Beaker folk

Drove through Husborn Crawley on the way home from the Woburn farmers market on Sunday but didn't see any Beaker Folk wandering around. Are they nocturnal? Or do they hibernate in the winter? Or are they just too small to see, like Santa's gnomes that are currently hanging around my classroom watching the kids to make sure they're being good?
Is it safe having gnomes in the classroom if they come from Lapland? Or Legoland?
It's nearly Christmas..................

Local preachers meeting...

...was last night. I had to answer questions on 2 of Wesleys sermons and talk about my call to preach. Then I left the room while those present had a vote about whether or not to accept me on full plan as an accredited local preacher. The result was unanimous - a yes - and will be taken to the Circuit meeting on Saturday. If they agree with it, I will be accredited at a service on March 2nd in my own church. This is really great, and I can't believe I've finally made it to the end of Faith & Worship, well, apart from the ongoing training project which I have to deliver to the June meeting.
I quite enjoyed the sermons from Wesleys 44 sermons. The one talked of the 'savages and barbarians' in foreign parts like Lapland!! Not quite how I thought of Laplanders, but then I've never been there. But then I don't think Wesley had either. But I will be wary of them in future - you can't be too careful around the demon possessed!

Letter from God to man

Just heard this track on the radio when I was driving home. Need to listen a bit closer to the lyrics or search them out on the web, but it's an interesting idea. What would I write to the world now if I was God? Probably nothing like God would write.

Christingle went OK yesterday at school, in that nobody set fire to anyone else. However, one of the other teachers said watching my face was more fun than watching the kids, as it turned from pleasure to complete dismay as the assembly gradually deteriorated. But the parents loved it, so that's always a good thing.

Check out the video on you-tube for 'Jesus blood never failed me yet' - a piece of minimalist music based on the singing of a homeless man. Bry showed me, they'd done it at school. (We did Bach and Handel)

And it's only 21 sleeps till Christmas!!

school improvements

I feel like all I do these days is moan. But there might be some positive things happening at work. The dyspraxic/visually impared/emotionally disturbed/autistic kid in my class might be moving to a school with a VI unit. And because some of my class are such a nightmare, and it's having an effect on nicer kids, I might be losing one to a different class, and/or getting behaviour support in the class so there is always someone on hand to go after them when they leave the room or kick off. So things might start to improve in the new year!! I might start to like work again. Yippee. And in the meantime, it's giving me some hope that I wont kill one of them.
Then maybe we can start working on the parents....

Candidating - or not

I wonder sometimes if the Methodist Church actually wants more ministers. There I am, all ready to go through the process, which started 2 years ago, only to find it might not happen because of the way they set people up to fail, or so it seems. The paperwork for the process can be accessed from 1st October, and not before. When you get it, you realise the most important thing to do is get your request to candidate in to the office by the end of the month. Fine. Then you find out you have to have TWO observed services - observed by a minister, a local preacher and a senior steward, and before the 15th January. Bearing in mind the services are planned for Oct & Nov back in August - before you can have the paperwork telling you this, and December is mostly booked up by churches as long ago as May, for the gift services, christingle services and carol services, there really isn't much chance of having any sort of observed service this year. Which leaves the 1st 2 Sundays in Jan, if there are enough people that fit the observation criteria available on those 2 days.
So basically, it ain't gonna happen, as I'm only preaching once on the plan till Feb, and thats next Sunday.
Oh well, at least I'll be prepared for next year.

Thursday

I've got 4 friends on facebook now, and have even poked someone!
And I've made a start on Sundays service, hymns phoned through and readers arranged. Just intercessions and sermon to write, so no chance of a long hot bath before I go to college in 45 mins - just realised how late it is. Whoops!
Did get the car washed today. I thought it would be a good way to de-stress on the way home from school. We almost made it to lunch time, but one of my little cherubs kicked off (again) so I had to intervine with a restraint procedure (again) so the class computers weren't trashed. Still, he calmed down quicker than usual this time, so I was only holding him for about 15 mins today, and no bruises either, so that's an improvement. And we did make it through Tuesday without one at all. (He usually kicks off on Tues & Thurs - my 2 half days.) But all is well, because tomorrow is FRIDAY!!!!!!!!

On Facebook at last

After naggings from friends at college and work I am finally on facebook. I found some other people I know on there and found out that I can poke them!! The mind boggles. I was told I could throw sheep at Mike but I haven't managed to find out how yet, but I'm sure I will - it's too good an opportunity to miss.
But instead of playing on facebook I should have been working on my U2 essay, or on Sundays service, so I guess I should go and do something constructive now...like get a snack

Our Civil Partnership 20th October 2007

We had the most amazing day last Saturday. The sun shone, everyone looked great, the Merc that picked us up was wonderful, the Registrar was lovely, the ceremony was moving, the Thai restaurant was stunning, the champagne far too strong, the hotel room was amazing, the chips from room service were delicious. Shame about the rugby (that was such a try, but after the bubbly, who cares - it's only a game!!!!!!)

The staff at the restaurant had made the most amazing carvings out of melons, one even had our names on it, and they gave us a card. They promised to make the day special for us, and they did. This pic is us with the cake and the carvings in the Thai. It's called the Jitlada, if you're ever in Luton.
Everybody seemed to have a lovely time and it was really good to have so many friends there to share it with us. It made the day even more special to be able to invite them , and that they wanted to come and celebrate with us.
I am so fortunate to have found someone so very special to spend the rest of my life with, and to have so many friends that are happy for us too.

