Tag Archives: Daughter

My Daughter Nora Attends the Queen’s Funeral.

Posted in Family, My thoughts, Nations, Restoration by

On September 8th 2022 Elizabeth 11 Queen of England and the Commonwealth died. Then followed ten days of mourning. People showed their love and respect to their Queen by lining the streets as her coffin passed through Scotland and London. Her coffin lay in State in Westminster Hall. It is said 260,000 passed by her coffin. Two million people lined the streets of London to watch the final journey from Westminster Abbey to Windsor.

Two thousand people were invited to attend the funeral service in Westminster Abbey. World leaders, foreign royalty, dignitaries, religious leaders, the Royal family, former prime ministers were to attend. 200 people who were listed in the recent Queen’s honours list were invited. Other invitations were sent to people who worked in a voluntarty capacity in organisations. .

My daughter Nora was in shock when she received an email on the tenth of September inviting her to attend the Queen’s funeral. How come? Nora worked in a voluntary capacity as Chair of the Museums in Belfast.

Nora booked her flights to attend and waited for the letter with the official invitation. She was nervous all week wondering “Is this real.” The awaited letter arrived on Saturday. We were on holiday while all this excitement was going on back home.

She shared the news with her sister Ruth who affirmed her and reassured her it wasn’t fake news. She arranged accommodation for her in London

The Archbishop of Westminster gave a brief speech at the funeral. The late Queen wanted it to be said before everyone viewing that she was a believer in Jesus.

He stated “Her Late Majesty famously declared on a 21st birthday broadcast that her whole life would be dedicated to serving the Nation and Commonwealth. Rarely has such a promise been so well kept!
Jesus – who in our reading does not tell his disciples how to follow, but who – said: “I am the way, the truth and the life”. Her Late Majesty’s example was not set through her position or her ambition, but through whom she followed.”

My daughter too is a follower of Jesus. Jesus is the King of kings. When Pilate asked Jesus was he King of the Jews He did not deny it. Jesus told the religious leaders who accused him “. In the future you will see the Son of man seated in the place of honor at God’s right hand.
Jesus is now reigning in heaven over all rule, authority, power and dominion .

Nora knows Gods love and care for her with the honor of being seated with kings and princes from the nations. Scripture says in
Psalm113,

He lifts the poor and seats them with princes in the land.

We are a family from humble beginnings. We are all honoured when Nora, one of us was invited to attend such an historical event as the Queen’s funeral in 2022.

My Eldest Daughter’s Success

Posted in Family, Ireland, Motherhood, My thoughts by

It was fifty years ago around Easter time that I discovered I was pregnant. I was in my second year at university, What should I do? What will my parents think? Will I finish my studies?

I was aware that the University Medical Center arranged for a student to go to England if she wanted an abortion.  Not everyone wanted the responsibility of a child.  One was at university to further one’s prospect of a job and career.  Having a child would interfere with those plans.  Best stop the pregnancy and no one will know, some students thought. 

The western world was going through revolution.  Youth in the west threw off the customs of their forefathers and guidelines on how to live.  The pill was available so one didn’t have to get married.  Abortion became available.  Music was being blasted over the airwaves about love, all you need is love.  The result of throwing off the wisdom gained from previous generations has resulted in millions of children being aborted.   

I decided I wanted to keep my child.  I didn’t listen to my peers.  I wasn’t passionate about a future career.  Brendan asked me to marry him.  We were twenty years and twenty one years old respectively.  We were willing to face the future together as many people before us have done.  My daughter Shann was born later that year.

Recently we celebrated Shann’s success in getting the highest mark in her Masters, doing research for community health care. If we had aborted my unborn child we wouldn’t have had the joy of raising and being responsible for another human being. Brendan’s mother wouldn’t have had the joy of seeing her first grandchild and spending many happy days with her. In nannie’s old age Shann cared for her.

Shann has brought love to many.  The world would not be the same without her. Shann has been a blessing.  She is married to Mark.  They have four beautiful children.  As a health professional she has worked with sick children and elderly.  She encourages her colleagues when they are having a bad day.  She is compassionate to her neighbours.

 Our eldest child has loved us and her siblings unconditionally.  We look forward to many good days together in the future.  

This story is the result of my choice fifty years ago not to have an abortion.

