Oh America, You're Calling...

We will never EVER forget Ireland and it's people.  We will forever hold a special place in our hearts for Ireland.  How could we not?  I am confident that leaving here will be very emotional.  But, it's time, yes it's time to go home.  1 more week to go.

Announcement and Enlightenment

 Recently we have had a visitor (the boy our oldest is courting) come stay with us as well as began the school year and spent much time on the phone with doctors and such discussing my father's current health status (which isn't too good)  We have been so busy there hasn't been a lot of extra time for blogging. 

I guess it is time to announce that our family will be moving back to America within the next few weeks.  (for those of you who don't know) My father is very ill and my husband's work assignment is being passed on to the next person for training.  We only committed to one year and we are now passed that time so it's time to go home.  I plan to continue blogging.  I still have not posted all that we have seen and done in Ireland.  In addition, we will be moving back to our home state of New Mexico and there will be plenty to blog about.  This blog is titled Family Journeys and our journeys will continue whether in Europe or not.  I hope that my followers will continue to look for our family posts as we go about our lives in homeschooling, traveling, gardening and regular everyday events. 

I never thought I would actually live in Europe one day.  Our oldest has said for the last several years that she would like to go somewhere in Europe before she graduates high school.  Consistently I would tell her to pray about it.  God knows how to get her there if she is to go.  I have to admit I was a bit nervous telling her that.  I knew God would take care of her but I didn't like the idea of her alone in Europe.  There were many times after telling her to pray that I would share my concerns with God.  So God answered us with a "Yes", and sent not only our daughter but the whole family, as well.  Life in Ireland has been more than an adventure.  It has taught us to fully wholeheartedly trust in the Lord in all circumstances.  It has taught us to appreciate our family and friends as well as the little stuff like our home, cars, Wal-mart (yes I said "Wal-mart").  Before coming here I would, quite often, complain about Wal-mart; about it's long lines, grumpy cashiers or lack of, and busyness. After living here I have a new appreciation for stores like Wal-mart.  It has reminded myself and my husband as well has taught our children to appreciate being home for the holidays.  But, more importantly I have learned to appreciate the other side of the world and it's people.  Being here has given our whole family a sense of just how small the world really is.  It has opened our eyes to see the beauty of God's creation including the diversity of all the people he has made.  It has put a new compassion in our hearts for human life.

Here is a song that I have sang along with in my car and in my home hoping that God would open my eyes up.  I can truly say He has definitely opened our eyes up.  Now the question is, what will He do with this new enlightenment in our lives?

In the Mail

About a month or so ago we had a wonderful friend of ours send little Tater-Tot a hand-made kitty.  It was such a tremendous blessing.  When you are overseas it is always exciting to get something in the mail.  In fact we have another friend who was sending Tater-Tot stickers in the mail.  They do have stickers here but they can be quite expensive.   

Here is Tater-Tot with her exciting new package.

As you can see the excitement was growing here.

Listening to the card being read.

And here it is; what she's been waiting to see!

The first thing she did was name the kitty Buster and tried to feed him a banana.

Trip to Colorado

This last summer while in New Mexico our oldest graduated from high school.  Several weeks after the graduation she went to Summit Ministries for a college preparatory course as well as to earn a credit in philosophy.  We are well pleased with the outcome of the course.  It gave her the opportunity to study the different beliefs of the world as well as understand why she believes what she believes.  

I had trouble finding the direct YouTube link to play on this page.  Instead I am pasting the link on here for you to click on.  This particular video is of the actual session our daughter attended. Summit Video


 Here are some of the photos we took during that trip.
Below is Wagon Mound, New Mexico, Population 306.

 

 We stopped off in Raton, New Mexico.  Being in Europe for a year gave me new insight to the American flag and it's importance.  In fact while being here in Europe I took pictures of the flags of each place we had been.  They have so much meaning and significance. 

 Along the roadside.

  

Sunshine showing us where she sat in her classroom.

 

Sunshine with her brother Babby eating on the back porch with some of the other kids that attended the program.

This was taken on our drive back from Colorado just weeks before our return to Ireland.