Simple obedience. And raspberry picking. Day 4 #45daysofsummer

For the first time in weeks, I didn't set an alarm last night to let myself sleep in as long as my body felt necessary. Normally, I love being able to do that! But this morning, I woke feeling restless and uneasy at around 8am. I dozed for a while and then decided to take advantage of the quiet of the morning and spend some time with God. During holiday times, when my routine is out the window and every day looks different, I often find it hard to make the time to sit and pray or read the Bible. But recently, particularly during times when I've been feeling low, I have recognised God's quiet call to go to Him as He reminds me of the promise that He is all I need.

This morning was another of those times when I heard His gentle whisper, come to me.

So I did. And it was so refreshing, as it always is. 

I want to get better at practising simple obedience. When I hear His voice I want to respond immediately. Whenever I do, I am never disappointed but the next time, it is so easy to forget the time before, to doubt, to question, to fear.. And the moment can be quickly lost. But I am thankful that our God is so gracious and so willing and eager for us to connect with Him, He gives us chance after chance.
I am praying for strength and discipline to keep coming to Him throughout this holiday season, despite my lack of routine, and that I will hear and respond to His voice straight away, rather than miss what He has for me!

The rest of this day has been fruitful and productive.
In a later post, I will share more about the Summer Project that we have started with some students from Earls but I can already tick off some of the suggested activities which I am very excited about! After all, who doesn't love ticking things off a list?!

Dad and I took Missy up Clent this afternoon ('Go for a walk.' Check.) and as we were wandering along our familiar route trying to avoid other dog-walkers (if you've ever met Missy in a context with another dog, you'll understand why) we realised that all along the side of the path, raspberries were ripening by the dozen. We sampled a few to see if they were ready to pick and then collected a few (OK, more than few but not too many!) to bring home ('Go fruit picking.' Check). I figured I could use them to bake something delicious ('Bake something' is also one of the suggested Summer activities for the project so tomorrow I hope to tick that off too!) and therefore I'm going to make Raspberry & Orange muffins at some point tomorrow, all being well. :)

Bounding through the fields (Missy, not us!)

Finally got her to sit for a photo! What a cutie!

Raspberries!!

Our raspberries!!

My day got even more productive / active as I got some last minute holiday shopping done (well, I still have 5 days before I leave, so not quite last minute but ya know!) before going swimming with Rebs and Laura (I won't do this all the time, honest! But 'Go Swimming.' Check! Yay! Getting through them!). Want to add here that I am super proud of Rebs - she conquered some more fears today and achieved so much!

And nowww, I'm going to wrap up because Mom and I have just watched another episode of Grey's Anatomy (had to wait a whole two weeks while she was away!) and we're hoping to get another episode or half in before bed!

Day 4. Good day. So thankful for for Jesus' perseverance in calling me to Himself, and for family and friends.

Day 3: All hands on deck. #45daysofsummer

It was a joy to celebrate 3 people getting baptised this morning at church, one of whom was my cousin-in-law! Although the past week has held quite a lot of sad news for a lot of people in our church family, today was a day for rejoicing and thanking God for His grace and for what Jesus did so that anyone could know Him. God is so good! Also got to don my Purple T-Shirt this morning and hang out with the DZ kids today as we learnt about Idea Scudder, a missionary in India in the early 1900s. The kids were challenged to think about what God might be asking them to do to help others - such a good question for them to be considering at such a young age so they can start using what they have to make a difference in other peoples' lives!

In other news, Mom and Dad arrived home from Austria late last night! Its so lovely to have them back, not only because I'm now not the only responsible adult in the household (sorry Matty!) which means I'm not the only one that has to remember to feed & water the dog, the snails, the plants, check the post, sort washing, etc.etc.etc.... But its lovely to have them back because I love them and I really have missed them these past couple of weeks, and particularly since I'm away for most of the summer, I'm glad they're back in time for me to spend some quality time with them before I go! (I'll stop being soppy now!)

So in amongst the mass of unpacking and laundry we had a quiet afternoon out for lunch and catching up. But let me get back to the laundry for a second - there was soooo much! Thus we made a trip to the launderette and Dad even had to put up 2 extra washing lines to dry it all so it certainly was all hands on deck (until the hanging it out to dry part when I managed to escape upstairs and have a lie down! Hehe) We also popped to Tesco for some essentials (including Mars Bar ice creams, which we had to eat as a matter of urgency, of course, before they melted so didn't even wait to get home but tucked straight in on the drive back..!)

And since then I've had a quiet night in, packing (woooo only 6 days to go before my travels begin!!) because I'm just too excited to keep waiting and I think packing may actually be one of my favourite pass times. No, perhaps the completion of packing is the part I love.. Getting to tick it off and move on to something else. Either way, we're nearly there and suitcase is already looking rather full!

                             

Ooh and before I forget - we harvested one of my cucumbers today.. I've been waiting for about 4 weeks for this little one to ripen, but found out today that its actually meant to small, round and yellow... Tasted delicious anyway!! Like a tangier version of normal cucumber, would be lovely in a salad! Of course I shared it with my snails and they enjoyed it too! Thank you again, Jo and Grandpa Wheeler for starting me off with these!

