so, it's very late, my kids are finally snug in their beds, and i am sitting here, pensive, tired, and ... trying to figure out how to share all the things that are on my heart.  i realized that a blog is supposed to be almost continuous, flowing, and communicative.  ours have been non of these. so, first, i would like to say i am sorry.  there is actually is a lot that we would love to share with you, our dear friends.  i just have to slow down, to share them.

that i guess is the issue. time. life is running too quickly.  we work so hard to clean, to wash, to meet deadlines, to shop, to provide for our families... for what? in the end, what is it all for? really.  every day, i have a long list of things that have to be done like washing the endless piles of dishes, sweeping the incessant flow of food from the floor, or washing the pile of clothes in the laundry room that multiplies overnight... while my kids, ever growing, learning, listening, and watching are waiting for me to show them, teach them what really matters. love. faithfulness. Godliness.  we are, i am the example they are looking to follow, whether i like it or not.  i have to remind myself, God is my example, and i am theirs.

with that in mind, we have to consider everything. our future is their future. what we as their parents do, or do not do, will shape the experiences, memories, and lives of our children.  what they know of trust, safety, right and wrong.  so, we pray.  we pray for wisdom to make the right decisions for us and for them. our children can voice opinions they may have, but ultimately they must trust us and go wherever we go.  God is calling us, our family, to trust Him in every area of our lives.  we are ambassadors, trail-makers, trusters, believers.  we must live out in front of our children everything we talk about, or they will never trust in what we say to be true. so, we have to trust in God, and... we have to go where our Father tells us to go. and this time, it is ireland......

In November, we were so blessed to be able to go to the west of Ireland, to 'scout' it out and see if that is where we felt like God is calling us.  Our trip was an amazing time of reflection and prayer, exploration and an adventure.  Phillip and I hadn't been away like that together since our honeymoon, and that was twelve years ago!  So we were so excited to have the opportunity to spend time together, but more than that we were able to spend the week with our dear friends.  It was a time for us to pray together, encourage one another, and to listen to God and what he might have for us there.

our week was filled with laughter, tears, prayers and song

most of the pictures from the ireland trip are here if you would like to see:  Familiabrummett

we do feel a real drawing to go.  we learned a lot during our trip and even since about the need for love and community in this country.