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Hello world (although that's perhaps slightly ambitious!) for the second time!!

Well, tonight is my last night of being 18...cry! This last year has been so great - what with Berlin, Soul Survivor/Hill House, starting the internship with several awesome people and general partying (coz let's face it...I do love a party!). Sure, there have been some tough times  too but I guess that's the same for everyone and I'm so grateful that I survived (!) and that I was blessed in so many ways :) If you are reading this blog, it's very likely (in fact, probably certain) that you have been one of the blessings of being 18 - you're awesome and thank you :)

For me, the most amazing, challenging and life- changing moments of being 18 occured last summer. Being the organised, clerical type that I am (according to Mr Birkman!), by this time last year I'd planned to serve at two camps over the summer break - Hill House and Soul Survivor. What I hadn't anticipated was that I would be going to Soul Survivor alone, due to unforseen circumstances. The night I realised that I would this, I just remember totally freaking out!! Due to my total stubborness to not give up on things,however, I decided that I'd still be going though, in all honesty, I was pretty scared! Although, some parts of those five days were really hard, it's an experience I wouldn't swap for anything. For one, you end up going to loads of seminars and stuff when you're on your own and I learnt so much about God that I totally would have missed out on if I'd been surrounded by mates! The best though was God teaching me about His grace. There's something pretty scary about having to approach young people and start up a  conversation (this isn't just what I like to do randomly for fun, this was what I was expected to do as part of my work on the Fringe team to engage with young people on the outskirts if the main event!) and I  had to trust Him with things that I just couldn't handle on my own. Something of His passionate love for me became so alive in those five days and brought me to such a new place with Him and without that, I honestly don't think I'd be ready for the stuff that I'm currently being challenged by - the need to 'live a life worthy of the calling that I have recieved' (Ephesians 4:1). Lush times!

In more current internship - related news, life seems crazily busy but so exciting! I love the ministries that I get to be involved in and the new club that has recently started for junior age kids (Glub)has gotten off to a great start with loads of gunging and custard pies! Can't go wrong really :P What's more, we now have an intern family which seems to be getting more messed up by the day...I'm currently the gangster granny with numerous weird and wondeful children and grandchildren. Jeremy Kyle, here we come! Seriously though, I love spending time with the other interns and growing together - I just know the next six months are going to be so great :)

Thanks for all your prayers and support!

Much love

Rhi xx

PS - Did I mention it's my birthday...presents gratefully recieved :P

PPS - Please pray for Chloe, our awesome friend who has recently jetted off on some serious gap year travels! She's beautiful in so many ways - please pray that she has a safe and amazing trip! Ta :D