Our Year in Ireland

On Saturday, we went down to County Tipperary to see the Rock of Cashel. It's almost 2 hours away, so we had a good chance to talk during the drive...

At some point, Daniel made the comment, "The Sioux play in the WCHA championship game tonight." I paused and wondered for a moment before replying, "Do you follow women's hockey??" "WHAT? NO!" he answered, quite taken aback. "Then what does the W stand for?" I asked. Daniel looked at me, shaking his head, "I am ashamed of you, I'm really ashamed of you." I had to laugh at myself; I'm pretty sure each kid has drained a large number of my brain cells! I really should be more informed about the Western Collegiate Hockey Association after almost 9 years of marriage to a Sioux fan...

Anyway...

From the 4th or 5th century, the Rock of Cashel was the seat of the Kings of Munster, whose kingdom extended over much of southern Ireland. In 1101, they handed Cashel over to the Church, and it flourished as a religious center until a siege by Oliver Cromwell's army from England in 1647 culminated in the massacre of its 3,000 inhabitants. As many as 1,500 of the village people had run into the church for protection and were then barricaded inside and burned alive. The cathedral was finally abandoned in the late 18th century. A good portion of the medieval complex, with parts built in the 12th, 13th, and 15th centuries, is still standing. (parts taken from Eyewitness Travel Ireland)

St Patrick's Cross.

The carving depicts St Patrick who visited Cashel in 450. The cross was in the churchyard, but was moved indoors to protect and preserve it.

This area is the Hall of the Vicars' Choral, built in the 15th c for the choir members. It has been refurbished to its original state.

The castle is on the left and part of the Cathedral on the right. The oldest building, Cormac's Chapel, was surrounded in scaffolding for a preservation project.

Inside the south transept of the cathedral.

Carvings on the altar.

We took a walk to the bottom of the hill - not a path intended for strollers.

Daniel took the long walk back to get the car so we wouldn't have to haul the stroller and herd the boys back up the hill. What follows would be better video material, but Daniel had the video camera with him. I'll try to give you an idea of what it went like...

"Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!"

"I'M THE KING OF THE LAAAAAAANE!"
I suggested maybe he change it to king of Ireland...

"I'M THE KING OF IRELAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAND!"

I guess they came to some peace accord...

Simultaneously, "I'M THE KING OF THE WORRRRRRRRLLD!"

There was no one around, so I didn't stop them from yelling their declarations repeatedly at the tops of their lungs. The last thing Aaron yelled was, "GOOOOOOOOO BISON!"

Twentieth time up the hill...

...and back down.

Grass stains = good times

Hore Abbey, a 13th c Cistercian monestary, near the base of the hill.

Galty Mountains, Counties Limerick and Tipperary.

We saw SIX "Cranky the Cranes" here in Limerick as we drove home!! If you have little boys or are familiar with Thomas the Tank Engine characters, you can imagine the boys' excitement.
If you're not, I'll just say, this made their day!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Galway City St Patrick's Day Parade

Mayor Declan McDonnell with Scottish man holding the replica of William Wallace's sword.

This group is Discovery Church - they shared a creative reminder of what today is celebrating. They passed out storm trooper masks to all the kids - the story of St Patrick and the gospel message he brought to Ireland on the back.

Years ago, a young lad named Maewyn Succat was kidnapped from England and sold into slavery here in Ireland.

He was very far from home and very lonely. He remembered what he had learned about God...that there was a God who loved and cared for him and desired a relationship with him. Maewyn began praying and talking to God. Maewyn grew very close to God and God kept him safe.

After six years he escaped slavery and made his way home. Years past and Maewyn continued growing closer to God. Maewyn began to have dreams of Irish men and women begging him to retrun to Ireland and work among them. Maewyn changed his name to Patrick.

He obeyed God's voice and he returned to Ireland, back to the very place he had been sold into slavery many years before. Back he came to tell our people about God and His Son Jesus Christ.

So it was, through Patrick the people of Ireland turned to God and God blessed Patrick as he blessed the people of Ireland. He lived a long life among the people he loved so much and had come to serve. On 17th March 460, Patrick died in Ireland, the land he loved.

Saint Patrick was a Christian missionary that changed the course of our country forever. The same message of the gospel that Patrick shared centuries ago is still true today. Just as the people then needed to hear that message and respond, we need to hear that message again and respond.

The message Patrick shared has been around for so long tha it is easy to take it for granted and to forget its power.

There is a God who loves us, who cares for us, who desires a relationship with us. Today is an opportunity to respond to that message.

First, we admit that we have broken the laws of God; that we have done wrong things in our lives. This is called sin.

Secondly, we must believe in Jesus. We must believe that He is the Son of God, died on the cross to forgive us, rose from the grave and that a relationship with Him is the only way to heaven.

Lastly, we must call on God. We do this in prayer. Today, God is waiting for you. Would you call on God in prayer and begin that relationship with Him? You can pray directly to God and He will hear your prayer.

If you would like to ask Jesus into your life, you can pray this prayer:

God, I admit that I am a sinner. I am sorry for the wrong I have done in my life. I believe in You. I believe in Your Son. I ask You now to come and live in me. Take control of my life. I want to serve You and live for You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. Jesus, I love You. Amen.

Please consider this today.

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Romans 3:23

"For God so love the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned [going to hell after death], but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in God's one and only Son." John 3:16-18

"Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people; and He will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him." Hebrews 9:27,28

"For it is by grace you have been saved through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9

Do you have a relationship with Jesus - the only way to God and heaven?

Daniel or I would be glad to talk anytime:

dpresteng@hotmail.com

daniel_and_sarah@hotmail.com