tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47098717330615483182024-03-19T03:42:55.198-07:00My AdventureEmmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103968326796624197noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709871733061548318.post-34196077571676586252012-03-20T17:40:00.004-07:002012-03-22T10:19:30.667-07:00New Additions!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 100%; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: left; ">We haven't been home to England in over a year and a half, so haven't seen quite a lot of our family since then.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Now that we've been gone for so long, it seems like a lot of people are seizing the opportunity to come and visit us, and see us where we are.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">Last month brought a visit from Chris' sister and bro-in-law. W<span style="font-size: 100%; ">hich was great to see them, but also exciting, as they came with our new niece Ayla!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; ">At just five weeks old, they brought her across the Atlantic to com<span style="font-size: 100%; ">e for a visit!</span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakzsMrK2dfpqh68nBIRdxUU8gTCIOJV2DbI03FI0nihyhXS7WqBetQTHW2tsveTyPhsECMNWwmxZ3rfxtHge5LZbbn3OjH9ceIXGpoeYdkMlaNS7V8hylauMRDHHHoriLfTprC1dOy2Cf/s320/DSC_2232.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722770852591116818" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 229px; " /></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left; ">The trip brought a lot of firsts - including a trip for Ayla's first swim!</span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left; "><br /></span></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx6wLjlYThYqro90Nq5OvSAIQarfLP-YYprfpMFxJb_isYbpW4qtrAYdp-AsTOgmhG0q267L_ARzEZtPUraWZdFEoKUu_AYxBe2djzomissU2uoa3S0dXmfLsVduun3eUDKFMkQno7eDii/s320/DSC_2392.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722770857383279154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was great to see one of our nieces so young!<br /><br /></div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRuUKUMJI-cZzzBmN2G2-s7MSYclNZFY8PXKHxGCqO8KNSj_OplI6Foq0YPIudFL3blA9tmcEWW8juxd0nn2YCTJg49LzNFUAtSB-y6lTBh_BgWx28zCCprn63LLwJU9ba-tTbtqYhw52/s320/DSC_2690.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5722770869976694610" style="text-align: center; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Embracing all things American - we took Nic and Sarah to their first college basketball game!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was so good to catch up and spend time together. It does remind me of how much I miss our family, and how much I wish we could see them more often.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Especially those that just aren't able to come and see us, and come explore all things Texan with us!</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103968326796624197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709871733061548318.post-23919123651765410632012-03-19T20:00:00.004-07:002012-03-19T20:13:47.934-07:00Twists and Turns<span>So our adventure is about to take a turn that a few months ago, we would never have predicted!</span><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; ">From the end of August, we will no longer be in San Antonio, TX, no longer working with the church that we have been partnered with for 4 years.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; ">Bittersweet</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; ">Unpredictable</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; ">A new season is coming - who knows what that will look like.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; ">In the crazyness of these revelations, we finally have travel documents and work permits.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; ">The ironic thing is we have now been gone so long that so many people are coming to see us, that we have no time to leave the country!</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; ">We had all our fingerprints taken - now we wait again. I feel we've gotten pretty good at this waiting stuff.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; ">We have a lot of other things to work through and consider at the moment, where are we going to go, what are we going to do, how are we going to afford to do it?</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; ">One thing we sense God speaking to us - this is a time to seek, a time to stop and rest, wait upon him and to seek his face.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; ">To search him out, to find out what he is doing in this world, what he is doing in our lives and how we are going to be a part of it.