Bittersweet

Happy wedding day to my dear, dear friend Miss Heidi Jean...

You have no idea how much I miss you and love you!

I met Heidi at Westmont in 2008.  I had a volleyball game and was going to miss Religion class, so I decided to pick out a random, nice looking girl and ask her if later I could possibly copy the notes that I would miss from that day.  Not only did she hand deliver the notes to my dorm room, but she had written out an extra copy just for me!  I knew this girl was a keeper.  :)

Heidi is loyal, faithful, and real.  I feel so lucky to be her friend.  Even after she met Seth, she always made time for friends and I really treasured that about her.  I must note, I was the first person to see her and Seth together-- I walked into our apartment after running some errands as they were making small talk.  I'm sure you've all heard the hilarious rocking chair story (Seth responded to a craigslist ad that Heidi put up).  How divinely orchestrated is that?!  :)

Heidi, it has been an absolute honor to know you and grow closer to you these past few years.  I am so happy for you and Seth.  Please, please come see us in Ireland... but first we'll see YOU in California!! Can't wait to give you a big, big hug.

Enjoy today.  Love you!

xox

Tuesday night at the Maddens :)

Month 8!

Good morning!  Well, it's morning here.  Funny to think most of you are sound asleep as I write this.  It's a new week and I am happy to say that my sliding glass door is completely open and the sun is out! Although you never know... it is Ireland, so in 15 minutes we may have a downpour.

Just wanted to say hello.  Today is my day off and I am grateful for that!  It was a busy weekend but really fun.  First off, I have to give another wedding congratulations to my lovely friend Britney!  She married Brady yesterday and I am so happy for her.  I am sad again that I could not be there... Brit, maybe I can make it up to you by offering you guys a free place to stay when you and Brady stop in Ireland on your European adventures?!  :)

Me and Brit having some fun hiking in New Zealand.  I love and miss you my friend!  xox

It is hard to believe that we are almost into the second week of August.  The weeks seem to be passing by so much faster now.  This morning, after some nice quiet time reading and drinking some tea, I was looking back on some entries in a little prayer journal I have kept since moving here.  It is so comforting now to read the thoughts I wrote down in the first couple of months when I felt sad, or alone, or nervous about the future/finding a job/friends... and know that God was always there.  His provisions for me here in Belfast have been more than enough-- and while there are still things that I miss, or areas where I feel there is a void, I know that He is still there.  

On Saturday Niall and I played in a beach volleyball tournament together (well, not on the beach, but they were sand courts!).  It was a great day of sunshine, rain, then sunshine, then more rain, and lots of volleyball.  :)  There were 22 teams and we lost in 3 in the final!  We were pretty bummed but we couldn't complain too much.  Niall always claimed he hated beach volleyball but I think he's slowly changing his mind...

At least we got a little souvenir!  :)

This photo was taken by my friend Erin.  I'd like to introduce you to her!  She is also a "yank," from Minnesota.  She is doing post graduate studies here at Queen's University and lives right down the street from us.  I met her through playing volleyball at Jordanstown last season.  It's nice having someone who you can relate to on certain things-- how much we miss Trader Joe's, and the sun, and Mexican food... just little random things like that!  Here is a photo of her and her boyfriend Andrew.

This was taken in Portrush, where we had another beach tournament.  I played with Erin and we won!  Team USA  :)

Well I think that's it for now.  Just working more this week, and all the usual stuff in between.  Miss you all.  Bye for now!