Stability
From the church tower looking over Rye - England
Hello friends,
Wow, it's been a while. So much has changed within the last 8 months, I'm not even sure where to begin. This year has been one of the most emotional, adventurous, and life changing years I've had yet... and 2016's not even over yet.
We still have 3 months to go, and within that time, more crazy will happen... good crazy.
In February, I lost my visa and Icelandic residence permit. I had to be out of the European Schengen area and couldn't return for 90 days. I tried everything in my power to renew my visa, I so desperately wanted to stay in Iceland but did not have the recourses to do so. On the 3rd of February, I packed up, put half of my belongings in storage and got on a plane to England.
England?
I know, why England...
Simple.
Mermaid Street - Rye - England
England is not in the Schengen area of Europe, meaning I can travel into the UK without any problems and can stay up to 6 months. Another reason, and probably the most important reason of all, my boyfriend at the time was British. We didn't want to be separated and decided it would be best if we both went to England for a short while to stay with his parents. I knew I could kill some time and form a plan during my time in England. This also gave me the opportunity to travel within the UK and visit some 24/7 prayer boiler rooms. I stayed for a much needed 2 months to pray, process, plan, and travel around the beautiful UK with my boyfriend.
Most of our time was spent in Essex England, about an hour or so east of London, where Simon's (boyfriend) parents live. During that time, we went up north to York to teach at the YWAM base and travelled down south to Rye and Kent. We took a fun day trip to London and met up with some friends. We even decided to take a trip to Dublin and travel up north to Belfast to visit the 24/7 boiler room. We connected and grew as a couple, we met some amazing people and enjoyed some marvelous coffee a long the way. Our time in the UK was amazing and to top it all off, that "boyfriend at the time" has now become my fiancé and in less then two weeks, he will become my husband.
Finchingfield - England
Horndon On the Hill - England
There has been so much going on in my life and I still have so much to do and so much to process. It's been difficult, but soon everything will slowly put itself together and I will finally be able to enjoy stability.
I can breathe. I can reminisce. I can simply sit back and enjoy the simplicity of life.
I'm back in Iceland, in my new apartment. Simon has just gone off to work and I am preparing last minute wedding decorations. In a few days we will be married, surrounded by our friends and family from all over the world. I'm looking forward to that day. Simon and I have worked hard and have fought our way to these final days where we can be together without any hassle. The forms are filled and we finally have our marriage license. I can apply for Icelandic residency and I can start working again.
We are going on a honeymoon, a real one. For once, we aren't traveling for YWAM purposes or to document anything. We are traveling to relax and we are ending it with the annual 24/7 prayer gathering, one of our favorite events that we look forward to every year. All the pieces are being put together and the two of us can breath.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us, encouraged us, fought with us, are flying all the way to Iceland for us, and for loving us. I've never felt so much at once. Bring on all the feels.
