Los Últimos Días.. helado a medianoche, haciendo las fundas y probando la morcilla. Días 41 y 42 (y hoy, día 43) de mi #45diasdeverano

Don't worry, the whole post isn't in Spanish - just the title!

I haven't had as much time to write recently as the days have been full (yet restful, hurrah!) On Wednesday we went to León for the afternoon, where Betsy and I enjoyed yet more Tapas. I have been told my a few people that I need to try Morcilla, as it's typical Spanish food and a typical Tapas choice. Morcilla, for those of you who don't know, is blood (and vairus other parts of a pig). The time we went for tapas I didn't even consider trying it and flat out said 'no'. But Betsy convinced me to at least try it while I am here. And so, I have to admit here, I did. Needless to say, it was gross. And just the thought of knowing what it was made from was enough to make me dislike it. It's appearance didn't do much to help either:

La Morcilla. Bleugh.

On the way back, we all went via the new church in León, which is in the process of being built. We had a tour of what is currently there and were updated on how the process is going. They have a number of supporting churches in the US who are helping to fund the building and have even had sponsors from the Catholic church in the city (who apparently wanted to be seen to be a part of it, because it's been such a huge talking point in the city!)

The baptism tank.

The work is still very much underway. They think it will take another year to complete.

This is upstairs - the rooms for the kids and youth.

The group wandering round having a look.

Manuel (the guy in the middle, in the hat, he is one of the elders of the church) explaining the process, the plans, and after this we prayed together for it all.

That night, Betsy and I went late night exploring (originally to find somewhere that sold ice cream but we ended up giving up and simply walking and exploring!) We managed to find a perfect spot where the village lights were hidden by trees and we could see multitudes of stars and  constellations. I said, when we were there, that we should have taken some blankets and hot chocolate! But we weren't there for too long and said perhaps tomorrow night! We walked far enough to find the edge of the village though which I found quite exciting (admittedly, this was not far as the village is quite tiny!)

Looking a bit wild but wanted a picture with the sign at the end of the village!

But while we were taking pictures, creatures started moving in the darkness of the bushes. Perhaps snakes, perhaps frogs, but creatures making usual noises and even the smallest of innocent little beings can sound scary in the dark of night out of reach of help. So we made our way back fairly rapidly!

Yesterday, we spent an hour at a market in Valencia don Juan (the same town that our big concert was in a few weeks back). It was heaving with people, very hot and smelled strongly of fish. It wasn't one of my favourite experiences..

Antique-looking objects

Fruit and veg looking fresh and tasty (loads better than the fish stall!)

But later, while some families went to the water park (weather was much better yesterday!), some of the ladies were doing crafts and being creative down in the basement, so despite being in swimming costumes ready to go, we changed our plans and Betsy and I got creative instead! Here were some of our finished products:

Not quite finished - Betsy midway through making her 'leather-style' case.

Mine :) Rosa y amarillo con los corazones.

Another example from one of the women there! I love the big buttons but there weren't many left of the same colour.

Again, another - with a mariposa (butterfly)

I decided to make another for my notebook, with buttons!

Betsy's first one, it inspired me to make some too!

I have spent a lot more time with Betsy again this week, and it has been really good getting to know her a lot better (and talking about loads more than food, weather and whether I'm happy haha). We are two of only very few here without their families, so have ended up spending lots of time together, exploring, being each others family and fumbling our way through deeper conversations in Spanglish. She wrote me a beautiful letter this morning, which she left on my bed. In her broken English, she wrote down some of the experiences we've had, some of her hilarious English words and phrases, her thanks for various things and generally lovely words. I wrote her back this morning too, in Spanish of course and left the little letter wrapped in some Union Jack ribbon that I brought with me for gifts! It didn't take me long to write a page or so, which just shows me how much I have advanced in the past four weeks, in vocabulary of course but mostly in confidence in the language! I don't think I would have really known where to start this time in July!

Oh and last night, we managed to find ice cream after La Noche de Talentos! Finally!!

Helado a medianoche (ice cream at midnight!)

