When I finally make it Home

Finally Home

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw0ZdHprdjk

I'm gonna wrap my arms around my Daddy's neck

And tell him that I've missed him.

And tell him all about the man that I became

And hope that it pleased Him

There's so much I want to say 

There's so much I want you to know

When I finally make it home

When I finally make it home

Then I'll gaze upon the throne of the King 

Frozen in my steps

And all the questions that I swore I would ask 

Words just wont come yet

So amazed at what I've seen

So much more that this old mind can hold

When I finally make it home

When I finally make it home

And the sweetest sound my ears have yet to hear

Voice of the angels

This is one of my favorite songs. I listened to it a lot when I was traveling through Germany and Poland  last year; comforted by the calm, still words. When I am away from home, the song serves a dual purpose by expressing my desire for both homes :) This song soothes my heart. It reminds me of how remarkable Heaven will be. Everything I'll want to say will simply slip away and I'll just stand there; completely breathless. Finally Home.

"Whom have I in heaven but You? And there is none upon earth that I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

Psalm 37:25-26

A little bit of Pride and Prejudice

"The more I know of the world, the more I am convinced that I shall never see a man whom I can really love, I require so much!"

Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility

ahh, the words of Jane Austen. Read by thousands throughout the years, putting into word the thoughts many of us have but can only dream of expressing coherently. I love Jane Austen. I'm glad that I discovered her later on in my teen years when I had more of a head on my shoulder, or else I would have been a hopeless romantic...driving everyone around me crazy. I discovered her right at a time when her stories started to become applicable to my life. She describes so vividly what people experience (especially when it comes to disappointed hopes) and it is by reading her books, among many other things, that I realize I am not alone in my thoughts.

I was in the living room of a couple I have grown close to these last couple of months in Belgium. Randomly, the guy turned to me and began to ask me questions about relationships, dates, crushes and kisses. After replying to him mostly in the negative, he looked at me and said he couldn't believe it. I laughed as he stated that I was pretty so he couldn't understand the lack of relationships in my life.

Looking back at the conversation, I smile. Sometimes I go through the same thoughts he expressed (not that I say to myself "Wait, you're pretty, I don't understand"). You see, I have deducted that it is because I have the best men in my life. I've talked about it before, but I can't get over it. I have a dad who, on numerous occasions, had his shirt soaked by his sobbing daughter. When I didn't make the travel basketball team freshman year I remember riding the car in silence until I made it home. As soon as I walked into the door my dad asked "How did it go?" My lip puckered and then.....tears. I have cried to my brothers too. I promise that I'm not emotional, just open. I believe that holding in feelings is not healthy (discretion is important though too) so when I have a "disagreement", discussion quickly follows. Tears usually ensue. Apologies are made. A hug then erases the hurt that was previously so prevalent. I think I have taught my brothers how to deal with women quite well :) The men in my life care, call, and show their love in their own unique ways. Last week I was asking my cousin what he wanted from Belgium (souvenir shopping!) and he replied "Just you." oh shucks. We also have a "date" planned for when I return, just because. Yes, I am surrounded by the best. When I am treated like that, why wouldn't I expect that in someone I would spend the rest of my life with? Makes sense, doesn't it?

I was recently sitting with one of my christian friends, talking to her about relationships. She told me that some of her friends told her that she was "limiting her choices" but choosing to date only Christians. Yes, she is. But why not?! If something is so important to you that you would center your entire being around it, why wouldn't you want to be with someone who felt exactly the same?

The temptation to settle is there. In some areas (like the North East of the US), young, Christian, eligible men are few and far between. Then there is the fact that just because someone is a Christian does not automatically mean that you are meant to be with them. I have had guy friends that people assume I must like, because they are Christian and single. But there is so much more to that. I would want a guy with the personality that would compliment mine, a heart that hurts for the world and a faith that would encourage and edify me as we traveled life's journey together.

