Dear wonderful readers, I have returned- unfortunately I did not end up having time in my schedule to fit in another post before I left the country. However I had time tonight to write a little update! I pray that you are all doing well! My mother and I left the states on September 17th, from Lafayette, Louisiana. We had two checked bags, two carry-ons and three personal items (it was a real struggle for me to fit everything in my bags haha)
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| The sunrise coming into Ireland! |
Praise be to God we passed thru TSA with no hiccups, made our flight to Houston, got on our connection to Newark with time to spare, and our final flight to Shannon touching down in Ireland on September 18th, 430am for us, 1030am for Ireland! None of the flights were delayed, every flight was perfectly on time and our bags made it all the way to Ireland with nothing missing! Praise the Lord, He is SO SO GOOD! We were a bit worried about customs- but also passed through with no issues! The lovely manager of my new missions company came personally to drive us back to Glencomeragh House!
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| in front of my new home! |
In the 2 hour drive, we chatted, laughed, learned about Ireland, and listened to traditional Irish music! We enjoyed a delicious lunch, walked around the expansive, beautiful grounds and took much needed rests before dinner- or as they call it here- supper. We enjoyed a gorgeous Holy Hour- that is daily in the community. Then we called home and went to bed!
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| My Lord and My God |
The next day we slept in- and missed community breakfast but we managed to make it to the rosary at 830 and daily mass at 9. Mom and I got breakfast and tea after mass. Then we went to explore more of the property- it has two waterfalls, hundreds of flowers of all different varieties! After Irish stew for lunch-excuse me in Ireland its called dinner- We got a ride to the nearest town- Clonmel. We did a bit of shopping, got some necessities at a pharmacy, got another necessity- soft serve ice cream to walk around with because its VERY warm here- 70s and sunny, beautiful and VERY unusual for Ireland. The joy of the Lord in my response to his call to Ireland is very apparent in the sunshine and gorgeous weather! I got an Irish phone number and activated it with no issues, got some cash for the future from the bank and finally picked up some food at the local Aldi- our favorite grocery store!
After that we were picked up by the rest of the community that is here now, three 2nd year missionary girls, Fr. Patrick and Annette (the manager). We had a road trip to Holy Cross Abbey where we were blessed to venerate a relic of Saint Bernadette! She was making a tour around Ireland! My rosary is now a 3rd class relic of Saint Bernadette and Saint JPII!
We stopped in a town on the way back to have a picnic supper- I suprised them all by putting my chips in my sandwich- which apparently is quite Irish of me- they call them Tayto sandwiches! I was incredibly blessed and surprised by a 2nd year missionary who bought me a box of chai- I had told her earlier that was my favorite tea.
We got back home a bit late so Adoration was cancelled in favor of early bedtime, we called home again and then headed off to sleep. I however couldn't find myself to be tired or able to sleep- which was the opposite with my mom the day before, she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow this time but the night before kept me up talking! After an hour or so- I went to the chapel we have a few doors down upstairs- I exposed the Blessed Sacrament and had a wonderful private adoration, I found great consolation being alone with Jesus and spent about 20 minutes with Him before I was truly exhausted and made my way back to bed and fell asleep instantly!
This morning we awoke to make it in time for breakfast. We attended the rosary and daily mass afterwards. We had a cup of tea in the conservatory- the sun room. Then we were able to do some laundry, take a stroll around outside. Lunch was DELICIOUS best yet- potatoes galore- a cheesy potato, salmon bake, fish-hash brown type cakes, peas and fried potatoes. After lunch my mom and I braved a walk on the country roads- they are quite narrow and they drive quite fast but we were blessed with breaks in the hedges to get off the road out of the way.
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| a photo op on an old Irish wall <3 |
After our walk we washed up- finished up laundry and went to supper- Toasties. Which is just grilled cheese in Irish speak! After supper we had Holy Hour and now here I am writing to you all!
Thank you, thank you, thank you all! for reading, for praying and supporting me! This journey was totally not my plan- but Praise God because He knows what is best for us! I am filled with joy and hope in this country and in this holy community!
Know of my love and prayers for all you!
God Bless, Jo
