A Gift

Everyone loves to receive gifts - I'm no exception. Recently my wonderful and incredible in-laws gifted me with a book. I had just finished reading a book, "Simple Church" by Thom Rainer & Eric Geiger, and was looking for my next book, so their timing was impeccable.

The book I am currently reading is "In Search of Timothy" by Tony Cooke. Many times it takes me a bit to get engaged with a book, to take a rapt interest in what the author is conveying, but not this book. I have been engaged from the first sentences.

I have always believed that everything rises and falls on good leadership, especially in the church. The principle is a good one, and yet today the principle has been challenged. The new principle is good leaders need good followers!

Leadership is not the whole enchilada! Follower-ship is a part of the equation as well. Leaders inspire and motivate followers, and followers encourage good leaders. Both are needed!

What kind of leader are you? What kind of follower are you? How can you help your followers? How can you help your leaders? Together we can do it!

Flashlight Lessons

Tonight after my Bible class, which is affectionately called "Bible for Dummies", I had the opportunity to walk my fosterson home. He had been in the toddler room playing with a friend whose mother was attending my class. Knowing that it would be dark when it was time to walk home, he had come equipped with a flashlight.

As we started walking together he turned his light on and began to light his way. Within seconds he began to shine his light on all his surrounds, fascinated at home his light lit up surrounding objects.

Just about this time, a car was traveling down our road, and sensing that there could be a problem, I explained that we needed to be careful about where we shine our light so we don't blind others and cause them to lose their sense of direction. Not understanding, I asked him if I could borrow his light for a second. I turned the light off and then a few seconds later quickly turned it on, shinning it in his direction. His immediate reaction was to close his eyes -- blinded by the light.

How many times do we get thrilled about the light that Christ brings to our lives? How many times do we in obedience let "our little light shine" and point others to Jesus? How many times do we get so excited flashing our light, that inadvertently we blind someone who is trying to see?

Lord, help us to know your Light; shine your light into the darkness of our world, and yet have the sensitivity to shine it in order to light the path of others, without blinding them in their journey.

Weeklong Wedding Celebration

Bt and Stephanie


Keeping up with my blog is a task that I have obviously grown slack in . . . needing an excuse to begin writing again - the wedding is an excellent opportunity to start again.

On Saturday, August 15th, my eldest son, BT, is taking as his bride Stephanie Volgelzang.

We arrived here in Holland Michigan Sunday at approximately 11:18pm. We are here for the entire week to celebrate the marriage -- kinda like an old time biblical wedding that lasted for days. Yahoo! Let the celebration begin!!!

Last Day In Ireland

Today was our last day of our trip to Ireland! We had a grand time yesterday as BT flew into Dublin from Paris to spend 24 hours with us!


We toured Dublin on the Hop On - Hop Off, a tour bus that is good for 24 hours.

This morning we had an incredible breakfast together, and then we took BT to the Dublin airport. The next time I will see him will be in Michigan before the wedding.



After setting down BT we headed for the National Stud Farm! We finally found it after getting quite lost in Dublin. While there we also visited the Japanese Gardens located there in Tully, Co Kildare, Ireland.









The National Stud Farm is very similar to our own thoroughbred operations and yet there are some very distinct differences.







Tomorrow we fly out of Dublin at 11:00am and we should be in Buffalo, by 8:30pm!

See you back in the states!

Some More Ireland Pics

Arigna Mine - Dad causing a explosion in an Irish coal mine.



Bunratty Castle



The Great Hall at Bunratty Castle



The Cliffs at Moher



The 3 BT's in Ireland! Dublin to be specific! BT flew in to Dublin from Paris to spend the the day with us. All three generations on Irish soil!!!!

Wednesday in Ireland

Not sure if I will get this posted before my battery fails . . . today we started late . . . long conversation with Mrs. Brown, our host.

