Let it snow....!!

At the risk of causing all my regular readers to think that all we ever do in Switzerland is have lots of fun, I'm going to post some pictures of our 'young adult retreat' that happened this last weekend! It was two homegroups; the Students group that we meet with on a Wednesday and the 20's and 30's homegroup that we meet with on a Thursday combined. We went into the snowy mountains and stayed in a beautiful chalet! We had some times of teaching and a really blessed time of worship. The theme of the weekend was set by a series of talks by John Piper called 'Don't waste your life', a very challenging message about reviewing whether or not you are settling for second best in the way you are living your life. I know I was very challenged! On the Saturday afternoon we had some free time...so we went sledging!

(If I posted pictures of our regular, busy, working weeks no-one would read this blog...we do work hard too you know! I promise!!)



 No, that's not Santa's early arrival! That's me covered in snow!!



The Highway of Holiness

Well, I am just about recovered from the weekend enough now to reflect and tell you guys all about it! In a word....Brilliant! The weekend was titled 'The Highway of Holiness' and our focus was teaching regarding holiness for a believer. A difficult task I assure you, such a vast topic! The message we most desired to emphasise was 'inside-out-holiness'; meaning that instead of the law creating pharisaical, rule making, back-whipping, people who have to follow a set of obligatory laws to be made right with God, we are to be made holy from the inside. It is by grace that we have been saved, in light of knowing that there is a desire to grow close to the LORD and He is clear with what He has required of us; "Be holy for I am Holy".

The weekend comprised of  times of worship and a series of both practical and theoretical teachings which Mark lead. these included a friday night session on The Highway described in Isaiah 35, Saturday morning teaching on what it means to be holy, followed by a 'practical' session in which we split the boys and girls. After having the whole afternoon off for a lovely walk in the mountains we looked at the topic of music, a subject as you well know is dear to Mark's heart. In the evening, we set aside a time for questions and answers on anything regarding the faith and life as a believer. The leaders (Mark and I, Martin the pastor, and Kim and John Bottimore) formed a panel and we answered questions late into the night. We were extremely encouraged by the wealth of questions asked and the demonstration of hunger and thirsting for righteousness.

Of course, no youth retreat would be a youth retreat without fun and games...the golden oldies made a come back-'Big Chief Wackeroo' and the 'Bum Shuffle'!

As well as a fantastic game of sardines in the dark. Needless to say we came back exhausted...and yet refreshed.

It just goes to show that God is our source of strength! Once again we feel so privelaged to be here and part of the work, we are mere vessels that God is working through us. In fact, on the way there when we had our car absoulutely packed to the rafters and full of teenagers with their knees under their chins, I just looked out into the starry night as we drove through the mountains and turned to Mark with a big grin on my face.
 "What?" he asked,
"look at what we're doing..." I replied
"I know!" He said with an acknowledgement both of us understood; We cannot believe where God has brought us, and what He is doing with us here in this place.

When we simply put our hands in the hands of the One who is in control of everything, the journey He takes you on is an incredible one. Easy? Not so far! Without any bumps or hitches? Nope, we've had plenty. But incredible nonetheless. I encourage you, if you haven't yet surrendered your life to God, if you haven't trusted Him to take you on the Highway of Holiness you are missing out on the best that life has to offer.

Italia!

My wonderful husband took me away for a few days during the second week of my half term break. It's strange to think we were driving as long as it would take for you to get to Keswick from Bradford and yet we were in the heart of the Italian Alps! We spent our first evening in a B&B in a town called St Nicolas just outside of Aosta. The view from our room was superb! We arrived in the dark and enjoyed a bottle of wine on our balcony...

Yes, it was pretty chilly...!!!

and in the morning we were met by a stunning setting...

One of Mark's favourite things to do here is throw the bike in the car and anytime we might do a long descent he jumps out the car, onto the saddle and races me down...

We drove to Genova the next day and enjoyed the beautiful Italian sunshine, not bad for the last week in October!...



That night we drove up to Alessandria and stayed in a big posh hotel, we went out for pizza too (of course!)

The next day we drove back up to the mountains and finished off our romantic get away in the only way a romantic get away can be finished...by doing another 'via ferrata'!!

Well, that just about concluded the week. We did have Friday at another thermal spa place that had slides and then I had to psych myself up for going back to work, which frankly I didn't want to do! I was really struggling at the beginning of this week and I am repeating the same prayers over and asking others to pray for me for these things: energy, inspiration and enthusiasm! And I must say I ended the week on a high note-God is so faithful and His strength is truly made perfect in our weaknesses;

I was feeling quite homesick, especially since we booked our ferries home for the Christmas break. (I know, that should make me less homesick right?) but it just made me think more about the people I am so looking forward to seeing, which made me miss them more! (Yes, I am talking about YOU!) and I got a little frustrated on Wednesday when I wanted to do laundry (the basket was overflowing!) and I couldn't get hold of the concierge to ask for the laundry room key. I cried. Yes, you're hearing me correctly! I cried because I couldn't do laundry! I turned to the Lord, He listened to me complain a bit and He came to my pity party. I gave the problems to Him-homesickness, work, even laundry. He gave me His yoke in their place.

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

Thursday was a long day at work...and I loved it! A particular highlight was my last lesson; it is from 5:45 till 6:30 which means it is dark, I am tired and I teach two brothers English. Two brothers who, at the beginning of this year, came into lessons with arms folded, frowns exaggerated and voices gloomy. They might as well have had it written on their foreheads "I don't want to be here". Well, this Thursday they came in all smiles, we had good banter, I taught the lesson-we were doing body parts so I taught them 'head,shoulders, knees and toes' but in a rap version as they are far too old and cool for the song! I left the lesson feeling like God was truly giving me the energy, inspiration and enthusiasm I was asking for! He is so faithful to help us, then later that evening we had our homegroup where we meet with other young couples from church. We have formed some really good relationships with these people and we are so blessed; God knows exactly what we need.
As I write this our CLEAN socks etc (!?) are tumbling around merrily in the dryer...oh what a faithful God have I!!!