So Cheryl Bailie (my "line-manager"-boss-friend) is awesome. On Friday I was sitting in the office wracking my brain for some innovative ideas for Kidsfest (to be only the sweetest kid's program ever) when she told me to go out & get some fresh air (She reads me like a book). The walk that I took was just what I needed. I didn't think of any innovative ideas, but God answered other questions that have been lingering in my mind. I've been asking Him WHY? : "Why am I here God? I'm not doing anyting that any of the other DYFC workers/volunteers can't do to impact this town, from what I can see at least. Kidsfest? Cheryl can think of way better ideas anyway, & I'm not really an evangelist either. Anything that I can do, others in Dromre can do as well, & I can do anywhere. Why Dromore, Lord? Why can't I be in some physically impoverished place where I'm able to see the results of my efforts & feel appreciated by the peole I am helping? I want to get back to basics (Jeremiah 6:16! I so want it!)- surely living in a hut & eating rice for dinner would be just that?! So, again, why Dromore?"
I said all of that to God whilst dandering through the woods of Dromore park with "Freewheel" by Duke Special looping around my mind, & God replied,
"Faith is being certain of what you cannot see- this is why I've had your nose stuck in Hebrews 11 & pondering faith lately! You are here in Dromore by faith... though you can't always see all the results of your efforts to inspire, guide, & love like you would if you were in a third-world country or any place with physical needs, & though you may not always be helping people who appreciate your efforts, know & trust that I need you here. Have faith that your presence in this town is necessary for this time. 'Back to basics' doesn't only mean back to material things... the most basic of all 'things' is to Love. Love for all you're worth."
Freed from doubt & sure of my Savior's hand in my life, I meandered back to the office.
Sunday, 28 September 2008
Wednesday, 10 September 2008
NI vs USA
What if rain drops were different colors & so when it rained buildings would become multi-colored? And they wouldn't all run together & turn brown because the colors miraculously wouldn't mix. God could do that, & it would be stellar. Ireland would be the most colorful place in the world!
They don't refrigerate their eggs in the supermarket?! ...& 5 other things done differently in Northern Ireland (& probably the entirety of the UK) than the US:
1. Cute &/or fancy mailboxes are non-existent. Rather, post-boxes (a slit in the door) are installed on every front door, & the post man walks up to each door to deliver the mail. To send mail, one must go to the post office, or use a community post-box down the street (I suppose this probably happens in some places in the States as well?)
3. For dinner (or, "tea"), usually your food is piled onto your plate for you in the kitchen, & then brought out to you at the table. I prefer the American way of putting all the food on the table & everyone helping themselves. (I'm not a fan of gravy, & I unfortunately tend to forget to mention that before my plate is brought out to me.)
4. In a wedding, the bride's family pays for bridesmaids' dresses & groomsmen's tuxes. Lucky for the bridesmaids & groomsmen... not so much for the happy couple.
5. This isn't really something "done" differently, but check out these police cars & ambulances! You can't miss them on the road.
So there's some culture for you =] & for some reason this is typing underlined & I can't get it off....In the DYFC office, now consisting of our fantastic 2008-2009 team (Cheryl, David, Anna, Bob, & myself...check out our photos... link to the right...), we've been brainstorming for the year ahead. For those of you who don't know, the Base has gone mobile. We no longer have the centre that housed BaseKids and Drop-In; what we do have, however, is a mobile caravan, out of which we're praying that God is going to do great things. I've been put in charge of a project that will hopefully electrify out children's ministry..
Love.
Friday, 29 August 2008
Northern Ireland Again!!
BACK.
After somewhat of a personal emotional rollercoast of a summer, though still awesome as I caught up with & had incredibly adventures with my loved ones, I am in Northern Ireland yet again! As I write this, I am sitting in Lorraine's fabulously comfortable & humble estate at Beresford Hill in County Down. The closet space available to me is overwhelming as I have the entire wardroabe (which takes up an entire wall) to myself this year. I'm at a loss as to what to do with all the space- I feel like all my stuff is scattered around the four corners of the world! (Ashleigh, I miss you!!!)
