St. Patty's Day in Dublin

Overwhelming...that's how I'd discribe my St. Patty's Day in Dublin.

Over half a million people packed into downtown dublin to see the parade and to party. I'd say 80% were smoking and a large percentage were drunk before dinner.  We all were just exhausted from getting up at 4am to get to dublin.  that plus trying to stay together and do some souvenir shopping was just stressful!  

One of my favorite parts of the experience was this guy who was doing a twist on the human statue thing.  Instead of being painted like a statue he had dressed up and did his hair so that it looked like he was walking into the wind, while standing still.  He was soooo impressive! I stood there just amazed and watched.  Whenever people put money in his jar he'd suddenly look at them.  sooo impressive!  I should have got a video but i was just too in awe.

Getting a ride via bus system back to the hotel was a trick.  thousands trying to get out of downtown and trying to get our whole group on a bus, we had to wait for 3 buses before we got on, and even the one we got on was packed.  Jordan had to blockout to keep a group of guys from cutting in front of us.

getting back to the hotel was an answer to prayer for me.   I was sooo tired and just needed to relax.  Jeremy had unknowingly booked  a hotel near the airport but also in the Dublin "ghetto" so we stayed in the hotel and the kids in their rooms.  I reveled in my first real, long, hot shower since we got there and then all of the leaders had dessert and hung out until bedtime.  I was the first to  bed and apparently i demanded "WHO GOES THERE!" in my sleep upon my roomies coming to bed. :)  

All in all i was so ready and happy to go home.  I woke up friday feeling rested and ready for the epic trip back home.  Feeling way better but not quite 100%.  The flights back seemed to go quicker, or maybe i was just way more exhuasted and was able to sleep more on the flights.  The trip back was thankfully quiet uneventful  other than me getting a halarious mix of exhuastion and hyperness that resulted in everyone's great entertainment.  It's a bummer i hadn't been feeling better the whole trip. 

But all in all - God used us greatly.  We were able to touch lives.  we've had word that the baker, Steven is really searching and askign questions about God.  We were able to bless both the churches financially.  We were told that we were one of the best missions teams that had visited those churches.  I know that this was a challenge and a great growth opportunity for Jordan and I.  We are so glad we were able to go and able to bond with the other leaders and kids on the trip.  We are soo glad we got to go!