Sudden Realisation

It seems my life has changed so dramatically in just a year. I have gone from being a full time student to not having a clue what my next steps are, to having 2 jobs and deciding to go to Latin America. Not only that but I feel like I have gone from my lowest point (a year ago last month), hating myself and my life to realising now that things have got so much better and life aint so bad really.

Do not think this is another of those attention seeking sob stories. My life really wasn't that terrible, there are people who have suffered far far worse than me! And my life now isn't suddenly amazing. My sudden realisation wasn't me realising that my life has got so much better now, or that I now know what my purpose in life is, or that I'm a better person now....

So what is the sudden realisation? This change in my life and change in myself isn't, and wasn't down to me. At first I thought 'I have become a stronger person and that is how I got myself out of that bad place in my life' but just recently it has been revealed to me that I cannot take any credit for where I am now. The sudden realisation was that it is and has been all down to God.

A lot of my friends reading this now may be thinking what a load of crap, is she really talking about God? How boring.... But truthfully if I didn't have God in my life right now, I would still be in that bad place in my life. Don't get me wrong, I still have bad days, and am still a bad person but now I find it easier to rely on God and to see the better rather than the worst.

Without God, I wouldn't have passed my A-levels, I wouldn't have 2 jobs, I wouldn't be going to Latin America, without God I am nothing.
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast."

So thanks God, all credit to you big man.

I apologise for the difference in this blog post to my last one. I want my posts to be truthful and representative, the direction of my posts will be mixed, today's blog post was just more God directed. I have changed in the past year, changed for the better, but I'm still the same little crazy Roxy and I love you all dearly.

Muchas Gracias,
Roxy x

Various links for you to click and poke:
My email: roxielou16@hotmail.com
Donation Page: http://virginmoneygiving.com/roxannasmith

6 months to go.... What?!

To be able to say that now there is only 6 months left before I go to Latin America seems crazy! For all of those that don't know, in March 2014 I will be travelling to Latin America for 4 months with a Christian organisation called Latin Link (I will put the various appropriate links at the bottom), doing voluntary work in some local, less privileged, communities! This will involve being part of a 'Step Team', with about 7 other people who I will be living and working with for those months.

It seems even crazier when you take into consideration the fact that I have been telling my family and friends that I am going to be a missionary in Latin America since I was about 8... While all my friends wanted to be rich businessmen, or famous singers, or heroic firemen I wanted to be working voluntarily in a place I barely knew about. However at that age my dream seemed an eternity away.... I never thought I would grow up and have to make big, potentially life changing decisions. I still don't feel anywhere near old enough to call myself an adult. Sometimes I think, if only the typical view of a 5 year old was true; that we are born a certain age. Kids will always be kids and adults will always be adults and teachers live in school.

Anyway! Change is good! Scary and unpredictable, but good! I am excited for what my future holds, for what God has planned for my life and for what my travels will teach me.

These next 6 months leading up to my trip will be filled with physical, emotional and spiritual preparation for 'Step', which may sound slightly extreme, "Roxy it's not like you are going to be doing a marathon or living there forever...", however I want to give as much as I possibly can on this adventure and I feel the only way I can do this is by going the extra mile! I will be practising my Spanish, making sure I am fit and healthy, reading the Bible, working extra hours, fundraising and so on. After all what is the point in letting this opportunity go to waste?

Thanks so much for reading my first ever post on here, I hope it wasn't too long and boring! And thank you for everyone that has supported me so far whether it has been financially, through prayer or helping me plan it all!

Muchas gracias
Roxy x

Latin Link website: http://www.latinlink.org.uk/
My email: roxielou16@hotmail.com
Donation Page: http://virginmoneygiving.com/roxannasmith