Bits and pieces

When Ken welcomed the folks at the One2Four yesterday, he told the story of meeting me at the door of Murlough House. He told the crowd that there are interns at Murlough House that are on the same side of 25 as all of them! Later one sweet gentleman had his arm around me and said to Deirdre, “we’ll be taking more interns of this sort!”Later when I spoke I mentioned that we all are part of the ‘Invisible Generation’…even many churches have programs for the young, for the moms, for the women, but few just for the seniors. I could see heads nodding so I believe it’s true here as well.

Yesterday Bebe chose not to go to the craft class because of leg cramps. She was ok while sitting but the standing and walking were painful. I’m sure it’s from all of our kitchen work and we’ll be able to recover in the next several days. However, this morning I asked about her cramps. I told her I thought they had jumped into my bed as I awoke in the night with severe leg cramps. We shall drink more water and take our magnesium!!

Driving to Kilkeel last week I pointed out the palm trees to Bebe. Doesn’t seem like this cold and blustery place would have palms but there they are all along the coast and even inland a bit. The Oasis is about 4 miles in and there’s a palm tree in the flowers! 

The plan for today is prayers at 11 and a meeting with Alan in the afternoon. Between that perhaps a walk, some reading or a well deserved nap!

Table Ministry....

The first thing this morning (Tues), 10 am, was staff meeting. It was a recap of last week’s events and a look ahead at those scheduled in the next two weeks. Murlough House will also offer Christmas Luncheons and Dinners in December. This will be advertised and hopefully the local people will become more acquainted with the facility and the ministries. (And I’m just realizing what that might mean to me…prep work!)

View from the kitchen sink

After the meeting we began work in earnest. It was prep, prep, prep, prep and some more prep!! Wednesday is the One2Four and we are expecting 55-60 guests at Oasis.  Deirdre has worked hard all day and Bebe and I have helped until we couldn’t do any more, took a rest and helped some more! There are five big Shepherd’s Pies ready for the oven, a giant pot of potatoes peeled and sliced for roasted potatoes, four large bags of carrots peeled and sliced ready to cook. We’ll also serve green beans.  There are two trifles, a pear/red and black currant crumble (in an industrial sized pan), shortbread, pear tarts and gluten free cookies.

We have washed pots and pans and measuring cups over and over and over! (Richard keeps a few pots of flowers in this little passage way so that we have something pleasant to see as we wash dishes...and Richard does his share too! The cat is named for the Bronte sisters' brother--can't remember the name.) The only time I breathed in the outside air was when I answered the door bell three times for three different guests. When Ken arrived, he said “I heard there are new interns here”. I answered, “Yes, I’m one of them”. He was a bit surprised that I was not in my twenties which is the ‘normal’ age for interns. The Advisory Board had come for a meeting but Kieron had not put it on his calendar. Bebe and I served tea, shared our story with the board and came back to more kitchen duty! However we made a couple of contacts for how to work with seniors!  One on the board is a retired doctor who arrived on his bicycle. It’s at least a mile or more from Dundrum out to Murlough House. He walks with a cane but apparently that doesn’t restrict his cycling.

Shoeboxes for Samaritan's Purse

Wednesday!! The work on One2Four was from before 9 am until after 4. We finished up cooking, packed up all the food in three vehicles and took off for the Oasis. I followed Richard on a different route than the one we took Friday. Des and Irene had set up all the tables with linens, cutlery, glasses, and fresh flowers (greens from Irene’s garden supplementing the purchased miniature carnations). I set out the pens I had brought with “Murlough House” on them and Des put out our information survey forms. Then the guests arrived! Several brought shoeboxes for Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child.

After lunch was served, I told them a bit about me and Bebe and explained the purpose of the surveys. I also told them about the Christmas Lunches and Dinner to be offered at MH. Then the entertainment….a retired surgeon brought an array of “instruments” explaining tone, rhythm and such. He used a garden hose, a piece of pvc, a balloon, a penny whistle, a violin and a cornet. It was a nice program!!

