WHAT A WEEKEND!

Alright, so I have literally written this post 10 times, and it hasn't worked yet. I've done it with and with out pictures. and I know that you guys love pictures, but I just can't take that time and bandwidth to do that.
This weekend was FABULOUS! saturday night I went with my family group to my first ever englsh pub for REAL fish and chips. Then, we had a costume party in lou of Halloween.... and it was SO MUCH FUN! I went as Boo from Monsters Inc. Karen went with Russel as James Bond and his girl. Other highlight costumes were Dru as a didgemon, A Pair a dice, Rudolf as Wheres waldo, and..... various other original ideas. it was SO MUCH FUN!
Today is 'reading' day.... aka do everything other than read, and perhaps I'll write a few letters too.
In other news... I wrecked my mp3 player... so that sucks butt. We changed time, so for you saskatchwan folk, I am now 6 hours ahead instead of 7.
AND!!!!


I AM GOING TO LONDON ON FRIDAY!


oh, and one more thing: I got attacked by a bat yesterday.
Me and Karen were just skipping up the stairs yesterday... like normal, when we came to the door to our hallway, and stopped. Immediately a bat swooped at our heads. flopped on the ground, smacked into the wall, and swooped back up. we looked at each other, screamed bloody murder, looked at the bat again, looked at each other, screamed, and ran down the stairs screaming. Scariest moment of my life. ever. ok... maybe not ever, but pretty darn scary. it was like the blackest black, and the size of a football. but the worst part is... when the matenance guys came to save us... the bat escaped through a duct hole in the wall... so the bat is alive and still out to get me. or worser.... he's dead and rotting, making this place smell even worse than it already does.... it seems impossible, but it could still happen.


anyways... I hope that this works this time. sorry about the lack of pictures. I hope that you guys are all well... please remember that you can still email, or snail mail me, knowing that I will reply!
With love,
Laurel

I'M GOING TO LONDON!

So, I would post pictures from Our costume party last night, but the internet is incredibly slow, like you have no idea, and so you will have to wait untill I'm in London (NEXT WEEKEND!) when I'll have actually good internet, that I will be paying for. Plus there will be a bajillion pictures of London. you have no idea how excited I am for this! Ok... I need to focus, becasue I have TWO things to tell you (probably more, but two main things):

-Last night we changed time, so for you saskatchewan folk, that means I am now 6 hours ahead of you instead of 7. Everyone else.. this is complecated, so I have no idea what that means, you figure it out. It also means that last night I got an extra hour of sleep. how exciting is that? it was SO good!

-I AM GOING TO LONDON ON THURSDAY!! I am so excited!

Other than that... last night was a costume party in Lou of Halloween... I went as Boo from Monster's Inc. pretty lame, but people thought I was cute, and thats the main thing. Karen went as one of James Bond's Girls.... Russel was James Bond. Other highlight costumes were Dru as a Didgemon, Jen as a Sumo Wrestler, Angie as a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, and various other bizzare, original and wonderful costumes.
Before that, I went to my first english Pub with my family group for REAL Fish and chips. OH SO GOOD! and did I ever mention that I LOVE my family group? they are so lovely and fun!
Today is sunday, aka lazy day, aka laurel's catch up on reading day because she is an entire book behind. Everyone seems to be astounded at how bad of a student I am. I guess I should really start to be the good student that is Deep deep deep DEEP inside of me.
Anyways... sorry for the lack of pictures, keep checking to see if perhaps I'll get the chance to post some!
Love,
Laurel

A little bit stressed?

