Sometimes we have no idea what happened...

It's funny. I have not written one of these since I was in No. 5 apt right in Parnell Sq. Wow. It feels like years ago. I feel bound to wrap up "my Irish experience." My brain, though, is like Jello since we just started classes today and held auditions for the plays coming up. So I think I will try to condense a book's worth of information into a few bullets in an attempt to keep from leaving my readers hanging a bit too much. I also will apologize if my grammar/logic/etc are faulty. 

Things Katie Learned in Ireland:

• I am not needed, really. God does not need me to be a "good little worker." The last thing the Creator of the universe needs is me. But, and here is the good news, folks, He desires me. (He also doesn't need but desires you, too.) I think I maybe talked about this at the beginning of the Summer, but let me assure you that God, as usual, brought such things full circle. I think something in us overwhelmingly longs to be "useful" because we have believed the lies that tell us we have to be "useful" to be valuable. At least, I have. I struggle with that lie daily, if not momentarily. I think (probably because of the deceit) we get a little depressed by this. WHY? This should not depress us! This should free us! This should bring us overwhelming joy! God doesn't call us because He's in a bind and needs some help. He calls us solely because He wants to. How freaking awesome is that? I think because we are not bound to obedience to secure our worth, we are free to obey out of love. A song which states this so much better than I could is "Love Constraining to Obedience." Google it. It will (or should) rock your world. 
• I am not that strong. I think God allowed to feel my weaknesses more profoundly so that I would recognize the truths above and that I am completely dependent on Him for everything. Only by the power of the cross am I able to do anything right. I mess up most of the time. And even when I get it right, I can't take credit because it's God who enabled me to do it in the first place. For more on such ideas read 2 Cor 12.
• I am not that weak. In and of myself I am completely incapable of doing things perfectly. I might kind of get the idea or something, but it is not perfect or really even that good. BUT, I do not have to fail, I do not have to mess up, I do not have to be overcome. There is victory in the cross and resurrection of Christ. I am learning that I must, in the words of Paul, "consider myself dead to sin and alive in Christ" (romans 6). It is a moment by moment battle to cling to the victory Christ has already won for you but that has not been fully realized in our earthly lives. No, we cannot live perfect lives on earth, but we do not have to sin. We are free from sin and we are free from the law. We are free. 
• Work in a post-modern, almost post-Christian culture is slow, grueling and not instantaneously rewarding. I don't have a lot more to say about this. It's just that it takes endurance. That's why I ask you to continue to pray for those working there and raising support to go work there. 
• I need, can, and should trust God. Period. 
• I want to continue to work to connect the arts community to the people of God and the people of God to the arts community. They both need each other. This could mean a lot of things. For now, though, it means actively engaging in both communities and seeking excellence in the gifts I've been given, namely music and theatre.
• I plan to go back to Dublin soon for a semester or so. 

So I think that sums things up pretty well. If you have questions please e-mail or call me. We'll get coffee or something if we can. 

Sometimes you're not ready to leave so you play scattergories...

It's about 4:30 AM here in Dublin and here we--Steph, Kathy, Christy and I--are playing Scattergories, adding to the quote book and making awesome playlists for the plane ride home. We get picked up at 5:45 AM and our flight goes out at about 8. Awesome. I don't think it's really hit me that I'm leaving because earlier in the evening I was contemplating lunch plans for after church tomorrow... :( It is so bittersweet. I do NOT want to leave Dublin and yet I know that once I'm home I'll be glad I'm home. Well, we're going to watch some video from Seasame St Steph was talking about now. Oh and if you want a video to describe my trip here, check out this video http://youtube.com/watch?v=vrwchPaD6LI

Cheers!

Sometimes you don't have a heading but want to keep the continuity...

