Laura's move to 'New Abode'

Hi guys, another update from Laura. Had the pleasure of talking to her for about 1/2 hour on Christmas Day. She sounds great and up for every challenge ahead_ don't stop praying, all thoughts are appreciated.

Laura has now moved to a new base that actually has a bathroom with a toilet and toilet paper [the simple thing we take for granted]. It even has an upper deck for sunbathing! [on days off]. This is situated next to a huge lake in Chennai. The owners are the leaders of the church they are attached to, which is based in the house- not far to travel on a Sunday morning! However the cockroaches, ants and mozzies love it there as well, much to Laura's horror.

This week they have lots of kids work planned, running a holiday morning, for two days, for children in the area, and intercession walks around the area. After which they are hoping to work in the orthanage down the road. She has already spent some time in a Children's Home where many of the children have Aids.

She will not be celebrating New Year in India, however, wishes you all a 'Happy New Year' and looks forward to sending more news next week [she only has access to the internet on Mondays]. She has a few photos posted on facebook, so take a look at Laura in Indian traditional dress!

*MERRY CHRISTMAS*

Hey guys - wanted to tell you that I miss you all and hope all is well?

Just to wish you all a very

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I love you all a lot.

Kisses. 

x x x x

Update from India

Quotes from Laura's e-mail : "Hey followers of the India travells,

So just a quick update to keep you all informed of my whereabouts at this current time. We are situated in the rural area of Chennai but it is still amazing to be here.Will be at the base until end of December before we move on to a new base, but that means we have a tree for Christmas and a living room and people to share with us - and it will just be simply lovely.

Yesterday we went for a special walk around the area, it was so sad to see some of the things. We went to look around a womens mental home- which was incredible to see how the government are helping to rehabilitate women of all ages and religions.

At the base we have a fan whjch we sleep under to keep cool at night. Meal times are 'ish' ,the event being more important than the time. Also curry for breakfast is not to my taste, but the rest of the day it is fine.

Anyway, all my love to you and see you in 8 weeks or so. Keep me in your thoughts. Also Imon is not yet out here - we want him to be with us, so that would be good for you to keep in mind! Love you all. xxxxxxxxx "

LAURA ARRIVES IN INDIA

Lesley [Laura's mum] writting on behalf of Laura whilst she is in India.

After a 30 hour jouney and sleeping on the floor of a couple of airports Laura arrived in Chennai, India. She reports that the weather is lovely but a little sticky at times. She is staying in a small house that is used as a Suicide Prevention Centre for the first 2 weeks, so will be there for Christmas.
Her biggest nightmare upto date is the bathroom, or lack of. The toilet consists of a hole in the floor and bath-time consists of 1/2 a bucket of water to wash hair and body. On arrival she was given 2 'salwar kameez' [local dress] which they have to wear when out of the house.
She sends all her love and wishes everyone a 'Happy Christmas'. Keep both the teams [India and Poland] in your prayers. I will pass on any news as I get it. God Bless Lesley x

Finale of the lecture phase ... God is Incredible.

This is to be my final blog from the old Angleterre ... oh guys, how I will miss the chill that is Britain in December/January and February. But it will be strange to be warm at Christmas, and without close family. Weird. But I am looking forward to it incredibly.  Mum dropped off some Christmas presents so that will be nice when I get to the land of India at Christmas. Woop.

India will be a challenge and a half - we are going to come up against so much spiritual warfare, so much poverty, hunger, desperation and so on! I am scared witless of being knocked off my feet by the culture shock. I have never been anywhere that hasn't been western (when I've been able to remember anyway!) So that'll be an eye opener.  I am excited about the Dramas and the talks that we are going to give - they really are incredible ... God in every step we take.

So, the last few weeks God has really been preparing me for the outreach part ... we have really been praying for Imon's Visa and just trusting that God has this in his hands and that it'll all be ok - that is hard - but we are doing it. I have really learned patience and how to trust, also giving myself to God .... I have also been really challenged to step out in faith.

This weekend (my last one in England for two months) was great, we did Drama's on Friday night - and my Mum, Dad and Andrew arrived - me and Dad drove round for ages looking for somewhere to sell me some Diet Coke. It is a mild addiction now. This is sad. On Saturday we left at around 10.30 to go to Emma ex-Delany now Jeffery's Wedding. It was so lovely, Emma looked beautiful and the wedding itself was fabby and just brilliant. Spent most of the evening chatting with some friends of my Dad's their son was 20 and had been to India, so we were chatting about that. Was good. Sunday, came back and played Outreach games all day, we cleaned up leaves and washed a car, we hiked for about an hour with our backpacks on (was incredible!), we sat by a fire (which we lit ourselves) in the dark - it was great.

