It's been a month..

Okayyy, so it's taken me a while to get on this. And I had intended to write this when I got home two weekends ago, however, I was soooo super busy with so much other stuff and so many other people to see, I ran out of time. But, I'm home again, and I'm going to finally update you all:)

Here was me last night with Suzanne. We went to some nice little restaurant for a big dinner. Mum had originally planned for there to be 38 there in total. She never knew my dad had phoned them up to add in two secret extra chairs. One for me, and one for my brother. So on Wednesday, her actual birthday, my brother showed up in Weatherspoons, from Australia..and asked if he could take a seat. My mum didnt look up and was wondering why a random guy was asking her if he could sit. She then took a double glance at the "man" and realised, with tear-filled eyes, that it was my brother. I then decided to show up at the dinner last night, and gave her, yet, another surprise. It was so much fun getting to be a part of her special night. And I'm so great full for all the people who have played such amazing parts in my mums life :) 
There was only one person missing from that night that I can think of and it was Fiona McQuaker. One of my mums closest friends from when we lived in Elgin. It took so long for me to understand why God would let someone so wonderful and amazing die. Yet I quickly realised it was all part of His plan. And it's so comforting to know she's in the best place she ever could be. And I can't wait to join her! Free of pain. I thank God for Fiona's life, and the many amazing times she gave and had with our family. I know if she could have been here physically, she'd have been sitting right next to me. But instead she will have been gazing on, with a massive smile on her face celebrating my mums 50 years. 

So here's a couple pictures from the dinner :)

Time Flies

Okay, so internet is quite possibly the most impossible thing to get here unless the majority of the school decide to go out for the day. That day is today, so for once I am actually getting on, and able to write to all of you guys! The last week has literally flown in. We had a ceilidh on Saturday night which was so much fun! It's always watching people try and do the dances when they have no idea what they are doing. But it's even more hillarious when it's basically the WHOLE of the room confused as to what they are doing. Maxxi and I had the Gay Gordons sussed though which was funnnn. I don't think I could breath or feel my legs after it, but it was okay. I survived. Then had our first proper church service on Sunday with communion at night. We also wrote a letter to our future selves in 6 months time which was pretty cool. We had to write down our thoughts at the time, and to see the difference between what they were like last week when we're finished Winter School.

On Monday we had our first netball practice. It went well! There 17 of us and we have two teams so there's a few extra, so we swap in at times! It was cold as we were playing outside, but that's just something we're all gonna have to get used to. Some of us more than others. Our first game was on Wednesday, and although we didn't win, both teams played really well. The games are run through an organization called Sports Reach. Which gets teams together of Christians and non Christians to play in a tournament. At the end of the game we share a five minute Bible bit which is also pretty cool. Even though we lost our game. The team we had been playing said they were glad they had played us at the start rather than at the end. Hopefully we will get some wins this season!

A lot of time is spent goofing around. Sometimes we just chill in the lounge, or play music inside or outside! The acoustics in the courtyard are absolutely amazing! So it's fun playing out there. One of my roomies, Melissa, has the most phenomenal voice I have probably ever heard. I was in complete shock when I heard her sing! My dad was down on Monday and dropped in some recording equipment, so once I get that working, it'll be fun to do some recording done!

On Wednesday afternoon I decided to take a walk to Carnforth with Gentry and Melissa. It was only as we reached the end of the path to the entrance/exit of the hall that we realized we had a looooooooooooooooong way to go. Luckily, Brady was driving by us and he stopped and dropped us a bit closer to Carnforth, but we still had a whillllllle to go. So I suggested we take the Canal walk. As we walked we walked by a couple of other people - mostly dog walkers. It was also really muddy. So I was 
glad I was wearing the shoes I was!
It was soooo pretty! These are a few of the 
pictures from it.


I know realise that after saying the connection was good here yesterday, it wasn't as it's now Sunday and I'm, still on the same blog. Anywayyy. That just means one less day to talk about. Soooo. It's Sunday and I'm currently listening to Bringing Sexy Back? Very biblical.. Sunday's are pretty laid back. With the best lunch of the week. I played fiddle  in the worship band for church this morning which was really cool. And I'm playing piano with one of the girls who works here for tonight which will also be pretty cool. Pray for me as I'm pretty nervous. But I know God will be with me and I just need to trust him to keep me confident and do the best I can, as at the end of the day, it's for him I'm doing it! Not for anyone else. That was something we talked about in seminar on Friday morning. 


