We left Belfast on Monday, but just getting 'round to posting these last few of our time there....
Sunday, we got a chance to attend our former home church in Belfast, Glenabbey, which was and still is very dear to us. Anytime Dean and I have had a transition and a new city in our lives, finding our church has proved to be a turning point in feeling settled and "at home." Very true of finding Glenabbey. Such a genuine group of people, lives focused on Christ, exuding life and the love of God both in and out of the church walls. Every time I've come back to worship here on a visit to Belfast, I get very tender during the worship and well up with gratitude for God's providence in having led us there to begin with and then to reflect on all God has done since that time--both in us and at Glenabbey (which has grown and grown and grown)! It's a revisiting of one of those life markers where God said, "I love you enough to place you here. Right here."
This Sunday at Glenabbey, we had the added blessing of Suzanne leading worship with her peeps, which was awesome. I think sometimes when we're around our good friends doing "friend" things--having meals together, connecting, meeting out, etc.--we tend to forget sometimes that our good friends are very gifted in specific ways, outside of serving us with their friendship. My friend, Suzanne, is gifted in the art of music, which I totally know about her...but it was a blessing to be able to be a part of her doing her thing. I hope that makes sense. And it made me think, "What's my thing?" "What is it that I've been gifted to do and can I bless others by doing it and have them somehow see the heart of God?" I think that's pretty much my life's goal. Still working on that....
And on our way out of Belfast on Monday, we stopped in for a visit with our former neighbors, Jim and Jean Simms. They lived with us on the other side of the duplex (semi-detached) house when we lived across from the KFC--and they still do. We were so disappointed to find that their sweet Corgi-Jack Russell mix doggy, Honey, went on to dog heaven two years ago. In fact, it's a real perspective-giver when we realized that all the dogs we knew from our time here have all gone on to dog heaven (sad face).... But great to see Jim and Jean--such precious-hearted people...spoiled us for all other neighbors--forever.
Suz and her worship team on Sunday. GIFT.
It's standing room only at Glenabbey these days. Such a special, God-filled place!
Sunday lunch with the Bennetts at another new LOVELY Belfast eatery, The Potted Hen. Serving up some mighty fancy and tasty fish and chips--mm.
We relished every second of this lunch. Just so happened there was a little circus act right outside the windows behind our table that the kids went out to watch the entire time we were there, save for the ten minutes it took them to actually eat their food once it came. Unexpected and luxurious adults-only conversation and time spent together as a result!
It's time to leave the Coach House!! Saaaaaad.
The lovely and incredibly gracious Jean Simms. I think she's more beautiful now than she was 12 years ago! My favorite story on Jean is that we left her our house key on our first trip home to the US when Dean's program released for Christmas break (5 weeks). When we returned, we came home to Jean having entered our house while we were gone, washed and ironed all our sheets and towels and "aired out our mattress." Ehh, I think I might've heard something about Southern hospitality once, but Jean Simms kind of blew that out of the water. DEAR lady.
Please get a LOAD of Truman, having his tea and talking with the adults. Whoa.
The incomparable Jim and Jean Simms of Carrickfergus.
We left Belfast on Monday, but just getting 'round to posting these last few of our time there....
Sunday, we got a chance to attend our former home church in Belfast, Glenabbey, which was and still is very dear to us. Anytime Dean and I have had a transition and a new city in our lives, finding our church has proved to be a turning point in feeling settled and "at home." Very true of finding Glenabbey. Such a genuine group of people, lives focused on Christ, exuding life and the love of God both in and out of the church walls. Every time I've come back to worship here on a visit to Belfast, I get very tender during the worship and well up with gratitude for God's providence in having led us there to begin with and then to reflect on all God has done since that time--both in us and at Glenabbey (which has grown and grown and grown)! It's a revisiting of one of those life markers where God said, "I love you enough to place you here. Right here."
This Sunday at Glenabbey, we had the added blessing of Suzanne leading worship with her peeps, which was awesome. I think sometimes when we're around our good friends doing "friend" things--having meals together, connecting, meeting out, etc.--we tend to forget sometimes that our good friends are very gifted in specific ways, outside of serving us with their friendship. My friend, Suzanne, is gifted in the art of music, which I totally know about her...but it was a blessing to be able to be a part of her doing her thing. I hope that makes sense. And it made me think, "What's my thing?" "What is it that I've been gifted to do and can I bless others by doing it and have them somehow see the heart of God?" I think that's pretty much my life's goal. Still working on that....
And on our way out of Belfast on Monday, we stopped in for a visit with our former neighbors, Jim and Jean Simms. They lived with us on the other side of the duplex (semi-detached) house when we lived across from the KFC--and they still do. We were so disappointed to find that their sweet Corgi-Jack Russell mix doggy, Honey, went on to dog heaven two years ago. In fact, it's a real perspective-giver when we realized that all the dogs we knew from our time here have all gone on to dog heaven (sad face).... But great to see Jim and Jean--such precious-hearted people...spoiled us for all other neighbors--forever.
Suz and her worship team on Sunday. GIFT.
It's standing room only at Glenabbey these days. Such a special, God-filled place!
Sunday lunch with the Bennetts at another new LOVELY Belfast eatery, The Potted Hen. Serving up some mighty fancy and tasty fish and chips--mm.
We relished every second of this lunch. Just so happened there was a little circus act right outside the windows behind our table that the kids went out to watch the entire time we were there, save for the ten minutes it took them to actually eat their food once it came. Unexpected and luxurious adults-only conversation and time spent together as a result!
It's time to leave the Coach House!! Saaaaaad.
The lovely and incredibly gracious Jean Simms. I think she's more beautiful now than she was 12 years ago! My favorite story on Jean is that we left her our house key on our first trip home to the US when Dean's program released for Christmas break (5 weeks). When we returned, we came home to Jean having entered our house while we were gone, washed and ironed all our sheets and towels and "aired out our mattress." Ehh, I think I might've heard something about Southern hospitality once, but Jean Simms kind of blew that out of the water. DEAR lady.
Please get a LOAD of Truman, having his tea and talking with the adults. Whoa.
The incomparable Jim and Jean Simms of Carrickfergus.
Would you just look at this? I took this with my phone from our car with the window rolled down while we were slowed due to roadworks on our way out of Northern Ireland. I could look at this picture all--day--LONG. The landscape of this country is an absolute feast. On to County Clare and the West of Ireland we go!
No comments:
Post a Comment