Well, actually I left, and made it safely to Northern Ireland thanks to my lovely host family! It is so exciting to be back, but the adventure didn't even start in Northern Ireland, but when I got on to my connecting flight in Atlanta, GA.
You know how famous Christian leaders always seem to have that mile high conversation where they seem to be given the opportunity to share Christ and His love with the person next to them? Well, that wasn't me, at least not really. Here, let me explain.
The man I sat next to was probably in his upper 50s or 60s, an Irish man from Dundalk, who was flying home to tend to a garden to prepare it for the summer. He now lives in Orlando, FL with his second wife. Both his wives (the first died in a car accident) were both named Anne and both nurses. He told me story after story and we continued well into the night sharing bits of our lives with each other as if we were old friends. It was lovely to be given a reminder of the culture here where conversation is plenty and your tea cup always full. We laughed, we cried, we shared in the riches and sorrows of each others' lives, but the best part was that it was not I that talked most about the faith, but he. Growing up Catholic in Ireland he began to tell me stories (some he doesn't tell many people because they are indeed so personal) and it was such an encouragement and wonderful reminder of why I have felt called to Northern Ireland. He shared the hardship of losing his first wife and the adventures he's had with his second wife. He filled me in on how his son recently announced over Christmas that him and his girlfriend were now engaged to be married and moving to Phoenix, AZ where he will be working at Arizona State University. The best part was when he began asking me about my faith, what I will be doing, who is my support, and be interested in why someone from America would come over to Northern Ireland, he really was the one to minister to me in the sense that he was very encouraging and wanting to give me information that could help me and things to look out for. Like I said before he was truly a lovely man and I was truly blessed to sit next to him and enjoy all of his fantastic stories.
Now let me tell you, I had the privilege of flying business class (thanks to the lovely Fergusons who helped me out in booking tickets via a buddy pass they were gracious to give me). However, everyone around me could tell I felt completely out of place (and I was) especially being younger than any of the other people in business class by about 5-10 years. But it was such a reflection to me of how Christ takes care of us and gives us so much more than we deserve. Looking back on the flight, I in no way earned the privilege of flying in business class, yet it was given to me anyways because I chose to follow Christ and His calling on my life. There was fine dining, true, deep fellowship, and such a peace (once I was shown how to recline my seat that is hehe). It was a modern example to me of how Christ made a way for us that if we chose to follow Him there would be more than we ever deserved ahead of us. Granted He did not say it would be easy, and getting to this point was not easy by any means while going on this journey, but I can say without a shadow of a doubt that it was, is, and always will be worth it. I didn't deserve to be seated where I was on that plane, but Christ is not about who, in our eyes, "deserves" to be rescued because in His eyes we are His children and when we choose to follow Him, He wants nothing more than to lavish upon us the riches of our Father.
This blog shall be quite long, but that is also because it was quite a packed couple days and I want to share it all with you dearly. Upon leaving the airport, as we began our drive from Dublin to Newcastle, I could not help but notice the smell of the air. I can't quite describe it, but it is a lovely smell that grips my heart with anticipation every time I come back. It's a reminder of how it all started, with a single breath, and in that moment of taking that first breath, my life took a turn I could never have imagined. Well, this is the fifth Sunday of the month and something that the three churches in Newcastle do is meet together for a city-wide church service, which was fantastic! It was quite a cool evening of worship, Scripture, teaching, and delightful conversations over numerous cups of tea. When I got to the service with two of the girls I had grown deep relationships with during my internship and mission trip, the first two people to recognize me and say hello were two twin boys I had worked closely with in the drop-in centre. I was very moved to see that they remembered me after a year and half of being gone. Then came all of the hugs, life updates, conversations of getting me involved in this ministry and that, how long I'd be staying for and setting up times to get together for a wee chat. Most of this, of course, over several cups of tea. And afterward the daughter of the host family and I sat around talking over a cup of tea and pudding for another hour and a half.
Remember, relationships are key. You need to earn the right to speak into someone's life, no matter who you are. Don't expect someone to take your advice or loving correction just because you are you. Give them a reason, give them a relationship. Jesus showed us the greatest example of this with his twelve disciples. He showed us this by eating with sinners and tax collectors (and in case you haven't noticed we're all sinners in need of a Savior). Be intentional about your relationships, don't take any for granted and lift each one up to God, praying the Spirit moves in you to evoke in that person, that child of God, the realization that they are in need of redemption and Christ is the restorer. He is with you, you are not alone, no matter who you are or where you are.