Cheryl picked me up at the airport & then took me out for "coffee" (I got water, a clementine, & a slice of square tomato-basil-mozzerella pizza). I spent the remainder of the afternoon unpacking & power-napping. Upon dinnertime, the Bailies' picked me up again (oh, this was after I woke up to a sweet hug from my sweet mummy Lorraine!) & we chowed down on Chinese food in their living room. I met the newest addition to the Bailie family as well- Molly, their rabbit. She's SO CUTE! --except that she poops everywhere. But pooping seemingly uncontrollably is Molly's only flaw =]
I walked back to Lorraine's in the silent twilight & pondered my feelings. The walk felt normal- completely familiar. I seemed to need to remind myself that I've been away for six weeks. I do miss my family (& the sun) at the minute, which makes the move feel more real.
However, I feel like I'm in control & that this year will be familiar & that I know exactly what I'm doing. This scares me. It also makes me feel less confident & wary because I know I know nothing about this year, & I have never had less control. Everything is too familiar & comfortable for my own good!! I am anxious for everything to get started so that the familiarity becomes blurred.
Love.
After somewhat of a personal emotional rollercoast of a summer, though still awesome as I caught up with & had incredibly adventures with my loved ones, I am in Northern Ireland yet again! As I write this, I am sitting in Lorraine's fabulously comfortable & humble estate at Beresford Hill in County Down. The closet space available to me is overwhelming as I have the entire wardroabe (which takes up an entire wall) to myself this year. I'm at a loss as to what to do with all the space- I feel like all my stuff is scattered around the four corners of the world! (Ashleigh, I miss you!!!)
Cheryl picked me up at the airport & then took me out for "coffee" (I got water, a clementine, & a slice of square tomato-basil-mozzerella pizza). I spent the remainder of the afternoon unpacking & power-napping. Upon dinnertime, the Bailies' picked me up again (oh, this was after I woke up to a sweet hug from my sweet mummy Lorraine!) & we chowed down on Chinese food in their living room. I met the newest addition to the Bailie family as well- Molly, their rabbit. She's SO CUTE! --except that she poops everywhere. But pooping seemingly uncontrollably is Molly's only flaw =]
I walked back to Lorraine's in the silent twilight & pondered my feelings. The walk felt normal- completely familiar. I seemed to need to remind myself that I've been away for six weeks. I do miss my family (& the sun) at the minute, which makes the move feel more real.
However, I feel like I'm in control & that this year will be familiar & that I know exactly what I'm doing. This scares me. It also makes me feel less confident & wary because I know I know nothing about this year, & I have never had less control. Everything is too familiar & comfortable for my own good!! I am anxious for everything to get started so that the familiarity becomes blurred.
Love.
Thursday, 7 August 2008
don't let the panic bring you down
Just yesterday I realized how incredibly lucky I am to have the kind of family I do.
Well, I've always known that I'm lucky, but it's something i push to the back of my head without ever really reveling in it.
My family is so unique- after my parents had my 3 biological sisters & me, they added 3 more little ones from China to the tree. There's a huge gap between Sarah (8) & my youngest biological sister Kirstyn (16), & some families wouldn't be able to handle that. But I think we do very well.
Yesterday Sarah & I were in a store & we slowly walked by the diamond jewelry section, admiring the sparkling earrings, necklaces, & rings. When we were looking at the rings specifically, Sarah strung together a few simple words that filled me with the wonderment of her innocence,
"I wonder if they change color."
Unfortunately I had to inform her that these kinds of rings don't change color, which she seemed to take ok. But, wow. As we were gazing at diamonds, her only thought was if they changed color, like the plastic mood ring she wears around her finger. This amazes me!!
Without the 3 little rascals in my life, how would I be reminded of little things like this? I am so blessed to daily be prompted about how simple life can be if only we allow it. I am aware that most people in my stage of life, transitioning from teen into young adult, are void this blessing. And so it's no wonder that they get sucked into the monotony of the "real world" & forget the freedom we all once held as a child.
The grumpy old man in the grocery store line used to spend his summer days fishing with his buddies.
The rude & seemingly lifeless customer relations person on the other end of your phone line used to love reading Dr. Seuss.
The angry cashier decked out in her chipped black nail polish used to wear nothing but yellow.
These guys know how to live, & they can't even drive!