What a miserable day. you'd think I'd get used to the rain, but when the sun doesn't shine for a whole day, its quite miserable. There is like a rainbow in england everyday, I swear.
Today we spent planning our trip to London, and added another to our group, now there are 4 of us comming from Capernwray meeting a guy from Sweeden. Again, God challanged my stubbornness in not wanting complecatedness. But after a few tears on the phone with my mom, and some laughter with the group, I calmed down quite a bit, and now everythign seems to be going quite smoothly.
I have to say that I am very excited to see this part of England, as it has been one of my dreams ever since I can remember, I can't believe I'll be visiting on t of the places that history was made in! WOW!
Alright, sorry for the lame saturday post, but there are no pictures to share of this week, and there will be an abundance next week!
Laurel

Sitting in a one room library

Well, here I am in another library- the Carnforth town library. Its quite cute, perhaps the size of a classroom. with 5 computers that you have to book in advance- which Karen so lovely-ly did for me!
Today God has been blessing me oh so much with acts of Service done by others (as I tell you this I remembered that I forgot to put my cloths in the dryer, so I'm gong to get home to all wet cloths, and well... yeah). Karen booked me a spot on the Van to Carnforth, and internet time in the libary, and My room mates put clean sheets on my bed and made my bed for me this morning. Maybe its becasue everyone knows that I'm feeling like crap (erm... I mean... crap is a swear word at capernwray, so I feel like..... rubbish), with my first cold away from home, which sucks more than I could have ever imagined.
Last night one of my friends here at Capernwray, whom I've spoken highly of, Paul, became a christian for the VERY FIRST TIME! Wow! God is so good! no one would have guessed this of him, but welcomed him into the family with wide open arms! What a praise item!
Other events this week include..... A trip into lancaster on tuesday, which was a mad rush of trying to get everything done and bought, including a WONDERFUL new jacket, which will be featured in up comming pictures later on.... after I take them of course. And... um... Handing in my first assignment 3 hours early?! Haha! oh, and last night was the first night of testimonys, I didn't have to share, but it seemed that everyone else that did share was comming from the same place that I am.
My week has been quite dull and uneventful, but very good at the same time. as I am typing this, I looked outside to see a man washing the windows in the rain. only in england would this happen. How I love this place.
Want to know what else I love? THE NEW COPELAND CD!!!
Tonight I am watching Patch Adams with a group of students in the Lounge- pretty much we are the slow ones (aka canadians.... as our reputation would dictate... if you dont' get it, well.. it makes the joke that much more funny) that didn't get to the sign up lists to get a cool activity such as pedicures or boys night or murder mystery with select staff members. But no matter the case, I'll love spending that time just relaxing with my teddy and blanket curled up in a couch. Tommorow I am going for supper (aka tea) with my family group, and then the school is having a costume party in lou of Halloween. What am I wearing? WHO KNOWS! I'll probably spend tomorow gathering my costume. I'm thinking going as a bum... as in a bum on the street, not a bare bum, silly!
anyways, I have 15 minutes left here on the computer, so I'm gonna fly, but send me letters, or emails, or PACKAGES! I got my first package this week, and boy was that ever exciting! I promise I could ALWAYS use a batch of homemade cookies! don't even worry about me not enjoying that.
Love,
Laurel

Full update

Hello, from today.
Today was a really Day, let me tell you where I'm at spiritually:
God is Just telling me to sit still and be patient, because he can only teach my heart one thing at a time, and right now he is teaching me how much he loves me, and let me tell you, being courted by Jesus, is about the best thing that has EVER happened to me. Next, he is going to restore my hope in him. WOW!
People here are so worried about god showing them their next step in life, and I'm quietly sitting in my corner, stoked out of my mind that God is one step ahead of me with my heart, which is VERY overwhelming, but very frustrating, because I want to understand it all, and know it all RIGHT NOW. So I guess God is also going through the all continuing lesson of Patience.

Emotionally:
I am having the best time of my life, but I always have a moment or two in a day that I wish I could be at home, watching a movie with someone. or sleeping in my own bed in an empty room. or BLASTING my music in the shower, but I guess thats just life here. And it seems more often than that I'd want to have some of you guys here, because it is SO hard to describe life here, and I just wish that some of you could be here with me to experience it.

Physically:
I can feel a cold comming on, but so far I've been doing REALLY good at fighting them off, so I hope thats what happens with me again this time. My body aches a little bit too from the new bed and such, but we're adjusting to that too.

