Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Saying Goodbye
Leaving is a mixed bag of emotions. On one hand, I am ready to go home, see my family, start decorating for Christmas and begin the next steps in my life. On the other, I am really sad to leave this country. I've made some great connections with several people and it will be hard to let them go now. But, I can and will pray for them from now on. God has the big picture in mind and He will continue whatever work He has begun.
Also, I just love Ireland. Killarney in particular. I've really begun to feel completely comfortable and familiar with this little town and it would be easy to make it home. But I have some inkling of what God is calling me to next and I think it at least begins back in the USA.
So, I say to Ireland and my Irish friends, thank you for the warm welcome, the millions of cups of tea, crackling fires, good conversations, beautiful views, hilarious sayings, a full season of The X-Factor (which I'm all for Olly Murs this weekend! Go Olly!!) and the countless other wonderful experiences.
I hope that I brought a little something to the table as well. It has been an incredible pleasure to be a part of New Life Church for the last 3 months. I have so enjoyed leading worship every other week and on Wednesday nights. Our times of worship, teaching and prayer have been encouraging. I know the Lord has great things in store for His Kingdom in Killarney.
A famous Irish saying is Cead Mile Failte. It means "One Hundred Thousand Welcomes". It's true, that is exactly how it feels here.
Love,
Katy
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Happily Ever After
However, I could guess what it could feel like. I have a pretty good imagination.
So, it doesn't seem like a stretch to say that being in Ireland for this 3 month period is a bit like falling in love and getting married.
1) The Meeting: The first time I came here (14 years ago), it was as if Ireland and I shook hands, had a couple of heart-to-heart talks and considered our feelings for each other as being chock full of potential. Then, as we parted ways, a few tears were shed and a few promises were spoken to reunite one day.
2) The Commitment: Over a decade later, I bought that ticket, boarded that plane and crossed that big, blue ocean. Once my feet were on Irish soil, I knew it was a fantastic decision to return, one that I would never, ever regret.
3) The Honeymoon: The beauty, the mystery....too many sights, sounds, tastes, textures to all take in. I was surrounded by so much and wanted to see it all. What a gorgeous place! I am BLESSED beyond words. Thank you Lord!!! Wow! But, my head was also in a fog from running around and falling into bed each night with sheer exhaustion.
4) The Reality: It can be a bit awkward to move your stuff into an unfamiliar house and get used to being around people that you don't know very well. I wanted to get along and not offend anyone, managing that precarious balance of "just enough interaction". My feet hurt from walking too much, I started to miss some of the things I used to have back home. I wondered if I'd over-romanticized my memories and dreams of Ireland. I questioned my commitment.
5) The Glory: Then, suddenly, I felt myself settle into this completely comfortable state of mind that is almost blissful. I've begun to get to really know this town, where my favorite shops and cafes are. I know where the post office is and the bank. I can even explore with no fear of getting lost and I could even give directions to others in need of guidance (within reason, of course!). The real glory is in a deeper sense of familiarity, not in the initial honeymoon phase.
I could see the allure of moving here and setting down roots. Who knows? Maybe one day. I don't know if I feel called to that at this point, but the possibility is there.
I can also say that it seems to me that Killarney is a place where God is at work, in quiet ways. It's not a boisterous place, spiritually speaking, but He has not forgotten this southwestern county. He is here, alive and active and wants to do great things for the Kingdom.
Coincidentally, Kerry County is nicknamed "The Kingdom". I think it has great potential in God's plans for being a blessing to all of the Republic of Ireland. At least, I think so. But, I'm a bit partial. After all, I've fallen in love.
Love,
Katy
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Rain, rain, rain and a little more rain....
When I first arrived, and for pretty much the first 30 days I was here, it was beautiful again. The locals were absolutely loving it. This summer has been one of the worst in recorded history, as far as rainfall. They had a miserable June, July and most of August. So, to have September and the beginning of October bring some sunshine was an extremely appreciated blessing.
About mid-October though, I am finally getting to experience the true Ireland that we have all heard about. The kind where you go to sleep with the pleasant sound of raindrops hitting the windows and rooftop. The kind where you wake up to a soft pouring of rain. The kind where you look out the window and see the sun peek through the clouds for 3 minutes and then it starts raining again. The kind where you get an entire morning of sunshine, so you walk into town feeling upbeat and dillusionally hopeful that it will last all day and then, as you begin the journey home a couple of hours later, you quickly learn that your fabulous, hooded, brown TJ Maxx coat is only water resistant...not water proof.As I write this, I am looking out the office window at the Dreher's house to a very foreboding sky of multi-hued grays. The wind is whipping through the neighbor's tree across the street. A few puddles in the driveway are rippling against push of the wind as well. It is currently not raining, but give it a minute.
