.adventuring in ireland.

okay, these posts are getting less and less frequent...

2008-07-24T09:49:00.002+01:00

Our time here is slipping away. I'M GOING TO MISS IT HERE SO INCREDIBLY MUCH!! I try not to think about it a lot, because the idea of leaving makes me just want to burst into tears! This summer has been so beautiful... thank you for all your prayers. It is amazing to think that I could contribute a small part to everything that went on. And there is so much more to do! Sometimes I wish I could stay and keep helping. Two months is a long time, but it is also a very short time too in the grand scheme of things. I have to go home though. I have things to get back to, and a year of school to finish. Abbey will always be in my prayers, and who knows, maybe I'll be able to come back someday -- at least for a visit.

I'm nervous to go back, and I know that I'll probably have some culture shock in the States for awhile. Transitioning back into reality will be enough of a challenge. But then there is senior year, and all that goes along with that stage of life... and then add a few things that are different now because of this trip. Life is crazy!! But God is good. If I've learned anything this summer, it's that sometimes I just need to trust... and he IS trustworthy. It almost makes me excited, in a strange way, to be so overwhelmed. Because he will work through that. He is SO strong in my weakness, and so I'm going to keep resting in him.

sorry!

2008-07-18T00:15:00.004+01:00

I'm sorry, I know I've been less frequent with the posts lately. Everything is winding down... which has been somewhat of a relief, but mostly it has been very sad. If only there were a few more weeks left! Xpresso is over, so we now we just have Open Abbey duty, plus a few other tasks to get done here and there. It has been nice to have some free time to hang out with the friends we've made here though.

As promised, here are a few pictures of the cafe!

oh how i'll miss xpresso.

2008-07-13T01:55:00.004+01:00

Wow, it's been awhile since I've posted. The festival was amazing this week! Thank you for all your prayers. It was crowded every night! I got to meet some interesting people and was able to spend some good time with a lot of the people who I've met here this summer. We received some really encouraging feedback... everyone seemed to love the festival! Mostly I rotated between helping with the food in the kitchen and hanging out with people. One night I got to perform though! I played keyboard and sang with the our intern band, Hey Dublin and The Family (inside jokes). I think the cafe was incredibly successful... we continued building friendships, increased awareness of the church, and had the amazing opportunity of celebrating God's greatness together. Two personal highlights for me: So many youth came every night! And secondly, I got to speak in Spanish to some girls last night!

I'm continuing to see how God shines when we are weak. I have hardly slept lately! I have been grumpy, I have been frustrated with little things, I haven't felt like loving anyone (and especially not those who are difficult to love anyway). But I can look back and see how God still used me somehow. For instance, I was sitting in the cafe last night and I REALLY didn't feel like making an effort at all, but then my friend Connie ran up to me and told me to come meet her Spanish friends. And that wasn't the only time something like that happened. Plus, just being on kitchen duty was nice because it was a straightforward task job that could be completed.

ANYWAY, the point is that God is so gracious and I am constantly humbled that I am here in Ireland contributing to the advancement of his kingdom. I am not a naturally loving/helpful person at all. I am so incredibly self-centered. But somehow, and for some reason, God is using me and allowing me to be an instrument. That is truly the story of my summer... God's grace, down-pouring on my life. This summer has been a taste of heaven, there is no other way to put it.

day one of xpresso.

2008-07-07T23:31:00.003+01:00

So we interns went to sleep at 5am last night, and I was up three hours later (some of the others actually got up earlier than me)! What a LONG day. Mostly, I was helping with catering stuff... a job that continued through the Xpresso cafe itself too. BUT, the first night went amazingly! The basement looks so cool. It is completely transformed into a music venue/coffee shop atmosphere. Pieces by local artists are displayed everywhere. There is a green tent area with all the food/beverages. We have couches, chairs, and tables scattered in little vignettes all over the place. And then of course the stage looks great too. I'll have to post some pictures when I get a chance. This week is so exciting! Lots of people showed up, and it was only the first night. I met one girl who was really loving the event, and she said she had heard about it online somehow. I guess our advertising is paying off! We have groups "busking" (playing on the street) during the day to get the word out too. I can't wait to see how the rest of the week goes.

eeek.