Day Trip in Northern Ireland Series

Posted in Birds, Cancer, Family Friday, Healing, My thoughts, Nature, Travel by

Hurrah. Lockdown has eased in Northern Ireland. Shops are open and people can dine out again in Belfast.

Brendan and I were going on a Mystery Tour with Our daughter, Ruth. Mary Black’s songs were seranading us as we headed north out of Belfast.

Brendan and I were singing a different song eleven years ago as we went to the hospital to have a test to check for cancer. “Because he lives I can face tomorrow”. The Cherry Blossom trees at the entrance were in full bloom.

Today eleven years on Cherry Blossom Trees are in full glory in the sunshine. They seemed to line our journey today, waving from gardens and hedgerows. Scripture says the trees of the field will clap their hands as we go out with joy. Yes I have joy after those sad days of cancer eleven years ago. I am healed by the power of the name of Jesus.

Our first stop was Ballyronan, a caravan and woodland park on the shores of Lough Neagh, the largest lake in the British Isles. Plenty of wildlife flourish here. We saw two healthy herons up ahead on the walkway. Whopper swans and ducks come here from Iceland. Chaffinches and sparrows sang overhead in the Ash tree branches. Although we didn’t see any, there is a good population of bats and owls.

Our next stop was where the River Blackwater joins the Lough Neagh. We lingered there in the stillness. A kingfisher flew over the water and disappeared in a flash.

Time for lunch. We headed towards Ardboe. At a crossroads not far away was a small building with a sign outside saying

High Cow Bagels, Drive Through. Coffee.

Brendan said “Let’s stop here. This guy has a sense of humour.” High Cow is the English translation of Ardboe. Ard means High and Bo means Cow.

I asked the Chef, “Is there any cow on the menu.” We chatted back and forth and had a good laugh. I told him I was healed of cancer. He was happy to receive some of my books.

Ruth looked at the menu.

High Cow Classic, High Cow Melt, The Cowboy Melt, High Cow Big Breakfast and much more. We enjoyed a unique tasty lunch, coffee and a High Cow Classic Bagel al fresco. The chef was a bundle of fun and the food was five star. I’d definitely go back again.

You never know what you may find when you leave the motorway and go on the roads less traveled.

My Daughter Mary

Posted in Cancer, Family, Healing, My thoughts, Thoughtful Thursday by

Today is a special day of celebration for the Mc Cauley family. Mary received a Consultant post in Medicine.

She had an interview before a panel of eight professionals for the post of a Consultant this afternoon. I encouraged her. Surely all the years of education, dedication and sacrifice will come through for you on the day. Her hands have been a safe pair of hands to receive many new born babies from their mothers’ wombs whether by natural birth or by Caesarian.

Later this evening she received a phone call to tell her she was successful. She is now a Consultant Obstetrician, specialising in Maternal Multimorbity. Congratulations Mary.

It doesn’t seem all that long ago when Mary got a toy stethescope for Christmas. She listened in to other’s heartbeat. At the age of nine a prophet came to stay with us. His name is John Paul Jackson. He spoke into all the children’s lives then. He prophesied that Mary would do Medicine and Research.

Mary passed all her school exams and was accepted to do Medicine at Aberdeen University. She spent one year out of the six years there doing research.

John Paul Jackson was visiting Aberdeen. Mary saw a notice about him speaking at a local church. She remembered him staying with us. This is ten years on. Mary attended the meeting. John Paul picked her out again and prophesied into her life to encourage her. Later on he asked if she was Brendan Mc Cauley’s daughter. He asked her what did he prophesy to her back then. She said you prophesied I would do Medicine and Research. He asked what are you doing here. She told him she was doing Medicine and Research.

Mary’s faith in God took off after this divine encounter. She knows and believes prophetic words are very important. Those words many years before helped her when the going got tough.

I did not realise that it takes many years of training to qualify to be a Consultant. She has her own story to tell of her own difficulties to get to today. I’m very proud of my daughter. She is faithful to God. He has been with her through many trials and temptations.

I especially want to thank Mary for her support to me before, during and after my journey with fourth stage cancer. She continues to be a blessing to all of her family.

Testimony of God’s Love

Posted in Family, Healing, Ireland, My thoughts, Prayer, Restoration by

My daughter Nora lost her wedding ring on Sunday 22nd September. She was taking part in the Belfast half marathon in aid of Heart and Stroke Charity, Northern Ireland.