</div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><i><span style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">"Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. </span><span style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29 v 12-13</span></i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><i><span style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><i><span style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">"But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul" Deuteronomy 4 v 29</span></i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><i><span style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><i><span style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">"Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always" 1 Chronicles 16 v 11</span></i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><i><span style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><i><span style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">"Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you." Psalm 9 v 10</span></i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><i><span style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span><i>"I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands" Psalm 119 v 10</i></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><span><i>"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6 v 33</i></span></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103968326796624197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709871733061548318.post-91596991055041405282012-01-07T08:05:00.000-08:002012-01-07T08:25:03.084-08:00New Year in the North East!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left; ">This Christmas we didn't make it home - still in our green card process, we are still waiting for travel documents to be able to leave the country. We are trusting God that he still has a plan and purpose in what is going on, and that He is still faithful.</span><span style="text-align: left; ">There was obviously sadness in not being able to spend such a special time with all of our family, but we remained incredibly grateful that we have each other to be able to spend time together.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;">We also made the most of our opportunity to travel a little and see some new places within the states.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Before we got married, we made a commitment to see 20 things together, so we seized the opportunity to knock another one of those things off our list! Plus have a little fun seeing some other cool places!</div><div style="text-align: center;">So we got planning and booked our trip to head north to New York and travel around to see Niagara Falls!</div><div style="text-align: center;">We also got to make it to Washington DC and arrived back into New York to enjoy New Years in the craziest, busiest city in the US, watch the famous ball drop and enjoy some city time!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">So I thought I would share some of our pictures and experiences from our adventures.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-MpSxSdbzW7JEam4gQ9Wevbg6uQaPfs8jxZWZt9Hk0ZuaU-L5fcqreXtIzv-0joIKSAJHZjKnPB2xFFbpyZSF1kpnonvjs70x8vtvm4trOcz_JH9LiDFdc-_A6FEy90ODxNzsfvXkYJX1/s320/DSCN4470.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694923068753553474" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">We didn't have a lot of time in Washington D.C. but we did make it to some of the major sites to see! We got to see the Lincoln memorial, which was one of those moments of being able to see something in real life that you've seen on tv and in the movies. It was pretty impressive to see him in real life - I resisted temptation to go and sit on his lap!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQWfp1wWiMG6DaZG2HpQa6CYb1GGn1Ve6nXc5fqPwHfx68PtBYOXCk8FCzX7L7ekoAHmti-5UbOHPCJfcITre-nzKBQn38M-nUcnN9Di3Nn1ttrZLVXXlQ86HhB3O8wALLZ0t8egxZVdeF/s320/DSCN4447.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694923060083968530" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Through those gates, you can see the White House! We learned some pretty cool facts about the House (including that many years ago, the Brits burned it down, whoops!).</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIAJAD01fbnWPW_a3BPIJsgAEgR9VrZtGkbVdEx5YcvLSGen3EIqcOnginm_ZoFFsG3LNe4d_Qp3RLc5Sxj-hrdjSQPxZcJra6Ik0kNKb4NqiEuynPltopL22oFqD9EMIDQ7htIMLyiQv/s320/DSCN4421.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694923056851109794" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Capitol Hill! Not to be confused with the White House! This is America's version of Parliament, where all of the Senators and Representatives come to work. It was pretty big!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisWGUjXVsvRBp9ahqw5R39nCvnIpxqpTC0naJ06c78EWOUlem-96CpXHezJDtcz-ZpqUBjgazYSoSWdphTPMWmj1VUH_H0aMuspXbRthAMT2Z8OGthz8tUPc3mRLQ-p4VsFDciYyooHozI/s320/DSCN4336.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694923044354642418" /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Niagara Falls!<br />This place was incredibly cold, but so beautiful and amazing!</div><div style="text-align: center;">There was ice everywhere, and watching the beauty of the falls, there was incredible power in the water, watching it cascade over the falls. We did have to be incredibly careful not to slip head first into the falls!! ;)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLHnvWwln9GwYh-hDfqadagIGCUvFbptHYW9-K-SywlVu-R_B2FLtCHHnTA44xhiqNhyiMR83rNyfwUh-1vRtQjqoMgckCn5Ecg5FgPIWMLhnQ_cvfrjJpmPq_slL9LTGEkjXRgJk_Nr1/s320/DSCN4561.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694923037798792146" />New Years Eve in New York, we took a walk in Central Park and enjoyed some time to be able to stop for a little, and talk through what we hoped for the New Year and what some of our new years resolutions would be.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It was a great 6 days away, with some more adventures and fun seeing some new places that we enjoyed!</div><div style="text-align: center;">Again, I am just so thankful to have my best friend along for the ride, with an incredible sense of adventure and desire to see new places. I love the times we are able to switch off and explore new things together!