Uni :)

2 weeks into Uni...

God is good :)

I really love Edinburgh- thank goodness! Uni is a bit slow to start right now, but hopefully we'll be getting really busy soon!

Searching for a Church, which is actually a really encouraging process - there are some really decent churches around the city! Its good to see so many people involved in churches.

So not much news from me - other than I'm getting settled in nicely :) I could totally sense God's hand over my life over the last couple of weeks... keeps reminding me that wherever we go, God stays with us. And whatever His plan for us, He never leaves our side.

What a faithful God... :)

3 months later, and here I am.

Hey everyone!

I haven't been keeping up with this blog at all - life always seems so busy. But, now seemed like a good time to give a quick catch up on what I'm up to and what God's doing in my life!

First off, thanks so much for those of you who have committed to pray for me during my year at Lendrick Muir. For those who have kept on encouraging me and challenging me to be positive. People have no idea how much prayer is appreciated!

Well, it is the 28th of August. I officially did my last shift on the 22nd of August, which was the Big Celebration! My last three months at LM were definitely a lot quieter than previous months. During the summer period, the biggest job that gets done is cleaning the toilets - what fun! So every day that I went in, there was always the toilets to look forward to! It gets a little bit tiring and boring after having done them for about 8 weeks straight. However, I know that was very much part of the job!

It's weird looking back and acknowledging I had been at Lendrick Muir for a year and a half - and what a time it has been! From good times to bad, from the times I've felt I can't cope, to the moments I've been in stitches with laughter. On my last morning I felt God was very much saying to me one thing, and that was "God has been very good." We underestimate God. When I arrived at LM I had no idea what God had got planned, during my time there, I still couldn't get my head around why God wanted me cleaning loos and scrubbing pots and pans. However, I look back now, remembering some of the most minging jobs that I did - some of the people that I struggled to work with, the long hours and the tiredness that came along with that, and I know God is still telling me how good He has been.

One of the ladies I worked with said something which will probably stay with me for life, "It's doing the most menial jobs that makes the difference - Jesus washed feet, and I'm happy to clean toilets." God has taught me humility this year, more than anything. Humility, love, joy, peace. The thing is, if we don't experience what it is to serve Him and give our all, we sometimes miss out on these fruits of the spirit. When we truly surrender our all to him, he can freely mould us into the children He really seeks us to be.

Work isn't easy. I can really say that - I had never expected God to bring me out of school a year early and start full time work, but what a blessing it has been! To get into the feel of working long hours, of working with so many different people and of doing jobs that aren't always very fun. It's an experience that I've totally needed.

The Big Celebration went really well. I've been so thankful to God for the summer staff who have come along this year - it was so good to have new faces around! :) The evening ceilidh was great! And it really felt that God had very much brought my year to an end there and then. It really struck me that night though how much I loved the people I worked with. I guess sometimes you get so caught up in the work that has to be done, that you forget the people your doing those jobs with. Lendrick Muir has an amazing mix of people - from all over the world (no kidding!) to people who are at completely different points in their lives and faiths, through the struggles we had, especially within the Hospitality team, it was so easy to be at each others throats. But, I looked round at the ceilidh at all the people I had been able to share my year with, or even a few months with, and it was so clear to me that yes, God had been very good. I love each of the people who I've been able to serve Christ with. Whether we had had our moments, or maybe not worked with each other quite as much as others, each person at LM really has been a part of my experience working for SU. God really filled up my heart with love for them. :) I'm going to miss them all so much.

So looking back, the work experience, the faith building - both of these things were so important, but I think most of all, understanding love. When working in such a close atmosphere, love can be the hardest thing to have, yet its the most essential. I've learnt to love people, despite their backgrounds, their problems, their attitudes. "love them like Jesus" has been my challenge this year!

So... that's that. LM experience of 08-09... God IS Good. He gives us what we need at the time we really need it! We might not see it at the time, but He abundantly provides! I praise Him so much for what He's done in my life this year. What a God!