It is easy to get to discouraged, but singleness also has so many advantages. Being here in a foreign country with no one by my side has allowed me to experience my Savior in a way I couldn't describe. He has used my lonely times (being away from everything familiar tends to do that to you) to draw me into Him. He has taught me to trust Him. He has taught me to let Him be my everything. When I don't start my day off with Him...something feels off.  He is all I need. Everything else is just a part of the wonderful life I have with Him.

Last week I randomly stumbled across this blog post from over a year ago. In it the author writes:

"She is out there. My Cinderella. She is real. She exists. I pray for her constantly. May God satisfy the desires of her heart, draw her close, consume her. May He claim her passions, her identity, her refuge, her hopes, her strengths and weaknesses, every fiber of her being. May she treasure and cherish her Savior more than anything of this world and cling to His will with every ounce of her stamina. By all that she is, does, and strives to be, may He draw near to her and she to Him."

I stared at the computer screen, shocked. This guy couldn't be real. But he is, I have met him! That a guy would publicly come out and say this amazes me. Oh it gave me hope! There are men out there praying for their future wives. Praying for them to be complete in God. Praying :) Oh God has a pleasant way of reminding me He has everything under control.

I like to stop and think that the person God has for me is out there, right now, living his life. He is having his struggles, he is making memories (that he will later share with me!), he is growing in Christ, he is wondering when I will come alone and he is praying for me as I pray for him. Oh it makes me happy.

I'm sitting on my bed in my attic room in this small and slightly strange country; Belgium. I'm content. I'm happy. I can just picture myself looking over to Jesus sitting next to me and saying "So, what's next?" My mind and heart are completely open. I have no idea what my future holds but I know that He holds it closely to His heart.

Have you ever looked up how many times the word "wait" appears in the Bible? It is there quite a lot. I imagine there is reason enough for that :)

"Wait, on the Lord; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the Lord!"

Psalms 27:14

I'll wait :)

"I must learn to be content with being happier than I deserve."

Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice.

If home is where the heart is...

Happy Thanksgiving :)

I hope that each day we can all be thankful for something, be with those we love, take a moment to realize all of our blessings and....eat some freshly baked apple pie!

I remember last year as I was helping get things cooked for Thanksgiving dinner I turned to my mom and said "You know, next year I won't be here for Thanksgiving." [insert sinking feeling].

I love Thanksgiving. I love having three days off just to hang out with people and eat. I don't have to worry about getting presents or being prepared. I just have to be able to talk and eat. Two things I happen to do very well. I enjoy eating a delightful meal with my family and then heading up to my Aunt and Uncle's for desserts. Their house has a wood stove that is constantly running; ensuring everyone in the house to be nice and cozy. The last couple of years I have gone Black Friday shopping with my cousin Josh. I don't think I've bought anything, I just go to spend the wee hours of the morning with him. I love him. He lives around six hours away from my home back in the states but every time he comes to visit, I try to spend as much time with him as possible. He calls me at school on a regular basis, just to check up on me and listen to me. He is a good listener. In the spring I was in my dorm room and he called me. He asked "What are you doing?" I said "I'm in my room." He told me to look out my window. I ran, excited, to the window. "I'm not there." Oh I was so mad at him. This is what I have to deal with, such a chore :)

Some of my favorite things in life are: letters in the mail, time with good people and Jesus. Individually or combined, they make me very happy :)

This year I thought I would be fine because who else gets to have Thanksgiving in Belgium? But...guess what, my immediate family is not in Belgium. I had to work on a project and take a French test that day, welcome to Thanksgiving in a foreign country. The test didn't go as well as it could have (studying has become very difficult here, especially when you are traveling all over!) and I had the task of making a Thanksgiving vegetable dish. I normally don't get upset, but I did. I wanted to be home. I didn't want to take a test and worry about school work. I ended up (thankfully) skyping with my mom. Within a minute of the video being turned on I had tears flowing down my cheeks. Though I love being here and experiencing new things every day, the novelty of being abroad really wore off on Thursday. I was talking to one of my friends and she was like "Krissy, I'm glad you're having new experiences and meeting new people but I just want you to come home." I couldn't have agreed more. Being home sick is normal while abroad (thankfully I haven't had it too much!) but I feel like it is especially difficult around the holidays.

