Well, the kids arrived on time, and we've been adjusting ever since!
The house if full, the food is gone, and the sleep is short. Ha!
Sounds like home. We have been visiting castles, going for walks, having looong... conversations about "Christlikeness", playing golf, visiting pubs...
listening to Irish music, exploring, sleeping, watching local cultural events, getting educated on Ireland, meeting locals, reading, putting an IMPOSSIBLE jigsaw puzzle together, going to church, calling home, walking down from our house to the village (see photo left), blogging on the internet, going for runs, bike riding, watching movies, and eating...
Last night the boys and I got out to play a round of golf at the Connemara Golf Course. It is a great links course. We played 9 holes the day before and went back after a break in the rain. The wind on the course was 50 MPH!!! Look at the flags behind us in the photo to the left. Straight out! We were all over the place, but it was an experience we will never forget. If you went straight into the wind with a well hit drive, you were lucky to get 100 yards out of it. It is wild and beautiful.
The wildness and beauty of the place reminds me of God. I don't often think of God as wild, but you do when you are here. Untamed. Like the description of Aslan in the Narnia Chrinicals to Lucy (?) - "Safe? Safe? Of course he's not safe, dearie. But he is good." You can see the wildness of God here. And his beauty. And his goodness, all at the same time.
Becca and I celebrated our 28th anniversay yesterday. Our years together have been - next only to the gifts of life and new life - the greatest gift of my life. That God has given us these long years together, with a love and a friendship and a partnership for Christ that have all grown richer and deeper through the decades is something that has framed our lives and humbled our hearts. For 28 years together, we thank you Lord. For whatever days and years lay ahead, we praise you, Lord God.
I wish you a blessed 28th anniversary. Mine & Bob's will be in Sept. 28th too. Bob and I have been together 32 years including dating. God has done alot in our lives and like you guys we are so grateful. the Grace of God is uncomparable to anything else. God bless you all and may God watch over you all to get back to your homes safely
Posted by: diane gulish | July 06, 2005 at 03:02 PM
I wish you a blessed 28th anniversary. Mine & Bob's will be in Sept. 28th too. Bob and I have been together 32 years including dating. God has done alot in our lives and like you guys we are so grateful. the Grace of God is uncomparable to anything else. God bless you all and may God watch over you all to get back to your homes safely
Posted by: diane gulish | July 06, 2005 at 03:00 PM
Sounds like you all are having a great time. We have been reading your blog and enjoying it very much.
Back here, things are well. Patrick is doing a great job - he read about you taking to the pubs and decided to open one in Grace Commons - what a terrific idea - Sat@Six has been packed ever since!...opening song, reading, beer chug, sermon, prayer, offering, beer chug #2, closing song - the liturgy of the 21st century!
Actually, we miss you at the church and many people are following along on this blog and talking about your many varied experiences. God bless!
Mark, Kristin, Hannah, Haley, and Braedan!
Posted by: Mark Steffey | July 05, 2005 at 05:32 PM