Greetings From Glasgow!!!
I cannot believe that August has arrived! It seems like just yesterday that I boarded a plane and was nervous yet so excited about how the Lord was going to use me here in Glasgow. However, all nerves were instantly gone as I was welcomed with open arms. I've settled in really well and feel like this is now home for me. I love it here! I'm living with two girls, Rosey and Mary-Moore, one is from Glasgow and the other is from Texas…yup we have a nice blend in our flat!! We all get along great and have had a lot of laughs since moving in together. I'm really looking forward to seeing how God will continue to work in both of their lives and in our friendships.
Every week I so look forward to Sundays and gathering together as a church family. Everyone here is always willing and ready to serve each Sunday by helping with set up and tear down as well as serving in different areas of ministry. I'm involved in the worship ministry here in which I sing and occasionally play the keyboards. I've been stretched since becoming part of this team and am thankful for the leadership that this ministry has. Since arriving here, I have also been the one to write the Monday blog about Sunday. I have thoroughly enjoyed this as it has allowed me to really take a deeper look and given me ample time to reflect on the message that was given. I've also gotten involved in doing various kids' ministry administration tasks. I currently write up the Higher Ground hand outs, am working on a prayer map for the kids, and am doing follow up for the SonSurf holiday club.
Speaking of the SonSurf holiday club, it was so great having the Barrie team here! They were such a blessing and encouragement to us all. It made me realize just how deep a passion I have for youth and I'm praying that the Lord would open doors of opportunity for us here in Glasgow to have our own youth ministry.
Aside from serving, I've also have gotten involved with small groups and our women's ministry. Right now we have our summer small group program running and I'm attending the Biblical Soul Care group. Really looking forward to getting more in depth with everything in the coming weeks. For our women's ministry we have a weekly meeting on Friday mornings. We are about to wrap up our book study called "Peace Making Women". I have been so blessed, challenged, and encouraged by my time spent with these women. I am so thankful that the Lord has brought these women into my life to walk beside me in this season God has brought me to. We also have a monthly women's event called "Flourish" which consists of a time of fellowship, worship, and teaching. I have been asked to speak at the August event and I'm both excited and a little nervous. I'll be speaking on reconciliation and have started to prepare for it now. I know without question that as I prepare and as I speak that the Lord will really stretch me on many levels. Prayers as I prepare for this event would be much appreciated.
Another group that I'm involved in is a summer school small group led by Pastor Scott. It consists of several young adults and we meet twice a week in the mornings. Attending this summer school has been a real blessing for me. Not only has it helped form friendships, it has also challenged me to go deeper into God's Word and my daily walk with him.
I know I have only been here a month and a half but already feel God changing me and growing me. Since arriving, I've seen the Lord working in my prayer life, especially in a group setting. He's also been doing a lot of character transformations in me, especially with the area of patience. Before arriving, Scott had asked me to take a look at the fruits of the Spirit and see which one I needed the Lord to work on in and through me. After looking closely at them, I realized patience was a big one, and the Lord has given me a lot of things to develop this within me.
I'm so looking forward to all that the Lord is going to accomplish through me during the next four and a half months. Praying I'll continue to be open to all that he has planned for me.
You are loved,
Hilary