For many years I have loved and shared the stories of my great grandpa Ireland. Hugh Ireland was born in Ballyclaire Ireland. He was attending school in Belfast and happened to walk by some soapbox missionaries. He heard the missionary say, "One Lord, one faith, one baptism". Then, he heard a passerby say, "And, one wife too!" For some reason, this peeked Hugh's curiosity and he listened to what the missionaries had to say. He knew that the message he was hearing was true and joined "The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints". He was later called as the branch president in Belfast. The call in the early days of the church was to come to Utah. He helped many of the branch members get their passage to the states, and he then followed. There was a beautiful young lady who was also coming to Utah, named Isabella Haddock. They arrived in Utah, and Hugh and Isabella were married in 1896.
I have always admired their sacrifice in coming to Utah. Isabella was the youngest of 9 children and to my knowledge never saw her family again. I can't even imagine how hard that must have been. Shortly after my mom passed away, I was thinking of their beautiful story and it was as though I heard my mom say, "if you are truly grateful for their sacrifice, then do something to show them." I knew that I needed to do my genealogy. I cant explain the connection that I have felt with my Irish heritage.
It wasn't long after that my friend Aurora moved to Michigan. We both lived in the middle of the woods, our kids were the same age and went to the same school. Aurora is an extremely giving person! She helped me get on an exercise program. She would come over to my house every week day and she would smile and say I could do it...and then she would help me to work hard! She was also helping Larisa with some study skills and giving her help after her appendicitis. She was wonderful! After they lived here about 9 months, they invited out family out for pizza one night, I knew something was up! We went out and they let us know that he was promoted and that they would be moving to Ireland. I was so sad to lose my buddy, but then said, "I'm coming to visit you." I felt a strong conformation that this was a big part of why we met each other, they had already done so much for us, that it seemed crazy that I might get the opportunity to visit them.
This is my beautiful friend Aurora Zortman
I started to look at flights after they had been in Ireland for a few months. Chris and I have never been on a fancy trip. We have had many great adventures, but have always stayed pretty close to home. I have NEVER needed a passport. I really don't like to spend money, so it was very hard for me to think of spending money to go on a trip. We got our tax return and it was enough for the airfare. We debated back and forth if we should go - it was a hard decision. I really felt strongly that we should go and one day I bid on some tickets, and got the bid. I think I hyperventilated for about an hour!!!
I started to do a lot of genealogy and had success in finding some of our ancestors. It was a wonderful experience, and there is more about that in future post.
I went to girls camp as a level 3 camp leader. Each day we were to read scriptures for an hour a day. One of the goals was to teach the girls that they can receive answers to prayers in the scriptures. I decided that I needed to put it to the test! I had felt some anxiety about our trip. Was I doing the right thing? Could we really afford it? Would I find any of our ancestors? Is this really where I was supposed to be? I took these questions to the Lord and then started reading. I searched where
I thought the answers would be. I started getting tired and lied down with my scriptures next to me. After a couple of minutes I opened my scriptures to a random page, and couldn't believe my answer.
Doctrine & Covenants 111
5 Concern not yourselves about your
a, for I will give you power to pay them.
6 Concern not yourselves about Zion, for I will deal mercifully with her.
7 Tarry in this place, and in the regions round about;
8 And the place where it is my will that you should tarry, for the main, shall be signalized unto you by the
a and power of my
b, that shall flow unto you.
9 This place you may obtain by hire. And inquire diligently concerning the more ancient inhabitants and founders of this city;
10 For there are more treasures than one for you in this city.
I couldn't believe it! Each of my questions were answered one by one! I felt when I was reading it that Zion, was my home/life. I wasn't worried about it at that time, but that fear came later and quickly left as I remembered this experience. I knew we were doing the right thing and my concerns were lifted.
We became sooooooooo excited to go on our trip and started planning!!!
.JPG)