</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103968326796624197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709871733061548318.post-30526640548395267822011-06-04T20:05:00.000-07:002011-06-04T20:40:44.220-07:00Learning the faith is in the waiting . . . . . .<div>In the quiet moments of the day, when I'm alone, I struggle, I worry, I doubt.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's been a long journey to get here, and now all I can do is wait and pray.</div><div><br /></div><div>3 failed attempts to file our green card, and God brought across our path lawyers that are hard working, giving and generous. They worked tirelessly to file our application, for no cost, and in May we received notification that we finally had it filed successfully.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 5 months we should be heading home for my brother's wedding.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I look at our situation, I know that humanly it is out of control, and not likely. We shouldn't get travel documents for 8 months.</div><div><br /></div><div>I know that I serve a God that is bigger than waiting times, more in control than immigration, and more faithful than any person. I know that.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, in those quiet moments, I doubt. I struggle to see how we are going to make it home in time. I lose faith, because I can't see it.</div><div><br /></div><div>But what is faith - "faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you cannot see"</div><div><br /></div><div>Daily, I have to remind myself that God is for us, and works everything for our good. That my God is the only one capable of ensuring a favourable outcome, in his perfect timing. Just in time.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I don't see it, I don't have my happy outcome, I don't have my plane ticket and travel documents.</div><div><br /></div><div>All that's left is faith in the waiting</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103968326796624197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709871733061548318.post-60939025857410092002011-03-29T09:01:00.001-07:002011-03-29T09:18:01.654-07:00Quietness and Confidence ForeverWe began seeking God maybe a year ago on whether permanent residency was the right next step for us as a couple.<div>Sensing that this was the right step, we began the process last November. Since then it has been filled with pitfalls and disappointments.</div><div><br /></div><div>In December we received news that mistakes had been made and our application returned to be corrected and tried again.</div><div>January found us in the midst of training conferences and retreats, surrounded by friends that love us and have incredible faith in our God to move mountains.</div><div><br /></div><div>Remembering the story of the paralytic who was lowered through the roof by his friends, Jesus healed him because of the faith He saw in the friends, I approached a friend who I see to have incredible faith. As mine was wavering I asked her to pray for us. She prayed incredible words over me, specifically I remember her speaking of this being a training time, training in faith. Training in believing that we serve a God who is truly able to do immeasurably more.</div><div><br /></div><div>Having not spoken very publicly about this issue, only people close to us were aware of what was going on, a man who is quickly becoming a good friend and supporter approached us to share a passage that had been on his heart as he had been praying for us.</div><div><br /></div><div>My questioning in this process was whether God would want us to be settled. Do we stop following him and truly living for him when we become settled in a place.</div><div><br /></div><div>I had never shared my concerns. The passage he brought to us was this:</div><div><br /></div><div><i>"Justice will dwell in the desert and righteousness live in the fertile field.<br />The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever.<br />My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest."</i></div><div>Isaiah 32 v 16-18</div><div><br /></div><div>It spoke right to my heart, as we seek him and seek righteousness, the result will be quietness and a confidence in the God who is always true to his word, always true to his character, always true to us.</div><div><br /></div><div>We can have peace and secure homes. That must not become our priority, but following God doesn't exempt us from doing so.</div><div><br /></div><div>I was encouraged to remember that our God often speaks into our very situation at just the right moment, giving us hope and confidence in the one who called us.</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103968326796624197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709871733061548318.post-56929458507815597562011-03-19T18:19:00.000-07:002011-03-19T18:37:26.976-07:00Complacently BlessedThis week I had the incredible honour of helping lead a group at Mission San Antonio. It's spring break, students are all out of school. We gathered 140 students from the 4 different campuses of our church to give the little we had to serve our city.<div><br /></div><div>We went to 11 different projects around the city to share the love of Christ and work at making a difference.</div><div><br /></div><div>The group I was given went to a ministry called Hill Country Daily Bread. A ministry that serves local families by providing boxes of food to those that cannot afford enough food to eat. Churches sign up to pick up the boxes and distribute to families around them.