No guilt in life, no fear in death,
This is the power of Christ in me;
From life's first cry to final breath.
Jesus commands my destiny.
No power of hell, no scheme of man,
Can ever pluck me from His hand;
Till He returns or calls me home,
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand.
--let this be our cry as we reach out to a broken world, revealing to them the healing power of Christ.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Thursday, January 27, 2011
“May the road rise up to meet you, may the wind be ever at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face and the rain fall softly on your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the hollow of his hand.”--Irish Blessing
As I look forward to flying out on Saturday. Yes, SATURDAY! I can't help but look back. Take, for instance, the title of this blog. You may look at it as appropriate because of it being an Irish blessing, but before it was an Irish blessing (to me), it was lyrics in a song that my sister, mom, and I wore down and sang while listening to the song on a cassette tape (yea, rocking it old school!)
Proverbs 16:9 says, "The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." Looking back in hope of what's ahead, it is easy to see where I have worked out a way my life would go or a direction it would head yet God set the steps, turns, and detours I would take in order to get there, to accomplish what I felt He was calling me to do.
It began with a simple explanation from my first youth minister of how he viewed his job as our youth minister. He explained to us that the Bible says that we do not get to take what we have in this life, such as our work, with us into heaven, but one thing he loved so dearly about his job (ministry) is the fact that he gets to take his work with him because he knew he would see many of us in the Kingdom. At that time, I wanted to go into the military after training in college to be a veterinary technician because I wanted to save animals (preferably wildlife) and travel (you'll see how God intertwines His will with our desires). At that moment God gripped my heart with the question, Why save animals' lives when you could be a part of saving souls? Don't get me wrong, I know that God is the only one that can save, and only after we choose to accept what Christ did for us on the cross, but I was thinking so small in comparison with what God had in mind for my life and our journey in this world.
One of the biggest encouragers of my decision to choose youth ministry over veterinary work was my mother. Because of her encouragement I was persistent in sticking with becoming a youth minister. Then came another youth minister who took me under his wing, along with several other students, deepening our understanding of the Bible, discipleship, and service. From there came another youth minister who, while on a retreat with our youth group as his first big shindig with us, saw in me the potential of a youth minister. He brought me alongside him in his work, his journey through the Bible and what it really looked like to be a youth minister to give me a better understanding of what I would be getting into. He also helped me find the best college for me where I ended up at Cincinnati Christian University.
Then came the events from the previous post of my friend Jenna, a college mission trip, deep friendships with solid counsel and encouragement revealing to me what I was blind to in myself, an internship, and opportunity. Yet after all of that, it brings me all the way back to a song I use to listen to with my mom on cassette. Don't ever doubt what God can do through you. We are weak, small, insignificant, but it is when we come to grips with this that God in all his strength, glory, and power can fully work through us without us getting in the way (too much).
"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."--2 Corinthians 12:9
Don't underestimate God and what He can do with the little you have to offer in comparison, it's the perfect combination. Take it from a weakling who has experienced it.
Update on the ministry in Northern Ireland:
As I head out on Saturday I will be living with a host family for 3 months (the longest I can do so without a visa). While there I will be helping to lead a young women's Bible study for new Christians as well as a Bible study with many girls that were in a small group I worked with while on my internship. Also, after contacting a few of the ministries I had worked alongside during my internship, I was encouraged by the response from two different people that believe my coming over and having a desire to help serve in any way possible, especially with the young women of the Kairos Centre (drop-in centre within walking distance of the host family) is an answer to a prayer they have been praying for a while now. Once I get there I will have more details of exactly what my services will consist of and I will update you as soon as I am given information.
Thank you, more than I could ever express, for praying with me through this journey Christ has brought me to and will see me through. Your support gives me encouragement daily.
Proverbs 16:9 says, "The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps." Looking back in hope of what's ahead, it is easy to see where I have worked out a way my life would go or a direction it would head yet God set the steps, turns, and detours I would take in order to get there, to accomplish what I felt He was calling me to do.
It began with a simple explanation from my first youth minister of how he viewed his job as our youth minister. He explained to us that the Bible says that we do not get to take what we have in this life, such as our work, with us into heaven, but one thing he loved so dearly about his job (ministry) is the fact that he gets to take his work with him because he knew he would see many of us in the Kingdom. At that time, I wanted to go into the military after training in college to be a veterinary technician because I wanted to save animals (preferably wildlife) and travel (you'll see how God intertwines His will with our desires). At that moment God gripped my heart with the question, Why save animals' lives when you could be a part of saving souls? Don't get me wrong, I know that God is the only one that can save, and only after we choose to accept what Christ did for us on the cross, but I was thinking so small in comparison with what God had in mind for my life and our journey in this world.
