2 days til English soil!

I'm really looking forward to my visit this week! A big mention to my friends in Southampton... I can't wait to see them! Especially after my visit at Christmas failed.
I have had a really good week and a really nice Sunday.
This afternoon I had a good time with the 20s group. Afterwards I had a deep Sunday nap! Yesterday we worked really hard the whole day long- almost 12 hours- properly clearing out and setting up and preparing for today. We had a special service where people taking on new roles in the church were welcomed and thanked, and those stepping down thanked and honoured. Some of my jobs included buying lots of gorgeous flowers, decorating the church and working on a big banner. I got a bit too excited because the couple who own the flower shop are Turkish and we chatted a little bit. I'm not sure I can use them in my project, well unless I go in at least once a week to buy flowers or something!

It was really hardgoing on Wednesday with the kids. They are still really loveable though! They provoked each other and lots of them came in really bad moods. I think they all come with a lot of baggage and so it's really hard to know how to treat each one in the right way.
On Thursday we went for an outing with the kids! It was really good fun. We went to this amazing big castle and we all had to dress up in the costume of the day (like a proper school trip!) which was quite funny.
Somebody asked me today how Germany is for me and it made me just think a bit.. I'm feeling really at home, that I have a place here. I've felt lately that God is really close and has really been answering my prayers. I can see the potential for building up relationships here and what kind of things could happen long term... just a shame that I'm going again in the summer! I'm trying not to think about it already but I know that will be hard!
I'm looking forward to eating a good bacon sandwich this week, maybe even some fish and chips. Will definitely take some pictures.
Love to you all x

Real fish and chips, recycling win and insurance joy

I took this on a Sunday afternoon wander really high up where snow still lies-gorgeous.

There is definitely more to tell than the title- I've had a great week or so. The recycling win happened on Friday when I finally gave in all the plastic bottles mounting up in my room- the money paid for my shopping with a bit left over! Sweet Germanness.
Also my insurance company are paying back my train ticket home from Germany at Christmas,as well as compensation. Hallelujah!
I just got back from a really cool weekend away. It was for youth all over the region. Was exciting to see everyone together and encourage each other. Today in the last meeting I was interviewed-scary!! It went well though and what was amazingly cool is that I prayed beforehand that what I shared would really strike home with certain people in particular.. and this girl came up to me afterwards saying she really felt the need to tell me that this happened to her. God's good! The 'real fish and chips' reference comes from the end of the interview when I was asked what tips I could give the Germans...so I said bring in the real stuff!
Last weekend was a really intense but great weekend with the confirmation teens (they're getting confirmed in March). We had fun and was really good to chat about a lot of issues they face. The service on Sunday was the finale to the weekend, and I was proud at all the work they put into it. I led music with the visiting intern (I mentioned him in the last blog) and God was just amazing. He helped us lead the church to worship him. We didn't have to push anything or be worrying. Afterwards I was overwhelmed by various people who came to encourage us, including several really old people- which I felt like was a big breakthrough. Sometimes people get really caught up in issues like whether the music is too modern or something. I can't really explain the feeling, and to those of you who aren't Christians you might find it really strange, but it was like God came and took over.
The kiddies on Wednesday were mental again.
I've noticed that I can quickly get discouraged when it's hard, but I can't forget positive things that are happening. One kid who is really aggressive has really softened up- it's so strange but amazing. He now asks if he can play with me. We think that he is somehow really sad inside. Pray as I look out for ways I can encourage him.
On Thursday I had a lot of genuine fun with the kiddies in Mattenberg! There was a new Turkish girl there (who apparently used to come) so that was exciting. We played a shop game where they could earn play money by doing different tasks eg. giving the workers a back massage! Never before have I had people queueing up to massage me and arguing as to who is first. I like this job!

Very soon I will be on my way to sunny England- really excited!! My cousin is getting married :) And I also have the chance to visit my dear dear uni friends in Southampton! To finish: a picture of some of us from the lovely Sunday afternoon walk :)