The Smiths Are Back in Town!

Lace cap hydrangea

Zip line at Malahide Castle

My son the evil genius.

Bailey the beauty queen.

Ashlyn

Wednesday, 3 out of our 10 team members arrived safely in Dublin.  It is so good to be with the Smiths especially Ashlyn, aka my favorite team member.  Shay and Juli have been out beating the bush looking for the ideal place to live and do ministry.  We will keep you posted on their progress but for now we are happy to be sharing meals, bedrooms and bathroom space with them.  I'm pretty sure Ashlyn has already said Aunt Denise.

I See Dead People

Entering the hallowed halls of Trinity College

1824 Oregon Maple

Dublin Castle

Yummy fish and chips!

Carving under St. Michen's organ loft

Not too tired to practice riding without holding handlebars.

Yesterday we had the pleasure of sight seeing with Kaelin and Michaela Schaper, our friends from Ft. Smith, AR.  We started out at Trinity College to view the beautifully illuminated Book of Kells.  Then we made our way to the Chester Beatty Library which houses an extensive collection of ancient (as in 150-200 AD) Biblical writing as well as 17th and 18th century Islamic and Buddhist artifacts.  Mr. Beatty made his fortune in the Colorado gold mines with his good friend Herbert Hoover.  In his later years he moved from London to Dublin to build the library which he left to the people of Dublin.  Pretty amazing.  Then we had fish and chips in the park of St. Patrick's Cathedral before heading off to Christ's Church Cathedral.  Kaelin and Michaela paid to go in but we are saving ourselves for when Mom and Grandma Betty come to visit.  After that we jaunted off to St. Michen's church to see the well preserved bones of the long deceased in the underground vaults.  That experience was very surreal because we were able to touch the hand of the 'Crusader' buried there.  In fact, the 'Crusader' probably missed the Crusades by 100 years but he was still pretty old.  Several important Dublin families had crypts there too.  Legend says that Handel practiced his 'Messiah' at St. Michen's before playing it for real at Christ's Church later that night.  By the time we got home we were all pretty tired but we had a good day with our friends exploring Dublin.

While the cat is away...

the mice will go to Blooms in Phoenix Park with Annette and Leslie.  Can you say sunburn?  I can after walking around the garden show yesterday for 4 hours.  Davis, Bailey and I saw lots of beautiful gardens, flower arrangements, entertainers, artisans and carnival food. 

This is in my front garden.

Today Corey and Staci say "I do!"  Be praying for a great day for them as they start their married life together.  We our honored to be a part of their lives and Scott is grateful to be officiating this blessed event.  Congratulations to the new Mr. and Mrs. Coston!

"I prefer walking to dying."

This was Davis' response when I suggested that I drive us to Rose's house tonight for dinner.  I have had one driving excursion recently and I am happy to report that no parties were injured and Scott and I are still married.