11-3-2010

Greetings from a chilly wet Belfast!

So it is half term for me this week, which means that I can basically continue on working on my papers and can't necessarily relax! I have three papers needing to be turned in here in the next couple of weeks. The subjects of these papers are: for Theological Reflection, write a 1000 word paper on your first week of college and your experiences within that first week; for Biblical Story, write a 1500 word essay on one of the following stages: 1)Creation, 2) Fall, 3)Patriarchs( Abraham-Joseph), 4) the Exodus and Covenant at Sinai, 5) Conquest and Settlement, 6) the Untied Monarchy, 7) The Divided Monarchy, or 8) The Exile. Finally, for Jesus and the Gospels I am to take a parable and rewrite it in a 21st Century text with an explanation of what the images in the parable mean.

So far I have finished the Theo Reflection Essay on my travels over since my first week was really a flight from an airport, and the Jesus and the Gospels essay, of which I wrote on the 'Lost Parables' of Luke 15. I am struggling however to write my Biblical Story essay, but I fear it is more of a laziness issue than anything. However, I hope to really dig into this within the next couple of days; I decided to discuss the VERY controversial topic of the Conquest and Settlement which focuses on the book of Joshua. Should be and interesting paper I hope.

Life at the College is good, I have joined the football team for the school as a center back, and am also volunteering at a community center working with disabled youth. I am also in the process of looking for a part time job so please pray that I may find one to help pay the bills.

Until Next Time

In Christ,

Nathaniel

10-13-10

Greetings from a chilly cloudy Belfast!

So this is just going to be a quick note to say that I absolutely love my classes here at Belfast Bible College. Yesterday during Biblical Story the class got into a partial discussion about the book of Deuteronomy or probably really to be more specific the book of Joshua. Anyways this class has made a few of us question what we know and really begin to look at things from a different angle. I would love to say more but I would run the risk of offending people who may be completely set in their beliefs.

Until Next Time

In Christ,

Nathaniel

10-6-10

Greetings from an actual sunny day in Belfast!

Well yes as you might have guessed from the opening line there I am back in the beautiful Belfast City... sort of. Actually I am currently living in Dunmurry which is actually very close to Belfast but I believe not technically part of Belfast.

Anywho, to catch everyone up I did indeed get my visa but i was not able to make orientation on time. I also wasn't able to make my first day of classes due to some unfortunate events in the airport where I missed my initial flight to here. All in all though everything seems to have worked out ok and I am settling into the college life again nicely.

I am living on campus in the dorms where when your an introvert the dorms may not be the best place to live but I'll make do with what I got. Classes are very different from what I was expecting however I am really enjoying classes as well.

I am enjoying catching up with 'old' friends and making new ones as well and quite frankly I'm still a bit astounded that this is happening to me. The Lord works in mysterious ways!

Until Next Time

In Christ,

Nathaniel

9-13-10

Greetings from a sunny and hot San Antonio, Texas

Well it certainly has been awhile since I have last written and I apologize for that as frankly I have no real excuse to give you sorry. Things happened very fast and very quickly these last few months. As my time ended as a Young Adult Volunteer in Belfast, Northern Ireland I had been applying for university in Belfast, more specifically at Belfast Bible College of which I am pleased to inform you that I was accepted there studying for a Honorary Bachelors in Theology (BTh). However in order for me to be able to study there I needed to be accepted through a Major University. Thankfully, I was accepted to Cumbria University but because of complications I am now currently waiting for my student visa. Classes officially start on the 20th of this month. So here is hoping I can get the visa soon so I may start classes on time.

My time here in San Antonio has been enjoyable. Lynsey and I arrived on the 3rd of August where she stayed for around 3 weeks. We did all the major site seeing that you really can do here including theme parks such as Sea World where we were kissed by a Beluga whale. Sadly she is gone now back to work but again I am hoping to follow and return to her soon.

Until Next Time,

In Christ,

Nathaniel

6/8/2010

Greetings from a rainy day in Belfast!

Just a quick blog here about something that has caught my attention recently here in Belfast. Recently, the UVF (the Ulster Volunteer Force a paramilitary group) in the Shankill area murdered a Father of six because the father and a UVF leader got into an argument. Now what's interesting besides the fact that this is extremely tragic is that before the funeral was to take place, the UVF sent out hate text messages warning people not to go to the funeral of the man. However, around 2,000 people showed up to this funeral which frankly sends a statement to the UVF that people are tired of the violence that they cause and do not want it to happen anymore. Though my heart breaks for the family of the man who was killed I can't help but feel a sense of satisfaction in the fact that a community is coming together to make a stand against a terrorist organization.

Until Next Time

In Christ,

Nathaniel

05-16-10

Greetings From Belfast, Northern Ireland!

Spring is here... well sort of... if spring means basically it raining most days and it still not making it above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Not that I'm complaining because I do enjoy the cooler weather that is here. I have gotten used to the cooler weather, or maybe I just ignore it and only picture it as warm weather to try and trick my mind out...

We went to the beach along the north coast at Port Stewart a few weeks ago with some friends from the church. I was planning on getting in but in a characteristic un-like me I decided to look before I leaped and decided not to go in due to the fact that my toes might fall off due to the cold and frankly I like the look of having 10 toes though I have always questioned what is the exact purpose of your little toe. I think that when I die and am standing at the gates to heaven, if I am allowed a question to ask that might be the question I want to know...

All the Volunteers with Doug and Elaine Baker are headed over to Iona and Edinburgh, Scotland this week assuming that the ash cloud from the Iceland's volcano, jlijdofiausodfjaosifruoeu, clears up a bit which doesn't look likely. This ash cloud has really put a hamper on a lot of people's travels. A lot of vacationers are stuck in an airport somewhere in the world not being able to get home with a lot of people not being paid or very well accommodated. Hopefully this ash doesn't impede on my family's visit coming up here in June.

My official date for my return to San Antonio is August 3rd arriving at around 6:15 p.m. and I am bringing a special Northern Irish guest with me for a visit! I must admit that I am quite excited to be back again for a visit myself, it will be nice to see friends and my home church again, as well as some great restaurants. One thing that I am really looking forward to is John Calvin Presbyterian Church's 'Back to School Carnival'. I haven't missed one yet and really would prefer not to if possible.

Until Next Time,

In Christ,

Nathaniel

02-08-10

Greetings from a beautiful Belfast, Northern Ireland!

Well it has been way to long since I last wrote here, I apologize. Seems things are really just going on same as always with not to much exciting news to share or if there is it's more on a personal level and I'm afraid I am not willing to share that on here.

Work is still grand, I love the 174 Trust and Glengormely Presbyterian Church very much and count my blessings every day that I am able to work there. This past week I have been very sick with a throat infection of which I am finally getting over now after 9 days. I do not recommend this illness to anyone it is just not fun at all! I was well taken care of though, well frankly I think I was a bit spoiled but I wasn't complaining!

I leave for Donegall again this week with the rest of the YAV's until Thursday. It should prove to be a nice getaway for us to relax and reflect on out jobs and just life in general.

Until Next Time,

In Christ,

Nathaniel