So all in all, the last few days here have been brilliant. I am so scared about leaving the Poland team, but I know God has so much planned for them - and I will see them in Feb when I get back. But otherwise for now, I leave you with the knowledge that I am going to make sure I stay alive and that I speak out truth wherever I set foot. I miss you all daily - and hope that you are all well. Love to you all!!!!!!!!!

Always yours, in whatever country I happen to be in...

Laura x x x x x x 

P.S. Mum, I rang the bank, don't worry, they said that is fine.

P.P.S. I have packed my passport somewhere safe inside some form of plastic wallet like you do when we go on holiday. It is in my hand luggage. Oh and my bag only weighs 11kg. Winner.

P.P.S.S. Hi Andie ... you shweet. face kisses.

GRANDMA AND PAPA I LOVE YOU BOTH A LOT.

REW/ You are a star, I love you.

LOUISE, TOM, HELEN = have a merry Christmas.

JAY - ik hou van jou. (it's Dutch - look it up) xx

EMMA B: I adore you so much for your prescence even though I have been in Sussex this whole time. x

WENDY: I will miss you thank you so much for all your attentiveness over the last three months, I will come visit when I get back.

CHURCH LOT - see you in Feb ;)

BLOG READERS: Thanks and sweet sleep :D

DAD - I would never forget you. xxx +1

New Update? Are my eyes decieving me??

It’s been 14 days. 14 days since I wrote my last blog. How sucky am I on a scale of 1 to 10? That is a rhetorical question DO NOT ANSWER IT. I know I suck at keeping up with this.

HI GUYS I LOVE YOU ALLLLLLL x x x x x

Anyway, I have a rubbish announcement – when I go to India I am not allowed to mention ‘Missions’, ‘Outreach’ or ‘YWAM’, ‘Convert’ or ‘Evangelise’ or anything to that effect … so Lauraonamission will probably cease to exist unless I email someone who will post blogs for me once a week. This may have to happen as I think it is a necessary to keep up the blog and I need your prayer. So I will ask my good friend Emma or my Dad and see if I can entertain him.

This last week or so has been incredible – we have had talk on Spiritual Warfare the week before this one … which was all about the spiritual world not being a separate world from the ‘real’ world. So that was pretty interesting, from that they prophesied a ‘new song’ over me – and Ginny and Nikki encouraged me to write a song … we’ll see.
This week was on Relationships and they had a whole conversation about masturbation – I WAS HORRIFIED. I had NO idea what to do!! Also, the lady who was talking made me say arouse L in front of the whole class. I went bright red. It was horrid.

This weekend, just gone, I went to London, it was incredible. I had SUCH a good weekend. Ann-Louise, Lydia and myself stayed in a hostel (which we booked on Thursday night for Fri and Sat night) 35pounds for two nights – it was good.
On Friday we went to Starbucks and had coffee and hot chocolate, then we wandered down Ebury street to find that our hostel had stairs like a lighthouse – 5 minutes from the station. Brilliant. Then we went sightseeing, Annie and I tried on amazing dresses in Monsoon and we got kicked out of accessorize because we tried on hats and tried to take pictures! Went to see Westminster Abby, Big Ben, Houses of parliament, London Bridge, the Southbank which brought back many choral memories. Later that day I met Tom in Covent Gardens, then we got coffee and Hot Chocolate in Nero with Tom – wandered the streets around Leister Square and Trafalgar Square, then walked Tom to the foreign office – the last time I will see him before Feb … sad.
Saturday we met Luke and Imon in London and went to see Notts County play and they lost 6:1 – sad. So we went to Pizza Hut to console Luke and then we went bowling. Which I suck at it turns out. I lost with only 22 points.
Sunday we played about in about 3 different Starbucks and then went to see Buckingham Palace before we left to go home.
It was a lovely weekend, and a joy to see Tom. I had a really good time. Woo Hoo.

This last week has been interesting – and God has really taught me some stuff, even just through my friends, Lauren and Ilse have been my legendary Dutch and Aussie friends this week. I adore them both.

