Hurricane and More!

Recent update:

Biggest news is that we survived a hurricane!  In my ignorance, I didn't know Ireland even got hurricanes.  But they do.  The worst storm (in Ireland) in the past 15 years happened this past week.  Many of us were without electricity, to say the least.  Roads were littered with trees and limbs.  One limb, in particular, caused us to be in a car accident.  Wolf slowed down/stopped when we suddenly realized a limb was in the road.  While waiting for oncoming traffic to pass so we could drive around it, a car came slamming into us from behind.  All of us were in the van at the time, but none of us were severely hurt- just minor aches and pains.  Then, two days later, I was driving to a friend's house, and not seeing the downed power line, I drove right into it.  It hit our windshield, and thankfully, just flew up over our car.  Thanks to the Lord, we survived it all!  The only result of the storm that 'home folks' might see is when Wolf arrives at Cedar Crest Wednesday with a rather 'shaggy' look.  Never procrastinate with haircuts- you never know when the power/water may go off.

 

Camp life has been interesting.  A while back, a reality show producer contacted our little camp here.  They came for a visit and wanted to know if we'd be willing to be part of their reality show.  The series would involve a spoiled, rich girl from England who would be sent to different environments to see how she would fare.  They wanted to send her to a Mennonite wilderness camp along with visits to an Eskimo village, a Buddhist Temple, and who knows what else?!   We decided not to accept the offer. 

Life is never dull in Ireland!

                                           My camera didn't take good pictures, but here are some results of the storm.  

Truffle Making Day

Naomi Byler got her SS class together, at our house,  to make a surprise treat for church members.  So yesterday,  6 girls had fun making truffles!

There were 3 kinds of truffles- dark chocolate, peanut butter, and coffee- yum!

Naomi with Violeta and Victoria

Anna is putting each truffle in its own special cup.

Don't they look great?

Then they made cards and put them in individual  bags.  The next day they were secretly put into the church members' mailboxes.  It was a fun day!


Naomi explained to me how she made the truffles.  First, she put chocolate bars in a bowl, or you can use chocolate chips.  Along with the chocolate, you could add peanut butter or instant coffee granules, or whatever you like.  Then pour whipping cream over that until covered.   Melt this concoction.  Then chill it.  Once chilled, scoop it into tiny balls, then roll into outside coating.  She had 3 coatings to match her 3 different bowls of chocolate- cocoa powder,instant coffee, and peanut bits.  I tried the peanut coated truffle and it completely melted in my mouth!  So scrumptious!!  Somehow, out of nowhere though, my boys appeared and devoured all the extra ones.  I never saw them come or leave.  Amazing how precisely accurate their timing can be when it comes to food!

An Chistin

..the Kitchen.

Us

It is so hard to get a family picture, so when the last work group was at our house, we asked them if they'd be willing to get our photo.  And here is the result!  Not too bad for a spontaneous shot.

Recent Work Groups

Here's one of the work groups that sacrificed their time, energy, and money to come help Comeragh Wilderness Camp out.

Here's the last work group that came to help out camp.  They're singing at the Chehorta.

Some of the guys 'hung out' with us in the evenings and played games.

These were the wonderful group of guys that stayed with us.  They were from Lancaster, PA, the Weaverland Conference.  I think they were with us for about 1 1/2 weeks.
Randall Wenger
Kristopher Stauffer
Josh Martin
Jerome Martin
Nate Martin
Ray Sensenig

I love my family!

Yesterday was a wonderful, glorious day!  I spent the whole day…talking, laughing, and simply enjoying my family.  We were together the whole day- no outside obligations, just us.  It was splendid! Do you know what I'm talking about?

This might seem like a boring post, so you're forewarned, but that's ok, here goes anyway…

The 6 workgroup men currently living with us had to get an early start to their 'touring Ireland' day.  So,  at 6 am (on a Saturday) Wolf and I awoke to prepare them breakfast.  Getting up at 6am on a Saturday wasn't exactly the 'glorious' part, but it had its place in setting the day in motion.

Once the guys were on their way, I had a luxurious quiet morning ahead of me and decided to quickly write a blog.  Lately I've been creating picture posts with captions, but nothing more extensive.  Once the children are up, I can barely concentrate on writing.  So, this was my chance.  My blog "Mission Accomplished!" was the result. :)

Before I finished, the children woke up and eventually came in the living room where I was.  Next thing I know, Anna is wondering if she can make me a coffee.  That sounded wonderful!  And it tasted even better!!  At that point, I was starting to feel very happy and very loved.  I was finishing a satisfying blog, surrounded by my children (who were each reading quietly), sipping a perfectly made cup of coffee, in a warm room, with rain gently falling outside.   It was lovely!

Once I was done writing, my children and I had an enjoyable talk.  I shared many childhood memories with them, and my schooling experiences in particular.  They always like those!  I also discussed our future (return to KS) plans with them.  One of our goals is to fix up our KS property, and get it in better shape.  Then Wolf has dreams of writing and publishing books.  We'd also like to work on our Nova Scotia property this fall.  It's basically forestland with a nice lake in the middle.  Clearing trails would be the first step.