Nora was happy and relieved to get across that finishing line! She was back home when she discovered her wedding ring was missing. She had taken it off and put it in her pocket during the marathon as her finger had swollen.

  1. She was upset. She prayed with her friend for the return of her ring. She sent a message on Twitter and Facebook. She returned to the area where she thought she may have lost it. The ground was muddy and there was no sign of it.

Here is the message she sent.

So delighted to have done the Belfast Half Marathon this morning 💥. The only problem was that I lost my wedding ring somewhere around the finish line – at the Stroke Association tent 😰 if by some miracle someone comes across it maybe you’d let me know? It has my name and wedding date engraved on the inside…. any shares appreciated.

You never know – miracles can happen! #BelfastMarathon Ormeau Park

The message went viral. She called me in the afternoon. She was tearful. We prayed again.

Next morning we got a message from a friend to tell us Nora’s ring was found. It was handed in to the organisers of the marathon. We text Nora to tell her. She hadn’t checked her other messages because she was in a hurry to attend work.

She was overwhelmed at the response to her message on media. She got her miracle.

The local newspaper the News Letter picked up on her story. BBC Evening Extra called her and asked her to join them in the studio to tell her story.

Colin, her husband collected the ring and joined Nora at the radio studio. There was joy as the presenter interviewed Nora and Colin about the recent events. He asked Colin to put the ring back on her finger. All of Northern Ireland listeners heard the good news story.

Nora got her miracle.

I was reading this message today. “I will be your God throughout your lifetime. I have created you and cared for you since you were born.” Isaiah 46 v 3

God cares for Nora and Colin. He cares about their marriage. He demonstrated his love for them publicly. Their covenant of marriage was re confirmed before thousands of listeners. Nora continues to be overwhelmed.

Family Friday. Going to see Family in Scotland

Posted in Family Friday, Holiday, Motherhood, My thoughts, Prayer by

My daughter invited me over to visit with her in Scotland. We could spent some time together.  She duely booked flights for me.  I wanted to visit with three other of my children while I was over in Scotland.  My husband left on a trip the day before.  I was busy helping him get away.  Normally we travel together.

I took my time packing for my trip.  I travelled light.  I did not want to trail heavy luggage with me on and off the plane or on and off buses. I was travelling on my own. Brendan had typed out my boarding pass for the flight from Belfast to Edinburgh before he left on his trip.  He is good at any computer work that needs attention.  

I arrived at Belfast City Airport in good time.  Plans were going smoothly.  I was getting excited about my journey and looking forward to seeing my children living in Scotland.  I walked through to security check in as I already had my boarding pass.  As I handed my pass to the man in attendance I sensed I should have some other document.  It suddenly dawned on me that I had not brought my passport!  I could not get on the plane without my passport.

I stood to the side and let other passengers go on through to get their cases scanned.  I was in shock.  I had been so careful to make sure I had everything I needed in my case.  But I forgot my passport.  When Brendan and I travel he takes care of passports and boarding passes and any other business that makes our travels go smoothly, car parking arrangements, help with heavy luggage or a stay overnight in an hotel.  He is very faithful in the little details, so I don’t have to deal with them.  I was so thankful and appreciated Brendan’s help in the past.  I had taken his help for granted.

It was too late for anyone from home to bring my passport to the airport.  Normally we are advised to arrive at the airport in good time.  I know some people who arrive two hours before the flight is due to take off.  I had left no extra time.  I reviewed the situation , didn’t panic and was reconciled to the consequences of forgetting my passport.   I will return home.  I will not get to Scotland.  I was thankful I was not travelling on to a far off destination.  

I remembered back to Brendan’s story about the chicken and the eagle.  Did I want to remain in the farmyard.  No I began to praise God and pray for his help.  I decided to lift up my wings with praise and prayer. 

Just then I remembered “I might be able to use some other identification on the Flybe flight.”  I had a card with photo identification on it.  I asked the attendant if other ID can be accepted by the Flybe airline.  Yes other ID will be accepted.  I breathed a sigh of relief.  I proceeded through security to the gate for Edinburgh.  I was a happy traveller.  I had a big smile on my face.  

I went up to the gate to board the plane.  I presented my ID card.  The attendant just glanced at it.  She did not inspect it closely.  I took my seat on the plane.  It soon took off and I was soaring above the clouds like the eagle.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭40‬:‭30-31‬ NIV)

I looked up the in flight book for Flybe. I got a pleasant surprise to see Tara Lodge recommended as an hotel to stay at when in Belfast. My daughter is the Manager?

