Thanksgiving 2014

Living in the UK Thanksgiving is a day that could easily just pass by without much recognition. It is not a day that is celebrated in the British calendar. 

We did enjoy having friends around in the evening to make the occasion.  Some of our guests had never celebrated Thanksgiving before which was extra fun. 

Ireland 2014

At the beginning of November Aaron and I both had the opportunity to attend the ELM (European Leaders Meetings) for the company we work for.  We enjoyed being part of the meetings and felt that during our time there we could see how God was working in the various situations that we had been praying about, and asking many of you to pray about. 

On one of the days the weather was even nice enough for Aaron and i to take a walk and see some of the city that we were staying in (Athlone)

On the first day when I flew into Dublin, a wonderful friend who i haven't been able to see for way too long picked me up for a coffee before i headed to the meetings....

oh... I almost forgot.... The oldest pub in Europe is also in Ireland and in the very city we were staying in.  The weather was damp and this was in the evening so the picture isn't great but this is Sean's Bar!

Turning 40!!

This Summer/Fall Aaron and I both Turned 40.  Aaron in August and I in September.  We had thought it would be fun to throw a party and invite our friends to help us celebrate this milestone.  We were so excited with the turn out we had.  It was a real blessing to see how many of our friends and family wanted to celebrate this special day with us, although in saying that we know there were many who wanted to but because of distance were not able to join us.  in saying that.... 

My Dad and Carolyn flew over just for the weekend to help celebrate with us!!!

So, if you have a daughter turning 40 anytime soon, let me tell you from experience.  Flying over to where she lives as a surprise for the weekend will make her feel very special and very loved!!

Some friends enjoying the party

These amazing girls served drinks and food all night long!!!  They did such a great job and are still owed a huge thank you!!  (Eden is in the red dress!)

hmmmm... two big cakes and two chocolate fountains!!

What amazing friends we have to have helped us prepare such great food!

more great food!

another view of friends enjoying the party.


We were so pleased to see that so many of our friends from different area's of our lives were able to come together and enjoy the evening with us.

THANK YOU to all of you who helped make our birthdays so special. 

A visit to Athens

At the end of October I had the opportunity to attend meetings in Athens.  The meetings (as expected) were fun and productive.  On one afternoon we had the opportunity to go into Athens (we were staying in a little village just outside of the city). 

As we walked around the city as a group of tourists i was saddened by many of the things i saw.  The economic crash a few years ago in Greece has caused great heartache in the city and probably through most of Greece.  You could easily see where once there had been thriving business' now stood vacant run down buildings.

It was an interesting experience for me to stand on Mars Hill and look over the city.  This is a place where in Biblical history we know Paul stood and made note that they worshiped anything and everyone even to the point of have a plaque to an unknown God.  As i stood at the top of Mars Hill looking over the city I was saddened to realise that in this place there are still so many who don't turn to the one and true God. 

A Panoramic view from Mars Hill looking over the city of Athens. 

Amongst the amazing beauty of the historic city are the lost and forgotten buildings. 

Kids and phones......

So... I left my phone unattended! Probably a mistake but also worth it as this is what the kids who got into it decided to do!!!

Transform 2014

Transform 2014

Rome, Italy July 21-26 2014

One of the main projects Eileen works on throughout the year is the Transform conference in Rome.  This year was exceptionally tricky with various team dynamics along with a new baby in February and trying to work while also trying to be on maternity leave.  All in all in seems to have ended well. 

Through the week we were about 225 people at the conference centre.  Many of those attending the conference as participants headed out to work with people in the various nations of the Mediterranean, there were even some who went to non-mediterranean nations to work with these people who had moved from their home countries and were now living in Western or Eastern Europe.

We will send through some of the stories we hear of those who went out in the coming months. 

A real blessing for me, allowing me to actually work while i was at the conference was my mother.  My mom came over and stayed with our family for 5 months ending with the conference in Rome where she tirelessly looked after Jeremiah so i could be available 100% to do my job!  

THANK YOU GRANDMA!!

Grandma & Jeremiah at the Vatican

Registration day! 

Grandma & Jeremiah keeping up with the program!

Updated photo... again....

My word... we seem to always need a new family photo... these kids grow like weeds!!
Caleb is now 15 which amazes me, how can i possibly be old enough to have a 15 year old child!!
Eden is 13, Nathan is 11, Zachariah is 2 and Jeremiah is 4 months... I will leave it to your imaginations to guess how old Aaron and i are!!