Tuesday, February 19

for the love of the Irish

I told my friends here that I am dedicating this blog to them. They are quite excited and now I feel great pressure to perform. Here goes...


Not much has changed since I lived in Belfast in 2006. The new Starbucks at the end of the road and two beautiful new roommates add excitement but don't alter the essence of this city that now lives simultaneously in my memory and in reality. Many strange and stimulating moments as we record new memories over old ones in familiar places. I love the narrow streets and never remember when I walk to Nicola's parked car that the misplaced steering wheel is located on the right, not the left.


I am a roommate again. I have been welcomed back with warm embraces, giggly smiles and hearty Northern Irish cooking. Love seeps through the walls of this hundred-year-old house. Excited squeals about Nicola's new boy, collective moans about Jenni's decision to cater a 1200-person meal, and me repeating every other word they say in order to acquire their queer Irish accent. My favorites: pain (pronounced peein'), power (pronounced paahr) and various nicknames already thrown at me...wee pet, dote, plonker, numpty. I'm starting to develop a strange kind of complex.

I've already drank more tea and eaten more small pastries than my body knows what to do with. Remembered that the last time I was here I ate so many of these desserts... they call them tray bakes... that I actually threw up, and have been trying to refrain a bit. Praying for God's help.


I visited Belfast Bible College today and in the evening went to an evangelistic kids' club where I reunited with some kids from East Belfast, most of whom need Jesus and a warm bath. They pretended to remember me from my last visit (so sweet) and I teared up as they walked out the door. God's love for them overwhelmed me. Now I sit closer than a sister to these girls on the couch, them "revising" (studying) for a medical exam on Friday and me indulging in Jane Eyre and wishing I had some chocolate cake.


Missing you all quite a lot. Loving you from afar.


4 comments:

crredding said...

cool journal :)

Lacey said...

yeah, this amazing girl gave it to me... smells old... :)

Jesika said...

Well Shoot! I thought you were staying at the Monistary so I've already sent you something there. Maybe it will take a month for it to get there and you'll get it on your first day! I love you and miss you!

Anonymous said...

Lacey,
nothing seems to big that you can't conquer with God's help OF COURSE!! LOL
Somehow I thought I would be jelous to the fact that you are getting to travel more than I but instead I feel relieved to know that is where God wants you and you are LOVING every min. Eventhough, I am not able to see you as often as I have in the past MY heart cries for you and your GREAT experiences! I love you, and I know you won't forget me. It's amazing to read your blogs. I hope God will bless you and your funny accented freinds!!!!

~Angela