Memory Catcher

"Leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember! Don't send a message, leave a comment on here. Next, re-post this in your notes and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty cool (and funny) to see the responses"...

It Feels Good

It is very satisfying to my frugal Dutch nature to find good deals.
There are "pretty good deals" which for the average item might mean anywhere from $10-20.
And there are "good deals", which are under $10.
And then there the deals that are "Rip-roarin' Steals!" for under $1.
Yesterday while shopping for a few miscellaneous items, I stopped my mom to show her a set of dishes I had noticed previously that I thought were pretty sweet.
My Mom is a Bargain Master Supreme. and naturally her sharp eye caught the 50% Off last ticketed price sign, that my yet-to-be sharpened eye had missed. We looked at the price tag and I was blown away! Each piece was about $1.99. The teapot was the most expensive, at $4.49.
It wasn't long before I was loading up a box and we lugged them to the till.
As the cashier was running them through, she goes, "Oh that's funny. They're even cheaper. We must have missed a markdown."
There is something so contenting about good deals.
I had a lot of fun comparing the original full price with what I paid.
Teapot: $24.99.............I paid $2.25
Creamer: $8.99...............I paid $.75
Sugarbowl $9.99..............I paid $.94
Plates: $11.99 each....I paid $1.12
Bowls: $8.99 each......I paid $.75
Mugs: $7.99 each......I paid $.75

In total, the whole six piece set cost me $22.05, and I walked out smiling!

Hooray for Hi-speed!

After using the slowest dial-up Internet in the history of the universe for the past 5+ months, I decided to make good use of my parent's hi-speed, while I could. Unfortunately I was delirious was I was packing, so I didn't bring my laptop. No Homewood pictures. Sorry. I'll do it in September.
Instead you get to learn with me about the little town of Fermoy, co. Cork, in Ireland! The picture is of Fermoy Fellowship, where I will be working! Isn't that amazing?! It was built in 1834.
Fermoy is small town "nestled at the foot of the Galtee Mountains", with a population of approx. 5,000. Its located right on the Blackwater River, and apparently its mostly known for its fantastic fishing. I might have to learn how to gut a fish after all...ick.
It is also famous for its abbeys, and its military history. Sounds like I won't have to go far to soak up some interesting Irish sights! Cork county is the location of the Blarney Stone...which I am debating going to see. I don't really cherish the idea of kissing a rock so many other people have touched....but its sort of one of those things you HAVE to do. Besides, I could use "the gift of the gab" that is supposedly bestows.
It is also said to have a "disproportionate" population of musicians, playwrights, artisans, and poets! Unfortunately it doesn't sound like there are many handsome sheep herders around....I may have to further Northwest for that. Oh well, I've got time.
There are so many castles, and cliffs, and interesting old buildings to see in the surrounding counties. I am sooo excited!

(Ps. I am also excited about my 'job' at Fermoy Fellowship, but I just needed to gush about my excitement for traveling today)

For Your Information...

Its only a matter of days now before I visit my homeland!
I'm leaving here on the 15th, spending some quality time with good friend Karissa, shopping in Nanaimo, and then meeting Mom in Horseshoe Bay. Either we will spend the night in Langley with dear Aunty D & Uncle Matt, or we will head straight home. On the 17th I hope to meet up with some friends (aka YOU....so contact me!), on the 18th ANGE IS GETTING MARRIED! Crazy! And on the 19th I pack up and head on back down here. Its going to fly by!
But I'll be leaving Homewood's green pastures for good at the end of the month, so even if I don't catch up with you this week, I will in September. Unless of course you are leaving to go live in the States at a most inconvenient time, as Some are in the habit of doing. In that case I demand to see you on the 17th!!!
Ready or not, here I come!

Happy 25th Anniversary Mom & Dad!

I love you guys!
Can't wait to come up and visit you!

ps. the card is in the mail!

Milestones

Today is a day of Milestones for me!

First of all, this is PJ's 100th post! Though is has taken an extremely long time to reach the third digit, I like to think it is because I prefer quality over quantity :S
Secondly, today is the fourth and that means I've been here for precisely five months!!! I can't believe how fast the time flew. One more month to go!

Lastly...today I have received an email which may strongly direct and influence the next few months of my life, and bring me closer to my goal of many years: travelling to Ireland.

Its a long story...I'll abbreviate it as best as I can.
I was looking for a way to experience Ireland without being a tourist...I wanted to do something meaningful while I was there. I mentioned that in passing to a friend I met as a kid, who now lives in Afghanistan with her missionary parents.
Well her pastor there used to pastor a big church in Ireland, so she asked him if he knew of anything and then emailed me back and said, "Hey Look, I've got you a contact in Ireland!"
So through a friend, of a friend, of a friend, I was put in contact with someone in Fermoy (A little place in Southern Ireland...I looked it up. Its situated almost exactly there I wanted to be!) who I emailed a few days ago.

The whole process has just seemed to ridiculously random and coincidental that I felt it couldn't be just luck!!! (Even if we are talking Ireland)

I've been nervously awaiting a reply since then, and finally received it just a few minutes ago!

The email begins:

"Jill,
It has been a real blessing to hear from you. All of us in the Fermoy Fellowship have been praying for such a long time for someone like you to volunteer to work alongside us for a season so I guess we are all hoping that you are an answer to prayer."

And I am hoping they are an answer to mine!

Though as I read on, I became more and more nervous. What they are looking for is someone young like me to come and work with the kids and young teens in their little church. I won't be a youth pastor by any means, but as Harry (the guy I'm in touch with) says, all the leaders are 45-50 years old and they want a "young person" so come be an example to their kids!

SCARY? I THINK SO!

Firstly, I love kids, but I've never been a "kid person"...but I really felt a change in me after this last week of counselling at Woodsman. And I feel a sort of peace about the whole thing.

I'm not about to make any rash decisions guys, but I think I want to do it! (Which is really weird for me...)
So...I'm going to pray, pray, pray! And if you want to join me in that, go right ahead!