Well! It has been a busy week here at Lacken House! I'll begin with just the basics of what we're doing!
Tuesday - Friday we have classes from 10:30-4:00. In these classes we study chapters in the Bible, Irish culture, Church history, etc. These classes have been really enlightening and fun! This past week we studied the entire old testament. That part of the Bible has so many stories that we can learn from! We acted out some of the stories, or got into groups and did mini-reports.
On Friday afternoon, we went on a field trip to Clonmacnoise. It is one of Ireland's first monastic sites and dates back to 545 AD. It was BEAUTIFUL! I am putting pictures up soon. [And for those of you who don't know - facebook isn't uploading my pictures so I've had to use my picasa page. You can find the album at: www.picasaweb.google.com/ozgrl16/ireland ] After the fieldtrip, we went to our weekend outing. We were going to help a church on the East side of Irealnd [nearer to Dublin]. The church was having a prayer event and needed help with childcare, so our group entertained children from the ages of 5-15 all day Saturday and taught Sunday School in the morning. We had around 30 - 40 children at once, for only 4 or 5 teachers because some of the other Immersion members had other jobs during the conference. It was tiring - but fun! During the weekend our team grew and we realized how much we already had grown within just the first week as we were missing Lacken House as "home" while away for the weekend. We are happy to be back.
When we got back to the house, we decided that we needed some structure. We were running out of food and funds quickly. :) So one of our super-organized girls [that we all love!] got us together and we made a grocery list, chore list, and teamed up to schedule who would make dinner each night. In fact, last night, I and Whitney made dinner for the house. It was an impromptu recipe of pasta and chicken. And might I say - it was amazing. ;)
Just some fun Irish facts for you too, that I've learned while here:
Lunch is called dinner and dinner is called Tea.
And Irish man will usually never tell you "no" to something directly. Trust me. I've experienced this by offering some food. If the Irishman doesn't want it, they'll simply say "I think I'm good now." They NEVER tell you "No."
The trunk of a car is the "boot."
My favorite: They never say "thirty" like in the states we would say: it's five-thirty. They say it's "half of five."
That's it for now! More pictures to come when I can find the time to upload them on Picasa - just keep checking that link.
Blessings,
Leanne
ps: for those of you wondering, yes - I and the other girls are picking up a slight Irish accent ;) and I've become addicted to tea. :)
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Monday, August 31, 2009
Our arrival
This is the first time I have been able to sit down at my blog since Saturday night. On Sunday morning, I woke up and got ready for the 9:30 service where my GAP Immersion team was to be commissioned by Dr. Johnny Hunt. After the service had completed, my team met at the world impact center to change and load luggage, and the families drove to lunch for one last meal together before we left. After lunch the team went to the airport. We boarded our plane at 4:00, and with delay, landed in New York, and boarded our Dublin flight at 7:30. From there, we flew to Ireland and arrived 8:00 am Dublin time this morning. The time now is 10:00. This means the team has been up for about 32 hours. Please excuse this blog of any spelling or grammar, for I'm very tired AND lost my glasses on a flight so the screen is blurry. But! In light of all this: I'm having a FANTASTIC time! Ireland really is a beautiful country and it REALLY is extremely green!
When we arrived at the Lacken House, we had a tour of the grounds and were impressed with the work OM is doing all over Ireland, not just with the GAP year but many other ministry events as well that our team will be able to help with. Today we unpacked and rested. I am rooming with two girls from the states: Ashlyn Chambers from Georgia and Whitney Ratcliff from Louisiana. We're having a blast and have met so many wonderful, kind, and God-honoring people here. Tomorrow, we will have our orientation and then get acquainted with the local town while doing some much needed shopping. (We realized how high the voltage is here, when I almost blew my hair dryer up while turning it on LOW and another girl fried her straightener after turning it on for four seconds) So, we decided to spend some money on appliances that are accustomed to Ireland's electricity.
Pictures are coming soon! If you're friends with me on facebook, they should be uploaded by tonight!
Blessings,
Leanne [and the Immersion team]
When we arrived at the Lacken House, we had a tour of the grounds and were impressed with the work OM is doing all over Ireland, not just with the GAP year but many other ministry events as well that our team will be able to help with. Today we unpacked and rested. I am rooming with two girls from the states: Ashlyn Chambers from Georgia and Whitney Ratcliff from Louisiana. We're having a blast and have met so many wonderful, kind, and God-honoring people here. Tomorrow, we will have our orientation and then get acquainted with the local town while doing some much needed shopping. (We realized how high the voltage is here, when I almost blew my hair dryer up while turning it on LOW and another girl fried her straightener after turning it on for four seconds) So, we decided to spend some money on appliances that are accustomed to Ireland's electricity.
