A Night w/ My Girls...

Hello my most favorite family and all of my wonderful friends (and whatever random ppl read this - if any)

I miss home SO much but tons of major things have been happening over here! I know beyond a doubt that this is where I'm supposed to be for awhile. Sorry I haven't been doing a good job of writing! I try but by the time I get home I'm exhausted and fall right to sleep! I promise I'll try to do better in the future!

Hmmmm where to even begin! Like literally SO much has happened! I guess I'll try and back track to last Saturday. . .

I went out to Adopt-A-Block. Decent day minus the cold. No sun - but no rain either. Alot of people either weren't home or were busy, but Abigail and I picked up litter and got to visit with Mr McCrae. Love him! We also got to visit with a couple other people. It was also the day of the big football match between Liverpool and Manchester United. Haha I love how passionate some people get - of course it's the same back home but with different sports.

After I got back Natasha and Mary picked me up (The cousin and mom of my friend Lynsey who is now at the Dream Center in LA) I basically call them my Irish family :) Anyways we went back to Lynsey's house and hung out for a bit. Stephen (brother) made chicken goujons with chips and gravy - DELICIOUS! Then Stephen, Natasha, and I took a couple of the teens from their church out to the HUB (a large youth club) before calling it a night.

Sunday was church. Lead worship with Abigail and it went alright. Not near as bad as I was expecting - though I still can't wait for Rach to be back from maternity leave! Morning service went well. Pastor Cecil spoke on Hidden Treasures. We are now recording the Sunday services for television. God really has been opening up alot of doors for us! Afterwards I went to Alan and Rachel's for lunch again. Spent my day playing Mario Kart with Benjamin! Hahaha that boy is precious but can sure wear you out! After a yummy home cooked meal I went back up for the night service. Alan spoke a continued message from Thursday night and 3 of our teen guys got saved!! WOOHOO!!!

Monday was my day off so after sleeping in (which was DIVINE!) I watched some TV via my laptop and then attempted a trip into town to get some groceries. Hahaha oh what an adventure! I took the bus but purchased way to much to carry on my own and there is quite a trek from the bus stop to the church (including a steep hill to climb) I barely made it up! Next time I think I'll wait and go grocery shopping when someone with a car can take me lol!

Today I worked in the office. Got so much done! Still working on finalizing the structure of future volunteers/interns. I also got my Tescos card!!!! With my name on it and everything!

After work Alan dropped me off at Lj's house. I got to meet her family and Maggie came over too. We watched a movie - The Last Song - and had Chinese. I love these two girls so much! Crazy that almost 6 months ago they were covering me in toothpaste at youth camp!

I have work tomorrow and a busy day I reckon so I better call it a night. Will try my best to write again soon!

Peace!

-J

Oh Happy Day...

Hey Everyone!

Today was such a good day! Not loads to write about but I wanted to take a moment and stay caught up on the blog.

Was in the office all day. Worked on a ton of stuff for DCB. Right now I'm creating the structure for future interns to come out and volunteer with us. I'm so excited for more people to come and help! The sooner I can get this up and running the better!

Alan started my morning off on a high note by bringing me a bottle of Dr. Pepper. . .

And it also tasted so much better thanks to my new ice cube trays! Woohoo! No more warm drinks!

Tonight I went out to Street Reach. I was pretty tired beforehand but that wasn't gonna stop me from going out. Already I had 2 of the regulars text me saying they were gonna be there. I saw probably more teens today then I have in quite awhile. Got to have multiple conversations - several that broke my heart. I just love them all SO MUCH! Can't wait to go back next week! It is now becoming more and more vital to have a mini-bus to bring them to Thursday youth club and also a place for them to hangout each night of the week. GOD PLEASE PROVIDE!!! Continue to be praying for this!

Have Adopt-A-Block in the morning so that's me away.

Love yall!!!

-J

And Then There Was Maggie...

WHAT AN AMAZING NIGHT!
So so good! But I have failed to write the past couple of days so let me play a quick catch up.

