I decided to move. Well, move blogs that is. I'm still at blogspot and this is the address extraordinaryjoys.blogspot.com so you can be updated on my latest happenings as I learn to see the extraordinary joys in this ordinary life.

Grace and Peace :)

Final Thoughts...Not Really Though :)

So I had intentions of posting this blog Saturday (actually I think my original intentions were to post it before I even left Wales but it happens). Regardless, it is now Monday and this is the first that I am posting. If you had not already figured out, I am currently home in Lake Placid, FL. It is so hard to believe that just a few days ago I was across the ocean in the tiny village of Pentrebach spending time with those who have come to mean so much to after just a short period of time. And as much as I wish I could have stayed in Wales, the fact of the matter is I knew I would have to come home at the end of 2 months. I just don't think I ever imagined how attached I would get to people who I am just met.

Being home is different. I can't quite put my finger on it. I'm sure it's largely due to the fact that those whom I've been with for the last two months almost constantly are nowhere nearby. I'm sure it might have to do slightly with the weather - I'm not lying when I say it is HOT! Maybe it has to do with the fact I'm in a place where everything is again familiar. But then again maybe it has to do with I feel different than when I left. I can't quite put into words how God has worked in my life and in the lives of those around me. Yes, home is different but it reminds me of how God is constantly at work in my life even when I am unaware of it. How He is growing me into the woman He desires me to be. So as I grow it is only natural for things to feel different. I must decide if I will see the difference as a blessing or not. My prayer is that He will give me the strength to see them as blessings.

It would easy for me to lament over having to leave Wales. In fact, it has been easy for me. But there is a reason God has brought me from Wales just as there was a reason He brought me to Wales. I went to Wales with the same mindset that I have often had about being at GWU. I know God brought me to GWU because it doesn't really make a lot of sense as to why I would choose a school like it given the state I was living in back then. Since being at GWU I've been waiting for that big moment to be able to say that's why God brought me. However, that big moment hasn't come. Instead lots of little moments, some which would seem trivial to everyone else, are the reasons I've been brought to GWU from the encouraging smiles and words of much needed friends to mission trips I never dreamed I would get a chance to go on to challenges and prayers from those least expected. God brought me to GWU to experience a life that is full of Him and His blessings. Is it perfect? No, but God is a God of our entire lives. Not just one time events. And that how I feel about my time in Wales that God brought me to Wales for a summer to learn more about loving and trusting Him and to learn about loving others more. He brought me to Wales to enjoy many little moments such as encouraging talks, thought-provoking statements, the smiles and laughter of kids and youth, hours of sitting on the floor listening to gifts He has bestowed upon His children, unlikely friendships, and I could continue on and on. I've seen prayers answered this summer in what I would call record time and I've been reminded that I must be faithful in prayer even when the situation seems hopeless. I've been given the glimpse of what God is doing in Wales and have been reminded that He's not just at work there. Being home I am reminded that God is at work in Lake Placid and in Boiling Springs and I can either join in or mope about no longer being in Wales. I think I would like to join in.

The question has been raised since before I left Wales if I wanted to return and the answer is yes. Of course, I want to. The people I have met have become like family and I dearly long to see them again. But I refuse to promise when I'll return or even if I will. I know what it's like to make that promise and fail to keep it. I can't and won't do that to anyone again. So if you're Wales reading this please know I do long to come back and I pray that God will open the doors for me to come again soon. He is faithful :)

I'm sure this isn't all I intended to say. I'm sure I've left some stuff out. But know those of you who supported me through prayers and finances have blessed me beyond words. I wish I could begin to thank you all for what your prayers especially have meant to me. Like I have said God is at work in Wales and I thank Him for using you all to bring me there and allowing me to be part of it. Please continue to pray for the people of Wales because God is at work and the enemy is trying to fight it. But we know who wins!! God is alive!

So for now I'm off, cherishing the memories of what lies behind, thanking God that there is the Internet to stay in touch, and looking forward to what is to come even if I have no idea what it is. God is faithful and if I have learned nothing else this summer I have been reminded over and over of that. He is faithful even when I am faithless.

I plan to keep blogging, though I guess I should change the name of the blog now...or maybe not...who knows but Him. I can't guarantee that Lake Placid or Boiling Springs will be as exciting as Wales, but God is God there, too, so I'm sure it will be an adventure. Besides it is my last year there, so it will be nice to keep track of how God guides my next steps since I am seemed to be slightly better at blogging than I am at journaling as of late.

Know God loves you more than your wildest imagination...He's enthralled and captivated by every ounce of your being. Know He's at work in your life and all around you. Know He is victorious in the end!!

Grace and Peace :)

I Hate the Sound Good-Byes Make...

Well, this will likely be my last post from Wales. It's hard to believe that in less than 24 hours I will begin my journey home. I can't believe 2 months have pasted by so quickly. I hate saying these good-byes to people who have become like family in such a short period of time. God has used them in so many ways to enrich my life. I pray I will be able to return again soon, but trust God's timing is perfect. So while these good-byes pretty much sink, God is faithful and though I think the song is cheesy I must quote it, "friends are friends forever if the Lord's the Lord of them."

I'm going to keep this blog short, and I plan to post a longer one reflecting on my last days here in Wales and my trip here as a whole once I'm home. This post is to just to thank you all for your prayers and to ask that you all be in prayer for my journey home. I have loved my time here in Wales and I promise to share in my next post to share what God has laid upon my heart after I have had sometime to reflect upon my trip.

Know you are loved by the One who hung the stars in the sky :)

Grace and Peace

Psalm 103

God is Good

So I was imagining when I wrote this blog that it would consist of my rants from this week...because to be quite honest this has been the hardest week since I've been here in Wales. It seemed like the enemy was out to get me at every turn. I don't say that to exaggerate...but I can't remember the last time I felt this attacked. So while it would be easy to give credit to the enemy, and unfortunately that's what I have been doing, I think it would be more beneficial to list the praises of this week.

If you didn't know a team from Rachel's church in Tennessee along with a few others from other churches came to Pentrebach to put on a holiday club for the kids, games in the afternoons, and a coffee house for the youth. I had mixed feelings about the team coming to be honest. I was excited because the kids and youth were so excited, but I was worried how I would fit in with the team. Satan took this worry and definitely tried to use it against me...though he did succeed in the beginning Christ proved to be my strength. And though he tried to discourage me and bring me down in a variety of ways, I can say Christ was victorious.