</div><div><br /></div><div>We spent two days helping around their warehouse, packaging and sorting food, and packing boxes for over 400 families for next week.</div><div><br /></div><div>It could have been so easy to just see the simple tasks that were given to us, and just get on with it. But I couldn't disconnect from it.</div><div><br /></div><div>As they were showing us around, there were some truths that they reminded me of, which I keep thinking of. She spoke of the people that come to ask for help, the people they meet with that just can't afford enough food for their children.</div><div>She reminded me to think of those I meet everyday, there is no way to know what their situation is, what they go home to, what situations they are battling against. There is no way to know who those people that need the help of the food boxes may be, they could be people I see everyday.</div><div><br /></div><div>As we are packing boxes, I realise how incredibly blessed I am. There is some bulk food that they have donated that are in really good condition, just like you would pick up at the supermarket. But then there are the donations that are battered, and dented, with labels missing, the boxes that are ripped and taped back together again. All of it put into boxes and given to families that need them.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is no choice in what they get, they are given a box with food, and there is just gratitude that they have something to eat and feed their kids with for another week.</div><div><br /></div><div>I go to the supermarket each week and pick what I want to eat. I can choose what I want to eat. I pick the best of what they have. If an apple looks a little bruised, I pick a different one. If a can has a dent, I reach further back for one in pristine condition.</div><div><br /></div><div>I do this every week without a single thought for anyone else in this world who is not that fortunate. I'd think about it if I didn't have that luxury. But, no, I walk around complacently choosing whatever I want, balancing my meals, getting as much variety as possible.</div><div><br /></div><div>Maybe I need to look around my everyday little world and notice more.</div><div><br /></div><div>And ask the question: what can I do to make your day better?</div><div><br /></div><div>Instead of complacently looking for the best for myself.</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103968326796624197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709871733061548318.post-28991468028017381132011-03-04T10:42:00.000-08:002011-03-04T10:54:19.540-08:00For I am God, there is No OtherSo I started something new last month. I swallowed my pride and insecurities and did something new, to get out of the bubble that is my life!<div><br /></div><div>I started going to BSF. Bible Study Fellowship. Every Monday about 400 women meet in a church in Boerne, to study together for BSF. They complete questions on a passage the week before, split into small discussion groups to discuss what they have learned, and then hear a teacher speak on the passage.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hate meeting new people, I especially hate doing new things by myself.</div><div><br /></div><div>And yet I couldn't understand why I had this nagging feeling that I really needed to go, and be committed.</div><div><br /></div><div>This year, they are studying Isaiah. Working their way through this incredible book a chapter or two at a time. I have never studied Isaiah before, never really read the book properly (should I really admit that as a youth worker???). It's always been a book that greatly intrigued and interested me, but always intimidated me enough that I stayed away.</div><div><br /></div><div>Over the past couple of weeks that I have gone, I know why I went.</div><div><br /></div><div>God had a message to remind me of.</div><div><br /></div><div>Isaiah is pretty repetitive, at least the chapters they have been studying over the last few times I have been.</div><div><br /></div><div>But I think I can sum up what I have been learning in a couple of verses.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>"</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><i>for I am God, and there is no other;</i></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><i>I am God, and there is none like me,<br />declaring the end from the beginning<br />and from ancient times things not yet done,<br />saying, 'My counsel shall stand,<br />and I will accomplish all my purpose,'<br />calling a bird of prey from the east,<br />the man of my counsel from a far country.<br />I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;<br />I have purposed, and I will do it."</i></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">Isaiah 46 v 9-11</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">He is God, there is no other. He has spoken, and He will do it. He has a purpose, and He will see it come to pass.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">I follow the only person that will always do what they say they will do.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">When God tells me that in every situation He is working for my good, He means it. When He tells me He has a plan and a purpose for my life, He means it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; ">When He tells me He will be faithful to me, He means it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >Green card, or no green card. He will do what He says He will do.