Mountaintop Experience

Standing on top of a mountain, 5000 ft above sea level. Yep, I climbed it!

Standing on a cliff overlooking a glacier lake. This is the lake in the first picture, but we're not nearly as high up.

The second largest waterfall in Ireland

Often in my life, as a Christian, I have heard the phrase "the mountain top experience." OF course it refers to the times in life when everything is going great and you have no real problems to speak of and you are closest to God.

Tonight, I lived it. That phrase will NEVER hold the same meaning again. I climbed the mountain friends!

Tonight, about half our group went on a drive. OUr driver, Ken, is a native and grew up hiking and camping in these mountains so we went well beyond the tourist areas of Ireland. We saw IRELAND. The drive through the mountain roads was windy and fun with Ken driving. The roads are one lane, but two way. HA. Ken's philosophy is that our van is bigger so we dont slow down. It made for a fun drive.

Our first stop was at a waterfall. It was absolutely breathtaking. From the waterfall, we could see the pass between two mountains with fog and clouds between. The waterfall was just something you dream of. After that we continued to drive through the mountains on these roads that are built over peat. The heather right now is not in full bloom but starting to bloom so you can see tufts of purple here and there. IN a month the mountains will be solid purple. We saw sheep grazing and wild deer.

Our second stop was the second largest waterfall in Ireland. It was unreal. I got a great shot of the waterfall with the sun shining above. There were lots of sheep.

The next stop we made was on this beautiful cliff overlooking the Guiness estate. They are the ones that own the Guiness beer. There was a glacier lake at the bottom. There are plaques along the cliff where people have fallen off and died. It was absolutely breathtaking.

The last stop was the best. We stopped at the base of a mountain. Blake pointed to the top and showed us a rock. You could barely see it. He said that was our destination (he had gone yesterday). I thought there is NO WAY I could get up there. My plan was to go about halfway up and enjoy it then head back down.

OMG it was the hardest physical thing I've done. It's obvious I'm not in shape and I've never climbed a mountain. I got about 1/4 of the way up and when I looked up, I thought there is no possible way I can do this, but I kept going. I got about 1/2 way up and stopped to take a breather. The air is thinner and it's not easy. I looked up again at that rock and thought...there was no way. But one step became two, two became three, and before I knew it, I was about 3/4 of the way. That's when I got my energy and completed. I stood 5000 feet above sea level and saw what there are simply NO WORDS could describe. I climbed the mountain. It was one of those moments where you can't help but cry. Blake, Daragh, Tabi and I were the only ones that climbed it and we held hands and prayed together at the top. It was a moment I felt so close to God (maybe b/c I was higher up! ha!)

I just had that revelation...THIS is the mountain top experience. I looked down in the valley below and thought about how far I came and how incredibly difficult it was to get there...but I did it! I DID IT! I climbed the mountain. I feel like I can conquer the world now! With God's help, I can do anything! Then looking down below, the tents that we had been parked next to were almost out of view and I felt so incredibly small and in awe of God's incredible creation. I could see the Irish Sea that I visited two days before. That looked huge but from the mountain it looked so small. WOW. God is so good.

I dont know what I've done to deserve this opportunity, but I am so thankful that God chose to bless me. My life will never be the same. I am so humble and thankful to God for allowing me to experience this.

Ireland- Day 4 & 5

Last night was a fun experience. Me, Jacquee and Blake went to a couple from the churches house for tea and devotions. I had my first real Irish scone (which was incredible) and two huge mugs of Irish tea...my new addiction. We shared an amazing time of testimonies about what God has done in our lives. It was a wonderful experience. I felt like the couple, Jon & Marie, were old friends by the end of the evening. A lady named Helen was also there, and the man that drove us there, Sean (which everyone is named Sean!)

After all that tea I COULD NOT SLEEP. We'll just say that us 3 girls in our room (Rachel & Rae) were up for late and EVERYTHING was funny! I finally got to sleep around 3 am. I woke up around 6 am, took a shower and then Blake and I took a walk all over Newbridge and took lots of pictures. It was very relaxing.