Eventfully:
Tommorow is Lancaster day to do some shopping. I'm looking at a Bunny hug at an english shop called Top Shop, getting some snacks, going to the library for free internet, getting a cup or water bottle,whichever I find first, and going to my first english charity shop- FUN!
I'm not going on this satruday's trip... again, because its to 'Pemberdy' of Pride and Predjudice, which I have never read or watched, or even know the story line of, so I think I'll catch up in my work here at the castle, as it seems I am continually falling behind. I have a project due on thursday that I haven't started yet, but I hear it won't take me very long.

Have a great week everyone! I hope this post has been more helpful than those in the past!
Laurel

Hush...

This morning was our first quiet morning. It was perfect. I packed up my backpack with my bible, a notepad, and my homework. I got a wool blanket from the cupboard, and filled my hot waterbottle. I set out around the loop to find a good solitary place, and found the fire pit with a dry bench. perfect. I went to start on some work, and God was just like 'nope, not today, this morning, you are spending with me.' so I closed my book, and just listened to the worship music on my mp3 player, and enjoyed the beauty of England. I let go of alot of things that I had been holding onto far too closely, and read Song of Songs- my favorite book. Now, don't be shocked about this, I read it as if it is God's love letter to me- the 'lover' parts anyways.
I had been so... distant from god the last year and a half, and I am loving re-falling in love with Jesus.
I am learning that My heart has desires, and those are gifts from God, but before I get them, I need to delight in God. Thats a hard process, because I need to let go, I need to stop being angry at God, and I need to know how much he loves me. And as hard as it is, it is also oh so good.
I think I am talking in circles about the same things, but I don't know if you are getting the picture- GOD IS GOOD AND I LOVE HIM.
A week ago, I'm not sure if you would have heard me say that, but today, I mean it with every fibre of my being, and all of it is screaming, and laughing as I tell you that. my stomach is in knots with butterflies that you get when you have a crush on someone. And I've got that mischevious grin on my face that can only mean trouble- you know the one.
Have a great week everyone!
Laurel

SATURDAY IS PICTURE DAY!

These are my new Wellington Boots... I thought I shouldnt' buy them.. but now I am oh so glad that I did! Today its actually thundering and lightnigning. I love it.
Alright... see the front door? directly above it is Karen's Room. To the LEft are two windows, those ar MY windows!! my bed is under the second one! yay!
This is me and Karen at the Ceilidh. SO MUCH FUN! Let me tell you!
Meet Robin. aka my admirer. aka my dance parter. aka I look terrified of him, and he looks WAY too excited to dance with me. Did I mention that he giggled the WHOLE time? and did anyone say AWKWARD!
Karen, me and Taylor, we went to a movie today with Russel and Ian (an RA) and well.. the movie sucked, but the day was SO MUCH FUN! haha, just like EVERYTHING, right?


Well.. the week's pictures seem to suck, sorry abotu that. I have to say that this week was quite uneventful. sorry no great stores.
I hope you enjoyed them anyways.
Laurel

Poetry, Plays and Library internet

Ok, Loser... here I am in the lancaster library. and NO I didn't pay £3 to get here, I got a FREE ride with Jo, aka my 'mom' aka the RA aka the coolest person EVER. Anyways.... thats another story for another time. because Karen and I are sitting across from each other, taking pictures whist these english men are glaring at us... did somebody say American tourists? haha, because thats what they assume I AM! haha.
Ok, so pretty much what I'm trying to tell you is that I am having THE time of my LIFE here, minus all the assignments that I SHOULD be doing RIGHT NOW.
Did I ever mention all the attractive English men to you? because when I said that they were ugly, I was SO WRONG! (oops... sorry to all those who now have tainted views of me.. I know that I'm supposed to be young, and not into guys... but come on.. foreign guys with Accents?)
So... I don't know how to put pictures on here, which I wish I did. Because I know you all love to see them!
instead... I'll tell you about..... gosh, If I was to tell you about everything, I wouldn't know where to start. So.... I'm not.
haha, Today I was going to work twice as hard, and get alot done, instead, Karen and I are talking about going to the Pound Store (as in MONEY you moron! not weight!), Radio shack (I got a headphone splitter there for like £3, so now karen and I soundtrack our lives with her iPod), and TopShop, cause they have really cute Bunnyhugs on for like £10, and I'm in desperate need of some other warm cloths with hoods. I love hoods.. they are the best for in rain.
anyways, I'm going to email my mom. I love you all!
Laurel

