New Years Eve

2011 has been such an amazing year for me. So many amazing things have happened and when I look back to this time last year I literally had no idea how God would bless me this year. I literally had no idea what was in store for me. I guess youre the same as me though, you cant help and look back at the last year and see some of the missed opportunities, things you shouldve done better, things you shouldve left. But we need experiences like that in order to know what to do next time. Its life. Crap happens. We live and we learn. But this year Im making a list. A list of things I want to accomplish this year. I want to start new. I want to make a new lifestyle for myself. I want to learn from the mistakes of 2011 and make 2012 a year to remember. Today will be the day I will draw up my list, I may even publish it on here tomorrow. If you have any cool ideas do let me know, but I can tell you that my first new years resolution is to blog more because I'm a bit of at that
                Have a great New Year, Vikki xx

New Look

So you probably notice that I have given the blog a new look. Well heres the deal. I believe that 2012 is going to be mental and I want to be ready. I have some awesome things that I want to accomplish next year, I wanna start off well. I dont want to waste any opportuninties this year. I want to document what this crazy year is going to hold for me on this blog. I want to make resolutions and stick to them. I want to be inspired. I want to moulded. I want to be remade. I want to live an inspiring life. So follow me on this, follow me on this crazy journey Im about to go on, we have no idea where this is going to go, its going to be mad, but I can honestly say to you....

Watch this space

"The Boys of the NYPD choir were singing "Galway Bay" and the bells were ringing out for Christmas Day"

Well Happy Christmas from the Emerald Isle!



So this song basically is Christmas in Ireland. I cannot tell you how many time I have heard this song playing since I came home. Its been great to be home, to see everyone again. I have also been able to look at Northern Ireland from an outsiders perspective. This places needs a lot of things. There really is a shortage of things to do for teenagers around here. Churches are so outdated its unbelievable. We need teams, people, anyone with a passion for Jesus to come here. So Im taking this upon myself, my mission for the next semester is to recruit as many people as I can to come to Northern Ireland. You really never know where a conversation can lead, or what a conversation can result in. The most people I can pump into this country the better. I just hope that some of the people I can hopefully encourage to come here could see themselves here longterm. I want to get as many people as I can here. I knwo fine rightly that people fall in love with this place. I am already in love with this place. You can most certainly take the girl out of Ireland, but you can never take Ireland out of the girl. This place holds in it so much beauty. My entire life was once here, my past still is. This places inspires me beyond belief. The scenery is breath taking and is only when you go away and live in the city for 5 months that you realize this. I am extremely proud of where I am from. But I want to give back here, I want to make a difference. You may think that naive of me. I have always been a dreamer and will continue to be...

"I'm coming home, I'm coming home, tell the world I'm coming home"

So it's currently 3.58am in the morning of Friday 16th and I am hoping on a plane at 3.20pm. I am so pumped to see my people. I am so excited for them to just see how being here has changed me. They are also going to notice I have a pretty mortifying American twang to my accent but I guess it'll prove an entertaining tip for them. I have not seen my people in 5 months and I cannot describe how it feels to know that I will be with them this time tomorrow! I would love it if you could pray that my flights and travels go safe! I would hate to get stuck this close to seeing everyone! My best friend is engaged back home and I just want to give her a HUGE hug, my other best friend just got into the university that has been on her heart for a long time! Things are moving so much and I just want to share in that! I cant wait to see my wee brother turn 15! I want to see my Daddy because no matter how old I get he is always my Daddy (even though he has a theory that i only call him "Daddy" when i want something). But what I'm most excited about is that I am going to have so many great conversations with people from home about my time here! I have a month here, a month to just show what I have learned and experienced and I am just so excited! :) Wish me luck! :) 

Perspective

On Sunday my preacher at my church here talked about Jesus on the cross. Initially I thought to myself "I've heard all this before, it can't be anything I haven't heard". Well as you can guess I was completely wrong. I had seen the movie The Passion of Christ and I thought "Surely he cannot say anything worse than this". Wrong again. 

Jamie told us how 6 out of 10 people who were sentenced to crucifixion never even made it to the cross itself. The torture before it was so severe that many didn't make it. He described how Jesus' vertebrae probably would've been showing from beatings. The pain that was described was unbelievable. Many people were crying, many walked out but all sat in total shock. The sermon was the news of the day, the whole congregation were talking about it. When I sat there and heard this story, tears were swelling in my eyes. It had been a frustrating week. A painful week. But when I heard this, in such detail, I realized how my pain was nothing compared to this. My heart break was nothing compared to this. I felt that people had caused this pain and frustration I was feeling. But I caused the pain that Jesus went through, he went through that for ME, and for YOU. And you know what? He would do it all over again for us. He wouldn't even think twice. That my friends is true love. See pain in our life is inevitable, it is a fact of life. But it is suffering which is optional. 

Christ died on a cross, something which represented crime and defeat. He died a criminals death. But He turned this symbol of the cross into a symbol of victory. Christ has invited us to "take up our cross", we must die to this world, to sin. But it is through this invitation to die, that we have an invitation to live. We have an invitation to really live a full life. God will take us amazing places, but we have to allow Him to, we have to hold nothing back, we have to surrender our lives. It is through losing our lives that we will find them. 

The Event of Thanksgiving and the Crazy Events Which Followed

So Thanksgiving is a holiday that is well known. Even in Ireland. So I was pretty pumped about experiencing this for myself. From what I had heard it had something to do with pilgrims, food and football. And this wasn't far off. Before preparations, one should watch the Macy's day parade. I can honestly tell you that while I was watching this I felt like I was on some sort of hallucinatory drug. This had to be one of thee most eccentric things I have ever seen. Preparations began with preparing food. Similar to Christmas dinner back home. A turkey was prepared along with vegetables and then dessert which would follow. So far it seemed sweet and traditional. The Americans are all about the sweet potato's at this holiday. At school they served sweet potato's with marshmallows on top (its actually good ...believe me). I had also observed that pumpkins are a huge deal here. Americans embrace the pumpkin. I feel I had eaten my body weight before I even reached dessert. It was great ;) After the meal and some clearing up, it appeared tradition to watch a game of American football. Apparently pilgrims, Indians and being thankful are directly related to American football. I can say with the greatest confidence that I had no idea what was going on. It seemed that if soccer and rugby had a baby and insisted that it wear as much safety gear as possible it would be called American football. It seemed peculiar that it is disallowed that a player is forbidden to touch another players helmet but is perfectly allowed to pull his hair. This game was followed by a movie and then by another game of American football. This in my eyes was opportunity for napping. After eating such a large volume of food it seemed only natural that one should sleep through a game that one had no idea about. But this napping was in fact crucial to what was about to follow.

