Times go by...things change.

I'm going to keep this short, because I really should be doing homework and studying for my first set of real college finals! Yikes!
I just wanted to write on this day, the day I decided to officially change my blog from being about me, to being about Him. I have been wanting to create a blog, for some time now, about my thoughts on various everyday topics, things I'm learning from the Word, and just whatever other messages I feel led to post about. Ok, so it is still about me I suppose, but no more lame Vanessa-updates, which I could never keep up with anyway.
I guess that's it, for now. I would like to get in the habit of posting on a regular basis, but for now I'm just gonna see what works and make no promises. I hope that this blog comes to have some valuable, God-honoring words in it, and that He gives me the wisdom to speak His words, not mine.
Until next time...
-Vanessa

P.S. For starters, go read 1 Corinthians 1:18-2:16. I read that yesterday morning and I was in loooove! The Lord is so good to us!

Deferred...still waiting and praying.

I waited and waited to get a reply from Moody about my application…but then I couldn’t wait any longer. The letter, it turns out, was sent a few weeks ago, but the lovely mail in England makes it take a LOT longer than if it were mailed to the states. I don’t know what happened…but anyway, I called them today.

I’m not sure how I feel about the news. It’s not good, but it’s not bad; it’s not yes, and it’s not no…it’s deferred! That means I have a lot more waiting to go. I have to wait until April. Well, the most disappointing part is all the money, time, and stress I spent on getting that application in on time by going to Lancaster every week last semester. Whew! Oh well, the way I see it, this is God giving me a second chance. I think God has a plan for me to go to Moody, but lately I feel like He’s been saying to me, “Yes, you’ll go, but you need to put in your part. You need to make sure you’re focused on Me and not what will happen to your future.” Basically, I feel like God wants me to depend more on Him before He lets me know what my future will be for next year. I haven’t been very good about putting God first lately. Sure, I spend time with Him everyday, but it’s not quality time, the way that it could and should be. Here’s my second chance to get it right. In the meantime, if you could keep praying for me as my time at Capernwray is in its last stretch and as I wait for my next letter for Moody, that would be wonderfully appreciated. Thanks so much!

A Little Trip to Lymm

Why hello! It’s been quite some time since I’ve written here last. Soooo much has happened. I’ve been home for Christmas and back again to Capernwray. Before it was time to leave for home, I was very excited, but when the time came for me to actually pack up my room and go home, I was already missing Capernwray and didn’t want to leave! Being home was really nice, though, and once again I’m super excited to leave here on March 11th! Then again, I don’t want to wish away my time here, because once March 11th comes, that’s it. My time in England will be over. How sad! :( It went so quickly!

Well, this weekend was our preliminary weekend visit to our 10-day outreach churches. I had suuuuch a wonderful weekend there! I just couldn’t be happier. I went to a church in the little village of Lymm in Cheshire, England. It was Lymm Baptist Church and I absolutely loved it. I stayed in the pastor’s house with two other girls and they were just the sweetest couple ever! I felt right at home the minute they welcomed us in. They fed us well this weekend…oh yes. Everywhere we went, we were eating. I noticed that even in England they have that European style of hospitality: feed anyone who comes into your house; if they say they’re ‘good’, tell them to eat anyways. That’s how Mother has raised me (and it drives Mike crazy when he isn’t hungry ;) ), so when I go into their houses I feel that I must eat or else I am being rude. Oh well. It also makes me feel like I am more at home.

I would love to talk more about this weekend, but there’s so much I could say! We met a lot of people, all with interesting stories and lovely personalities and devotion to God. The church service was good and I loved hearing a little old man behind me singing at the top of his lungs in worship. Susannah, the coordinator of our group, is so full of energy. I wondered where it all came from, but it was nice to see her so enthusiastic. After church, we went to an American couple’s house which was sooo great. Their house was decorated like an American house and the food was oh-so-delightful. For dessert we had homemade cheesecake with blueberry sauce on it. Yum!! So American! The couple had 5 kids that they home schooled and it was interesting listening to them talk about home schooling in Britain. It is suuuper uncommon here and people really look down upon it. Even the Christian English people don’t really understand it. Well, the couple had trouble at first, but eventually they learned to home school in England, but they are looking forward to heading back to Michigan on March 12th, only a day after I leave Cape-cape!

