Dear Friends and Family,

Where did the last six months go? It is hard to believe 2010 is

almost over. The last 6 months have flown by. At times I want to ask

what have I really done in the last six months, but when I take time to

reflect I can see how God has been using our team in many ways.

This Friday we hosted a Christmas party for all the students. It was

a fun night of Karaoke, games, Christmas goodies and loads of laughs. It

is on nights like this we have an opportunity to get to know the

students in a closer way while also providing them a night of good clean

fun. My favorite memory of the night was watching kids from different

schools and groups cheer each other on during Karaoke. It was amazing

to see barriers crumbling and the students just having a fun time.

Galway has become very multicultural over the last several years.

The university brings in students from around the world. Many of them

are just here for a semester but it is amazing to see the communities

God forms for his children. This month has been really full of events and

times of connecting and sharing with friends just how much their

friendships have meant. It is hard to say goodbye, but the friendships

formed make it totally worthwhile.

I am really excited to be in Tulsa for the Christmas Holidays and see

so many of my friends and family. What makes this time even more

exciting is the knowledge that I will be back in Ireland after a few

weeks. Except for a few friends that are moving, I do not have to say

goodbye. I’m looking forward to continuing the work with Foundation

in Christ Ministry and having the ability to build on the relationships God

has started.

Love,

Laurel’s Life in Ireland

Prayer Request:

Restful and good time connecting with family and friends.

Safe and timely travel back to Ireland in early January

December 2010

Nollaig Shona That’s Irish for “Happy Christmas.” At first glance Christmas in Ireland is very similar to what it would look like in the States, very big and commercialized. Decorations started going up around late October. However, most of the

decorations are in the city center area instead of on outside of individual homes. Traditionally the official day for setting up and decorating the Christmas tree is December 8th. Christmas music is not played in every store, but several. Fairy Tale New York is one of the most popular Irish Christmas songs. They have most of the same carols, but a few have a different tune or rhythm. This year Galway has opened a “German Christmas Market” in the City Center. It is modeled after similar markets found in Germany at this time of year; hence the name. Everyone is very excited. There are loads of booths and vendors selling everything from jewelry and purses to carvings, Christmas decorations, and all sorts of yummy treats.

Since moving to Ireland I have not

driven and most days I don’t miss it. I live in the

city so most places are within easy walking

distance. Shop Street is only a couple blocks

away and there are loads of restaurants,

shops, grocery stores etc. I love the slower

pace. Walking allows for random interactions

with acquaintances when you pass, or

stopping to watch an entertaining street

performer. For things that are a little farther

away, such as small group you can catch a bus

or taxi when you need it. Those that have a car

are very willing to offer rides and help friends

get where they need to go. Cycling is also a

very common mode of transportation.

Because not as many people drive and open

land is limited parking is very sparse compared

to American standards. I miss having a car the

most when shopping and have large bags to

carry home. Otherwise I’m enjoying Life on

Foot.

Life in Galway “I’ll be

home for

Christmas”

My Christmas Miracle I started my journey to return to Tulsa for Christmas early on the morning of Monday

December 20. I took a bus across country and arrived at Dublin Airport at 3:00am. I was scheduled to

fly out at 10:20. I was blessed with a good seatmate on the bus who helped me carry my luggage from

the bus to check in and we kept each other company while we waited. By 6:30 I learned my flight to

London had been canceled do to snow. I joined the long line waiting for a new ticket praying for favor

at finding a new route to Tulsa. Again I was blessed with someone to talk to while I waited. As the line

crept along I became acquainted with the lady behind me. She asked what I had been doing in Ireland

and I explained the work FICM does and she was very excited to hear about it. She grew up in Dublin

and said her family was Catholic but it had never really meant anything to her growing up. I asked if

religion played a role in her life now. She replied that she is a nun now. We chatted for the remainder

of our wait and eventually it was my turn. I told the man at the counter where I was wanting to go,

and after inputting my information and trying a few different things he finally said, “the earliest flight

we have is to Chicago on Thursday.” It was Monday morning, Thursday seemed forever away. After

making sure it was my only option, I took the ticket. I needed a moment to regroup so instead of

going right back to the bus I just found an open spot and sat on my luggage. About 5 minutes later

the man that had been helping me ran out and said, “I just had an idea, I can put you on standby for a

flight to Chicago at 1:00. It doesn’t look likely but we can try.” I was so thankful he found me. A bit

shocked too. There was still a huge line of people in the same position I was in. When I got down to

the standby area I met a group of people that had been studying in Edinburgh and had been trying to

get home since Saturday. Hearing their stories helped me realize whatever happened I would be ok.

Each time someone got a seat, the rest of us would start cheering. Thankfully there were enough

seats for all of us to make the flight. By 3:00 p CST I was back in the States. I had a flight to Tulsa and

was able to call my parents and let them know where I was. Everything seemed to be going

smoothly. Then it started to snow. As our flight kept getting delayed,

our chances of flying out seemed slim. Right when it appeared

we would be spending the night in the airport we

started boarding. And with one more little

miracle I made it to Tulsa by 12:45 am Tuesday

morning. I was so excited to finally hug my

family and friends. It wasn’t until Friday I realized

what a miracle it was. Out of curiosity I looked up

what the weather was like in Ireland and learned

Dublin Airport was closed on Thursday. 270 flights

were canceled, and 44,000 people stranded. If it hadn’t

been for the dedicated Aer Lingus employees I would

still be in Ireland. I am so thankful to Jesus and everyone

he brought across my path.

Greeting my Mom at the Airport!

Other ways to keep in contact with me:

Facebook Group: Laurel’s Life in Ireland

E-mail: LEAD03@gmail.com

Address: Laurel Dyson

c/o An Tobar Nua

25/27 Lower Dominick St.

Galway, Ireland

Want to learn

more about

An Tobar Nua?

Check out www.antobarnua.com

For more information about

Foundation in Christ Ministry,

visit their website:

www.foundationinchrist.org

If you would like to financially

contribute to FICM

a donation can be made on the

website or sent to:

Foundation In Christ Ministries

c/o Steadfast Financial Services, INC.

411 Spring Valley Lane

Altamonte Springs, FL 32714

Thank you to all who have already

given so generously!

Ireland

We had to work on Thanksgiving, but it didn’t keep us for

celebrating

Fun in the snow with

Small Group