Double Day and Birthday Photos

Happy Birthday, Mr. Piccolo!
Woodvale Methodist Church surprises me with a cake on my birthday.

So in my last blog, The Long Blog About Christmas and Overcoming Homesickness in Belfast, I refer to "the family" that took me in on my birthday and on Double Day (Christmas and Boxing Day). This family also takes me in just about every Sunday for dinner. Vera, the mother, jokes that I am her "adopted son." They're a real Belfast family: honest, blunt, loud, and loving. My year wouldn't have been the same without them.

So, even though my birthday was waaaaaay back in October, I thought I'd share some photos from these holiday events I spent with that family. For those of you who are unfamiliar with blogs, you can see bigger version of the photos by clicking on them.

DOUBLE DAY

Simon and I celebrate Christmas the only way we know how, by being overbearingly manly.
See? He's even holding a small dog named Toto.
Courtesy of Holly

In my last blog, I wrote about crackers. If you look carefully, I'm holding the gift you get inside.
Courtesy of Holly

Jaime, Leanne, Holly, and I
Courtesy of Holly

Samantha, one of the four sisters, unfortunately was at work during this picture. I believe she's studying philosophy at a local college her. She's hilarious and likes South Park, so we get along well.

Holly, the farthest sister on the right, is currently a member of the Methodist Tom Travelling Team. They are a mission group that travels the island of Ireland, bringing programs and happiness to all the churches and schools in the area they stay in for a week. Yes, they are kind of like Christmas. Later in the year they will be visiting Woodvale Methodist.

BIRTHDAY

Simon, Granddad Billy, and I

If you look closely, Granddad Billy is sticking out his lower jaw, displaying the only two teeth he has left. He often jokes about his teeth and pulls on them to gross the family out. He's hilarious.

Simon, who is married to Jaime, is a really funny and intelligent man. He's quite knowledgeable about the Troubles and current politics, so I learn a lot form him. He also loves Father Ted. 'Nuff said.

Vera and I

In the best of ways, Vera epitomizes a woman from the Shankill, one of the locations I work in. Unfortunately, Shankill can sometimes still get a bad reputation for all the stuff that went down during the Troubles. It's people like Vera that disprove this bad rep without compromising any of her Shankill heritage and culture. She'll tell you exactly what's on her mind and what she likes and doesn't like, and she'll pile mountains of food on your plate while making it clear she's glad you came over for dinner. Without a doubt, she and her husband Sam are two of the most caring and hospitable people I've ever met.

On a side note: Shankill has come a long way since its turbulent history during the Troubles. Currently most of the riots are taking place in East Belfast (Shankill is in the West). Barely any riots, if any at all, have occurred in the Shankill these past months.

Vera made me a cake!

Jaime and I

Jaime is a gifted teacher and our current head Sunday School leader. I love working with her in Sunday School because I learn something new from her every time. The kids all love her and she has a unique, organic way of nurturing their development without babying them. She's a very genuine person, and, like Vera, is also a great cook that will often have me over to eat. It's always great to sit next to Jaime at Bible Study or Young Adults because she'll crack jokes and get away with it.

Leanne and I

Leanne is a nurse and is one of the strongest Christians I've ever met. She's constantly thinking up ways to further unite the Woodvale Methodist community. For example, she had our Young Adult group that she leads put together sketches and dance performances for the church's Christmas dinner. The people at the dinner loved it, and want an encore for next year.

But she also finds ways to reach out to the Greater Shankill area. With her leadership, our Young Adult group were able to deliver Christmas ornaments to a nearby elderly home. She's recently taken a leadership position in a community cafe project at Shankill Methodist Wednesday and Saturday nights. Even with a busy schedule, she rarely misses a church event. I can count on her to pray for me, to give me lifts to church, and to just be there for me if I'm having a low day. She's a great friend and I can't wait to see what Christian endeavors she accomplishes in the future.