Tuesday, 29 July 2008
break & mend.
So I have this awesome aunt whom i call my Auntie Bethie. She's way cool. For my birthday last year, she took me to the Philadelphia Art Museum (We were going to go to an Andrew Bird show in Philly, but the CB East talent show was the same night........ ... ..... .. . .. . . . . . .) Auntie Bethie, though I don't know if she knows it or not, is going to take me to get my first tattoo, whenever that happens.
Anyways, this wonderful aunt of mine commented on my post 'and so tears came', & i think what she said is insightful, & I very much agree. So i'm posting it here:
"Guarding ones heart is a tricky task...don't guard it so closely as to be afraid to let someone in..there is a thin line between guarding the doors of our heart and shutting the door. Remember that God has purpose in everything he allows to happen in our lives and that through heartache comes healing...a broken heart is also open."
I know heartbreak is meant to happen in everyone's life. It makes us grow, & it leaves room for deeper love to come. I think I've pounded the phrase 'guard your heart' into my head so much this past year that I've forgotten that it's important to let people [aka boys] in as well. So, thanks for the wee reminder auntie bethie =]
However, I think it's important to guard your heart a little in the sense that you don't pour your emotions out to just anybody. It's good to dance, but i think we should save our feet from dancing with just anyone at all. [Duke Special, "Freewheel"] I think the movies & songs these days advocate that it's ok to become emotionally connected to absolutely anyone. For instance,in a lot of flicks, the protagonist couple always has a scene where they spill their hearts out to eachother, & then sleep together. Like, what's that all about? That's not how it's meant to work. [It's like, Girl: "I had an awful childhood"; Guy: "I had an awful childhood too"; Both: "Wow, we're meant for eachother....let's have sex" .....ok, ridiculous.] And then the next day is great, but then something unspeakable happens, then comes the chase scene, & finally the happy couple magically ends up together. THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS.
K, sorry, went off on a tangent there.
I think what i'm trying to get at is, people these days think it's OK to spill their deepest feelings to absolutely anyone, thus emotinally connecting themselves to whomever & thinking it's ok to date them. But when the time comes for the break-up [which is inevitable in relationships such as this], it's way messier & broken than it ever needed to be. And what could've been a beautiful friendship had they realized they weren't meant to become romantic, is gone.
I just feel so sad for people who bring unnecessary heartbreak onto themselves.
Anyways, this wonderful aunt of mine commented on my post 'and so tears came', & i think what she said is insightful, & I very much agree. So i'm posting it here:
"Guarding ones heart is a tricky task...don't guard it so closely as to be afraid to let someone in..there is a thin line between guarding the doors of our heart and shutting the door. Remember that God has purpose in everything he allows to happen in our lives and that through heartache comes healing...a broken heart is also open."
I know heartbreak is meant to happen in everyone's life. It makes us grow, & it leaves room for deeper love to come. I think I've pounded the phrase 'guard your heart' into my head so much this past year that I've forgotten that it's important to let people [aka boys] in as well. So, thanks for the wee reminder auntie bethie =]
However, I think it's important to guard your heart a little in the sense that you don't pour your emotions out to just anybody. It's good to dance, but i think we should save our feet from dancing with just anyone at all. [Duke Special, "Freewheel"] I think the movies & songs these days advocate that it's ok to become emotionally connected to absolutely anyone. For instance,in a lot of flicks, the protagonist couple always has a scene where they spill their hearts out to eachother, & then sleep together. Like, what's that all about? That's not how it's meant to work. [It's like, Girl: "I had an awful childhood"; Guy: "I had an awful childhood too"; Both: "Wow, we're meant for eachother....let's have sex" .....ok, ridiculous.] And then the next day is great, but then something unspeakable happens, then comes the chase scene, & finally the happy couple magically ends up together. THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS.
K, sorry, went off on a tangent there.
I think what i'm trying to get at is, people these days think it's OK to spill their deepest feelings to absolutely anyone, thus emotinally connecting themselves to whomever & thinking it's ok to date them. But when the time comes for the break-up [which is inevitable in relationships such as this], it's way messier & broken than it ever needed to be. And what could've been a beautiful friendship had they realized they weren't meant to become romantic, is gone.
