For the Craic of it

I've discovered that I like my Irish tea-tea strong and white, with two sugars. 

I have acclimated to military time, handling a till with euro currency, J-walking safely, and using the word "lift" instead of "ride" appropriately.

I now know that I can go anywhere in the world and make friends.

My knowledge of Irish Soaps has increased from nothing to ... more than nothing. ;)

And I know what it's like to be a foreigner.

My love for all the people i've met here still surprises and delights me.

And oh, how my eyes have been filled with such beautifully different sights.

I know what it's like to be lonely for something familiar, to be completely lost and trapped.

I know (and I pray I will never forget) that there is no way i could earn God's love.

I have picked up such phrases as, "what's the craic?" "your man over there..." "what's the story?" and "yeah, it was grand." 

I'm filled with so many new thoughts and realizations from this past year, many of which are impossible to form into words. One thing I am most thankful for is how my fear of change has been redeemed, so that I'm no longer held captive to the anxiety of transitions or even farewells, but I can trust God to protect my relationships and my hopes for my present and future. 

I've found Ireland to be different than what I dreamed it to be when I was preparing to arrive a year ago, and rightly so. You know, reality is always better than a dream.