2008-07-05T01:36:00.003+01:00

Happy late 4th of July! Still a lot going on. This Sunday is the radio service... Liz and I have been working hard! It is 1:30am here and I just finished some bulletin preparation. Tomorrow we have some other last minute things to get done before the afternoon music practice and then the station's run-through in the evening.

I don't think I've mentioned this yet, but I'll actually be reading a poem I wrote about the shootings. (I wrote it a few months ago around the one-year anniversary.) I'm a little nervous to read it on the radio -- especially since it's so personal -- but I was asked if I could contribute something since I'm a writer and have experienced the tragedy (which fits into the first part of the service).

Anyway, I am wondering lately when I will be able to sleep! X-presso Arts Festival starts MONDAY!!!

INSANITY!

2008-07-02T00:51:00.008+01:00

There is so much going on! Short-term team just got here, and another will be here later in the week. It is all very exciting, but at the same time, I think we are all getting into panic/stress mode. Trying to wary about satan's attacks... they were definitely felt today.

ALSO, here are some beautiful verses from Isaiah 62...

You shall no more be termed Forsaken,
and your land shall no more be termed Desolate,
but you shall be called My Delight Is in Her,
and your land Married;
for the LORD delights in you,
and your land shall be married.

And they shall be called The Holy People, The Redeemed of the LORD; and you shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken.

prayer requests!

2008-06-29T00:02:00.007+01:00

HERE ARE SPECIFIC THINGS YOU CAN BE PRAYING FOR EACH DAY! (from the lovely katherine manning!)

Sunday, 29 June

* Pray for X-presso: This upcoming week is going to be extremely busy at Abbey with many teams joining us and with the numerous preparations for X-presso! Please ask that the Lord would place His blessing upon this whole week! Ask that all involved would be joyfully focused upon Him, thanking Him daily for His strength and provision! May His great name be glorified in Abbey, in Dublin and in this world!

Monday, 30 June
* Pray for the Jeff Owen Team: A team of 15 is coming over from America to help prepare for the Arts' Festival! Please ask for their safety during travel today! Ask also that the Lord is preparing to do incredible things in and through them!
* Publicity for X-presso: Ask that the Lord's blessing be upon all publicity for the event. Ask that we will be able to reach all those in Dublin who need to hear about X-presso and that they would come!

Tuesday, 1 July
* Pray for the Ministry Team: Ask that there would be a deep unity and love within all the members of the team and everyone working on X-presso! Ask that Christ's love would shine through our interactions with each other! Ask that we would have patience and grace with each other.
* Construction of Boards to Display Artwork: The Jeff Owens' Team will be building boards for our artists' to display their artwork. Ask that the project would get completed. Ask for protection for all the projects. Ask that everything would be done with excellence.

Wednesday, 2 July
Teenagers with Urbansoul: A team of seven will be working at Abbey for three days through Urbansoul, a city-wide Christian outreach event! Thank the Lord for their willingness to serve and ask for His protection and strength for the team!

Thursday, 3 July
* Wade Williams' Team: A team of talented musicians are coming to Dublin to participate in X-presso! Pray for their safe travel today! Pray that the Lord is blessing them and that He is preparing them for their time here. Thank the Lord for their gifts & their willingness to share their gifts with us!
* Sound and Lighting: Ask that all technical details would get taken care of.

Friday, 4 July
* Harvey's Guesthouse: All of our summer interns, visiting teams and musicians are staying at Harvey's Guesthouse on Gardiner Road! Thank the Lord for Robert and Ilish, who run the guesthouse and their willingness to accommodate all of our guests! Ask that the Lord would bless the house and that He would be at the center of all interactions there!
* Decorations: Ask for creativity and excellence in the decorations for X-presso! Ask that would be able to create an environment that is inviting and glorifying to the Lord!

Saturday, 5 July
* David Dewese: Musician, David Dewese, is traveling to Dublin from Nashville, Tennessee today! Pray for his safe travel! Thank the Lord for David's desire to come back to us and for his supporters!
* Hospitality at X-presso: Thank the Lord for all who will serve tea and coffee at X-presso. Thank Him that we can offer this to our guests! Ask that people will feel welcomed and loved, & that Christ's glory will shine through this ministry.