We talked for a long time on these matters and it felt good!  It felt good partly because my children were all around me and I 'loved' that, and also because it felt good to have a dream for the future.  After we lost Seth, dreaming became very hard.  The future even seemed pointless.  We knew we had to survive for the sake of our other children, but to survive and thrive seemed too exhausting.  So, discussing future ideas with the children felt almost good.  Almost healing.  Almost.

Next thing I know, Wolf (who was sleeping due to extreme jet lag) walks in the room and joins us.  Then we talk a whole bunch more about….everything and nothing at the same time.  I loved it.  We were altogether.  Ezra was there, too.  It was lightly raining outside all morning, but it didn't matter, we were warm and cozy inside, thoroughly enjoying eachother's company.  I remember wondering at one point if heaven will be a 'touch' like this.

We scraped together a few leftovers and had lunch.  Simple.

Then, Wolf mentioned it might be good if I give Ma (his mom) a call.  I said I would really like to, and that it had been on my mind to do that very thing earlier in the day.  It was just that 'sense' that I needed to see how she was doing.  As soon as I asked her how she was doing, she immediately said, "Not good."  I was very concerned since that is not like her to complain.  For privacy I won't go into details, but I felt the Lord put her on our hearts and minds that very day and I soon learned why.  The issue was something that we could help out with, and she felt better, and so did we.  I loved how the Lord had clearly put her on our hearts. Thank you Lord!!  Thank you for your guiding Spirit and for wisdom.

Then supper.  Forgot what we had, but remember we had more great conversations.  I'm just so glad we enjoy eachother.

What a happy day!

Mission Accomplished! Praise the Lord!

An update on life in Ireland:

We have now been in Ireland for 4 1/2 months.  So much has happened in that short time!  I was talking with Dolores Wagler, my good friend in the States, and told her that I've gotten used to driving on the opposite side of the road and in the opposite side of the car.  Now....I might be more dangerous driving in the States!  We both laughed!

Honestly, the 'mountain' of driving quickly became a 'molehill.'  I rather enjoy the challenge.  The fear of the unknown was the hardest thing to conquer, as it usually is.

Truly, the hardest part of being here was trying (with the Lord's help) to get the authorities to let us open Comeragh Wilderness Camp, a camp to help troubled boys.  Wolf put tremendous time and effort into it.   Other men helped, too, to be sure.  And of course, the Lord!  

I must say, though, that I love, love, love my husband!  The more the years go by, the more I realize what an awesome man he is!  Let me begin by saying, my dad was also an incredibly wonderful man.  Really great and loving and hardworking....and I knew that if I got married, I wanted to marry a man just like him.  Well, then Wolf came on the scene, and I knew I found the right one.  Anna has a blog post with a Jim Elliot quote, "Wherever you are, be all there."  I kind of chuckle when I read that because if anyone knows my husband, then they may think that quote is describing him.  He gives each thing he does 100+ !!  I wasn't actually planning on making this a Wolf post, but looks like it's heading that way. 

I think it's worthwhile to take a moment to honor him for the sacrifices he's made these last several months and for his life of integrity, in general.

First off, when Wolf is at work, he puts his heart into it.  He likes and appreciates his staff, and from what I can see, they feel the same.  And if another doctor needs 'time off,' he is often willing to pitch in.  He doesn't view his work just as a job, but a calling.  I've really admired that!  That may be why he has several job offers in the mail every week wanting him to come work for them.

The same goes for family....when he's home, he's really home!  He completely loves his children and they love and respect him.  Now life isn't always perfect, and some days aren't quite stellar, but overall, it is like this.  He spends hours talking with us in the evenings about anything that is on our minds, or even things that aren't.  Situational ethics and honoring God is often the focal point.  He also plays games with them- especially Scrabble and Catan.  And boy, I'm glad he does, because when the evening comes, I'm too tired to do much of anything!

And lastly (or the last thing I want to say about him), we came to Ireland because he felt responsible to help the camp stay on its feet.  He is on the board, and they needed someone, so we thought it would be a sacrifice in various ways, but one he/we were willing to make.  The sacrifice was much bigger than I expected.  Half days turned into full days and he was under tremendous pressure to be everything to everyone and to do it perfectly.  Plus, he needed to deal with jet lag, though he did do great with that!  But, as usual, he gave this work 100%, and we are proud of him!

(As an aside:  Honestly, if anyone is EVER thinking of doing a missions trip- you need to be absolutely sure of the Lord's calling in that direction, or 'your boat won't float.'  Thankfully, we definitely did feel the Lord's leading and that gave us the needed strength).

But, at last, our mission is accomplished!!  Approval for the boy's return has been granted.  Although we are hosting 6 men (work group) from the States for 1 1/2 weeks, we are trying to wind down our activities, and focus more on family time now.  We feel this is pleasing to the Lord at this time.  

There will be a board meeting in Ireland at the end of February.  They will discuss all those details needed to keep the camp on its feet. 

But, we are leaving the rest in the Lord's hands...and saying, For now, For always.....to God be the Glory!