We're Back!!
Greetings from back in Indiana.
We arrived back in Chicago on Friday afternoon and are in the midst of enjoying time with family and friends.
Our last couple weeks in Ireland were fantastic. We had a lot of goodbyes, some which were more difficult than others. We will certainly miss the people that we worked with and interacted among.
In the next week, we will be putting together a final letter to tell you more.
As far as our next move, we are planning to move to Chicago sometime in May, where I will be attending Trinity Seminary in the fall. We are excited to start yet another adventure!
Thank you all so much for keeping up with what we have been doing. We appreciate all of you so much.
Love,
Tyler and Erin
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Monday, April 09, 2007
Beantown!
This past week, I had the privilege of going with our basketball team to Boston. The week really couldn't have gone much better. Our Freshman guys had been looking forward to it for many months and none of them returned disappointed. The guys played three games against small school opponents. We won one of those matches and the guys were able to interact with the opposing players after all of the matches.
We did a lot of fun activities as we saw the Basketball Hall of Fame, a Celtics game, and a minor league hockey game They also got a chance to meet a lot of faithful supporters of our ministry in the way of meals and activiities. The kids were blessed and so were the Sportslife supporters.
The trip brought me back to my days as a camp counselor as I was hosted in a house with five of the guys. We took over the basement. It was a great setup as we had foosball and air hockey going on constantly. For all but one of the guys, it was their first time in the USA, so it was fun to see their reactions to the many differences, such as large houses and yards, basements, shopping malls, and fast food. They loved the food, but by they end they were missing their fries with vinegar and curry sauce.
There were countless opportunities all week to interact with the guys and our relationships with them were deepened. They asked a lot of questions about God and Christianity and the hope is that several of these guys will start meeting with Dan for Bible study. There are definitely a few that are interested, which is great.
Erin survived the week apart well and was well taken care of by friends who were here visiting and who are apart of the Taylor group around the corner. This week we will both be working an Easter sports and arts camp with the kids up in Ballymun.
It's hard to believe there are only two week lefts for us here. It will be sad to leave, but exciting to get home in many ways as well.
Thanks again for all of your support and prayers.
Tyler and Erin
This past week, I had the privilege of going with our basketball team to Boston. The week really couldn't have gone much better. Our Freshman guys had been looking forward to it for many months and none of them returned disappointed. The guys played three games against small school opponents. We won one of those matches and the guys were able to interact with the opposing players after all of the matches.
We did a lot of fun activities as we saw the Basketball Hall of Fame, a Celtics game, and a minor league hockey game They also got a chance to meet a lot of faithful supporters of our ministry in the way of meals and activiities. The kids were blessed and so were the Sportslife supporters.
The trip brought me back to my days as a camp counselor as I was hosted in a house with five of the guys. We took over the basement. It was a great setup as we had foosball and air hockey going on constantly. For all but one of the guys, it was their first time in the USA, so it was fun to see their reactions to the many differences, such as large houses and yards, basements, shopping malls, and fast food. They loved the food, but by they end they were missing their fries with vinegar and curry sauce.
There were countless opportunities all week to interact with the guys and our relationships with them were deepened. They asked a lot of questions about God and Christianity and the hope is that several of these guys will start meeting with Dan for Bible study. There are definitely a few that are interested, which is great.
Erin survived the week apart well and was well taken care of by friends who were here visiting and who are apart of the Taylor group around the corner. This week we will both be working an Easter sports and arts camp with the kids up in Ballymun.
It's hard to believe there are only two week lefts for us here. It will be sad to leave, but exciting to get home in many ways as well.
Thanks again for all of your support and prayers.
Tyler and Erin
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
St. Paddy's Day
I hope everyone enjoyed their St. Patrick's Day on Saturday and represented the Irish well by wearing your green. We had a great time with the festivities here. Our first big thing was the parade. We were with Erin's dad and a number of students from the Taylor group over here. The parade was quite bizarre to say the least (monsters, sea creatures, and several American marching bands), but it was a very fun atmosphere nonetheless. Afterwards, we made our way to Croke Parks for the club finals for gaelic football and hurling, two very entertaining All-Irish sports. We ended the day with a nice meal at Vance's favorite Italian restaurant back in Greystones and even got to watch some of the NCAA Tourney. It was a great day!