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >I needn't worry about what comes next. If it is God's purpose, no lawyer/immigration official/paperwork will stop it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" ><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" >For He is God, there is no other!</span></div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103968326796624197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709871733061548318.post-47653087916918308672011-02-20T18:00:00.000-08:002011-02-20T18:17:06.311-08:00Faith Unseen<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAarhJRTvMBoWUWL_-72BRXW3ma4Z_RwlU8ShszPQh-CkL2jkTYkTGq_qc9gsI_qqH0ydLeiO21UCh8s7j8jYlZm3ZiCjmgYVwWiB7pcQVJdAmfkWgE9ygww5L98fYCsru8iF05-3naoLf/s1600/mi189.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAarhJRTvMBoWUWL_-72BRXW3ma4Z_RwlU8ShszPQh-CkL2jkTYkTGq_qc9gsI_qqH0ydLeiO21UCh8s7j8jYlZm3ZiCjmgYVwWiB7pcQVJdAmfkWgE9ygww5L98fYCsru8iF05-3naoLf/s320/mi189.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5575957909078564850" /></a><br />faithfulness = trustworthiness or dependability<div><br /></div><div>"Faith is the trustful human response to God's self revelation via His words and His actions."</div><div>Holman Bible Dictionary.</div><div><br /></div><div>2 1/2 years ago, Chris and I stood before our friends and made our vows to each other. The bible verse that ran as the theme through our wedding was this:</div><div><br /></div><div><i>"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good for those who are called according to his purpose."</i></div><div><i>Romans 8 v 28.</i></div><div><br /></div><div>It was on our unity candle, it was quoted in our ceremony, we had a song about it, it was inscribed into our wedding bands, we even had it printed on our M&M's!!</div><div><br /></div><div>This verse reminded us and those who shared in that occasion, that we trusted in those words that God had revealed to us. We trusted that as we had witnessed God working for our good in all that had gone before, that we continue to see him working for our good in all that was to come.</div><div><br /></div><div>That takes faith.</div><div><br /></div><div>A trust that the things God had revealed to us through his word and actions would be dependable for the future.</div><div><br /></div><div>I struggle to see that right now.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are in one of the most daunting processes of our lives, a process that will determine the next several years of our married life, where we will live, what we will do.</div><div><br /></div><div>Where we will call home.</div><div><br /></div><div>We are in the midst of the ups and downs that it brings. I don't see that good that God has promised us.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm reminded (quite bizarrely) of a Coldplay song.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Nobody said it would be easy</div><div><br /></div><div>No one ever said it would be this hard."</div><div><br /></div><div>I struggle to see where my God is working in this situation, how He is making it all come back to our good.</div><div><br /></div><div>But faith is not about what I'm seeing. Faith is not about my feelings. Faith is not about my situation.</div><div><br /></div><div>"Faith is the trustful human response to God's self revelation via His words and His actions."</div><div><br /></div><div>I have no choice but to trust. To fully rely on what I have seen to be true of my God. To fully rely on what His word says to me.</div><div><br /></div><div>That's hard. It's a choice everyday. I choose to allow God to work this for good, no matter what I think that good should look like, trusting that God is sovereign and knows far better than myself!</div><div><br /></div><div>I choose to have faith.</div>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103968326796624197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709871733061548318.post-49279004604973213062009-06-16T11:53:00.000-07:002009-06-16T12:22:30.204-07:00Much Needed BreakI am so happy to be writing this from Sunny England!!<br /><br />Chris and I arrived back home this morning, after flying from Dallas Fort Worth. This is our holiday time, and it couldn't have come early enough!!<br />It is going to be so great to relax, refresh and empty our minds of all that we have been thinking of these past few months, ready to head back and face what lies ahead with all of the energy and passion we have!!<br /><br />For now though, we are focusing on the time we get to spend with those we love in England. But also we have the exciting adventure of travelling to new countries that we've never seen before. For two weeks we will be backpacking through Thailand and Cambodia, seeing great sights and experiencing new things!!<br /><br />I will post pics from our exciting adventures when we return to the states!!Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103968326796624197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709871733061548318.post-58040144024659877782008-11-20T18:21:00.000-08:002008-11-20T18:38:41.294-08:00Change . . . . . One move at a timeThis week has been good. It's been incredibly busy, but really great.<br /><br />Our trips into the local high school have been really interesting - we go into the school a couple of times a week to have lunch with some of the students that we've been able to meet, and since we've been there, we've met an awesome group of students.<br /><br />They meet every morning outside of their school to pray for their school and seeing students come to know God.<br />This week they've really stepped up in getting out into their school to see change happen.