Alicia In Ireland: tell me did the wind sweep you off your feet, did you finally get the chance to dance along the light of day, then head back to the milky way

Well, it is my last night in Ireland, and this will be my last post. Thank you to everyone who has read my blog!

I partly can believe and I partly cannot believe that my time in Ireland is wrapping up. There were days that seemed to fly by when I was having a great time, and others that dragged on when I missed my family and friends.

But I think that's a good summary of my time here: it was good and bad. But it ultimately all worked out for the good. Every struggle I had or challenge I faced I learned from. I leave Ireland a lot wiser, more responsible, and more independent as an adult, yet at the same time completely dependent on my Lord and Savior.

It started off as a train wreck: missed flights, delayed baggage, stolen laptop, lost in a foreign city. I thought, what on earth have I gotten myself into. But you learn how to deal, you learn how to problem solve and how to get through it.

Even the worst of situations God turned into good. Just today I learned that my laptop was found by the Heathrow police and the man who stole it was arrested. The fact that my laptop is discovered on the very last day that I am here, when it was stolen at the very beginning of this trip brings everything full circle and is completely an act of God.

"And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." - Romans 8:28.

God keeps his promises. He's brought me through deserts: challenges with laptops, at work, with friends here. Why do I always doubt that when time and again He shows His goodness to me.

I've learned a lot during my time here. I've learned more about logistics, getting around cities, traveling around the world. I've learned about Irish politics, how to be proactive at work and find opportunities for yourself, and I've learned more about what I'd like to do in that crazy world of government after graduation.

Looking back, I ALWAYS wanted to study broad. It was a non-negotiable for me. It HAD to happen or I didn't think my life would have been fulfilled. But now? I would say I could've lived without it.

Don't get me wrong: I love Ireland, and I learned so much from this trip, but it also wasn't necessarily "the time of my life" that people advertise studying abroad to be. What I'm saying is, you realize you don't need everything you thought you once needed.

I've gotten a lot of comments from friends who say, "I'm so jealous that you're in Ireland this summer!" But don't think I wasn't jealous at times of you too. Don't think that I wasn't jealous of the pictures I'd see of you with your friends at the beach, or your Facebook status that you were grabbing lunch with your sorority sister. Being away makes you realize how special what you already have is.

It reminds me of that song "Drops of Jupiter" by Train.

Tell me did you sail across the sun

Did you make it to the milk way to see the lights all faded

And that heaven is over rated

And did you miss me while you were looking for yourself out there

God calls us into community. Into community with Him and with each other. I think it's the biggest blessing we have in life. No amount of glittering cities and fabulous internships could replace the relationships I have with loved ones.

Ireland taught me that "there's a time to change" and "there's room to grow," but it also taught me that maybe everything I was looking for God had already given me right at home.