Sunday, 6 July
* Pray for the RTE Radio Broadcast: Our service will be broadcasted live on RTE radio today! Ask that the Lord is glorified and praised all over Ireland as the nation joins in our worship! Pray that people will hear the gospel of Jesus proclaimed and come to know Him!
* X-presso Details: Tomorrow night is the first night of X-presso! Please pray that all last minute details would get taken care of! Ask for an abundance of patience and joy within all those participating. Ask that the Lord would do incredible things this week in Abbey and in Dublin!

Monday, 7 July - X-presso Begins!
* Pray for Susie Young & Soul Connection: This jazz group will be performing at X-presso Mon - Wed. Ask for the Lord's blessing upon them, that they may bring glory to His name! Pray for their safe travel and their stay in Dublin.
* Pray for Shea Phelan: Shea is a wonderful storyteller from Dublin! Ask that the Lord would strengthen him as he shares stories that bring true life to his audience.

Tuesday, 8 July - Night Two!
* Pray for Len Carolan: Len is a Dublin musician, interning at Emmanuel Church at ICM. He's performing at X-presso three nights. Ask that the Lord would be glorified through him.
* Busking: During the day, many of our visiting musicians will be playing music on Grafton St. and Henry St. and inviting people to X-presso. Ask that they would be joyful in this. Ask that they would meet and invite the people who need to come!

Wednesday, 9 July - Night Three...Pray for Persistence in Excellence!
* Pray for Matt Moorman: Matt, a musician from N. Carolina, has been the youth worker at Lucan Presbyterian in Dublin for the past year. Pray that the Lord would bless him as he performs at X-presso!

Thursday, 10 July - Night Four!
*Pray for Third Lobby: This will be Third Lobby's third trip to Dublin to perform at X-presso! This group is such an incredible blessing to the community at Abbey! They offer continual encouragement, prayer support and a genuine desire to glorify God in Dublin! Thank the Lord for their partnership and willingness to journey across the Atlantic! Ask that many will continue to be blessed through them.

Friday, 11 July - Night Five!
*Pray for Niamh Murphy & Jo Burke: These Dublin girls will be returning from a month long mission trip to perform at X-presso! Pray for their rest! Thank the Lord for their willingness to share their gifts and ask that He would be glorified in them!
* Abbey Congregation: Thank the Lord for this body of believers who are hosting X-presso! Ask that He would always be glorified in them.

Saturday, 12 July - The Final Night of Celebration!
* Donking and his dance troupe: Dancer, Donking will bring a team of break dancers to perform at X-presso. Thank the Lord for his willingness to come from Kilkenny with his troupe and ask for safety.
* Pray for Rev. Alan & Ruth Boal: Thank the Lord for this couple and their commitment to His work in Abbey and Dublin! Ask for the Lord's strength to continue. Ask that they would continue to be faithful to His voice. Also ask for strength for Alan to get up and preach tomorrow!
* Thank the Lord for all the gifts He has blessed us with! Thank Him that we can bring glory to Him through music, art, dance, poetry and all other aspects of our live. Thank Him for His greatness, power, holiness, purity & perfect love! Thank Him for what He has done this week at X-presso!

full-time ministry?!?

2008-06-27T23:51:00.003+01:00

We had our mid-summer intern assessments yesterday, because we are halfway through our trip! (THIS IS CRAZY! I truly get depressed whenever I think about this summer ending!!) I met with Alan, David, and Kathy for a good half hour during which we discussed my role on the trip thus far. It was a really encouraging meeting and has caused me to reflect a lot on my future.... because, part of the reason I came on this trip was to see if I could handle full-time ministry. I'll be a senior next year so I really need to be figuring these kinds of things out!

Well, I really really love ministry overall. Here are the hardest things about it: 1.) Not always seeing results. 2.) Wondering if I'm making any difference. 3.) Not feeling like being loving. 4.) Seeing people as projects or tasks instead of... people.

Here are some of the best things: 1.) Seeing things happen through me that are so clearly God and not me. 2.) Seeing God answer prayers about people. 3.) Constantly craving God and his Word because there is literally no other way I'm going to be able to do anything. 4.) Getting to brainstorm and pray and come up with exciting ideas! 5.) Getting the privilege to love people as a job!