Then came the washup and loading everything back into the cars. Deirdre left us to go be with her daughter who is having a baby tomorrow!

Back at MH, we unloaded and put away the leftovers, the clean pots and pans, the dishes and the other supplies. Then Bebe and I compiled the surveys. We found that this group is very interested in day trips and even had a few suggestions. We hope to get at least two arranged in the next few weeks.

Jenn Shilladay was invited to have a booth with her pumpkin pies at a craft show in a nearby village this Saturday. I thought it would be good to pass out fliers about the Christmas Dinners so I asked Sarah if I could make one. She gave me all the information, we had it approved by Keiron and will get that run off tomorrow.

Jenn invited me to go with her to a craft class at the Presbyterian Church in Newcastle so at 7:15, I was off and down the lane. Bebe opted not to go. The craft class was nice and I met a few folks. We did some painting on glass and made a Japanese “ball” out of folded paper. We came out of the church just at ten. As I was warming up the car, I spotted Leonard walking down the street.

Newcastle is only 4-5 miles away but about 15 minutes. The narrow winding road runs along the sea part way and is a nice drive. Really nice.

Stones and stuff

Monday was a blustery day with the trees in the garden swaying the whole day. In the afternoon there was a downpour at exactly the time we decided to go to Newcastle so I could go to a Woolen Shop (yarn). The lady was quite accomodating and showed me all kinds of new yarns and threads. Some are craft styles that I haven't seen in the US. The unfortunate thing is that it appears that they are only suitable for knitting. I may have to relearn that skill as I love the way it works up!

The day was spent in resting from the weekend and getting caught up with Bible reading but I did get outside when it was only misting to take a few photos. There is one flower that looks much like our Mystery/Resurrection/Surprise Lilies. I asked Richard who gave me the Latin name for it first. Then he said it is called Autumn Crocus so I google'd it and here's a pic.

Richard is quite an interesting fellow. He is the gardner/driver/handyman. He has an extensive vocabulary and keeps us entertained with his droll sense of humor. He is working on the C.S. Lewis Garden in his spare time. When the garden is leveled and ready for plantings, he will add a door as in the wardrobe to Narnia and you will go into the forest through the garden. I did spent a few minutes in the Amy Carmichael Garden yesterday. Lots of delicate flowers.

Richard the Gardener

Not a useful pic with the darkness and no perspective.

Bebe had asked about the hawthorn tree a few days ago and Richard said he could take us to see one. We were too tired on Sunday but said we'd go today. He said there is also a circle of stones where the hawthorn is located so we were up for the journey! He preferred to go at about 6 so he could finish the outside work and because he felt that the site was even more lovely in the waning light. That proved to be about 30-45 minutes later than optimal. We drove to Downpatrick and then out to the rural area, parked along the side of the road and walked up a cow path that was about 5 feet wide. This fact will become more important as the trek continues! Keep in mind that it has rained most of the day with that torrential downpour in the afternoon. The cow path was bordered on one side by a stone fence and the other by a wire fence and there were trees growing in the fence rows. Between and on the trees were brambles and thorns. The beginning of the walk was easy enough and we stopped to see the hawthorn tree. Then we continued down the path and the slosh in the middle became softer and softer. I opted to walk in the twelve inches to the right of the path steadying myself by grabbing hold of the tree limbs occasionally. Too often my gloved hand grasped the briars! And more than once the overhead briars caught in my hat. Richard noticed and pulled out his hand shears and began clearing a bit. The trees and briars made a canopy over the path and we could tell even in the 'tunnel' that darkness was falling. I asked the ubiquitous question, "how much further?" and received the "not so much" answer. We continued. And then there was a small turnstile gate and we entered the field that held the Ballynoe Circle of Stones. As Richard said, "it is no Stonehenge". Yet it is an impressive sight, about 100 feet in diameter with stones from two feet to two metres high arranged in a circle. There's a mound in the center and the outlying stones. It is believed that they were placed over 5,000 years ago. It would be a spectacular sight to see as the sun rises...but you won't find me making that trek!!