After napping, we grabbed some left overs and mentally prepared ourselves for what was about to occur. We were going "Black Friday" shopping. Our first stop? Walmart. Yes the very store America is known for. Like a true American I pulled on pajama bottoms and a t-shirt before heading out to this store. We left the house at 9pm that night. Coming up to this event, booklets are sent to houses all over the area explaining what amazing deals are in store for them. This clearly motivated people and got them pumped. This also made them crazy since they knew they had to get these deals. This would cause them to go to extreme lengths in order to ensure they would get the purchase they desired. This was evident when pulling into Walmart. The parking lot was already filled. The parking lots all around it were already filled. Eventually we would find a parking space around 200 yards from the store. When we got down there we seen around a dozen cop cars sitting outside the store. This was a warning sign that I paid no attention to. When we got in the store the aisles were filled with items, people were standing next to them with one or both of their hands on the item. Since you were only allowed to pick up the items at 10 o'clock you could only claim them. This was made incredibly clear. 10 o'clock was welcomed with screams from around the store. This was when people unleashed their fury. Fights broke out. Shouting was heard. People were everywhere.

I was in charge of the cart. When going Black Friday shopping it is wise to travel in packs. Safety in numbers. Also it is wise that the minute you enter the store you should send one of your members straight to the line for check out since by the time they actually get to the check out you will have done all you shopping in that store. It was at Walmart I realized the true wrath of Mothers doing Christmas shopping for their children. Living by the motto of "Trust no one" and "every woman for themselves". This became obvious when women would leap over boxes prepared to kill for a $15 mini kitchen for their child. Once 12 o'clock midnight would hit the TV's would be on sale at Walmart. TV customers are the top dogs of Black Friday shopping. They mean business. These people have most likely camped out all day in Walmart with their lawn chairs in the aisle (this is true, seen it with my own two eyes). These people know what they are after and will stop at nothing to get it. Trick is that one should try to escape before this breaks out or should simply be out of the way. I have grown up in a country where I have been in bomb scares, I have witnessed riots and other violent acts. But I can tell you that none of that came close to what I witnessed that night in Walmart. Other deals would then open at later intervals throughout the night in different stores. After Walmart we would head to Kohl's. The queue would be of phenomenal length. We sent one of our members into the line while the rest of us raged through the store fully trained from the last experience. This was of course a lot more civilized than Walmart. But still the "trust no one" mind frame remained. After this we would go to Meijer, their bargains would be available at 4 o'clock (am). These were surrounded by caution tape. They knew what they were doing. At 4 the caution tape would be cut and Mothers would leap over to their chosen item, catapulting themselves over boxes and various other Mothers in order for their prize. I remember witnessing a certain Mother jump over to the Angry birds board games, throw herself over the box, take a couple for herself and then continue to throw the rest out to other Mothers. It was truly inspiring.

After this would be a Chik-Fil-A visit. We were running low on fuel and were beginning to head into an auto-pilot state of mind. I can honestly tell you that I remember little after Chik-Fil-A. We went to other stores, but of course when we entered it was obvious that the tornado of people had already struck and recovery was in operation. We would return home and get into bed at 7.30 am in the morning. I realized the craziness of this when we were driving home and the sun was rising. Waking up the next morning at 11.30 am was surreal. We wondered if it really happened. I would imagine this is what a hangover would have been like. We weren't quite sure of what had happened the night before and what we seemed to remember seemed too crazy to accept as truth.

It will take me a year to get over what occurred that night. No wonder Black Friday only comes around once a year. Overall, I had a great thanksgiving! It was a great holiday which I cannot wait to go home and tell the Irish folk all about. Happy Holidays! :D

Relationships

I am about to begin a study into relationships with my small group at school. Tired and sick of relationship issues we all decided to check out this series by Andy Stanley. This is a topic that gets us all. It brings us down, discourages us and has the potential to really damage us. Andy challenges listeners to become the "person they are looking for is looking for". Check it out:
http://www.northpoint.org/messages/the-new-rules-for-love-sex-and-dating

Northern Ireland Mission Trip

So every year at CCU a team goes to Northern Ireland. The team does absolutely class work. They stay at Murlough House, a place I have volunteered since I was 15 and the place that is basically the reason I am here. I am so excited for these people to experience N.I. It means so much to me that they are going to see the reason why I am here. They are going to see the country that I have left a part of my heart in. They are going to see first hand where my passion comes from. They will attend my church. They will meet my family. But most importantly, these people are going to help my community. These people are going to impact my people. I know that for sure. I am literally crying thinking of the amazing things they are going to do there. I know most of these people and know that they are going to do AMAZING things. But I want to ask you something, I want you to pray for all the members of this team, I want you to do this regularly. I want you to pray that they raise the money they need to, that they can prepare for this trip in every way, that they can prepare to have their lives changed by changing the lives of those I hold so dear. So here's the names...get to work :)

Leader: Rick Cherok
Team :  Hannah Steinman
            Curtis Hahn
            Sarah Brown
            Joe Brackemyre
            Kate Haynie
            Becca Duff
            Matt Sweasy
            Aaron Veatch
            Parker Sims
            Josh Morford
            Jessica Pemberton
            Megan Trammel
            Zakk Reddick
            Jordan Bullard

Pray for every single one of the people. They are capable of amazing things. The things they could do back home are limitless. I just want you all to believe in them as much as I do :) 

Amos 5:21-24

The Message (MSG)

 ^21-24"I can't stand your religious meetings.
   I'm fed up with your conferences and conventions.
I want nothing to do with your religion projects,
   your pretentious slogans and goals.
I'm sick of your fund-raising schemes,
   your public relations and image making.
I've had all I can take of your noisy ego-music.
   When was the last time you sang to me?
Do you know what I want?
   I want justice—oceans of it.
I want fairness—rivers of it.
   That's what I want. That's all I want.

