life is a journey

Flashmob

2009-10-25T20:05:00.001Z

I think Flashmobs are pretty cool. Especially when you can do them well. These people did. It's a bit long but you get the point.

Adverts/commericals

2009-09-20T00:25:00.003+01:00

Okay- here in the UK they are notoriously know for making really bad commercials. Really bad. I can't think of any really bad examples.... so I'll skip to the good part. There are two that I want to share- they are brilliant! Next we have

First one is Cadbury- a fine maker of chocolate.

Next we have T-Mobile a cell phone provider.

Oh the 80's

2009-09-20T00:06:00.002+01:00

I have two friends that grew up in the 80's... they feel like they need to 'educate' me. So one of the few lessons I had was watching "Pretty in Pink". We watched it on the big screen at Queen's Film Theatre. My favorite part is when Duckie bursts into the record shop and sings to Otis Redding. I also think that Molly should have ended up with him... but what can you do? Enjoy!

Match Making in Ireland

2009-09-16T10:34:00.003+01:00

I was listening to the BBC podcast this morning and they were talking about modern matchmaking in Co. Clare, Ireland. It started for the hard working farmer to meet a girl and has been going on for 150 yrs. Enjoy the video!

Bluetree: God of This City

2009-08-22T15:10:00.002+01:00

It is such a small world: Bluetree is from Belfast, NI. At a random Summer Madness event meeting- I actually sat with them and had dinner (they were normal and it was all good fun). Here is a version about Belfast.

The things I miss the most

2009-06-29T10:00:00.000+01:00

Costco Steak

My Mom's cooking

My family

Montana Summers

Swimming in a lake

Driving up Going to the Sun Road

The mountains

Watching the seasons change

Friends

Summer Thunder Storms

Warm washer

Dryer

Easthaven Baptist Church

Bible Study Group

Owning my own car and driving

Playing outside: Hiking...

Target

Shopping...

My yoga place

Listening to country music... in the country

Britain's Got Talent

2009-06-06T19:31:00.003+01:00

Well... Some of Britain does. A good friend of mine Heather stayed up really late one night and sent me a few to watch- which was all I needed to get addicted. The competition has the feel of American Idol- but the reason behind it is a chance to be a part of the performance for the Queen. That's right! To preform for her majesty.

The group Diversity is one of my absolute favorite!

Check them out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPcGy77Gru8&feature=related

and here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pg3fvanDDc

But... there is this little kid that has stolen my heart as well. Meet Aidan Davis. He is 11 and has choreographed his entire dance. And it's amazing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Nz73UPzktQ

Good times in Dublin

2009-06-06T19:09:00.007+01:00

Dublin, Ireland is a great city.

Definitely is full of artists

and such- which gives it a

lovely feel. Our monthly

prayer day brought

us all down together.

Some of us got a few extra

hours to enjoy the city as well.

You will see random things posted on

sides of buildings, notices about gigs

that are happening or random things

like this, which I have to say is one

of my favorites so far.

Saint Stephens Green is one of my favorite places in Dublin. But first you must walk down Grafton Street which is one of the many walking streets. It's full of posh stores- which most will only window shop.

The street is always busy will people, with buskers- people being entertaining which can be playing music, face painting and people pretending to be statues.

Reduce, reuse and recycle

2009-06-06T18:42:00.008+01:00

Jack Johnson has a great song that I just heard about the 3 Rs. At City Hall there are different things going on all the time. This one was a creative way at looking at our waste.

This fish is made out of wire

and plastic bottles.

Making recycling creative and fun.

How much rubber do you use?

They had some pretty scary statistics.

Is the world made out of garbage?

Not yet.

The plaque reads:

"Try Recyclemoraus" Excavated Belfast Year 2010

"Waste Age"

When people are smart and creative- the result is usually to take a step back and think about it.

Ballet in Botanic

2009-06-06T17:41:00.008+01:00

This past week we have had wonderful, wonderful weather! It was cloudless for 3 straight days and in the late 60s! Wonderful weather! And now it's over- but not before I could enjoy it a bit. One thing was Ballet in Botanic. The Botanic gardens is a beautiful place to enjoy the summer weather. Surrounded by green grass, flowering plants of different kinds and space! to move around.

