I guess this is DTS day 17...

Wow, I can't believe that. It seems like two things, like I have been here foreeever and this is just where I have always been, AND contrastingly, like I just got here, and that that much time couldn't possibly have passed yet.

I cannot believe that the first week of lectures is over! What the heck!
This week's teaching was called Jesus and the Cross, and Giving up Rights. Our guest speaker was Pete Thompson from England,who lives in S. Africa. For the first few days a lot of us had a hard time catching what he was trying to get across to us, because he had a very African way of teaching, that didn't really make sense to us. The 3rd and 4th days though, were a lot more structured, so I think a lot of us got a lot more out of it. Along with the main subject, he talked on forgiveness and hearing God's voice. The talk on forgiveness in particular was really good. He outlined what forgiveness is, and what it isn't.  I've never heard anyone teach it like that, and it was really helpful.

This week it has been three different people on the teams birthdays! So funny. We are having a party tonight, for everyone whose birthday is in January. Should be exciting. Tomorrow, we are going to Londonnn! Whoo! We are going to celebrate Chinese New Year in China Town! We also decided that since we will already be in London on a Sunday we might as well go to a service at Hillsong.

You know what? You don't realize how freeing it is to have your own kitchen until you no longer have one. I have been DYING to bake alll week, but alas, I cannot. I want to make cupcakes. Muchly.

Anyhow, how is life where you are? Missing you all!

Abbey

DTS day 9

So I have been here now for 9 days... Wow. 

    Lectures officially start tomorrow! Eeh! So excited. Our guest speaker is already here =D
This whole last week has been an orientation week, so we have had some teaching, but not loads. We had teachings on sort of the basics of YWAM's beliefs if you will - Worship, Intercession, Hearing the Voice of God, etc. The lectures have been so good, even if they weren't nearly long enough :-)

    On Thursday we watched a lecture that Loren Cunningham gave in 1977. It was really awesome to see how a teaching from over 30 years ago can still be so relevant and mind-altering. It was on giving up rights, but to an intense extent. It was about relingquishing everything to God - our families and loved ones, our freedom, physical health, marriage, even our lives. It was really cool.

    My work duty is cleaning nearly the whole basement floor. It's funny, because in the past I have never been into cleaning - I admit it, I can be pretty lazy. But somehow, I look forward to my work duties almost everyday. I can't wait to get downstairs and start sweeping ans scrubbing sinks. Very strange. For one thing, I feel like it is really good training for taking care of my own home someday, and I love that. It is also over two hours everyday that I get to spend alone with God. I'm not saying I have perfected that aspect  yet - I usually end up praying for one a few minutes and then getting distracted with my own thoughts the rest of the time - but I am hoping to get stronger, and teach myself to focus on God in that time, and get less distracted :-)

    Yesterday was a team building day, where we split into teams and completed a load of games and tasks together. The games were surprisingly fun, seeing as I'm normally not into group games like that.
    Ooh, last night I got to talk to my mom and dad for the first time since coming :-) it was fun. We talked for about two hours. Love you guys!


Anyhow, how is everything where you all are? Missing everyone! xx

-Abbey

Umm.... I'm cold!!

This place is SO beautiful, but since it's an old building, it is FLIPPING FREEZING!

     We have all started taking our hot water bottles with us to class, and refilling them between every session. I literally wear three layers of clothing all day, everyday. I am used to it being frigid outside, but not THIS cold inside! Ahhh, so cold.

    I suppose though, that I shouldn't complain - we have it pretty good. - One of the staff told us the other day, about how when she did her DTS here in the 70's they would only turn the heat on for two hours every day, and twice a week they were given a jug of hot water to wash their hairs with. She also said that they had to set a rota in the girls room, of who would get up 9in the middle of the night to flush the toilet, so that when they got up in the morning it wasn't frozen solid... Okay yeah, we have it pretty good.
     But nonetheless, I wouldn't mind being able to feel my fingers some of the time!

The weather has actually been getting better these last few says though, and I am so looking forward to a sunny spring!

;A

DTS Day 3!

I still can't believe I'm here.

Today we had our first lecture-ey things, got our work duties and  got our final student! Yay!
I am so excited for the lectures to officially start.

I have been having so much fun getting to know my school and the base here. Both the people and the building seem amazing.

Yesterday afternoon we all got to take a long walk on the walking paths, through woods and fields. It was soo beautiful. I will never cease to be amazed by the beauty of the vivacious green Earth.
         Then, last night we all gathered in the beautiful, antiquated Leather Room to sit around the fire and share the stories of how we were each individually led to this DTS. It was so lovely to hear everyones stories!
Tonight and tomorrow night we get to do almost the same again, only this time sharing our testimonies of how we came to know God. I am so nervous, I hate speaking to groups of people! I always panic, start babbling and completely forget what I was going to say. Oh well. I'll try anyway :-)

So yes, I am getting very comfortable here, and I am so excited for everything to get going!
Of course I still really appreciate everyones prayers for the school, the outreach, fees, etc.

God bless!  
   ;Abbey

First day at Holmsted!!

I'm here!! What the heck, how did this even happen?!
God is so crazy. =)
Most of the students are here now, all aside from 2 I believe. There are 23 of us in total, 18 girls and 5 boys. Wow. Intense. Especially since there are mostly male staff. This should be exciting :-)

The rooms have triple bunk beds, how cool is that? I got the middle, thankfully.
We have our first meeting tonight!! Wow, I can't believe this is genuinely happening!!
There are a lot of Americans on this school.

The Manor is SO stunning!! I can't even believe how gorgeous some of the rooms are. It's fantastic.

And the grounds are beauuutiful. So green!! So many trees!! I haven't had much of a chance to explore outside yet, but I am quite sure I will be spending a lot of my free time out there.

Oh My Goodness!

WOW. I'm leaving tomorrow!!! I can't even believe this!! It really hasn't sunk in yet! I am leaving for Holmsted tomorrow. OH WOW.

Big Announcement!! Read me!

Ummmmmm, so this is kind of really big news. I will post another blog later telling more detail, etc...


Guess what?!



I'm doing DTS.  Ummmmmm............. On Saturday. OH MY GOODNESS. I can't believe how fast this is all happening!! I haven't been keeping this from everyone or anything, I only decided/found out about two days ago. Oh my goodness! 
What do you think? 

I would really appreciate everyone's prayers for the DTS itself, and for my fund raising this week =) Talk to you all soon!

Abbegail

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year everyone!!! Wow, 2012 is finally here. I can't believe it's January... The beginning of a new year. This year will be full of beauty and love. Bring it on!