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