I cried because I'm sick of doing work (you might ask what work, but I assure you...I do work...sometimes), I miss my family and friends at home and I don't know how to make green bean casserole. *sniff* My life is so terrible. Not. In  all honesty, I do miss home. I am blessed with the best people on earth. My family, my friends, the people who have taken me under their wings to help me get to my dreams, they are the best. It is understandable that I should miss them :) I talked with my mom, had a good cry (which really always helps...I'm not one for dwelling on things) and then received the encouragement I needed to make that green bean casserole!

I mixed some things together like the recipe said, added some other things just for fun (get it from my dad) and then went out into the cold, bundled and carrying a casserole. I felt like everyone on the metro stared at me. They must have been jealous they weren't having Thanksgiving. I rode with two of my friends on the train to Antwerp (one was so hungry, he needed to eat the casserole a little bit early) and arrived with the casserole in tact! I then crumbled sour cream and onion pringles onto the top of it to substitute for french onions (they don't know what they are here so that was my mom's suggestion!). It was a success. The evening was wonderful, the food, delicious, and my casserole made the cut. I can't tell you how happy I was.

Three weeks from this moment I will be sitting at home! It is so crazy to think about. Time has flown by here. I'm also struggling with the fact that I will be missing people from here when I go home. But I'm missing people from home while I am here. It is a vicious cycle that I do. not. like. My friend Rey (he is from Africa, he and his wife Lia have been very good to me here) told me that that is what happens when you travel; you can't stop traveling and your heart is spread around the world. I guess that is one of the things I will have to deal with :)

Here is a list of things I am thankful for here in Belgium:

My friend Kristen: who willingly skips work to go with me to a VW Beetle exhibition, among so many other things she does for me.

A Thanksgiving dinner :)

A successful green bean casserole

Two wonderful people who have opened not only their home, but their hearts to me, becoming my "parents" while I am here

My roommate and dear friend, Julia

A Thanksgiving Skype date with both of my Grandmas :)

I love them both so much. They are beautiful cheerleaders in my life.

Things I am thankful for: A dad who has shown me the love of God every day of my life, a mom who edifies and cheers me on, sisters that would do absolutely anything for me, brothers that let me cry on their shoulders, an extended family that picks on me, prays for me, loves me and would gladly go to war for me, friends that listen, cheer, dream, plan trips to Africa, keep me accountable, pray for me, laugh with me and make music videos with me, and the beautiful people that God has blessed me with that see my dream and give me everything they can to help me get there.

Things I am thankful for in Belgium: My host family and the wood stove, my roommates, the metro, the walk to my internship, the skype dates, the samples at the store, my friends, the bible study, my church family (I have met people here who would help you in any way possible, I love these brothers and sisters), my french class, my french professor (who has adopted me into her abroad program), the choir that allows me to sing Christmas music every week, my increasing french skills, my central location of traveling, the lack of rain, and the delicious food.

I am thankful that my knee works (after reconstructive surgery), I am thankful I can wake up everyday with hope, I am thankful that I will always be loved, I am thankful that I can be here in this little country, I am thankful that I have a God I can talk to, trust, confide in, learn from, take refuge in and give my entire life to...knowing it will yield something greater than I could imagine.

I am thankful that this life I'm living feels like a dream and that the God I'm serving loves me. I'll never get over it.

I'm so blessed and so utterly thankful.