One of the biggest encouragers of my decision to choose youth ministry over veterinary work was my mother. Because of her encouragement I was persistent in sticking with becoming a youth minister. Then came another youth minister who took me under his wing, along with several other students, deepening our understanding of the Bible, discipleship, and service. From there came another youth minister who, while on a retreat with our youth group as his first big shindig with us, saw in me the potential of a youth minister. He brought me alongside him in his work, his journey through the Bible and what it really looked like to be a youth minister to give me a better understanding of what I would be getting into. He also helped me find the best college for me where I ended up at Cincinnati Christian University.
Then came the events from the previous post of my friend Jenna, a college mission trip, deep friendships with solid counsel and encouragement revealing to me what I was blind to in myself, an internship, and opportunity. Yet after all of that, it brings me all the way back to a song I use to listen to with my mom on cassette. Don't ever doubt what God can do through you. We are weak, small, insignificant, but it is when we come to grips with this that God in all his strength, glory, and power can fully work through us without us getting in the way (too much).
"My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness."--2 Corinthians 12:9
Don't underestimate God and what He can do with the little you have to offer in comparison, it's the perfect combination. Take it from a weakling who has experienced it.
Update on the ministry in Northern Ireland:
As I head out on Saturday I will be living with a host family for 3 months (the longest I can do so without a visa). While there I will be helping to lead a young women's Bible study for new Christians as well as a Bible study with many girls that were in a small group I worked with while on my internship. Also, after contacting a few of the ministries I had worked alongside during my internship, I was encouraged by the response from two different people that believe my coming over and having a desire to help serve in any way possible, especially with the young women of the Kairos Centre (drop-in centre within walking distance of the host family) is an answer to a prayer they have been praying for a while now. Once I get there I will have more details of exactly what my services will consist of and I will update you as soon as I am given information.
Thank you, more than I could ever express, for praying with me through this journey Christ has brought me to and will see me through. Your support gives me encouragement daily.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
“This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.”--Winston Churchill
As I sit in Northern Kentucky after a night of celebration of my best friend, Jenna, coming into this world 23 years ago, I can't resist the bittersweet feeling of the moment, the encouragement and sadness in each hug, the anticipation and timidness with each goodbye spoken.
Trying to stay as positive as possible in a very "up in the air" part of my life, it's hard not to be sad. I'm leaving behind everything I've really ever known in hopes of following where God has been pulling my heart for, in hindsight, the last four years.
When talking with some people, they think my going over to Northern Ireland is daring or crazy (which kind of go hand in hand). But they haven't had the experience that I have with the people God created in His image. They haven't woken up to the sound of waves crashing on the shore of the Irish Sea. They haven't viewed His majesty via the Mourne Mountains on the East Coast or Giant's Causeway on the North Coast. But most of all they haven't experienced the need for restoration in Northern Ireland. In a land that was at one time a Christian "hot-spot", baby's are being born in fatherless homes, young children run the streets with older siblings playing more of a parent role rather than playmates in imaginary adventures, while youth and young adults know little about their fathers and sadly, even less about their heavenly Father and His love.
A little over four years ago I began attending Cincinnati Christian University. I began, and finished, a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Youth Ministry. At the time my desire was to work in a small church where I could be an integral part of a child's life from the time they were born up until they graduated high school, if not college and went on to married life. As unlikely as this would be, it was my desire. However, God has His own plans and sends us on detours and sends warning signs, yield signs, and other road signs reminding us that His ways are not our ways and that's a good thing. But one thing stands certain, we are to "make disciples of all nations." It doesn't say most, but ALL, and Northern Ireland is crying out for restoration.
