Photo Challenge: day 3

Rejoicing in this amazing day that God has made!

"This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."

~Psalm 118:24

(Photo taken at 5:07 pm)

My flowers

Sadly, I have a very UN-green thumb. It seems that every house plant I've had has died under my over-attentive care. It's such a bummer. So, that is why I am posting these pictures of my hanging plants outside my front door. They are so pretty and thriving right now and I am just not sure how long this is going to last. 

So, there! Some evidence that not all plants hate me! And see that little green bush at the corner of our step? That is a tomato plant that has had its stem broken in two places but still hasn't died! I think it was given by God to encourage me! It even has little yellow blossoms on it! Miracle DO happen!!

Camping trip

We are enjoying a little Easter break this week and next and so decided to try some camping! We headed out to the northern most tip of Ireland, a little town called Ballycastle. It was so beautiful that I think David probably got tired of me constantly telling him that it was. I just couldn't get over the gorgeous scenery all around me though! I took two video shots to give you a bit of an idea so you know what I am talking about. 

Here is our cozy campsite! 

One of my favorite parts of camping is how food seems to taste SOOOoooo good! David even brought his French press coffee maker...no sacrifices in that department! At the time of this picture, it was storming like crazy outside and raining cats and dogs. It just made it all the more exciting!

At the top of this picture, you can see an island in the distance...that is actually Scotland! It seemed so close. Someday David says he will take me there.  The first video is a shot from the top of this hill (it was very windy so the sound is pretty bad!).

Isn't God's creation spectacular?! Wow!

The birdies in the treetops!

Here is a little video that I took on my walk up our hill. I was listening to the birds singing and thought that you might like to hear them too! (Please don't pay any attention to my huffing and puffing as I try to climb the hill! I'm such a wimp!)

It made me think of this song that my mom used to sing to us when we were little...

The birdies in the treetops sing their song.

The angels in their chorus all day long.

The flowers in their garden, blend their hues,

So why shouldn't I, why shouldn't you,

Praise Him too?

Signs of Spring!

I feel a little bad posting these green pictures of Spring when I know that there are drifts of snow and ice back home in Minnesota! But they are just too fun not to post! Maybe this will give all you Minnesotans a little hope of what's to come...and it will come. Don't despair!

I am dedicating this post to my dear mother, who asked me to go out and take some pictures of the flowers. So here they are Mom!

My mother-in-law's flower garden

"Snow drops"...these grow wild everywhere!

Crocus, also growing wild (behind the chicken coup)

Daffodils!..

...nodding their pretty yellow heads in tune to the fresh breeze. 

I love Spring!

Climbing Muckish

David had a whole week of holiday from teaching at the end of October, so we made the most of it and went mountain climbing on Muckish! We took the "Miner's Path" and found it to be a wonderfully challenging adventure. It was a beautiful clear day too, so that made it even better! 

My fearless and handsome guide, who also carried the pack the whole way. What a man!

There is some fascinating history on this mountain. I guess back during World War II, this area was mined for the quartz sand, which they used to make binocular lenses.

See the sand! It is pure white and seems so out of place on the mountain.

Finally we reached the summit! Ahhhh....Look at that view!

So then we hunkered down in the rocks, away from the wind and cooked ourselves up some grub! Why is it that food tastes SO good when you first climb a mountain and then cook it over an open fire before eating it? Yum!

From the top of Muckish, we could see Errigal which is where David and I first climbed together on my first trip over to Ireland, one year and 4 months ago! Such beautiful memories!

Hiking in Ness Woods

I would like you to meet one of my new friends here in Ireland, Ramona. She also teaches violin and has the most wonderful personality. I so enjoying being with her and experiencing her joy for life! A few days after my birthday, she picked me up and we went for a lovely hike in Ness Woods, just outside of Derry. It was an enchanting walk through a stunning patch of Ireland!

She was trying to get her son, Xander, to look at me but he was far more interested in the stunning flora.

 

It was gorgeous!

Here is Xander, ignoring me again. I think he is really cute--like a model baby! 

It is hauntingly beautiful in there. All along the paths as you walk, you can hear water rushing, but you can't see it because the trees and plants grow so thick!

And it was...a very nice day! Thank you Ramona!

Summer Update: Holland!

After our week of VBS, it was time to say goodbye to my family and friends. It was a bitter-sweet time. I was so excited to be married and going to live in a new and beautiful country with my husband and yet, I was sad to have to leave behind so many that I love dearly. It is good to know that you are in Gods will though, over wise it would be unbearable! So we packed our bags and headed for our new home....

We had a short one-day stay over in Ireland before heading off once again. This time we went to Holland for two weeks. David was playing with the worship team for the big Operation Mobilization conference. There were many new missionary families and individuals there getting training before heading off into their field of service for the next two years or so. It was a very exciting atmosphere. Holland was beautiful!

David and I were recruited as mock airport personal during a training day. 

There were so many different cultures represented. I was fascinated by it all!

I spent most of my days working in the "creche" (nursery). Most of the kids spoke two or three languages. I was completely impressed and felt a little bad that I have barely mastered one. It was good fun though, trying to communicate with each other! 

We were able to do a bit of exploring and found some friendly cows.

Everyone in Holland rides bikes it seems so we just had to find some ourselves and try to look as "native" as possible. Only problem was, our bikes were ancient and make squeaky sounds as we went along. Oh well, it was still fun.

We biked to this little town and rested near a lovely canal. The sun was shining and there was a group of old men near us chattering away in Dutch. Then the bells went off and started playing a hymn!...I was charmed and completely amazed by the beauty of God's diverse creation. Gorgeous! 

Autumn splendor!

I love how all of creation reflects God's glory...it serves one purpose: to glorify God. Even in death, the leaves fall with such grace and beauty. Their colors shouting out praises to their Creator! What a lesson in joyful obedience we have lying right beneath our feet!

"Let the field be joyful, and all that is therein:

then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice." Psalm 96:12

"Out of the north comes golden splendor;

Around God is awesome majesty." Job 37:22