo, next is Laura.
And we are going to sort her.
She wants wavy hair of a celestial order.
"Yo, Santa can you bring me that crazy machine
then I'll be a brunette beauty, an Australian dream."

And Ben just wants to be the big star of the team.
Give him a hundred tries and make him look real mean.
And Santa if you can't remember one simple thing,
he'll hit you so hard that your ears are gunna ring.

And it's Christmas around me,
though some people I love are across the sea.
And some things I wish for,
just can't be.
Still feels like Christmas,
and Ireland's so good to me.

Yo, yo.
And let's not forget ah the big man Josh.
Getting the big shoes and making him look all posh
So that when he strolls by all the pretty school girls,
they get sweaty and maybe even so nervous they hurl.

And yo, even though Rachel moved far away,
we got to put in a request for Santa's big day.
She wants a ride in the sleigh,
a pile of cash monnnnayee yay (money)
Blessed drive rae with the Mercedes.

Yo, Andy and Sheri just want a quiet way.
A little peace from the kids.
Ay, put your clothes away, and turn that music down
and pick that rubbish up
and if you fluff one more time you'll be pressing your luck.

'Cause it's Christmas ah around me,
though some people I love are across the sea.
And some things I wish for,
just can't be.
Yo, still feels like Christmas ahuh,
and Ireland's so good to me ahuh, yeah.
In Ireland, it feels like Christmas
and Ireland's so good to me-ee ahh.

And it feels like Christmas and Ireland's so good to me-eee.

Traditions from Home.

In the Meyer household, it is tradition to open a present before Christmas Day. This is always a new pair of pyjamas to wear over the remainder of the Christmas season. So, to make Christmas in Ireland feel a little like home for Jared, we sent him and his companion Elder O'Rourke, who feels like part of the family, some t-shirts to wear to bed.

We like to keep this tradition personalised, with each of us receiving pyjamas that reflect who we are or even make a little mock of our personality. It's all in good fun! Hope you enjoy.

Baptism in Lisburn.

This is a snippet of Elder Meyers email from before Christmas on December 18th 2012.

"My week went well, we had an all Ireland conference and Elder Kearon, a general authority, was there. He spoke to us. It was really good, I enjoyed it. I was lucky enough to get a hug from him also which was cool, I can now say that I have hugged a general authority."

Ireland Zone Missionaries with Elder Kearon, the Mission President and his wife.

"We also had the baptism of Alannah Vient. She is the niece of a member in our ward.  It was such a good experience for her, her family and us as missionaries. There were a lot of people, family and friends, there who are not members, so that was great to see. The spirit filled the room and I know Alannah was able to feel it too."

Elder Meyer and Elder O'Rourke with Alannah and her uncle.

A Car! Just in time for the snow.

Here are some snippets from Elder Meyer's latest email sent December 10th, 2012:

"It's been really cold lately. It hasn't snowed yet but I hear it is forecast to snow this Friday, so I will wait and see what happens. The grounds of a morning have been icy and I have lost my balance a couple of times. I haven't experienced this weather and the icy grounds before so I am not used to walking on it."

"Some good news this week, we are getting a car for the Lisburn area on Thursday! We have an all Ireland conference this Thursday where we will pick it up. I am so excited!! It will be such a benefit, as we will be able to teach more lessons which will be great! We also won't need to ask others for lifts, and we can go see more people. It is going to be fun! I am nervous to drive, but I think it will be fine. They drive on the same side so it won't be a hassle, and it is an automatic!"

"We have a baptism next Saturday. Alannah Vient is her name. She goes to university in England but will be getting baptised here in Lisburn with her family. It should be really good!" 

"So all is going well, and I can't wait to speak to the family on Christmas day. I miss you all and love you so much, Take care, Bye"

Celebrating Across the Globe.

Here is a photo of Elder Meyer and his companion Elder O'Rourke celebrating Sarah's graduation! 

"I am happy that Sarah is nearly done with the HSC. That is so awesome. She will feel so much better once she is done. All the best with your last exam Sarah, I know you are getting excited as it will be your very last one. That will be such a good feeling when you finish on Friday. I will be thinking of you."

Looks like this companionship is a fun one. So glad they will be together for Christmas.