Summer time!

So it turns out I'm not as good at blogging as I was hoping.. haven't posted in months! Oops!
Honestly though I've been super busy this summer so that's the main reason behind my lack of posting.

Firstly in July/early August I was away doing a project in India with my school. A group of 30 of us went to a town called Tirunevelli in south India to work in and help build schools. We also got to experience the culture out there and even did a few touristy type activities like visiting a temple and a group of waterfalls. Overall it was probably the best three weeks of my life. I was completely out of my comfort zone and deeply challenged but I learnt so much about myself and who I want to be. It's a cliche but it really did open my eyes to how some people are living and you can't help but appreciate all that God's blessed you and your family with. Although it did make me question why these innocent people are suffering, it also showed me that I was put in this position to help people in these situations. I know God's called me to help people less fortunate than myself and I was lucky enough to have a taste of that this summer. I'm still not sure on what exact job I want in the future but I know whatever I do it'll be for the benefit of others. It just feels right to use what you have to change other people's lives. The project was a massive success. Everyone had the time of their life and we all became so close from living together 24/7 for three weeks! I think the project is such a great way for young people to do something proactive and good whilst also learning about themselves and what they want in life. Hopefully the trip will keep running each year for our school because I know hundreds of kids could benefit from it like I did!

So when I got back from India, I gave myself about a week to recover (which meant junk food and movie days). Although I didn't get as homesick out there as I thought I would, it was still such a relief to see my family again. I'd missed the familiarity and comfort of home. For the past three weeks since I've been back I've just been seeing my friends as much as possible. Most of them will be leaving for uni within the next month and so we're taking advantage of every second we have together now! In the past few months I've gotten closer with a lot of people and I'm gutted that our friendship will only be like this for a couple more weeks. I'm fortunate enough to have such amazing friends and I know I'll never be this young and free again so I've got to appreciate every minute. The last few of us turned 18 this summer which meant even more going out and painting the town red! I've had the best summer of my life and really really don't want it to end.

As for uni, I've decided this is not the right time for me to go. Firstly, I don't feel ready to leave home, live on my own and be totally independent. Secondly, I'm completely undecided on which course I would want to take and which direction my life's going in. And thirdly, I feel God calling me towards doing good this year, taking my first year out of education for 14 years and really sorting out my plans for the future. He's already used me so much this past year and now He's ready to use me even more. I know He's got great plans for me to help serve Him and help others. Hopefully this year will see quite a few things ticked off my bucket list! I also plan to use this year out as a way to clear my head and really help me decide where I want to go in the future and how I can get there. I think since joining my church a year ago and going to India this summer I've started to realise who I want to be, my main question now is how do I become that person. So I'm giving this year in my life to God. So we can develop our relationship further, so He can use me for good and so He can help me find my identity.

Think that's about all for now folks! Sorry about the essay of a post but a lot's been going on that I wanted to get off my chest!

Laterzzzz