I thought it would be hard to not have a routine, but I really don't mind it. (We do have team bible study every morning at 9 though, and that has been so helpful.) I can be all over the place as long as some of it is planned beforehand. AND as long as I get some time to myself every day. SO important. Having a day off (yay Mondays!) is incredibly crucial as well.

This is a long post, but basically I am starting to seriously think that full-time ministry might be something I could do. Alan, David, and Kathy definitely encouraged me with this... which is great because they have seen so much of me the past month! And it's not always pretty, of course. Alan kept joking about me coming back after I graduate to help with the youth. I think he was just being nice/funny, but part of me hopes he isn't! So maybe I could come back to Dublin or I could pursue the RUF internship or I could look for a youth position at a church in the States somewhere..... just some possibilities! I am really so excited that I could maybe do this with my life! It would truly be such a huge privilege.

exciting!

2008-06-24T22:29:00.003+01:00

Those of you who have been keeping up with my posts know that this hasn't been the easiest summer. I LOVE it here, I LOVE our team, and I really don't want this summer to end.... but at the same time, there have certainly been frustrations and insecurities along the way. Well, I wanted to write an especially positive entry tonight because the Lord has been so gracious to me lately. Of course he always is gracious, but I've just been so excited/encouraged to have some very clear answers to prayer recently! Mostly, this has come in the form of having lots of youth-related stuff going on!! I often wonder if I'm contributing anything worthwhile here, and of course God doesn't have to give me any assurance about that... BUT, graciously, he has been giving me a lot of encouragement in that area! Also, I've been struggling with being convinced of his goodness... but I am so blessed... I've been able to have some meaningful conversations with Alan, Kathy, and some team members about it, and I know the scripture I've been reading has made a huge difference too. My heart's really been worked on lately. This is a vague post, and I don't know if it makes any sense.... but basically, I am so thankful.

party at the pastor's house.

2008-06-22T00:34:00.003+01:00

I think tonight was definitely my favorite night here so far!! We hung out with thirty some 17-year-olds at the pastor's house... his daughter, Kirsten, had a little get-together. It was SO much fun! Lots of music and DANCING and silliness. LOVED it!!!

radio service planning.

2008-06-20T22:10:00.007+01:00

How long, oh Lord?

Have you forgotten me forever?

Have you hidden your face from me?

How long will sorrow fill my heart?

How long will my eyes waste away with tears?

Others have been exalted over me,

Rejoicing over my stumbling

While I am bowed down in mourning.

How long, oh Lord?

How long will this world be broken?

Be gracious to me in my languishing.

You are the lifter of my head.

You have given me relief in distress.

Oh Lord, save me for the sake of your steadfast love.

Break my schemes of earthly joy,

That I may seek my all in you.

This is a draft of a prayer I "wrote" for part of a July service we're planning which will be broadcasted on the radio. I didn't exactly write it; I mostly borrowed lines from a few different Psalms and put them together. The last two lines are taken from one of my favorite Indelible Grace hymns, I Asked The Lord.

The service is based in Ecclesiastes 9:11, but we have a few other passages that we'll read as well. The service will focus on our complaint that we don't get what we feel we deserve (where my prayer will fit in), our consolation that we don't get what we really deserve, and then how all this manifests in Christ on the cross--how he took what we deserve and we received what he deserved. Liz, David, Alan, and I all have been picking songs, assigning readings/prayer writers/instrumentalists/etc, and doing all the other necessary planning things. Should be exciting!

day off!

2008-06-16T08:40:00.002+01:00

I am learning a lot. Sometimes I get frustrated because I feel like I should be contributing something amazing to this ministry at every moment of the trip. Steph brought someone to Christ during Open Abbey this week in SPANISH, which is so exciting... and I can't help wishing I had a great story like that to share too. Yesterday was an encouraging day though. I was talking to one of the church members in the morning and out of nowhere, he started talking to me about gifts. "Don't ask for different gifts," he said, "Maximize the ones you've been given." I'm not sure exactly what my "gifts" are, but it was nice to be reminded that we are all different and maybe my contributions won't always look the same as someone else's.