Amalia and I went to Botanic around 5:00 and had a picnic dinner while enjoying the sun and watching people. If you've never done it I highly recommended. :) One of the opening acts was a College boys group that played classic Irish music. Here is a taste of it:

The Royal Opera House in London sponsored our watching the live performance of Ondine. The ballet was beautiful, such a pleasure to watch. The story line is about a fairy that falls in love with a human then how he betrays her, only to come back to her but her kiss is now fatal- and he kisses her and dies. Are all ballets tragic? I think so.

Don't judge a book by it's cover

2009-05-12T09:42:00.008+01:00

This is a good saying because my apartment (flat) doesn't look like much on the outside. But inside we've all made it homely and nice. I say we because a few women have past through- and all have left their mark.

A few tips that I've found along the way: When in doubt: buy plants. Plants make a nice place homey. Having clean flo

or and dusted makes the whole place feel clean. Pictures and candles set the mood. And having the coffee on and fresh baked goods seal the deal.

It's a pretty tiny flat. A friend told me the other day that flat's like these were made fast and cheaply during the industrial era- they needed housing and fast. So my washer is next to my kitchen sink. There is very limited kitchen cabinets. One of my favorite complaints is about the sink taps: for some reason the hot and cold are separate. And you can only get hot water when you turn on the hot water heater. Which means that after a few- it's scalding. Brushing your teeth in cold water doesn't feel the same. All around the flat (well the front and back) is con

crete: which means no grass. I have green mold- but that's not the same.

So hears to living in a different, wet, country!

A proper pub

2009-05-11T20:40:00.007+01:00

My good friend Heather is leaving soon- so some of us girls went out for a last hoorah. First off is dinner: at our favorite (the only) mexican restaurant. The Northern Irish do NOT know how to do mexican well- or even enjoy it. Which is why mexican places don't last long. BUT this one did, it;s called Boojum. As we were ordering one of the lovely ladies pointed out a green slurpy machine... hey! it's margaritas! Needless to say that we all were excited for this great improvement. The only way to make mexican better is to add a margarita. Then on to the pub. We wander on down to the cathedral quarter to 'The

Duke of York'. This is a proper pub. It's already busy at 7:30, with people mingling out side. Pushing through the crowd we get to the back where

there is less people.

Inside it has old beer posters, newspress letters, old mirrors... it just has this great feel of old Ireland. Like you would expect in the movies. Sigh... this is the romantic side of Ireland... in the North.

5 Runners... 5 hours...

2009-05-06T18:05:00.003+01:00

"Running" the marathon wasn't that bad. I really didn't run, to be

honest! As I was waiting for Ramy at Bridge End, the winner of

the race passed me only 30 miniuets into the race! He finished

with a time just over 2 hours. I am thoroughly impressed. My leg

was only 3.5 miles, the shortest. But to be fair I walked 1.5 to

get to the start and 1.5 back to my house. So that adds up right?

Well enjoy the video!

Belflast City Marathon

2009-05-06T10:28:00.003+01:00

Hey hey!

This is a video that Mikael Kristianson put together to promote a fundraiser that YWAM Ireland did on Monday. Five of us ran the team relay event of the Belfast City Marathon. There will be another video and more pictures to follow. This is a funny video. We are asking people to sponsor the runners. You can find out more about that on the YWAM Ireland website: ywamireland.org.

Stuff...things...objects...owning...

2009-03-13T14:21:00.003Z

When I was home, I worked a bit and was able to purchase somethings that would 'make my life easier'. As in traveling and communicating with people. Pause....life? And then I think about all the other countries. Which starts me thinking why do I need stuff? But that is a complicated topic. I also recently moved. I had a really, really small room in Closkelt. But somehow I'm filling up my new bigger room in Belfast. Did it expand? Or did I just cram things well?