The night before, we had a nice St. Paddy's Day party at youth group. It was a lot of fun and included contests to see who could most creatively act out famous Irish legends and who could create the best Irish dance. The students also enjoyed their Green milkshakes and Pin the Tail on the Donkey using cut-out body parts and a life size painting of St. Patrick himself. We had a number of our regular students bring friends, which is always great.
Next week, I will be traveling to Boston with Dan and our basketball team of Freshman students. While there, we will be playing matches against American opponents, promoting the ministry in an area where a large amount of our support originates, and just having a really fun time. Dan and I are really looking forward to the extended time with the guys. Please pray for safe travel, good interactions with the guys, and that they would all get along also.
Thanks and have a great week!
Tyler and Erin
I hope everyone enjoyed their St. Patrick's Day on Saturday and represented the Irish well by wearing your green. We had a great time with the festivities here. Our first big thing was the parade. We were with Erin's dad and a number of students from the Taylor group over here. The parade was quite bizarre to say the least (monsters, sea creatures, and several American marching bands), but it was a very fun atmosphere nonetheless. Afterwards, we made our way to Croke Parks for the club finals for gaelic football and hurling, two very entertaining All-Irish sports. We ended the day with a nice meal at Vance's favorite Italian restaurant back in Greystones and even got to watch some of the NCAA Tourney. It was a great day!
The night before, we had a nice St. Paddy's Day party at youth group. It was a lot of fun and included contests to see who could most creatively act out famous Irish legends and who could create the best Irish dance. The students also enjoyed their Green milkshakes and Pin the Tail on the Donkey using cut-out body parts and a life size painting of St. Patrick himself. We had a number of our regular students bring friends, which is always great.
Next week, I will be traveling to Boston with Dan and our basketball team of Freshman students. While there, we will be playing matches against American opponents, promoting the ministry in an area where a large amount of our support originates, and just having a really fun time. Dan and I are really looking forward to the extended time with the guys. Please pray for safe travel, good interactions with the guys, and that they would all get along also.
Thanks and have a great week!
Tyler and Erin
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Upward Basketball Ends With a Bang!
This past Sunday, we finished up our Upward basketball seasons with a fun and entertaining end of the season party. The afternoon started off with each of the eight teams getting to play their parents. This was quite the hoot as most of the adults had no idea how to play basketball. But what they lacked in skill they more than made up for in their competitiveness. Erin put her artistic skills to work as the official facepainter for the afternoon. After the games, we had pizza and pop, which was then followed by a short program. Each of us coaches were able to publicly praise our players in front of their parents, a basketball entertainer performed some amazing tricks, and a short presentation of the Gospel was given. It was a fine day and was enjoyed by parents and players alike.
It really was an amazing privilege for us to work with these basketball leagues. Youth sports in this rough neighborhood are a necessity to the growth and development of these kids. They need activities that keep them involved and working towards something bigger than themselves. I have definitely been impressed with how important these programs are and how cool it is to do it all with the backdrop of Christianity.
A few other notes this week:
- We had a All-Worship night at youth group last Friday and it was received well. This Friday, we will be having an outreach emphasis as we will be having a St. Patty's Day party.
- Erin's dad is back over on business for a week, starting today. We are looking forward to some time with him and will be taking in some of the many festivities surrounding St. Patrick's Day this Saturday.
With love,
Tyler and Erin
This past Sunday, we finished up our Upward basketball seasons with a fun and entertaining end of the season party. The afternoon started off with each of the eight teams getting to play their parents. This was quite the hoot as most of the adults had no idea how to play basketball. But what they lacked in skill they more than made up for in their competitiveness. Erin put her artistic skills to work as the official facepainter for the afternoon. After the games, we had pizza and pop, which was then followed by a short program. Each of us coaches were able to publicly praise our players in front of their parents, a basketball entertainer performed some amazing tricks, and a short presentation of the Gospel was given. It was a fine day and was enjoyed by parents and players alike.