We made our way back through the turnstile and now UP the path. We slipped a bit from time to time but again grasping the foliage and using the stone fence for balance, we managed to make it without sinking too much in the sludge in the middle of the path. It WAS worth the fifteen minute walk to and fro. It is an incredible sight to see. I cannot imagine how a people with no machinery other than the basics of a lever, etc., would have been able to move such stones. This site is compared to Cumbria (for those of you who are archaologically inclined).

Richard drove us to Asda, a grocery in Downpatrick now owned by Walmart. Our expectations were too high. They did have a few appliances so we could tick a couple more things off our list. They have a very interesting way of trolley management. In order to get a cart/trolley, you insert a pound coin(worth about $1.40 USD) which unlocks the chain. When you return the cart and lock it up, the pound is returned. There were no stray carts in the carpark (parking lot). There was however a raised curbed area. Bebe was walking ahead of me with her purse and a bag. I saw her stumble and thought she was going to recover and not fall but she didn't. She continued to stumble and then tumbled scraping her face on the curb as she rolled onto the asphalt. She sat up and was bleeding. Richard went back into Asda to get tissues and we went on to the car. The bleeding stopped but there was a mess. It didn't seem bad enough for an emergency room visit. We got back to Murlough House to a cleanup and some ice. Today (Tuesday) her eye is swelled a bit and already bruised to a black and purple. Her cheek is just green. Her elbow is swelled a bit and bruised as well. However, we are grateful that she didn't break an arm or a hip!

Pray that our stumbles and tumbles will all be minor! Pray for healing and rest.

The Weekend....

View from Oasis toward Mourne Mts.

Friday was a long hard day. Bebe and I cleaned the Oasis and washed dishes for the 60 guests we expect next week. The kitchen there is not regularly used and seemed to have not been cleaned in a while. Just a lot more manual labor than either of us single gals were used to doing. I slipped on the freshly mopped floor and took a tumble. I thought  I might have aggravated the weak knee but it seems to be normal. The whole body aches so the knee feels ok.

The Oasis

 We ate an early light supper of parsnip soup with ginger and then wonderful warm from the oven chocolate chip scones!  Who would have thought parsnip soup could be so good!!

In the evening we prepared for a youth group coming in for a weekend event.  Deirdre made even more scones…chocolate chip, cinnamon and fruit. The group arrived at about 8:15 in an eight car caravan. I greeted them at the door and I was impressed. Practically every teen greeted me and all were courteous and smiling. They met in the common room for “house rules” and then tea and scones. Very gracious!

Bebe, Richard and I went to Tesco’s in Newcastle with a list. This is a small Tesco and they didn’t have small appliances (we need a hair dryer) or other “household” items. Still it was good to get out-- even in the damp night.  As we were driving through Newcastle, Richard said “that looks like Leonard…..because it is!” Yes, we had a ‘Leonard sighting’.

Deirdre in the kitchen!

Saturday…

We were in the kitchen by 8:30 to serve breakfast at 9. Cereal , toast and juice but that’s still a task for 34! We helped prepare lunch of roast pork, roasted potatoes, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, broccoli, and corn. And then for dessert there was a choice of Plum Crumble or Apple Crumble with Warm Custard Sauce. The plums were from the Murlough House trees and a bit tart so the custard smoothed it out nicely.  After lunch we took a break and then packed up to go to Lisburn for a meeting with AIM and Martin Goldsmith. It was a mini-missionary conference with the couple from the work in Madagascar and then Martin sharing about missions.