Now, I actually love rain. I find it extremely cozy and kind of inspiring, for some reason. However, I've learned something about myself. I love rain only when I have a car that I can use to get me places in spite of it. Even the greatest rain-enthusiast can become downtrodden when trapped inside all day, nearly every day.
I am choosing to enjoy it though. Mostly, because this is the authentic Irish experience I was hoping for and also because I know that I'm headed for bitter temperatures and endless snow in Wisconsin upon my return.
Off to enjoy watching the rain....took too long to post this blog and now it's started up again. Ah, Ireland. :)
Love,
Katy
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Every Tuesday morning
- Mothers (and sometimes fathers) and their little one(s) slowly start filtering in around 10:00AM. We have a big open room with chairs around the perimeter and toys galore in the middle.
- The little tykes hang out and play for about an hour. SO PRECIOUS!!!
- At approx 11:00AM, we have coffee/tea/snack time. Christine and Caroline provide healthy snacks for the kids and biscuits (cookies) for the adults.
- The parents and children sit together, eating and socializing for about a half an hour.
- At 11:30ish, the guests bring all the toys into the storage room and go back into the main meeting room for a sing along time.
- Caroline leads the group in universally known childrens songs - acapella. The Wheels on the Bus....etc.
- The fun ends around 12:00PM. Caroline, Christine and I wash up all the dishes and reorganize the toys and put them away in a closet.
The job I've enjoyed taking on is checking each parent into our log book as they arrive. This has given me a chance to talk to every person and (slowly) memorize their names to their faces. Today, I remembered nearly every one!! I couldn't believe it.....and being that there were 31 adults present, that wasn't too bad if I say so myself. They all laugh incredulously when I greet them by their names from memory. It's fun.
I decided to stay in town today after the group and hang out at the Killarney Outlet Centre. The centre has free wi-fi, so I grabbed a little lunch and I figured I'd take the opportunity to sit and write a new blog.
The great thing was that the woman in line ahead of me to buy a sandwich was one of the new moms today! Her name is Noreen and she was invited by her friend, a regular attendee named Shirley. They were eating together with their adorable kiddos at the same cafe I chose. I said hi to Noreen and she couldn't believe I remembered her name too (thank you, Lord) and Shirley waved to me from across the courtyard.
Anyway, I thought it was fun to run into them today outside of the group. I'm hoping that I can make enough of a connection with some of those women and see what God will do. At the minimum (which is major in a spiritual sense), I can just take this opportunity to pray for them and ask that God seriously blesses their lives and shows them just how much He loves them.
Love, Katy
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
What about Jesus?
First...a little history lesson for anyone who is unaware of the basics about "faith" in Ireland. The island we all refer to as "Ireland" is split into two parts. The larger part is the Republic of Ireland and is not a part of the United Kingdom. Northern Ireland is the north east section of the island and is a part of the UK.
The Republic of Ireland is mostly Catholic, whereas Northern Ireland is the epicenter of the Protestant vs. Catholic discord. Typically, the Catholics there wish to see Ireland become a unified country again and the Protestants consider themselves British and are happy to be a part of the UK.
Of course, this explanation is an oversimplification of the issues and, as with most controversy, I am certain there are many sides to the argument.
Being in the Republic as a "Protestant" is not always the easiest road to travel. This is the fundamental reason why I don't mention that word. Personally, I have never associated my belief / love / commitment to Jesus with that term anyway, so this is not a problem for me. Also, I didn't come here to try to get people to stop being Catholic. There are plenty of Catholics who genuinely love the Lord and are serving Him faithfully.
My purpose in being here is simple. I recognize that everywhere, even in a "religious" place like Ireland, every person needs to know these truths:
1) God loves us immensely and His desire is not to punish / condemn / hurt us.
2) Good works are important, but God is not weighing our good works against our sins to see if we measure up and deserve His salvation. Because, let's be honest, we know and He knows that none of us will never be able to measure up.
3) So, instead, Jesus laid His life down in our place to balance out an otherwise unbalanceable scale.
4) Submitting our lives to Jesus is completely worth it. He is the most faithful and powerful friend we could ever find in this life.
What is true about Ireland and the Irish is true about pretty much every other country on the planet. People respond to relationship-based truth. That is why I chose to come here for 3 months, instead of 3 weeks. I have never been a fan of walking up and down the street, handing out a booklet on "how to get saved". Not that God hasn't used those things as conversation starters from time to time, but it's not my personality to do things that way. Jesus stepped into people's lives and struck a personal chord with them. Yes, He preached to thousands at times and did miraculous things as well, but mostly he invested in people. He had dinner with them, sat by a well and talked, cuddled a few kiddos, healed people....loved people. I love that about Him. He had the perfect balance of doing these amazing, huge things and also touching people's lives in very personal, practical ways.
