Why Mexico?

- Tomorrow I'm flying out to Mexico with my family and some friends. In Mexico we will be building a house, along with a group of people from Plymouth. There will be 3 other builds taking place at the same time, being built by people from all around the UK. We will all be eating together, praying together, camping together and hearing about each other's progress throughout the builds. The building will take 5 days and we will also spend a day either side of the build in Mexico to set up and pack down camp, and to hand over the keys to the families. -

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"Why help people abroad when those on our own doorstep, in our own country, need help too?" The number of times I've heard this response to mission work abroad is countless. So I thought I'd write an open response to anyone who has thought about this question before or to anyone who has no idea how to respond to this kind of question but would like to. -

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There are people in the world who need help and there are people in the world who can help. In fact, I'm sure we could go as far as to say that everyone needs help and everyone can help. You see, the help we all require is different and relative. One woman needs help getting a job, whilst one woman needs help getting to and from her job. One man needs help with childcare, whilst another needs help and support after the loss of his child. Sometimes the help we require can be a long and seemingly never-ending list. Does that mean the list isn't worth denting? Checking some things off is surely better than none at all.  - What can you offer to someone who needs help? A friend is struggling to stretch their finances to the end of the month, could you bless them with a meal? Perhaps you are that friend that needs help financially, so could you invite a friend over for coffee and encouragement? Perhaps you are that friend that needs a shoulder to cry on and a whole heap of encouraging, could you smile at someone in the street to give them a warm and hopeful feeling that everything is going to be okay? Perhaps you are that person who needs a smile, could you bless a family with a meal? These small acts of love really do make the world go round. Not everyone can give everything, and not everyone needs everything but it becomes a beautiful cycle when we all give what we can to the people that need it. - There are opportunities around us every single day to help people locally and, occasionally, the opportunity might arise for you to help someone further afield.  A project abroad has a much bigger impact than the obvious: blessing one family with one house, blessing an orphanage with supplies and volunteers, etc. The 'help' reaches so much further. For the people who receive some help, they get a weight lifted off of their shoulders - an item ticked off of the list of things that they need help with. They feel loved and supported, and they feel safe. For the people embarking upon the adventure, they come home with a fresh new perspective on life, family, and what it means to be happy. They work towards helping a problem much bigger than they can imagine, empowering them to know that they can make a difference in people's lives back home too. For the people at home who have cheered them along, they get to see the fruit of their own hard work and support, which in turn encourages them in knowing that they are valued, needed, and that they have purpose. I could go on!  - Sometimes, no, all the time, the project is about the people. The people who need help, the people who give, the people who are inspired. The people. We're all people on earth in search of love and happiness, purpose and direction. So, let's get the ball rolling! Start helping out and start asking for help this week. - Why Mexico? To make love look like something for all of the people involved. - See you on the other side! Expect a picture-filled post in a fortnight's time! - Amy xo -

She travels... Amsterdam

| Lows: 2°C || Highs: 14°C | Seeing as I enjoy reading back on my Budapest post so much, I've written one for Amsterdam to keep a beautifully picture-filled record of my time in the city. On Monday afternoon my sister, Becca, and I set out on our first holiday together without our parents - adventure time! We parked at a good friend's house in Essex, followed by a lift to the airport (thank you, J!)

Cue fast food meal number one of the holiday. London Southend Airport is really small and with just 5 gates it was very easy to navigate! Before we knew it we had landed in Amsterdam, and we were now going to see if my many hours of planning would pay off! After buying our transport tickets and hopping on the hotel shuttle we checked into hotel number one! Hotel numero uno was the cheapest of all the hotels to allow for one night in a really nice hotel at the end of our stay (continue reading to see just how cool it really was)! Day 1 We awoke to the snow that we hadn't seen in the dark the night before...

...and then our stomachs led us across the road to the nearby McDonald's for breakfast - fun fact: they don't serve hash browns with their McMuffins in the Netherlands, their meal deal includes a croissant instead! On the way to breakfast we passed a river that was almost entirely frozen over(!), and below is a picture of it, still frozen, that evening.

After a quick bus ride we were nearly at Anne Frank's house, just a 15 minute walk down the side of the canal stood between us and the museum. Inside the house I learnt so much about Anne Frank and her family. I didn't know much before we went in, other than my (very) limited knowledge that stems from the film The Fault In Our Stars... Speaking of which, after we'd checked a few more items of our 'must do/see list', we went in hunt of the TFIOS bench. I didn't know what this bench was and why it was significant but Becca informed me it was from a famous scene in the film. And it wasn't too hard to find once we discovered it has it's own spot on Google Maps! 