That's another thing. Fridays are either seminar day or clean up day. So one half of the students attend a three hour seminar and the other half tidy. It's actually pretty fun! I was raking leaves! I can't remember if I've mentioned this already or not, but ohwell! But yeah, that was my duty for last weeks clean up. Then this week i was in seminar. It was led by Carolyn, and on Worship. It was pretty cool. Grouping up with others to gain different views on things. It was sweeet!

Another big thing for me is I finally conquered my fear of walking the loop in the dark. I normally get completely petrified of doing it. But I walked it with Micah, Andrew and Beth and it was totally fine! I still got spooked by the cows. I just imagine them coming running at me. But they didn't and I was safe haha. But still ever since they chased a group of us on a family week a few years ago, I've always been petrified from them! IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE?!?!?! I was talking to Brady (one of the RA's) and telling him about how a song in vegetales still relates to me now. I don't know if you're reading this and wondering what the HECK is vegetales, but some of you will be with me on this one. So it's the episode where Junior is in bed and he's scared and he starts singing..
"God is bigger than the boogie man
He's bigger than Godzila 
Or the monsters on TV
Oh, God is bigger than the boogie man
And he's watching out for you and me!

The song then goes onto some other verses etc, but it's just really cool to be reminded that God is bigger than ANYTHING. Nothing is bigger than him. He has power over everything, and when we're scared we should just remember that God has our back. 

The lectures at the beginning of the week were mostly done by a guy called Paul. He basically explained the whole of the Old Testament in a couple of minutes, and he came to teach us how to do it too! By using different actions and key words, we were able to explain it so simply. It was so much fun as well. We then just had to string a few simple sentences together to put it all together. It was awesome! He's coming back next month to teach us the New Testament. 

Our first essay is due in at the beginning of the month. I should probably start on that pretty soon! We also have to do a prayer journal. We had our first test on Thursday. It sucked. I struggled with it so much, but I don't think I was going into it in the right frame of mind. When we got to finish it the next day. I looked over my Bible, and prayed that I would know what I was doing. Sure enough, I went in with a new boost of confidence I certainly hadn't had the day before. 

Next Saturday we're due to go to Chester! I AM SOOOO EXCITED. I can't wait to show my friends around and take them shopping. I think they're excited about it too! 

Last night we played a massive game of sardines. The guy was hiding in the most simplest place, yet it took people till near enough the end of the game to even find him. It was super cold. I've gotten used to wearing my wellies, onesies and body warmer. It's the bestest outfit EVER! Maybe not out in town, but when you're lounging about, it's cool :) 

Sooooo yeah, just pray that we all get the most out of the lectures and that we stay focused. And pray for safety as we go about our different sporting activities. Thanks for keeping up to date with me! Feel free to send me letters! 

Pictures, memories anythinnnng! 

Sarah Ross

Capernwray Hall

Carnforth

Lancashire

LA6 1AG

England

I love hearing from you guyyyys! :) 

Last night we had a whole load of games in the dining hall - the tables and chairs were moved, don't worry! They were so much fun though. And tonight is gonna be awesome too, hearing the two RA's - Brady and Kim - testimonies. Which will be cool. 

I'm looking forward to coming home and visiting in a few weeks, but till then, keep praying for us all here! 

If anyone has any questions, feel free to write/text me! Would love to see some familiar faces down here at some point! I realise it's quite a long journey though! But also, take a look at the Capernwray website for info on the holidays! They are a great opportunity to get away and have some amazing, true, teaching

 from the Bible!

This is one of my favourite photo's I have so far. It was also taken while we were on the walk. As we go onto our next week of lectures I ask that you'll pray for us that we learn to focus in lectures and get as much out of them as we can! It's such an amazing opportunity for all of us. And it really hit home this week how lucky I am to be able to attend here. I'm looking forward to travelling home for the weekend on the 2nd of November. I'll be bringing a couple friends home with me too which will be cool! 

I'M HERE!

