Update: Almost a year on.

Hello!

So I've kind of left this a long time, but I'm back!

A lot has happened in the last 11ish months. And I mean a lot.. kind of.

The last time I posted, I was at the start of DTS, excited about the, unknown to me, but amazing future that I knew God had already planned. And where am I now? Well, You're about to find out.

No exaggeration, DTS was such an incredible experience! It completely changed my life. I know that's cliche, but it's sooo true. I learnt so much about God, about myself, and about other people and the best way to live my life. We spent 2 completely spirit filled months in Albania. I'm not going to lie, it was very challenging at times, and I felt like breaking down and giving up a few times. But looking back, I'm so glad that we all pulled through and kept focused. Through us, God changed the lives of many people out in Albania, which I hope to write about in the future if I manage to keep this blog going again!

Leaving DTS was very emotional, having spent 6 months getting to know some amazing people from across the world, only to then leave not knowing if we'll see each other again. One of the girls from our group came to stay with me for a few days which was fun. It was strange to get back, but my life definitely wasn't normal anymore!

Through God's power, I managed to achieve some things I never thought I could. One of which was preaching at church! The week I got back home from DTS, I was asked if I would take the talk slot and share about my experience. I was the girl who, only a year before, could barely say a sentence infront of the congregation. However, I jumped at the chance to do this, and I did it! I actually spoke for around half an hour at my home church - God is so good!

Over the summer, I went to a few camps, including soul survivor. I also helped at a retreat for primary school children which was pretty cool. It was so lovely to catch up with friends too and share my experiences with them and hear what they had been up to while I was away.

So, what am I doing now?

Here's where things get pretty darn cool!

Ever since I was in High school, I've wanted to work with young people, helping them in some way with issues they face, and to equip them for the future and to enter the world. I always knew I wanted and needed to do more with my life than be in an office job or doing the same thing day in day out (not that there's anything wrong with that, just my preference). God had put a desire in my heart, and he has a plan for my like which is way better than  I could've ever imagined, and as it turns out, it really was the best thing for me to leave sixth form after a year!

In the last month or so of DTS, I was trying to figure what to do next. My plan was to spend a few months at home raising money before going back to YWAM Harpenden to join staff and take part in other courses and deepen my relationship with God. While we were in Albania, my Mum messaged me to tell me about a job opening at one of our local church to be a trainee youth worker as part of the One Programme. I was very hesitant and was fixed on my idea of going back to Harpenden. So I gave it to God and asked him to tell me three times or make it really clear to me that it was what he wanted me to do.

Now, I can't remember the exact details, but I was reminded about the opportunity a few times. In the last week or so of DTS, the deadline for applications had closed, so I took that to mean that I wasn't meant to do it.

God had other plans, however.

I was told by my mum that they had decided to extend the application deadline to give me time to apply! God was pretty much screaming in my face that I needed to do this. So I put my plans aside and applied for the job. I had an interview for it a few weeks after I got home. I just kept praying that if this was the right thing, then God would make it really clear.

So I went for the interview, baring in mind I've only had a few job interviews for places I didn't want to work at. There were about 4 people interviewing me, two of which I had known from a very young age. I left the interview feeling calm, knowing that it was all in God's hands. It felt strange knowing I would have to wait for a phone call. I had just got home and was wondering how long it'd be, when my phone started to ring. It was one of the people who interviewed me. They offered me the job there and then, just 15 minutes after I had left!

Now, I've been a trainee youth worker since September. My position lasts for a year, and after this year I've been offered to be supported by the church to do a degree in youth work.

Words can't even describe how incredible God is. He's worked in my life in ways I don't even know yet. All I know is that it's going to be an exciting future.

I dropped out of Sixth Form. I've had times when I've felt like a failure. There have been times where I felt like I was lost and I had thrown everything away. I gave my life to God, and he didn't fail to work in me and change my life.

I really hope that this encourages you.

It's never too late to make a change.

3 weeks in!

So, it's been exactly 3 weeks since I arrived at YWAM. It hasn't really been very long, but it been so amazing already, and I thought I share with you guys a bit about what's been going on.

There's ten of us trainees doing the dts, and everyone's from different parts of  the world. There's people from America, Canada, the Netherlands and shri Lanka, just to name a few. We've all bonded so quickly and I personally feel like I've known these people for ages.

Each week we have a different topic that we're taught about, and we have different speakers who come to teach us. Last week's topic was the nature and character of God, which turned out to be very challenging and thought provoking. We also have worship/intercession every morning, work duties in the afternoon, and different events in the evening's. We have small groups, and one-on-one meetings to talk about anything we're struggling with or enjoying or finding tricky - basically anything.

The atmosphere here is incredible - nothing like anything I've ever experienced. Everyone on the base is so lovely and everything is so focused on God and mission work. The first port of call for anything is prayer. It's so incredible to see something like that.

I've been feeling very at home here, although the last couple of days I've missed home a bit (mainly due to a lack of sleep...), but it's so clear that this is where im meant to be. God has been doing so much in my life since I got here, and we still have 5 more months to go! I can't wait to see what else he has in store for me, as well as what will happen when we go on outreach! There's so much more I could write about, but I don't really have the time to. I'll try my very best to keep posting, and to write about what God has been doing and the exciting things that happen!

Off I go!

Today's the day! I'm finally going on my YWAM adventure. This is going to be a really little post.....

It feels strange looking back on the last year or so and seeing how I got here. God has worked in my life so much. So many things have happened and changed to bring me here. I've grown so much as a person. I've changed the way I live my life. It's so exciting to even imagine what he has in store for me over the next few months.

Thank you to everyone who has prayed for me and been there for me when I've had stressful times. I've never felt so supported and loved! It's going to feel very strange to not see my close friends and my family for 6 months (at least we have skype!) but I know that I'm going to make even more friends while I'm there.

This is going to one incredible experience.

This is just the start.