In Belfast: the beginning.

It all starts with a plane ride from DFW to Boston, Massachusetts...and the rest is history!

I was greeted in Dublin by my best friend and an umbrella. My first meal in Ireland as some sort of cream cheese salmon bruchetta and a lemon Fanta. Afterwards, we began our 2 hour trek to the city that stole my heart: Belfast. For some reason, instead of sleeping on the way there I just talked Stacha's head off. (that has to be some sort of stage in sleep deprivation, yeah?) We made it to Belfast and the goal was to stay up as long as possible. I can't say how well I succeeded in that but, my first official day in Belfast had already exceeded my expectations.

I...

• had some delicious brownies.
• Found the best gummies.
• Experienced "all four seasons" of Ireland in one day.
• SLEPT.

Boy, did I sleep. When asked "What time should we set the alarm?" I answered "9:30." Little did I know what I meant by 9:30 was really 1. Nonetheless, Stacha let me sleep in til then and we started our day at St. George's Market. I loooooooovee markets! This market had so many different homemade goodies-both foods and crafts.

 

  Here we are at the market after eating brunch. 

I had this wonderful sandwich with "UK" bacon, mushrooms, and cheese inside of some very floury bread. If I had to choose some food to be stranded on an island for the rest of my life; this would be one of them.

Then she showed me around all of City Centre. I loved it. The shops, food, clothes, and buildings; a day in the life of Stacha Cae. 

 

 My first protest at city hall. 

 

 This is me (a little scared) on the very top floor of Victoria Square overlooking cloudy, yet, beautiful Belfast.

 That night we made some plans to go to BT1...for some Karaoke! Yes. Yes. and Yes. A highlight of mine from this trip forsures. Stacha, I, and a couple of her friends sang, danced, and danced. We sang a compilation of the Spice Girls and Destiny's Child songs. We also had a couple of interesting admirers. From one of them and a later experience in the trip lead me to believe that a pick up line in Ireland is "Shut up", "Shhh", or "Be quiet". Stacha had her bouncers with her and they were kicked out soon enough. We don't roll that way; but, an experience for the books.

 

 Meg, Stacha, and Me at BT1.

 The next morning we went back to St. George's Market. (this time a wee bit earlier.) 

 

 Meg joined us for the second day.

 

 Here's an excited little Stacha with her mockingjay necklace and the jeweler who made it.

 

It was the best of times. *dododododo*

Afterwards, we walked around City Centre a wee bit more. I had a lovely opportunity to go to church in Belfast and see the Lord at work in the lives of Village Belfast. For the short time I was there I knew the Spirit of the Lord dwelled among these brothers and sisters. Not too long after we were on our way to pick up Sarah. The journey continues...in the next blog!

A Spare Moment Saturday

1. I am thankful for the women that walk with me and the women I walk with. I am always encouraged by them in my walk with the Lord through different means like prayer, accountability, and just by watching their walk with the Lord.

2. I am so thankful for sleep. I'm glad I'm not a vampire from the Twilight Saga because I love my sleep, that's the truth.

3. I am thankful for what God has entrusted me with. Even though I have only had two meetings with my steps girls-my heart overflows with joy and love for them in our time together.

4. I am thankful for the hope I get to share with my mentee. I couldn't have gotten a more perfect girl to meet with mentee every week.

5. I am thankful for God, my provider. He is from whom all things flow.

My Creator, God.

In my history I wouldn't say that self-image would necessarily be a recurring struggle for me. I suppose it would be fear-of-man that would control that area for me, unfortunately. Anywho, last night you could say that I may have had a teensy weensy emotional spurt of a break down but it lead to a sweet revelation.

It all started with my want for a "change" and it seems that the only thing I can instantly change about my appearance is a drastic haircut. Determined to execute my plan the following morning I decided to take a look into the mirror and make sure this is what I wanted.When I sat in front of the mirror last night it was as if I had not seen this girl before. Every crease in her hands and toes were heightened with intricate details. Her eyes were full of life. There were no critiques about my appearance coming from my peanut gallery last night.


When I was focused on the One who made me none of what he created needed alterations. My heart was overwhelmed by this, fleshing out in a tearful worship for the creator and not the creation. I've had my share of  'I look good' whether that be because of the clothes I'm wearing or it may be just a good day. But just as things like flowers, waterfalls, or mountains beautifully portray God's creative hands-tonight, I did too. He said so gently that I am beautiful, I am flawless, and that I am his daughter-made in the image of Christ. This, this is what God sees when he sees me. Maybe for the first time I believed that this is truly and utterly enough. As this revelation made it's way these truths began to permeate my heart. 

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. Psalm 139:13-14

  

For we are his workmanship, handiwork, masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Who stares back at you; someone with a big nose, thunder thighs, or flat hair? Or do you see a child of God, his beautiful workmanship, continuously growing into the image of Christ? My hope for you, believer, is this would be used as a reminder of who you are, where your identity is, and a renewed awe in who God is as the Creator of the universe. 

A Spare Moment Saturday

Welcome to the 1st edition of Spare Moment Saturdays! We're we take a moment at the end of the week to reflect and dwell on the things that we're thankful for!  

 

1. I am thankful for the the intercession of the Holy Spirit and Jesus on my behalf to the Father.  Oh. How. Gracious.

Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8: 26-27

Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Romans 8:34. 

2. I am thankful for the internet. Even though I don't have cable, I am still able to keep up with my shows.

3. I am thankful for Skype. Keeping in touch has never been so easy. Shout out to my friends overseas!

4. I am thankful for the opportunity to go to continue my college education for another semester. Even with all the deadlines, financial quandries, and years. I am still looking foward to my classroom.

5. I am thankful for Brooke Fraser's most recent album "Flags". I cannot stop listening to it.

Happy Birthday, Stacha Cae.

Today is Stacha's __ birthday! I'm not gonna say how old 1) she might kill me and 2) I'm sure she doesn't wanna be reminded every time she reads this. Stacha was once just a stranger of a roommate to me 10 short months ago and now she's one of my best friends and sisters. She may love my dog just as much as I do.

I have never met anyone who owns as many boots as she. She may be one of the only friend's that I can jam out to Wacka Flocka one second then worship to Kari Jobe the next with. If you ever need anyone to just listen to you she's your girl. In all my weirdness she may just laugh at me and say "oh gosh, get outta of here, I can't even handle this"; I know how she really feels. She's one of the most studious people I've ever met. She is very servant-hearted. She's my hype-girl when I rap and harmonizer when I sing. She knows things of me that she will carry to the grave. She's my person (of course I'm Meredith because I love McDreamy).

I am thankful for technology, I that I can continue to walk with her in prayer and encouragement while she is going to school in Ireland this year. There are many things to Stacha, but what I love most about her is her heart for the Lord. I love her transparency and her honesty about where she is with the Lord. Her accountability and the how she always points me towards the Lord. I love her desire to constantly pursue the Lord and to pursue Him well. Her desire to do what will bring the Lord the most glory.

Stacha, my hope and prayer for you this year is that you would know the Lord and believe more and more His love for you like never before. Happy Birthday, sister!! P.S. Read this if you want to get punched.