Surprises in the Mail!!

For the past 2 weeks, I've been blessed and overjoyed by lovely surprises in the mail! Thank You, Lord, for the wonderful ways you bless me through my friends back home!

Surprise #1: 6th Grade Love!

The 6th graders at CHCS have adopted me as their own personal missionary and I absolutely LOVE it! Many of these students were my students last year, and possibly the year before. ALL of the students have a special spot in my heart. I work with many children here in Belfast and even painted an elementary school and have been missing teaching the kids back home. I praise God that He loves me so much that Mrs. Apolinar and the wonderful students would write me and send this wonderful book to me. When I received the mail, i sat on one table of the cafe I work at and read each and every letter. With tears welling up in my eyes, I thanked the Lord for them all.







To Jill and the lovely 6th graders...THANK YOU SO MUCH for the letters. You don't know how much they mean to me. It was such a wonderful blessing to read each letter and remember the great times I had at CHCS. I'm so happy to hear that you are all having a wonderful start of 6th grade, and with Mrs. Apolinar as your teacher, I wouldn't doubt that one bit! =) God has been putting you guys in my heart lately and I've been praying for you often. Thank you so much for your prayers for me out in Belfast, Northern Ireland. I know that God hears them and is answering them. I hope to hear from you guys soon! I love you all and will see you soon... =)

Now...on to Surprise #2: A Special Treat this Halloween

I was working in the cafe today and Janet, our leader, told me that I had a package at the DTS office. Immediately a smile came to my face as I tried to think about who would send it to me. I wasn't expecting anything from anyone. This was a total surprise. After work, I raced over to the office to pick up my present. There, sitting on a chair, was a brown box with my name on it. =) I was so happy I wanted to cry! This was my very own surprise...totally unexpected and much appreciated. I read the name of the my secret friend, someone whom I haven't spoken to in a while, and I was beaming. =) Package in arm, I raced back home to open it and see what was inside. There, on top of the goodies, was a note from my friend, wanting to wish me a Happy Halloween.



To my dear friend: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR MY HALLOWEEN TREAT! You really got me and it was something that was totally unexpected. You definitely made this girl happy today. I couldn't wipe the smile off my face. All the girls on my team saw the package, read the note, and was happily jealous for me...hahah... Thanks, friend, and I hope you're doing well. I shall enjoy the sweetness...every bit of it!

To my dear Lord and Savior: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LOVE FOR ME! Thank you that you would bless me with wonderful friends. I have felt your love through their kindness and generosity. Thank you for using them to show me how much you love me. Thank you for putting me in their hearts and minds to bless me. You know that I needed encouragement from back home, and you sent these wonderful packages to me. Lord, thank You that Your timing is utterly perfect! Please bless my friends! As You can see, Your love through these packages make me smile! =)

Time to Update!!! Hurray!!!

So it's high time that I update. I know..I know...it's been a while. I've been quite busy with different ministries that God has given us. They have all been wonderful and I'm so excited for the next half of Outreach (only 6 weeks to go!). Last night a few of us did this ministry called Late Love. Sounds a bit dodgy, but it was really cool. From 11pm - 2am, we passed out tea, coffee, and biscuits to the college students who were walking around town after a night at a bar or club. We just wanted to share the love of God to them and hopefully warm up their hearts as well as their bodies.

And now...for the pictures!


We are running a coffee shoppe called The Oasis every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. We have met many different people and we even have one regular, our friend Martin. On our grand opening, we had live entertainment, and one customer! hahaha..


Sometimes we get so bored that we just pose like statues, hoping to get people to come it. I don't think this works.


On Saturdays, we have a free day and I usually spend the day on a fantastic date with Jesus. We go out together and experience new places in Belfast. On this particular Saturday, I went to Queen's University and walked around the college town. I am taking a picture in front of a really old and beautiful brick church.


I think this is the same church.


I am standing in front of Queen's University. You gotta love the self timer on digital cameras! =)

Top of the Mornin' to ya!

I'm now in Belfast, Northern Ireland!

I have some extra time on my hands, so I wanted to just update and let you know what's been going on with me. Northern Ireland is a really nice place and the weather hasn't been too bad. It's actually been a bit sunny, though we still wear warmer clothes because it's quite cold out. It hasn't been raining too much, but I was able to buy some cheap rain boots to prepare.

We live in a 3 story house (cool, huh?) in NI, and it's not too far from the City Center, which is like their "downtown." It's really nice and has a lot of stores and cafe's. I'm currently in one cafe b/c they have free wireless here. I take the bus or walk everywhere, which is good for my health.

For the past few days, we painted an elementary school about half a mile away from where we live. We've also met with some High schoolers and are going to meet up with them every week at a local church.

Starting next week we will be very busy. Every MWF we will be running a cafe and getting to know the people who go to the Cafe. We will also be working in an after school program during the week and helping the kids with homework. We are also going to a few elderly homes and spending time with them. Many of the older people here just want someone to sit with them and listen to their stories. It'll be nice to spend time with them and share the love of God to them as well.

In a month we will be moving to a "flat," which is the same thing as an apartment. But, we will pretty much be doing the same ministries. We will also have some time to go sight seeing and we're going to see Giants Coswway, which is this cool thing on the coast. Google it if you have time. Every Saturday we have a 'free day' and this Saturday I think some of us with go to a castle and do more sight seeing.

Alright....that's about it. Please keep praying for me. Thanks!

..and for pictures!


Here's the team in the elementary school we painted. We're posing with the principal, who loved our work so much that she asked us to come back for 3 days straight!


This building is where we live. We live on the corner house. 55 Balygomartin!


This is me in front of the City Hall (I think). It's so old fashioned and beautiful. This is located in City Center.


As we were taking pictures, we noticed that someone put this "crown" on the stature and thought that it was hilarious!


We love jumping pictures. This was taken on our walk home today. Yay for being in Northern Ireland. Indeed, God and Northern Ireland makes me smile!