so now i think i will actually start to blog

i can not promise to be a regular blogger, but since i will be leaving this country to go to the next, i thought i could start to blog about random events and that way people can know what is going on in my crazy life!!!


So today is my 22nd birthday.
10 years ago i wrote myself a letter in English class that was not to be opened until this very day. and surprisingly (surprising b/c i am not always very good at not touching the 'forbidden fruit') i managed to save it until now...i didnt even take a sneaky peak half way through the time of waiting!!!!

so i thought i would post it up for all to see, and then also reply to my 12 year old self with the answers to my own questions (a rarety methinks - to posses the answers to ones own questions...i must act now and relish this moment!)

December 1st 1996.

Dear Lois,
Hi! Well hello stranger! How are you? I don't suppose you remember me, I'm that star struck girl you used or still may be. I'm 12 now, you must be about 22.
Are you still interested in being an Actress? or maybe you are a missionary and teacher in Africa? Do you still play the piano? did you go past grade 5? how did you do in your grade 4? What about the clarinet? Did you ever go back to church worship playing the clarinet? do you still go to church? Did you get anywhere in that audition in London? Do you still want your handwriting to be the same as Ceri Jones who used to live in Pencoed? Are you still on the Spirit 2000 team? How did you do in your GCSE's and Alevels? Did you get any A*s? Did you move up to the 'Den' after? where are you living now? Merthyr? Does your theory still stand about boys (being just good friends, nothing else; about some boys) did you have that disco, sloppy dance with Chrissy Morgan? Have you ever had a boyfriend for longer than 3 weeks? Are you married? Do you still write your name like this: (name written)
Are you still against smoking? I hope you were never stupid enough to take drugs. Is Gemma Hynes still your best friend? Is she a lawyer in America? Do you still keep in touch with her and Chrissy Morgan oh and Sean Bellers-Smith? Is R.E. still your favourite subject? and did you ever have Miss Overbury for P.E.?
Anyway, I hope you're happy wherever you are, whoever you're with and whatever you're doing.
Lots of love and kisses
Lois Richards

P.S. Do you still have terrible back pain?
P.P.S What colour is your hair?



May 26th 2006

Dear Lois,
Thank you so much for your letter, you had so many questions about the future 10 years ago, and that hasn't changed...but the topic of questions has shifted slightly...only slightly though - i still wonder what my hair colour will be next !
Anyway, here are the answers to your questions:
I gave up acting when i turned 16, but all my experience and confidence that i gained in public speaking was not in vain as one of my passions in life is communication and teaching.
I am not yet a missionary or a teacher in Africa, maybe I still will be one day. However I have taught in countried all over the world and led mission teams to different places. I hope to go to Brazil in a few months time and although it is pimarily a social trip, I am now of the opinion that my life is a mission. I want to be obedient to God with my every breath and life the way I was created to live in any country of the world.
Yes i still play the piano, and I even made it past grade 5. Grade 4 was fine - as far as exams go. I didn't continue with the clarinet, but I have begun to lead worship at times. Yes i still go to church. I value the corporate so much, whether 'church' is in a big building, a small house or down the pub, i value family, community and relationship very highly. I was unsucessful in the audtion in London, but the trip was an amazing experience.
My handwriting has become its own unique style...i wish that i saw the handwriting of Ceri Jones from Pencoed more often these days and even more feel remorse at not sending her mine with lots of love tied up inside it. (I am encouraged to get back to that special friendship)
Spirit 2000 team came to an end: they were good times and so crucial to my spiritual growth - an oportunity to be with like-hearted people of my own age...it's worth traveling the distance to find people like that.
I did well in both my GCSE's and Alevels. and i think i got atleast 1 A* at GSCE...You can't get A*'s at Alevel, but i did get 2 A's and a B.
I never moved to the den, i saw the error of my ways and enjoyed my MUCH bigger room, and took advantage of the fact that it was on a different floor to the boys rooms...instead of residing in the den which was adjacent to them both. Now i am in Mark's old room...i've painted it though so it looks cooler!
I live in Merthyr right now. I have lived in Cardiff and in Toronto and I'm not sure where my next place of residance will be...but I am so excited to be there!
My theories about boys changed many times over the last 10 years...until i simply decided to enjoy good friendships, have good, clear boundaries and wait until the one who was worthy of my heart had the guts to pursue it and seak me out! (I'm so glad you found me)
No, i didn't get to dance with Chrissy Morgan: he liked my best friend Gemma Hynes. Yes, I've had a boyfriend for longer than 3 weeks. i have learned a lot from my relationships but there is a part of me wonders if, knowing what I do now, whether or not i would have made the same decisions that I did at such a young age. How DOES that work? i guess God's grace is big enough for it all...i know it is.
I'm not married, but I hope to be one day.
I am against smoking, and thankfully i have never taken drugs. I know how dissapointed you would have been!!
Gemma Hynes had a baby about 4 years ago. I haven't heard from her in 5. I don't think she has made it to America yet...but I would like to hear her heart again and know how her life is. (once again, you've inspired me to get in touch with an old friend)
I haven't spoken to Chrissy for about 9 years. (once I found out his interest in my best friend and that his interest in me was full of alteria motives, i moved on)
Sean Bellers-Smith dated one of my closest friends for nearly 7 years. They didnt seem to end very well, but she is much happier now and that makes me happy too. Sean is currently trying to make it as a rockstar. I think he might just do it...and hopefully his fame will move beyond the boarders of South Wales.
Art is my favourite subject. It always was, but i don't think I allowed myself to believe it - 'what can artists do except paint???'
I am an artist.
Miss Overbury never took me for P.E. except on cover. she took us for Sex Ed. though and that was hilarious!!! i see her sometimes on my way to work.
My hair colour is brown, red/brown with some blonde. soon to be darkest brown with red sections.
My back pain is gone.

I am happy, I am so happy. I am living in the reality of me dreams and being drawn to dream bigger and go beyond my potential. I love Jesus with all of my heart. I am learning to give myself grace and I am living today for the fullness of life that Jesus has promised.

So much love, so much excitement for my year of being 22.

xLois