This afternoon, I didn't have enough time after lunch to say goodbye to everyone so I ended up addressing the whole camp while they finished there food and said a few words of thanks and apologies that I couldn't say goodbye to everyone individually. Before I left as well, I spoke with Laura on the phone (the girl who's house I am now at!) to confirm travel details and make plans for tonight. This doesn't sound like a big deal, but actually, it was my very first phone call in Spanish :) and I was reeeally nervous about using the phone but it was actually really fine! She spoke very slowly for me but it was way easier than I thought it would be! Hurrah!
Juanma drove me to the station in León. We left with like 38 minutes to get there, and it is about a 25minute drive. Ok, not exactly necessary to panic but more rushed that i would have liked. Of course, the only time in my four weeks here that I experience traffic is the journey to the station with not much time to spare.. A lot of praying occurred. But it was all OK in the end and I got on the coach! Actually, the journey with Juanma was really cool because he was the first person who I met in Spain, he picked me up from the Airport on my first day here. Our first conversation on the drive to the camp was almost totally in English. On our drive to the station, for him to drop me off on my penultimate day here, our conversation was almost entirely in Spanish! Woo!! And it was really comfortable. We both commented on how it is a sign of how much I have learnt these past few weeks!

My bus journey to Bilbao was about a 4.5 hours. It wasn't much like the buses I have previously caught here - more like a near-luxury coach to be honest, with black and gold seat, far-reclining chairs and loads of room. Very nice!
And I am now here in Bilbao, lush and green (it was raining when I arrived - preparing me for my return to England I think!) And here I will spend the night and the first part of tomorrow exploring Bilbao with Laura (who I met at the Music camp and who speaks only a little English!) before my flight back to England tomorrow evening...
Oh wow. #45daysofsummer nearly done! Mañana, England here I come!

(I have also updated my post of Day 39 with a picture of Josué and the snake at the lake (that wasn't meant to rhyme!) for those who are interested to see it..)

Day 33 - Deciding to make a change. Why not? #45daysofsummer

When I heard last night that we were going to the beach today, I was well excited! When I heard that it was just Mihaela, Bianca, Betsy and me, I was even more excited. Girls day out at the beach?! Wooo!

Then I heard it was a two and a half hour drive away.
Less excited at that point.

However, today has been a truly wonderful day!
Admittedly, I slept a lot of the way for the journey there (hey, what's new?! Everyone knows I sleep in the car all the time! And I did warn them beforehand..) But we stopped on the way there, part way up a mountain, almost 2000m above sea level on the winding roads that took us to Gijón, to marvel at the breathtaking views.

It was freezing. But it was gorgeous.

We continued the journey (I went back to sleep) and before I knew it, we were in Gijón. Ready to party.
Well, we were certainly ready for a day on the beach at least, but the sky was rather cloudy and it looked like a storm was brewing in the distance. We braved it anyway!

Waves!

Waves enough for surfing!

And other people with the same idea as us - who cares about the storm?! We're at the beach!

And something occurred to me today, that I hadn't thought of up until now on my travels. There are some definite challenges about coming to new places on you're own and trying to make friends when you can't fully function in their language.. But there are some really great opportunities too.
I realised today, that even though I have spent almost 10 days with these girls, they still don't know all that much about me (herein lies both the challenge and the opportunity). I wasn't about to spoil the party and tell them how much I liked the look and idea of the beach, but that actually I really don't like sand or sea pretty much at all... So I didn't tell them. And therefore had to pretend at first (or persuade myself) that I did actually like it. They knew no different. And rather than it feeling like lying, it occurred to me that I had a chance here to start something new, to change something, to try something that I had previously not liked, amongst people who were getting to know me and find out for myself that I don't altogether hate it. In fact, I loved it!
We only spent about an hour, maybe a little longer, on the beach. And a lot of that time, Betsy, Bianca and I were in the sea. First paddling, then running into the waves! And the waves were big! Huge, crashing, salt-in-your-mouth-nose-eyes-and-everywhere kind of waves. I tried to keep my hands and face out of the water initially, but it was impossible so I gave up and in that letting go, ended up having so much fun, getting drenched and finding out that I can enjoy something that I have previously dreaded! Such an amazing feeling!

We got dry (freezing whilst doing so!) And went in search of other bonitas vistas (beautiful views)...

Salty hair!

Getting dry before lunch.

Ideal spot for viewing the coast.

 

Selfie necessary.

