So, 2 months later, I make my second blog entry!
Oops.
I'm at university! In Cardiff. It's great, it's different, it's fun and it's challenging. I feel pretty settled here and am managing to keep the homesickness (and the swine, freshers, man and all the other flu) at bay. I miss my friends but I know this is where I'm meant to be.
My course, so far, is both overwhelming and underwhelming. I'm doing a BA in Ancient History but additionally with Archaeology and Ancient Greek language in the first year. Ancient History itself is brilliant - I know a lot of it already and have very little work to do, which is odd. Archaeology is pretty straightforward too, again not that much work. Ancient Greek, on the other hand, is probably the hardest thing I've ever attempted. Crazy crazy language. I have a vocabulary test on 40 words on Monday. Not looking forward to that!
Today (after awakening at 1pm - the latest lie-in I've ever had), I went to the library from 3pm-7pm and worked. This, for those who know me well, is no small feat! My work ethic is incredibly low and I'm more than prone to apathy and laziness. I'm really hoping (and praying) that I'll be able to kick those natural inclinations whilst I'm here.
Moving to a new city brings the challenge of finding a new spiritual home. I've visited a couple of churches with my friend Jen and have probably found my base for the foreseeable future - Cardiff Vineyard. It's a small church plant from the massive Trent Vineyard (Nottingham), pastored by a great couple in their early 30s. The congregation of about 40 meets in a hotel suite in the city centre - it's an interesting experience! The two services I've been to have been anointed by the Holy Spirit and I've really been able to enter God's presence. The sermon last weekend was really challenging. I could do a whole blog entry on that itself but I'm not sure if time (and my effort levels) will allow. At the end of both services, they set aside a time where they just asked the Holy Spirit to work in people. We stood quietly in the presence of God - no hype, no preamble, no falsity. Those who needed prayer went forward. It was so simple but I could see God really working in people. Words and pictures were shared, people counselled. It's just so refreshing to see a church really grasping the concept of the healing and empowering the Holy Spirit can do, if it's given space!
This is quite a lengthy blog, so I might speak on other matters in separate entries.
Ciao for now!
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