Found the blog post I wrote on my way home... Probably should have published this a couple weeks ago!
After 1 fantastic summer, 3 flights, 1 special needs school, 152 children, 4 marriage proposals and all the other things that have happened in Kenya, I'm home. I'm tired, freckly, slightly tanned, covered in travelling dust and my hair is a mess. It's been amazing. I've cooked goat, taught maths, been on safari, fed giraffes, killed a spider bigger than my head, held a snake, ridden a camel, been attacked by monkeys, had malaria and met dozens of great people.
I've been completely humbled by the generosity of the local people who have so little. I've been encouraged by the unwavering faith the local Christians I've met here have in the face of such adversity and poverty. I've been touched by the love the children pour out to all they meet and I've been left constantly in awe of God's beautiful creation.
It's safe to say I've been bitten by the travelling bug (along with dozens of mosquitoes) and I'm already planning my next trip (to somewhere that doesn't have malaria!). I think there's an obvious reason why hundreds of thousands of families get hooked on programmes like Frozen Planet and Planet Earth. The things they show are magnificent right? Things that showcase the awe-inspiring, beautiful, glorious creation. Things that are appreciated by every age group, every type of person. They make things we can't normally see or experience completely accessible. They're things that shout of God's power, showcase His beauty, and sing of His love. I want to see as many of them for myself as possible, so God-willing I'll be away again soon.
Wednesday, 5 September 2012
Wednesday, 8 August 2012
Goodbyes
I've always been pretty pants at goodbyes. Leaving Gede Special School was emotional, leaving Kenya is borderline heartbreaking. Perhaps I'm being a typical girl, but I can't help but get incredibly emotionally attached to the children I've worked with and the places I've been. Think about how entangled Christmas lights magically manage to get during the year. No matter how tidily they're put away it's inevitable that when it comes to putting up the decorations, the first hour could easily be spent wrestling with the knots that hold the strings of lights to each other. Call me melodramatic, but that's pretty much where I'm at now. I'm emotionally entangled with Kenya. Fortunately I have a 9 hour flight to Heathrow tonight to get myself into a relatively unknotted state.
Hopefully.
Hopefully.
Sunday, 5 August 2012
The end of a (small) era
I kind of wish I could finish my Kenyan story at the end of the last post, mainly due to laziness, but a lot has happened since then. I had malaria, some random chest and stomach infections and had my first run-in with Kenyan police (don't worry, I was innocent). Eventually my placement at Gede Special School came to a reluctant and teary end and I trekked (flew) to Nairobi.
My last Friday at the coast (just over a week ago) was hectic. My backpack got packed and re-packed (and STILL I forgot things as per), teary goodbyes were said to the children, last-minute photos taken and I venured into Malindi to go shopping with money sent from my home church for the special school. It was an eventful matatu ride to say the least. After being up all night vomiting and still recovering from whatever random illnesses I had, I was not in the mood to be messed around by the locals. Unfortunately being a white girl alone, it was inevitable, but eventually I got to Malindi and began doing what I do best - shopping.
With the gift given by my church I was able to buy shoes and underwear for the children, toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap for them all, uniforms for the younger children who previously hadn't had and a bunch of other necessities. It was great to be able to drop them all off in big fat cardboard boxes on the way back to Watamu, and help the kids set up for their movie night (that week it was Harry Potter, classic choice!). It's humbling and challenging to see how grateful the children are here for things that kids elsewhere in the world just expect to get without question, and I feel privileged that I was able to be on the receiving end of their gratitude. I even got a few love letters during my placement there! (Winner.)
It was a great end to an overall amazing stay in a completely beautiful village. On the Saturday I went to Malindi airport (a slightly bigger shack) and boarded a teeny tin-can (almost) plane to Nairobi. That was 8 action-packed days ago, and I will eventually tell everyone what I've been doing here but for now my bed is most definitely calling me.
My last Friday at the coast (just over a week ago) was hectic. My backpack got packed and re-packed (and STILL I forgot things as per), teary goodbyes were said to the children, last-minute photos taken and I venured into Malindi to go shopping with money sent from my home church for the special school. It was an eventful matatu ride to say the least. After being up all night vomiting and still recovering from whatever random illnesses I had, I was not in the mood to be messed around by the locals. Unfortunately being a white girl alone, it was inevitable, but eventually I got to Malindi and began doing what I do best - shopping.
With the gift given by my church I was able to buy shoes and underwear for the children, toothbrushes, toothpaste and soap for them all, uniforms for the younger children who previously hadn't had and a bunch of other necessities. It was great to be able to drop them all off in big fat cardboard boxes on the way back to Watamu, and help the kids set up for their movie night (that week it was Harry Potter, classic choice!). It's humbling and challenging to see how grateful the children are here for things that kids elsewhere in the world just expect to get without question, and I feel privileged that I was able to be on the receiving end of their gratitude. I even got a few love letters during my placement there! (Winner.)
It was a great end to an overall amazing stay in a completely beautiful village. On the Saturday I went to Malindi airport (a slightly bigger shack) and boarded a teeny tin-can (almost) plane to Nairobi. That was 8 action-packed days ago, and I will eventually tell everyone what I've been doing here but for now my bed is most definitely calling me.
Wednesday, 1 August 2012
Filling in the gaps - Kenya 2012
Today I've realised the majority of my friends probably don't know exactly what I've been doing in Kenya. For all you know I could have been fundraising for a really long holiday! Well I can assure you I haven't and, as I enter the last leg of my journey, I figure it's about time I explain what's been going on.
So at some point in February, after a really rubbish couple of weeks and a particularly bad day, I started to focus more and more on my love of visiting new countries. I planned a hypothetical gap year, looked up places to volunteer and somewhere along the way fell in love with the idea of visiting Afirca. After much prayer, deliberation and thought (all of which took about 48 hours) I signed up with Outreach International to spend my summer volunteering at their coastal orphanage in Kenya. It looked idyllic to say the least. Living in a house on a white sandy beach, a bunch of cute black kids and an opportunity to help teach maths and english. Great!
Convinced this was where God wanted me to go, I booked my flights, paid my deposit and organised my vaccinations.
Unfortunately, as always, things didn't run as smoothly as I had hoped. I arrived in Watamu, Kenya, to the news that I couldn't actually go to the orphanage I had signed up to. I was left without a volunteer project and somewhat disappointed that the very thing I had been so excited to do wasn't actually possible. However, as always, God was simply working out His plan. The next day another volunteer took me to Gede Special School, home to 150 children, all of whom are either hearing impaired or have cerebral palsy, or a mixture.
My mornings were spent in the class of children with cerebral palsy, helping the OT and focusing on stimulating them, helping them move around etc. The 30 or so children in the class all had CP to different extents, and all had very different background stories. Some of the children had very loving, supportive families who came to visit them, whilst others had families who believed them to be possessed, who beat them and had merely dumped them in the Special School and not returned for years. It was obvious which children belonged to which category, unfortunately.
