A Grief Observed?

Within days of arriving at YWAM, I received the worst news I've received in my life. If you are my friend and are reading this blog, you know what the Schaeffer family has been going through, and my family's connection with it. Therefore I will keep the details out of this post for their sake, and simply convey what I have learned in my heart through this tragedy.
First, I have learned how to share my grief with others, and how to be open and allow others to help. Being so far removed from anyone who knows the people concerned, I have been literally forced to share my heart's sorrows with those around me. Thankfully I have been blessed by the constant support of my friends. We have all been able to stand together before God in prayer for the Schaeffers. I know that me being here rather than in a more "convenient" place (i.e. HOME) for myself at this time has created a larger prayer circle and taught me how to share my sorrows.
Second, God has taught me compassion. As deep as the grief is that I have felt, God has constantly reminded me that so many more people feel a deeper grief which cannot even be expressed in words, tears, or groanings. God has broken my heart for my friends. God has broken my heart for my own family. Sometimes all I've been able to do is cry from deep within my heart for those at home who are faced constantly with loss. I've learned how to cry for others, rather than just for myself.
Third, I've learned how forgiveness is sometimes a daily choice. There will come times in everyone's life when they will be faced with things they deem unforgivable, or worth the bitterness they feel icing over their heart. Through this time I have had to battle with my own bitterness and indignant heart. After all, I remind myself, Jesus died for the sake of the worst of the worst, for his own murderers. Jesus, the perfect one, in contrast to me, the forgiven thief, how can I be selfish enough not extend to others the same forgiveness?

I can't say that I don't fear going home to face the aftermath of this tragedy in five months,
I can't say that I don't wish I was home sometimes.
I can't say that I always feel complete forgiveness.
I can't say that I always pray or ask for prayer concerning this.
But I can say that God is faithful, and that He has been -and is continuing to-
teach me, comfort me, and weep with me.

Long time no post!

I apologize for my terrible lack of updates, I am realizing what a lazy person I am...

Since I last posted, I had a very interesting cultural experience: Bonfire Night. In honor of Guy Fawkes Day (Guy Fawkes being the guy who tried to blow up the Houses of Parliament), the English throw a huge party, usually by building something large in order to simply burn it down, and setting off a tremendous number of fireworks. Carlisle has one of the biggest Bonfire Night celebrations, and it was such an adventure to participate in something I've never even heard of before. In the park behind Carlisle Castle they set up a carnival, and in a big open field built a mock castle almost as big as a small house. The latter efficiently having been burned to a crisp amidst great celebration and fireworks, the former was flooded with a substantial percentage of the thousands of people that had observed the great conflagration. Being the smart people we are, Jo, Elsa, Thomas, Robin and I joined the mass of people in the carnival, and managed to take in one ride before going home.

Oh the English, such pyromaniacs.

NUEVO POST NUMERO TRES

[Joanna Kindred, of Suffolk, with her first Quesadilla.

Brrrr. Verrry blustery day in Carlisle. It poured this morning, as I walked to church this morning I am sure I heard the distinct mewing of cats and barking of dogs as they fell from the rainclouds.

After Church we had a cultural experience. Apparently the delicious snacks, quesadillas, have not been widely introduced to the general English populace. I did my part today to further the cause of easy-to-make-slash-cheap-Mexican-food in the United Kingdom. There was a bit of skepticism about the situation which diminished quickly as a regular party ensued. The vicarage on a sunday afternoon kind of turns into a food fest lately.