So here are a list of praises for the week -

• Around 6 children accepted Christ into their hearts on Friday. Please be praying for their growth and that Christians in Pentrebach will come alongside of them and encourage them.
• Many seeds were planted, especially in some unlikely places. Pray that these seeds will bloom.
• I can't write exactly what it was, but there was a HUGE praise among one of the youth.
• I only had a bad sprained ankle (let's just say I got into a fight with a tire swing ;)
• I was able to have some great conversations with my favorite people here in Pentrebach.
• I got to talk to my favorite soon-to-be five-year-olds...I just love them to pieces and I will be excited to see them and the rest of their family soon.
• We had a lot of kids and youth this week!! And this morning at church a mom brought her two little girls to church - pray they will keep coming.
• One youth who is close to accepting Christ is getting closer.
• As He always does God used the youth to encourage me when I needed it the most by their hugs, words, and smiles. I can't express how much they mean to me.

I'm sure I'm forgetting things, but know God is good even in the mist of difficulties. I have been clinging to the verses in II Corinthians 12:9-10, which are my favorite verses, where Jesus tells Paul how HIS strength is made perfect in Paul's weakness. That's how I've felt this week...weak. I feel as if Satan is fighting against something in my life, but what it is I'm not sure. But I know Christ is always victorious!!

As many of you know my time in Wales is quickly slipping away. It pains me to say it but I only have 4 days left here. I won't go further into that right now because I don't want to cry or dwell on it until it actually happens. I plan to enjoy these next few days to the fullest because who knows if tomorrow will even come.

Know God is good even in the mist of hard times. Know He places people in our lives for a reason. Cling to Him. He is our strength. He is our hope. Know you are loved.

Grace and Peace.

If I Don't Post, I Promise I'm Still Alive :)

Bright and early tomorrow morning (well actually here in a few hours haha) Rachel, Dottie, and I will be traveling to London. I'm excited for a chance to see the city once again, but I have to be honest I'm going to miss Wales and the kids and the youth. If I'm going to miss them this much for only two days who knows how I'll be when I leave in 2 weeks!!

But we have plans to see some of the sites such as Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Big Ben, Platform 9 3/4, amongst over things. Rachel and I are also planning to go to Holy Communion at Westminster Abbey on Friday. So I'll give you a run down later of what of how my London trip goes :)

The American teams come in on Friday as well. Please be praying that they all make it through immigration!! I'm excited about their coming because all summer long I have heard of the great work God has done through them in years past with the kids and youth of various churches in Wales. I am excited to be apart of one of the teams at the church in Pentrebach I've be interning at all summer. We'll be doing holiday club (VBS) in the mornings, games in the field in the afternoons, and a coffee house of the youth in the evenings. So please be praying for this week as well and that God will move among the kids and youth of the village.

With the team coming Rachel and I will be relocating to the church for the week, which means no internet access. Please do not fear if you don't hear from for the next week or so. I haven't died I promise. I told my mom that I would send her a text next week, so if anything happens I will tell her to pass it on to you all.

So for now I am off because despite my lack of tiredness I do need to try and get some sleep. I love you all so much and I am blessed by each of you in my life. Your prayers have been a wonderful comfort to me and I value them beyond words. Please continue to keep the kids and the youth in prayers. Pray God would draw them to His Himself in the coming week.

Remember the One who holds the world in His hands is holding you as well :)

Grace and Peace!!

Accepted

"Grace tells us that we are accepted just as we are. We may not be the kind of people we want to be, we may be a long way from our goals, we may have more failures than achievements, we may not be wealthy or powerful or spiritual, we may not even be happy, but we are noetheless acceptede by God, held in His hands. Such is His promise to us in Jesus Christ, a promise we can trust."

This is a quote found in a book that I have been reading while being here in Wales called The Ragamuffin Gospel. It's a great book about how God's love and grace came to a people undeserving - it came to the ragamuffins. I love this particular quote because it reminds me of what the Gospel is truly about - a grace which accepts those who are unacceptable, a love for those who are unloveable, a pardon for the undeserving. As much as I try there is nothing I can do to earn this grace. I just have to accept it. Accept the idea that there is a God who passionately accepts me just as I am.

Sometimes, well often actually, that idea baffles me. The thought of the God who created the rains which frequent this country, the heat which covers my hometown, and the daisies which spring up from the rocks loves me absolutely astounds me. To know I am justified when I don't deserve it brings me to tears, but it also brings smiles and laughter and joy that is beyond compare.

Knowing God accepts me just as I am or really inspite of who I am is a humbling thought. I love Psalm 103 which I posted a few days ago how it reads "for He knows how we are formed, He remembers that we are dust." God accepts me, one who is of dirt. He accepts though I am not good enough, knowing that I will never on my own be good enough. He accepts me knowing I fail over and over again. He accepts me knowing knowing I am weak and I will stumble and fall. He accepts me knowing there will be days when I am jealous of everyone and question why He made me the way I am. He accepts me knowing I am not usually nice to everyone; that often I am rash and quick to judge. He accepts me knowing that I am afraid and that I really don't trust Him in all areas of my life yet. He accepts me knowing that I worry more about tomorrow than I actually do about the moments He gives me. He accepts me knowing I am not grateful like I should nor do I give like I should. I could continue on and on how He accepts inspite of all that I am not, but it would be a very long list.

The bottom line is I am accepted by Him because of what He's done. Because of what He's given. The bottom line is we're all accepted not because of anything have or haven't done. We're accepted because of His grace. It is not earnable. It is a gift. And it is a costly gift, but one that is worth more than anything this life can offer.

You are loved today and you are accepted by the One who created the stars in the sky and every colorful (and non-colorful) fish in the sea. He is absolutely crazy about you and wants you to know Him. Never doubt His love because nothing can take it away :)

I leave you with my favority poem by Bradley Hathaway, entitled "Celebration Wedding"

This is for the ones whose hope is falling
And you no longer hear your savior's calling.
This is for the ones whose backs are turning
And that passion-filled heart you once had has stopped burning.
This is for the ones abandoned.
Now all alone with no solace and you think you're stranded.
This is for you empty, by life branded,
That had a vision that took leap, but it never landed.
This is for the ones who are plagued.
By those mysteries of life.
And you feel torn inside by this mind of spirit and strife.
This is for the ones whose desire to do good is always outweighed
and you don't do as you should.
This is for the ones whose mistakes are too many to count
and the guilt on your chest just continues to mount.
This is for the ones who have been done wrong by sins.
At the corrupted hands of perverted men.
Hold on.
HOLD ON!
Because soon will come the Celebration Wedding
and bundles of restoration will be our bedding.
Soon will come the Celebration Wedding
and bundles of restoration will be our bedding.
The trumpeter is taking a breath
The guests are taking their seats.
The Bride is putting on a veil.
The Father is making last-minute preparations.
There's Thousands Times Ten Thousand
angels waiting in holy expectation.
The readied groom is readied.
Soon will come the Celebration Wedding
If you are hurting, your hurt will cease.
If you are restless, you will find peace.
If you are empty, You will be filled.
All of these doubts, they'll be stilled.
If life for you is just to trying, Your tears will be dissipate.
There won't be anymore crying.
If the only thing you know is shame, you will be cleansed
and never again feel the same.
If you can't see straight.
focus.
persevere.
And wait...
Soon will come the Celebration Wedding
and bundles of restoration will be our bedding.

