Undeserved Blessings

God provides again. Over and over during this semester God has provided in so many incredible ways it's a bit hard to even fathom. I've done nothing to deserve it, yet he has blessed me in so many ways. About 5 minutes ago I received a text from Mark at church. He sent it to the wrong Abby, but I replied anyway. Calling to apologize for the text he asked how I was and I explained that I've been searching for a lift to the airport. The busses don't run as early as I would need in order to check in and fly out at 9am.  Mark hates getting up early and he cheerfully offered to give me a lift at 5:15am to the Shannon airport Sunday morning, even though he has church to set up directly afterwards. What a blessing. Even more, my luggage wouldn't fit in 98% of Irish cars, but of course Mark has a van and it will make everything go even smoother. Directly after hanging up with mark tears began pouring out of my eyes as I fell to the floor in gratitude. Nothing I've done warrants this incredible blessing. God doesn't owe me anything, Mark doesn't owe me a favor. In no way am I deserving of this beautiful gift. Yet he freely and graciously continues to lavish me with blessings over and over, demonstrating his amazing love for me. 

Mark & his daughter Miz at her baptism in March.

With Love from Galway

Roommates: more than living companions

Choking back tears I'm attempting to put into words five months of memories with two incredible girls. Both Aurelie and Abby C. have left this morning returning to their homes.  Leaving just a few minutes ago I somehow managed to hold in the tears until I shut the door. But now looking over at Abby C.'s empty side of the room just isn't the same. Tears are streaming down my cheeks with emotions of sadness and memories of joy looking back over this last semester. What a blessing these girls have been. 

Who knew two girls with the same name would essentially become the same person. Braiding hair, figuring out German washing machines, getting lost, finding tepees, loving London and just plain having fun. I could not have asked for a better roommate and friend. It seems a bit impossible to even begin to describe our relationship and antics. 

God has truly spoiled me with providing me a friendship like hers. Abby C. was here for me in both the good times and bad. haha oh I wish she were here, I just looked down to see I've cried a pool of wetness onto my pajama pants, except it looks like I've peed myself. I know she would enjoy seeing how ridiculous I look and get a good laugh from it.

Eventually things became routine whether it was traveling, cooking or making one another laugh. She always cut the vegetables as I took care of the meat. This was an unspoken rule as it just always seemed to happen. So many little things I'll miss such as the sound of Abby C. waking up. The same few noises I heard each morning: the ring of her alarm, covers being pulled over her for a few more minutes of rest, the clink of her glasses as she grabbed them from her nightstand, and the click of the kettle as she prepared herself tea each morning. 


We knew our friendship had progressed far beyond just roommates after our England and Norway trip. Lasting 10 days Abby C. and I spent 24hrs a day together with the exception of a 3 hr. train ride simply because our tickets were in different carriages. After a lengthy period of time, it's generally time to take a break from your traveling companion. Especially girls, we get annoyed and hold grudges about petty things. Nope, not Abby C and I. We flew home from Norway and sat in our room unpacking together. Attending Good Friday Service, baking and painting nails all day Saturday and Easter Church we continued to stick with one another for the next 4-5 days.   I'll miss completing one anothers sentences....In the UK, ay! and knowing exactly what the other is thinking: nutella toast! Abby C. thank you for sharing your chocolate, wardrobe, sense of humor and just about everything possible. Your generosity is overwhelming. 

Aurelie was in a single room, meaning we didn't share quite the crazy amount of time together as Abby C. and I did, but we still had our fair share of fun. Teaching us how to make crepes was most definitely a memorable adventure and a skill I plan on taking with me. Having been in Galway since September Aurelie proved to be an incredible wealth of knowledge as she helped us with little things such as turning on the electric shower to recommending avoiding the bus system. 

Aurelie's sweet and quiet personality may appear as though she would be a homebody, but quite the opposite is true. She loves to go out and have fun. A couple of times we greeted one another in the morning, as I woke up at 6:30am and she walked in the door from the club. Never drunk or a mess, always a smile and tired eyes. To this day I don't understand how she does it, but she'll stay out until 6:30 and be up at 9am with Abby C. and I who had gone to bed at 10pm. 

Generously sharing her French cuisine, many times she would cook dinner for us that always tasted incredible. Aurelie always invited us out to the pubs or on trips with the other French girls. We made great memories in Cork and Clifden seeing the beautiful countryside and kissing the Blarney Stone together. 

This semester I've been truly blessed with wonderful roommates who I will dearly miss. However, it's exciting to see how much each of us have learned during our time in Galway and think about what the future holds for us. What a trip.