I seen this on friend's Facebook status today. We really do have a talent for making things a lot more complicated than they actually need to be. We feel great about ourselves because we attend church and small group meetings yet forget why we are actually there? When was the last time the only things we sought for were Justice and Fairness for others? When we worship do we get more caught up in what instruments are being used than we do about giving glory to our Father in Heaven?

We need to strip it down. Our lives. Our faith. We need to get back to what it is all about. We need to get back to Jesus.

People Pleaser

One of my biggest weaknesses is that I try to please everyone in every situation. It's a major flaw. Let me tell you this. You can't make everyone happy. Its impossible. In every situation just think about who you are actually pleasing, are you pleasing men? Or are you pleasing your Father in Heaven?

You will get emotionally and physically drained if you are trying to make everyone happy or trying to make sure everyone likes you. Here's something to think about. Jesus was thee perfect person. You couldn't have got a more compassionate, loving and understanding person. He offered hope to everyone. But guess what, He couldn't even get everyone to like him. So, no offense, but you haven't got a chance. Give up on trying to please those around you. Stop trying to be something your not in order to be accepted. Because if you aren't yourself, who are you?

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are while your reputation is merely what others think"

Galatians 1:10 "For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ."

You don't get more crystal clear than that. We must make a distinction between loving people and pleasing people. Trying to just please people isn't always the most loving thing we can do for them. Sometimes people need to be told things that may not necessarily make them happy but they still need to hear it. Sometimes the best thing we can do in some situations is to just walk away from them. Yes we need to put others before ourselves but we are not entertainers trying to keep everyone happy. That is not true compassion. 


We are here to please God. That is our purpose. Live FOR Him and BY Him and we cannot go wrong. 

Wow it has been a while

So I have been totally awful with blogging recently. So bad. Truth is, college is causing me to think a lot, think a lot about everything. So lets get updated here.

I'm currently on fall break, a four day weekend which is totally needed in my opinion. The American lifestyle is so fast and can be so overwhelming at times. So many things are happening. So many things going on.

But then I have to grab myself, still myself and remember the real reason why I am here, the real reason I am in this country, at this university, what I am working for and who I am working for.

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10

I am learning the importance of this verse.

"Be still" - put down what your doing, take a break, clear your mind of all the worries you're thinking of, get away from everyone around you, do what needs to be done in order for you to clear your mind and distance yourself from the busyness of this world. You need time for yourself, time to think, time to really translate, organize and work out your thoughts.

"know that I am God" - KNOW that you are part of something that is more than this world. KNOW that there is someone out there who could not care more for you. KNOW that He is there. KNOW that He cares. Know He can offer you more than anything or anyone on this earth can. KNOW that He will not desert you. KNOW that no matter what you do, or what you have done, He will welcome you back with open arms like nothing ever happened. But you need to KNOW Him. You need to KNOW that you can trust in Him, for He will never let you down. Ever.

So if your being tossed and turned by the troubles of this life, not knowing what you think, not knowing what to think. Take a step back, take some time out, Be still. Know that Someone is there, Someone is cheering you on, Someone wants you to overcome whatever it is your facing. Know that this person is your God. And that this God is all you need.

Good News

Good News always travels fast. It's true. If someone has just got engaged, you will hear about it within that day. When someone has a baby we are almost instantly aware of it. We know birthdays before they're happening. We all love good news. We text people about it. We post statuses about it on Facebook. We tweet about it. So why is that Christians aren't sharing what they believe is good news? Why aren't they sharing news about Jesus? Closet Christians seem to be pretty common these days. Something I have been really realizing here is that Jesus isn't something we should keep to ourselves. Jesus changes lives. And it is so selfish that people do not want to share that love with others. I know we fear rejection, criticism and negativity. But if you are so utterly convinced that Jesus saves, that there is an eternal life out there for people who seek him , why aren't you telling people about Him? About how he has changed your life?

You see a truck driving right at someone in the street, you know you have to save them or they will die. If you are so convinced as a Christian that Jesus saves, why aren't you showing people that? We are not here to convert people. We are not here to go all super preacher on them. We are here to show them what Christ has shown us. Our job is to love. Our job is to sow a seed.

Those God moments

Sometimes you just come across stuff that totally relates to you on a whim...that's all I have to say really. First time I went on this site and this is what I came across.

Getting on top of it

So I am finally beginning to feel like I am getting on top of the crazy work load that school is giving me! Whoo hoo! I think I am finally getting into the swing of college life and American life all at once. I am hoping to get involved with my church here by hopefully leading a 5th grade small group, I am really praying about and hoping it works out! I would be in my absolute element! I am currently getting trained to help mentor a kid. Its through an organization called Whiz Kids, I will be tutoring a Kid who needs help with their school work. I'm really excited about this too! Things are really starting to piece together here which is great , a complete answer to prayer. This place is amazing me in so many different ways. Its inspiring actually. I talk to people who want to change the world here.

