17th September 2018

Hello world,

It is now the end of day one at Tilsley. And as I sit at my desk before going to bed, I find myself struggling to articulate all of the different emotions I have experienced over the course of the last 24 hours, so forgive me if I ramble.

It's hard to believe that I boarded the coach from Ross on Wye yesterday morning, so much has happened it feels like an age. And yet, it hasn't hit me yet that I've actually left home and that I won't be seeing everyone familiar in a few days. Praise God that the journey up to Scotland went smoothly and quickly. I find travel very stressful, so the idea of going the length of the country by myself made me very anxious. So I am very glad then everything went well. The staff were friendly and accommodating, the bus wasn't overly crowded, and the weather was varied and beautiful. The long (nearly 11 hours on the go) journey also gave me time to read my bible, listen to great worship, and really get into the right mind frame as I start this journey. However, once I got to my room and put my luggage down, I felt really overwhelmed and vulnerable. I admit this because I want anyone else considering doing this or something similar, or to anyone who has just moved away from home, to know that at times it will be hard, and there will be moments where you feel like turning back or giving up. But I encourage you, as I was encouraged as I fell asleep by the reminder of the words in 2 Corinthians 12 vs 9

"But he said to me ''My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me"

With a new day, came the same anxieties, but with an over-riding sense of peace and surety in the author and perfecter of my faith. But boy is it harder to see God in all the paperwork and logistics of college. Today was full of information useful to Tilsley, the background, about the course, the college, living in community, and assessment information. Which is why I am so glad that we start everyday here at Tilsley with a time of communal devotions. This morning we had communion, and it was really nice to be welcomed here by immediately putting the attention, the praise and worship and the one who brought us all together, and to start the day being in his presence. It really set the tone for the whole day.

The joy of attending a college where there are less than 40 people when ALL the students and staff are present, is that there really is a family feel to living. We have a rota for kitchen duties, and it really feels personal, which has helped me a lot in feeling settled and welcomed to the college. Everyone is really lovely and seems genuinely interested in getting to know the group, and I feel really blessed to be able to spend this initial time on the FirstServe with such a wonderful, warm, group of people who are so passionate for Christ. I cannot wait to see what the next month holds.