A young fellow named Davey was the missions “clerk” at the church. He helped us set up the hospitality area with tables for tea and biscuits and more tables for Martin’s books and yet another one for the AIM literature.  Bebe and I had to make a food run across the street and down a bit for sandwiches for the musicians and more milk for the tea.

The meeting went well. There were 75 or so in attendance; the music was quite contemporary.  It was a good evening and the social time after was nice. Most came for tea and visited with the Aulds and Martin.

The vehicle we brought was a small sedan and comfortable enough for the four of us. However on the return trip to Dundrum, there were six of us. The back seat with four adults was a bit cramped! For just a few minutes, I thought I was back in Kenya! We did take turns breathing. : )  

As we came up the lane to Murlough House we saw several rabbits, then several metres further on, another half dozen or so and then another bunch. Alan said that a while back there was a problem with rats at the Murlough Preserve so the government put out poison. The foxes got into the poison and were decimated. Now the rabbits are multiplying like…well, rabbits!

Sunday

The breakfast duty was easy and a couple of the leaders from the retreat helped us with lunch so it all went well. Bebe and I got the credit for the wonderful meal Deirdre had prepared for us to finish: Chicken Supreme, Rice, Green Peas and then Jelly Roll and Ice cream.  The teens stripped their beds and Bebe got the laundry going. The kitchen was cleaned and we put away things that were out of place. Richard offered to show us a hawthorn tree we had inquired about but we told him we were simply too tired for the walk. Kindly, he prepared tea for us so we sat in the front hall for an afternoon rest.

We did our last hospitality thing for the Missions Conference meetings with Martin Goldsmith. We went to Newcastle at 5:30 but the centre wasn't open. We did spot Leonard!! Another sighting!!  Alan suggested we might want to take a walk while he set up the books at the church. We went down the main street to Maud's for a cup of coffee, then walked back along the sea on the promenade. At one point I stopped to take two photos...to my right, the Mourne Mountains...to my left, the Irish Sea...Imagine!

We walked back to the church for the service. It was rather international. Besides the two American guests, there was a couple from Latvia, a couple from Switzerland and some missionaries from the Philippines. It was Harvest Sunday and the church was decorated very nicely with not only beautiful hydrangea (and I mean stunningly gorgeous!) on each pew but also fruits and vegetables plus grain and bread. I think Harvest Sunday is observed in all Irish churches but each one decides which Sunday in October. The music was good, led by two young people and accompanied by guitar.  After that we were transported to Glenada Centre to set up for the tea and biscuits with a q&a period with Martin. Then home to Murlough House by 11 pm.  We plan to sleep in tomorrow!!

Hope to hear from you! You know my email and my FB so send a message!!

Still settling in

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Yesterday was interesting. First I awoke at 5:30 a.m. If you know me at all, you know that was abnormal! But with the 6 hour time difference, I was awake. I showered and came back to the room. Bebe was still sleeping so I took a wee nap, then got up just before 8 for breakfast of scones and tea.
Bebe and I were given a task by Deirdre, the cook, to core and quarter the pears she had poached in ginger sauce. After that we had apples to peel, core and quarter. Most of the apples were the size of a small egg so we had a lot of work to do. Both the pears and apples come from the trees here at Murlough.

Later we decided to take a walk to the sea. We were about to go out the door when the bell rang. I let in the visitor who said he came every Monday and wanted to see Jo. Jo has been in the US for about 2 weeks. He made his way in the entry hall and down the grand hall to the office.  I followed him in. Deirdre suggested that we visit with the fellow before our walk. Bebe went off to fix a pot of tea and I sat down to chat…or rather to listen. He asked where I was from and “Indiana” brought on a wealth of information and unrelated facts from him.  “Hoagy Carmichael is from Bloomington. Of course, there’s a Newcastle in Indiana. There are 11 in the US.” I mentioned that Cole Porter was from Peru. He told me it is pronounced “Pee ruh” in Indiana. Then he leaned back and looked at me and said, “you must be a lot older than you look”.  Bebe had arrived with the tea and biscuits (cookies) and he quickly drank up two cups noting that the biscuits were soft and should be thrown out but not in the dustbin. They should be thrown out for the birds and then he ate a couple more biscuits.  He spoke briefly to Richie and then was out the door.
Jenn wonders if he might have Asperger’s. I think he could be a savant. He doesn’t like to answer questions but asks many. He met Chris, a young man who is helping in the kitchen. Within a few minutes, Leonard (the old visitor) had sorted out Chris’s family on both sides.
Besides being savant-ish, he is quite the character. He has bushy white eyebrows with a few wild hairs nearly four inches long. His face needed a shave. He wore no hat; his sandaled feet had white socks on wrong side out. His pants were baggy and his sport coat badly soiled. He could have used a bath.