<br />They have taken up a challenge to serve their school, and are really going the extra mile. They have been cleaning up in the cafeteria at the end of lunches, helping out teachers at the end of classes and even praying for them when they do it.<br />We were in for lunch on wednesday, and we went in ready to challenge them and help them to get active and do something, two students went with Kerry and Lisa from my team, to go and speak with the vice principal. They asked the vice principal for ways that they could serve around the school. He was a little taken aback, but has said he will come up with a list for them. But one thing they could do for that day was to litter pick at the end of the school day.<br />Ready to get involved, there were about 10 students that went and litter picked across the car park at the end of the school day, and they have now decided to make it a regular occurence and go every single wednesday afternoon! Awesome!<br /><br />They are starting to see things change around their school . . . . little by little. But once it gets going, it's going to make a huge impact!!Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103968326796624197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709871733061548318.post-88595347700890178872008-10-24T18:53:00.000-07:002008-10-24T19:01:11.747-07:00When the task ahead seems to great . . . . .Ever faced a task that just seemed to big? Felt like all you had to bring, was no way near enough to complete it?<br /><br />There you will find me right now. The task ahead seems too big, and what I have to bring to it is pathetic in comparison.<br />There are so many students in just this one small town, thousands that don't really know the name of Jesus and what relationship with Him is all about. Many think they do, but few are truly aware of the life changing relationship it is. And then there is me, little me. I struggle keeping up with the few people in my own little world, let alone reaching out to others and doing it in a big enough way to impact and change their lives.<br /><br />But I guess that must have been what the disciples felt like with over 5000 people standing in front of them hungry for food. More than 5000 people and all they have is one little boy's lunch. To the disciples this is pathetic in the face of the need.<br />But Jesus already had a plan and knew what he was going to do with the 'pathetic' offering.<br /><br />To the disciples this was probably just a day of lack, when they didn't have enough for the task ahead. But the little boy gave all he had, everything, even though it was pathetic in the size of the need, but Jesus took it and performed a miracle with it.<br /><br />What would happen if we took our offering, our pathetic offering in comparison to the need, but we gave everything, all we had to Jesus. How many miracles might we see him perform? How many lives might we see him change in ways we never though possible?<br /><br />What if we take the pathetic and offer it up to Him? What might come of it?Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103968326796624197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709871733061548318.post-2358871193857383752008-10-20T16:57:00.000-07:002008-10-20T17:03:35.224-07:00Time to Stop and ThinkWell, it's day 3 of something me and my husband have decided to start.<br /><br />For 40 days we are fasting and praying to see change happen in our lives, the lives of those we love and care about most, and the world around us.<br />Now before you start telling me we're absolutely insane, and that not eating for 40 days is stupid, that's not quite how it's going to work!<br />Believe me, I love food far too much to give it up completely for 40 days, for one day is hard enough!<br />We will be fasting in daylight, so before the sun rises in the morning and after it sets we will be eating, but during the day we won't. But also to try and be healthier and take care of our bodies better, we are going to be eating healthy, natural foods when we do eat.<br /><br />We're going to be praying for 3 specific things:<br /><ul><li>Us - our marriage, our personal walks with God, specific things for each other and our relationship together.</li><li>Our families and friends - to bring before God the needs of those we love and care about most.</li><li>Our ministry - we are both passionate about reaching the lost students in our community and training those who know Christ to reach their friends, and dedicate our days to doing that, so we are praying we will see amazing changes in the lives of students around us.</li></ul><p>I'm excited that it will be a great time to see God move mightily through the situations we are bringing to Him. I really believe God sees the sacrifices we make when we feel passionate about the things in our lives.</p><p>I'll keep you updated on how it goes!!</p>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103968326796624197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709871733061548318.post-56846875218078599422008-10-11T08:15:00.000-07:002008-10-11T08:53:55.481-07:00Our Little Home!!Well, now we are settled into our fantastic new home down here in San Antonio!!<br /><br /><br />We have been so unbelievably blessed with where we are living!! Both me and Chris work full time voluntarily, so we live on the amazing support that those around us give, so when we got married, we weren't really sure how we would be able to furnish a house completely. But God has supplied our every wish and desire, and then even more!