Drove up the coast to the northern peninsula of Ireland today to Malin head, the northern most portion of Ireland - absolutely incredible

Ferry crossing at Port Foyle

Enroute we stopped at a Bishop's house. . . Gate . . . Masoleum

Bishop's Gate

Bishop's House early 1700's

Journeyed to 5 Fingers and Malin Head - the northern most part of Ireland . . .discovered the difference between Mc and Mac - we're a MacLowry variety. Drove to Grange Ireland where we stopped at Lang's Pub where we had fish and chips . . . Smithwicks is preferred . . . and tonight staying at Mt Edwards B and B in Grange where we met a wonderful couple from NH.

5 Fingers - near Malin Head

Malin Head - northern most part in Ireland!

Dad looking out to the North Sea . . .

Found a family lane near Sligo

Near the B and B in Grange Ireland

Well off to bed - tomorrow on to Galway!

BT - email me the exact times dude!

Tuesday in Ireland

Not a lot of time tonight, but do want to catch you all up on the trip. So much has been going on, and we have experienced so much . . . this will just be a snapshot to give you a flavor. . .

Leslie and Vicki

Spent some time with Leslie and Vicki Bryan - Trasnagh House B and B hosts - simply amazing people. Drove into Belfast to Richard Hare Kilts and purchased a family tartan ( www.rhkilts.co.uk ) wow!

From here we drove out the east coast of Ireland and visited Giants Causeway, not able to do the Rope bridge, drove down to Colleraine where we had dinner at Charley's Restaurant, and then later went to see the Northwest 200 International practice laps. Stayed at a B and B in Colleraine.

Irish east coast

Giants Causeway

Northwest 200 International

Monday in Ireland

Sunday and Monday nights we spent at an incredible bed and breakfast - Trasnagh House - with hosts Leslie and Vicki Bryan.

Trasnagh House

Leslie and Vicki


Monday morning after breakfast we went to check out Greyabbey where are family hails from, and look around. We talked to a care taker there who was very helpful. We then went to Ballywalter and snooped around there and finally made contact with a Connor Dempster who put on on the right track. We later talked with a Mrs. Tom Lowry who shared a lot of information with us and is possibly a distant cousin.






She shared with us that Lowry's are Scotch Irish - meaning we are of scottish lowland descent and immigrated to Ireland during the Ulster Scot Plantation era. Our family had a farm on the Irish Sea at one point, but has since been washed out to sea via erosion.

Scrabo Tower

Later in the day we visted a windmill and Scrabo Tower with dinner at Ramos Pub. After a gorgeous sunset it was the end to a very productive and rewarding day.

Sunday in Ireland

After breakfast at our B and B - we headed off to church in Belfast. We attended Park Ave Free Methodist Church in Belfast Ireland. We were warmly recieved and one of the members took us to see where I could purchase a tartan.

That afternoon we drove around Belfast and then sought out the site where the Titanic was made.



While there we met a 24 yo man from Germany - Mathias Thesen from Germany. He is serving aboard the SS LogosHope.



Mathias gave us a tour of his ship.

We made it back to Park Ave for the evening service and after ward joined Pastor Norman and his wife Ruth afterwards for refreshments in their home.

What a great day!

We're In Ireland!!!

Caldhame Lodge, Crumlin, Ireland

We are finally here! It seems so long since we began our journey.

When we first started at Buffalo airport the ticket agent informed us that due to rain and thunderstorm delays we may not be able to leave, because we would not make our connecting flight. she encouraged us to wait and see what develops as the the departure times could change - and they did. We board the airbus and began to taxi down the runway, but then we pulled over and stopped for 30-40 minutes! When we did arrive in Pliadelphia, we were arriving as our flight to Dublin was leaving.

In Philly we went to the special services desk to see what arrangements could be made. After a long line of some 50 - 100 people -- they rerouted us and gave us a room for the night and $50 food vouchers. We arrived and were tucked into our Sheraton aloft hotel at about 11:30pm.

While on the flight to Philly, Dad had the opportunity to converse with a young man and share about healthy Christian marriage. While standing in line to be re routed we met Rev. John Maracle "Chief" he heads up the native american fellowship for the Assembly of God Church. Great time of sharing!

