Three months ago when my mum suggested that I tentatively push some doors and see what happens, I hadn't anticipated the result. But just last week God gave me clear leading on where I'm headed with my learning ... even if I'm still in the dark as to why!

I've not been able to study as regularly as I would like over the Summer months but last Wednesday evening (the day before my eldest two started back in school) I was feeling lonely. Church house group had been cancelled, my husband was working an evening shift, I felt like I couldn't ring my sister or my mum so I wasn't feeling very happy. After having checked my email for something like the third time in an hour and reaslising that no, there really wasn't anything Give A Brick related that I could be doing, the thought popped into my head that maybe I should knuckle down and do some study.

So I did and it was really enjoyable and with God's help, as soon as I've typed up my learning journal, I can start my assignments. Call me a swot or sad if you like but I've always enjoyed school and I love writing essays!

Before going to bed I happened to click on the 'Online Teaching Days' link and read about the day in December. I'd never really planned how I might attend one of these days since a whole day in London when you live in West Wales is a trek. However, the teaching day in December is for a module that you can't do online. I remembered reading about it before but hadn't anticipated that I might be able to do it. It's a second year module so I emailed Emma George to find out if I was even allowed to do the course seeing as I've only just started the first year!

On Thursday I had a lovely email confirming that yes, I could attend but that she recommened I made a start on the first yer pastoral module prior to December as this would help a lot.

So somehow, if God wants me to do this module, I need to find £255 + train fares. Could I really ask my parents again? I decided to pray about this alot between Thursday and Sunday when I would see them to make sure that I only did what God wanted.

My husband's not a Christian (yet - God's working on him) but when I first started this course, he didn't mind me doing it but he was disappointed that I decided without speaking to him first. So learning from that, Thursday morning I mentioned this day in London to hubby. His reaction? "I'm not very happy about you going all the way to London on your own!"

I was gutted! I asked God, "Is this your way of telling me that I shouldn't do it?" My dad occasionally goes to London with work so I mentioned that to hubby who agreed that that would be OK. Text to dad: "Random question but I don't spose u going to London Dec 4th"

Reply: "I am actually!"

Suddenly my heart starts to beat a little faster ...

Within 10 minutes, not only has my dad agreed to catch a slightly earlier train to allow me to get to Spurgeon's by 10am, he's also agreed to fund the teaching and the extra module I need to do beforehand!

I'd explained to my dad that this was a year 2 module and so by doing it, I was therefore commited to completing the first year. "That's fine", he said. When I finally saw my parents face to face on Sunday, my dad said he'd pay my train fare and in relation to the course fees, mum said, "if your dad hadn't agreed to pay it, Middleware catering [her company] would have!"

I explained that it really feels like God is at least showing me I should be doing the first two years, otherwise, why have me do this level 5 module now? She agreed and said she's fund my studies!

I am totally blown away by how things have devloped in less than a week. I still don't know why God wants me doing this (in relation to that, I met with a gent from SWBA this morning but that's another post!) but it is reassuring to know that I should be doing it and has given me a boost and a kick up a gear to get some work done.

Thanks for getting this far and listening. Sorry it's been such a long one but God has been so awesome, I had to share xx