Box day thought

Ok as i sit here writing this thinking about where i am and what i am doing. i am reminded that this day for the past 22 years has been a day where you do very little, you relax and eat leftovers and play with the toys you got for Christmas hang out with the family that are still around and most importantly watch the cricket. being here though in a country that does not celebrate Christmas it is very different even to those that do Christmas is very different. it seems to be a day where you spend time with your family but not extended they don't seem to have special meals or traditions other then church and boxing day is just a normal day. which has made me think about Christmas back home and how commercial they have become. Yesterday my team here spent the day together eating a special Christmas lunch then exchanged small gifts but the most important things is we just loved each other. This year our Christmas was all about love and Jesus. which made it amazing. am i sad that i am not watching cricket with my family right now absolutely would i have LOVED to be there for my nephew's first Christmas of course but in saying all of that i would not trade this for the world. i got to spend this day with an amazing group of people from around the world as most of us spent of first Christmas away form family. we have also had the opportunity to show the people here that they are worth our time.

over the last 3 weeks we have done a lot of Church ministry going to church serves, spending time with children and teaching and a christian school here teaching them English and just hanging out with them, we have gone to a pray tower to which in 20 odd floors up and prayed over the city with a bunch of locals, we have spent some time in the slums meeting people and handing out food. even though they don't really cerebrate Christmas here most of the origination we are working with have a break at this time of year so the opportunity have been quite light things will pick up after the new year though. also while i was here i had the privilege to meet with my grandmother sponcer child Ricky.

Now this for me was even more emotional due to my history, but meeting Ricky was a moving experience. from the moment i met him and his family there was giant smile on his face. which was awesome to see from a 13 yr old boy. we went to a museum and then out for lunch the whole time he and his dad where talking about all the letters asking question about my family (that they had from the letters, like how is my cousin and nephew who where just born and how my grandfather is.) we talked about school and hobbies. he is a very shy boy who was so nervous about his speaking ability, but i could tell that he LOVES writing and receiving the letters.

also this is a picture of the base in Vancouver just after we left.

i know this update does not it seem like we have not done much, but like i said it has been a pretty chill couple of week, i know it is about to get pretty busy so the next update will have more in it.

:) (spelling mistake just prove it is me )

Never would have imagined

Ok so i am writing this update sitting in the Taipei airport on a layover on my way to Indonesia where i am going to spend 6 weeks assisting in leading a group of 6 students, working with the locals doing all sorts of ministry stuff. Then i am going to Singapore for 2 weeks then Hong Kong for 3. All i can think about while i sit here waiting is how the heck did my life get to be this amazing.

When i got on that plane on the 1st of Jan heading for Hawaii i NEVER would have imagined my life to turn out the way it is now. The thing that blows my mind the most is people believe in me so much they are willing to financially support me to be able to travel and serve God in this way. I will never be able to express just how lucky i am to be surrounded by these people. 

Well this update is about the last 3 months. well as many as you will know i have been staffing a DTS which is the mission cause i did earlier this year. so i have been living in Vancouver with 12 students and 10 staff (in multiple houses). the adventure starting with a weekend trip to a cabin in the mountains where we got to know each other better as well as going over exceptions and information about the next 3 months. it was a very fun weekend. when we got back we went st-right into full swing off lectures and other stuff. This is so amazing just as good as when i was a student, even though the topics where very simler the people presenting them where different and because of this they presented in a new and exciting way which i got a lot out of and have grown alot. The thing i enjoyed most though was watching the students grow and change like i did when i was a student it makes all the late night, long hours so so worth it.  apart of this lecture phase we took a road trip to a confrace that ran in Alberta this week was the most amazing weeks of the last 3 months it involved alot of presentation from people that have severed around the world, also we met up 2 other school and made lots of new friends. The thing i loved most about this week was we got a lot of different view what i missionary is and it made me look at this is a new way. (also the worship that week was just epic). Also i went to my first ice hockey game which was so amazing. Also with a small group of the students we found out Aussies should not ice skate.

So this is now my life, saying yes to God and following him where he wants me, i just want to say that ever since i said yes for the the time my life has not be all rainbow and butterfly there has been a lot of difficulty. i still have troubles and fear but now i know i am not walking alone i have amazing family and friends who are willing to support me in what ever way they can. but even better then that is i have a loving father in heaven that just wants what is best for me. That is what God can give you, he wont make your life perfect but he will make sure you don't have to face it alone. While this may not seem like an exciting update but i don't care i have loved every second even the times when i was worried or struggles cause they all made me to be there person i am right this second. 

love you all 

Nicola 

(if you did not already know who blog this is)