I was facing disappointment due to my own carelessness or lack of foresight in not checking if I had my passport.  Someone may say “Tough.  You need to learn a lesson.  Be better prepared. Why are you so stupid to forget your passport.”

The fact is I am not perfect.  I was trying to get away earlier under pressure with seeing to last minute details before I left home.  I did not forsee this difficulty.

But do you know God is merciful.  With him there is no disappointment.  I had no one to help me get away.  My husband had already left.  My Heavenly Father cared.  He makes a way when there is no way.

I remembered again.  I have an enemy the devil who wants to rob, steal and destroy.  He wanted to rob me of my trip to Scotland.  As I resisted him and trusted God I was not robbed.

Often we want to be in control of situations, trying to cover every possibility for mistakes.  But that leaves one in stress and always having to live up to high expectations.  Yes it is good to be prepared.  But I am not going to stress out if I make mistakes.  I could not live under that pressure.  I will do what I can and realise there is someone above me who will look after me, my Heavenly Father.  I am not in control.  I let him, the God of the universe be in control.

Think about it, do you control your life and others?  Relinquish control and trust God.  When one is in control a spirit of control can be operating and driving a person without him realising it.

I was not in control of my life when I was willing to have fourteen children. It is good to trust God and not be afraid of what life may throw at us.  He has been faithful to help me rear fourteen children.  He has healed me from fourth stage cancer.  Forgetting my passport did not end my trip.

Daily Prompt. The Heat is on. Despite the Pressure we got There.

Posted in My thoughts by

 

I am normally an easy going person and seem to come into my own in with difficult situations.
Times that involve pressure usually happen to us when we are travelling.
 
Once my husband was going on a trip to Canada.  He asked me to drive him in my car because he was too pressured to drive.  
 
We stopped at the first garage on the way to put fuel in the car.  Brendan put the fuel in and went into the shop to pay for it.  When he came back he realised he had put petrol in instead of diesel.  His own car runs on petrol so he easily made a mistake.
 
What were we going to do?  We did not have time to get help.  I suggested we fill the tank up with diesel and I would drive as fast as I could to the airport.   There was no other alternative.  If the engine was destroyed we took the risk.  
 
We were nervous all the way to the airport.  But Praise God we got to the airport and my car was none the worse for the fuel mix.   Brendan was happy when he took his seat on that flight.
 
Another morning we were leaving our daughter to the airport.  She was going to work in Africa.  She was flying out of Belfast, to London and on to Uganda.  We were all relaxed about saying goodbye and wanted to make our daughter’s leaving as smooth as possible.  We did not voice our sadness at her leaving.
 
We set off on our journey.  My daughter checked the flight times and realised she had made a mistake.  Brendan put the foot down and went as fast as he could to the airport.  We quietly prayed and did not utter a word of fear.  Our sadness left.  Now we had to focus to get her away!
 
We helped my daughter with all her cases to the  check in desk.  It  was closing.  We pleaded with the attendant to check in her luggage.  He helped us.  We were so glad she did not miss her flight.  We waved her goodbye with joy, thankful to God we got there on time.  The pressure lifted.
 
 
 
 

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My Youngest Daughter packed up her Little Treasures and said Goodbye to her Bedroom

Posted in Family Friday, Prayer, Provision by
My youngest daughter was five years old when she moved to this house.  She shared a room with her older sister for a few years.  Then she had the big room all to herself.  She enjoyed the luxury of a double bed, a big study table and just space.
When she went to the grammar school she learnt the double bass.  She had this big instrument in her room to do her practice lessons.
Her six older brothers were envious of her.  Some of them still had to share a room.
My daughter had her friends round to play.  They enjoyed her big house as well.  They spent many hours doing whatever young girls do.
She listened to her CDs, worshiped God and prayed.  Angels watched over her.
This home was just beside her school.  She was able to walk to school and when she was older ran down home for lunch.  No stress.  Some mornings I would walk with my young children up to school.  It was good to hear the screams of the children at play in the playground.
Some of her friends would venture into the garden on their way home from school and want a turn on our big swing.  They squeeled with delight.
Now my daughter has gone to university.  I know she had a very happy childhood living in this big old house.  She packed up all her treasures when she was home recently and said goodbye to her big room in this big house.  The room will miss her.