Grace and Peace

These are for My Mommy (and everyone else, too)

So my mom has been requesting that I upload some pictures of my life here in Wales since I arrived here back in June. And well none of have made it up, but she sent me a card reader so now I don't have much of an excuse. These aren't all of them, but they are few to give you a glimpse of my life.

These are the wonderful places I have seen thus far in Wales





















And these are the incredible people I have been blessed by this summer

Reminder of Redemption

I love knowing I belong to a God who knows what I need better than I do.

Psalm 103
Praise the Lord, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise His holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits -
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The Lord works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
He made known His ways to Moses,
His deeds to the people of Israel:
The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abouding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will He harbor His anger forever;
He does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our inquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is His love for those who fear Him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him;
for He knows how we are formed,
He remembers that we are dust.
As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord's love is with those who fear Him,
and His righteousness with their children's children -
with those who keep His covenant
and remember to obey His precepts.
The Lord has established His throne in heaven,
and His kingdom rules over all.
Praise the Lord, you His angels,
you might ones who do His bidding,
who obey His owrd.
Praise the Lord, all His heavenly hosts,
you His sernats who do His will.
Prasie the Lord, all His works everywhere in His dominion.
Praise the Lord, O my soul.

Grace and Peace!

I Don't Wanna be a Goat

In elementary school I learned a song called "I Just Wanna be a Sheep." If you haven't heard it, goes something along the lines of how I just want to be a sheep, babababa, and how you don't want to be things like a pharisee or a goat. I really love the song and will honestly sing it at any chance I get. So I pretty much jumped at the chance to sing with the kids here in Wales. It's become a requested song at club, so much so I've definitely gone to bed singing it some nights.

However, today I realized I am more of the goat and the pharisee than I often believe I am. Yesterday, I went to Cardiff with Rachel and some of the youth. We decided to eat lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe just for fun, but we arrived there a few minutes before they began serving. We were looking in the little shop, but I stepped outside because when I say little I mean it was little. This man walked up to me and asked for some money to go to a hostel to be able to get a shower and a bed to sleep in. He didn't ask for much, and I wish I could say I gave him the money. But I didn't. I had what he asked for and more. I was in a kind of a bad mood for really no reason and pretty much told the man I couldn't be bothered. I wish I could get the look in his eyes as he walked away from me.

It felt like he was saying with his eyes, "You're just like the rest of them."

Please don't try to console me with, "Well, he probably was just going to use the money for beer or drugs;" because I don't know if that's what he really wanted the money for. Besides who am I to judge this mans intentions? Someone who has been given far more than she needs or deserves, but chooses to hord it like she can take it with her when she goes.

This man might have been Jesus and I turned Him away. I realized I am one of the goats from Matthew 25 when Jesus tells them to depart from Him because "whatever [we] did not do for the least of them, [we] did not do for [Him]."

The verse in the song goes, "I don't wanna be a goat/Nope, Nope, Nope, Nope/Because they ain't got no hope/I don't wanna be a goat." And I realize today I don't want to be goat. I want to be a sheep. I want to be on Jesus' right side on judgement day when He says, "'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'"

I wish I could go to Cardiff and search the streets for this man and give him the money and more. But I can't. However,I pray this will change me forever and that I never again deny someone like this man something, especially kindness. I pray God will change me and give me His ability to love.

I am the wretch whom the song is singing about, but amazing grace has set me free.

So I really do miss them :)

I'm sitting on my bed here in Wales spending way too much time on Facebook as I began to realize I really do miss my family. It's not that I didn't miss them prior to this. And if you currently sitting at your computer screen thinking, "Oh no! Here she goes again with her meladramatic whining of how she just wants to be home," then I promise this is not going to be a lament of me wishing to be home. Because to honest I am more than content where I am. However, I wish my my mom and my dad and my brother and grandparents and while I'm at aunts and uncles, too, could be here experiencing Wales with me. Especially my mom, dad, and brother.

When I look at my family I can see God's work. I can see how He's provided. I can see how He's blessed. I can also see how the enemy works against it. I can see how something God is making beautiful, the enemy is trying to destroy. But I won't let him and through I am weak, I know God is stronger and He gives me the strength to be the daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, etc. who He desires me to be. One who loves unconditionally. One who forgives. One who gives thanks for her family. One who prays for her family. I look at my time in Wales and know I can't leave here the same. So I pray as I leave here I leave with the help of the Holy Spirit to one my family like Christ does.

My family isn't perfect. But I'm not either and I think I often place too high of expectations on them - ones no one can measure up to. Often those whom are closed to me and love me the most often have to deal with my worst as I seem to give my best to those whom I hardly know. However, I am learning while I am here that God provides the ability to give my best - His best actually - to everyone, including my family.

So this might be sappy, but I don't really care because I really do miss my mom, my dad, and my little brother (who really isn't all that little anymore). I miss their sillyness and random outburst into song (even though none of us can sing). I miss playing rummikub with them even though I'm convinced their only aim in the game is to make sure I don't win. I miss the things I don't always appreciate when I'm home, like Ian bursting into my room earlier in the morning with the dogs to wake me up. Or Dad's crazy impersonations of Shrek or an Englishman.

Again this isn't meant to be a "I'm ready to come home" blog - because I am in no way, shape, or form ready to come home. It's a blog meant to remind me and us all to cherish our families. Sometimes it's hard to do. But God really does love us even at our worst, which often our families see the most of, so through Him we can love our families.

So Mommy, Daddy, Ian, and the rest of the familia - I love you and I am thankful God has placed each of you in my life. Thanks for loving me, even when I am absolutely horrid. I truly am blessed by each of you :)

Much love through Him!

