http://owlcityblog.com/2010/10/25/my-hope-is-found/

It's nice to be reminded that I'm not alone.

I, indirectly, got called an f***ing moron today...

I'm tired, and I'm having one of those days where I just can't be bothered.

There's a lot of work that I should be doing, but I really just don't want to.

I feel lonely today.

And a little doubtful.

And I'm not sure what I'm doing here.

But I'll press on. And keep faith.

For faith is being sure of what I hope for, and certain of what I do not see.

I'm hoping for the future He has for me. I hoping this is all what He says it is.

I am certain, or I will try to be - though I do not see.

Because the most important things in life are the things we can't see.

I can't see the love that I feel for my family and my friends, but I can feel it. It's important, and it keeps me alive.

I can't feel the oxygen in the air. But I know I breathe it in. It's important. And it keeps me alive.

Even when there's no clock around to tell me, I know time exists. But I can't see it, I can't necessarily feel it.

I have enough reason to believe that these three things are real.

Yet I have not seen any of them. Have you?

And I can't see God. Not yet.

But for the most part, I can feel Him.

And when I can't feel Him, it doesn't mean He's not there.

'I've learnt to reach out just the same.'

For I believe that God is who He says He is.

He is always with me. He is enough. He is mighty to save. He is able. He is compassionate. He is love. He is.

The Bible may just seem like an old book. But it is full of truth, that not only was true once upon a time, it continues to be true. Even today.

Either God is the God of all things, or He is not God at all.

God, by nature of being 'God' can not lie, and can not fall short of anything He claims to be. If He did, He would cease to be God.

God (god)

- n

1. theol The sole Supreme Being, eternal, spiritual and transcendent, who is the creator and ruler of all, and is infinite in all attributes...

When people say Christians are fools (or a 'f***ing morons') for believing in a higher power, for believing that there is a God that created all things, I can't help but think, 'Really? You think we're fools?'

OK so say there was no God then, we would rely on the assumption that from nothing, the earth and everything in it, became what it is now, by random chance, and for no apparent reason.

Is that what we should believe?!!

Surely this is harder to believe, than believing in some form of higher power or creator.

You can't possibly call me a fool!

I may not have it all right, but God, whatever and whoever He is, exists.

I know it.

And I know there's more to the story, but for now I'm leaving it there.

I pray that the people I love will understand this, one day, before it's too late.

I pray that I'm a good example, that I will be evidence enough, and that I won't give in to pride and not use every opportunity I can to help them see.

I pray that open eyes, would not just be open, but they would also be able to see.

Will truth prevail?

I believe so.

Praise be to God.

Coffee?

You know how certain smells bring back memories?

I recognised that familiar, musty smell of not-that-freshly-brewed coffee as I walked down the stairs. I heard the busy hum of people buzzing around meeting new people, discussing the talk, saying goodnight.

It was comforting. And exciting.

I felt like I could have been back at home.

Walking out of church after the Sunday service, past the coffee shop, surrounded by friends and loved ones, passionate and inspired as we step out in to the world that still needs Him.

Message heard. Response made. Lives changed.

I felt like I could have been half way around the world, heading up to the Peter's kitchen. Some Timmy's brewed an hour past, waiting to wake me up, before the day ahead brought to-do-lists and meetings in a job I love, bible studies and devotions with friends I love, crazy games and car journey's with youth I love, and a late night ended with a simple prayer to my God, whom I love..

It's the smell of servant-hood and joy.

Of hope, passion and inspiration.

Of family and familiarity.

It's the smell of coffee.

Meet the Girls.

This afternoon I plucked up the courage to walk down the hall, knock on Elly's door and ask her if I could join her while she jams out on her Uke.

One of the best decisions I made this week I feel :)

Elly is a new friend of mine. She lives in E block avec moi, just a few doors down the hall. Hails from Congleton (near/in Stoke). Loves Owls. Had orange hair once upon a time. Plays the Ukulele. Sings beautifully (with the coolest British accent might I add). And she writes and performs her own music.

She's nothing short of a legend.

And so I sat and sang a few harmonies while she played today.

And soon after, Lisa came to join us too.

Lisa is also a new friend of mine. She, too lives in E block avec moi, next door to Elly. Hails from the Cambridge area (St. Neots of all places!!). Has a nose piercing like me. Loves trampolining, working with kids, volunteering, giving out plasters to people and being the 'mum' of the group.

She's incredibly passionate and asks lots of questions. A girl after my own heart...

So Elly played and sang, and Lisa and I sang along too, and we revelled in our mutual love for both Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber. And then when Dan let me borrow his guitar, we had two instruments and three voices and it was just pure awesomeness, occurring before our very eyes.

Before we knew it, we realised we were only one girl short of being our very own Girl Band (unfortunately Amy wasn't here this afternoon!)

By 7.45pm, having being taught 5 chords on the Ukulele and feeling rather accomplished, we set down our instruments and set about finding food, since none of us had eaten tea yet although we were all really hungry but had just being having too much fun to notice our rumbling tummies!

*...pot noodle.

*international students.

*pub quiz....

We ended the evening with Cadbury's Hot Chocolate, chocolate digestives and a good old natter to put the world to rights. The conversation went from boys, to work, to God, back to boys, to kids, to more serious topics like abuse and poverty and religion and life...

There's nothing like your girlfriends to have a good proper chat with.

I do miss my old friends, in Canada and in Halesowen...

But I'm making new ones.

I'm making memories.

And I'm having fun.

Thank you LORD.

me, amy, elly, lisa

the girls

If you look closely, there's always a silver lining!

We got 29.5 on the quiz this evening.

At first sight, that's definitely not an improvement.

However, at least we didn't come last this week.

I HEART PUB QUIZZES!

Yes. It's true.

I am a total sucker for Pub Quizzes.

I took a long stroll up from the Late Night Service at the Chapel, to meet my block mates in the local and of course, it's the Sunday Night Pub Quiz.

*Instant Excitement*

I was only there for the last two rounds though.

History. And Michael Jackson songs.

I was basically only of some help in the Jacko round, and contributed to 6 out of the 10 questions.

However, I shall from now on, alwayssss remember that George III was the King of England during the War of Independence (I knew it was a George! But apparently not George IV. Oh Well..)

Gotta love pub quizzes.

Even if your team comes last with 31 out of 60.

The guys weren't too stoked when I suggested we look on the bright side, and come often so we can chart our growth in general knowledge as we make our way through our various uni courses.

Better luck next time, eh?!

To be fair, it did take 7 days to get like this...

And it's probably all down hill from here....