SO YA

      It's hard to describe what has been happening in the last couple of days. I've been doing a lot of nervous sweating, but in the good way.

      There are 12 people living in the house currently. The 6 trainees are from America, Canada, and England; 6 staff from America, Canada, England, and Brazil. There is also a family that started YWAM here and they are in and out of the house all the time. Sometimes we need some traffic control in the kitchen, but it's great. Everyone is so different, and unique. The house has many small rooms with big comfy couches and fire places, perfect for curling up with a big cuppa tea (or coffee for me).

      I didn't realize how little I knew about the rest of the world until I left America. Not that I'm knowledgeable now, but I'm becoming aware of my ethnocentric tendencies. Sometimes the Americans ask the Brits to repeats words just to make us giggle. I think it's a lot funnier than it usually is.

      After we arrived on Sunday and settled in as much as we could, we walked around the town square (circle?). We are within walking distance of Tescos (Walmart), Pound Land (Dollar Tree), Starbucks (Starbucks), arcades (little alleys of markets) and tons of other shops and stores and cafes waiting to be explored. Close by there is the St. Giles' Church in Wrexham, which is one of the 7 Wonders of Wales. (WOW)
      On Monday, we learned a little of the YWAM Welsh history. YWAM is fairly new here, and some of the staff are hoping to pioneer it in the near future in Cardiff, the capital of Wales.
      Tuesday, we did intercessory prayer for all of Wales (here comes in my lack of knowledge) and the past revivals that has occurred in the country. Its seems like God knows what we are trying to ask for, even when we don't. We also did crafts on Tuesday, so I guess I'll stay.
      On Wednesday, we did an overview of all the local outreaches and it's NUTS how many YWAM Wales does, from Wrexham Feeding the Roofless to kids club to youth group to just giving out compliments to people in the city center to reading the New Testament out loud. We also occasionally do a thing called Street Pastors where we hang out/talk to/care for the pub goers late at night. Our local outreach weeks are going to be packed and it's going to be awesome. We also did a prayer walk around some neighborhoods on the refreshing/rainy day.
      And yesterday, we spent almost the whole day talking about hearing God's voice which was terrifying and incredible and hard to explain.
      Today, we had an excellent cooking class and I rocked at peeling potatoes (kinda not really).

      This has almost no relevance, but Wrexham has THE most beautiful hydrangeas I have ever seen. The houses usually have only one bush, but they are completely full of flowers. They are all a mixture of red and a little bit of violet. Very cool.

Sorry that is a lot to read. I will end this post now with the greatest two words to end every speech, conversation, writing, or especially testimony: SO YA

New Beginnings

Hello friends and family and everyone! (Who am I kidding, my mom is probably the only one reading this. Anyway, I'll just pretend I'm writing to lots of people who are super interested in my life). 

   I am currently sitting in the large Chicago airport patiently waiting through my long layover to Manchester! HOLLER. It might seem pointless for me to write this post because I have not actually done anything or gone really that far from home. Regardless, I'm bored and I have stuff to say. 

    About 8 months ago, I was accepted into the YWAM Discipleship Training School in Wales; and pretty much since then, I have been working very hard (debatable) to raise the money to pay for the tuition. My million dollar fundraising idea was to sell infinity scarves. That worked awesome for about 2 months, and then I wanted to set all the scarves and my sewing machine on fire because it got a little overwhelming. HOWEVER, I have the world's greatest mother (second shout out, Mom) and she kinda pushed/dragged me through the process. I sold close to 200 scarves which is totally nuts. I sold on Etsy, Facebook, at local banks, at PEO meetings, and at my church. I also have some pretty dang amazing people in my life that really helped support and fund my trip. 

    So here I am in this lovely food court, only by the grace of God, with hands shaking from excitement (probably nerves). My journey has not really begun, but it sorta kinda has because I had to say goodbye to everyone I love. I will arrive in Manchester at 8 am their time and from there only God knows. God has blessed me with such an awesome life, and I am confident He will be holding my shaking, sweaty hand as I continue on. 

Peace and Blessin's y'all.