This has been some week.  Some kind of flu swept over my family like an unholy flood.  I’ve never had something hit so quick.  I was struck with fever and chills and fatigue that would come and go without any apparent rhyme or reason and then the our youngest came down with it….Lovely too all at the same time.  I have no idea if this is the swine flu or not and frankly I don’t care…I just want it GONE!  I got up today to see a note that our friend from Ireland won’t be getting his visa which on the surface is another slap in the face if taken out of the context of faith however I just don’t chose to see it without faith.  One thing I really believe:  though it may not appear today to be working out God remains in control and He has our best in mind…and He always wins!  Many times people take hold of faith and they are very controlling with it feeling that if they say the right sequence of scriptures they can back God into a corner with their “understanding” and get what they want but guess what?  It’s His word, you can’t use it to force God to do anything but you can submit to it, find peace and ultimately victory according to His plan and purpose.  Religion is all about controlling God, controlling circumstance…it’s about control period but I believe that real relationship with Christ is more about ending our fight with the Lord on everything and letting Him be what He is:  Almighty.  Bottom line is though the times might be troubled I’m not going to let my heart be troubled nor am I going to surrender my faith over these things.  I’m also not going to dwell on this for the whole blog which I’m sure you’re glad to know!

Edinburgh, Scotland holds many a wonder for people like me.  I long to see things that aren’t what I’m used to.  I don’t necessarily have to see a real live castle to be impressed.  Street corners like this look enough like a castle to fill me with wonder .  We really enjoyed the wonderful little cafes and restaurants as much as anything too .  We found one little Italian place that was an absolutely wonderful place.  Not only was the food and atmosphere great  but the staff was fantastic!  They were always very good to the kids and fun to talk to.  We left with full stomachs and a thirst to see more.  Walking along some scenes seemed to me to tell a story…this one sure did in my opinion .  I just loved this dog, he looked like a Scottish gentleman in his own right.  He wasn’t the least bit disturbed as people walked by.  Paths led in many directions but we chose the main thoroughfare this time and just took in the beauty of Edinburgh.  Each step held something delightful .  It’s funny that even the “new” parts of the city look far older than what I’m used to here in our state .  I think part of that is the use of stone for many places today…even the individual houses…that’s new to me and the intricate beauty of these buildings and the neat little gardens had a charm all their own .  They say every rose has it’s thorn but if Edinburgh has a thorn, I’ve not yet found it .  I really think I can safely say we all love Scotland and her people . 

No matter what we saw we always felt the call to Africa in all of this.  Seeing Joseph again in Ireland had stirred something deep in us all.  How ironic that though we were in Europe the cal to Africa was everywhere.  Part of this was that while in Ireland we worked with Africans…mostly Ghanaians and Nigerians .  But more it’s the move of God to put us back in Africa and Europe again.  Even the children had an uncanny grace to walk with the new people we were meeting …and my dear brother Joseph…well, he’s their uncle…no doubt about that!  Pastor Thomas and Edward our driver became more than just friends…we are all caught up in the plan of God together .  Watching my brother African Joe, hearing him preach…it grabbed us all and pulled us in

I don’t know how it’s all going to work out, I don’t even know what the rest of today holds but I do know that God is moving and I do believe that we will return to Europe and surely go on to Africa.  We are believing for this next year…perhaps as early as spring.  This is impossible with man but with God it is all indeed possible!

Is it just me or is this week traveling faster than I can keep up with it?  I know that the days are getting shorter but this seems ridiculous.  I don’t usually rant…perhaps I figure that if I mix that with my morning coffee it would blow up more than I want it too LOL!  But here it goes anyway:  I’ve strived to remain above and beyond politics and such on my blog because God knows the Internet is filled with enough of that crap as it is.  I guess if I wanted to include a late rant it would be that I wish that the closet activists if they’re going to go active on political things on their blog wouldn’t throw a fit if people don’t comment…if it’s your right to go active politically then surely it’s another’s right to not get involved for their own reasons and not be called stupid or have it suggested that they’re ignorant.  Freedom of expression and speech isn’t dead yet and therefore I feel everyone has their right to do as they please in this regard…there, I pray that wasn’t too painful!  Exit rant left…. 