It really was an amazing privilege for us to work with these basketball leagues. Youth sports in this rough neighborhood are a necessity to the growth and development of these kids. They need activities that keep them involved and working towards something bigger than themselves. I have definitely been impressed with how important these programs are and how cool it is to do it all with the backdrop of Christianity.
A few other notes this week:
- We had a All-Worship night at youth group last Friday and it was received well. This Friday, we will be having an outreach emphasis as we will be having a St. Patty's Day party.
- Erin's dad is back over on business for a week, starting today. We are looking forward to some time with him and will be taking in some of the many festivities surrounding St. Patrick's Day this Saturday.
With love,
Tyler and Erin
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Yesterday was Erin's 23rd birthday! It was a fine day indeed. We celebrated by having tea and dessert at a nice hotel in Dubin (owned by members of U2), taking in an art exhibit, and watching a couple movies over Chinese food back at home. Thanks for the calls, emails, and cards. They were appreciated very much.
The Upward basketball leagues concluded their seasons on Sunday. The girls capped off a great season with another win while the guys couldn't quite get it going, but played extremely hard. This coming Sunday, the whole family is invited as we will have players vs. parents games and a pizza party, followed by a celebratory program. It should be a lot of fun as many of the parents have not touched a basketball before. Please pray for a great day with the families.
Erin continues to enjoy teaching. She really is building some good friendships with her fellow art teachers and enjoys the comaraderie that she has with them. Also, she is really enjoying teaching junior high aged students, which she hadn't done yet before the first of the year.
We are barely starting to see evidence of the baby now. The week before we return home will be when we have our first scan. Will it be a boy or a girl? We'll see!
Have a great week!
Tyler and Erin
The Upward basketball leagues concluded their seasons on Sunday. The girls capped off a great season with another win while the guys couldn't quite get it going, but played extremely hard. This coming Sunday, the whole family is invited as we will have players vs. parents games and a pizza party, followed by a celebratory program. It should be a lot of fun as many of the parents have not touched a basketball before. Please pray for a great day with the families.
Erin continues to enjoy teaching. She really is building some good friendships with her fellow art teachers and enjoys the comaraderie that she has with them. Also, she is really enjoying teaching junior high aged students, which she hadn't done yet before the first of the year.
We are barely starting to see evidence of the baby now. The week before we return home will be when we have our first scan. Will it be a boy or a girl? We'll see!
Have a great week!
Tyler and Erin
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
A Timely Visit from Mom
Last week, Erin's mom and her friend came to visit. This was a nice treat for the both of us, especially for Erin. The three ladies took off for a few days to go to Kilkenny and Waterford. They had a great time relaxing and shopping. It doesn't sound like I missed much...just kidding! While they were here, we also paid a visit to a nearby monastery and spent some time in Dublin. The ladies also seized the opportunity to make red velvet cake and it was enjoyed by all.
Upward basketball is down to the final week of the season and our final practice was this evening. The guys were pretty wound up as usual, but nonetheless, I think they did pretty well during the devotional time in which we talked about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and how Jesus saved us from slavery to sin. The girls were adorable as usual and they enjoyed the players vs. coaches game that our team had. The players took us by a bucket.
Erin had another doctor's appointment yesterday and had to face the needles involved with blood tests. She took it like a champ. We will be having our first ultrasound just before we come home, so we are looking forward to that.
Thanks again for all of your prayers. We hope you are all doing well!
Tyler and Erin
Last week, Erin's mom and her friend came to visit. This was a nice treat for the both of us, especially for Erin. The three ladies took off for a few days to go to Kilkenny and Waterford. They had a great time relaxing and shopping. It doesn't sound like I missed much...just kidding! While they were here, we also paid a visit to a nearby monastery and spent some time in Dublin. The ladies also seized the opportunity to make red velvet cake and it was enjoyed by all.