With Love from Galway

A Quick Farewell

Yikes, I've gotta make this quick! I apologize for not getting on here more often. It's finals time and tomorrow marks my very last exam. So a bit of a recap from the last few days.

Tuesday afternoon Abby C.'s mom flew in from North Dakota. She and Abby C.'s younger sister will be here for a couple of weeks touring Ireland. I thought I'd give her a warm welcome by creating a sign for her.

It feels like I already know her from all of the adventures and stories Abby C. and I have shared over the last 5 months.

Unfortunately Mrs. Coleman has had to entertain herself and become her own tour guide around Galway for the last couple of days because Abby C. and I have had our heads in books studying for exams.  What a joy it is to have a mother cook though. Aurelie's mother and sister are also here. Mrs. Mercier made us crepes....oh my goodness, crepes from a French mother. Does it get any better?!? Sadly I didn't document this event in photos. It was delicious. Fried eggs, and ham with a sprinkling of cheese were served for savory crepes, as nutella and peanut butter were used for the sweet ones.  I've been spoiled with good cooking from Mrs. Coleman as well. Tuesday evening she purchased a roast; not beef or chicken?! This is a first in our apartment. Served with a raspberry sauce and potatoes, it was a welcome change and delicious dish. This evening she stopped by the Polish store on her way home and purchased a few different items that Abby C. and I couldn't read, but that didn't matter because it tasted amazing!

Last night Brian arranged our farewell dinner at Milano's, a nice italian restaurant off of Shop Street. Isn't a bit early for a farewell when you've got almost an entire month left? Yes, it is however many of us are traveling, so we figured we might as well hold our farewell dinner while everyone is in town and have the opportunity to have a late night out to the pubs towards the end of our stay. 

Most of us ordered specialty pizzas and ate every bite! The Padana, featured goat cheese, caramelized white and red onions with rocket.

Dessert was vanilla gelato
 with chocolate fudge cake.

Brian and his girls.

Mel, Katie and Sara looking at silly photos.

Milano's

Following dinner we all took a walk to the Spanish Arch to take a group photo. Our very first day in Galway we took the same photo, so it'll be neat to look back and compare them. Unfortunately my camera was not used to take the photos so I do not yet have it.

A walk up shop street after dinner.

Following our short photo op is was off to the Skef for a pint. By this time my stomach was so full I felt like I might roll down the sidewalk. Gladly joining the group for a pint I sat and enjoyed conversation skipping the drinks.

The Skef is a bit deceiving as it doesn't appear to be very large on the outside, but is amazingly grand interior. I enjoyed the set up and cozy atmosphere. It definitely makes the list for pubs deserving multiple visits.

Today has been filled with studying..studying...studying and a bit more studying.

Working hard ahead of time I figured my diligence would pay off...not so much. I met with my professor and he basically told me I needed to add a lot more to my essay and connect the thoughts. Well that makes sense. What I had showed him was certainly not a complete essay, however I couldn't add a lot more and be expected to memorize all of the facts to regurgitate them on the exam Friday. I gladly took his advice and thanked him for his help. This wasn't so bad because I was feeling pretty good about my Occupational Stress section of the exam anyway. Meeting with that professor I showed her my essay on the stress portion. In a somewhat kind manner she ripped it to shreds! In more words or less she explained I needed to put everything she had said in lecture and on her slides into an essay in an hour during Friday's exam.....what? Are you kidding. Tempted to repeat back to her, the insane words that just came out of her mouth I smiled and looked down at my notebook. So here it is, do I panic because the exam is two days away and this grade transfers directly into my gpa and this exam is worth 50% of my mark!!! 

Nope, no panic necessary. Instead you can see the edge of my notebook paper I wrote "God you are sovereign, I will not worry" As my professor looked through her e-mails for questions I sent her, I began to write out a favorite verse of mine: 

Philippians 4:6-7 

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. 

I am so thankful I've memorized this verse. Time after time it's help me put circumstances in perspective and keep my cool. Just a year ago, had I been in this situation, I would have freaked, scrambling to create a perfect essay and memorize all of the quotes. Not today. I know I'm not prepared as I would like to be, but I've put in hard work and there is nothing more I can do. Failing isn't exactly what I'm planning on, however in the worst case scenario even if I failed I didn't study abroad to learn about Applied Organisational Psychology. Learning about life, the international body of Christ and my faith are what I came to learn. I have done all of them and I consider my study abroad experience a success. God has taught me dependence on him no matter the circumstance, whether in times of joy and success or times of sorrow and failure. He is my rock, me is my strength, he is my guide. If you would pray for my exam tomorrow I would appreciate it. By 2:30pm tomorrow I will officially be finished with my studies in Galway. Hip hooray!

Back to the books!

With Love from Galway

London Bridge is Falling down...

