Oh, my, it's been way to long since I have posted anything....so here is a very quick overview of the last two months!! I will hopefully add pictures later - I do have some pretty cool ones. My internet usage has been so sporadic that it's been hard to post stuff. I never seem to have the word document and the camera at the same time to get it up on the internet. So, here's a blog response without pictures...
One month and counting….I cannot believe that I have only about a month left to my stay in London. Everything feels so bittersweet. I am loving every minute of being here. I am ready to see family and friends, but I am so not ready to return to the states. It’s been an exciting couple of months. So much has gone on, yet in the midst of it all there have been so many questions yet to be answered.
Well, December was a busy month. I did lots of youth ministry in the midst of also traveling. Christy Chase and I went to Ireland to visit our very good friend Ericka. We had a lovely time in Belfast, exploring the city and just simply getting to “be” with Ericka. There is so much peace in just getting to be with your friends. Looking back, I really loved the three months that I got to spend with Christy. It’s been fun to go deeper and to develop more of a love for each other. She is an amazing lady and I challenge everyone to get to know her better. She will bless your socks off! After Ireland, I had to say a very emotional good-bye to Christy who headed home after successfully completing her studies in London. Christy’s poor host dad had to deal with his emotional four year old daughter, plus Christy’s emotional friend. I think I realized in that moment just how thankful I had been to have Christy in London with me. It’s so nice to have someone there even if you don’t see them every day. What a blessing that the Lord sent us both at the same time. It’s amazing how he does that.
I then spent a wonderful British Christmas in Tideswell, I very cute little town in the Peak District of England. It’s quite close to Sherwood Forest – the house was even on Sherwood lane. It was beautiful. Although I missed my own family dearly, it was nice to be loved and accepted into my host family. The whole thing was quite special and I can now say that I have had my very first British Christmas. After Christmas, I actually got to go back to Ireland and spend the New Year with Ericka. We had such a blast going to little places like Donegal, Ireland and visiting Ian, a member of her year out team. It was absolutely gorgeous! We also went to a quaint little town called Drogheda. It was lovely, but definitely a place that you wouldn’t want to stay for more than two days. And Miracles of Miracles - It didn't rain the whole time I was in Ireland! I really enjoyed getting to spend time just hanging out with Ericka. It was so lovely to be in the same town again. I love my friend, Ericka, a lot and will be very thankful to be living in the same country again quite shortly!
Since the holidays have been over, I have spent my time diving back into youth ministry. I have had the opportunity to help lead some intercession. I have been really enjoying my work. I am really getting to the point of getting to know the kids. As each day goes by I begin to think about having to say good-bye. I really love them and am going to miss them very much. My current line is..."Don't think about it, Tiffany! Just enjoy every moment!" I have also been in a time of reflection. I have discovered that I will not be returning to my job at Totem in March. That part has been a bit challenging, but I know that God has perfect plans laid out for me. I have loved my time in London and if given the chance to do it again, I know that I would most certainly jump right back on the airplane and head back over. Still, it lays out many unanswered questions about the future. It’s great to know that I might not have it all sorted out, but God does and therefore I am trying to remain at peace and trusting the Lord to reveal each next step to me. The future feels like a blank canvas that the Lord and I are going to get to paint some new glorious picture on. I know he’s a master painter, so whatever it looks like, it’s going to be beautiful!
So, that's really a very quick summary of the past few months! I will write more later and hopefully include some pictures. I miss everyone like crazy and I hope that you are all well.
