Happy New Year from Ireland!

Happy New Year! We just got back from a friend's house in Ireland celebrating the New Year! It was so much fun. The neighbors at the house we are staying at and the OM team have been so lovely in making us feel welcome and taking care of us.

We left on the 29th. We were organized and worked hard up until the moment we left but due to luggage weight restrictions we worked up until then switching around items to make the luggage weigh the correct amount. We were able to get all the belongings we planned to take to Ireland in our luggage and did not have to ship anything! What a blessing! We were able to fit in toys for Griffin and a baby doll and baby doll stroller for Ruthie, and clothes for each of them to grow into. We are excited about that.

At the airport the luggage was right on the spot of the max amount that it could weigh! What a blessing! I could not imagine trying to figure out what not to take or what to switch because I spent so much time weighing and packing that I did not know what was where to be able to switch around!!!! We had a very sweet woman that checked us in. I did a Stacy Cochran prayer, "God please give us someone that is nice, and not a moron!" or as Pastor Johnny would pronounce "Moe-ron". I laugh everytime I hear that word.

Well back to the subject. We had people that were so sweet in helping us and getting us into special lines for families with strollers and medication. We had Ruthie's Ibuprofen with us since she just got over an ear infections and had her 9 month and 12 month vaccines the day we left-I'll explain that one later. Poor girl. She has done well and had no fever.

We had to leave the house undone. Thank you so much to Jenny Bagby, Jenny Iglesias and Trina Slatton for coming and finishing cleaning the house, carpets and taking out the trash. I am so overwhelmed to have these 3 women in my life that will come and do what they did. Thank you Todd Bagby for taking care of Griffin Monday. That was such a blessing for him to spend that precious time with Grant.

I have not cried for the longest time about leaving friends or family because we have been on survival mode and have been looking forward to getting to Ireland just to be able to settle as we have been living out or suitcases, etc for a while. However when we got to the airport and finally got settled I felt like I just had to call my family one, then two last times. I am sure the people around me probably thought what in the world was wrong with that woman! I called my grandmother (92) to talk to her but they could not wake her up she was so tired. It is just as well, I was a blubbering idiot. I did call her today and told her how much I love her, and was in much better state of mind (me that is-she is always in the right mind).

The plane trip was 8 hours but it felt like it only took 4-what a blessing from God. The flight was not full so we could move around. Ruthie only slep 2 hours but was good for the rest. She was so tired she was a little fussy but not screaming. The plane smelled like a liquor store and most everyone seemed pretty much passed out, so it did not appear as though she was disturbing anyone. The flight attendants were great and we hung out in the back with them a bit. Griffin kicked me in the head several times in his sleep, one sent my earring flying. Ludie was wonderful helping with the kids but Ruthie was so sleepy she only wanted mama. It is just as good, so one of us could get some sleep and deal with the kids when we got off the plane.

Immigration was very slow compared to usual. It took us a little less than an hour to go through, but they were friendly as always. We got out there and got our luggage right before they were to haul it away for being on the carousel for so long. Thank the Lord we got there in time before having to go through that hassle. We then got in the minivan where our luggage miraculously fit with no room to spare. I vaguely remember leaving Dubline where they had a coloring book for Griffin and grapes for us to eat. Oh the best grapes ever! Then I woke up right outside Roscommon. It was wonderful. I felt like, "Oh we are finally home!".

We got to the house. It was not too cold outside, but the problem was the heat in the house was off. We had the key to the house but no one on the team had an extra key to be able to get in to turn on the heat. Oh my goodness, it was cold. That was hard being tired and cold but we were so happy to be there it did not matter. Mary Wallace from church is on the team and was so nice to let us borrow her car and house while we are here.

Griffin and I went to play with the dogs outside and met the neighbor, Orla. She is so sweet. She found out we were waiting for the house to heat so she invited us in to have tea and biscuits (cookies). After Ruthie had 5 I had to cut her off. Orla knew we were coming and so she bought some chocolate Santa's for Ruthie and Griffin. How sweet. Pria, the other neighbor made us some curry chicken. Junior from the team brought over groceries. Katherine came by and brought maps of the city, library hours and other information on the area, as well as DVD's and toys for Griffin. Alastair, the accountant of the team, brought some money for us to survive on and visited with Helen and the kids...finally....bed. AHHHH!

