Tag Archives: children

Feeling the Pain of Our Son Leaving Home to Go to Canada

Posted in Canada, Cancer, Family Friday, Healing, Ireland, My thoughts, Nations, Prayer, Travel by

We set off at four thirty am to go to Dulin airport.
The mist filled the low lying fields.
Sadness filled our hearts.
We drove along the windy road that passed the green fields, the blue sea and the Mourne Mountains, in silence.
David, our son was going to Canada with Jacquelyn to settle there.
He drank in the view.
We were travelling in our minibus.

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Usually it was filled with excited children, but today there were big suit cases in the back, with David and Jacquelyn’s belongings.
Another of our children leaving home and Ireland.
Patrick lives in Australia, Aaron in Slovakia, and Ruth in Scotland.
With the economic downturn, again many young people are leaving Ireland.
Through the decades people have left.
There are five million people in Ireland, but 60 million people in the world from Irish descent.
Dublin airport has become the scene of crying families hugging each other as a loved one leaves.
Today it was our turn.
My husband, my son and I are experiencing this pain of being separated.
David has been going through the process of leaving for four months now.
He successfully applied for a visa.  He came to terms with leaving family, friends and Ireland.
A new beginning.
My husband and I pray for our children and are there for them when they face crises.
We reassure them of our love and support, no matter what they do.
We tell them God loves them and forgives them when they regret and feel guilty for their wrong doings.
I have written before, that God is a god of second, third and many chances.
A God of Jubilee.
He knows that life can get unbearable with disappointment, hopelessness, making wrong decisions, breakup of relationships or loss of belongings.
There is a rise in Ireland of young people committing suicide.
Today I have hope.  David is having a new start in life.  He will prosper, have a wife and children and a home.  I will see him again.
His family, friends and Ireland cannot hold him.  God has good plans for him to give him a hope and a future.
Jesus proclaimed the scripture,

The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,
the oil of joy instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.
(Isaiah 61:1-3 NIV)

I know God’s redeeming power to forgive and heal.  I was facing death but God delivered me from my sins and death.  He has healed my broken heart and provided a new home for me. I am alive to tell others and give them courage to believe God and live.

As Brendan and I drive home, the sun has risen and it’s warmth has dispelled the mists.
May the sun of righteousness rise with healing in its wings to dispel our sadness.

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. (Malachi 4:2 NIV)

Tonight I was in the grocery store.  There was a song playing and the lyrics were,
“I will see your face again.”  Yes I will see my son David’s face again!

Many songs have been written in Ireland that are laments, expressing the pain that our people have suffered.  May there be new songs of joy as God heals our pain and binds up our wounds not only of our hearts but of our nation.

I gave David a note which says,

Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. (Psalm 126:5, 6 NIV)

I write to give others hope, just as this scripture says,

Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. (Psalm 130:7, 8 NIV)

 

Following by example; How I Started Breast Feeding

Posted in Family Friday, My thoughts, Prayer by

 

I had my first child when I was twenty. I did not live near family.  I was still a student.  I had to attend lectures.  In those days there was no crèche for students’ children.  Few students were having children then.  I bottle fed my new baby.
I finished university.  We shared a house with another couple who had a new born baby.  The mum was breast feeding.  Brid took her baby into bed beside her at night.  The baby was snug and cosy.  After feeding, her mum put her back in the cot.  She was sound asleep.
There was none of the gadgets then to make up lots of bottles and save them in the fridge.  Brid did not have to get up in the middle of the night in the cold and make a bottle of milk.  She did not lose much sleep.
I thought to myself if I have another child I would like to breast feed him.
I did so and went on to breastfeed each of the rest of my thirteen children.
Each of them I fed for up to a year.  I was blessed to be able to feed my children without any trouble.
My grandchildren have all been breast fed.
Often this is how we learn about faith.  If we see someone doing what they believe is possible then one can learn and step out to try for oneself.
A little child steps out to walk because he is encouraged by his parents.  He sees them walk so he can do it too.
He trusts his parents.
This is how I grew in faith in many areas.
I saw how others prayed to God.  I tried it and God heard and answered my prayers.
Our children heard us pray so our children found it easy to pray without fear.
I desire to be an example so others.  What God has done for me He can do for you.

