Final Weeks in Beautiful Ireland.

Well, I am finally home from this amazing adventure, but I thought I would write a little something about the last two weeks I had on that beautiful Isle as schoolwork and building relationships dominated all my spare moments.

After we returned from Liverpool, we had a few school days and then a new, exciting adventure! Our entire team took a two-day vacation (vacation while in Ireland, weird huh?) to Dublin, Ireland. We had the days to explore, shop for a few souvenirs, eat local food, and enjoy each other’s company. By this point, I felt like a true traveler. I did not have to ask for directions, and reading the bus schedule was as easy as reading a children’s pop-up book.

While in Dublin, we took a James Joyce tour that proved to be quite interesting as I slowly discovered the genius in his writings. He writes in such a way, that the reader is able to create his or her own story within the backbone story his provides. It is a beautiful thing that can prove to be encouraging as well as comforting or even disturbing; the best part is it’s your choice! Later that night, stargazing and wonderful conversation about God and His impact in our lives proved to be exactly what I needed to end the day.
The next day, we took a tour of this beautiful town while riding on the top of an open double-decker bus. Talk about exciting! That is until it began to rain steadily and no room was in the inn. I sat with a great person, rain pouring down, and spoke of life, and it was nothing shy of wonderful. After the tour ended, two other girls and I took off to mozie around town for the afternoon. With a few souveniors for loved ones in our hands and a smile on our faces, I would have to say this day was a good day indeed.

The following days were packed with schoolwork. Schoolwork is frustrating when you are in such a beautiful country, but with the constant reminder that we “are here to study” and that we “are not on vacation” par say, completion of these grueling assignments was finally reached.
But, amidst these monsters, we spent a day in the North Coast of Ireland that was not only much needed, but a blast and an inspiration as well. As we were about to head out the door, our leader spoke of a tradition, or more so a challenge, that takes place in the North Coast. If up for the challenge, we were to bring clothes to get wet. I readily accepted the challenge due to my competitive nature and grabbed my clothes quickly before scampering out the door.
Upon arriving, the first stop we made was at a restaurant that served up more than smiles. With our stomachs not only talking, but yelling as well, we ate up while watching the cold, damp weather flee from our presence. After finishing up, we made way for the rope bridge. Though the bridge was not quite as intense as expected, it still made my heart leap, but not quite for joy! We wandered through fields and tracked up a hill to get a view, and a view would be an understatement. Pure beauty of God’s breathtaking creation stood before us, wind pushing and shoving its way through the crowd. This was a sight to take in and never let out.
The next stop we made was at Giant’s Causeway. Legend has it that two giants, one in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland, were quarreling day and night. In order that they may fight face to face, the Irish giant created a path to Scotland. Being weak by all the path building, he dressed up as a baby so that when the Scot came he would see how large the Irish giant’s baby was and cower at how large the giant himself must be. So, the Scottish giant comes, and low and behold, his plan works perfectly, with the path being readily destroyed by the Scot on his flee home. And so, the Giant’s Causeway was created. This stretch of land was so incredible it looked as if man (or giant) must have created it. The rock was formed in such a way that thousands of columns all in perfect hexagonal shape covered the shore. After running around in awe and venturing on a coastal path, our next stop just ahead was the great challenge.
The challenge was simple: jump in the “Perky Pool” which was an area in the rocky shore of the North Atlantic Sea and remain in there for four minutes. Easy right? Wrong. Not only was the air around us around 52 degrees, but the water we were to hop in was a mere 40 degrees. I contemplated the odds of me making it out alive without loosing an arm or leg, or a life for that matter, and decided it would be worth the plunge for the glory. So I, along with 5 guys and 5 girls (the girls being the first girls from our university to ever make the plunge), all jumped into the ice box. Cold ventured throughout my body, first making stops at my lungs and heart which both fought hard to rid of her existence. Next, the cold made its way to my appendages, which still fought hard, but weren’t quite as victorious as the inner force of my lungs and heart. After four minutes was up, I hastily climbed out of the freezing water, and attempted to put a towel on, but due to my lack of feeling I could neither put it on by myself nor feel it once it covered me. As I walked back to my belongings, tiny needles pricked me all over as if I had been wrestling a cactus and had lost drastically. I thought I would never be warm again, but despite it taking a solid two days, my body finally regained its vigor, and I was warm once again.