Today I walked and was thrilled to see a herd of 20 antelope out in the field staring at me benignly.  I think that they are done mating now so they aren’t busy chasing each other and they are settling in waiting for the weather to get bad.  I just love watching them…even if they do eat our flowers on occasion….there are times when I wish I could have a taste of the peace they have…not getting too ruffled over anything and being happy if I could just sit out there and enjoy the sun and some greens while I watched the world go by.  Our scenery isn’t very nice apart from the antelope unfortunately because the terrible cold shocked the leaves on the trees so we have sickly, decaying greens and greys for fall this year.  It’s really saddens me to see the because the one nice consolation for it getting colder is the beauty of the fall colors…well, not this year.  This has had one positive effect however, it makes me enjoy looking over the pictures from Ireland and Scotland all the more.  Today I am pleasantly surprised to present the pictures I have of a very large botanical garden we visited in Edinburgh, Scotland.  I hope this provides a bright spot to your day today!

I’ve seen lots of lowers in my day some that struck me as quite exotic looking (I’m not expert on such things you know).  These greeted us as we entered the garden  …do you suppose those would work as a toilet brush?  Some flowers are standard even to an amateur like me but these seemed to be begging for a picture so I went ahead and took the picture   …I have no regrets about that!  Daisies…don’t you just have to love them  ?  Word has it the queen likes to visit on occasion…do you suppose she’s the queen of roses?  There was a little hut you could stop and sit in…the walls were covered with sea shells  and various pine cones …I’ve never seen anything quite like it.  The path had species of flowers from all over the world…trees too but here I am captured by the beauty of a lilly LOL!  There was a massive hedge wall that divided the flower part of the garden from the part that had more shrubs and trees…you could walk right through a square tunnel…I kept wondering when Alice would run by chasing the white rabbit !  There were little nooks with wonderfully fanciful benches you could sit at everywhere .  Why even think about the dead leaves outside when I can look at this ?  I have no idea what the heck this is…my first thought was perhaps chestnut but I don’t think so…anyone have a clue  ?  This picture seems red and green enough to be sort of Christmassy but I don’t quite like the shot that much .  The sun could be quite bright at times…in fact it was the brightest and warmest this day of all days…I thought this shot would never turn out but I liked how it ended up …weird aren’t they?  We actually got separated from the rest of the team and came to this huge green house…it reminded me out of something from the old version of The Time Machine …as long as the “Morlocks” don’t come out and eat us!  There were many stately trees in this area .  Some parts felt just like home while others were far more exotic.  Mike and Danielle got ahead of us and were looking around at this crossroads…the picture touches me somehow .  Other trees were far more exotic like this one .  It looks like something from a lego set but it could get quite large .  From far away it looks like a pine of sorts but closer you can see how really magnificent it really is …no it’s not a pineapple tree LOL!  It’s called “Monkey Puzzle”  and it’s got to be one of the coolest trees I’ve ever seen!  Of course there were butterflies !  There were some large fungal growths on some trees…I had to reach up as high as I could to get this shot…later we examined it and saw what looks like a stash that was likely from one of the large squirrels that abounded in that area .  These berries are actually quite poisonous…the person there warned us to be careful to keep the kids from eating them .  Not all the beauty was in the tree tops.  I looked down and observed these little gems .  This shot actually reminded me of something we’d see in Japan so I took it…I miss Japan too .  Wandering down the path I saw these little beauties peeking out and looking at us .  They had a wonderful waterfall in one area of the garden .  It makes me wish we were standing there right now!  It was hard to get off the path because there was a thick shrub that was along the path much of the way near the waterfall .  This area looked like surely Alice must be there playing croquet with the Queen of Hearts …but I just couldn’t find them.  Have you ever had an “oh wow” moment?  I think I just did !  Over the hill past the waterfall you could see the roof tops of Edinburgh .  These flowers seemed perfectly dried and spectacular though they were brown .  Some trees have real character…this is one of those trees .  This tree stood next to the exit…I think it’s got character too .  We were walking along and I saw more of the doors I like so much (yes, not only Dublin has doors LOL!)  The tree framed these well I thought .  God is everywhere…not just in churches or quiet meadows…He’s in cities too.  It might take some effort these days but of all the things He’s created people are the greatest creation of all.  We don’t always live up to what we were meant to be but He loves us no less and never stops having faith in us.  I hope this brightened a day or two out there.  God bless you, have a great day!