We made the boys breakfast on Friday morning before we had a day of ENERGETIC drama practise … insanely amazing. Anyway, so we gave them encouragements from each of the girls, bless them. We love them. So the two dramas we did were so energetic that my body ACHES today from my neck to my thigh muscles. Crazy. It was so much fun though.

I better go, Love you all … muchos adoration to you and please pray for me with all the stuff that is going on in India right now.

Love much
x x x x x x x

Ah to be an Angel ...

Oh this week was so much fun. 

So Fiona Gifford taught us this week on Sin and Repentance - which sounds a heavy heavy topic, but it wasn't - it was really good, just looked into safety within the group and that our true safety is in God. Then we did some prayer time with issues that were bothering us ... I laid down some things that I had been worrying about - worry is never necessary.

Last night Nikki made me sit and look into a mirror blindfolded and think about how God sees me as opposed to how I see myself - it was weird...good though. Nikki is my one-on-one chatter and my small group leader. She's English.

I want some fizzy. I need some fizzy. There is a chance that I might be addicted. But you guys knew that.

The Angel-Mortal week was fantastic, Ilse did not know that I was her angel at all ... I have surprised her all week with gifts and notes and sweets. I gave her a blanket and some nail varnish - the nail varnish story is very sweet. Ilse came bouncing into the room and said she had been praying for blue nail varnish and her angel had got it for her. I nearly died laughing. it was so very cute.

So I must leave you on that note, not really sure what else to tell you, but it is going well. Next weekend I am going to London to visit Tom as he is there on some business of some foriegn office form. Oh well.

So, here I go with the leaving malarky.

Bye then ... 

Love to you all, I am thankful for your prayers about the Visa, but if you could keep praying about the Visas until I let you know that we have them ... it's risky at the moment.

LOVE xx xx xx

What a while and what an amount of fun I do believe.

Hey hey, so I could continue to apologise for forgetting to write new blogs, and I am sincerely sorry about it - but I do keep forgetting because I am so busy all the time! But I do love you.

Ok, so today I am CRAVING Ormskirk ... I miss the town, the people, Anthony :(, I honestly miss it so, so much.  But I don't know how to explain it to the people here because it's not like missing home, it's like missing part of my life:

Oh the clocktower of lovliness, random wanders around campus and town, emma's vege food, Costa coffee and Home Bargins random trips ... buying random shiz and Enchiladas and aaagh I could go on and on.

Anyway, what am I up to here? The DNA conference was incredible ... the talks were looong and the floor (where we had to sleep) was hard - but all in all, God really moved in me and changed my views on some things ... that were clogging up my mind and that was hurting a little - so that was good!!

Since then, this week, the lady (Fiona) who needless to say is incredible, she is honest and real and not afraid to make us think about what we do and say. .. . .. however, she loves to reference sex in everything - people who know me will understand that at every point I am super embarassed and just yeah ... it's crazy. But I like her, she's really questioning me on a it.

Today for our India meeting, we met in Starbucks - it was delish, the worker dude was so funny, chatting about everything and about his day - what a sweetie. We found out that we will be leaving on the 10th of December. Also please keep our Visa requests in your prayers because a couple of the people have missionary visas in their passport and if the Indian government see this they may deny requests. Just pray for visas for all of us. Thankyou. We will have to change three times on the planes, so also I desperately beg you to pray for safe baggage...I do not want to lose my bag or have anyone else lose their bag.

Now I have choir practise for the carol service, must go.

Love you all. A LOT.

Hearts x x x x x x x x x

HAHA Dean about the picture I want to see it.

Neither Rain nor Wind can Stop the Fun.

So, it's been a while and I do apologise insanely for the lacking in writing. I'm becoming a slacker like Tom, so I better start writing more!!
This week has been pretty hectic and the internet at Holmsted is proper crappy. So, here I am at King's Lodge in Nuneaton where the internet seems to work incredibly. So I am going to try and write a blog on the speedy before dinner.

On monday the boys treated us like princesses, they asked us to dress 'posh' and meet them in the leather room at 6.30 (leaving us 30 minutes to dress up after our last lecture...) anyway, they cooked for us and escorted us with roses from the leather room to the dining room they had set up for us - where we were serenaded with Dan's piano playing. It was incredible. Really beautiful of them.

