So the Northern Irish journey begins . . .

Well . . . Tanner and I have officially made it to Northern Ireland safely!  For those of you who may not know, Tanner and I are both enrolled as full-time students at Belfast Bible College for the 2009-2010 school year (www.belfastbiblecollege.com).  We are both in the one-year certificate program and are extremely excited to have the opportunity to study alongside one another and dedicate this time to focus our thoughts on what God may have for our future.

We have officially been in Northern Ireland one week, and we really like it here!  Our first week was rather busy, and I have to admit that I am glad we just stayed in our apartment all day today to chill our and relax.  We arrived to Northern Ireland on Saturday, September 12^th.  Some dear friends welcomed us at the Belfast International Airport.  My brother, Caleb, recently married Julia Anderson.  Julia’s older sister, Kristen, lives here in Belfast with her Northern Irish husband, David.  So, David and Kristen welcomed us when we arrived last Saturday and helped us settle into our new place.  They even took us to Super Tesco (which is similar to Super Target or Super Wal-Mart), and we were able to grab a few items to help furnish our new apartment.  We are living in a small flat on the campus of the Bible College. 

         

We spent the rest of Saturday and all day Sunday unpacking and resting for the week ahead.  And while we saw other students around campus, we really didn’t meet any new people until orientation started on Monday morning.  Orientation lasted from Monday, September 14^th until Wednesday, September 16^th.  Orientation was amazing and a bit overwhelming as a lot of information was thrown our way.  We tried to catch all the details we needed to, but seeing as how we were fighting jet lag, I am just praying that we will be on time to our classes and have all the right papers filled in for this upcoming Monday!  

David Shepherd, the principal of the school, gave a small sermon/talk on the first day of orientation.  He explained that Belfast Bible College is most certainly a place to come and be academically challenged and encouraged and propelled to learn new things regarding scripture and theology.  However, that reason for coming to school should be second in comparison to the importance of living in the light as we live in community with the brethren at the Bible College.  Belfast Bible College exists to encourage its students to know the heart and character of God deeper and extend that love and grace toward our neighbors.  David talked about the importance of living in community, and not only living in community, but living in the light within community.  If even just one brother or sister in the community is living in darkness, then the WHOLE body suffers.  I am continually amazed that God has brought us to such a unique community here on the outskirts of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Tanner and I are not only looking forward to this next year, but we need this experience to teach us what it means to live in true community with other believers.

         

The second day of orientation began with a lecture from one of the professors within the Post-Graduate studies department.  He spoke for nearly an hour regarding devotion versus academics.  While he encouraged us to do all our work with excellence, he pointed out the importance of our walk with God and the supremacy it must take when studying at Bible College.  Our walk with God, our personal quiet times and our prayer time must remain primary, allowing the daily grind of homework and assignments to fall into place accordingly.  When I attended college in the United States, I went to the largest Christian University.  And while I absolutely LOVED my time at the University and grew tremendously in my personal walk with God specifically by being involved with my church, this idea of devotion being primary over academics was most certainly not shared in any of our orientation sessions.  While loving God with our all our mind is most important, we must not forget how vital it is to also love Him with all our heart, soul and strength (Mark 12:30).

          

Official orientation ended around lunchtime on the afternoon of September 16th.  After lunch, all the students along with the student life committee headed to a place about 45 minutes from school called Castlewellan.  We all stayed in this huge Castle for two nights, and had the opportunity to dine together, walk around the beautiful lake with one another, enjoying sports and worship together!  What a picturesque way to end your first week in Northern Ireland and to meet all the students you will be seeing around campus for the next year or so.  Tanner and I met so many amazing people!  Before we moved to Northern Ireland, I was afraid I would be the “old married” lady living on campus.  I had fears that others would be intimidated to befriend me because . . . well I don’t really know . . . I just was worrying way too much.  There was no need for me to worry because Tanner and I have already made many friends, from many different places.  Out of the 200-member student body at Belfast Bible College this year, over 30 different nations are represented.  I have new friends from Scotland, Germany, USA, Brazil, Hong Kong, Northern Ireland, England, Kenya, Slovakia, Canada, Poland, Sudan . . . the list could go on and on.  Two doors down from our apartment lives another young married couple, Eric and Mary.  Eric and Mary are from Canada and we have truly enjoyed getting to know them.  We had them over for dinner the other night, which was a hoot seeing as our kitchen table takes up the ENTIRE space in our dining room/kitchen.  Anyways, in the process of getting to know one another, we have come to find out that Mary has volunteered in an orphanage in China, Eric has one biological sister, 3 sisters adopted from China and 2 brothers adopted from Ethiopia, and they have been to Nashville before and even know where Barbara’s and Puckett’s Grocery in Leiper’s Fork are!  (For those of you who aren’t from our hometown, these are both two obscure restaurants close to our home in Franklin).  Isn’t that so like God!  Wow.