Pictures are coming soon! If you're friends with me on facebook, they should be uploaded by tonight!
Blessings,
Leanne [and the Immersion team]
Saturday, August 29, 2009
One day more...
What a terrific weekend I've had- and am going to have! Yesterday was my going away party and so many people were able to come! I am blessed to have so many friends that my home doesn't have enough room for them! It's neat to see how God used each person to impact my life in different ways. Whether it was from speech and debate, our local theater, school, or church - all of those people have helped me at some time in my life and I am thankful for that. Now, it's my turn to help the people of Ireland! Tomorrow, 3 other girls and myself will fly out at 3:30 from Atlanta. We fly to New York and then to Dublin, where we will arrive around 8:00am Monday, Ireland's time. I'm looking forward to the flights because I've always been a fan of overseas trips.
There's one neat thing I'd like to share with you before I end this note and go pack! As you know, I had to raise $6,000.00 before the trip. Well, I was only $520 dollars away from that goal yesterday. Last night, many of my friends brought me gifts! I was overwhelmed by their generosity. After counting the donations, I found that I had been given exactly $522.20. God does bless those who are faithful to Him - even at the last second!
So, here I go to start a new adventure in Ireland! I'll be updating this as frequently as I can while I am away!
Blessings,
Leanne
There's one neat thing I'd like to share with you before I end this note and go pack! As you know, I had to raise $6,000.00 before the trip. Well, I was only $520 dollars away from that goal yesterday. Last night, many of my friends brought me gifts! I was overwhelmed by their generosity. After counting the donations, I found that I had been given exactly $522.20. God does bless those who are faithful to Him - even at the last second!
So, here I go to start a new adventure in Ireland! I'll be updating this as frequently as I can while I am away!
Blessings,
Leanne
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Less than 90 hours!
In less than 90 hours, I step onto a plane that will fly me to a country I have never been to! I'm thrilled! Many people ask me if I'm ready, and I can honestly say "yes!" I have all of my clothes, accessories, and appliances ready to go! My most recent statement from SCORE said I only had $2,720 more to collect. I only need $720 of that before Sunday. YES! Sunday! I know that God will provide, though!
As the day to leave is coming up, I've been getting a lot of emails from the other girls in the group and I have a feeling we're all going to get along well. I've already met two of the girls and Saturday night, it seems that all five girls will be able to meet over dinner! I'm looking forward to getting to know new people and experience new things! Once I'm over there, I'll be able to tell you more specifically what exactly we're doing. But, for now, I know that the first, I believe six, weeks are devoted to our study time. Part of the GAP program is a learning-abroad Bible credit. I'll also be taking courses in Gaelic! This will all be done at the Lacken House, outside of Dublin in the country. After that, I believe our field work begins!
I'm looking forward to filling you all in with more detail in the coming weeks!
God Bless,
Leanne
As the day to leave is coming up, I've been getting a lot of emails from the other girls in the group and I have a feeling we're all going to get along well. I've already met two of the girls and Saturday night, it seems that all five girls will be able to meet over dinner! I'm looking forward to getting to know new people and experience new things! Once I'm over there, I'll be able to tell you more specifically what exactly we're doing. But, for now, I know that the first, I believe six, weeks are devoted to our study time. Part of the GAP program is a learning-abroad Bible credit. I'll also be taking courses in Gaelic! This will all be done at the Lacken House, outside of Dublin in the country. After that, I believe our field work begins!
I'm looking forward to filling you all in with more detail in the coming weeks!
God Bless,
Leanne
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Closer to our goals!
Sitting down at my computer today, I found another statement from SCORE! I only have $2,980.00 left out of the entire $8,000! So many friends have been generous in their donations! THANK YOU! I have also started something new! My grandmother had a great idea to sell our home-made fudge! I have gotten around $150 dollars from that and I made $85 from a garage sale! It's such a blessing!
Mary Wallace from FBCW, who is already in Ireland, tells us that the temperature will be 60 degrees going down to 30 degrees in October. Cold and rainy! That is actually my favorite kind of weather! I even got adorable polka-dot rain boots for the occasion.
I am also visiting my mother's 9th grade Sunday School class this coming Sunday to meet the girls so that we may all become pen-pals during my mission trip!
