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 :)