Purging has been a theme here for us in these last few years. I think that my life is due a good purging. Thought patterns, habits, stuff, clothes.... And then when I starting thinking about it all...I feel guilty for having things. Is that right? Or is it a poverty mentality that some missionaries have? I believe that there should be a balance. My friend read a scripture the other day. And I think that it holds the balance well.

Proverbs 30:7-9
"Two things I ask of you, O LORD;
do not refuse me before I die:

Keep falsehood and lies far from me;
give me neither poverty nor riches,
but give me only my daily bread.

Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you
and say, 'Who is the LORD ?'
Or I may become poor and steal,
and so dishonor the name of my God."

One of the things that I try to do is limit my spending. Do I really need this? Is this a treat? I also try to go secondhand shopping. Which can be fun when you are in the mood. On most YWAM bases there is a room where people can take and leave things. This room has had a huge hand in the size of my wardrobe.

Transition

2009-02-23T16:44:00.003Z

Tropophobia: The fear of moving or making changes.

On Saturday I actually started packing. It's a crazy idea for me. I've been talking about moving to Belfast for over a year now. All the hoping is now coming to fruition. Moving to Belfast will be so good on so many levels. With all the things that I've been complaining about- I get the chance to do something about them.

Excited much?

1. Living in a proper city!

2. Attending a church and enjoying small/cell group

3. Making friends outside of YWAM

4. Window shopping whenever my heart desires

5. Not having to pay for transportation

6. Joining a yoga class

7. Did I mention living in a city?

But...there is always a but. With the good comes the bad. I'm leaving my home for two years. No matter what it was- it was a home. And a community. So- I need to slow down and mourn my leaving, my going. *Pause for silence* Okay now that that's done I think I'll pack some more...

A Silent Retreat

2009-02-17T11:07:00.003Z

Silent Retreats...they are wonderful! But somehow I always go into them thinking that I'm going to figure out the universe. Not so much.

This last year has been a lot of finding out who I am- who God has made me to be. And I think I've done a fair job at it. It's interesting though when you get around a few people that you admire and respect...I then start seeing myself differently and trying to be like them. So stepping back and remembering who I am, accepting and enjoy that was something that I learned over the weekend.

As I read back over my journal...I realize that I was thinking a lot about transition. And who doesn't when they are involved in YWAM? But I know that I need time and space to be able to do that- and the weekend was good for that. Moving to Belfast, taking on a the huge job of being the Directors PA...it's also going to give me a real chance to do something about what I complain about from living in the middle of nowhere. Like not having a church family, being involved with a cell group, having friends my age...

The retreats always have a liturgical feel to them- which I love. Some of the songs or quotes that I held meaning to me and that I took something away were:

All shall be well,

and all shall be well,

and all manner of things shall be well.

Confitemini Domino, Quoniam Bonum,

Confitemini Domino, Alleluia.

--It is good to trust in God--

Disoriented

2009-02-05T13:32:00.002Z

Oh traveling:

Train: Sunday 9:15 pm from Kalispell, MT (27F) arriving in Everett, WA (50F) at 10:00 am 13hrs

-Seeing the Pompeos!-

Bus: Everett to Seattle 1.5 hrs

Plane: Seattle to Chicago 3.5 hrs (3F)

Chicago to Dublin 7 hrs -plus leaving 1.5-2 hrs late-

Bus: Dublin to Banbridge: 1.5 hrs

My travels went well- as usual there were some interesting meets and seats. The flights were pretty empty. On my last flight I think only like 10 people sat next to another person. All the rest of us got 2-3 seats to ourselves.

*sigh* and now I am back in Closkelt, N.I. During my travels I didn't get the pleasure of sleeping. So yesterday I did my best to stay up until 6:30 then I just couldn't do it any more. I went to bed- but then woke up at midnight. Ate some cereal. Then went back to sleep until 9:30.

This morning I got up and guess what! it was snowing. And still it. Mikael- a guy on base- he's like "welcome back to Montana!" ha ha.

