Dublin... again.

Well here I sit at the Dublin airport 7 weeks after the first time. It’s crazy to think that it’s been that long already. This chapter of my life has been an interesting one to say the least. There’s way more than I could probably put into words, but I at least have to recap so that I can look back on this with as much information as possible.

So flashback to 7 weeks ago... I was doing the same thing I am now... drinking a Bulmers cider and blogging, but then the whole time thing happened, and things are a bit different on this end. I had no idea what to expect of this leg of the journey, and looking back on it, I got more and less than what I expected. The first six days were spent with Steph and Jon, just adapting to the time change and cultural differences. The weather was warm and sunny, and I was a little bit freaked out about traveling by myself in Europe. I honestly didn’t even think about the mission in France much, but more on what was after France. I was anticipating and looking forward to seeing different cities, taking trains, taking pictures, and all of the touristy type stuff that laid out before me. The picture in my head of the Bless mission was blank... I had no expectations and no previous experience as a guideline. I guess if you made me describe what my expectations were, they would have been pretty black and white and in the stereotypical christian missionary form. Not that stereotypical christian missionaries are bad, but I think that I had walls up and pre-judgements before I even flew to Europe. Then after a six hour ride on the ferry, we pulled into the port at Caen France. I can’t quite describe what I felt, but I get chills just thinking about that moment. There was a child like joy and giddiness that came over me as we drove off the boat, and looking around at the signs and buildings I all of the sudden felt oddly at home. It was as if a part of me that had never found it’s resting place finally had rest. At that point I think that my expectations were turned upside down. I suddenly knew that there was purpose in me being there and it was going to be a far cry from the black and white image I had in my head.

This concludes part one of this insert, as I have just enough time to pee, have a cigarette and get to my boarding gate. To be continued...`