Donal (Don-NO) is the family father of the O’ Mathuna family. Donal is very nice as is the rest of the family. Donal at his work goes by "Doctor or Professor O' Mathuna". Fortunately for me because I wanted to take classes. Thus I started taking classes at Dublin City University (DCU), not to be confused with University College of Dublin. I tried getting on the right side of his car and he told me I was not aloud to drive. I've done this about 20 times now. I keep forgetting that in Europe the drivers seat is on the right : )
The class was taught by Donal and was based on a Study of the Therapeutic Effects of Intercessory Prayer (STEP). As put by Wikipedia it is "A Christian practice, intercessory prayer is the act of one person praying for or on behalf of another". Since the great technological emergence in science of the 20th century prayer has been subject to prayer to scientific scrutiny. A newspaper headline in Donal's presentation exclaimed "God under the microscope. Prayer is subject to scientific observation, says Bishop." STEP had randomized studying meaning that the people not specifically selected. Completely anonymous. One group knew they were receiving prayer, another was unsure and did not receive and the third group did not know and did not receive. These people all had one thing in common; they were all cardiac surgery patients. The conclusion was that the group that was prayed had the worse health. To counter that and be fair, the study was very general and received much criticism by scientists and Christian folk.
It hard to express the beauty of Ireland. Industry is booming here but Donal tells me that Ireland is protecting natures with laws. Which by the way we (US) lack.
Listening to Metallica's Am I Evil? it's very enlightening and mom I dedicate this song to you. Just kidding, I love you. Oh and mom I am eating Cheri's salads.
Ireland weather is unpredictable. Rain, bright sunshine, to hail, then sunshine again. Check out the video I shot.
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5 comments:
Laine,
Hailing videos, intercessory prayer, driver's side hijinks--I am already thoroughly enjoying "Laine in Ireland"!!
So what is it like being the foreigner? Do you feel yourself trying to fit in with the locals? Do you stick out? Do people comment on your accent or ask you a certain kind of question because you are American?
Keep it coming Laine. I'll be doing intercessory prayers for you on this side of the pond!
Ryan
Lain,
Looks like you're in Portland! I am so excited to read your blog and hear about what you're learning.
Love,
MOM
Laine, Ryan sent your link & I am so glad he did. Welcome to Ireland! I'm looking forward to reading about you experiences. What a great Walkabout this will be,I'm coming to your Symposium. Holly
wow! laine, you are a great writer! i'm loving this stuff. i want to know the answers to ryan's questions! and in the video, are those kayaks on the left??
xoxoxoxo
First of all, how cool that you had so much space on the plane! So far, I always seem to get crammed into the middle seat for the entire flight overseas. I'm glad your flight was somewhat "like" enjoyable.
Metallica, "Am I Evil?" that's awesome! I am jammin' along with you in spirit! I should have known after your vampire rock paper in the What's Goin' On class.
Can't wait to hear more about your trip. This is so great because I feel like you've been gone so long already and now I can finally see what you're up to.
We miss ya.
Melissa
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