Pride and Joy: What are your Greatest Possessions

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My husband and children have given me gifts of jewellery, which are prized possessions.

I value them and remember when I was given them.

But my pride and joy are my husband and children and children’s children.  They are the greatest possessions of all.

They are gifts from God.

Scripture says, Look around you and see, for all your children will come back to you. As surely as I live,” says The Lord , “they will be like jewels or bridal ornaments for you to display. (Isaiah 49:18 NLT)

I will not leave them behind like gold and silver, but they will be with me in heaven and we can enjoy being together for eternity.

http://dailypost.wordpress.com/dp_prompt/pride-and-joy/

 

 

 

 

 

Why does my Washing Machine make Socks go Missing?

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Do your socks ever go missing in the wash?
I think this is a problem every household faces whether there are two or twenty living there.

I had a laundry basket I left in the washroom.  There the children put their dirty clothes. When there was few of us I enjoyed doing my laundry.  I learned to separate whites, towels, jeans, and different clothes types.  I was able to recover lost socks and pair them off.

Thank God for washing machines.  Years ago woman had to spend all of Monday scrubbing clothes clean with soap.  No washing machines or tumble driers then.

One day I was visiting an older lady.  I noticed her washing dazzling on the washing line outside.  It was indeed like the TV advert recommending a certain detergent.  I wanted to know what detergent she used.  In Ireland we still hang our washing outside, weather permitting.  The fresh air and sunshine freshen the clothes.  I love the smell of clothes brought in from the line.  I even ironed my husbands shirts then.

As the family grew my older children did the washing.  If I did not oversee what they were doing, towels would come out blue after being washed with jeans.  A delicate dress would end up wrinkled beyond repair.  My husband’s Tee shirts would shrink at a too high a temperature.  The children’s clothes I bought for them were made of material that did not need ironing.  The iron got little use.

I gave up on the sock problem.  I bought a wooden box.  I put all odd socks in it.  My husband gave up on losing his socks so he resorted to buying pairs of socks all the one colour.  They would not all be lost!

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Now there only three of us at home I am back to enjoying the laundry.  I even ironed my husbands Tee shirts at the weekend!

My Boys did not go to Eton College!

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Scripture tells me “They will not labor in vain, nor will they bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the Lord, they and their descendants with them.”(Isaiah 65:23 NIV)

I watched a programme recently about three boys from a state school who got scholarships to Eton.  It is a prestigious British boarding school for boys from eleven to eighteen years old.  The fees are 33,000 pounds per year.  Music tuition is an added  cost.  Princes and Prime ministers are educated there.

Each child is allocated a room with a bed, desk, chair and wardrobe.  A matron does their laundry and carefully returns it folded and pressed.  I wonder does she have any trouble loosing socks in the wash?  A cleaner refreshes their rooms each day.  Food is provided in the refractory.  

The boys are free to concentrate on their studies, homework and other school activities. If they are homesick they are able to be in touch with parents by Skype. The boys settled into their new school and did well in their exams.  After a hectic term the boys go home to rest and catch up with their families.  

I was thinking it must be difficult for them, leaving family and friends at such a young age.  No home comforts or times to relax with family at the end of the day.  No outings to the beach or movies!  No coffee times with mum or football matches with mum and dad cheering on the sidelines.  No drives to school if one missed the bus.  No fights with their sisters or brothers.  All the normal things that in the tumble of family life causes one’s character to develop.

My last nine children lived in their new home with plenty of space.  Some of them had a room on their own, with a desk to study at, thanks to their dad.  We made sure they kept up with their school work but I seldom had to help them with it.  They were successful in exams, music and sports.

I did the washing, cooking, and cleaning when they were younger.  Mum was laundress, caterer, nurse, cleaner, advisor, protector, trainer, comforter, intercessor, taxi driver and cheer leader.   If there was any trouble at school the teachers knew we were nearby, and things got sorted.  If a child got mistreated we always defended him.  Above all I prayed for each one.  We would pray together each evening as a family.

My husband was their mentor, helping them fill in forms to apply to university and advise them about life choices.  He was there model too.  He has travelled to the nations and our children are extending their wings as well.

As they grew older chores were allocated to each child.  The oldest at home would cook the evening meal.  Someone else was in charge of washing.  Another, hoovering.  Each one tidied his room.  

