Once in a blue moon ~ catch up

Where do I begin? 

So.. it's been over a year since I last posted :-/ I apologise. 

The journey that I thought I was going on at the start of this blog is not the journey I am on now. 

Japan... well, a lot as happened.. I did not get to go on that trip I mentioned in my last post. Instead, after a massive hoohaa, I was accepted into Uni (which meant I couldnt go on the trip)...and not in a course I ever dreamed of in year 12. I'm in a Bachelor of Communication (Media and Culture) initially, my sub-major was Japanese.. Now, thats a whole other story.. well to keep things short (like me haha) I did not get along with my Japanese teacher and was not enjoying classes :-/ so I decided at the end of the year to not continue with Japanese.. making it easier to make this decision was that fact that Japanese class has been put at the same time as youth group, which I am heavily involved with. Even though it is a shame that my passion for Japan has been skewed by the unfortunate events of Uni Japanese (probably because I was spoilt throughout High School with an amazing Japanese teacher. I miss her loads :(. ) I have a new and exciting journey that God has blessed me with! YAY! 

So here goes!...
During my first semester of uni, I had to do an introductory subject...'An Introduction to Communication and Cultural Studies'. A lot of this subject had advertising involved and I LOVED IT! (even though my tutor was a little strange hehe MOP!!) I thought to myself that Id love to pursue advertising as a career! soooo... I changed my sub-major from Japanese to Marketing! YAY! God works in mysterious ways :D
So I have developed a passion for advertising and finally found something I really enjoy instead of Japanese. 
After loads of praying and research.. my dream job is copywriting! and I'm so excited! 

HOWEVER... this whole happy excitement of my Uni happenings is probably the only good thing that I could take from 2013. 
There's been MANY struggles... if the stress of first year of Uni wasnt enough.. I had the stress and struggles of my Nan (in England) having a stroke which caused me to become very homesick, emotionally unstable, veryyyy low and MASSIVE family tensions. On top of that I had the annoyance of no job, no money, no freedom (which I'm still struggling with) which has left me feeling isolated. 
I also watched one of my closest friends going through depression and heart ache and therefore had to support her too. 

Through all this, God has been there EVERY step of the way... and with the help of some amazing friends.. I've come out the other end of 2013 with a positive attitude! 2014 looks a lot better, I still have my struggles (where I might break down) esp with Nan and my family tensions but have changed my attitude towards it. Yes, It is hard to find a job but I know it isnt just me and it genuinely is a pain to get hired. I just keep praying that something comes up and carry on with my life without it getting me down. :) 
I believe that God has put me through these experiences to teach me and to strengthen my trust in Him! 

'I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.' Psalm 32 v 8

'Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.' Psalm 37 v 4

looking into the future

so alot has happened since my last post. I would have written earlier but I've been flat out.
birthday.exams.stress.all of a sudden no school.

recently, I've been hanging around some awesome people! CCM!! honestly! so much fun. I dont get to hang out with these people very much but I was blessed last week to actually hang out with them for a couple of days! well CCM is Christian Campus Movement at Uni SA. over those couple days with these amazing people ive learnt so much about myself and God's plan for my life! 

Well maybe I should explain the name of my blog 'Postcards From Far Away' first...

If you know me, you'll know that I love Coldplay!! MASSIVE FAN!! :O 
they have a song called 'Postcards From Far Away'.. it doesnt have any words. its a short instrumental. 

anyway... Also If you know me you will know that I was born in England. all my family is there... this blog gives the opportunity for my family in England to catch up with how I'm going.. also I want to still impact their lives even tho im soo far away from them. 

BUT...

The big reason for this blog is to share with you lovely people my passion and love for Japan.. I want to take you on the journey I've been on to hear God's Word and follow the plan He has for my life! Regarding Japan and the missions He wants me to do. 
I know one day I'll be in Japan doing His work.. Again, I'll be away from home. Hence the name of the blog. 

