:) I know its been half a week since I last updated - but I have been busy busy and also we've been struggling with the internet where I'm living as well as at the office which is making it all the more difficult to get online. BUT God is up to some BIG THINGS over here!!
Too many days have passed to give a full description and its already after midnight so I really need to get some sleep! So things might just be randomly thrown in there!
Tuesday and Wednesday I worked in the office. Tuesday night I went to women's mtg and Wednesday night I had worship team practice followed by a prayer mtg.
Also on Tuesday I went to my new favorite coffee shop. (This one has currently replaced Nobles since I moved houses.) It's called the Cozy Chair. Cutest place! And they have my mocha :)
I was having a pretty hard day in the office so I went on a walk and ended up at the coffee shop. My plan was to sit upstairs near the window that faces the ocean. I wanted to look outside and meditate on the Lord's beautiful creation. To almost get lost in the waves and let my mind drift far away from the present state I was in. However when I reached the top of the stairs I noticed that all the tables upstairs were empty - EXCEPT that one. Awk just one more thing to frustrate me. So I ended up sitting across the room next to the other window facing the street. After getting my coffee I looked out and began to "people watch" (one of my favorite things to do) and it was then God began to reveal to me His most beautiful creation. I believe that it was this afternoon that God broke something inside of me and I began to truly embrace this season I'm in and fall deeply in love with the people I am surrounded by. I cannot fully explain what happened in that coffee shop - but the lyrics from "Hosanna" became my purpose in life;
"Open up my eyes to the things unseen.
Show me how to love like you have loved me.
Break my heart for what breaks yours.
Everything I am for Your kingdom's cause."
Yesterday afternoon I had off so Sue took me to the prettiest park I've ever seen! I continually thought of Melody and Jo - you too would have been in heaven taking pictures there! Unfortunately my camera was dead so no pics this time but I'll for sure be going back at some point! We got lunch nearby and it was there that I had my first bite of duck. Tasted really good actually :)
Last night we had Junior Youth and Senior Youth. I have now taken over teaching the younger ones (ages 5-9) while we transition some things. Talked about creation. The group I had interacted so well and I am very excited about some of the ideas God gave me for that group! And then afterwards we had the older youth! It was amazing! Alan talked on the subject of Gossip - a perfect and timely message. I love those teens so much! Cant wait until next week!
Also one of my teens - Stevie Shaw - MADE MY NIGHT! He walked in towards the end of Junior Youth and handed me a Dr Pepper! I had jokingly ask for his last week and last night he brought me one! It was delicious! (One month without it was too long!)
Today I worked in the office and then went out on Street Reach tonight. I still have yet to take in all that happened!!! It was THAT GOOD! We basically went out to City Hall in Belfast (a team of 4) and passed out hotdogs and hot chocolate to all the teenagers hanging out in the area. Then we just chilled and talked. So many of them break my heart with the lifestyle they are living but oh the questions they ask and the personal stories they tell! The majority of them are comfortable being open and honest with us and it allows us to be honest with them! I know God is working already on their hearts and we will be seeing drastic changes in some of them in the near future :)
Tomorrow morning we have Adopt-a-Block - our third one! Cant wait to see what happens! I need to get some sleep though so I'll leave you with a couple random things before I finish. . .
1. I love the front doors out here! So many of them are bright red, green, navy, yellow, blue, - it's amazing! I've never seen anything like it!
2. I have been asked numerous times why an American Football is called a Football if you mostly throw it. I learned today two possibilities of why that is. One being that it is played on foot and not on a horse. The other is that the ball is almost a foot in length. Glad I finally have something to say now when asked!
3. I am REALLY missing America! Yesterday in the car I caught myself humming "Proud to be an American". About an hour later I had "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" stuck in my mind! And then last night before bed I caught myself humming "America the Beautiful" while I was washing my face! Maybe its cause my family and friends are currently there and I miss them greatly. Maybe its the nearing of the 9/11 anniversary. Maybe its because football season just started. Haha it's probably all of the above!
Well I love and miss you all!
(And to all my new Irish friends - I love yall and am so excited to be doing life with each of you!)
Night!
-J
P.S. Saying a prayer for all of my family and friends back home. I cannot believe everything that is happening! Praying for your safety! Remember that regardless what happens the Lord is still in control! xoxo
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