“The valiant one whose steps are guided by the Lord, who will delight in his way, may stumble, but he will never fall, for the Lord holds his hand.”

— Psalms 37:23-24

In a few short days, I will be setting off for Ireland, my new home for a full semester. Talk about entering the new decade with a bang!

I have all of my normal-Emily-anxieties. I like to know exactly how everything will be, what I’ll need to do, what to prepare and what to know. I have fears both rational – like, for example, arriving in Galway and realizing I’ve forgotten something very important – and irrational – like, for example, arriving in a new country only to discover that every single resident of Ireland won’t like me.

The words come to mind, “Be not afraid.” I’m going to be very real on this blog, because I am not viewing this study abroad experience like most. Sure, it’s going to be a blast. I’m going to make friends and explore and have fun times. More than that, though, this is a much needed spiritual retreat. 4 1/2 months of me and Jesus time. Time to focus on spiritual growth, to prune away the parts of me that keep me from virtue and peace, to chase Sainthood with abandon. To be purified and to heal.

I am excited to use this blog as a source for jotting down memories and uploading pictures of the best things I see. But I will also be sharing my journey as a young, Catholic woman who desires nothing more than holiness and the pursuit of Love (that’s capital L).

I’m scared, guys. But I am filled with joy. God is going to do great things in me, and I am ready to come back refined.