So, I have about 4 days left here on this emerald island and I realized I have not updated like I should have. I don't really feel like updating right now, either. But I shall push through.
The arts festival was awesome, exhausting, but awesome. I think the team is going to make an account online to post all our pictures from this summer, so I'll make sure to let you all know if that happens so that you can see pictures from the festival. During the day there were people playing music during Open Abbey and someone (really, David Dewese) usually played music outside of the church on this scaffolding we put up while others passed out flyers as the people walked by. Some of the people walking by had the most awesome reactions to seeing David up there. A group of musicians would also go out to Grafton St and busk (play music in the street) while others handed out flyers. The cafe went from 730 to 1030 every night. We had free coffee, tea and various pastries. There was someone playing music at all times. I was actually surprised at how many people were there that we didn't know. I was worried that it would just be people we knew, but a lot of people come in from the street. After the cafe we had a week of "normalcy," that is, we had devotions and did Open Abbey as before. We wrapped that up on Saturday and then had our last service at Abbey on Sunday. Monday we went up to Northern Ireland. We stayed in Bush Mills. On Monday we went to the Giant's Causeway and had dinner at Fullerton Arms. On Tuesday we went to the Bush Mills distillery, Dunlace Castle, Carrick-a-rede rope bridge and White Park Bay. Then we rode the van we rented back to Dublin. It was a good ole family vacation. It's crazy that we went to the other end of the country in about 3 hours. So now it's Wednesday. I'm going to go with Robert and Sandra and some others out somewhere tomorrow, I have no idea where...and then I'm going to go to the Dark Knight which comes out in the UK tomorrow. Friday we are going to have a going away party. Saturday we are going to savor Dublin. And Sunday we leave for the airport at about 5:45 am. Somewhere in there I hope to see the Book of Kells, to visit the Chester Beatty Library and to sit and read in St. Stephens Green. Well, that's it for now. I will update more sufficiently at another time.

Sometimes things just really get ridiculous...

AHH! I actually don't have time to do this, but while I'm here ordering more postcards to hand out this week for the arts fest, I thought I'd give you all the link where you can hear the RTE service we had at Abbey last Sunday. You can listen it to the next week or so and then it will be gone. I think you may be able to download the script, too. (You just may hear me in there.)

ARTS FESTIVAL STARTS IN ABOUT AN HOUR. WOOHOO!!!!...that's why i must leave..we're not done setting up.

Cheers

oh yeah http://www.rte.ie/radio1/religion/1202777.html

Sometimes it just takes a second try...

Here is the prayer guide for the arts festival. Note that it starts today.
Peace.

