Saying Goodbye

It's official. This is my last week in Ireland. I'll be flying home to the States on December 14th. Yesterday was my last morning at the weekly Parents & Toddlers group. I told everyone that it was my last time. I received many sincere hugs and wonderful words from those ladies. One girl, Sonia, said she was going to really miss me. I think we have talked only 3 or 4 times, but apparently I made enough of an impact on her. That was amazing to me, actually. A couple of the women thought that I had decided to move to Ireland so they were genuinely surprised to hear that I am leaving.

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