What's next? I'm off to uni! Having got an unconditional for Edinburgh Napier, I felt God calling me to accept. That was a big shock for me, I had always planned on going to RGU Aberdeen... since I was 12 I had wanted to study up North. When I got an unconditional for both Aberdeen and Edinburgh, God totally got me praying hard for what to do next. Edinburgh it was though! Having applied for Student Accommodation - (and seeing the price of it all... jeeps!) it was a month later that one of the ladies I had worked with during my time at LM, Sue Rose, offered me accommodation at her home. I still can't get my head around how much of a real provision this is... ! It's really exciting, because its just more confirmation that Edinburgh is truly where God wants me.

Never forget, God will work things out for our good - (Jeremiah 29:11) He has a plan for our lives and will work it out so that we will be abundantly blessed!

So, I move on Monday. 3 days time. It's pretty scary stuff- but I'm so excited! Somebody said to be a couple of weeks back "You just seem very calm about the whole thing Eilidh." I guess its true! God has completely filled me with His peace right now. I know this is a time of change, a time where I'll be living life completely differently to how I'm used to it! However, God is good! I know He has had his hand on the situation of moving from the start. From just even providing me a place at Napier, to even giving me a wage over the last year which allows me to pay for a number of things. He knows where I'm going next, and he knows what I need next. I'll trust in His unfailing love and power. (:

I really want to keep in touch with everyone, so if you have my number, text me and keep chatting to me! And if you don't have my number, but know me... email me! I can be really bad at keeping in touch with people, but I know how important it is. :) So get in contact! :D

Lastly...

A BIG thank you for anyone who has remembered me in prayer. I would appreciate it again! (Being the annoying person I am! :P) If you could continue to pray for me as I move on Monday and as I start uni a week later. Pray God would provide good friends, and a job hopefully too. Pray He would continue to work out his plan for my life, and that He would still use me to further His kingdom. Pray He would bring me to the right church and that I can encourage others to come along too :)

So ... I guess thats it! I write way too much, but it has been a long time!

Its at the point where everything is changing that you realise how much God has actually done in your life. I guess I'd challenge you just now to just take a few moments to recap on the last few years of your life and to unravel some of the many things God has worked out in your life!

We forget easily how much he has done, in fact, sometimes we don't even realise when he has worked in our lives! So keep your eyes open for his blessings - their are so many!! :D

I hope God is working out his plan and his love in your lives right now, and that your open to His moulding hands.

Keep your heart and mind focused on Jesus.

In His Unfailing Love,

Eli xoxo

Saying GoodBye Very Soon!

Hey everyone!

This is a quick little update of where I am right now with work and very much a plea for prayer!

Whilst most of you do know but just a re-cap; I'm currently working with Scripture Union Scotland at Lendrick Muir on a year contract basis. Having started working for them part time at Easter-time 08, I accepted the post of Catering Assistant/House Team Assistant in July and started full time in September. I've worked for the organisation now for over a year and have now confirmed my date of leaving as the 22nd August. Which leaves me with just about 3 months left to finish up and organise where I'm off to next!

For over 4 months my role very much stayed the same; working in the kitchens mostly and doing a little of the housework. However after this they then integrated House Team + Catering; meaning that a large team was created to do all that work together. It has been a really challenging year; with so many ups and downs. However God has been present all the time - and I have never been left to cope alone in any situation.

The expectation as I arrived at LM in the first month was the sheer feeling of being far more insignificant than the other staff. Hospitality is a job that people generally say "monkey's can do" and yet it is a job that is completely necessary. God has consistently challenged my heart and over the last year I have really learnt to be humble and to be glad to do any job that comes my way!

God has then very much challenged me not only to have a willing heart, but also to work with a happy one too! I realise that whilst my heart can be filled with humility and I will be happy to pick up a toilet brush and scrub away, that God also requires that my heart would outwardly be pleased in the job that I do. As I've explained to many people before, I don't absolutely love hoovering, scrubbing and everything else that the job entails, but having the opportunity to serve Christ at LM is a real privilege. If I work with a joyful heart and keep a smile on my face in all of the jobs that I do, then I can encourage others at the same time.

So the year has been one of searching my heart, learning to serve God with the right mind, encouraging others working with me and also getting into the working-life too. I know moving on from school a year early wasn't what I expected, nor wanted; but how good God has been! He had it all timed out and I've never made a better choice than to accept the job at LM.