Upward basketball is down to the final week of the season and our final practice was this evening. The guys were pretty wound up as usual, but nonetheless, I think they did pretty well during the devotional time in which we talked about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and how Jesus saved us from slavery to sin. The girls were adorable as usual and they enjoyed the players vs. coaches game that our team had. The players took us by a bucket.
Erin had another doctor's appointment yesterday and had to face the needles involved with blood tests. She took it like a champ. We will be having our first ultrasound just before we come home, so we are looking forward to that.
Thanks again for all of your prayers. We hope you are all doing well!
Tyler and Erin
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Valentine's Fun
On Friday night, we had a successful Valentine's Day banquet for the youth group at St. Mark's. We had about 60 youth seated around tables in the sanctuary. One other youth group in town joined us for the event and much fun was had by all. Throughout the night, there were activities and games, including "Name that Romantic Movie" and "Speed-Chatting." One of the great attributes of the church over here is that churches really work together and it was evidenced on Friday. Please continue to pray for the youth, that they would develop real and personal relationship with God. Also, please pray that many of group's friends who came for the banquet would start attending the youth group on a regular basis.
As for Erin and I, we had a unique Valentine's Day ourselves as we traveled by city bus for two hours to find a Papa John's pizza joint. That was the romantic evening that Erin wanted and it was fantastic to have some good old American pizza. Yesterday, we also had a great time on North Bull Island just north of Dublin. The island is full of small dunes and wild grass. It was a gorgeous day for it, which we understand is quite the opposite of the weather back at home in the States.
Today, we have another round of Upward basketball games. Devotions with the guys' team went very well this week. We talked about trusting in God. The guys are a pretty rowdy bunch, so it was a blessing to really have there attention this week. Continue to pray for the kids that we are working with and also keep Dan (my boss) and Amy in your prayers as they are due to have a baby this week.
This morning, Erin and I greeted her mother at the airport, so this week should be a lot of fun with her and her friend around. It is always good to see family.
God bless you all in everything that this week holds.
With love,
Tyler and Erin
On Friday night, we had a successful Valentine's Day banquet for the youth group at St. Mark's. We had about 60 youth seated around tables in the sanctuary. One other youth group in town joined us for the event and much fun was had by all. Throughout the night, there were activities and games, including "Name that Romantic Movie" and "Speed-Chatting." One of the great attributes of the church over here is that churches really work together and it was evidenced on Friday. Please continue to pray for the youth, that they would develop real and personal relationship with God. Also, please pray that many of group's friends who came for the banquet would start attending the youth group on a regular basis.
As for Erin and I, we had a unique Valentine's Day ourselves as we traveled by city bus for two hours to find a Papa John's pizza joint. That was the romantic evening that Erin wanted and it was fantastic to have some good old American pizza. Yesterday, we also had a great time on North Bull Island just north of Dublin. The island is full of small dunes and wild grass. It was a gorgeous day for it, which we understand is quite the opposite of the weather back at home in the States.
Today, we have another round of Upward basketball games. Devotions with the guys' team went very well this week. We talked about trusting in God. The guys are a pretty rowdy bunch, so it was a blessing to really have there attention this week. Continue to pray for the kids that we are working with and also keep Dan (my boss) and Amy in your prayers as they are due to have a baby this week.
This morning, Erin and I greeted her mother at the airport, so this week should be a lot of fun with her and her friend around. It is always good to see family.
God bless you all in everything that this week holds.
With love,
Tyler and Erin
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Sick But Well !!!
Greetings once again!
Today was another good day with the basketball leagues in Ballymun. It is hard to believe that the leagues are already halfway over. Both teams, the Wildcats and the TIgerBabes, did very well today and pulled out two close victories. Erin was sidelined for the day with a nasty cold. She has been in bed most of the weekend, drinking a lot of liquids. It was a disappointment as she was planning to enter a Valentine's chocolate dessert making contest in town yesterday, using Grandma Danec's red velvet cake recipe. (Mom, we'll make it together when you come next week!)
Youth group is going well and I have had a couple great opportunities to hang out with different guys form the group on a one-on-one basis, which is always great. The Matthew Challenge is at its midpoint and we are having our annual Valentine's Day Banquet this coming Friday. It will be quite a night with "Name that Famous Romantic Movie" and of course karaoke.