"Believe in Him and get ready to change the world" 

We were told this the other day in chapel. God looks at us and sees unlimited potential. Its a crazy idea right? unlimited potential. People carry this assumption that Bible college students come from a holier than thou background, that they are squeaky clean, never went wrong in their life. Let me tell you now, that is not the case. You probably wont meet more messed up people than you will at a Bible college. I do not mean this in a nasty way, let me explain. This is something that I am coming to realize here. People here have come from broken homes, families, and have a truly shocking story to tell. But here's the neat part. God uses them. Yea God takes those messed up, broken people and uses them for His kingdom. God uses their stories in order to reach others. We have truly awesome conversations here, really we do. God is so evident in these peoples lives. How He can truly come in and rescue is such a miracle in itself. How God can turn around a totally crap situation and make it into something positive is unbelievable. I speak to former drug dealers, drug addicts, alcoholics, people who were homeless, suffered from eating disorders, you name it, it's here. But God uses these people. These people inspire me so much. Being around people who have went through these experiences and still want to serve and love the Lord, they are the inspirations. God has restored these people, welcomed them in with open arms, and has chosen them to work for Him. Why have I realized this? Because I am one of those messed up people too. I thought I would be alone on that front here. But I have been totally humbled by seeing how much God changes lives. How much He can change lives. I know a lot of your attitudes now are "Wow, America has made Vikki think she is a preacher" but America has made me realize that I'm supposed to tell people about the amazing work that Christ has done in my life. Honestly, If i am totally convinced of Christs existence, utterly and completely, and of the amazing blessings he has brought to my life How much would I really have to hate you in order to not share that with you?

Skyping Father :D

Got to speak to Dad and George today! My Dad is totally great at sorting my mind! I can give him a whole word vomit of how I'm feeling and he totally rationalizes it for me and knows exactly how I am feeling! Being away from home is super tough, I miss my family, friends, even just the scenery of being back home. I miss being able to jump into my little twelve year old Volkswagen Polo and go wherever I want. But being here, is making me grow up in so many other ways. Being away from familiarity is tough but I am getting such an experience which is definitely changing me for the better. I wasn't dependent upon my Dad, we were always taught to be independent but I guess I never really got the chance to try that out until I came here.  I am so thankful for how my Dad brought me up, I used to seriously dislike him whenever he would make me sort out stuff like forms and banking but I would be in a lot of trouble had he not made me do that. This guy never had it easy, he has raised me and my brother single-handedly for the last seven years or so. But the best thing about this guy is that whatever crazy dream I had next, He never stopped me. He never told me that I couldn't do it. He always taught me that if I really wanted something, wanted it bad, to grab it with both hands. He has taught me so much, and its only when your far away, by yourself that you truly realize just how much has been done for you. How your parents have shaped you into the person you now are. 

Sure we hated them for it, and always dreaded the day when we would actually agree with the statement "Someday you'll thank me for this!" 

Family

So this weekend I got the opportunity to go home with my friend Tiara. I had an absolute blast! The people here have totally taken me in and it has been so so awesome! My friends are so great here! I cannot describe to you the family we have got going here! This was labor day weekend so most people went home and since we have no class Monday many have stayed there longer and those from further away went back home. Anyway I'm sitting at my dorm now, and barely anyone else is here. But all us girls on our dorm floor are telling each other how much we all miss each other! We really have a wee family going on up here! and it's so good! I'm missing my family a lot but everyone here has been unbelievable! Tomorrow I don't have any class but I have enough homework to kill someone. believe me. I got to experience homemade fried chicken over weekend and oh. my. gosh. it was amazing! I can already feel the freshmen fifteen coming on, if it hasn't already arrived yet! You can only blame the dryer for making your clothes tighter for so long! :/ Time to cut back! FOOD IS JUST TOO GOOD!

Getting into the swing

So I am about to finish my third week of classes here at CCU. And you have no idea how at home I feel. My wee room has become my own wee home here. Of course I miss my family, friends, job, so many things I miss from there. But I know that I am suppose to be here. I've already learned so much. Not just through the classes I am taking but through the people I am meeting here. These people are from all over, at different stages in their Christian walk and they have just been amazing. I have learned just as much from the people here as I have from the classes I'm taking. The American way is so refreshingly different from back home. I really believe that I can be effective after this experience. But being away from everyone and every thing back home until then is difficult. I have my motivation. My country. My family. My friends. This time away will be good but man is it difficult. People always tell me, "You made such a sacrifice" or "How did you do it?". Let me tell you this, the whole time that I was planning to get here, I didn't feel at any stage that I was making any sort of sacrifice. I simply did what I knew needed to be done. I know that I need to be taught here, I need to be trained, so that I can be truly effective. I could not get this experience back home. That is fact. I'm here to experience this so that I can go back and share that experience. Share that passion that these people have for Jesus. Learn to be a true servant of Christ.

To Save a Life

So I watched this movie tonight called "To Save a Life". Generally, I find that Christian movies can be too cheesy and have real bad acting. But this one really surprised me. I would recommend it, really I would. I don't wanna give too much away but here is what I took from it. Basically, this world and all its issues are temporary. I would say that the majority of people who watch this movie will say at the end "wow, the problems I thought I had are so insignificant to what I have just seen". What I want to encourage you to do is look to the detail, the small things. Inviting someone over to sit with you at lunch, inviting someone out for a movie, all those dopey things which we take for granted yet mean the absolute world to someone else. For me, this movie reminded me of the real reason why I am here, I am here to be a servant, to help those who need help. Its time to put my own personal desires and wants aside. Sometimes you can get so consumed by them. I have been. And I probably will be again at some point. You are always told that a little bit of kindness goes a long way, and its totally true. I understand that everything I am saying now is total cheeeeese but you'll understand what I'm talking about after you also watch this.

1 John 4:8 "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love"

Its the little things that make me smile.

So right now I am sitting with friends singing along to Beiber. It really is the small things that make life.

the best feeling.

Let me tell you this. I cannot describe using words how great it is to know that you are in the exact place where God wants you to be. I have never felt so content. So at ease. And although it was totally hard leaving all I have ever known, I really dont feel I have made any sacrifices for God. I am utterly blessed to be here, Im learning so much, even in this short time I have been here. I am finally content.

beginning to feel it?