I just feel so sad for people who bring unnecessary heartbreak onto themselves.
Saturday, 19 July 2008
Quite Hippie-Like
[an artistic description of how i am so blessed with the most awesome friends in the world]
I set out in sight of a tea party, anxious to catch up with a few dear friends.
Katie greeted Elise & I at the front door-
She would've fetched the sight of any gentleman in her green sundress and carefully crafted homemade beads had she been about town,
But instead, that Monday night found her practicing the hospitality she is so incredibly gifted with.
She led us into the house,
And the tea party I had orginally expected suddenly turned into a party of sheer extravagance,
With shouts of surprise and wonderful hilarity!
Confusion forced my lips to form a "Whaa--?"
But the banner hanging from the ceilling offered assistance to me, as it spelled my name
And confirmed my speculation as to why people had just jumped out from behind couches.
Shock and joy shook me as I embnraced those who are as close to my heart as family,
And in each guest's eyes I saw unadulterated friendship.
That damn silly smile wouldn't give my face a break.
The songs we sang that night continued to the next day.
After some tete-a-tete wtih Micaeli
I slept, dreamt, and woke to my best friend telling me it was 9:20 and we ought to prepare for our morning's planned expedition to Rice's.
We ventured through the vendor's sales,
Each conquering the prices of the stands behind and next to them, of course,
Stopping every so often to test a pair of sunglasses
Or question the value of a potential graduation gift.
But, it was hot.
Finally melted by the sun we retreated to the comfort fo air conditioning at the Rourke residence,
At which Mary-Pat and wee Sean-the-Irishman paid a visit!
Curled up on the sofa, I reveled in the love, family, and friendship mingling together.
Later, as the sun sunk closer to the horizon
We glorified nature and treaded through its beauty.
Our toes and soles met slick rocks as we precariously traipsed through the river,
Taking caution not to slip as we followed the stream and momentarily shared habitat with aglae and fungi-
They clung to the rocks in order to not get swept away
As friends and loved ones alike, we held and steadied each other.
It came time to leave the water, and, quite hippie-like, we endeavored to the country road;
Asphalt paralleling liquid silver;
Asphalt and tar that read the prints of our bare feet as we made our way to the covered bridge.
There were some nice boy scouts on bicycles that offered salutations, which we returned.
We're friendly like that.
Upon reaching the bridge we were satisfied to realize that it was indeed covered,
And it is my hope that our tourist friends from Delaware unearthed the same satisfaction in the photograph they snapped as they drove by.
We turned around, and on the journey back to Delilah
I made each step exact to protect my feet from burning on the black, sun-soaked solution for smooth cruising.
As as my feet focused on sparing themselves from pain
My lungs were set on having enough breath to belt the Eisley melodies we carried with us down the road.
We tuned trolleys and pushed them through the wood,
Unconcerned for those who would prefer us not to sing-
Not concerned about anything at all.
And the wild raspberries were so tangy sweet on our tongues.
The day came to a close with an impromptu gathering in the Comber kitchen
Featuring party cake ice cream and mismatched milkshakes.
We washed our feet with the garden hose and collapsed in the grass,
Tucking the sweet spontaneity away until we sing together again.
[shout out to KFulg for throwing me a surprise party, & ECombs & MRourke for an awesome Tuesday]
I set out in sight of a tea party, anxious to catch up with a few dear friends.
Katie greeted Elise & I at the front door-
She would've fetched the sight of any gentleman in her green sundress and carefully crafted homemade beads had she been about town,
But instead, that Monday night found her practicing the hospitality she is so incredibly gifted with.
She led us into the house,
And the tea party I had orginally expected suddenly turned into a party of sheer extravagance,
With shouts of surprise and wonderful hilarity!
Confusion forced my lips to form a "Whaa--?"
But the banner hanging from the ceilling offered assistance to me, as it spelled my name
And confirmed my speculation as to why people had just jumped out from behind couches.
Shock and joy shook me as I embnraced those who are as close to my heart as family,
And in each guest's eyes I saw unadulterated friendship.
That damn silly smile wouldn't give my face a break.
The songs we sang that night continued to the next day.