Please, give me Your eyes

Give me Your Eyes

A song from Brandon Heath goes like this:

Give me your eyes for just one second

Give me your eyes so I can see

Everything that I keep missing

Give me your love for humanity

Give me your arms for the broken-hearted

The ones that are far beyond my reach

Give me your heart for the one's forgotten

Give me your eyes so I can see

My entire journey here I have felt that God is preparing me to go elsewhere in the world, that this is simply a preview of what is to come. I really felt that the place I was going to reach for Christ was Uganda. I still feel like it. But then I came across a christian organization that works in Cambodia. That too, became one of my destinations. I really don't like thinking about the future because whenever I make plans, they rarely come into fruition. I have no solid plans in place, I just know that, because I gave it away years ago,  my life will be used exactly the way God needs it to be used. That is my hope and aim.

I do have a feeling that my life will be spent mostly outside of the US. My first thought when people ask me what I want to do for a career quickly goes to a picture I have made in my mind; a small hut in Africa, very little belongings, orphans running around and the love of God holding everything together. That is my dream, but God does have a way of taking my dreams to an entirely different level.

This past weekend I went to Amsterdam with my class. It was our last trip and I was dreading it. I was tired from a rough week of many late nights and I had to give a presentation on the Dutch-Anglo wars of the 17th century (I know you want to hear about it...I actually really enjoyed learning about the wars). Exhausted, I was hardly excited to see a city known for its legalization of drugs. All I could think of was the irony of me being in a place full of druggies. I have only been made fun of my name for my entire life, why not be surrounded by people who think its awesome (side note: I love my last name and I wouldn't change anything about it, at this point in my life)?

Amsterdam is a very beautiful city filled with canals and small streets. I enjoyed walking over the bridges and seeing the city. However, it broke my heart completely. 

When we arrived Friday I found it interesting that there were three red lights on the same street as our hostel. Okay, maybe it is just a rough part of town. The next day we woke up and started walking around the city. As I was taking a picture of a church I looked to the right of the church and there was a woman standing in a window staring at me. Startled, I quickly walked away.

As I followed the professor down an alley painted with naked women, I walked with two guys from my class, telling them about the woman I saw and how surprised I was. My story was cut short as I looked to my left and saw a reflection from the window to my right of a woman standing in her underwear. Making sure to not turn my head to left or to the right I looked forward to see a group of young guys. As we walked through them I couldn't understand what they were saying so I looked where their eyes were pointing. In the doorway right next to me there was a woman standing, just in her undergarments. Words had stopped coming from my mouth what felt like minutes earlier. It had to have been only thirty seconds of walking but it felt like forever. I was like "What? What did we just walk through?! Wait....WHAT IS THAT SMELL?!" They looked at me and replied "It's weed." Oh. I knew that. That was way to much for me. Everyone seemed so nonchalant. Did they not see the red lights hanging above the doorways and the women in the windows?!

It broke my heart. There is not way those women wanted to be there. Amsterdam allows prostitution...I had never seen it so prevalent before. I was really bothered by it. Here I am wanting to move to Cambodia to fight sex-trafficking when right in the city I'm visiting there is open prostitution. Every time I saw a woman in the window it broke my heart. The last day I was there I decided to look back at the woman in the window who was staring at me. I wondered what she was thinking. Was she thinking about me, and how I was clearly just visiting the city and leaving to go back to my stable life in Brussels. Did she want a way out? I wish I knew her story. Who harmed her, who lied to her and told her she was only worth her body, how did she turn from a beautiful little girl into the woman in the window, seducing onlookers with her body and glances?

I was reminded of a book I read this last summer that retold the story of the Old Testament prophet Hosea. Redeeming Love, by Francine Rivers, tells the story of a man commanded by God to marry a prostitute named Angel. Hosea rescues and marries her, only to be hurt by her time and time again as he chases after her to bring her back to him. The book provided an insight into the life of a prostitute I have never seen before as it illustrated the purpose of the actions of Hosea; to show how the Israelites acted towards God. It can show our relationship with God even today. How many times does He rescue us, only for us to run away to dirt we left behind, wanting to do things our own way?

