St. Patrick's Day in N. Ireland!

View from Saul Chuch

St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland! The day started out at the church at Saul ( not named for the Apostle Paul/Saul but the Irish word for barn…as in Sabhall Phádraig meaning "Patrick's barn")^. We attended the service inside the Saul Church with singing, prayers, sermon and communion, then gathered outside with the ones who could not fit into the small structure. There were perhaps 100 inside and another 75-100 outside. The pilgrimage to the Holy Trinity Cathedral usually referred to as St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Downpatrick began. We walked uphill most of the way! These were 30-40 degree hills, not little knobs! The cross led the processional and the various pastors (Church of Ireland and Methodist and maybe more) took turns carrying it; then others were invited to carry it. The weather was a pleasant 48 F. ; the sun shining and a bright blue sky. A perfect day!  I struggled a little but was encouraged by the bagpiper who managed to walk uphill and play the pipes!

We stopped a few times along the way to be aware of God’s presence and to pray for Ireland and for the world. These were deliberate stops and guided prayers. After 40 minutes or so of walking, we arrived at the church in Downpatrick. Most everyone managed to get in and get a seat. In the foyer, there was an orchestra complete with bodrain (Irish drum, pronounced more like bo-ran)There was a nice choir and a magnificent organ.

The speaker, Peter Greig, author of Red Moon Rising and one of the founders of 24/7 Prayer, spoke at both services.  The 24/7 organization is in 100 countries but originated in the UK.  I didn’t take notes at the first service (and wish I had!) but in the second service, he mentioned that there were 3 P’s of Patrick’s life. Prayer…Preaching….Protesting. It was because of Patrick that slavery was confronted in Ireland. Peter admonished us to be active in prayers, preaching the Gospel and protesting injustice.  It was another good service.

They had encouraged people to bring shoes to donate to those who have no shoes. There were two grocery carts full of collected shoes. At the end we were challenged by a youth movement to take the “Fashion Fast”….to set aside a period of 3-9 months and NOT purchase any “fashion” items…this could be clothes, jewelry or even electronic gadgets.

Following the second service, most people went to the gravesite and a wreath was placed on St. Patrick’s grave. Part of our group stayed and part of us made our way down the hill into Downpatrick town to get a table for lunch! The town was packed. Jen and baby Charlie (Charlotte Ivy Shilladay) joined us and I took a few snaps of Richie's little family. Charlie has some health concerns so pray for her as you feel led. She's a wee one!

The parade was to begin at 2:30 and in the meantime, there was some live entertainment on a stage. There were also some booths set up, a mini fair. We found a spot to watch the parade and waited a bit. In the middle of it, there was an emergency so the parade was stopped and an ambulance went through. All in all, it was a nice parade and a lovely day. We went back to Murlough at 5 and Bebe and I finished up preparing things for tea (supper). Lots of conversation after supper and a late night to bed.

The view from my room.....

A quiet day so far. I slept until 9:30 and joined the others for breakfast at 10…a late start today but that’s good when you’re changing time zones! The others joined John for morning Bible study and his testimony and I blogged. After lunch the others went to Castlewellan to perhaps walk the hedge maze and the Annsley Gardens. I opted to stay back and walk down to the sea alone.

It was drizzling rain but a comfortable 48; nice enough for a walk! Along the path, the gorse were in full bloom. Richie says it's a weed with thorns and it's all alongside the highways. It really is rather lovely. 

 When I got to the shore, signs were posted from the nearby base saying that parts of the beach are a firing range today. I didn’t go far beyond the signage!

As I walked and let the tears flow, I picked up shells…don’t we always do that at the sea…and was of course, looking for unbroken ones.  After a few were collected and pocketed, I wondered to myself why I wanted unbroken shells when I am so broken and crushed. I started taking photos of the broken ones and listening as I crushed more shells with each step. How very poignant the sound was. The roar of the sea beyond and the muted “crush, crush, crush” of each step beneath.  It was the awesome power of God against the weakness of the tiny shells.

I finally picked up one broken shell to add to my unbroken ones. I continued to think about brokenness as I walked. The broken shells become crushed shells and eventually more like sand. And it is the sand that smooths the rocks as they crash into the shore. It is out of brokenness that the roughness can be smoothed out. And sometimes it is out of brokenness that we become more useful to the Kingdom.