Ruthie slept for 15 hours. 15! I should have slept that that long too but I kept checking on her to make sure she was not feverish and was breathing well. When she woke up she ate so much oatmeal and drank a whole sippy cup full of juice. I woke up and have never experienced jet lag coming to Ireland, only going West to the US. Well it hit hard this time. I just got out of the shower, did not dry my hair and went to bed again. I did not wake up until 11 am (Ireland is 5 hours ahead). I slept through Katherine coming over and checking on us. She showed Ludie how to make tea (we had to be taught how to boil water) :) She is so sweet and we are overwhelmed at everyone's kindness and generosity. I do not know what was in the tea Katherine made but I have been great since.

We went to town today. We found out instead of making 20 turns we only had to go straight and make one turn to get to our destination. We know the city much better now! Ruthie got a good nap in adn we got to see the Garda (police) outside the bank waiting with their AK-47's for a money delivery. You know me, I usually wave and smile when we pass people. I did not wave this time. Yes I still smiled. We toured the town, fun but unintentionally and made it to the toy store, our intedended destination. They were having a 50% off sale so we took the kids and got them a toy each as a welcome to Ireland gift. That was so fun. The toy store had an upstairs. (Just like 2 stores in one-in Griffin's mind). We then ate lunch, and Griffin loved the food. They even had a Cajun sandwich. Cajun in Ireland. Things are going to be okay! We then went to the grocery store. Great selection, and found the diapers ("nappies"). We got tea so we would be ready for visitors now. Great day!

And now to finish the day we celebrated New Years at Junior and Luci's house and had a great time with them and some of the team. I so love these people and they are so welcoming. How in the world can you come to a foreign country and feel at home? I know that someday I will wake up and think, what am I doing here and how can I go home.

I am thankful to God for a first great day, and people that are loving surrounding us. I am thankful to God for my precious family, my wonderful husband that is my hero, and two great kids that make life so much fun.

I then put our 6 year old to bed at 1:30 am, told him "Goodmorning, now go to sleep". The thought that was funny. When I said "Goodnight" walking out of the room, he replied, "goodmorning"...to which we both laughed. Ruthie was in the playpen on top of her doll, snoring. We finished the night by calling mom and dad, along with the Bagby's and wishing them a Happy New Year, and missing the annual Mirramont Cajun Christmas Tree lighting, and the 20foot plus flame that goes along with it. And now my dear friends, it is 2:30 am and I am off to bed. Happy New Years to you in the next 2 1/2 hours.

Jump Around

This is going to jump around a bit as I am tired and am trying so summarize some things too quickly. I will take time to make a more coherent entry later.

Hello All! I hope you are doing well. I am sorry the posts have been few and far between. We have had at least one person sick in the house each week since the week before Thanksgiving. I was just thinking that this has been the best year in wellness for our family that I did not remember any major sickness. Oh my! Well I have been humbled and have learned to ask for help and rely on friends.

The countdown is on. tomorrow is Ludie's last day of work before we get to Ireland. I am so thankful. Both kids have bronchiollitis. I have started keeping a list of when I gave which kid which medicine and have the medicines labeled as to which Ibuprofen is for which kid. So we would appreciate prayers for a virus free house! I am so thankful though that the breathing treatment medicine for Ruthie was only $4! Wow!

I cannot tell you how blessed we are and how many blessings we have seen while here. God has shown us many things. Just some neat things that have happened. In preparing to go to Ireland I have prayed that God would send us curriculum for Griffin for homeschooling. It is overwhelming to pick that out normally without everything else that is going on. I did not tell anyone I was praying for that. God provided it through a lady at church. Then I was praying for a jacket for Griffin for Ireland. One of my friends slipped us some money just for that purpose.

