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

It's just one of those moments where you start to understand a little bit more about 'faith'.

Over the last year, just about everything has gone wrong- there's been a new battle every week, a new pain to try and deal with. And over the last month, I can't even describe how much I have felt alone, worn-out and unable to cope.

I guess this could be the normal blog about how faith has pulled me through all, and how trust has been the key ingredient in getting through the last few weeks in particular.

Well, it's not going to be one of those blogs.

Every day, its really surprised me how much I've been able to face the day with still a garbage bag of pain at my side. Actually, to be honest, I don't quite understand how exactly I've managed to do it. Truth be told, its actually God that's grabbed my hand in the morning and called me to get on with what the day might hold. That verse, "Tomorrow will take care of itself" is so fitting right now- I'm living my life a moment at a time, I have no idea what will be next, what tomorrow will hold. Even though a plan might be made, I can't predict tomorrows steps.

I think a lot of people kind of get a bit freaked out when they think that their life will just be put in the basket of "live it how it comes", but for us, that is true faith.

Why? Well, putting everything in Jesus' hands is not only trusting those hands, but also having faith in his planning, his chosen pathways and his decisions.

See, it goes far beyond "a-day-at-a-time-sort-of-choice", God knows our end from our beginning.

I was sitting in my bedroom just remembering everything that Jesus has got me to give up, and yet also remembering everything he also is blessing me with and has blessed me with. I think its so hard, even within faith, to praise God for the things that hurt most. The things we got so used to- people we loved who we then lose, worldly objects or experiences, that we so want to have again. And yet, faith. God brings us to a simple decision.

We either look towards to the cross, or look to the world. 

It's been so excruciatingly hard for me over the last while to concentrate on that cross. I think I've just got so caught up in that messy world that is following me round in the garbage bag. I recognise what pain is every day, because its become such a normality.

But do I recognise the blessing of that infinitely glorious cross? We spend so much time trying to let people know that we actually are being faithful by understanding that God is with us. That he has pulled us out of the muddy situation we're in.

It's not wrong to believe that at all- because God does, has and will save us from any situation(s). But it goes far beyond that.

See, faith in the darkness of pain, is the very announcement to God, that we will look beyond each moment, each tear, even the pain of tomorrow's trials, and look towards the cross. 

Maybe I've become so used to spotting my pain, and the mucky places God has brought me to, that I've forgotten his blessings. Would I change the things that have happened? - Not even slightly. I recognise God has my life in His hands, its not something I need to worry about.

But, I place a simple faith into the hands of the Saviour, He alone is capable of my life, capable of my tears and capable of what tomorrow holds. I want to be a daughter who never loses the sight of the sun in the darkness of a storm.

The cross before me.

The world behind me.

There will be no turning back- no turning back.

SNOOWWWW [:

Heyyy Guyys!

Wow, I can't tell you how mental today was- I think I did like nearly nothing, except from wrap some presents...

You know that sort of way you just have to stop, and ask God, 

"What do I stand for? What purpose have you got me here for? What do you want me to do in my life that will actually make a difference?"

For a while, I just really understood God wanted me to be here for encouragement and friendship. I still think the same, although for a long time, I've also understood that life right now is so busy doing everything that I do... that sometimes I don't even make time to speak to some of the closest people I have in my life- so I have to say a big sorry to anyone who I havent spoken to recently... I guess I get so caught up in doing work and extra, that I forget to make some time for the people that mean most to me!

But anyweyyys.

Life life life!

Well, I guess I have no idea whats coming next, which is exciting in so many ways, but I know I need to step into gear with prayer! Photography is really on my heart, but so is missions. I keep asking myself, "do I really want to study?" And I kind of do want to, but there's such a massive part of me wanting to join an organisation and let God use me. If what I really want to do is photography within a missions job, do I need to study for it?

Well, maybe. But, God knows. I'm so glad that He knows my future... He knows my start from my end... [: what a truly awesome God! =)

Lots of folk have kept on like asking me... "Eliii, do you have a guyy?" :P haha! So I thought I'd get that one sorted out on here... :P No. I don't... :P It's one of those things that I kinda learnt from earlier this year, and reckoned God was needing me to concentrate on Him and Him alone. Which is what I tend to advise everyone to do for a while... Some of the worst things have happened this year, but having God alone at my side has actually been essential for me to have. I'm not looking for like anyone at all right now- I know that God just wants me to continue to concentrate on His heart, and follow his will; there will be somebody come someday! :P

Nicole (work) has got all us lassies praying for our future hubbies at work ;) haha! It's pretty good... 

anyways, off that subject!

not looking forward to Christmas so much this year... but it shall be a good time to stop!

Although I'n off south for a week and a bit in Feb! Looking forward to that so much...woop!

Anyways! I'm off!

Eliii xo

[:

Reeeeet Guys,

Wow, remembered about this whole bloggin' thing! High five to me! :P

So, a lot to share. As always.

