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 :)