A New Addiction...

Well it's late but I had a lovely day today and God showed up big time tonight so I wanted to be sure and write a little before heading to bed.

I had the morning off so I slept in until about 9am and then did a couple loads of laundry - I was out of socks! I relaxed at the house til around 1pm and then headed out for an adventure in town with myself :)

Rachel dropped me off (so weird being 23 and having to be dropped off...) at one of their malls. Ballymena is a small town but the streets are slightly confusing so I was determined to learn my way around the city while buying what few things I needed.

MY TO DO LIST:
1. Buy items for Saturday's Adopt-a-Block
2. Withdraw money from bank
3. Buy a Curling Iron
4. Get a Mocha at Nobles

It started raining pretty hard (so glad Rach let me borrow her umbrella)

SIDE NOTE - Last night it rained AND HAILED! What?!? And then about 10 min after that it was clear again....crazy Irish weather!

 I am happy to say that I found everything I needed and still had time for that mocha - which is my newest addiction! Only £2.10 (no tax, no tip...though I still leave a tip) As I thoroughly enjoyed my "me" date, I wrote this while I was sitting there sipping my coffee;
"As I am sitting at Nobles drinking my mocha, looking outside, and watching the rain fall, I think to myself; I am living in N. Ireland. Me - by myself. At 23 years old! Starting a Dream Centre. What the heck?? But I cant help but smile...God is just cool like that." - Yes I think it all is finally hitting me....

I LOVE Nobles Cafe! I don't know if it's the regal yet homey atmosphere, the friendly staff, the purple chairs, or the hearts hanging from the ceiling. Definitely one of my favorite spots in N. Ireland.

Tonight we had youth!!! My favorite night of the week! Had about 28 teens or so. Played a couple games, had a dance-off, and then I spoke some about the Dream Center and Adopt-a-Block (since we are starting it Saturday). Told a couple of stories about teens who were impacted by the AAB program / Bus Ministry and who also impacted my life...Chela's and Lenard's (Hard to believe he was killed one year from today...)
Alan then came and spoke a wee moment to bring everything to a close. I got to pray with several people and one of our youth girls gave her life to the Lord!!!!!!!!!! It's absolutely amazing what He is doing in this youth ministry! So ready for next week!

Well I guess I wrote a little longer than I had planned to. Oh well...I guess I usually do. Leaving you with some random Irish facts...

1. They eat marshmallows as candy. It's literally bagged and found in the candy aisle.

2.  It is the strangest thing going into a mall and not seeing a Victoria Secret, Forever 21, Sears, or Dillard's. Surprisingly enough it seems one of their favorite stores to shop at is Hollister. They call sweat pants "trackies" and you'll see them in those as well as hoodies everywhere!

3. Clothes, accessories, toiletries, shoes, films, groceries, etc... It's all pretty cheap but because of the currency difference I need to multiply everything by 2 making things not so cheap...I have become an EXCELLENT window shopper :)

4. Their pound bills are pretty enough to frame.

Well that's all I have for tonight. Got a busy weekend ahead of me! Please continue to keep Dream Centre Belfast and the Youth and the Church (JCC) in your prayers!

Sweet Dreams!
-J