In other news: I am proud to announce the OM Ireland Team! Please pray for each of these individuals.
I hope to keep you further updated more frequently!
God Bless!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Trust
Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."
I have one more month before the flight to Ireland! It's an exciting thought, but quite an emotional one. I'm not usually an emotional person, but recently I've thought about how my life is literally changing now. What I've known for the past six years: my speech league, my school, my friends - it's all changing. But just because it's changing doesn't mean I'm sad. And just because it's emotional doesn't make it depressing. It's an exciting and new time for me, and I am simply hesitant. The verses above, Proverbs 3:5-6, remind me that when I am hesitant in anything, I can trust in the Lord. When I do so with all of my heart and lean on HIS understanding and not my own, my path will be made straight.
Right now, I'm having to put complete trust in God because I am still in desperate need of funds. I currently have $4,498.98 toward the trip. Now, that may seem like a lot, but I still need $3,501.02. Please remember that you can donate online! Go to:
http://scoreinternational.org/give/ and scroll to the donation for the GAP program. At check out, you can specify the student you are sponsoring. Please put: GAP Ireland Leanne Livingston.
During the 4th of July weekend, I was asked to present my American Legion speech at a couple of Tea Parties where I was also able to mention my Ireland trip. At one event on the 4th, I collected $100 in cash! What an experience to see people willing to help further God's Kingdom!
We're a little more than half-way there! I'm sure we can make it with your help! Thank you and God bless!
Leanne
I have one more month before the flight to Ireland! It's an exciting thought, but quite an emotional one. I'm not usually an emotional person, but recently I've thought about how my life is literally changing now. What I've known for the past six years: my speech league, my school, my friends - it's all changing. But just because it's changing doesn't mean I'm sad. And just because it's emotional doesn't make it depressing. It's an exciting and new time for me, and I am simply hesitant. The verses above, Proverbs 3:5-6, remind me that when I am hesitant in anything, I can trust in the Lord. When I do so with all of my heart and lean on HIS understanding and not my own, my path will be made straight.
Right now, I'm having to put complete trust in God because I am still in desperate need of funds. I currently have $4,498.98 toward the trip. Now, that may seem like a lot, but I still need $3,501.02. Please remember that you can donate online! Go to:
http://scoreinternational.org/give/ and scroll to the donation for the GAP program. At check out, you can specify the student you are sponsoring. Please put: GAP Ireland Leanne Livingston.
During the 4th of July weekend, I was asked to present my American Legion speech at a couple of Tea Parties where I was also able to mention my Ireland trip. At one event on the 4th, I collected $100 in cash! What an experience to see people willing to help further God's Kingdom!
We're a little more than half-way there! I'm sure we can make it with your help! Thank you and God bless!
Leanne
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Matthew 7:7
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." - Matthew 7:7
Last night, I was worried about funds for my trip. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to make the deadline. I was too far behind. Then, God reminded me of Matthew 7:7. "Ask and it will be given to you." I knelt down and prayed. I knew that if God wanted me on this trip, he would provide the funds and if not, then I just wouldn't go. I asked God to grant me patience and to simply provide. I sent an email late last night to the organization I'm with asking for a copy of my statement so far. I then went to sleep.
This morning, I woke up and found that the $660 I've had in that account had almost DOUBLED to $1300 dollars from donations! It's just another way of God reminding me that He is here for me and all I have to do is ask.
After adding up the money I have in my savings accounts with the SCORE account, I have $4353.98. We're almost to that $6,000 mark! THANK YOU to all who have contributed to my trip!! You are all BLESSINGS! Pray that God continues to provide for me and prepare me!
Last night, I was worried about funds for my trip. I was afraid I wouldn't be able to make the deadline. I was too far behind. Then, God reminded me of Matthew 7:7. "Ask and it will be given to you." I knelt down and prayed. I knew that if God wanted me on this trip, he would provide the funds and if not, then I just wouldn't go. I asked God to grant me patience and to simply provide. I sent an email late last night to the organization I'm with asking for a copy of my statement so far. I then went to sleep.
This morning, I woke up and found that the $660 I've had in that account had almost DOUBLED to $1300 dollars from donations! It's just another way of God reminding me that He is here for me and all I have to do is ask.
After adding up the money I have in my savings accounts with the SCORE account, I have $4353.98. We're almost to that $6,000 mark! THANK YOU to all who have contributed to my trip!! You are all BLESSINGS! Pray that God continues to provide for me and prepare me!
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