Here's a little more explanation about what I was alluding to in my last post: I've been able to uncover some faulty thinking that I've had the past year and so have discovered that I really don't trust God's goodness like I used to. It's really been a problem ever since the Tech shootings, I think... and then every time something bad has happened since then, it's confirmed my bitterness at him. This is a little embarrassing to admit. I'm here doing ministry in Ireland, and I don't trust that God is good! It's a thought process that has been going on underneath the surface of my life, but of course it affects things. I'm glad it's been uncovered though, because now I've been able to talk it through with others and have been arguing with God about it too. He's being so patient with me and has already been working with my heart. I really am learning so much here.

"i'll walk with grace my feet and faith my eyes" - caedmon's call

2008-06-13T13:59:00.002+01:00

I can't believe I haven't mentioned Paula on this blog yet. Okay, so the first Sunday we were here, we met Paula at church. She is from Brazil and is here in Dublin studying English... Portuguese is her first language (so frustratingly close to Spanish, but definitely different!) and we just love her! We hang out with her a lot, and have met five other Brazilians through her. So be praying for that. It's awesome that we met her on our second day here, because we've been able to spend time with her and her friends already and the summer is still just beginning.

Tonight we have a prayer vigil at church that I helped plan, so hoping that goes smoothly. Tomorrow some of the normal activities going on, plus hanging with Paula and co. as well as hoping to go to the World Championships of Street Performing (isn't that grand?), which is apparently going on here in Dublin this weekend. Then Sunday after church, a big group of us will be going to some huge Christian concert in Wicklow. Hoping some of the youth will come too!

I'm sure everyone on the intern team would agree that it has already been an enormous growing experience coming to a new place, getting to know completely new people, etc. I think we have all been surprised with how our wounds and pasts have followed us here to Dublin, and how we have had to make sense of who we are all over again as a result. It's beautiful how everyone has been loving each other and I really hope we can continue to do that this summer. God is as real here as he is anywhere else in the world, and I'm sure this is part of what he has in mind for us in the next two months... that we would be stripped away of all we hide behind in the States and that we would stop ignoring our wounds, but that instead we would give them to him in complete trust and confidence.

hello everyone!

2008-06-11T17:28:00.004+01:00

Just want to say briefly that it's been great hearing from you all over the last few weeks... I know I have been writing all these really excited posts lately, but that doesn't mean I don't miss everyone back in the States! So thanks for keeping in touch, it means a lot. I love hearing what is going on in your lives! So keep me updated. :) I got to talk to Mom the other day on the phone which was just wonderful. Here is my love to everyone across the ocean...

Last night we had a street evangelist come and give a seminar for us -- really interesting/cool! Also, we've had some time the past few days to collaborate with some of our musical skills! We have two guitarists, a flutist, singers, and then my piano/keyboard stuff. Lots of fun.

More updates another time.

first official staff meeting.

2008-06-10T17:17:00.004+01:00

Schedules, schedules, schedules.

My planner is SO full now and I love it!

I'm so excited for everything!

!!!!!!!!

picnic, park, public transport.

2008-06-09T21:10:00.009+01:00

Monday is our day off every week.... or it is supposed to be. Last night, I sat down and made a list of all the touristy things I want to do while I'm in Dublin and then I excitedly made specific plans for today. Wellllll, God had something else in mind. I've been really wanting more opportunities to hang out with the youth, especially the girl who I went to the concert with last week. But I didn't expect an answer to prayer on my much-awaited day off! This morning she invited Paige and I to hang out at St. Anne's Park on the other side of the city with her and three of her friends. I must admit that I got a little grumpy when I heard of this since it meant giving up a good chunk of precious free time including all my sightseeing plans. It didn't help that public transportation in Dublin really confuses me and it took us forever to get to the park! But of course once I got there I was so glad I went. We had great conversations with these kids and really just had so much fun! And we got more phone numbers and made plans to hang out again soon!

this post is dedicated to how much i love our team.

