Hmmm...

Well - I am sitting here in my dorm room watching a movie (The Family Stone), and looking out the window at the people walking by with their school books and joking smiles. I see myself when I look out the window, but I also realize that I am not really here at all. During this time of transitioning back into life on campus with the caf. food and the routines has been more difficult than initially expected. I am thankful for the difficulty, but it is simultaneously...well - just that - difficult. I realize that I am a dreamer. A friend told me this the other day, and I have heard it before, but that is the truth. I am a dreamer. I dream a lot, and I dream big. I also know that I want to pursue my dreams, and that I never ever want to settle. I guess ambition accompanies dreaming, and I think I like the combination. As I sit here trying to think of where I am at this moment in time, I do not really have an answer. I know now that I love traveling. I know that I love meeting people from different places and making friends from around the world. I know now that I don't like everyday routines, and that not knowing what each day will hold is an excitement that gives me an incredible high (maybe I'm easy to please). I know that I love realizing God is wherever I go, even thousands and thousands of miles away from this place. I know that I love cities and being able to walk "just three blocks that way" to whatever location I'm seeking. I know that I love taking pictures and having 'wow' moments when I really do not know what else to say. I know that I love helping people, even if the only thing I do is give them a reason to smile. I know that I like putting myself out there and taking big leaps even if the initial jump is scary. I am here right now, in my dorm room, looking out the window at the people walking by with their school books and joking smiles. I am here right now, but I will not always be right here. I am here right now, and even if I find being here right now difficult, I know God will see me through, and that everything is okay. So, even though I want to go, even though I want to run, I'll stay right here, for this time, for this season, and smile knowing that I am a dreamer, and that I will pursue my dreams.

Short and Sweet

I am simply posting to say...We are here, We are safe, and we are sleepy! Thanks again for the prayers! I'll do an update post later.

Love and Blessings,

Kait

Concluding...

Hello to All,

I only have several hours left on my internet code, so I wanted to put up one last post before it runs out. First of all, may I say thank you for your prayers as this semester has progressed. The power of prayer is far greater than anyone can imagine - and that is why it must not be taken for granted. So, thank you so much, my appreciation is greater than you will ever know. Anyways, I felt I should put up one last post as a sort of conclusion, but I do not know how to do that. I think I am realizing that this is not in fact a conclusion though. When something concludes, it is over, and I suppose that by going home, this experience is simply continuing, for I hope that I do not leave all I have learned - all I have gained - behind here in Ireland. My prayer is that I bring it all with me, and that I will carry this experience and use it...hopefully and prayerfully adding more great and wonderful adventuress to this story that is my life. That is my prayer. I cannot believe that my time here in Ireland is almost done, but I do not want to leave this place with a longing to stay, with a longing to remain in this way. I think that would be an insult to all of the strength and wisdom I have been subjected too. I want to leave this place with a smile on my face, in awe of the blessing of such a time and experience. This place will always hold some of my fondest memories. It was in Ireland that I learned I am able to be independent. It was in Ireland that I learned to step into the unknown with confidence. It was in Ireland that I remembered to dream big. It was in Ireland that I fell in love with the diversity of God's people. It was in Ireland that I grew up in a sense. But now it is time to leave, and I will trust in the perfection of God's timing...for who knows what lies around the corner - something great I am sure. Well, all of this to say...maybe this isn't "concluding" - it's just - "until the next adventure". I like the sound of that better ;-) So...thank you again. Thank you for your prayers. Pray for our travels home on Tuesday. And to all of those I met along this journey and for all of the friends I made, thank you for your wisdom, your generosity, the opening of your homes, the meals shared, and the many many memories and smiles. How great to acquire friends near and far. I am thankful for you all. Nigel - remember to publish that poem of yours! (Katherine make sure he does).

A little Irish Prayer to leave you with...

"Christ be with me,
be after me,
be before me,
and be at my right and left hand.
May everything I do be for Christ."

I'll Be Seeing You -
Kaitlyn

Hmm...

Well - I took my last final yesterday. It was a time of both celebration and sadness. I cannot believe that this time has drawn to an end. What a blessing to have an experience such as this. I pray that I always grasp the opportunities set before me - this has been the time of my life. A few of us went to a Christmas party at the Murlough House last night. It was fun - and funny. I'll tell you all about it later. Today we went to some of our friends house - just the students - and had a cook out and spent the day there. It was a blast to get away and such a fun time with our friends. I am typing quickly, but wanted to update quick. Tomorrow we're going into Belfast to the zoo and the castle. I had suggested this earlier so professor Jones decided to make a day of it - we're excited.

I am getting anxious to see everyone, but it is also hard to know we'll be leaving. I decorated our house for Christmas on the 28th last week (since that is our tradition at home). So I'll post a picture of that. I think one of the things I'm going to miss most is looking out of my back window and seeing the bay and the Mourne Mountains. I'll put a picture up of that too - although the tide was out so the bay is empty in this particular pic. Oh well. Anyways - I know this is short and unorganized, but wanted to update quick.





There will be so much to process and so much to share...I'll try and make one more post before we leave...until then

My All -

Kaitlyn

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).