Stay here and Dance

ok, two posts in one day, I know, I'm lame, but trust me this one's worth it.

This evening in church, which was like half an hour ago, God just... I dunno, it was so good.
he was just like 'stay here, dance with me, and I'll show you how much I love you'

Is God romantic, or WHAT?! Pretty much I'm stoked out of my mind to fall in love with him again this year. I guess I kinda forgot what it was like to feel completely consumed by his love, and I miss that, oh so much.

so here I am, dancing, and he's gonna show me how much he loves me.
Laurel

I LOVE DANCING!

ok, let me tell you about last night. oh. my. gosh. so. much. fun.
We had a scottish dance, like... square/folk/line dance. TIME OF MY LIFE.
First, we danced in a group of 8. then I danced with Karen. Then ... I don't remember, I danced with with a danish guy named Christian, and a Texan named Robin. my favorite was christian. haha, Danish guys are SO funny. so I'm just like standing there, small, and wearing polka dots, and he comes by, tall skinny, and sweating like a pig, and he just grabs my hand, and starts talking to some one else. and I'm like 'christian, what are you doing?' and he just looks at me like I asked the stupidest question EVER and is like 'well, you are my partner, aren't you?' haha. so, I had to dance with this giant of a danish guy, who made me leap from one end of the sports hall to the other. SO MUCH FUN.
and me and Karen dressed up to go, which was fun, cuz we were like twins. and had alot of fun.
Its silly, because guess what label I got in the group.... again! I am the 'cute one' haha, but this time karen gets to be cute with me, but for a different reason. she dresses cute, and I'm cute as in small. but we all know that I love that.
I am starting to find that I have alot of time on my hands, but that I really need to start managing my time differently, and spend less time on the internet (how ironic is that?) . I am also finding that I am really annoted byt he couples that have paired off... YOU HAVE ONLY KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR 2 WEEKS! I think it is completely rediculous. but on the other hand, it does feel like I have been here for alot longer than two weeks. no. let me rephrase that, it feels like I have been away from home for more than two weeks.
Its really hard for me to understand what it is like for everyone at home, because for some silly reason I assume that you guys all just knwo whats going on, and how to get around every where here like I do, and that you have all seen everything that I have. and that when I talk about people, you know who I am talking about. I know it sounds completely absurd, but its the truth.
anyways... I"m gonna go and make a list of things that I need to get done, even the things that I don't think need to get done right away because soon I will be overwhelmed again.
have a lovely day!
Laurel

Laurel's 2nd week Photo Adventure

This is me with a flower that Karen bought me in Lancaster.... right after I got out of Dental Surgery.... HAH! not! well... not the dental surgery, but Karen really did buy me a flower in Lancaster on Tuesday. we had a TON of fun. Let me tell you.
This is my dorm room. well.. half of it. my bed is the purple one. and its not usually this clean, but I took a picture of it right after I cleaned it so that you would think that I keep my room tidy. there are two other beds and a sink/counter/mirror area. and some other stuff.
This is my lovely friend Karen, after SHE got out of denal surgery, with MY flower! haha, isn't she cute? you guys would LOVE her, maybe you'lll get to meet her someday.
This is us, sitting on the curb in LAncaster, beside a fruit stand, making her new cell phone work. how exciting are we? haha.
yes, they have ROAD HUMPS here in England. ok... so they were actually just outside of Azda, the UK version of Wallmart, except more like a grocery store, so more like superstore, and well... yeah. you know me. I thought the sign was funny! what can I say...?