And then I considered those unbroken shells……they are only half of what they once were. The life is gone from them. The half I see seems to be unbroken but the half that is gone may have been smashed and crushed into tiny fragments. So it is with each of us. Perhaps people see the half that appears unbroken but the half they do not see is crushed beyond repair.  And when I see others; I do not know what their other half may be. Perhaps each of us is crushed in some way, seemingly beyond repair. But I do know this. Jesus wants me in all my brokenness and He alone can make me whole. I may not be repaired but I can be restored to wholeness, maybe not today but in His time.  And not to the wholeness I once knew but to the wholeness He has for me.

When I returned to the manor, I washed my few shells and found that the broken one had not survived well in my pocket, more was broken off while the unbroken ones remained whole. And isn’t that how it is? When we are broken, every jostle seems to fracture us a bit more. That is why grief is so difficult to pass through….even seemingly gentle things like a “ride in a warm fleece lined pocket” can bring more brokenness.

Back Home Again at MH

Arrived in Dublin on Thursday at 8:15 am (4:15 am Indiana time). Made it through immigration and baggage claim and was in the waiting area by 8:40. I spotted the CSI team, thanks to Tom and daughter Vang in their green CSI shirts! I introduced myself to Mandy (from Minnesota) and Tom and Evangeline (from Ohio) and we waited for Richie to come collect us. He arrived after about ten minutes and Deirdre had come along! What a wonderful surprise!

We took a side trip shortly out of Dublin to an old old tower, built in the 11^th century. There had been a monastery, Monasterboice, there. The monks had inscribed Bible stories on large stone crosses so the people (who did not read) would have a record and memory. The Irish monks who WERE literate transcribed the Bible during those times when Europe was in upheaval. Some say and it is documented that “The Irish Saved Civilization”. The tower was the place where valuables were stored in case of pillagers. A few ruins of the old monastery remain with the tower which is over 100 ft. tall but it is now a cemetery. The graves are a bit different in that each one has a small stone boundary and the inset is filled with gravel and pots of flowers…although some have put in fill dirt and planted flowers. The primrose and daffodils were in full bloom as well as other flowers.

We continued our travel stopping in Newry at Grounded for a cuppa’ coffee as in lattes and cappuccinos and 12 year old Vang had a hot chocolate with extra marshmallows and cream!  We arrived at Murlough House before noon with time for settling in before lunch. It was so good to see Alisdair, Sarah, Joan, John, Jo and Richard. Then Jen and baby Charlie came. Lots of hugs and tears….but that’s how it is when you see folks you love after a tragedy. Heartwarming as well as sad.

Jo had lunch and after that I visited with Deirdre a bit, then covered up with the plump duvet and took a nap (Richard asked later if I returned it…his play on words is always keen!) The team had a bit of orientation and took drive to Newcastle. I opted to stay and visit. Daniel was in for a bit…he is the hyper guy who gave us lots of entertainment before. He is still very hyper and quite unique….I know there really are not degrees of unique except perhaps for Daniel!! After supper Deirdre, Bebe and I spent some time in the apt and then I crashed….in my lovely corner room This room is often saved for special guests and I have it this time! Woo Hoo!!

I slept from midnight til 9:30 am….so cozy in the duvet! We had a late breakfast at 10, then the team had Bible study with John. Alan arrived and so there were more hugs (he just returned from England). The team has a nice schedule and I will join them for some things but mostly my time here is a buffer between the sadness and the work ahead. I think it will be a very good time. I cannot leave the sadness but I can get rested up for the work ahead! And what a grand place to do it….with a bit of festivity tomorrow!

Fifteens

15s -- Ready to serve!!

Paula Deen I am not. However, today I made Fifteens and like several of my blogger friends, I documented each step for you. I'm taking them to my Sunday School class tomorrow (15-20 folks between the ages of 50 and 92...altho most are in their 60s). The Fifteens look right, we'll see if they pass the taste test tomorrow.

