I love you all the way to China and back!

I'm writing this in a very empty and bare student room. It's my last afternoon in my first year uni accommodation and amongst the craziness of moving out i'm sat here thinking of the people i love most. My mum, my dad and my darling brother. Three months in the grand scheme of things isn't too long, but add another 3 months in Germany, and you pretty have much have half a year away. The concept of being away for this long has only just sunk in and it's making me tad emotional (you know how i am!). 

My comfort and encouragement for my family (because i know my Dad will secretly miss me the most) comes in the form of a song that we all know really well. How Deep the Fathers Love. When one of my best friends gave her life to Jesus a few weeks ago, both Jamie and I both encouraged her to just learn the words off by heart, to carry with her everywhere. We can sing of a love that goes far deeper than any of us can ever know, it's a love that holds all things together no matter where we are in the world. 

How deep the Father's Love for us, How vast beyond all measure. 

That He should give His only son, to make a wretch His treasure. 

How great the pain of searing loss - the Father turn's His face away,

as wounds which mar the chosen one, bring many sons to glory!

Behold the man upon a cross, my sin upon his shoulders;

Ashamed. I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers. 

It was my sin that held Him there, until it was accomplished, 

His dying breath has bought me life!

I know that it is finished. 

I will not boast in anything, no gifts, no power, no wisdom.

but, I will boast in Jesus Christ! His death and resurrection.

Why should i gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer.

But this, i know with all my heart - His wounds have paid my ransom. 

- people keep telling me how brave i am to be going all the way to China on my own, i'm not feeling too brave. I'm feeling excited and fearful. My unspoken confidence to go on this trip, is the unwavering security that Christ, the solid rock offers me. You see, the solid rock is not a concept, that we kind of look to when we need the reassurance, we literally are held up by Jesus. We stand, confident, not in ourselves but in His complete resurrection that gives us a solid assurance of where we are going and why we are still here and not there yet. Be encouraged that even when you are unaware, Jesus lifts you up, He guides your steps, surrounds you with an unending, non negotiable and intentional love.  

Its about 4 days till i go. I'm desperate for more of His presence, for more of His character before i go. Please pray that the old me would continually be placed on the cross and the new me would be resurrected through Jesus. 

Finally, 

a MASSIVE thank you to so many of you who have given clothes and other items for me to take! Currently there isn't room for my own clothes so gonna have to do some reshuffling! 

Be blessed guys,

You are SO loved, 

Rosey-pose x