An early Christmas gift!

Got a phone call late last night from James in NZ saying that we have got approval in principle for my post with TSCF! Ironically, all the conditions they have put on it about advertising etc have been waved because they took so long over it! God's ways! James also told me that I shouldn't apply for my bit until I get to NZ so that means I can completely forget about all that stuff over Christmas!

I wrapped all my presents this morning so, as the song goes, it's begin to look a lot like Christmas. Enjoy the time, remember our Saviour and celebrate all that means to us now 2000 years later - still transforming lives!

Enjoy this as well, think I might have shared it this time last year but it doesn't fail to make me laugh - especially the reindeer on the left...

http://www.thecompassgroup.biz/merryxmas.swf

Leaving on a jet plane...

I'm so excited! I've just spent the past two days (feels that long - think it was just two separate visits) in the travel agent and I have booked my flights to New Zealand. I got the cheapest I could at this quite late stage, especially as it's quite a busy time, but they were so helpful to me and I've got it all sorted. I am in fact going exactly the same way as last time with Emirates, stopping at every airport between here and Auckland! Not quite... but I am having a stopover in Dubai!

It really has been such a confirming, encouraging week. I have spent so much of the last few months being slightly worried about what was going to happen, whether I would get all the money, what was going to happen with visas (hopefully an answer will come soon!), when I was going to go, book flights etc. But it has been a real lesson in waiting, in patience. And it has been amazing to see the way that God has been providing through people and preparing the way. The doors are opening!

Last night I went back to the housegroup who have adopted me for my time away. There's was the first group I went along to, to present about NZ and it was great to be back with them. It was just brilliant to be able to express something of my thanks to them and all they have done/prayed for/given over the past wee while and to be able to actually give them a bit of progress on the situation. I am so thankful for what God has done and is doing through them!

I shared with them the newer presentation I received from Andy. It begins with very familar verses from Matthew 28v18-20:

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

It was a helpful and timely reminder of why I am going to NZ - this is about obeying the command we are given as his people to go and make disciples. A command that is for everyone of us who are believers. I cannot wait to get stuck in and be part of the establishment of a new generation in NZ!

Before this happens there is a little thing called Christmas!! Need to get organised...

What with Andy drawing our attention to the wonder that is the NZ Togs/Undies advert Andrew has also drawn my attention to some hilarious ones including the brilliant L&P Stubbies ad.

My favourite is this one for Lift+... something of the humour I can expect!

Goodbye to the 9 to 5!

I had my last day with Aspire on Friday. They were so lovely to me - a bottle of wine and flowers and cards and a wee party. It actually made me realise that I think I really will miss both the work and the people - although it was stressful, disorganised, frustrating, I was able to meet some amazing people, see some of what 'life' actually is for many people, have some great conversations. On reflection I am so glad that I was able to be part of this work for a short while. It has given me a wider perspective of the need in society today that will stay with me.

I now have some time to get ready for both Christmas but ultimately for New Zealand for two years! I've still to hear about a visa - that is a big prayer point as it is holding up the process of getting flights, accomodation organised. I'm also continuing to fundraise! It has been so encouraging to see how people are willing to support the work going on with students out in NZ and my part in it. It really is a learning curve and a growing process to be so reliant upon God and his people for provision. If anyone would like more info as to how to give or pray then do email me.

Grace is the Word

I am currently aching all over. I spent the weekend up at Lendrick Muir, cooking at St Andrews CU Houseparty. I warned Kate, a.k.a. head chef extrordinaire, beforehand that cooking is not in fact one of my gifts but that I can follow orders. And follow orders I did! We were chopping and stirring and dishing up all weekend. And nothing makes you appreciate more the extent of work that goes on in a kitchen than cooking for 150 people for a weekend. Hats off to Kate for organising the kitchen! And she enjoys it!
So a great weekend seemed to be had by all - a Grease themed, Grace focused, Roger Carswell featuring, Galatians studying weekend!
It was really good to be able to serve in that way though, especially when I myself was served so well by folks in the past such that I could enjoy tasty meals as I progressed through the Houseparties of my time in CU. It was really great to see the work that is continuing in St Andrews. As much as I now feel removed from things of CU there, knowing fewer and fewer people and not being familiar with the events and excitements of the day, St A's still is a special place for me and I continue to pray for it and the ministry of the CU. It is in a really strategic position in the university and town of St Andrews to be impacting this country and world for the future - no little task but God is working!

I wrote a wee article for our church magazine this month as well. It includes (and copies!) much of the most recent info we've had from NZ which makes for quite remarkable reading...

Also, there is quite a lot of blogging going on about the future for final year students at the mo. I myself would love to recommend RELAY to any and all who are at that stage, as others have. It truly is an amazing year - just check out my archived posts to see the journey I went on - I truly am a different person through the grace I encountered while in His Word on Relay! Check out the brill video that came out recently as well! (some famous faces in it as well!)