Just a thought...

...if
buddist - buddism
jewish - judaism
hindu - hinduism
sikh - sikhism

then why not
christian - christianism
muslim - muslimism

?

just wondering whilst writing the RE planning...

What a month

I didn't realise it had been so long since my last blog. A whole month, and what a month it's been.
There are 2 new kids in my class, neither speak any, or very little, English - 1 is from Afgahnistan and speaks Pashto, the other is from Austria and speaks Urdu, and I don't speak either. The boy from Afgahnistan is also probably 7 nearly 8 not 5 like his passport says, but there is nothing we can do about it.
We have also just had our first half terms assesment, so I have all that to mark, level and analyse by the end of tomorrow.
I also have to get next half terms RE planning for the whole school written before I can come home on Friday.
In the sport England have made it to the Rugby world cup final!!!!!!! How did we manage that? I had to go next door last Saturday to complain about the noise during the match. They were watching on terrestrial, us on Sky, which is about 5 seconds behind, so I knew Johnny had put the ball between the posts even before we saw him kick it by the screams of jubilation from the neighbours. But it was OK because we went round for drinks after to celebrate. And they wont be spoiling the final as they will be out, and so will we.
And then there was the F1 - I got up at 6.30am to watch Lewis bring home the World Championship, but he didn't finish so it's fingers and toes crossed for Brazil on Sunday.
And Amir Khan retained his commonwealth title in 4 rounds.
And I have had a birthday, so am now 28 (I like that number, not too young, not too old. 44 is a grotty number, even though it does have a degree of symmetry, it's just too big)
And it's only 4 DAYS till our CP!!!!!!!! Just about everything is sorted now. Just got to pick up the cake on Friday and take it to the restaurant, then get the flowers on Saturday. Then spend the evening in our suite at the hotel watching the match on one of the 2 flat screen TVs - one in the living room , one in the bedroom. I wonder if it's visible from the jacuzzi bath?
Then on Sunday we are flying off to Barcelona, after the Grand Prix, which I will probably finish watching at the airport.
So yes, a busy month since I last blogged. But watch this space for photo's of the big day. No, not the rugby, the other great match !!!!!!!!

Just another Thursday

Four of my class were off sick today, and 4 came in crying, then another one joined in just as the rest were stopping, which started one of them off again! So many tissues in such a short time...
but I only work a half day on Tues and Thurs so that was good.
Met with my tutor this afternoon to look at the last part of the final section of Faith & Worship. Got to write assignments for 2 units, 2 exegesis pieces and put together my worship portfolio, and have the whole lot in the post 3 weeks today. But I'm not even thinking about it 'till after my final observed service on Sunday.
Pavarotti died today. I do like the track he did with U2 and they played part of it on Classic FM (high culture) today as they replayed an interview with him. A much better tenor than I'll ever be. And I don't speak Italian. A bit of French though. And Brummie.
Back to Philemon now, and Racial Justice Sunday.

And it's a....

YES at 34 - 1. It was quite scary having to speak to the meeting, but it went OK and Jenny, my tutor, also spoke, then they voted (secret ballot on paper), they were counted, and I got through. So now it's paperwork, then District. I think that's in Feb. but don't quote me on that.

School was good, 6 came in crying. Am I that fierce? But they settled down alright and were fine by playtime.

We cut the lawn tonight. I think it's lovely having wildlife in the garden, but I wish the squirrels wouldn't bury so many walnuts in the grass. It's like off-road lawn mowing. I need a 4x4 mower. But it does look better for the hair cut. I think I need one too, but not with a mower. Or maybe I could put it in cane row.......

Round 1

Tonight is the first round of the candidating process for me - the Circuit meeting. I'm fairly confident that it will be a 'yes' but the closer the time gets, the more uncertain I feel.

And just what I need after the first day of term. My 27 little things are mostly quite sweet, but there are 4 or 5 that stand out, for all the wrong reasons! But they will get used to me and my expectations for their behaviour, and I'll get used to their personalities and abilities. And it's only 33 school days till half term!

So, time for tea then off to the meeting...watch this space

HMP The Mount

Yesterday I spent the day with one of the Chaplains at The Mount, Bovingdon. I was not at all sure what to expect, never having been in a prison of any sort before. I was a bit nervous too, knowing that there would be 'criminals' there, and the media are always telling us how prisons are over crowded and full of drugs.
The first prisoner we spoke to showed us the note he had written to put inside a card he had requested, to send to the family of the little boy who was shot in Liverpool. He also asked for a verse that he could put in the card. That was when I realised that these 'criminals' are just ordinary people like me or you, who, for one reason or another, have found themselves on the wrong side of the law. He has a child of his own on the outside and could imagine, having been seperated from her, what it must be like to loose a child.
I also realised how important little things can be, things we take for granted, like free access to a phone whenever we want. Caroline, the Chaplain, made a 'call for one of the prisoners and it made such a big difference to him.
Two of the men also wanted us to pray with them.
When we left, we were talking about how hard it must be for the families to walk away when their visit is over, especially the children, and that they, in some ways, serve the sentence too.
In the evening I met with Jenny, my tutor, and we reflected on my experience, what I'd learnt, and how we should respond as Christians and as a church. It has been a very thought provoking experience, and one which I hope to repeat as I have been assured that I can go back any time.

