Killarney

I can't remember if Mike told you we have moved to Killarney, it is only about 35 minutes from Kenmare, where we were last week. This is why we were able to travel back to the same church again this week. During the service this past Sunday a little boy about nine, came up to tell us his testimony. He said his family got together every night to talk, sing and pray and he had always thought the important thing was all about going to heaven, so he always prayed God would let him go to heaven. Then, he said he realized it was more than that, he needed to be serving God now. Mike and I have tried to remember his exact words, it was eye opening and very exciting coming from this small child.
By the way, this is also the little boy who came up to Mike after church and told him, he sounded like those guys on the western shows on TV! We look forward to this week and our continued visits with our new friends. Love to all , Lisa

Finally...Fellowship

Yesterday, we enjoyed a marvelous day highlighted by an assembly of worship with the church in Kenmare. They were gracious enough to ask me to speak about Englewood. Although they kept thanking me for the words of encouragement to them, we were the ones most encouraged. We take for granted the opportunity for real conversation; we operate on the edge of fear something will be said which is controversial, or someone will get angry, but some of these folks would give anything to be in such a "risky" position. They are only now approaching the wall which separates polite and comfortable worship with a tepid commitment to mission from the radical white-hot faith which calls for unswerving trust in God through a willingness to be bound to one another. I think of the times at Englewood when we have made exploratory excursions into the land of the latter only to retreat back into the security of the former. I have had three weeks now to think about, read about and pray about the reasons why a land filled with monastic communities once upon a time, now suffers through a culture seemingly void of life in the Spirit. All that remains are the literal ruins of these communities and a nostalgic remembrance of nominal faith. I have not figured out all that went wrong, but I have list started. I am convinced that the real issue is how a community sees itself and how folks will be bound together by God's Spirit as each member lives out love for the other and keeps faith with this identity. Rules and the exercise of authority while appearing neccesary must always be seen as a poor substitute for love and mutual submission. Also, it seems a community either gets off the track or bogs down when it begins to bear the burden of those who want only the benefits of community without the responsibility of sacrificial love. Ancient monastic communities suffered the weight of those who had romanticised dreams of a "special vocation". I think it is time we make clear that intentional and integrated expressions of community is what God desires for all peoples not just for a band of religious heroes. The trick seems to be how we establish neccesary temporary borders (be a holy people) that are permeable (invites others in). Although I am grateful for and have tremendous respect for our many friends in intentional Christian communities, it is important we take seriously their sincere words of humility concerning their pursuit of God's kingdom in Christ. When they say they haven't "arrived", we ought to believe them, even if they are far ahead of us (or at least in a differant place than us).

My First International Speaking Gig

From a simple visit to a small Methodist Church has come one of the best experiences of all our travels in Ireland. We found folks serious about the Gospel and the Church. We have become good friends with one of the couples from the church in Kenmare. First, our friend Tom stopped by our house for a chat and an invitation to join he and his wife (Christine) for dinner...we left their house at 12:30am. A couple days later they stopped by again for a couple hours and an invitation to speak tomorrow at the church. We have plans to meet together a couple more times in the next two weeks. They are hungry for fellowship...real conversation concerning radical discipleship and intentional Christian community. They certainly have helped fill the void we have experienced being away from Englewood. We are already thinking of books to send them. More later after church.

Kenmare, County Kerry

We are having a wonderful time, Kenmare is absolutely beautiful, and right on a bay leading to the Atlantic. We have been so lucky with our rental houses, this one as with the others is very nice.

Mike had a great birthday, we did go out to sea to the island of Skellig Michael, which many of you know was his big wish for his birthday. It was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky, about 72, and we left in a small fishing boat. It took 2 hours to get to the rock island, but the water had become so ruff, the boat was unable to dock. It was a real disappointment, but by that time I was sick and upchucking off the side. Mike did get some good pictures, but we did get to see the beehive homes on top and the 2000 or so rock step carved into the island, I don't know how people could have inhabited it, even in the 5th century. We can say we've been to Michael Skellig, but not on it. I'll definitely remember sea sick pills the next time. I was almost glad when other people began to get sick, and not just me. On the way back, to make it worse, the ocean continued to get ruffer and the guy driving the boat was trying to get back quickly, so the spray completely soaked everything we had on and we had to endure a two hour trip back to shore with water spraying in our face and me throwing up, only to ride home in the car for an hour soaking wet. But, the funny thing is, we would probably do it again, and count it as a great day. Mike did have a great birthday, and we know Simeon, Frodo, Grandma Nancy and Austin did too. Enjoy the pictures. We love all of you. Congrats to the 2 new Englewood babies.