Okay, so it's taken me a while to get on here and write, but I've arrived and settles in so well! This is the beautiful view I get from my window.. Well, it'll be beautiful when there's no rain being thrown down upon us. I arrived to a pretty empty castle. Yes, for those just reading in now, I live in a castle. It's sooooo awesome. I only knew one other person who was coming to school when I arrived. Tim, he's from Oz. But I didn't see him so I was kinda left to my own devices. I had SOOOO much stuff. It was crazy. However, Max and Nigel found me, and I had friends. Only problem here was, I didn't feel the need to reach out and talk to anyone else, so Max ended up setting me up with talking to new people, which I was greatful for. A few of the people I knew soon arrived, and Kezia came down with Zach and saw me too. As I moved my junk into my room, I noticed the other people who would be in my room. Gentry being one of them. I found this soooo cool as we had already talked over facebook prior to coming to school. The other two girls in my room are Melissa and Grace. They are my fav! It's unreal how close a friendship we all have already. It didn't take long for us to lose our "cover."

Okay, so if you wanna pray for me, pray that I get better at praying! I have never been so stressed, nervous or freaked out in my life. The reason why? Brady asked me to say grace at lunch time. I know God doesn't need loads of elaborate words said to him, cause he knows we are thankful, but "Dear God, thanks for the food I hope everyone enjoys it" seemed ever so slightly childish in comparison to what I'm used to hearing. Sooo, me and my girls decided to pray every night before bed. So we could strengthen each other in that respect. We also thought it would be good just to have a quiet time where we can ask God, thank God and just be calm with him instead of our normal craziness. Oh yeah, these are my girls! 

We also got together to pray cause one of the girls was taken to hospital on Sunday/Monday. After a whole load of prayer, tests and questions, Reilllly got back to us! She has the same love for Dutch Blitz as I do, so the game is on! 

I'm so excited to see how the next few months plan out. I have some of the closest friends! My roomies, plus a couple others. Leigh, Kezia (OBVS) and then a couple I've gotten to know more over the last couple days through my family group, and through lectures. Raeannon who's my sister in my family group. I also have one of the staff guys from summer, who's working in the kitchen during school - Christian - as my dad. So that's pretty cool! In lectures I have Monica who sits next to me! She's so lovely! Then Andrew who's English and aggressive, and finds enjoyment in hurting me. It's not so cooool. Then there's Micah. He's probably my closest guy friend here. He's pretty sweet. I'm looking forward to getting to know more people! There's just so many! Though I don't really expect to get to know EVERYONE, I don't think that's possible. 

The food isn't too bad. We have dinner at lunch time, and lunch time at dinner though? Apparently so we stay awake? But it's finnne. I'm struggling with breakfast. We have to be there at seven thirty?! It's nearly impossible. Not completely, but nearly. Getting to sleep after 12 and waking up at 7 is brutal! ANYWAY. It's nearly time for dinner, so get in touch! I'd love to hear from you guys! My address is :

Sarah RossCapernwray HallCarnforthLancashireLA61AGEngland.

Don't be strangers! Even if I seem like I am being. 

Jesus walked on water. One day I'm going to attempt to surf on it.

Okay, so things have been prettttty busy the last week. At first when Olivia was biffing out about the fact we were going to visit Sarah last Monday and she was leaving the following Saturday, I didn't get why she was stressing so much. However, now, I do. Very much so. I had planned to be all packed and ready by the weekend that's just gone by, but my suitcase still looks a lot like this.. 


I can never do anything until my room is tidy. (By anything I mean, things I need to do, I can easy go out etc, but tell me to pack, study, chores - my room needs to be tidy for that!) So I began the great clean on Monday. I was a bit preoccupied at the weekend so couldn't start there - I guess that's where priorities come in, but of course fun before the boring stuff! Duhhhh. I eventually managed to see my floor. It took A LOT of effort and time and food. But I got there in the end. I had three seperate piles of clothes I needed washed. A pile I needed to return to people. A pile I didn't need to wash and finally a pile I was giving away. 