2008-06-07T17:40:00.004+01:00

So where do I begin with this? Our team is AMAZING. We all have such different personalities, interests, backgrounds, etc. etc. Yet there is this underlying commonality too in that everyone has such a heart for this ministry and for the Lord. You can look at Liz's blog for a description of each team member (and since she didn't describe herself, this is who she is: Liz is a rising junior majoring in Linguistics at UNC-Greensboro. She asks a lot of questions, plays the flute, is my running buddy, and has such a beautiful servant's heart). I cannot say this enough... I love every single person on our team so much and I can't believe I get to spend two months with each of them!

We just got back from a retreat center in Rostrevor in Northern Ireland (gorgeous) where we finished up our intense information-packed orientation for the week. We are all so mentally exhausted! But now we do have a better idea of Dublin, Abbey Church, the ministry we're going to be apart of, etc. We're starting to really get into things like Open Abbey (where we open up the doors of the church for people to waunder in, engaging them in conversations and such) and planning for our Arts and Music Festival in July (which is going to be SO cool... or "grand" as they often say here).

Exciting things going on. Also, one other thing I've been asking God about is that I could meet a few girls here this summer who I could really pour myself into... just to be hanging out with, getting lunch with, getting to know, etc. I really love encouraging and helping people in that way, and I'm sure God will give me some great opportunities this summer.

I'm off to get some stuff done for tomorrow morning's service!

the summer interns!

2008-06-04T21:52:00.000+01:00

snippets of life so far.

2008-06-03T15:10:00.002+01:00

Last night I went to a concert with Katie and Paige to meet up with a sixteen-year-old girl from the church and some of her friends. It really made me miss my Blacksburg youth group!! If any of you are reading this, I hope you're doing well and please e-mail me this summer and let me know how you're doing. :)

A few of the interns and I have been brainstorming ways we can organize youth events, even small low-key ones. Abbey Pres is a smaller, mostly-older congregation. They are all really happy we're here and I hope we can be refreshing/encouraging to them... it would be great to get some more youth involved though.

Mostly orientation stuff going on this week, which has been helpful. Planning for the summer music/arts events will begin soon! And we go on an "excursion" later this week too.

HERE.

2008-05-31T20:56:00.004+01:00

I am here safely... LOVING this place so far and everything about it!

less than 24 hours away!

2008-05-30T13:56:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone! I'm writing to you from the Atlanta airport... we are here pretty much all day and then our plane takes off around 7pm. Pre-field training was great. I have met so many wonderful people and it's been great to hang out with my Dublin team and to get to know them. We are all so ready to just be over there!

Spiritual warfare is so real. I have been excited for this trip and have felt really prepared the past few weeks.... but training has been completely overwhelming. It's strange to be surrounded by so many new things and people all at once... it's definitely exhilarating, but I have just felt so inadequate for this the past few days. I have no idea what to expect and a whole two months in a new place with new people is terrifying when I think about it realistically.

The beauty in all this is that God has, quite simply, been holding my hand through everything. Even little things like sleeping at night. Of course this is where he wants me, completely dependent and reliant on him. The past few days have really all been managed on his strength, something I don't get to experience much in my day-to-day life normally. He's continuing to lead me on and that is oh so comforting! Thank you everyone... I really appreciate your prayers!

first post.

2008-05-20T09:01:00.000+01:00

I got back from RUF Summer Conference this weekend (where I met one of my team members, Katie!) to a FLOOD of Dublin e-mails in my inbox! Christy, a longer-term intern already over there, sent a list of things going on on this summer... there is an arts festival July 7-12 (where we hold a music cafe in the basement of the church), dance workshops Thursday and Friday, Urban Soul (where 500 teens from around Ireland come to serve the city in ways like picking up trash, etc.), Open Abbey (we'll open the doors of the church for a few hours everyday to greet visitors, serve tea, spread awareness of the church), and possibly even a radio program. These are just some of the happenings for this summer! Apparently, as interns we will get to help out in honestly whatever way we are gifted -- and the possibilities are endless. I'm getting so excited. I've already been e-mailing with the pastor, Alan Boal, about my keyboard/piano skills and so I'm hoping I'll get to be useful in that way while I'm over there.

So this week, just working on a lot of last minute things. Need to send some forms in, send out update letters, finish Cross of Christ (required reading for all the interns), start PACKING, etc.! One week until pre-field training, 10 days until the flight to Dublin!