This week we have looked at Biblical Overview (for the SUbmerge lot who read this, it was similar to Richard's Act Out The Bible but with less acting) it was really interesting to read and understand (to those who just don't have a clue what Biblical Overview is, we looked at the bible from the beginning to the end and looked at what goes where in the timeline that it was written.) Anton was interesting and made it fun for us to do, with lots of interactive things - I didn't know how fun it could have been. woot.

So, this week I have really missed some of my guys from home (home is a general term for people that are not at YWAM with me), I talk about you all the time, explaining my home life and all that - camp, church and uni included.

This week I finished reading Blue Like Jazz, it was incredible, Jay you should read it when I get back, God really spoke to me about life and made me question some of the things I was believing ... which is cool.

Yesterday I went to see james Bond in brighton with Annie, Kia and Luka. It was gooood! We went for Indian, which tasted delish then we went to the cinema. Luka was too excited because 'M' kept saying 'Tanner, get Bond on the line' and his name is Luke Tanner .... I'd say geek but I'm not sure it's even necessary. But the film was good in the long run ... on the way back to the station, there was a surge of about 100 people walking towards us dressed as Zombies, dragging their feet along the floor and groaning. It scared the life out of me, the girls were scared too and Luke was laughing nervously, it was really really weird. Very bizarre. Not even funny like dressing up should be or is, it felt bad, evil even.
Next week we are going to play Angels and Mortals, where everyone becomes and Angel for a Mortal, so I am somebodys angel and will treat them to all sorts of cute things and fun times, but they won't know it is me! HAHAHA. Woot.

Anyway, love you all alot, sprry for the while it has taken me to write this. I Love You All.
God Bless, xxx


A couple of messages for some people, please don't be offended if I havent said something specific, it's not because I don't love you ... because I do with my whole heart.

Jay my little cottonbud, I miss you a lot, you are the alter-soul to my madness and sometimes my jokes echo without you. in fact, my jokes suck without you.
Tori, I miss you and your shiny little face, i look forward to meeting up with you when i get back from India!! <3
Wendy, mammoth email for you when I get back to Holmsted to my notes and to my computer :( but in the meantime, God Bless you in this busy busy work time!! LOVE!
Ruth, thankyou for our chat at church on SUnday, you really made me feel worthwhile. Thankyou.
Emma, for continuing to believe in me - and always checking that I am writing - it's for you mon petit shemoth xxxx :)
Dad, because If i dont mention you in speeches I will never live it down. Just Kidding, I love you :p and I hope you are coping well in your househusband state. xx
Tom, I was kidding about the first comment, but I do miss you and am jealous that you met up with everyone this week ... I love them too.
Imogen my beautiful, sorry for the lacking in convo recently, I look forward to a long writing soon. Love xxx

It's been a while, my hearts bleeds...

Hey guys, I am sincerely apologetic for the lacking in blogs of recent. I have missed it. 

The problem is, the internet is super shize here and quite often it doesn't work on my laptop. So that's uber rubbish of the first degree.

So much has happened, but this week has been about Grace. Wow.

I have never learnt so much in my entire life. I adore this topic so much, I am accepted whatever I do - God loves me all the time and I don't have to do anything to earn it. That is incredible. Really, Daniel (the speaker, also base leader) knew exactly what he was saying and he could reference the bible in historical context and it just opened my eyes to so much. If you want to know more I will happily share my 'grace' notes and quotes in an email to you, they are that amazing.

This last couple of weeks we have been hanging out a lot in the underground which I love and adore, it is the comfiest grottiest common room in the whole of history. But after me and Mez have finished cleaning it is the best place in the whole of history. So we watched Donnie Darko last week, I thought it was incredible. My brain loves to think what can I say. 

In the encouragement box this week (today) I got some jelly beans and jelly babies from someone who wanted to encourage me with joy!!  I am happy happy happy.

I am going home this weekend to my brother's 18th - cannot wait to see my family. Yay.

Today Adam bullied me about my accent, he also pointed and laughed at me. He is mean. It is because he is southern. He just read this and laughed also. What a muppet. He just called my blog a silly silly northern blog. I might throw a pen at him. He's a sweetie really ... southern nonetheless ... but a sweetie.

Know a lot more about india now but have to go ... so the next blog - haha, you must wait to know the joys of my outreach.

Miss you all, love to you.

Laura x x x x

A paaarcel ... I got a parcel. Everyone was JELOUS (Jelous not envious).