The agent had to re route us through Gatwick Airport / London as the flight from Philly to Dublin was full. We spent the day lounging at the hotel and then at 3pm headed for the airport. We made the flight and off to England! Dad sat next to a woman near his age who is an accountant and they chatted through the night. We arrived in England at 630 am and went through customs, and then to Aer Lingus to catch a flight to Dublin!

On the flight to Dublin Dad sat next to a gentleman who is from Ireland, but is with an educational spiritual retreat center in England that caters to Catholic and Anglicans. Was also a great conversation.

So with a rocky start, a lost day, and road weary, we finally made it through customs and went to pick up our luggage -- if it were that easy it wouldn't be a Lowery epic! Standing at the luggage carosel we saw my bag, but Dad's bag didn't make it! The unfortunate part is, it has his meds in it and he's not my size. After standing in line we filled out the form for the bag and they said they would transport the bag to us once it arrived.

On to the rental car -- surprisingly a fairly easy feat to rent, insure, and pick up. We have a GPS which earned its weight in euros just getting out of the airport! We entered the info for our first b and b and hit the road.

Have to say it was a little odd at first, driving from the wrong side of the car, on the wrong side of the road, actually the more I think about it --it seems fairly normal! I discovered that the left lane is for the slow people, and the right lane is for the fast people. Fast people get angry at slow people when they are in the wrong lane. Don't ask me how I know.

Just a few moments ago Dad's bag arrived!!!! Yahoo! Could have been a very long week! He is now shaving and primping and in a few moments we plan to head out and see what we can see, stop at a pub for dinner, and have a good nights rest!

Tomorrow we plan to connect with the Free Methodist Church in Belfast and worship with them. We will then look to spend Monday looking up the ole homestead - Grey Abbey in Co Down.

We are having a great time and seeing wonderful country side. We are learning that our plans are not always God's and we will learn to adjust. We learned that there are more than just good philly cheese steaks in Philly, although Dad does not like fresh mozzarella. . .

We learned that God will supply all of our needs! Looking forward to posting more and some pics tomorrow. . . till then!

The Journey Has Begun . . . And Begun Again

My Dad and I are on a pilgrimage to Ireland. We began our epic journey on May 7 at 300pm whenwe checked in.

When we approached the counter we were informed that our flight was delayed and that we would miss our flight to Ireland . Tomake a long story short - we did make theflight, but missed our flight to Ireland. Spent the night and day here in Philadelphia. Tonight we leave for Gatwick England. From Gatwick it's on to Dublin!

Keep you posted!

Mission Mississippi - Project Completed 2/2

What one does when riding home . . .


Simpson house - completed front siding



Last panel in the cieling of patio roof . . .



Siding in the front . . .



Bathroom . . .

Mission Mississippi - Project Completed 1/2

Bedroom completed at the Simpson House . . .



Master bedroom completed at Simpson House . . .



Adam was our server at Applebees on Monday night when we arrived in Gulfport, MS He agreed to come and help us which he did on two different days.



Completed bath at the Simpson House . . .



Completed living room / dinning room at the house . . .

Mission Mississippi - Trip Wrap Up

I apologize for not posting the last days of our trip, but to put it simply -- I was pooped! We left Mississippi Saturday morning and arrived late last night in Wilmore Kentucky, where we stayed at the Wilmore Camp Ground. 730 AM this morning we pulled out after devotions together and began the last leg of trip home. For dinner we stopped at Outback and celebrated Lou Volpe-White's birthday.

The vans pulled into the church parking lot at 837pm! after unloading the luggage we then unloaded the tools. A little clean out of the vans and Pastor Greg and I returned the trailer and the van. We arrived back home at 1055pm.

In the days ahead you will here a lot about the trip from the people who matter most. please check your local listings to learn when the group will share its story.

Kitchen at the Simpson house . . .


The latex paint had a strange effect on some of
the workers


Enjoying a meal together in the dinning hall . . .


A gulf sunrise . . .


Cagny and Lacey worked hard to completely paint this home
along with three others . . .