I thought the walk would help, but I'm not sure that it did. My back was hurting pretty badly. The combination of little sleep, a thin mattress on a hard floor, standing on hard floors and climbing a million stairs got to me. I went to the Kids Camp and after about 30 minutes realized I couldn't handle it. I went back and laid down for a couple of hours and slept. I woke up feeling more refreshed but i am still hurting.

After camp, lunch, and stuff we headed down to the Irish Sea. IT was the most amazing thing I've ever seen. I dont think you can even begin to explain the beauty. It was simply breathtaking and made me icnredibly thankful to be here on this trip. I absolutely loved it!

We also got a chance to eat real authentic fish and chips with salt and vinegar and garlic mayonaise. It was AMAZING.

All in all, probably one of hte best evenings of my life! Thank you Lord for allowing me to do this!

Ireland- Day 2

I feel like I am finally getting over jet lag. I stayed up super late last night and woke up early this morning, but survived via a mid day "rest" (aka a nap!). We hit the road running at Kids Camp this morning! It went grand! I helped in the craft area so I was able to interact with all 90 kids there. I enjoyed getting to know them all. All day I kept hearing "Miss Marti!!!" It was so much fun!

I've been working on administrative for a good part of the day. It's a good thing I love that stuff! :)

I definitely had the best 4th of July, even without fireworks! There is a lady in the church who is American but has been in Ireland for 13 years. She cooked us up an amazing American meal including burgers, brats, chicken, baked beans, potato salad, cole slaw, macaroni and cheese, watermelon, brownies and apple pie! They decorated the eating area with American flags, we had American flag napkins and table cloths. It was so touching that they did that for us! It made me teary eyed! I'm so proud to be an American and so blessed to be in Ireland during my countries birthday!

This evening we all sat around talking and laughing and being silly. The team I am with is awesome. We all fit so well together. Being the outsider in the group, I was a bit anxious about that, but it's been wonderful.

I'm looking forward to Kids Camp day 2 tomorrow!

The Green Isle- Days 1 & 2

I'm determined to blog this trip as I go so I don't intend to do it later and then do not do it. I've been here just over a day and already experienced so much!

I left Nixa on Thursday and drove 4 hours to Sikeston. I spent the evening there. I was so anxious I only slept a few hours Thursday night. Friday morning I got up early and my parents and I drove to St Louis to the airport. I flew out at 2:35. I flew in to LaGuardia Airport there. I had 3 hours to get my luggage and get across town to JFK airport to fly out. Thankfully a good friend picked me up and drove me across. I got to JFK and made it through everything with 2 hours to spare! My flight flew out at 9:5o pm. I took a melatonin in hopes of sleeping but...it didnt work! I was up almost the entire 7 hour flight. It was a great flight though. I sat between two young single girls and enjoyed talking to them. I arrived in Dublin at 9 am (Dublin time).

After we got to the airport, I was gross and smelly so I freshened up and had to wait over 2 hours for the next team to fly in. When they got here they had to get luggage and freshen up so it was another hour after they arrived. We loaded up and took a double decker bus to downtown Dublin. We then WALKED all over Dublin for what seemed like forever (several hours). We pretty much saw every historical thing in Dublin on foot in a about 5 hours. At the end of the day we were so exhausted we had no interest in seeing anything else. It was so beautiful and so exhausting. We came to the church in Newburg (about an hour away) and had dinner and finally went to bed around 11 pm. LOOOOOOONG days!

Today (Sunday) we started off with church. I spent worship in the first service and then helped teach a 6-7 year old Sunday school class. I had 4 very energitic Nigerian boys. they were fun! After that I went to worship and preaching in second service. It was neat b/c I sat with a Nigerian, a Portuguese man and an Indian man. The diversity is fascinating. They have 21 nations represented in their church. It was incredible to worship with so many different people all worshiping the same God. I love being a part of the body of Christ. Being in another country also helps put things in your own life in perspective. I am so small compared to how incredibly big this world is!