I was in prison and you came to visit me....
Matthew 25:36

Summer School

Well, it was 8 days of not such late nights, lots of laughter, and some really important stuff. T
he late nights ranged from 10.30pm to 2am, when we won the quiz, and were rewarded with 6 bottles of wine.
The laughter came from all sorts of things, like the quiz, the review night and various conversations throughout the week.
The important stuff came, for me, at the 7.30am Methodist communion on the first Sunday. Having made the decision to candidate this time round, and for Presbyteral ministry, it was really confirmed for me when I stepped forward at the communion service to serve the wine to my friends. At that moment I knew I'd made the right decision. God really affimed it at that moment. So, really important stuff.
It was a great time, but it was also good to get home. There's nothing quite like your own bed - especially when there's someone special to share it with.

Moans, groans, puppy and roses

On antibiotics for a jaw infection, which could result in the loss of 3 or 4 teeth!! Deep joy. So feeling a bit down right now.
And there's been a big bust up between Sue and Zoe, and Zoe has taken some of her stuff to her dads and I think she's planning on living back there, and Sue doesn't want her back here. More deep joy.
Wish I lived alone on a little island, with a huge pile of books and chocolate, and selected friends allowed to visit at times. Life would be much less stressful I'm sure.
Sorry, must stop moaning. It just seems like I've got the only stroppy, stubborn, self-centered 19 year old in the world. And I don't think she's that bad. Sorry, moaning again.
On a more cheerful note, Brighton Pride was great and very sunny too. My service the next day went OK too. And it hasn't rained all week. And the woman 2 doors along from us who does cat rescue got called out to a house to get an abandoned kitten and came back with an 8 week old puppy, a bit of a mongrel but really sweet. She's sort of becoming the 'Close puppy' and is really friendly with everyone, and very snuggly too.
I pruned the roses yesterday in the front garden. Really don't like rose bushes, so pruned them with a large saw at ground level and will be digging the roots out very soon. That really was fun.

My Weekend, and the pointlessness of prayer!!

Finished Harry Potter, really enjoyed it. Passed it on to Bry on Friday just after 5pm and she'd finished it on Saturday evening! Still, it's better than sitting glued to the TV for hours on end.

Sue got her new car - a 3 door corsa 1.4 16v. It's a lot smaller than the CRV but it is fun.

We went to a local farmers market and got some lovely goats cheese, lamb chops and fruit pies, all of which are delicious. It was in Ampthill which has historic roots and was celebrating Aragon day, so we even got to see Henry and Catherine walking through the town with their entourage.

In the afternoon we made the most of the sunshine and finished mowing the grass, cutting the hedge and picking up fallen apples and walnuts from the garden. We also got rid of some seriously large brambles that were growing in the hedge.

Went to hear one of our ministers preach on Sunday morning as I need to write a report on 'an act of worship in which I have taken no active part' (or something like that) for my final Faith & Worship portfolio. It was interesting to say the least. I thought I might share one of his comments, which was something along these line..'When we keep praying to God about the same things it's a bit like 'pester power' which parents will understand from their children. It probably makes a difference on a human level but not really on a spiritual one. We can't really influence God.' Does this mean that prayer is a pointless activity, something we do to make ourselves feel better but that makes no difference to the outcome of any situation? If so, I'm not sure I want to be a part of it. I don't think I want to worship a God who ignores my prayers and isn't interested in what I think or feel. Thankfully I don't agree with the minister on this, and I do believe that God not only listens to my prayers but will act on them in the best way for me. I do believe we can change things by praying, it's worked for the saints that have gone before us, and it still happens now. I will be passing my thoughts on the sermon, and the rest of the service, on to my tutor who is a colleague of this particular minister and hopefully they will be prepared to explain what was meant in more detail. I'll let you know the outcome....

We also rescued my friend Ali from stress by 'kidnapping' Amelia (3) and Scoobie (13 weeks) and having them running round our garden for an hour, which was great fun. I'd love a puppy but have to wait till one of us is home more in the day to be with it.

Sunday evening was Cafe Church and Bry came for the first time. She enjoyed the food! But then she hadn't been fed for about 1/2 hour so was wasting away poor thing. A guy known as Japha / Jaffa was there. I have seen him around the town and he has been to church before, but I've never really spoken to him. Anyway, he remembered a service in 2004/2005 at our church when I was preaching (It was one of my first sermons). He had shouted out a comment about false theologies and could remember what I was preaching on and what he had said. I remembered the service too. Anyway, he wanted to apologize for what he'd said. He's been dry for a while now and is attending AA meetings encouraged by his parole officer, so it looks like he's sorting his life out. It also turns out that he was quite a good pianist when he was younger and is starting to play again. Our church pianist, Judy, is giving him refresher lessons every week, so hopefully that will help him stay on track too. Anyway, it was nice of him to say sorry and I was more that happy to accept it.

Working on next Sundays sermon now - unity, as in one, holy, catholic, apostolic church. Could be fun in a church that's had a rift for about 20 years!

