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