Digging Deep

Hello Everyone -

I woke up today and went down stairs to eat a bowl of cereal. From the window, I watched the bay fill as the tide came in, and sat there for a moment just thinking. It is pretty surreal - this whole experience I am having. I miss everyone so much, but at the same time, I do not want this time, this experience, this moment in my life to end. I am learning so many things - so many things unplanned for. I am learning so many things that do not pertain merely to 'school and university'. I am learning so many things about myself, about the world, about God, about life and living. I do not want to lose 'this'.

This whole time abroad has placed me on an island in both a literal and symbolic sense. Unlike other trips, or study abroad programs, we are not in the middle of fast paced life. We are not 'in the city' or living on a busy campus. At first, this was one aspect I was not looking forward to, but I was wrong to have my doubts. There is something deep within you that takes place when you are able to rest your soul for a time. I say soul because that is what I feel. I feel my soul is at rest in this place. There is something to be said of the opportunity to reflect in a tranquil and beautiful place - something to be said of the allowed silence as you jog down the bay with the Mourne Mountains before you.

I have learned things and seen things I will never forget. We have six weeks left and I am trying to live each moment here to the absolute fullest as the days are zooming by. I know that God has me here in this place, for this time. I know that He will ready my heart to return in December. I pray that I take with me all that I was supposed to learn, that I absorb all this place has to offer, that I am alert and attentive as this experience continues...and maybe, just maybe, I will be able to capture enough to share with you all; though obviously, unless you live it, it will only ever be a retelling - and for that, I am sorry, because I wish you could all have this experience.

Thinking of You All, Praying You are Well. Until next time!...

Love,
Kaitlyn


Oh and Mom and Dad - Remind me to tell you about the Police Headquarters we visited today!

For Mom and Dad

For Mom and Dad - Who have both taught me to reflect and contemplate -

Some times we have to go through the difficult process of removing the hindrances in our lives in order to continue as we were meant to. Just as a person who discovers they have cancer in their leg is not eager to have their leg amputated, there are times when it must be done. If the cancer is not removed, it will overpower the rest of the body, slowly weakening and killing that whom it holds captive. No one wants to lose their leg – no one wants to lose a part of themselves – but when life is dependent upon it the deed must be done. The person with the newly amputated leg will have to learn to walk again, adjusting to their new form, but they will learn to walk again with new life and a new strength. Our hindrances are our cancer, and we too must go through a process of amputation - we too must learn to walk again... and we will learn to walk again, with renewed spirits and a lightened load - For how precious is the breath of freedom? I find myself learning to walk again. It is no easy thing, but I can already feel my spirits being renewed as my load is lightened. And as I stumble through those first steps, tripping and falling along the way, I feel a hand guiding me and a whisper, which says “You are doing it, that’s the way, it is all going to be okay”.

I miss you both very very much. Mom - I taught Aidan "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" and it made me smile thinking of you getting me from Mrs. Whitley's class in kindergarten and first grade and driving down to Mamaw and Papaws. I know this wasn't really an update post, but I'm lying in bed sick, with Kaylie (having caught what I have) lying in her bed a few feet away. The rest of the team is in Belfast, so I wrote this and thought I'd post it for the both of you.

My Cup Runneth over!
Tater

Back from Paris!

Hello to Everyone!

Today Kaylie, Kevin, and I arrived back from Paris. I cannot even begin to explain to you all the time that we had. It is such an intriguing city. Versaille was breathtaking...I could live in the gardens! The Louve was a compilation of exquisite masterpieces - I am still processing all that I saw. It was surreal to be standing at the top of the Eiffel Tower looking out over the city, I am so thankful and blessed for the experience. Walking through Notre Dame is something I will never forget. You do not have to be silent, but I couldn't help it as I walked around. I sat for the longest time in there after we had 'toured' the building and just prayed. I have seen God in so many ways while on this journey abroad and it never seises to amaze me. I have some funny stories about the hostel we stayed at. Disneyland was a BLAST! I finally got to go! The metro in Paris is crazy, but I feel we handled it with expertise! We are city slickers and never knew it! Ha. Goodness, so much to say, but never enough words. I am thinking of you all and hope that you are all doing wonderfully. I know this was short, but I am exhausted from the trip. I am attaching several of the pictures...there are tons more, but this will have to do until December!

With My Love,
Kaitlyn

Face Mask Night!

I haven't done the best job as of late of posting pictures. I haven't put up our farewell to Murlough House bonfire pictures or the trip to Belfast with the elephant on the street, but tonight the girls in our house had a facemask party! I thought I'd post a few while taking a break from homework. Things have been going well, but we have been so busy with trips and homework...I have five papers due in the coming two weeks as well as fall break and my trip to Paris! I am excited about the trip, and slightly stressing the papers haha. Our trip to the Northern Ireland Assembly was amazing. We were able to interview party members and do a Q & A session. It was such a neat experience. We met them at Stormont which is a beautiful place, you should type it into google! Anyways, I need to hit the books. More later.

My Love,
Kait

Papers

Hey Everyone -

It's been a few days, but we have SO MANY PAPERS to write and books to read. Hadden said we are reading for our degree. I really don't mind though, because I love reading and writing, it's just there is a ton of it, so the updates may be a little spread our for a time. Tomorrow we are driving into Belfast wearing our best attire because we are meeting with some members of 'congress' as we would say in the US. I will make sure to update afterwards because it will be a great experience I am sure. In November we will be doing something similar only then we will be meeting with the President of the Republic of Ireland so I am sure that will be great as well. We have been at the Holiday Homes for a few days now and I love it here, though I do miss Murlough House. The Holiday Homes are beautiful and it is fun to unpack. We celebrated Kaylie's birthday on Tuesday and that was a lot of fun. We went to the movies in Belfast and then out to dinner. Paris is right around the corner so Kaylie and I are getting really excited about that, (but I am nervous about the flying part of course). Anyways, I will update again soon, I need to go fix dinner!

Love and Blessings,
Kaitie