         

One afternoon while we were still at Castlewellan, someone noticed the hat that I was wearing had James 1:27 embroidered on it.  My friend, Shelly, asked me what that verse said.  We were sitting around a picnic table with a handful of other friends from Northern Ireland and England.  I told her that James 1:27 talks about pure and faultless religion being one in which the Church, the body of Christ, cares for orphans and widows.  Just quoting this verse opened up a really intriguing and encouraging dialogue regarding orphan care.  Everyone around the table began talking about orphan care and what we might be able to do to even make small differences in the lives of children even in our own backyard.  An English man named Bill, who is in his late 50’s and is attending Bible College with his wife, Nola, piped up and began talking from the perspective of an orphan.  Come to find out, Bill was adopted in the 1950’s domestically in England.  He has a big heart for helping the children in the foster care system here in the United Kingdom.  And after our 5 minute conversation regarding orphans and what we might do to even show them just a glimpse of our Father’s love, my friend Shelly suggested we pray.  And what unfolded over the next 10 minutes was so powerful and deeply inspiring.  Young people and old people, those that were once orphaned and those that knew nothing about the issue, were interceding on behalf of so many children who need forever families.  And not only were prayers offered for these children, but a sincere request was made for God to grant us wisdom in how we can adequately and appropriately respond to the issue.  Young people . . . we were praying for our generation to be the one that changes the mindset about adoption and orphan care within the Church.  And the power of prayer cannot be underestimated.

         

Well . . . I suppose this is a bit of a wordy blog.  Thank you for reading and for supporting Tanner and I as we are on our Northern Irish journey.  We have already had many amazing experiences and made wonderful memories.  We are confidant that God has great truths He wants to reveal to us this year.  

Comments

[Pamela Gordon]

Hi Emily. Thanks for sharing your first few days of Bible College in Belfast. You have been faithful in God's calling and He is blessing you abundantly for your obedience.
I moved from Scotland to the U.S. so I know a little of what you are going through being away from family. My family live in Irvine, Scotland, where i grew up. Nice long beach there if you ever want to visit. Use to play there as a 'wee' girl.
Continued blessings on you and Tanner as you adjust.

[Hazel McMeekin]

Hi emily - It was great to hear your news. I live in county Cavan just across the border, in the Republic of Ireland, though my family are originally from the North and I lived there when I was younger. I've always found your families blogs very interesting but I was able to identify with all of the places in this one which makes it even more interesting! Anyway, I hope you have a wonderful time in Belfast and be sure to visit the south of Ireland while you're here too!

[Barb]

What a wonderful time in your marriage for you and Tanner. Savor every second and just concentrate on our precious Lord and Savior and you and Tanner. This will be a time in your marriage you will never forget and will treasure it forever.

[Shon]

That's so cool. My Dad grew up in (southern) Ireland. My whole family has EU citizenships and we were thinking of moving to Ireland to spend time with my Grandmother.

Look up Robin Mark. He is an AMAZING worship leader from Belfast. He's done several wonderful albums...you might of heard him on Christian radio.

Who knows! We might run into you up there :D

[Renee]

Such a precious blog post Emily! May the LORD bless you and Tanner while you study in Ireland. I will look forward to reading more!
In HIM,
Renee and THE ATH clan

[Lori Picklesimer]

Emily, thanks for taking us all along on another exciting journey!

[aunt j]

Hi emily & tanner, thank you, thank you, thank you for the update. i had been wondering how it was going. amazing i would say. i saw your mom & your sisters over the weekend and she had said things were going good. stevey & shaoey had a great time camping. and so did we. can't wait to see more updates. we are praying for you always. tell tan hi.. love you..

[Rebeca Canfield]

Amazing! I know God has great plans for you and Tanner! God bless you! I hope to be just like you Emily when I grow up. I'm only 17. You are my role model.
Your in my prayers!
In God's great love,
Rebeca

[Diane]

So excited for you two! As a mother of 3 adopted children my heart melted to hear of your conversation then prayer for the orphans. May God continue to richly bless your time there.

[twitter.com/SDGfrontrowgirl]

Hi Emily and Tanner!!

Hope all is going well in Ireland.Have been and will continue to pray for you all.Love you so much.Wow,y'all have been doing a lot there in the precious name of Jesus.Praying for you my friends.I am here if you need me okay?

Your friend,prayer warrior partner
Stephanie G
Charlotte,NC

[Linda]

Emily, It's Monday and I got back on the site to hear a portion of the new songs your dad has recorded (and I've been waiting to go buy--gotta' go today)! My house work keeps waiting as I just sat and read all of your blog regarding Ireland. I guess because of the blessing your dad's work has been to me for so many years, I feel connected to you all. Your words blessed me because of how much passion and excitement you have for what you're doing. God's blessings to both of you!

[Dennis]

Thanks for the memories of Ireland, such a beautiful country. You are truly blessed to be able to study there. And I find it so funny that Tanner didn't kiss the Blarney Stone...I took my entire family there last year and I didn't kiss it either but got ribbed by my family for traveling all the way to Ireland and up to the top of Blarney Castle and NOT kiss the stone. But now I can say that I have never kissed the stone whereas they can't...ever think of that. I am sure Tanner can. Too Funny! God Bless you guys!

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Spiritual conversations on the green field of Ireland- what a great way to spend an afternoon! Your journey seems very exciting!

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