So... those are the pictures of this week... my adventures so far. Today I'm doing nothing. maybe watching Garden State by myself, catching up on my reading, and memorizing, and um... NOT reading any letters I've gotten, because I have only got one, and it was from my mom. SEND ME LETTERS! hahaha.... I don't suppose I can get more blunt than that, can I now?
well.. have great week everyone, and enjoy the... snow? I heard it snowed there last week, or something, did it stay on the ground? did anyone make a snowman? I'd love to hear from you guys!
Starting to miss you,
Laurel

Pass it to the Lady first, IDIOT!

Hey all!
I'm a little bored right now, and I honestly have nothing to tell you. I'm feeling a bit sick today, but its my time if you know what I mean, plus EVERYONE is getting sick right about now. I'm actually surprised at how well I am feeling at this point. perhaps taking vitamins everyday actually does something!
Have I told you yet how all the boys and girls seem to be pairing up? or that bible school really IS bridal school? its unreal. BUT, it looks like I have a seceret admirer, and well.. I'm not reall sure how to deal that, because quite frankly, I"m not interested.
Its been like two weeks now that I have been here, and it feels like I've been away from home for a LOT longer, at least two months.
Right now the talk is about travel weekend thats comming up. The school is planning a trip to Edinbourough, but Its looking like I'll be going with a couple of girls to London, and checking out some 24-7 prayer Boiler rooms, which rocks- hopefully we'll get some mad good deals or free food or SOMETHING!
Today I caught up on my bible reading, which is a super big relief, but I still have to work on my now two behind in my memory verses. and I have alot of other stuff to do tommorow. like laundry. even though its not my day. I know. I'm a bad kid. haha, actually, I am like the first person to seriously talk about sneaking out at night. I just think that a night walk in england would be wonderful! hahaha, no... I just want to go out and 'pray' with one of the boys... my admirer, actually!!
OH! if only you guys could hear the english sense of humor! they are the funniest people I have EVER met. man oh man.
anyways, with that, I need to go.
I'll post pictures tommorow, so GET EXCITED!
Love, Peace, and Copleand.... grease? hah!
Laurel

Bleh

Its funny, sitting here in the lounge, talking about going to Italy and Greece for Christmas, and not having a home anymore. This is everythign that scares me the most about life here in england- the future.
Honestly, right now, if you guys could be praying for me, that would be great. I am thinking they call this homesickness, but I'm not quite convinced yet. I had to actualluy clean my room today in order to feel less overwhelmed.
I'm thinking I really want to go home for christmas. but I also know that if I don't take this opportunity to travel, I'll kick myself forever.
But its scary. maybe thats it- I'm scared. really scared.
I dunno. and I'm getting sick. lovely.
My room is the party room. well... quote unquote. there are other girls in my room untill 12 every night, playing music and screaming. can I sleep? oh gosh no. what time do I get up in the morning? 7. great.
anyways... sorry for the lamo post, buuuuut.... thats what today was like. rainy too. but then who is surprised?
ok, I gotta go, internet time is running out.
Sweet dreams and Canadian Chocolate,
Laurel

Hallelujah!

So today I'll give you the photo tour of my new home, here in england. Today, as I stood at the top of a hill in a sheep pasture, I really realized that I am here in england. I know to many of you that may sound completly absurd that I would be here for a complete week without mentally realizing my geographical location, but yes, It has taken me this long. and it has taken me this long to turn around and praise God for gettng me here safely, answering so many of my prayers, and for creating such a lovely bit of earth so that Icould enjoy its beauty- God's beauty. So here it is- Capernwray Hall, Carnforth, Lancashire, England

