Arrived and Settling In

*It is about 9:00 pm here while I am posting this, just so you all know.*

Thanks to God's grace and all of your wonderful prayers and support, I have arrived safely in Dublin, Ireland.  Although I did arrive safely, my flights (Chicago to Philadelphia, then Philadelphia to Dublin) were absolutely awful.  I got sick three times!  I have a pretty weak stomach, but I've never actually thrown up on a plane before.  It was very embarrassing and also very smelly.  I felt terrible for those around me.  Thankfully there were a few angels on my flight.  On the first flight from Chicago, the guy next to me was very nice.  He helped me clean up a bit and get the flight attendant's attention.  The people sitting in front of me on the same flight were also very nice.  They asked me if I was okay, then offered me a couple of moist towelettes to wash my hands (it didn't work all that well, but it was the thought that counted).  I had a little less than an hour before my next flight out of Philadelphia once I landed, but I spent most of it changing out of my jeans that I had thrown up on (thank goodness I packed pajama bottoms in my carry-on!), and trying to find some kind of dry food for my stomach.  I changed quickly in the bathroom and found some pretzels at a little shop by my gate in the airport.  I got some Sprite on the plane from Philadelphia, but it really didn't help too much.  There was too much turbulence and my stomach just couldn't handle it.  I managed not to get myself "dirty" this time, thanks to the man next to me who pulled my blanket onto my lap while I was, um, "doing my business".  I was so happy when we finally landed in Dublin after almost 6 hours of flying.  I made it through Immigration and baggage claim and found Peter, the GAP director, waiting for me just outside the baggage area.  I couldn't have been happier to see him, even though my stomach didn't feel too great.  He bought me a water bottle and off we went to his house about 35 minutes from the Dublin airport.

When I got to the Mahony's house all I wanted to do was lie down on something that wasn't moving.  Thankfully Peter's wife Ciara had my room all ready for me.  As soon as I climbed into that comfy bed I was out.  I slept for a few hours, then came downstairs just before the youngest two children came home from school.  They were so cute and bubbly!  I sat and watched them do their homework for a bit, then went back to my room to rest my still upset stomach.  I slept for another hour or so, then came downstairs for dinner.  Ciara had made chicken curry and rice, which was very delicious and not too bad on my stomach.  It felt so good to finally be able to eat something!  She also made some chocolate cookies for dessert...yum!  :)

I've just been lounging around since dinner, and it feels great to just relax and get used to the house.  Tomorrow I'm supposed to get a tour of the local area, so I'll be sure to post pictures from that as soon as I can.  :)  Thank you all again for your support and prayers.  I'm hoping that by the end of this first week I'll feel much better and maybe I'll even get a little more used to the time difference.

I hope all is going well at home!  I miss you all and am praying for you!