Today - MOnday
We went to Ashford Castle near the town of Cong. The castle was huge!!! It's a functioning hotel so we only got to see bits of it inside but the outside was amazing and such extensive grounds!!! just absolutley amazing views and gardens. Jordan and I went exploring with Celena and Chrystal and it was just a ball. there was all sorts of walks and sitting gardens that i could just picture elizabeth bennette walking down. or us all dressed up in hoop skirts and taking a stroll with our betroths! :) it was a bawl!! IT reminded me alot of the biltmore estate. although the actual building was more impressive at biltmore, the grounds were better at AShford. they had a falcony school that we got to see from a far. so we got to see all sorts of sights, the and the town of cong all where the john wayne movie "Quiet Man" was filmed. I'll have to go home and watch it now so i can say, i've been there and there!
Well the climate here is so damp and i've been chilled repeatedly and last night it got to me. i've been struggling with a bad cold today. but i was still able to enjoy the day. God is so faithful and my husband is so caring. He takes just incredible care of me.We've been hanging out with chrystal and celena (the twins) alot and we've really enjoyed them. the 2 both have incredible voices and they know ALL the disney songs and will sing them in unison and in harmony and ti's just a ball! we've been having a blast with them.
it's been such a challenge for me being with so many girls!! it hasn't been since college that i've been around so many girls!! it is quite humorous how foriegn their behavior is to me. But they are all sweet and still young. :)
I've been keeping a good journal so that i can be prepared the next time we come here and for tips for anyone esle coming over. there are so many unique things about this place. the houses and archetecture are just amazing. everything is either brick or concrete and they keep all buildings and homes quite chilly due to utilities cost. but they make up for it with keeping shoes on and lots of tea and coffee. the people here are incredibly sweet and so talkative! As pator PEter said, the Irish talk in a spiral/circle eventually getting to the point. So conversations are entertaining to say the least. everyone is so warm and welcoming and they say "lovely" and "brilliant" all the time. this trip has been quite different in comparison to any other missions trip i've been on. i really feel that God has used this trip alot as gifts to us and opening us up to experiences and such. the trip has definately had its challenges but there have been so many moments that i just burst with happiness. Jordan too has been so happy here. He's been laughing all the time and joking and just enjoying himself and everyone around. I hadn't realized how hard his job is on him and how it can suck the fun out of him. it's so refreshing to see and hear him laugh and enjoy himself. again, an incredible gift from God.
Wow! Just read your blogs to dad. He says that it was like being there. You were so discriptive that he could feel you were there, see the scenery and feel the ache in my bones. I can see now why Mr. Darcy wore so many layers of clothing and the ladies wore their hooped skirts and schalls. do the homes have fireplaces to help? Are there many trees there? More people should read and comment on your post you do such a nice job. I will have to tell others. I see God healed Jordan so we will pray he will heal you also in Jesus name. Maybe you can get a sweater or hoodie to keep you warm or use your scarf alot. It is amazing how different God uses us and blesses us in our mission trips. WE serve an amazing God who does loves us and wants us to experience life in many ways. I will pray also for more direction from God for your future on this trip. Breath in the ocean air for your mom and take in the mts. and scenery for my eyes and smile at them all for me, for that is what I would do. Smile in the mighty presense of our Mighty God. Bless well. love you more than that ocean you crossed. XXXXOOOO mom
ReplyDeletethanks momma and daddy! yes lots of trees and rolling hills and small rock walls everywhere pretending to hold in the sheep. it's so green now, i would love to see this in summer!
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