The song above is a prayer of mine. I want Jesus to give me His eyes. As I walked through the streets I tried to picture the women as Jesus would have seen them; people who needed love. He hung out with the prostitutes and sinners, calling them to drink of His everlasting water. I want His eyes. I want to be His hands and Feet.

I walked away from Amsterdam with large eyes, still in disbelief at what I had seen. Those women deserve so much better than what they have. I know they don't want to be used. What life is left for them? If they continue to be in their servitude their lives will be empty and unfulfilled. I have no way of fixing it by myself. What they need is Jesus. Only then will their lives be complete.

I have little else to say only that my heart is breaking every time I think about what I saw and I haven't a clue on how to mend it.

The Progression of Love

One day at the end of my Junior year of high school I went on a car ride with my brother Caleb and my Mom. They wouldn't tell me where we were going, only that it was a surprise. We stopped at house near my  high school and I got out, still confused. When I walked into the house there were about eight puppies running around. One of them, if I chose, could be mine forever.

This is what I chose :)

Could you say no to this face?!

She supported her mommy's soccer

I wanted a dog that cuddled. She slept with me until she was too big for the two of us to sleep in one bed.

She loves Josiah

I had been jealous of Caleb since he got a dog when I was in 6th grade. I wanted a dog. Patience. They told me that Khloe was a dascund. I think they lied. She is more like a beagle mixed with a basset. A long face and a personality of a hunter. She can typically be found sleeping or begging for butter. 

Every day I came home from school, I couldn't wait to open her crate and have her waddle out. I would get a prick my heart when I saw my baby. I picked up after her, I fed her, I took her out, she slept with me, she was mine.

I have watched other people's dogs grow older and my love for them has decreased. They were no longer the cute puppy I fell in love with. I love dogs, but puppies are one of my favorite things. As Khloe grew older and got a nose, my love for her only increased. We worried that she was a little bit slower because of her mannerism. We discovered that it was all a ploy. If she wanted to sit by my dad and my mom was in the way, she would bark at my mom (her way of saying she has to go out) and my mom would get up and go in the other kitchen. Khloe would jump up on my dad's lap, victorious.

Reading the newspaper with Dad

She has had some rough days...

You may wonder why I am talking about my dog. I miss her. I miss so many things about home but I can't skype with my dog. My dad puts the camera on her when I skype home, but doesn't see me. Every time I come home from college, Khloe freaks out. She gets this whine going and she jumps up and keeps licking my face. I'm looking forward to seeing her after four months of being away. I can't wait for our walks and cuddling. They didn't tell me that when you go abroad, you will miss your baby more than anyone could understand. I figured that much but still... Everyone who has a dog knows that they will always love you. I don't care if Khloe legitimately flunked dog training because she was too "stubborn", she gets excited every time she sees me. She doesn't judge what I'm wearing or the silly things I do. Loyal and loving. A ball full of love wrapped in smelly dog fur :)

If I ever have children, I can't imagine how much I will love them. I mean, I love this dog of mine so much. I raised her. I worked so she could get eye surgery. I have cleaned up more than enough messes during training and have been woken up more than enough in the middle of the night to tend to her. I can literally feel my love her. It's the special relationship between a dog and her owner.

I went from seeing her, choosing her, and taking her home, completely in love.

If I can love a dog this much, the love in my heart for a child seems unfathomable. I would love to adopt when the time is right. I already see my heart breaking for the orphans in Africa when I go there. I'll see them, choose them, take them home and fall completely in love. 

Human love seems so inadequate when I compare it to my own adoption. I was like a puppy, needing someone to take care of me but still fighting to do my own thing. But, praise God, He held out for me. On July 4th, 2011, I decided to sign the adoption papers and become a daughter of the King of Kings. Before I was born, He was in love with me. (Psalms 139:13-14). He knew the number of my days. He knew how stubborn and selfish I would be and yet, He still waited. I knew He was there waiting for me but I knew that once I made the decision to become His, there was no turning back.

How could I ever go back?