General Stuff

1. Had my hair cut so now I can see where I am, which always helps.
2. Got to get a new e-mail address so don't know what will happen with this blog - got to find out how to change my log in and I'm not very tech minded really.
3. Did communion with Jenny, my tutor, on Sunday morning
4. Spent the rest of the day with Phil, a Deacon doing 'creative church' (messy church) and an evening prayer at a local LEP that only 1 old lady turned up to. Phil and his family were lovely and really made me feel welcome. Not sure about messy church - a bit too much like school but without the control, me thinks.
5. Managed to get two of the lawns cut between rain. But at least we haven't got the flooding that so many people are suffering just now. At least we can see our garden.
6. Just about finished my assignments for Unit 14 of Faith & Worship, meeting with my tutor this evening
7. Haven't read enough of my stuff for Summer school
8. Have read a lot of Harry Potter - on chapter 17 now.
9. We're picking up Sue's new car tomorrow. Sad to see the CRV go - I feel big and safe in it - but the corsa 1.4 sri is nippy and fun (or is it the xri, or xsi or sxi?)
10. Going to a garden party on Saturday eve so I hope it stops raining soon.
11. Sue says it's going to be summer from August onwards, so here's hoping. We're going to Brighton for a few days, as well as Brighton Pride next weekend.

So that's about it for the first week of the hols. Back to HP now for another chapter!

Every time I look at Sally's blog she's put up photo's of the beautiful coastline where she goes for relaxing walks. There's not much coast round here, Luton being fairly well inland. But what we do have just 5 mins walk from our house is stunning countryside to roam around in. So here are my photos to prove that Luton isn't all scuzzy, some of it is beautiful.

.

Rain, rain, go away..

When will it ever stop? We've had sports day cancelled 3 times and we've got the summer fare tomorrow with the official opening of the reception classes new sensory garden. The Mayor and press are coming. I hope they bring their wellies!
Still, I did grab 90 mins yesterday to get some of the grass cut at home. Mind you, when the mower mwde strange noises, smelt of burning then had smoke coming out of it, I thought it was time to unplug it!! So I finished with the older, heavier mower, which is a bit of a bugger on the slopes round the fruit trees. The pears aren't looking too good - too much rain. Still, it could be worse. At least we're not flooded like some.
Anyone know a bloke called Noah?

Geek

Tried to put my geek rating here but didn't manage the copy/paste thing. That's probably why I only scored 16% ! Oh well.

Catching up

Well, Portugal was fantastic. Great weather (whilst UK had torrential rain and Luton was flooded in parts), great food and wine, fabulous villa with pool, wonderful beaches and we all got on without any squabbling between the girls.

This was our favourite beach, Marinah. The car park was at the top then there were endless steps down to the beach and you could climb over rocks to get to other bays that were more secluded. Absolutely beautiful. Can't wait to go back.

Then it was back to school for a week to show off the tan. Mind you, everyone thought it was fake, until I started peeling!

The weekend was a residential at London Colney. Much better that the last time I was there (January - cold and dark) . I went for a lovely long walk around the grounds and fields on the Sunday morning. It was good to have the time to stop and look at the little things we so often miss in our day to day rushing around, like the dew on a cobweb, the sun on the petals of tiny flowers, the roots of an ivy plant winding themselves around an old tree trunk, the patterns on a butterfly. It's something I intend to do more of.

I've also been to see Archbishop Desmond Tutu! He was preaching at St Albans Cathederal last Saturday as part of their annual festival for St Alban. He was really great, so down to earth and genuine. It was a privilege to hear him.

Its also time to write my end of year reflection for ERMC. My tutor has also had to do one. It was all OK except for my own minister and church. Having negative comments from them was hard, especially as they weren't about my ability as a preacher, but about me as a person. I found it really upsetting. I know how much I have changed in the last year, but people who have known me on a more casual basis, like just on Sundays, have a preconcieved idea of who I am based on previous knowledge, so can't see how I've changed as they only see what the expect to see, if that makes sense. I don't fit their preconcieved idea of a Methodist minister, so they don't think I'm ready to candidate. But I don't want to fit the mold, because I don't want to lose sight of who I am. So I'm having second thoughts about whether or not I candidate this year, if at all.

On a lighter note, my unofficial God-daughter (she's not been christened as her parents have no beliefs and felt it would be hypocritical) has got a puppy. Scooby is a 9 week old Jack Russell and she is adorable. I taught her to fetch when we babysat for Amelia on Saturday night. I can't wait for the time when we are home enough to have one of our own, or two. We hope to get a retired greyhound, and I want something small, maybe a chihuahua or a dachshound. Or maybe just a little rescue mutt.

Also been watching lots of Glastonbury. Must get Get Cape, Wear Cape. Fly's album. Great horns and I loved some of the lyrics too. I'd love to go as I've never been, but wouldn't fancy quite that much mud. Call me a wimp, but I'd rather watch from the comfort of my own sofa!

So I think that just about catches up from the hols to now. I've got a tally chart on the board in the classroom counting down the days till the end of term - 19!! Can't wait. Might even blog again before then!!

YIPEEE!!!!

At last, 6000 words finished, proof read, printed and ready to post. At one point it looked dubious, but it's amazing how much ink you can get out of an empty cartridge - about 15 pages worth!
So now all I have to do is take it to the post office tomorrow and send it off, then relax, pack and have an early night. Our flight is at 6.45am on Friday, so the cab is collecting us at 4.45am, if such a time really exists!
My 'baby', Bryony, is 15 today. I feel so old :-( But she's had a great day and is so excited about the holiday. She's never been in a 'big' plane before and it's our first ever family holiday abroad. Can't wait to be in the sun by the pool, chilling out and getting a tan.
So enjoy next week - I hear rain is forcast! And I'll let you know how it was when I return. There might even be pictures .....