They have made all of our meals here and they cook AMAZING food! After church I took a 20 minute nap and then had lunch with the teenagers. They are hilarious...very much like American teens. We then got to working on setting up for VBS. So here it is...about 10 pm (Ireland time) and we just finished. Tomorrow is our first day of VBS.

I have to admit my favorite thing so far has been the kiddos I've been able to hang out with. Yesterday I had 2 little buddies and today I have 5. One of them has been begging for me to be her team leader at VBS but I'm working with the little ones (5-6 yr olds). She saves a seat for me every meal and loves to help. Her name is Nief (I think that's how you spell it). Her cousin Courtney and her brother Matt are my other buddies. Today I met Veronica and Alicia. They are Philipino and just as sweet as they can be. I can't post pictures online but I got some good ones. Precious precious kiddos. Of course, in Cambodia they always teased me (in a good way) about how the kids just flock to me...and it's the same way here...and I LOVE it! I'm a kid magnet, what can I say. ;o)

So that's been my first two days! I've bonded well with the team for Oklahoma and they are already telling me I have to come visit when the trip is over. I have definitely met some kindred spirits.

I can't wait to meet all of the kids tomorrow!

Kindred Spirits

I have had many friends in life. I am a very social person and have many friends. Growing up in a small town, I had lots of friends...even those I considered my best friends; however, it wasn't until college that I found my first (in the words of Anne of Green Gables) bosom friend or kindred spirit. Christina and I hit it off immediately my freshman year at CBC. We both weathered a lot individually and together during our time at CBC. She was definitely an answered prayer to me during my time in college. I was honored to stand as her maid of honor at her wedding. After her wedding she moved away to Michigan, but then came back to Springfield for a couple of years. We worked together during that time and caused much mischief at good ole HQ. We also went through some difficult times. She was there for me when I had a broken heart. I was there when she lost her brother.

When she moved back to Michigan I took my first flight by myself and had a wonderful time visiting her. Two years ago I drove to visit her in Kansas and I had the opportunity to do so again this past weekend.

What I love about my bosom friend is that even though we both have taken different paths in life, we live 6 hours apart, we have different friends, careers, etc...when we see each other for the first time in a couple of years and hug...it's as if no time has passed and nothing has changed. We can reminisce about the past, but live in the today and dream of the future.

All that to say, I had a wonderful weekend in Kansas visiting my BFF. I am so blessed to have Christina in my life. She has been the best of friends through the good and the bad. I dont know what I would have done without her. I am so thankful that God brought us together as friends! I have had many friends come and go throughout my life, but the true ones remain and you continue to grow as friends, even though distance and circumstances in life may separate you.

I love the Gale family!

