27th August 1977 in Salinas, California Kathy and I were married and are still living 'happily everafter'!  Not to say everything has been perfect for the past 33 years, it hasn't, but we have been so greatly blessed. 

We shared part of a day in Dublin on a walking tour of some of the many historical sights of the city.  Even though we had been to most of the places in the past it was fun to hear more about Irish history from a very well educated young Irish man. 

Tim was able to help Jacob, a good friend, for 3 days this week as he needed to move a wall about 1 meter in order to create two bedrooms that would be roughly the same size.  In this case 'moving a wall' meant tearing down an existing 100 year old structure and building a brand new one!  From the outside, the walls looked the same, but believe me they weren't even close!  One was made from lathe and concrete plaster while the other was lumber and wall board!  It turned out to be good time together with a great friend. 

Family and friends like Jacob around the world have contributed greatly to the richness of life we now experience.  Ireland has become home and we love it here.  We love it when our children come for visits and bring the grandkids.  We love it when people drop in just for a cup of tea and a chat.  We love it when we get a chance to do whatever we can to share what God has so richly blessed us with; We love it when we can help 'build a wall' together!

Yesterday was the conclusion of our first annual Holiday Kids Club for the 4 to 11 year olds in our community!  We saw 35 kids join us for this inaugural run that ran for two hours a day, Monday through Friday - concluding with a parents/kids lunch, photo slideshow, face painting and lots of good chats. 

The picture below shows a drama segment in our Desert Island Detour themed week of activities for the kids. There were over 20 volunteer leaders joining us from Ballycullen Community Church for this fun packed week for kids, held at the Firhouse Community Centre here in SW Dublin.  In additon, there were also three Mums & Tots sessions (M, W & F) during the week where another 15 or 16 toddlers and their Mums came along while older siblings, in some cases, were involved in the Holiday Club.

                     Holiday Club Drama for the kids - Ed, Ted & Gloria in this scene!

As I write this, we have one day left in our annual summer Basketball Camp here in Ballycullen!  There are 30 kids in this year's camp, which is the exact number we thought we could best handle, so that has been great.  So far we have had only a couple of minor 'injuries', neither if which has kept the player off the court for very long . . . a GREAT blessing.  Tomorrow is the final day of camp and we are expeting lots of parents to come out to watch a few drills, and applaud the 'finals' in our free throw shooting contest as well as the last 'knockout' competition. 

2 shots at the same time, and then . . .  I N C O M I N G ! ! !

Kathy at the registration table for day 1 of camp, along with Caroline Hay and Pup Yani

Good friend and basketball coach Stephanie Kozick on the first day of camp . . . 

In additon to basketball camp there is other BIG news . . . Today, 12th August, Kathy's sister Pam Marler is scheduled to return home full time for the first time in over 5 months!  We have been talking to her and husband Dave once or twice per week and today is HUGE!  Pam is so excited, she keeps saying "I CANNOT WAIT!"

Pam has a long way to go, but this is a momentus day for her emotionally.  She still cannot walk at all on her own, but she is making progress.  She will have a full time care giver while Dave is at work, in addition she will continue in out-patient therapy 3 times per week.  Thanks to so many of you for your prayers and encouragement.  God is always good and Pam speaks of this often! Here's a picture of Pam with Dave with Kathy & Sarah at Enloe Medical Rehabilition Centre in Chico, CA