Please keep both Sportlife and the St. Mark's Youth Group in your prayers. And keep praying for Erin's students at St. Andrews, and that she would continue to be a good witness and role model to them. Also, please keep our health and future plans for when we get back in your prayers.
Thanks for your support,
Tyler and Erin
Greetings once again!
Today was another good day with the basketball leagues in Ballymun. It is hard to believe that the leagues are already halfway over. Both teams, the Wildcats and the TIgerBabes, did very well today and pulled out two close victories. Erin was sidelined for the day with a nasty cold. She has been in bed most of the weekend, drinking a lot of liquids. It was a disappointment as she was planning to enter a Valentine's chocolate dessert making contest in town yesterday, using Grandma Danec's red velvet cake recipe. (Mom, we'll make it together when you come next week!)
Youth group is going well and I have had a couple great opportunities to hang out with different guys form the group on a one-on-one basis, which is always great. The Matthew Challenge is at its midpoint and we are having our annual Valentine's Day Banquet this coming Friday. It will be quite a night with "Name that Famous Romantic Movie" and of course karaoke.
Please keep both Sportlife and the St. Mark's Youth Group in your prayers. And keep praying for Erin's students at St. Andrews, and that she would continue to be a good witness and role model to them. Also, please keep our health and future plans for when we get back in your prayers.
Thanks for your support,
Tyler and Erin
Friday, February 02, 2007
This week was another great week of working and serving in this fine country. God is good and can definitely be trusted.
Last Friday evening, Erin and I team taught at youth group about the importance of personal study of the Bible. It was responded to well by the students and we look forward to seeing how the Matthew Challenge goes this month.
On Sunday, games got underway in the Upward basketball leagues in Ballymun. Both the Wildcats and the Tiger Babes won their first game, which was fun to see. Move over Bobby Knight, I am coming after your all-time coaching victories record (only 800-and-some wins to go).
Erin had a good week teaching at school and is enjoying her new students. Next, week she is teaching a few more classes because of another art teacher being gone, so that is a blessing.
The baby seems to be doing good. Erin has her first full-fledged appointment this Tuesday. Thanks for your prayers. She has been feeling a lot better this week!
Thanks for your continue prayers. Keep them coming!
Tyler and Erin
Last Friday evening, Erin and I team taught at youth group about the importance of personal study of the Bible. It was responded to well by the students and we look forward to seeing how the Matthew Challenge goes this month.
On Sunday, games got underway in the Upward basketball leagues in Ballymun. Both the Wildcats and the Tiger Babes won their first game, which was fun to see. Move over Bobby Knight, I am coming after your all-time coaching victories record (only 800-and-some wins to go).
Erin had a good week teaching at school and is enjoying her new students. Next, week she is teaching a few more classes because of another art teacher being gone, so that is a blessing.
The baby seems to be doing good. Erin has her first full-fledged appointment this Tuesday. Thanks for your prayers. She has been feeling a lot better this week!
Thanks for your continue prayers. Keep them coming!
Tyler and Erin
Friday, January 26, 2007
This month has just been flying by!!! Actually this week flew by!!!
I (erin) started teaching a few art classes a week at St. Andrews which I am really excited about. It isn' t a ton of work, but it will keep me in practice with teaching and lesson plans, etc.
Tyler was hard at work getting his teams well practiced for their games that will start this coming sunday ( Jan 28). One of his "Tiger Babe Team" girls told him that one day when she has kids, she is going to name one of them Tyler. It made Tyler's day.
Tonight Tyler and I are speaking in youth group and kicking off "The Matthew Challenge" - We are challenging the students to read through Matthew over the month of February since there are 28 days in February and 28 chapters in Matthew. We have been writing short commentaries/devotionals to go along with each chapter.
Tomorrow Tyler and I are heading to Galway for the day with my dad to go out to eat at his favorite restaurant and just hang out. Dad has been here all week getting the new Irish Studies Group settled in Greystones. He has also been meeting with different people in the minstry field to get Taylor students involved with while they are here.
