God with Us

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“God with us” is the sufferer’s comfort, eternity’s sonnet, heaven’s hallelujah, the shout of the glorified, the song of the redeemed."

Spurgeon

A friend posted this quote on Facebook recently, and it simply caught my attention.  We're all been in those different places, on good days and bad days.  When everything is working out perfectly in our lives and when it feels like everything we touch turns to dirt. 

But 'God with us' is something that is steady through out the turbulent changes in our earthly lives.

The bible tells us;

He gives power to the weak. He increases the strength of him who has no might.

(Isaiah 40:29) 

and

So that with good courage we say, “The Lord is my helper. I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

(Hebrews 13:6)

So, trusting in Gods presence is not foolishness, but a sign of true strength, as we know that he is with us always, and through him we can do anything.

The only thing is, how challenging this can be.  Trusting in the Lord when it doesn't feel like he is guiding you towards anything is hard!  I always what to know what my next move in life is going to be, I'm a planner.  So when things change unexpectedly, it takes me a few moments to work out where to go from there.  And when I look to God for answers, I am not prepared to wait! 'I need to know, now! God.' I tell him.  What I'm going to do with my future is still unclear.  And I look forward to the day God reveals his plan for my life. I certainly hope it is sooner rather than later.

Freya May

Being grown-ups, apart

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Quick round up of latest events-

1. Dave has left for the first week of the teacher training course he's on over the summer.
2. I'm still looking for work, with only one company ringing me back so far.
3. Waiting on a housing agency to call us back and say we can move in.
4. Living out of boxes at David's parents house.

And its alright.  Just gotten off the phone with Dave, he has successfully survived the first day at 'teacher camp', met new people and is settling into his room for the next three weeks.  I'm not going to lie, missing him already (awww?).  Mostly, because he's usually my entertainment when we're not working. 

Anyways, we've done the living apart thing before, just not since we got married last September.  We both went travelling on our (separate) gap years, and then worked at a school which he had to do residential camps every now and again, AND he went to Cardiff University for a year while I was stuck in Leicester.  Lets be fair, the hour away he is now is nothing compared to the >4hour train trip I had to do to get to Cardiff, and even less when you think about being 5000miles apart while traveling.

So, these few weeks will be a pain, but I will see him again very soon.  This I am very thankful for.

Freya May

xxx

Look what I found on ebay

Even though ebay has been around for a while, I want to talk about my love of just sitting and browsing it for the weired and wonderful, random bargains that you can find if you look.

This week, I found...

A dressmakers mannequin in my size and within my (imaginary) price range.

 A genuine 1970's working kitchen timer.

One of many beautiful, but too expensive vintage dress patterns I'd love to have a go at making.

And a range of pretty kitchen stuff :-)

Have you made any finds on ebay or etsy recently? Comment to let me know!

Freya May
xxx

Moving out...

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And who knew we had so much 'stuff!'  I swear to you, we've had a clean out, this month, and held a carboot sale and everything, but we still ended up with a (literal) van full of stuff.  Hey ho, another chance to go through everything as we move in; stay posted for when that will be.  All we know is it is hopefully soon.

Have you accumulated a ton of random stuff over the years? I really want to know where it all comes from!

Freya May

xxx

New Home!

Dave and I have offically found our next home! :-)

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We are moving into a lovely little two bedroom flat some time in the next few weeks!
So exciting!!

Next up, time to get me a job! :-)

Freya May
xxx

All that hard work...

Degree results are out, as of Friday.  Sadly, I'm actually quite disappointed with mine, but I'll try not to make this a 'rant' blog. 

I missed out on a 2:1 grade, by 3% in one of my pieces of work, which was gutting.  I knew for a while that I was a border line student, so set out at the begining of the year to push my self and get over the grade barrier.  Stupidly, sometime, shortly after the Christmas holidays, I think I stopped trying quite so hard, and so my grades slipped.  This mere 3% difference is crushing, there is nothing worse than knowing you would have done better at something, if you had put that touch more effort into it.  All I can do now is kick myself and think about what I want to do with my immediate future, as all present plans were 2:1 dependent.

So, what am I thinking?  There is a managers job at NewLook in Leicester that I'm applying for, and a graduate scheme with Dunlem Mill too.  So my options are totally different to what I expected, but we'll have to see where this disappointment takes me from here.

I wish to leave you with a piece of advice, those of you still at uni or whatever.  3% in one piece of work can mean the difference between a 1st and a 2:1, a 2:1 and 2:2 and a 2:2 and a 3rd.  Pick which one you are aiming for, do all you can to get there.  And stop sleeping in lectures by the time you reach third year.  Trust me.  I've been there.

Freya May

xxx

Just Fair Fashion

The Just Shop is a fair trade shop run in Leicester by the lovely Sarah.  It is devoted to the sale and promotion of goods which pay the people who make them a real wage, not pence an hour.  What is more, the Store is filled with beautiful things, that if I only had money, I would fill my home with!

