Reunions in Belfast, Northern Ireland

I'm playing catch up on my blog here, but I spent a weekend last February making my first travel adventure solo to Belfast, Northern Ireland. This trip had been a plan in the works for over two years, and it was one I was ecstatic to make!

The reason I traveled to Belfast was to visit my friend, Danielle, who attends uni there at Queens College. I met Danielle back in the summer of 2009. The two of us were were matched together for a month through an organization called the Ulster Project - an organization that brings 12 Northern Irish teenagers to the states in order to talk about diversity, peace and building strong communities. The month as a blast and we became life long friends. I was so thankful when I found out I would be studying abroad because I knew that it meant a trip to see my dear friend. 

While I was excited for our reunion, I was crazy nervous about navigating trains/the London underground/catching a plane all by myself. The morning I was intending to depart for my trip, I was running through the manor trying to finish my last minute errands and print off my boarding passes. As I ran up the 97 stairs that lead to my room, I was struck that I hadn't read my Jesus Calling Devotional yet that morning. I was overcome by a need to slow down and read it before I continued on with my day. I opened the book to the date and my heart exclaimed. The page read:

"Give yourself fully to the adventure of today. Walk boldly along the path of Life, relying on your ever-present Companion. You have every reason to be confident, because My Presence accompanies you all the days of your life - and onward into eternity. Do not give in to fear or worry, those robbers of abundant living. Trust me enough to face problems as they come, rather than trying to anticipate them. Fix your eyes on Me, the Author and Perfecter of your faith, and many difficulties on the road ahead will vanish before you reach them. Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember I am holding you by your right hand. Nothing can separate you from My Presence!" (Hebrews 12:2 and Isaiah 41:13)

I was renewed by the freedom of His presence. So with hugs from friends and final prayers, I climbed into a taxi and made my way to the train station. Easy travels soon brought me to Belfast Airport where I was reunited with Danielle! That evening we went out to a local pub/club that is popular among the college students at Queens and met up with several of our friends from the project! It was a night of dancing and sweet reunion! 

The next day Danielle's mother came to Belfast and took us both out to dinner. I felt instantly as though I was one of her own daughters. She treated us to a special lunch (and cupcakes for later!). One of the most special moments of the day was when she gave me my own claddagh ring. A traditional Irish ring that represents love, loyalty and friendship. It was a perfect afternoon.

The next day was spent wandering the Gardens, exploring the Belfast museum and touring Queens College. Danielle and I cooked dinner that evening and enjoyed a night relaxing. It was a nice break from the normal busy tourism I usually encounter on my travels. Sunday morning came early and I was back on a plane to England, but I was so thankful for the weekend well spent in Northern Ireland.

The gorgeous Queens College!