Another, more smiley selfie, necessary.

Host-mom, Mihaela! She drove us all the way, and around the city, and looked after our stuff while we swam. Superstar. 

Oh and then we got chocolate con churros. Oh yes. 

Something else that's new today. I also decided to be brave try and start speaking my thoughts out loud. As yet, I haven't really been quick enough to translate a passing thought in to Spanish and speak it out loud in time for it to still be relevant so I've just not bothered.. I have managed a couple of witty responses and sarcastic comments, but today tried to forget about making mistakes and put in to words some ideas and thoughts I had at different points in the day - about how funny it is hearing little kids speaking Spanish, asking more about where we are and verbalising geneal observations.. And its amazing how much new conversation and vocabulary it opened up! Today felt a lot richer in so many ways. :)

I only slept for a short amount of time on the journey back. Mostly, I watched out the window as we passed yet more stunning scenery. We drove through various mountainous regions, and I kept thinking of Moses and wondering if these were anything like Mount Sanai.. Probably not, but I liked the thought and felt close to nature and to God! Particularly with all that is in the news if late, I just feel so thankful and so very blessed. Trying not to take these experiences for granted.

Days 29 & 30. Even at my weakest, I am loved. #45daysofsummer

In some ways it feels like these two weeks have gone so slowly, yet in other ways, I can't believe I've already completed two camps and I've survived for this long in another language!

I suppose most of all, I can't believe there are only 14 days left of the summer holidays. That's 13 of my adventures and 1 little day in there at the end for recovery and cultural re-adjustment before going back to work (and it's a great feeling to be excited about the next year at Earls and then about whatever God has planned for me after that!)

But for now.. the past two days! 

Yesterday, the last full day at the camp, we all went along to the football training. The honest intention was for me and Eli to beat Betsy and Bianca in volleyball, but we didn't have a ball so we couldn't play. Instead, we joined the monitors as they played the Brazilians in a final game of football. I can proudly say we drew. 0-0. And I touched the ball about 3 times in the match. I'll take that!

Later in the afternoon, instead of going to the swimming pool, we had group water activities stationed around the block that the camp is on and in the local park. These planned activities turned in to a village-wide water fight with around 50 kids and adults running round the streets with buckets of water!

I actually made the video again last night (the end of day video that the brasilians make with photos and video clips from the day, and a short devotional message). This time I was on there with my epic fall in one of the water activities, that happened to be recorded on someone's mobile. You can trust me that it was hilarious, and in slow motion too. Yay! Haha. Honestly though, I did hurt my head a bit and my neck has been quite stiff since.. Plus I've had tooth ache (wisdom teeth mean I'm getting wiser, right?) and I cut my finger quite badly on Thursday, although thankfully it has healed really quickly! For some reason I've been clumsily in the wars the past couple of days but I'm still standing and think (hope.. pray..) that the next week should be less hazardous. Can't say that for the week after as have no idea what the final camp (de familias) will be like! I'm flying by the seat of my pants this summer, and learning to be OK doing that! God hasn't let me down since and I've been provided for in every possible way with absolutely more than enough!

Last night was the final dinner of the camp and I was totally overwhelmed by everyone singing a simple song of thanks to the cook (which is a normal 'summer camp' thing to do I think!) which turned in to a raging torrent of thanks and celebration, people waving their napkins, standing on chairs, shouting, singing, clapping. United and grateful and enjoying every minute! It was such an experience! 

I also made a little friend called Isra who has been my shadow this week. He's about 12 I think but he's only tiny! Although he spoke very little English he persisted in talking to me, sitting on my table every meal time, next to me during the songs and games on the evenings.. even though I was constantly asking him to repeat his questions and talk more slowly! He bought me an ice cream the other day with his tuckshop allowance, so I gave him a box of my skittles last night in return. He's a proper little gentleman and I'm going to miss him!! 

I think his example, and generally the experience that I've had with most people here has been so deep and profound for me. In some ways over the past few months, I've definitely not being at my best, yet in other ways I think I have been because I know that God has brought me to this place in my life (not literally, to Spain, but to where I'm at spiritually, relationally, emotionally etc.) and I arrived here in Spain still dealing with so much head and heart stuff, balancing feeling broken and messy and yet complete and walking in God's plan for me, with so many prayers and having so much that I hoped God would do.. I can barely speak the language so communication is obviously the biggest challenge. I have spoken very little compared to normal, had too much time to think sometimes, misunderstood instructions and got things wrong, been too nervous to try things sometimes (not often, but sometimes!), felt like such a burden when asking for things to be repeated again and again, made mistakes when speaking..

