So... how do you start a blog?
I actually set this up few days ago, meaning to write in it as soon as possible to share with you so you know where to look for if you ever wondered what's happening in my life... unless it's already on Facebook of course.
However, it turns out blogging is rather challenging, despite not being my first attempt at it! Took me a while to even get the blog description phrased right - oops?
Anyhow before I talk about nothing a little too much, let's get to the purpose of this post - which I guess is to inform you about the purpose of this blog... which is basically the blog description really: to let you all know about all the exciting things I'm doing this year, as well as my life in general and all the potential thoughts and issues I'd love to chat about!
I have no idea who will be reading this, but assuming that you all know me in person, you will probably know already that I am taking an intermission from studying Medicine at Imperial College this year (reason being health interruption) and because I've failed my first year exams, I will be returning as a fresher (again!) in Autumn 2014.
The most exciting news you are probably yet to hear is that I will be spending that year, not only studying and learning how to drive (maybe, hopefully?!), but also as an intern at Filton Community Church (FCC), which my family and I are part of. I am personally very excited about this! Having officially started last Tuesday, I'm currently midway through my second week - enjoying it very much so far, and there's still more exciting things to come!
Being an intern at FCC means, as well as church-related things, I will also be involved in Revive Charity Shop (run by FCC) and North Bristol Foodbank (partnership of FCC and other local churches). They are are both really about meeting and connecting with people and being involved within the local community - I have learnt so much already with what I have seen and experienced, and I am very excited to see what God has in store for me this year!
To tell the truth, I am really thankful for this year out. I honestly believe that it's a God-given opportunity. That's not to say that God is 'responsible' for the results of my exams, because, simply, that's not what this is about - for me, it really showed God's love and grace for me as He took my failures and weaknesses and turned it around into such an amazing opportunity, where I could really learn more and get back to the basics of why I wanted to become a doctor in the first place. Of course it would have been amazing to pass first year straight away and I do miss all the lovely friends I met during my first year (praying & thinking of you guys!), but, at the same time, what could be described as a little 'pause' is perhaps necessary in my life's journey, so I can really grow! (Though unfortunately, probably not physically, haha.) I know God's got it though. :)
So, here it is. I would write more, but I probably should go to bed (before midnight - I know right? Something's definitely changed there!). I shall write more of what I've been doing and what I will be doing soon when I get around to posting again. Have a feeling that the next post will probably be on Foodbank.
Thanks again to many of you for your love, thoughts and prayers. It's all very appreciated, and I would love it very much if you in your spare moment could pray that this "year out" will in fact be a year with God, so that I can grow and develop in many ways and go back to university next autumn feeling refreshed and perhaps a little wiser too.
I'm really looking forward to spending more time with family and friends back home, and enjoying Bristol, so I'm sure you'll here of something of that soon too.
Will keep you posted. :)
Much love! x
P.S. You can check out my other blog here, which contains experiences of couple of friends and I doing the Tearfund Water Challenge. (It's great fun, and you should so try!) Slightly amusing note to add though - just tried googling Tearfund Water Challenge and it came up with a webpage from Tearfund containing my name/interview! Feels a little odd seeing my name in a public webpage like that, haha.