This is for those without Facebook...Mom!

Josh, the guy in the video, made this of Rachel, himself, and me. It's pretty hilarious...especially if you know me and know my total lack of coordination haha
Enjoy :)

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A Running Revelation

So this morning I went for a run. I used to hate running (yes, I know strongly dislike...but I truly think hate does appropriately express my former attitude towards running). But since college, and especially this past semester, I actually have become semi-fond of it. I love how I feel after completing a run and it just helps me to clear my head. I was running a pretty good distance for me, but I have definitely backslided in my running a bit since being here. On Friday morning I decided to make myself get out of bed and go run primarily because I really love to eat and the food here is awesome and well I would prefer to not roll off of the plane.

Anyways I got a little carried away with that paragraph; you probably didn't need to know any of that except that I went for a run this morning. And while on that run I started to plan out my life once again. Maybe plan isn't the correct term but I did start imagining a variety of possibilities for life after Wales and primarily life after graduation in May. Trying to plan my life out seems to be my favorite pastime as of late, even though I have been thoroughly taught by recent events in my life that God's way is definitely not my way and His way is so much better than my way. Maybe it's the uncertainty that I feel right now about where my life is headed. You see for the first time in my life I don't know the next step. Going through school I always knew I would go to college it was just a matter of where. But with college graduation approaching I'm scared because I just don't know. I love the Corrie Ten Boom quote, "Never be afraid to trust an unknown future with a known God." And while this quote is awesome and so true, I often find myself trying to figure out God's plan instead of just enjoying the moment He's blessed me with.

So as I was running and attempting to plan my life out I kind of zoned out the music my ipod was playing. But God seemed to bring me back at just the right time as the Natalie Grant song, "Live for Today" was reaching the chorus of "I'm gonna live for today/I'm gonna follow in Your way/I'm gonna let my little light shine like there's no tomorrow." It felt like God saying "Caitlin, have absolutely no idea what tomorrow might bring. Caitlin, you don't if know tomorrow will come. Remember back two years ago when I told you to give Me your life and watch what I can do; just trust me to do it. Enjoy and live up what I've given you. Love others. Love Me with each moment. I promise it all ends good."

My prayer for the rest of my time here in Wales as well as when I get back in LP and at G-Dubb and wherever else my life might lead is to enjoy the moments, because as I am realizing here in Wales they pass all too quickly. God is good. God is here now.

Enjoy the moment you've been given to the absolute fullest.

Grace and peace :)

There's Nothing a Little Rain Won't Hurt

Today I was able to experience the phrase, "There's nothing a little rain won't hurt" to the fullest. Except I might beg to differ that there was slightly more than a little rain. But before I get to that let me do a little backtracking to where I believe I left on Thursday (in the since of what's happened since my last blog.)

When I said I really liked Wednesdays, I should have also mentioned I also really like Thursdays and Fridays, too. Thursday during the actual day was a nice time for me to just get some needed down time. I love to be on the go, but there are times when I simply just need to chill. God really refreshed me once again during this time, so I definitely praise Him for that. Thursday afternoon I was supposed to tell a Bible story to a special needs group which meets during the afternoons at the church. Now while this is definitely my mom's calling in life it is not mine, so I have to be honest when I say I was a bit relieved to find out it had to be postponed until Tuesday. I have never done anything like that before, aside from just visiting in my mom's classroom, so pray God will help me through this storytime next Tuesday. Thursday evening brought another kids' club, and boy do they love the sheep song. If you haven't heard it before, please don't ask me to sing it to you :) Just kidding...it's actually one of my favorites. And then following the kids' club, the youth came and I always have a blast there.

Yesterday, I was tricked into believing a broke the church's piano. I am beginning to find the humor in the fact that I am way too guillable, but tricking someone who knows nothing about the technicalities (spelling?) of music and musical instruments is just not nice! Besides that little prank I enjoyed a just a wonderful day of laying on the floor of the sanctuary, listening to music from my ipod and from Louis, eating ice cream (and my favorite chips - aka french fries - with curry), and just spending time with wonderful people. Due to some transportation issues Rachel and I had to take the train to PCY, a youth group we go with the Pentrebach youth too. Thankfully we were accompanied by some wonderful people (aka Louis and Rea). All of the other PCYs I've been to have been some fun event, but last night's was a Bible study on Peter. Peter is my favorite Bible character because I feel I can relate so much to him and I always learn so much from his life. Michael, the guy who lead it, made some awesome points by looking what Peter's words and actions declared about his life and asking us to see what our words and actions declare about our own lives. This is always something I need to be reminded of because I want to make sure my words and actions are declaring that I love God and I love others, which I know so often I fail at. So last night was very encouraging and challenging to me and hopefully the youth as well.

Okay back to what I mentioned in the beginning. Today I went with the youth from Pentrebach to build a dam in a creek about 30 minutes or so from where we go to church. Let's just say it was a definite first for me. It was fun, but the water was really cold upon first getting in. And while the weather has been quite nice this past week the rains definitely fell today. So we huddled under a make-shift covering made from a tarp and hangers to cook the hamburgers on a disposible grill (I'd never seen one before) and used sticks to flip the burgers. It was great fun just a little cold. But I think that will be one of the things I remember most about Wales. Rain just stops nothing here :)

Oh and I am currently celebrating Independence Day in the nation which America won its independence from...the Welsh kids even said the pledge with me today haha. Oh the irony of it.

Please continue to pray for the youth and kids. But also pray for the leaders here - pray that God would strengthen those who are currently serving in amongst the youth and kids here, but also pray that God would raise up harvesters to love these youth and kids like He does. And pray for the youth who have already accepted Christ as their Savior. Pray they would be held firmly in God's hand and they too would raised up as harvestors among their friends and family.

I hope you alll are found smiling and laughing wherever you are and you are able to be lavished in the wonderful love of Christ. I love you all so much. Words don't express how blessed I am to have you all in my life.

Grace and peace.

I Really Like Wednesdays in Wales

It's hard to believe that I am now in second month here in Wales. Time is flying by and I fear this last month will pass even quicker than the first. Leaving here may be one of the hardest things I've ever done. I pray that it's not good-bye, but rather just a see you soon. But enough of that...because I would rather soak up the now :)

I love Wednesdays here in Wales. I mean I love all my days, but I really like Wednesdays. During the mornings I have been given the blessing of gathering with members of the church for prayer. This time is one of the most refreshing times of the week. Yesterday it was so amazing to see people of various ages to come together and lift of various praises and requests before God. There is such an honesty within this group; knowing that as brothers and sisters in Christ we can openly share our burdens and praises with one another to be lifted up in prayer. Seeing people openly pray for one another and their families and friends without even being asked is just a reminder of how as Christians we should be eagerly lifting others up in prayer. This prayer time has challenged me to begin praying more frequently in my alone times with God, knowing now near He truly is. I am thankful that when I return back to school that I'll be able to partake once again in Tuesday evening prayer time, which is another blessing in my life.

