Sandy Toes, Sweet Kisses, Stunning Sunsets

Benone Beach, Northern Ireland

HISTORY LESSON

This past  weekend and into this week, some very exciting history making events have taken place here in the United Kingdom.  Just a short explanation in where we live.  A lot of  people think that when we moved that we were coming to Ireland and to most Americans  Ireland is just Ireland but that is not quite the whole story. There is actually two countries on this island. We have the Republic of Ireland and  Northern Ireland.  We live in Northern Ireland, where it predominately protestant and under the Government of the Queen Elisabeth II. Our money is the British pound. The Republic of Ireland is the southern part of the island is under the European Union and use the Euro as the currency . There is a vast difference between the people  and beliefs, attitudes, and religion between the North and South.  We are learning a lot about the culture differences and how it effects how our church is named and growth!  Very interesting!  In saying that,  the first event was the Diamond Jubilee which was the Queen's 60th yr on the throne! The only 2nd monarch to reach this milestone(Queen Victoria was the first)  So there was a lot of  celebrations going on in the town with a parade of marching bands( i think that there were about 50 bands) and lost of decorations and  flags flying over the village.

Good to see "Old Glory"

The second event was the Olympic torch coming through our town! Very exciting to watch it run through and again the people  turned out in a big way to cheer the torch on its way.

A glimpse into our new adventure living in Northern Ireland :)

TRUST & OBEY

I love this story and have heard it many times! It makes me cry every time to hear it but never loses its power to speak to me each time!  Lord, help me to grab every moment that you give me and do what you want to do.
Help me just to trust and obey!

1. When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
   What a glory He sheds on our way!
   While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
   And with all who will trust and obey.
   • Refrain:
     Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
     To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
2. Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
   But His smile quickly drives it away;
   Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
   Can abide while we trust and obey.
3. Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
   But our toil He doth richly repay;
   Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
   But is blessed if we trust and obey.
4. But we never can prove the delights of His love
   Until all on the altar we lay;
   For the favor He shows, for the joy He bestows,
   Are for them who will trust and obey.
5. Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
   Or we’ll walk by His side in the way;
   What He says we will do, where He sends we will go;
   Never fear, only trust and obey.

MOTHER'S DAY 2012

A cup of tea & Mother's (Mum's) Day.........

Mum's Day is celebrated in March here in Norther Ireland and the United Kingdom.  I had a very nice day.  It started off with breakfast in bed with my favourite foods(poached egg white, toast with butter spread to every corner and a cup of tea!   The off to church with to hear some good preaching( from a very good preacher :) )  Then Steve and David fixed fish and chips for lunch and cleaned up the kitchen afterwards (David drives 80 miles one way to be a part of our church and lead the music for us  so he spends Sunday afternoon with us and eats lunch every Sunday)

I received  some lovely presents from my kids! Taylor was very  thoughtful and picked out something that I wanted for our home (still decorating and unpacking so this was a very special gift-making our house a home)

Caoimhe, well she is a girly girl, and thought of me looking good when I go out! LOL  She is my fashion expert! She picked out something very practical here an absolute pretty scarf!

Even though we celebrate early, I didn't want to forget the special ladies in my life celebrating Mother's Day yesterday in the States.

The first special lady is my foster mom.   She is an amazing mom to her own girls but took me in at a very troubling time in my life & just loved me no matter the circumstances!!! She is a special lady to me & an awesome Granny to the kiddos!!!! I love you!!!

 Another special woman in my life is my Grandma Herbert. She has showed what a Christian wife & mother /grandmother is!!!! I credit that I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing now without the many prayers said by my sweet grandma!!!!

 Love & Miss both of this rocks in my life beyond measure!!!!!

Happy Mother's Day to all!!!! ♥

"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the LORD your God is giving you."
~ Exodus 20:12 

Rejoice And Again I Say Rejoice!

"Have a little Heaven to go to Heaven with" Dr. Joe Arthur

I am a child of the King and no matter what the world throws at me,Lord, help me to remember that I already have the victory!

Psalms 51:12  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.



I blessed beyond measure to have a wonderful Pastor and Pastor's wife! Love and Miss them greatly!

Valentine's Day

Our first Valentine's Day in Ireland was so sweet! It was nice to get all into the holidays again! We are finally settled and I wanted to do everything that I had done for the kids when they were little. We started with a family breakfast. Which included heart shape pancakes and eggs and a box of chocolates for Taylor & Caoimhe. Jack was not left out of the festivities, he received heart shaped treats for his breakfast.

Jack's Treats

I then made a special dinner for the kids which included steak pie(it is a lot like beef pot pie without the veggies) and homemade southern mac & cheese.  For dessert they wanted Rice Krispies Treats, so instead of using my regular pan  I spruced up it for the love day.

Then  after they had their dinner,  they camped out in Taylor's room and watched movies while Steve and I had our dinner and a movie together.  We had steaks, mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, rolls, and cheesecake for dessert.  We had candles lit along with a nice fire. It was the best night! I love that man!

Here is a few pics of us then and now after 16 Valentine's Days together!

March of 1995

Engagement Pic July 1996

September 2011

September 2011

Caoimhe told me after I had set up the living room for Steve and I's meal. and movie, she said, " it is all romantical in here!" I loved it! She will remember this and that makes me excited that she sees the love between her mom and dad! 

All in all it was great day and not least I was reminded that God's love for me is the greatest of all! He loved me enough that he sent His son to die for me! Thank you Jesus! John 3:16 <3

2012

Looking back over the pages of my journal I kept while travelling across America for the last 3 yrs, I was wondering where I was and what I was doing the first day of 2011. What has changed over the over the last year and what do I want to see this coming year.  In 2011,  we were in warm, sunny Mesa, AZ! We had spent Christmas with family and enjoyed the nice days! 


I didn't make any resolutions but had decided to try new things at least one thing! Worked to get healthy and learned that what God gave me I need to take care of! Wanted to read my Bible through and completed the majority of it. Renewed our wedding vows!  Most of all, I prayed that we would see Ireland! Didn't think it would happen 9 months later! That's God!


Ireland was it for us! We know beyond any shadow of doubt, this was the will of God for us! Page after page, line after line, anyone would know that was where God wanted us. On the road, God gave reassurance and little things that no one else would have seen but I did! I knew that God was listening and answering prayers!


But there were days that I pondered "How?"  I couldn't see how it all was going to come together and I thought moving from state to state was hard but another country?! But what I had to do was trust! TRUST! Simply, Let God do His thing!


Now we are here!  We live in Ireland!  What now?  The same! The same things as  we did on the road. Same promises, Same "God Moments", Same prayers, TRUST! 
Hebrews 13:8   Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.(KJV)
My God is the same as yesterday (while on the road), same as today (living in Ireland), same as tomorrow (continuing in HIS will).


What will we see for 2012?  Am I satisfied with just being here? God kept his word! Romans 11:29  For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.(KJV)  What do I want? More important what does God want for me and my life? I want to be content in where and what God is doing but not comfortable that God's whole and perfect plan can not be completed
For the new year, I want to see big and mighty things for God's glory! I want to see more(see God in everything) Be fully content  in God's will and plan! No matter how far it pushes me out of my comfort zone!

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
And to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus says the Lord!”

Yesterday's blessing are Today's promises!
Here's to 2012!