Jenn said he stops by nearly every week and usually on Monday. There’s a special Facebook page for “Leonard sightings” as he lives in Newcastle but is seen all around. If Bebe had not gone for the tea and biscuits, he would have asked for it.

He’s a friend of John Moxen’s. To complete Leonard’s ensemble, he wore a pair of binoculars. He didn’t answer my questions about whether he was bird-watching or not. Jenn said Leonard is the one who has compiled a list of 40 or so birds that can likely be seen at Murlough National Preserve.

After the visit with Leonard, Bebe and I set off down the lane to the boardwalk to the sea. It was early afternoon, maybe 2 pm so we only met a handful of walkers. Some were alone, one had two dogs (one who stopped and greeted me) and there was one particular couple. She carried a walking stick. I asked if it was collapsible, a very nice stick and useful in the rocks. She said it was and made her way up the rocky beach. Trudging along several metres behind her was her hubby, huffing and puffing to keep up. He said that he was also collapsible! I think she had set a pace a bit too fast for him.

I met the gal who comes in to clean the rooms after teams leave. Bebe said her name was Chevan and I asked “Chevan” to spell it…it is Sioban, very Irish. Sweet girl!!

I’ve met many people, full time and half time and volunteers here at Murlough House. It’s hard to keep them all straight but this is only my second day. An interesting thing at breakfast---I had yogurt and tea. Deidre came in and fixed her cereal, puffed rice, and added a roasted potato from last night’s supper…these Irish and their potatoes!!

Thursday

Bebe at the Hole in the Wall

After breakfast Bebe and I made a list of things we’d like to see around NI. Richard the gardener helped us. We decided that since we didn’t have much scheduled for today, we would take a drive through the Mourne Mountains. Richard helped us find maps and off we went. Bebe handed me the keys so I did a round in the driveway to acclimate myself to the steering wheel and we headed down the lane. The 5-speed isn’t the problem. I have some troubles getting to close to the curb but mostly it’s the turn signal! I keep turning on the wipers. We headed to Newcastle looking for a “hole in the wall” (ATM machine). Bebe was out of pounds. We tried two machines and both refused her card. I was able to get funds from my card so we had money for lunch.  Then we traveled on down to Annalong for lunch at the fish place where we ate last November. Neither of us remembered it quite correctly and we passed it twice! Bebe called Deirdre to get precise directions and there it was!! The Galley has great fish with a “Pensioner’s” portion.

We went on south toward Kilkeel with the sea on our left and the mountains on our right. According to the map we were to continue on B27 but we couldn’t find a road sign to turn off. We continued and ended up at Cranfield Caravan Park, a camper park. I pulled over to look at the map and a red Royal Post car pulled up alongside us. The mailman got out and came round to my side. At this point, I think I had again turned on the wipers and then choked the car so it died. He asked if we were having troubles and I told him I couldn’t understand the car and I couldn’t understand the map. He said “oh you’re Americans” and I said, “yes and I can’t understand the language here either!” He said his brother has a girlfriend in Indiana on Safari Street…did I think I knew her? We asked what town and he wasn’t sure….funny. Then he said ‘she’s a hairdresser’ like that would help. Finally he remembered it was Muncie so we told him that was rather close but no, we didn’t know her.  He was very kind and helpful. He told us where we had missed the road and gave directions. He kept saying I had to go down to hell and if I missed at the bottom of hell, then I shouldn’t go up to hell……finally, it dawned on me he was talking about the hill. The turnoff was at the bottom of the hill, just a wee bit past the light. If I missed the turn, I would be going up the hill. Well, I missed the wee turn….it was quite wee….and did go up and back down.

