Here We Go!

Hello Everyone, We wanted to give you a peek into our journey across the ocean, from our last moments in Texas to our first few days in Ireland.

Our journey began in a packing frenzy. In less than 6 hours we managed to cram 2 years worth of stuff into 6 suitcases all weighing less than 50 pounds. It was quite the accomplishment!!! I was practically cheering as they were being weighed at the ticket counter.

The 9 hour flight from DFW to London was super sweet. We were generously given a pass to the Admiral's Club so we got to wait there before boarding. It was so cool. They had snacks, drinks, pretty bathrooms, free wi-fi, comfy chairs, showers (though obviously we didn't take a shower seeing it was prior to our 9 hour flight), but still they had showers people. All of you who travel frequently are probably laughing out loud right now, but we're new to this!

Then came the London-Heathrow Airport...

Now to be fair we had been warned that it wasn't all rainbows and unicorns but it still didn't make it real for me until we were there. It involved what felt like a Jack Bauer style interrogation by the guy at customs before he finally let us through to our connecting flight. Also James' backpack was confiscated and searched because my brilliantly creative husband (and I mean that in all sincerity) had handmade a cover for his tablet by carving out the inside of a book and hiding it in there but when it went through the x-ray machine it looked fishy. So we learned the handmade book cover was great for hiding a tablet in normal life, not so great when going through airport security!

Then we arrived here...Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford, Ireland. Our pastors took us up to the hill that overlooks our town on our first full day there and this was our view.

What has ensued in the days following has been a good amount of jet lag, a roller coaster of emotions, and the whiplash of culture shock. However in the midst of it all there have been the sweetest of moments where God has just whispered,"This is it guys, this is where I have you."

One of those moments was on our first Saturday morning here. We had planned to take our first real venture by ourselves (without our pastors and their family) to find a coffee shop for brunch. Well due to the jet lag we ended up getting out of our for bed for brunch closer to lunch time, but we decided to press on in our quest to find food outside of our kitchen or the local supermarket. We went street after street looking for a coffee shop and there were none that we could find. We walked until we were standing on the corner of a street, in the middle of the city, with cars speedily driving by, complaining to each other about how hungry we were, when we were discovered by one of the youth we had met the previous night. She ran over to us and said "Hi" and quickly recognizing how desperate we were for food pointed us to the coffee shop that was sitting a few steps around the corner from us. That moment kind of resembled the story in the Bible where the Angel comes and makes a meal for Elijah. At least that's how it felt for us as we were guided to the coffee shop in the midst of hunger pains, grouchiness, and at a complete loss for where we were located.

Another one happened on Sunday morning, the day we got to meet our church family. The day before we had left for Ireland God had given me a verse to hold onto, it was Ephesians 2:19 and it says,

"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God."

As we met all of the different members of the church on Sunday that verse kept ringing in the back of my head. The truth is, no matter the cultural differences, language barriers, or religious backgrounds we are not strangers in the Kingdom of God.

The most recent confirmation that he gave was when we got to explore the path along the river that runs through our town and we stumbled across this view.

It was like uncovering a little corner of heaven in our Irish town. I have gotten to see heaven touch earth in multiple places around the world, but to see it in Ireland made this place feel even more right.

As far as ministry goes, right now we are getting the opportunity to explore our town, be a part of the ministries at Alive Church, and receive vision for the road ahead. We are thankful for all the prayers that have gotten us here please continue praying for us we gain vision for what God wants to do here. We are excited to continue to discover the places that God is at work here in this town; it is evident in both His creation and His church here in Enniscorthy.

P.S. Here are a few more pictures of our town...