Life is good, my friends.

Whoever told me that Ireland was overcast and rainy was quite misleading, because this week has been nothing but SUNSHINE. Or maybe that was Gods way of welcoming me and my team. He is showing that He indeed needed more time to make our arrival just as grand as it was!

So this is how I will organize my thoughts assuming your questions:

1. "How is Ireland?"

2. "How's it been FINALLY having the team together?"

3. "Whatcha you been up to?"

4. "What’s been the best part?"

5. "What's been the hardest part?"

6. "What next?"

1. "How is Ireland?"
As far as Ireland itself, it is absolutely stunning, but MORE. It is MAGICAL. Allow me to rant:
— the air is much fresher here.
- the water is crystal clear and icy cold. We are  staying right along the beach and the waves are massive!
- the grass is GREEN. More green than you're imagining.
- the people are the most social breed I have met! They all talk to you as though you were apart of the family with no filter and just as cheeky.
- having tea and biscuits is the most common thing ever and it is absolutely precious.
- the Guinness is SMOOTH and quite refreshing. I can understand why it’s mistaken as Irish water. 

2. "How's it been FINALLY having the team together?"
Finally having the team together is an absolute dream. Our reunion brought so much joy. There was instant relief in each hug. It was a get together that felt both novice and familiar because through phone calls, we knew so much, but we didn’t know the things that a 2D screen couldn’t tell — like the texture of hair, the height differences (considering we have both extremes), or the laughing fits that start from shared eye contact across a table.  And if you can remember my laugh (hope it hasn’t been that long), it can be quite contagious. Also, our team is SO joyful. It might just be the honeymoon phase, but we are so giggly and smiley all the time. I love them so much and I am so glad that I waited all this time for this moment.

3."Whatcha been up to?"
Well, we have made it to Ireland which is a step in the right direction, but we still aren't able to do ministry because we are waiting for the diocese to officially clear us to do ministry work. So we have been bumming around a retreat center and now we are hanging out with some of the staff and doing team bonding while doing ministry prep. All of this just adds to the missionary lifestyle and how you are often homeless, broke, relying on people, BUT STILL LOVING AND PRAISING THE LORD! AMIRITE?!

4. "What’s been the best part?"
Ahhhh this is so tough. I guess the best part is literally just being here? That might be a cheap answer. Okay, the actual best part has been personal growth. I have really been able to dive into the faith and work on my spirituality. If I have time, I will expand on that in another blog post. I have also learned so much about what it takes to love someone considering how they feel loved the most (love languages). My team is so good at communicating their needs and if they don't feel loved or respected, they will voice their concerns so we can work through it. This is really stretching me to be so dependent on my team and recognizing that in return, they are dependent of me. This has really helped unify us. This is something I have never dealt with considering the independent nature of my family. 

5. "What's been the hardest part?"
The hardest part has been community life. (If my team is reading this, I do love you). It is hard to jump into everyday life with someone and adapt to lifestyles. Even small things like figuring out meals is hard because we are mostly gluten free and dairy free. And also, introvert time can be so hard to find. Also, a hard part has been the drastic change in life. I have met all new people, emerged in a new culture, and left behind everything that was normal to me (including hot showers).

6. "What next?"
This will also come as an update, but the next step is picking up our NEW TEAM BROTHER!!!! His name is Sterling and he is spontaneously jumping in on our team to somewhat balance the ratio. So now there will be two boys and three girls. He comes sometime next week. We are hoping too, that next week, although we aren't cleared to minister, we can still move in and get settled in with out host mother and the community. Big things are happening one baby step at a time even though we seem to never have details until it's happening!

And, life has provided so many 'God Winks', so this time you are spared and I am sending a 'Claire Wink.'      ;)