The people I've met here haven't had me at what I would consider my best.

Not in the slightest. 

And yet, they have accepted me. Loved me. Shown me patience. Taught me new things. Been my friend. It's been a challenge on both sides. But they haven't minded. They haven't judged. 

How this reminds me so much of what God does for me. Accepts me. Loves me. Shows me patience. Teaches me new things. He's not only my God but He's my friend. And he judged me worthy of the death of His son so I might know Him.

He has been so close this week, whispering encouragement and truth to me in the times of quiet and confusion and questioning. Stirring things up that I would rather He not, but in the process, showing me that I am loveable even at my weakest and even when people fail me, He does not and will not. 

Thank you God.

We had to leave the camp pretty sharpish this afternoon because the minibus driver wanted to go quickly (I think he had a whole day of driving ahead, taking people to various places, stations, airports etc.) And this sadly meant that I didn't have much time to say bye to the people who were still there! Some I will see tomorrow at church, and some next week at the final camp of the summer, but some I had to give a quick hug to and then I was off (yay for Facebook!) And now I am here at my hosts for the week, in León with Bianca and her family, and Betsy will be arriving later tonight. I am so thankful for their hospitality and welcome - and its really exciting to be in a family / home environment for a short time to have some time to properly rest and unwind... Ahh.
Here's to the holidays.

Day 12 - tourists in Marburg, lots of rain, lots of laughs. #45daysofsummer

Our first morning at Waldi and Ruth's involved a lovely long lie in (in a very comfortable bed!) followed by a typical German breakfast.

Fresh bread, eggs, cheese, avacade, cucumber, tomatoes, jam... Mmm! 

After a couple of hours chatting and catching up some more, putting the world to rights etc.. we wandered in to Marburg, and looked like proper tourists with our cameras out as W&R told us about the history of the city and other interesting facts.

Walking by the river.

The weather was gorgeous and the scenery beautiful..

 The church and castle at the top there, is where we were headed.

 Streets of Marburg.

R&W being cute :)

Jessie and I having a proper tourist picture!

Higher up the hill, looking down at the city.. We were actually walking up to see Landgrafenschloss but I didn't get any photos on my phone so will have to wait til September to see those!

The hill was quite steep, we stopped for a brief rest!

 Beautiful gardens at the top of the hill. They were telling us about a festival here a few weeks back that sounded like so much fun! There's a big outdoor cinema up there too!

On ur way back down, we passed the house that the Grimm brothers lived in for a year while they were in Marburg. They didn't like the city, and were very open about that.

They took us to an adorable little cafe called Die Pause (the break) where we ate delicious food and sat for another few hours, talking, laughing, enjoying ourselves!

I had goats cheese with apple and honey, and some curry lentil soup. Jessie's chips were incredible (that's not an overstatement) and we all helped her to eat them haha!

After a spot of shopping, we made a start for home. That's when the rain started. And carried on. We found shelter under some places, and when it eased off we continued on. But then... Oh how it rained. Absolutely chucking it down. To say we were drenched would be somewhat of an understatement. It was hilarious. We had to walk for about 15 minutes in it as well. In fact, while I write, our clothes are still drying on the airer despite it being like 15 hours later... 

So we dried off, and curled up on the sofa and Waldi played guitar and we all talked some more. It was like the old times, but new times. We talked about how much we have all changed and lots else. Then we had homemade bread (thrown together by Waldi) and salad for a late night snack before heading off to bed. It has to be said, I have not laughed so much as I have today in months. In years potentially. Its been fabulous, and funny. And really freeing. Thank you Jesus!! :):)

Make me brave

My three years at uni were a turbulent and testing time for me. I had some incredible experiences, built quality friendships and got a great education but I also found myself wading through some rough waters and facing unexpected challenges, personally and spiritually. I praise God that He held on to me through that time and saw me through, bringing me home to calmer waters and familiar territory.

