Salutations

So here I am in my favourite spot, the hammock of sharing time. All I can hear is the cows chewing the grass. As I watch them, none of them are not eating. Its their whole life eating that grass, well one of them is eating a tree branch now. Then realized its not as good and went back to the grass. Makes me glad to have a personality. They chew a lot more then humans considering they have four stomachs.
Tonight most of the girls went to the directors house to watch a five hour movie… I knew I did not have the attention span for that so I am back on campus where all the boys are “gaming.” I kind of threw a fit so we agreed that they would only play the computer games for an hour …so I figured this would be a nice opportunity to catch up. When the girls get back we are having our first sleepover. Im a little nervous! I think I will prepare a snack. Possibly some apple crisp from the apple tree. Yes, they would like that. I better go pick up some ice cream as well. I wouldn’t want to turn up at this party without treats.
Continuing on, I am learning SO much here that my mind hurts. But the good kind. …. I find much joy in talking about heaven so I thought I would just expand a little about what our prof. said today about eternity. God created everything we enjoy now in 6 days and his creation is incredible. So can you imagine what heaven will be like if hes been working on it for 2 millenniums. Im not sure if I totally agree that hes continually improving heaven but it did get me thinking. He has prepared this wonderful place for us and says that he will personally be coming back to get us! I can hardly wait. I was reminded of the verse that I read to Grandma when she was so sick… “No eye can see, no ear can hear, no mind can conceive what God has in store for those who love him.” Heaven is just simply waay to big to fit into our small minds. So if this place is so incredible we should be living our short lives with such purpose. We should be pursing God every day for no personal benefit. At Capernwray its easy to spend time with God but I know back at home I would try to fit Christian activities in an already full week. But whos week is it? God gave me the hours in this week and they are HIS hours, but its up to me to choose how to spend them. The people at the church I attend have really shown me an example of spending time on changing lives. Some people are so passionate about changing lives that they will spend many extra hours ministering in small ways which in the end make big differences. I could go on and on about all that I learn… but Ill save some for next time.

**** next day***
I was about to write a little more and then send this but suddenly had the feeling I needed to just leave school for a bit on the gorgeous sun. afternoon. Im going to visit a friend now and am a little nervous about the drive. Its only 20 minutes but that’s a long way of not knowing if Im driving the right way… wish me well, continue soon.

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Oh my goodness, this blog report is taking me so long to send. I am back from my driving adventure and am now sitting in my bed. This WILL get sent tonight. Im eating an apple in bed and am on the top bunk… so of course I have the core in hand. Normally I would just throw it on the ground but we have been having ant problems from me previously throwing down my food scraps so I decided to just eat the core and seeds so I don’t wake anyone by crawling down. Of course I choke on it and all three are now awake. Whoops. Anyway the 20 min drive and visit went lovely, its such a gorgeous drive. I defiantly had the windows down and music loud. Reminds me of the time I did not hear a police officer pulling me over with lights and sirens. Me and my friend hung out by the lake and I taught her how to drive. Tonight back at school we had fellowship which is a time to reflect on the week. I cannot tell you how much reflecting we do here. They either call it reflecting or debriefing. They probably have two words for it to make it seem like its something different but really it’s the exact same. But I am not trying to make fun, it’s a good thing. That was just me debriefing really.

What else have I done exciting… had fish and chips for the first time out here. They package it in news paper and it really adds to the atmousphere of the event, and maybe even to the flavour. Especially when you eat it on the beach and a little sand gets in the tartar sauce. (with the kiwi accent it just sounds like tata sauce. Can you hear it?) seagulls also really add to the atmousphere but I learnt not to feed them the chips too early as they really take over the conversation and view.

In closing, ill just add that my highlight has been my answered prayer in being motivated to get into the bible. It does not feel like a chore anymore and I hope this does not go away. Whats cool is that its not just a set time for a devotion (which is good too) but a desire to read a passage or have a quick chat with God in the afternoon, or evening or in the supermarket or a parking lot. lately the Datsuns open trunk has been my area for morning devotion cuz the grass is so wet…. Maybe that’s why the car has been running so well lately. Its just a purring. I really hope it lasts a few more months. Ill add photos soon. K well hope this essay makes up for the lack of blogging. Lots of love xoxo -OLLI