The recipe is rather simple:
    15 digestive biscuits, crumbled (Americans can substitute graham crackers)
    15 chopped glace cherries (candied cherries, seem to be seasonal here but not in the UK)
    15 pink marshmallows (can use white but then you don't have the color. Actually in the UK, they are pink and white but you have to use what is available.)
    Small tin (can) of condensed milk
    Coconut (dessicated....I used organic, same texture)

Mix all but coconut and form a roll (like slice and bake cookies). Spread coconut on parchment paper. Shape roll to 1 1/2 inch diameter. Chill and slice.

I don't know why they call them digestive biscuits...they are nice graham cookies.

Assemble the ingredients.

I bought the 13 oz. condensed milk so I doubled all the other ingredien

Crush the graham crackers. I put them in a ziplock bag and used the rolling pin. Then cut the cherries.

And the marshmallows...

Mix well, form into "logs". Roll in coconut. Chill for 2-3 hours. Cut into slices. Serve.

Grrr.....

Just spent an hour writing and posting photos and it has all disappeared. "They" have changed the site!!

Last post of the Northern Ireland adventure

Ending up the saga of ten weeks in Northern Ireland……

Tuesday, December 20, was a full day! I was up as usual and made coffee. I was to meet with Alan for my “exit interview” at 9:45, however, he met at 9 with the Deirdre, Richie and Sarah which meant he wasn’t ready for me until after 10. I had prepared a 3 page summary in bullet point form of both ministry and personal activities. He hadn’t asked for one but I’ve always done it at the end of an extended mission trip. It was surprising even to me at how much I had done in ten short weeks. A friend commented on Facebook that I’ve been quite ecumenical and I would agree! I attended 11 worship services in ten weeks---all in different churches---Baptist, Brethren, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian, Quaker and the Fifth Sunday (which is open to all the churches as a united service). 

The gate at the front

One of the rear wings of the mansion

After our meeting, I had a task to complete and a couple of things I still wanted to photograph. I took Little Suzy off to Montpanther, the mansion with 365 rooms.  You can see it from the road but I wanted a closer view. I took the public road up to a side road, then down a private lane, along a muddy tractor route and into the rear courtyard of this mammoth but deserted home. I took several photos of the back and side wings, then drove around to the front. I was now on the horse path evidenced by the aroma. There were so many trees I couldn’t get a good pictures so back down the path, the lane, and the road and down to the Dundrum/Clough road. That was the best vantage point for the total effect!

Perhaps the gatekeeper's cottage

Another rear wing

The front of Montpanther as seen from the road

I needed to go to the Oasis to put all the sheets, towels, duvets and duvet covers in the linen closet and individual rooms (those we had nicked to cover my mistake a few weeks ago). Before I took off, I needed to make a stop for fuel. The person sharing the vehicle had left it in a sorry state…..c’mon Alasdair! What kind of “do unto others” is this??

Since I didn’t want to drive the 20 minutes to Newcastle where Murlough House has an account, I just pulled into Brennan’s and put in 3 litres! That was 4 £ which is $6 for ¾ gallon. (Hard to be sympathetic to $3.32/gal. costs in Kokomo.)  The little bit of fuel would ensure that I wasn’t walking through the Mournes!!  On the way back from the Oasis, I stopped at a Catholic cemetery on the Auchincloy (or something like that) Road to take a few pics.

Then it was back to Murlough House for lunch and then the Dirty Santa gift exchange. Jen, Canadian, suggested it. The others hadn’t heard of it but they got into the “stealing” gifts rather quickly! I opened the Cadbury chocolates which were soon possessed by someone else! It included Turkish Delight! Oh well, I had already bought some to take home-----I thought that was a made up name for candy in the Narnia Chronicles, I didn’t know there really was such a thing!

I worked on packing up and continued to sort out some things to take to the Charity Shops, a game for Deirdre’s grandson, and miscellaneous things that Deirdre might use. Richard and I weighed the big bag. If the scales are correct, it’s 49 lbs. Seems heavy!

There was preparation for the evening party in the Coffee Bar. Richie and Richard took care of the setup and the BBQ. There was chicken and burgers! There were 27 or 28 who came including Irene and Des, Alan D., the Alexanders, Leslie, Daniel, Moyra, Johnny and wife, Ruth and husband, Joy, Rachel and some I didn’t know. Of course there was also Sarah, Alasdair, Richie and Jen, Alan C., Richard and me. The Irish excell at dessert and tonight was no exception---Chocolate Crumb Cake, Pavlova, Shortbread, Trifle, Pumpkin Pie and Pecan Pie!!! There were Christmas crackers and lots of good Irish craic!!