Rend Collective's Lighthouse reminds me of this time. You will carry me safe to shore... God did carry me safely back to shore, back home for a season of rest and waiting.

Over the past 12 months, I have loved almost every minute of being home. I settled quickly back in to church life at Zion, serving in areas I love, getting plugged back in. By the end of last Summer, I found myself starting what can only be described as an incredible job as a Teaching Assistant at the High School I used to attend. Nearly every day I catch myself thinking 'gosh I love my job so much!' And I am so grateful for that! For the rest it's allowed me to have, as well as the enthusiasm and energy it has stirred up in me, for the opportunities to make a difference in the lives of so many young people, whilst also looking out for and after myself and my needs as I found my feet again after university.

There have been other significant things that have happened during the last year, some great and some not so great.. Some mountaintop experiences and some valleys to walk through. But all have played a part in bringing me to where I am now. I have learnt so much this year and I have grown in ways I wouldn't have imagined.

But now a different song comes to mind. One which has been an anthem playing in the background of the past four months:

You make me brave... You call me out beyond the shore in to the waves.
You make me brave... Nothing can hinder now the love that made a way.
You make me brave... No fear can hinder now the promises you make.

Things have changed and are changing. I am not waiting anymore. God is calling me out from the gentle tide into the waves of His promises, His adventure, the next stage of the plans He has for me. And I am responding, despite the fear, knowing that His love has already made a way for me and will continue to do so and that the One who calls me is totally faithful.
Where I will end up, quite literally, only God knows. But it is time to be brave. It is time to be made brave and to step out in to what He has for me. With His words, a whisper in my ears, see I am doing a new thing...

Back to Blogspot

Back to blogspot.

After temporary residence elsewhere, and a few thoughts lost along the way, my blog is back here and perhaps after February, when life has calmed down again I will actually start getting some quality time to write.

Worth noting though that the past two weeks have been some of the best days of my uni experience so far.
It snowed here last week, there have been some great times of worship with friends, awesome time spent studying God's word, fun times teaching friends how to cook, the shame of running for the bus three days in a row because I'm always late, fun and games with KUCU, a trip to see a Shakespeare play, a whole lot of friends episodes, meeeeeeetings, not enough sleep, too many meals spent eating out, reading about things that don't really interest me although they should, awesome times partying on down at reflex (90s style!), Preaching Training, another new phone, not quite enough time spent jamming on guitar but some at least, planning for next year, re-learning americanisms, essay writing, talking spanish....

And I'm thankful to God for all of this. For friends, and a good education, for a roof over my head, for money to spend as I wish on food and entertainment, for the chance to know Him more through worship and reading His word, for the opportunity to steward wisely the resources and gifts he's given me.

I'm absolutely and thoroughly blessed in life. God is so good to me.

It saddens me to think of how distracted I get by stresses and cares of this world though, and how easily I sub-consciously strive to conform to earthly patterns and desires.

But it's nice to sit back sometimes and reflect on what's going on, and hopefully in the days that follow I can learn to appreciate more the life God has given me, and the purpose He has created me for.

Irresistible Revolution #4

I've just got back from an evening at church, with Shane Claiborne and the Rend Collective Experiment on their Upside Down Kingdom Tour.

My mind is buzzing.

Before the evening started, I was also buzzing, with a mixed sense of excitement and nervousness.

Excitement because I've heard how awesome the Rend Collective are, and because I'm part way through one of Shane's books, he's a respected author and speaker that is renowned throughout the world for his missional heart and lifestyle... I suppose I am a little ashamed to say that I do get swept up in the awe of celebrity culture (if awe is the right word..). I can honestly say though, that this is something I'm working out with the LORD because I know that it's not really OK.

Anyway.
And nervousness because I honestly expected that Shane would come across as 'holier than thou'... Probably with some right to do so.

But he didn't. At all. He was genuinely and astonishingly humble. He was just so normal. And modest.

And very, very funny.

Dressed in his usual baggy attire, he told story upon story of experiences he'd had with the homeless in Philadelphia, with Mother Theresa in Calcutta, and numerous other stories of kids and people who he'd loved with the love of God, in the way he knew how to. Whatever that looked like at that moment in time. Just meeting needs, prefers others above himself, loving his neighbour.

