HERE AT LAST

Hey everyone!

I just wanted to send you a quick update...Im in NORTHERN IRELAND!!! I got in Saturday morning after a long time of of sitting on a plane and a somewhat scary encounter with the customs guy coming into Belfast. He wasn't to happy and I think he was taking that out on me a bit. Anyway it was just another reminder that God's hand is always guiding me and protecting me. I'm here staying at "the manse" or the house that church provides for the pastor and their family. Its lovely and I'm really enjoying the Hyndmans who I'm living with. They have two boys one (John) my brothers age and then Jack whos 8. They can be cheeky at times (as the irish would say) but they are great and im pretty sure they are glad that im here...at least I hope! Ive already been very busy the past couple of days and will continue to be these next two weeks before I leave for the Czech Republic for a few weeks. So if i am not contacting you all that much please forgive me, because I'll be very busy. I haven't gotten to take many pictures yet and i need to talk to James (the head of the house) to figure out how to put pics on his computer...but I will as soon as I can. Please be praying for me to be done with jet lag asap and also for these next couple of weeks in preperation for leaving for Czech, that our team would bond and that we would finish everything that needs to be done before we leave. Thanks that would be great! Hope all is well and I will updated soon! Take care! ~Lauren SDG

THE FIRST OF MANY

I am starting a new blog. "Stark Life" the title of my blog is just what is sounds like...Stark (me, my middle name) and my life. I want to share it with you through words, prayers, thoughts and my favorite...photos! As many of you know I will be in Northern Ireland for the next 6 months. So for all of you in the States (and those who are not in the States), this is way of checking up on me and seeing what I'm up to. Please leave comments or shoot me an email. I always love to hear how people are doing.
So for my first post before I leave which happens to be this Friday, I wanted to post some photos of all the packing I've been doing. So much fun! NOT! I would so much appreciate all of your prayers (and for those of you already praying, THANK YOU!) as I head of to Northern Ireland on Friday. Pray that all the flights would go smoothley and that I would make my connection in Newark and also that I could get through Customs without any problems. Thanks you so much and take care! SDG

OH the joys of packing

All my stuff for 6 months...crazy! Yes I can fit in my own duffle bag...

My bro has been trying to convince me to let him come with