So I'm beginning to get to that bi-polar stage of college...one minute you absolutely love it, you've made awesome friends, things are going great, you couldn't imagine yourself being anywhere else in the entire world. Then when your writing that paper that you just cant figure out, you get so frustrated, you just want to be home, where you know people love you, you wanna sleep in YOUR OWN bed. Wanna meet up with the friends you have grown up with. Sound familiar? Yea I know I am not alone in this feeling, the bit that worries me is that I'm experiencing this college bi-polar disorder a little too prematurely. Wow, I sound like a want the pity parade to come on in. But let me tell you this, I know this is exactly where God wants me to be. God has something in store for me here. Something amazing. And even though I wanna know exactly what that is right know. I know I have got to have patience. I've got to stick it out. It not that I don't want to be here. I do . I love it. The people have made this for me. I'm learning a crucial thing here... That the only constant...The only consistent... The only thing that wont let me down...is God. This has become my ultimate focus. I know that if i solely focus on God everything will fall right into place, friends, classes and even homesickness.

Philippians 4:13

Bloc Ministries

I just wanna write a wee bit about Bloc ministries, I got the opportunity to check them out the other night when our orientation leader took our group there to hang out. We got to check out the coffee shop on East Price Hill, so if your in the area you have got to check it out. Its probably the most querkiest place that I have experienced. It reminded me so much of the coffeeshop I used to work at back home. Anyway this ministry is a lot larger than just the coffeeshop, its only the surface of the amazing work these people seem to do. Check it out for yourself, Its pretty awesome

http://www.blochead.org/programs.htm

Sunday 21st August

Today I got back to Lakeside Christian Church. For me I had such a sense of accomplishment walking in through those doors, I have worked so hard this year to get to where I'm at. I relised how truly blessed I was in getting back. Words cannot describe the feeling of knowing that you are in the exact place where God wants you to be. I am so content and at peace with myself. Seeing everyone today was absolutely brilliant. I have spent the last year dreaming of getting back here, well basically since 2009 when I first came out here I knew that I was going to be back for a longer period of time. Little did I know. I am so blessed, it's beyond belief. I have met so many people who have such similar ideas to me , and it is so refreshing. People who share the same hopes and dreams as me. People up here want to make a difference. I am totally in love with that. God has blessed me so much in every little detail of coming here. It was only today that it suddenly hit me, "I have just moved 3000 miles, away from family , friends, all the people I love dearly, and yet I know this is exactly where I am supposed to be". I am so content here, my dorm room has becoming my little mini home here, which was something I was super worried about. I was worried I wouldnt be able to find a home here. I have made amazing friends here, genuine people. It's so funny to think that I have only really known them for a week. I just hope and pray that things continue this way throughout the school year. I know that if things get super rough here, I'm going to have a really hard time. vikki x

Early Week is Finished!

So today I had my last early week class! It was pretty intense while it lasted but now that it's over, I am so pleased that I did it! Psychology was really interesting, I would love to take more classes in it along my degree! I got to skype my brother and Dad today which was awesome! I missed them alot! So my car is sold, kinda makes me sad, to think that someone is driving my car around makes me feel cheated. Like my boyfriend back home has suddenly married another girl or something. So if you see my car around, its not me :( I really wish I had brought it with me. We are all going bowling tonight which is going to be great, we all need a break after our early week classes!Im kinda nervous about starting my other classes next week, I dont really know what to expect but Im excited to meet more people in other classes! I handed in my form today for whiz kidz, so I'll get the opportunity to mentor kids, Im super pumped about it.

Fully Wrecked p.s chelsea and alyssa say hi (in an irish accent)

well I've been here since saturday and this is the first time I have had the chance to blog! Things are going great here, beyond belief actually! Everyone is super lovely! God is so good! I moved in Saturday which was an experience but we did it all super quick! My roomate Anna is lovely, we are getting along super well! I cant believe I havent even known her a week! It was kinda daunting at first with so many girls moving inot our dorm! I seriously thought I would never learn anyones name! But the girls are brilliant! Initially we did things like games and stuff for us all to get to know each other! so we have done loaaaaads of activities and stuff this week! We also started class on monday which is super stressful as we are trying to cram one semesters worth of class into one week! its insane! we start at like 8 in the morning and end at like 4! still its pretty intense! People here at CCU are insane...its AWESOME! Im having so much fun here! Ill be starting into my normal classes on Monday which will be good too! Itll either be alot less stressful with doing less hours or way morrre stressful with more classes! Anyway the professors are great , the people are great , nothing to complain about! And also got my alevel results today which Im so chuffed about! I got an A and 2 B's! super pleased! Kinda wish I could be at home with everyone celebrating, no one really understands our education system here. but Im super pumped to be here! anyway I'll keep you posted

vikki xx

Finally im here!

Well I arrived in Monday night! and finally I''m here! what I though impossible was made possible! I got to tell ya , it is so surreal being back, it hasn't fully sank in yet! But it is so good to be back! So to date I have become an official member of Lakeside Christian Church (Buttermilk Pike , KY, check it out) , I have purchased an American phone and have opened an American bank account! I move into college this Saturday so I am terrified but I am soo pumped! :) I begin my early week class on Monday which is studying Psychology, basically I'm going to be trying to cram a semesters worth of classes into one week..I know ...terrifying...and psychology? Yip...my brain will be fully on melted!

I made the paper back home which I am super mortified about, but i think it is so hilarious as half the information isn't even right! Note: I did not tell any lies in the process of that interview!

The people here have been so amazing, you would not believe it. I count these people as family. They have totally taken me in and made me feel right at home. Leaving home wasn't easy, one of the hardest things I have had to do but I know there are AMAZING things in store for me here! Totally amazing! These people are of such sincere faith. I am so excited to move into CCU soon! I got to hang out with my beffer Corinne the other day, she came up from Lexington which was brilliant! I shown her round my church here and around CCU!

 This is Corinne and I at CCU! Isn't the view absolutely AWESOME!

And we visited where I'm staying! This is just outside my dorm hall!
Keep me in your thoughts and prayers that I'll fit in well at college!

EEEEEK I'm getting excited!!!!