Yesterday afternoon provided good hang-out time with some of the youth in the church, Josh and Louis and evenually Abby joined us. These three and several others are the reason I will have a hard time leaving at the end of the month. Which is why I am enjoying all the time I get to be with them. They keep me on my toes, but in a good way. I never know what they'll say or ask and there is never a dull moment with them, or a silent one because both of the boys are either playing the piano or guitar (louis - piano and josh - guitar). They challenge me to really live what I say I believe. But they also give me plenty of laughs and remind me not to take myself so seriously, instead just enjoy life to the fullest. It excites me to see how God is going to work in their lives as they continue to grow in their faith.

Wednesdays also mean two clubs meet - Kids Zone for ages 4 - 7 and Club 3:16 for ages 16-21. Kids Zone is pretty much all girls, usually we have one little boy but he wasn't there last night. They are absolutely precious. I think back to a month ago when some of them wouldn't talk to me and now I can see how much they have opened up. One little girl Tegan at first would hardly say hi to me, but yesterday when I walked with her aunt, Abby, to get her for club she ran and gave me a hug and preceded to tell me how her feet stunk. It's silly stuff like that which I love. After the little girls all left we hung out with the older guys, we don't have girls who come. Some of them couldn't be bothered to come into the church because it has gotten really hot. My Florida weather finally arrived in Wales, but most buildings/homes in Wales don't have A/C because typically you don't need it. However, the warm weather made the hall really stuffy last night, so the guys didn't want to come in. So we moved the table outside to them. I had a great time cutting up with the guys. Oh and I who laugh at everything have found someone who I can beat a staring contest.

Life in Wales is incredible. It makes me smile just thinking about the kids and youth here. But it also breaks my heart, too. I want these kids and youth to see that, too. So prayer for me that I can show the love of Christ in all that I say and do. But prayer the youth here who have already accepted Christ that they too will show the love of Christ to their own friends and family. Pray that because of these guys many people will begin a relationship with God. Prayer also for those who come to club but haven't made a decision to follow Christ; pray that God will draw nearer to them and their hearts' desire would be to know Him.

So with all that being said I am excited to see what lies ahead as my final days approach but my prayer is that I will life each moment to the fullest knowing I'll never be given it again and my only desire of this life is to bring glory to the One who paid my debt.

May God use you to further His kingdom wherever you find yourself this day.

Grace and Peace :)

30 Points - This has little to do with the contents of this post

So I've come to the conclusion that I am not a super amazing blogger in the sense that if you were expecting daily updates I have failed tremendously. I guess life here has just interfered with that a bit...so I really can't apologize.

But I must share with you that I have just had a life altering experience a few hours ago...apparently according the official Rummikub rules you only need 30 points to lay down and not 50. I'm still a bit in shock over this and if you have no idea what I'm talking about then you should go to the Munro household at pretty much anytime and you'll discover the reason...I just cannot believe it!!

Anyways I have been battling a cold for the past few days and can thankfully say that I almost 100% better just still slightly stuffy but hopefully that will pass soon. I blame one of the youth for my sickness...it's all his fault...just kidding.

I'm not quite sure where I left off last time so here's the run down of my activities since Friday.

Friday - Okay, I'm not sure if I mentioned this before and if I did I apologize, but about 2 weeks ago during a Wednesday morning prayer meeting and two women walked in for a meeting with a member of our church. The pastor of the church prayed in our meeting that these women would start to attend church there. Immediately after the meeting the church member lead them and said one of the women was looking for a church for her and her family to attend. There are a lot of things I've been praying about for awhile and God's given me the answer of wait. It was encouraging to see a prayer answered so quickly and know that God's timing is perfect. To be reminded He does hear my prayers and answer them. This woman has brought her children to church and came to the prayer meeting herself this past Wednesday. After prayer on Wednesday we were talking and it came up in conversation how she had to take an English test in order to be able to work in Wales (she's originally from Nigeria) and I mentioned how I was studying ESL. We met on Friday morning during the coffee morning outreach. It was neat to be able to see God use something that I didn't think I would be able to use here in Wales to help someone else. Friday afternoon I went to a school with Dottie to do a Bible Explorers program, which is a really fast paced lesson which covers a lot of Bible stories in an hour. It was fun to see the kids, many of whom don't attend church, get so into the telling of the Bible stories. In the evening we had game night with the youth. Cools kids (okay, they're not kids but I refer my friends at school as kids), fun games, and beautiful cookies (chocolate chip and m&m) as they were referred always means good times.

Saturday - Pentrebach Fun Day!! It's like a little caraval, or image a church harvest festival in the summer time with out pumpkins and hay rides. The weather was beautiful and warm - just way this Florida girl likes it. There were so many people and it was just a great time to fellowship and eat some really good food - which reminds me I still have the world's greatest cupcake in the frig to eat. My job at the fun day was to man the knocking of tin cans booth. I never got prizes to give the kids, but the kids just kept paying me money to knock down cans for no prize. They loved it. I would have preferred glueing the cans together myself. But it was fun to see the kids really enjoying themselves. I was exhausted by the time I got back, partly from being sick as well, and I went to bed before 8.

Sunday - I felt horrible in the morning, so I passed up an invitation to go swimming with some of the youth, which made me sad, to go back to the house and rest. I really needed some quality "Caitlin and Jesus Time," too. Let's just say the afternoon was refreshing. God allowed me some needed restoration both spiritually and physically, so that when I did go back to church the evening service I was feeling much better. We went to Coffee Shop, which has nothing to do with coffee or shopping, for a great Bible study and fellowship time with some people from other churches. Again another much needed blessing from God. I love being exposed to the new songs at the church, it was nice to sing a lot familiar ones there. God filled up yesterday when I was beginning to feel I was going dry.

And finally today I ventured with Dottie to Swansea, a city on the coast of Wales, where she had to go for a meeting. Rachel came down sick last night, so unfortunately she was not able to go with us. Please pray she gets better quickly. Following the meeting Dottie took me down to the coast and we walked along the shore for a bit. It was such a beautiful day. I just enjoyed getting to talk to her some and being at the water. I even got some cookies and cream ice cream...but not like I would normally eat it - it had vanilla cookies. It was good, but I do love oreos in it.