When I graduated from CBC in 2002, I felt God leading me to a new church. Some dear friends were attending Evangel Temple and they recommended I check it out. I wen tot Sunday school and that particular week, Jennifer Gale, the associate pastor, was speaking. She hooked me. Having gone through Bible college and having a desire to enter into ministry myself as a single female, we had an instance kinship. We struck an immediate friendship. At the time, she was pregnant with her 2nd child, Nathaniel. Jennifer quickly became a mentor to me as well. We began going out every Monday night visiting guests that had come to church. I was an appointed Missionary Associate to Inner city St Louis, but when my assignment fell through, I became a M.A. to Evangel Temple for a year working with her. After that year I was hired part time to work at the church to work in the Christian Education dept and I continued to work closely with her. Some of my most wonderful memories come from my time working with her and our Monday night times visiting. When I left Evangel Temple in 2009 my biggest internal struggle was leaving her family there because I hated the idea of not going to church with them. Even though we didnt see each other as often or talk as often, we still maintained a close friendship. Those early years out of CBC were a very difficult time for me. I was completely stuck and struggled with a bit of depression trying to find myself as a fresh college graduate and finding my purpose in life. Jennifer and Greg were always there for me. They took me in during holidays when I couldn't make it home, she let me cry on her shoulder over a broken heart and was always there when I needed her. She let me play a huge role in her children's life. I have watched her kids grown and blossom and love them like I love my own nieces and nephews. They're my babies! It's hard to put into words how much she has meant to me over the years and how much her family has meant to me. I just get jumbled up thinking of all of the memories we've shared over the last 9 years. It's almost impossible to put into words the profound impact she and her family have had on my life. When I decided to go back to school in 2007 to become a teacher she was my biggest fan. Her love and prayers have helped me to become who I am. She has seen me through the best times and the worst times. I am going to miss our conversations around the island in her kitchen with Victoria climbing all over me and spilling food on me and the boys fighting over the TV in the next room. :o) I am so thankful I got to spend this Easter with them. I'll always remember hunting eggs in the rain with them! I'll miss Victoria running and jumping into my arms when she sees me. I'll miss chasing Isaac and giving him kisses. He still loves that! I'll miss snuggling with the boys and their big blue blanket at Christmas and watching Polar Express. I'll miss our summer Pineapple Whip dates. I'll miss trips to the park and fun times at their house playing snow ball fight with paper wads, hide and seek and just hanging out.

I am also going to miss Greg always being my "car guy." I've bought three cars from him and he's always taken care of me and the issues I've had with my car. Of course...I'll miss him also...not just b/c of my car!

Yesterday I said goodbye to her as she enters a new stage of ministry and moves on to Pennsylvania. I am overjoyed at this amazing opportunity she has. I believe God is going to bless her and her family in ways she can never comprehend. That said, I have to be a bit selfish. I am going to miss her so incredibly much. I am going to miss those kids more than I can even begin to think about. I have yet to be able to think about them leaving without bursting out in tears! Jennifer has been my pastor, my mentor, a sister, and one of my dearest friends. I know she'll always be a phone call away, but it will never be the same. I love you all Gale family!

Marti Jo

Father's Day

http://animoto.com/play/NSW0hDIDUGLFbBaDCN1vjg

I hear people say they have the best dads, but I gotta say....I got 'em all beat. I really do have the best. He is the most loving, caring and self sacrificing man I know. What man would drive 4 hours to watch his daughter conduct a 2 minute band piece at her senior concert just to turn around and drive 4 hours back? What dad shows up at midnight (from 4 hours away) to help you paint your new house and move in to it the next day? What Dad shows up on New Years Day because he knows that his daughter is having a rough time and simply needed a hug? What dad is always there with open arms (and wallet when necessary) when any of his girls need it? I have seen my dad go without just to help his kids and grandkids to have a better life. What man gives to missions sacrificially both in time, body and finances giving of himself in both Mexico and with women in prison in West Virginia? What man drives the bus every week without fail to pick up kids to take them to church? What man loves his wife with all of his heart and has been married to her for 41 years always doing his best (and she as well) to have a happy marriage? What man has loved all 3 daughters through heart breaks and not killed jerks he really wanted to? :o) What man loves his grandcats and granddogs just as much? ;o)

My dad has believed in me when I didnt believe in myself. He has encouraged me to follow my dreams. He has encouraged me to pursue my missions dreams even when it meant going to a country he fought a horrrible war in. He has gone to every concert he possibly could that I've ever had from 6th grade until now...even when it meant missing work or driving to Springfield. He took me to church every week as a child even when I didnt want to go. Every Sunday as a child we would eat at Long John Silvers and every Wednesday night we had malts from Baskin Robbins. He lives a life that I can model. No, he's not perfect...he has his weaknesses and has made his mistakes, but he learns from those and encourages his family to learn from them also.

So as you can see, my dad is the best. Hands down....


Happy Father's Day Daddy! I love you!