While I'm here, I am blessed to not only help with church-related stuff (worship on Sundays, prayer/worship on Wednesdays), but I'm also helping with a n0t-overtly-evangelistic ministry to Parents & Toddlers on Tuesday mornings...a great place to connect to people.
Also, I love that I can just be myself and talk about life with the Lord with my hostesses. God has already done some cool stuff within those friendships. AND I have the freedom and time to walk into town whenever I want, praying and looking for a chance to meet people and just get to know them....and see what God will do!
In reality, now that I'm here, I see that 3 months is hardly any time at all. This is a place that takes a serious investment and so I hope that God will use me in whatever way He sees fit while I'm here, for this short time.
Al and Christine Dreher (the pastors I'm working with here) are truly invested. They've been in Ireland for about 15 years now and they're in it to win it. It can be discouraging at times to follow the Lord into a place that is tough, but they have been faithful to that calling and I am praying that God blesses them more than they could imagine.
So, pray for me while I'm here, but mostly, please pray for the Drehers. They are the committed and called believers that the Lord has planted in Killarney and they desire to see the Lord magnified on this island and help so many people discover the abundant life that comes from following Jesus!
Love,
Katy
Monday, October 5, 2009
Finally, I have some pictures!
I can't tell you what a pain in the butt it is to try to upload these darn things to this blog!! If I'm able to have better success with my Facebook account, I might add more photos there. Sorry if you don't have FB! :)
Love,
Katy
My Irish Homestead
I am staying in a house on Flesk Grove. They call this little neighborhood an "estate". It seems like a friendly, safe place and there are a bunch of kids that play together in a nearby "green".
Donkey
He's a quiet fella...except that one time I heard him braying loudly at the crack of dawn. This is on Ballycasheen Road, which is the first right I take out of Flesk Grove to get downtown.
Flesk Grove to Ballycasheen to Rookery Road to Countess Road and on into the heart of Killarney.
Town Centre
As the picture shows, take a left to get into the town center of Cill Airne (Killarney to you English-speakers). There are many roads that make up the downtown, but this is the main one.
The Cineplex
My new fav movie theater. :) Tickets are very expensive though. E8.50, which is about $12.50!!
Proof that I'm Really Here
I wish my camera was better. Those mountains in the background are amazing.
This is a lovely country!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Feeling Irish like.....
My meal today: The Big Tasty with bacon. Holy COW - literally - it was a HUGE hamburger. I was only able to eat half of it. I felt like the entire restaurant was staring at me with looks of disapproval and/or amazement. I'm now pretty sure the only people who order that meal are construction workers or some other hard labor types. I started to wonder if I was standing out more than ever as an American in that scenario....just like an American to order the oversized hamburger! Haha....oh well. Lesson learned.
Later on today, to work off some of those undoubtedly numerous calories, I took a walk. The afternoon was lovely. The temperature was quite nice and the clouds even cleared here and there to reveal patches of bright blue! I figured I should try walking into downtown Killarney by myself, for the first time! It was a surprisingly quick trip, which I will now happily repeat multiple times per week.
Once I was there, in true McDonald fashion (my family, not the restaurant this time!), I decided to see a movie. I was a few minutes late to Surrogates, but I was okay with it. The movie was pretty good, but mostly, I was just excited to see my 2nd film in Ireland. Yesterday, I saw Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs with my friends and their kids. (Cute movie, by the way.) Being a McDonald in my family basically means you love movies. So I knew that I couldn't live without them, even here in an interesting place like Ireland. Good thing they built a nice new, but smallish, cineplex right in Killarney! How fun!!
As soon as I left the building to head home, I popped in my earbuds to listen to some tunes from the new iPod. I was relaxed and happy. Feeling quite adjusted to life in Killarney and having just enjoyed a movie, I must have had a look of satisfaction and confidence on my face. A young man with an Irish accent (but not a Kerry accent, I'd say), came up to me and asked for directions to a local pub!!! (For Steve - "pub" is short for "public house", as you had guessed from seeing that place in DC.)
It was a great moment, erasing all my earlier angst from eating that enormous hamburger and feeling like I was waving an American flag over my head. Don't get me wrong. I love being an American and feel thankful to call it my home. And, mostly, Irish people love Americans. But, Killarney is literally crawling with tourists most of the year and I don't want to be perceived that way. I'm not here on vacation, I'm here for other reasons. So, needless to say, I really hated to disappoint this guy with my American accent which confirmed the accuracy of my response, which was "Sorry, I have no idea."
But, he just smiled and laughed when he realized I wasn't a local. I wanted to hug him for thinking I was, though. It made me feel right at home.
I have this feeling that it's going to be really difficult to leave in December.......
Love,
Katy
