The Real Nicole.

This year i was in year 12... im not gonna say it was easy but it definatly did test me. This year for me held a lot of tears, tantrums, high expectations and future choices to make. constantly throughout the year i felt pressured and burdened by expectations of my family, friends and teachers to do well in school. i felt like i had to live up to their standards and that pressure of achieveing what they thought i was capable of was at times overwhelming. There were times when i didnt put my best efforts in and felt overwhelmed and like i didnt care and looking back now i regret not making best use of the time, resources and friends i had to help me achieve better. Having said that there were also times when i put 110% of effort in and was highly disappointed with the outcome. This is generally how i feel about my whole year. sure there were times when i felt i couldnt do it and didnt try but overall i think i work pretty hard in the hope to get a decent score. i know people say i

i have been thinking a lot recently how we often feel compeled to give gifts to so many people at christmas and birthdays etc but really what is the meaning of us giving the gifts... so that you dont get in trouble for not giving a gift? to repay them for something? to say sorry? Shouldnt Christmas be about community and spending time lovingly together rather then just getting more gifts and giving more gifts. i was asked by a family member what i wanted for christmas and i replied i didnt know and wasnt fussed if i didnt get anything... i was surprised with the response..instead of accepting what i was saying they shut me down saying there must be something i wanted and i had 12 hours to think of what i wanted. i seriously dont see why its such a big deal. if i dont want anything use that money for something more worthwhile. i plan to use whatever im given to good use so it will benefit others rather then me... isnt that the true meaning of christmas? i hate that everything people do

Our youth leaders are pretty special, in the 6 years ive been at youth ive been truely blessed to have them in my life teaching, guiding and supporting me. Our leaders couls have been doing better things then spend every friday night with us like ironing, watching TV repeats or hanging out with their mates but they choose to serve God and us each week by leading us. i think sometimes we take for granted all tehy do for us, with text messages, phone calls, hanging out, planning events and even praying for us regularly. we are truely blessed to have them. Lord, i pray for the blessing our leaders are in our life. Thankyou for giving them a servant heart to serve in youth ministry. i thank you for the impact they have made in so many lives and what they are yet to do. Lord i pray for what they plan for next year and for what you have instore. some will continue to work or study full time but lord some will change jobs or finish study and i pray that you bless them in wherever you are l

On the 14th of November i got baptismed at my church. the decision to be baptised was one that was a long time coming... it had been on my heart for a while but i had never thoguht it was the right time and didnt just wanna do it because it was the christian thing to do i wanted to do it for me and my faith journey and as a public declaration for my faith. i finally decided to do it once i turned 18. I was baptised wth two other awesome ladies in faith Nicole Hall my mentor adn steph Clapp a friend... it was an honour to be able to stand next to these incredible ladies and all share our faith walks which are all so different but still led us to the same place. i shared this with my family nd friends adn church family before i was baptised... I've been coming to HVUC for about 10 years now. So I’ve kind of always known about church and God. At first to me God was someone that I could blame for the problems in my life. But through the pain I felt in these situations I felt supporte