Last night we, the girls and myself, decided we would get an early night ... due to the last four weeks of awakeness and crazy late nights. So we brushed our teeth, put our pjamas on and crawled into bed. Then we proceeded to talk about all sorts, and giggle about everything there is possible to giggle about. It was like a 12 year old birthday sleepover. We talked about cultural differences just between our countries (I am the only British girl in the room) So the Europeans outcasted me because they are far more liberal than us Brits apparantly from the conversation we had ... it was crazy! Our humour makes them uncomfortable because it's sick or it's incredibly awkward (Shaun of the Dead; Mr Bean; Hot Fuzz .. etc). The Americans think it is crude that the polite way we talk about Toilets is by calling them Toilets. They think that to say toilet is rude, and I laughed and told them that we used to call it a 'bog' when we were younger *Hangs head in shame*.
All in all, it was a truely hilarious occassion.

This week on the 'Holy Spirit' has been interesting ... I have enjoyed a lot, and had to think about a lot of things. We will see what tonight has to offer with 'ministry time'.

What else new? We had a hilarious conversation about English words last night ... I learnt that we have about 15 words for everything. Lame.
I have been SO excited today, I got a parcel! A parcel I tell you!! I was buzzing, Lynnie you are an angel. I adore you, a lot.
Er, Rew, well done on the life guarding thing. Love you!

Guys, that's me for now, I am sleepy and cannot think of anything and have misplaced my phone so need to go in search.

Love you all!! Adoration.
xxxx

Someone else and I ... to be polite

Ah, this weeks memory verse, I have to keep saying it or I will forget it ...
'It is for freedom that Christ set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.' Galations 5:1
Links in with the mirror smashing, which Dean, we do not believe in the old bad luck malarkey...

Yesterday, Ilse and I and everyone else went to Thorpe Park (theme park) Roller coasters and all sorts. It was great. Luke had 2 for 1 vouchers so it only cost us £20 each for the whole day, transport and entrance - it was ‘well’ good. One of the best days since being here.

Today was Erin’s birthday, so we sang, a lot. We also ate, a lot. Now we are watching the Italian Job in the Underground … which I will stick some pictures up of, we tend to live down here when we are not working or in lectures or local outreach (which I am looking forward to this week!!).

So what else is new? Not so much, this week is about the Holy Spirit, which should be very, very cool … looking forward to seeing what’s going to happen.

I miss you all, Tori, I do apologise that these are not personal, but I love you all the same … and I also love everyone else who is reading these, it makes me haaappy. *grins*

Emma, everyone else seems to love your day-to-day updates as much as mine – I do especially :D

Love to you all, spesh my family and all my friends and everyone at my church.

Laura

x x x x

A Very Quick Update

Today I found out what country I am going to for definate. I shall be gracing India with my presence. With my adorable Sammi, Ilse ... and amazing others!!! I am insanely excited - and thinking about all sorts of things that I will need, what is culturally acceptable and so on and so forth. So woot woot. Prayers are necessary!

Today I brushed my teeth and wore make-up (that's for Emma) ... but on tuesday I am fasting eye-make-up!! scary.

Local Outreach was INSANE, these kids were just crying out to know God tonight ... we were just talking gently with some of them and it was just amazing. God was really really moving.
W.O.W.

Anway, on that note I love you all ... sleepy now. Shopping in the morning. Bye.
x x x x x x

Smashing Mirrors and Fruit...

So - anyway (as my brother would say, then say again 3 seconds later!)
I Love You Andrew.

Hi there,
Tonight we did a great exercise where we wrote down the lies that we had been believing about ourselves - on a mirror (which Me, Garrett and Meredith had cut earlier on in the week). We then had to sit in front of everyone and tell each other about those lies (which was scary and intense and I did not want to at all) but then we got to smash the mirrors with a big hammer. Afterwards I felt a immense peace - it was great.

All sorts has happened in the past few days ... we went and helped out with the local church raking and heaving compost around - it was satisfying ... I felt really good afterwards - I just wished I could have finished the job! Going on my local outreach tomorrow, looking forward to it, looking forward to meeting the kids again, seeing what new ground we can cover.

Ok, so Outreach ... we found out the places we have the options to go: POLAND and INDIA.
I am sooo excited - not sure what will happen yet so I cannot say where I asked to go because the other people might read it ... But most of you will know if I rang you anyway, or if you know me well enough to know I'm not satisfied with the norm.

Anyway, if there was something more important I have forgotten it, because I am sooo happy with the mirror smashing and going to Thorpe Park on Sunday ... tell you about the fruit some other time!