I'm a year older. It feels slightly strange. I feel like I've matured too much in the last 2 months, that this is the crunch point of actually continuing to mature! Haha, not too sure if I like it. 

Even so. A wee catch up in the world of Eli!

So yesterday was the birthday bang. Another fancy dress hunt! Most comments about the night were "another banterful day." Haha, another repeat of last year I suppose. People are already questioning what my 18th will be like. Truth is, I have no idea!

Actually, when you think about it. Where will I be in a year's time aye? No idea!

Ever since I've started to work, I've actually realised that I'm starting to enjoy life a lot more. Silly though that might sound. I don't think I was ever someone programmed to be in school; I love the simple fact that I don't dread the next day at work. I feel really comfortable where I am in life.

Even weirder, today I had the strongest feeling of God just telling me, I'm where I should be. But also, He was clearly telling me that I have a lot of really big decisions to make too, and that life ahead is uncertain in my vision. But he was comforting me in telling me that He knew exactly where I was going to go- He is my compass, and will always stick by my side.

So what's keeping me busy except from work? Well, quite a lot! I'm bantering more than I thought  I might! :P But I'm also leading a youth group with Cara and am being given the chance to do the teaching part. Which is reaaaaallly exciting.

I'm also gonna really start to think about starting up a small prayer group- and will try and visit some folks to start praying with them and encouraging them. I feel God is gonna use me so much this year.

So other than that- praying God will provide some money for the new camera that I really want. Lol :P Got a real want to just do photography right now! I love it so much =)

I wanted to encourage you a wee bit with something I've been reading right now and its 1 Kings! I've been enjoying it so much. But something really hit me the other day and it was this:

Solomon asked the Lord "Give me a discerning heart so that I can govern your people and distinguish between wrong and right. For only you can truly govern these people."

It touched my heart so much. For the last week I've been praying my heart out knowing that before I can do any kind of evangelising- or even live out faith, I need to pray and ask for a discerning heart. That doesn't mean that we will still recieve the same blessings that Solomon recieved, but Solomon was blessed by God within also.

I realised that this week, after pleading for God to mould me into someone that was wise, that things really started to happen. It wasn't like I turned uberly wise this week! But I just noticed so many more opportunities. 

It made me realise how important the right heart and mind is to the Lord, it goes far beyond the passion and the enthusiasm that you have for Christ and for the gospel, actually, one of the biggest keys to a Christian is the right heart. That the heart will be as full as it can be of God's wisdom, so that we can be discerning about situations, people and words.

So this week is more courses at work, busy weekend, working! However, It'll be gooooood. =)

Righty, better go!

Turrah, xo

Heyyy. UPDATE!

My goodness me! Haha, I hadn't quite realised just how late I am in writing a new blog post. 19th of Oct?! That seems a century ago!

I have a lot that's happened, and to be totally honest, I can't be completely bothered to type it all out. However. Since bebo, facebook and all other possible sites that I seem to have joined, are being pretty much ignored right now, I thought I'd be loyal to my mates who don't hear from me all the time and keep them updated with my going's on!

Well. Where to start?

I guess you could start with today. 9th of November, Rememberence Sunday. It had actually been a pretty good day. Our cottage has now officially got a little bit warmer! Using our open fireplace, which I'm sitting beside right now, enjoying the heat ;) I love it when it gets cold enough to sit in front of a fire and fall asleep. Not that I get the chance to do anything like that very often. Had Kat, Cara and Mutch around for lunch today, was a really relaxed day actually.

Church + All that jazz. So, Mum and Dad have decided to check out Perth Nazarene church for a wee while. There's this new Pastor who's from the US, (to go hand in hand with the US youth pastor + his wife!) and seems to really have his head  on the right way with theology and faithfulness not only to the word of God, but also in his passion for real faith. So I guess you'll be assuming I'm sounding so positive that it's perfect for me too? Well. I don't know. Some folks who may read this, know how many churches I've been going to for... well, my whole life. And, in the midst of knowing that there is a good church for us, with teaching at the heart of it's structure, I'm still not settled on moving into the church- or any church that I've been to.

I can like parts of what a Church does, but never settle. I find it unexplainably hard to fit in with a group, or fit in with any new people within a church. Don't ask me why. I think it may be something to do with moving so much, and never being truly settled. But even past that, beyond all the uneasyness of movement within churches, and different denominations, I know God has set me apart for a different purpose.

To be quite honest, I could fire some ideas right at you, but I can't put my finger right on what God wants to lead me into regarding worship. See, the thing is, I think I'm only truly starting to understand the meaning of being in church everyday with my Father. 