Eight of the children were able to walk to the grammar school ten minutes from home.  
They came home for lunch.  I had a warm meal ready for them.  No lining up in the school canteen for them.  One of my sons could see the smoke rising from the chimney of our home and he said he looked forward to seeing me at dinner time.

The teachers were great and encouraged my children in their particular talents.  My youngest daughter played the double bass at school.  She took part in the yearly school orchestra performance in Belfast.  There was room to practice her double bass at home.
Another son played the Tuba.  He took part in school orchestra events.  All this experience for free!

We are priveledged to have free education to second level in Northern Ireland.  We have great schools.

My children had many of the benefits of Eton College but were able to live at home and it did not cost us a fortune.  Think of the thousands of pounds we did not have to pay.  If all nine of my children went to Eton We would have had to pay 2,000,000 pounds in total.  

My husband says I have saved him millions of pounds.  It is true!

All fourteen of my children have gone to third level education.  Some of them have been rubbing shoulders with students from Eton! 

I can truly say God has blessed our children as I mentioned at the beginning.  It is not in my own strength I was able to be a multi task mum.  God gave me the strength and he still does.  My children have done well because God promises to bless our children if we obey his voice.  

Cancer Healed

 

I have experienced malignant cancer healed completely.  The effect of cancer was reversed and the tumour disappeared.  I am cured through the power of Jesus.

Today is the fourth anniversary of me going to the doctor with symptoms of colon cancer.  It was confirmed weeks later after I had a colonoscopy.  The Oncologist Nurse told me I had malignant cancer.

The definition of malignant according to the Marriam-Webster dictionary is

medical : very serious and dangerous : tending or likely to grow and spread in a rapid and uncontrolled way that can cause death

I was stunned.  Everyone thought the inevitable.

I had an MRI scan and a CT scan taken later. All the results of these procedures were considered by the Oncologist team in the City Hospital in Northern Ireland.  This hospital is well known for the care of cancer patients.

I looked at the photos taken of the cancer.  I saw the reddish growth.  The scans showed I had a 9cm tumor in the lower part of my bowel.  I had fourth stage cancer.  The doctors treat the patient hoping to extend life but they do not offer a cure.

The head doctor told me his team had discussed my case.  They decided the best way to treat me was to have five weeks of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.  This was just to reduce the tumor.  I would have an operation to remove the tumor and the part of my bowel which was affected.  I would have an ileostomy fitted.

I was very sad and depressed.  My family and others began to pray for me.
In the past I had prayed for people to be healed.  I believed in Jesus who when he was on earth cured those who were ill, Luke 9 v 11 NIV.  He is the only one who offers a cure. I was too weak to pray for myself.

I went through radiotherapy and chemotherapy treatment.  I did not have any side effects of burning, nausea or hair loss.   The doctor called me to have an operation six weeks later.  I believed I the cancer healed completely.  The doctors were annoyed with me.  They said treatment does not cure cancer.  You need an operation!  The head doctor examined me and confirmed there was no tumor.  He gave me a letter saying so.

Four years on I remain healed of cancer and I am restored to health and strength, more than before.  I believe cancer will not come back.

It is by faith in Jesus I am healed and remain healed.

Nahum 1 v 9 “Trouble will not come a second time.”

I give glory to God for his tender mercies to me.

My book Staying Alive is the story of the cancer healed.

 

 

Honoring Mothers as we Celebrate Mother’s Day.

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Happy Mother’s Day

 
Today in a store nearby there was room made for beautiful bouquets of flowers.  Another shelve had boxes of cream cakes, chocolate and cards.  All in preparation for Mother’s Day this weekend.

There was a sense of well being in the store, as women in various array enjoyed the colours as they gazed on the display.  This shop is in the middle of a built up area.  Pensioners can come out to get lunch from the buffet or mothers in pyjamas can pop out for bread and milk.  Would anyone think of them and give them a present?
Getting cut flowers and chocolate is a language unspoken that woman understand.  Someone loves them.

Sadly honoring motherhood is being eroded in society here in the west and in other nations.  The covenant of marriage where the woman and children are protected by the husband and father has lost its meaning.  

When Jesus lived among his people he set woman free.  He had compassion on them.   He did not ignore them.  He raised the widow’s only son from the dead.  He healed the woman with the issue of blood.  She should not have been out in public.  An immoral woman wiped his feet with expensive perfume.  He rescued the woman who was going to be stoned.

