Going Home

Well, it's 1:30 AM… I will be riding away in a taxi from 18 Lower Mount Pleasant Avenue in 5 hours. I don't have time to write a very in-depth post because I need sleep, but I wanted to jot down the feelings I have on leaving. I'll write a post documenting my epic weekend in Paris and my last 2 weeks in Dublin once I get back home.

I guess leaving is bittersweet in a way (cliché, I know). I think the sweet outweighs the bitter though. It will be bitter because I'll definitely miss the people I've gotten to know here (my co-worker Erin in particular). I've been seeing the same people every day for 2 months and now there's a possibility I'll never see them again. Also, I'm sad to be leaving Ireland because of its sheer beauty. I've been more overwhelmed by the majesty of God's creation in Ireland than I have been anywhere else in the world… even though I will miss Ireland, I absolutely can't wait to be home! I miss familiar places, my church family, my house, my dog, my car, normal food, my normal cell phone… there are so many small things that I miss about the United States that I never thought I would miss… normal shower heads and power outlets for example… but mostly I just miss my family and Chris. I miss them so much it hurts. One thing I've learned from living in Ireland is that, it doesn't matter how beautiful your surroundings are. All that really matters are the people you're enjoying those surroundings with. Indiana obviously doesn't even come close to comparing to Ireland's beauty, but I've never been more excited to go somewhere :)

This summer has been an incredible learning experience, and I would never trade the lessons I've learned while I've been here. God has been making me constantly aware of his presence and provision in my life and he's been teaching me to put my hope in him instead of the people around me. He's also made me overwhelmingly aware of my sin. This whole experience has been very eye-opening. God knew exactly what he was doing when he set this up for me. I can now look back on the experience and see how God was able to use the loneliness that I've felt here to not only push me to him, but to also strengthen my earthly relationships. I'm grateful for the lessons God taught me, as well as for the opportunity he's given me to experience more of his world and creation. I look forward to the day when I can return with the people I care about. Slán go fóill ("goodbye for now"), Ireland! I'll be back :)