It has been fun spending time with dad and of course being spoiled by him. Tyler and I have eaten very well this week :)
Thank you for your prayers and many notes of encourgement, we love hearing from you.
Many Blessings, Erin and Tyler
I (erin) started teaching a few art classes a week at St. Andrews which I am really excited about. It isn' t a ton of work, but it will keep me in practice with teaching and lesson plans, etc.
Tyler was hard at work getting his teams well practiced for their games that will start this coming sunday ( Jan 28). One of his "Tiger Babe Team" girls told him that one day when she has kids, she is going to name one of them Tyler. It made Tyler's day.
Tonight Tyler and I are speaking in youth group and kicking off "The Matthew Challenge" - We are challenging the students to read through Matthew over the month of February since there are 28 days in February and 28 chapters in Matthew. We have been writing short commentaries/devotionals to go along with each chapter.
Tomorrow Tyler and I are heading to Galway for the day with my dad to go out to eat at his favorite restaurant and just hang out. Dad has been here all week getting the new Irish Studies Group settled in Greystones. He has also been meeting with different people in the minstry field to get Taylor students involved with while they are here.
It has been fun spending time with dad and of course being spoiled by him. Tyler and I have eaten very well this week :)
Thank you for your prayers and many notes of encourgement, we love hearing from you.
Many Blessings, Erin and Tyler
Friday, January 19, 2007
A Happy New Year Surprise !!!
The adventure of life for Erin and I is going to get even crazier. We just found out last week that Erin is pregnant! Yes, it is true. Our world changed quite dramatically last Wednesday after it was confirmed that Erin is 6 weeks along. Obviously, it was quite a shock, but we are extremely excited as well. The prospects of being 23 year old parents is a little intimidating, but the Lord is in control and can be trusted. The pregnancy does not change our plans of being in Ireland until April 20. It does throw a curveball to us with what to do and where to go when we get back, so please lift us up in prayer over the next three months as we seek God's direction.
As for other matters, two Upward basketball leagues are up and running in Ballymun for 10-12 year olds. I am coaching both a girls' and a guys' team and they were both a lot of fun at our first practice on Tuesday. If you want to be more specific in your prayers, you can pray for the kids on the Wildcats (the boys' team) and the TigerBabes (obviously the girls' team).
Erin has been a champ these past couple weeks as she has been dealing with morning (and afternoon and evening) sickness. It has been a frustrating week at times as she has been looking for a temporary job to supplement our raised support. Yesterday, she did receive word that she will be teaching a couple art classes at St. Andrews, with the possibility for more on the way. It is a very limited role, so we are praying that God would either expand her role at the school or open another part-time position. We are thankful for what He has provided already though.
Erin and I continue to covet your prayers in the coming months. We are being forced to trust God more and more each day, but that is a good, albeit sometimes tough place to be.
Hope you all have a great weekend.
With love,
Tyler and Erin
The adventure of life for Erin and I is going to get even crazier. We just found out last week that Erin is pregnant! Yes, it is true. Our world changed quite dramatically last Wednesday after it was confirmed that Erin is 6 weeks along. Obviously, it was quite a shock, but we are extremely excited as well. The prospects of being 23 year old parents is a little intimidating, but the Lord is in control and can be trusted. The pregnancy does not change our plans of being in Ireland until April 20. It does throw a curveball to us with what to do and where to go when we get back, so please lift us up in prayer over the next three months as we seek God's direction.
As for other matters, two Upward basketball leagues are up and running in Ballymun for 10-12 year olds. I am coaching both a girls' and a guys' team and they were both a lot of fun at our first practice on Tuesday. If you want to be more specific in your prayers, you can pray for the kids on the Wildcats (the boys' team) and the TigerBabes (obviously the girls' team).
Erin has been a champ these past couple weeks as she has been dealing with morning (and afternoon and evening) sickness. It has been a frustrating week at times as she has been looking for a temporary job to supplement our raised support. Yesterday, she did receive word that she will be teaching a couple art classes at St. Andrews, with the possibility for more on the way. It is a very limited role, so we are praying that God would either expand her role at the school or open another part-time position. We are thankful for what He has provided already though.
