Thanksgiving Celebration in Northern Ireland

Hello to All -

Well, I wanted to write this because I have had many inquiries regarding..."Thanksgiving in Ireland". As you all know, Thanksgiving is an American holiday...how therefore would one celebrate while in another country? I do not know about others, but I will tell you what transpired here yesterday. And for all concerned...I was stuffed to the brim, and smiling, so no worries there.

There are only three girls staying in my house right now (myself included). Yesterday we woke up, lit the fire in the living room, and finished baking the last of the deserts. Afterwards, we bundled up, and walked to Nicholas and Kathleen Laning's House (right up the road), where the 'grand meal' was to take place. Nicholas and Kathleen are some dear friends of ours that we have made while here. They are actually from Texas, so they were anxious for some American company. Needless to say, the day proceeded, and we had the usual turkey and cranberry sauce, pecan and pumpkin pies, mashed potatoes, rolls, gravy - you name it, we had it. It was great, but what I most enjoyed was our Irish company. Hadden and Betty joined, as well as many friends from the Murlough House. It was such a blessing to see how eager our Irish friends were to make 'Thanksgiving' so special for us. There was great concern that we were missing it in the states, and I have never seen such giving spirits in how they worked to give us our 'holiday'. Talk about the real meaning of Thanksgiving. Sitting in the Laning's yesterday, cuddled up in their small living room, feet warming by the fire, with about twenty others packed in around me - all laughing and talking and sharing...it was really something special. We were all without 'our family', yet we created a family of random, unique, and varied people, from Ireland to America, and goodness it had me smiling. What a day!

Simultaneously when all of the business ended - I started feeling the pains of missing my family. It was the first time it really hit me like that, and whenever I was able to Skype with my entire family, grandparents and cousins, aunts and uncles, mom and dad, let's just say the tears were free falling for a moment or two. I really do cherish my family. How blessed I am!

Anyways, I need to get ready b/c Jordan and I are grabbing a bus to Belfast. Thought I would fill you all in quick! And please know that it was a wonderful day. God is such a provider.

And Park - Happy Belated Birthday to you! I pray it was a wonderful one for you.

My All!
Kaitlyn

A Day With The President...and so on...

Hello To Everyone -

I know my posts have been delayed, but we have been doing a bit of traveling. We are currently in Belfast staying at LakeSide Manor. It is the new property JBU will be leasing for future study abroad teams, and summer programs etc. It is gorgeous here, and the city has been a nice change of scenery. Yesterday we had lunch with the President of the Republic of Ireland. When her speech was given we sat in the front two rows as the guests of honor. It was a surprise and needless to say: an amazing experience. The amount of hospitality we have been given by all whom we have encountered on this trip abroad has been overwhelming. We are truly indebted to all of our hosts. After the speech and luncheon we hung around the manor until rushing off to make our dinner reservations at Villa Vicci before "Light Up Belfast". It was a great evening. Today we kept busy with the Stevenson's (who are currently visiting). We had lunch at 'The Crown' in the city, and then went for coffee at the Europa Hotel. It is famous for having been bombed precisely 73 times during the dispute. If you can imagine, Billy was quite animated in recalling all of his experiences. After coffee Billy drove the students to Shankle Road and we took a walk while he gave his testimony. It has been a great couple of days. I know this was rushed and short, but some friends are waiting for me to head down the street to StarBucks. I can't keep them waiting! Ha. I've included a picture of LakeSide.

So Many Blessings, and All of My Love!
Kait

Mother and Father

I know the title of this post is kind of random, but I will explain, just give me a moment. I went running this morning (something I take great joy in). I ran and ran and ran - because when I run, I think, I contemplate, and mainly, I pray. I suppose today I found lots to think on, to contemplate, and always, to pray on. When I run - that is my time, no distractions, just me and the path, feet hitting the ground, wind on my face - free. I love it.

This morning, as I was running I got to see the sun coming up and as I crossed to a path near the shoreline and saw the rising sun through the reflection on the water, it was truly and wonderfully breathtaking. Pure beauty - there really are no words...and in that moment, the only thing I could think of was my beautiful mother and amazing father. My mom and my dad.

I realize the more I grow, how much of my parents I have in me. I think I have my mothers laugh, and I know I have her brown eyes. I have her love of reading and writing - and so many other attributes, I am blessed that she is mine. I have my fathers passion for history, and love for outdoors - His quirkiness and 'pondering' - and so many other attributes. I am blessed that he is mine.

I have always felt incredibly blessed to have the parents that I have. God is good. Despite feeling blessed, it hasn't been until recently that I have been able to reflect upon my relationship with them. It hasn't been until recently that I have been able to look back through the years I spent under their roof and simply smile. This is why I smile...

My mother is beautiful. I may be biased, but she simply is. She is beauty through and through - from the inside out. She is so compassionate and so passionate. She has a love for living that is absolutely contagious. Others draw near to her, because she is a light, and no one wants to be in the dark. She is so full of wisdom and grace, and when she speaks others listen. She is so sweet and so caring. I love that she would put on plays with me and my brother when we were little (A Nativity Play etc.), or rearrange the furniture with us before a game of hide-and-seek so that we could hide behind the couch. I love that she says "Woo Hoo" and puts on lipstick while she's driving. I love her, flaws and perfections, because she is my mother, and I am blessed. Wow.

My father is incredible. I may be biased, but he simply is. He is such an example to me and my brother. He had it pretty rough growing up, and whenever I look at him, I know that I am seeing an absolute miracle. He is so strong and so admirable. He really listens when you speak, and hears what you have to say. He has always believed in me and my abilities and is always encouraging whenever I have an idea. AND he is sooo funny. I admit, he may tell science teacher jokes, but at least I am always laughing. I love that he would buy my brother and I kites and fly them with us in the field by our house, or bring home animals, like snakes and baby opossums and teach me about them when I was little. I love that he talks things through aloud to himself, and that he reads the encyclopedia. I love him, flaws and perfections, because he is my father, and I am blessed. Wow.

Maybe this wasn't the 'Ireland' post that you were all looking for, but this is my blog, and this is what I wanted to write.

Also, Mom and Dad, I just want to say thank you. My cup runneth over.

Kaitlyn


Playing Hide & Seek

And baby Garris and Dad (I just like the picture).

November is Here...

Hello to All!

November is here - and with it the crisp air and early nights. We have been so busy lately - tons of papers, tons of research, fun day trips, and lots of random activities - such as an exciting Belfast Giants game, and a Shakespearian performance of "A Midsummer Nights Dream" (which was held in a Circus Tent!) Needless to say, we have been busy (constantly on the go!), stressed (so many assignments!), and simultaneously - enjoying ourselves greatly!

Yesterday I grabbed a bus into Belfast and did some research in the Queens University Library. It was nice to have an afternoon to myself, and I enjoyed the 'university atmosphere' as I have been missing that a little. I also did a little window shopping - seeing how Thanksgiving is not celebrated here, the Christmas spirit is already in the air, and I am really enjoying it. In a few weeks we will go into the city to watch as they 'light up Belfast'. I am really looking forward to it.

The other week some friends and I decided to get a little artsy-crafty and made some tie-dye shirts. It was really run.


I pray you are all well. I pray you are able to take silent moments throughout your day - simply to breathe in the truth that is God. I pray that you are all at ease, and able to rest in knowing 'All is Well and All will be well'. I need to go - we are going to an art exhibition, but I thought I'd post a quick update. I love you all - Very Much!

Kaitie