My afternoons were spent in classes with the hearing impaired (HI) children. This was difficult at first - I barely had any BSL let alone KSL! But the children were patient and loved trying to teach us new signs, though I soon realised they often called me stupid when I couldn't copy their hand movements exactly! I was given a sign name (related to my ear piercings - no surprises there!) and genuinely loved helping them. Their attitude to learning was immense. Even when teachers hadn't bothered to come into school groups of children would ask for help with their maths. Trying to teach fractions and ratio theorem with limited KSL proved entertaining!
So that has been the last month or so. I've been challenged and humbled beyond belief by the kids I've worked with. They are potentially the kindest, most loving and most generous children I've met, and, despite having so little are infinitely happier than the majority of people in the UK.
I do this way too often, but I apologise for the essay length of this post. I should have made more of an effort to blog while I've been away!
So at some point in February, after a really rubbish couple of weeks and a particularly bad day, I started to focus more and more on my love of visiting new countries. I planned a hypothetical gap year, looked up places to volunteer and somewhere along the way fell in love with the idea of visiting Afirca. After much prayer, deliberation and thought (all of which took about 48 hours) I signed up with Outreach International to spend my summer volunteering at their coastal orphanage in Kenya. It looked idyllic to say the least. Living in a house on a white sandy beach, a bunch of cute black kids and an opportunity to help teach maths and english. Great!
Convinced this was where God wanted me to go, I booked my flights, paid my deposit and organised my vaccinations.
Unfortunately, as always, things didn't run as smoothly as I had hoped. I arrived in Watamu, Kenya, to the news that I couldn't actually go to the orphanage I had signed up to. I was left without a volunteer project and somewhat disappointed that the very thing I had been so excited to do wasn't actually possible. However, as always, God was simply working out His plan. The next day another volunteer took me to Gede Special School, home to 150 children, all of whom are either hearing impaired or have cerebral palsy, or a mixture.
My mornings were spent in the class of children with cerebral palsy, helping the OT and focusing on stimulating them, helping them move around etc. The 30 or so children in the class all had CP to different extents, and all had very different background stories. Some of the children had very loving, supportive families who came to visit them, whilst others had families who believed them to be possessed, who beat them and had merely dumped them in the Special School and not returned for years. It was obvious which children belonged to which category, unfortunately.
My afternoons were spent in classes with the hearing impaired (HI) children. This was difficult at first - I barely had any BSL let alone KSL! But the children were patient and loved trying to teach us new signs, though I soon realised they often called me stupid when I couldn't copy their hand movements exactly! I was given a sign name (related to my ear piercings - no surprises there!) and genuinely loved helping them. Their attitude to learning was immense. Even when teachers hadn't bothered to come into school groups of children would ask for help with their maths. Trying to teach fractions and ratio theorem with limited KSL proved entertaining!
So that has been the last month or so. I've been challenged and humbled beyond belief by the kids I've worked with. They are potentially the kindest, most loving and most generous children I've met, and, despite having so little are infinitely happier than the majority of people in the UK.
I do this way too often, but I apologise for the essay length of this post. I should have made more of an effort to blog while I've been away!
Sunday, 15 July 2012
A tangawizi in Kenya
I've been in Kenya (aka paradise) for 2 weeks now and figured it was about time I did something productive with my evenings and write something...
I'm not going to lie, the first few days were rough. Culture shock doesn't even describe!! But now, I feel at home. The locals are friendly, kenyan time (constant lateness) is agreeable and the scenary beautiful. Somehow everything looks good when sun drenched and surrounded by palm trees. Even the slums, derelict buildings and poverty stricken villages have an eery beauty when bathed in golden rays.
I'm currently working in the Gede Special School with children with Cerebral Palsy and hearing impairments. Kenyan sign language is so fun! It's frustrating that I'm picking it up so quickly yet won't have a use for it back home. The HI children have the best sense of humour, and are all so amazing and bright and beautiful. It's devastating to think that they don't know this to be true.
As for the cerebral palsy children, they've most definitely stolen my heart. They're kind, generous and way more patient than I can ever dream of being! When I can I'll post pictures so you can see them for yourselves. All the CP children look so much younger than their true age. When we arrive many are just slumped in their wheelchairs and covered in their own drool/waste. It's a sorry sight to say the least, but the school are doing the best they can with their exceedingly limited supplies.
To say I'm being humbled through my time with these children is a gross understatement. I've already been challenged about so many things, and am being taught to see the world as they do - truely unique. The way the deaf kids care for the CP ones, and seeng the CP children clumsily signing speaks volumes. They are all so desperate to learn. When i arrived on Friday all the teachers were gone and the children left to play, yet a group of the deaf boys had me teaching them maths - definitely would not happen in the UK! I find it hard that despite the children's big dreams and hard-working attitudes many of their situations will remain the same.
Despite the inital shock and how hard some situations are, I do love it here and love seeing God at work.
Tuesday, 26 June 2012
Updates
Updates always seem to take forever - I know they do on my blackberry anyway, so I'll try to keep this (relatively) brief.
My last 3 exams were very mixed. 1 good, 1 average, 1 absolutely awful! However it's been a blessing and a comfort to know that God's already got it planned out and it's in His hands, that if I miss my grades for med school He has something even better planned! (Not sure what that would be - but it's an exciting thought!) As usual exam season reduced me to a stressy, emotional wreck, living off caffeine and Lucozade Glucose Energy Tablets due to the numerous sleepless nights spent cramming. As usual, I've half-heartedly promised myself that next time my revision will be more organised. I say half-heartedly because I know the likelihood of this is similar to the likelihood of me NOT getting sunburnt in Kenya this summer.
Speaking of Kenya, in just a couple days I'll be boarding a flight to Nairobi before travelling to work in the God Our Father's Children Home near Watamu (nowhere near Nairobi!) and living locally. To say I'm excited would be a massive understatement, but I'm not expecting (or wanting) an easy ride. Actually, I'm not sure what I'm expecting. I want a challenge, an experience, something eye-opening. We'll see...
I've loved seeing God's hand in my plans for this summer (in hindsight at least). He's turned something I originally used to cheer myself up after a bad day into something I think I want to do for the rest of my life. Every pot-hole in the road to Kenya has been filled in (metaphorically of course). Although in the past 12 hours, with just days until I leave, my plans have been changed dramatically and still some of it isn't set in stone.
Over the past few months God has really taught me to trust completely in His plans, and proven over and over again how He ultimately knows best. From guys and universities to celebrating Father's day and volunteering in Kenya, God has been constantly reminding me that my plans are pants at best. So I'm excited to discover where/what I'll end up doing.
On a final note, apologies for the ever changing appearance of my blog. I haven't yet found a background/font/style I'm happy with... Proof of my indecisiveness!
My last 3 exams were very mixed. 1 good, 1 average, 1 absolutely awful! However it's been a blessing and a comfort to know that God's already got it planned out and it's in His hands, that if I miss my grades for med school He has something even better planned! (Not sure what that would be - but it's an exciting thought!) As usual exam season reduced me to a stressy, emotional wreck, living off caffeine and Lucozade Glucose Energy Tablets due to the numerous sleepless nights spent cramming. As usual, I've half-heartedly promised myself that next time my revision will be more organised. I say half-heartedly because I know the likelihood of this is similar to the likelihood of me NOT getting sunburnt in Kenya this summer.