Now, all the washing's done. New winter jackets and waterproofs have been bought and I think I have everything I need laid out in the front room. It looks like another bomb has been set off. However, instead of the bomb being set off in my room, it's been set off in the front room, it was clearly an organising bomb though as all the stuff is set out in their own little separate piles. Only thing I'm finding trouble with right now is my shoes. I know the type of weather to expect, I have lived in the UK ALL my life. But at Capernwray, I'm quite used to walking about in bare feet. Sun, wind or rain.. I'm pretty much known for not wearing shoes. BUT, I have a vast collection of shoes I have spent far too much money on, so I need to take them. And I will be wearing them. Not because I spent money, but because I got told I have to wear shoes when I start School. This will be interesting. TOMS are so handy cause you can just slip them on. But they are SOOOOO bad for your feat. Whereas VANS are SOOOOO comfy, yet I hate dealing with laces. HATE HATE HATE! I wish you could get like, a button you pressed on your shoe that tied them for you. That would be SOOOO cool!

ANYWAY, I have most of my stuff set out and ready to pack, which I will be doing tomorrow. I can already tell I'll be packing and unpacking multiple times. It's quite handy though, if I leave or forget anything, my Dad is coming down via Capernwray to go to Manchester so he can drop in what I forget, which is hopefully nothing! But in case I do, it's good I have him on hand!

I've already had to say bye to my three best friends from school which wasn't great, but I know for a fact I'll see them again soon :) But tonight I had to say bye to two other close friends Lucy and Eilidh. They are probably two of the most mental people I have ever met. But they are so lovely. I'll miss their weird outbursts! I'll also miss Eilidh's dads bacon rolls on a Sunday morning. They were legendary! 

I have a full day of packing and getting things ready to leave tomorrow and then on Friday I am possibly going out kitesurfing with one of my newer friends Holly. She's a pro. but is willing to try and teach me - brave of her, I know. I'm looking forward to getting out in the water, even if I don't get to surf. 

Over the past weekend I took photos from a couple different events. Firstly it was Lucy's 21st which was good fun! It's times like your birthday you can really learn who your true friends are! Then on the Saturday and Sunday I took some photos from the Scottish Windfest down at Barassie Beach. It was a great weekend. I tried paddle boarding and didn't fall in. Even though I was nearly pushed in, and was then officially thrown into the water. Then on the Sunday I tried a bit of skimboarding.. Safe to say I absolutely sucked at that. I've always been interested in water sports, but always kinda just watched on. It appeared that everyone who does it seems to be so nice and genuine. Everyone just had a laugh. And it was a great weekend of talking to old friends, but also meeting new ones. We went to Pebbles after the party on the beach was finished which was pretty bizarre considering I was in a hoody and skirt with a pair of trainers on. It's safe to say I felt ever so under dressed, although there were others dressed in the same kind of clothes to myself. Well, certainly in comparison those who had came to pebbles after being at the races. A few of these photos show off my
amazing skills.. Or 
maybe I should say the skills I lack when I'm in the water. But the other folk were all really good, and it was pretty cool getting to watch them! Here's a challenge for you though. Can you spot which person in the hand picture is me? It's not difficult!  I'll get there one day. Maybe. 


It's so mental to think that last weekend I was on the beach chilling with friends, and this weekend I'm going to back at my second home settling in for the next year. I can't wait to see what God has in store for me. But I'm pretty sure he's going to show me! I can't wait to spend time with my best friend and little sister Kezia. Seeing the change in her honestly makes me so excited for the upcoming year watching her grow as she too, helps me to grow. I think I've kinda grown out of the caring what people think about my faith. If they want to criticize, they can. I amen't going to lose any sleep over it. 1 Peter 4:16 says "Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him glorify God in that name."

That's all for now. I have a day of packing tomorrow. OH HOW EXCITING..

Road trip!