What many of the Churches across the World, I feel, have missed, is the simple need that each and every one of us have to spend time in God's presence. Within faith, it is a person's desire, their very thirst, to come to God as a unified people and worship together. So many churches have forgotten that beyond structural time, heating temperatures in a church, money in the offering bag, that there stands Christians who come to a Church hoping to be stripped of their own worldly selfs and come to God together in a real, alive way. That kind of experience, is something that can happen on a bus on the way to Edinburgh, or at work, or at the dinner table. Church, the very sharing in the Kingdom of God, is coming to God and worshipping Him. It even goes far beyond songs of praise, or dancing round the pulpit during communion! Worship is coming to the Lord's presence, spending time to delve into His beauty and give him the honour. That means that even the quiet times we take during the evening or mornings can be hugely breathtaking moments, where we can simply read His word and commit back to Him our faithfulness and our praise.

So, why does that all matter? (Why won't Eli shut up?)

Truth is, I don't think any Church has the answer to perfection. I believe we're sitting in the waiting room of life, where Heaven is being eagerly awaited. Church is only a foretaste of much greater things to come. 

However. I didn't just write all that for the crack. Church, the community of people, its something that is really embedded into my heart right now. I know that the physical Church is something slipping away for so many. Even the Christians that are committed to top notch, are falling away from broken Churches that they believe cannot be trusted any longer.

I think, even some of the most passionate and most theologically based Christians can enroll into the ICC, can follow a strict routine of prayer each day and Church every Sunday and still not have experienced the real meaning of Church within.

Sometimes I find that hard to admit too also, the simple fact that I've been to so many churches now- many churches that are extremely structural and simply regard the moral life without a faith basis as being correct, and that I even find it so hard to experience the Church that God wants us to have a taste of every moment of every day.

I know God's is pulling strings in my heart pulling me into this sphere of the Church world. I feel almost detached about it though, because I know that a huge part of me simply fuels on my personal faith, sharing with God everything I am. But I also know that Church has fueled me too. Being a unified people is a strong foretaste of the great Kingdom of God. 

I've had it on my heart to be working with people. I don't know in what sphere of work, or in what period of time. I'm completely unsure as to where God will lead me in the next few years of my life. Whether he'll take me to study, or keep me working for missions organisations and outreaches. But, Church. What a word that is! And what words it must bring in people's minds. Whether its the words "boring" or "charismatic" or even "inspirational", within this culture, there is a distinct lack of God centered teaching going hand in hand with a strong openness to truly allow the Kingdom of God- the Church within us, to make its way into the Church building. Truth is, I think so many of us are scared witless of our faiths, because at the end of the day, sometimes the very Church we believe can strengthen us, is actually hindering us in not being openly passionate about the Gospel or simply about praise.

I'm not saying that every church is like this, nor that its something churches have done on purpose. Like I said, there will never be perfection in a Church's walls, but only in the Kingdom of God to come.

I believe the Lord has a work for me with that word- and with the people who have stereotypes or are even involved, so closely, with Churches. I don't know what yet, I don't know how- But I know my Saviour is leading me.

Bleh. That was a long rant. Haha. So apart from Church- I'm also keeping busy with work. I'm still working for Lendrick Muir- loving bits of it, and drawing close to God in all of it. I know he has me there for a purpose, and I'm following His will. I know its a training period for something to come! (hopefully not to be manager of a metro's loo block!) :P I'd appreciate your prayers for me and for everyone else at LM at this time. Its a big place, with lots of people, and whilst I very much know God is using us for great things, there are so many things to also be worked in.

My birthday is in 2 days! Oh my goooooosh! I'm getting OLD. Haha! Aw man, I just love remebering how much God has worked in me in the last years. From truly being a wretch, and to being so blind to God's love, He changed me completely and worked in me. He still is working on my heart and I know many people have commented on the fact they feel God is using me now, I truly only feel He has been exercising my faith for something else. I could rant on about all the hard points in the last 17 years, but there isn't any point, because I'm here now, only vaguely baby-steps truly into a faith that requires a lifetime of passionate and committed time and heart. I'm excited, and also a little scared for what He has ahead for me. I really know deep down something is to come that will change my world around.

So yeah... This Saturday kicks off all my great adventures with partaaays. Looking forward to it. 

Also, I'm looking into getting the Canon EOS50D, I've been wanting it for an age, and I'm hoping in the next month my dream will come true! =D

Your continual prayers for my family as a whole, those down south and up here in the north, would be more than appreciated right now. - My Grandpa seems to be getting a little worse, and the pain its causing for others is very upsetting. Just please keep Him in your prayers!

I just also want to give a really big thanks to those who have stuck by me this past 2 months, Faye- You have been a massive encouragement! I can't quite believe how God has strung us two together over the last while. I'm so thankful though that he did, you've been ameeezzin. ;)

All the other folk just checking to see how things are going... You have no idea how much friendship has meant to be in the last while, especially when there has been mixed emotions in my heart over everything.

To be honest. I know there are far worse things ahead, but God has been loyal to my heart, and I know that He is guiding me constantly.

"I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do, Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which the God has called me heavenward through Christ Jesus."