Speaking of Kenya, in just a couple days I'll be boarding a flight to Nairobi before travelling to work in the God Our Father's Children Home near Watamu (nowhere near Nairobi!) and living locally. To say I'm excited would be a massive understatement, but I'm not expecting (or wanting) an easy ride. Actually, I'm not sure what I'm expecting. I want a challenge, an experience, something eye-opening. We'll see...
I've loved seeing God's hand in my plans for this summer (in hindsight at least). He's turned something I originally used to cheer myself up after a bad day into something I think I want to do for the rest of my life. Every pot-hole in the road to Kenya has been filled in (metaphorically of course). Although in the past 12 hours, with just days until I leave, my plans have been changed dramatically and still some of it isn't set in stone.
Over the past few months God has really taught me to trust completely in His plans, and proven over and over again how He ultimately knows best. From guys and universities to celebrating Father's day and volunteering in Kenya, God has been constantly reminding me that my plans are pants at best. So I'm excited to discover where/what I'll end up doing.
On a final note, apologies for the ever changing appearance of my blog. I haven't yet found a background/font/style I'm happy with... Proof of my indecisiveness!
Sunday, 17 June 2012
Father's Day
Thanks to revision and exams it's been a while since I've posted and with my final 3 exams looming this week I really should be continuing with my social networking ban, but....
Today is Father's Day. Shops everywhere are utilizing this holiday, they'd be foolish not to! Sales of aftershave, razors and men's toiletries must sky-rocket, there's no shortage Homer Simpson/beer/Superdad themed t-shirts and witty father's day cards are in high demand. I always used to be a typical 'daddy's girl', I relished Father's Day.
Today is bittersweet. It's a day of sadness as I continue to miss Dad, who died in 2009. It's a day of praise as I thank God for His provision of Mum's husband, Kevin. Most importantly, it's a day of worshiping my Heavenly Father. With 3 fathers to be thankful for, today is a great day.
Thinking about this has got so many memories flooding back. Family holidays, days out and that time Dad forgot to take me home from church (David Cameron isn't the only one to have mislaid a child)! I'm trying to keep this short, but today is a day where I'll be reflecting on God's undeserved provision and mystifying plans, and praising Him wholeheartedly for them. (But I'll still plague your computer screens with cheesy old family photos.)
Today is Father's Day. Shops everywhere are utilizing this holiday, they'd be foolish not to! Sales of aftershave, razors and men's toiletries must sky-rocket, there's no shortage Homer Simpson/beer/Superdad themed t-shirts and witty father's day cards are in high demand. I always used to be a typical 'daddy's girl', I relished Father's Day.
Today is bittersweet. It's a day of sadness as I continue to miss Dad, who died in 2009. It's a day of praise as I thank God for His provision of Mum's husband, Kevin. Most importantly, it's a day of worshiping my Heavenly Father. With 3 fathers to be thankful for, today is a great day.
Thinking about this has got so many memories flooding back. Family holidays, days out and that time Dad forgot to take me home from church (David Cameron isn't the only one to have mislaid a child)! I'm trying to keep this short, but today is a day where I'll be reflecting on God's undeserved provision and mystifying plans, and praising Him wholeheartedly for them. (But I'll still plague your computer screens with cheesy old family photos.)
During Dad's illness Jeremiah 29:11 became our family verse,
'"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord.'
God is so good.
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| Always a sucker for snuggles |
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| The first and only football shirt I will own! (Chosen by Dad) |
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| My beautiful family |
Saturday, 28 April 2012
A Damsel In Distress
"The Lord will fight for you and you need only be still."
Exodus 14 v 14
Officially my favourite verse of the week!
At some point in so many films, a damsel in distress gets stuck in sinking sand. Despite the attractive hero throwing her a rope offering to pull her out, to fight for her, the damsel continues to struggle against the sand in her own strength. The more she struggles, the weaker she becomes, the more she sinks and the closer to her death she edges. At some point she has to stop and be still so the hero can fight the sand on her behalf...
This is the sort of situation I'm reminded of.
"Be still! I'll pull you out!" the hero assures her.
My understanding is limited, but I find this verse such a comfort in times of spiritual weakness. Instead of standing firm in your faith it seems you're (barely) clinging on by your fingertips. Instead of running the race set before us you're dragging your failing body through a spiritual desert, gasping for water and shade. You're weak from spiritual battle. You're being tempted. You're discouraged. You're failing.
That's been me this past week. That's me now, this second. This will more than likely be me tomorrow. I am so thankful for the truth in this verse. I am so thankful for the God who's fighting for me. I will happily be still.
Pass me the rope Lord...
Thursday, 19 April 2012
Travelling partner application
As most people know, I'll be travelling to Kenya between 29th June and 9th August and I'm in search of a travelling partner for between 27th July and 9th August. There's a fun filled potential itinerary including a 2 day safari, a sneaky trip to Zanzibar or Mafia island, a visit to a tea plantation (very optional), 2 days volunteering at a monkey sanctuary and much much more! (WOW)
At this point, I can't really be picky about who comes with, but I've decided to suggest some desired (but not essential) qualities:
- Be funny (like a toddler, I need constant entertainment)
- Not be annoying
- Be a good napping buddy
- Not too attractive (so that I look relatively good in photos)
- Be a good photographer (same reasoning as above)
- Have good taste in music (for the flight back)
- Good singer
- Not high maintenance
- Owns a backpack
- Not afraid of spiders/snakes/lions/scorpions/other deadly animals local to Kenya
- Not be a fussy eater (goat's feet are apparently popular Kenyan food. Yet to be confirmed.)
- (MOST IMPORTANTLY) Be able to afford it.
So, I'm just going to wait for all the hundreds of requests to flood in...
Monday, 16 April 2012
Weddings
I've recently discovered that I'm one of the few girls who hasn't been dreaming up/planning their wedding (even the slightest amount) since they were 5 years old. However last week my friend Portia planned it for me, which is quite kind of her in my opinion.
According to Portia, when I go on my travelling gap year I'm going to fall in love with a rich, blonde haired, blue eyed Australian surfing instructor called Cruz. Sounds quite nice, if incredibly unrealistic.
Australia is going to be one of the first stops on my travels, despite rumours of their massive spiders.
I've always wanted to learn how to surf and it just so happens that (according to Portia) Cruz will be my surfing instructor. After falling madly in love with me and growing crazily attached to the Kenyan orphan I'm going to bring back this summer, he'll apparently spontaneously quit his job and join me on my travels before proposing by the Eiffel tower, approximately 4 months into what is essentially a ridiculously long vacation
Eventually we'll get married in Bali (my last stop), in an 'amazing' surfer-esque beach wedding. The guys will wear shorts and flip flops and there'll be surfboards stuck in the sand behind the minister.
Since doctors are employable worldwide, we'll move to some exotic beach location where Cruz can open his own surf shack...
Somehow I know this will never happen, but planning it kept me and Portia occupied/distracted from revision for about 4 hours.