Matrix food

2009-01-21T18:29:00.004Z

There is a saying that you are either: ' live to eat OR eat to live'. I am definitely the later. Ever since I have started my new x-allergies diet, I really don't crave food. Except chocolate of course. I don't think I would be female if I didn't. I also have hypoglycemia which means I need to eat all the time or bad things happen (some symptoms include- meanness, lack of energy or crying). So with a limited diet and not liking food or having cravings ... I decided that I would be better off if I could just eat what they did outside of the Matrix. YOu know- the grey glop that has all the nutrients that you would need. My only exception would be coffee and desserts. Every time I tell that story people look at me like I'm crazy. But it's only food for thought! Ha!

Murals- not just painted pictures

2008-02-02T20:27:00.000Z

Murals- Not just painted pictures

Jon Hatch (on staff with the Belfast base) came down on Thursday the 31^st and lectured on Irish/Northern Irish History. We have Jon come down every school so the students would have a familiar background on the history of the country they will be living in.
Even though I’ve been here for a year and a half and it’s my third time hearing Jon lecture, I was moved to tears none the less. I live in contested space, in a country that was formed for a temporarily compromise, in a country with still visible scars…The murals are just one example of the scars. The peace line is another.
There is much background and history that I won’t describe in this but I’ll give you a description of what the murals are and hopefully you’ll get the just of it. Nothing is simple, nor black and white as some would like.

We started out our journey walking up the lower Shankil. The Shankil is considered the British or Unionist side of the peace line (they want to remain under British rule). It is divided into three parts: lower, middle and upper- each controlled by a different ‘group’ of people. The UDA and the UFF are an example of many. UFF stands for Ulster Freedom Fighters. Ulster is one of the Providencs of Ireland. County Down is in Ulster.

This is a cultural mural instead of a conflict mural (like the one above). People are learning how to remember in a different way- one that is helpful and promotes unity. This mural is about the legend of the Red Hand of Ulster. Two Viking clans had a bet who could reach the shore of Ulster first. Well one found himself behind, so he cut off his hand and tossed it to the shore securing victory.

Ah, the peace line. To keep those who are 'different' separate. Which only causes a deeper sense of prejudice. Since one side of the community is kept from the other, they both have no concept of the other. One side says that on the other side of the wall- the mommies eat their babies. On the other, that if they as a protestant touch holy water (water in the Catholic church that is blessed by the priest) that it will burn them (against all laws of physics). And these are unintelligent people.

Now entering the Falls. We passed through one of the notorious peace lines in Belfast. Since the Falls and the Shankil are where both sides of the community live right next to each other- so to stem the violence the city put up the peace line. So to get to one side to another you have to pass through a steal door with barbed wire. This mural is what some call solidarity row. The Catholic community would generally ‘side’ with those who feel oppressed. Like Palestine, like the Basque separatist in Spain, like the Iraqis. A blanketman (seen on the left side) is a prisoner who wanted recognition as a political prisoner and not as a criminal. They would have been a part of the Irish Republican Army or something of the like.

“America’s Greatest Failure.
The British support hook.
And the rockets red glare bombs bursting in air gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.”
Some Americans think that the whole world loves them, but they really don’t. Most people I run into here and other places I’ve been always want to speak politics. Which I stay out of.
(President Bush is sucking gas out of Iraq)

Bobbie Sands: one of the 10 hunger strikers in 1981. He is remembered because he survived for 60 days. They were on strike to be recognized as political prisoners and not as just a criminal.
"Our revenge will be the laughter of our childern." -Bobbie Sands
It's complicated but this is painted on the offices of Sienn Fein who are viewed as the 'Catholic' Political party of Northern Ireland and Ireland.
The phoenix at the top - birthing life out of it's own destruction. The breaking of chains...
After the 10 hunger strikers died of starvation, the British government gave recognition to the political prisoners that were sent to jail after that.

The end of one and the beginning of another

2008-01-01T21:01:00.000Z

New Year’s Eve I sat in my room and journaled in the new year. I looked back to where I was this time last year, where I went, how I got there, what I learned.

