The countdown begins

Well hello there!!
Seems like forever since i last blogged, probably because it is! Just shows how busy i've been- a good thing i think! So I'll fill you in on what i've been up to since Paris and A level shenanigans!!

First of all, I spent 2 weeks of my summer in Perranporth, Cornwall, helping out at a Scripture Union Beach Mission, doing various activities, getting to know the locals and sharing the love of Jesus with them! Was so much fun, pretty exhausting, but amazing! Part of my responsibility this year was to help out in the morning celebrations, where we get all the children together and have songs, messy games, a talk and so on! This involved 2 of us dressing up as the 118 characters to entertain the children, although we called ourselves 360 360 (After the name of the Beach Mission- 360!) Was hilarious dressing up everyday, putting on a wig and drawing on a moustache (one that took FOREVER to take off!) I also helped in one of the age groups called Minors whilst also organising some afternoon activities.. Not much then!!

Dressed up with the Morning Celebs team!

After an amazing 2 weeks in cornwall I came home for an afternoon, before leaving for France with my family at 3am the next morning. For someone that doesn't cope that well with not having loads of sleep, i think i did pretty well considering over the past few nights i'd probably got 5/6 hours a night.. not a lot in my book!
Again, France was so good. Spent some quality time with my family and then had an awesome time with some friends that came to join us for the second week. We spent most of our days on the beach but also visited a Zoo and a place called Puy Du Fou (A themed park with re-enactments from history, definitely recommend if you're in the Vendee area.)

Dad & I on the Beach

Mum & I by the Harbour

The Harbour

Rhi & I at the Zoo

Having a traditional french meal!

Once back home I got a bit bored of doing nothing! I'm definitely not the kind of person that could sit around and do nothing and be fine with it. The day here or there, of course! We all need to relax! But I soon began putting things in the diary and before you know it I got a job! Applied and had my first shift within 2 weeks I think, pretty good going if you ask me! It's at Fat Face, I originally wondered if I wouldn't have enough hours with only a 4 hour contract but after doing a 25hour week last week due to overtime, I don't think I need to worry about that! Loving the job and all the perks (COUGH DISCOUNT!) I've also been helping out at a creche and toddler group and doing various bits and bobs at church, not to mention the amount of babysitting I've had recently, which is all great!
So, now that I'm less than 3 months away from leaving I'm so excited!! The idea that I'll be in/near the swiss alps for 3 months from january is so amazing and I can't wait! Also, its weird but I actually miss speaking French! So I'm also looking forward to brushing up on that and hopefully will keep it up for the months I'm away in preparation for uni life! 

After doing a car boot and other bits and bobs I'm getting closer to my target of £6000 for the 6 months with around £2300 still to raise! But confident that if its the right thing, which i'm sure it is, God will provide the means for the money, whether its through being able to babysit or fundraise, my part time job, or people wanting to sponsor me for the year!

Next week I'm going to Cliff College, near Sheffield to do a course in Christian Life & Ministry, looking into Luke's Gospel which I'm very much looking forward to! I'm also going to see Kelly Clarkson on Sunday... Can barely contain my excitement!!!
So, I think that's all the news for now. To summarise, I've had an amazing summer and so far the gap year is awesome, and I'm definitely not missing deadlines, coursework and the like!