According to Portia, when I go on my travelling gap year I'm going to fall in love with a rich, blonde haired, blue eyed Australian surfing instructor called Cruz. Sounds quite nice, if incredibly unrealistic.
Australia is going to be one of the first stops on my travels, despite rumours of their massive spiders.
I've always wanted to learn how to surf and it just so happens that (according to Portia) Cruz will be my surfing instructor. After falling madly in love with me and growing crazily attached to the Kenyan orphan I'm going to bring back this summer, he'll apparently spontaneously quit his job and join me on my travels before proposing by the Eiffel tower, approximately 4 months into what is essentially a ridiculously long vacation
Eventually we'll get married in Bali (my last stop), in an 'amazing' surfer-esque beach wedding. The guys will wear shorts and flip flops and there'll be surfboards stuck in the sand behind the minister.
Since doctors are employable worldwide, we'll move to some exotic beach location where Cruz can open his own surf shack...
Somehow I know this will never happen, but planning it kept me and Portia occupied/distracted from revision for about 4 hours.
Tuesday, 10 April 2012
Revision timetables and easter assignments
Contrary to popular belief, I am an awful student. (Though I'm sure several of my teachers past and present can testify to this.)
Usually I just about scrape by throughout the school year, getting rubbishly average test scores at best in class and not fulfilling my potential at all. Yet somehow (to the annoyance of many people), at the end of the year, I pull out the high A grades my teachers expect of me with a relatively small amount of effort (compared to others). How? I'm not entirely sure, it is certainly not deserved! But it is all by the grace of God and I am definitely thankful!
Recently I've been really challenged about my half-hearted, 'I'll get the grades in the end' attitude. God's placed me in college to be a student and so, with my previous attitude, I'm not honouring Him and not using the gifts (intelligence) He's given me.
I've loved listening to a seminar from the Aber 2011 conference about how to honour God through our studies. In the past I've been fooled in to adopting the mindset that I would be honouring God more by helping out in church and CU, by spending time in fellowship rather than studying. I've been tricked in to believing my studies were unimportant, that what I did almost didn't matter.
In truth God has placed me here, in Yale College Wrexham, to be a Christian student.
That doesn't mean that doing the other stuff is bad. Helping in church is great. Engaging in fellowship stirs my affections for Christ. But so does studying. Doing what God has placed me here to do makes me love Him more.
Anyway, for the first time since I was much younger I'm putting effort in to my college work. I'm talking actual, creating-revision-timetables-and-sticking-to-them effort. My easter assignments have been completed (almost), my revision organised and past papers printed...
Praying it will pay off, and that God will be showing me more how I can glorify Him through my studies.
Usually I just about scrape by throughout the school year, getting rubbishly average test scores at best in class and not fulfilling my potential at all. Yet somehow (to the annoyance of many people), at the end of the year, I pull out the high A grades my teachers expect of me with a relatively small amount of effort (compared to others). How? I'm not entirely sure, it is certainly not deserved! But it is all by the grace of God and I am definitely thankful!
Recently I've been really challenged about my half-hearted, 'I'll get the grades in the end' attitude. God's placed me in college to be a student and so, with my previous attitude, I'm not honouring Him and not using the gifts (intelligence) He's given me.
I've loved listening to a seminar from the Aber 2011 conference about how to honour God through our studies. In the past I've been fooled in to adopting the mindset that I would be honouring God more by helping out in church and CU, by spending time in fellowship rather than studying. I've been tricked in to believing my studies were unimportant, that what I did almost didn't matter.
In truth God has placed me here, in Yale College Wrexham, to be a Christian student.
That doesn't mean that doing the other stuff is bad. Helping in church is great. Engaging in fellowship stirs my affections for Christ. But so does studying. Doing what God has placed me here to do makes me love Him more.
Anyway, for the first time since I was much younger I'm putting effort in to my college work. I'm talking actual, creating-revision-timetables-and-sticking-to-them effort. My easter assignments have been completed (almost), my revision organised and past papers printed...
Praying it will pay off, and that God will be showing me more how I can glorify Him through my studies.
Tuesday, 3 April 2012
Transcendent beauty
This is one of my favourite views ever, photographed by my beautiful and talented sister.
Sunsets must be my favourite part of the day. I suppose sunrises could be, but I'm rarely awake early enough to see them. A sunset brings with it the end of one day and the hope of another and never fails to stir my affections for our Creator.
The beauty of creation is infinitely diverse - cleverly displayed in the rolling green hills, boasted of in a child's mischievous giggle, magnified in the rising and setting of the sun as the skies are splashed with pastel pinks and hues of blue or burn with fiery reds and smouldering oranges.
This transcendent beauty is our immediate form of the eternal. It displays the generosity and power of our Creator. It reminds us of the beauty of Eden we never knew, yet know deep down our hearts were created for. Earthly beauties are reminiscent of the beauty of our heaven to come - where everything shall be beautiful and all will be perfect.
Beauty haunts us with eternity. And eternity is etched on our hearts.
'Beauty says, 'There is a glory calling to you'. And if there is a glory, there is a source of glory. What great goodness could have possibly created this? What generosity gave us this to behold? Beauty draws us to God'
John Eldredge
Tuesday, 20 March 2012
My Mum
It's safe to say, like many other teenagers, I take my mum for granted. I get very used to her doing things for me. She makes me cups of tea when she arrives home from a long tiring day of work. She cooks my meals, does my washing and ironing. Mum doesn't just remember her tasks for the day, she remembers all of ours too, she's organised for all of us!
Unfortunately it's only now that I realise just how selfless my mum is, and always has been.
Many people know that my dad had Multiple Sclerosis. This meant that not only did mum have 3 young children (who became teenagers) to parent, but also a terminally ill husband to care for.
As we got older, more and more of the parenting fell on mum as dad became too ill. I can't imagine how hard this must have been! It is well known that a mum's life is busy and hectic and full of responsibilities, but mum's was even more so.
It undoubtedly would have been a million times easier for mum to let dad be put into a care home, then she could have worked and had more time for herself or something. But out of her immense love for dad and our family she didn't. She didn't do what was easiest for her. Dad stayed at home, with us, until he died in November 2009. I, for one, think that's pretty amazing...
Throughout all of this I know mum has been constantly praying for us, her children. Constantly leading us to Christ. Always loving us, even when we were difficult.
I love my mum, for so many reasons. Her unique laugh (always followed by a snort), her sense of humour, her endless patience, the way her eyes close when she smiles just like mine do, her freckles, her hatred of cut flowers, her rubbish jokes, her amazingly godly example, her selflessness, her love for her children.
I thank God for blessing me with such a beautiful mum.
In truth, I'm frustrated with this post. It's a bit pants to say the least. I can't fully portray to you how self-sacrificing and loving my mum is, so I'll just leave you with a quote I discovered today.
"A mother…by her planning and industry night and day, by her willfulness of love, by her fidelity, she brings up her children. Do not read to me the campaigns of Caesar and tell me nothing about Napoleon’s wonderful exploits. For I tell you that, as God and the angels look down upon the silent history of that woman’s administration, and upon those men-building processes which went on in her heart and mind through a score of years;—nothing exterior, no outward development of kingdoms, no empire-building, can compare with what mother has done. Nothing can compare in beauty, and wonder, and admirableness, and divinity itself, to the silent work in obscure dwellings of faithful women bringing their children to honor and virtue and piety." Henry Ward Beecher
Unfortunately it's only now that I realise just how selfless my mum is, and always has been.