Monday was a VERY relaxing and chill day. I stayed in my room practically the whole day watching TV via my laptop and skyping friends and family. I did however emerge from my blankets around 3pm and went for a 2 hour walk along the shore. The sun actually was seen visibly setting into the distance so it was quite nice out. Freezing like an ice chest but no rain or grey clouds :) It turned into a Jesus + Julie time - Lough Shore has become my favorite place for that :)

Tuesday was work day. Really my first day in the office since being back. Had an incredible meeting with Cecil. And then got loads of things accomplished for the Belfast Dream Centre. We are really moving forward! So excited for the things that will take place in 2012!!! That night I skyped my family and actually played Go Fish with my sister Mel and Scatergories with her and the twins!! I also skyped an old friend - overall a very good & productive day :)

Yesterday - Wednesday, was good once again! I went to look at an Apartment with Cecil in the morning. It'd be temporary but at least something for me and future interns to stay at until we get a Dream Centre Building. Afterwards Cecil, Vinny, & myself had a mtg about DCB. We were able to see clear vision and unify thanks to communication.

It was also my dad's 59th birthday!
Happy Birthday Daddy!!! I have been blessed with the most loving, encouraging, and supporting father a daughter could ever ask for. Thank you for teaching me the ways of our Lord and for always being there to pray with me and encourage me. I love you! xoxo

Last night we had prayer and Bible Study (which I got to speak for) and then even later on I skyped once again with my sister Mel (no games this time). Rosie stayed the night - stayed up late watching a movie and American Idol. So nice having a roommate for the night!

Today was amazing! I had the morning and afternoon off. Rose had errands to run so I decided to take a walk and see where I ended up. (My goal was to walk to Abbeycentre - a small shopping mall about an hours walk away) I did finally get there and the rain held off until the very end which was great! Ha my only downfall was that I wore heeled boots. . . not the smartest footwear on such a trek! I shopped for a bit and got a couple things I needed. And then stopped by a McDonald's for a late lunch. Walking back seemed shorter but my feet felt like they were broken by the time I arrived back at the church! Still the fresh air did me good :) Got home just in time to set up for Junior Youth. We had 8 kids - which were great but alot more hyper than normal. Really wore me out!

Here is when my day escalated! The Loft Youth was going good. Had a large crowd of teens once again. We were all hanging out and chilling until about 8.45pm when Alan brought the word. Talked tonight about being a set apart Christian. Powerful message! The alter was full during alter call praise God! However those that went up were Christians wanting to separate their lives from the world and be an example to the unbelievers. When Alan gave the call for salvation no hands were raised. Still we knew that God was moving. I felt in my spirit to talk to this one girl Maggie during alter call but talked myself out of it and didn't.

Afterwards when everyone was getting ready to leave she came to me shaking and said she needed to talk to me. The next thing I knew we were in my office and I was leading her in the Salvation prayer! GOD IS SO GOOD! I love that He still used me - even in my disobedience - to be a part of such a life-changing moment! I was on cloud nine. Then an hour later I found myself on the phone with another one of the girls who had gotten saved a few months back but had about given up on being a Christian - God used me to speak into her life and she ended up rededicating her life to Christ!! AND ON TOP OF ALL THAT. . . I get a text from Alan saying that ANOTHER ONE of the girls (who he takes home each week) gave her life to the Lord in the car on their way home!!!!

BIG THINGS are happening with this youth group! God is truly revealing Himself to these teens! Please keep them in your prayers as the battle has really just begun! Also continue to pray for the those who are still unsaved that they will soon see how they can't live without Christ.

Working tomorrow and then Street Reach in the evening! Can't wait!

Be blessed everyone!
-J


"Happy are those who dream and are ready to pay the price to make them come true." - Leon J. Suenes


"First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do." -Epictetus

Sunday @ the Kirks...

What a lovely weekend!

Last night I went over to the Wright's house! Had Chinese take out and watched Mrs Doubtfire while eating ice cream! I felt like I was back with my family again. So thankful they invited me over!

