Singing Before Breakfast

“To enjoy life you don’t need wealth or power but a song in your heart.”  – unknown

I awoke this morning to the sweet sound of my littlest daughter humming happily in the kitchen.  Not singing to anyone in particular, just humming and making up little tunes happily to herself.  And it is a precious thing.  Those who know me, also know that I am very quiet in the morning, and rarely sing or talk much before I’ve had my breakfast and tea.  But this morning, she inspired me, and as we waited outside in the freezing cold for the bus, she had me singing “Jingle Bells” with her.  🙂

Something about music, about singing, just lifts your spirit and gives the day better wings.  So….go on, you know you want to now….sing something!  The louder the better.  Make people stare and give them something interesting to talk about.  🙂  Slainte, Lisa

“”Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  – Ephesians 5:19b-20

*Google Image*

Watch Your Step; Adventures Ahead

The best of Ireland is seen on your feet.  Hiking, walking, climbing, stepping around, through, over and under rocks and castles and field offerings and walls.  I’m not the best of hikers, but when I go to Ireland, I find the best hiking boots I can find; ones that I don’t care if they get dirty.  (because they will!)  We drive down curvy, crazy, tiny roads, find something we like, park, and explore.  The places we like best are the places with no tour guides and no crowds.  The forgotten priories or crumbling castle ruins.  The field of sheep who are pretending to ignore us.  A wonderland of past and present collide with astounding beauty and nostalgia.

Low ceilings and curvy staircases in ancient castles

Torc Waterfall, Co. Kerry…look closely in the middle of the waterfall and you’ll see my son & husband who hiked up. 🙂

Eask Tower near Dingle, reached by ascending through a well-used field.

The stone-filled Burren

The amazing Ballycarbery Castle near Caherciveen can only be reached by going through this muddy field. Yay for mudboots! 🙂

Love Is….

Love is patient, love is kind…

Love does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.

Love is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not easily angered.

Love does not rejoice in evil but rejoices in the truth.

Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails.

-1 Corinthians 13:4-8

My prayer for this week is that God will allow me to love just a fraction of the amount that He does.  Because that’s a whole lot.  🙂  Slainte, Lisa

God Is….

“God is, and all is well.”  – John Greenleaf Whittier

“I am the resurrection and the life.  He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die.  Do you believe this?”           – John 11:25-26

“I am the gate for the sheep.” – John 10:7b

“I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”         -John 10:11

“I am the way, and the truth and life.  No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  – John 14:6

God is….Jesus.  And He’s amazing and awesome, and better still, He loves you so much.  Be His.  Slainte, Lisa

*Images 2 & 3 provided via Google*

Sheep Talk, Or We Will Be Gathered

We are going to be gathered…into the beauty that is Ireland in 2013.  🙂  Ed & I have been saving for our 25th anniversary next year.  At first we thought that we should visit some other beautiful parts of the world, like Italy or the Greek Islands.  But the pull was great, and the parts of Ireland that we’ve never seen were greater still, and we knew there was nowhere else we’d rather be. So we’re going back to check out the Northwest…Sligo, Donegal and a few places inland that we’ve yet to explore.  So if any of you locals know of some great places to see, please chime in!

I dearly hope that we have a sheep experience like this one…I laughed so hard watch these sheep run down the hill towards his car.  Enjoy watching these beautiful creatures attempt to see if this guy has any food.  (It’s either that, or the sheep are training for the big marathon. 🙂 )  Slainte, Lisa