So there are the run down of my activities from the last few days. God is teaching me a lot, especially about trusting Him. I was reading in Luke this morning and my mind started to wander to the future. This had nothing to do with what I was reading, but if you know me you know how random and sporadic my mind is. I started thinking as I often do about where I'll be headed after May. I told my mom last night on the phone I'm afraid at the moment to say for certain that I want to do anything or go anywhere in particular because I feel I get so gung-ho about something and will consider no other possiblity and then something changes and I move onto some other idea and the cycle repeats. Right now I just don't where God wants me to go after graduation or even what He wants me to go. For so long I was convinced God was going to bring me back to Lake Placid, but now I'm not so sure. Maybe it is or maybe it isn't. I feel God is bringing me to a place where I will be willing to say yes to wherever He asks me. Am I convinced that I would yes to anywhere? No. But in my learning to trust God I know He will give me the strength. So who knows but Him where life will lead me in a few months.

As for now I'm in Wales in for another month. I pray I make the most of all He gives me here to do.

Grace and Peace!

Ramblings

I'm not really sure what to say...I know a first haha. So I don't really know how this will end up, but I just feel a bit like rambling. So be forewarned I have no idea where this might end up.

On Friday night I had the privilege of playing capture the flag on the hillsides of Wales. Not all of Wales, but I don't remember where - maybe Caerphilly (spelling?). Now I have only ever played capture the flag in a field or a gym...always on flat terrain. However, this was steep and I was in more bushes than I think I ever have been before. I had a blast. I got to hang out with some of the coolest teenagers - except for my brother - who kept me laughing a good deal of the time. My team won, without any help from me.

Saturday I just didn't feel like myself. I can't really explain it, but I felt like I had to force myself to smile and laugh. I wear my emotions on my sleaves, so I definitely am not the best faker. Nothing was wrong. Nothing bad had happened. Even when I got an answer to pray, I just didn't feel the happiness I wish I would have. I have been on such a "high" or as we always called them in youth group a mountaintop experience since coming to Wales, that it was a bit strange for me to feel this way. I haven't felt this way since I was home, so it came as kind of a shock. But I guess it was a reminder of the reality that the enemy will always come to steal, kill and destroy. I have to rely on Jesus alone to bring life and life to the fullest. Life isn't easy. Following Jesus isn't easy. But He never fails, even when I don't understand what He's doing, which tends to be the norm lately.

Sunday, however, lived true to Psalms 30:5 where it says "weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." I felt like a totally different person on Sunday. I taught children's church on Jesus walking on water. And they really like the sheep song...so I just want to be a sheep babababa :) We had a barbeque with the pastor and his family in the afternoon and I ate so much food!! But it was amazing! After the evening service we went with the youth to coffee shop at anther church. I got to speak...and to be honest I didn't have any idea what I was going to say until I got to the church. I didn't want to give my testimony because I had just given it the week before. So I opted to talk about what God has been teaching me about prayer lately, primarily how He is faithful in how He answers and when He answers. I talked about how God gave me excitement for Guatemala and for Wales when I had none. I also talked about He's made me wait on Him for answers on other pray requests. Waiting is my least favorite answer I've decided, but it's definitely helping me to trust Him as I am seeing Him answer in ways I never could have expected.

Today, I got to ring the bells in a church in the town square. I'm sure they sounded horrible but it was a lot of fun. And then I played games this evening with some girls from Ponty, a nearby town, and again I laughed so hard.

I have no idea what tomorrow will bring. Like the rest of my life lately I'm just learning to trust the One who is certain with that which is uncertain.

And I have no idea if any of this made sense...but continued to pray God will fill me with Himself and that I will only be an instrument for Him to use. Pray for the hearts of the kids and youth that they would grow more and more to know the love of Jesus.

Grace and Peace :)

No Reserves, No Retreats, No Regrets

Well, I am definitely a bit behind on updating this blog. But fear not I am alive and am loving being in Wales more and more each day. So here is a brief (well brief for me) update on the occurrances of the last week...I saw Cyfartha Castle (it was neat but it's more of a mansion like Vizcaya in Miami but build to look like a castle)...rode a train intended for kids but powered by coal...gave my testimony in church on Sunday...visited St. David's cathedral in West Wales - it's about 1500 years old and it beautiful...along with that I visited the Bishop's Palace there and may have extended my tour with Rachel to some blocked off places to get better views haha...went to the beach and it was breathtaking...gathered shells there and Rachel's managed to get 2 with crabs inside of them...ate fish and chips...ate Indian food for the first time and it was marvelous...made friends with a 3-year-old who was stinkin adorable...told the Bible story at Explorers and Kids Zone this week - Joshua fought the battle for Jericho...ate lunch with some of the youth and had dizziest ride of my life on a merry-go-round and ate barbeque from a Chinese resteraunt...had KFC in Wales and went to T.K. Maxx (same as T.J. Maxx)...have been blessed by the musical talents of some of the guys at the church...learned that capo and agape are pronounced different in Wales...and apparently I say good/did/kids weird...I'm sure I've forgotten some stuff but this has been the happenings of my week and tonight I am going to play what I believe is going to be like capture the flag...



Okay, now for what God has really laid upon my heart within the last night. I was asked yesterday by two of the girls if in America we get made fun of or excluded claiming to be a Christian. My answer was no. Maybe it is just me, but to be honest I have always been in a place where it was almost stranger to claim that you weren't a Christian. For the majority of my life I have been around people who said they were Christians regardless of how they lived there lives. For a good portion of my life I claimed to be a Christian despite how I was living. If start to sound like a critic, then I'm sorry...but maybe I'm not. Because I really beginning to believe that to claim Christ means to leave all behind that makes us part of the world. I preach to myself when I say to claim Christ means to be different because I am so often not different in the things that I do, the words that I say, or the thoughts that I think than those who openly say that do not follow Christ.



Last night I was reading in Luke 9:23 where Jesus tells His disciples that "if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." I remember my freshman year of college when I first grasped what Jesus really told His disciples when He told them the cost of following Him. He told them to pick up their cross. For someone to tell you to pick up your cross meant to pick up your death sentence. Jesus told His disciples to follow Him to death. Coming from the environment I come from I sometimes wonder if there is even a cross to pick up anymore. If I continue to live the way I've always lived, continuing to play it safe, never risking anything for call of Christ, then am I truly following Christ. But what if I am willing to risk it all? To say God wherever You want me to go, there I will go. To be willing to be whoever God desires me to be. To live a life which brings glory to God alone.