Love you all a lot. a lot of a lot.
Laura x x x x x

Dressing as Men, Singing Boyzone

Ah me, I am writing so much I just don’t know how to keep starting these blogs.

Last night I went on my first local outreach to a Youth Group in Bolney called Crusaders, well the younger one is called that anyway. The layout is that of 3 groups, the first being 7 to 11, they were simply lovely, cheeky and adorable! We played ‘Dodgeball’ and they were so funny jumping and diving all over the floor, then we talked about the character of God – that was pretty sweet. I really enjoyed my time with this group. Then there was a group aged 11 – 13 and a group 13 – 16, both at the same time. The 13 – 16 group were so full of seriousity, they wanted to chat about God and their ideas about life, the universe and everything … but the 11 – 13 group were bloody horrible!!! They were rude, they didn’t listen, and they talked rubbish when asked a question and questioned everything. I loved it. God just really, really gave me a heart for these kids, these kids who were rude and obnoxious (not all I’m generalising a lot here, some were quiet and nice, but about 3%) – and I loved them. I wanted them to learn to respect me and I wanted to build up friendships and for them to ask me about why I loved God and who Jesus was to me and stuff like that. I guess only time can allow that.

This fine evening we had a ‘Café Night’ – where I MC’d the whole shebang, introducing the different acts and apparently being amusing, but I was petrified. There were some amazing acts – some skits that were highly amusing and Steph and Joe did an improvisation song where they got some of the guys up making up words and trying to sing songs about animals with rhyme, it was great!!
Ann-Louise and myself had planned a lip synced version of Boyzone’s ‘No Matter What’ and Backstreet Boys’ ‘Everybody (Backstreet’s Back)’. We dressed as blokes with little goatees drawn with eyeliner and wore men’s clothes – then we bounced about the stage like crazy people. It was so much fun.
So that seems to be it, but I think there are videos of us doing it. You can see soon.

Today we went into Crawley, me and Ilse painted all our nails a different colour in Superdrug, which was truely hilair pretending I was going to buy one! I also bought a new jumper – and some amazing foundation. But that’s just lame nonsense.

Love you all – keep with the messages they make me so so so happy!!
xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx

Getting my hands dirty? Literally??

Two days Dean, two days, there is nothing exciting to tell you in less than two days! But thanks for being eager :p

Hi there people!

Ok, so in the last couple of days I have played muchos Volleyball – and I have almost learnt to serve, but I have to do it with my back turned or it won’t go in the right direction. It’s hilarious to watch – when I go up to serve people giggle – encouragingly, of course! Luke said he didn’t think I’d ever learn to serve it, because I was just throwing it for the first week – but it’s much more fun now I can half serve.

Last night, me and Ilse were sitting on the top of a bench (the table part) and we were laughing about everything, then all of a sudden we’d become very serious, then we would laugh like loons again. It was fun city.

So, today during ‘Community Care’ (work duties) Meredith, Garrett and I were cleaning the Underground … and we realised that the sink was blocked, so I went on a wander to find someone to fix it. I found Hannah and she helped me try to plunge it … even though we both looked fabby in dresses and skirts … anyway, turns out Paul (School Leader) said I should pull out the pipes under the sink and unblock it manually. Gross. But as Hannah so cleverly put it, I am ‘from Manchester’. So, Hannah, Meredith and I poked around under the sink for about 15 minutes whilst Luke sat and encouraged us with ‘it’s only old coffee’ and ‘you don’t need to drink it’… In the long run the sink is not clear and Amy found me some Mr Muscle to pour down it (because he is well known for loving the jobs you hate).

Because Wednesdays are celebrations of countries, tonight we are celebrating America (there’s enough of them) and we are having ‘Sloppy Joes’ whatever the deuce they are! Last week it was England and we had Cottage Pie (eugh).

So God is doing immense things, he is teaching me so much, so so much. I have three minutes before I have to shoot off to another lecture, so love – and will tell you guys more and more as time goes on.

Love to you all, and thanks for the sidebar encouragement, it makes me SMILE!!
xxx

P.S. Thank you people for the post – it is very much welcomed. If you would like to send me some post, please do! The address will be up later this week.

xxx

Blue Like Jazz or Yellow like Sunshine?