The last week flew by. With homework hanging on like a burden, we still managed to make the most of our time.  One evening, a night out turned into quite the adventure which was composed of a spectacular view upon a mountaintop of the entire city of Belfast, a glorious time spent in a cloud, an unexpected visit in an Irish home while seeking a cab, unforeseen participation in a breast cancer awareness walk, and a concluding Asian dinner with more than a few good stories! Night after night, we watched movies, mainly Lord of the Rings and Pixar. We soaked up every last moment building relationships with those who became family. I miss my family.

The plane might have left early that Friday morning, but the old me did not join. I left Ireland as a new person. 

When I began this trip I jokingly told everyone that I was going to gain all knowledge and find myself, but I would have never guessed that I would attain both of these goals in such a short time. Going through the Cost of Discipleship challenged me in so many ways, it would take days to write it all out, but one thing I learned was that “True knowledge is to not know where you are going.” When I first read this, I thought it paradoxical. If I do not know where I am going, then I would be unknowing, right? But then the beauty shined through the passage as I realized that I will never gain all knowledge, but what I can gain is true knowledge in knowing that God is leading me every step of the way. What else do I need to know? If I fix my gaze on Him, nothing can cause me to stumble from His perfect path. If I let Him lead me, what more do I need to know? I serve an awesome God, a perfect, personal, magnificent God. He is all I need; His words are all I need to know. In knowing Him, I have all knowledge. In trusting Him in each step that I take, I hold dear to the true knowledge He has given me.
I found myself by first discovering who I was. With many wonderful conversations about life, the past, present, and the God-directed future, with some of the most amazing people, I discovered more of who I was each day. I am a child of God. I am a fallen, broken, healing, mending, joyful, prideful, wonderfully-made child of God. 

A Venture Across the Irish Sea.

A weekend in England was an experience for sure! We embarked for Liverpool at 5:30 in the morning and just a few short hours later, we had successfully made it to a town filled with music and culture. Unable to check-in for several hours, we marched through the city as if to be backpacking through Europe, the American dream of course! We stopped by a tiny fish and chips shop that lacked chairs as well as patience for the confused. While sitting on a wall amidst the hustle and bustle, a Polish man spoke to us in a less than understandable accent about life. After a swift pigeon attack, we ventured on to explore the life of the Beatles. While searching for the “Beatles’ Story,” we stumbled upon a modern art museum. This art was interesting to say the least, but a dance floor with provided headphones playing Oldies was definitely a great feature! We proceeded to discover the “Beatles’ Story” by attending the Beatles Museum, a building with a big story to tell as well as a fun children’s section. After taking a trip to the hotel, we ate dinner at a nice family restaurant that was very pleasant after a long day exploring the town as treacherous backpackers.

Day two of this trip was the best day I have had here in Europe. After riding a taxi, a train, a bus, and another taxi, we had finally made it to Peak District, a beautiful stretch of land outside of Manchester. Stepping foot on this land, I never felt smaller. Nothing but gorgeous land and the road we came from could be seen. We started off on a path heading towards who knows where when we decided to have our sack-lunch on the top of a peak a few miles ahead of us. Obviously, a path didn’t lead to this path, so we ventured off into the open fields. As we were walking, the strangest thing happened—it began to hail on us. Hail! It was so random as the temperatures outside were anything but warm. After we trekked down a long downhill stream, the uphill climb began. Miles and miles, we walked. Apart from heavy breathing, brisk steps, and the occasional chirping bird, not a sound could be heard. Bliss, complete bliss.
We finally reached the final stretch, the peak a mere stones throw away. The vertical was sharp, and the rain made each step a grueling task. The blades of grass were used as handholds. The thick weeds were used as footholds.
We finally made it to the top, and it was worth every step. Miles of land could be seen in every direction. It was the most beautiful picture I’ve ever witnessed. The wind captured my every pure breathe. The view captured my heart, my tiny heart in this massive land.
Our venture down was just as amazing as the walk up, as I had the opportunity to talk to an incredible person about life. Life in general. Our lovely talk was accented with the scenery of the most wonderful shade of green, and nothing could have been more perfect in those moments.
After we returned to the little town, we grabbed a bite to eat and ventured home by means of taxi, bus, train, bus, and then taxi yet again, but every minute of travel was worth it to share such a moment of pure awestricken wonder of God’s mighty hand.

The final day we spent in Liverpool, relaxing and soaking in the culture of this music hub. After a trip to see Anfield and a random bus ride with no destination, we got off at the docks and spent time walking and enjoying life. We spent the afternoon just enjoying each others company while enjoying some good food as well. A quick ride on the Yellow Duckmarine and we were back to the hotel to get some good rest before departing 4:30 am.

