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

Time flies.

Okay, so it's been 10 weeks since I last wrote anything on here. How is that even possible?!?! Anyway. I said I'd keep people informed with what was going on with me, so considering I said that more than ten weeks ago, I probably have quite a bit of informing to do. I might not write it all today, but we'll see.

I amen't really sure where to begin? Since getting back from America, everything's just gone so quickly. I suppose even before America, things were moving fast. I got declined from all my uni options, but some how - by the grace of God - I got accepted to Capernwray Bible School. So that's where I will be attending in THREE WEEKS. Which sounds really mental to say. I've grown up going to capernwray. I could probably give you a guided tour with my eyes shut. I'm on the famous picture wall, which is scary cause the picture was taken 10 years ago next summer. It's crazy stuff! But anyway, even though I've had my fair share of mess ups, and talking to's by some of the best people you could ask to run a summer camp, I managed to get a place for Winter and Spring school.

Since America, so many things have came together. I got home, and things were still on the rocky waters. But I'm pretty sure I'm on some steady ground now. When I went to Capernwray for a couple of Youth weeks, I realised I needed to be baptised.

So I got baptised on the 26th of August. It was such a great day. Had loads of family and friends there. Was amazing to see so many people there for me!

Anyway, I'm just back from another week at Capernwray called IMPACT. It's for 18 - 25's but you wouldnt have thought that with some of the childish behaviour haha. It was an amazing week, with some amazing teaching from my soon to be my Dean of Students, Ian Ellershaw. He spoke on Joshua going from start to end in just the week. I'm starting to think reading the Old Testament may be possible now.. As well as the teachings we got up to loads of other crazy stuff. From crate building to kayaking, quiet times, to worship and just generally hanging out. All the people there made my time last week amazing.

One of my favourite parts was probably when we were playing mafia. I've never had so much fun playing a game. Saying that, I've never been so scared playing a game either. Though zombies in the dark on xbox can give me the creeps too.. But anyway.. We played it most nights. It was strange not having a bed time. At youth weeks, we're so used to being told to be in our allocated rooms by 11pm, which we would then procede to break the rule, and sneak out till silly o'clock. However, at impact, we had the choice of when to go to bed. We also didn't need to get up for breakfast, which had me quite happy.

I reckon it's going to be a complete shock to the system having to be up so early at Bible School. But I guess I'll get used to it eventually. Adding in a morning run to keep fit aswelll. As if that'll actually happen.

It's only 20 days now until I leave for school. I've talked to a number of other students who are coming, and also met a few, Sam who I have grown up with at the teen weeks at capernwray and another guy Gordon. Also meeting some of the staff who will be working there during my time made it fun. Knowing I'm not gonna be going in, knowing no-one makes me so relaxed. I've seen people talk about being nervous. I amen't the slightest bit nervous. If anything, I'm just really excited.