But now we were going through the Mourne Mountains…absolutely stunning! Irish stone fences and hedges and quaint cottages and then wonderful new homes. Lots of fields of sheep and green, so much green. The mountains are beautiful. The roads are narrow and winding with me putzing along at 30-40 mph but wonderful! It was a lovely day and a fine time in the mountains. Bebe said it reminded her of Austria. The clouds hung low over the peaks.

Back at Murlough House we had a quick supper of scrambled eggs and toast and then were off with Alan and Martin to Kilkeel Secondary School for a presentation. Bebe and I set up the display table for AIM (Africa Inland Mission) and greeted those coming in. There may have been 200 by the time it began. It was sponsored by the SUNI…Scripture Union North Ireland. SU seems to be like Campus Crusades or Youth for Christ…a group of teens. These kids lead in music, scripture reading and prayer. About half of the attenders were adults. After the missionary from Madagascar and Martin spoke, there was small group prayer, and then the teens read from Revelation 7. It was moving.

Back at MH by 10:45 after a stop for petrol….don’t complain about the price of gas!! It’s 136p/liter here which figures out to $9.21/gallon.

Journey, Day 1

Preparing to travel, I realized I had some coin from the previous trips to Ireland and Amsterdam so I gathered up all my change to sort out the pounds, pence and Euros....

Off to a “good” start! We had been on the road about twenty minutes when Donna noticed something on my hand. It was from my handbag…it was disintegrating. Why I didn’t notice it when I packed it is beyond me. However, it was just falling apart so we made a quick stop at Target in Westfield and I bought a new bag, transferring things in the car. The new bag has lots of pockets and zippers and compartments. Much better than the one I discarded and better than the several I have at home!

Donna and me at the airport..with the new bag!

 

We (Dave, Donna and I) then made a breakfast stop at Bob Evans. Of course, there were issues with servers. Everyone thought someone else had that table. After two requests for someone to take our order, the manager came and apologized, then comp’ed our meal. That was not the intent…we only wanted service but she insisted.  So it was a great breakfast at a great price!!  We spent a few minutes together at the airport shopping, and then our farewells and I made the trip through security. One agent leaned into me and I thought she was going to ask to do a ‘pat down’. No…she commented…”I see you must love purple. I can tell by your purple clothes, your purple coat, your purple bags and even your purple laptop.” First time purple has ever got me through security!!

I had weighed my big bag about ten times and kept taking out one more thing. However, both checked bags made it through the weigh-in without a problem. I thought I had to pay for the second bag but no charge was made. We’ll see if I have to pay to claim it in Dublin. 
We saw what appeared to be Buddhist monks from Nepal, European Roman Catholic nuns and some Old Order Brethren going through security when I did. None of them were on my flight; however, I did get the redneck with the big belt buckle that said Sheriff Dept. He and his wife were sitting in row 18 as was I. When I leaned in to drop my purse in the seat, they put their things in the overhead above my seat and then said to me, “we are in row 18” expecting me to get out of their way!  Their seats were across the aisle, not the seat where I had placed my things, and of course, there was not room for my bag so I trekked back up to row 15 to stow my stuff. When we landed in Chicago, this couple bounded out of their seats even though row 18 is the very last row. They seemed to be in a real hurry. But when I got to the moving walkway on my way to the international terminal, there they were! Standing in the center of the walkway blocking anyone who might want to get around them.  I lost them somewhere.  You know, if you’re going to travel, you might consider some travel etiquette.

