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

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

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

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