Resting In Achill

We've had a great couple of days, the weather has been wonderful. I wish I could show you pictures, but the internet access here is limited. We are staying on Achill until Saturday and then we will be heading South to the Ring of Kerry, a town called Kenmare. The Ring of Kerry is supposed to be one of the most beautiful places in Ireland and another place we have not been. We miss all of you, for those of you who do not live in Indy, we are having a new granddaughter, thanks to Jake and Kendra! Also, Josh and Amanda have a new foster son, who we are looking forward to meeting. Love to all.

Achill Island

We've moved a little south to Achill Island. It is pretty remote with beautiful landscape and the ocean all around us. Our house is right on the bay. It is pretty today, sunny but cool, probably in the high 50's.

Sounds like the day of caring went well at the daycare, I hear I can see it on WTHR's web. I hated to hear it rained. Geri said the kids are all ready enjoying the new homeliving in the 2's.

We are hoping to accomplish the hike up the mountain of Croaig Patrick, it is a place of pilgrimage for many people every year. Most do it barefoot. I'll be lucky to do it. I am trying to save my knees for Michael Skellig in Kerry. It was an island community of monks in the 6th century.

Hope all is well, we truly missed our family at Englewood on Sunday. We're resting, Mike is writing. Belated happy birthday to Sophia and Nanziwe.

You know you're in Ireland when...

We've continued to have rain, which is to be expected in Ireland, but it hasn't caused us to slow down. Yesterday, we went to Slieve League, the highest seaside cliffs in Europe. They truly were spectacular even in the dampness. We reallly were in the clouds. Getting to them was a journey all its own, if you know anything about our fear of high places. The roads went right up to the edge of the cliff, and if you met another car, someone had to back out of the way, because most areas were not wide enough for two cars. This was good practice for my climbing before we get to Skellig Michael, in Kerry. I was able to climb to the top without any pain out of my knee, I was just alot slower than Mike.

Today, we are taking it easy, reading, writing and yes, more crocheting. I'll be able to wrap the church in yarn! Our dinner is here, better eat!

September 9 HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMA!

It's been a rainy day in Ireland, but a good one. We visited County Sligo, walked through Sligo town and did a little shopping. We stopped in at the parish church of poet WB Yeats at Drumcliffe, the cross on the blog was taken there last April when we visited with our friends, Bob and Edna. Yes, Edna we are in the same house. We miss you guys being with us on our journeys. We are at the Bridge Bar now. While in Sligo we visited Glencar Lake and Waterfalls.

The biggest reason for this writing is to wish Emma a very happy birthday. Hope you had a great day and we would have loved to have shared it with you. We love you very much.

After a morning of writing and crocheting...

We had a wonderful day yesterday, we visited the Donegal Methodist church. There were 39 in attendance, which is the largest body of believers we have ever witnessed in Ireland. After church we went to Rossonowlagh beach. We had a picnic in the sand and watched the the swimmers and surfers. We've done alot of walking everyday. Our house is just a block off the ocean and there is a beautiful cliff walk all around it. My knee has not hurt at all, just all my out of shape muscles.

This afternoon, we went to Mullaghmore, our very favorite place in Ireland, the grass is so thick, you really do feel like you're walking on a mattress. We took our lunch and read on a grassy knoll overlooking the Atlantic. Sounds like a dream, doesn't it?

Happy Birthday to Emma tomorrow, don't forget you have a present upstairs at our house. Joe, there may be some Golden Grahams in the cabinet. We love you all.

first day in Bundoran

We spent a beautiful day in Bundoran, after a rainy, cold drive all day yesterday. Please let Sophia know I have my picture she colored out for the frig. Here are some pictures for you to enjoy of Bundoran.

Ireland Bound

Tomorrow, we are beginning our journey. We leave Indianapolis at 10:45 am and will eventually arrivc in Dublin at approximately 3:30 am on Friday morning. Although, in Dublin it will be 9:30 am, as there is a 6 hour time difference.

We will pick up our car in the Dublin airport and head to the northwest coast of Ireland. We will spend our first 8 days in an atlantic coastal town called Bunduran. We spent a week here in April, 2007, and it is a great home base to see the beautiful northwest of Ireland. (Our favorite area) There is a good chance we will be in the same house, as we have rented from the same company as last time.

As we have internet access, we will leave updates and well wishes, especially to our grandchildren, and lots of pictures. We love you all.