 We headed further into the city after a drink in the Anne Frank café, or rather we headed further out when I navigated us the wrong way up the canal! Tram line 14 to the rescue, we were now back on track and in search of the Sex Museum... yes you heard it right, and yes it really is full of everything sex-related. I'll let you discover it all for yourself should you ever find yourself in Amsterdam...

Moving swiftly on, we went in search of a street I've been wanting to photograph ever since I saw it on one of Pinterest's '10 places in the world you must visit' lists. Wijdesteeg - a small street covered in graffiti, including the paving tiles!!

Image: Google/Flickr

Now what stood in front of us (or not) was one of the biggest 'Pinterest Fails' I've ever witnessed - the entire street has been torn out, buildings and all...

We could only laugh!!

After a quick trip to Primark, a walk up the red light district, an inappropriate question asked by a man on a bike, a short shopping spree in Pandora and a souvenir shop visit, we were ready for dinner: New York Pizza takeaway it was! The evening was spent in our hotel room eating our way through so many carbs and watching NCIS. Day 2 Day two began much like day one, only with a later start. Fuelled up on McDonald's breakfast, we checked out of the budget hotel and took everything by bus to hotel number two. I was very excited! I'd read somewhere that the hotel rooms are made from shipping containers stacked one on top of the other. And we all know my thoughts on shipping containers (if you don't know but you want to then click here).

Picture Source: Google Maps

There are so many perks and quirks in Amsterdam's inner city CitizenM hotel - for starters, your room is controlled by an iPad - mood lighting, blinds, tv, and all!

We had a play with all of the rooms features before making our way to the nearby train station. Adventure number 2 was underway, we were to head out into Old Holland in search of some very cute houses and a bike hire shop. We found the houses but no sign of the bike hire shop! Deciding we now didn't have enough time to cycle around, we strolled through the pretty houses and shops. And we were so glad we did because we found a hidden gem that one would only find on foot! We stopped by for a waffle whilst surrounded by the cutest of things.

Zaanse Schans is a very picturesque area, see below for yourself!

 As we left this little town(?) we smelt chocolate in the air! Quickly followed by the scent of the local brewery... not so nice! But the sweet smell of chocolate returned soon enough (which was a much welcomed scent, especially compared to the weed fumes we'd been exposed to on our way past every "coffee shop" back in the city centre). On board the train back to the hotel we reached a speed of 141km/hour, which in comparison to the slow and peaceful tram rides felt really really fast.
Becca had booked us a table at a local Italian restaurant. Walking down the streets we felt so out of place; everything look really expensive. Modern houses with fancy garages lined the streets that held countless Porsche cars.

The man who greeted us took our coats and led us to our table. We had a bread basket, a main and drink each, followed by a dessert to share - the total cost coming to no more than €34! Upon leaving we were taken to retrieve our coats, given a lollipop, and wished a safe flight home! L'Arena we hope to visit you again soon.

An evening in the hotel followed: we grabbed a couple of Barcardi Cokes at the bar before heading to our room and watching The Danish Girl, one of the many films available to watch for free in the XL Kingsized bed.

Day 3

The arrival of day three meant the arrival of our last day in Amsterdam. We left our baggage at the hotel whilst we made our last trip into the city. Today was to be more chilled than the previous two; we were both tired and had a late drive home ahead of us.

We grabbed brunch and finished it in style with a 'mix your own' McFlurry! Yes, they really do exist.

After paying €1 (!) for us both use the restaurant loo, we made our way to the AlbertCuypMarkt, a really big market not too far from the centre of Amsterdam!  

A short Primark shopping spree (and a *free* toilet trip) later, we were in search of YoYo Fresh Tea Bar. We'd heard that they sell bubble tea, something we both apprehensively wanted to try. If you haven't experienced bubble tea before, you are truly missing out! We went for small drinks, and it really was plenty. Our choice... Base: Iced Green Tea, Flavour Shot: Passion Fruit, Topping: Mango Poppings. 'Poppings' are little balls of liquid coated in a thin jelly layer that disintegrates on your tongue, causing the flavour to burst out of them. One of the best things about bubble teas are the 'pierce your own' lids with giant straws! Like a bigger, grown up, improved 'Kwenchy Cup'!

Our next stop was to be our last stop before heading back to the hotel and collecting our luggage. This next stop was also to be food-related. There was a definite food theme arising in day three. We were on the hunt for some Poffertjes (mini pancakes), a Dutch speciality. They were delicious! Definitely a food to try when in Holland.