So, one thing at a time, but I can’t help being excited for Plebe Parent Weekend in March at West Point! I am just so happy to be going home to America to see Mike and have a busy weekend at WP and then go home to see my family! Before that though, I need to focus on my 2 tests this week (1 Corinthians and Personal Evangelism) and then Bible reading and planning for 10-day outreach! So much to look forward to! More updates soon!

Almost There!

Time for another update! Shopping went well. I didn't spend a ton, got some gift shopping done, and I'm happy with the few things I got for myself too. Yay! I did end up spending a bit more on my credit card after that, though. Unfortunately living in England never seems to have its end when it comes to stuff you have to spend money on...topping up phones, getting gifts, buying fruit (because we really don't get much).

Only 8 days until I take a plane home to AMERICAAA!!! I am soooooo excited! If I weren't stepping off into an airport, I might actually kneel down and kiss the ground...but think of how gross that would be in an airport! Eww! ;)

On Saturday my dad will come to Capernwray. Yay! That will be really fun. I'm glad to finally be able to share my life for the past few months with someone. He's coming at the perfect time because next week should is gonna be pretty laid back. Sunday I have a Christmas cookie baking party with my family group. I miss baking cookies! Also on Sunday, I play my flute in worship band at the church service. Monday, the people involved in the Christmas roadshow will be performing it for the school. I'll probably be performing because I play flute in our mini-little “pit” orchestra made up of a keyboard, guitar and bass guitar, violin, french horn, and flute. Tuesday, my dad and I will mostly likely go into Lancaster for some Christmas shopping and just showing him where I hang out on a lot of Tuesday afternoons. Wednesday will be an interesting day too. I hope there is a trip into Carnforth, but if not I suppose I'll find a different day to go. Either way, Wednesday evening is the night of the Capernwray Christmas Banquet. That's something new so I'll have to see how that goes. It's all good for me, though. I get to wear a nice dress, so you know I'm not opposed...especially since I won't be going to the All Academy Ball anymore. Darn! I had a dress and everything... Oh well.

Thursday........AIRPORT! LONDON! SHOPPING...(maybe!) Thursday night I head to the airport. Wow...a week from today. It's strange how quickly it went by. To think that in a little over a week I will be sitting on my couch in upstairs “apartment”, spending time with family and friends... I can't really get my mind about it, but I'm certainly quite happy! Christmas is my favorite season and home is my favorite place. I'm almost there....

Excuses, Excuses

Well, I'm obviously not very good at this whole keeping everyone informed, blog thing, but I'd like to thank the internet at Capernwray for that....alright, alright, I know I could have been a bit better if I had tried harder, but I've been quite busy. Just 2 days ago, Saturday the 28th of November (it is still so exciting to me!), I finished my application to Moody Bible Institute for next year. I really feel that God is calling me to attend Moody next year, but we'll have to see if I get accepted. Last I heard, about 1500 people apply and there are spots for 400 incoming freshmen...so that's a bit of a competition. Please pray that the admissions team will find my application just what they are looking for, if going to Moody is God's will for me, but if Moody is not God's will for me that He will close that door and open a new one. I have been realizing that I certainly want to go into full time ministry (Women's ministry, I think) and nothing should stop me from doing just that. I really want to serve God with my entire life.

