Live from Murlough...

We made the trip safely! After the longest day ever (or so it seems) we made it across the Atlantic, into Dublin, and on the Dunrum. After four weeks of an unusually sunny and warm Irish summer, we landed in 59 degrees and a pouring rain. But, as always in Ireland, wait a few minutes and another season will eventually emerge. Three hours of sleep on the plane had to do for the entire two days. We've got a busy week ahead and another right on the heels of that one. Today (Sunday) we're heading to twelve churches to promote the week's programs, so the team will be spread out across County Down. I'm excited to be driving our team about in the minibus... (Keep left, keep left, keep left) I hear there is a boat race later today - we're going to have an entry in the race with Richie and Damien at the paddles in a boat made from two halves of a barrel and two pieces of wood to hold them together. Lord, help them! I'm supposed to lead worship at the Presbyterian Church tonight in Newcastle - if you read this blog in time, please pray for that! If you don't, please pray anyway! I'll try to check in again soon. Cheers!

Across the Atlantic for the 19th time...

We're off again in a few days. With our residence abroad in my formative years (how about the use of "formative" there?) and multiple mission trips, this will be Atlantic crossing #19. Fun, fun.

I'm going to attempt to update the blog while I'm in Northern Ireland to give some updates along the way. Here's what the next few weeks have in store:

Coordinating efforts with an international team for the FUSED events.
Morning teaching/discipleship daily
Afternoon outreaches
Evening programs
Living in a large community (upwards of 50 people, dormitory style)
Tons of dishes (See large community)
Training leaders
"Other" (Which means whatever needs to be accomplished)

Pray for us when you think of it. More to come...

Been slim.

July has been a slim month for posting... Not for lack of anything going on. Maybe the busy-ness explains the dry spell? Getting ready to head for Northern Ireland again in a matter of days, I've got plenty of regular work (which I love. seriously.) plus an extra ton of writing for things I'm doing while there - at least five speaking engagements of varying lengths, some group curriculum to write, along with simply plugging in and serving. :) As John Sawyer says, "We're just donkeys." It's an exciting opportunity to help where our fellow Irish Christ-followers need us, seeing them pull off some plans of their own and enlisting our help. There is a record number of volunteers from that side of the Atlantic coming together to serve alongside us - from a previous number of 12, it's up to 57 volunteers. God is up to somethin'. Pray for us whenever you see green, OK?

I said "Irksome".

I had what might qualify for a bad day yesterday. Nothing horribly awful at all, just tons of little irksome things that piled up. It began first thing in the morning with people in a hurry to get somewhere while riding my bumper. I could go into the details of the rest of the day, but then you'll be frustrated, too. It was a miracle of God that I had neither a breakdown nor a blowup. Anyway. I'm just thankful that God gave me what I needed for the day. On a lighter note, we ended the day with an amazing puppet-show at the library. That was a riot - as long as you don't have underlying fears of puppets - or clowns. After the girls went to bed, it was time for another fun-filled episode of Father Ted. As I think about the great time I got to have with my family last night, it turns out that maybe it was a good day - maybe it was just in disguise.

All Smiles

After work last night, while my wife and oldest daughter went to the horse farm for riding lessons, I took our youngest and headed off to the pool. When we got there, she was so excited to try out the swim-training flotation vest. I led her into the deep water, her feet no longer able to touch. She paddled around, kicking wildly, moving her little hands, cupped for maximum swimming efficiency. It finally dawned on her that she was in brand-new territory, and extreme excitement hit. About thirty minutes into our time, I realized that as she had been swimming around, the smile had not left her face for even a moment. And for the rest of our stay at the pool, it never did.

Eine Dirge fur Deutschland

Ow. The pain is still fresh. Like a dagger in the heart followed by another wound with a much more blunt instrument like, say, a butter knife, the final two minutes of World Cup Semifinal 1 nearly killed me. The first Italian goal, strategically placed, entirely earned, killed the spirit of Germany. 1 - 0 would have been painful enough, but with the goal on their side, Italy seemed to gain a new energy while Germany lost their legs. The second goal was an insult added to the injury. A sad, sad loss after such a great run. On the upside, they will end their play in the World Cup as either the third or fourth in the world, which is a far cry from their ranking of 19th as of May. Hey - I'm clinging to all I can.

Great weekend, tough night, weird morning

We had a blast this weekend - 4.5 hours of 24, season three - 3 football matches, two overtimes, two shootouts, two of three teams we were rooting for won. Free Chipotle for two on Friday evening. A new bag of Starbucks coffee resides at my house now - need I say more?

We visited with my parents on Sunday. A three hour drive each way for a four hour visit. Long day, but good to be together. It was soooo hot, but the food and fun was good.

Last night our six-year-old had an ear ache. I used to get those so I really felt for her. That made for a tough night as well as a morning that's been out-of-whack. I had to run out to get oil for one of our cars so it won't break down as my wife takes MC to the doctor, then brought our younger daughter to her pre-school program.

In the words of Kurt Vonnegut, "So it goes..." Hey - pray for my little girl if you think of it. Thanks.