After the party, Deirdre and I chatted a while over tea. Then it was off to bed for my last sleep this year in Northern Ireland!

Wednesday!! Up to finish the last bag. I could not get another thing in! And then….I checked the drawers one last time….and found a drawer full of knit shirts….seven of them! I had to rearrange, taking out the new bathrobe I had bought in Newry and putting in some of the shirts. Now I have a basket of things that I’ll have to come back to get.  : )

Richie arrived at 8:30, put my bags in the car and he, Deirdre and I were off! His driving is not as conservative as mine and we were airborne at least once on the Newry road!! Weeeee…………..

We arrived at the Dublin airport with time to spare. The 49 pound bag weighed 53.6 pounds but because my second bag was only 35, they averaged it and I only had to pay the second bag fee, 50 € or $65, not an additional excess weight fee. However, the second bag fee was a bit problematic. I had U.S. dollars and a few pounds. They wanted the fee in Euros or on a charge card. My cards have been shut off because I didn’t notify them I was out of the country. Richie to the rescue!! He put it on his credit card and I gave him cash--$50 plus 10 £ which totaled the $65. Thanks so much, Richie!!! So many currencies in one exchange! Note to self: be sure you notify all banks and credit card companies of your itinerary next time you travel! The international number on the back of the card does not work!

We secured a wheelchair, I gave Richie and Deirdre a big hug; they were off and I was in for a long day. It was 11:05 am and I was scheduled to fly at 1 pm. We had to go through passport control, customs, and security at the gate. I was at the departure gate at 11:40 and they began boarding at 12:10. We waited for two passengers to arrive and finally pulled away from the gate at 1:25 pm. Soon we moved not to the runway, but back to the gate with the announcement that a passenger is ill and the paramedics are coming. It was determined that she was too ill to fly so the next wait was to get her baggage.  I ate the snack mix that Richie and Jen had given me (Thanks Jen!!!) and we continued to wait. At 2 pm, they said we have a new ETA….4:30 Chicago time. That means I’ll have less than an hour to catch the connecting flight. That may work since we did customs in Dublin, we won’t have to claim our luggage and transfer it. But it is Chicago and we do have to change terminals, taking a train, so one hour still isn’t much. At 2:15, they announced that we are refueling. We finally made it to the runway and takeoff at 2:40 pm…100 minutes behind schedule!!

They served supper at 5 pm and I was ready for even airline food. I had a scone for breakfast and snack mix for lunch. I watched 2 movies and an episode of Father Tim. There was a beautiful baby in the row ahead of me…she was beautiful for the first part of the flight: she cried from 6-8:30. When she finally wore herself out and fell asleep in exhaustion, her four year old sister awoke, apparently from a bad dream, crying. It took another half hour to settle her. Now the two year old in the row behind me woke from her long nap. She was chipper and chatted in a loud singsong nonsensical voice for the next two hours. Delightful flight! The attendants didn’t come with beverage service…you had to go collect it yourself. (The 8 1/2 hour flight turned into over 10 hours on the plane due to delays.)

I listened to Beatles music for a while and thought of all my friends, both in Howard County and County Down….”I do appreciate you being ‘round” (from Help). It really does apply to my friends in these weeks. Sue had emailed that she had checked on my house after having the water turned back on, had turned the heat up to warm the house and had bought a few groceries! And Deirdre and Richie had not only seen me off but had helped me with the credit card, and Jen had provided a snack that we didn’t know I’d need….and Bob and Phyllis would be meeting me at the airport in Indianapolis. “I do appreciate you being ‘round!!”

The wheelchair was at the gate in Chicago! The pusher was a sweet girl from Poland, 15 years old and only two weeks on this her first job! I needed to get reticketed as we didn’t land until 5 pm (Chicago time) so I would definitely miss my 5:22 flight! She got me to the head of the line for passport check and reticketing and the train and boarding the rescheduled 6:30 flight. I was the first one to board!! I’m so glad we asked for a wheelchair. I don’t know if I could have made it if I’d had to wait in all those lines.