But he didn't preach in a way that made the congregation feel guilty.

No, he spoke with joy and encouragement. He laughed and told jokes and the funny stories where God stepped in to a situation in quite unbelieveable and amusing ways!!

The abundant life Jesus calls us to isn't boring or dry. It's exciting, perhaps a little dangerous, on the edge, fun, joyous and FULL!

There's a lot I've been left thinking about. Hence the buzzing mind.

I took notes (always good, as I have a brain like a sieve!) so I'm just gonna put don't down some quotes from Shane's talk that stood out to me and perhaps and the days go and I get time to process them I'll write more fully about them (have put in bold ones that have particularly stood out!!):

'Christians should not be normal. They should constantly be questioning the patterns of the world.'

'The best things in life should be given away.'

No one is above reproach. And none of us are beyond redemption.'

'The closer we are to God, the less we want to throw stones at people' (my actual fave! In the light of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery. So challenged about this one, and think it's very true.)

(quoted from the Iraqi guy Shane had a convo with, in reply to Shane's comment 'I'm surprised at how many Christians there are here) 'This is where it all started. America didn't invent Christianity, you know. It only domesticated it. We're praying for the church in America.'

'It's not a question of whether or not we'll be extremists, but of what sort of extremists we'll be. I want to be Extreme for love.'

'God doesn't want to change the world with out us' (another fave... so when we're asking 'Why doesn't God do anything about all the bad things in the world, we should then be asking ourselves why we aren't doing anything about all the bad things in the world - since He's given us the mandate and His Spirit, to go do something about them!!)

And finally, in answer the the question, Where do we start? Shane answered:

- Start small.

- Have a vision for family bigger than biology.

- in Matt 25, when Jesus asks us questions about our life, the questions aren't doctrinal. They're relational and practical, did you feed the hungry, clothe the naked, tend the sick, visit the imprisoned, house the homeless? Bear that in mind!

Phew.

So much deep stuff tonight. Along with an incredible set from the Rend Collective. Talented, Worshipful, fun musicians using their gifts for God's glory and to edify the church.

Beautiful.

There has definitely some stuff been stirred up in me and God has and is pointing out a few areas for my 'starting small'...

Starting today.

(make sure you have a listen!)

February 9th 2010 (1 year, 4 days)

My words for today are life and death.

I woke up early this morning, so I could go for a longer walk to begin my day.

Around the block, across the street and in to the cemetery.

It was a cool morning, the sun hidden behind thick grey clouds. But it was peaceful and as I walked towards the grass, away from the noise of the cars, my soul was still and quiet.

I slowly made my way around the cemetery. At the time I didn’t notice, but in hindsight I recognised that there was no church there.
And yet God was so present.
And the memories of people of old who were believers, struck me and comforted me.

Row upon row. Flowers. Epitaphs. Ways to remember. To honour.

Lest we forget.

To Live is Christ...

...to die is gain.

Paul meant that.

I often think, when I read this passage, if I were to say this out loud, would I actually mean it?

It says, in the next couple of verses (vs22-23): Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two"

Paul genuinely tells us, that he can't decided what he would rather do - whether to live to proclaim the message of Christ and encourage fellow believers in 'The Way', or to die now and be with Jesus himself, no more pain, suffering, chains etc...

Paul is a dude.

I've said that before. And he absolutely is. He's an incredible role model.

His life and death are saturated with Christ.

One day, I want to be able to stand up and say, hand on heart;

To live is Christ, to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21

Friends.

I haven't got anything to say today. Which is a first.

And it's late, so usually by now, if I'm still awake, my head is teeming with words and thoughts and newly acquired information.

But today, apparently not.

But I'll say something.

Because the title of my blog requires me to.

And just in case there was something to say, I'll say something, so nothing goes unsaid.

This morning I handed in two essays and a portfolio (yes, I deleted one of the questions in my portfolio because I couldn't answer it, and I just hope they don't notice. please note, I haven't stooped that low in any of my other work. thank you.)

Anyway, so work finally handed it. Receipts received. Weight lifted?

YES.

Time for a quick load of laundry?

YES.

(Admin and emails and boring stuff - skip that bit!) and THEN my beautiful friend Steffi phoned, coz we needed a catch up before she has an operation on her vocal cords tomorrow and so she can't speak for FIVE DAYS..