Weekend Away

Just had a wild weekend! Well as wild as it can get in a convent in the middle of nowhere in Norfolk. But, Saturday night was the disco, with 4 different decades to dress up in - 20's, 40's, 60's, 80's, and I got the 40's. So went as a land girl but Lorraine made me wear LIPSTICK!!!!! I never wear it, never have, even in my more girly days. Mind you, it was fun using it on Giles face as part of his Adam Ant look. The staff joined in too, which made for interesting photos to show the bishop! And the wine was free, and I drank probably more than I should have. I have no memory of anything between leaving the disco and waking up at 6am in my bed. Apparently I went up the fire escape and in through the window. I know this because before and after that I was on the fone to Sue - who must have been thrilled by my drunken ramblings at 1am. But we all had a great time, with everyone entering into the spirit of it. Well done to the bods who organised it all.

Presbyter or Deacon

Spent a couple of hours with a Deacon last Thursday. It's part of the discernment process - looking at all the options to be sure about my calling. Anyway, I went along to rule it out - after all, they just visit the sick and elderly and they don't preach, so it's not where I'm heading.
Two hours later......So they do preach, run all sorts of activities - cafe church, drama groups, alternative worship, mums n tots, and a load of other things that bring the community and church together. What she doesn't do is dull church council meetings and communion. That will probably be the decider for me. Communion, not church meetings (I can live without them). So now I'm more undecided about my vocation than I was this time last week. So, more thinking, praying and talking to people over the next few months so that I know by the time the candidating process starts in September.

RIP Sean

Last week Sean fell, drunk, from the 10th floor of a block of flats. Before being excluded from school he was in Bryony's form. He was 15, in care, and tagged. The local 'High Town Crew' as the bunch of hoodies he was a part of, have been out in force this week. Not, like they usually do, spaying their tag on any available wall for the council to remove later, but on the fence in the park. They have covered it with their own messages to Sean, pinned pictures and writing to it, laid flowers at the foot of the fence where they used to sit getting drunk / stoned most evenings.

Last week at Spring Harvest, the girls from our church, all 15, met boys - as they do at that age! Bryony got friendly with Dan, and his mate who wasn't a christian. The boy got very drunk one night, so Bry took him outside and walked him round and round the chalets helping him to sober up and telling him Jesus loves him.

I wonder if Sean ever heard that, and if he remembered it before he fell. I hope so.

I'm back!!

Well, it's been a long time - over a month in fact, since I last posted anything on my blog. I just kept finding other things to do and running out of time. Been working, got my penultimate block of assignments in on time for my Methodist studies, been to Spring Harvest, Zoe's passed her driving test and got a car of her own, so now I don't have to drive her around, just move her car off the drive every morning so I can go to work.
Sue's been off work all week with a trapped nerve in her neck - a combination of cutting trees in our garden, being jumped on by my godsons (4 year old twins) and uncomfortable Butlin's beds. But she's looking better now so should be back to work next week.
It's great to be out in the garden now the weather has improved, lying on the grass watching the squirrels, birds, butterflies, cats all enjoying the sunshine. Now we've pruned so many of the trees there's loads more sun getting into the garden and the blossom is coming out on the fruit trees. I'm so glad we moved, despite the stress it caused last summer. Still, I should be more chilled at Summer school this year!
Anyway, I've got a bottle of chilled organic cider waiting for me, so I'd best go drink it before it gets warm.

Death and dying

Good weekend at Ditchingham. Finished 2 assignments and watched the lunar eclipse. Despite the theme of 'death & dying' came home feeling peaceful and calm. There was a letter waiting for me to tell me that a friend from when I was younger has just died of Hodgkinsons. She was my age. Haven't seen her since her wedding, but still felt sad about it. Made the weekend's conversations a bit more real somehow.

Queues in Asda

I'm sitting upstairs on the net! No, it's not fixed, I've brought the other one up from the basement. Got fed up of feling like a Larry going downstairs on my ownsome.
Was very surprised to find a queue in Asda this morning. You don't expect to find other sad people there at 3.45 AM. Still, it was good without the screaming kids and bulging trollies.
Started the reading for the weekend today. It's all about death and dying - cheery stuff for a Thursday afternoon. But then you never know when it's going to happen to you or those you know. One of the kids that left us to move up to the juniors in September lost his Mum at the weekend - at the age of 7. And Dad isn't a key figure in his life. So he's living with his Aunty at the moment, and he's not the most able of kids and has limited understanding. And I guess you never know when you're going to have to deal with these sort of situations with the people you meet in day to day life, especially in the ministry.

A lazy weekend?

Just looked at the timetable for this weekend - a residential at Ditchingham - and realised that all the Saturday sessions are on the Old Testament, which I'm not taking! So I'm only doing meal times and coffee breaks from the look of it. But I plan to take my 2 Faith & Worship assignments with me and work on them if the powers that be say it's OK.
Not going to St. Albans for several weeks now, I'm really looking forward to catching up with the rest of my group and see how they've been getting on with Helgar. It'll be good to catch up with my other friends that I only see at weekends away too. I've met some really decent people through this course and hope that I will make some lasting friendships with some of them as we go our separate ways in time.
It's my Church Council tonight, but it's open to anyone for a change, so Sue's going to come - her suggestion, not mine - to see what it's all about. It could put her off church for life! Then we are running a Lent course next Wednesday for 4 weeks which I plan to go to. It would be good if Sue wanted to come to those too. She's coming to Spring Harvest with us and has even been to church a couple of times without me which I'm really pleased about and is making friends with people there too. Mind you it's hard not to at our church - they won't let you!

