First, it's so hard for me to keep the fire going in my heart after the last couple weeks and everything that has happened to me. It's hard being here in Ireland and not feeling like reading my Bible or praying. I hate that I'll get home and feel like I have to "make up" the time for not being with the Lord. On another note this whole freedom thing is hard. I almost half expected God to erase the memories. I don't actually think that's how it works though. I am pretty sure that would be way too easy. But it's harder than I thought. Way harder. Every time his name pops up on skype my heart remembers and it longs for that attention, or every time I have to walk out of my comfort zone the insecurities of myself flood my mind. Or random judgmental, prideful thoughts race across my mind about someone. It's hard being standing up and guarding my heart, or speaking loving things about myself, or loving on people.
I am a work in progress.
On another note, today was fascinating. It makes me want to go to every single country and learn about their culture and the rich history behind it. This morning the jet lag hit my hard, so I was fighting to keep myself awake and alert for the lecture. The lecture was done by a sweet, old (ancient as he calls himself) man named Hadden. He brought us through a brief history of Ireland.
Basically in 1845 there was the Potato Famine. Prior to this the population of Ireland was 8 million. Throughout the famine and beyond the population steadily decreased. Today Ireland has about 5 million people. The famine caused many to go hungry and die. Many people fled to America during that time which is why a lot of us come from Irish descent.
In 1922 Ireland split and from then on, until 1998 there was trouble and hardship. Southern Ireland is under Irish rule. In 1922 the Irish people became angry because they were ruled over by the English in England. Northern England is part of the UK (United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Wales, and Scotland). Hadden also discussed newspapers in Ireland.
Then we took a much needed break and had tea and scones. My oh my were they delightful little things! It's really too bad that America couldn't pick up on this. It would definitely be a de-stresser.
After was probably my favorite part of the day. We heard a lecture on St. Patrick. The only reason I know even a little about him was because of ICM. I won't go into detail (but if you really want to know you should read a bio on him!). In those days the Irishmen would go on raids and kid nap girls and boys and bring them to Ireland as slaves. Patrick actually lived in England, but one day he was kidnapped and brought to Ireland. There he became an even stronger Christian and spent hours upon hours in prayer each day. He began to get visions and dreams from God and eventually fled from the island to go back to England. There he felt convicted to go back to Ireland to minister to the Irish. And...I will let you figure out the rest. It's quite an interesting story and he's my new hero!
This afternoon we actually had the honor of going to see where he pastored and where he was buried. It was beautiful and charming. At the church there was a brick prayer cell in the yard. I was imagining devout monks walking from the church ready to go pray. It was a very holy place.
Then we headed back and tonight, get this, I actually tried three types of fish and liked them all! That is a miracle my friends. That just does not happen...ever!
Alright. It's time to go. Thanks for reading.
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