This time last year I was leading a team in Serbia, fresh out of the nest and on my own. Those two months were pretty crazy. I think it was the beginning of coming into my own. Finding my voice, having the boldness to say something, stepping out in leadership- gaining respect and admiration from myself and my students. Not to mention all that I learnt. The little things to big things.

Where did I go? Where did I find myself? Serbia – Bosnia and Herzegovina – Mozambique – Summer Madness – Street Reach – Home (Montana) – Closkelt – transition - and setting up the DTS. What do you do with all of that? Learn as fast as you can.

Who meant something to me? Who taught me? Who can I call friend? Who challenged me? Heather. Stacy. Craig. Haviliah. Rachel. Darcy. Shelby. Jon. Bradly. Ali. Erin. Tom. Stuart. Jonny & Jenn. Michael & Sarah. Laura. Kristin. Kristen. Tom. Marcie. Cait. Ali. Leanna.

It was a good year. I can really say that. So much happened, so much has changed around me and in me. But I really can say that last year was good and it meant something. It wasn’t just another year that past and I’m on to the next one, disregarding what went on. 2007 was full of amazing places, situations and experiences. God used and worked within them all. I still have problems and I always will- it’s what makes me human. Grace, love and mercy. I’m learning to hope and not to think the worst of things. Learning to trust in God and humanity- even though we are/have fallen and are capable of the worst injustices and evil. Here I am siting in my bedroom in Northern Ireland working with missions. How did I get here?

Forgiveness

2008-01-01T18:50:00.000Z

The first week of December I stayed up in Belfast with our sister base there (YWAM Belfast) doing some training. Not your usually training though- Forgiveness Training. Let me explain: Pádraig and his international team have a curriculum on forgiveness that they take in to schools and teach kids. These kids are brought up thinking that the people on the other side of the wall are not human and have inherited hurt and anger from past generations. There is one story that I've heard about a small boy that when asked what the people on the other side of the peace wall are like: 'the mommies eat their babies' was his reply. You can see that forgiveness is needed in areas of conflict and just as much as in my own life.

A definition of Forgiveness:

Forgiveness is a rebirth of hope. Once forgiving begins, dreams can be rebuilt. When forgiving is complete, meaning has been extracted from the worst of experiences and used to create a new set of moral rules and a new interpretation of lives events.

–Beverly Flanigan

Sometimes it's easier to understand something by understanding what it is not.

-Forgiveness isn't forgetting- it's telling a story (remembering) in a new way.

-Forgiveness isn't being a door mat.

-Forgiveness isn't for idiots.

-Forgiveness isn't a one off thing –it's a journey.

-Forgiveness isn't just for Christians.

-Forgiveness isn't simple- it's having a complicated conversation.

(These are just a few examples.)

To make it feasible to understand and a process to go through they have put it to words and steps:

1. Recognizing and acknowledging anger

2. Deciding not to take revenge

3. Asking questions to see the bigger picture

4. Looking at the big picture

5. Living from your best self

Each day we would look at on step. Here are some thoughts from each day:

Anger: "Anger is putting up a wall and saying 'no longer'". Anger isn't always bad- it's what you do with it that can be potentially bad. Dealing with anger creatively.

Revenge: We need to distance our primary identity from the pain- don't let your pain become your identity. 'If you take away my hate what will I become?' Revenge is turning rage into a story' – Adam Philip. Your forgiving the person not the injustice that happened. There is still consequences to the action that they did.

Asking questions to see the bigger picture: 'what was happening today that had you reacting like this?' 'where are you coming from- what is your background?' 'did I do something to upset or hurt you?' 'what country and nationality are you?' 'where do you live?' Do you know that you hurt me?' You must be careful and delicate when asking these questions.

Big Picture: Seeing beyond your situation and into the one who hurt you, brings understanding.

Living from your best self: What does it look like when you are fully alive? What makes you fully alive? What am I created for? How can we give from that- and giving generously- how can we nurture it and do this?