X-presso Arts' Festival Prayer
"Father, glorify your name!" Then a voice came from heaven, "I have glorified it, and will glorify it again." - John 12:28
WEEK 1
Sunday, 29 June
Psalm 34:3: Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.
* Pray for X-presso: This upcoming week is going to be extremely busy at Abbey with many teams joining us and with the numerous preparations for X-presso! Please ask that the Lord would place His blessing upon this whole week! Ask that all involved would be joyfully focused upon Him, thanking Him daily for His strength and provision! May His great name be glorified in Abbey, in Dublin and in this world!
Monday, 30 June
Zechariah 8:20-22: This is what the Lord Almighty says: "Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will come, and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, 'Let us go at once to entreat the Lord and seek the Lord Almighty. I myself am going.' And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord Almighty and to entreat him."
* Pray for the Jeff Owen Team: A team of 15 is coming over from America to help prepare for the Arts' Festival! Please ask for their safety during travel today! Ask also that the Lord is preparing to do incredible things in and through them!
* Publicity for X-presso: Ask that the Lord's blessing be upon all publicity for the event. Ask that we will be able to reach all those in Dublin who need to hear about X-presso and that they would come!
Tuesday, 1 July
Romans 15:5-6: May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
* Pray for the Ministry Team: Ask that there would be a deep unity and love within all the members of the team and everyone working on X-presso! Ask that Christ's love would shine through our interactions with each other! Ask that we would have patience and grace with each other.
* Construction of Boards to Display Artwork: The Jeff Owens' Team will be building boards for our artists' to display their artwork. Ask that the project would get completed. Ask for protection for all the projects. Ask that everything would be done with excellence.
* Psalm 90:17: "May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands." - Ask that the Lord would be showing each person on our team what they are meant to be doing, and that we would be serving with joy.
Wednesday, 2 July
Zechariah 8:4-6: This is what the Lord Almighty says: "It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?" declares the Lord Almighty. - Ask that the Lord would do such amazing things this week and next that we are all blown away by His power and goodness! We may be surprised, but He will not be. He is God!
Teenagers with Urbansoul: A team of seven will be working at Abbey for three days through Urbansoul, a city-wide Christian outreach event! Thank the Lord for their willingness to serve and ask for His protection and strength for the team!
Thursday, 3 July
* Wade Williams' Team: A team of talented musicians are coming to Dublin to participate in X-presso! Pray for their safe travel today! Pray that the Lord is blessing them and that He is preparing them for their time here. Thank the Lord for their gifts & their willingness to share their gifts with us!
Isaiah 35:1,5: "The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom; Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped." - Ask that this would be true about all the people in Dublin who do not know Jesus Christ as their Lord & Saviour.
* Sound and Lighting: Ask that all technical details would get taken care of.
Friday, 4 July
Zechariah 10:1: "Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime; it is the Lord who makes the storm clouds. He gives showers of rain to men, and plants of the field to everyone." - It is the Lord who provides for all of our needs! Thank Him that He will provide everything we need in regards to X-presso and everything else in life. Ask that we would always seek Him!
* Harvey's Guesthouse: All of our summer interns, visiting teams and musicians are staying at Harvey's Guesthouse on Gardiner Road! Thank the Lord for Robert and Ilish, who run the guesthouse and their willingness to accommodate all of our guests! Ask that the Lord would bless the house and that He would be at the center of all interactions there!
* Decorations: Ask for creativity and excellence in the decorations for X-presso! Ask that would be able to create an environment that is inviting and glorifying to the Lord!
Saturday, 5 July
Psalm 40:16: But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "The Lord be exalted!"
* David Dewese: Musician, David Dewese, is traveling to Dublin from Nashville, Tennessee today! Pray for his safe travel! Thank the Lord for David's desire to come back to us and for his supporters!
* Hospitality at X-presso: Thank the Lord for all who will serve tea and coffee at X-presso. Thank Him that we can offer this to our guests! Ask that people will feel welcomed and loved, & that Christ's glory will shine through this ministry.
Jeremiah 29:7: "Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." - Pray for Dublin! Pray for this city! Pray that Lord would release hearts and that His glory would reign in this place!
WEEK 2
Sunday, 6 July - A Week of Celebration!
Psalm 34:3: Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together.
* Pray for the RTE Radio Broadcast: Our service will be broadcasted live on RTE radio today! Ask that the Lord is glorified and praised all over Ireland as the nation joins in our worship! Pray that people will hear the gospel of Jesus proclaimed and come to know Him!
* X-presso Details: Tomorrow night is the first night of X-presso! Please pray that all last minute details would get taken care of! Ask for an abundance of patience and joy within all those participating. Ask that the Lord would do incredible things this week in Abbey and in Dublin!
