Week 1

It has been a little while since I last posted.  So much has been going on here in the ministry.  I have gotten to do many things including going to Tramore for the second time, seeing Dollar Bay, and also seeing Hook's Head.  All of these places were so beautiful.  On Friday, the church's first missions conference started.  We had a great turn out and the people were very willing to give.  Anchor Baptist Church usually only has one service a week and we had 4 services: Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday morning, and Sunday night.  One can tell that hearts were stirred for missions, and I can't wait to see what happens in the church.  On Saturday we went out for a couple of hours sticking invitations for church in people's mailboxes. (It is legal here to do that)  And later on in the day I was able to spend some time with the Hollidays and O'Keefes, which were the visitors for the missions conference.  On Sunday after church, we had a fellowship dinner that included Hungarian, Indian, Lithuanian, and Irish food.  And after church on Sunday night we had a dessert fellowship, which was extremely delicious with rhubarb crumble, cherry cake, chocolate chip brownies (Kevin and I made them), and many more desserts.  On Monday we took a break and went to Tramore to walk along some cliffs and have ice cream.  (there is great suffering being done on my part here, haha)  This country is a very, very beautiful place, but the people are very lost here.  Every day in the news headlines there are teens being caught with drugs worth thousands of dollars.  The teens believe in themselves only, and only care about themselves.  Please pray that the ministry here can affect many teens in the upcoming years.  Please pray for this upcoming week, because the missions conference went well and I imagine satan will be at work. 

It is now Tuesday Morning, and I have had a great time so far.  On Sunday I arrived and went through customs very easily.  I thank God for that, because usually they are harder on people who are staying for longer periods of time.  I rode the bus from Dublin to Waterford, and the scenery was so beautiful.  I saw so many cows and horses along the way.  We went through a couple of towns where the houses were so colorful and the streets very narrow.  still having trouble with people driving on the other side.  It scares me a lot. ha ha  I arrived in Waterford and met the Thatchers, they really are a great family.  I enjoy them very much.  Mr. and Mrs Thatcher have 5 children and I will see if I get their names right: Kevin 17, Karrisa 14, Kaley 11, Kari 9, Kaleb 5.  If I find that I am wrong about the ages I will post the difference.  We went to the Harvest festival on Sunday where I ate a huge German brat.  I saw so many people and even saw the ruins of an old church. (very awesome)  Jet lag hasn't been too terrible.  I just find myself falling asleep if I sit for too long.  On Monday I was able to experience porridge for breakfast.  Later on in the day we went to Wexford, and I was able to see a lot of scenery.  I was able to go on a ferry near the sea, which was so beautiful.  In Wexford, we took Kevin for classical guitar lessons.  After we traveled back,  we had a great evening of talking and preparing for the week's agenda.  This morning I was able to have crumpets with peanut butter on them (very good).  And now I am getting ready to do school work.  I am loving this experience so much.  I can't wait for the opportunities God has in store for me.  It is definitely going to be an amazing semester.  (sorry for grammatical errors)

Ireland Preparation

I am so excited for the upcoming opportunity that God is giving me to work with the Thatchers in Ireland.  We are taking a week here at Northland to prepare for the ministry that awaits us.  On Monday and Tuesday I went to classes in order to receive the syllabus from each class.  Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of this week will be many different meetings involving culture adaptation and many other things that I will be experiencing during the semester in Ireland.  I am so excited to get on the plane for Ireland.  This has been a dream that has come true for me, and it was not Disney that made it possible (supposed to be a joke).  God made this journey possible for me.  I am waiting for what God will present me during the trip to Waterford, Ireland.  I just want to be used by Him.  Please pray for me as I make this extraordinary journey.  Please pray for the missionaries, because if you know me well enough, you definitely know they will need prayer.  Please pray for me as I complete some classes over in Ireland.  Please pray that my spiritual walk will grow and that God will be glorified.  It will be tough being away from my family and my new fiancé, but God is great and will show me things that will change my life forever.