2013
This has been a year of joy and struggles.
It has been a year of miracles, surprises, crushed hopes and inspired dreams.
Since It's been a year and a half since my last blog post I figured I'd better write another one. So much has happened this year but I never quite knew how to put it into a blog post. However here is what has happened:
Over this past year, I’ve been receiving
eye treatment for a spot in my eye. I haven’t told many
people, so don’t be surprised if you had no idea this was happening. I tried to
keep it on the down low. Anyways, over the past few years I have had a cluster
of blood cells in my left eye near my iris. It was totally random. It isn’t
genetic. I have no idea how it got there. However it has been a struggle to
live with, as people aren’t always the kindest regarding these kinds of issues!
"No guys, I am not doing drugs and I don’t have a gross infection". Anyways,
starting in 2012, I’ve had multiple consultations regarding this
condition, resulting in 4 different eye operations done, including cutting a section
out, injections and biopsies. It’s been really fun. The first procedure in February was
classed as ‘cosmetic ‘since the doctor couldn’t see any real medical problems.
However after the biopsy (testing of cells cut away) was done, the results came
back pretty negative! The doctor told me
that the cells were abnormal and if they weren’t treated then they could have
eventually multiplied and spread. I am so thankful that I had that surgery at
that time and I’ve been able to have further treatment to prevent anything!
Since
then, I’ve had other procedures in April, October and November, either doing
injections to ‘freeze’ the cells so they’ll die and not multiply, or a biopsy
which means the doctor can test to see if the treatment is actually having
effect. Those treatments have been a big part of this year. Even if I haven’t always been ecstatic about knives, scissors and needles
entering into my eye, I'm so thankful for the outcome. I now have normal looking and
healthy eyes! I am 90% sure that I have finished all treatment now! Thank you
NHS for looking after me. Also, a big shout out to my mum for enduring endless hospital trips and a few overnight stays in Sheffield with me! I couldn't have done it with out her :)
Another
big part of this year was driving. I started to learn in Sept 2012, and took
several tests throughout the spring of this year. I finally passed in July,
which I was so so happy about! Driving tests in England are not easy to pass!!
However through the failures God taught me so so so much about problems in my
heart that were clearly affecting my driving, like superstition and living in
fear of always being wrong. This then resulted in me getting things wrong. What
a surprise! It was an expensive way for me to find out those issues but at
least I have now acknowledged those problems and dealt with them :) In October I was given a car and my wonderful father found a great
deal on insurance. I am still in shock that I have been blessed with this, as
it is truly a miracle!
Over the Summer my family went to Colorado to see family and it was such a nice time since it had been 3 years since we'd seen them and Jonathan and I had definitely grown since then! We also spontaneously took a trip to the Grand Canyon which i was feeling indifferent about but it was so so beautiful I would love to go back :) Jonathan and I ended our time in the states by going to Hawaii for a week to see our friends since it had also been years since we had been there. It was lush to catch up with friends and of course we were nostalgic about how we used to live there, however I had never felt more at peace about living in England. (I'm probably the only person on the planet that would say that statement- about living in the UK over Hawaii!! :) Must be some pretty powerful peace).
I
am now in my final year of college and I am so ready to finish! I am studying
Health and Social Care Level 3 to graduate with an Extended BTEC diploma. Over 2013 I have had 3 different placements, including an elderly residential home, a private school and a school for special needs children. At the residential home I learned a lot about how to care for dementia patients, as well as how to make many cups of tea!! I was at that placement for 2 months. At the Private school I worked with the 4-5 year olds as a teaching assistant for the teacher and I was there for 6 months- I really enjoyed that placement because the children were so sweet and easy to teach- I learned a lot there about primary education etc. My final placement was at a school for special needs children where I was for 2 months- this was my favorite placement, which was a big surprise to me! I loved working with the children and I learned so much from them, about love and kindness. It’s
been a good time in college and I’ve made some amazing friends, as well as
being blessed with opportunities by the college, one of those including a trip
to a Buckingham Palace garden party in July of 2013. In January 2014 there
is another opportunity that has opened up for me at college, however I will
explain about that in another post as I am not 100% sure what is occurring
there. Watch this space!
During 2013 I have also said goodbye to some very close and dear friends as they move on to different seasons of life. It always breaks my heart a little to say goodbye however I hold onto the fact that the love with my friends is so strong, which makes departures so hard. Friends & Family- I am so thankful for you all. Thank you for standing by me during 2013, a year of uncertainty and difficulties as well as through the joys and celebrations. All my love. <3
During 2013 I have also said goodbye to some very close and dear friends as they move on to different seasons of life. It always breaks my heart a little to say goodbye however I hold onto the fact that the love with my friends is so strong, which makes departures so hard. Friends & Family- I am so thankful for you all. Thank you for standing by me during 2013, a year of uncertainty and difficulties as well as through the joys and celebrations. All my love. <3
2014
As I
write this on January 1st 2014, I am so excited for all this year
will hold. I have 6 months of college left and then I’m outta here! On June 23rd
I am taking part in a YWAM course called a DTS (Discipleship Training School) in Denver, Colorado, where I will spend 3 months learning more about who God is, and then 2 months
overseas putting into practice all I’ve learned in the ‘outreach’ phase. I will
be doing the first phase of my DTS in the beautiful Rocky Mountains near
Denver. I am so excited! Being a YWAM kid, I’ve seen hundreds of people go
through this program and now it’s me !? :) My
DTS will finish in November and from there I am open to anything to happen. I don’t have any plans so far. What I feel
called to in my life is something along the lines of counseling / youth work /
social work. I have no idea what this will look like. But that general area is
what I want to work towards through other training programs, possibly
university (did I just say that? God’s done a massive work in my heart since I’ve
been opposed to uni for a long time. I guess stranger things have happened).
I
currently have a job in a local café where I work when I don’t have college-
through this I am able to save up towards my DTS. I am doing what I can to
save up for this trip, and I am confident that God will supply the rest! :)
This
has been my 2013…. And 2014.
Love you all.
