The final countdown

Wow! Only four whole days to go. I have to admit, that I am quite excited to get going.

This horrid Australian summer weather is not my idea of fun and it is really making me look forward to the coldness of winter. I have been informed to take VERY warm clothes, as it is the coldest winter in 30 years in England at the moment. Great. Can't wait. Some people have made a bet that I'll be over it within 24 hours. Personally, I think it will be a little longer.

The bag is packed and the heavy-duty rain coat (which i fell in love with instantly) has been purchased. England here I come! Rydal Hall is such a gorgeous place (or so the pictures show) and it will be so amazing to see what it is really like and actually live there! This is one adventure that I am so excited to jump into.

My farewell only had a few tears and made me realise that all the special people in my life I will definitely miss. Thanks to Skype, Facebook and the wonders of the world wide web I know that I can keep up those relationships. Thanks God!

At the farewell, my lovely prayer girls re-wrote a song for me. It was so amazing and I loved it to bits. In fact, it was SO great that I'll post the lyrics up here (just for Rosie - because she asked):

'Oh, Stephanie' re-written by Rosie, Monique and Amy

You can change your life - if you wanna
You can move overseas - if you wanna
We will miss you Steph,
But that's the way it goes

But we're gonna keep the memories,
And your Christian love stories, cause we wanna
You're going on a plane,
we're never gonna get you back
At least not today, not tomorrow, till next year

If you go, we'll let you go, but
Come tomorrow it will seem
So empty here, so lonely here
How are we gonna get ourselves through the year?

Laugh it off, let it go and
When you wake you will be,
In England, in England
We'll pray everyday that you're going to be okay.

You can tell random stories - if you wanna
You can think they're good - if you wanna

But it's who you are,
And we'll never have enough.

Thank you....every week you've challenged us
Cause you're like a female Jeus,
See how much you've shaped our lives,
You'll be a really great wife.

But jut not today, not tomorrow, till next year
Cause you'll find a husband in England,
And you'll bring him home and it'll seem so magical, so fairytale -
The Christian romance you've always deserved.

Older sister, first to go
And your family is so proud of you
Hey Stephanie,
Can't wait to see
How much God will change you while you're overseas

Without your healthy food, we're gonna get huge,
You like caviar, and all the donuts oo,
Always putting everyone before yourself,
You never leave anyone on the shelf,
Steph, you always amaze us beyond words,
We'll be counting down till your return

We will today, we will tomorrow, until next year cause...

(Thanks girls! love you guys)



So I guess the next instalment will be in Singapore or even in London. As Em would say "Eeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!" (excited noise!)

I'll keep you posted.
Love to all,
Steph X