Love, Vikki :)

Final days

Ok so I'm within my last week of being in NI. The goodbyes are starting and that part...I couldn't despise it anymore. Ever just with you could totally vanish into thin air and no one would be any the wiser? Yip that's how I feel! But I have no doubt in my mind that I should not be going , this is where I'm supposed to go , I know that 100% . I'm totally pumped. At the moment I'm working at a camp in Newcastle which is holded by Fused, I absolutely love it! amazing work is happening! We are running it with an American team from Southland , this is led by John and Brenda Sawyer. These two are completely amazing! they are so faithful to work over here. John had us listen to a song last night at the house and it just made me smile so i wanted to share it with you guys! Im currently working with kids aged 1st to 3rd year! sometimes they are a difficult group but im learning so much through them ! the team I am working with is completely awesome! i couldnt ask for a better one! keep us all in your prayers!

Operation pack up my life

My flights are booked and I start college in exactly four weeks. In four weeks I will officially be a student of Cincinnati Christian University. I will be doing an early week class on psychology to start off with. I can honestly tell you that I have never been more excited and terrified at the same time. So I have been working flat out with the thinking that i must make enough money to keep me up for the next four years, this is ambitious I know. So today i gathered up all the crap in my house and am selling it in a car boot sale next Saturday (if you are a potential buyer of my belongings, please avoid how I used the word "crap" there)

Anyway, so I guess in like four weeks I am going to get the biggest culture shock of my whole life. Even though I have been there before, I am basically moving my life. I'm moving from my little country home into the big city. But I can honestly tell you that this is where I am supposed to go. No one expected this of me, No one expected quiet and overlooked Vikki Smyth to get up, leave Northern Ireland and go to Uni in America. I guess its the perfect example of breaking people's expectations of yourself. C'mon if you are reading this, went to school with me, didnt know me too well, you would have expected me to go to one of the Universities closest to my home. To be honest i would've expected that too. But Im going on THEE biggest adventure of my life and I cannot wait to experience it!

Change

Change is inevitable. Sometimes we love it , sometimes we hate it. In about a month I will be trying to pack my entire life in Northern Ireland into two bags which are not to exceed 23 kilograms. You have literally no idea how excited I am, but you also have no idea of how terrified I am. I have my college place, my four year student visa and my plane ticket is booked. The next is actually getting there. I have literally no idea when Ill be back to Northern Ireland once I leave (booking a one way ticket is pretty exciting, I encourage you to try it out at least once in your life). But allow me to let you in on something, I know for sure that this is where I am meant to go, and Ive known this since I was just 16 and went on my first trip to America. There is something there, something that I can still not quite put my finger on. But I know that God has something in store for me there. And I am so excited to find out what that is.

REVAMP! BLOG CHANGE!

Ok so I fully acknowledge that my list has majorly failed , this totally supports the fact that I cannot stick with anything! so many of you may know that sadly I did not get out to the mighty U S of A this summer, but something pretty exciting is happening instead! In August I will fly out to Cincinnati where I will be attending CCU! I will (hopefully) be out there for 4 years until I finish my course! So I figured , there is possibly going to be a change to the blog, I really want to document this new adventure that I will be going on! I'm super nervous and all the usual thoughts about going anywhere are running through my brain "what if they don't like me?", "what if I get home sick?" etc etc. Its going to be super tough for everyone to know how I am getting on and I would like this to be accessible for them! I am so excited for what might happen in the next four years, I am really about to go on a serious adventure and am so blessed to get this opportunity! :)

Bye bye facebook

Facebook lies at the heart of my procrastination. So tonight , on the 1st May I will get my best friends Corinne Hodnett to change my password until my very last exam is over.

update

1. Blog religously   
2. Learn an instrument (guitar or piano)
3. Start running (be able to run to newcastle non stop)
4. Complete an epic robotic high five with Joanna and Michelle
5. Read the whole Bible before September (thats when i start university for Theology)
6. Stop buying dull clothes, find my own unique style
7. Listen to a wider variety of music, dare to press the dreaded "shuffle"
8. Get my full driving license by March                                                                             ✓ 
9. Pass my driving theory test                                                                                           ✓
10. Go camping
11. Drop a dress size (or two...that would be nice)
12. Read one book every 2 weeks for my English Lit exam
13. Get into University (a bigee)                                                                                       ✓  
14. Have all my art coursework done by Easter (this is ambitious believe me)
15. Get 100 followers on my twitter or blog
16. Do some art once and a while just for the sake of it
17. Train that crazy dog I own
18. Hold a poker night at my house
19. Beat one of the crosspoint lads at pool
20. Learn a magic trick
21. Sell some of my art
22. Pick up my Spanish again
23. Have a hang out night at my house at least once every month
24. Get back to good old Cincinnati :)
25. Make some mix cds for my car and for my friends
26. Go ice skating
27. KILL my english coursework (in that I ace it)                                                   ✓          
28. Climb Donard mountain
29. Skype more
30. Work out for one hour every day
31. Do at least an hour of school work every week day
32. Photobomb more
33. Hold the ULTIMATE stereotypical girls sleepover
34. Hold a fundraising event for charity
35. Be more of an encouragement to others, complement more (genuinely of course)
36. Cook a three course meal for all my friends
37. Finish the discipleship manual for Murlough House
38. Tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, the whole time
39. Take more pictures
40. Listen to more christian music on a regular basis
41. 100 sit ups EVERY DAY
42. Have a penpal/ write more letters
43. Contribute in a jamming session
44. Try to love everyone i meet unconditionally :S
45. Get out of my comfort zone more often
46. Get to know my girls at crosspoint better
47. Do a 1000 piece puzzle
48. Knit my very own scarf
49. Play call of duty
50. Upload a video onto youtube
51. Be more spontaneous
52. Go to the circus
53. Go to my univeristy interviews in February                                            ✓                                             
54. Start a prayer diary                                                                              ✓                                           
55. Go to my high school formal (prom)                                                     ✓     
56. Go swimming in the sea
57. Build the KING of all sandcastles
58. Clean out my wardrobe
59. Sell my old junk at a car boot sale
60. Be able to drink tea WITHOUT sugar (by the far the hardest thing I can do)
61. Be able to do a handstand.

this is pathetic. 

