I'm working on a quarterly magazine for all the AG churches in Ireland.  It is supposed to go to print on Monday.  I met with the printer yesterday and now I have to redo almost everything I've been working on for the last two weeks and have it done by Monday.  They use a different printer over here, so I made the entire document in one color scheme and the machine only prints in the other color scheme.  Ahhh!  

Aliens Office; Part II

Hello!

Just got back from the Alien's Office and I FINALLY got my visa!  Wow...what an ordeal!  It still took a while, but it is done.  

I have a meeting with other leaders to organize a conference we are calling Dream 2008.  It is a retreat for all the AG churches over Ireland.  We are expecting 1,000 people to come!  So, the meetings tonight and I'm excited to work on everything for the conference.  

The first edition of the quarterly magazine that I'm making for all the AG churches goes to the printers next week.  I'm nervous since this is the first time everyone will see what I've put together.  

Things are going good and I'm starting to get settled in.  Love you all!

This is my office :)  The ocean is to the left and the village is to the right.

Alien's Office = Ahhh!!!

Hello All!

Well, today was a lovely day spent in the Irish Alien's Office.  I waited for FIVE HOURS!!!  After I finally got up to the counter, my visa got rejected!  It was a nightmare.  I had all the papers I was instructed to bring, but the lady processing my information wanted to know more about my health insurance.  Since I was completely at her mercy, I have no other choice but to be there at 7 o'clock in the morning and wait for hours again to see if I can get my visa tomorrow.  Ahhhhh!!  

On a funny note, this guy sat down next to me in the waiting room and kept asking me for my number.  He wouldn't give up....it was kinda funny!  Until he asked if he could give me money to ride to his office so he could take me out!!  I was extremely uncomfortable with that scenario (and overall he was just freaking me out) so I just got up and left..haha!  What an experience at the alien's office!  

I miss home a lot and hope everyone is doing well.  

Love you all!

It's so strange getting used to a new culture.  I had my first experience with the "Dart" yesterday.  The Dart is the train that takes me from Greystones into Dublin.  On my way home from Dublin the train just stopped at the stop right before Greystones and said it wouldn't be continuing.  I was like, "Ummmm.....well, what do I do now."  Since it was Sunday no one was around, so I had no idea what I was doing.  I just waited 45 minutes and finally another train came and thankfully it took me to Greystones. 

Also, I have to take one minute showers because the hot water tanks are so small and if you don't get out in time ice water shoots out....learned that the hard way!  The girl I live with, Efa, and I tried to make brownies last night.  They were horrible.  She thought they were great.  So I guess brownies over here are just not that great.  

Love you all!

Hi friends and family,

I'm getting settled in.  It's raining!  We have a big leadership conference going this weekend so I've been swamped doing things for it.  My computer broke down the first day I was in the office.  It was horrible!  

The people are great here.  So funny!  It's been raining all week or I would get out and take pictures.  I'll post some soon.

Love you all.

My 1st 24 hours in Ireland.

Hi friends and family,

Well, I survived the plane ride. My boss' wife, Wilma, picked me up from the airport. She was sitting a couple of gates down talking to someone she knew, so I couldn't find her for a few minutes, but it all worked out. I was the last one to leave customs because this old man was asking me if I was working for a cult...haha...I wanted so badly to mess with him, but I figured I should wait until I'm actually in the country to start any jokes. He let me go by saying sarcastically, "I hope you win lots of converts." Then, he helped me carry my bags! He was really funny.

Wilma took me to the office I'll be working at as soon as I got off the plane. I looked awful and was exhausted. Those people probably thought there was something wrong with me! They all seemed very nice, but it was awkward with the forced introductions.

The lady I'm staying with, Maureen, is really nice. Nothing like I expected, but that's usually how it is. My room used to be her grandson's room and has Winnie the Pooh all over it. Kinda funny. Maureen's daughter is living here as well. She is 24, very pretty and as the Irish say, "We get on quite nicely."

Well, you have to pay by the minute for Internet over here so I better get off. Miss and love you all SO much.
-B