Ah, how delish this weather is! Lay out in the sun this afternoon after a yummy fill of Roast and apple crumble :) whilst reading the book 'Blue Like Jazz' by Donald Miller

So, new new new things ... I have time on my hands and my computer is miraculously working for once. So I am making the most of it. Today has been pretty chilled, went to Chrurch this morning - founded by this South African dude, it was charasmatic, to say the least. It was in Haywards Heath which is a very quaint and sweet town just outside of where we are in Cuckfield.

Some of the guys bobbed off into Brighton today to get piercings, we are just awaiting their return with anticipation. Jezza thinks he should have got his nipples pierced - oh dear. Lucky for us, this was never an option.

Played Volleyball again today, getting better at serving the ball, my arm hurt with that 'i've-achieved-something' kind of pain. Then Andie taught me how to achieve my childhood dream, of blowing noises with grass between your thumbs - I was exstatic!! I immediately ran down to the underground to show it off to Jez and Ilse and anyone else who would pretend to listen.
Then whilst underground, Emily asked us to sing Happy Birthday to her mum, which we recorded, so I will stick it up so you can see the fun we are having. woot woot.


So all in all having an absolute blast and just loving being here with these amazing people. Got some flics up on Facebook if you want to see them, you are more than welcome to see.

Miss you all muchos :) but on a good note, I am happy happy happy.
Love you x x x x x x x x

The end of the week, and the start of a long long time.

Hey there guys,

So, where am I at? The other day I accidently turned up to a meeting 10 minutes late with Jezza (USA), Garrett (USA) and Lauren (Australia) because we got too comfortable in the 'Leather Room' (the walls are made out of leather) where the seats are insanely comfortable.  That will not happen again, I have now started carrying my phone around 24:7 to avoid this situation. I have not been that embarrassed for a long time!

This week has been a whirlwind tour of the YWAM DTS, I have learned so much already, the topics we have covered just this week (which will be explored more in depth over the next few weeks) are Intercession, Discipleship and my personal favourite Hearing God's Voice. That was so amazing, God really spoke to me in so many ways, through so many people and it was just the most powerful thing I have ever experienced, words spoke over me that no-one would know except me or God. It was insane.

Anyway, the nittygritty, each morning starts with breakfast at 7.15, so we get up around 7ish and panic rush about, que for the one toilet and the showers, hoping that they will warm up in a matter of seconds rather than minutes.  We usually end up getting down there for 7.30, which is just enough time before Quiet Time at 8. Mondays and Fridays we have worship at 9, and then we have lectures - intermittent with fun 'Underground' time listening to all kinds of music on the laptops and drinking coffee.

This morning I was on breakfast duty (had to be down to set up and sort out tea and coffee for everyone) so I was up EARLY, I am soooo sleepcity right now. Watching a 'Movie' tonight too, so will have to stay up. Then tomorrow we are shopping in Crawley. 

Generally everything is going really well, everyone is really nice and incredibly helpful. We signed up for house duties the other day and I am cleaning the Underground (common room, laundry room, prayer room, wellington room) none of which get very dirty anyway, it's great - Garrett, Meradith and I working singing along to music as we clean!! Local Outreach starts next week, I will be working with a Youth Group, which I am quite excited about.

So, the little dutch girl, Ilse is the cutest and funniest person ever - she is fab. Also Sammi is well sweet too, she is from the USA, and is so real and fun.  The girls in my room like Kia and Anne are brilliant. I could name them all because they are truely, honestly some of the most beautiful people, but I won't - I'm sure they shall be mentioned at some point!! 

Today and yesterday we played footie, it was good, and on Sunday I will have another try at Volleyball, which I like very much.  Lots of wandering the beautiful grounds, but I need a jacket so that I can wear my pretty tshirts without needing to shove a hoodie on.

Anyway, my writing is becoming pretty erratic now, so I am going to leave you with love and adoration, and the knowledge that God is amazing and knows the entity of our hearts.

I Love you all so much, Mum, Dad, Rew, Grandma, Papa, the Kinders, The entire body of the Piekos family and the SUbmerge crew, also the Uni lot who have stood by me through thick and thin. (Em, Katie, Jay, Lyn, Fifi - and the rest of you funny bunnies) and anyone I have accidentally forgotten.

I love you all.

God Bless,

Yours, Laura x x x x x x x x x x x x x

A special thanks to Wendy whose letter almost brought me to tears over macaroni and cheese the other day. I love you muchosly.