11. Drop a dress size (or two...that would be nice)

OK so here's the deal...I'm a lazy bum... there I said it. so what's the action plan I hear you say? Well here you are :

1. No more chocolate
2. No more crisps (chips to you american folk)
3. No more takeaway
4. 30 mins exercise everyday
5. 100 sit ups before bed :( i was supposed to be doing this anyway in my list)

These are my rules from now on in! Hold me to them!

55. Go to my high school formal (prom)

On the 18th March was my high school formal (prom) it was such a great night for everyone in my year to get all dolled up, I stereotypically (for being Irish) went in an emerald green dress, it was the day after St. Patrick's day after all! Our formal also fell on red nose day which was so neat as we got red noses for our favors! :)

8. Get my full driving license by March

On the 7th March I passed my driving test with only 7 minors! ohhhhhh yeaaaa ;) however as I am a "restricted" driver I cant go over 45 miles per hour, well in theory...

27. KILL my english coursework (in that I ace it)

i have not finished this...i do not have thee motivation...

60. Be able to drink tea WITHOUT sugar (by the far the hardest thing I can do)

So I have not abandoned sugar, my teeth are rotting out of my face though :S
So instead I have moved onto Green Tea which initially I thought was a crime against nature as its gross, but I have got used to it now that I know its apparently really good for ya, it detox's the best apparently...

15. Get 100 followers on my twitter or blog

Only 4 followers on this ....anyone who reads this just by link , create an account , i know this applies to quite a few people (Jayne i know your reading this especially) lol

However, I'm slowly working my way through twitter and now have 20 followers ...

keep em coming

14. Have all my art coursework done by Easter (this is ambitious believe me)

This is thee most ambitious of all my stuff on my list, along with dropping a couple of dress sizes. Anyway I have decided that I now stay behind after school and hour and a half or so every Monday and Thursday in order to get all my art finished by Easter...even with this, its ambitious...

8. Get my full driving license by March

so i have booked my practical driving test...i have never been more scared...ill keep you posted

45. Get out of my comfort zone more often

Today I did my testimony at my SU weekend. I completely agreed to it on a whim! and it was one of the best things I have ever agreed to! yea, I started off nervous but I feel I got the message across, well I hope I did! I just completely opened up, I told everything as it was! my testimony isnt the nicest of testimonies but I have no regrets what has happened to me in my life. I obviously find it hard talking about my Mum's death but I feel its something that makes me stronger, and sometimes its healthy to look back upon all the crap that has happened in your life and really see how it has changed you, getting out of your comfort zone is something I strongly recommend. It makes you a stronger person, and I feel its something I dont do enough, especially as i want to go out and study theology.

53. Go to my university interviews in February/ 13. Get into University (a bigee)

So i just came back on Wednesday night from having two interviews , one at Nazarene Theologoical college and on at Cliff college. Nazarene is pretty much in central machester whereas Cliff college is really in the countryside. These universities really couldnt be anymore different, and i have applied to another one outside the United Kingdom. But I am struggling so much as to knowing where I'm supposed to go. I expected that I would hate one if not both of the unversities there but I didnt. I loved the academic side of Nazarene, however the people at Cliff completely stole my heart and really got me excited about going there aswell. I expected this to be straight cut, but it's been anything but. This also leads on to "13. Get into University (a bigee)", when in manchester I got one unconditional offer from Cliff college which secures me a place at a uni in September even should I mess up my exams in June. But it all comes down to whether I take up there offer, I just have no idea where im being called yet...but im not too worried...its not in my hands

9. Pass my driving theory test

WOOOOPA! so its out of the way , thank goodness! now i just gotta owkr towards my practical!!! eeeekkkkk! :S

Listening to a wider variety of music ...

So i gave my ipod to the lovely Corinne Hodnett and she put a couple thousand songs on my ipod, im currently listening to this guy called "Goot" (alex goot) , I actually really like him :) check them out

driving theory test

yes...its booked...thats all you need to know ...

Reading...yawnnn... but not really

So as I said earlier for my A-level English Exam I have to read a BEAST amount of books and be able to mention them all in my exam! I'm still on Wuthering Heights , which is beginning to become one of my favorite novels, even though it has to be thee most depressing novel I have ever read in my life! I have to fully start the trying to complete one of them in two weeks deal! I'm a slow reader but I really need to! but as they all have to be on the subject of love I'm so worried that I'm turning mushy...I cannot let that happen.... hmmmm

Sunday 23rd

After coming home from work i went for a ...drum roll please...a RUN! I know right , but you wanna know my motivation , well apart from enjoying the hatred that my dog was having towards me, but i had Britney classics booming from my ipod, Ive got to admit "stronger" makes me fell so pumped and keeps me going!

19th January 2011- Most productive day

I'm going to do that annoying thing were people suddenly make their blogs into diary's. But i simply must do it as this has been the most productive day I have had in quite some day and it feels so good at the end of it! Well today in school i read more of that depressing "Wuthering Heights" , i actually recommend it though! so different to your conventional love story, which i totally love! anyway that was part of my (read a book for English literature every two weeks - this one is taking way longer LOL)! anyway when i got home , i then went driving (part of my contribution to trying to get my driving test by march) it was pretty darn stressful and apart from the fact i nearly wiped out the front of my car pulling into a stupid coastal car park (don't even get me started on it, apparently my dad was not worried about the wall i was thinking he was :S ) and my dad freaking out in the passenger seat! anyway! then after dinner, i did TWO HOURS of school work (I KNOW) i forgot i only said i needed to do 1 hour every night!!! anyway i got rid of all my homework which has made me prettttty darn happy!

This is the time i started my schoolwork...