I'm so thankful that God waited for me and received me with open arms. It is indescribable how He has changed me. He knew me in my mother's womb and guided me as I grew up, waiting for the day I would return His love and follow Him. Since becoming His forever, my love as progressed. I came to Him knowing that I needed Him, and I still do. But He took this life of mine and holds it securely in the palm of His hand. I don't know why He takes care of me or even loves me. He sent His son to die for me, this sinner full of imperfections. Before Him, my definition of love was rather superficial but now, regardless of anything in this life, His love will be my strong tower and foundation. Nothing will ever compare.

"But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons [daughters]. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son [daughter], and if a son [daughter], then an heir of God through Christ." 

Galatians 4:4

It was so hard to say goodbye....

I should be working on the many projects I have due this week but I'm not. Why? Because I am in love with traveling and I really am struggling to get work done. It's like I have senioritis all over again but more like abroaditis. Like, it is an internal struggle to get anything academic done. All well, some things you can't change....let me tell you about London!!!

So I arrived by train pretty early in the morning. I stayed with Alan Marshall, his wife, Luce and his two children Hannah and Isaac. I was given an attic loft (everywhere I go, I love staying in them) and a bathroom to you. My own space. Ahh, it felt nice.

Thursday I hung out and listened to Alan as he told me about the churches in London and his personal experiences. I just sat there and soaked it all in. You see, the last time I saw the Marshalls was back home in NY so I felt like I was coming home. Music, family, Jesus. Oh it was perfect.

The next day I went to the British Museum for the afternoon. I rode a double decker bus (!!!) and enjoyed exploring the museum. The first thing I saw was the Rosetta Stone (oh...I was ecstatic). Because I was by myself I couldn't have someone I knew my picture. No problem, I managed to find a professional and make a deal with him. I take his picture, he takes mine. Not only did he take it, he got different angles and views just so I could get the best picture. I felt bad because all I did was stand and click to take his picture.

I then hung out it the Egyptian section and went on a free tour. Oh, to live in a museum! Actually, it would get pretty old (haha, so cheesy). But I really enjoyed it. 

Only one of the most studied mummies in the world

London and the River Thames (and I know you just said Thaaaames, it is pronounced like ten with and m: tems.)

My boy Ben

Hannah, Isaac and I

Saw the house! (This was the tube stop)

Hannah and I in front of the Palace

 I know I look just the Beatles, crossing Abbey Road.

(I don't care if the Beatles were there...I'm not getting hit by a car. Some people almost did.)

The Marshalls and a couple other people I spent Sunday with :)

I am in love with London. It is easily my favorite city. I loved walking around it with Hannah and Isaac and seeing as much as we could with our day. I loved looking out my window and seeing the Thames. I loved the accents and the vernacular and the english I could hear almost every where. I loved the church, the  people in it. The food and the english tea and just the feeling of home the entire time I was there. Oh if I only had the time to go back, then Brussels would never see me again :)

Just a little taste of Heaven

Just taking a pit stop before London to share some pictures of Ireland. When people ask me how it was I just get this dorky smile on my face and say "It was so beautiful...sigh"

"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth."

Psalms 34:1

"I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth."

Genesis 9:13

"The rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth."

Genesis 9:16 

"He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

Psalms 91:1

"Oh, clap your hands, all you peoples! Shout to God with the voice of triumph! For the Lord Most High is awesome; He is a great King over all the earth."

Psalms 47:1-2

"Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable."

Psalms 145:3

"And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God.""

Matthew 14:28-33

"The Heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech. And night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language Where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their words to the end of the world.

Psalms 19:1-4

Indescribable

Fall Break 2011: Galway, Ireland.

I have heard of Ireland's beauty from more than one person, but the thing that drew me to Ireland for break was that one of my best friends, Chrissy, would be there. With the promise of a warm place to sleep, a beautiful countryside to explore and the company of a dear friend, I set off from my house in Brussels with nothing but a backpack and a plane ticket. 