Chicago ORD is big! I walked the length of Terminal C, then towards Terminal B, up the escalator, across the street in the covered walkway, down the escalator, to the train and then rode past Terminals 2 and 3 and got off at Terminal 5. It was back up the escalator and through security. I overheard someone ask about food so I did too. No food available past security so I did a turnaround and went to the food court for a veggie falafel.  Back through security and down to gate 5. I think this may be a new terminal. I’m at my gate with almost 3 hours to kill and no wi-fi and the battery dead on my cell. I packed the cord to it in the checked baggage so I’m pretty much here reading…

All of this and I’m not even out of Chicago…..

The trip from Chicago to Dublin was uneventful. The two seats next to me were not occupied so I was able to have some wiggle room! We arrived thirty minutes early. I realized that I had not asked if I should wait at Arrivals or go to the Car Park. I decided to wait and to not be concerned until thirty minutes past our scheduled arrival. I was right. Richie was there at 9 for the 8:35 arrival time….thinking it would take that long for Passport Control, Baggage Pickup and Customs. So with a body that thought it was 3 am, we set off. It was drizzling rain and about 60. We made a quick stop about halfway for a caramel latte and arrived at Murlough House before 11. Richard met us at the door with a pot of tea and a wry comment of “welcome to the land of mediocre weather and continual damp”. Bebe was waiting inside the door with a big hug!!  I was introduced all around to Sarah and Deidre and Alan and John. Jenn was also in but I met her, Richie and Richard last year.  Martin Goldsmith, an evangelist from England, is here for a week. Bebe said the devotions this morning from a verse in Habakkuk were wonderful!

Bebe showed me to our room and then we got a cup of coffee and just visited a bit. She told me what she has been doing the last two weeks and gave me an overview of what’s happening this week. She showed me which bathroom we will use, reminded me of where the laundry room is, took me through the library (in the basement), the craft room and the larder (pantry). She got a quick lunch from the ‘left over’ refrigerator and joined Alan for ministry in Belfast. Deidre prepared lunch and those of us at the house ate together.  Jenn and I did the dishes and then I unpacked.
It was still drizzling rain but I took off for a short walk through the woods to the boardwalk and to the sea.  The natural thing to do when I returned was to take a nap….to let the body catch up with the clock!

The little nap was four hours....I feel refreshed but awoke at 8 pm for toast and tea and now a bit of bloggin'.  My pictures from the walk and the sea are not cooperating in the loading up just now so I'll add those another day. It is wonderful!!

28 hours to Dublin

Yes, it is coming soon! If I've counted correctly and adjusted for a 6 hour time change, I shall be in Ireland in just 28 hours! The last few days have been full and I will be started this journey somewhat tired but I will get to sleep on the 8 hour flight, right??

It's not easy to know just what to pack for several weeks. This is the coldest climate I've packed for. Previous extended trips were to Kenya, Belize and China....all warm to hot. N. Ireland will be cool and damp even cold and wet. That means layers and layers....and coats and sweaters.

I'm looking forward to rekindling friendships with the staff at Murlough House...I met several last year and I understand there are new folks too. I'm looking forward to seeing the kids at Crosspoint. I'm looking forward to seeing the countryside. I'm looking forward to finding Quakers in NI. I'm looking forward to helping expand the Senior Ministry. I'm looking forward to driving on the left side of the road. I'm looking forward to another Halloween parade complete with fireworks! I'm looking forward to a bit of sight-seeing. I'm looking forward to working with Richie and Deirdre and Jenn and Alan and Richard and Bebe and all who are in and around Dundrum. And mostly, I'm looking forward to what God has in store for me in this another beautiful place of his creation.

Everything is packed and by the door. The alarm is set. The ride to the airport is arranged. Farewells have been said. I've been prayed over. Woo hoo....28 hours and I'm there!!