Reason no. 276...

'God is more concerned that you know who He is than you know what to do. You will only know what to do when you know who He is.'

Mike Pilivachi

Reason no. 276 :)

Reason no. 275...

'For we do not have a high priest  who is unable to synthesize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.'

Hebrews 4:15-16

This is Jesus...access before the throne is not something I should have - but through Him it's been made possible. There's no need to come in shame, for that has already been dealt with. Rather I can come with confidence knowing that He has made me pure, He has made me righteous, He has covered me in His outrageous grace. Reason no. 275 :)

Reason no. 274...

My new favorite song: the lyrics are great! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGe6ABM1tU0

In every season, in every change

You are near
In every sorrow,
You are my strength
You are near


A peace in the storm
Your voice I will follow
In weakness I rise
Remembering You hold world


I’m holding on to hope
I’m holding on to grace
I’m fully letting go
I’m surrendered to Your ways


The anchor for my soul
Father You will never change


I love You, I love You


My great Redeemer,
My constant Friend
You are near
My faithful Father,
You took me in
You are near


I will remember Your promise forever
My Strength, my Defender
I can count on You
You are my Savior, My Hope and my Shelter
Your love is forever
I can count on You

Reason no. 274 :)

Reason no. 273...

Just found this quote I wrote down a little while ago:

'Happiness comes when good things happen in our lives, but joy comes from trusting in Him regardless of the circumstances.'

One gem of wisdom, reason no. 273 :)

Reason no. 272...

This little 3-4 minute video is a great reminder for what happens in the media to get people to look a certain way. I think it's great to see people taking action to defend what true beauty looks like and bringing awareness. http://www.upworthy.com/shes-already-beautiful-in-the-beginning-she-ends-as-a-reason-why-we-have-toxic-beauty-ideals?g=2&c=reccon1 People are so beautiful without all the editing. Reason no. 272 :)

Reason no. 271...

Sitting inside and watching the rain fall in abundance! It's absolutely chucking it down, yet from inside it sounds and looks so refreshing! Reason no. 271 :)

Reason no. 270...

There's so many reasons I'm grateful for the halls I've ended up in this year:

1) The location is great! A 5 minute walk from uni and lots of little food shops. It's over the road from a park too!

2) Everyone thinks it's weird me saying this but...The overall design of the buildings is great - they're like giant toblerones! (The interior design is maybe not the best i.e. no windows in the kitchen, but the outer appearance is interesting!)

3) There's a gym on site and I only had to pay £10 for the year!

4) As I wonder around outside I always feel like I'm on holiday in some kind of resort!

5) My room backs onto some nice green space and trees, which is fab seeing as I'm pretty much in the city center!

And the list could go on! Reason no. 270 :)

Reason no. 269...

Today I got my feedback form from my placement this year. It was really nice and  I was marked either good or excellent on all the different categories - such a great way to end first year. Reason no. 269 :)

Reason no. 268...

A week today I'm heading home for a couple of days to celebrate my mum's 50th! It'll be so nice to be back home for a bit. Reason no. 268 :)

Reason no. 267...

It's so exciting my pot of £2 coins is piling up. Every time I get a £2 it earns a place inside the pot. The aim is to fill it up and put the money towards travelling (maybe a mission trip) for next year...either way I can't wait to see how much is inside once it's full! Reason no. 267 :)

Reason no. 266...

It's great how my church in Manchester runs a coffee shop (the Anchor) - it's such a great place to sit and revise and the people are so nice there too :) Reason no. 266 :)

Reason no. 265...

Box of Broadcast has got to be a reason!! It's great to have access to soooo many films (plus it's totally legal and free!) - all you need is your university login details. These past couple of weeks I've been making the most of it! Reason no. 265 :)

Reason no. 264...

This week, after a couple of talks I listened to, I've been thinking a lot about 'what legacy I want leave behind for the generation after me' and what I want to see my kids doing/believing and what I want to see the society around me to look like. It's really interesting to think about. I started writing a list:

-I want to see my children know their identity inside out - who they are in Christ, how loved they are and their AMAZING inheritance in Him.

-I want them to have the faith to see the impossible to happen, when they lay hands on the sick Jesus is in them and He will make them well.

-I want them to dream dreams in Him and know that nothing is too big for Him.

-I want them to have the boldness to pray big prayers and to know that God is for them.

- I want them to know that they are world changers and community influencers - why? Becuase He is in them and that's what He does!!

-I want them to love radically, but out of place of overflow from knowing just how loved they are.

...and the list goes on!

But, to reach that place it needs people to model it, and that includes me! How are people going to reach that place? Not through striving, just through more time with Him! Looking at my life right now I think I'm in a very good season to start practicing!! Reason no. 264 :)

Reason no. 263...

It's great to live in a country where I get to have the freedom and the opportunity to have an impact in the society...today was voting day and I exercised my right!! Yay!!! Reason no. 263 :)

Reason no. 262...

The little question has got me thinking for the past couple of weeks...

'If you couldn't fail, what would you do?'

It's really interesting. If failure wasn't on the radar I think you'd be prepared to do absolutely anything. Fear of failure definitely has a much greater impact than we necessarily realize. But the fact is that we're with an incredible God, who meets our needs, loves us, gives us the strength, who's given dreams and visions and enables us to do the things He's called us to. If we're with God and doing what He's called us to, failure is not going to be an option! Reason no. 262 :)

Reason no. 261...