Bob and Phyllis were there with smiling faces!! Only one of my two checked bags made the flight. They located it and were happy to know it was lavender, not the typical black! The agent said it would be easy to spot! (The bag was on the porch when I got up on Thursday morning!)

I was home by 11 pm (which would be 4 am, Ireland time-so I had traveled about 3000 miles in 15 hours) to a cozy house. I took about half an hour to unwind and was in bed……

So thank you to those of you who 'traveled' with me these past weeks. We learned some Irish history, some Irish vocabulary and made friends with some grand Irish folk. I've enjoyed sharing with you and appreciate you also!

My life in Greentown doesn't seem as note worthy so the blog posts may be few and far between until I travel again...but then I will be babysitting my 6 month old great granddaughter a couple of days a week so you may see new of her!! Blessings on each of you!

Gingerbread Party!

Richie's Big Fry!

Due to a conflict in use of Little Suzy, it appeared that I would be without transportation on Sunday morning. Deirdre made a phone call and Richie agreed to pick us up for worship at Newcastle Presbyterian. There was a nice crowd. The pastor did a children’s message that almost got away from him….kids were really pumped and ready to add to his Christmas story! We sang Christmas carols…I was familiar with the words but NOT the tune. Interesting how different people interpret the music. After church we went to Café Crème for lunch. Richie had a Big Fry. I had an omelette and Jen and Deirdre went for soup and Sammy!

After lunch we all went to Shillidays to hang out for a while. Talbot kept us entertained! Then at 4:30 we piled into the car for the drive to Waringstown where Deirdre lives. Tori had joined us. We were going for the Carol Service. This Presbyterian church is 175 years old. The ceilings in the worship room must be 20 feet high! They had a great choir/worship team of 3 men and maybe 20 women. We sang carols, scriptures were read. There was one solo and two songs from the worship team.  The tunes were familiar at this service! The tree in the sanctuary is real and very tall although it doesn’t seem to be. It is probably at least 12 feet.

Sorry....you'll have to look sideways..
Jen and Tori are making a "box" so you
understand that we are in the pew box!

The pews in the Presbyterian Churches that I’ve been in are like boxes. There’s a “door” on the end and the pew holds 5-8 people (they are different sizes).  They are not comfortable…mostly narrow benches with straight backs. Part of the reason for the style is for heat.

After church tea and biscuits were served. I visited with a man who had studied in Virginia. He suggested two books for me to read The Other Irish (not sure of author) and Born Fighting (Jim Webb)

We left the church, ordered Domino’s pizza, ate in the car, and then headed home. I did fall asleep!  We were home after ten. I packed one suitcase before I went to bed and am sorting out things for the Charity Shop and for Deirdre to use or give away.  After a couple of hours, there was some order to my little room….two baskets are filling up and the drawers and shelves are emptying out.

Monday

I folded a basket of thirty tea towels. These were from Saturday. There were also aprons and dishcloths. It takes a bit of laundry for a meal too!

Jen came at 9:30 for our shopping day in Newry. I needed to go to Ulster Bank to exchange some dollars for pounds. Jen stopped at Daisy Hill Hospital to deliver some baked goods to former colleagues. Then we stopped for coffee and something sweet to sustain us for the work ahead. I had a cherry almond muffin. Deirdre’s was toffee pecan. Jen’s was just as wonderful! Then we hit the Buttercrane Mall in earnest.  Deirdre had serious shopping to do….bag after bag filled!  Jen just had bits and pieces to pick up and I bought very little. I did find some giraffe bibs for Berkeley….giraffes on the bibs, not loonnnngggg neck bibs. I also found her a too cute lavender hat…maybe for spring!

We left Newry at 1:30, drove to Newcastle; stopped at Tesco for candy to decorate a gingerbread house and then to Maud’s for a late lunch at nearly 3 pm.  Jen dropped us off at Murlough and then came back at 7 pm with the Crosspoint girls. They made gingerbread cookies and decorated them. They also made the necklaces from the ribbon yarn. Then the worked on a gingerbread house. There was almost as much candy consumed as there was used for decorating. The girls had a good time and cleaned up the kitchen before Jen took them home.

I need to pack another bag tonight….hope that happens!!