There is a saying ‘You only regret the chances you didn’t take’ and while I don’t necessarily believe that is completely true it does highlight something to me about how I want to try and live. I don’t want to be the person who looks back and wishes I had taken more risks and just done more. I don’t want to let life just pass without enjoying every moment I can. I want to really live. That’s why I have decided to say yes to things even if I don’t know where they will take me. In the end whatever happens at least I will have a story to tell right?!

My alarm went off at 6am yesterday morning. I wanted to see the lunar eclipse. The blood moon. So at 6:05am I was standing in the driveway in my PJ’s, with my camera (probably looking like a total lunatic) in the silence of the early morning watching the night sky. After 20 minutes of standing  out there my feet were frozen (when I woke up my brain obviously wasn’t functioning properly yet as it didn’t cross my mind to put socks or shoes on to go outside) but I hardly noticed because it was so beautiful. The slither of the white moon slowly getting smaller until the full moon was a deep red. It’s times like those when I feel a connection with nature and it completely amazes me how perfectly complex and exact God created our world to be.

Friendships are precious things and I’m so thankful I have the opportunity to spend time with so many different types and ages of people. Matt took me back to Hallmark to get the pumpkin hat (after how much I embarrassed him last time this was a miracle, although he did make sure I was aware that he was not taking me out in public if I was wearing the hat) and he even helped me count out the coins I needed (I really can’t work out American change). We proceeded to sing very loudly, a little bit out of tune, and me (according to Matt, although I disagree) getting most of the words wrong all the way home.

I got treated to dinner Tuesday evening by Jim and Debbie. It was so nice to catch up. They said how rare it was that people my age would be comfortable going out with their parents friends, but I guess it’s the same as conversing with anyone. Plus I have grown up with them pretty much.

I have been incredibly humbled by how much support and encouragement I have recieved from friends and family with fundraising and gap year plans. It is something so special to have people believe in me and what I am doing and to know they think I am worth backing. I have no doubt that God will provide the funds for me to go but it wouldn’t be possible without everyone’s generosity. I am over halfway to the target now so THANK YOU!