Today I made it to my occupational health appointment. This may sound small, but it was huge for me. It was so important I made it to get this jab as otherwise it could jeopardize my placement in September. I had booked one a few weeks ago, but I totally forgot about it and ended up missing it. Then throughout this week I kept forgetting about it again, until the night before! Anyway I made it! Reason no. 261 :)

Reason no. 260...

Yesterday I sat my anatomy and physiology exam, which means one down, one to go! It wasn't dreadful and I'm confident I passed. I'm so grateful for God's goodness throughout this revision season and just how chilled it's been.  My next exam is on the 3rd June. Reason no. 260 :)

Reason no. 259...

Another situation that made me smile was when I was walking through my halls. As I looked across to the other side one of the cleaners was using an old bendy pipe as a skipping rope! I love watching people smiling, laughing and enjoying life - especially when they're just by themselves. It shows their joy/happiness is much deeper than being dependent on who they're spending their time with! Reason no. 259 :)

Reason no. 258...

Yesterday as I was sitting outside a random person goes and hides behind a tree for 5 minutes. All of a sudden he jumped out in front of his friend who was laughing in hysterics! This whole situation made me laugh and put a smile on my face!! Reason no. 258 :)

Reason no. 257...

This week I found an old bank account I had forgot about and thought it must have been completely empty...BUT, it actually had £30 in! What a great find!! Reason no. 257 :)

Reason no. 256...

The weather has been gorgeous!! I had a games evening outside with some lovely friends and yesterday I was able to sit outside and revise with a couple of friends. The combination of good weather and nice people is great! Reason no. 256 :)

Reason no. 255...

Today I had my last tutorial and last lecture of the year! I can't believe all that remains for first year is just 1 presentation and 2 exams - it's flown by and has been so good. Reason no. 255 :)

Reason no. 254...

Read this quote today and it's sooooo true, but so easy to forget and get things out of perspective!

"Life is short. Heaven is long. Make today count."

Reason no. 254 :)

Reason no. 253...

This week I've rediscovered how much fun it is to build things out of cards and jenga pieces etc...Reason no. 253 :) 

Reason no. 252...

This weekend I escaped from Manchester for the day and went to Wales with Reach (student group from church). It was so much fun! We climbed a giant hill - maybe a mountain?! Then afterwards we had a BBQ  too. It was a great day out with some lovely people :) Reason no. 252 :)

Reason no. 251...

As I was sitting in the library today I found a cute little stick-man drawing on the table. It may be graffiti,  but it definitely made me smile! Reason no. 251 :)

Reason no. 250...

Today I was thinking back to the story I heard yesterday: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=617911648293025&set=vb.203233683094159&type=3&theater and I'm just so amazed and in awe of God's goodness. God totally loves His people and He is faithful to His word. He knows our needs and satisfies them. When we call on Him, He answers. His timing is perfect. I've been thinking about this story on and off all morning and I'm just soooo amazed. That's a story that happened around Bedford area but God can so do the same here in Manchester (or wherever you live) and with you and me!! Reason no. 250 :)

Reason no. 249...

There's so many squirrels running around outside - they're so cute! It always makes me forget that I'm in the middle of the city when I see them all! Reason no. 249 :)

Reason no. 248...

I got my assignment back for linguistics and phonetics back and managed to get a 2:1 - so happy and encouraged. It was definitely a struggle whilst completing it, but got there in the end. Reason no. 248 :)

Reason no. 247...

Revision was non-existent today...but in my anatomy tutorial I actually knew some of the answers!! For the past few months I've gone in and been clueless about what they've been talking about - my revision has been paying off and it's slowly coming together in time for the exams! Reason no. 247 :)

Reason no. 246...

This story is amazing - hopefully the link works (-  you might need to log into facebook to watch it):  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=617911648293025&set=vb.203233683094159&type=3&theater  

God is incredible!!!! Reason no. 246 :)

Reason no. 245...

So exciting how posting stuff online reaches people from around the world - looking through the stats of this blog, people in Brazil, Turkey Latvia, Malaysia, Serbia, Vietnam, Denmark etc have clicked onto it! The internet is amazing!! Reason no. 245 :)

Reason no. 244...

'Everything was created through him; nothing - not one thing! - came into being without him.'

It ALL (including me) begins with Him - the designer, the creator.

Reason no. 242 :)

Reason no. 243...

When Jesus was at the well with the Samaritan woman, he said:

'Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst - not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.'

There's abundance and richness to be had - so today that is what I'm going to declare over my life in His name. When He speaks, He is faithful to His word. Reason no. 243 :)

Reason no. 242...

This week I've managed to go to the gym really regularly! It's so nice to have one on site - just a 3 minute walk away. It's great that I only had to spend £10 for the whole year to use it too. Reason no. 242 :)

Reason no. 241...

A few days ago I put out a few little 'treasures' around my halls of residence. Wrapped in tissue paper were 3 little chocolates and a note of encouragement (some had a challenge too). 2 people got back to me and what they shared was really encouraging! It was so worth the time and God definitely allowed the right people to find them! Reason no. 241 :)