Okay. So it had kinda been planned already that at some point before Olivia and I moved to England we would go and visit Sarah in Galashiels. However, we then realised Angela was on the way so we would get her to come too. The only problem we were faced with was we didn't know her address and we didn't know if she would be in. (We were surprise visiting ya see!) So  somehow we managed to get everything planned. And at the last minute it turned out Olivia couldn't come. Or atleast, she didn't think she could. Then I got another text saying come now. So I literally jumped up and went and picked her up. 
We got a few things ready and then headed to Edinburgh to pick up Angela from her flat. It was on the way there I was told some interesting news. But wasn't too hung up on it. When we got to Angela's she showed us around her little flat and introduced us to her room mates. It was sweet! We then all got back in the car and headed up. We eventually got there. It felt like absolute ages, but yeah we managed! The next thing we needed to do was figure out how we were gonna let her know we had arrived and were at her uni.. So we asked some random, funny talking, footballer to take out picture outside her halls. His exact words were.  "you bein serious?" YES WE WERE. So after teaching him how to tap a touch screen, he took our picture and was off to run around a field for a couple hours. ANYWAY. We sent this lovely picture to Sarah. Only for her to say "outside where?" She then realised and phoned me and the next thing we saw was her coming down a hill. We ran and met her, and then hopped back into my car and drove up to her car park. We got a few things and then headed for some food.
We went to Mcdonald's. I have never been so 
unimpressed in my life. Here was me thinking, 
have my last mcd's before I move. So I'll have 
my favvy meal. Double quarter pounder with 
cheese. Medium fries. And a Fanta. Oh, and 
cause I was extra hungry, I wanted a snack 
wrap thingy. So I ordered it all and it came
pretty fast. Well, the meal did. The snack wrap
was nowhere in sight for a good fifteen minutes, then again neither was a quarter pound of burger. Apparently they don't do them? EHHH YEAH YE DO! And eventually my snack wrap came too. It was rank. So all in all. Don't go to Gala Mcdonalds. It sucks! We then went back to Sarah's flat and hung out there! We met a few of the girls who live on the same hall as her. They were so nice, and so funny! Was happy to see she was so settled and she definitely fit right in with them. Hearing stories from their nights out were funny. Especially when one of the girls said something making Sarah go so red and the rest of us just awkwardly laughing. It was awkward, but hilarious at the same time. And the awkwardness lasted for a millisecond! We took some pictures for memories. It's weird to think by a week on Saturday we will all be scattered across the UK. Me at Capernwray, Olivia in Newcastle, Angela in Edinburgh and Sarah in Galashiels.  

We left Sarah's at about half ten. So that we weren't home too late. We managed to get home at about one. Angela was coming home to Prestwick so we didn't have to go into Edinburgh which was lucky. On the drive home I realised the girls I'd been with all evening were truelly my bestfriends. Them and Kezia. They'd stick up for me. Make me feel better when i was down. They knew exactly when I was down even if it wasn't obvious. And most of all they told the truth to me. Even if they were being brutally honest. Realised people who aren't willing to be open, or straight with you, aren't worth the time. By the time we got home we were all pretty tired and looking forward to getting to bed. I climbed into bed only to find two hot water bottles in my bed. My mum had put them there for when i got in. I'm so glad we have a much closer bond now. I'd hate to think I was moving away and still didn't get on with her. It's amazing being able to talk to her as a mum and as a friend! Anyway. That's all for now. It's only eleven days till I move and I haven't even got close to packing up my room. I just kinda aimlessly stare at it, hoping somehow it will do it all by itself. Here's hoping!

Counting sheep

Okay, so this time in two weeks I will be probably be jumping about on one of these beds.. Well, maybe not quite the double bed myself and Maddy made in room 2 back in 2010, but I'll be on a bed at Capernwray Bible School nonetheless. It's crazy to think that's only 11 days away. 11 DAYS! Pretty sure this picture was taken after out whole room was given an ultimatum - mostly my fault. So after an hour of extreme tidy up.. We came out with a tidy room and..  I think it was five or six bags of rubbish? Anyway, we managed to get it tidy enough that nobody missed out on anything because of us! Phewww!

If you've been reading my other posts, you can probably tell I'm pretty excited about going back to the Hall. If it didn't already feel like a second home, it's certainly gonna feel like it when I leave after my year of studying there. I've already been blessed with some amazing friends down there which I am truly thankful for. I can't wait to get to spend loads of time with them, but also, get to meet over a hundred new people who will be staying and studying with me! (Obv not staying in the same room - especially the boys, Dougie would have a fit!)