What's next? Well, I'm hoping uni! I have an interview on the 25th for Edinburgh Napier - Please pray for this interview; I've been offered accommodation there and it seems like where God wants me! However, prayer is so needed! I also gained an unconditional for Aberdeen, but it just isn't the right course at all. The Napier course is Photography and Film - 4 year course! I guess it would also be true to say that I don't even know if God wants me at Uni, I believe He has prepared my heart for missions and I really pray He uses me over the next years of my life. I'm waiting for opportunities to arise! However, again, prayer is so crucial.

1. Please Give thanks for all that God has done in me this year. Give thanks for all that SU Scotland is doing - and for the other folks I worked with this year.

2. Pray for the next few months as I figure out where God wants me and all that that means! Pray I will be wise and discerning and that in all the decisions I make, they will be godly. Pray that I can see clearly God's path for me.

3. Pray for this next 3 months as I finish at LM, pray that it would be a really good time of moving forward in faith and learning more.

Thank you so much for anyone who has been praying for me over the year, you guys are brill! Thanks for those who have encouraged me, challenged me and helped me through some of the most challenging times.

Lastly, on the 22nd Aug, (my last day), SU also celebrates their annual Big Celebration. That basically means celebrating all that God has done in SU Scotland's work over the year; giving thanks for the many camps, school groups and everything else that goes on! It will also say goodbye to staff leaving, and welcome to the newcomers! Hundreds come along and join in with some of the fun activities they put on for the day! I'd love for you guys to come for even part of the day and have some fun with us at LM! :D

Just contact me if you'd like more information on the day!

Thank you again if you take even some time to pray for me and the next few months/years ahead! Appreciate it more than anything. 

"To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing."

In His Abundant Love

Eli xo

The latest News!

"Oh, I am so in love with you,

There's nothing else I would choose.

You've stolen my heart, yes.

I'm all for you now."

This blog is enormously late. My lack of time to even log onto blogspot/bebo/facebook and have energy to comment people is so bad right now. I thought it was about time I did a very quick blog, so that you guys know what's happening with me right now.

As some of you will know, I have already spent 7 months at Lendrick Muir SU Scotland. These months have somewhat passed quicker than I thought, however, I know I have and am learning so many valuable lessons. The next 5 months working there will be for more challenges I'm sure!

I started applying for uni nearly a month and a half ago. I have an interview for RGU (Aberdeen) on Thursday to study Photography and Electronics (Ahh- prayer muchos needed!). Its been a dream to live in Aberdeen since I was wee - so lets see what happens! I have a further interview on the 25th May for Edinburgh Napier uni. That course is for photography and film, which in some ways is more media based, which is what I am really interested in. Its incredibly hard to try and think where would be best for me so I'm very much leaving it to the Lord. I know He will provide in whatever I need, and show me clearly which way is best for me and my future.

At work we're just starting the Easter camps, please pray for these kids/teens that are coming through to our centre. SU has been a part of lots of young people's lives across Scotland, and its great to see them all experiencing God at LM. Keep praying for what we do and all the people who are involved in doing things from leading the camps, cooking, trainee leading and the campers themselves! And pray for the SU staff as we undergo all the things we need to do as they arrive.

I'd really ask that you continue to pray for my family right now also. I won't go into details, but some things have happened over the last few days that have just made life that bit harder. Please pray for us all. Pray that as a family we can support one another and also be godly in all our decisions and attitudes.

What's ahead?

Lots of work - What's changed? =P

Frenzy! Really excited. SU have a massive stall with their bungee run! [= come visit us!

I also will be doing all the prep with Cara for the next season of @spire after the Easter break. Please pray for the work we both do and all the teens that come through for the night.

My faith [ :

There's a lot to give thanks for this year- (and last), For God's timing in particular. Many of you guys will know how rough the last months have been, with work, family and other things; but God has challenged me at every crossroad and is consistently shaping me into a wise daughter of the King.

I know so many Christians go through awful stages of life; experiencing storms that they feel will never be calmed, but God is good all the time. He is better to us than we are to ourselves.

I am constantly reminded of how insufficient I am, and how sufficient our God is. He has provided for me in every situation; and has only asked that I openly recieve His support when the going gets tough. I can't explain enough how humility, grace, love, forgiveness, and patience have filled me in the space of a year (I'm pretty sure there has been a lot more than these, but God is still working in my heart).