Some quotes from the week-

"Can you discover something in your enemy that challenges you?" –Pádraig

"The glory of God is found in a human being fully alive" –St. Ignatius

"Gain the trust of your enemies, keeping the trust of your friends." –Pádraig

"I was outside myself in the world, and you called me back to my best self." –St. Ignatius

"Escape is not a bad thing, especially when you are escaping prison." –Pádraig

"Eye for an eye and the world goes blind" –Ghandi

"Allow yourself to tell the story until you don't need to tell it anymore." –Pádraig

Final Reflections:

Now, even though I've been through this programme and have heard a few teaching on forgiveness does not mean I'm an expert and I don't have any unforgiveness in my heart. I've found that there are many layers to hurt and how they effect you and change you. Every time I hear Pádraig speak on forgiveness it deeply challenges me. I have to sort though myself and reflect. I find myself with the challenge that what I 'hate' (I know it's a strong word) about my enemy is what I see in myself. That all of us have the capacity to hurt and destroy one another. But if we can see the humanity in each other- to look in to their eyes and see God (because we are all made in the image of God our creator) and extend grace- we would all be in a better place. I know I would. Forgiveness is definitely a process to work through and a needed one in all of our lives.

You know your bored when...

2007-12-26T13:10:00.000Z

So we all love Mac's right? My friend Heather owns an amazing one. It does this crazy thing to your photo. So four of us girls(Heather, Shelby, Darcy and myself) squeezed on to the couch and enjoyed a few hours of harty laughtor. You can see why.

Instant human…just add caffeine

2007-12-26T12:03:00.000Z

Per usual we had to run errands on the weekend- it's gets you into town though. Heather, Jon and I went to weigh and price packages for a friend who has left us. Making bets on how much it would cost- of course. Who wouldn't be in for some fun? Shipping things from the UK to the States- ridiculous. The dollar is horrible right now and the pound has always been strong. Take a guess of what six 10 lbs boxes would cost….£ 300. That's right, close to $650. Crazy!

After that was finished, we went in to our local coffee shop: The Green Bean. Coffee shop on a cold, windy day- how much does that cost: priceless. (Do you here a bit of American marketing creeping in here?) Anyways, painted on one of the ceiling beams was this 'Instant human…just add coffee'. I giggled and thought that was quite humorous. It's very true for our YWAM base and I'm sure it's true for others. To kick start any day of YWAM you need a cup of joe or a cup of tea to function. Yes we all know it's an addiction, but I'm okay with my drug of choice.

India in the summer

2007-12-26T12:01:00.000Z

Two months and counting. How close does a date have to be before you start counting down? I guess it depends on a person.

I feel like I've been slowly counting down the months ever since I found out that I would be leading our January Discipleship Training School (DTS). I found out in June, so its been a long time of waiting, prepping and emailing. Now I have two short months – or so it seems.

Crazy things have been happening - we have a crazy God. I was speaking to a friend the other day and she asked the question "what would you do or what would it be like if God sent you an email saying 'from now on everything will be predictable and in your timing'". Would that be pleasing to us, to me, to you? NO! I would get so bored so fast- I wouldn't know what to do. So God is a God of the last minute- the unpredictable. And that is how I like Him.

I've been having interesting staffing issues - which is what brings up that question. Having faith is more than planning. Its actually trusting God...which I'm getting a lesson in.

Something exciting: For some reason (probably God!), these past few years I've had this desire to go to India - to see the country, the people, the culture, the music, the religion, the Taj Mahal, the clothes, the dancing…need I go on? There is just something about that country that strikes my interest and my heart. I've had random conversations about taking teams there or just taking some time off and going. But now it seems that God wants to bless me and says 'Go to India on outreach'.

At this time, we're not sure if an outreach to India will be taking place on Closkelt's January school or if its something we're meant to look into for future schools. We are still in the preliminary phase of deciding on where to go should we take a team - but it's really promising. But the contacts, the students, the staff - many things are falling into place and are just too good to be true - God again. And with that comes my excitement. How many people can say that they would like to go to a country that God has placed on their heart, talk about it for years, and then one day you get released to do it?

Its pretty amazing!