Celebrations.

This last week was FULL of celebrations! We celebrated the sun finally coming back to join us this summer. We hit the pool on tuesday and let me say so did everyone else! It was busy with little kids swimming and teenagers tanning. Alicia loved to watch the swim practice that was going on which gave me great joy as I was showing her all the strokes they were doing. I am getting a beautiful tan these days : ) 


I learned how to drive Carols car which is a manual so now I can go places with the girls! I am not 100% but I am getting the hang of it. I am grateful for automatic cars and surly do miss mine but I am taking in every learning experience while I am here and I will be taking home the knowledge of a manual car! 


It was Annabel's 1st birthday on friday and we had a wonderful day! The girls and I went up to the shops and picked out her birthday gift. While she slept, Alicia and I made party decorations which included paper chains and party hats for dinner that night. Carols parents and sister came over and we had a delicious meal as always and opened presents and just enjoyed each others company! Saturday, Alicia had Little Athletics which is track and field for kids under 16 here. I watched her practice and win the 70 meter race which she was SO excited about. She had the biggest smile while running all her races and when we called out to her to run faster she gave us a huge smile and sped off! After, we had a birthday picnic at the park where a couple of friends came and joined us! We barbecued some sausages and chicken burgers which were delicious along with turkish bread and humus which was absolutely divine. We sang happy birthday and Annabel devoured her vanilla with strawberry and coconut cake which I have to admit I thoroughly enjoyed. The kids all ran around while having so much fun having a play. It was a successful party. Ill admit I was exhausted that night but it was so beautiful out I went on a walk down the path and sat by a little pond and watched the sun set while praying and taking in everything I have experienced in my 3 weeks I have been here. I am still so amazed where God has directed me and what he is putting on my heart. 

Last night I went to church... FINALLY. I loved it. Right away a girl came to talk to me and told me to sit by her and her friends. I am always just blown away by how God urges certain people. I took in every moment and felt so much happiness singing praises and celebrating Gods love with others. I am hoping to join a small group and that I will keep meeting more people there and God will continue to grow in my life. I can't wait till next Sunday already as we are having the service at a park which Carol tells me its beautiful! 


This last week I was reading through the book of Romans and I was blown away by how many times I kept reading that God is guiding me, showing me where he wants me and he will never leave my side. I rely so much on him for protecting me and keeping me on the right path. This was the perfect book to read as now there are so many verses underlined! I urge whoever needs encouragement in their life or whoever is feeling lonely you need to read Romans as I promise God will give you comfort in knowing that you are NOT alone. 


Some verses that stuck out to me and comforting me in my lonely moments.

Romans 3.28 “ God does not respond to what we do, we respond to what God does. We’ve finally figured it out. Our lives get in step with God and all other by letting him set the pace not by proudly or anxiously trying to run the parade.”

"he trusted God to set him right instead of trying to bright on his own" Romans 4.3

" the person in right standing before God by trusting him really lives" Romans 1.17

" Dont even run little errands that are connected with that old way of life" Romans 6.13 (this is a verse that I need to keep reminding myself when I am put into situations where I need to make the right decision if to do what I have done in the past or what God wants me to do) Also read Romans 7.14-16

"Simply embrace what the Spirit is doing in us" Romans 8.4

The sun is supposed to shine all week which means the girls and I will be spending lots of time at the pool! 

Hope everyone has a blessed week of rest and hope my little words of encouragement will come in hand. 

Oh and I finally skyped with my sister, sister in law and best friend I must say I miss everyone so dearly and am SO very thankful for skype!!

Love,

Em