Emerald Isle!

Here is another addition to the "adventures in the Emerald Isle" that my blog eludes to.

I met some of the most amazing people while I was in Ireland last year, and I couldn't wait to get back for a visit. I had such a hard time choosing photos for each day because I took so many while I was there. Here is a quick recap of my trip...if you want to see more of the photos from while I was there...keep an eye out on Facebook in the next week. The photos there will tell more of a complete story of my time there.

#241

8.28.12

Packing day! (the night before I left)

#242
8.29.12
I was going to have my mom take a picture of me at the airport when she dropped me off, but I forgot. I think this ended up being a better photo of the day anyway, as this photo actually captures my entire day. This was my view for 9 long hours on the way to Amsterdam. The screen you see was very cool. It had countless movies and TV shows to watch, new music to listen to, games to play, and a minute by minute update of where we were in the world and how long until our destination. All of this was free!

#243
8.30.12
I arrived in Amsterdam a day later than I left (due to different time zones). This is the plane that took me to Dublin. It was only an hour and a half flight, but it felt 10 times longer than the 9 hour flight I had just before it. I was so tired and I just wanted to be at my final destination. I slept for part of this short flight, but not much of it.

#244
8.31.12
Cafe Calvary! The church I went to in Ireland started having a cafe with live music every Friday night. It's free and everyone is welcome. I have been hearing about it and seeing photos for months...it was so fun to finally be there! This is me with the Power family...the first family that took me in last year. From left to right: Aoife, me, Tyrone, Anna.

#245
9.1.12
Anna & Tyrone are two incredible people. They have huge hearts, they are great hosts, and they really know how to make someone feel like a part of their family. I stayed with them for a week last year, and 3 days this year. I can't say enough about them...they are awesome! Today they took me on a walk that overlooked Tramore Beach (one of my favorite places!). Oh, and do you see all that blue stuff?? Yep, it was SUNNY...in Ireland! Everyday actually. I didn't see rain at all. What a blessing!

 #246
9.2.12
Last year we would often go out to Tramore and walk along the beach after church. This Sunday was no exception. Dee and I had a great walk and loved catching up with each other! And do you see that sky again? I can't get enough of it!

#247
9.3.12
Long story short: Calvary Waterford (the church) is moving! God has provided an incredible (and massive!) new building for the church to move to. It's a short walk from the current site. It needs some cleaning and a few new walls and it will be good to go. I was lucky enough to be a part of some of the first days of building. Here's the lads raising up the first wall for the new sanctuary.

#248
9.4.12
Izabela is just about the sweetest person you'll meet. She and her husband invited me over for dessert and a chat today. It was so fun to catch up with them and to see what God has been doing in their lives since last year.

#249

9.5.12

I spent part of today helping at the new church again. This is the view of the quay (pronounced key). This is the main drag/waterfront in Waterford. The vikings came up this river and established Waterford ages ago...for real. How cool is that? (again...note the blue sky!)

#250
9.6.12
Yes there's Anna, and that's me...but do you see Miss Willow?!! How cute is she? Holy smokes this girl is the best. Last year Clay and Jannelle (pastor and his wife) announced that they were expecting just a few days before I went home. I have been dying to meet this little one since she was born in March. She is such a happy baby and would you check out those cheeks? Thank you Clay and Jannelle for letting me love on your precious little girl! (this was at a goodbye lunch for me just before I left town...but that isn't as important as telling you about Willow)

#251
9.7.12
The Dublin airport has hair straighteners you can use. 2 Euro per use. Kind of gross to think of how many people have used this. Yuck! (today is my LONG journey home!). By the time I got home and went to bed, I had been awake for 22 hours. Fun fact, I hadn't seen darkness in that entire time period because we were chasing the sun around the globe. Left Amsterdam at 3pm local time, got to Seattle at 4:30pm local time. Crazy!

#252
9.8.12
Lots of laundry today!

Well, that is my trip to Ireland in a nutshell. I had an amazing time and I felt like I was gone for ages. It was such a needed vacation and I loved seeing all my friends again. One of them is getting married in Arizona next year, so I get to see them all again in a year! Yay!