So far, from talking to some of my new (cyber for just now) friends, I've been introduced to "purpling." When I was talking to one of the girls I mentioned the bible width apart theory. It sounds funny and probably as though it's a joke, which I suppose it is, yet, it isn't? I have literally had a bible stuck between myself and a friend - pretty sure it was a girl I was sitting with might I add! But yeah, when I mentioned the whole "BIBLE WIDTH APART" - and not skinny, little bibles - I was introduced to purpling. Now basically it's the same kinda thing. At summer camps they have blue for the boys and red for the girls ( I think) and basically it means no mixing. So no  girls on guys and vice-versa or they'll mix together and make purple = purpling. I find that pretty cool! I find it an important rule though. I used to think it was really stupid. We'd sneak out and "mix" together, or sneak into people's rooms etc. Yet I never really understood the full reason for these rules. But now I do, and do as much as I can to keep to these. IT'S HARD!

Anyway. This week has gone so quickly! Said goodbye to a few people. One friend who's leaving for Afghan tomorrow and another just to Glasgow, but still, they will both be missed when I move. I also said bye to a woman in my church who has been such a prayer warrior, and so supportive of me over the years. If there was anyone who knew I'd finally get on track it was her. I'm going to miss her and her husband too. Not to mention their daughter. But she isn't going anywhere! 

I find it kinda strange, if you had asked me a few months ago why I wanted to go to Capernwray, it was more just a last resort, and I knew my parents would be happy with it. I didn't actually think I'd get in. One question on the application form was "Have you drank, smoked or done drugs in the last year?" That was a pretty easy answer, considering I had probably been out drinking the weekend before writing my application.
At that point in my life I was completely stuck as to which direction I needed to go in to move on. I had two paths a couple feet ahead of me, but I was so lost as to which one I needed to take. There was the straight road or the one that was full of curves and bends and obstacles. So far I'd been on the obstacle route. But now, I suddenly realized an easier way. No, when I started down the easier route things didn't miraculously change, and no, things still aren't perfect, but things are so much better than they used to be. 
So yeah, back then it was a last resort, now it's the only thing I could possibly want to do!
It was only last night I was approached by a guy. He saw the cross I have on my back and questioned why I had it. I told him it was a sign of my faith. I wasn't obviously going to constantly be walking around with my back out to show the world, but if people were to see it, and ask, I wasn't going to be afraid of explaining myself. It's also a personal reminder for me - whenever i glance in the mirror and see it, I remember that Christ died on a cross to save me, and you! But anyway, this guy seemed interested, and I wasn't sure whether he was trying to have a discussion or an argument. The next thing I knew, i felt a tap on my back and a friend of mine, and seemingly his too spoke. It was quickly made known I was a preachers kid, and he probably had chosen the wrong person to debate with. While I love a good debate, I think everyone is free to their own opinion, it's only when they tell me I'm wrong I get feisty about my faith. I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing, but that's how I am. Anyway, after talking to that guy I realized I only really knew the basics. So going to Bible School now, is much more than a get away, it's a whole year away to learn about God and understand things in a much more close and personal way. I CAN'T WAIT. 


So basically. The next two weeks are gonna be filled with me tidying, playing music and sleeping. Reading over this I feel like I've came across "all holy or something" I definitely amen't quite there yet. But I guess that's another reason I'm going to study! I often feel a bit anxious that I'm going into a place where i feel everyone's gonna have it together when i've only just got my hands on the ends of the ropes. But I know I'll be fine whatever happens. I can not wait to start my Bible study with one of my best friends either. It's been so encouraging seeing her come on over the summer with her faith. It has really pushed me with my own faith too! I can't wait to see her all the time now! Only thing I can wait for is my wardrobe slowly decreasing. This picture is a fine example of why. Love her though.

Anyway, I need my bed. I need to start getting used to latish nights and extremely early mornings. But as I slept till 1pm this afternoon, I amen't tired in the slightest yet. Here's hoping when I sit in completely darkness I get tired. Either that, or I'm gonna have to start counting sheep.

babbling

Okay, so last night I was in one of the worst moods EVERRR. That's probably a bit of an exaggeration, but I really wasn't feeling great. So I had an early night.. Probably the earliest I've had since long before summer.