We skipped across the pond to Scotland…it was a far bigger deal then we would have thought.  The plane had trouble and we sat around for many, many ours in the Dublin airport after getting up long before dawn to catch the airplane in the first place.  The good news is that Scotland quickly made us forget anything that was unpleasant in a hurry.  Land of castles and ancient history…home of Loch Ness…truly a marvelous place.  We had more time to walk around Edinburgh then we did Dublin and we relished every moment of it .  One of our walks brought us to this wonderful bridge .  There were some nice shots near the bridge that presented themselves , but soon the amazing suburban area drew us away to explore .  The cobblestone roads seem to beckon you on and so on we went.  I notice knew for sure we were back in the UK…red mailboxes !  There are bed and breakfast places and hotels that are so very old here …it makes me wonder what the rooms are like.  We now had an all new perspective of the bridge !  Here we found a very old pier that reminded me of some of the wonderful places we’ve seen in Oregon .  It was actually quite cold and windy but this place had so much that made me want to get artsy with my camera .  I think this chain has been here for a while, what do you think ?  Yes, it’s old and worth seeing .  Little cottages like this were everywhere in the neighborhood .  They talk about the greens of Ireland but I’d say that Scotland has a few greens it’s self !  Care to walk the thin green line ?  Notice the float through the iron ring .  Hmm, this may be why stainless steel would work better …  A stylistic view from the pier to the bridge .  I think I may be developing a ring fetish now .  Yeah, I think Scotland is beautiful !  Our leaves are dying on the vine but there was some beautiful leaves in Edinburgh !  See I got a taste of fall…not nearly enough but still a nice taste .  I know this could have been taken anywhere but I like it so here it is .  Give way…yep, we’re in the UK !  A name like this…it’s got to be in Scotland !  A reminder of WWI sat in the center of this village .  Now I leave you with a parting shot of the bridge…my favorite shot actually .  Bless you all have a wonderful weekend!

I’ve tried, really tried to keep a positive attitude about the weather around here, I’ve intended to include a few pictures from around here but you know I just can’t do it yet.  We’ve had two major winter storms that’s brought feet of snow…you read right:  feet of snow.  Now a third winter storm is predicted and it’s got you guessed it:  snow.  Worse than the snow to me is the awful cold bundled with it.  Blame Canada I guess, these fronts are all from across the border.  I would feel bad about that but my wife has family in the Philippines so they’ve seen the floods that bring death and destruction so often.  Fortunately this year they weren’t directly hit by the storms that have made the news lately.  Maybe cold isn’t so bad!  God has continued to move in a very powerful way in our church and things are moving that I honestly thought would never move.  We have gotten some real work done on our ministry page and I thought I’d share the link to that site with those that might be interested:  http://eagleministriesinternational.com/.  I believe that there’s a real evidence of God doing something amazing here and I don’t think it’s going to just fade away, the momentum keeps building.  Our church is so small but again and again we find ourselves propelled into the nations of the world.  It’s not like a church that’s so big that if everyone gave fifty cents they’d by an airline ticket…we’re talking a handful of people, none of whom are rich believing God and then amazingly making it to places many only dream about.  All glory to God for that!  I salute those that are involved with ministry and I’m personally endlessly grateful to our little church but most of all to our great God!