Izzy

Not sure what date it is today, isn't that bad. I think it's 25th but I know it's Sunday. I'm hoping to see Izzy this afternoon. She is a 6 month old Doberman who I first met when she was only 3 weeks old and totally fell in love with her. I saw her again at 6 weeks and at 8 weeks just before she moved to her new owners. But they are moving house so she's staying with the woman, Sue (another one) who bred her, so they are coming to visit later.
Just got in from church - excellent sermon, going to write the service up for my worship portfolio. So better go and jot down some notes before I forget the details.

Stupid computers

I'm sitting in the basement writing this as the pc upstairs still hasn't got any internet - although we have got rid of a virus that had infected 371 files so maybe that's got something to do with it's inability to connect to the www even though the stats say that everything is running at full strength. But then I know very little about these things so stand no chance of sorting it out. We even spent over an hour on the phone to Sky last night trying to sort it out but to no avail. Tempting to uninstall it and then install it again from scratch but you never know what these things are wrapped up in that might stop working if I try that, so probably best I leave it. Still, it's not too cold in here. And now I have to work on my assignment before going to church Council tonight. Oh, and eat too.

Chicken pox

It's hit the school and quite a few are off with it. How come it's only the quiet ones who go off sick? Still, there's germs around and if we sit the right kids together, who knows who will be spotty by the end of the week! So long as it's not me I don't mind. Getting fed up with the pc at home not connecting to the net so am doing this at school.

Training Day

(back post)
Back to school today for a training day. Yippee.(yawn). But we did go to the pub for lunch so that made it bearable. Still, it was good to be in school without the kids - I can get much more done when they're not in.

If God is outside of time

Here's an interesting thought I had whist helping serve communion. If God is outside of time as we think of it, then for Him the past, present and future are all as one, all time is now. This means that whilst we are taking communion we are actually sharing in the last supper with those first disciples, because it is happening now. And as we share in the body and blood, Jesus is hanging on the cross dying for your sins and mine, right at that moment, and at every moment during our whole lives.
That's a big thought. Wow.

I'm back

Well, it's been a few days since I posted I know, but better late than never. So here's a quick update of the last week.
Monday - had a meeting with David my circuit superintendent to plan Sundays communion that I'm being allowed to help with. Then it was just the usual - shopping and coking and stuff
Tuesday - went on holiday, well a short break, in Whitstable. We stopped off in Canterbury and loked around the cathederal. I eally liked it's simplicity after the one in Barcelona which is so gilted it's almost chav. Arrived in Whitstable to find it was a really nice guest house we were staying in . It's run by a woman who does reflexology, reiki, cranio-sacral and aromatherapy. We found a lovely little bistro to eat in and the food and atmosphere was great.
Wednesday -had a delicious cooked breakfast with heart shaped toast as it was Valentines day, then a walk around the shops - found a lovely little shop called Jack Wills and brought a few items, then back for a massage. We went back to the same bistro for a lovely meal again and the dessert was to die for. White chocolate and Bailey's tart with strawberry and champagne drizzley stuff. They also make a very good smoothie - fruits of the forest, a dash of milk for creaminess and a shot of vodka!
Thursday - another yummy breakfast, a walk along the beach, the then second massage and a rest before coming home.
Friday - Sue went back to work today and I spent the whole day playing catchup with school stuff. Got most of it done.
Saturday - boring day, caught up of the laundry, Zoe went off to Bristol to see a college friend who's a Uni there, got stressed with the other computer as it won't log on to the Internet.

stupid computer

(back post)
Couldn't post yesterday- stupid computer wouldn't let me log on to my account! But it was a pretty boring day anyway. The snow has all gone, I still have a sore throat and a cough so didn't play in church, the sermon was dull, the songs were dated but at least the cookies were good.
Watched the rugby - livelier than yesterdays match but a shame France got that final try. I was hoping they wouldn't win. But we might beat them and win the Six Nations. While we've got Jonny we've got hope!

Mothers

Told my mum today that Sue and I are having a civil partnership in October. I knew what her response would be but asked her anyway. So Leviticus came back my way. I know she's homophobic and at 78 is unlikely to change. But I didn't let her wind me up as usual, kept my cool and explained to her that she can't choose odd verses to judge my life and discard other verses and that she should learn about the historical and social context that they were written in. It ended up with me coming off the phone and dissolving into tears, but at least we didn't argue, and I think I've made her think. I hope so. She says she loves me but doesn't like what I do. I told her I wished she could just accept that God made me the person I am.
So anyway, she won't be coming. But lots of other people want to come and are really happy for us. Especially those who have known me a long time and can see how much I've changed and how happy I am with Sue. I just wish she could see that, but then my mum doesn't really know me so wouldn't see any change in me. Shame, I'd have liked us to be closer, like I am with Zoe and Bry and Sue is with her mum. Still, I guess you just have to accept the parents you get - one who doesn't give a damn about who I am, what I do, if I'm dead or alive, and one who disapproves of me. Ho hum.

