Festival in Kilkenny

This last weekend, Saturday through Monday, I had the opportunity to go with Clay(Pastor at Calvary Waterford) and Danny(works at the church, and is an awesome guy, he reminds me so much of my brother Josh) to serve Coffee at a festival in Kilkenny. All three mornings we would meet at Portico(churches coffee shop) and then travel northeast about 40 minutes to Kilkenny. When we first got there, we ran into a few obstacles;  we weren't sure where to set up and could get a hold of the person in charge, we were missing some essentials and we(Clay) rewiring a plug so that it would fit the right outlet. God got us through that and provided what we needed. Our coffee stand was to the right of the gorgeous Kilkenny castle. Our first day there was so beautiful. The sun was out and we were able to explore around the castle a little bit before we go things started. After we got things set up and ready to go, it took a while for things to pick up. Saturday and Sunday were a little slower than we were hoping, but Monday being St. Patrick's Day, we were crazy busy. We went nonstop for a long time, but it was good because it made up for the other two days. It was really neat to serve the people and show them the love of Jesus while doing it. People loved the coffee and they were all very polite. I loved every second of it, even when I was freezing cold. On Saturday Kylie, Ericka and a few people from church took the train to come see us and spend the day in Kilkenny. And then on Monday Hannah and Riannon and Clay's wife and two beautiful little girls came out to watch the parade and explore. St. Patrick's day was crazy fun and busy. Lots of green and lots of people. The Parade in Kilkenny was right in front of our coffee stand, so we could see it. There was carousel and some rides and these people that had a massive drum that people could play on. It went ALL DAY..For all three days. I felt like I was hearing it in my sleep...Haha! But all in all it was an amazing experience. I am so thankful that Clay asked me to come join them. What a blessing this was!

First weeks in Waterford, Ireland

I cannot believe I have been in Ireland now for 3 weeks. I am so thankful for the time I have had already and all that the Lord is teaching me. What a blessing it is to have the opportunity to go to school and serve the Lord here at the same time. Since it has been a few weeks, let me tell you a little bit about my life here in Waterford, Ireland.

It is such a beautiful city and so much to explore. The weather is very similar to home, rain, misty, but when the sun is out it is beautiful. I am here with 4 others students, 3 from the states(Kylie, Hannah, and Riannon) and 1 from Germany(Tara). We also have a lovely dorm mom(Ericka) and a roommate from Ireland(Cat). It has been such a blast getting to know these girls and all the other people that come to classes and are involved with the church, Calvary Waterford.

Living life day by day

So basically, everything we need, places we have to be, housing, school, and church, are all within walking distance. We walk seriously everywhere. This can be,sometimes, not the most pleasant thing, mostly because it is wet and cold, but otherwise it is not bad. The flats we live in are about a block or two away from where the school and church office are, and then the church is about another two blocks down the road. Our flats are, to say the least, a place to live. Haha...It is not the best, but trust me, I have seen and lived in worse. We get by with the room we have, and we are learning to love each other and know each other very well. We cook, clean, eat, sleep, study...everything in our flats. It has been a fun stretching experience.

School Life: 

My classes are super great. I have a Women's Bible study class, Nehemiah, Luke, Psalms, Hebrews and Theology. All the teachers are great and the classes are very personable. Because they are small classes, we get to discuss more and ask more questions. I have learned so much already and it has only been 3 weeks of classes. It has been a blessing to learn under these teachings here in Waterford. 

We only have WiFi at the school, so this has been somewhat of a challenge. But we have figured out our ways to finish homework, turn it in, and also communicate with all our friends and family at home. Kylie and I spend a lot of time in a cafe next to our flat while enjoying a great cup of coffee...plus they have WiFi :)

Continue to pray for me as I work through my classes. I only have eight weeks left of class and I hope to get everything out of them that the Lord wants to teach me.

Church, Calvary Waterford.

We attend Calvary Waterford and have the chance to also serve the church. We work in the children's church and on the opposite week we do hospitality, which is serving coffee, tea, and biscuits and greeting those who come and go. I have absolutely loved this so far! It is so neat to see a group of people, across the world, loving and serving God together. Everyone is so nice and has an interest in who you are. We have started to build relationship with a number of people, and I am excited for them to build even more.

We each have a family who has adopted us while we are here in at school. They are praying for us and checking up on us here and there. My family is a lovely newly married couple(Melanie and Dimitir), who have been so sweet to me, giving me gifts and even invites over for dinner. Last night all of us girls and Mick(the churches admin and our very awesome friend) went to Melanie and Dimitir's house for dinner. It was a blast and such amazing food!

Another neat thing that we are involved in is the churches coffee shop. It is called Portico and it is located in the center of town. It has built into a very neat ministry that reaches the community and I love being a part of it. I work there once a week and it has fulfilled my withdrawals from making coffee at Starbucks. :) It is such a fun environment and an amazing way to show Christ to the city of Waterford.

Missing Home

Even though it has been a great time so far, I MISS HOME!! I have been able to talk with a few people on skype and it has been awesome! :) But the time difference makes things really hard. I am s thankful for my parents and all they are doing for me back home. I have talked with them a few times and it brightens my day! Josh and I are doing great! We talk about every other day. It has been a big adjustment, but it is making my love for him grow even more. I am so blessed! 

I miss you all and I pray that you are all doing well. Thank you for all your prayer and support.

Listening and Striving