The Great Green North [of Ireland]

Hello friends and family! and those of you who stumbled upon this blog by accident!
   
something exciting and wonderful has finally happened! And rather than message all 431 of my facebook friends with those annoying thread notifications, I thought I would just share whats going on with this here blog, and whoever wants to read can read. free will, baby.

let me start at the beginning (a very good place to start) ...

for as long as I can remember, I've wanted to visit Ireland. I don't even know why, it just seemed like a spectacular place. Well, over the past few months, I've felt God calling me to take a trip. but I just wasn't sure when, where or who with. sort of major details. so, naturally, I prayed about it for a few weeks, just asking for God's guidance. And for some reason, I could not get Ireland out of my head. So I just said, ok God.. if Ireland is where you want me, then just show me the steps I need to take to get there. I then decided to ask for some advice and prayer from several godly women in my church. all of them replied with very encouraging emails and one in particular mentioned talking with April, another lady who goes to my church who had been to Ireland several times on missions trips. So, I thought I might as well email her and see if she had any connections or advice she would like to pass along. She replied that day and said she was actually taking a trip to Ireland in 3 WEEKS and was felt that my email was perfect timing, as she was looking for someone to travel with. HOW AWESOME IS THAT?!

so, needless to say, God fit everything together like so many puzzle pieces in less than 24 hours.

I will be gone August 3rd through August 13th, and we will be staying with a family in Belfast (which is in Northern Ireland) who have several ministries. We'll just be helping them out with whatever they need done as a missions team from Germany is staying with them. Whatever that may entail.

I am so thankful and blessed by how God is working in my life at this time! I am beside myself with excitement. like, jumping, squealing, paper bag excited.

pretty much the only details to work out are minor travel plans, and getting the funds and small necessitates I need. April and I would greatly appreciate your prayers before and during our trip! I'm told I will have internet access while I am there, So I will try to keep the ol' blog and facebook updated with lots of pictures and words.

a big thank you to all of you who encouraged me and nudged me along on this journey! you know who you are. And thanks for taking the time out of your day to read this and share in my excitement.

now, who wants to go see Brave with me? I need to practice my accent.

Compass

WOW, it's been a while. Time to get back in the blogging game. I know everyone is dying to hear the exciting details of my life.

big news: I'm now out on my own! I've recently moved into my own apartment. I. am. loving. it. My girlish obsession with buying clothes has [slightly] diminished and I have moved on to buying things to deck out my crib. Which is a hobby my wallet does not enjoy. I however, am enjoying making my place feel like my own. The other day I was bored, so I went to Walmart and bought paint, paint brushes, and a giant roll of paper. Cheap entertainment and wall decor.

Random tidbits in everyday life I've experienced recently:
- I saw man walking down Jefferson the other day with a giant, rolling suitcase. And he did not look homeless.
- 15 minutes ago, I had a conversation with the gentleman sitting next to me at Starbucks. He noticed my mac and started talking to me about Apple products and his favorite operating systems for said products. I did not follow a single word. He is easily 65. I feel pathetic. I bet he doesn't have a Twitter though.
- When one does not have internet at one's apartment, one realizes there is more to life than pinterest. But not much.
- 2 cups of coffee every morning is either too much or not enough. Depends on the day.

Ok, for cereal now.
Being out on my own, I have tons of time to myself to do lots of thinking, which is a dangerous thing, if you know me.
Recently, God and I have been playing waiting game. I keep waiting for the next big thing in life to come my way. I want to travel the world, do crazy things, meet new people, try new things, find the perfect man and start a family, etc. No big deal. But instead I wake up every morning at 6:36am, drink my coffee, go to work and sit at a desk for 8 hours, come home, eat, go to bed. Repeat. My idea of living it up is going to Goodwill or Starbucks when I have nothing to do. My life is nothing if not monotonous (which is another reason I don't update this blog very often). There are days when I seriously consider going to the airport, going up to the grumpy people at the baggage check and ask for a ticket. And when they ask where to, I will just say, "Surprise me!".
I want a reason to update this blog everyday.
So, here's to waking up every morning at 6:36am and choosing to rejoice in Jesus.
Here I am, God. I'm ready. I've been ready.

keep it real, kids.