ESL

There is a girl from Germany staying at our house right now, she is here to learn English. 

I'm proud to have helped her add a few more words to her vocabulary this week:

Lard. The Irish like to put lard in their cabbage. I have no idea why. They say that's the only way to eat cabbage. Eat cabbage... Don't eat lard. 

Asparagus. I tried demonstrating how an aspar-a-gus grows. When she looked at me like I was crazy, I drew on the napkin. I always know that she understands when her eyes light up and she tells me the word in German. 

Sassy. This kiwi is sassy. Sometimes the pineapple is too. Well, actually that's not usually how we use that word. Aren't you glad that you are learning English from us?!

I've also shown her how to use the drying machine for the first time in her life, which I have mixed feelings about.

When we went thrifting yesterday, she saw a black teeny-bopper-ish shirt that said "Sassy". She proudly showed me. Thankfully, she didn't buy it. 

Grace

Before mass, Father Finnbarr said my organ playing was beautiful. 

After mass, I told him that I appreciated that he sang a responsive chant in Irish. 

He is not a singer and I'm not an organ player, that's what we each say of ourselves. 

Yet, I find that our mutual appreciation of gifts and effort is genuine... and so is the grace given to each other (because honestly, I don't really know how to play the organ and he really was dismissed from a choir). 

The Farmer

The bachelor farmer, to be more specific. 

Is it normal that in his series of asking me questions in rapid succession, that he ends with, "Do you like to wake up early?" 

Um... (Please don't tell me that my saying "yes" is a qualification to fix a bachelor farmer's marital status.)

Let's just talk cows. That would be good, thank you. 

The Nuns

I like visiting the sisters at be convent. 

Upon arrival: "You've grown two inches since we last saw you!" 

Upon departure: a pinch on the cheek and "Oh! You're so beautiful!"

It's been a while since I've grown two inches and been told that I was beautiful, and was pinched on the cheek. 

I love nuns. 

Thankful

Gray skies are more common than the sunshine these days. I don’t want that to be the case with my attitude.

Here are 5 things that I’m thankful for right now:

1.     A reason to be here, and ways that I can be of help. Whether it is scrubbing the toilets at church, doing dishes after a supper club, or making friends at the local choir, I am trying to remember that being here is more important than doing things here.

2.     Music. Last month I bought a ukulele at a music store in Cork. Some mornings, I sit in bed (It’s the warmest spot in the house) and sing and play “Lord, In the Morning”. It’s a great way to start the day. Also, the Freeman family and Curtis and Wendy are great fun to make music with. French horn, trumpet, violin, flute, tin whistles, clarinet, lap harp, guitar, backpacker’s guitar, and of course the piano, are a few of the instruments at the Freeman house. It’s always a highlight of my week.

3.     The Irish countryside. The views are incredible. At least for me, I love looking a hills, green grass, and cows, so I’m continually in awe of the beauty around me.

4.     Friends. I’ve made a few new friendships here in Ireland that I pray will last an eternity. Ladies from choir, from supper clubs, and from church. Also, I’m thankful for my thoughtful friends who send me encouraging messages from across the ocean. My friends brighten my day. I hope to do the same for them too!

5.     Supper Clubs. Whoever’s brilliant idea it was, thank you! I love attending super clubs, and it’s something that I will definitely take away from my time here. It's a great way to encourage each other stay healthy, great (healthy) food, and fun with new friends. It’s a good thing that I enjoy them, because I go to 4 different supper clubs.  :)