The Saga, Part 1 (this is a long one...)

Ok, so I have been as scarce as chicken teeth the last few weeks, I know that, but unfortunately that can’t be helped. Internet is no longer freely available, and dial up… well, you’ve heard me whinge and whine about that enough.

It certainly has been an interesting 5 weeks since leaving London, I assure you that! Other that enjoying the company of my family, I have now started work. I’m working in a vetshop selling specialist dog and cat food and all sorts of stuff. I’m also doing a course on animal nutrition as part of my job training, which is pretty cool! The hours are quite long, but the work is enjoyable and the people are really nice. It feels really odd to be in a stress free work environment, I can tell you that much!

Before I forget, it’s Clovergirl’s Birthday today, so let’s all wish her a VERY happy birthday together…
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR CLOVERGIRL,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.

HIP-HIP…. HOORAY!!!!!!!!
Now, blow out your imaginary candles and make a wish.
Love you stax girl, hope it was a great day!

Ok, so back to the last few weeks…

Church is good. It really is so different to Hills in so many ways, but yet, the heart is the same. In the evenings we sing loads of Hillsong songs and then I can almost make myself believe that I’m right there among all my friends, worshipping. Last night was an all-worship service that really went off, it was the first time I had seen the whole congregation get involved, they were jumping and going mad- felt just like home. I really love my cell-group leaders, they are beautiful people who have just decided to become full-time missionaries. All in all they are fabulous people who love God wholeheartedly and want to see the whole world come to know him as well.

God has been amazing as well (not that that ever changes) but he has been so patient and good to me. In spite of my (fairly regularly) stinking attitude and my little tantrums and pity parties, he is showing me increasingly how faithful he is. No matter how much I rage and beat my fists, he is there waiting. Patiently waiting for me to get over myself and look back up at him. How can you explain something like that? I am so thankful that his patience is greater than mine, ‘cause I would have given myself a good kick up the backside a few times. But he is love and we know that:

‘Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable and keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.’
(1 Cor 13:4-7)

Even though I miss London and my family there terribly, I can see why God needed me to be here for a season. My other family needs me now, and I am thankful that I have the opportunity to be here for them in whatever capacity I can be.

Now comes the part where I make all of you really jealous… the weather is getting so much nicer here. Days are getting long and the temperature is rising steadily. I have been to the beach a few times and just walked for hours in the soft sand. Every morning I wake up, walk outside and right in front of me are the most beautiful mountains stretching all the way around. No matter which way I go, there are mountains and flowers and blue skies… (I’m going to stop now… I can see all the green faces as you read this, and I really do want you to still speak to me after this.)

Right, well that will have to be PART 1 of my ‘being back’ Saga, I don’t want you to have to read for hours. I look forward to hearing all the news from the other side of the world, anything and everything from the biggest to the most mundane.

This is me signing off- Over and Out.