#jemmainwales - Year 2, Month 1

It's been a long time since I've sat down to write a "Jemma in Wales" blog. After 10 weeks at home, on the 1st of September, I left little Annalong to walk the streets of Cardiff again and begin my second year of studying!! How on earth has a year passed by already? This past month (and a bit cause I'm late at writing this as per usual...)

After taking 4 days to move into my house in Cardiff I was on the road again to a training conference for the Christian Unions called Forum. This was 5 days spent camping in a tent being incredibly encouraged and inspired to go out and share Jesus with our course mates, house mates and the new freshers coming to our Universities. During this week, I felt God challenging me to go back to Cardiff be bold for him, taking a stand for him on my course and just with people I interacted with in my day-to-day life, allowing them to see something different about me and using these opportunities to tell them why I am different.

After how settled I had become last year in Cardiff, I was sooooooo excited to get back in September. However when I got back I found myself to be quite homesick, I struggled to find my feet and get going again after being at home all summer. I guess through this first week I found myself to be searching for a peace and of course I looked in all the wrong places at first but eventually at the end of that week I found myself in my little office reading and reading and reading my Bible and thoroughly enjoying and engaging with it. I realised that in the business of life I hadn't been taking time aside to spend with my heaveny Father and allowing him to grant me peace in this brand new academic year. He was teaching me that it is only in Him that I can truly rest and know a peace and that no matter where I am whether in Cardiff, in Annalong or anywhere else that he will never leave me, he's there walking alongside me. And that my friends brings joy to this gal's heart!

So yeah just a few things I have learnt over this past month and I am so excited for the next 6 weeks I have left in Cardiff. I am currently involved in helping my CU (Christian Union) plan our City Wide Events Week which is super super exciting!! So for all you blog readers who pray for me I would really appreciate your prayers for that specifically this next month and if you would like to read more about that and how you can be praying for us do check out our blog (https://storycardiff.wordpress.com/).

Here are just some snapshots of my first month back in Wales, please enjoy:

My new humble abode! 

I got to spend an extra week with two of my favourites - what a treat""

A glimpse of the campsite at Forum

I am super super thankful for this ginger and her friendship

See those sunglasses - they were free! #winning

I found Forum a little tiring it would seem...

Loving a bit of silent discoing with these gals!!

2/5 of the Monthermer Spices - love living with this gal!!

Standard "Jemma at a front door" pic

After 12 weeks apart I was beyond excited to chill with my favourite Northern Irish OT

Pretty sunsets have taken over my camera roll...

Days spent at Roath Lake with Lil are always fab.

Spontaneous visits and catch ups with Leah are always a good idea.

Making the most of having this gal around before she headed off to Bangor! 

Saturday nights were made for pudding. friends and games of Articulate!!

I was up early enough to experience this sun rise for myself!

These gals make my Tuesday nights splendid!

Living with this gal has been a treat... And so are spontaneous date nights!!

This photo was taken after 17 hours of my phone being stuck behind a radiator!! To say I was happy or relived is an understatement!!

And there you have it, Year 2 month 1: COMPLETED!! This year is honestly going by sooooooo fast and by the time I come home for Christmas I will be half way through my course. But I am learning so much and loving life here in Cardiff! Thank you so much for taking time to read this, and for praying for me as I start this second year!! I love you all very much! Also congrats for making it to the end... I do hope you enjoyed!

Wrote with love,
Jemma