So a quiet day generally today, but thanking God for the many blessings He gives me and for bringing M&D back safely! Until tomorrow folks!

Day 2: Storms don't stop the fun. #45daysofsummer

So the next week (the first of six!) is my week of rest before the proper adventures ensue next weekend...

And there's not many things that are more restful than a day with the girls, drinking tea (of course!), eating delicious treats and watching a good movie. Around this time last year we were graduating from Keele and oh how far we have all come since then! I love these ladies and feel so blessed by their friendship and the exciting times we have ahead as we do life together despite all living in different parts of the country. We've also put a date in the diary to climb Snowdon later this year.. Can not wait!

Watched The Proposal this avo. Great movie and worth a watch if you've not seen it!

This is us last May at Chapel Ball...

This is us this May out for breakfast... Sadly no photos from today; we were too busy nattering to be snapping pics!

In other news, I'm also delighted to share a garden update with you all today! Went out to check on my little ones this evening after today's torrential downpours.. Happy to report that they are unharmed and glad of the rain!  I now have two courgettes and three little tomatoes (didn't get a photo of them!) 

As well as some flowers finally beginning to grow on the plants from Kate & Chris' wedding. Reminded by these little guys of the truth that everything grows with love. :) 

Day 2 has been a guddun!

"It's been a long, hard year." Day 1 #45daysofsummer

In staff meeting after the kids went home early today, Tom uttered his traditional line (that I'm sure has been rightfully recited in every end-of-year meeting since he has been Principal there): Well folks, it's been a long, hard year.

And yes it has, in many ways. But in many others, it seems to have flown by and been so much fun that I hardly recognised the hard bits, or got over them pretty quickly.
I am overwhelmingly thankful to work in such a united team of colleagues, who are passionate about educating young people and helping them become confident, well-rounded citizens. If I haven't said that enough in my recent posts, there I said it again. Love my job!!

And so, here begin my summer holidays. 6 weeks of adventure. And whilst I (naturally!) have an array of plans and hopes for these next few weeks, I know that there will be surprises and unexpected challenges along the way, and God has so much more in store for me than I could ask or imagine or plan for myself! Bring it on!!!

Anyway, why not ease in the holidays gently, at the Lighthouse with the people I've spent the most time with this year, and kick the break off in style in the beer garden with a pint of coke?!

Then on to more time in the sunshine, on the hottest day of the year so far (I think?!) playing catch and cricket, eating ice cream and getting sun burn with the Allen family! Always a joy :)

And to end Day 1, a few of us from Earls feasted at Frankie and Benny's together before my epic loss at Hollywood Bowl. I did, however, manage to score and strike and a spare in between all my other goes when I pretty much threw the ball straight to the gutter... I never have said bowling was a strength of mine. This evening confirmed that it certainly is not. I hope I served to make everyone else feel rather good about their bowling skills, and well done Miss Banno for winning by miles!

So, after a long year of hard work, here's to a long summer of rest and play. #45daysofsummer

Exposed.

I am privileged to know some incredibly wise people who are open and willing to walk with me through life and share some of their wisdom with me.
Tonight, I was fed and watered and extremely encouraged by a loving couple who, over the years, have invested in me, prayed for me and helped shape who I am today.

After a beautiful walk round the park, we sat a while and talked and they shared stories from their past with me. Real, honest, life stuff. Stories of love and difficulty and hope and change.

One particular phrase flicked a switch somewhere in me; a sudden realisation of truth, and a new perspective on my purpose, particularly in the job that I do working with vulnerable young people and when I begin teaching next year:

When exposed to enough love, you can't help but be changed.

Not just 'a bit' of love, but enough love. Love that doesn't give up after one mistake, or search for reciprocation.. Love that keeps going even when it hurts and gets thrown back in your face.

It saddens me to think that so many people are not exposed to enough love, enough patience and grace, to see their lives turned around, to know that moment of change.
But it reminds me again of my purpose: to love God and to love my neighbour. Not just a bit, but enough.
As followers of Jesus, are we not called to love as Jesus loved us? To expose people to the love that we have known, so fierce and relentless, that regardless of their past or current experiences, they may know the freedom and the change it brings?

For while we were sinners, Christ died for us. He showed us enough love when we didn't ask for it or deserve it.
Let us do something with that love and expose those around us to the difference it can make.

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...

A Change is as good as a holiday

My friend's mother always used say 'a change is as good as a holiday'. She had 10 kids mind you, which is probably why she couldn't go on holiday much and would therefore re-decorate the house or move furniture around!

Thus my blog has changed looks again. Because I get bored easily and like to see something fresh.

Then again, I am going on holiday on Wednesday.

I actually can not wait to spend 7 days in Madrid, enjoying the language, the food the culture, opportunity to celebrate Easter in a new place and simply to be in another country for a while.

So yes, a change is indeed as good as a holiday. But it's nice to get a holiday as well!

Photos to come.

Toodles.