And there marked the end of our first ever sisters only holiday. All that was to follow was an hour in the hotel playing on the iMacs and waiting for our train, a one-stop train journey to the airport, a McDonald's, a flight, a long queue at the UK border control, and a drive home.

I spent almost the entire of the next 48 hours in bed recovering from all of the travelling (the life of a girl with chronic fatigue)! But I'm so grateful that my body held up so well whilst we were away.

**this post is not sponsored by McDonald's**

***we just ate a lot of it, and now I'm glad to be eating fruit and veg again!***

I'll finish typing there, but here are just a few more pictures of a such beautiful place...

Amy xo

When It Doesn't Quite Go To Plan...

You've just walked out of the exam hall. It was awful. You definitely didn't get the grade you needed or wanted. You can't have done. It went so badly. And now you remember the answer to question number 19 that you blanked on. Typical. You tell yourself that you're so utterly awful, dumb, unintelligent and you believe it. It's who you are. Your friend just walked out of the exam hall. It was awful. She definitely didn't get the grade she needed or wanted. She can't have done. It went so badly. And now she remembers the answer to question number 19 that she blanked on. Typical. She's so utterly awful, dumb, unintelligent and she better believe it. It's who she is. I wanna bet that the first scenario felt totally true and feasible whilst in the second scenario you felt a slight twinge of emotion for your friend. Who has the right to call her stupid and put her down? I certainly don't. D'you know Jesus feels the same when we put ourselves down? He sees our mistakes and He loves us all of the time, He sees our grades and He loves us all of the time, He sees all and He loves us all of the time. He sees you, He loves you, and He blesses you with gifts but 'if you judge a fish by it's ability to climb a tree, it will spend it's life thinking it is stupid.' Start looking at what you can do over what society says you should be able to answer in timed conditions on paper.
Just because 60 seconds after 'pens down' you remember the answer to the question, that doesn't mean you didn't know the answer that just means the system decides that you don't know the answer.

Picture from Google

But what actually happens when it doesn't go to plan and you don't get the grades to go to uni or get back into sixth form? God grieves with you. He's devastated that you've seen your dreams and aspirations shatter before your own eyes. What's great about God is, He's always one step ahead! So He has a back up plan because He knew that you would need one but He didn't not tell you because He wanted to keep it from you. He loves you and gave you free will to try things and what would be loving about telling someone who has to sit an exam that they aren't going to do well? Instead He got to work on a new and better plan!
If it doesn't go to plan... 1) Do not worry 2) Talk to God *you're allowed to moan, to be upset, to be angry*. 3) Be thankful for what you do have, what you have achieved, etc. 4) Ask God for stuff. Tell Him your dreams and aspirations, ask for those to become reality. 5) Remember that God knows the plans He has for you and they are loving and prosperous! (Jer.29v11)

Picture from Google

'Petition' means, in this case, 'asking God about a particular part of your life' 'Transcends' means 'goes beyond the range of limits of...'
Have a blessed week and above all remember: You are loved, it's who you are!!!
You're awesome!
Until next time,   Amy xo

Freedom in Love, En Courage.