This, my friends is what I see everymorning when I wake up and sit up in my bed and stare out of the window. its a bit dark, but you can imagine that thsoe white spots are sheep... because tha is wha tthey are.
This is the view from the top of the tower. NATHAN! this is for you! but seriously, the tower kinda sucks, you walk these stone spiral stairs for easily 3-5 minutes, only to come to a (usually) locked door, that leads to a pool of stale water surrounded by a foot wide walkway. its really... unromantic. I was hoping it would be so much more. But there are 2 rooms of girls that sleep in the tower. extra kudos go to them for carrying their suitcases up there and sleeping in bunk beds.
This is a house I passed the other day when I biked into carnforth. the clouds, the tree, the road, and the house, they all scream ENGLAND! and so I thought I'd show it to you, because this is exactly what life is going to be for me for the next few months- quaint and quite. do you know that even in the grocery store, the english don't talk in public? They are such funny people. but I like it. And the english students... they seem to be the loudest ones! my roommate, Rachel, from here in England, is the loudest person that I have ever met!
This is just a tree with a tire swing on it thats in the front pasture that my room looks onto. Its perfect for climbing, and I even tried today, but its wet from the rain yesterday, so I slipped and fell. but don't worry, I'm alright. and I WILL climb it before the year is over. but look how green the grass is. its UNREAL. wow.
This is another view from the tower. amazing, isn't it? God's creation is so lovely.

wow. I don't even knwo what else to tell y'all! haha, I've been picking up alot of terms from other countries, especially the americans. I've taught everyone what a Bunny Hug is, and many people are starting to call 'bennies' touques. YAY!
Last night was first family group, and boy was it so good! There is a girl in my group whose Name is Anna Lisa. her and I clicked so fast and so much. I can see us being really good friends, and I'm so excited about that!
I honestly don't know how I was ever afraid of not having friends, becasue God has blessed me with so many!
Last night the girls in my room and I stayed up till 1:30 talking and giggling, and it was SO good! we would laugh for minutes, and then have a serious convo, and then start laughing so hard again! I honestly think I have the best room!
God has been teaching me so much too! he's been meeting my heart in EVERY single lecture (which is 6 a day let me tell you), and teaching me about who I am in him, and just how important I am to him. wow, you guys have no idea. I really am supposed to be here this year.
But I still miss home. And today I see that so much. I really love getting those emails from you, I get at least one a day, and I love that, more than you know!
BUT if you really want to you can send me a real mail! I haven't gotten any post yet, and I would love to hear from you, and I promise I'll write back! my adress is:
Laurel Baillie
Capernwray Hall
Carnforth, Lancashire
LA6 1AG England

Thanks guys! And may god continue to bless you this next week!
Love,
Laurel

I'm HERE!

Hey Everyone!
Sorry it took me so long to post! Ashley's even doing better than I am (www.ashleysinargentina.blogspot.com) pathetic, much?
There were absolutely no complecations, and everything (and everyone) has been fabulous so far! Its happened.... I'm in love with England. if the internet wasn't so slow, I would post pictures, but right now its so slow cuz so many people are online. maybe saturday when we have more than an hour of internet.
Today we had our first two lectures, and Frankly, I'm scared. I am no hard worker, but this is gonna be tough. I have to read the first 42 chapters of Genisis by Saturday. CRAZY! plus, we already have an assigned test on the Book of Luke for... I don't know when. I feel so overwhelmed with so much information, and so many things that need to be organized.
Tommorow is my first day to do my duity... which Ironically is cleaning the Sports hall (the gym). It will be fun though.
My bed is so hard and lumpy, and my pillow flat as a pancake. UNREAL. I've been sleeping hard though. Last night I stayed up over an hour past curfew talking last night, which was good, but I'm tired today.
I look out my window and see sheep.
I need to shower tonight, cuz you just feel sticky after a while... and greesy, the humidity makes your hair SO greasy!
anyways... its gonna take a while to post this, so I'm gonna sign off now. But I'm here, loving it. A Little homesick, I'm not gonna lie, so hearing fromyou guys would be great... but I'd prefer it on my email- laurel_j_baillie@hotmail.com because it takes less time to load on the slow internet.
I love you all! thank you so much for all of your prayers, its gotten me by so far! Missing Canada, but not too much!
Love, Peace, and non-exsistant tea grease,
Laurel