Many people know that my dad had Multiple Sclerosis. This meant that not only did mum have 3 young children (who became teenagers) to parent, but also a terminally ill husband to care for.
As we got older, more and more of the parenting fell on mum as dad became too ill. I can't imagine how hard this must have been! It is well known that a mum's life is busy and hectic and full of responsibilities, but mum's was even more so.
It undoubtedly would have been a million times easier for mum to let dad be put into a care home, then she could have worked and had more time for herself or something. But out of her immense love for dad and our family she didn't. She didn't do what was easiest for her. Dad stayed at home, with us, until he died in November 2009. I, for one, think that's pretty amazing...
Throughout all of this I know mum has been constantly praying for us, her children. Constantly leading us to Christ. Always loving us, even when we were difficult.
I love my mum, for so many reasons. Her unique laugh (always followed by a snort), her sense of humour, her endless patience, the way her eyes close when she smiles just like mine do, her freckles, her hatred of cut flowers, her rubbish jokes, her amazingly godly example, her selflessness, her love for her children.
I thank God for blessing me with such a beautiful mum.
In truth, I'm frustrated with this post. It's a bit pants to say the least. I can't fully portray to you how self-sacrificing and loving my mum is, so I'll just leave you with a quote I discovered today.
"A mother…by her planning and industry night and day, by her willfulness of love, by her fidelity, she brings up her children. Do not read to me the campaigns of Caesar and tell me nothing about Napoleon’s wonderful exploits. For I tell you that, as God and the angels look down upon the silent history of that woman’s administration, and upon those men-building processes which went on in her heart and mind through a score of years;—nothing exterior, no outward development of kingdoms, no empire-building, can compare with what mother has done. Nothing can compare in beauty, and wonder, and admirableness, and divinity itself, to the silent work in obscure dwellings of faithful women bringing their children to honor and virtue and piety." Henry Ward Beecher
Friday, 16 March 2012
Rejection
A couple of weeks ago I was rejected by Edinburgh university for medicine.
Now, it's no secret that my heart was set on this Scottish uni, despite hating bagpipes, kilts, haggis, the cold winter weather and the scottish accent.
However, I do have an offer for King's College London.
At first, I was pretty gutted about this. London is big and scary and impersonal.
People rush past one another in the street. On the tube everyone keeps to themselves, absorbed in their ipads and kindles, their own thoughts and their own world. It's not very friendly. No one smiles at each other as they pass by. Mcdonalds seem to appear on just about every street corner. The churches are big and crowded, very much unlike my home village church. Not somewhere that really appeals to me. It's different to my small village community, and I'm not a fan of change.
Fortunately, I'm pretty confident this is where God wants me. The more and more I look at London and all the amazing opportunities it will give me as a student, the more excited I get about September. I think it was partly pride that made me so upset. KCL is an amazing med school, in the top 10! But I thought I could do better, despite my initial UCAS application being very half-hearted.
God has really proven to me that He knows best. It sounds silly, but sometimes head knowledge needs a little push to become heart knowledge! It's like that C.S.Lewis quote I've written about, God is sending me to the university that is right for me, and not just the one I thought I wanted to go to. I thought I would hate the prospect of going to London to university, but in just a couple of weeks my mind has changed! Proving its' unreliability and indecisiveness of humans.
Either way, I am now very excited about September. My teachers are appealing Edinburgh's decision, but I think regardless of whether or not they give me an offer after, I'll be jumping quite happily on to the London 2012 bandwagon...
Now, it's no secret that my heart was set on this Scottish uni, despite hating bagpipes, kilts, haggis, the cold winter weather and the scottish accent.
However, I do have an offer for King's College London.
At first, I was pretty gutted about this. London is big and scary and impersonal.
People rush past one another in the street. On the tube everyone keeps to themselves, absorbed in their ipads and kindles, their own thoughts and their own world. It's not very friendly. No one smiles at each other as they pass by. Mcdonalds seem to appear on just about every street corner. The churches are big and crowded, very much unlike my home village church. Not somewhere that really appeals to me. It's different to my small village community, and I'm not a fan of change.
Fortunately, I'm pretty confident this is where God wants me. The more and more I look at London and all the amazing opportunities it will give me as a student, the more excited I get about September. I think it was partly pride that made me so upset. KCL is an amazing med school, in the top 10! But I thought I could do better, despite my initial UCAS application being very half-hearted.
God has really proven to me that He knows best. It sounds silly, but sometimes head knowledge needs a little push to become heart knowledge! It's like that C.S.Lewis quote I've written about, God is sending me to the university that is right for me, and not just the one I thought I wanted to go to. I thought I would hate the prospect of going to London to university, but in just a couple of weeks my mind has changed! Proving its' unreliability and indecisiveness of humans.
Either way, I am now very excited about September. My teachers are appealing Edinburgh's decision, but I think regardless of whether or not they give me an offer after, I'll be jumping quite happily on to the London 2012 bandwagon...
Thursday, 15 March 2012
Last week
Last week was a week of many firsts.
For the first time ever I climbed a tree, all to aid my first ever attempt of breaking and entering, all of which was the idea of my friend Kaylee.
Now, this isn't what it sounds like. I am certainly not an aspiring criminal.
Last week I was supposed to be going to Dad's grave, and Kaylee to Katie's. Unfortunately, we didn't realise what time the gates were locked. So, in the freezing cold, wearing a floral print dress, tights and brogues (not an ideal tree climbing outfit), Kaylee gave me a leg up into a tree and onto the cemetery fence. Thankfully we realised BEFORE jumping down on to the other side that there would be absolutely no way of escape and we would've been stuck there until 8am the next morning. An unideal situation, I think we can all agree.
This may seem a strange thing to say, but I love Dad's gravestone. It's pretty standard, black marble, not particularly stand out-ish. On the rare occasion I've been to visit I've been known to walk right past it before realising it's there. It rarely has any (live) flowers in front of it. To anyone else, it's just another stone to mark another person who's died, another person who's missed.
But for me, it declares an incredible truth. To describe Dad's death, my mum had 'went to be with his Lord' inscribed on it. Not 'fell to sleep' or 'passed away', my Dad simply went to be with his Lord.
What a comforting and precious reminder!
As a Christian, I have no need to fear death! That's bold. There's no need to question, 'what comes next'. I know.
For the first time ever I climbed a tree, all to aid my first ever attempt of breaking and entering, all of which was the idea of my friend Kaylee.
Now, this isn't what it sounds like. I am certainly not an aspiring criminal.
Last week I was supposed to be going to Dad's grave, and Kaylee to Katie's. Unfortunately, we didn't realise what time the gates were locked. So, in the freezing cold, wearing a floral print dress, tights and brogues (not an ideal tree climbing outfit), Kaylee gave me a leg up into a tree and onto the cemetery fence. Thankfully we realised BEFORE jumping down on to the other side that there would be absolutely no way of escape and we would've been stuck there until 8am the next morning. An unideal situation, I think we can all agree.