I’m sorting through the pictures I’ve got and sharing them bit by bit.  Today I have more of Dublin streets.  I love the flavor of old Europe .  It all feels artistic to me somehow.  The narrow streets always make me curious as to what could be down that alley .  Seeing establishments that have been around for hundreds of years never gets old either .  If you get hungry you can often enough find yourself eating at a place that’s older than our Constitution!  We rounded the corner and our friend informed us that it was one of the oldest places in that area…lo and behold there’s a sign with our family name there …is it really our family?  I have no idea but it still tickled us!  I looked at some of these shot later and thought they were somewhat creepy but at the time I just felt a sense of wonder and desire to explore what’s on the other side .  Places like this always beckoned…I think I drank far more coffee in Europe then I do at home …but just look at this place…can you blame me?  People live with these wonderful little shops…the accent that sounds exotic to my ears and buildings like this… …yeah, I miss it!  Sometimes there’s modern art that provides some startling contrast…I just like how this shot presented itself .  Store fronts always caught my eye and I don’t think there was a way to take a bad picture here !  They had flowers hung everywhere that gave the sense of spring though it definitely felt like fall to me .  Just look at all the flowers on this building !  I think I’ve told you about my Dublin door fetish haven’t I ?  Some things are just beyond words …  Go ahead and share my fetish with me, !  We have an old mansion here in our city and this reminded me of it somewhat though I have no doubt this place is older .  I’m going to leave you with this glimpse through my eyes at Dublin and a reminder that God is on the move…it doesn’t matter how it appears or where you live…He’s moving.  God hasn’t forgotten about you nor loved you any less.  God bless and keep you!

I remember the first time I was able to visit London, England and see some of the wonderful structures there.  During the time there were some anti-war protests during the Gulf War and it had turned decidedly un-American so we felt it best to come inside until the crowds had passed.  We went into an old Cathedral and the beauty and peace of that place simply took my breath away.  I still have a sense of peace when entering such places…maybe it’s the memory of London back in the day but more I feel it’s a sense that God is always looking out for me.  Walking the streets of Dublin I saw a rather unusual thing on the side of a church .  It’s not often that I see a skull and crossbones greeting me as I enter a church!  We walked some distance past buildings that I enjoyed just taking in as we walked along .  Soon we found ourselves in front of a castle like structure known as Christ Church .  There was no wrong angle to take pictures here !  It was all enough to take a person’s breath away !  Even the doors were something out of “Lord of the Rings” don’t you think ?  Before entering in to see what the inside held for us I had to get one more shot of the front that was an absolute work of art !  Okay, just one more of the outside…good things come in threes…this shot shows that …I mean it can’t always be bad things that come in threes right?  There was an Irish gentleman inside that had such a great sense of humor…he joked with us for a bit and talked and joked with my son…it was a fine way to start our tour!  We noticed this and had to get a picture of it .  This looks just like one of the people that was traveling with us (Yes, Frank…it’s a self portrait I’d say!).  I can’t get enough of stained glass windows !  This was on the pulpit in the church…I’d say he was studying pretty hard !  There was a massive pipe organ here .  It would take more of a camera than mine to do it justice .  It’s hard to describe the lighting and the wonder of this place.  Much of the light there was came through windows such as this one .  There were treasure such as this one that was painted on gold leaf .  You may know that our church is called Eagle Ministries Int.  therefore I felt this shot was appropriate .  The backs of the seats had carvings of wandering pilgrims and I felt this appropriate too …we’ve wandered many nations on whatever mission the Lord sent us.  I can never get enough of it!  This is for the angel lovers out there …magnificent don’t you think?  Before we left I looked down and noticed the continuing wandering pilgrim theme …wow!  Here we are in October, it’s cold and has been rainy…it all reminds me of Ireland and Scotland.  I dearly miss our friends and long for the day when we can return again.  I hope you enjoyed this little virtual tour of Christ Church.  God’s blessings to you!