Dear Friends,

How beloved you have all been held in my memories during these past many days! There are no words that could come close to expressing my thankfulness for the prayers and love in which you have kept me. Life has been difficult, but God has been good. He has revealed so many lessons to be taken to heart, and I’ve tried to be a good steward of such costly gifts from His hand. Even in the midst of struggles, there has a been a certainty and sweetness of knowing Jesus is holding me close. He’s been so faithful, and I know I’m a blessed woman, indeed.

Two days ago, God provided an opportunity to come away for a time to Ireland. There was quite an adventurous journey that led to our finally reaching its emerald shores, however. Let it simply suffice to say, I’ll don’t have any intention of using another RyanAir flight as long as I live. :) For all the “misadventures” of Tuesday’s travels, everything was certainly exhilarating. Many diversions and delays were actually shadowings of God’s hand at work, trying to bless us. Through His “redirection” of our plans, we actually flew into Dublin, rather than the intended Lower Shannon area. This, however, is where everything grew far more interesting. We were able to take a bus all the way from Dublin to Shannon, a trip which took about five hours and wound its way through most every delightful town all the way across Ireland.

We arrived in Shannon, very late Tuesday night and found a wonderful hotel room awaiting us. The hotel was only a minute or two from the airport here. I walked through the embrace of the night’s raindrops, so dear to my soul, and the hotel’s front entry was just a few feet ahead of me. In the dim of twilight, stood several flags to greet me. There, at the farthest right, was my beloved “Red, White, and Blue.” Tears nearly came, as I saw the unexpected and comforting sight, a welcome which had not met my gaze in nearly a month. It was then that I truly realized how deeply I missed the land of my birth. Lord willing, the sunny shores of Texas will be near me again, very soon. In the meantime, Shannon’s hospitality has been truly wonderful.

Yesterday, Brent, Aimee, and I bussed our way over into Ennis, a charming town about twenty minutes from here. The village is renowned for its quaint shops, cozy restaurants, and age-old cobbled streets. Rain was coming down steadily all throughout the day…cold and blustery and somehow inexplicably refreshing to the senses. :) All the chimneys were softening the sky with gentle clouds of smoke, smoke which climbed upward until mingling with the mists of the afternoon. How wonderful it was to wind through the beautiful streets and soak in the liveliness of painted store fronts, make small talk with the friendly shop-keepers, and even settle into the cozy warmth of a booth with friends and partake of savoury soup and warm Irish soda bread. :)

For now, I’ll say farewell and assure you that God has been watching over me and has brought me such refreshment and joy. Whether in difficulty or in delight, all has been well, for I have felt “the sunshine of the Father’s face.” I love you all and will try to write again, as soon as the Lord allows me to find another source of internet access. In the days until then, just remember you’re all in my loving thoughts and prayers. I trust that you will hold me in yours, as well. God be with you, dear ones!

Blessings Always,
Amy