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.