Well, where to begin? God was truly kind to us as this past Sunday we hosted a bbq for some of our neighbors to spend some time together before one of the families moves to another part of Dublin later this week. Including children there were 25 crammed into our home and back garden (yard) Sunday afternoon! Following our time with the Balbriggan church (Aisling went with us to be with the church again as well which was great) we motored home to make final preparations for the bbq. Much of Saturday afternoon was spent in preparation as well as Andrea slaved away making pasta and potato salads, and desserts seeing that not much time would be available Sunday afternoon. The chairs were set up in the back garden, the corn hole ready for action, fizzy drinks (pop) on the table, bbq ready, food nearly timed, now we just needed some neighbors.

The bbq was scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. The first guests arrived around 3:45 p.m. which to us was a surprise that it was so soon after the scheduled time. Most Irish guests from what we've experienced arrive much later than the scheduled start time so we were prepared to not really see anyone until either 30-45 minutes or even up to an hour after the scheduled starting time. After some other neighbors arrived one of the ladies mentioned, "We were trying to arrive on American time (which is seen as prompt, arriving early or on the time when the event is scheduled), but we just couldn't make it". We all had a good laugh.

After several had arrived we demonstrated how to play corn hole, which we had thanks to a good friend form Kentucky who made and sent us one. (Cornhole or Corn Toss is similar to horseshoes except you use wooden boxes called cornhole platforms and corn bags instead of horseshoes and metal stakes. Contestants take turns pitching their corn bags at the cornhole platform until a contestant reaches the score of 21 points. A corn bag in the hole scores 3 points, while one on the platform scores 1 point). They absolutely loved it and played it deep into the evening! One fella said in jest but showing his love for this new discovered game, "This should be an Olympic sport and we should get a northside Dublin league going". Oh and I wish you could've heard the slagging (making fun of someone, usually good-natured). The Irish are impressive slaggers and it's a sight to see and hear. It's truly an art I believe. The last family left around 9 p.m. and the entire afternoon and evening was an incredible time of laughs, smiles, and sharing life together as friends. As the Irish say, 'it was great craic' (great fun).

As each left they commented over and over again how grateful they were for this act of kindness. Even a few days after as we have seen them on the road they are still making comment as to how fun the afternoon was and how grateful they are. It was a thrill for us to host it! Our desire is that our time together with our neighbors around the bbq will continue to bring opportunities to show, shine, and share the hope that Jesus has brought to our lives.

BACK TO SCHOOL.

I thought I would make quick mention that today Grant and Luke began their second year of school in Ireland. They woke up excited and eager to go, which was an answer to prayer. Days previous they were both a bit nervous, reluctant, and fearful of going back. God intervened, and we are thankful. I confess that I always get a bit emotional on the first day of school, especially here, as things are still fairly new and different for our kids living in a new environment, but God has and is truly using our kids to make Him known and growing them as a result, and for that I am grateful.

Thanks for stopping by.