Colossians 1:16: "For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him." - Praise God for being a God who created us in His image and one who loves His creation!
Monday, 7 July - X-presso Begins!
Psalm 68:32,34-35: "Sing to God, O kingdoms of the earth, sing praise to the Lord; Proclaim the power of God, whose majesty is over Israel, whose power is in the skies. You are awesome, O God, in your sanctuary; the God of Israel gives power and strength to his people. Praise be to God!" - May the Lord be glorified in Abbey and Dublin!
* Pray for Susie Young & Soul Connection: This jazz group will be performing at X-presso Mon - Wed. Ask for the Lord's blessing upon them, that they may bring glory to His name! Pray for their safe travel and their stay in Dublin.
* Pray for Shea Phelan: Shea is a wonderful storyteller from Dublin! Ask that the Lord would strengthen him as he shares stories that bring true life to his audience.
Tuesday, 8 July - Night Two!
Revelation 19:6-7: Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready."
* Pray for Len Carolan: Len is a Dublin musician, interning at Emmanuel Church at ICM. He's performing at X-presso three nights. Ask that the Lord would be glorified through him.
* Busking: During the day, many of our visiting musicians will be playing music on Grafton St. and Henry St. and inviting people to X-presso. Ask that they would be joyful in this. Ask that they would meet and invite the people who need to come!
* Psalm 67:1-2: "May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face shine upon us, that your ways may be known on earth, your salvation among all nations." - Praise the Lord that X-presso will host people from many nations! Ask that His face will shine and that all the world would see His greatness!
Wednesday, 9 July - Night Three...Pray for Persistence in Excellence!
Isaiah 65:17-19: "Behold, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more." - Praise God that He will bring His people to be with Him! Pray that the Lord would continue to be glorified at X-presso and that many would come to know Him and have new life in Him!
* Pray for Matt Moorman: Matt, a musician from N. Carolina, has been the youth worker at Lucan Presbyterian in Dublin for the past year. Pray that the Lord would bless him as he performs at X-presso!
Thursday, 10 July - Night Four!
*Pray for Third Lobby: This will be Third Lobby's third trip to Dublin to perform at X-presso! This group is such an incredible blessing to the community at Abbey! They offer continual encouragement, prayer support and a genuine desire to glorify God in Dublin! Thank the Lord for their partnership and willingness to journey across the Atlantic! Ask that many will continue to be blessed through them.
Psalm 95:1-3: Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the Lord is the great God, the great King above all gods.
Friday, 11 July - Night Five!
Psalm 98:1-2: "Sing to the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The Lord has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations."
*Pray for Niamh Murphy & Jo Burke: These Dublin girls will be returning from a month long mission trip to perform at X-presso! Pray for their rest! Thank the Lord for their willingness to share their gifts and ask that He would be glorified in them!
* Abbey Congregation: Thank the Lord for this body of believers who are hosting X-presso! Ask that He would always be glorified in them.
Saturday, 12 July - The Final Night of Celebration!
Isaiah 60:19-21: "The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. Then will all your people be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor."
* Donking and his dance troupe: Dancer, Donking will bring a team of break dancers to perform at X-presso. Thank the Lord for his willingness to come from Kilkenny with his troupe and ask for safety.
* Pray for Rev. Alan & Ruth Boal: Thank the Lord for this couple and their commitment to His work in Abbey and Dublin! Ask for the Lord's strength to continue. Ask that they would continue to be faithful to His voice. Also ask for strength for Alan to get up and preach tomorrow!
1 Chronicles 29:14: "But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand." - Thank the Lord for all the gifts He has blessed us with! Thank Him that we can bring glory to Him through music, art, dance, poetry and all other aspects of our live. Thank Him for His greatness, power, holiness, purity & perfect love! Thank Him for what He has done this week at X-presso!

Sometimes you just don't have time for such nonsense...

Well, I don't understand how blogspot works on macs so i can't really figure how to make it work. It pastes down below this window and won't show up. I'm at a loss. I'll have to post it from my laptop.

Cheers

Sometimes things really begin to take off...

So, he we are about a month into this trip. It's freaking me out that I have been here for a month. I just try not to think about it. Ha. So I feel as though we are always busy. We have been doing a lot of planning for the Arts Festival and the RTE service--a service which will be broadcast on the radio. We also have been having prayer vigils every friday night. All that on top of hanging out with people here, for example seeing Prince Caspian with some Irish youth, and having team devotionals most every morning and still being in Abbey from 10-2 Tue-Sat. Today we shopped for decor for the arts festival which really helped form the realization that this thing is only about a week and a half away. A group of teens come in on Wednesday from the States to help build things to display art and to publicize. It's crazy. I had hoped to write more, but I'm needing to contact people about advertising. I thought, though, I would post below the write up Katherine made for praying for the arts festival and some other summer projects involved.