Slowing down, speeding up

Sometimes I feel like life is slower here in Ireland than it was living in the US of A. 

Maybe it's because I'm not working in the hospital. 

Or maybe because my work schedule has me sleeping in and staying up late at night. 

A few weeks ago I walked a race with a few lady friends of mine. The joy certainly was in the journey, and victory was never so sweet for them at the end of the finish line.

Life here isn't always walking pace though-- some days I stumble through, trying to get everything done. I'm still not done. Things are speeding up. 

And yet, I'm getting lots of practice at dropping everything (and by "everything", I mean things that aren't very important in the long run) and slowing down to walk along side someone when they need it. To walk the race instead of run. To slow down and to communicate instead of assume. To slow down and take the backroads for the joy of it. 

Don't be overtaken by life. 

Slow down and remember the reasons for living. 

Skibbereen-ing

I spent my day in Skibbereen, the heart of West Cork, at a arts, crafts, and food festival. Mmm! It was so much fun to watch the kids sing and dance and embrace the beautiful and strong Irish culture. This little guy was amazing. 

Mrs. Millea

My sister is married now. 

I thought I'd be in a crumpled heap of tears at the wedding. Alas, only when I was helping her put on her pretty, pinkish wedding gown did I shed a tear or two. It was then that I really, and deeply felt the big-ness and awe of the moment. It was so perfect. She is so gorgeous.

Life transitions, the ebb and flow of sorrow and joy, the love-filled wonder of our small worlds-- all of these things capture the curiosity and thoughts of my mind. It is the people that we love and the God in whom we owe our lives to that makes my world go round.

My sister has a big piece my heart.  

This morning, I accidentally began to Facetime her. It was probably 1:00 in the morning in her time zone. (oops!) She kindly texted me to see if I was o.k. and was sorry that she missed my call. Oh, what a dear! Even though we are thousands and thousands of miles away and there is an ocean between us- we will forever be sisters and close at heart.

Mrs. Millea, I love you. 

If you want to see more pictures, check them out here. 

Summer Joy

April, May, and June were a blur. Turns out that July is too! As busy as it has been, I have been trying to soak in all the joy that I've experienced. 

In Greece, it was my job to herd little munchkins around and try to keep them out of trouble. I spent some time in Dublin for work and then went to the states for a few weeks to spend time with my family and marry off my sister. In the meanwhile, I also happily and officially became the girlfriend of the illustrious Joel Kurtz (more on that later!). I have two new nephews (one biological and one that I claim :) and it is a high compliment to call me Aunt Emily. My heart overfloweth with love and thankfulness. I am behind on laundry, lacking sleep, but am quite ahead in joy. 

Here are a few snippets of joys that I've experienced this summer. 

Greece Joys in May 

[Emily, Sabina, Joe, and Daniel]

Half Marathon Joys with my friend in Cork, Ireland in June

[Ann and Emily]

Baby Joy when I got to meet my "nephew" for the first time.

[Isaiah and Aunt Emily]

 Wedding Joys with my dear college friends at Temple and Philip's wedding in VT.

[Joel, Philip, Temple, Shama, Kristin, Timothy, and Steven]

 Family Joy at the Fisher home.

[Here, brother Sean and sister Anna share a laugh over the coconut "milk cow"]

More Baby Joys in June when I met my sweet and kissable nephew! 

[Aunt Emily and Hudson]

Wedding and Sister Joys 

[Emily and Mrs. Millea]

Joel Joy

[Emily and Boyfriend Joel]

Adventuring Joys with college friends in Ireland in July

[Margie, Heather, and Emily]

What makes you smile?

Giddy

Home.

The countdown is in the single digits. 

(!)