About this time I met my friend Jenna. She had recently returned from a Senior Mission Trip to Northern Ireland and would not shut up about it (and I really didn't mind because it was fascinating). However, she once told me, "If CCU ever takes a mission team there you HAVE to go. You'd love it so much! You'll end up wanting to stay there and never come back!" This girl was for real! And quite accurate I might add, although I wasn't going to find out for another two years. However, the year in between God didn't stay silent. I needed to do a geology paper on, well, rocks. And I was coming up empty on ideas. Until Jenna began talking my ear off about her favorite place in the world that just so happened to be in Northern Ireland. It's name? Giant's Causeway. And it is spectacular! And I did my paper on it. Then the following year I was given the chance to go on a mission trip to Northern Ireland with a team from CCU. And this is where it gets interesting. While there I felt a tug like I needed to stay that turned into me wanting to stay, and provoked me to apply for an internship, which was accepted, and I spent three months that following summer loving on the unloved and getting hands on experience on the mission field where I had to rely more on God than I ever had before, and am so thankful it went down the way it did. I then came back for interviews during the Spring Break of my senior year (2010) and have been sussing out details for my return ever since. We may have our own plans, but at the end of the day (or four years) God's detours trump them all.
I don't know exactly what the future holds, but I know God is here in this moment and He will be there in that moment. God has gone before us to make a way for us through Christ and I feel it is my calling to share His story of creation, our fall, and His restoration for our lives and for our world in Northern Ireland.
Join and follow me in these Adventures In Ireland. Pray with me. Laugh with (or at) me, you choose. Cry alongside me. Hope with me. Desire the world as it ought to be with me. For in that desire comes our purpose.
After reading this blog please go read Christ's high priestly prayer in John 17. Jesus prayed for you, for me, for us. Let us bring restoration to this world and to all people, for they were made in His image.
Trying to stay as positive as possible in a very "up in the air" part of my life, it's hard not to be sad. I'm leaving behind everything I've really ever known in hopes of following where God has been pulling my heart for, in hindsight, the last four years.
When talking with some people, they think my going over to Northern Ireland is daring or crazy (which kind of go hand in hand). But they haven't had the experience that I have with the people God created in His image. They haven't woken up to the sound of waves crashing on the shore of the Irish Sea. They haven't viewed His majesty via the Mourne Mountains on the East Coast or Giant's Causeway on the North Coast. But most of all they haven't experienced the need for restoration in Northern Ireland. In a land that was at one time a Christian "hot-spot", baby's are being born in fatherless homes, young children run the streets with older siblings playing more of a parent role rather than playmates in imaginary adventures, while youth and young adults know little about their fathers and sadly, even less about their heavenly Father and His love.
A little over four years ago I began attending Cincinnati Christian University. I began, and finished, a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies with an emphasis in Youth Ministry. At the time my desire was to work in a small church where I could be an integral part of a child's life from the time they were born up until they graduated high school, if not college and went on to married life. As unlikely as this would be, it was my desire. However, God has His own plans and sends us on detours and sends warning signs, yield signs, and other road signs reminding us that His ways are not our ways and that's a good thing. But one thing stands certain, we are to "make disciples of all nations." It doesn't say most, but ALL, and Northern Ireland is crying out for restoration.
About this time I met my friend Jenna. She had recently returned from a Senior Mission Trip to Northern Ireland and would not shut up about it (and I really didn't mind because it was fascinating). However, she once told me, "If CCU ever takes a mission team there you HAVE to go. You'd love it so much! You'll end up wanting to stay there and never come back!" This girl was for real! And quite accurate I might add, although I wasn't going to find out for another two years. However, the year in between God didn't stay silent. I needed to do a geology paper on, well, rocks. And I was coming up empty on ideas. Until Jenna began talking my ear off about her favorite place in the world that just so happened to be in Northern Ireland. It's name? Giant's Causeway. And it is spectacular! And I did my paper on it. Then the following year I was given the chance to go on a mission trip to Northern Ireland with a team from CCU. And this is where it gets interesting. While there I felt a tug like I needed to stay that turned into me wanting to stay, and provoked me to apply for an internship, which was accepted, and I spent three months that following summer loving on the unloved and getting hands on experience on the mission field where I had to rely more on God than I ever had before, and am so thankful it went down the way it did. I then came back for interviews during the Spring Break of my senior year (2010) and have been sussing out details for my return ever since. We may have our own plans, but at the end of the day (or four years) God's detours trump them all.
I don't know exactly what the future holds, but I know God is here in this moment and He will be there in that moment. God has gone before us to make a way for us through Christ and I feel it is my calling to share His story of creation, our fall, and His restoration for our lives and for our world in Northern Ireland.
Join and follow me in these Adventures In Ireland. Pray with me. Laugh with (or at) me, you choose. Cry alongside me. Hope with me. Desire the world as it ought to be with me. For in that desire comes our purpose.
After reading this blog please go read Christ's high priestly prayer in John 17. Jesus prayed for you, for me, for us. Let us bring restoration to this world and to all people, for they were made in His image.
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