Erin and I continue to covet your prayers in the coming months. We are being forced to trust God more and more each day, but that is a good, albeit sometimes tough place to be.
Hope you all have a great weekend.
With love,
Tyler and Erin
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Back in Action
Happy 2007 to all of you.
The holiday season turned out to be a very memorable one for Erin and I. As mentioned in our previous posting, we were able to get away for a few days to Paris and it met all the expectations we had for the trip. We saw just about everything you could see in 3 and a half days, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame. It was fantastic... and so were the pastries, crepes, and other Parisian specialties.
Between Christmas and New Year's, we were well taken care of by friends over here. It was different to be away from our families on Christas Day, but we enjoyed our first Christmas together very much.
Finally, on January 2nd, my parents, along with Emily and Jason, came over to visit for just over a week. It was fabulous to be with them and we made lots of memories. We showed them around Dublin and also took a short overnight trip to the west part of Ireland. Bunratty Castle, the Cliffs of Moher, and the ancient Clonmacnoise monastary were the highlights of our side trip. It was very refreshing and encouraging to be with family again and we look forward to Erin's parents coming over here in the next couple months.
So, yesterday we got back to our normal routine. Upward basketball in Ballymun is all set to go. We had a coaches training session on Sunday. Several guys from the Freshman basketball team that Dan and I coach are serving as assistant coaches for the teams of 10-12 year olds. This is very exciting, since a majority of these guys were apart of the first Upward leagues in Ballymun a few years back. Our hope and prayer is that they would continue to grow and mature in every way and lead the charge of continuing to move this needy area in the right direction as they get older.
Tomorrow night for youth group, we are having a family night where all of the parents will attend with their kids. I think we have some fun activities planned and hopefully it will really encourage the parent/teenager relationships in our church.
We would appreciate your continued prayers for us as we get back to a normal schedule and as Erin is still trying to seal up a job. The holiday season was such a blessing to Erin and I and we are very excited to get back in action with the ministries in which God has placed us.
Many thanks and blessings to all of you,
Tyler and Erin
Happy 2007 to all of you.
The holiday season turned out to be a very memorable one for Erin and I. As mentioned in our previous posting, we were able to get away for a few days to Paris and it met all the expectations we had for the trip. We saw just about everything you could see in 3 and a half days, including the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre Dame. It was fantastic... and so were the pastries, crepes, and other Parisian specialties.
Between Christmas and New Year's, we were well taken care of by friends over here. It was different to be away from our families on Christas Day, but we enjoyed our first Christmas together very much.
Finally, on January 2nd, my parents, along with Emily and Jason, came over to visit for just over a week. It was fabulous to be with them and we made lots of memories. We showed them around Dublin and also took a short overnight trip to the west part of Ireland. Bunratty Castle, the Cliffs of Moher, and the ancient Clonmacnoise monastary were the highlights of our side trip. It was very refreshing and encouraging to be with family again and we look forward to Erin's parents coming over here in the next couple months.
So, yesterday we got back to our normal routine. Upward basketball in Ballymun is all set to go. We had a coaches training session on Sunday. Several guys from the Freshman basketball team that Dan and I coach are serving as assistant coaches for the teams of 10-12 year olds. This is very exciting, since a majority of these guys were apart of the first Upward leagues in Ballymun a few years back. Our hope and prayer is that they would continue to grow and mature in every way and lead the charge of continuing to move this needy area in the right direction as they get older.
Tomorrow night for youth group, we are having a family night where all of the parents will attend with their kids. I think we have some fun activities planned and hopefully it will really encourage the parent/teenager relationships in our church.
We would appreciate your continued prayers for us as we get back to a normal schedule and as Erin is still trying to seal up a job. The holiday season was such a blessing to Erin and I and we are very excited to get back in action with the ministries in which God has placed us.
Many thanks and blessings to all of you,
Tyler and Erin
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