Tracy Jessup, GWU's campus pastor, gave a message at the Verge not too long ago about William Borden, who despite being a heir to millions of dollars decided to obey the call of Christ on His life to be a missionary. He lived by three key phrases - No Reserves, No Retreats, No Regrets. My prayer is that I will live to reserve nothing back for God, that I will be willing to give all that I have and all that I am to serve my Savior. My prayer is that I will not retreat from the call of God to live a life that easy, that I would know that to live is Christ but to die is gain. My prayer is that I will live a life without any regrets, knowing I lived a life by God's grace alone worthy of hearing the words, "Well done, thy good and faithful servant."

Am I at a point where I can claim to be living a life of no reserves, no retreats, and no regrets? And this point I would say no...but I pray that by God's grace and power alone I will. I was reminded by a text message this morning that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. On my own I can do nothing. But broken and wretched I can come before the throne of the One who loves me and accepts me though I have nothing truly to offer Him. He wants me just as I am and desires to give me true life in place of what I've been living. And He plays no favorites. He desires us - no matter how wretched and broken and dirty we think we are - He wants us. He longs for us. May my eyes see all people as Christ sees us...as beauty within the broken...as hope within despair...as paid for with a high price...as accepted...

Know you are loved today by the One who gives life and love beyond compare.

Grace and Peace!

The Love of the Creator

I'll keep this one short because I desperately want to shower and go to bed.

The last two days I've been able to see some of God's beautiful creation. Last night the ocean and today on a wonderul - with a slight hint of scarcasm in my voice - 10 mile hike I was able to see gorgeous scenery. Parts of the high actually reminded me of doing the Creeper Trail in Virginia, except quite a bit steeper and rockier in parts. These two things just reminded me of how awesome it is to know that one who created the oceans and the mountains is in love with me. And everyone else. And the even crazier thing is He loves us each individually and no one is loved more or less than anyone else.

So continue to pray that the kids and youth I'm hanging out with this summer come to know the greatness of the love of Christ.

Grace and Peace :)

The Bigger Picture

So last night Rachel and I hosted the first meeting of Club 3:16, a club designed to share Christ with 16-21 years. God laid it on Rachel's heart that there needed to be something in the church for this age group and things fell into place for us to begin meeting last night. We had 5 guys come - two who are Christian and three who are not. In my mind I had envisioned the typical, semi-orderly youth meeting where everyone wants to play the games and quietly listen to what you have to say. No one was disrespectful. To be quite honest everyone was really friendly and nice. But it definitely wasn't what we had planned or desired to see come about. I think we both considered it unsuccessful. But when this was mentioned to Dottie, she said she felt it was very successful. She said the club allowed the boys both Christian and those who yet to become a chance to genuinely interact and fellowship, which they did. Hopefully, these relationships will continue and soon we'll see the other 3 come to know Christ.

But this situation reminded me of how so often I don't/can't/won't see the big picture of what God is doing because I am so caught up in how what I envisioned did not happen. I can think of a certain situation which I have been struggling with for several months now, especially within the last few weeks because what I had envisioned has definitely not occurred. The situation has discouraged me and confused to point where I feel the only thing I can think to say to God is why. However, this club meeting showed me that there is a bigger picture taking place within my life just as there was something bigger taking place last night at Club 3:16. Right now I don't know what that something bigger is, but I do know it's good because God is good. I'm going to be praying that God would help to see His bigger picture in this situation and of course to just trust Him with my life since it is His anyways. I also pray that just because something didn't happen as I planned I won't decide God wasn't at work within it. As Isaiah 55:8 says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,' declares the Lord."

Oh and here's a snapshot of my day -

• Actually managing to get out of bed and run...it was beautiful weather this morning :)
• Eating a great doughnut in downtown Merthyr.
• Hugs from great kids
• Tag in the field
• Spinning super fast on the round-a-bout
• Being reminded to continuing to pray for various kids and youth, so they'll come to know Christ
• Good walks with great Jesus time on them
• Laughing with precious children
• A near death experience on a swing
• Saying the Pledge of Allegiance way too many times!
• Encouragement (and being grossed out) from an amazing friend
• Being reminded that God is faithful in all things and He is at work in my life. Being reminded of how much He truly loves me is enough to take my breath away

Your prayers are much desired and needed. If you would like specific names to pray for, send me a message. I love you so much!!

Grace and Peace!

Missed Opportunities

My fingers still show the remments of toddlers' paint jobs. This morning I went to the Mother and Toddlers group at the church, where Rachel and I served as just assistants to the craft for the little ones. It was fun...but oh two year olds with paint is always a joy. We were able to have lunch with one the youth before heading to the nursing home where the church has begun doing weeklys services for residents of the home.

At both of these events I was not in charge of doing anything, but rather I was just there to be. I'm not a very good be-er. I would much rather do. But in the mist of being it allows for opportunities to build relationships. And twice today I could felt like I needed to talk with different people, once at the mother/toddler group and at the nursing home, and I didn't. My excuse was always I don't know what to say to them.

This seems to be my excuse a lot. I don't go up and speak to people because I'm afraid I'll say something wrong or my least favorite the awkward silent moments. So I let opportunities pass me by. They slip away and I am left wishing I would have trusted God's leading and stepped out and spoke to the person.

So my prayer request is that I will be faithful to God's leading when it comes to speaking to different people. That I will trust Him to give the words to encourage others when I don't think I know what to say. Pray God would shine through my words. There was one mom this morning who I really felt God wanting me to speak but I didn't out of fear. I don't know why God desired me to speak to her, but He did. So please pray for this young mother and pray for another opportunity to encourage her.

I love you all so much and I'm praying God's blessings upon you all. And thank you all who have been encouraging me via facebook. It means so much to know people are praying for me while I'm over here. You are simply wonderful.

Oh and tomorrow Rachel and I starting a new club for the older youth. Please pray for this club that God would use it to further His kingdom.

Grace and Peace!

Oh, how He loves us ALL

I've been thinking a lot since coming to Wales about the pit God rescued me from. I'm sure most of you who are reading this know I grew up in a Christian home. And I know I was really young, but I can remember the love of Christ in my life as a child. It was so pure and innocent. So sweet and refreshing. It was joy. But the enemy has the ability to rob that joy and soon that love begins to feel like a distant memory.