Image Source: Google

Sometimes it takes a small, enjoyable step to love someone. To give a hug, to share a smile. When you've been hurt, though, it's not so easy, not so enjoyable.
L O V E 1. A strong feeling of affection 2. A great interest (and pleasure) in something
Sometimes there is little pleasure in it. Sometimes it becomes unbearable. They've hurt you, they've done it before, and now they've done it again. You tell yourself that they'll continue to do so. And why wouldn't they? They are still the same person. Here's a thought: What if you're not the same person anymore?
The ability to love the lost and the hurt, at first, seems more than possible. I'm sure you could ask any number of people if they feel compassion towards people less fortunate and many will say 'yes'. Everyone that has hurt you, that does hurt you, that will hurt you... they're fighting similar battles. Battling feelings of isolation, a lack of belonging, suffering in a love-draught.
s y n o n y m s   o f   l o v e : friendship involvement enjoyment tenderness respect passion emotion devotion
Love goes so much deeper than any of these words. Love doesn't have to be a friendship, Love doesn't have to be easy, Love doesn't have to mean contact.
a n t o n y m s   o f   l o v e : hate dislike disloyalty sorrow unhappiness misery neglect ill will
Perhaps you felt those words as you read them. Perhaps you've felt that someone close to you was disloyal, someone who you trusted neglected you, someone caused you unforgettable misery.
You need Love as much as they need Love. Forgiveness doesn't come easy; it's a love thing. Deeply know that you are forgiven by Love and you can forgive. Acknowledging that Love plays a vital part in a restoration of an enjoyable life is key. Living that out isn't always easy, but it certainly gives you a light weight to carry. A weight that doesn't exist because Love carries it.
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth. Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always endures. Love never ends."
I've had my share of evolving friendships, abandonment, rejection, corrupted relationships ever since I was small. But I refuse to wear those labels. I refuse to let the people that hurt me before taint me now. I stood strong knowing my identity in Jesus, in Love. And do you know what? Most of those friends, people who were vessels of hurt for me, I still love them. I've become the listener in my relationship with them. I share the most about me with those I choose to do so with. But I choose to be someone that anyone can share the most about themselves with.  I'm not the same person as I was before I was hurt; I get my strength from Love.
I wear labels of 'loved' and 'lover'. It is because I am loved, by Love Himself, that I can love and that I do love.
You are loved.
Say 'yes' to being loved, to being a lover. It's really worth it. A life in love is a life worth living. It takes courage. When you love in courage you are set free. When you encourage someone out of a darker place and into a lighter one, you are loving them. Love is light, in both senses of the word.
Love, Amy xo

H o p e ⚓

Imagine an ideal world; a perfect place. What does yours look like? A collection of beautiful waterfalls winding through a peaceful planet... no, perhaps that's too picturesque. Is it loud or is it quiet? Is it bright or is it plain? We all have places where our mind aspires for us to be. Be that your own ideal world, or your favourite place already on earth with your favourite person. H O P E 1. A feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen. 2. A feeling of trust. 3. Want something to happen or be the case. In essence, 'hope' is quite a big word with not very many letters and only one syllable. 'Hope' encompasses the desires of our hearts.

Image Source: Google

'Hope' brings new beginnings and new light into a place of seemingly-eternal darkness. "HOPE: Remains upbeat - Ignores doubters - Is future focussed - Stares down discouragement - Survives obstacles - Inspires others" - Brian Houston If hope is all you've got, hold onto it like an anchor, because it can take you to positive places that you never expected you'd get to.  Amy xo

When Life's a Mess... Just Be

Let's get real here. The photo looks pretty because it's got fairy lights in it and I framed it well. The bed isn't made but looks comfortable and inviting. The shelves aren't organised but hide in the shadows. And my floor, well you can't see it in the picture, but you sure can't see it in real life either. There are clothes everywhere. A mess. But with the right lighting, The Perfect Light, it's a somewhat beautiful mess, wouldn't you agree?

When Life's a Mess... Just Be

Seriously, just be. Just be. Sit and be you. Stand and be you. Lie down and be you. Just be.

There's something so special about taking the time to slow down and just be you with God, Jesus, Daddy. This is where I choose to do just that (see above image). Mostly because it's really rather convenient to have my quiet place where I already go to rest every single night.

Life is a mess, always. Fact. Even when it seems perfect on every level, there is an underlying mess just waiting to be discovered. Those people you think have it all together? They don't have it sussed out. Life isn't about perfection, it's about embracing the mess.

Image Source: Google

A rainbow is one of the most beautiful things that God ever created! It's colourful, it's random, it's huge. It serves as a constant reminder that, because scientifically rainbows form when the sun hits the rain, when light shines through the rough times something beautiful is formed. 

You are God's project and your messy life is one of a kind. It's unique mess. It's beautiful mess. But His light makes a rainbow in your mess.

Acknowledging that we are made for messy lives and taking the time to sit and just be is so powerful. Every single being has access to an insanely awesome God. A wonderful counsellor! A prince! A miracle-worker! A creator! A father! A friend! An enjoyment so indescribable comes from being with Him. Like with, with. In a relationship with. A relationship that is never battered and bruised by sin and wrongdoing on our behalf. Thank you, Jesus!

'You raise me up so I can stand on mountains, You raise me up to walk on stormy seas, I am strong when I am on Your shoulders, You raise me up to more than I can be'

//Westlife//

Tonight I had my circle. A circle is a part of my church that is where relationship and personal support happens. Sundays can be so busy and daunting that having a group of people to grow with is so important! In other churches it might be called a cell group. If you're currently involved in a church, or similar organisation, but not an active member of a circle/cell group, I encourage you to be! It was tonight at circle that I was able to piece together some of the thoughts that formed this post.

Amy xo