Scootily-Tootily

ask and you shall receive, knock and the door will be open, order your food then eat it!

I have only visited 2 other churches during my 3 month stay here so far, and this past Sunday (well, yesterday) i visited a church called 'kings church' with my flatmate Mila. First, i was very excited that she was willing to try it with me, and second there are many other reasons why the Sunday was so spectacular!

1). i had a really great night out with some friends for a quiet saturday night, and the weather had been delightful for the past couple of days (warmer than some days in november!)
2). sunday i woke up before my alarm just cuz i was soo excited about trying this church!! the website looked kinda like Zach and Amy's church back home, which i visit with them once in a while, and in the pictures of the church and groups there were students! woohoo!
3). the sun was blasting wonderfully through my window on sunday morning!! it always somehow tendto be cloudy and dreary on sundays, but yesterday was wonderful!
4). i looked out my window and saw that there was 'frost on the pumpkin', the first frost ive seen here, so i got kinda excited for some reason.
5). i had good sleep, so i was fired up and ready to go!
6). the church provides a FREE private bus service for pick ups and drop offs, which means i dont have to worry about looking up where it is located/pay for transportation!!!

so, mila and i made our way down the slippery (remember, frost) brick sidwalks to the bus stop near the campus and waited for the bus. i couldnt contain my engergy!! i kept smiling and laughing and jumping up and down, cuz the weather was just breathtaking for a new december day and the sun was out and i was going to church! i just had a good feeling about it! as we were waiting, 2 other students came and stood with us and we all ended up riding the bus to the church! once we got there, i was a bit skeptical cuz it looked kinda like a warehouse from the outside, but inside it was very contemporary with a little 'cafe' like eating area, and then further ahead was the auditorium where the sermons took place. i just loved it because it reminded me of home, but mila (catholic) was a bit freaked out from all of it, but handled it well.

the sermon was a woman who had traveled to 5 different countries in Africa and was helping with relief there from religious persecution. she explained very well all that was happening there and the powerpoint pictures were really moving. the stories of the Africans there was the most powerful story of christian faith and dedication that i have ever heard. it really made me think about how seriously i take my faith!

afterward, mila and i stopped in at the 'visitors cafe' where we were greeted and met with a cup of coffee. we sat and talked a bit with an older woman, before being greeted by a younger lady (maybe mid 20s?) who told me about Life Groups that the church had each week where students got together at a leader's house and worhsiped, ate, and just had time for fellowship. she was really nice and friendly, so i have her my contact details and now i am going to the meeting tomorrow night!! i looked online the address of the meeting place, and (PRAISE THE LORD) it's right in town!! so its not too far at all, and easy to get to; which is fantastic b/c my class gets out late tomorrow so i wont need to worry about busses and trains!! yayayayayay!

so, needless to say, i am really pumped for what God has in store through this church and the people that i hope to meet along the way! It is amazing sometimes when i know i miss going to church and hearing sermons and singing songs, but i dont realize how vital it is in my life until i reunite with other Christians and get that giddy, fluttery feeling deep inside that i remembe why i love it, why i need it, and why i am a Christian!! GOD IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so, i suppose more to come after tomorrow with news of how the Life Group went!
ps. if you have a spare second, please toss up a couple prayers to the Big Man for me, so that i will not be stressed over essays and be able to concentrate and git shiz done before the break!?