new wine 2008

Hello!
Got back from New Wine yesterday and then slept for 13 hours last night!
It was alot of fun but being a leader is extremely tiring, I honestly don't know how I did it! I mean, I loved it because it meant I got to be the one having really cool conversations with all the youth about what was going on with their faith and oh my goodness so many of them have amazing faiths and I really hope and pray that they bring that back home and it isn't just a one week thing.

I'm not going to go through day by day because most of it has kind of rolled into one! But some particular memories are:
- I ended up going to evening sessions at Venue 1 with my parents which was really nice, most nice I was falling asleep because it was the first moment I'd been able to sit down but it was nice to have my own space and it was really nice to be with my parents. There were a couple of good talks, my particular favourite with Elenor Mumford who I've heard speak before and really enjoy listening to. plus the worship was amazing :D
- on Friday and Saturday afternoons I ended up in the cafe in the food court with different groups of girls from the youth, just drinking hot chocolate and talking about everything under the sun and it was so much fun! just really relaxed and enjoyable time.
- went speed dating on wednesday night, only got 2 matches and they were from guys I already knew and weren't real matches but I had a really good time, I don't mind that I didn't get matches (I was worried some of the youth would make fun but they didn't, they were really lovely and said that they'd had a bet who would get the most out of the people going and I was at the top so that was nice!). actually the 2 nicest guys I met the whole week I didn't meet during speed dating!
- just sitting playing mafia in the communal tent with all my friends in the youth, different people sat on my lap, chatting, playing silly games, just having fun.
- on friday night I just happened to get up and get out of my tent in time to see a huddle of half naked boys from my youth group as they were about to embark on Boxer Run 2008...30 seconds later I heard cheers and whistles and shouts coming from the food court as they were obviously running through! I have to admit I felt a little burst of pride :) obviously as a leader I had no prior knowledge of this boxer run and most certainly did not encourage it!

I think those of most of my memories, I had some really great moments but I'm exhausted from it all, especially because the youth are rather noisy at night and I was one of the people having to tell them to be quiet but it was another great year at new wine :)

my plans for the next two weeks are pretty loose at the moment considering I HAVE FINISHED WORK!!!!!! I mean, I still have Holiday Club and the Space Goodbye Meal, but I am no longer working :D and I'm so happy! It's been a brilliant year with many ups and downs but I am so ready to go to university and to just have some time off before that. Kat and I plan on using the next 2 weeks to make this years Holiday Club set amazing and brilliant because we went on a tour of the kids work at new wine and were highly jealous of their backdrops and sets so we're going to really go for it :)

that's all!
much love xxx