*1 hour passed*

And then I went for a spontaneous coffee with a friend. Well, more like a chat with a friend since we didn't have coffee and he had like 15 minutes to spare before meeting his tutor and the person I was supposed to be meeting never showed.

So yeah. By this time in my day, it's 2.30pm, and I realise I haven't eaten yet.

Fail.

But I got chips with cheese and beans (yay for student food!).

Bit of a chill sesh with the Chapel gang... (it's nice to have somewhere to go when plans fall through!!)

*1 hour passed*

..followed by a VERY EXCITING phone call from Jessie, who is back in the UK for Christmas.

*30 minutes and a bus journey passed*

And then went for Coffee with another friend. This time it was planned. But this time was also free from coffee since we both got Earl Grey Tea (it's sophisticated and really tasty. double bonus.) There were smiles and giggles and tears and God talk and girl talk and lots of encouraging words shared.

Good times.

Plus it was snowing heavy outside.

Even more good times.

*2 hours passed*

And so after saying bye, I caught the bus home and waited for 5pm to roll round as I was expecting a call from yet another friend, another catch up.

And there was less giggle and less girl-talk, but more God talk and stories shared and talk of christmas family traditions, and I'm sure many encouraging words too.

*1 hour passed*

And finally (pretty much, finally) - a girly evening out at the Sneyd. Great food. Even greater friends. LOTS of girl talk, reminiscing of high school and odd habits, and about the times of our lives when we never knew each other.

*3 hours passed*

My day today consisted almost entirely of time with friends. New ones, old ones, ones that are far away, ones I won't see for a while, ones I don't know that well, ones I know like the back of my hand, ones I'm looking forward to getting to know a lot better!!

The only thing I can say, is thank you:

'Thank you God, for blessing me with good friends. Friends who love and encourage me. Friends who lead me closer to you, and who inspire me to live a life of love. Thank you that I am not alone. That I can share this life with loved ones. Thank you for being the best friend anyone could know. When I have days like this, with amazing friends, I realise how far above it all, you are, God. Thank you for giving all that you are, so that I could be called your friend."

John 15:15 (the words of Jesus)

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Rest a while.

The Pulley By George Herbert

When God at first made man, Having a glass of blesings standing by; Let us (said he) pour on him all we can: Let the world's riches, which dispersed lie, Contract into a span. So strength first made a way; The beauty flow'd, then wisdom, honour, pleasure: When almost all was out, God made a stay, Perceiving that alone of all his treasure Rest in the bottom lay. For if I should (said he) Bestow this jewel also on my creature, He would adore my gifts instead of me, And rest in Nature, not the God of Nature: So both should losers be. Yet let him keep the rest, But keep them with repining restlessness: Let him be rich and weary, that at least, If goodness lead him not, yet weariness May toss him to my breast.

I am learning.

We can work ourselves in to the ground.

But there's really no need.

People want us to do that. They don't realise, but they'll ask and ask and ask of us, as long as we say yes. And even when we say no. We're built for community, but sometimes we unknowingly take advantage of other people's kindness / inability to say "no".

Other people probably have no idea of my limits and capacity, not because they don't care, but just because we're all caught up in our own limits and capacities - and they don't extend to other people. They look out for Number 1.

So I can't make that meeting, or juggle four different responsibilities at once, or fit something else into my already crammed day.

I am set free, in knowing that God does not require of me any such thing. He doesn't judge me by how much I can fit in to 24hours. He doesn't love me less if I can't fit everything in and have to say no this time. He doesn't punish me for needing rest.

He asks me to love Him, and to love others.

He asks me to be humble as I walk with Him.

He asks me to not be scared, and to cast my worries on to Him.

He asks me to lay my heavy burden down before Him, and take up His light one.

He asks me to come to Him if I am weary and burdened, because He wants to give me rest.

Sure I have to carry my cross.

But that's something altogether different than running myself in to the ground, exhausting myself, over-working, people-pleasing and wasting time through busyness.

Oh how good my God is.

How kind and gracious and compassionate.

How much the rest of God can give us strength and joy and to ability to carry on.

Are you too busy?

Feel free to say "No" to something, and rest a while.