After some tete-a-tete wtih Micaeli
I slept, dreamt, and woke to my best friend telling me it was 9:20 and we ought to prepare for our morning's planned expedition to Rice's.
We ventured through the vendor's sales,
Each conquering the prices of the stands behind and next to them, of course,
Stopping every so often to test a pair of sunglasses
Or question the value of a potential graduation gift.
But, it was hot.
Finally melted by the sun we retreated to the comfort fo air conditioning at the Rourke residence,
At which Mary-Pat and wee Sean-the-Irishman paid a visit!
Curled up on the sofa, I reveled in the love, family, and friendship mingling together.
Later, as the sun sunk closer to the horizon
We glorified nature and treaded through its beauty.
Our toes and soles met slick rocks as we precariously traipsed through the river,
Taking caution not to slip as we followed the stream and momentarily shared habitat with aglae and fungi-
They clung to the rocks in order to not get swept away
As friends and loved ones alike, we held and steadied each other.
It came time to leave the water, and, quite hippie-like, we endeavored to the country road;
Asphalt paralleling liquid silver;
Asphalt and tar that read the prints of our bare feet as we made our way to the covered bridge.
There were some nice boy scouts on bicycles that offered salutations, which we returned.
We're friendly like that.
Upon reaching the bridge we were satisfied to realize that it was indeed covered,
And it is my hope that our tourist friends from Delaware unearthed the same satisfaction in the photograph they snapped as they drove by.
We turned around, and on the journey back to Delilah
I made each step exact to protect my feet from burning on the black, sun-soaked solution for smooth cruising.
As as my feet focused on sparing themselves from pain
My lungs were set on having enough breath to belt the Eisley melodies we carried with us down the road.
We tuned trolleys and pushed them through the wood,
Unconcerned for those who would prefer us not to sing-
Not concerned about anything at all.
And the wild raspberries were so tangy sweet on our tongues.
The day came to a close with an impromptu gathering in the Comber kitchen
Featuring party cake ice cream and mismatched milkshakes.
We washed our feet with the garden hose and collapsed in the grass,
Tucking the sweet spontaneity away until we sing together again.
[shout out to KFulg for throwing me a surprise party, & ECombs & MRourke for an awesome Tuesday]
Monday, 7 July 2008
what i love about being home
i know i just did a blog about food, but just bear with me please.
i was really overwhelmed this morning when deciding what kind of cereal to have for breakfast.
you would be overwhelmed too if you had 25 types of deliciously organic cereal to choose from.
[including 5 boxes of Puffins.]
my sisters & i are at the library.
kirstyn is going to take out some movies. the titles are:
'the doors' (a documentary type thing i guess)
'titanic' (she's never seen it...)
'the sting' (her friend's favorite movie apparently)
'desperate housewives season 1' (she's seen all of the seasons except the first)
'life is beautiful' (recommended by her boss)
we're at the library because i wanted to upload photos online & at home we only have dial-up. thus, i am wasting less time than i would be at home.
home.
this is where i am at the moment. for 6 or 7 weeks-ish.
home is bucks county, pennsylvania.
doylestown specifically, but i don't like saying that really because 'doylestown' = posh & our family isn't.
cheryl warned that when she got home after being on her gap year, she struggled to find purpose for each day. so that's what i prayed for this morning. purpose. God's really challenging me at the moment. He's opened my eyes this year, & i can think of 2 things specifically at the moment:
1. guard your heart. [Proverbs 4:23] i'm not talking about me right here, i'm talking about what i've seen in dromore with the 12-15 year old girls 'being with', 'meeting' [whatever you want to call it] boys that are much too old & experienced for them. i've seen girls go through unnecessary self-inflicted pain & really suffer because of it. girls, protect yourselves, please. you don't necessarily have to go through a lot of pain to find the right person.
2. ministry is not for one place at one time. as i am home at the moment, i have not left my ministry in dromore. my LIFE is my ministry. therefore, wherever i am, whenever, i am always to be living & shining for my Savior. it's not only the guys & girls in dromore that i am to help- there are broken people all around me; friends, family, strangers...i am to be all things to ALL men.
so, if you knew me before i went to ireland, don't expect the exact same amanda. i'm still a dork, but a dork with a purpose. =]
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