Woman helped support Jesus.  He often stayed with his friends, Mary, Martha and Lazarus.

He took his twelve disciples and some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager; Susanna; and many others who were contributing from their own resources to support Jesus and his disciples. (Luke 8:2, 3 NLT)

These woman were at the feet of the cross along with Jesus Mother when he died.  They came to the tomb with spices to embalm his body.  Jesus appeared to women first when he arose from the dead.  So they rushed back from the tomb to tell his eleven disciples—and everyone else—what had happened. It was Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and several other women who told the apostles what had happened. But the story sounded like nonsense to the men, so they didn’t believe it. (Luke 24:9-11 NLT)

But one scripture stands out for me is what Jesus said to the women.  

A large crowd trailed behind, including many grief-stricken women. But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. (Luke 23:27, 28 NLT)

Why did he say this?”  Perhaps he sees they are vulnerable.

When a mother gives birth to her child she welcomes this small helpless one.  She is forever changed.  Her nature is to care, to comfort and nourish.  She cannot be selfish.  She will watch this baby grow into a tall young man or woman.  How will she guide her young through life?  She is the first to influence her baby.  She has many years to train, pray, and lead by example.

Jesus knew it would not be easy for women.  If they put their trust in him he is faithful to care, guide and comfort.  He understands their every distress and wants to heal.  We may weep many tears because of pain or disappointment.  We may weep over our children.  God will wipe away every tear and hear every prayer we cry to him.  He is the only one who promises to help in time of trouble.  

Jesus gives both men and women dignity and purpose in live.  He brings unity.  There need not be any competition.  

There is no other god who is merciful.  

So well done mothers for having your children,  for nurturing them and then letting them go to walk their own journey.

We are Moving House. Do it Again, Lord.

Posted in Dreams, Family Friday, My thoughts, Prayer, Provision by

 

 

“Be very careful never to forget what you have seen The Lord do for you.  Do not let these things escape from your mind as long as you live!  And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.”  Deuteronomy 25 v 9

After rearing our children in the big house God provided for us, Brendan and I realised over the past few years that it is taking a lot of our energy to maintain it.  Lighting the fires in the morning to keep warm, cleaning and doing household chores made me weary.

Our children advised us to downsize to a more modern house that would be easy to keep warm.  It is not easy to be released from the home we reared our children for the last fifteen years.  Our children have memories of  growing up here.  There is space for us to have family get togethers, and the grandchildren come to visit.  There is room for them to stay over.

It is not easy to start looking again.  Back in September I read from God’s Word I will provide a home for the poor.  Brendan and I were going to trust God, as before, to provide a home for us.  “Lord you did it before, do it again,” I prayed.  “You will not forsake me now when I have gray hair,” according to Psalm 71.

Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me. (Psalms 71:18 NLT)

I did not want to move away from the area where we now live.  I would be happy to move to the country nearby.  We began to look at possibilities.  I did not have the energy to look at potential houses and then be disappointed if we were rejected.  We did try once, found a lovely house to rent, but the owner was not willing to rent to us.  I didn’t try any more.

Brendan and I visited Jerusalem earlier in the year.  I believe God’s Word that says he will bless us in Jerusalem.
Many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek The Lord of Heaven’s Armies and to ask for his blessing. (Zechariah 8:22 NLT)
I went to the ancient site of the Wailing Wall and prayed there about many things.

When we arrived back home I got a call from my hairdresser.  She said I had a dream about you last night and I need to tell you about it.  The dream indicated we would be leaving this house.  She did not know our situation about wanting to move from here. This dream helped Brendan and I decide to move from here.  We were in agreement.  Before I was undecided.

We looked at Property Pal, an Internet site for house rentals.  I searched for houses in our local area.  There were a few houses to let in the country nearby.  I called the agent of one I liked.  He arranged a viewing that evening.

It turned out to be a house next door to our friend who had the dream.  Her brother owned the house.  It proved ideal for our needs and applied to rent it.  The owner agreed and we move there next week.

The house is called “Bright House.”  In case we had any doubts about our move God has showed us signs three times.   I was reading in the scriptures,

“It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us. (Colossians 1:9-12 MSG)”

Tea bags and cologne.

