pastorskid: July 2013

Kept it a tiny bit British..

SO. As you may know. Yesterday was the 4th of July. All those who tend to know anything would have known that. However, in Britain, this date doesn't hold much significance for us, apart from if it's your birthday, anniversary or you have a really important annual church meeting that happens to fall on this date. We don't tend to celebrate the "this is the day they got their independence from us. YAYY" However.. They do. And boy do they do in style! For example.. take your average bbq.. add double the meat, and through in some crazy ingredients.. and you have a feast! Or.. maybe, picture your yearly fireworks display for Guy Fawkes.. Times it by a hundred.. Then you're getting close. 4th of July is a time for picnics, bbq's, parades, carnivals, family time, friend time, FIREWORKS. And yes, I experienced this.

But 4th of July 2013, wasn't as easy as I had hoped it would be.. I mean, we got all the baking, cooking, cleaning and organising done. We had people coming over, and plenty of food. But little did I know, my future plans were about to change.

The amazing beef, bacon and cheese burger!

Heading to the fireworks!

I love my kid sisterrr!

The friends arrived, there was 6 kids in total 7 if you count me, but personally.. I think I'm an adult.. Haha. So we went to the pool.. I sunbathed.. Gotta work on that tan! And by the time we got back, the burgers were ready and an additional add on family member had joined us (one of Ayden's friends) Anyway. The burgers were amazing. AMAZING! But then the text that messed my summer came. A text that I guess I wasn't fully prepared for. BUT IT'S OKAY! DON'T WORRY! I went through the emotional "WHAT AM I GONNA DO" thing for about 15 minutes, and then I rememberd what I needed to do. I needed to take it to God. And that's right where I went. Literally a few minutes later, my prayer requests were becoming reality. I needed a new place to stay. Got one. It's a perfect place to stay, with an awesome friend, Vanessa, from Capernwray! I am so stoked. The best part was. I was gonna be spending time with her anyway, but now I get even more time with her! Transport from the airport, to picking up my stuff, to getting to her house was sorted, and my home for three weeks was done. Next problem.. HOW DO I GET TO MOODY.. I felt a little stranded, but thankfully, God was already way ahead of me. Only, I never knew this until this afternoon when I accidentally called my parents at 11:30pm.. After both had done a hard days work. Wupz. Anyway, back to yesterday.. I didn't know what I was going to do as my suitcases were gonna weigh SO much. And so my parents probably weren't going to want to put me on a flight.. And I was gonna have a lot of bags to cart around on a bus or train.. So I had a dilemma. But I felt a peace. A peace that spoke to me telling me not to worry, and to deal with that part later. I had a place to stay, and that's what mattered.

The Brand New North Texas Football Stadium

So with that, we headed to the new North Texas Football Stadium, where we saw fireworks - the ones that put Ayr Ruggers Club to shame - and had fun hanging out in the surprisingly cool (but still very warm on Scottish levels) Texas air. It was so cool, and I got some sweet pictures! And then we took a slightly accidentally, unplanned, detoured road home.. and arrive just around an hour later.. It's safe to say bed was on the cards.. And the mess (I promise I'm going to tidy it after this) that surrounds my bed says that also.. I slept like a baby, and woke up feeling fresh. And my brain was in organise mode.

SALES4THJULYSALES4THJULYSALES4THJULYSALES

Beautiful Mother and Daughter :)

Yes, that was what was on my brain when I woke up.. So we shopped a little, and I got some cute bits and bobs, and eventually got back home to where i realised I should tell my parents about the situation in it's entirety.. Of course, they had already searched flights and best destinations. And BOOM, I have some flights to take. Prayer request number 2 or is it 3? answered. YES. Anyway, with that, I got in contact with a friend.. Who's really a friend of a friend, who has so kindly offered me a place to sleep before I move into my room at Moody. Next prayer request answered. And with that, all I can do is say.. HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD? Seriously though. I went from balalksdslfianfinf to plan. Of course there's little bit I need to sort out, but atleast I'm somewhere close. I can't wait for the new adventures God has placed in my life, it's gonna be so fun! And I am so thankful for the people who have stepped in to help a girl in need!

BRING ON THE REST OF MY SUMMER AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT COMES WITH IT! :D

The field.

The Fireworks!

And again!

Annnd again!

The late night finally got to her!

Texan at heart.

(Let's pretend that you're reading this yesterday - 7/30/13)
It's been a year..
.. a year since I was last here.
.. a year since I last attended Denton Bible Church.
.. a year since I listened to the church choir sing the songs of the different services.
.. a year since I watched men and women stand as we appreciated what they've done for the country.
.. a year since I sat in church with my Dad at my side.
.. a year since I began to experience God.
.. a year since I started to change.

It's been a year. An amazing, up and down, crazy, fun, all round fantastic, emotional, fast, long awaited for some, year. So much has happened, and God's grace as truly been shown. Today marks a day on which I am in the same place - a different chair - but the same building, a year on from last. It's been awesome looking back from today and seeing all the work God has done in my life and in the lives of many of the people around me.

A year ago today..
.. I would never have expected to be back here.
.. I would never have expected to be so hungry for God's word.
.. I would never have expected to be going to University.
.. I would never have expected to be going to University in America of all places.
.. I would never have expected to be going to Moody Bible Institute to Major in Youth Ministry.

A year ago today, my life was very, very different. Of course our lives change as we grow older. But never did I expect for my life to change so much. It's been an amazing year. And here I am now, preparing for university. WHATTT?!

A year from today..
.. I have no idea where I will be.
.. God has something awesome planned for me.

A year from today, I can see myself doing a number of things, but with the amount of things God has done in my life since this day last year, only He knows where I'm going to be a year from today.

The Five Sarah's Working Sportsworld2013

I've only been in Denton, Tx, for five full days and I've already been able to do so much! I got involved with the youth/childrens ministry on the final day of sportsworld which was so much fun! I got to help out with the activities, and then also with the background, behind the scenes stuff which was fun! It was so great that I was able to get involved and see some areas of a youth/childrens ministry! I was then also given the opportunity to go along to the Youth service this morning, and then went to a Bible Study with some of the staff etc from church at one of the youth pastors houses. That was great! I've never been to an actual proper Bible Study before and it was so fun, relaxed and actually answered some of my big questions. It did also confuse me completely in some things, but I'll get those things sorted eventually.. Maybe.

Overall, the last year has been phenomenal. And it was a great way to finish my evening with some cool new friends, in a beautiful home, learning more about Revelation.. Well.. we didn't quite get started.. But that'll come next week! With that, here's some fun pictures to take a look at :)!