The First Day Of Many

So I am at the Ywam base, and I love it here.
I know this is late but my laptop would not connect to the internet until today when a sweetie Jezza pulled his IT hand onto it and it was working - yay.

So, in my last post i forgot to mention how much I was re-experiencing the post-camp blues ... and I miss all my guys from OneUp/SUbmerge ... love to you all.
Thankyou everyone for all the support and nice things - 'll keep you up to date.
Love to my fantastic Grandparents. Whom I love insanely.


Ok, so today I arrived at the Manor – we drove up and down Staplefield road until the road changed and had to stop at a nearby garage to ask for directions:

‘Drive about ¼ mile down the road it’s on the left.’

So we drove, and we looked, we drove some more … and we looked harder – then as we were about to turn around to drive and look some more - mum spotted (from the backseat) Holmsted Farm – so on we drove. As we pulled up I swear my stomach was back at the petrol station (or ‘gas’ as all the Americans around me would call it) – the house was stunning and the weather only complimented its beauty. As Dad did a handbrake turn on the drive mum and I wandered in through the doors. The inside of the house was equally as beautiful, wooden staircase and a room where the walls are covered entirely in leather. Pretty.

So, up to my room, where the girls had already taxed most of the bottom bunks, so I shot for a good looking middle one. Now, to be honest – the view and social ability that my bunk has is incredible. I chose well. However, to climb up to it I have to pivot on one foot, and I forget which foot is the correct one to swing on, and throw myself onto the bed. Madness and it is quite painful. Hopefully I will grow used to it and be able to leap up there soon – I’ll take some pictures to show you the full effect. As we toured the house, I was informed that any of the girls that had already arrived were in Brighton. So, whilst Mum and Dad were still here, we wandered the grounds totally in awe of the breathtaking scenery. It’s just so, so lovely here.After Mum and Dad left I went back up to the room to unpack, met two lovely girls, from Canada and America and chatted for a while until the Brighton lot came back.

TEA: We made sandwiches. Apparently they have a big meal at dinner/lunch time and a light tea/dinner. It was very nice though and I rekindled my love for Monster Munch crisps.

After Tea, we played a huge game of Volleyball, which it turns out, I am horrific at. Even though my skills do not lie in the Volleyball court, I had a great time and hope to improve my serve, for tonight I was just throwing it (Fail) and take on my fear of running towards the ball to hit it. Coolness.

And now I am in the library (loosely named) ready to hurl my laptop across the room as it will not connect to the internet and both Sammi and Kia can. Gr. For now I shall be gone, but next time I shall have something of sincere quality to share with you all – not sure what yet, but it will be great.

On that note, see you!

xxx

As time closes in...

Hi, welcome to my very first ‘blog’, of many I hope. I am definitely one for inane chatter, and this will be like an online diary, a vent for my awe of the amazing things God is doing and the stresses and panic I am going through.

As my time of departure to Holmstead draws closer, I am reminded of all the things I will miss.
Firstly a variety of wardrobe … I am insanely worried about the few items I am allowed to take that fit inside my rucksack. Barely any shoes and many unflattering jumpers as the house is rumoured to be chilly. I have managed to squeeze in my all-time favourite Hoodie (Good old Maggie B) which says MOUTH on the back, Mum thinks I’ll have to explain it, I don’t.
Secondly, I will miss my friends. I’ve had such a great time over the last couple of years, at university; out of university … they have been such a great support to me. For example during my Primary placement (as I was tearing my hair out) Anthony was my lifeline, more recently I have leaned on Emma and Katie to support me in Christ whilst I was finishing my degree. Then through my ‘summer of fun’ I have been able to relax and put past stressors behind me through my great time in Poland with Jay and Louise and the rest of the ‘fab gang’. Then on my return, and Tom’s return from his yearly mad ventures, I have been understandably introduced to ‘The Office’.
I will honestly miss such good friends.
Thirdly, I will miss my family. Those who have given everything for me since the day I was born. They have seen me through the easiest of times, also supported me through the worst. I will even miss the microwave as it has fed me for the last 12 or so years!

As I countdown, I am reliving all the feelings I had when I started University, moving into Halls, the first time moving out of home. Lost, bewildered, out of my depth.
But then I am looking forward to this new chapter in my life, a different place, new people. Excited - craving adventure.

On that note, I shall update soon.
I am going to finish my packing, and make sure that I have my passport and more importantly a selection of earrings.

Later guys xx