One year, seven months, twenty-three days, and twelve hours ago, Juli, Ashlyn, and I left Dublin, Ireland to resume our lives in the USA. Throughout the nearly twenty months since, I've been flooded with fond memories of the people there who touched our lives, and of the place that left an indelible mark on my mind. Because of our Irish sojourn, we will never be the same.
We love Burleson, TX, but we miss Dublin too. I miss hillwalks on Howth, and pretty much, hillwalks everywhere in Ireland. In fact, I miss walking all around Dublin's Fair City. I miss those rich conversations with friends over coffee (or other black beverages). I miss the trad (and other kinds of) music and the sense of community that forms at gigs, sessions, and concerts. I miss the passion experienced while watching a big football (soccer) match in a pub with other fanatics. I miss train trips across the country and even DART trips across Dublin. I miss the buses and the Luas, as well as driving on the winding country lanes and roads. I miss the energy of Dublin City Centre.
I miss the faith conversations at Dublin Coffee Shop Bible Study and Theology on Tap. I miss worshiping with brothers and sisters at Ranelagh Christian Church. And most of all, I miss the organic worship and Bible study with North Dublin Christian Community.
Though I miss all of these things and all of these people, in a little less than 33 hours, Lord willing, I will walk on Irish soil again. This trip will be short, but I pray that it will simply be the first trip of many over the next few months and years. May the road rise to meet me... - Shay
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