1 year anniversary

1 year of marriage. Wow. It feels like yesterday when I was putting on my white lace dress. But when I think about all that has happened this year, I am overwhelmed. So much growth, change, and learning has taken place in such a short amount of time. What I feel today is gratitude for the blessings I have been given this year. I have never been happier. I am taking this time to reflect on our beautiful and perfect wedding day.

Thank you Jordan Shepherd for loving me fiercely, leading our marriage with strength, and always putting Christ at the center. You are more than I could have ever asked for.

(and thank you for taking me to Cirque Du Soleil and the fanciest hotel, Conrad Hilton. You sure do know how to make a girl feel special.)

Happy anniversary, I can't believe I get to spend every year with you for the rest of my life!

Cam & Beth

Two of our best friends got engaged this weekend. 

Cameron Kinch took Bethany Ezawa to the church where he asked her to be his girlfriend a year ago. He proposed with his grandmothers ring, then brought her back to his parents house where friends and family were waiting to celebrate. 

Watching her face when she walked in the door was one of my favorite moments. I could relate, because the same thing happened to me a year ago. This day could be described as an overwhelming dream-like rush of happiness and gratitude. It is one of the best and memorable events in a girls life, and it was obvious that Beth soaked up every second of it. 

last day.

It is my very last day in Ireland. It has been an amazing experience, and I am thankful to be taking home so many life lessons and Ireland knowledge.

I have been so excited thinking about returning to the States, but today I have felt a sadness about leaving that I never had before. I guess there are moments of both. I'm sad to leave the place that I have considered my home for the past three months, and I'm even more sad to leave the people that I have lived with. At the same time, I am happy. Happy to be moving on to the next chapter of my life.

Today I finished packing, ate my last meal here at the Y, and hung out in Dunleary, Sandycove, and of course our lovely town of Greystones. I made a final purchase of hot chocolate at the Happy Pear, and I bought 5 books for 1 euro at the local "charity store." I went out with one of our leaders, Laura, and three other girls from our group, Emily, Gueb, and Alyssa. We went to the coolest pub I have been into yet, where, lucky for us - it was 70's, 80's, and 90's music night. I wouldn't have spent the day any other way.












Tomorrow I leave for my 12:00 flight, where I will enjoy my ipod and movies on the plane for 6 hours.

The jet lag and reverse culture shock I'll be facing when I get back is worth hugging my parents at the airport and sleeping in my own bed again.

Goodbye Ireland, hello home.