This may seem a strange thing to say, but I love Dad's gravestone. It's pretty standard, black marble, not particularly stand out-ish. On the rare occasion I've been to visit I've been known to walk right past it before realising it's there. It rarely has any (live) flowers in front of it. To anyone else, it's just another stone to mark another person who's died, another person who's missed.
But for me, it declares an incredible truth. To describe Dad's death, my mum had 'went to be with his Lord' inscribed on it. Not 'fell to sleep' or 'passed away', my Dad simply went to be with his Lord.
What a comforting and precious reminder!
As a Christian, I have no need to fear death! That's bold. There's no need to question, 'what comes next'. I know.
Friday, 2 March 2012
Grandparents
I love my grandparents. In fact, I think I'd go so far as to say I have the best grandparents ever!
Today I went to see Nana and Taid (my mum's parents) in Flint.
My Taid tells the best stories ever!
From a young (fat) child I've loved nothing more than cwtching up with him in his chair or sitting on his knee to be told a story.
Granted, most of the stories are utter rubbish (on several occasions Taid has been known to claim to have killed Hitler) but they are always entertaining.
As for Nana, her lemon drizzle cake and apple slices are legendary nationwide (sort of). When she knows we're coming, she stocks up the sweet cupboard and bakes. What a woman!Nana and Taid have taken me and the family on my two favourite ever holidays, both to Disneyland Paris. It was Taid who first coaxed me onto my first ever rollercoaster (with unfulfilled promises of candyfloss if I remember rightly). He even replaced my Mickey Mouse hat that I lost on said rollercoaster. As for Nana, she once saved me from choking to death on a cheesestring.
Unarguably, two amazing OAPs.
My favourite way to spend a Wednesday is with my Nana and Grampa (my dad's parents) in Ruabon watching Downton Abbey. I love their house. As a young child I thought it vaguely resembled a castle. An ideal location for a cheeky game of blockey or hide and seek, it has an innumerable amount of hiding places inside an out, not to mention a great apple tree for climbing!
My Grampa has the best beard ever.He's pretty much famous for it. Always in a trimmed condition, never has it been spotted with a crumb of food in! It was also Grampa who has entertained us for years with games such as Yahtzee, Scrabble and Pass the Pigs - games all renowned for Grampa's utterance of 'shambles' as he would lose yet again, though I'm sure that he'd agree it was simply to boost the confidence of his grandchildren.
Nana is yet another amazing cook, her chocolate chip cookies and welsh cakes are to die for! Whenever I go to their house, Nana makes my favourite Leek and Potato soup (made with leeks and potatoes from Grampa's garden) and we sit down to watch Downton Abbey or do sudokus. Nana and Grampa are both ridiculously talented people. They speak a couple of dead languages, including ancient Greek, which I'm always impressed by!
I've never had a problem that my grandparents can't solve with a cup of tea, a homemade cake and a cuddle. They give the best cuddles. Perhaps there's a mandatory grandparent cuddle class.
It is with my grandparents that I can truly be myself and unleash my inner OAP. From garden centre visits to doing sudoku by the fire, every moment is a joy.
In conclusion, my grandparents are the best, most thoughtful and talented grandparents ever. And I am so fortunate to have been blessed with them.
Monday, 27 February 2012
C.S.Lewis
I have always been a massive bookworm. If bookworms were pets, I'd be a pedigree. As a child I would sneak a torch under my duvet after my mum or dad had put out my bedroom light and continue reading. In the car, whilst watching tv, anywhere and everywhere. I would read.
The old books are my favourite - books that had been my mum's or grandparents'. Old, faded and beautiful copies of Pilgrim's Progress and Christie's Old Organ are still prominent and treasured possessions in my room, complete with worn spines and yellowed pages.
I have grown up with C.S.Lewis' books. From the Narnia series to Screwtape Letters. If you've been in my bedroom, you will have undoubtedly noticed the numerous C.S.Lewis quotes written on walls, or scrawled in my college notebooks if you have the unfortunate privilege of sitting next to me in classes.
Today, I stumbled across another C.S.Lewis quote,
'God intends to give us what we need,
I've come to the conclusion that my mind is not reliable. It is easily swayed. I am not usually a good judge of what I need. I am too easily distracted by lesser wants and desires. Words cannot begin to describe how relieved and thankful I am that God is gracious enough to GIVE us what we need, in His love. For I know I will rarely ask for it.
The old books are my favourite - books that had been my mum's or grandparents'. Old, faded and beautiful copies of Pilgrim's Progress and Christie's Old Organ are still prominent and treasured possessions in my room, complete with worn spines and yellowed pages.
I have grown up with C.S.Lewis' books. From the Narnia series to Screwtape Letters. If you've been in my bedroom, you will have undoubtedly noticed the numerous C.S.Lewis quotes written on walls, or scrawled in my college notebooks if you have the unfortunate privilege of sitting next to me in classes.
Today, I stumbled across another C.S.Lewis quote,
'God intends to give us what we need,
not what we now think we want.'
I am an indecisive person at the best of times. Give me a choice between two restaurants for lunch and I could take hours painstakingly thinking through my decision.
I can identify completely with this quote. What struck me was not just that God is going to give us what we need. I know this and am so incredibly thankful for this. But the reminder that we ask for what we THINK we currently want. Our minds change so quickly. Many times I've agonisingly prayed for something, and felt so frustrated when my prayers are answered in another way. Yet sometimes a matter of weeks later I want something completely different.
I am an indecisive person at the best of times. Give me a choice between two restaurants for lunch and I could take hours painstakingly thinking through my decision.
I can identify completely with this quote. What struck me was not just that God is going to give us what we need. I know this and am so incredibly thankful for this. But the reminder that we ask for what we THINK we currently want. Our minds change so quickly. Many times I've agonisingly prayed for something, and felt so frustrated when my prayers are answered in another way. Yet sometimes a matter of weeks later I want something completely different.
I've come to the conclusion that my mind is not reliable. It is easily swayed. I am not usually a good judge of what I need. I am too easily distracted by lesser wants and desires. Words cannot begin to describe how relieved and thankful I am that God is gracious enough to GIVE us what we need, in His love. For I know I will rarely ask for it.
Sunday, 26 February 2012
Sunday Mornings
I love Sunday mornings. A cheeky little lie in, a nice relaxed breakfast... The number of lovely things that can be done before the church service is infinite it seems!
This Sunday is going to be one of my favourites, I can already tell.
Why?
Today is Bring and Share Lunch in church.
I love church lunch. The food is always amazing! Don't get me wrong, I'm a sucker for the classic Sunday Roast with the yorkshires and the parsnips and the gravy. But the choices at the bring and share lunch are incredible!
Stews, curries, lasagnes, hotpots (which I'm pretty sure is a stew), pasta bakes, pizzas, sandwiches, to name but a few. And that's just for the savoury food!
But what's more, the smell of these foods cooking downstairs during the service is amazing. By the second hymn I can guarantee my stomach will be rumbling like there's no tomorrow, regardless of whether or not I've had a three-course breakfast.