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The family that have given us our house for while we are in San Antonio, have been unbelievably amazing, and have given us so much to help us out. They pretty much furnished the house for us!! Which meant we were able to use the money we were given for wedding gifts, for extras for our house to make it feel more homely and more like ours!!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />So take a look around our home!!!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255922689345210706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHdQ7gCXqJGVzJIO1dPksbleXsZxneANuK5XVztGStGOzCBBqNasoD5zirZyREco114iKjZUf8WQs4aCLyonSjhnExXmo4YLipoS55GJLJMMlTIEzeId46RlydQ4Vg8Azr4e22h2pV6MPQ/s400/PA100003.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">This is our guest room, I love the duvet that we managed to find for it!!</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255922707154357426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCylAF_FeIgxJBctrwCTM16zkn7iQWwborSfE9LfmA0Tkqao4rB98CS8egukL2p_J5z4nYj5zvRYRNELg0LgAjx4qTaMn61iMBmyMeLTW-shr82KmWmB5iPdjiL7KA69dkBixKxSmoysf/s400/PA100004.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">This is our bathroom, and it actually has one of the original walls from the farm house when it was made 100 years ago!!</div><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255922720214177858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4_91Ke0MaFw77qPZtXYDk7Rb5-NqjmggsxU6iNOaqlTFSgEd1fPRmppT_6oCogSI3dP0kuRA1WXQxmdtJTpzQFUjbiKrc97j7xqnJYA14muu0BPMd2Yg04njQ8kD0mZz1vJprwi1Xjkf/s400/PA100005.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">The rest of our bathroom, with the shower which is amazing!!</div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255922732388513202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3JI_etAebXDSwl-J9FMIX2Me3OuCpQgljf-BlsMMwKv0cn7PF4h_ynQ0O_NZjzymFRkzRf3F_H_BBEcfie9vFnGJGG8OAsgR9v8lnnE_6aAvGX9BputhivgLzRxXSQy-PW6pS5OVfen1D/s400/PA100006.JPG" border="0" /><br /><div align="center">Our bedroom!! I absolutely love the bedside lamps we managed to find at Home Depot!! And we have pictures on the wall that we got in the Dominican Republic, on our honeymoon!</div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5255922739033106034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigcxaodzddVzPzCLoh3_7gfzr2lL0uJLlHHGlE9KilUheUZdLLPu06AGkfjroPEQUUmFawwK7B_h5uv9-UyIWsfBu8Kk_OxPxtxlyqoM8xVZ6YQgz8oa22QZSFxWx7wQIy1tbSliwnxaw5/s400/PA100007.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center">And this is our living room/dining room!! Our tv is massive and in this photo it has bargain hunt on it!! Yay for BBC America!!<br /></div>Well that's our home, we've enjoyed starting to make it our place and putting things in it that matter to us. We also have a study and we are going to be creating a wall with frames that contain pictures of all the places that we have travelled together to!! We absolutely love exploring places together and are excited about creating a room to remember those experiences in!!Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103968326796624197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709871733061548318.post-13304890819724095612008-09-07T19:47:00.001-07:002008-09-07T19:57:37.351-07:00All Star Team!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243477945294832818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09B1A_LIcBUs1vYVem9fRmw9Z6iKcYx7miFDoStkbxbaoSEnDltxj3xpB9nxKuHqAyFMTzPhN3SkSEDUgy3xlXO3Uo1LojFcdNOqoLJsWrI1dAoTylSGdirBJTxPAFVQMDpytZ7eLGMrw/s400/CRW_4346.jpg" border="0" /><br />Well, I've arrived in San Antonio for the start of this year's new adventure! Me and Chris are going to be pioneering a new team down here in the South of Texas. It's a big city, situated just an hour from the capital of Texas, Austin. <div><br /></div><div>We are going to be partnering with a church called Oak Hills Church (oakhillschurchsa.org), working in the schools in the area, to bridge the gap and connect students into the body of Christ!</div><div><br />We have had a fantastic start to the year, and have just finished doing 3 weeks of intensive training in Dallas, TX.</div><div>So I thought I would introduce our new all-star team for this year!!</div><div><br /> </div><div></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243477947245399618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBKyK2dzDXkf__tCHhGgecc9eL4pF3jx3jQEAIe_j0Ovgt1sovo-wvliP5EtbO52rf_IrQNWmiueveg2iGuVejFiea8FclNwGqRleYOotshUXZmLUkc5Eg7NVHujNcibN0NvmadbJrsCJp/s400/IMG_4353.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5243477950853946466" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CM9h5uJWqDLuespgVsF3BCH-gmVxhN9IFkkhTL6Nukl3cClq500ZCRgQaUd21eqZDO_O-xY8f3PTlLB7BIVMWN6PJ3tMZ6PN_-lEcbKpWs5rOJ-Q-IAgauTTHv_aa8ZmR4v974FrBrLd/s400/CRW_4357.jpg" border="0" /></div><br /><p>So here is our team!! From left to right - Lisa, Anthony, Kerry, Chris, Me!!</p><p>We are so excited to be working with this great new team, Lisa is 18 years old, from Germany, Anthony is 20 years old, from San Diego and Kerry is 21 years old from Exeter. This is their first year on Pais, and we are really looking forward to what God is going to use our team to do in this city this year!!