Well let me just say... its time to sit down, buckle up and get ready....its gunna be a BIG bumpy long journey


On another note...
back to CCM.. 
last Wednesday I finished my last school exam... unfortunately it was Chemistry, let me just say.. I felt horrrrribbbbiiiillleeee when I came out of the exam.. not that it went completely terrible but i just felt uneasy about whether I have passed yr 12 and the ATAR I need to get to get into my Uni course. anyway.. that night I went to CCM, funny enough they spoke about how God has everything in control and that I just need to give it all to Him. it was awesome to reassure myself that I do not need to worry. I did my best and thats all I could do. 
I then visited the church CCM is run by on Sunday.. 
they had a guest preacher... 
OMGOOSE!! he was soooo full of wisdom! .. LOVED IT.. 
I got loads from it.. he used Gideon as an example.. and who God uses for His kingdom.. 
basically Gideon was a very negative person.. saying 'oh God cant use me' but God used Gideon for big things! The thing is Gideon was faithful. God would give him something to do/would test Gideon and he would stay faithful to God. if God trusts you with small things, He will trust you with BIG things! Gideon was also obedient to God. If God told Him to do something he would do it!
Even though Gideon was negative God had a plan and a will for his life to further His kingdom. God used Gideon in BIG ways! You can read Gideon's story in Judges 6: 12-13 
I guess what I really got out of it is the fact that God has a will and purpose for my life. nothing will stand between His plan. if i stay negative in my faith I'm not going to grow. I need to obey God and be faithful to Him. 



I have exciting news.... IM FINALLY GOING TO JAPAN! this isnt a mission trip but I know this is apart of God's plan! :D im so excited I've cried a few times!! :P 

remember to stay tuned.. 

Its only the Beginning continued...

so as I said.. its my birthday tomorrow.. I had a big party on Saturday. a few people wrote the same verse in my card.. I'd like to share it.. 
'may the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace'- Numbers 6:24-26

I know this is sorta a simple verse and well known. I hadnt heard this for a while. and when I did hear it I would just say to myself 'oh thats nice' 
After reading it a couple of times in my birthday cards, it was a gentle reminder of God's love. 
I've been reflecting on this verse for a few days now... with exams coming up and what not.. 
It was good to just have a reminder that God has everything in control and that I do not need to worry coz He loves me and has an AMAZING plan for me.. 

This is where I want to start talking about the plan that God has given me. (well what I know of it) I want to share how I have prepared and heard God's voice in discovering His will for my life. 

(This will also explain why I called my blog 'Postcards from Far Away') 

Stay Tuned... 




Everything 
Find me here, speak to meI want to feel You, I need to hear YouYou are the light that's leading meTo the place where I find peace again
You are the strength that keeps me walkingYou are the hope that keeps me trustingYou are the light to my soulYou are my purpose, You're everything
How can I stand here with You and not be moved by You?Would You tell me, how could it be any better than this?
You calm the storms, and You give me restYou hold me in Your hands, You won't let me fallYou steal my heart, and You take my breath awayWould You take me in, take me deeper now
How can I stand here with You and not be moved by You?Would You tell me, how could it be any better than this?And how can I stand here with You and not be moved by You?Would You tell me, how could it be any better than this?
'Cause You're all I want, You're all I needYou're everything, everythingYou're all I want, You're all I needYou're everything, everything
You're all I want, You're all I needYou're everything, everythingYou're all I want, You're all I needYou're everything, everything
And how can I stand here with You and not be moved by You?Would You tell me, how could it be any better than this?How can I stand here with You and not be moved by You?Would You tell me, how could it be any better than this?

It's only the beginning

I'm thinking its time to start a blog. I dont know why I chose to write one now. But it might be because my best friend showed me hers and a few others that she has read so I thought that maybe I should give it a go! 
It'll be a good surprise for her when she reads this! haha. I havent told her that I've started a blog!

anyway..About me..
I've just graduated high school and its my birthday tomorrow! the big 18! :O and adult now WOW! I'm a Christian! God is so awesome!! I love Coldplay, and I speak a little Japanese! I love it!! 
Japan is very close to my heart.

I think thats all you need to know about me at the mo!