I know He is maturing me. I'm so excited about what's ahead- be it uni, missions, or another job!

I hope you guys are all doing really well. I may not be keeping up so much with everyone, so I'm really very sorry about that! Please get in touch with me, whether by text/email/ or comments. I miss speaking to people as much... although work is really time-consuming!

I continue to pray for you guys too; but if you have specific prayer requests, do let me know!

In His Love; 

Eli xo

lifeeee!!

Wowzers! Its been a while.

Man... And what a heck of a lot of stuff I should really be keeping folks up to date with on here, however, I don't really know if anyone is paying attention to this site at all. So here we go, a little rant I can just simply enjoy!

Where can I start?

Christmas + New Year 

Wow, Christmas was minttt. It was quiet quiet quiet! =) So we just chilled ...  and ate quite a bit... 

New Yearr was crazzzzzyyy ! =) But it was awesome! We chilled out... watched movies, had a massive bonfire to see the new year in. It was only a few days spent in England but man, it was a really great time. One of the best visits I've had in a while! Thanks guyys for making it sooo uberly awesome!! I know God really blessed that time!

Work

Going okay right now. It's very busy, and we're just getting ready for the influx of camps and the great return of weekend groups. I'm actually on a week's holiday right now, which is exciting! We had snow today... so I took advantage of my time to take some snaps!

I'm working as an assistant cook this coming weekend with Susie (lassie who works part time at LM), should be good! Cooking for over 100! Pray for that if you can!

Faith

I feel amaze right now! Man, we started going to a church in Perth, the Nazarene. Its cool! There are some bits to it that I'd love to change.. but that's part of being in a church! 

I've realised that God has taken me through many whirlwinds over the last year and a bit, but man, looking back, He's used them All! Take a look at this song (it describes my life):

Take me, mould me, use me, fill me.

I give my life to the potter's hand.

Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me

I give my life to the Potters hand

I know God has moulded me.. and is moulding me still! Each day has been a time for learning His heart a little bit more. I'm excited for those many more days that I can spend in His presence.

Gosh, each night just spending time reading and listening to his voice is so great.

Future

One thing that is really on my mind right now. Which I know it should be... however, yeah.. I'm not getting too far with it. I haven't applied for uni, and I don't think thats quite where God was wanting me to head anyways! College is on my mind, but yeah... I'm still unsure.

You know whenever ministry is mentioned though, lights up my heart! haha! I know God has something for me to do within his work... but is it now?

Ach... one of these times that you know God wants you to trust and be patient... but at the same time, your like... yeah, the world sort of has a deadline too though Lord:P

However! I know that it isn't the world's timing that counts at all... but rather a clear heavenly timing. I'm open to my Father's calling alone! :-)

Pray for me though, whilst I search for anyyyy sort of clue!

Maytess

Missing them a lot. 

I wish work wasn't so time-consuming, because friends are a massive part of my life.

I miss Row... Lyn... Mhairi... Mutchy (now we get to banter on a sunday night, oh yeah babe!), Jennn, Euan, Markk... you guys are just neeat! Guess there's more.. my brain is dissolving my the second!

Youth Group

Aspire is going real well! Man, I just praise God for the amazing things he is doing. A new term and we saw 10 faces! I know it sounds dismal, however, we're talking a rise from like sometimes even 2 on one night! We prayed loads... so it is GREAT!

Pray for the new term, that the spiritual atmosphere would just be overwhelming!:D

Struie

How sad is it that I have this bit right here?

:P

he has an eye infection right now... and isn't too well, pray for my wee dog. Haha!

Plans

Well, I'm actually doing quite a bit this week. ;) I'm meeting Johnny! I love him. =)

Nicole is overrr, what a chick.

Euan is here. Oh yeah love! =) We're gonna talk about art with a pot of tea and the secret pear cider too :P

I'm obvz off to a camp at the wknd too! Braw!

Ohh. I want to paint the house this week too! Think it will happen? ha. probs not!!

Yeah, loads of birthdays coming up... Mhairi! oh yeah !! Then Row's... then Euan's!

Banter muchness!

(I need present ideas guys.)

21st is a day of banter at mine, looking forward to it much!! :D

Anyweeeeys,

Guess thats it!

Churrah! :-)

xo