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A song on the radio called “Bright Eyes”.

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We are in the middle of our house move.  Energy is low but morale high because of the Bright future God has promised for us.

God speaks today.  Listen for His still small voice if you are needing to make a Big move.

DP Challenge I am Looking Forward to the Golden Years of Life after being Healed of Cancer

Posted in Healing, My thoughts, Prayer by
In this world we have to live with one another, young and old, rich or poor, black or white, male and female, even though we have different perspectives of each other and disagree with one another.  Writing has helped me slow down and think outside the box and look at life from another’s perspective.
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Here are two stories that gave me perspective about my age from someone else’s view.
I went to a local store recently to buy a fish supper.  Here in Ireland it is our favourite, tried and tested take away.  Pizza and kebab shops have opened and shut down again.
I was taken aback when the assistant said “Do you want the pensioner’s deal?”  I forgot I had white hair and I certainly did not feel like a pensioner, even though I am one.  I also thought a pensioner’s portion would be a few small pieces of cod and a few chips!  The lady noticed my surprise and quickly reassured me that the portions are the same but it is cheaper.  She was being kind.
 This was the first time I realised that other people see my age, but I had never considered how I look to other people.  I feel young inside and think I am young on the outside too.
 A few days later, in another village I was looking at some outdoor plants for sale.  I heard this voice hail me saying “Young lady, can I help you?”  I looked around to see if there was someone else he was talking to.  He was talking to me!   I smiled and picked out a pot plant to buy.  He was a good salesman.
When I look back I remember when I was ten years of age I thought my mum was very old.  She was only forty at the time.  That was not old.  My eldest child is over forty now and I think of her as thirty something.
I was married at twenty.  In my generation it was common to get married young.  Nowadays young women and men find it difficult to meet a suitable partner and the average age for marriage is around thirty.  I think it is harder to raise children today because of the pressure on the family unit.
I have a friend who is sixty five.  She looks like fifty.  I put it down to her mother and father living into their nineties.  She always knew there was someone looking out for her.
When my husband and I attended parent teacher meetings for our younger children, we were the only grey haired parents there.   The other parents were much younger.  I hope my children were not embarressed letting their friends see us.  From my perspective I was a parent and my age did not matter to me.
My children told their teachers when their first nephew was born.  I attended an event at the school soon afterwards.  I was congratulated for being a grandmother.  I had never been celebrated as much for having my own children.  There must be something special about getting to see one’s grandchildren.  Thankfully I am alive and have survived cancer, to see twelve grandchildren so far.
The scripture in psalm 127 says “May you live to see your children’s children.”  It is a blessing.
I  realised my age when I did not have the strength to work in the garden for long.  A few years before I was clearing ground, digging up my vegetable patch or mowing the lawn.  I now plant up pots.  I know my limits.
My husband and I have been considering moving from this big home for a couple of years.  We now see it is too much work for us.  We are delighted to be moving to a smaller home that suits our needs.  God has guided us in this new move.
As one is older one has a perspective on life that is coloured by experience, mistakes, pain and how one copes with what life throws at you.  Younger people have less experience and generally are influenced by their peers rather than experience gained over many years.  Like the child who burnt his hand he knows not to touch the hot stove again.  The Word of God says we learn obedience through the things we suffer.
Jesus said to Peter, who was a bit head strung, “When you are young you will go wherever you want but when you are old others will lead you.”
God made us and he realises our vulnerability and weakness as we get older.  We may be concerned about a loved one or our health may fail.  One is not in control.  But if one trusts God he will give us courage and strength to keep going.  Jesus said “Cast all your care upon me because I care for you.”  He is our refuge in time of trouble.
The bible is full of promises about when one is old.  Here are a few that give me hope in the goodness of God.
Psalm 91 says “With long life will I satisfy you”
“Do not cast me away when I am old; do not forsake me when my strength is gone.
Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.” (Psalm 71:9, 18 NIV)
Psalm 90 promises we can live till we are seventy.  As one believes God’s word one can expect to live to seventy at least.  Too often we listen to what doctors or others tell us instead of listening to what God says.
“Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble.  Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. (Psalms 90:10, 12 NLT)
I believe being there for my children and grandchildren is important.  It gives security, like my friend, that someone cares.  Can a mother forget the child she bore?  I am staying alive because I want to see the promises that God has given me about my family and destiny fulfilled.
I am blessed to have a loving, caring husband for companionship for the latter part of our lives.  He often tells me the best is yet to be.  I agree with him.  The work of looking after my children is over.  I will still pray for them.  I am looking forward to my new home and new beginnings.
I can say that God is faithful.  He has cared for me during my younger years and even to my gray hair.  I can truly say God is good all the time.
From my perspective as I am older it is good to rest, value life and be thankful.  Love covers and protects us all and helps us to live together even though we have different perspectives.
dailypost.wordpress.com/2014/03/10/weekly-writing-challenge-golden-years/