The point of this post, however, is to talk about the fun that we had on Saturday night, at the Just...Fairtrade fashion show!  Husband and I were models, showing the audience a selection of the lovely clothes that the store had to offer... it was ridiculously fun to be a part of!  Keeleites came to watch us, along with many members of out church congregation, so there were quite a few familiar faces in the crowd.  which was both good,supportive, and bad, off putting :-)

I do love the some of the clothes they had on sale.  In my recent mood of wearing skirts and dresses as much as I can, Annie Greenabelle's collection really took me.  such beautiful dresses! The sad thing is, as has been said, I am still poor as a dormouse, so the price tags on pretty much everything meant that there was no new beautiful, fairtrade, ethical dresses to add to my wardrobe that day :-(

Please, check out the 'Just...' Facebook Page and website above.

Much fun was had, and i think, if asked again, both Dave and I will jump at the chance to strut our stuff on the catwalk, anytime.

Freya May
xxx

Money Woes

Balancing the books is tricky, especially when the two of you take two different approaches to finances. 

I keep a rough eye on things, and stop spending when I need to.  Dave likes to examine things closely, and go over the spreadsheet very carefully.  This kind of works for us.  But the pressure is on; if I don't get a job, I can't continue studying for a masters degree next year.

So the scrimping is on, tightening out already pretty tight belts.  Lucky I guess, that I have a selection of books yet to read, fabric to play with and ability to cook yummy dishes with cheap ingredients. 

We'll be fine, just another lesson to learn, another step in growing up.

Freya May

Friends who Sing

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We headed out tonight to watch our first Chapel Singers concert, because Fran and Emma were singing :-)

They were beautiful, singing some of my favourite songs from musicals and the like. 

It was also Fran's last day with us at Keele :-(.  Three short years together, and that era is over.  Although university hasn't always been the easiest place to be, we've come out the other side, managed to stay close, and support one another.  Luckily for her, however, she's not getting rid of me that easy!  Friends never really say good bye, just see you later.

Good Work Girls,

Freya May

I Love Pushing Daisies

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Because it is Beautiful, both in the set design and costumes, and also in the tragic story line of a true love that can never touch, for with one touch she will die.

I watched this when it was on ITV originally, but have re found it through a love film free subscription :-)  And, I get to watch season two this time round too :-)
Check out the dresses that Chuck, the dead girl, wears.  They are simply lush!

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I just bought a dress very similar to this one from Primark, same patterned fabric, but a little less couture.

Dandy Lion Girl also needs a special mention.  Love the look ;-)

What do you think?  Do you love Pushing Daisies too??

Freya May



Lazy Day

I love spending time with Dave (which I'm sure you are glad to hear).  We headed in to the main city centre this morning to hang out and wander round a wee bit.  Nothing particularly exciting happened, had lunch at Starbucks, picked up a new dress in Primark, chillaxed with my husband :-)  I want to make the most of these days that we both have free, before jobs and training kick off again and we loose this freedom we enjoy at the moment.  It is all about getting ready for the next step of our lives, but not wishing away the current one either.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Anyways, next on my plan for the day is a little bit of craft stuff.  I need to check my sowing machine is functioning and maybe start a new project :-). 

I also need to get on with writing up my personal statement for my university application. 

Finally, it is Glee night! So I'll be heading over to the girls house when they get back from choir, Yippieee!

Freya May

Busy Week!

It has been the last week of the official university term time, and it's been busy!  It is such a strange week too, emotional. 

Keele's end of year party, Woodstoke, a 12hr fairground/festival do, with games and a headphone disco and some bands, including Ms. Dynamite(te-he).  Sadly, I only made it to midnight.  Something I regret a little, as it's my last year, and I wanted to stay out longer, make the most of it and everything.  However much I'd like to live a life with no regrets, I don't know another emotion for when you want to change things sometimes.  The only other response I can think of would be 'Oh well', but that suggests it doesn't matter at all, and I think sometimes, even the little things, are important.  The time I did spend at Woodstoke, however, was awesome!  Dancing on the hill with my people, and I felt really rough after the fairground rides!  Normally I'm fine with that stuff, but having a bbq right before hand was a mistake!  Also got to see The Sunshine Underground play, who were really good, will try to remember to YouTube them later.

Woodstoke was swiftly followed by The Chapel Ball- The social event of the year.  James Bond themed, with cocktails and a chocolate roulette table, buffet, The Big Band and Disco to finish off the evening.  A beautiful night, those people who worked hard to make the space look amazing and sort the food and the drink, did a fantastic job!  We danced till the early hours, then some of us leavers headed to the back of Keele Hall, armed with a bottle of bubbly, and Chinese lanterns.  A lovely way to finish the night off.

As I said, end of the year, so we took some of the random things we've collected over the last few years to a car boot sale.  It was quite a small one, but Dave and I made about £15 pounds, and the others made some cash too, so didn't do too badly.  We had a ton of stuff left over however, so headed to the charity shop, and hopefully they can make some money off of it. 

So, all that, coupled with a cinema trip, the new X-Men, really quite good!  And a family visit from David's Aunt and Uncle.  Its been a busy and quite intense week.

Freya May