Bray: 1st Stop on the DART

Here's some pictures I took while walking around with friends in Bray, the first stop off the DART from Greystones.  There were a lot of odds and ends shops in this area, as well as government buildings and a theater/arts center.

Walking into Bray

A nearby neighborhood

Dublin Area Rapid Transit (the DART)

Fish, Chips and Dublin

I've been to Dublin twice last week - its as big as a large city and as tall as a town.  Most buildings are only 4-5 stories.  On my first visit, we briefly walked around the town for a bit.  The second visit, I ate at the Gourmet Burger Kitchen, with my friends Kyle, Dan, Ryan, and Jordan.  The restaurant building had modern architecture somewhat like Chipotle.  I ordered a lamb burger and a bottle of sparkling mineral water (a pretty common beverage and one of my favorites).  I also stopped at a bar in Dublin and enjoyed a bit of rugby and good conversation.  After that I took the DART back to home, in Coolnagreina, Greystones.

I've tried several chippers so far, in Greystones and in Bray, and I am definitely a fan of this fine Irish cuisine.  The Joker in Greystones is one with the best chips so far.  There's another one in town run by an Italian Irishman (who oddly enough reminds me of the pastor of my church back home).  I've had a couple good conversations with this guy.

Greystones Presbyterian Church

Slept a lot yesterday, to take care of jet lag.  Went to a Presbyterian church in Greystones where our home was located.  Reverend Montgomery - who also was to teach our class "Celtic Christianity" - gave the sermon.  I liked how part of the service was devoted as a minisermon to the kids in the church.  He called them to the front of the pews, and using elastic bands, he related them to how we can be stretched in life but will at some point break - it is the Holy Spirit that makes us strong.  In addition to Amazing Grace, we sang four other, lesser-known hymns.

Settling in...

Flew from Chicago to Dublin on the 28th of January - an 8 hour flight and more significantly, my very first flight.  My first flight, on Aer Lingus, was cancelled, and so we were all put on an Airberlin - in my mind, an improvement, as I enjoyed hearing the flight attendants speaking German.  It was rather crowded, but the food wasn't bad at all.

As we approached Dublin, I looked out the window to see an amazing, golden horizon of clouds below the plane.  We passed through the clouds and after a brief wait, Ireland came in to view.  The country outside consisted of small plots of farmland, patches of trees, and some construction. When I met with Kyle and his newlywed wife Kelsey, I felt very welcome.  Leaving the airport, I couldn't help but notice there was something in the air... whether the fresh, damp, chilly weather and the bright sun shining down on us, or the vibrant, green grass and old stone buildings... 

Just A Week Till Ireland

Today, I find myself about to embark on a journey that until now seemed far away, in the distant future.  I'm going to spend three months of my life studying abroad in the Republic of Ireland.  Its comforting to know that God's timing is perfect (even when its not our timing): this past year and a half at Taylor University has for me been a time of growing in maturity and discipline, but more importantly, it has been a time of knowing, loving, and serving my Lord Jesus Christ more and more.  And that is what I want most out of this trip: to come to know God more, to love Him more, and to serve Him even more.  This is such a blessing, thank you so much mom and dad.  I love you all.

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

I Corinthians 10:31