America has never seen closer- less than a week away!

Oh my goodness. I have failed on writing blogs enough. But atleast I got some of my stories out there. But trust me- there were many more stories of fun, struggles, laughter and grace! I now have about 4 days left living in this beautiful and amazing place- but unfortunately I still have 3 more finals! So a lot of the time I do have I will (hopefully) be studying! I feel like it was just yesterday that I got here and was looking ahead at my 16 weeks here. But at the same time it is shocking to me to remember and think of all the things that I have done and experienced since here- it seems like it should have taken years. Some of the most amazing things I have ever done, and most of the most beautiful things I have ever seen, everything that has happened- all in only ONE semester! I will surely be living the effects of this for the rest of my life. I do have to say though that I am a little bummed about coming home- i just wish that I had about 4 extra days here in Austria- just hiking and spending time with the families who live here. I have grown very attached to them, the little ones and I keep hugging all the time and holding hands. I sure it is hard for them- they make such close friends and then they leave every semester. I hope that I will get to seem them again. However, while I am not too excited in some ways to come home I am excited to see my family and friends, and just to be back where people speak English and drink sweet tea. But what I am most excited about is coming back to share with every single person I come across all the grace and love that I have received from God this trip. God is the giver of all good gifts- and when he gives these things to us he means for us to share with all of his beloved children. Besides that's the nature of love in the first place- love cannot be hidden but longs to give itself to another- that is like that one quote that goes something like "God was overcome with love- and what happened was Creation" (I think I may have just butchered it) But I hope you get the general idea. It would be wrong for me to receive all this love and not bring it to those that I love. It is not MY love- I do not posses it! It is for each and every child of our Father. One of the deepest desire of our hearts is to share the good that we have- and I have received so much good that I can't wait to share! So I trust that the Lord is calling me back to America - even if it may hurt a little! Besides- it is only through suffering that love entered the world through Christ in the first place! So a little bit of suffering wont be to bad! Praise the Lord that he is letting my heart hurt- because know I am in closer union to his most Sacred heart which breaks for the entire world!

Christ is risen from the dead! Indeed he is risen; Alleluia!

Ireland!

When I was young my Dad would always sing me a song named "I'll Take you home again Kathleen" and this past week- I was taken back home- back to the land of my roots- the good ole' land o green! IRELAND!!! I don't even know what I can say about it except that it wouldnt have been half as good if my big brother Danny hadn't spent the whole thing with me! We had started out in Fatima- and God really work a miracle in getting us there and meeting eachother (I was more than 2 hours late- just to start it all off) And then after Fatima we traveled together to Northern Ireland to meet up with Nuala- who I did the Ulster Project with like 4 years back. Then we went to an Irish Pub with all of my other friends from that summer so long ago and even the person who stayed with Danny made it down to the Pub! It was like a big reunion! Then the next day we were planning on all getting together again but couldn't because we actually got snowed in! The Electricity went out and everything! So we stayed in with the family and played games all night- which everyone who know my family knows we love to play games- so we didnt mind at all! Then we headed down to Knock- which was awesome- And then Galway- and from there we went to the Aran Islands which were so amazingly beautiful! We rode bikes the whole day around the Island and went to some beautiful cliffs and other spots on the Island- it was like we were kids again exploring the world on our bikes! Then we headed over to Tullamore to go and try some Irish Wiskey that the company that Danny works for sells- we were hoping to get a tour around and see how to make it and everything! But it was closed fore Good Friday- which we decided was good- So then we came back the next day. Then we went to the Guinness brewery in Dublin and then to one of my favorite spots- O'Neill's Pub!!! It was seriously one of the coolest places I have ever gone- and we decided that we need to start one in Knoxville- or Kingsport! Then Danny had to go and I was worried because it didn't work out for me to meeet up with the people that I had wanted to- but then we walked into the Hostel in which we had stayed the night before- and there were 3 of my fellow students there playing cards! we couldn't believe it! So then I hung out with them until we flew home!

So that makes it seem that the trip was so much less than it really was! But it would be impossible for me to explain to you what it was like to go there with my brother! There were literally blessings around every corner and beauty in every step! I am very grateful to have had such a great Easter gift- as though I needed something more!!

Even though every travel has been such a blessing- and I have learned something new everyday here- I am really starting to miss home badly! I am getting so excited to be back! But i am trying to enjoy every moment because I know that when I am back in the States I will want to come back here! But I will be home before I know it- I have only 3 weeks left! 24 days actually! It will be great to just relax for awhile- even though I am planning on working somewhere- just the steady lifestyle will be so much appreciated! I haven't had that in years I feel like!

Anyway- I hope that all of you are having a very blessed Easter Season! I hope that joy has filled your hearts because our Lord has RISEN!!!! God Bless!