Another wonderful thing to experience is blessing others. For instance. I needed to store my sewing machine with someone, and asked God to place a person on my heart that could use it while we were in Ireland. I called one of my friends who was just planning on buying one, she was so amazed at how God provided it in just the right timing. We also had a tent-tube plaything (I don't know exactly what you call them) but it is too big and heavy to take to Ireland. When going to a friends house the other day I felt like I should take it with me over there. She was almost in tears. She wanted to buy one for her son for Christmas but did not have enough money left in the budget to do so. This is also a couple that needed encouragement that God will provide in unusual, and unexpected ways.

I am not talking about prosperity...I am just talking about the little ways that God provides for us and does little things that are big to us. Those little things that remind us that He is there...that He loves us...that He cares about even our littlest needs-reminding us to trust Him with those and also the big ones.

One thing I am learning is to rest in Him. That He is in control. That I don't need to fret about decisions as long as I am seeking Him and doing the best I know how to live in His will. I am so thankful that He is in control. I don't do well in the driver's seat.

Prayer requests: That we can get the house packed up this week, that we will all be well for Christmas and most of all for the transition of flying to our new home.

I thank God for you. Thank you for your prayers. Keep looking for postings and feel free to contact us.

Great Christmas GiveAway

Click HERE for the Proverbs 31 Christmas GiveAway.

We have tickets!!!!

Thanks to all of you for your prayers! We have tickets to go Eastbound on the 29th! Praise the Lord!!! We are so excited! What a whirlwind these holidays are going to be!

I am so excited we get to celebrate Ruth Anne's first birthday with both sets of grandparents, and we get to spend the holidays with them!!!

We will be arriving to the Emerald Isle just in time for settling a little bit and then we will be off to Germany for training mid-January and finally, FINALLY we will be able to start establishing roots at the end of January.

That means only a couple weeks to do the Christmas shopping, the whirlwind tour and leave town. We love you all dearly, but I've got to get moving!

What is to come?

Just an update. We are still here. There may be a lease opportunity coming up that would allow us to be on the field by the beginning of the year, Lord willing. We would covet your prayers on this situation. Thank you for all that have supported us through prayer, financial support, and the blessings you have given us while we are here. God is so good and takes care of the smallest of details. Thank you for being a blessing!

Sacred Marriage

I have a new favorite verse (I write while grinning like a mule eating briars). It is Deut. 24:5 "If a man has recently married, he must not be sent to war or have any other duty laid on him. For one year he is to be free to stay at home and bring happiness to the wife he has married." How did I miss that verse before?

I am reading the book: Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. I have to admit it is a slow start in the first chapter but I am really enjoying chapter 2-4. It is a book that cuts to the chase and past all the fluff. It is not a book that gives you 10 steps to a better marriage or some other self help book. Thank goodness! Like we need any more of those!

One thing Sacred Marriage talks about in the beginning is that love is not a feeling, it is a choice. Loving someone is something that goes beyond the feeling of infatuation. "Love is not a natural response that gushes out of us unbiddend. Infatuation sometimes does that-at the beginning of a relationship at least-but hate is always ready to naturally spring forth." How true is that? I have no problem reacting quickly and spewing out hurtful words, but it takes an effort to bite my tongue and respond in love and respect.

The book reflects on the Scripture in Matthew 22:34-40 where we are not to just love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength but we must also love others. To become more like Christ (sanctification) is the journey of loving others and the unlovable-which may at times be your spouse (or for your spouse-you).

One point Gary Thomas makes that I have not contemplated before but makes sense is that along with our call to love others-even our enemies, to utter the words "The truth is, I have never loved you," are self condemning words for a Christian. By saying that you have not loved someone is an utter failure to love as Christ has called us to. Therefore by saying this, you are essentially saying: "I've never acted like a Christian." (41).

Another thought to ponder is this: Jesus told us to love others. The cool thing about marriage is that we actually got to choose whom we are going to love for the rest of our lives. God offers marriage as an opportunity not as a command. Because we get the choice and then find it difficult to carry out the love in practice, what grounds do we have to ever stop loving?

Let me end by saying, I am madly in love with the man I married, and had I the opportunity to do it all over again I would in a heartbeat.

Free photobook from snapfish

To get an offer on a free photobook from snapfish click HERE offere expires Nov 22nd. Thanks Penny for the heads up on this!