Rewind....

    Back to our third and final day in London. Once again we purchased the tube/bus pass allowing us access to city transportation. By this time we had mastered the tube, I must admit this was a great feeling. Knowing we could get virtually anywhere we wanted. Thursdays plan centering around more rest, less sights and good food brought us to the Borough Market.  Both a photographers paradise and foodies dream the market features cultures from around the world, individuals of all ages, colorful fresh food as far as the eye can see.

WARNING: Absurd amount of food photos to follow...don't continue reading if hungry.

Little did we know we would walk into food paradise.

A French gentleman sold meringue as he wore a scarf and called me
mademoiselle in his wonderful french accent.
And how was I supposed to resist buying desserts from him?

They looked like little birds nests,
 but I don't remember what they actually are.

The glass roof allowed the natural sunlight to poor in
illuminating the market making the fresh fruits & veg all the more appealing.

Abby C. thoroughly enjoying her fresh sandwich.

Apple streuddle

So fresh!

Two or three markets combined to form
one giant arena of delicious goods!

I could hardly contain my excitement to eat my chocolate cake.
Moist, rich and delicious.

Ewww! But it made for a neat photo

On our way back towards the city centre we came across chocolate pasta. Yes indeed you can have your cocoa and penne too.

Traflagar Square is a public space and tourist attraction with Nelson’s Column in it’s center. 

The column is guarded by four lion statues at it’s base. 

 London’s National Gallery overlooks the square, offering free admission. Taking advantage of this Abby C. and I went in to view famous pieces such as Picaso’s Sunflowers.  

I thought biking in Ireland was crazy....wow. It's a whole different story in London. You have to be incredibly alert and a bit of a daredevil to bike the streets of London. Many road these very small bikes like pictured below. The concept is their portability, as they can breakdown, folding up into a small size, enabling them to be easily transported throughout the city.

Such a small size allows bicyclists the option to bring them on the tube or bus.

Sounds like a great idea to me. The bikes are quite small, so much would this set me back? Oh you know only a good £650-700. Oh my goodness!! Mind you that's only $1,084...no big deal. Great concept, but I'm going to have to wait until the bikes come down in price.....way down.

The classic red telephone booth picture of course was necessary.

St. Paul's Cathedral was our next stop for the day. 

Both Abby C. and I wanted to go inside, however with prices like this....not a happening thing. However we did get to look inside the front entrance and see a glimpse of the grand building.

I may or may not have had some pent up energy I needed to get out. Leap frog anyone?

Next, off to the Tower of London. It was neat to see this in person as I've learned quite a bit about it throughout the semester in my castles course.

The Castle is a bit unusual as you can see the different colors of stone. The sections don't seem to fit together into one cohesive building. However, the Tower was controlled by many different leaders throughout history meaning additions, restorations and destruction to the castle have taken place numerous times. It was besieged several times and controlling it has been important to country the country. The Tower has served as an armory, a treasury, menagerie, home to the Royal Mint, public records office, and home to the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. 

bahah I couldn't help,
 but take a picture of this guy.

How many times have you sung "London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down..." cool we found the London Bridge!!....or so we thought.

Turns out it's actually the Tower Bridge....okay it makes sense, since it's located next to the Tower of London.

The bridge was beautiful, but I wanted to see the London Bridge. If the Tower Bridge is this cool, obviously the London Bridge has got to be quite spectacular as it's famous enough to have a song written after it....FALSE. Epic let down.

London Bridge has got to be one of the most boring bridges I've seen.  So much for an adventure to find an grandiose London Bridge.  Construction workers nearby looked at us in sympathetic yet apathetic way. As if to say why the heck are you coming to look at the stupid bridge?...Oh right you didn't know better that the London Bridge is nothing special to see...poor tourists.

At the very least I had to be corny and pretend the bridge was falling, so I'd help hold it up :  )

Our less than thrilling London Bridge lead us to our next adventure, crossing Southwark Bridge to find Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. 

The Globe Theatre was built in 1599 by Shakespeare's playing company and was destroyed by fire on June 29th 1613. A second Globe Theatre was built on the same site by June 1614 and close in 1642. A modern reconstruction of the Globe, named "Shakespeare's Globe" opened in 1997.  Sadly there was yet again a fee included to take a tour, so Abby C and opted for photos outside.

 You know you're in England when you see the streetcars.

A trip to London with two Abby's is not complete without a stop at Abbey Road.

Our time in London has come to a close and what a wonderful trip it was. Now off to Norway!

Early morning muffin breakfast in the airport.

Traveling will do this to you.

Ryanair on our way to Norway!

Sorry I'm so behind on posting these. It's finals time!

With Love from Galway