Desert brings a whole new array of mouth watering treats...
Apple pies, rice pudding, custards, at least 4 types of home made cake, biscuits, chocolates, and so so much more!
My favourite food that gets brought for desert is most definitely Darren Coffin's legendary Rocky Roads. These things are amazing! Made with the cutest mini marshmallows and loveliest chocolate, I literally cannot get enough of them.
Here's hoping Darren's made them for today...
So why I do I love church lunch so much? Amazing food, accompanied by my church family. What is there not to like?
This Sunday is going to be one of my favourites, I can already tell.
Why?
Today is Bring and Share Lunch in church.
I love church lunch. The food is always amazing! Don't get me wrong, I'm a sucker for the classic Sunday Roast with the yorkshires and the parsnips and the gravy. But the choices at the bring and share lunch are incredible!
Stews, curries, lasagnes, hotpots (which I'm pretty sure is a stew), pasta bakes, pizzas, sandwiches, to name but a few. And that's just for the savoury food!
But what's more, the smell of these foods cooking downstairs during the service is amazing. By the second hymn I can guarantee my stomach will be rumbling like there's no tomorrow, regardless of whether or not I've had a three-course breakfast.
Desert brings a whole new array of mouth watering treats...
Apple pies, rice pudding, custards, at least 4 types of home made cake, biscuits, chocolates, and so so much more!
My favourite food that gets brought for desert is most definitely Darren Coffin's legendary Rocky Roads. These things are amazing! Made with the cutest mini marshmallows and loveliest chocolate, I literally cannot get enough of them.
Here's hoping Darren's made them for today...
So why I do I love church lunch so much? Amazing food, accompanied by my church family. What is there not to like?
Tuesday, 21 February 2012
University Applications
I've come to the conclusion that this blogging lark is harder than I first anticipated. I've realised the insignificance of my opinions and just how mundane my life is. My friend told me to just share what's on my mind...
Today I was asked why I want to study medicine at university. And, for the first time ever, I hesitated. This wasn't the usual, 'the word is on the tip of my tongue I just can't think of it' hesitation. This was a full blown 'I don't know why on earth I have applied to do medicine' hesitation. In the end I settled for giving the spiel I effectively learnt for my university interviews, and seemed to satisfy the person who asked.
In truth?
I no longer have no idea why I am applying to do medicine.
Perhaps it's because it's just what smart people seem to do. Generally, people think I'm dumb. I don't blame them!
Until very recently I was convinced London was right next to Birmingham (it isn't) and located directly in the centre of England (again, it isn't).
Even my A-level teachers couldn't mask their initial surprise when they found out my GCSE grades. My friends make comments about me being thick and I don't think any of my teachers realistically expect me to do particularly outstanding this year. Perhaps I just wanted to finally prove to people that I'm not your average airhead.
In my UCAS personal statement, I talked about being inspired by the way my Dad was treated during his battle with MS. The way the doctors diagnosed and treated him, and supported us as a family. Perhaps at the time this was my main motivation, in fact I'm sure it was. I saw something I could be good at and wanted to do. Somewhere along the way I have lost that desire.
Nevertheless, I have convinced scores of teachers, friends, family and even universities that I am certain I am going to make an excellent doctor, and that it is the only career my heart desires.
In truth?
I haven't got a clue. I have no idea what I want to do in September. I have no idea if I still consider becoming a doctor to be worth 5 years extra studying. I have no idea what my future holds.
Thankfully I have a God who does know, a God who has a perfect plan. And that is more than enough for me!
Today I was asked why I want to study medicine at university. And, for the first time ever, I hesitated. This wasn't the usual, 'the word is on the tip of my tongue I just can't think of it' hesitation. This was a full blown 'I don't know why on earth I have applied to do medicine' hesitation. In the end I settled for giving the spiel I effectively learnt for my university interviews, and seemed to satisfy the person who asked.
In truth?
I no longer have no idea why I am applying to do medicine.
Perhaps it's because it's just what smart people seem to do. Generally, people think I'm dumb. I don't blame them!
Until very recently I was convinced London was right next to Birmingham (it isn't) and located directly in the centre of England (again, it isn't).
Even my A-level teachers couldn't mask their initial surprise when they found out my GCSE grades. My friends make comments about me being thick and I don't think any of my teachers realistically expect me to do particularly outstanding this year. Perhaps I just wanted to finally prove to people that I'm not your average airhead.
In my UCAS personal statement, I talked about being inspired by the way my Dad was treated during his battle with MS. The way the doctors diagnosed and treated him, and supported us as a family. Perhaps at the time this was my main motivation, in fact I'm sure it was. I saw something I could be good at and wanted to do. Somewhere along the way I have lost that desire.
Nevertheless, I have convinced scores of teachers, friends, family and even universities that I am certain I am going to make an excellent doctor, and that it is the only career my heart desires.
In truth?
I haven't got a clue. I have no idea what I want to do in September. I have no idea if I still consider becoming a doctor to be worth 5 years extra studying. I have no idea what my future holds.
Thankfully I have a God who does know, a God who has a perfect plan. And that is more than enough for me!
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
Valentine's Day
Just like every other Valentine's Day, I woke up to a few hundred cards and acres worth of flowers. Massive jokes! I woke up, pretended to do jobs around the house then settled for watching 90210 with ice cream whilst contemplating a long overdue trip to the gym. (Needless to say, the gym visit never happened and I'm still chilling in my onesie.) On the bright side, mum text me to say she has a present for me, proving I am loved by someone.
On another note, today has reminded me of one of my favourite quotes:
"At the back of everything is the love of God"William Barclay
A couple years ago I was at a friend's church in Northwich around valentine's day and the preacher used this quote in his sermon. I've shared it with a few people before, but it has such a mind-blowing truth! Behind everything is God's love! That's not an easy thing to see or whole-heartedly believe - that God's love is not just in the good things. But behind every sadness, every death, every job loss, every trial and every hurt. God's love is behind every seemingly bad situation too, even if it's not always obvious. What an amazingly complex God we have!
Anyway, I'm looking forward to a (sort-of) spontaneous visit from my step-brother and his wife (Sam and Becci) later on. Unfortunately I'm sure we're all going to be a bit less tanned than the last time I saw them, during our family holiday to Spain in October. Then again, I'm ginger, I'm never tanned...
On another note, today has reminded me of one of my favourite quotes:
"At the back of everything is the love of God"William Barclay
A couple years ago I was at a friend's church in Northwich around valentine's day and the preacher used this quote in his sermon. I've shared it with a few people before, but it has such a mind-blowing truth! Behind everything is God's love! That's not an easy thing to see or whole-heartedly believe - that God's love is not just in the good things. But behind every sadness, every death, every job loss, every trial and every hurt. God's love is behind every seemingly bad situation too, even if it's not always obvious. What an amazingly complex God we have!
Anyway, I'm looking forward to a (sort-of) spontaneous visit from my step-brother and his wife (Sam and Becci) later on. Unfortunately I'm sure we're all going to be a bit less tanned than the last time I saw them, during our family holiday to Spain in October. Then again, I'm ginger, I'm never tanned...