So, my excuse for not writing recently is my Moody application. Oh...it was so much more than just a simple college application. That phrase, “Moody application”, holds so much more time, effort, and prayer than you had first thought. It holds many earnest prayers alone about my worry about not getting in and letting God speak through me, and answered prayers that show God's great power; it was many hours that I spent writing, revising, asking opinions, and re-revising my 5 essays (I have never revised so much in my life...I had to cut down the word count a lot); Moody application was also the amount of money I spent on trains, taxis, and buses into Lancaster to sit in an internet cafe where I could actually log into the site, plus running up and down the brick lanes looking all over for a post office and practically ripping the envelope in half as I attempted to tape it shut (the guy at the post office was not happy with me). Whew! Going into Lancaster really tested my faith, too...so many temptations. Let me explain: so much cute stuff...so little money! Me and credit cards don't go well together. I swear, they don't like me and purposely run out of money faster! Really though, if you have ever been to England, you will understand that the clothes and accessories, and stuff is just cuter here than in the US. It's so disappointing because I know I won't be able to get it when I go home. Topshop, the legendary London look, is wonderful, as is Accessorize, oh, the most beautiful little accessories I have seen; I could buy that whole shop. Those are only two. There are a lot more. Worst part about it...? Everything is so expensive! What would cost $40 in the US, still costs £40 in the UK and then you figure out how much that is in dollars.....ouch! It sure does hurt, but still...it's all so cute...

To combat my bad buying techniques, I am going to create a budget for my first time ever. Yes, it is a daunting task for me, but I have quite a few Christmas presents to buy still...plus I might treat myself for a nice Christmas outfit, ya know? ;) Well, either way, please pray for me, I've got a trip to the biggest mall in England this weekend, the Trafford Centre. I'm going to buy Christmas presents, but... You just never know what I might find. Wish me luck!

Capernwray At Last!

Well, time for another posting! I'm finally updating...and FINALLY at Capernwray!!! It seemed like the time would never come, but here I am and it's great to be here. I thought I would be a lot more homesick than I actually am right now, but maybe it has just not settled in yet that I'll be here for a while. In a sense it seems like I've been here for a really long time, but then again, I've just started! I love all the people I'm getting to know, and the school is honestly the most beautiful place I have ever been in my whole life. I can already sense that leaving here in March will be extremely hard and I fear the day it comes to that. As I wrote in my prayer journal this morning, I wish I could capture these moments in a bottle and save them for when this time is long gone.

With that said, I think it's time I introduce you to Capernwray!!!!!!! Drum roll please.....

Well keep drumming because the internet is too slow here to handle a picture at the moment...maybe later.

Ok, here's a REALLY annoying part of Capernwray....they shut the internet off at certain times of day!! We barely get anytime online. So of course you know I've been on in when I get my chances. No internet after 10 PM. Grr!!! So annoying, especially when you have a boyfriend who can only use the internet at certain times with a 5 hour time difference and a 6 hour time difference with your parents and the internet is your only form of communication! Not so fun.

Evenings, like right now, are pretty fun at Capernwray. I can enjoy the loud sounds below me of laughter and fun times, even as I sit here on my bed. I feel a bit anti-social at these times. I have not joined in on many of the games. That's not to say I don't have friends, though!! I have met some really awesome people here and we are becoming better friends with each day. I love seeing all of them and I can't wait to see what the school year will bring. I really want to join in the game tonight though, but I have so many other things to do also. I feel so busy here even though we have a lot of free time.

Busy, I suppose. I have 6 lectures a day, scripture verses to memorize, have to be up to chapter 42 in Genesis by Friday (uh oh!), not to mention all the postcards to write, pictures to take, journals entries to write, games to play, conversations to be had, blogs to update! Whew! I'm sure there's more. I try to keep in contact with everyone in the outside world too, but it's hard in this place. If I haven't replied to emails, messages, wall posts, or what have you, right away....sorry! I'm trying as hard as I can!

My biggest struggle right now is leaving behind the world I left behind. I don't think it's homesickness so much as fear of forgetting because I am so easily forgetting it! I am here and it feels almost like I've been here forever and I will be here forever. I love it here! With that said, I love my life I have at home too. I do miss everyone I used to see all the time. I think about that often and I think it's getting in the way of me being really involved in much of anything. It's like I'm trying to keep my grasp on what is quickly slipping out of my hand, but what I'm failing to realize is that there is a ledge beneath me that I can step onto for safety. I can't become absorbed in Bible school (the now) when I keep holding onto the past. Woah! Too many philosophical Bible lectures for me! That was one scholarly analogy (I hope Mike likes that one ;) ). Haha, just kidding.

