Letter to a Friend... some mutual edification.

It struck me as I continued to read through Philippians how much God uses us and works through us during our personal times of hardship to touch other people's lives... both for those who believe in Christ and those who don't. And that perhaps one of the most notable outcomes is an en-courag-ing (courage is in the middle!!) and strengthening of our brothers and sisters in their own relationships with the Lord (and the out-flowing that has in their relationships with others)...

Paul writes (Philippians 1:12-14, 27): Now I want you to know, brothers [and sisters], that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers [and sisters] in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly.
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one [body] for the faith of the gospel...

Imagine if Paul fell apart?! Was consumed by despair and self-pity...?! Can you imagine what impact that would have had on the new churches??? And yet I'm reminded that Paul was INDEED a man, and that it was the work of the Holy Spirit in him - his making room and submitting to the Holy Spirit - that enabled and empowered him to believe, think, act, speak in ways that could only come from God. Then I ask myself, how much do I wallow in despair and self-pity... and how much do I make room for the Holy Spirit to do the work of the Father and the Son in me? I want the latter!!

I also got to wondering... what are my chains?? (or maybe I should be asking... what AREN'T my chains... hehe) ;)
And I'm reminded of the verses (not sure from where)... that Christ has set us free... so we are free indeed!! Do I live in the freedom of Christ, or do I grasp at the chains that Jesus has so willingly taken from me?

And last for today... I love the bit that says that we (brothers and sisters in Christ) stand firm in one spirit. It just fills me with an amazing joy and warmth. Standing firm together in one spirit... is something that cannot be weakened by absence or distance (though being closer to one another is certainly nice!!) or time. It may grow and change as we ourselves grow and change, but the Spirit remains at the center - the focus - and is unchanging... the Spirit is OUR anchor, what allows us to stand firm together. Amazing. Powerful.

Praying that Christ is your anchor today, and mine.

Engaged!!

Hurrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!


The EXCEPTIONALLY happy day was August 19th... overlooking Kingsdale and Ingleborough.






Can't wait to be married!

Aberdeen... Scotland!

As ever, due for an update. ;)

So, in September Steve and I will be taking a big step - together! - in moving to Aberdeen. I still have yet to find full-time employment of the I'm-passionate-about-this! type, so after much consideration and prayer looking for work up in Aberdeen seemed the right thing to once Steve found out that he'd been offered an amazing position up there. Which I am as excited about as he! He'll be working as a research assistant on a European Commission Project (meaning its supported and has involvement from several universities across the UK and Europe, so a bit more secure in its direction and funding) on the social (culture/community) impact of land degradation in the Mediterranean and East Africa... with the potential for it turning into a PhD (which would then take us overseas). We're praying and would love all of your prayers as well! I'm ideally hoping, praying for a position with the Macaulay Institute, a research institute 'on the sustainable use of land and its natural resources for the benefit of people, their communities and the environment'. A working experience which I, along with Steve, would then love to take abroad in working with faith-based organisations.

In the meantime though, we're spending the summer with Steve's parents in the Yorkshire Dales. Steve doing his research work from home and me dividing my time between driving lessons (taking my UK driving test tomorrow!), cleaning house for a neighbour lady, various garden and fix-up projects around Steve's parents' and another neighbour's house, and - my favourite - working/volunteering at a local organic farm. And as July is quickly whirring away, looking forward to what August has in store. :)

Below are photos from our first trip up to Aberdeen (my first time to Scotland) in June, getting Steve set up with his job (whilst I was researching jobs and letting agencies).

First visit to Aberdeen via the Stonehaven Camp site... our very first tent. :) Small, but cozy (honestly, it looks a lot smaller in the picture that what it really was!).


Visiting old Houghton College friends... Rebekah Ramsay and I at the beach in Stonehaven (couple train stops south of Aberdeen).


Beautiful Coast. Looking north towards Aberdeen.


Unfortunately, between drizzly weather and predominantly grey granite architecture, Aberdeen was looking a bit bleak during our week up there...


...So it's a good thing the landscape outside of our new "Granite City" home is so gorgeous and lush!!


Steve and our local castle! Dunnottar!


My first trip to Scotland and I was already in love... so looking forward to our move and all the joys and challenges that God has in store for us there!

I got my VISA!!!!!!!!!! wahooeee!

Visa Chaos

Praise God that he is Lord over visas too. Struggling with these 'barriers to access' (gotta love it when Dev terms resurface!)... but I know that the Lord is in control and that his way is above my own... and most importantly that he LOVES me and that in him, through him, is my FUTURE and my HOPE. That he is there for me to call on - in joy, frustration, sadness and just to talk out things with. That his hand has mine even now.