Had church this morning! It was really good! Small crowd but a great message by Graham Dacre who was visiting from England. For lunch I went out to eat with the Kirk's!! Delicious food but rather slow service. So good seeing my Benjamin again! MISSED HIM! Went over to their house for a couple hours and got to have a lovely visit with Rachel and Alan. As well as play with Ben and I got to snuggle with the newest addition - Joshua John Kirk :)

Church again tonight (went well). And I just finished having a movie night with me, myself, and I. Now it's off to bed - Have the day off tomorrow. . . no plans yet. Might just stay in all day. We shall see!

xoxo

-J

A New Dream...

Wow the past two days have been a bit crazy!

Yesterday was rough. . . Hit a couple road blocks that got me down along with a large case of homesickness :( However I had my cry and then sucked it up before heading out to Street Reach. So glad I went!! Amazing night out in Belfast yet again! As soon as we arrived Erin came running over to give me the biggest hug - started my night off right! I then got to see almost all my favorites! Ryan, Jack, Malachi, Dempsey, Amy, and Gemma. . . to name a few! So good catching up with them!

Since I had no food back at the church I decided to walk to McDonald's at one point and get dinner. Thank you God for the universal cheeseburger! However, my walk to McD's ended up being more than just dinner. . . when I was there I was able to get a good look at the youth around me. The two story restaurant was packed full of teenagers! You see Belfast closes down around 6pm. Aside from some nicer restaurants (and McDonald's and Burger King) only clubs and bars are open. Seeing all these kids "chilling" (on top of the group back near City Hall) got me thinking. God began to put something inside of me - a dream. Please be praying as this all develops!

So far today (Saturday) has been good.
Just got back from Adopt-A-Block! So fun! It was great seeing some of my families :) Right now I'm cleaning and organizing my room. . . took a short break to blog. In a little bit I'm gonna head over to the Wright's house for Chinese and a movie :) Cant wait!

Missing friends and family back home!
Hope everyone is doing well!
-J

A New Year...A New Journey...

Hello again!
Wow has it really been a month since I last wrote on here? Crazy how quickly time flies and I'm convinced it goes twice as fast during the holidays! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas season and a happy new year to go along with it!

Mine was amazing! Words don't even begin to describe how much fun I had with my family! So many memories created. . . a much needed break for myself. I also somehow found the time to take a short trip to visit the Dream Center in LA and all my friends there! All in all my past month couldn't have gone better. . . (aside from meeting the man of my dreams or winning the lottery that is)

It's good to be back! Left yesterday afternoon and landed in Dublin around 7am this morning (1am Houston time) Spent my flight to Newark sleeping. During my second flight I watched Moneyball (WHICH WAS AMAZING! An instant favorite of mine. . . thanks to the friend who encouraged me to watch it who unfortunately I don't remember at the moment!!) I attempted a second film only to get air sick from the extreme turbulence and decided to close my eyes and try to sleep hoping it would go away. (It was like being on a carnival ride and knowing you were stuck on it for another 3 hours!) The flight finally calmed down and the rest of the trip was exceptional. My two random highlights on that flight were as follows:

1. My seat buddy. This is always an exciting discovery for me; Who will be sitting next to me on the plane. One of my favorite hobbies is people watching (airports are the best!) and I love to scout out the "potentials" at my gate before boarding. The one person who stood out the most this time? A man who looked identical to "Neil" on the Santa Clause! Ugly sweater and all... And who turned out to be my seat buddy..? Neil of course! I know this is a completely random story but hey it's late and I'm on some major jet lag!

2. Meal times. The stewardesses served us "dinner" (some edible) around 7pm. Ha and then woke us all up for our "breakfast" 5 hours later which was 5am Dublin time but only midnight Newark time...my poor stomach was so confused but I couldn't help but laugh.


I'm currently living at the church. Not sure yet for how long but it works well enough :) Had youth tonight and it was so good seeing everyone! Missed them all SO much! Tons of new kids tonight too! Had over 40 youth total! Alan brought an amazing message and quite a few kids went to the front for prayer. Such an anointed night! Well I best be getting to bed! Have a busy weekend ahead of me!

<3
-J