Saturday, 11 February 2012
My Final Destination
So recently I trawled through the (literally) hundreds of cards/letters/emails that were sent to us when Dad died. I didn't find the letter I was looking for, I found an even greater reminder from a friend. In the message he included a quote:
"The world rings changes, it is never constant but in its disappointments. The world is but a great inn, where we are to stay a night or two, and be gone; what madness is it so to set our heart upon our inn, as to forget our home?' Thomas Watson
"The world rings changes, it is never constant but in its disappointments. The world is but a great inn, where we are to stay a night or two, and be gone; what madness is it so to set our heart upon our inn, as to forget our home?' Thomas Watson
Needless to say, I love this quote! I loved it the first time it was shared with me, and I love it now. Yet its truth is so easy to forget, and I had definitely forgotten. It is so easy to get wrapped up in the things of this life, to set our hearts upon success and popularity and looks and a million other things this world can offer us. It is so easy to take our eyes off Christ and seek out worldly pleasures.
We will inevitably be left disappointed. The joy that can be gained from success fades, the security of having friends is fleeting, our plans don't work out and at some point, we will fail. This world is full of disappointments, it is the only thing that it can guarantee. It is madness to put our ultimate hope and seek out our final joy in any of the things it offers.
But I love the reminder this quote gives - our life here is temporary. Ultimately, this is not where we will spend eternity. This is not where we belong. I know my eternal destination, and my father is already there.
What a joy it is to live my life for that destination and for my Saviour who awaits my arrival, not for this world and the pathetic excuse of joy it offers.
We will inevitably be left disappointed. The joy that can be gained from success fades, the security of having friends is fleeting, our plans don't work out and at some point, we will fail. This world is full of disappointments, it is the only thing that it can guarantee. It is madness to put our ultimate hope and seek out our final joy in any of the things it offers.
But I love the reminder this quote gives - our life here is temporary. Ultimately, this is not where we will spend eternity. This is not where we belong. I know my eternal destination, and my father is already there.
What a joy it is to live my life for that destination and for my Saviour who awaits my arrival, not for this world and the pathetic excuse of joy it offers.
Thursday, 9 February 2012
Abounding In Love
I've decided to jump feet first on to the blogging bandwagon! Partly due to the zillions of pointless thoughts I have to share with people, the amazing blogs some of my friends keep, and my love of procrastination.
So before I tell you about my lovely day, I'll explain the name... I didn't take too long picking it in all honesty. It's pretty straight forward - 'Abounding in Love' is one of my favourite descriptions of God. He is love! He created us, and we disobeyed Him, He sent His ONLY son to DIE for us, and even once we are saved we still continue to go our own way and sin against Him. Despite all of this, all the hurt we cause and all the sin we commit, regardless of the number of times we turn our backs on Him and go our own way, He is ALWAYS there, patiently calling us back to Him in His mercy. If that isn't love, then what is?!
Back to my lovely day... It started off with a standard rubbish morning in college with pointless lessons that I didn't pay much attention to, then I got locked outside my house in the pouring rain because I forgot my keys (again) and haven't yet perfected the art of picking a lock with a hair pin, none of which were particularly 'lovely'. However, I then went for lunch and spent the evening with my friend, Becky Roberts. In short, she is amazing! We had a great catch up :) She told me all about how God's working in her dad's life, which I loved hearing! And although (hopefully) she didn't notice, I couldn't help but tear up as she was telling me (in a good way). A bit embarrassing really, considering we were chilling in Debenham's Cafe at the time. But I love seeing and hearing how God is working in someone's life, it's always such a massive encouragement and a challenge (something I really needed today!), and this in particular is something so many people have been praying for. I love seeing answered prayer :) Becky used to be my Dad's P.A, so we spent ages talking/laughing about our memories of him, something I'll definitely write more about soon :)
Another less enjoyable part of my day was the realisation of the amount of work I have to do. As mentioned earlier, I am a massive procrastinator! If it was a sport, it'd be the only one I was good at! When exam season hits, my room is always spotless, I find facebook actually interesting and even trips to the gym become vaguely enjoyable! I'm working on it though.
Ooooo, while I was at Becky's I had a super exciting phone call to confirm that I'll be spending much of my summer in Kenya! I'll be volunteering with an orphanage on the coast near Watamu (about 80km from Mombasa). I'm really excited to get involved in such a worthy project and experience another culture, though I'm a ridiculously fussy eater and they apparently eat a lot of goat. And they don't have ketchup. This could genuinely be an issue. I essentially have the attitude to trying new food that a toddler does. It scares me. However, the place is BEAUTIFUL, the work exciting and I know that once I'm there I'll never want to come home! At least a one way ticket will reduce the cost somewhat...
So before I tell you about my lovely day, I'll explain the name... I didn't take too long picking it in all honesty. It's pretty straight forward - 'Abounding in Love' is one of my favourite descriptions of God. He is love! He created us, and we disobeyed Him, He sent His ONLY son to DIE for us, and even once we are saved we still continue to go our own way and sin against Him. Despite all of this, all the hurt we cause and all the sin we commit, regardless of the number of times we turn our backs on Him and go our own way, He is ALWAYS there, patiently calling us back to Him in His mercy. If that isn't love, then what is?!
Back to my lovely day... It started off with a standard rubbish morning in college with pointless lessons that I didn't pay much attention to, then I got locked outside my house in the pouring rain because I forgot my keys (again) and haven't yet perfected the art of picking a lock with a hair pin, none of which were particularly 'lovely'. However, I then went for lunch and spent the evening with my friend, Becky Roberts. In short, she is amazing! We had a great catch up :) She told me all about how God's working in her dad's life, which I loved hearing! And although (hopefully) she didn't notice, I couldn't help but tear up as she was telling me (in a good way). A bit embarrassing really, considering we were chilling in Debenham's Cafe at the time. But I love seeing and hearing how God is working in someone's life, it's always such a massive encouragement and a challenge (something I really needed today!), and this in particular is something so many people have been praying for. I love seeing answered prayer :) Becky used to be my Dad's P.A, so we spent ages talking/laughing about our memories of him, something I'll definitely write more about soon :)
Another less enjoyable part of my day was the realisation of the amount of work I have to do. As mentioned earlier, I am a massive procrastinator! If it was a sport, it'd be the only one I was good at! When exam season hits, my room is always spotless, I find facebook actually interesting and even trips to the gym become vaguely enjoyable! I'm working on it though.
Ooooo, while I was at Becky's I had a super exciting phone call to confirm that I'll be spending much of my summer in Kenya! I'll be volunteering with an orphanage on the coast near Watamu (about 80km from Mombasa). I'm really excited to get involved in such a worthy project and experience another culture, though I'm a ridiculously fussy eater and they apparently eat a lot of goat. And they don't have ketchup. This could genuinely be an issue. I essentially have the attitude to trying new food that a toddler does. It scares me. However, the place is BEAUTIFUL, the work exciting and I know that once I'm there I'll never want to come home! At least a one way ticket will reduce the cost somewhat...
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