We're in Belfast!

So, I just wrote this wonderful blog summarizing what I have been learning at orientation in Lousiville...but I hit the wrong button and lost everything I wrote.  I may go back to that later, but I just want to say that everything I have heard has got me thinking.  There's a lot swimming around in my head right now; once I figure out how to articulate some of it, I'll post some.  Anyway, I've gotta go to Yoga now.  Later!

Wow, today was long.  This morning we got up really early so we could go to the apartment one last time to Spackle the holes we had put in the ceiling in the kitchen from our pot rack.  The we went to the Power Place - which was awesome, but emotional.  They surrounded us in prayer, which was just amazing - a handful of voices, some small and sweet, some low and soothing, all lifting up our needs to God.  I cried through the whole ordeal. We have really grown to love our church family, and it is going to be hard  to be so far away from those friends we feel like we've just begun to get to know.  After that we raced over to West Grove Presbyterian (the church I grew up in), and got there just in time for the sermon.  Again, it was emotional saying goodbye to all those folks who have literally watched me grow up and have supported me in so many ways.  After that, I went home and slept for three and a half hours.  I needed it.  I was so exhausted physically and emotionally.  Now I'm back at my parents house for the night missing my grandmother and crying again.  One of my biggest fears about this year is that someone will die suddenly like she did, and I won't be able to get back to say goodbye.   I know for most of these people, I am only saying goodbye for a year - which in the grand scheme of things is not a long time - but I will really miss them in any case. 

On a very different note, it's amazing how blessed Kevin and I have been through this whole transition process.  I was sitting in church this morning thinking about all the blessings God has given to us just because we are going to Northern Ireland.  Here are just a few:

* Skye - the wonderful woman who bought my car. 
* The man at West Grove Pres. this morning who is praying specifically for missionaries in Ireland.
* The many many people who supported us financially - every time we got a check, I was struck by how blessed Kevin and I are.
* Drew and Tracey - the couple that has mentored us over the years, helped us moved, and has given us tons of valuable advice.
* Our parents - who are willing to let us stash our stuff in the basement/barn while we are away. 

Well, anyway, I wanted to write a lot more, but I think I'm done. 

Well, 3 days until we leave Pennsylvania for the year.  I can barely believe we're already at this point - the last few months have gone so fast (despite the slow days at work! Haha).  Part of me is thinking "why in the world did we decide to do this?!"  I mean really - we're not going to make any money this year; we'll be thousands of miles from everyone that we know; we'll miss several of our friends getting married (sad) and my brothers' graduations. Those thoughts have really been amplified the past few days - probably because I hate packing (more than anything in the world, even more than going to the dentist...not even kidding).  I'm sure everything will be fine once we get there, but this whole transition process is really not doing it for me.  Anyway, that's it for now.  If anyone would like a TV, or fans, or a window air conditioning unit (practically brand new!) - let me know, we're trying to get rid of ours.