</p>Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103968326796624197noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709871733061548318.post-68843269500860833652008-08-31T19:40:00.000-07:002008-08-31T19:56:58.419-07:00Married Life<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwvepWmSiukoJXP22tB7QlMc8fbjaWR0fGcp22I0j9lkbC4CfZ3rBBYNU-UFOthqSKcJIRC2gynU16SBrocZYzIE8K0Tq2lZAkRwp5VTPUf88OU-Jzf4jPIzMqtH3znEzCJ2Iw5hcsLFb/s1600-h/Chris+and+Emma+1+-+Copy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240877899010350114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlwvepWmSiukoJXP22tB7QlMc8fbjaWR0fGcp22I0j9lkbC4CfZ3rBBYNU-UFOthqSKcJIRC2gynU16SBrocZYzIE8K0Tq2lZAkRwp5VTPUf88OU-Jzf4jPIzMqtH3znEzCJ2Iw5hcsLFb/s400/Chris+and+Emma+1+-+Copy.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div>Just over 3 years ago, I met a guy. Over the last 3 years, we got to know each other and fell in love. He is my best friend!!</div>After spending two years dating, 1 1/2 of which were spent apart, we got engaged on Christmas Eve!<br /><br /><br />Planning our wedding was amazing, it was so exciting to be able to spend the first big day that would mark us spending the rest of our lives together!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />On 12th July 2008, we got married!!<br />It was an absolutely fantastic day, which we got to share with all our friends and family. We were married in my home church, had our reception at a fabulous hotel near where I lived, and then were whisked away to a fabulous hotel in a stretch limosine!!<br />I can't think of a better way to begin married life!!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240879614172018322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCW5g6lWAZT-ItaMgPCkUWvQMkLTtAnDdhG4TQdbFBfLHOjWuwsnf5caN88CwUYN0k7OORLq4WeeAutbNNyc154ZcRNGMvD1rqMrcYtqP7zhqxp3z5Mz8wpfZTtROx_JhQMQ_F5xxX4xXk/s400/Bridge.jpg" border="0" /><br /><br /><br />Here are me and my fabulous bridesmaids!! We had way too much fun posing for photos here on the bridge. It really wasn't made for women in high heels as we kept getting our feet stuck and almost falling over!!<br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240879618263378626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg63e-lXmFoFtE20weId6aAzgSA4BUzlFbNXjxK0JWImVkIzKxyQDCw2VRDwytmc8gB1FaxpP16toK6boJcX3qAcUuzlKeE4xTPJpXsOpets6M6jGK5IU_pm1shMU9PCjiV2FlfyF02SCxS/s400/R0016291.JPG" border="0" /><br /><p>Below are my husband, dad, brother, his dad and groomsmen!! </p><p><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240879620264256594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyTR1GmRneEVXnOpYnnHMc_eJFIOJhoWdFEJW4kYSlFCsJ-rlC4q5elk9mlnLl2fZtxfqFF1LcUyQfxKfEXDNoVr2vAbw_gfXIsko9ndsTX16xkHfBYwHHUmDca1URhw85sQIZrly7s1o5/s400/R0016321.JPG" border="0" /><br /></p>Me and my best friend Hannah. She is fabulous, the greatest friend I've ever had and could ever ask for!<br />We've been through a lot together (and we're still talking!). We've managed to keep in touch amazingly well, even though we've been living 3000 miles apart for the last 2 years. My life is brighter because she is in it and I cherish every crazy moment, with silly giggles we get to share together!!<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5240879627199013378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrkfSUpSPlaY2U3ZMq3K-8FdKL2XSZA-cbdZTzit5SaTH14e0JONIasYUmGTVc3sy6yMqrmMJojLCpLvFRzz4fRFCayP1y2TxRk6dvukAfAEdsl6zdLKDKavVz_twGExkT6hU-ei2qTzqe/s400/Emma's+Wedding+(47).jpg" border="0" /><br />The beginning of married life has been great, a lot of fun! I can't wait for what comes next in the adventure!<br /><br />:oDEmmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103968326796624197noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4709871733061548318.post-77937293516337008322008-08-31T13:11:00.000-07:002008-08-31T19:40:08.121-07:00Starting at the Beginning . . .Well, I was born in 1986 . . . . ok so I don't need to go all the way back to the beginning!!<br /><br />Let me tell you a little bit about me. I'm on an adventure, to find out who I am truly am, what difference I can make in the world and how to love others with all that I have.<br /><br />I'm 22 years old, and I work for a Christian organisation called the Pais Project. I've been working with this volunteer organisation for the last 4 years. We do Youth and Schools work, going into local communities, bridging the gap between the schools and churches, showing students that they can live a meaninful life serving Christ and connecting them into the body of Christ!<br /><br />I've worked in Leicester, England, Gladewater and Granbury, Texas, over these last four years.<br /><br />I'm originally from London, England, and I love my home town! I love pretending to be a tourist, visiting all the best sights and taking goofy pictures!!<br />I have a fantastic family who support me all the way, even when I do crazy things like move to the USofA!!<br />I am incredibly sentimental, I love the relationships I have with those closest to me, and spending time with those whenever I can! I miss my friends from home so much, and love it when I get to go home and spend time with them and my family. I love to scrapbook (really fits in with the sentimentalness!!), I really enjoy doing something creative and being able to look back over my favourite moments!<br />I love reading, and challenging myself by learning more, and listening to music or some of my favourite podcasts!<br />I couldn't live without chocolate! The good english kind, not the fake american kind! I miss jelly tots, fruit pastilles, digestive biscuits and baked beans :o(<br /><br />I guess that's a few random facts about me!!<br /><br />I'm about to start a fantastic new year, with a great new team, in a brand new place, with a brand new challenge! But I'll tell you more about that adventure later.Emmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16103968326796624197noreply@blogger.com0