Saying goodbye

This post probably won't be as jolly or exciting as the other ones, but it still has a lot of truth in it. Since the holidays ended, it's been as hard as always to get over such a great summer, especially as this one is the best so far, and to get on with school. The miserable weather doesn't help! People have gradually been leaving to go home to all their different countries or areas, so my life has emptied more and more in the past couple of weeks, which is quite hard to adjust to. Anyone that knows me well can tell you I get emotionally attached very easily, so having a big bunch of incredible, God-loving friends around who start to disappear can be a bit painful, but I know I can do it, I do every year, and this time my relationship is God is strong enough for me to know that I can find peace and joy in Him, anywhere, at any time.

The people I have said goodbye to have all been a big part of my life this summer, and I will miss each and everyone of them. The most recent ones being Marco, Delila, Nelly Jelly, Myria, Cerstin and Tundi. Then there is my beautiful Kateri, who is like a sister to me- one of many- and who left to go back to America this morning, after I spent 6 great months getting to know and love her. But it is all I can do to repeatedly thank God for her this summer, and everybody else. Getting back into school isn't hard, just boring, as it's not where I want to be but I know I just have to get through this year and do the best I can, then I can begin to do God's work out in the real world! Beginning with bible school in Germany next September which I could not be more excited about!! I have nearly completed my application, so soon I hope to be sending it off and praying I get a spot at Bodenseehof! :)





Not a lot of things have happened these past few weeks, except a few games of Mafia, movie and pizza nights, and hanging out with some of the loveliest girls I have ever met! A group of us all decided to buy hair dye in town and then all dyed each others hair, I went chocolate truffle so sort of reddish brown, so that was good fun! I have also been keeping up with driving lessons and I am now booked in for my practical driving test in a few weeks which is a scary thought!! The weather is indeed turning into a typical British autumn now, it has been raining non-stop for about a week and we have a usual puddle building in our front garden! But the only good point is that I love starting to wrap up warm and putting wellies on and going out for rain walks!!

There was another worship night a couple of weeks back, which was the best of all three I have been to this summer, and as it was the final one, me Anna and Kateri all got a bit emotional after a deep prayer session for the next year! But a big positive is that in just a few days, my best friend Sarah is moving down here for bible school, so I will get to see her every day (lucky me!), but honestly, I am so excited to have her close by for moral support and my own personal stash of Abercrombie and Hollister clothing! :D Thanks Saz!

This is us, by the way!

In terms of looking to the future of the year to come, the title of my post also has a metaphorical meaning. This summer transformed me, and I really want to remain the strong Christian I am, even though I know there are plenty of tests and trials out there waiting for me back in the real world, especially at school. But the difference this year is that I am saying goodbye to any old me that made mistakes, or denied my faith to my peers, because I am so determined to show everyone just how incredible God is. Already, it isn't easy, but I am sticking with it and can already feel God strengthening me, in the way only He can, and blessing me for standing up for Him. A verse that is very fitting for this is one Sarah gave me a few days ago, from Romans 8: 18 - 'Our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us'. So basically, it should be seen as a privilege to sacrifice reputation and dismiss what other will say, because the result is eternal life with God, and what bigger reward could there be!?

So, this year I am letting God take control of all areas of my life, my relationships, my commitment to school, my faith, my fears, my future and everything else. I am trusting in Him completely, and I invite you all to share the same confidence with me, and although we may stumble and doubt, we should not give up on believing that God really has what is best for us in mind and no matter what we are going through, he will never leave us, and we can always find blessings from Him, if we are looking to Him. I will leave you all with this:
Psalm 25: 4-5
Lord, tell me your ways, show me how to live. Guide me in your truth and teach me, my God and my Saviour, I trust you all day long.

Have a fantastic year, not that this is actually goodbye, I will be posting in another few weeks no doubt! God Bless you all! :)

P.S. WE ALSO GOT A CAT! She is adorable, and her name was Milo, but that's a boy name so it's MILA :D