Today my beautiful bride Andrea and I celebrated 14 years of marriage! The day was great and made possible because of our dear friends Sarah and Lisa who came to mind the kids. The morning was spent enjoying breakfast out, followed by a good brisk walk by the Irish Sea, then lunch inside Clontarf Castle, a coffee at Starbucks, a bit of necessary shopping, then home to enjoy the rest of our evening with the kids. The day was great just connecting and reconnecting as husband and wife. It had been awhile since we were able to be out just the two of us. I thank God so much for Andrea. She is a marvelous wife, amazing mom to our four kids, and an incredible teammate and partner in life and ministry. I cannot imagine living this journey without her. God has truly blessed me with her by my side.

    It was so good to have a day to just be together, to just take a deep breath together. It was well needed for sure. Tomorrow though we jump back into appointments, study, and more, as I have another driving lesson, Andrea goes to SpecSavers to get adjusted for contacts, and I go hard in study and preparation for Sunday's teaching with the Jamestown Rd. church. Sometimes I find the most difficult aspect of speaking is narrowing down what passage/message to preach. It's easier in a way, at least I think it is, when you have a series and such, but the one or two-timers can be difficult to narrow down. They are for me at least.

    This past week has been a busy one with guests into our home as Sunday evening we were visited by Phil & Betty, our friends from Grace church who dropped by before they leave to enjoy a trip to be with relatives in Alaska. Monday evening Aisling dropped by for nearly three hours to catch up on life as we had not really seen her or spent time with her in a good 2-3 weeks. Again another opportunity came about to share with her the beauty and hope of a relationship with Jesus. From her comments it is clear she understands the Gospel for sure as she said, "I had never heard that Jesus was the only way to Heaven until you guys came and through my friend Jilly." God is truly at work in her life.
Last night our house was filled with nine cell mates who attended. It was great as a couple of them loaded up on leaflets that Answers in Genesis had graciously sent us. They also took a couple of The Hope dvds which share the hope of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation. Andrea made the comment that these students are hungry for good resources.  So true.

    The past few days I feel we've been able to spend some good time with our kids, and boy are they growing up. Little Kate has already changed so much in just the five weeks she's been with us. Aislinn is talking so much and conversing so well. Luke and Grant are becoming young men and good helpers around the house as well as with their younger sisters. There is much to be thankful for when it comes to our children, yet our hearts get heavy at times seeing that in many ways they could be very alone in this culture when it comes to seeking to make good, right, God-honoring choices. O may the prayers for our children increase as we beg God for their protection, holiness, and a hunger for Him and His truth discovered through His Word.

    Well, the journey continues tomorrow so I'm off to grab some sleep.

Congratulations! I did not know your anniversary was so close to ours! Brenda and I celebrated our 25th just the day before!! I am so glad that you guys had that special time with each other. God bless.