The March Gang

It seems to be a running theme here at the March Gang that time slips away and updates are slow coming.  A lot has been going on, but then in truth it seems not much has been going on.  Makes no sense I know, but just humor me if you will.  Since our last update Dennis, our fellow AIM’er, has went back to the states.  His Pastor, Bishop Tom Suey, suffered a heart attack and so Dennis cut his stay short by two weeks and headed home, which we didn’t blame him for that.  Bro. Suey is doing great and God has really touched him.

The McFarland’s are still state side and will be for another two weeks.  Bro. Mac will be back in Ireland around the 14th of May, a few days before we leave for home.  So we are here holding down the fort and keeping things in 0rder.  I am getting myself a good education that is for sure.  Taking care of two churches and all that comes with that can be a challenge to say the least, but in a good way.  Tara of course is a huge help and proves to me every day why I married her. She says it was because she felt sorry for me, but she and I both know that it’s because she was just smitten by my charm.  Oh alright! It was because she felt sorry for me.  Seriously, she is an amazing woman and I couldn’t do any of this without her.  May 14th we will be married for 15 years.

We attended a birthday party Monday night for Faith, Kyle and Lynn’s daughter, and Kyle.  Faith turned  five on Tuesday and our kids had a really good time celebrating with them and their family.  It was Kyle’s birthday on Monday and he said he turned 27.  That is up for debate, but since it was his birthday we let it slide.  Like I said we had a wonderful time and was glad they invited us to help celebrate.

Last Sunday after church in Dublin we took Simeon to Captain America’s on Grafton Street.  Actually Dennis ended up treating all of us and we were grateful for that.  Simeon of course is all about his super heroes and thought it was very cool.  The food was excellent and we all had a good time.  Dennis ended up sitting with a group of young ladies that were on their way to a Pink concert. (Pink is a Pop Rock music artist for those who were wondering)  He invited them to church and made a connection with them as Dennis only could.  However, they just about did him in when he questioned who Bono was.  There was a guitar hanging on the wall signed by Bono and a plaque explaining the significance of the guitar.  Bono of course is the lead singe of the band U2 and lives in Dublin.  According to the ladies he is pretty much considered the Patron Saint of Ireland.  In Dennis’s defense he is pretty much old school country when it comes to secular music, but is more prone to break out in an old school song from the Hymn book more than anything.

Well, we are counting down the days until we head home for a few months.   The kids are very exicted and can’t wait to see all their family and friends.  They are also looking forward to seeing the latest member of the March Gang which is their new dog Miley.  I think MeMe and PaPa Slusher and MawMaw and PawPaw March are top of the list as well.  So for now we will leave you with a video of some street preformers in Dublin and a picture of Miley.  We will see most of you in 21 days.

The kids had a great day Easter Sunday.  In Sunday School Ashley told the kids of the Resurrection story.  I am always moved about the great sacrifice that our Savior did for us.  To love us so much that He died for our sins, so that we might have life and life more abundantly.  God is so good to His children.

The kids then decorated bags to go egg hunting.  The girls made bonnets, that didn’t work out as they were suppose to, and the boys made bunny finger puppets.  After church they had a “Candy rain”, Dennis climbed up on top of the roof and threw candy to them.  They had a blast.  We then had a potluck lunch together.

We loaded up and then headed to Dublin.  We had a first time vistor to join us.  Dennis had handed her a track a couple Sunday’s before and she came because of it.  Isn’t that awesome!!!

The kids decorated more bags this time to hunt for candy.  We have a small space at Dublin and can’t go outside, but Shawna and Ashely made it fun for them.  We had a wonderful Filipino meal after service, with great fellowship.

Last night we had the McFarland over for supper as a farewell meal to Shawna.  Shawna is taking a position at the church in Alexandra LA.  We will really miss her, but we know that she is in the will of God, and that is what matters.  Riley drove them to the airport this morning.  So, we are holding down the fort for a couple weeks.  Please pray for us, we have to take care of Dennis.

It has been way to long since our last post and for that we are sorry.  It has started to warm up a little and we have had some really nice days.  However winter still seems to want to hang around and so the good weather is still sporadic.  Tara and the girls have started walking every day for exercise.  Well, Tara walks and the girls ride their bikes.  They walk about a mile a day and have been very faithful in doing it.  It has warmed up, but of course it still rains so they just put jackets on and hit the road.  Simeon and me hold the fort down while they are out losing weight and getting in shape.  Tuesday me and him did go out with them, and the little guy rode his bike the entire mile.  I was very impressed and he said he could already tell he was getting stronger in his legs just after one trip.

Tuesday we had a package arrive from America, and as always we were glad to see it.  We want to thank our Uncle Lynn and Aunt Becky for it.  I finished off our last box of Lucky Charms that morning and what do you know two more boxes come in the mail.  I am pretty sure it was a God thing.   I like my Lucky Charms!  The kids also got some more ramen noodles.  They do have ramen over here, but not the same flavours and trust me they are not the same.

The McFarland’s are heading back to the states for a family vacation next week.  During that time they are going to be moving Shawna, their oldest daughter, to Alexandria LA.  She has taken a job working in Bro. Mangun’s church.  So while they are gone we will be holding down the fort for them.  Then after they get back we will be heading state side a few weeks later.

We will be heading home May 19th and everyone is very excited about that.  Tara and the kids have been marking off the calendar.  We have a huge list of places we have to go once we touch down.  I know it may seem silly to some, but it is funny what you miss when you don’t have it.  I am pretty sure that Tara is going to just camp out in Walmart for a few days.  As far as restaurants go Mi Casa in Doniphan is at the top of the list.  On a side note according to Roland Baker Mi Casa, in little ole Doniphan Missouri, is the best Mexican restaurant he has ever been to.  Of course the top of our list is getting to West Point to see family and friends and just enjoy a church service at home.

Just to give you an update of what all has been going on here in Ireland.  Both churches are doing good.  Dublin has been doing very well.  We have had a student from Brazil attend service the past few weeks and he loves it.  I just ask when you are praying for us and Ireland to remember Matthew.  God is getting ready to blow the doors off of Dublin not only can we just feel it, but we have had many confirmations to the fact.  It is exciting times in Ireland right now.

We are going to leave you with a few pictures from a trip to the park we took a few weeks ago.  It was a pretty sunny day, but still a little cold.  I also want to point out to my sister to take special notice to the swans in the pictures and let her know that “Yes swans do have legs”. (If you know Eleisha you really have got to ask her to explain this one)  Love ya Sis!