 

It was the first time I have traveled completely alone. I set up the plans and I made the decisions. I knew the broad picture of what I needed to do but the details were a little hazy. After making it to the right metro stop (I had gotten completely lost the day before and ended up in the west part of Brussels in the wrong part of town but a woman and her husband walked me to the safe part), I waited to catch a bus to the airport. This man came over to me talking half in french and half in english. Taxis go to the airport all the time and he had a seat that needed filled so, after completely evaluating the situation and asking more than enough people if this was a ride to the airport, I hopped into the taxi van. Somehow, in my stressed out state of mind, I convinced myself that the van was not really going to the airport (it was an hour ride so I had plenty of time to think about it) and that I was going to be sold into human trafficking. I stopped breathing at one point because I thought they poisoned the air. That only lasted so long. I deliberated on jumping out of the van. I have no idea why I am so paranoid but that was the longest van ride ever. When we finally arrived I hopped out and the taxi driver gave me a pat on the back and said "see? you are okay!". He, as well as everyone at that bus stop, saw my scared expression as I got into the van.

RyanAir is remarkably cheap because they do not specialize in making you comfortable. You fly late at night or early in the morning and they aren't very friendly. You get what you pay for :) The security guard went through my entire bag, taking everything out. Everyone else seemed to just walk on by.

RyanAir took my jar of speculoos. I will never forgive them.

I met some Canadians as I waited so the long wait, as well as the plane ride, was filled with good conversation and laughter. They had decided to backpack through Europe and left a week later. These girls were hilarious and carefree, laughing off every delay in their plans because that was all they could do.

After arriving in Dublin and taking a three hour bus ride to Galway, I finally made it at 2:30 in the morning.

I have never felt more at home during my abroad experience than here. There is something very special about being with someone who knows everything about you and loves you anyway. Chrissy and I have shared late nights, early mornings and absolutely everything in between. I am so excited to share her abroad experience with her and see her city through her eyes.

We have had great meals (she cooks so well), long walks, heart to hearts and absolutely beautiful views of this country. I love it here.

The first day I saw three rainbows. THREE! I guess that is a positive about living in a very rainy city. But since I got here there has been nothing but sunshine. Chrissy is shocked. I must always bring the sun :)

Saturday we went to Connemara and I have never seen anything more beautiful in my life. As we bused through the country side I had to remind myself to shut my mouth because I realized it was hanging open. The grass was so green and the sky and water so blue as we drove through valleys, mountains, rivers and plains. I was in awe.

Typically I always have something to say but the majority of the day I was utterly speechless. All that escaped my mouth was incoherent babbling to Chrissy that sounded like "wow....beautiful....wow" Words cannot convey how absolutely stunning the Irish countryside is. Pictures will never do it justice. I really hope that when I die God models a part of heaven after Ireland (or maybe Ireland is modeled after a part already in heaven). This is mere human thinking. I cannot imagine what I will do when I finally see that beautiful place. I'll go up to God completely speechless with nothing but a huge smile on my face. I really hope Ireland fills up my dreams.

I must go eat potatoes but while I am doing that please enjoy.....

loving it

K(Ch)rissy!

Photo credit: Chrissy (mine will be coming soon!)

From Paris, with love

I'm taking a pit stop at home before venturing off to Ireland tomorrow. Since I do not have a lot of time to write at the moment... I will let the pictures do the talking:

Standing in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles

(the Treaty of Versailles was signed in this very room!)

Modern Art Museum

I will never understand modern art....so I decided that this was my favorite piece. A mirror haha

The Louvre

This history geek's dream come true; Hammurabi's code. In the flesh, or rather....stone.

Dad, I found a  boyfriend....

The first mummy I saw out of the sarcophagus, oh how happy I was!!!

Bonjour Eiffel Tower

After being pushed by a french woman and defended by another, the Mona Lisa and I finally got a picture together

Do you know how to walk like an Egyptian?

picnic in front of Notre Dame

(not the best picture but you do what you can)

A late night stroll along the Seine