 And this is the time i ended...

as you can see , there is a dial in the background of this picture...yes that is in fact an exercise bike!! which i spent 30 minutes on straight after working for two hours! BOOM YES! this contributes to my number "30. work out for one hour every day", ah but what was not an hour you say! yip , i tanked it up with dumbbells doing 100 lifts on each arm then doing my "41. 100 sit ups every day" made it nearly (lol at "nearly") and hour! So i don't feel like such a waster anymore given that this has been one of the most productive days Ive ever had! this is probably due to the fact that i have had my brother banish my TV cable from me and confiscate it so that i cant watch TV anymore! to be honest i watch so much crap which has no impact on me whatsoever! and also i just wanted to remind you of my number "23. Have a hang out night at my house at least once every month" took place last Friday when i had two of my best friends over and we made pancakes for the majority of the night! it was such good bant!!!
p.s I'm a tank at flipping pancakes...its quite unreal! I'm like a ninja...

This was our second batch! Choc chip Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......

and i found a heart shape for making pancakes with in my house! EPIC WIN! :)

also 139 views...i love you guys :)

54. Start a Prayer Diary

So this is my prayer journal for 2011. I'm sick of worrying so much and am going to pour my heart into this book. I have written my first entry and i hope i stick to it. I have never kept a diary for longer than a month, i usually only keep one when im in the states but i really wanna see how this works for me and hopefully itll really help me!

22. Pick up spanish again

currently I am downloading Spanish podcasts! I wanna listen to these whenever I can, i downloaded intermediate ones because im that great lol :S I did Spanish in school but had to drop the subject, that was like a year and a half ago! hopefully it'll come back to me...I'll be bilingual in no time...

7. Listen to a wider variety of music

I am constantly giving my ipod to friends for them to put some awesome music on it , but i feel like im constantly listening to the same stuff over and over...so i dared to do something i have never dared do before...hit "shuffle"...this is something i do then forward through every song...but im guna do it and listen to every song...

5. Read the whole bible before September

Im planing on studying Theology in September and I would like to have the whole bible read by that time for many reasons. A. I want to read and learn B. many many reasons more...so I was so delighted to receive a package from my amazing friends, basically family from KY which contained "The message" new testament, Im going to start reading this one as I have never had a message version before, its pretty neat!

47. Do a 1000 piece puzzle

Puzzles are one of those we always get as kids and they ly at the back of the cupboard collecting dust. From I was so young I have never had the patience to do a 1000 piece puzzle but have always started them and then ripped them up when i lost patience, so I now I'm starting this 1000 piece bad boy of a narnia puzzle...I'm pretty hardcore. The total inner geek in me likes this one...

p.s yea that is totally the frame of it DONE...what can i say...I'm  a TANK

12. Read one book every two weeks

So I've started to read a book on the theme of "Love" (vomit) every two weeks for my English literature exam that's in June , this is something that we pretty much HAVE to do if we want to get a decent mark. I have started the happy and cheerful "Wuthering Heights"...its pretty darn depressing...lol

The Dreaded List...its what youve been waiting for...

1. Blog religously
2. Learn an instrument (guitar or piano)
3. Start running (be able to run to newcastle non stop)
4. Complete an epic robotic high five with Joanna and Michelle
5. Read the whole Bible before September (thats when i start university for Theology)
6. Stop buying dull clothes, find my own unique style
7. Listen to a wider variety of music, dare to press the dreaded "shuffle"
8. Get my full driving license by March
9. Pass my driving theory test
10. Go camping
11. Drop a dress size (or two...that would be nice)
12. Read one book every 2 weeks for my English Lit exam
13. Get into University (a bigee)
14. Have all my art coursework done by Easter (this is ambitious believe me)
15. Get 100 followers on my twitter or blog
16. Do some art once and a while just for the sake of it
17. Train that crazy dog I own
18. Hold a poker night at my house
19. Beat one of the crosspoint lads at pool
20. Learn a magic trick
21. Sell some of my art
22. Pick up my Spanish again
23. Have a hang out night at my house at least once every month
24. Get back to good old Cincinnati :)
25. Make some mix cds for my car and for my friends
26. Go ice skating
27. KILL my english coursework (in that I ace it)
28. Climb Donard mountain
29. Skype more
30. Work out for one hour every day
31. Do at least an hour of school work every week day
32. Photobomb more
33. Hold the ULTIMATE stereotypical girls sleepover
34. Hold a fundraising event for charity
35. Be more of an encouragement to others, complement more (genuinely of course)
36. Cook a three course meal for all my friends
37. Finish the discipleship manual for Murlough House
38. Tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, the whole time
39. Take more pictures
40. Listen to more christian music on a regular basis
41. 100 sit ups EVERY DAY
42. Have a penpal/ write more letters
43. Contribute in a jamming session
44. Try to love everyone i meet unconditionally :S
45. Get out of my comfort zone more often
46. Get to know my girls at crosspoint better
47. Do a 1000 piece puzzle
48. Knit my very own scarf
49. Play call of duty
50. Upload a video onto youtube
51. Be more spontaneous
52. Go to the circus
53. Go to my univeristy interviews in February
54. Start a prayer diary
55. Go to my high school formal (prom)
56. Go swimming in the sea
57. Build the KING of all sandcastles
58. Clean out my wardrobe
59. Sell my old junk at a car boot sale
60. Be able to drink tea WITHOUT sugar (by the far the hardest thing I can do)
61. Be able to do a handstand.

Please if you have any more ideas let me know, I wanna do as much as I can this year :)

I've done this so many times I've lost count...

I know I always do this but this time as a new years resolution I am determined to sort my life out, be more disciplined and try to be a better person. 2011 has a lot in store for me , I hope to get my driving test at some point, leave high school and go to University among many other things. I have a lot of growing up to do and stuff I want to accomplish before I leave high school and begin something new and exciting at university. So I'm constructing a list, a list of things I have to do this year, things I want to accomplish or even a certain character trait I want to work on. This list will contain everything from "Learning an instrument" to "have a poker night", it can be anything. But I'm having problems coming up with things. That's where YOU come in. I need ideas. I'm going blank. Mail me , Message me , Tweet me , anything really , I'll post up what I currently have of the list later tonight but Im hoping some people will give me some ideas.

p.s also as you can tell Michelle has left the blog :( sad times, she'll be sorely missed ...<3