She came, she saw and..

(back post)
..we conquered!!! We got through our mini Ofsted with 'good with outstanding features' (we would have had very good but it doesn't exist anymore) My lesson was 'good' so I was quite pleased with that.
And now it's half term and a well deserved break for all of us.

Snow, snow and more snow.

Well they got it right. We all got the day off work / school and made the most of it. Bry was making snow angels out on the path by 8.10, I was out throwing snowballs by 8.15. Sue and Zoe joined us as did most of the children in the close with assorted sledges, a snowboard and snowballs. As our close is on a slope it was great fun. We finally came in at 10.30. After lunch we made a snowman in the back garden. This evening some of the teenagers in the close have made a snowgirl - with very obvious female assets, and quite a few teenage boys with camera phones gathered round her! It was really good to spend the day together just having fun. We should do it more often. Family is important.

Will it or won't it...

(back post)
....snow tomorrow. It's forecast but we aren't allowed to mention it in school because it could disrupt ofsted preparations. But I'm all ready, so I don't mind a day out to play in the snow. But Bry has got a cake sale for her DofE award tomorrow so I hope for her and her friends it doesn't come to anything. She and Sue made chocolate cake and Zoe cooked dinner, so I chilled in front of the TV watching Master Chef and the weather forecast.

Still alive, just.

Didn't eat any little green trees today, and temperature is more stable, throat still bad and still feeling achy though.
Still got loads to do at school. Sick of the sight of backing paper, laminator sheets and the guillotine. And we're doing assessment for literacy, maths & science, just in case we thought we could stop and breathe or relax for a nano-second. OK, maybe I'm over exaggerating a tad. But I'm allowed, I'm ill or poisoned, still not sure which, but I still blame the broccoli.

Broccoli is evil!!!!!!!

(back post)
Monday
Feeling worse, got a temperature, sore throat, aching. Why? Because I ate 2 little trees of that poisonous evil green vegetable today, that's why. Definitely being poisoned.
School's a bit manic too...4 days to go to the big O and HALF TERM HOLIDAYS!!!! If the broccoli doesn't get me first.

Broccoli is bad for you

(back post)
Sunday
Starting to feel blurgh, aching and yukky. Maybe it's because I ate broccoli today for the first time ever....or maybe Sue is trying to poison me with vegetables. Watch this space...

Go Jonny Go!

Oh yes, he's back, and how. Glad they played him. And it was good to see Robinson score and Ellis played a blinder too. But Jonny was definitely man of the match in my eyes so I was glad they chose him. Roll on the world cup. Mind you, I've just checked out the dates and the final is on...Oct 20th. But it's a 9pm kick off in Paris so no need to change the time for the civil partnership. We can watch it on the TV in our room when everyone's gone - or watch it in the bar if people are still around. Mind you, there's always the chance England wont make the final. Nah, they'll be there.

Friday at last

The weekend's finally here and it's been a long week. One assignment to finish, half a module to read, another assignment to start, lesson plan for Friday to write, drama sketch in Sunday morning's service. Ah, a relaxing weekend ahead - not.

Still, Zoe's happy because she and Matt are on hugging terms and she's off to Leicester tomorrow for a VIP trip to an away game. We'll be glued to the rugby. I only hope JW manages to play without injury.

I must remember to get Bry's passport for off to the post office too as she's off to France next month and it needs renewing. She's changed so much since the last photo. You forget how quickly they grow up, well, you don't notice it. They kind of sneak it up on you and when you're least expecting it they've become young people not children. But they still need Mummy for a hug when things get difficult, or they feel ill, or just because... and they're the best sort.

(backpost)
Good to see the comments on yesterdays poser. I thought it would give you something to think about. My view would be to do some sort of ceremony or service to thank God for the person, the new life they have and to celebrate God's limitless love for everyone, regardless of gender or sexuality.

Got most of the assignment done and had a good evening with Jenny - and she brought yummy home made chocolate cheesecake with blackcurrant coulis.

An interesting question - discuss

(back post)

Worked all morning and got home about 1.30pm to finish the assignment. Had lunch, won a couple of games of the addictive spider solitaire, checked my e-mails and wrote about 400 words, so it's still not finished. But I wanted to get in to Cambridge in the daylight so I stood a chance of getting out of it again. Last time I went over for a Wednesday evening it was dark and pouring with rain. I couldn't see the signs and found Jesus purely by chance (the Lane, that is). This meant that when I left I had no idea where to go and spent quite a while lapping Cambridge on the ring road and finally came back via Duxford - not the most direct route. This time was some what more successful and I knew exactly how to get home.

The evening was really good. Betty, our former lay pastor at High Town Meth, is studying there full time, so it was good to catch up with her. She's taking her mother-in-laws funeral today, so it was good to see her. She introduced me to Linda who is also a foundation student finishing off Faith & Worship (Meth local preacher training - what I'm doing the assignment for) so we had a lot in common.

After fish and chips for supper it was time for Bread. The speaker for the evening was Barbara Glasson, who started the Bread Church in Liverpool - otherwise known as Somewhere Else, Methodist City Centre Church. It was really interesting hearing about how it all started, how it's moved on, her views on God, liturgy, people, community and bread, or Eccles Cakes.