However, the one thing that had managed to cheer me up for a bit was being with the youth at my church. It's crazy to see how it's grown since I was in it. From going from a few girls, to there being a mixture of both now. We had a minor mishap in that we didn't have irn bru.. But don't worry! I drove to the store and got some! We were talking to the kids about how we are the church. We asked them what they thought the church was, and gave them five cocktail sticks and some blutak to make a sculpture of what their idea was. Most of the kids got it! Making a sculpture of a person.

The youth fellowship within our church has changed so much over the six years I was in it.   Through the different seasons of my life, I appreciated some bits more than others. But now, realising I want to work with youth, I see that at every point, the leaders just wanted to show us God. And now it's my turn to help the youth see him too. If nothing else comes up, I plan to come home from school and work with the kids as much as I can.

I'm especially looking forward to going on outreach with capernwray. Will be weird having other students go to my church however.. But it'll be great. And I hope everyone at my church will be blessed with who they get. And I hope the same for wherever I end up! I miss out team from last year, they were a great bunch!








I'm currently preparing to go to Bible School at Capernwray Hall in Carnforth, England. I've grown up going there. Since I was a tiny little baby. I've always kid myself on to think as soon as I go home, I'll be this great christian teenager, not afraid of being who I am.. Yeah, I think the maximum it lasted for was a couple weeks? The change this year was I went already filled with God, excited about learning more. Something that really touched me, was someone commenting on the change. It encouraged me even more hearing that people could notice something. It reminds me of the song by Amy Grant I have decided. My favourite line in it is;
"And when the world begins to see you change,
Don't expect them to applaud.
Just keep your eyes on Him and tell yourself,
I've become the work of God."

Although the people who had noticed the change in me were also christians, there will be people who notice it who aren't. And the devil can use these people to really get to me, but all I need to remember is to keep my eyes on the Lord, and I'll be fine.

Another thing literally just occurred to me two seconds ago. There can be really big things God can do, that make us realise just how good he is. How rewarding he can be. But there can also be the smaller things. Whilst in America, it was amazing meeting Keith Getty and Amy Grant, all in the same night. When I was at capernwray, an old friend, Rory Malone - an up and coming christian singer/songwriter - showed up. I had no idea he would be coming. But he just appeared. We had a real long chat about how our lives were turning out. We'd both been aware of the struggles we both had over the years, but could see in one another the changes. I believe God brought him there that day to give me a heads up, that he was doing a good work in me. Having someone like Rory around made me realise the change for myself.

I realise I've been talking loads about God, and some people will be sitting going, where's Sarah? Cause that certainly isn't her. But, heyho, it is me, still Sarah Elizabeth Ross! Only, without the messes I get myself in to, sober or drunk! I'm so glad I'm getting through that season of my life, and moving on to a much bigger and much more exciting one!

Right now I'm reading a couple of books. One is a novel, with a series of other books that go along with it by Karen Kingsbury. I am honestly hooked to these book, they are great! CHECK THEM OUT! But aswell as them, I am also reading a couple others. One called WRating your dating while waiting for matingW and the other "I kissed dating goodbye"
Okay, so I've got into the first chapters of both.. So not entirely sure what to expect. But reading one of them came from getting it from one of my close friends and youth workers, Suzanne. The other, I was given, because I'd mentioned in the creche at church yesterday that I was sick of going out looking for a boyfriend. it took me far too long to realise that it didn't work that way. Before any kind of relationship more than a good friend is gonna work, I need to be right with God, and have an up and close personal relationship with him. The other thing I'd mentioned was, what was the point in being in a relationship at this age, if you weren't considering marriage? What's the point in handing over your heart to someone who's just in it for the short run. As soon as they get tired, they'll move on. So from now on, I'm leaving it to the big man. When he decides it's the right time for me, then maybe, just maybe, I'll find a guy. For now - ALL GUYS ARE JERKS - mostly. Appart from the ones that aren't. They are nice. I cherish the friendships I have with some of my guy friends.

ANYWAY. I have babbled my whole way through this one today. And probably haven't made one bit of sense. BUT HEY?! WHO CARES! For all my christian friends reading this! Just pray that I'll know when the time is right, if there ever comes a time. And that, I'll have the power to keep on how I am going, and not give in to the daily temptations facing me! CHEEEEEYURZ.



Ps. Shout out to my lil sister and best friend Kezia! Love you! x