But yes, I do want to put my full self into this but it often seems hard. I'm not sure why. I must say, though, the lectures by Rob Whittaker (our principal) are wonderful! I love his style! Very straightforward and relevant and they totally make me feel on fire to go out into all the world! It's really great!

So if you all could just pray for me to focus on where I am now instead of looking back on the past and almost bringing the “baggage” of fear with me to Bible school, I would be soo thankful for that! Fear...that is certainly my biggest sin.

There is so much I could write about school!!! It's fantastic! Next post I'll be sure to inform you of the funny things these British say, but for now it's time for some sleep.

First Post, Visas, and the Amazing Ways God Works!

Well, here goes the first post! The past few weeks have been filled with so many thoughts that although I have not been extremely busy, I feel like I have worn myself out by today! It's less than 2 weeks now that I board a plane that takes me to the land of England. I have always wanted to go to England, but I never thought my dream would really come true! The past month has had me feeling that my trip is still weeks away, but as of lately I have woken up to the realization that my journey is not far off and I've become a bit more rushed on my last minute shopping and complications (such as communication back to the states, converters, etc....all the boring but very necessary things).

I'm quite excited to meet all the students that I have been talking to online. I've met some people that I feel sure I will be friends with and the thought of going to school with people who share my faith causes bubbling excitement within me! I have never been able to go to class knowing that all my peers believed, trusted, and loved the one true God that I also trust and love. God will do amazing things with that, I'm sure of it! There is not much that I'm absolutely sure of, but knowing that God will do amazing things.......I'm sure of that!

Having my visa is such a relief! I'm just now hearing about so many more students that are still having complications with their visas and it just makes me praise God that he worked out a way for me to get mine. It was quite a miracle that he worked out! It seemed most Capernwray students had sent in their visa applications long before I'd began working on mine. That got me a bit worried, add on top of that a worried mother...let's just say it was not good! I thought I would not ever be able to get my visa papers sent in, in enough time to have the visa sent back to me. That meant no Capernwray! I started having thoughts of the local community college and the like. I cried as my mother yelled about getting this application finished. I tried and tried but it seemed like it just couldn't work out. I doubted God could make this one happen. Oh what a silly thing to do! God proved to me that even when I think He can't possibly handle another one of my little problems...He can.

As I prayed and seemingly uselessly searched my stack of papers to send for a visa application, and then checked them twice with the list of supporting documents found on the web....I found a new site that I had not been on before. What was this mysterious site? Oh, it was God's miracle.

The site led to a page that talked about the Chicago Consulate Office (where you send a visa application). At the veeery bottom of the page in a completely different font as the rest to seem as if it did not belong there...as if it was ADDED there, was a small blurb that read: "During summer 2009, UKBA will offer in-person services for Tier 4 Student Visa applicants. For more information, please see the following documents for New York City, Chicago and Los Angeles." I nearly fell out of my chair! It was instantly clear to me that God had once again taken it into His own hands to solve a problem. Whew! What a relief to know He's got it all under control!

I went to the Consulates office the very next day and waited...and waited...and waited to be let in to see if I would get my visa. Ahem! I finally got there and was...delayed?!? Well at least I wasn't denied!!! Who knew 3 small letters could make such a big deal? It turned out that I didn't put my middle name on my application when it was on my passport. Hmm... So it took longer to process, but I came back a week letter and picked up my beautiful visa! Getting delayed was great, though, because it made for a fun Chicago trip with my dad. He even took me dress shopping to Peaches Boutique where I found a dress for the All Academy Ball in December for only $50!! We also went to Nordstrom's off Michigan Ave. after I got my visa and I got a makeover! He was so sick of the girliness by then, but he said he enjoyed the day with me. I enjoyed the day with him too!

Anyway, God has made some great opportunities for me from that visa experience! I have helped some other girls get their visas for Capernwray and we have had some heartfelt and wonderful talks! Who knew that God could do all that?!? Well, I should not have underestimated Him! I would like to say I will not do that again, but I'm only human and can't make any promises.....