We built This City. Daily Prompt. Downpatrick, in Northern Ireland, the Place where I Live.

Posted in Ireland, My thoughts, Nations, Prayer, Provision by
Next Monday, the 17th March is St Patrick’s day.   There are celebrations all over the world on this day.  In America green beer is sold.  When my husband was in China on St Patrick’s Day the locals gave him a can of Guinness.  He said it was the best can of Guinness he had ever drank in China.  It was the only one!
The Irish people have spread all over the world and that is why most countries have heard of St Patrick.
St Patrick  is celebrated as an man who lived among the Irish in the fifth century.  He preached the gospel of Jesus and did many signs and wonders among the people.  It is recorded that he drove the snakes out of Ireland.  There are no snakes in Ireland.
The town where I live is called Downpatrick.  It is claimed that St patrick is buried here.  Many tourists come to visit this historical place.
The people of this town have lived at peace with each other during the recent troubles in the seventies.  Every Good Friday all denominations of Christians walked through the town behind a wooden cross.  People took turns to carry it.  The people of the town demonstrated their unity, when in other parts of Northern Ireland people were being murdered.
I believe there is a blessing over Downpatrick because of it’s history as a centre of Christianity and civilisation.  There are many schools and colleges in our town.   Christian brothers set up a school for over eleven year old boys back at the beginning of the twentieth century.
They brought education to the poor.  My children attended this school.
I was praying for a bigger house for our growing family.  I needed more space.  I believed that God would provide for us a big family, like he provided for the tribes that went into the Promised Land.
About that time I read in the bible “Look for the ancient pathways where you will find rest for your soul.”  Jeremiah 6 v 16.  Downpatrick is an ancient pathway where Christians have lived for many centuries.  St Patrick may have walked down the pathway or street where we live.
My husband and I believe that God can speak and guide people.  God showed my husband in a dream to get in touch with a man who lived in Downpatrick.  This man, some months later helped us get the big house we now live in.   It has seven bedrooms, two kitchens and two living rooms.  We will be ever grateful to our friend who helped us find a home here.  He helped us when we were in need.
Downpatrick has been a blessing to our family.  Our children were welcomed into the schools.  Their friends’ parents welcomed them into their homes.  The local soccer club and Gaelic club were somewhere safe for my boys to play, supervised by responsible caring volunteers.  It felt as if we always lived here.
We joined with other Christians to pray in unity.  We were blessed.   Where brothers dwell together in unity there The Lord commands a blessing.  Psalm 133.
Since we moved here as we prayed with others for our town,  new things have come here.  A new hospital is built, a new cinema, two new schools, and a new supermarket.
Where I came here I met other families that returned here to rear their children.
Downpatrick is a pleasant and safe place to live.
We have a vibrant Art Centre that gets funding from the government.  Downpatrick punches above its weight.
It has a pleasant climate.  It rests in the lee side of the Mourne Mountains.  The rain falls on the mountains, so we receive less rain than other parts of our country.   We often had our dinner outside in the summer time.  We could never do that in the last town we lived in.
There are beautiful local parks and coastlands.  Within seven miles we are at the beach.  Coney Island is nearby.  It is made famous by the Van Morrison song.
As people live together in harmony the Mayor of our town will have an easy job.
Soon we are moving to a smaller house not far from Downpatrick.   I will always be grateful to God for leading us to live in Downpatrick.  I am thankful to all the teachers, coaches, friends and neighbours who helped our family and have made our time in Downpatrick a happy one.
you too can be guided by God in your life.  He will speak through dreams or circumstances that may arise in your life.  God loves you.