God was definitely taking care of us this trip. The number of times we were lost, in need of a taxi, or just plain confused was uncountable, but so many people went well out of their way to help us in any way they could. Also, when people in the group would get separated, we would happen to stumble upon them admist this big city. Crazy. God is so good.

Recap.

Well this week has been full of studying. We leave in the morning for  Liverpool, England, and we had several assignments to get done before we leave! But, no worries...Life has still been wonderful despite the work load. 

Saturday was C.S. Lewis day. Amazing, inventive, life-impacting writer. We visited his home, his place of birth, a statue erected in his name, and his honeymoon site, a wonderful little beach on the coast that had some great ice cream cones! We learned of his life, his impact, his love, his struggles. We concluded this day full of inspiring learning with a trip to one of the highest points of Northern Ireland, a place that provided Lewis with inspiration and calm. We stood at this memorial for a fallen soldier of the Great War and could see for miles. All of Belfast was before me, fields upon fields, houses and cathedrals, sites of history and sites of worship. Just when I thought I had seen it all, I'm placed on top of the world once again. A nice fog brushed the town, and a light mist cleansed my soul. The air was so pure and freeing. 

Sunday was a day of rest. Due to a van break-down, we had church in the humble library. We worshiped together, prayed together, and were silent before the Lord as a body. We are a family, a beautiful, diverse family. 

Monday was class, class, class! Literally all day. But, it was rather enjoyable. We learned about the Sermon on the Mount in great depth. Christ's impact on our life is so powerful, I hope to never take that fact for granted again. 

Tuesday was Dublin day! We went to the library and an art gallery with exhibits on the ever-so talented brothers, William Butler Yeats and Jack Butler Yeats. These men made a real name for Ireland in their paintings and poems. After we did a little learning, we were allowed the day to explore the city. Walking down the streets, we heard various music and singing. A local park proved to me a great place of relaxation and peace. Hundreds of people filled this place with smiles and laughter with a few mischievous characters mixed in of course. Simply pleasant. Near the end of our adventure, we came across a homeless man who had written out a great poem of his misfortune that displayed not only his need but his heart and passion. He made me look at those who are homeless in a completely new light. He saw himself as a man who messed up, a man who lost everything when he lost his job, a very good job at that. He was shaken but not broken. Pride filled his eyes like no other person I had ever seen in his situation. Whether or not he made enough money that day, whether or not he found a job today, he has made a real and powerful impact on people. God can use anyone, absolutely anyone. Though the impact may not be seen, by no means does it mean that it isn't there. 

I thought I would give a little recap of my adventure so far since it has been so long since I've updated:

Ireland...AMAZING. It's so much more than I was expecting. I've seen places that have taken my breath away, I've learned things about myself and God that I've needed to learn for so long, I've developed relationships with wonderful people that I probably would have never been able to know if it werent for this trip. I've made one friend in particular that might just last a lifetime, no lie, she is incredible and we've both gained so much from each others challenges...so good. I've never felt more relaxed, more free. I love not having a phone. I love exploring. I love experiencing life as the minority. The food is incredible and so pure and fresh. Classes have been very challenging but so good at the same time. They've really taught me to think outside the box and have a passion for what I am learning. The Christian life class I'm taking is a life-changer...I'm not sure if I'll ever be the same.

On fire for life? Check. 

Lovely.

Well it seems to have been awhile since I’ve updated, so here is a brief synopsis of the last four days. Three of the days were consumed with classes, studying, and silence, which were quite enjoyable. My mind has been stretch in many ways this trip already, and I definitely can’t wait to see what else I have to discover.

On of these days, a few of us went out to a large green field and took some time to sit in silence and just be still before God. I sat quietly under a grand tree in the middle of the field, wind brushing with the grass, warmth embracing my soul. The idea of wisdom was on my mind, stirring. Oh, how I desire to have the wisdom of God. The wisdom of God is one of the greatest gifts He has for His people. I felt as if I was pleading for this pleasure, when I realized exactly what I must do. God calls us to not lean on our own understanding. The moment I place my trust in Him and not in myself will be the moment I acquire His divine wisdom. Steps on this path will not be easy, rocks will cause stumbling, holes will cause faltering…but this path will always be worth taking.

Today, we went to this wonderful stretch of land that was more than pleasant to the eye. Fields upon fields, beauty was abounding. This land was what I had always pictured Ireland to look like...green pastures accented with yellow and pink flowers, cows and sheep living in peace, long tunnels formed by draping trees…oh, so brilliant.

This island defines lovely.