So here's an interesting question she mentioned that she had to deal with - and didn't say what she'd done. I thought I'd share it with you:- a woman from the bread community approached her and asked to be baptised. However, she had been baptised as a child....but that was when she was a boy. What do you do?

I'll leave it with you....

Still here!

This has to be some sort of record. Normally, if this was a diary, I'd have given up by now! I get bored easily as a rule, but knowing people read this makes it seem like there's a point to it. Thanks for the comments - it nice to know there are people out there in cyberspace taking time out to read my drivel!

I'm just taking a quick break from my assignment. It's about being human, and I had to pick a news event or advert and look at what it says about humans, and then relate it to some passages in Genesis and the New Testament. I'm really getting into it and have already deleted a few sections that were wandering from the point of the question, but think I could get my teeth into something about consumerism, marketing and Christianity. There are so many different aspects to look at - credit / debt, green issues, image, labels and much more. Could be fun. But for now I'd better stick to the point of what the questions are asking and get my 2000 words done so I can head off to Cambridge tomorrow for a bit of 'Methodism' at Wesley House. Back to the assignment then.....

The big O is coming

Ofsted, that is. We've had 'the call' and it's ok because they're not worried about our school so just popping in for the day to see maths lessons - 1 in each year group. And guess who's the 'lucky' one in Year 1? Yes, I'm being visited for maths next Friday. Yippee. Still, it's better that a whole 3 day inspection.



We had a 2 hour training session after school today on bereavment work with children. It was really useful, especially as we have a little girl in school with a terminally ill Dad just now. Did you know a child (5-15) loses a parent every 27 mins. in this country. That's 20,000 a year. And if not given the right support at the time it can lead to much bigger problems as the child gets older. In America they found that 89% of inmates on death row lost a significant person in their life during childhood. I found this really challenging as it is, unfortunately, something I may well have to deal with in the future.



On a brighter note- October 20th - for the big event. Who cares about Ofsted when theres a wedding to plan!

What a venue

After church we went off to Welwyn to do a bit of shopping. Got an i-pod nano and docking station, so now I need Zoe to teach me how to do that as well. Still, it keeps her busy and her mind off being single. (Just split up with Matt after almost 2 years, poor thing)
On the way home we stopped off to have a look at Redcoats farmhouse which is a pub/restaurant/hotel . It was really beautiful, great atmosphere and the girl that showed us aroud was really helpful and friendly. We fell in love with the conservatory and Bobbie's room so , hopefully, that's where we'll be holding our civil partnership ceremony in October. It's perfect. So now we have to start saving hard because places like that don't come cheap. But it'll be worth it, Sue's worth it. And we've found really appropriate words to say on the day and found the rings we want, so it's starting to come together. It's quite exciting and a lot less stressful than buying a house!
Off to watch Shakespeare now - no not him, the meercat on Meercat Manor. They're so sweet, bless.

Being a VIP

(backposted)
Well, that was fun!
We arrived at the ground at 10.30 and were taken by a charming member of staff (yes, it was Zoe) to the Eric Morcome suite where we were offered tea or coffee. Once we had all arrived, it was down to the pitch to visit the dugouts for photos, then back inside for breakfast. A selection of Danish pastries, croissants, smoked salmon, fresh fruit, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, black pudding, mushrooms, baked beans, grilled tomatoe, hash brows, toast, fruit juice and tea or coffee! Then we watched the first half in comfortable seats level with the half way line. At half time it was back inside for drinks and biscuits. After the match there were sandwiches - bacon & guacamole, chicken with garlic and herb mayo, beef with rocket and horseradish,smoked salmon & cream cheese and feta cheese, aubergine, tomato. Some of the players came up for the man of the match presentation and mascot presentations, then we left about 3.30.
Shame Luton were mullered 4-0 really, still, it's only a game!!
Andy's birthday gig was rammed, and really good fun. Caught up with a load of mates I haven't seen for months so glad we went out. Watching them play made me realise how much I miss gigging. I wonder if my adoring fans miss me too?!!

Friday at last

The weekend has finally arrived and it's going to be a busy one. Zoe's off bowling, Bry's got to be dropped off at Youth, then we have to deliver my godsons birthday presents (they are 4) and do the food shop then collect Bry and get home!
Tomorrow we're off to the football - as VIP's with food, drink, meeting the players, man of the match presentations and all that. The perks of your eldest working for the local club. OK so it's Luton, but it should be fun and it's a cup match so they're playing Blackburn from the Premiership. Then it's my mate Andy's 30th and his band are playing at a local club so we're off there Saturday night.
And I need to start work on my assignments due for next Thursday. Ho, hum.
I'l let you know how it all works out!

First ever blog!!

Well, here goes. After much nagging (Mike) I've finally joined the world of bloggers. So I guess it's an online diary / journal that others can read and comment on if I can tell people where to find it, if I can find out. So if you're reading this, I must have had a degree of success!
I don't know much about how to put pictures / music / video and stuff like that on here yet, but I'm sure Zoe will teach me. She's helping me create my 'My Space' thingy.
So , if you're reading this, 'Hello & Welcome'.
And I'm in a good mood as I've just got my first (unmoderated) mark back from Ian and it's a good safe pass (2.1 !!) which is more than I ever got for my first degree, so here's hoping this one will be more successful.
Well, I'm going to leave this here and have an early night. Still, only one more day till the weekend....and counting!