03.24.08Lambeg, Northern IrelandBe sure to scroll through the Lambeg dates in the top left corner and read the last entry dated 03.16.08.What an Easter!I am so glad I came back to N. Ireland when I did.I have had the pleasure of worshiping at the Lambeg Paris Church which is just a five minute walk from my Aunt and Uncles house and I have had the house all to myself.It has been a great past couple of days winding down from my epic trip around Europe and now I truly feel prepared to return home and see what is in store for me next.I can't tell you how nice it is to be able to go to church and understand what the heck they are all saying.I have worshiped in so many different languages and even though it really is all the same, it is certainly nice to be singing in English.With my arrival just before the beginning of holy week, I was excited to learn that the little local parish church had a scheduled service each day leading up to Easter Sunday.Since I had visited once before, just before my departure, I was familiar with the short walk up the hill to the beautifully situated country church.Walking in for the Wednesday service I felt like I was in my own Parish.I had only visited once before and given the priest my card to follow along on my journey and still I was welcomed as family.This night much to my surprise the priest asked me to step forward and be "interviewed" in front of everyone present.I must admit I was shocked and surprised, but it is always amazing to see God at work.After a short recount of how I have been and am being "called by God and led by the Spirit" I was let off the hook.For the rest of the week I was greeted with wide smiles and open hands and even upon entering on Good Friday to worship, I was given an anonymous gift, a daily readings book, by the parish and was also asked to do one of the readings for the day. So this is why I say, "What an Easter"!Miles from home, not knowing a soul, the little Lambeg Parish church opened their hearts to me and have captured mine.This is what being a Christian is about.Opening your heart to a perfect stranger with and even stranger story!Easter morning was pretty incredible.To sit and realize that not only do these strangers around me love me, but our God in heaven loves me enough to send his son to die!What a sacrifice, but isn't that what loving someone else is all about; sacrifice, self for others. Not only was my worship time pretty amazing this past week, but John and Hilda left on Thursday morning to go on a caravan trip until the following Tuesday.It has been amazing to have the house to myself and do my own thing.It has been a great time to wind down from the craziness of riding a motorcycle around Europe.With my bike in the shop getting all spruced up for the next future owner, I have been walking and taking the train everywhere.Each morning after breakfast I have hopped on the train which departs from the local station just a short walk from my doorstep and I make my way into town for a little online time.I have been writing ads and hitting forums trying to rustle the bushes to find a new owner for my beloved motorcycle.As soon as the service has been completed which I expect will be on Thursday I will really begin the search for a new owner.I am hoping that in the next week or two I find a new home for her and will be on a plane back to Charleston.

So in the meantime, I have been burning through some good books, already watched thee movies and making plans for some fun times with everyone when I get home!