Third grade was the worst year of my life. If you're reading this and thinking, "Seriously, Caitlin; you were 8. How can that be the worst year of your life?" And it's not that there were not other times that were bad...like 9th grade. But third grade was the year I began to lose that joy. I won't bore you with the details of my tramatic third grade year, but it's enough to say that sometimes those who claim to love Jesus are the ones who can tear us down the most.

I spent the next 10 years playing the Christian game as I like to call it. I knew the right answers to the questions. I could convince different people that I was totally sold out for Christ. But it was a lie. I knew was to say and I knew what to do. I lived in sin. Sinful relationships, but my heart and attitude were where the problem truly lied. When it came down to the heart of the matter I had forgotten my first love and believed the lies that there was something/someone else better.

But there's not. I found myself broken, with the outward appearance of a smile and laughter. However, the great Lover doesn't stop pursuing. He always fights for us. Always brings us to places where He alone can rescue you us. All we have to do is call on Him and He hears us and He answers us. I've seen it in my own life. I've experienced His rescue and known the return of His love.

Okay, so I know the things stated above don't express what I've done in Wales for the last week. They express something I want to ask you all to join with me in praying for the children and youth who I am meeting and have really captured my heart in short time I've known them. I always knew the height of which I had fallen (Revelation 2 - sorry I don't remember the verse but it's in the letter to the church in Ephesus), but a lot of these kids don't. They are growing up in families, in schools, in a society where God and Jesus don't come into play. My heart breaks because at such young ages they are trying to fill the voids with so many worthless and damaging things. My heart breaks because they don't know the awesome love of Christ. They don't know the great joy and peace which come from knowing Christ. But they can. God loves these kids so much. He desires them to know Him. To spend their lifes in warmth of His embrace.

So I ask that you would pray for kids and youth whom I have met and whom I going to meet during my times in Wales. Pray that I would love like Christ loves and I would be an example. Pray the Holy Spirit would give me the words to say and make me aware of opportunities to tell the kids of God's love for them. Pray that their hearts would be opened. Pray for seeds to be planted and for a harvest. There is hope for these kids. There is hope for us all. Being here has reminded me that no one is beyond the saving grace of God. Look around at the people wherever you currently are and remember that God created them and died for their sins as well. Christ paid the price for us all because we were all worth it to God. God loves us and desires us all. So pray for me that I can convey this message, but pray that you too can convey to those around you.

Much love!

There is always HOPE

I don't know if I can remember the last time I laughed as hard as I have today...but it was great.

I am beginning to feel as if I am fitting into things here in Wales. I am starting to get comfortable, which has definitely helped me feel I can open up more. I'm sure some of you reading this might be thinking, "You need help to open up." But sometimes if I'm not fully comfortable in a situation or group I'll clam up. The first few days here I was trying to get acclamated, but now I'm beginning to feel part of things. Which is a definite answer to prayer, so know your prayers are being heard and please continue to lift them up.

This morning I had big intentions to go for a fun. Now the roads near Dottie's house are probably the steepest hills I've seen...that may be a bit a of an exageration. But yesterday while in Merthyr I found a flat path along the river which will be great to run. However, my attempt ended up only being an attempt. Since it is currently 12:40 am I doubt I will be running tomorrow. Hopefully I can get back in the habit, but I am walking a WHOLE LOT so that may be making up for it.

Rachel and I went to the church where some of the members have started a coffee morning outreach. A group from the nursing home down the road attends so it was nice to visit with them and the workers. They were all very sweet. It was also a great chance to fellowship with some the adults in the church, who are all so nice. We also got to spend some time with two boys from the youth group. They are hilarious and have definitely made me feel right at home as I continue to walk into being mocked both at home and now in Wales. I laughed so hard as we compared American and Welsh things and words...oh I had a big slip up. FYI if you visit Wales remove the word fanny from your vocab. Oh and one of the boys is an incredible piano player. He plays all by hear!! I was truly amazed at his gift.

This afternoon Rachel and I went with Dottie to an elementary school in another village where Dottie is teaching a Bible Explorers' course for the next 5 weeks. We went through the book of Genesis today, helping the kids learn signs, dress up in costumes, and read poems to help teach them different Bible stories. It was a lot of fun to see the kids get into it. I don't know how many of these kids go to church, but a lot of them knew a lot of the stories already. I loved how we were able to go into the schools and share this with them.

Afterwards Dottie dropped Rachel and I off in Pentrebach where we met up with kids who we have been spending our afternoons with. They have this merry-go-around thing which has definitely become the afternoon activity. I'm not normally one to get sick, but oh how I get dizzy off this thing. This afternoon I was reminded of the need to be praying for these kids, especially for chances to share Christ with them. Most of them don't know a lot of about Jesus and His amazing love for us. It broke my heart this afternoon as I was reminded that so many people think of Christianity as a set of rules. I truly want to convey how awesome a relationship with Christ is and how it far surpasses a list of dos/don'ts. So please be praying that my relationship with Christ will be evident in all that I say and do.

Several of the youth from Pentrebach and Dottie also attend another youth group called PCY in Pontypridd. Tonight the group was attending a special program in Cardiff Bay on a boat called Logos, which travels around doing mission work throughout the world. There was a special youth program tonight. When we met with the other group in Pontypridd, I rode the bus with kids from the other church. They were so much fun and I really enjoyed chatting with them on the way there. Some of them had gone to Rock Hill back in April and some others were about to go there in 19 days (they're counting). The girls going in 19 days are actually going to get to go to the Appalachia mission trip (the one I went on last summer to Kentucky) while they're over here, which I thought was really awesome. The service was really great. The speaker talked about the awesomeness of God's love for us and the need to share that message with those around us. Inlight of this afternoon it was an encouragement. I sat with a lot of youth of Wales and I was reminded in Christ there is always hope for both believers and non. As a believer I have my hope in Christ alone. And I know that through Christ there is hope of salvation and new life for all people. Nothing is impossible for God. No one is impossible for God.

The way back to Pontypridd I once again rode the bus and it was just a joy to be with the youth. They decided I needed to read Welsh. And well it may look like the same alphabet, but it so isn't! I'm pretty sure it was great source of entertainment for them. We then filled the bus ride with great songs that I've grown up with at church and many new ones. It was just like any youth bus I've ever been on.

Well, it is now 1:00 and I have been invited to an 8-year-olds birthday tomorrow, so I better go and rest up!! I pray that the love of God would cut at your heart as you look for ways to share His love with those around you.

Much love!!